HANDOUT # 2 – Salvation History (26 September 2018) Professor: FR. BERNARD D.

PASCUAL

Sign of the True Prophet

The sign of a true prophet based on the Old Testament records is that his/her prophecy came true,
whether the prophecy was fulfilled immediately or after some time. Since there are many false prophets and
fortunetellers, we are warned not to listen and follow immediately unless we are sure that their message really
comes from God.
The life style will somehow reveal and give us some clear signs whether the person is really a
messenger from God. The words uttered and the life example should not be contradictory to one another.
Words and deeds should be taken as one mark of a true prophet of God.

Chronological Table of the Prophets: The following is a rough outline of what some conservative Old
Testament scholars feel is the order in which prophets appeared.

TIME PROPHETS PLACE/PROPHESIED

800 B.C. OBADIAH ABOUT EDOM
700 B.C. JOEL TO JUDAH
AMOS TO ISRAEL
HOSEA TO ISRAEL
JONAH TO NINEVEH
MICAH TO JUDAH
ISAIAH TO JUDAH
600 B.C. NAHUM ABOUT NINEVEH
ZEPHANIAH AGAINST JUDAH
HABAKKUK AGAINST BABYLON
JEREMIAH AGAINST JUDAH
EXILE EZEKIEL TO EXILED JEWS
DANIEL TO EXILED JEWS
400 B.C. HAGGAI TO EXILES
RETURNING
ZECHARIAH TO EXILES
RETURNING
MALACHI TO EXILES
RETURNING

THE PRE-MONARCHIAL PERIOD

Background before the 12 tribes settled in Canaan
The land of Canaan as described in Deuteronomy 8:7-10 was a land of abundance in the eyes of a
wondering people (Israel). It was blessed with regular rainfall, fertile valleys and plains, good hills for vines
and forests, stone quarries for buildings and some copper mines. Olive, cereal grains and wine were generally
abundant. There were certain areas good for pasture and raising sheep and cattle. Indeed, it was generally a
good land as described poetically, a “land of flowing milk and honey.” The land was inhabited by various
groups of people, most of who belonged to the same Semitic background. The language of the Canaanites and
the language of the surrounding people were very similar. At that time, Canaan was sparsely populated. The
wooded hill portion had very few inhabitants before the Israelites took over. The Canaanites were generally
farmers and shepherds. Tilling the land was their main pre-occupation and therefore, fertility was part of their
daily blessing. They were dependent on the coming of the rainfalls for their crops. Their religious practices
were geared to the times of rain and dryness, so necessary for successful farming. Their gods were mainly gods
of fertility. When the Israelites arrived and took over the land, they learned and copied the way of life of the
Canaanites, and they had difficulty in rejecting the “fertility” rite presented to them by the Canaanites.
The land of Canaan was geographically broken up into hilly regions and plains. The Canaanites had no overall
central government. The land had several and separate city-states, each ruled by its own little “King” or
“Prince”. Each ruler would control an area around his city. They were not politically united though they did
cooperate with one another in times of emergency like fighting their common enemies during the war. (Book
of the Judges)
Although, it is not very easy to reconstruct how the land of Canaan was occupied by the Israelites, the book of
Joshua indicates that the Israelites took the land by the Judges gives a different version on how the Israelites
took the land.
Here are some of the possible theories on how the Israelites took the Land of Canaan.
A. By Infiltration
The Israelites simply settled in thinly populated areas surrounding the land of Canaan.
B. By Treaties and Conversions
The Israelites made friends and came to terms with the inhabitants there. The practically
embraced and copied their life style including the Canaanites worship of idols.
C. By waging war against city-states
Joshua and his men took some cities and waged against the city-states. Other city-states were
conquered later by the next generation. For instance, David took Jerusalem at the time when
he decided to unite the Northern and Southern Kingdom (1st and 2nd Book of Samuel).

The Twelve Tribes of Jacob and their confederation

At the time of Moses, he called for a census of all the people by clan or tribe. The twelve tribes got
their name from the names of the sons of Jacob (Number 1:2).
Since they were to travel through the territories of their enemies, they had to prepare and be ready to defend
themselves. Moses with the help of Joshua ordered all men of twenty years and more and fit for military
training and services to be registered and to be trained properly to fight. (Numbers 1:3) An exemption was
given to the tribe of Levi. They were the priests and had to take care of the religious and temple services of the
people. (Numbers 1:47-50)

Israel as the People of God

As a review from what we discussed previously, the Israelites were the chosen people of God.
Here is a quotation from the book of Deuteronomy chapter 7:7-8.
“It was not because you are the largest of all nations
That the Lord set His heart on you and chose you, for
You are really the smallest of all nations. It was
Because the Lord loved you.”
Another quotation from the book of Exodus chapter 19:4-5
“You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians
And how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you
Here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and
Keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession,
Dearer to me than all other people”

These two bible quotations were just an echo of God’s covenant with His people Israel. The basis of
their selection as God’s people was God’s infinite love for them. They were strong and politically powerful as
long as God was with them. The moment they broke God’s law, their supremacy over other nations in terms of
economic and political advancement also diminished.
Changes in the Community and Leadership in Israel
At the time of the Patriarchs and Judges, they had different struggles and situations. Now that the
Israelites were able to infiltrate other Kingdoms, they were able to see their differences. The people of God had
to adjust to their new living conditions and environment. They had to learn how to deal with others who
worshipped false gods and yet to remain faithful to their God. It was a period of growth-politically,
economically and religiously.
 The conquest of Canaan was not yet completed. Jerusalem for instance, had not been
conquered yet. The Judges had been military leaders but they had not brought true unity and stability to the
land. The Kingdom had to be established. They were jealous of other Kingdoms that had their kings and rulers.

The Monarchial Period

Background

When the Lord called Samuel to guide and lead His people Israel, the nation was in great danger.
There was an internal division among the people because of their unfaithfulness to God. Some group started
worshipping Baal, the god of Canaanites. The people forgot that worshipping of the true God was the source of
their unity. When God called Samuel, he acted as a bridge between the time of the Judges and the emergence
of the Kings in Israel. His experiences and story were described in the Books of 1 and 2 Samuel.

Saul, as First King in Israel

At last, Israel had become a Kingdom, as the Israelites had desired. Samuel had anointed Saul, as their
first King in Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). Although, he was reluctant to give in to the request of the people, Samuel
was a God-fearing person a just and honorable man. He was deeply worried about the infidelity of his people.
For him God was the only king. It was God who had given them the land and all they possessed. Yahweh was
a mighty God to be feared, revered and loved by all.
However, Saul failed to live up to the expectations Samuel had of a King. Samuel advised Saul that
God alone was their true King. Saul was just acting on behalf of God, the real and true King of Israel. Thus, he
should listen to God’s instructions. All his actions should be inspired and guided by God’s law. But Saul rather
listened to the people who were wicked and sinful in their own desires. He disobeyed God’s reminders through
Samuel. God was displeased with Saul and commanded Samuel to find another King.
Here is a quotation from the first book of Samuel 16:1-13 on how God instructed Samuel to find
another king in Israel (New American Bible)
“The Lord said to Samuel: “How long will you grieve for Saul,
Whom I have rejected as King of Israel? Fill your horn with oil
And be on your way- I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for
I have chosen my king from among his sons…. you are to anoint
For me the one I point out to you.”

David, as the Second King in Israel

After Samuel received the instruction of God, he hurriedly went to meet Jesse and his sons. Upon
insistence and inquiry, Samuel found out that Jesse’s youngest son was still tending the sheep. His name was
David, a shepherd, whom God had chosen to be the second king of Israel. He was anointed by Samuel and
presented to the people to be recognized as chosen by their God. (1 Samuel 16:13)
David vs. The giant Goliath of the Philistines
The Philistines were threatening to devastate Israel. They were very proud because of their champion.
Goliath. They challenged the Israelites to send anyone from among them to fight Goliath. All the Israelites
were afraid except David, who was endowed by the spirit of God. David accepted the challenge of the
Philistines. He went to fight against Goliath with only his sling shot. He overpowered and defeated Goliath in
the name of God. The Philistines, after their champion was beheaded by David, immediately fled, fearing for
their lives (1 Samuel 17:32-54).
At this time, Saul became jealous because David had accomplished many things. (1 Samuel 18:6-16)
Fearing for his life, David fled and took refuge in different places.

Death of Samuel and Saul

Samuel died, and all Israel were gathered to moum for him. They buried Samuel in his home in
Ramah. (1 Samuel 25:1) Samuel’s death was a great loss for Israel. He was the only one who can contradict
and remind the King in Israel at that time.
 Saul met his death with his sons, in one of the battles against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. (1
Samuel 31:1-10)
After David had received the news of Saul’s death, he consulted with the Lord on what to do. The
Lord sent David to Hebron where the men of Judah came and anointed David as King of the Judahites (2
Samuel 2:1-4a) It took some time before David became King of the whole Kingdom of Israel.

Israel United as One

All Israel (tribes of Israel) came to David in Hebron and made a pact with David and submitted
themselves. They recognized David as the one who would shepherd God’s people against their common
enemies (2 Samuel 5:1-5) they too, anointed David as their King of the whole Israel.

The Capture of Jerusalem, the Capital and City of God

After David, had united the Kingdom, he set forth for Jerusalem. David captured the whole Jerusalem
and made it a city. He built a palace for himself there and brought his family and lived there. Jerusalem
became the center of Israel. It became the center of the religious ceremony at that time, too.
At this time, the Kingdom prospered economically and politically. David thought that the Ark of the
Covenant can be brought to Jerusalem as his sign of thanksgiving to God. Then, God told Prophet Nathan in a
vision that he would bless more the Kingdom o0d David if this thought of David happened. Nathan brought
the vision to David (2 Samuel 7:1-17) The Ark of the Covenant was brought into the city amidst great
festivities. David offered sacrifices to the Lord and danced in the presence of the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:14-17)

The Sin, Punishment and Repentance of David

David, like anyone else, had his own weaknesses. He committed grave sins against God and his
people, Israel. He followed his hearts’ desire like the former King Saul. He succumbed to his weaknesses. He
took Bathseba, wife if Uriah, to be his woman. When he learned that Bathseba was carrying his child, a
product of unfaithfulness and lust, he ordered Uriah to go to the front line in the battle against the Ammonites,
so that he would be killed. God sent Prophet Nathan to inform David that God was very angry with him. Then
Nathan told a parable about a rich man with flocks and herds in a great number who took the only sheep of a
poor man who had nothing at all. David was furious when he heard the parable of Nathan. He condemned the
rich man. Nathan said to David “You are the man in the story!” David was surprised and awakened and
acknowledged sins.
In Psalm 51, Davids’ great sorrow and his burning desire for God’s forgiveness was very visible.
Here is the portion of Psalm 51: 3-6, 9
“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness: in the greatness of your
compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt wash me
from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense and my
sin before me always. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in
your sight. Cleanse me of my sin with hyssop that I may be purified, was he
and I shall be whiter than snow.”
David whole-heartedly accepted the punishment of God. His punishment was his child with Bathsheba
would die. However, God forgave David for his sins and Bathsheba conceived and had another son by the
name of Solomon. God loved Solomon for he was the fruit of David’s repentance.

Solomon as the Third King in Israel

After David had died, his son Solomon inherited the throne. He ruled Israel and Judah. At the
beginning of Solomon’s reign as King over Israel and Judah, he was faithful to God and loved Him very
dearly. God blessed Solomon more and more. Solomon prayed to God to have the “gift of wisdom” and God
gave him wisdom.
Here is the quotation from the first book of Kings Chapter 3:9
“Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people
and to distinguish right from wrong.”
 God was pleased that Solomon had prayed for wisdom and not for honor and glory, neither for riches
and power. So, God poured more material blessings upon Solomon and his Kingdom.

There was one noted occasion about Solomon as being a “wise” king in Israel. This was about the two
women and a mother who claimed the same child. Solomon threatened the two mothers by ordering to cut the
child into two parts so that they will each have the body of the child. The true and real mother of the child gave
in her right and Solomon discovered the real mother. (1 Kings 3:16-28).

Solomon used his his gift of wisdom in directing the economy of Israel and Judah. He entered into
extensive trade with foreign countries. The whole kingdom benifitted and materially prospered. Even the
Queen of Sheba was overwhelmed with Solomon’s wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 10:1-13).

The Jerusalem Temple as God’s Dwelling Place

It was mentioned in 2 Samuel 7:2 how David had wanted to build a temple for God but it did not
materialize, because God did not allow him to build His dwelling place. Now that there was peace, prosperity
and stability in the land, Solomon was fulfilled his father’s dream by constructing the grandest and finest
temple ever built in the history of humanity (1 Kings 6:8). The temple was so big and huge; it was made of the
best and finest materials. The Ark of the covenant was placed inside the holy of the holies, that was the
innermost part of the temple. That became the dwelling place of God. Because of that, Jerusalem became
known as the “City of God” or “Holy City”

Here is a quotation from the first book of Kings chapter :

“When the priest left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord so that the priest
could no longer minister because of the cloud since the Lord’s glory had filled the temple of the Lord.”

The Downfall of Solomon

At the later period of Solomon’s reign, e displeased God like his predecessors, Saul and David. Solomon
also married pagan women who were daughters of pagan kings and chieftains to establish peace with them. In
order to please them, he built pagan temples for them and worshipped their pagan gods. He introduced forced
labor until the people cried out to God for help. God was so displeased with Solomon for he introduced and
allows idolatry and forced labor to God’s chosen people. Solomon had forgotten what God had done to them
when his chosen people were in Egypt. He liberated his people from slavery. And now, Solomon oppressed God’s
people just to give in to his caprices. God told him that because of his sins, his kingdom would be divided after
his death. Part would go to his son, Rehoboam, and the other half to his servant Jeroboam 1.

Here is a quotation from 1 Kings 11:11-13

“So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is what you want and you have not kept my covenant and my
statues…. I will deprive you of the kingdom and give it to your servant…. I will leave your sons one
tribe for the sake of my servant David and of Jerusalem….”

The Division of the Kingdom

Here is a beautiful quotation from the book of Amos 5:14-15a,
“Seek God and not evil that you may live, then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts be with you
as your claim! Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail.”
The Northern Kingdom and their Prophets
After the kingdom was divided, the people of the Northern Kingdom could no longer worship in the temple of
Jerusalem. Jeroboam the I was afraid that if the people would go to Jerusalem to worship there, they might stay there for
good. The people clamored to have their temple in the North. So they built two temples and placed pagan idols for them to
worship. This let to idolatry and cut off the people completely from the Southern Kingdom.
Another worst scenario for the Northern Kingdom was the death of their rulers, one after the other, which brought
confusion since there was no clear line of kingship in the Northern Kingdom. This led to plots, assassinations and
usurpation of power because who was strong and influential could make a claim to the position as king or ruler.

Prophet Elijah, the Miracle and Wonder Worker

The people in the Northern Kingdom were becoming more unfaithful and sinful to God’s sight. They built
temples and joined in the worship of Baal, the false god and the pagan god of the Canaanites. The worship of Baal was
influential to the people of God because the false god was the god of “fertility”, and the people were dependent on the
fertility of their flocks and good harvest from the land. So they succumbed to this religious cult.
This was the situation when Prophet Elijah appeared and prophesied here in the Northern Kingdom. He stood up
in defense of the true and real God. He took a dramatic stand against the worship of Baal. He challenged a large group of
prophets of Baal to make their god accept a holocaust. When the false prophet of Baal offered a holocaust, nothing
happened. Their god failed them. When Elijah called on his God, the God of the covenant came down on the fire and
consumed the holocaust offered by Elijah. After seeing what had happened, the people fell prostrate before the rue God (1
King 18:1-46)

Prophet Amos, the Prophet of Justice

Amos was a prophet from Tekoa in Judah. He prophesied in the Northern Kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam
II, ca. 783-743 B.C God called him and he left his homeland to preach God’s message to Israel because of the growing
injustices and exploitations. His message was full of images. He spoke strongly against the rich and the social oppression
against the people of God (Amos 7:14-15)

Here is a quotation from the book of Amos 2:6-7,

“Thus says the Lord: they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals. Trample the
heads of the weak into the dust of the earth and force the lowly out of the way.”

Amos warned the businessman who because of profit, greed and avarice, cheated and maligned the poor. Amos
said God was a “God of Concern” for everyone, especially the helpless. However, if the state social justice was in chaos
and disorder, their religious worship was even worse and much chaotic. The people had many religious festivals in Bethel
where chanting of Psalms was offered. These were empty rituals because the people failed to follow God’s
commandments. They forgot God’s covenant in their daily dealing with one another. The people used the rituals to ease
their guilty conscience after they had exploited and taken advantage of the poor. God rejected their offerings and told
them to work for social justice in their community.

Here is another quotation from Amos 5:21-24:

“I hate, I spurn your feast, I take no pleasure in your solemnities your cereal offerings I will not
accept, nor consider your stall fed peace offerings…. But if you would offer me holocausts, then let justice surge
like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.”

Amos’ God was a God of Justice who expected those who worshipped Him to show mercy and concern for all.
The “day of the Lord”, which the people expected with so much hope would be a day of punishment, as Amos always
mentioned on behalf of God.
Prophet Hosea, and the Unfaithful Wife
Hosea like Amos prophesied in the Northern Kingdom ca. 746-732 B.C. He was a native of Israel. Hosea’s
prophetic mission began during the last part of Jeroboam II’s reign as ruler of the Northern Kingdom. He used his own
tragic experience to depict the unfaithfulness of Israel to God’s love and his people. Hosea was married to a harlot
(prostitute) named Gomer. He loved her so much and gave almost everything he had to Gomer. At the beginning of their
relationship, everything was quiet but after a while, Gomer could not forget her former life. She turned to her old life and
sought lust with other men with their material offerings to her.

Here is a quotation from Hosea 2:7b:

“I will go after my lovers…. who gave me my bread
and my water, my wool and my flux, my oil and my drink.”

The response of Hosea in Hosea 2:!0:

“She has not known that it was I who gave her the
grain, the wine, and the oil, and her abundance of
silver, and of gold, which they used for Baal.”

With these quotations, Hosea compared Israel to his faithful wife. Israel was like Gomer. God chose Israel to be
His wife and blessed her with His love and gifts. God made a covenant with His people that would be their God and they
would be His people, if they remained faithful to Him. But like Gomer, Israel turned away from God and sought the gods
of their neighboring people. They worshipped a bull, the sacred animal of the Canaanite god, Baal. With these practices of
the people, God decided to take back all the graces He had given to Israel. He decided to punish the people so that they
would return to their senses.

Prophet Isaiah, and the Holiness of God

Isaiah is known as one of the Major Prophets and perhaps the most quoted and popular of all prophets in the Old
Testament. Of all the writing prophets, he was often quoted. Even Jesus when He began His public ministry quoted Isaiah
to explain Himself.
At the time of King Uzziah’s death, Isaiah received his call directly from God when he was attending a liturgical
celebration in the temple. He saw a vision of God seated on a lofty throne, clothed in majestic robe and surrounded by
seraphim (Isaiah 6:1 ff.)
Isaiah was born in Jerusalem and he was well educated. He was called the prophet of God’s holiness because of
what he had seen of and preached about God. His calling as prophet as mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-13, stated that he had seen
God in a vision. He experienced the “holiness of God”. He also told the people that God called them to holiness, too.

Prophet Jeremiah, the hesitant Prophet

Jeremiah was born ca. 650 B.C. He was the son of a priest Hilkiah in the territory of Benjamin, three miles north
of Jerusalem. He prophesied in Judah ca, 640 B.C. in the 13th year of King Josiah’s reign.
When God called him to prophesy, he was hesitant to accept for he was a sensitive man. Jeremiah 1:6 says,
“… I know how to speak, I am too young.” The Lord answered in Jeremiah 6:7,: “say not I am too young. To
whomever I send you, you shall go…. because I am with you to deliver you…”

The Lord told Jeremiah that from the time of his conception in his mother’s womb, God had already called
Jeremiah. God consecrated him to be a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5)
Soon after Jeremiah had preached, he had few friends for they were angry with him. Some of the priests and
relatives of Jeremiah’s life was in constant danger. The people were enraged by his words. They beat him, scourged him
and threw him into prison (Jeremiah 18
:18-23) To those who took his message at heart with sincerity, Jeremiah had brought hope. He said that the Lord would
establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.