Introduction:
Abraham was the father of the Israel nation, who was considering
as the ‘father of faith’ though he came from pagan family. He came out from his
family by calling of God though he did not know where and why God called him
but he followed God’s command. Later God promised him to make a great nation to
his descendent and to land where his descendent would live.In this way
Israel/Hebrew became a chosen nation by faith and those who witnessed God among
the pagan nation that God of Israel is the creator of this universe and of all
pagan gods.
1.0 Some example of Faith of the Hebrew people in the Old Testament:
1.1 Abraham ‘Father of faith’ – The prime example of such is the figure of
Abraham who was in Genesis 12:1-3. The Lord said to Abraham, "Leave your
country and your relatives... I will make you a great nation and you will be
blessed...
.The country will be blessed. " In Genesis 12-24, and watch
what it means to be the archetypal 'person of faith.' Because Abram (or later
Abraham) passed a great test, and that too was short. Three chapters later,
however, he still has no descendants and he takes the matter to God in chapter
15. God answered: "If you can count, look at the stars in the sky. And he
said to him, 'So shall your seed be.'" In Genesis 22:2 God said To
Abraham: "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, Go to the
land of Morian and sacrifice him on a mountain that I will show you . " It
was a great test from God for him to sacrifice his most beloved only son. It is
indeed for every loving father, for Abraham was also, but he never obeyed God.
1.2 Battle of Jericho : The Battle of
Jericho is an incident from the book of Joshua , being the first battle fought
by the Israelites in the course of the conquest of Canaan . According to Joshua
6:1-27, the Israelites besieged the city once a day for six days, and seven
times on the seventh day, and fell the city of Jericho then blew their
trumpets. In this battle Israelite got victory without fight but by just keep
faith to God and following according to God's command.
1.3 David’s faith - And then there's David, a
complex and mysterious man from 1 Samuel 16 and 1 Kings 2 who has some powerful
stories about him. The strength of the lion and the bear can save me from these
Palestinians. In fact, the Lord, along with David, caused Saul to hate him (1
Samuel 18:28-29). His ability to kill Goliath and protect Israel, often
referred to as "YHWH" in these stories, is always in the background,
and David acknowledged that he must Ask God before embarking on a journey (2
Sam. 23) Part of David's belief is that he will not kill "the Lord's
chosen ones" while he has the opportunity (24:7; 26:9-11, 23-24; 2 Samuel
1:14). Though he go astray from God but came back with broken heart and repented
to God.
1.4 Daniel’s faith:Daniel was one of the known
person in the bible for his faith to God, when he was captured with his friends
and have taken to exile in Babylon he was just a young man but he was matured
in faith.The incident of Daniel in lions’ den one of the proved of his faith.
In Daniel chapter 6 says that some officials from royal court conspiracy
against him to kill because they were jealous. . Though through conspiracy they
threw Daniel into lions den but Daniel had faith to God and prayed
whole nigh. Though the lions was hungry but God shut lions mouth and
Daniel came out from den without any harm.
2.0 Some example of Israelites witnessing God to
the pagan nations:
2.1
Joseph’s witness : In Genesis chapter 41 describes about Joseph’s
interpretation of dreams to pharaoh, though Joseph came to Egypt as a slave but
now God using him to show Egyptian that how great and powerful is YHWH. When
Joseph had interpreted dreams all royal officials were amazed including king,
then he witnessed that it’s not he but God who revealed the dreams and meaning
to him. Then all the people presented there could know that God of Joseph is
alive almighty God who powerful than Egyptian gods.
When Hebrew people came out from the bondage
slavery from Egypt and was crossing red sea (Exd. 14) how God buried Egyptian
soldier alive the others nations heard, in the wilderness Hebrew people fought
against many nations such as Amalek, Ai, Jericho etc. Everyone time they won by
the helping of YHWH other nations heard that and agreed that God of Israel is
mightier than the gods.
2.3 King Solomon’s witness : Song Solomon was one of the
wisest and greatest king in the history of the Israel. The Lord was with him,
knowing that the fame of the king Solomon’s was spreading even to the far
nations. No one dared to fight with him because they know the power and
knowledge of God is with him. For this reasons kings from different nations
compromised and built good relationship and used to send precious gifts. The
Queen of Sheba visited him when she heard of his fame of wisdom, 1 Kings 10:1
says, “When the Queen of Sheba heard of the glory of Solomon (the glory due to
the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions.”
2.4 Daniel's Witness: When the officials' plot
failed and Daniel came alive from the dens of lions, Daniel said to the king,
“O king, live forever! My God sent his angels to shut the mouths of the lions
so that they would not harm me; because I am innocent to him (Daniel 6:22-23). Then
King Darius wrote in all languages to all the nations and peoples under the
heavens; "Good luck! I issue a decree that the people throughout my royal
domain should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
Conclusion :God had chosen Israelites through Abraham
and they became chosen nations with responsibility to witness God to the
another nations, so that they could know that YHWH is creator and almighty and
others nations might worship him. There were many Hebrew people who were
faithful to God and through their faith they could witness that their God is
universal God , almighty God and God of gods.
Bibliograhphy
:
Imchen, Narola.Women in The History of Christianity. Jorhat :Barkataki And Company Private Limited, 2010.
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-status-of-women-in-medieval-europe/, accessed on 14-08-2021.
[1]NarolaImchen, Women in The History of Christianity(Jorhat : Barkataki And Company Private Limited, 2010), 91.
[1] Thomas of Aquino(1225-1274 A.D) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church.
[2]NarolaImchen, Women in The History of Christianity(Jorhat : Barkataki And Company Private Limited, 2010), 75-76.
[3]https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-status-of-women-in-medieval-europe/, accessed on 14-08-2021.
[4]NarolaImchen, Women in The History of Christianity(Jorhat : Barkataki And Company Private Limited, 2010), 76.
[5]NarolaImchen, Women in The History of Christianity(Jorhat : Barkataki And Company Private Limited, 2010), 78.
[6]NarolaImchen, Women in The History of Christianity(Jorhat : Barkataki And Company Private Limited, 2010), 78-80.
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