Paper Example on The Torah, The Prophets and The Writings

1.) The Torah (Genesis Chapters 40-41)

The book of Genesis chapters 40 and 41 talks about the captivity of Joseph in the land of Egypt and how he became one of the most prominent and powerful people in a foreign land where he was sold as a slave by his brothers. Chapter 40 begins with the description of Joseph helping his cellmates; the cupbearer and chief baker interpret their dreams. Joseph interpreted for the cupbearer that he will be restored to his position and the chief baker will be impaled by the pharaoh. Everything happened as he said some days later. However, while interpreting the cupbearers dream he told him to never forget him after he has been restored to his position as the pharaohs cupbearer. However, as soon as the cupbearer was released and his position as the cupbearer restored, he forgot Joseph. According to Chiel (2005), two years later, the Pharaoh had two dreams that could not be interpreted by anyone across the land of Egypt. The beginning of Chapter 41 explains about the pharaohs dreams and how he summoned every magician and the wise man across the land of Egypt. However, not a single one could interpret the dream for the Pharaoh. The cupbearer then remembered his encounter with the Hebrew man in the dungeon and recommended him for the king. Joseph was then summoned before the pharaoh to help interpret the troubling dreams. In verses 25-33, Joseph interpreted to the Pharaoh what his dreams meant. He said that the two dreams were the same as they represented the same event that was about to befall the land of Egypt. He told the king that his dreams foretold the seven years that Egypt would have good and abundance harvest represented by the seven good cows and heads of grain. Further, he explained that the other seven ugly cows and worthless heads of grain represented the seven years that Egypt would experience famine after the good harvest. Therefore, he advised the king to prepare. In verse 41, Joseph is made in charge of Egypt, the second in command after the pharaoh. Joseph married the daughter of Potiphera and had two sons; first born named Manasseh and second born named Ephraim.

The story of Joseph in Egypt has significantly influenced the human experience, development, spirituality, and culture as well. Joseph was sold by his brothers to the traders who took him to Egypt. However, his encounter with the people in a foreign land shaped his destiny. He became more powerful and achieved greater things that maybe he could not have achieved while in his homeland (Marcus, 1990). The story encourages Christians that God is capable of anything; He can turn ones enemy his/her best friend. Again, the story teaches about patients as one of the core values and gifts of the Holy Spirit. For more than two years, Joseph had been in dungeons for the crimes he did not commit. However, when he came out of the dungeon, he was made second in command to the Pharaoh. It is also important to note that Josephs experience in Egypt has influenced for good the lives of Christian and spiritual development. Joseph later became the saviour of his family including his brothers who sold him out to the traders. Through this, Christians learn the virtue of forgiveness. While he suffered in prison for more than two years, Joseph never spoke badly about the people responsible for his predicaments (Marcus, 1990).

2.) The Prophets (1 Samuel chapters 16-18)

1 Samuel chapters 16 to 18 examines the life of David, the son of Jesse who was anointed by God to become the next king of Israel after King Saul. Chapter 16 begins with the Lord speaking to Samuel to go and anoint a new king of Israel. Samuel starts his journey to Bethlehem to seek the new king. Verse 13 explains Samuels encounter with the sons of Jesse. He rejects the first six but finds the seventh son suitable for the anointment. Samuel anointed David, a young boy who was looking after his fathers sheep in the field. The verse goes ahead to describe Davids encounter with King Saul. After the Lord departed King Saul, evil spirits started following him and he could not have peace. So, David became his servant as he played the lyre for the king that removed the evil spirits (Tov & Tov, 1999). Chapter 17 describes Davids encounter with Goliath in the battlefield. For many years, the Philistines had threated the Israelites because they had the giant mercenary and soldier, Goliath. However, David did not fear him as the soldiers of Israel feared him. David was sent to the field to take food to his brothers who were fighting alongside King Saul. The Israelites could not defeat the Philistines because of the gigantic mercenary who was feared by many including Saul. As described in chapter 17 verse 48, David defeated the gigantic Philistine soldier with his sling. He struck his forehead and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell down (Tov & Tov, 1999). David was taken by the king to serve him as he grew older. However, King Saul started fearing the kind of attention and praise that David received anytime he came from the battle. Chapter 18 describes attempts by Saul to eliminate David out of his fear of the man David was becoming. He tried to eliminate him through the battle with the Philistines; however, the Lord was with David and he succeeded in every mission he was sent to. The more his plans backfired; he became more outrageous about David. David became more successful in the battle with the Philistines as his name became well known.

The story about David has shaped the development of Christians spirituality. David was picked from an ordinary family of poor people and made the king of Israel. Through this, people understand that God does not look at things the way human do, He has His own way. Among the seven sons of Jesse, the youngest, David was anointed to be the next king of Israel. It is also important to note from the story that God looks at the heart of the people and not their physical appearances. When the Lord is someone, His Spirit protects them from any form of harm that may befall them. For instance, from the story about David, no matter how Saul tried to eliminate David he always turned out successful because the spirit of the Lord was with him. The story has generally affected for good the human experience, spiritual development, and culture. Culturally, the lineage of David is considered to be great in the human religious history. Through this lineage, the saviour of the human race, Jesus Christ, was born (Tov & Tov, 1999).

3.) The Writings (Esther chapters 1-10)

The book of Esther talks about a woman whose position in Persian court enabled her to help the people of Israel (Swindoll, 1997). Chapter one talks about the party organized by King Ahasuerus and his wife Queen Vashti refused to attend. As a result of this, the Queen was banned from the presence of the king and a new queen was searched. Chapter two describes the new queen, who is the author of this book, Esther. She was selected to succeed the old queen, Queen Vashti. However, the responsibility of the new queen was filled with challenges including enemies like Haman. Chapter three describes the proud man who demanded the people below him to bow for him and worship him. Haman disliked the Jewish race and sought to destroy everyone from the Jews community. However, this hatred made the Jews led by Mordecai realized that their time to get free was nearer. Chapter four describes attempts by the Jews under the leadership of Mordecai to get freedom. Mordecai asked Esther to plead with the king to let the Hebrew nation free. Going to the presence of king required an appointment, and without an appointment, there would be a serious consequence. However, Esther was ready for anything that would come. Chapter five talks about the invitation that the Haman, the chiefs servant did not like. Esther makes her request in chapter seven of the book in which he explains about the slavery of her people. Esther explained that they have been in slavery under the directive of Haman (Swindoll, 1997). The king became furious with Haman and order that he be arrested and hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. The salvation of the Jews is explained in chapter 8 as Esther is given the rule over the house of Haman. King Ahasuerus declared that anyone who rises up against the Jess would be destroyed. Chapter nine explains the destruction of the Jews enemies. More than 75,000 enemies of Jews were killed in only two days. Chapter ten concludes the story about the courage woman who defended her people. Mordecai was recognized in writing as a great man among the Jews and Persians.

The story about Esther has shaped for good the human experience, spiritual development, and culture. The salvation of the Jews from the hands of Haman and his people led to the establishment of Purim, a non-levitical feast that is celebrated throughout the Israelites history. The book of Esther is read twice during the celebration to symbolize the salvation of the Hebrew nation (Swindoll, 1997). The Purim celebration is still regarded important, though it is not recognized in the Law of Moses. The story also influences ones spiritual development. It is important to note that the story depicts Gods promise of victory to everyone who calls upon His name. Esther is regarded as a woman of courage and dignity. Although she knew that going to the presence of the king without invitation would have a great consequence, she was determined to save her people even if she has to perish in the process (Swindoll, 1997). The Bible has depicted the woman figure in various ways; however, it is the book of Esther that depicts the portrait of a woman as truthful, courage, and Godly. The greatest lesson learnt from this story is that God is present in the lives of every individual.

References

Chiel, H. J. (2005). Joseph, the master of dreams. Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought, 39(1), 5-20.

Marcus, D. (1990). 'Lifting up the Head': On the Trail of a Word Play in Genesis 40. Prooftexts, 17-27.Swindoll, C. R. (1997). Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity (Vol. 2). Thomas Nelson Inc. Retrieved from http://www.goodnewsinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Study_Esther.pdf

Tov, E., & Tov, E. (1999). The Composition of 1 Samuel 1618 in Light of the Septuagint. The Greek and Hebrew Bible: Collected Essays on the Septuagint, 333-62. Retrieved from http://www.emanueltov.info/docs/papers/23.1%20Sam17.1999.pdf?v=1.0