Ancient Chronology & Hebrew History

Problems of Ancient History What counts as evidence? – Secularist: ancient records, archeological evidence interpreted through an evolutionary lens – Christian: The Bible, ancient records, archeological evidence interpreted through a Biblical lens

Problems (2) Example of different approaches – Matthews: primitive man slowly gropes his way out of animal barbarism, mysteriously learns to farm after millions of years, mysteriously learns to write and produce culture after thousands more years – Bible: man is created in God’s image, learns agriculture, music, metalworking quickly (Genesis 1- 4)

Chronology Issues The problem: no unbroken timeline until the Romans Centrality of Egypt to chronological construction Pitfalls of Egyptian chronology – Non-linear view of time – Practice of dual reigns of kings

Chronology Issues (2) “Current Consensus Chronology” (CCC) – Sumer and Egypt ca B.C. Issues for Christians – Genealogical record of Genesis 5, 11 – Flood account Christian Chronology (Ussher, etc.) – Noah’s Flood—24 th or 23 rd century B.C.

Pre-history Timeline CCC – Millions of years... – Ice Age – “Agricultural Revolution” Biblical Chronology – Creation – Flood – Tower of Babel

Why the Hebrews? Contemporary insignificance Spiritual heritage Relevance to us

The Genesis Account Abram/Abraham – Mesopotamian (Ur of the Chaldees) – God’s Call; the “Promised Land” – Genesis 12:1-8 Jacob/Israel – Abraham’s grandson – 2 wives, 2 concubines, 12 sons, 1 daughter

Israel and Egypt Centuries in Egypt – Joseph: 11 th son of Jacob – Genesis 41 – Slavery The Exodus – Moses the Levite – God’s Call (burning bush) – Ten Plagues – The Red Sea: Exodus 14

Becoming a Nation Journey to Sinai – Ten Commandments – Golden Calf Years of Wandering Invasion of Canaan (15 th century?) – Crossing the Jordan – Jericho: Joshua 6

Period of the Judges 15 th -11 th centuries Cycle of disobedience, judgment, repentance, restoration Deborah Gideon: Judges 6-7 Samson Samuel

United Kingdom Call for a King (1 Samuel 8) Saul ( ) – killed by Philistines David ( ) – Fight with Goliath: 1 Samuel 17 – One of Saul’s lieutenants – Defeated the Philistines – Author of many of the Psalms

United Kingdom (2) Solomon ( ) – “Wisest man in the world” – Building projects Temple Royal palace – OT author Proverbs Song of Songs Ecclesiastes (probably)

Divided Kingdom Reign of Rehoboam – Oppression – Jeroboam and the northern secession Northern ten tribes  Israel (Samaria) Southern two tribes  Judah (Jerusalem)

Israel Succession of wicked kings – Jeroboam and idolatry – Ahab – Jehu Prophets fail to bring lasting change Assyrian invasion (722) Elimination as a separate people

Judah Mix of good and bad kings – Hezekiah – Josiah Gradual apostasy Chaldean invasion (586) Return of the Exiles (538) Esther’s deliverance (mid-5 th century?)