1. Covenants in the old testament
solemn agreement to do or not do something
An oath promising to obey the agreement with some external ritual to formalize covenant
4 major covenants
Noah
Abraham
Moses
David
Prophet Jeremiah foretold of New Covenant

2. Covenant with abraham
Nomadic herder; lived in present day southern Iraq
He heard call; believed call; obeyed call
God’s promise to Abraham:
Father of great nation
Given a land (Canaan)
Would be blessed & name revered
Entire earth would be blessed through him – father of Jewish, Muslim, & Christian faiths
Would have a child despite age & circumstance
Sign of covenant would be circumcision

3. How do we model this?
How do we hear God?
Do we believe what we hear? Why or why not?
What helps us to obey? What is an obstacle to obeying God’s call?

4. Covenant with moses
God anoints Moses to lead Israelites out of slavery – Exodus
God forms covenant on Mt. Sinai
Selects them as Chosen People; they are to serve him as one true God
Gives them Law summarized in Decalogue
Natural law – reflected in Decalogue
See definition pg 45 (Very important concept)
They were to witness to world by worshipping one God & living out commandments

5. Covenant with david
Saul & David follow time of Judges: Military leaders who:
Protected Israel
Settled disputes
Reminded people of responsibilities to God
Historical books from theological perspective
God’s hand was in selection of David as king
God promised that Israel would be a royal dynasty
This led to belief in Messiah who would save Chosen People
Title for Jesus sometimes Son of David
Belief in God’s faithfulness

6. God remains faithful to his promises – a divided kingdom
__________ follows David as king
Builds the _______ in ________
Under his sons the kingdom divides
Northern kingdom – centered in______, consists of ____ of 12 tribes of Israel
Southern Kingdom – centered in ________, consists of ____ of 12 tribes (Benjamin & Judah)

8. Northern Kingdom falls to ________
Southern Kingdom overrun by_________
Prophets reminded people of their _________________
Reminded people of need to stay faithful to one true God
Follow Law
Look out for needs of poor and powerless
Often challenged by corrupt rulers & status quo

9. Prophets Preach Repentance & Hope, pgs. 47 - 49
Amos
Said worship of God required _____________________
Warned people to ___________ or nation would be _________
“Hate evil and love good and let justice prevail at the gate.” Amos 5:15
Jeremiah
Used_______to get his message of repentance across
Reminded people in exile in Babylon that God had not abandoned them
Knowledge of God would be in__________ since didn’t have access to Temple; books

10. Ezekiel Warned before fall of Jerusalem of need to turn back to God
After fall he offered _________ –
a new _________ would make a covenant of peace with people;
God would restore the nation
They would return to ______________

11. Isaiah – Coming of Messiah
3 parts to book of Isaiah probably by______________
Ch 1- 39; first prophet;
preached message of repentance to sinful nation;
prophesied that God would give them a sign which was ________________
Ch Deutero-Isaiah;
preached that God was coming to save His people;
God’s love was everlasting like love of _______ for ______
Everything that exists comes from God and depends on God
They are to be________ for other nations to worship __________________

12. Servant Songs – describe a “servant” whom God will use to bring a glorious future; we believe they refer to _________ Ch. 56 – 66 third prophet after Jews return from exile God’s salvation is meant for_____ not just ____________

13. Approaching the birth of christ
In centuries before Jesus birth, Israelites ruled by many different people
Faithful Jews kept religion alive through worship in Temple & also praying together in synagogues
Alexander the Great – tried to make Jews like the Greeks
Seleucid Dynasty – tried to wipe out Judaism; this led to Macabean revolt; brief period of independence

14. Romans – in power at time of Jesus’ birth
Appointed Herod the Great to govern – not completely Jewish
great builder – rebuilt Temple; roads
Cruel & jealous leader – slaughter of Holy Innocents