allusions - Elijah and the Chariot of Fire to the Golden Calf

Gentiles and Jews

A gentile is one who is a non-Israelite in the Bible. It is now commonly used to mean one who is not Jewish. A Jew is one whose religion is Judaism. A Jew is one who originates from the Israelites of Hebrews of the ancient Middle East.

Elizabeth

was a cousin to Mary and mother of John the Baptist.

Elijah and the Chariot of Fire

Elijah was a prophet in Israel. He performed extraordinary miracles, but it was eventually time for him to die. He passed his mantle on to Elisha and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Just as God had made Elijah carry out his work on Earth, Elisha was passed the torch to carry out the work of God and Elijah after Elijah's death.

Exodus

Exodus is the second Book in the Jewish Torah . Also it is the second Book of the Old Testament. This Book explains how Moses brings the Israelites away from Egypt and towards the "Mountain of God." Once at this mountain, they enter a covenant and Moses presents them with their laws. If they were faithful, they received the land of the Canaan.

Four Horsemen

In Chapter 6 of Revelation, the last Book in the Bible which depicts the end of life on earth, four horsemen appear, each representing a different mode of destruction. White represents conquest, red equals war, black symbolizes famine, and pale green means death.

Forbidden Fruit

In Genesis, the creation story of the Judeo-Christian faith, the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, eat fruit from the one tree from which God had forbidden them. This act causes them to be expelled from Paradise, the Garden of Eden, and lose their innocence.

"Eye for an eye"

In the Old Testament, "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth..." is a system of revenge or the Capital punishment of today. It's saying meaning what you have done shall be done to you.

Genesis

Is the first Book of the Bible of Christianity and Judaism. It is also in the first of five Books of the Torah. Genesis begins with the creation of earth and the heavens. It contains the familiar stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, and the Tower of Babel.

"Eye of a needle"

Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." One interpretation is that it refers to materialism and how the rich are bounded by their possessions.

Golden Calf

The Israelites created this idol when Moses went to go get the Ten Commandments and began to worship the calf until Moses came back and destroyed it. It now means a god or any material goods receiving unworthy worship.

"Get thee behind me, Satan"

The remark made by Jesus when both the devil offered him all the kingdoms in the world if Jesus would worship him and when Peter told Jesus to stay on earth. It is a response sometimes said to someone when they do something that is not right telling them to stop.

Fatted Calf

This symbol of forgiveness is derived from the story of the Prodigal Son. A man has two sons, and the younger one, after leaving home to live an indecent life, returns home. Rather than his father disowning him, he welcomes the son home by killing a fatted calf to feast on.

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"-

When Jesus was hung on the cross, he uttered these words. Jesus was asking God, his father, to forgive the people who were crucifying him. However, on a larger scale, he was also asking for forgiveness for mankind.

"Fortunate fall"

refers to Adam and Eve's fall from grace and the end of the Garden of Eden. It is the basis of the theological idea of "original sin." In literature, it can describe the way a character's life will undergo trials and tribulations but better times will come in the future.

Esau and Jacob

were twin brothers. Esau was born first and was thus given the birthright. The birthright meant that he would inherit his father's business, land, etc. Unfortunately, he was carefree and never wanted responsibilities. Jacob, the younger brother, was more astute and wanted his brother's birthright. One day, Jacob offered to buy the birthright from Esau for a bowl of soup. Esau agreed, and the trade commenced. When it came time for their father to give his child the birthright, he wanted to give it to Esau because although Esau was unruly and immature, he was still their father's favorite. Jacob's mother knew about the deal between the two brothers and tricked their father into giving the birthright to Jacob instead of Esau. Esau became angry and threatened to kill Jacob. Jacob's mother helped him flee. The two brothers grew older, and Esau began to forgive Jacob. They reconciled.