1. THE FORMING OF GOD’S PEOPLE Chapter 9

2. A fallen nature-- Israelites lack trust in God Israelites are full of blame—blaming Moses Israelites are forgetful—forgetting God’s wondrous works as they are lead out of Egypt Israelites are dissatisfied—complain about food: gifts of manna and quail, water

3. God cares for His chosen people God provides food: manna and quail God provides water: flows from rock God gives them a leader: Moses God leads them out of Egypt God is with them: protecting them and keeping them safe in a cloud and in fire God gave them the Promised Land God set them apart to fulfill His promise to Abraham: “through your descendants salvation will be brought to all mankind”

4. God cares for the Church today God nourishes us in the Eucharist—like manna it is a gift from heaven, it feeds us, it is a miracle Jesus is the rock from which water flows—”Whoever drinks the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” God gave us Jesus as our leader—Jesus gave us the Church and founded it on St. Peter to lead us Jesus set us free from sin in Baptism Jesus opened the doors to heaven, the Promised Land

5. The Ten Commandments They teach us how to live in relationship to God and man. We can never have peace if we do not love God and if we disrespect our neighbor. The first three tell us how to relate to God The last seven tell us how to live with each other God demands justice and is merciful. The Israelites who broke the commandments without repentance— put to death. Those who repented were forgiven and given a penance God kept his covenant: The children of the Israelites, who followed his commandments inherited the Promised Land

6. Ark of the Covenant The presence of God dwelt in the Ark of the Covenant. It was placed in a special place of honor in a tent called a tabernacle. When the temple was built, the Ark was kept in a room called “the Holy of Holies” Today the presence of God is found in the Eucharist which abides in the tabernacle found in every Catholic church.

7. Kings The Israelites did not like taking directions from God. They wanted to be like other nation. They asked God to appoint a king to rule over them. Even though some kings led the people to worship false gods and did not properly follow God’s teachings—God kept his people in His care AND kept His promise to bring salvation to the world through them.