Module 4
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Lone Star College System, Woodlands *
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Course
1304
Subject
Religion
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
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Kendall Miguez RELI 1371 C
Reflection Questions
1.
What does the word "Deuteronomy" mean? How does this meaning shed light on the message of Deuteronomy? How does the message of Deuteronomy help us understand the historical books of the Old Testament?
Deuteronomy by definition means repeated law. The main message throughout Deuteronomy
is to obey God. God has laws for a reason, and he wants us to be obedient and follow them. We can see throughout the Bible that if we are disobedient, we will receive punishment from God. A Deuteronomist named Martin Noth interpreted Jerusalem’s fall in 587 BC, as well as the fall of Israel in 722 BC. “He traced the divine punishment of the Israelite kingdoms to their persistent sin and experiments with idolatry.” (Arnold & Beyer 173) The message of Deuteronomy helps us
to understand the historical books of the Old Testament by foreshadowing its stories to include Moses, Abraham, and Israel. 2.
Who are important female characters in the Old Testament historical narrative? List three and give a brief sentence or two as to what makes them significant. Also, cite where the stories of these characters are found in the Old Testament. There are many important female characters in the Old Testament historical narrative. In the Book of Ruth, we learn one of one of them. The story begins with tragedy, famine, and the death of Ruth’s husband. Ruth is faithful and loyal, and because of that God rewards her. She is devoted to her mother-in-law and eventually re-marries to a man named Boaz. They give birth to a son “
and
they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17) Ultimately this means that he is an ancestor of Jesus. The Book of Ruth is found in the third section (Ketuvim) of the Old Testament. In the same story in the Book of Ruth, we see another important female character whose name is Naomi. Naomi is Ruth’s mother-in-law. She was an exceptional Godly woman. It was because of Naomi that Ruth was able to learn of God. This eventually led Ruth to accept God as
her Lord and Savior. We also know how much Ruth loved and cared for Naomi, even after her husband's death. Ruth tells Naomi “Don’t urge me to leave you
or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go,
and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people
and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16) The Book of Ruth is found in the third section (Ketuvim) of the Old Testament.
Another important female character in the Old Testament historical narrative is Esther. Esther
was one of God’s chosen people because she was a Jew. She lived in Persia and eventually became the new Queen. One of the king’s officials hated the Jews and wanted them all destroyed. Esther’s uncle Mordecai asked Esther to talk to the king about saving the Jews. Although she was the king’s wife, she still wasn’t allowed to see him without being invited. She was brave and went to see him anyway, hopeful that the king would save the Jews. “
If I have found favor
with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.” (Esther 7:3) The king contently listened to Esther and
did just that. This just shows that God is in control. The Book of Esther is found in the third section (Ketuvim) of the Old Testament. 3.
What is the nature of the "cycle" in the book of Judges? Interact with the Bible Project video on this subject in your answer. According to our assigned video The Bible Project
, the Book of Judges begins with the death of Joshua. “It contains disturbing violence and contains moral corruption and bad leadership.” (
The Bible Project
) Throughout the entirety of the Book of Judges, we see a consistent, and violent cycle. The people of Israel would idolize other gods, and then God would oppress the people of Israel which allowed them to be overtaken, Israel would then repent their wrongdoings and turn back to God, a judge was then raised by God to deliver Israel, and finally Israel was restored. Over the course of the Book of Judges, we see many judges who deliver Israel. “
These
stories are meant to serve as a warning.” (
The Bible Project
) It shows what happened to Israel when they turned away from God. 4.
What is the purpose of the Temple in the Old Testament era? Interact with the Bible Project video on this subject in your answer. The purpose of the Temple in the Old Testament era was that it was a place where God resided with His people. The biggest thing in Jerusalem during Bible times was the Temple, which was designed by King David, and built by King Solomon. “It’s the place that overlaps with God’s heavenly home and where God lives and rules all creation as King.” (
The Bible Project)
It really is a representation of “all of creation is where God intends to dwell, it’s like His
temple” (
The Bible Project) The Temple was built and modeled after the Garden of Eden. Much like the story of Adam and Eve, the Temple was destroyed, and the Israelites were exiled. Jesus ended up being the “true Temple” through his life, death, and resurrection. (
The Bible Project
) “God’s presence came to dwell in and amongst his followers as mini temples.” (
The Bible Project
) At the end of the story, we see that there is no physical temple, but it is through Jesus that God rests in His people.
5.
What happened during the period of exile in ancient Jewish history? Why is this theme
important to the overall story of the Bible? Interact with the Bible Project video on this subject in your answer. Much happened during the period of exile in ancient Jewish history. As mentioned in a previous question, the Temple was burned and destroyed. The majority of people from Judah were expelled to the city of Babylon. The definition of exile is to be forced to leave your home and go live in a foreign land. The story of Adam and Eve being exiled from the Garden of Eden sets of the story for Israel’s story. “In the Bible, exile is the human condition.” (
The Bible Project)
Because of the corruption and exile, this left the people desire for a better home. Hope was found in the Bible through the stories of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had no home, but great
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restoration. He encouraged people to invite others in, especially outcasts. “Jesus went into exile with us to show us the true way home.” (
The Bible Project) This is presented in many different ways throughout the Bible.