Meta Narrative of the Old Testament of the Bible Unit 2
Tashkandi 1
Nezar Tashkandi
Make up paper for Unit 2
THL 217
Word count: 2133
Meta Narrative of the Old Testament of the Bible Unit 2
According to a number of Biblical studies and reports, it is clear and evident that the Old Testament of the Bible mainly contains ancient collection of sacred writings especially those written more than two thousand two hundred years in the society (Faust 273). The Old Testament of the Bible also includes a number of forms of the national literary writings and reports of ancient Israelites communities on the Middle East (Sharp 6). The Old Testament of the Bible is also mostly centered on the belief that there is only one God who created all the human kind in the society (Sharp 7). Furthermore, the Old Testament of the Bible teachings and writings also indicate and depict Judaism religious practices and activities in the society and later led to the emergence of Christianity practices and activities in the society (Faust 274). Christianity mainly involves and includes individuals who are followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Moreover, some of the notable books and sacred writings in the Bible include those discussing the activities and viewpoints of King David, Samuel, Moses, Hosea, Solomon as well as Joshua and Amos among many other writers and individuals in the Old Testament of the Bible (Sharp 8).
In the Old Testament of the Bible Meta-narrative include a collection of writings arranged in order especially from early ancient periods of the Genesis to late Middle Eastern teaching periods including those of Hosea and Micah (Sharp 10).
Therefore, the main purpose, aim as well as objective of this paper is to discuss, explore and outline some of the Old Testament narratives in the Bible. The paper will also discuss and focus on the Meta narrative of the Old Testament of the Bible including individuals such as King Davis, Joshua, Solomon as well as Samuel and Amos. The paper will also include a discussion related to Old Testament of the Bible Meta Narrative of Hosea, Northern Kingdom, and Southern Kingdom, the divide as well as issues dealing with Isaiah of Jerusalem and Micah teachings and lessons in the Bible.
Prophet Samuel
According to the Biblical teachings and writings, it is clear and evident that God raises Samuel as a combo judge, as a prophet as well as a military manager and leader in the society (Faust 278). It is also worth noting that Samuel main role and activities in the society was to guide others and promote repentance of sinners in the society including his guidance and monitoring of the Philistines. Due to this, when Samuel was old majority of Philistine demanded that he take the responsibility of appointing kings in the society (Sharp 11). However, based on God teachings and rules, God chosen people are usually different from others in the society. In that sense, God uses Samuel to warn the people in the society about future king’s roles and duties in the society (Sharp 12).
Furthermore, the Old Testament teachings and writings also indicate that the first king to be appointed by Samuel was Saul. Saul started his power and kingly roles with the spirit of the Lord and he managed to defeat many national enemies of their community (Sharp 14). However, after some time Saul was full of jealousy against David who was expected to be the next King in the society. Due to this high level of jealousy, the Philistines managed to conquer their nation and this threatens the national security of the society (Faust 287).
King David
King David was appointed king of the nation after the rule and reign of King Saul. He was one of strongest kings in nation and he fully organized his militaries to defeat the Philistines. He also managed to conquer the surrounding nations thus creating a mini-empire. Based on several biblical writings and teachings, it is clear and true that David was a good leader especially at the beginning of his rule (Belser, and Melanie 315). However, he later became corrupt and exploitative in the society and this is evident in the Bathsheba scandal and its results and consequences in the society. Some of the important and imperative national growth that were initiated by King David in the society include creating and development of the capital city. King David also proposes to build for the Lord a special temple and house for worship (Sharp 15). However, God rejects his offer and his son Solomon later build the house and the temple of God (Faust 288).
King Solomon
King Solomon was the third king in the nation after King David. According to biblical teachings and reports, it is clear and true that King Solomon provided a number of effective policies including those dealing with the building of the God temple that was started by his father David (Sharp 13). King Solomon also started his rule with many advantages especially from his father David as well as from favors from God (Brubacher 18). However, due to human problems and conditions he later disobeyed God and involve in negative activities that were against God’s will in the society.
Despite this, King Solomon is still regarded as one of the greatest kings in the empire city of Jerusalem (Sharp 16). For example, he started the Canaanite fortress systems in the nation with the aim of expanding his kingdom. His aim of introducing the Canaanite fortress city systems also included the use of force labor and imposition of heavy taxes to individuals in the society. Despite Prophet Samuel warnings, he did not change his poor and bad administrative policies in the society. Due to the use of forced labor and collection of heavy taxes from people in the society, the northern and the southern kingdom unity did not last and there was a fall between the two nations (Sharp 18).
King Solomon also managed to build big and huge temple for God claiming that it was the will of God for him to build the temple. However, after some time the temple become a symbol of idolatry and led to the destruction of the nation. Solomon activities and practices also led to his adulterous behaviors including marrying many wives and having many concubines in the society. After the reign and rule of King Solomon, Jeroboam was appointed the next king of the nation especially to represent the northern tribes since the nation was already split.
The Northern and Southern Kingdom Divides
The nation mainly divides due to poor leadership behaviors of the Kings in the society. For example, the Kings abandon the Lord and were introducing worshiping of gods of the surrounding nations thus fail to do and follow God’s commandments and rules in the society (Shipp 41). It is also evident that Solomon wanted to kill Jeroboam but he managed to escape to Egypt. This did not please God (Shipp 38). Prophet Ahijah also foretold that God will tear apart the twelve tribes in the society and Jeroboam will become the leader of the ten tribes in the nations.
Furthermore, after the death of King Solomon, the ten northern tribes started their own nation leading to the introduction of the northern kingdom. Only two tribes remain in the southern kingdom including the Judah and the Benjamin tribes (Shipp 44). The southern tribe and kingdom capital city was Jerusalem.
King Jeroboam headed the northern tribe. Jeroboam did not please God since he introduced the worship of Baal gods such as calves, young bulls among many other gods in the society (Zhigul'skaia 41). The northern kingdom also experiences a lot of wars in the society and power struggle. It is also worth noting that Omri later took over the power in the northern kingdom and handed it over to his son Ahab (Shipp 42). King Ahab introduced more evil practices that were against God rules in the northern kingdom. However, God sent Prophet Elijah to warn them against their evil deeds and practices in the society (Shipp 40).
Prophet Amos
Due to a lot of internal oppression and social injustices in the society, the Lord sent Amos to warn the people against their evil deeds and activities in the society. Prophet Amos mainly prophesized and proclaims his messages around public shrines including royal sanctuary at Bethel. The books of Amos clearly depict Amos prophetic activities and practices in the society. According to his teachings and writings, he was mainly sending messages to the people against war crimes and crimes against humanity (Shipp 37).
Prophet Amos teachings and messages also depict how the society was full of social injustices and oppression of the poor in the society especially in the Northern kingdom (Teeter 366). He also taught people about hypocrisy of their religion. According to Prophet Amos teachings and lessons, those who engaged in war and violence will be punished through war and violence as well by God (Allen 3). He was also teaching against exploitation of the poor through slavery practices in the society (Teeter 369).
He wanted the Israelites to avoid evil practices including the fortress cities systems, hypocrisy religion and social injustices in the society (Smith 471). He argues that the wealthy and the ruling class in the society will be sent to exile and he also confronted the high priests in Bethel. He also argues that those who were able to repent their sins will seek the kingdom of God. According to Amos, God does not accept lavish public sacrifices and offerings and the society should repent and change their evil deeds in order to accept by God (Reed 297).
Hosea
Hosea was one of prophets in Israel and his main role was to continue with the warning of Amos about evil deeds and activities of the people of Israel (Reed 299). It is also evident from the book of Hosea that God uses Hosea activities and behaviors in the society in order to represent the activities of individuals in the society (Teeter 349). For example, Hosea married an unfaithful wife symbolizing the unfaithfulness of the Northern kingdom to God (Reed 301). However, Hosea forgives her and this symbolizes the divine forgiveness that people should emulate in the society (Evans 36). This also symbolizes Jesus devotion to save people in the society by sacrificing his life for human kind salvation (Sharp 5). Hosea also depict and warn the people of the consequences of social injustices and oppression of the poor in the society. His message was to call and promote new reforms in order to allow God to forgive the people in the society (Reed 302). According to Prophet Hosea teachings and lessons, the Lord is holding religious leaders accountable for misleading the nation and they will face the consequences later in life.
Hosea also foretold of the destruction of the northern kingdom due to poor leadership and due to people trusting the wrong things in the society (Teeter 348). God destroyed the northern kingdom since they were worshipping Baal and Asherah, they wet ignoring warnings from God’s prophets and they were also rejecting God’s covenant terms and agreements (Reed 304).
Prophet Isaiah
Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets in Israel and his messages were mainly to promote God’s provision of hope after the destruction of the kingdom (Teeter 354). He also argues that the southern kingdom was rebellious towards God’s teachings in the society (Teeter 361). According to Isaiah, God only accept sacrifices and offerings given through right actions and based on social justices in the society (Allen 13). Isaiah also demonstrates how wealth, military and power changed the people of Israel from following God’s commandments (Teeter 352).
Prophet Micah
Prophet Micah mainly maintained and continued with prophet Isaiah teachings in the society. His aim was to unite northern and southern kingdoms and to warn false prophets in the society against their evil deeds (Teeter 358). He was also against the use of social injustices and oppression of the poor in the society. He prophesies against the swords and plows that will be used to destroy the fortress cities in the society due to human sin. However, he also maintained that God would restore his love with people through repentance and hope (Teeter 362).
Based on my opinion and viewpoint, I believe that the prophets of God in the Old Testament mainly represented God’s messages and they were sent by God to warn people against their evil deeds in the society. I also believe that the Old Testament of the bible mainly depict how God guided the people in the society including their rules and kings especially through the use of different prophets at different times in the society. Furthermore, the northern and southern kingdom activities and practices form the basis of prophet actions and warning in the society. The prophets also foretold the coming of Jesus Christ in the society as well as the consequences of doing evil deeds in the society.
Works Cited
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Reed, Esther D., et al. "Narrative Theology in Religious Education." British Journal of Religious Education 35.3 (2013): 297-312.
Belser, Julia Watts, and Melanie S. Morrison. "What No Longer Serves Us: Resisting Ableism And Anti-Judaism In New Testament Healing Narratives?" Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion (Indiana University Press) 27.2 (2011): 153-170.
Sharp, Carolyn J. "Wrestling the Word: Submission and Resistance as Holy Hermeneutical Acts." Anglican Theological Review 97.1 (2015): 5-18.
Teeter, Andrew. "The Hebrew Bible And/As Second Temple Literature: Methodological Reflections." Dead Sea Discoveries 20.3 (2013): 349-377.
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Zhigul'skaia, E. Iu. "The Old Testament: Origins and Features of the Government." State Counsellor 2. (2014): 22-48.
Allen, David M. "Introduction: The Study of the Use of the Old Testament in the New." Journal for the Study of the New Testament 38.1 (2015): 3-16.
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Smith, Mark S. "The Three Bodies of God in the Hebrew Bible." Journal of Biblical Literature 134.3 (2015): 471-488.
Faust, Avraham. "The Bible, Archaeology, and the Practice of Circumcision in Israelite and Philistine Societies." Journal of Biblical Literature 134.2 (2015): 273-290.