Impact People of the Ancient Hebrews

1. Impact People of the Ancient Hebrews The Founders of the Jewish Faith Dr. D. 2013

2. Abram – AKA Abraham • Born in UR, Mesopotamia • Father was: Terah (an Idol maker) • Became a believer in Yahweh (after breaking some of the idols his father had made in his shop) • Wife was named – Sarah • God (Yahweh) told Abram to move to the land of Canaan • Abram took his family (including his Dad and nephew – Lot) Dad-Terah died along the way • God promised Abram that he would be the FATHER OF MANY NATIONS • His first Son was Ishmael by Sarah’s slave Hagar - He was 86 yr. old • His Second son was ISAAC - this was the son that the Hebrews including Jesus descended from [He was 100 yr. old] • His faith and Obedience to God had him to nearly kill Isaac as an offering to God Dr. D. 2013

3. ISAAC • Son of Abraham and Sarah • Father of the Jewish people • Was nearly sacrificed by his Father Abraham to God as a test of Abraham’s faith • Married Rebekahthe sister of Laban • He had twin sons Esau and Jacob (who fought in the womb) • Esau was the older twin • Jacob tricked Esau out of his first born birth right with his mother’s help • Jacob left , thinking Esau was about to kill him over the birthright • Jacob stayed with his uncle Laban, his mother’s brother • Isaac died at the age of 180 Dr. D. 2013

4. Jacob • Jacob is considered a Patriarch of Judaism • Famous for his dreams of a stairway to Heaven • Worked for his uncle Laban7 years for Rachel • His uncle tricked him and gave his Leah, Rachel’s sister after the 7 years • Jacob worked 7 more years to marry Rachel • Jacob has 12 sons: 10 by Leah & slaves and 2 by Rachel • Jacob’s most famous son is Joseph to whom he made a coat of many colors for Dr. D. 2013

5. Joseph • Jacob’s favorite son • Had dreams and interpreted dreams • Sold into slavery by his brothers • Jacob his father was told he had been killed • Worked for Potipharuntil his wife accused him of inappropriate conduct – (Which was untrue) • Was in prison – while there interpreted dreams of other s • Later interpreted the pharaoh’s dream of 7 good years of harvest and 7 years of famine • Was made 2nd in command to manage crop storage and later distribution of food stored • Was united back with his family during the famine Joseph became the reason the Jews were in Egypt Dr. D. 2013

6. Jewish Fathers of Faith - Moses • Moses (A Founding Father of the Jewish Faith) • about 1400 – 1280 BC • Was born a Hebrew slave, but raised as a son of Pharaoh – a brother to Ramses II • After being cast out of Egypt, Moses found God on Mt. Sinai in the burning bush • Moses came back to led his people out of Egypt • God gave him the 10 Commandments • God gave him the “Torah” The Reason the Hebrews left Egypt Dr. D. 2013

7. Joshua • Was Moses’ aide • Was the one who led the Israelites into Canaan after the 40 years of wandering • He established the tradition of honoring the Passover Feast • Was a great warrior and defeated many armies • He is best known for the battle of Jericho Dr. D. 2013

8. Naomi and Ruth • Ruth was one of the two daughter-in-laws of Naomi • Naomi’s husband and 2 sons died • Naomi decided to return back to the land of Canaan • Ruth begged Naomi to let her go with her • Ruth gleaned the field of Boaz • Boaz married Ruth • They had the son named Obedto whom they shared with Naomi • Ancestors of David and Jesus 16 And Ruth said , Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest , I will go ; and where thou lodgest , I will lodge : thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest , will I die , and there will I be buried : the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Used in Marriage Ceremonies Dr. D. 2013

9. King Saul • Was anointed by Samuel the priest as the First KING of ISRAEL • Reigned 42 years • Had a son named Jonathan who was friends with David • Fought the Philistines and Amalekites • David would play his harp to calm him down • Went mad at times • God became displeased with him • Tried to kill David many times before he died • His Daughter Michal married David Saul asked his armour bearer to kill him, but was forced to commit suicide by falling on his sword when the armour bearer refused. Dr. D. 2013

10. King David • Famous for killing Goliath • Was the youngest of Jesse's Sons • Played the harp for King Saul • Was friends with Saul’s son Jonathan • Later fought in Saul’s Armies • Was anointed by Samuel the prophet to become the 2nd King of Israel • Was a strong king • Was a warrior king • His weakness was too many wives • His famous wife was Bathsheba • David and Bathsheba had a son named Solomon (who became King) • David enlarged Israel and gained wealth • David gathered materials to build the temple Ruled 33 years Dr. D. 2013

11. King Solomon • Succeeded in Father David as King • Asked God for Wisdom • Famous story of 2 mothers and the baby that died and one that was living • Built the First Temple in Israel – WAS Very Beautiful! • God blessed him with Wealth and enlarged the kingdom • His weakness was also too many wives (700 wives and 300 concubines) • Ruled for 40 years Dr. D. 2013

12. Queen Esther • Was Jewish and lived under Persian Rule • Was raised by her cousin Mordecai • King Xerxes got rid of his wife and began looking for another • During his look, Esther was brought to him to read to him • Esther was chosen as his Queen • Haman was a member of the court who wanted to kill the Jews • He tricked the King into signing a law that would kill all the Jews starting with Mordecai • Esther took her life into her hands when she appeared to the King without permission • The King Forgave Esther for her appearance and had Haman hanged on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai • As a result: Esther saved the Jews & herself Dr. D. 2013

13. YohananbenZaccai • During the Roman take over – Many Jews were forced out of their land • This led to the loss of many Jewish Synagagues • Zaccai was a Rabbi that took on the role in guiding the Jews in their Religion • He founded a school to teach Judaism • He also trained young men to become Jewish Rabbis • This helped to keep Judaism alive during the Diaspora Jewish Diaspora – when Jews were forced to leave Israel and eventually settled in places as far away as: Russia, Asia, and the United States Dr. D. 2013