Text of THE STORY OF GOD’S PEOPLE A Story of Ups and Downs… A Story of the People’s Unfaithfulness AND...
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THE STORY OF GODS PEOPLE A Story of Ups and Downs A Story of
the Peoples Unfaithfulness AND Gods Ongoing Faithfulness
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WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY 1290 B.C.Exodus and Wilderness 1250
B.C.Entrance into the Land 1050 B.C.Beginning of Kingship 922
B.C.Division between North and South 9 th and 8 th
centuriesProphets appeared (Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah,
Micah) 722 B.C.NK (Israel) Falls to Assyria 587 B.C. SK (Judah)
Falls to Babylon Exilic prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
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Now, approximately 700 years after Exodus from Egypt
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EXILE!587 B.C.
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Leaders taken to BabylonSome escaped to EgyptPoor and untrained
stayed in Jerusalem
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DURING THE 500 YEARS AS A KINGDOM, A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY
HAD DEVELOPED God had promised LAND God had established a DYNASTY
(king) God resided in the TEMPLE in Jerusalem
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EXILE (587 B.C.)the breakdown of all the systems in which the
people trusted Loss of land Loss of king Loss of temple
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This creates a major theological crisis for the people of God!
Confidence in God Question of identity Where do we go from
here?
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The Historical Accounts Chronicles A look back to the good old
days David Chronicles A look back to the good old days David
Ezra-Nehemiah rebuilding the temple, the walls, and the faith of
the people Ezra-Nehemiah rebuilding the temple, the walls, and the
faith of the people Esther Courage and Hope God is with His people!
Esther Courage and Hope God is with His people!
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537 B.C.The Return Rise of Persian Empire under Cyrus Rise of
Persian Empire under Cyrus Edict of Cyrus return to homeland and
relative freedom to practice religion and customs Edict of Cyrus
return to homeland and relative freedom to practice religion and
customs
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THE PRE-EMINENT PROBLEM: No Longer a Nation THE PRE- EMINENT
QUESTION: Who are we? What is our identity?
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WHAT WOULD YOU DO??? If you were the vision team of a group
returning from exile, how would you go about trying to re-
establish a source of identity?
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ARTICULATING AN IDENTITY TEMPLE--People who worship God
TEMPLE--People who worship God TORAH--People of a sacred writing
TORAH--People of a sacred writing RELATION TO OTHERS--Insiders vs.
Outsiders RELATION TO OTHERS--Insiders vs. Outsiders
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TEMPLEPeople of Worship Foundation of new temple almost
immediately under Sheshbazzar Temple completed 20 years later under
the leadership of a new governor Zerubbabel and the encouragement
of prophets, Haggai & Zechariah Hymnbook of the Second Temple--
Psalms New HistoryChroniclers History a king like David!
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TORAHPeople of a Sacred Writing Ezra, a priest who had grown up
in Persia (Babylon) brings back the story that defines their
identitythe TORAH (teaching; instruction) Ezra, a priest who had
grown up in Persia (Babylon) brings back the story that defines
their identitythe TORAH (teaching; instruction)
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THE GREAT DILEMMAWhat do we do with outsiders??? COMPETING
VOICES EXCLUSIVE??? The basic approach of Ezra and Nehemiah
INCLUSIVE??? The short stories of Ruth and Jonah
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DISCOVERING A POST-EXILIC IDENTITY 537 B.C. Return from Exile
People of WorshipRebuilding of Temple, Developing a Hymnbook, and
Rewriting a History (temple completed by 515 B.C.) People of
Written Scripture Torah presented by Ezra the priest (450 B.C.)
People in Relationship to Outsider Exclusive approach by Ezra and
Nehemiah; Inclusive approach by short stories of Ruth (Moabite) and
Jonah (preacher to Assyria)
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DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FAITH DURING EXILE LAMENTthe honest
expression of grief to Godno cover up to God! HOPEan understanding
of creation as the LORDs capacity to take chaos (like exile) and
bring order
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Wisdom Literature Learning about life from the God of creation
Dealing with Lifes Realities Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs Voicing
Grief and Hope Psalms, Lamentations, Song of Songs
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The Character of this Diverse Literature: Dealing honestly with
Life Refusing to remove God from the equation Willing to host
alternative voices and viewpoints as the truth, the whole
truth
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Prophetic Voices in the postexilic period Nahum Gods judgment
on Nineveh (contra Jonah) Habakkuk The just will live by His
faithfulness! Zephaniah the Day of the Lord judgment/salvation
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Prophetic Voices in the postexilic period Haggai encouraging
the leaders to rebuild the temple Zechariah rebuilding, but also
anticipating the Messianic Age Malachi lets get things right, and
prepare the way of the Lord
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Prophetic Voices in the postexilic period Gods judgment is
just! Life after exile is tough! Faith in God overcomes the
toughest obstacles! Faith = Undivided Loyalty! God is coming! Get
Ready!
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GROWING DIFFICULTIES OF THE FAITH OVER A CENTURY (450-350 B.C.)
FORMALISM: Temple Worship increasingly gave way to practices
without meaning FORMALISM: Temple Worship increasingly gave way to
practices without meaning LEGALISM: Obedience to the Torah in a
narrow sense became the means to be the people of Yahweh LEGALISM:
Obedience to the Torah in a narrow sense became the means to be the
people of Yahweh EXCLUSIVISM: Keeping outsiders OUT became
predominant EXCLUSIVISM: Keeping outsiders OUT became
predominant
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A NEW THREAT TO THIS NEW IDENTITY!!! THE RISE OF THE GREEK
EMPIRE under Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. HELLENISMGreek
language, culture, and thought
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THE JEWS UNDER GREEK RULE Alexander the Great dies 323 BC
Empire inherited by successors: Ptolemy EGYPT Annexed Palestine
Annexed Palestine Jews relocate to Egypt and adopt Greek culture
Jews relocate to Egypt and adopt Greek culture Septuagint (LXX)
Septuagint (LXX) Diaspora Diaspora Seleucids SYRIA Antiochus III
198 defeated Egypt and made Palestine part of Seleucid kingdom
Antiochus III 198 defeated Egypt and made Palestine part of
Seleucid kingdom Favorable period for the Jewish people Favorable
period for the Jewish people
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THE THREAT OF HELLINIZATION 175 BC Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Return to Hellenization project, including worship of Greek
gods
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HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THIS THREAT??? HASIDIMthe people of hesed
(covenant faithfulness) the loyal and faithful ones
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FORMATION OF VARIOUS GROUPS PHARISEESout of power in the temple
therefore, quite liberal (wanted things to change); in the world
but not of the world laws of separation SADDUCEESin power in the
temple therefore, very conservative (to preserve status quo)
ZEALOTStake up military arms and fight ESSENESwithdraw to caves in
the desert and wait for God to do something himself
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ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES in 167 B.C. Outlawed Judaism Outlawed
Judaism Looted the Temple Looted the Temple Built Acra a Greek
citadel city to control Jerusalem Built Acra a Greek citadel city
to control Jerusalem Persecution of Jews Persecution of Jews
ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
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MATTATHIAS and his seven sons Let all who are zealous for
Yahweh come out and fight!!! Let all who are zealous for Yahweh
come out and fight!!! Judas Maccabeus (the hammer), the oldest son
takes overthus becomes known as the Maccabean movement Judas
Maccabeus (the hammer), the oldest son takes overthus becomes known
as the Maccabean movement
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Judas Maccabees defeats the Greek army, cleanses Temple, erects
a new altar, and rededicates the Temple in December 164 BC Miracle
of the oil Lamps keep burning for eight days Miracle of the oil
Lamps keep burning for eight days Festival of Lights Hanukkah
Festival of Lights Hanukkah Century of Jewish independence (163- 63
B.C.) Century of Jewish independence (163- 63 B.C.)
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RESPONSE TO PERSECUTION AND GREEK ( 323-63 BC ) and then ROMAN
POWER ( 63 BC ) APOCALYPTICa way of viewing the world and a
literature that expressed that worldview
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Apocalyptic (literally meaning to see or to reveal ) thought
Dualistic ExpectationGod would eventually overthrow the world power
and establish THE KINGDOM OF GOD Eschatologyend times Led by an
apocalyptic seer Hidden, coded language
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THE BOOK OF DANIEL Stories to sustain a distinctive identity in
a world gone mad Stories to give hope and courage to people of
faith in times of deep crisis Stories to remind us of the ultimate
triumph of God and Gods people, despite present circumstances or
evidence
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AS THE STORY OF THE OLDER TESTAMENT ENDS: People of God
wrestling with the question of identity what does it mean to be the
people of God in this world? People of God wrestling with the
question of restoration what is the kingdom of God going to look
like in this world? People of God wrestling with the question of a
King When will God send us the promised Messiah (David-like
King)?
