“The Prophets”

1. “The Prophets” Notes

2. The Kingdom of Israel The Hebrews, or people of Israel, fought many wars with the people and tribes of neighboring, Canaan. 3,000 years ago the Hebrews were at war with the Philistines

3. David and Solomon David became one of Israel’s greatest kings, uniting the Israelite tribes and bringing peace to the land. David was also a talented musician, who wrote Psalm 23, which we will see on the next slide.

4. Psalm 23: A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walkthrough the darkest valley,[a]I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me. You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely your goodness and love will follow meall the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lordforever.

5. David and Solomon Under David’s son, King Solomon, Israel became very wealthy, allowing him to build a large temple to worship God.

6. The Sorrows of Israel and Judah After Solomon’s death, many problems occurred, dividing Israel into two separate states: Israel to the North, and Judah to the south. Several hundred years after King Solomon, the ruthless kings of Assyria attacked Israel and took many of its people prisoner.

7. The Sorrows of Israel and Judah Judah was destroyed 150 years later by the Babylonians. The Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple, and took Judah’s people prisoner, but the people of Judah remained faithful to the Covenant.

8. The Sorrow of Israel and Judah The Jewish people believed since they expected God to treat them fairly they should treat each other fairly. Those who didn’t would be punished, but those who did would be rewarded. The prophets spread this message, saying the terrible troubles of the Jewish kingdom were punishments from God, in response to religious offenses and social injustices. The Jewish people were surrounded by others who were polytheistic, and worshipped idols.

9. The Sorrows of Israel and Judah Many Jews followed this practice, which angered the prophets, and prompted them to remind their people the practice of idol worship was forbidden. The prophets also spoke of social injustice, pleading to the people to give charity to those in need. The prophets taught that God was angry to see the rich living luxuriously while the poor suffered, and if this continued he would punish Israel.

10. The Sorrows of Israel and Judah The idea that the Covenant requires justice is mentioned many times in the Bible. Amos and Isaiah, two more prophets, predicted the fall of Israel and Judah, saying they were fitting punishments to the many social injustices that had been committed. Isaiah also preached that if the Jewish people remained faithful to God, eventually all others would be punished, but they would be saved.

11. The Return to Jerusalem 2,500 years ago a Persian king name Cyrus freed the Jews from the Babylonians. 200 years later, Alexander the Great, from Macedonia, conquered the Persians, but when he died other Greek-speaking kings ruled the Jews for 200 years. When one of these kings tried to take the Jews wealth and make them worship Greek Gods, the Jews rebelled behind the leadership of Judas Maccabeus and now mark this occasion as Hanukkah.

12. The Return to Jerusalem • Eventually the Roman Empire conquered the Jews, destroying their new temple, and leaving Jerusalem in ruins. • For 500 years prophets had foretold of a messiah who would restore righteousness to the world, but they disagreed about who that messiah might be.

13. “The Life of Jesus” Notes

14. The Man Called Jesus Accounts of Jesus’ life were written down by his followers and are now found in the New Testament, in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. According to his followers he was no ordinary man. When Jesus grew up he went to see his cousin John the Baptist, and was baptized.

15. The Man Called Jesus After Jesus was baptized it was said, a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) According to the bible, Jesus then went to the desert to pray, and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.

16. Healer and Teacher When Jesus came out of the desert he taught to his followers for three years. Jesus spoke to people wherever they gathered. The Bible tells of many miracles he performed. Jesus taught using parables, such as the story of the Prodigal son.

17. The Two Great Commandments One day a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the most important. Jesus responded: “To Love thy God with all they heart,” and “To love thy neighbor,” were the greatest two.

18. The Sermon on the Mount Jesus’ sermon on the mount is when he taught from a mountaintop to a crowd below, and it began with the Beatitudes. In the Beatitudes Jesus describes 8 groups of people he considered especially blessed. After the Beatitudes, Jesus told the people he wants them to “turn the other cheek.” Jesus urged the people to follow the golden rule.

19. Final Events in Jesus’ Life Jesus and his followers went to Jerusalem, a holy place to Jews, but was under Roman control. Jesus knew he could be arrested, but wanted to spread his message. During Passover, Jesus followed the Jewish ritual of Passover and ate with his followers. This is called the Last Supper.

20. Final Events in Jesus’ Life After the Last Supper, Jesus was betrayed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was condemned to die by Pontius Pilate, and was stripped, whipped and crowned with a crown of thorns. Jesus was to die by crucifixion, a slow death, where someone is nailed to a cross.

21. Final Events in Jesus’ Life After his death, some of his followers took him down from the cross and buried him in a tomb. Three days later, the Romans announced someone had stolen his body. Jesus followers said he had risen again, and began calling him Jesus Christ, which meant he was the Messiah or the “Anointed One.”