1. The Path to Restoration
Salvation History
The Path to Restoration
Pgs 36-55

2. Development of Sin Begins with the first sin
Original Sin
Continues with the sin of Cain
Personal sin
Multiplies as humans multiply until it reaches great evil
Represented in the story of Noah
Increases to include whole societies
Social sin, in the account of the “Tower of Babel”
Throughout, God remains faithful and loving

3. Promise to “Adam & Eve” Protoevangelium: First “gospel” or good news
First promise of hope to restore our relationship with God.
Gen. 3:15
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between her offspring and yours; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.”

4. Covenant A solemn agreement between two parties;
Unique in Israel since the promise is between God and another party.
(Usually made between kings, where each party promises something to the other for a return promise)
God initiates and stays faithful to the covenant
Point to the Paschal Mystery
The redemption of all humanity through Christ’s Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension

5. Noah Evil multiplies One righteous man*
Destruction by water (cleansing)**
Idolatry
Polytheism
Nation- King
Descendants populate the nations
*God saves the righteous man
** Baptism

6. Covenant with Abraham
God calls Abram and promises him land and descendants. He would be the father of great nations, and a blessing for all nations
First patriarch- Abraham
The beginning of the Chosen People
Circumcision (a sign of the covenant)

7. The Sacrifice of Isaac Prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus
Genesis 22: 1-19
Wood for the sacrifice
Only son
God will provide the sheep for the sacrifice
(as a result) All nations shall find blessing because you obeyed my command

8. God Fearing Gentiles
Melchizedek
Rahab
King Cyrus
Ruth

9. Moses & the Sinai Covenant
Moses brings the people out of slavery in Egypt and receives the commandments from God to give to the people.
Sinai Covenant
God promises to be their God
The people promise obedience to the Law
Theophany: God breaks into the human dimension
1. Burning bush
2. Jesus

10. Passover Prefigures Passion & Death
New Testament
Old Testament
Old Covenant
Israelites (People of God)
Slavery in Egypt
Saved by the blood of the lamb
Crossed through the Red Sea to be saved
Celebrate the Passover
Letter of the Law
Ten Commandments
New Covenant
All followers of Jesus (The Church)
Slavery to sin
By Jesus’ blood we are saved
Baptism
Eucharist
Spirit of the Law
Law of Love
Two Great Commandments
Beatitudes

11. Moses prefigures Jesus
New Covenant
Was marked to die as an infant
Born in simple circumstances
Was the Good shepherd
Called to save God’s people
Was given a name that represented who he was
Was the lamb sacrificed to save the people
Gave the people laws
Law of Love
Two Great Commandments
Beatitudes
Gives us the water of Baptism for new life
Old Covenant
Was marked to die as an infant
Born in simple circumstances
Was a shepherd
Called to save God’s people
Was given a name that represented who he was
Sacrificed a lamb to save the people
Gave the people laws
Ten Commandments
Leads people through the Red Sea to a new life

12. David’s Dynasty
When King David wants to build a Temple for God, God stops him and tells him that God is building a “*house” for David, A kingship that will live forever
*bloodline

13. Covenants Noah Abramic (with Abraham)
“Never again to destroy the earth by waters of a flood” (rainbow)
Covenant extends to the nations begun by Noah’s sons
Abramic (with Abraham)
Phase 2 of God’s plan; calls a chosen people to be in a unique relationship with him
A great nation (many descendants), a land of their own, Abraham and his descendants will be a blessing for all nations
Circumcision becomes a physical mark of the covenant
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are called “Patriarchs”
Mosaic (through Moses) with the Israelites
Theophany; God breaks into the human dimension so that their understanding of God is deepened or changed
God’s covenant with the whole people
Keeps the promises made to Abraham
Adds adherence to his commandments as part of their responsibility

14. Covenants Davidic Aid to covenant
God promises David, “your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne stand firm forever”
Jesus is a direct descendant of David, through Him this covenant is fulfilled.
Aid to covenant
At different times in salvation history, God sent people to help keep the people in right relationship with Him.
Judges
Prophets

15. Judges, Military and Spiritual leaders
During the tribal confederation, when the Israelites faced a threat, God would raise up a hero to rally the tribes in defense of their land. In the 200 years of this period twelve charismatic leaders came to the aid of the tribes.
Prophets, Spiritual Leaders
When the monarchy begins, the political responsibility of the judges is taken by the king and so we have a new type of leader, the prophet. They are the “watchdogs of the covenant and the Law” and they bring the message of God to the Kings and the people

16. The Marks & Roles of the Prophets
Call Narrative:
Mysterious setting
God initiates
Resistance to the call
God reassures
Mission is given & accepted
Popularity
Most of the prophets were not popular with the officials of the state or the people because they told the truth about their sinful actions
Jeremiah
Keep the people and the king faithful to the covenant
Spiritual Warrior: make sure the king and people were obeying the Law of Moses
Messenger of God: Spoke the words of God
Social Revolutionary: Spoke out against social injustices

17. Message of the Prophets
Form:
An Oracle
A message given in the words of God; Prefaced with “Thus says the Lord”, Uses the pronoun “I”
Paraphrase by the prophet
Expression:
Prophecy of Doom
This message was a warning of the disaster that would follow if the King and the people did not change their evil ways
Prophecy of Encouragement
This message offered hope for the future if the King and the people changed their evil ways.
How?

18. Message of the Prophets
Unfaithfulness to God’s Covenant
Idolatry
Worshipping false gods
Putting faith in others rather than Yahweh
Why?
Social Injustice
Oppressing the poor
Adultery
Lying
Cheating
Stealing
Murder
Any practice that took away the human rights of another

19. Why do we read about the prophets? Something to think about!
What do the accounts of the Old Testament prophets tells us about God’s relationship with humankind?
Do the messages of the prophets still speak to us today?
If God sent a prophet to speak to us today what would he say to us?

20. God’s Promise to Restore Our Relationship with Him
Promise is Made
Humans sin
God promises restoration
Plan is begun
Chooses a People through Abraham
Establishes a relationship with the chosen people
Plan is secured
Sends leadership: Judges, Kings, and prophets
Chooses a woman to bring salvation into the world

21. KINGDOM
TRIBAL CONFEDERATION

22. Growing Messianic Hope
Through the prophets we see the vision of a New Covenant and a new heavenly kingdom.
Is.9: 1-6
Is. 11: 1-9
Is. 52:13- 5:12
Jer. 31:31-34
Ez. 34:11-31
Ez. 37: 1-14
Zech. 9: 9-10