Religions of the Middle East, Thursday, 4/25/02

Test times revised:Mon-Thurs (4/29-5/2) 9-8 and Fri 5/3 until 5pm

2 reasons for Kingdom of Israel split
1: secular: Reheboam's stiff hand w/regard to Northern tribes and his idle threats of more building
Jereboam-popular with people unrelated to monarchy
2: religious: Solomon built pagan temples and allowed idol worship, pagan worshipping himself.
(both kingdoms are taken over by foreigners)

Solomon's temple destroyed 70AD by Romans
why sacrifices are not performed today.

586-538 BC Babylonian captivity
-no temple (no priestly rituals or sacrifices)
-no monarchy

Judaism becomes a religion centered around a study of scriptures led by a rabbi (teacher) in a local home (later synagogue).
Hebrew almost dead language except in religious practices.
1948- becomes national language of Israel

Systems
Synagogue
local, devotional, scripture(interpretation), Ark replica here

Temple
central, ritual/ceremonial, scriptures not as important

Ark of the Covenant "God in a Box"
gold inlaid, angels on sides
carried into battles by priests
contains 2 tablets and rod or Aaron
instructions to build (Genesis 25:10

Job's suffering
Yahweh's wager with Satan
Satan(Adversary or Enemy)
-doesn't appear until history books of monarchy (Samuel of Kings)
(evil spirit torments Saul) census: God didn't want
God will withdraw reward & protection to see if Job curses him
Job loses family (tornado), house, cattle, servants, possessions
Then loses health (boils)
Job's "Comforters": You must have sinned (Deut 28)

The book's answer
1. Man can't hope to understand God's reasons for doing what he does
2.Its not our place to question God; we should trust and obey
3.Its foolish to challenge God's authority
No idea of corporate responsibility
If Job is being punished, he's paying for his own sins
4. Suffering is a test of faith

Zoroastrianism (Persia)
-Good God & Evil God
-Hierarchy of Angels
-Resurrection of the Dead
-Heaven & Hell

Influences on Rez of the Dead (Israel)
1. Zoroastrianism
2. Vision of Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel)
picture of restoration of Israel (not literal)
3. Concerns about God's justice

New Reading:
Gospel of Mark

Tuesday 4.30.02: review Modern Judaism