The Israelites Chapter 6

Lesson 1 - Beginnings Monotheistic Prophets were sent As messengers Said that God created and ruled world Said that God was powerful, but good and just; wants goodness Connect through prayer, religious study; good acts

Lesson 1 – Beginnings (cont.) The Hebrew Bible Recorded history and beliefs AKA Tanakh Followers known as Jews Influential Christianity and Islam Many shared beliefs and customs

Lesson 1 – Beginnings (cont.) Abraham Egypt’s empire ended; new kingdoms form Israelites were herders, traders Told to settle in Canaan; promised to his descendants Known as the “Promised Land”

Lesson 1 – Beginnings (cont.) Isaac and Jacob Jacob given name Israel “One who struggles with God” Descendants became leaders of tribes, Twelve Tribes of Israel Leave Canaan due to famine; Egypt Pharaoh places Israelites into slavery

Lesson 1 – Beginnings (cont.) Moses and the Exodus Burning Bush; told by God to go to Pharaoh 10 Plagues sent on Egypt Locusts, disease Israelites released; pharaoh changes mind Red Sea; God parts waters to allow escape; drowns pursuing Egyptians

Lesson 1 – Beginnings (cont.) The Covenant Israelites will return safely to Canaan if they follow teachings Moses climbs Mt. Sinai Receives Torah 10 Commandments Loyalty to God Name of God not misused Worship of other gods prohibited

Lesson 1 – Beginnings (cont.) Ten Commandments Shapes moral principles of many nations Promoted social justice and feeling of community Democratic belief that laws should apply equally to all.

Compare and Contrast How did the Israelites’ beliefs differ from the beliefs of most other ancient peoples?

The Land of Canaan New leader: Joshua Canaanites Canaan occupied by Canaanites, Philistine Canaanites Nomadic; herders Phoenicians Sailors, traders Controlled shipping Purple dye Carthage: most important city in western Mediterranean Alphabet; spread of culture

Land of Canaan (cont.) Philistines “Sea People” Walled cities Skilled in weaponry; iron tools Strong army Kept own language, religion Accepted many ideas from other cultures

Land of Canaan (cont.) Military Conquests Believed Canaan was God’s will Joshua Series of Battles Jericho Marched around walls of city Priests blew trumpets 7th day: walls collapsed Conquered land divided among 12 tribes Judges rule after Joshua’s death Settled disputes, led battles Deborah; wisdom and bravery

Land of Canaan (cont.) Life in Canaan Herders; farmers Stored water Rocky countryside Two level homes Mud brick walls; clay floor Animals kept downstairs; people slept top level

Life in Canaan (cont.) Tabernacle Large tent-like structure Believed it housed God’s presence Portable; built at Shiloh Housed Ark of Covenant Held Ten Commandments Sign of God’s presence; ensure victory

The Israelite Kingdom Early Kings Settled Canaan; developed culture, alphabet, calendar Philistines move inland Israelites demand king to unite tribes for battle

The Israelite Kingdom Saul Israelites asked Samuel to choose a king Samuel warns king would tax and enslave them Samuel anoints Saul as first king Win many battles Disobeys God’s instructions Loses favor of people

The Israelite Kingdom David Fought a giant and won Saul puts David in charge of his army Win many victories Saul jealous; tries to kill David Saul dies in battle; David becomes King

David’s Accomplishments Unites tribes of Israel Defeats Philistines Establishes capital city, Jerusalem Accomplished musician; author of many psalms Israel very prosperous Honored as greatest king after his death

King Solomon Brought long period of peace Constructed many cities Built first temple in Jerusalem Held the Ark of the Covenant Wrote many proverbs Forced high taxes

Two Kingdoms 10 Northern tribes rebel against Jerusalem Found separate kingdom called Israel 2 other tribes remained in Jerusalem Found kingdom of Judah Split politically, not religiously Threatened by neighbors

Fall of Israel Assyrians Forced tribute; Israel refused Assyrians invade; capture cities, including Samaria Forced Israelites to relocate New culture emerges; Samaritans Samaritans adopt many religious beliefs Little in common with Israelites

Fall of Judah Nebuchadnezzar Forces people to leave Jerusalem; go to Babylon Chooses new king to rule Judah Plots to free Judah Prophet Jeremiah warns against rebellion Chaldeans retook Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Levels Jerusalem to the ground; destroys temple Babylonian exile

The Jews in the Mediterranean World Under Persian control for 200 years Alexander the Great Defeats the Greeks Allows the Jews to stay in Judah Jews living outside of homeland: Diaspora “scattered” Remained loyal; many learned language and customs Jewish scholars translate Hebrew Bible into Greek: Septuagint Spreads Judaism throughout Mediterranean

Revolt of the Maccabeus Seleucids ruled kingdom Judah was in King Antiochus IV required worship of Greek gods Jews refused Judas Maccabeus leads revolt Formed army; fought battles Captured the Temple; cleared it of statues of Greek gods Rededicate the temple; Festival of Hannukah

Roman Rule in Judaea 100 B.C. Romans controlled Mediterranean Romans rename Judah, Judaea Herod chosen to rule as king Built 2nd Temple in Jerusalem

Groups of Jews Pharisees Sadducees Essenes Stressed written and oral law Priests and scribes Priests who broke from temple in Jerusalem Free from Roman rule Accepted laws of Torah Prayed and waited for deliverance from Roman rule Do not fight, but resist control Rejected Oral teachings Written law Greater devotion Cooperation with Romans Dead Sea scrolls Common people Wealthy people

Jewish-Roman Wars Zealots Wanted to fight for their freedom Defeated small Roman army in Jerusalem 4 years later Romans took it back; killed thousands of Jews Destroyed the second Temple Another revolt; imposed stricter laws on the Jews Renamed Judaea, Palestine