SUBJECT - HISTORY OF ISRAEL // LESSON – 1 // PATRIARCHAL PERIOD //

 LESSON – 1

PATRIARCHAL PERIOD

Introduction

 

The history of Israel, as narrated in the Bible, begins with the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also named Israel). God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising to make his descendants a great nation. Jacob’s twelve sons become the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The story continues with the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt and their eventual exodus under the leadership of Moses. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, they enter the Promised Land (Canaan) under Joshua’s leadership.

The period of the Judges follows, marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This era ends with the establishment of the monarchy. Saul is the first king, followed by David, who unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital. David’s son Solomon builds the First Temple but his reign ends with the kingdom’s division into Israel (north) and Judah (south).

The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians in 722 BCE, and the southern kingdom of Judah is conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, leading to the Babylonian Exile. The Persian conquest allows the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.

The biblical narrative concludes with the return from exile and the restoration of the community, which sets the stage for later historical and religious development.

 

Importance of the study of History of Israel

Studying the history of Israel is important for several reasons:

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4.”

1. Religious Significance: For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the history of Israel is foundational to their faiths. It provides context for religious texts, beliefs, and practices.
2. Cultural Heritage: Understanding Israel’s history helps appreciate the cultural and historical roots of Western civilization and its influence on language, literature, art, and law.
3. Political Insight: The history of Israel offers insights into contemporary political issues in the Middle East, helping to understand ongoing conflicts and the quest for peace.
4. Historical Understanding: It contributes to a broader understanding of ancient civilizations, including their social, economic, and political structures.
5. Moral and Ethical Lessons: The narratives contain lessons on leadership, justice, faith, and morality that are still relevant today.
6. Archaeological and Scholarly Research: The history of Israel provides a rich field for archaeological and historical research, contributing to our knowledge of ancient history and biblical studies.

 

Studying this history enriches our understanding of the past and its enduring impact on the present and future.

2. Patriarchal period

Later Israel looked back to Abraham as the father of their nation and their faith. For this reason, Israel remembered him as their “patriarch.” He was the one who received God’s promises, which anticipated the granting of the land as well as the offspring who would people that land (Gen. 12:1-3). Indeed, the whole period of Israel’s history involving Abraham and his immediate descendants is commonly referred to as “the patriarchal period.” With this era our biblical history of Israel begins.

The story thus begun goes on to tell of a family on the move in pursuit of God’s promise to Abraham, which is the main theological interest of Genesis 11: 10-36:43 and the theme that binds the various narratives together.

The call of the patriarchal society

The call of the patriarchal society, particularly in the biblical context, refers to God’s summoning of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to fulfill His divine plans and establish a chosen people. This call shapes the fundamental identity and destiny of the Israelites. Key aspects of this call include:

1. Divine Election:

•                     Abraham’s Call: God calls Abraham to leave his homeland (Ur of the Chaldeans) and go to a land that God will show him (Canaan). This marks the beginning of the special relationship between God and Abraham’s descendants. (Genesis 12:1-3)

•                     Promises: God promises Abraham land, numerous descendants, and blessings for all nations through him. This covenant is sealed with specific rituals and repeated affirmations by God (Genesis 15, 17).

 

2. Covenant Establishment:

•                     Isaac’s Role: Isaac inherits the covenantal promises made to Abraham. God reaffirms the covenant with Isaac, emphasizing His commitment to the promises made to Abraham (Genesis 26:2-5).

•                     Jacob’s Role: Jacob, later named Israel, continues the covenantal lineage. God appears to Jacob in dreams and visions, reaffirming the promises of land, descendants, and blessings (Genesis 28:10-15, 35:9-12).

 

3. Faith and Obedience:

•                     Testing of Faith: The patriarchs’ faith and obedience are tested through various trials. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is a prime example of his unwavering faith (Genesis 22).

•                     Life Challenges: Each patriarch faces challenges and moral dilemmas that test their trust in God’s promises and guidance. Their responses to these challenges demonstrate their faith and commitment.

 

The call of the patriarchal society is foundational for understanding the origins of the Israelite people, their relationship with God, and the themes of covenant, faith, and divine purpose that run throughout the Bible.

2.1 Life style and customs

The lifestyle and customs of the patriarchal society, particularly during the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are depicted in the Bible and can be inferred from historical and archaeological findings. These elements give us a glimpse into the daily lives, social structures, and cultural practices of the early Israelites.

Lifestyle:

1. Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Life:

•                     Pastoralism: The patriarchs were primarily pastoralists, moving with their flocks of sheep, goats, and cattle to find grazing land and water. This nomadic lifestyle necessitated living in tents and traveling frequently.

•                     Agriculture: While they primarily herded livestock, they also engaged in some agriculture, cultivating crops in the regions they settled for periods.

 

2. Family and Clan Structure:

•                     Patriarchal Authority: The family unit was headed by the patriarch (father), who held authority over all family members, including wives, children, and servants.

•                     Extended Families: Families were typically large, including multiple generations living together. The extended family (clan) was the primary social unit and provided support and protection.

3. Economy:

•                     Trade and Commerce: Besides pastoralism and agriculture, the patriarchs engaged in trade, exchanging goods such as livestock, textiles, and agricultural products with neighboring tribes and settlements.

•                     Wealth: Wealth was measured in terms of livestock, land, servants, and possessions. The patriarchs often accumulated significant wealth, which indicated their status and influence.

Customs:

1. Marriage and Family:

•                     Polygamy: Polygamy was common, with patriarchs having multiple wives and concubines. This practice was partly aimed at ensuring many descendants.

•                     Marriage Arrangements: Marriages were arranged within the family or tribe, often to strengthen alliances. The patriarch played a crucial role in selecting spouses for his children.

•                     Primogeniture: The firstborn son typically received a double portion of the inheritance and assumed leadership of the family upon the father’s death.

 

2. Religious Practices:

•                     Altars and Sacrifices: The patriarchs built altars and offered sacrifices to God, often in response to divine revelations or covenants. These acts were central to their worship and covenantal relationship with God.

•                     Covenants and Promises: Formal agreements, often involving ritual acts and symbols (e.g., circumcision), were used to seal covenants with God and between people.

 

3. Hospitality:

•                     Welcoming Strangers: Hospitality was a significant cultural value. Strangers and travelers were often invited to share a meal and stay overnight, reflecting the nomadic tradition of mutual aid and protection.

 

Feasts and Meals: Sharing meals was an important social and religious activity. Feasts marked significant events, such as births, and covenant ceremonies.

4. Social and Legal Customs:

•                     Levirate Marriage: If a man died without a son, his brother was expected to marry the widow to produce an heir and continue the deceased’s lineage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).

•                     Birthrights and Blessings: The birthright (inheritance) and patriarchal blessing were significant aspects of family life, often leading to family conflicts and rivalries (e.g., Jacob and Esau).

 

5. Clothing and Appearance:

•                     Simple Garments: Clothing was made from wool or linen. Men typically wore tunics with a belt, and women wore long dresses with veils.

•                     Ornaments and Symbols: Jewelry and other ornaments were used, often with symbolic meanings related to status and religious practices.

 

Understanding these lifestyle and customs provides valuable insight into the world of the patriarchs, highlighting their daily lives, social structures, and religious practices that shaped the early Israelite identity.

2.2 Significance of the call of Abraham

•                     God’s purpose in calling Abraham was to recover a man from the sinful situation. We should not consider the choosing of Abraham to be a personal matter. Abraham’s being chosen by God was for the purpose of recovering man from his sinful situation.

•                     In Abraham’s calling we see God’s purpose, plan, and predestination. We also see the solution to the problems of sin and the devil. May the Lord open our eyes to see these things.

•                     In God’s selection of Abraham, three things were included: (1) bringing him into the land which God would show him, (2) making him a great nation that would become God’s people, and (3) blessing all the families of the earth through him.

•                     God called Abraham so that he would go into Canaan, live there, express God, and carry out the authority of the heavens. God intended to give the land to his descendants. Through him and his descendants, God intended to claim the land for Himself and to carry out His authority and express His glory in the land.

•                     God’s intention is for His people to bring His authority and His will to earth. Today the church should be the place where God’s glory is expressed and the place where

•                     His authority to spread among them, that is the place where God’s authority and God’s will are executed.

 

2.3 Abraham and God’s covenant.

What is Covenant?

covenant is an agreement between two parties. There are two basic types of covenants: conditional and unconditional.

Conditional – Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant.

Unconditional - an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party.

1.                  The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. The actual covenant is found in Genesis 12:1–3. The ceremony recorded in Genesis 15 indicates the unconditional nature of the covenant. When a covenant was dependent upon both parties keeping commitments, then both parties would pass between the pieces of animals. In Genesis 15, God alone moves between the halves of the animals. Abraham was in a deep sleep. God’s solitary action indicates that the covenant is principally His promise. He binds Himself to the covenant.

2.                  God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision as the specific sign of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:9–14).

3.                  Based on this promise, God later changed Abram’s name from Abram (“high father”) to Abraham (“father of a multitude”) in Genesis 17:5. As we’ve seen, the Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional.

4.                  The Abrahamic Covenant included the promise of land (Genesis 12:1).

5.                  The Abrahamic Covenant also included a promise of blessing and redemption (Genesis 12:3). All the earth would be blessed through Abraham.

6.                  Five times in Genesis 12, as God is giving the Abrahamic Covenant, He says, “I will.” Clearly, God takes the onus of keeping the covenant upon Himself. The covenant is unconditional. One day, Israel will repent, be forgiven, and be restored to God’s favour (Zechariah 12:10–14; Romans 11:25–27).