HiStory 10: Birth(s)

A. The Birth of John

     Father - Zechariah (Priest)
     Mother - Elizabeth (Barren)
     Angel - Gabriel
     Holy Spirit - John

HiStory: Interlude

"Suppose there was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all opponents. And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden. How could he declare his love for her? In an odd sort of way, his kingliness tied his hands. If he brought her to the palace and crowned her head with jewels and clothed her body in royal robes, she would surely not resist—no one dared resist him. But would she love him?

She would say she loved him, of course, but would she truly? Or would she live with him in fear, nursing a private grief for the life she had left behind? Would she be happy at his side? How could he know? If he rode to her forest cottage in his royal carriage, with an armed escort waving bright banners, that too would overwhelm her. He did not want a cringing subject. He wanted a lover, an equal. He wanted her to forget that he was a king and she a humble maiden and to let shared love cross the gulf between them. For it is only in love that the unequal can be made equal."

-Søren Kierkegaard

HiStory 9: Silence

A. Summary

     Shame & Honor in the OT:

     1. Adam & Eve (Gen. 2:25)
     2. Noah (Gen. 9:21-25)
     3. Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:4)
     4. Abraham (Gen. 16:1-2)
     5. Moses (Num. 20:10-13)
     6. David (2 Sam. 19:5)
     7. Esther (Es. 6:7-9)

HiStory 8: Return

A. Introduction

     The existence of the Jews confirms the reality of God and the Bible.

B. Return of Exiles

     God sovereignly and undeserving brings His people (Israelites/Hebrews/Jews) back to Jerusalem/promise land to rebuild the temple and walls because He is faithful to His promise.

     Ezra (scribe) & Nehemiah (governor)