The History of Israel

Abraham

• A descendant of Shem• Practiced Polytheism• What is Polytheism? The belief that there are

many gods• Became a believer after Jehovah appeared to

him when he was 75 years old

Abraham’s Descendants

The 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel

Abraham

Isaac

Esau Jacob

12 sons

God’s Covenant with Abraham

1. Abraham would have descendants who would become a great nation

2. This nation would possess the land of Canaan3. Abraham’s seed would bring a blessing to all

the nations of the earth4. Called the Abrahamic Covenant

God’s Covenant with the People of Israel

• Moses was sent to deliver God’s people out of slavery and into Canaan

• Led them to Mount Sinai first• If they promised to obey all of God’s rules, he

would make them his own special nation.• Called the Mosiac Covenant

Mosiac Covenant

• Contained the Ten Commandments• God demanded monotheism• What is monotheism? The belief in one God

Israel’s Kingdom

• They disobeyed the covenant• They were scared to enter Canaan and so

refused• God punished them for 40 years of wandering

in the wilderness• They went back to polytheism

God’s covenant with David

• David was the grandson on Jacob• He was Israel’s greatest king

• God promised him that his dynasty would last forever

• Referring to a particular descendant who would be great and rule over the entire world

• known as the Messiah• This is called the Davidic Covenant

The New Covenant

• God’s promise to put his rules in the hearts of His people so that they would want to obey

• Promised to forgive the sins of His people