THE HEBREWS: AN IMPORTANT PEOPLE?
I. Ways in which Hebrews seem unimportant
A. Empire?
B. Contributions to
art, science, math, medicine?
II. Main periods of Hebrew history
A. Patriarchs
(2000-1600)
B. Sojourn in Egypt
(1700-1300)
C. Exodus/Conquest
of Canaan (1300-1250)
D. Judges (1250-1020)
E. United Monarchy
(1020-922)
Saul
David
Solomon
F. Israel (922-722)
G. Judah (922-135
A.D.)
1. Babylonian exile
(600-536)
2. Conquered by
Persians/Cyrus the Great (536)
3. Conquered by
Greeks/Alexander the Great (c. 330)
4. Maccabee revolt,
independence (c. 160)
5. Conquered by
Rome/Pompey the Great (c. 60 B.C.)
6. War with Rome,
Jerusalem destroyed (66-70 A.D.
7. Bar Kochbar's
revolt (135 A.D._)
8. Diaspora (70
A.D.-1948 A.D.)
III. Hebrew contributions
"In understanding the development of
western civilization the Bible is
unquestionably the most important single text, and no heir to this
tradition
who has not read it can consider himself educated." -- Professor Harry
Orlinsky
A. Tenach (Torah, Neviim, Kituvim)
1. Law (Example:
DEUTERONOMY)
2. Prophets
(Example: ISAIAH)
3. Writings
(Example: PSALMS)
B. Hebrew acct. of
beginnings: GENESIS
1. Why accts. of
beginning are important
2. What Hebrew acct.
of beginning says about man
a. creation good
b. evil comes from
disobedience
c. God is working
against evil
C. Hebrew
eschatology (DANIEL)
1. Basic
question/problem of evil
2. Answer in
Genesis, reasons not satisfactory
3. Sufferings of
Daniel and friends
4. How a good man is
to behave in evil circumstances
5. Nebuchadnezzar's
Dream
6. Nebuchadnezzar's
Image
7. Nebuchadnezzar's
Madness
8. Belshazzar's Party
(MENE MENE TEKEL
UPARSIN)
9. Daniel in the
Lion's Den
10. Final answer to
the problem of evil