Old Testament - Chapter 9

Warrior Kings

They always rode horses

Romans

They defeated the Greeks in 63 B.C.

Greek Empire

They dominated Judea for more than two centuries

Common Folk

They had to pawn their fields, vineyards, homes, and even some sons and daughters in order to buy grain

Sanballat and Tobiah

They resent Nehemiah's power and try to ambush him, smear him, and lure him to be arrested

Book of Ezra

This Book opens with the decree of Cyrus - suggest that the Jews staying in Babylon contribute supplies to those returning - was not written by the man who it is named after

Second Maccabees

This book details the cruel persecution of the Jews. It confirms: belief in the resurrection of the dead, intercession of the saints, offering of prayers for the dead (purgatory)

First Maccabees

This book is a history of revolt of the Jews under the domination of Greek rulers

Second Zechariah

This book said that the expected messiah is a peaceful messiah of the poor. It spoke of a true shepherd

First Zechariah

This book sees Zerubbabel, the heir to David's throne, as the Messianic figure

Book of Nehemiah

This book was taken from the governor's private journals written in 445 B.C.

Chronicles

This book was written about 400 B.C. it retells history how it should have been not how it happened - emphasizes David and Solomon as good kings

The Festival of Lights

This is a legend - not found in the Bible. One jar of oil lasted 8 days. This is celebrated by Jews every year.

Apocalyptic Literature

This is characterized by strange symbolic images that represent events, places, and even people of the time it was written.

Temple

This refocuses the Jews on God's presence among them and renews their commitment to God's call. It calls them to focus on the sacredness of what happens within them

Citadel

This was built to house more military troops who will occupy Jerusalem. It was also a haven for apostate Jews

Apostates

Those who have renounced their faith

True Fasting

Working for the release of the unjustly imprisoned, freeing the oppressed, sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked

Remnant

those Jews, few in number and strong in faith, that returned to Judah to rebuild the city

Book of Daniel

An apocalyptic book that points to life after death. Setting is Babylon in the exile, but in reality it is addressing the Greek persecution. Tells the story of a young man and his friends who refuse to give into the ruler's demands and also contains visions

Judah

Impoverished land spanning 25 miles from north to south

Son of Man

Jesus used this term 82 times in the Gospel. Christians see Jesus as this

False Hope

Judah putting it's hope in a building, the Temple, to ensure God's favor

Fratricide

Killing one's brother

Cyrus

King of Persia, liberated Jews and allowed them to return to their homeland

Epiphanes

Means "God made visible"

Epimanes

Means "madman"

Malachi

Means "my messenger"

Keeping the Sabbath - closing the gate before the Sabbath

Nehemiah's first reform

Keeping the purity of marriage

Nehemiah's second reform

Samaritans

Originally try to help the returning Exiles, but are resented. They report the projects of the Jews' projects to the rulers as rebellion.

Shallow Faith

People who admire the successful as the blessed and approve of prosperous evildoers who hold God in contempt

Ezra

Priest and scribe who came from Babylon about 100 years after the Exile

Book of Ruth

Probably written after the exile, tells how the great-grandmother of King David was a Moabite. God can work in mysterious ways

Malachi

Prophecy: God will send a messenger to prepare for the coming of judgement. He will be like a refiner's fire that burns impurities out of gold

Antiochus IV

Seleucid King in first Maccabees, comes to the throne in 175 B.C. He called himself Epiphanes

Book of Obadiah

Shortest book in the Bible, tells the story of Edom

Titus

Son of a Roman Emperor, crushed the Jewish revolt in 70 A.D. and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple

White Donkey

Symbol of peace - ridden by the Messianic king

Norwegian Eleazar

Teacher refused to promote fascism and were arrested and sent to a concentration camp

Restoration

The Exiles return to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple

Universalism

The dream that God's love for Israel will make it a light to the nations, ultimately bringing together all nations and peoples of the earth under God's Reign

Zechariah

The prophet whose message is that "the Messiah will come." He spoke shortly after Haggai

Greek Seleucid Dynasty

The reigning Greek dynasty that persecuted the Jews

Nehemiah

A governor who was a model public servant. He served on the Persian court and traveled to Jerusalem, instituting many reforms - building the walls, keeping the sabbath, and leaving foreign wives.

Haggai

A prophet who complains that there is no house for God. He speaks on the poverty in Jerusalem and the injustice of the rich. He motivates Zerubabbel and Joshua to take action.

Joel

A prophet who tells of a great catastrophe. He bids the people to don sackcloth, proclaim a fast, and beg God to spare them

Book of Jonah

A satirical story of a prophet (fictitious) who resents it when the Assyrians repent of their sins and receive God's mercy. The author is showing how God's love is universal

Menorah

A seven-branched candelabra

Edom

A small state - now called Jordan - the descendants of Esau

Mother and Her Seven Sons

A story of martyrdom that confirms the belief in resurrection.

Jew

A term that comes from the word Judah

Ezra's Greatest Gift

Ezra's preaching of the Law, or Torah, to the Jews - provided a code for the Jews

Gymnasium

Built by pro-Greek Jews, led by a corrupt high priest. Young men participated in athletic evens naked here - a practice condemned by Jews

How to Repent

Donate a tenth of their income to God

Feast of the Booths

For seven days Jews live outside in booths made of tree branches. This is to recall the years in the wilderness when God provided for them. Also called Sukkoth

Tithing

Giving the first 10% of our income to charity and to our church, trusting that God will take care of our needs - should happen before we buy anything or pay bills - not leftover money

Resurrection

God will raise the just to new life with God and one another after death

Nehemiah

Governor - model public servant, in the court of the Persian king, he comes to Jerusalem and institutes many reforms (rebuilding walls)

Zerubabbel

Governor and grandson of King Jehoiachin and a descendant of David

Athens

Greek city state that led the other city states to victory over the Persians

Judas Maccabeus

He and his brothers fight and free the Jews from Greek control

Alexander the Great

He conquered the Persian Empire in 330 B.C.

Malachi

He is a prophet who describes faith at its lowest. He says the priests' sacrifices are sacrilegious and the people are just as bad

Tobiah

He lived in the Temple and stole the tithes of grain, wine, and oil. Nehemiah threw him out of the Temple and restored the Levites

Third Isaiah

He spoke after the Exiles returned to Jerusalem. He recorded the arrivals' shock at the ruin of Temple. Condemns laxness and religious apathy. Speaks about true fasting

Eleazar

He was arrested by the Greeks for his refusal to eat pork. He refused to eat meat that just looks like pork as well. He dies and serves as an example of nobility and courage to they young and the nation

Joshua

High priest, offers sacrifice and lays foundation for a new temple