Jewish History

The Story Begins (Abraham)

1900 BCE

Sometime in 1900 and 1750 B.C.E, The jews were part of a large group of people known as the Hebrews. The majority of them believed in countless Gods, except Abram, who kept his faith with one. This God would eventually call to him and the two would form a special relationship and Abram was given the new name Abraham. The 2 would go on to form a covenant where God would take care of his people and bring them to a promised land in return of loyalty and love towards him and him only. (Textbook)

Moses and the Israelites

1500 BCE

In and around 1500-1290 B.C.E, The Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. Moses led them out of Egypt through God's power and wisdom. This started their long journey to the promised land. It was clear that the covenant that God made with Abraham was not forgotten by God.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/a-brief-timeline-of-jewish-history.html

The Ten Commandments

1400 BCE

During their Journey to the promised land, they came across Mount Sinai, where Moses climbed to the top of the mountain and God spoke to him through the engraving of "The Ten Commandments" in stone. These commandments were renewed laws that would prepare the Israelites to the promised land.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Mount_Sinai)

The Life of Moses

1400 BCE

1. Moses, a born slave and former Egyptian prince began his life in 1400 B.C.E in Goshen in lower Egypt.
2. Moses experienced a connection with God, which gave him the wisdom to lead the Israelites out of slavery to the promised land.
3. Deuteronomy 31:9- explains how Moses preaches the 10 Commandants to his people Acts 3:22: speaks about faith in God
4. 1) Have faith in God and trust that he will do what is right for his people. 2) God will never abandon you even if it seems like he has.

Life In The Promised Land

1250 BCE

Following the death of Moses, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and into the promised land. The 12 tribes from the twelve sons of Jacob each found their own land. In this land the Israelites were competing for land with other peoples. They faced a new enemy, the Philistines which overwhelmed the Israelites. They lost the ark of the Covenant with Moses' original written copy of The Ten Commandments. They realized that if they were to defeat them, they would need a strong leader. (Textbook)

Saul: A Warrior King

1000 BCE

When Saul became king, the twelve tribes of Israel were divided into two main groups: Israel, and Judah. Although Saul led the Israelites to many victories against their Philistines, the two groups disagreed on who should be Saul's successor. Both groups recognized Saul as their king and were both collectively known as Israelites, but they disagreed on who would take the throne next. (Textbook)

King David

1000 BCE

After the death of Saul, the people turned to David as their king. He was able to unite all twelve tribes of Israel into one nation. Leading to their victory over the Philistines and conquering of the land. Jerusalem would be known as David's city and he would then rebuild a temple where the reclaimed ark of the Covenant would be honored forever. Jerusalem would later become a part of both political, and religious life for the people of Israel. (Textbook)

King Solomon

950 BCE

Before King David died he made sure that the Israelites recognized his son Solomon as the next successor to the throne. The reign of King Solomon was a time of great building, increased trade, and prosperity. It was also the time that Solomon built the great Temple that his father David dreamed of but cam at a cost of taxes and drafting thousands of workers. King Solomon turned to idolatry and began to build and worship pagan idols.(Textbook)

The Time of the Prophets

721 BCE

Israel and Judah would both eventually fall into a history of weak kings and religious disgrace. However, great prophets rose up, trying to bring people back to the Covenant but with little effect. The Northern Kingdom of Israel would later be destroyed in 721 B.C.E. The Southern Kingdom would last around a century longer than the northern but Isaiah predicted that it would soon be destroyed, and a powerful and good leader would arise from the family tree of David. (Textbook)

The Babylonian Exile

597 BCE

During this time Jerusalem (home of the Israelites) were overrun by the Babylonians. They took the citizens to Babylon where they held them prisoner. From here a prophet named Jeremiah arose and wrote to the captives in Babylon comforting them and saying the God would free them soon. In Jerusalem, everything was destroyed and even more people where taken captive. Many who were not fled to places along the Mediterranean where they would later become the ministry of Saint Paul.
(Textbook)

A Prophet's Promise

538 BCE

In 538 B.C.E, the Persians would overcome the Babylonians, and their leader would allow all exiles to return to their homelands. This had been previously predicted already by a Prophet named prophet Second Isiah. He wrote passages about servants of God who suffered in order to save his own people.
(Textbook)