CFED 1013: God's Journey with His People Lecture Notes PDF

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS TUGUEGARAO Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines 3500 SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, CRIMINOLOGY, ARTS AND PSYCHOLOGY First Semester, School Year 2024 - 2025 CHRISTIAN FAITH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT...

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS TUGUEGARAO Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines 3500 SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, CRIMINOLOGY, ARTS AND PSYCHOLOGY First Semester, School Year 2024 - 2025 CHRISTIAN FAITH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CFED 1013: God’s Journey with His People The Calling of Moses 1. Moses' Significance - Chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. - Received the Ten Commandments. - Significant figure in both Hebrew Bible and Christian tradition. 2. Location of Calling - Mount Horeb (Mountain of God), where Moses encountered the burning bush. 3. The Burning Bush - A bush that was on fire but not consumed, through which God spoke to Moses. 4. God’s Command - Moses was instructed to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to freedom. 5. Moses’ Initial Reaction - Hesitant and doubtful, questioning his ability to lead the Israelites. 6. God’s Reassurance - God promised to be with Moses and provided signs (e.g., staff turning into a serpent). 7. Moses' Excuse Regarding Speech - Claimed to be "slow of speech and tongue." God assigned his brother Aaron as spokesperson. 8. I AM WHO I AM - God's response to Moses about His identity, signifying His eternal nature. 9. Lessons on Leadership - True leadership involves overcoming doubt; God equips leaders with necessary strength. 10. Connection to Vocation - Moses' calling illustrates discovering one’s purpose in life and serving others. The Prophet Joshua 1. Joshua’s Role - Succeeded Moses as the leader, led Israelites into the Promised Land. 2. Relationship with Moses - Moses’ assistant and trusted follower; chosen by God as Moses’ successor. 3. Name Meaning - Joshua means “The Lord is salvation,” symbolizing his role in leading Israel. 4. Task After Moses’ Death - Led Israelites into Canaan and divided the land among the twelve tribes. 5. The Battle of Jericho - Famous for the walls of Jericho falling after Israelites followed God’s instructions. 6. Joshua’s Faith and Obedience - Trusted God’s promises and followed unconventional commands with faith. 7. Covenant Renewal - Joshua gathered the Israelites to renew their covenant with God at Shechem. 8. Dividing the Promised Land - Distributed Canaan among the tribes, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. 9. Leadership Qualities - Faith, courage, humility, and obedience to God. 10. Leadership and Faith Lessons - Joshua's story emphasizes trusting God, courage in adversity, and obedience. The Judges 1. Deborah - Prophetess and judge, known for leading Israel to victory over Sisera’s army. - Leadership demonstrated wisdom, faith, and trust in God. 2. Gideon - Reluctant judge who tested God’s call, known for defeating the Midianites with a small army. - Lesson: God uses the weak to demonstrate His power. 3. Jephthah - Military leader known for his tragic vow to sacrifice the first thing he saw, which was his daughter. - Lesson: Importance of thoughtful promises to God. 4. Samson - Judge known for his immense strength but weakened by personal flaws, particularly his relationship with Delilah. - Redeemed himself through his final act of faith, pulling down the Philistine temple. Samuel and the Kings 1. Samuel’s Role - Last judge and prophet, anointed Saul and David as Israel’s first kings. 2. Israel Demands a King - Israelites wanted a king like other nations. Samuel warned them of the challenges but anointed Saul at God’s direction. 3. Saul’s Downfall - Disobeyed God by making unauthorized sacrifices and failing to destroy the Amalekites. 4. David’s Reign - Focus of 2 Samuel, covering David’s victories and failures, including his sin with Bathsheba. 5. Davidic Covenant - God’s promise that David’s dynasty would endure forever, linked to the coming of the Messiah. 6. Solomon’s Reign - Known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, particularly the Temple in Jerusalem. 7. Division of the Kingdom - After Solomon’s death, the kingdom divided into Israel (north) and Judah (south). - Solomon's reign was marked by prosperity, grand construction projects (such as the Temple), and heavy taxation and forced labor to support his endeavors. - After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam inherited the throne. The people of Israel, especially the northern tribes, demanded relief from the heavy taxes and labor imposed by Solomon. - Rehoboam sought counsel on how to respond to the people's request. He rejected the advice of the older, wiser advisors who suggested he lighten the burden, and instead followed the advice of younger counselors who urged him to increase the people's workload. - Revolt of the Northern Tribes: Rehoboam’s harsh response led the northern tribes to revolt, declaring their independence from the House of David. They rejected Rehoboam as king and crowned Jeroboam I, a former official of Solomon, as king over the northern tribes. - Kingdom of Israel (North): - Comprised of 10 of the 12 tribes (excluding Judah and Benjamin). - Established its capital first at Shechem and later at Samaria. - Jeroboam introduced idolatrous worship, including golden calves at Bethel and Dan, to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem for worship. - Kingdom of Judah (South): - Consisted primarily of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. - Rehoboam ruled over Judah, with Jerusalem remaining its capital. - The Davidic line continued through Judah, fulfilling God's promise to David about the enduring nature of his dynasty. - Religious and Political Tensions: - The division led to both political and religious instability. - The northern kingdom of Israel quickly fell into idolatry and faced a series of unstable dynasties and coups. - The southern kingdom of Judah, though more stable in terms of dynastic succession, also struggled with periods of idolatry and apostasy. - Prophets like Elijah, Elisha (in Israel), and Isaiah and Jeremiah (in Judah) criticized the kings and people for their disobedience to God's covenant, including issues of idolatry, injustice, and false worship. - Military Conflicts: The two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, often found themselves in conflict with one another and with neighboring nations, which weakened them both over time. - Historical Significance: The division of the united monarchy into Israel and Judah set the stage for the eventual fall of both kingdoms: - Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE. - Judah was later conquered by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE, leading to the Babylonian Exile. The Prophets 1. Amos - Shepherd prophet focused on social justice, condemning the oppression of the poor. 2. Hosea - His marriage to an unfaithful wife symbolized Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. 3. Jeremiah - Warned of Judah’s impending exile due to their idolatry but promised hope for restoration. 4. Isaiah - Emphasized God's holiness and the need for repentance, as well as the coming of a future Messiah. 5. Ezekiel - Known for his symbolic acts and visions, warning of Jerusalem's destruction while promising future restoration. Key Themes - Faith and Obedience: Central to the stories of Moses, Joshua, and the Judges. - Leadership: Both Moses and Joshua exemplify trust in God’s guidance despite personal doubts or external challenges. - Covenant: A recurring theme in the stories of Samuel, Kings, and the Prophets, emphasizing the Israelites' relationship with God. - Social Justice: The Prophets, especially Amos, highlight the importance of justice, righteousness, and true worship.