The Fertile CrescentIn ancient times part of the Middle East was known as THE FERTILE CRESCENT. The fertile crescent was the area where the religion of JUDAISM began. This was where ABRAHAM, the 'Father of Judaism' came from almost 4,000 years ago.
The fertile Crescent was an area of very good land where crops could grown easily. It was in a valley between the mountains and the desert. It stretched like an arc from the river Nile in Egypt all the way to the city of UR. This was a distance of over 1,000 miles! (This is 10 times the distance between Belfast and Dublin!) There were TWO great rivers which flowed through this great valley- The TIGRIS and the EUPHRATES. Just like the Nile in Egypt, this meant that there was plenty of water for things to grow - making it fertile. Crops could grow well and grass could be used to feed animals like sheep, goats and camels |
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NOMADS
When Judaism started different groups travelled throughout the fertile Crescent. Most of these people were NOMADS.
NOMADS are people who travel from place to place in search of pasture for their animals
NOMADS are people who travel from place to place in search of pasture for their animals
When nomadic people found a good supply of grass and water they unpacked their camels and set up their tents. They stayed for a few weeks to let their sheep and goats graze on the fresh grass. They then packed up in search of fresh grazing land.
Nomadic families were SELF SUFFICIENT. This means they could survive on what they had or made.
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Nomads moved around in one large family group. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grand parents all travelled together. One person, usually the oldest man, was the SHEIK, or leader of the entire group. Everyone looked up to him and obeyed him.
WHO WAS ABRAHAM?
Abraham is a central figure in 3 great religions - Christianity ; Islam and Judaism.
He became a nomad late in life. He took his family on a long journey from Ur of the Chaldees (a beautiful and rich city) heading north west towards Haran. From there he would head south west towards Canaan and Egypt He traveled with his wife SARAH, his father TERAH, his nephew LOT, their servants and all their goods and animals. |
Abraham lived around 1700 years before Christianity began and 2,400 years before Islam began.
In the Fertile Crescent there was an area known as MESOPOTAMIA. This is a large area in modern day Iraq. The name means 'Land between the two rivers' (The Tigris and Euphrates) Ur was an important city in Mesopotamia.
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The Religious situation in Ur
Archaeologists have found evidence that people in Abraham's time worshiped many different gods. They worshiped 'NATURE GODS' like the Sun, the moon and the stars. These were worshiped in temples all over Mesopotamia. In the city of Ur archaeologists excavated a very tall building. It stood 20 metres high and dominated the city. In past times there was a temple on top of this building. This was dedicated to the MOON GOD: NANNA. Ur was the centre for moon worship. People came from far and wide to trade in the markets and worship in the temple.
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Moving to Haran
Abraham grew up in the city of Ur. He, like everyone else at the time worshiped the nature gods. However, a change came over Abraham. He began to wonder why there was a need for so many gods. Around this time, Abraham's father TERAH, decided to move the whole family. They settled in Haran, 600 miles from Ur. Terah died there and Abraham became head of the family.
Abraham's vision
Abraham had a VISION. In it God spoke to him in this heart:
Abraham felt that God was calling him. God wanted him to change. God wanted him to give up his old life and start a new life somewhere. Abraham put all his trust in God and said 'Yes' He believed in God even though he wasn't sure where God was leading him.
God's Covenant with Abraham
A COVENANT is an agreement or promise made between two people or parties
A marriage for example could be a covenant, or a mortgage or bank loan; A mobile phone contract or a contract for a new player or manager in a football team.
A marriage for example could be a covenant, or a mortgage or bank loan; A mobile phone contract or a contract for a new player or manager in a football team.
God asked Abraham to..
'.. believe in the one all powerful God ; Worship God and Obey God
In return.. if Abraham kept his side of the promise God Promised Abraham...
.. Many descendants (Lots of family to follow him)
... The land of Canaan (the promised land of milk and honey)
... The land of Canaan (the promised land of milk and honey)
Abraham set off from HARAN to find this promised land that God would show him. He took with him his wife Sarah, nephew Lot and all their goods and animals.
The descendants of Abraham would be the CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD. The Jewish people are the descendants of Abraham.
The descendants of Abraham would be the CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD. The Jewish people are the descendants of Abraham.
Abraham, his son ISAAC, and his grandson Jacob all believed in one God
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the PATRIARCHS (the father figures) of the Jewish people
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the PATRIARCHS (the father figures) of the Jewish people
God made another COVENANT with Moses after he had led the ISRAELITES out of slavery in Egypt. God told Moses in Exodus 19:5
WHO WERE THE PATRIARCHS?
The following were the 3 Patriarchs of the Jewish (and Islamic religions)
TEST YOURSELF
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