We Believe: Chapter 18 Strong People
The students will learn:
The Jews lived and worshipped together.
God continued to work through his people.
The Maccabees defended the Jewish faith.
Judea lost its independence to Roman rule.
Faith Words:
Parable- a short story that has a message.
Facts:
1. Malachi- meaning “my messenger,” tells of a messenger who would prepare the way for repentance and true worship.
2. Book of Obadiah- presents the hope for survival of the Jewish people and the return of the Kingdom begun by David.
3. Book of Joel- uses images to show the people the need for true repentance.
4. Book of Daniel- gives insight into the long years of Babylonian exile and Persian domination.
5. Book of Esther- a mixture of fact and fiction designed to offer hope and instruction.
6. Book of Tobit- is about a wealthy Jew living in Nineveh, and God’s providence.
7. Book of Judith- is a providence is a principal theme in this book, where God saves his people from their enemies.
8. As Christians, the symbolic Story of Jonah reminds us of the resurrection.
9. The prophet Isaiah of Judah said that worship must lead people to act with justice, especially those who suffer.
10. The Jewish Festival of Hanukkah celebrates the deeds of the people of God who refused to give up faith.
11. During the “feast of lights” a one day’s supply of oil in the menorah lasted eight days.
12. The Hellenists, or Greek party, favored the idea of Jews accepting the Greek culture and religion.\
13. Simon Maccabeus became the first Jewish king of Judah since 587 BC and was also the high priest. Thus Judah was strengthened because Simon had both civil and religious authority.
14. Hasidim, or Pious party, disagreed with the idea of Jews accepting the greek culture of religion.
15. The Essenes, Pharisees and Sadducees were different groups within the Hasidim that formed due to disagreements during the reign of John Hyrcanus.
16. Judea lost its independence to Roman rule.
17. Jews celebrate the feast of Purim to mark the day when, through God’s Esther saved God’s people.
18. Herod’s primary concern was to please Rome now governed by the emperor Caesar Augustus.
**Describe some ways biblical writer writers have used storytelling to help people understand their relationship with God.
**Compare the symbolic story of Jonah to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.