Israel: Its Land, History, and People. Why Study the Land, History, and People of the Bible? “Most...
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Israel: Its Land, History, and People. Why Study the Land, History, and People of the Bible? “Most Christians and others interested in the New Testament
Why Study the Land, History, and People of the Bible? Most
Christians and others interested in the New Testament would love to
be able to read it and understand what it means without having to
read other books. Of course, one can always read some kind of
meaning into a verse of Scripture. But those who understand that
the books of the New Testament were written to specific people, in
specific places, nearly two thousand years ago, know that this is
not a good idea. If the New Testament texts were written to make
sense to people in the first century, then we must try to put
ourselves into their places in order to determine what the writers
of the New Testament intended their readers to understand by what
they wrote. If we try to make sense of the Bible with no knowledge
of the people who wrote it, those who read it and the society in
which they lived, we will be inclined to read into the Scriptures
our own societys values and ideas. This would be a major mistake
since our culture is very different from that of the ancient
Romans. -The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring
the Background of Early Christianity, by James S. Jeffers, page
11.
Slide 3
What if you didnt know Why God chose the land of Canaan to be
the homeland of the Jews? Who the Moabites and Ammonites and
Hittites and Edomites, etc. are? The difference between the
Pharisees and Sadducees? What happened in the 400 years between the
end of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus? What Jews of Jesus
day believed about the Messiah? About the Law? About the Temple?
Why different tribes of Israel hated and fought one other?
Slide 4
What this class will cover Old Testament Geography of Israel
and its significance Pre-Kingdom Era (Abraham, Moses, Joshua,
Judges) United Kingdom Era (Saul, David, Solomon) Divided Kingdom
Era (Israel in north; Judah in south) Post-Kingdom Era (Captivity,
Return, Maccabean period) We will discuss surrounding nations and
the prophets as we go through our study
Slide 5
What this class will cover New Testament History Geography
Review (whats changed?) Spotlight on Jerusalem Herod Dynasty and
Roman rule Jewish Religion (Temple, Law) Jewish Groups (Pharisees,
Sadducees, Essenes, Herodians, Zealots) Jewish Culture Throughout:
Connections to the Bible
Slide 6
What this class will cover Israel since the New Testament Era
Foreign Occupation (Arabs, Christians, Turks) Zionist movement to
create a state of Israel Modern state of Israel (1948-present)
Slide 7
Length of Class 15 weeks March 3-June 15 (will miss the last
two weeks of the May/June Equipping cycle due to Israel trip)
Slide 8
Geography of Israel Importance of Geography Example: Why did
slavery exist in the American South far longer than in the
Northeast? Especially important if you travel to Israel
Slide 9
Size of Israel
Slide 10
Why did God choose this location for Israel?
Slide 11
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Different Regions of Israel
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Coastal Plain Extends from Tyre in the north, southward to the
Sinai, interrupted only by Mount Carmel as it juts out into the
Mediterranean Sea. Few natural harbors can be found along the
coast, however, and the presence of sand dunes and hard limestone
ridges prohibited most settlement directly on the coast. These
conditions meant that the people living in Palestine were seldom
great seafarers. The fertile soil and abundant water,
characteristic of the Coastal Plain, did ensure dense settlement in
most periods. Israel controlled portions of the plain only in times
of political and military strength. More frequently, powerful foes
like Egypt or Assyria dominated this region.
Slide 17
Coastal Plain Extends from Tyre in the north, southward to the
Sinai, interrupted only by Mount Carmel as it juts out into the
Mediterranean Sea. Few natural harbors can be found along the
coast, however, and the presence of sand dunes and hard limestone
ridges prohibited most settlement directly on the coast. These
conditions meant that the people living in Palestine were seldom
great seafarers. The fertile soil and abundant water,
characteristic of the Coastal Plain, did ensure dense settlement in
most periods. Israel controlled portions of the plain only in times
of political and military strength. More frequently, powerful foes
like Egypt or Assyria dominated this region. Philistines
Slide 18
Shephelah (foothills) Shephelah = Lowlands and must have been
given by inhabitants living in the higher elevations of Judah.
These rolling hills form an effective barrier separating Judah from
the Philistine Plain. Four valleys (wadis) cut through the
Shephelah giving access to the cities of Judah: the Aijalon, the
Sorek, the Elah, and the Way to Hebron.
Slide 19
Shephelah (foothills) Control of the Shephelah was vital to the
security of Judah. Heavily fortified towns such as Lachish, Azekah,
Socoh, and Timnah protected each valley, with these cities being
frequently destroyed by invading armies. Early on, the Philistines
fought with the tribes of Israel for control of this vital region.
Several of the battles fought between the Philistines and the
Israelite tribes that are recorded in Judges and Samuel took place
in the Shephelah. David fought Goliath in the Valley of Elah (1
Sam. 17). Earlier many of Samsons exploits took place in the
vicinity of Timnah along the Sorek Valley.
Slide 20
Spotlight on the Valley of Elah
Slide 21
Western Mountains This mountain range runs from north to south
in the center of Israel, and is made up of three regions: Galilee,
Samaria, and Judah Galilee (in the north) is separated from Samaria
(central Israel) and Judah (in the south) by the Jezreel Valley The
mountains of Samaria and Judah have been scoured by rainfall
forming wadis that penetrate the mountains from east and west. The
term wadi refers to gullies formed by runoff erosion. Normally dry,
wadis can become raging torrents, especially in semidry regions.
Some of these wadis are wide, allowing easy travel; others are
narrow, steep, and easily defended. An important roadthe Ridge Road
following the crest or watershed, links Samaria and Judah. Many
biblical cities lie along or near this route: Hebron, Bethlehem,
Jerusalem, Bethel, Mizpah, Shiloh, and Shechem.
Slide 22
Spotlight on the Galilee North of the Jezreel Valley lies
Galilee, a region with two distinct characteristics. Upper Galilee
is a high, uplifted plateau isolated by its height from surrounding
regions. Mount Meron, the highest point, rises to an elevation of
3,963 feet. Well watered and heavily forested in antiquity, Upper
Galilee played a less prominent historical role due to its relative
isolation. By contrast, the gentle hills and broad, fertile valleys
of Lower Galilee are more familiar to biblical students. The
rolling hills, oriented east and west, do not exceed 2,000 feet and
often are much lower. Bisecting valleys (Beth Kerem Valley, Beth
Netofa Valley) made travel easy. Vineyards, olive trees, and wheat
flourished in the favorable climate and soil. Villages and towns
like Nazareth, Cana, and the provincial capital, Sepphoris, dotted
the landscape. The Sea of Galilee lies on its eastern edge.
Slide 23
Jezreel Valley Routes radiated through the Jezreel in all
directions, giving the valley a strategic importance. Key
citiesMegiddo, Yokneam, and Ibleamguarded passes through Mount
Carmel. The International Coastal Highway entered the Jezreel at
Megiddo. This important city guarded the main pass leading to the
valley and was the scene of many battles. Fertile soil and abundant
water supplies made the valley agriculturally productive,
especially for barley and wheat crops. Heavy rains occasionally
caused these streams to flood, as described in Deborahs victory
over the Canaanites recorded in Judges 4 and 5.
Slide 24
Jezreel Valley from Megiddo
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Spotlight on Megiddo (note: red font signifies sites on Israel
tour) Guards the main pass through a mountain chain that runs from
the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee In Hebrew, mount = Har
So, Mount Megiddo is Har Megiddon Or . Armageddon
Slide 27
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Spotlight on Megiddo
Slide 29
And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called
Armageddon. (Rev 16:16) And I saw the beast and the kings of the
earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was
sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was
captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had
done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark
of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were
thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And
the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him
who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with
their flesh. (Rev 19:19-21)
Slide 30
Spotlight on Judah Judah is one of the most protected regions
in Palestine. The Wilderness of Judah, a dry, desolate area
stretching down to the Dead Sea, functions as a formidable barrier
to the east. The mountains plunge precipitously more than 3,500
feet from Jerusalem down to Jericho in the Rift below. The
Shephelah restricts access to Judah from the west, while the Negeb
and deserts protect the region to the south. Judah is more rugged
and somewhat drier, with less available agricultural land than
Samaria. However, the soil is fertile, and terrace farming provides
ample space for the cultivation of vines, fruit trees, and grain
crops.
Slide 31
Jordan Rift Valley Nature has divided Palestine into two
segments by a deep cleft, the Jordan Rift. This cleft in the earths
surface is part of a great fissure extending from eastern Turkey
into Africa. In Palestine most of the Rift lies below sea level,
reaching a maximum depth of 1,300 feet at the Dead Sea. The higher
mountains and plateaus to the east and west of the Rift make the
effect more dramatic. Most of the perennial rivers and bodies of
water of Palestine are found in the Jordan Rift, which drains 70
percent of the land. Five divisions of the Rift: the Huleh Basin,
the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the
Arabah.
Slide 32
Spotlight on Dan
Slide 33
Source
Slide 34
Spotlight on the Sea of Galilee Freshwater lake; 13 miles long,
7 miles wide, 690 feet below sea level Also called: Sea of
Tiberias, Sea of Chinnereth, and Lake Gennesaret Local towns and
villages depended on the fishing industries and agriculture
provided by the lake.
Slide 35
Spotlight on the Sea of Galilee Tabgha Capernaum Jesus home
base Mt. of Beatitudes Site of the Sermon on the Mount Bethsaida
Corazim
Slide 36
Spotlight on the Sea of Galilee 20 miles
Slide 37
Spotlight on the Jordan River 70 miles long, from the Sea of
Galilee to the Dead Sea During biblical times, there was more
water, but much of the water is now siphoned off for irrigation and
other uses. The northern half of the Jordan Valley is well watered
and fertile. In biblical times this dense vegetation harbored wild
animals, including lions (Jer. 50:44). The southern Jordan Valley
is drier, almost desertlike. Jericho flourishes in an oasis
nourished by several springs in the midst of this arid
landscape.
Slide 38
Slide 39
Spotlight on the Dead Sea The surface of the Dead Sea lies
1,300 feet below sea levelthe lowest place on the earths surface.
Known in the Bible as the Salt Sea or Sea of the Arabah (Deut.
3:17), the Dead Sea receives water from several freshwater
tributaries and springs. Among the larger streams, the Jordan flows
in from the north, while the Arnon and Zered enter the sea from the
east. However, the rivers have no exit. The waters absorb salts and
other chemicals from numerous deposits in the region. The extreme
heat of the region concentrates the chemicals by evaporation with
the result that the Dead Sea consists of 26 to 33 percent saltsa
ratio several times saltier than normal sea water and almost twice
as salty as the Great Salt Lake.
Slide 40
Spotlight on the Dead Sea These conditions discouraged
habitation except where freshwater springs (En-gedi, Ain Feshkha)
made settlement possible. Refugees, like David as he fled Saul (1
Sam. 26), found safety in the numerous caves of the region. Later,
the Qumran sectarians hid their library in caves along the
northwest shore. Beginning in 1947, shepherd boys discovered
scrolls today known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Herod the Great built
two fortresses, Masada and Macherus, along the shores of the Dead
Sea.
Slide 41
Slide 42
Negeb In the modern era, the Negeb refers to the entire
southern half of Israel. The biblical use of the term, however, is
more restricted. Negeb refers to the region around Beersheba and
Arad. Beersheba receives about ten to twelve inches of rain
annually, an amount considered marginal for agriculture but
adequate for grazing flocks. Abraham and Isaac sojourned in the
Negeb with their clans and livestock.
Slide 43
Negeb Water was a perennial problem for inhabitants of the
Negeb, but scattered wells along the major wadis and, later, the
use of cisterns permitted settlements. Nomadic tribes inhabiting
the desert fringe, like the Amalekites, often raided settlements in
the Negeb. David repulsed the Amalekites after an attack on Ziklag,
a city of the Negeb (1 Sam. 30). By New Testament times, the region
of the Negeb was known as Idumea. Herod the Great was an Idumean, a
people despised by the Jews for their Edomite heritage.
Slide 44
Spotlight on Beersheba Beersheba
Slide 45
Southern Wilderness South of Beersheba, rainfall amounts drop
sharply, and the landscape becomes increasingly rugged. The Bible
refers to this area as wilderness. Actually, two wildernesses: Zin
and Paran It was here that the Israelites spent 40 years of
wandering following the Exodus from Egypt.
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Spotlight on Mt. Sinai Jebel Musa
Slide 48
Spotlight on Mt. Sinai
Slide 49
Transjordan Also known as the Eastern Plateau Conquered prior
to Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River Given to 2
tribes Southern portion is home to Edom and Moab