Ancient Israel: History, Faith, and Legacy
1. Abraham’s Migration
Pastoral tribes’ economy: Households were located at various locations in the region, moving with their herds to villages. These groups, related by ties of kinship, followed the usual trade routes. International trade led to a semi-nomadic life because of the need for grazing and frequent droughts.
2. Causes of the Exodus
Flight
Under Ramses II, the leader Moses led distinct clans that would later form the tribes of Manasseh, Benjamin, and Levi. The flight was caused by the harsh conditions of life imposed on the Semites, who were used as labor to build cities and public works. This involved slow movements of migrants to the east and Sinai, a prolonged stay in the Sinai desert, a detour through Transjordan, and the arrival of Moab, opposite Jericho.
Expulsion
The Semitic population had difficulties after the disappearance of their protectors. Some Semitic groups fled into the desert and became bandit groups. This included groups that later formed the tribe of Jesus.
3. Historical Basis of the Exodus
There was not a single road, but many movements of nomads who tried to enter the fertile land by different routes. Moses was the leader who guided one of these groups of nomads in the Sinai and received the tablets of the law of God.
4. The Conquest of Canaan
Way of Life of the Israelite Tribes
- Egalitarianism among the different families
- No central authority
- Self-sufficiency, with little trend toward trade development
- Living in non-walled villages in mountainous areas
- Pastoral and agricultural economy
Philistines
- Groups of iron-armed invaders arrived in Egypt by sea from land near the Aegean Sea. They were rejected by Pharaonic armies.
- Iron weapons gave them military superiority.
- They occupied the coast of Canaan and imposed their rule.
- They fortified themselves in cities.
- Their manners were influenced by those of Canaan.
- They clashed with residents of the country (Canaanites) and the Israelites.
5. Saul, David, and Solomon
David faced the giant Goliath. He conquered Jerusalem, making it the seat of his monarchy and the Ark of the Covenant.
Solomon ascended the throne around 965 BCE. His reign coincided with an era of international trade development. He organized the administration of a tax collection system that allowed him to carry out great works, such as the urbanization of Jerusalem, the construction of a royal palace, and the building of a temple.
Saul fought great wars with neighboring peoples, especially the Philistines.
6. Importance of a Jewish Temple
When writing began to develop, Hebrew scribes began their task. They were secretaries, accountants, or officials. The scribes are linked to the appearance of priests and kings, who needed a form of writing. Therefore, the great libraries of the world became associated with temples or palaces.
7. Religious Interpretation of the Kingdom’s Division
According to the Bible, the division of the kingdom occurred because Solomon worshipped other gods besides the Lord. As punishment, God divided his kingdom.
8. Three Pillars of the Israelite Religion
- Monotheism
- The prohibition of representations of divinity
- The centralization of worship in the temple in Jerusalem
9. Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Emperors
Assyria: Sargon II
Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar
Persia: Cyrus
10. Return from Exile
Israel’s infidelity to its God led to exile. However, a faithful remnant remained, to whom promises were revealed. God met with the chosen people, liberated them from oppression in Egypt, made an alliance with them, and gave them commandments.
11. Who Are the Maccabees?
The Maccabees formed a national liberation movement that fought and won independence from Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of the Hellenistic Seleucid dynasty. They founded the Hasmonean royal dynasty, proclaiming Jewish independence in Israel for a century.