The World of Jesus: History and Politics

The Story Begins: 1900 BC Jewish history began between 1900 and 1750 BC Were originally part of a tribe called the Hebrews Abram to Abraham— ”Father of Faith” Covenant with Abraham

Isaac and Jacob Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah Abraham tried to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah Isaac and his wife Rebekah gave birth to Jacob who fathered 12 sons or the 12 Tribes of Israel Story of Joseph

End of the Patriarch’s Period Jewish settlement in Egypt ends the Patriarchs period Patriarch: means father or leader of the family Patriarchs of the Jewish faith are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob The Israelites will leave Egypt to return to the Promised Land

Moses (c BC) Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt Lord translates into meaning Yahweh Since Yahweh is the name of God, Jews would use Lord Adonai: means “my great Lord

The First Passover Moses was sent by God to free the Israelites from bondage The 10 th plague “This day ‘Passover’ shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance” (Exodus 12:14)

The Covenant of Sinai God’s Covenant with Moses was to follow the Ten Commandments With the Ten Commandments God no longer preached only to a few leaders but to the entire community

Life in the Promised Land C BC the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land (led by Joshua) This began years of warfare and were led by judges C BC they appointed their first king to defeat the Philistines-- Saul

The Kingdom of Israel (1000 BC) Saul (A Warrior-King): divided kingdom into two parts North Kingdom was called Israel and comprised of 10 Tribes South Kingdom was Judah Disagreed over Saul’s successor

King David Conquered the Philistines and expanded empire Jerusalem became the capital of this new kingdom Recognized as the greatest king of all Jewish kings

King Solomon Solomon was the son of King David Built the “great” temple in Jerusalem envisioned by his father Israel became corrupt and the people began to worship “false” gods

The Divided Kingdom Kingdom is split because Israel in the north refused to accept King Solomon’s son Thus begins the period of the prophets Prophets attempted to bring the Hebrew people back to God Age of pre-Exilic Prophets

The Babylonian Exile Babylonians conquer the Hebrew people They were led by Nebuchadnezzar During the Babylonian Exile, the Jews who were not captured went further north around the Mediterranean Sea Diaspora: those who have been dispersed Age of Exilic Prophets

Post-Exilic Prophesy Hebrew people were released from exile by the Persians We get a second wave of prophesy Begin to call the entire Jewish kingdom Judaism

Greek Domination of Palestine Alexander the Great: expanded the Greek Empire throughout the Mediterranean Sea region and the Middle East Was Macedonian but educated in Greek culture He died in 323 BC

After Alexander’s Death Empire was divided up— Palestine was caught in the middle of two general (one from Syria and one from Egypt) Greek culture influenced every aspect of Jewish life Greek Syrians defeat the Greek Egyptians Rome defeats the Greek Syrians and demands money—Jews are forced to pay high taxes

Reactions to the Greek Influence Jewish leaders, the wealthy landowners, and the priestly class tried to get along with the Greeks The Hasidim felt that compromising meant rejecting their Jewish faith Sporadic eruptions of violence towards their Greek oppressors (Maccabean War) Jews revolt against Greece and gain independence in 142 BC

Problems with New Independence Before giving leadership to the Jews, a prominent Jewish family accepted a gift from the Greek leaders The gift was the title “high priesthood” Family was a descendant of the 12 Tribes This “bribe” divided Jews based on loyalty

Factions within Judaism The Sadducees: the priestly class who were aligned with the new Jewish political leaders The Essenes: they were so upset over what took place that they withdrew from society and observed strict religious traditions The Pharisees: not looked favorably upon by the Jewish political leaders, but they were well respected by the “average Joe” Jew and followed Jewish law closely

Geographical Factions Following Independence Judea: religious/geographic center of Judaism Jerusalem was located in Judea Idumea: region south of Judea and was forced under Israel rule; thus, the people were not held in high regard Samaria: Samarians were very much “enemies” of the Jews from Judea Galilee: were considered second-class citizens and not looked at in high esteem

Appeal to Rome Political/geographic regions in Israel put the new country on the point of civil war Pharisees and Sadducees appeal to Rome for help Rome occupies Israel in 63 BC

Herod “the Great” Chosen by the Romans to control region He was a Idumean Jew Rule from 37 BC to 4 AD—his son takes over after his death A brutal yet effective leader of the region

Herod Antipas Son of King Herod Married his half brothers wife—reason for John the Baptist being put to death Jesus referred to Herod Antipas as “that fox” He ruled Galilee and Perea

The Roman Procurator A son of King Herod the Great Ruled Judea, Samaria and Idumea Was replaced by the Roman Procurator because he was not a very good leader Pontius Pilot was the Roman Procurator during the time of Jesus

Jerusalem Destroyed Jews continued to fight Roman rule and in 66 AD the Zealots openly rebelled against the Romans The Romans not only stopped the rebellion they destroyed it with full force In 70 AD the Temple in Jerusalem was completely destroyed