uc ^r/?.['^f«A/ ninP^AL AA 00093; iit9'l-ITY 497 Brown THE LIFE AND LITERATURE OF THE EARLY HEBREWS The Life and Literature OF THE Early Hebrews fyUabu^ OF A COURSE OF LECTDRES DELIVERED AT LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY IN THE SECOND SEMESTER JANUARY 6 TO MAY 13, 1904 BY Charles Reynolds Brown Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Oakland Special Lecturer on Ethics STANFORD UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA 1904 UNIVERSITY PRESS SUGGESTED READING. The Old Testament. (R. V. preferred.) History of the Jewish Church. Stanley, 3 vols. Old Testament History. Henry Preserved Smith. A Short History of the Hebrews. Ottley. Old Testament History. Wade. Old Testament Criticism and the Christian Church. John Edgar McFadyen. Who Wrote the Bible ? Washington Gladden. Life and Literature of the Ancient Hebrews. Lyman Abbott. Religion of Israel to the Exile. Carl Budde. Beginnings of History. Francois Lenormant. Jewish Religious Life After the Exile. T. K. Cheyne. History of the People of Israel. Carl Heinrich Cornill. Prophets of Israel. Carl Heinrich Cornill. Primitive Religions. D. G. Brinton. Short Introduction to the Literary Study of the Bible. Richard G. Moulton. Literary Study of the Bible. Richard G. Moulton. Modern Criticism and the Preaching of the Old Testament. George Adam Smith. Historical Geography of the Holy Land. George Adam Smith. Origin and Growth of Religion as Illustrated by Ancient He- brews. Montefiore. Theology of the Old Testament. Piepenbring. Religion of the Semites. W. Robertson Smith. The Old Testament in the Jewish Church. W. Robertson Smith. The Old Testament and Modern Life. Stopford A. Brooke. Biblical Study. A. S. Peake. A Primer of the Bible. W. H. Bennett. Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament. Driver. Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible: Articles on Angel, Bible, Ark of Covenant, Cosmogony, Decalogue, Ethics, Exodus, Gen- esis; Flood, Holiness in Old Testament, Job, Messiah, Pal- estine, Prophecy and Prophets, Priests and Levites, Syna- gogue, Tabernacle. Encyclopedia Brittanica : Articles on Israel, Bible, Ark of Cov- enant, Hebrew I^anguage and Literature, Jerusalem, Priest, Prophet, Sabbath, Sacrifice, Temple, Cosmogony, Penta- teuch. PS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFOT?NlA AAUIA BAitBARA COLLEG^ LIBRARY i^ > ■ LITERARY CHRONOLOGY.* Moses ....... Early traditions and songs J Docuitient (Yahvvist) .... E Document (Elohist) . . . . Amos and Hosea ..... Isaiah ....... Micah Nail am ....... Zephaniah . ..... Deuteronomy, written about 650, published Jeremiah ...... Habakkuk ....... Ezekiel ....... Babylonian Exile ..... Lamentations ..... Historical books (up to Kings, edited in the Deuteronomy) .... Deutero-Isaiah ..... Haggai and Zechariah .... Job Psalms (composed, collected, edited) Priests' Code (P), Leviticus, etc. . Malachi, Ruth, Joel, Jonah, Obadiah Pentateuch com])leted .... Chronicles and Ezra — Nehemiah Song of Songs ..... Book of Proverbs ..... Ecclesiastes ...... Daniel ....... Esther B . c. . c 1200 1200-1000 . 850 750 . 750- -735 740- -700 . 725- -690 c 650 . c 630 621 . 626- -586 . c600 . 592- -570 597- -538 . c 586 spirit of 600- -560 . c540 520 . c 540 Dr later 520- 150 . 500- 450 460- 400 . c 420 350- 250 . 350 300 . 250 c 167 . c 150 * Compiled by Prof. W. F. Bade. c ^ circa, about. LECTURE I. Prolegomena. Three-fold aim of the course: historical, interpretative, prac- tical. Natural Interest in Old Testament as Literature. Its wide currency. Its practical influence on thought and life. Importance of its main theme. Its germinal relation to other literatures. Materials for Study. 1. Meaning of word "Bible," from "biblia," a library. Period covered, over a thousand years : see Chrono- logical table. Variety of literature — legend, history, ecclesiastical law, civil law, poetry, drama, fiction, oratory,, moral philosophy, biography, homily, folk lore, songs. Main theme of the collection. Unity lies in spirit and purpose of the writers, rather than in any "literary oneness." 2. Method of making the collection. Amount of material offered : lost books referred to in Old Testament ; doubtful books refused ; our collection stands as the remains of a wider liter- ature. Principle of selection. a. Moral and religious edification. 6. Glorification of Hebrew race. Who made the collection ? Validity of. Varying value of books accepted. Varying degrees of success in gaining admission to the canon. 3. Arrangement of books. Order neither chronological nor logical. Artificial principles of arrangement. Ancient scribes fond of mnemonics ; pieces put to- gether. 6 Division into chapters, verses, and even into books often arbitrary — Numbers, Isaiah, Chronicles, and Ezra. Headings of chapters recent, often unscholarly, con- fusing. 4. Literary composition — documentary hypothesis. Evidence for — double accounts of creation, deluge, call of Abraham ; three accounts of Ten Command- ments. Four main documents in Pentateuch : J. E. D. P. ; other sources. Varying points of view in relating same events, e. g., Kings prophetic, Chronicles priestly. Original materials frequently edited in the interests of theological theory. Transcription gave opportunity for rearrangement and change ; foot-notes, explanations. Variations in ancient manuscripts. 5. Some literary traits of Hebrew writers. Language "fluid, literary," not "fixed or scientific." Oriental love for figures of speech — taken literally, often confusing and misleading. Scant regard for authorship in compilation. Some of the choicest compositions anonymous : Job, Deuteronomy, second half of Isaiah. National consciousness sometimes excessive — leads to extravagant statement. Homiletic purpose ; histories called "prophets"; prag- matism. Such writing always valuable for history of ideas — not equally so for history of fact. Some Suggestions as to Method. 1. Principles of interpretation. Freedom from prepossession ; open mind. Effort to ascertain original meaning. Estimate influence of time and place. Compare with writings of ethnic religions. Interpret each writing as part of a total literature. Observe law of development. 2. Intellectual attitude as to credibility of sources. Three stages in treatment of tradition : a. Equivalent to history. h. Pure fiction ; valueless. c. Reliable nucleus with accretions. Substantial and ascertainable basis of fact. LECTURE II. The Patriarchal Period. (Read Genesis 15, 18, 22, 24, 27, 28, 31, 32.) Literature of period much later than events described. Moral point of view largely carried back from a maturer stage. Prehistoric figures built up by imputing race characteristics. General treatment of materials poetical and pragmatic rather than critical. The Midrash in later Jewish literature. The First Hebrew — Abraham. Name of individual or of tribe ? Names of antediluvians ; their unusual longevity. Embodiment of best traits of later Jewish life — faith in the invisible, trust in the might of righteousness, honor, simplicity, perseverance, love of freedom. Moral sense evident in all these early stories, though not always the morality of our day. The migration or " call " of Abraham. His vocation, disposition, character. His sons — Ishmael, Isaac. Traditional origin of two great religions — Judaism, Mohammedanism. Ishmael briefly dismissed by an exclusive interest in main line of religious tradition — so Esau later. Important events in his life. Intercession for cities of the plain ; their destruction. Insistence upon moral character in deity. "Judge of all the earth must do right." Inclination to human sacrifice — offering of Isaac. a. Impulse to yield the life of his son, divine. b. Form of consecration at first mistaken. c. Sincere devotion guided to worthier ends. Yahweh does not require human sacrifice. 10 Life of Isaac. The child of promise. His marriage — first love story. Early marriage customs. Present view of his character in Mosque in Hebron. Memorable visit of Dean Stanley and Prince of Wales to the mosque. His family. Esau, Jacob. Varying characters of the twins. Moral outcome of the genial and the strenuous temper- ament. The Story of Jacob. Value of birthright — primogeniture. Banishment from home — two accounts assign different causes for. His dream at Bethel — place of dreams in Hebrew thought. " The Lord answered not, neither by dreams nor by Urim nor by prophets." Relations with Laban. Marriage by barter: plural wives, genius for gain, flight. Night at Jabbok ford. Conflict with a mysterious Presence — change of name to Israel; origin of name "Peniel"; Hebrew custom of refusing to eat certain muscle. Net result of experience in modern terms. Poetic treatment of a moral crisis in the life of one who passed from mere shrewdness to moral purpose. Some Early Conceptions of God. His names : Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, Elshaddai. No associates, or relatives ; no Hebrew goddess. Monolatry rather than monotheism. Early emergence of the idea of moral character in their deity. Use of these names of deity in the analysis of composite writ- ings. 12 LECTURE III. The Sojourn in Egypt, (Read Genesis 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 ; Exodus 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14.) Transition from stories of individuals to history of a race. • Twelve sons as progenitors of twelve tribes. Position of Joseph as a connecting link between family and tribal history, between Israel and Egypt. The Story of Joseph. Favorite story with ancients ; with moderns ; no theophanies, no miracles — simple, human, natural. Effect of polygamy on familv life : favorite wife, favorite child. Sold as a slave to Egyptian caravan ; double narrative of disposition made of him. Advancement in Egypt; abiding confidence in pre- eminence of Hebrew ability, — Nehemiah, Daniel, Disraeli. Literary touches, dreams, luxury, intrigue, prison life, Nile as object of worshipful regard. Visit of brothers ; Hebrew migration to Goshen : Jacob taking leave of ancestral deity. Dramatic treatment of a national hero. The Israelites in Egypt. Change of fortune by Joseph's death ; royal favor in Orient largely personal. Supposed fear of foreigners by Egyptians ; race vitality of Jews. Slave labor ; huge building operations of Rameses II, and other kings ; reference to Pithom and Rameses. Reason for scant reference in Egyptian inscriptions. The Story of Moses. His name, his true place in history ; accretions around any great name. 1. Romance of his childhood and education ; strong race loyalty. 14 2. Moses in Midian ; relation to Kenites ; first acquaintance with Yahweh : familiarity with region traversed later. Use of name " Yahweh," the God of the Hebrews. Yahweh's character as a war god ; his weapons. Yahweh's home, Sinai, Horeb ; his migrations. Yahweh's fidelity to his agreements ; early ethical element in Hebrew faith. Yahweh's requirements of his worshippers — no images, no other gods. Elaborate ritual requirements later conception. Call of Moses at the burning bush. Gift of the magic wand as a credential. Moses as a Leader of His Race. Varying motive in social effort ; resentment vs. moral faith. His struggle with Pharaoh ; with the magicians of Egypt. Yahweh victorious in his contest with the gods of Egypt. Series of public calamities known as " ten plagues." Character of — natural to Egypt. Close relation to environment ; sequence corresponds to order of Egyptian seasons. Effect of red Nile, frogs, lice, murrain, boils, storm, flies, locusts, on primitive minds. Grouping probably pragmatic rather than actual. Opportune occasion for Hebrew uprising at close of series of public calamities. Feeling of Egyptians ; some supernatural power against them. World made and managed for moral ends ; connection not always clear and exact as indicated in these nar- ratives, yet they do not mislead in claiming lord- ship of moral purpose. Flight from Egypt. Morality of despoiling Egyptians ; Yahweh followed custom of the time ; backsheesh. Traditional origin of passover ; unleavened dough in haste; ritual accretions. Crossing of Red Sea ; main barrier in way of escape. Great boundary — crossing from Africa to Asia, from slavery to freedom, from complexity of environment to simplicity of desert. Religious interpretation put upon natural agencies — " strong east wind all night." Belief that Yahweh controls storms. .16 Moral effect of deliverance by power not their own. Siege of Leyden ; overthrow of Spanish Armada ; Russian campaign of Napoleon. Not to be misled by coincidences, but world so made that way of moral transgressor is hard. Effect of religious bond and motive — Crusaders, Saracens, Sepoys, Russians, Boers. Subsequent references to national deliverance ; contrast "Fall of Man." Lasting and Discernible Impress of Egypt on Israelites. " Moses learned in all learning of the Egyptians." Art of writing ; social institutions ; sanitary measures. Sacred bull — golden calf, golden bulls at Dan and Bethel. Form of temple ; adytum ; dress of high priest ; Urim and Thummim. Sacrifice of scapegoat ; similar custom in Egypt ; spectacular representation of sending away stain and taboo of moral guilt. Other traces of Egyptian influence on thought and practice. Note. — Why no belief in personal immortality among early Hebrews ; contrast Egyptian belief. Sense of individuality undeveloped; tribal and racial consciousness. Doctrine had associations which ethical sense of He- brews rejected ; mummied bulls, beetles, croco- diles. General estimate of Moses' character and work. Racial independence, consciousness, institutions. 18 LECTURE IV. The Years of Wandering. (Read Exodus 16, 18, 20, 32, 34 ; Numbers 22, 23, 24 ; Deuteron- omy 5, 34.) Some characteristics of the Sinaitic peninsula. Reasons for not taking the direct route to Canaan. 1. Moses' familiarity with the Sinaitic region. 2. Philistines on nearest border of Palestine. 3. Need of preparation for work of conquest. 4. Desire to visit Sinai, where Moses first worshipped Yahweh. The Effect of Nomadic Life — Physical, Social, Political, Moral Results. Gradual transformation of slaves to free men of the desert. Sources of Sustenance. Stories of manna, quail, water from the rock. Exudations from shrubs ; low-flying birds ; water supply uncertain. Recorded murmuring of the people evidence of dissatisfaction over meager supplies. Contact with Other Peoples. Region inhabited by wandering tribes. 1. Kenites ; Moses' father-in-law a priest of Midian ; later history of Kenites. 2. Moabites ; story of Balaam ; trance, power of incanta- tion, voice of the ass. Poetic treatment of an outside tribute to Yahweh. Moral kernel of the story. 3. Amalekites ; conflict with ; holding up Moses' hands ; confidence in something divine as a source of courage. Growing confidence in Yahweh as a war-god. Some Desert Laws. Elaborate provision for ritual observance a later tradition. Many unsuited to desert period — landmark, cities of ref- uge, extensive sacrifices. Effort to gain sanction of antiquity for " Priests' Code." 20 Simple rules for government of nomads in camp. Insistence upon thorough loyalty to Yahweh. Cannot tolerate rivals ; a noble jealousy. The ark as Yahweh's residence. Tabernacle a movable tent for religious observances. Inner sanctuary necessary to provide a place of privacy for Yahweh. The sentiment attaching to the mysterious chest or "ark." Experiences at Mt. Sinai. Numerous peaks ; difficult to identify ; references not all his- torical. Impressiveness of natural situation ; dwellers in Nile delta unused to cliffs and mountains. Climatic conditions ; unused to such storms ; testimony of Stanley. Religious interpretation put upon lightning, thunder, wind, cloud-capped peaks, by primitive peoples. Story of Moses receiving the law ; two tables ; forty days. Three accounts of Ten Commandments : Exodus 34, Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5. Exodus 34 ; old Book of Covenant. Simple, " ten words," primitive ideas. 1. "Thou shalt worship no other God, for Yahweh is a jealous God." 2. "Thou shalt make no molten gods." 3. " Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread." 4. " All that openeth the womb is mine." 5. " Six days thou shalt labor, and on the seventh keep Sabbath." 6. "The feast of weeks shalt thou observe, and the feast of ingathering." 7. "Thou shalt not offer the blood of sacrifice with leaven." 8. "The passover offering shall not be left until morn- ing." 9. " The first fruits of the ground shall be brought to the house of Yahweh." 10. " Thou shalt not boil a kid with its mother's milk." Exodus 20; Priests' Code; ritual reason for Sabbath- keeping. Deuteronomy 5 ; Prophetic Account ; moral and humane foundation for Sabbath-keeping. Law of development ; subordination of ritual to moral values. 22 Some Further Experiences. 1. Lapses into apparent idolatry. Aaron's calf modeled on bull-worship of Egypt. Yahweh worshipped later under form of bull. 2. Moses' vision of Yahweh's back. Additional reason for prohibition of images ; no one had seen or could see Yahweh's face and live. 3. Slaughter of Midianites ; extermination through religious frenzy. Curious mingling of cruelty and ceremonial strictness. To be judged by standards of that time and place. 4. Farewell and death of Moses; his final vision ; mystery of his burial-place. Main results of this nomadic period. Awakening of purpose. Adoption of Yahweh as national deity. Rude beginnings of civil and religious institutions. 24 LECTURE V. The Conquest of Palestine. (Read Joshua 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 20, 24.) "Palestine," land of the Philistines. Small country — in size and shape resembles New Hampshire. Persistent conviction that it was to be a Hebrew possession. Causes of ; present feeling among Jews ; Zionism. Location of the Country. Midway between two ancient seats of civilization, Nile and Euphrates valleys. Highway for international traffic ; buffer on frontier. Educative contact with stronger peoples. Some Outward Features. Soil thin, lacking in fertility, except in a few valleys. Support of large population impossible. Climate and fertility in tbeir effect on religious thought. Contrasted with Egypt in Deuteronomy xi, 10. Two main seasons, rainy and dry. Lack of harbors ; never maritime, as was Phoenicia. Depression of whole Jordan valley — bottom of ditch. Natural topography, making travel difficult ; social effect. Influence of hill country ; " their god is a god of the hills." National prejudice against horses. Character of Former Inhabitants. General tone of history prejudiced by religious difference. Narrow view of idolaters relieved by glimpses of Baalam, Ruth. Main evils, images, licentious rites, human sacrifice, cruelty. The Story of Joshua's Wars. Divergence between account in Joshua and situation described in succeeding books ; lack of historicity. 1, Significance of approach from east. Fierce Philistines on west ; Jordan valley debilitating to its residents. 2. Passage of Jordan ; probable mode of ; religious value. 26 3. Capture of Jericho; falling walls; evidence for volcanic disturbances in Dead Sea region. Some striking event treated in homiletic style. 4. Defeat at Ai ; oriental looting ; Yahweh's claim on spoil ; violation of taboo ; varying results of varying numbers. 5. Strategy of Gibeonites ; simplicity of untutored Israelites. 6. Great battle of Beth-Horon ; account of " sun standing still," from "Book of Jasher." Used against Galileo ; poetic treatment of signal vic- tory. 7. Slaughter of Canaanites ; morality of it. Bearing of certain commands and precepts attributed to God in Old Testament upon authority of scripture. Forced to choose between an irnperfect record or an imperfect understanding of God's will, and an imperfect God. Entire heavenly treasure in earthen vessels. Some Civil Provisions Attributed to Joshua. 1. Division of land among tribes by lot. Use of lot in ascertaining Yahweh's will. Urim and Thummim of priests ; food taboo of Saul and Jonathan ; trial of accused by lot ; selec- tion of apostle Matthias ; present Moham- medan practice. 2. Cities of refuge ; humane provision of a rude people to mitigate rule of vengeance in fatal accidents. 3. Trans-jordanic tribes ; various laws of property ; late in date. 4. Yahweh's tent pitched at Shiloh ; use of sacred places. Joshua's Farewell Address Urging — Fidelity to Yahweh as a God who kept his word. Soldierly courage. Difficulties not so nearly over as account might indicate ; struggle still on in days of Judges ; mere foothold gained in Palestine. 28 LECTURE VI. The Days of the Judges, (Read Judges 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 21.) Human interest of the period; accounts lively, romantic, tragic, sombre, sometimes barbarous. Less retouching in the interests of religious theory; no moral ideas worth mentioning. No fixed capital; no central santuary, no settled form of gov- ernment. Civil Position of a Judge. Loosely defined leadership ; not hereditary ; Shofet, Ph. suffes. Local authority ; leader of a tribe ; tribes not united. Physical prowess, shrewdness, military success more than wisdom or character determined the selection. Moral Conceptions of Period. Editor of book feels apology is due — "In those days there was no king in Israel ; every man did as he pleased." View of Yahweh's character ; approved of deceit, treachery^ human sacrifice. Lack of ethical element in current religion. Truth that Yahweh's favor was given or withheld on pure- ly moral grounds not clear much before eighth cen- tury prophets. Some Striking Occurrences Under Earlier Judges. 1. Murder of Eglon by Ehud ; use of treachery, friendly tribute, message from God, outstretched right hand, Yahweh's approval claimed. 2. Murder of Sisera by Jael, the Kenite woman. The battle in the plain ; discomfiture of Sisera ; Yah- weh's assistance through heavy rainfall ; defeat and flight. The murder in the tent ; varying accounts in prose narrative and in the poem. Approving song of Deborah — "Blessed be Jael above women." Moral concepts of period valuable as historic exhibits. Out of such primitive conditions came Judaism and Christianity. 30 The Leadership of Gideon. His election ; supposed deadly effect of seeing Yahweh's mes- senger. Three hundred chosen men ; Yahweh desired honor of defeat- ing Midian with small numbers ; principle of selection. His military strategy ; the night attack ; absence of pickets, discipline ; excitable orientals. Disposition to locate divine in interstices of natural law — lot, chance, dream, ecstacy, strategy. Some Later Occurrences. 1. Jotham's caustic parable of the trees ; application to modern political conditions. 2. Heroism of Jephthah ; his mad vow ; recurrence of human sacrifice. 3. Story of Samson " the sunny." Points of resensblance to sun myths. Weight of scholarship inclined to view main events as historical, not mythical, only in slight degree legendary. Main features in portrayal, sensuality, humor, lack of purpose. Abstinence from wine not on moral grounds — vine be- longed to another god. Mechanical notion of his unusual strength — in his hair. Adventures with woman of Timnath, with woman of Gaza, with Delilah, his riddle, his practical jokes, his final undoing. Dignified effort for revenge at his death. Such a boisterous, roystering blade a strange cham- pion of religion. Element of folk-lore in Hebrew hero stories. 4. Micah and the Levite priest. Importance of knowing how to tend Yahweh's shrine ; " the manner of the god of the land." 5. Crime of men of Benjamin. Inhospitality as offensive as impurity. Fierce indignation due to property right in woman more than to outraged sense of purity. Law of vengeance in the clan ; general massacre. Social ostracism ; would not give wives to hated tribe. Capture of Shiloh women to prevent extinction of tribe. These are the striking tales ; mass of people living more quietly and usefully. Closing apology of editor — "In those days there was no king in Israel — every man did as he pleased," — does not feel called upon to reconcile or defend, but simply to relate the facts. Stories used so far as possible to teach a uniform lesson that backsliding from Yahweh brings defeat and sorrow ; return to him brings victory and happiness. 32 LECTURE VII. The Early Days of the Monarchy. (Read I Samuel 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 16.) The Rise of the Prophet. Meaning of term Nabi, passive form ; pro-phet, speak for. Prediction incidental, sometimes absent. Crude form of early prophetism, dream, trance, ecstasy. Akin to phenomena in other religions, Medicine Man, Kahuna, Dervish, other religious zealots. Emergence of moral purpose and spiritual insight gradual. Resemblance of later prophecy to modern preaching. Urging of duty ; quickening moral sense ; interpretation of life on higher side ; strengthening of motive by august sanctions of religion. Eli and Samuel. 1. The house and ark of Yahvveh ; work of tending Yahweh's shrine. Slept near the shrine to serve the deity. Common sins of corrupt priests, covetousness, licen- tiousness. 2. Use of ark as military asset: effect on Israelites; on Phi- listines. 3. Capture of Yahweh's ark by Philistines ; placed in Temple of Dagon as a trophy. 4. Naive account of Yahweh's struggle with Dagon, the fish- god ; with the Philistines. Disastrous effect of Yahweh's presence among Philis- tines, boils, mice ; plague followed route of ark from city to city. Seek advice from priests and diviners. 5. Return of ark by Philistines ; method employed. Joy of Israelites ; Yahvveh able to deliver himself. Probable effect on their religion if ark had not been returned. The net results of Samuel's work as a prophet. 34 The Reign of Saul. 1. Primitive idea of a king, size, courage ; choice of Saul, Prophetic claim that desire for king was rejection of Yahweh. 2. Saul as a prophet ; contagion of religious excitement. 3. Saul becomes actual king by act of prowess over Ammon- ites. Steps toward more stable form of government. 4. Saul's favor to Kenites ; his treatment of Amalekites. Devotement of captured property to Yahweh ; spoil is taboo. Effect of disloyalty ; " To obey is better than sacrifice." 5. Saul's relation to David ; two streams of tradition. His madness, abnormal nervous condition. "The evil spirit from Yahweh." Demoniacal posses- sion in Old and New Testament ; study of seven cases in time of Christ ; symptoms of three kinds and akin to those of insanity, epi- lepsy, paralysis ; popular accounting for puz- zling maladies before day of scientific diagnosis. Effect of David's music upon "the evil spirit from Yahweh." 6. Theory of the "Lord's anointed." Consecration ceremony made him Yahweh's property ; violence to king an affront to deity ; " divine right of kings." 7. Saul's jealousy of David as a rising man ; admiration of the women. 8. Battle of Bethaven ; consultation of oracle or ephod ; defeat of Philistines ; vow of abstinence laid upon soldiers ; taboo broken by Jonathan ; fact ascer- tained by lot ; his rescue by people. 9. Saul's interview with the witch ; Samuel's shade called. Hebrew attitude touching mediums, trance communi- cations, familiar spirits. Modern spiritualism. Nothing of value seems to have resulted. "If I had power to hear the chatter of a lot of idle people either in the next town or in the next world, I would decline." — Huxley. Moral quality of average "psychic " not a recom- mendation. 10. Death of Saul in battle. Three accounts of event — suicide, killed by armor- bearer, punished by Yahweh for consulting the witch. Real advance toward national life under the monarchy. Emergence of finer religious ideals. 36 LECTURE VIII. The Kingdom under David. (Read I Samuel 17, 18, 22 ; II Samuel 6, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 ; I Kings 1, 2.) David, after Moses, greatest personage in ancient Israel. Laws grouped around the name of Moses, proverbs around Solomon, lyric poems around David. Histories of Saul and David overlap. Jealousies due to David's friendship with Jonathan, the king's son ; marriage with Michal, the king's daughter. Boyhood of David. Shepherd life ; friendship for Jonathan ; ability as a musi- cian ; red hair with ardent temperament common to that complexion. Encounter with Goliath ; common in Arab warfare ; two accounts of his first meeting with Saul ; two accounts of death of Goliath ; popular deed attributed to popu- lar king. His Earlier Movements. Quality of his following at Adullam's cave; captain of out- laws ; generous forbearance toward Saul. Adventure with Nabal ; beauty and tact of Abigail. Eats bread offered to Yahweh ; commended by Christ because ritual is subordinate to human need. His Family Life. Successful lover ; Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, other wives. Status of polygamy in his day ; effect upon children ; David's sons, Amnon, Absalom. Moral sense of nation spoke through Nathan rebuking king for taking Bathsheba. Revolt of Absalom ; his beauty, treachery, tragic death. Transfer of Capital from Hebron to Jerusalem. Importance of site, high, rocky, easily defended. Omen of Yahweh's presence in mulberry trees. 38 Transfer of Yahweh's Ark to Jerusalem. 1. First attempt ; unaccountable conduct of Yahweh ; mys- terious death of Uzzah. Primitive interpretation of strange events. Feeling of uncertainty as to Yahweh's disposition ; " David was afraid of Yahweh that day." 2. Ark at Obed-Edom ; second attempt ; six paces taken tentatively ; brought to Jerusalem ; joy of the people ; Michal's criticism. 3. Proposal to build a house for Yahweh refused. Probably later interpretation put upon David's neglect. David a man of blood ; new idea of Yahweh's character. Note. — Magical and moral elements in religion; pure magic ; blending of magical and moral ; emergence of moral and spiritual values. The Famine. Reason assigned, cruelty of Saul to Gibeonites ; Yahweh offended. Effort to avert by human sacrifices ; custom died hard. The Taking of the Census. Varying accounts as to source of suggestion. Satan a Persian conception ; priests would not attribute evil suggestions to Yahweh. Opposition of Yahweh as Lord of life. Disastrous results of census-taking. Yahweh halting the pestilence at the threshing-floor. Purchased as a sacred place ; 50 shekels of silver, 600 of gold. David as a Writer of Songs. How far a contributor to psalter. Some scholars attribute Psalms 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 15, 18, 19, 24, 29, 32, 100, to David ; others regard this as an over- estimate ; share in psalter slight. Loss to lovers of supposed personal allusions. Musical element in early worship. Last Battles and Other Events. Heroism and fine sentiment of the " three mighty men." Chronicler's account of his charge to Solomon. Priestly tradition of farewell addresses. No reference in prophetic traditions ; what they thought a king ought to have been saying. Peculiar circumstances surrounding his death ; oriental court. 40 Leading Characteristics and Lasting Influence of David. 1. Qualities necessary for popular hero, "success tempered by failure and difficulty ; joyous lover, with some dis- appointment and tragedy ; noble purpose, but full share of human infirmity." 2. Loyal to Yahweh, warm-hearted toward friends, generous toward enemies, noble in purpose, but beset by unfavor- able environment. 3. Bequest of great name — "House of David" like house of Hapsburg, or Hohenzollern. Popular expectation that Messiah should be of the house and lineage of David. 42 LECTURE IX. Reign of Solomon and Beginning of Decline. (Read I Kings 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11.) Rivalry as to succession ; plots of women in harem for their favorites ; David's frank preference; influence of Bathsheba. Significance of Solomon's name. Passing of Bedouin character, coming of order, discipline, system in political affairs. Early Reputation of Solomon. Reputed wisdom of boy king. Yahweh appears at Gibeon bestowing common sense. Judicial insight, contention of two mothers. Features of His Reign. 1. Foreign allianceH through marriage. Polygamy permitted unlimited extension of such alli- ances. Social entanglements led to religious confusion. Various groups of children meant plots as to succession. 2. His religious policy, syncretism. Foreign wives brought their gods with them. Desire to be on good terms with all the gods. Other faiths established at Jerusalem — Astoreth of Sidonians, Milcom of Amorites, Chemosh of Moabites. Political expediency of such course ; Pantheon at Rome. Moral effect — confusion, feebleness, indifference ; strength of definiteness, even when narrow. Building of the Temple. 1. Building impetus ; perhaps communicated from Egypt. Relation to Hiram ; varying accounts ; trees of Pales- tine unfit. Imperial slavery ; the corvee ; Egypt's buildings made possible thus ; use of system by Solomon. Temple designed as royal chapel in king's palace. Small structure, 90x45 feet, height 35. Not for great congregations, but a residence for Yahweh. 2. Reverent silence of operations. Feeling against hammering or carving stones in Yah- weh's presence. 44 3. The value of symbolism. The ark, cherubim, oracle, pillars of Boaz and Jachin, table for shew bread. Growing supremacy of moral elements ; " nothing in the ark save the two tables of the law." 4. Scenes at dedication of temple. King as priest ; varying accounts in Kings and Chron- icles. Noble utterance in *' prayer of dedication "; probable date. Form of Temple Worship ; Development of Ritual. 1. Service of art to religion ; moral value. Office of religion to stimulate effort, strengthen the will, purify affections, make moral purpose reli- able. Cannot be done mechanically, but aided by form where symbolism genuine and effective. 2. Contrast between temple service and worship of modern church. 3. Significance of a central sanctuary. Enhance importance of Jerusalem. Place worship under more competent and centralized direction. Reduce liability to corruption of worship by local influ- ences. Present attachment of pious Jews to temple site ; wailing place. Visit of Queen of Sheba to Solomon. Location of Sheba uncertain. Oriental pride in display : enlarged horizon, apes, ivory, sil- ver. Tradition as to three displays of wisdom. David a sheik ; Solomon a king ; good and evil effects. The Wisdom of Solomon. The wisdom literature to be studied later. Oriental love of terse, meaty proverbs. Moses declared the "law," the prophet uttered his *' Thus saith the Lord": the Wisdom writers gave the dis- tillate of experience. Gradual accretions around a great name. Value of the incomplete morality commonly embodied in proverbs. a. Some contrasts in accounts given by prophetic writers in Samuel and Kings and by priestly writers in Chroni- cles : observe omissions. h. General effect of Solomon's policy on development of Israel. c. Gloomy outlook at time of his decease ; polygamy, poly- theism, expensive despotism, conscript labor ; general discontent. 46 LECTURE X. The Life of the Northern Kingdom. (Read I Kings 12, 17, 18, 19, 21 ; II Kings 2, 4, 5, 9.) The Division of the Kingdom. 1. Causes for discontent. Heavy taxation under Solonaon. Autocratic attitude of his successor. Difficulty of access to one central sanctuary. 2. The revolt of northern tribes under Jeroboam. Estimate of him influenced by religious prepossession. 3. His religious cult ; bulls at Bethel and Dan a counter attraction to Solomon's temple. Whole revolt probably a reaction toward tribal free- dom. The Reign of Ahab. Pass over many intervals of no special significance. Ahab's foreign policy ; matrimonial alliance with Sidonians. Religious policy of syncretism ; meaning of Ba-al ; led to dilution of elements in Yahweh's character. Economic reasons for cultivating Ba-al worship. Development of Prophecy in Northern Kingdom. 1. Story of Elijah ; confusion in the tradition ; strong per- sonality. a. The famine ; ravens, Orebim, Orebites ; the Sidonian widow. b. Contest with priests of Baal: Yahweh's enemies, — Queen Jezebel, and Phoenician prosperity ; vic- tory on Carmel ; subsequent discouragement ; flight to Horeb, Yahweh's former home. c. Insistence on social righteousness ; Naboth's vineyard. Prophets as champions of oppressed people against cruel usurpation of monarchs. d. Dramatic death — caught away in storm ; body never found. (1) His usefulness, insistence that Yahweh worship and Baal worship mutually exclusive ; social righteousness essential element in religion. (2) His limitations, failed to rebuke bull worship, lacking in mercy and sympathy, violent rather than constructive. 48 2. Story of Elisha. a. Contrast to his predecessor in appearance, social hab- its, political attitude, general nnethod. b. Outburst of wonders ; elements of folklore in accounts. Question of the miraculous. Not to be judged by prepossessions for or against. Evidence for each to be examined separately. Present inability to set up bounds as to what is possible. "Uniformity of nature" not yet reduced to defi- nite statement. c. Social and humane character of Elisha. d. Healing of Naaman, a foreigner ; his relation to his own god Rimmon ; his request for some Palestine earth. e. The raising of the siege of Samaria. The Revolt of Jehu. Rough, wild fellow. His anointing and reception by the army. His ferocity toward Jezebel, the former queen. His murder of the seventy princes. Effort to extirpate Baal worship by wholesale slaughter of priests. a. Atrocities in name of religion ; literal acceptance of these events as commanded of God gave rise to Spanish inquisition, hanging of Quakers, burning of witches ; also cast doubt on inspiration of scrip- ture. b. Judgment of later prophet, Hosea, on Jehu's course. Seme Events Leading up to Assyrian Captivity. Oft recurring melancholy refrain ; story of apostasy. Degree of prosperity under Jeroboam II. Beginnings of written prophecy, Amos, Hosea ; former prophets, Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, gave oral messages. Series of inefficient rulers. Appearance of powerful neighbor on north in Israel's affairs; hungry for tribute. Yahweh could protect, but would not because of dis- obedience. Hoshea and the fall of the northern kingdom. Beginnings of Isaiah's career — studied later. Samaria colonized by Assyria. Difficulties experienced, the lions, "the manner of the god of the land," Yahweh's cultus. a. Contribution of northern tribes to life of Israel. b. Mass of northern kingdom swallowed up, foreign mar- riages, contact with Assyria, remoteness from cen- ters of thought and life. "Ten lost tribes" no more to reappear. c. Insistence on inferiority of Samaria's people. 50 LECTURE XL The Progress of the Southern Kingdom. (Read II Kings 21, 22 ; II Chronicles 26, 29, 30, 35, 36.) Story in Chronicles continuous, in Kings interspersed. Advantage of national capital, central sanctuary, unbroken tradition. Evils Under Rehoboam's Reign. Narrow policy, despotic, grasping, unfaithful ; groves, images, high places. Shishak of Egypt despoiling Yahweh's house. Belief that Yahweh uses foreign nations as agents. Several Insignificant Kings. Asa removes obscene image ; opposes queen-mother. Atrocities of Queen Athaliah. Escape of infant prince ; hidden away and produced later. Amaziah's bloody reign ; rise of priests into greater political importance ; military type — Thomas h Becket. Prosperous Reign of Azariah or Uzziah. Victories, fortification, interest in agriculture. His leprosy — priestly view of it. Strange combination of wisdom and superstition. Sharper marking off of priestly privilege. Reign of Ahaz. Appearance of Isaiah ; conspicuous figure of the period. Sign given Ahaz ; mistaken use of passage. Apostasy of Ahaz, Moloch worship, sacrifice of children ; widespread corruption. Days of Hezekiah. DifiBcult position ; Assyrian tribute heavy ; party favorable to Egypt ; longing for ancient liberty. Meaning of sign on the hour-glass. Sweeping reforms attributed to him ; breaking of "brazen serpent" — akin to primitive totemism. Wholesome influence and patriotic devotion of Isaiah. Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem ; Yahweh delivers city by pestilence. 52 Manasseh's Mixed Policy. Assyrian ideas fashionable and politic. Idolatrous reaction ; introduction of star-worship. In opposing Hezekiah's reforms Manasseh may have thought he was a restorer of ancient cult. Persecution of prophets — "filled Jerusalem with blood." Talmud story of murder of Isaiah. The Reign of Josiah. Young prince in the hands of reforming party. 1. The repair of the temple and discovery of " the book of the law." No difficulty in deciphering, as would have been with a manuscript of great age. Was it pious fraud? Was it Deuteronomy? Reasons why it was anonymous. Sanction of antiquity ; great name of Moses. Main reasons for assigning Deuteronomy to time of Josiah. 2. Effect of this new edition of Mosaic law. Addition of argument and exhortation to the law, in these orations. Loving choice of Yahweh on grounds of gratitude. Purification of worship ; dread of everything foreign. One sanctuary for sacrifice ; step toward syna- gogue and the substitution of instruction and prayer for sacrifice. Evangelical principles in Deuteronomy. Main emphasis on moral obedience to the will of God. 3. Josiah's great passover. First real celebration of at Jerusalem. Passover mentioned in Exodus, Numbers, Deuter- onomy, once in Leviticus, twice in Joshua, then not named again until time of Josiah, 623 B. C. Had Deuteronomy been in existence would it have been ignored? Thoroughgoing reforms consequent upon publication of "the book of the law." Note. — No sin offerings in Deuteronomy ; God's favor not bought with gifts. Strong emphasis on humane, useful service. Utilitarian motives urged natural to the period. Triumph of the prophetic party. 54 Events Looking Toward Babylonian Captivity. Yahweh's anger unappeased by Josiab's goodness ; wrath against Manaeseh carried forward. Jeremiah's message — scorn for mere ritual — doing right is serving Yahweh. Temple plundered ; first exile to Babylon. Jewish revolt against Babylon. Wretchedness of the times. Zedekiah, the last king of southern kingdom. Jerusalem Taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Great Exile. Sack of city ; burning of temple ; murder of inbabitants. Effect on people. If Yahweh's bome is taken, where is Yahweh? Belief in inviolability of temple. Con- trast Isaiah " not possible"; Micah " threatened"; Ezekiel" fulfilled." Ezekiel'B vision of Yahweh's departure and subsequent return. Note. — Contrast accounts in Kings and Chronicles. No story of northern kingdom in Chronicles because no temple, no rit- ual, no Levitical priesthood. 56 LECTURE XII. Prophets Before the Exile. (Read Amos 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 ; Hosea 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 14 ; Micah 2, 4, 6 ; Isaiah 1, 2, 6,9,35.) Course of Development in Prophecy. 1. Saul's "trance men." 2. Seer, finding lost things ; Samuel and the lost asses. 3. Moral censors, Nathan, Elijah. 4. Religious instructors and leaders, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah. 5. Prophetic insight touching future development of moral issues. Mere physiological and psychological states without moral significance eliminated from legitimate prophecy. Punction of the Prophets Among the Hebrews. 1. Popular moral leaders. Not mere teachers of ethics ; insistence on the will of God, a moral order definite and capable of real- ization. Popular — not in sense of being always acceptable — not an esoteric clique. 2. Their relation to the priests. Not always friendly ; ceremony obscured moral obliga- tion. Insist on supremacy of character over form. 3. Political influence ; as a rule incidental ; notoflfice-seekers. 4. Evils commonly dealt with — injustice, land greed, venal- ity of judges and priests, showy luxury, cruelty, poverty, intemperance, infidelity to God of Israel. 5. Direct speech supplemented by written prophecy in eighth century. Synopses, briefs, outlines of addresses rather than addresses themselves in finished literary form. Amos. Vocation, style, characteristics. His opposition to thoughtless ritualism. His insistence upon law. His influence epoch-making. 58 Hosea. Story of his life ; the prodigal wife ; her recovery. Main theme of his prophecy colored by personal experience. Insistence upon power of love ; Yahweh's patient, redeeming compassion for his people. New view of Yahweh's character — effect of Jehu's cruelty. Inexplicable attachment of Yahweh to Israel. Isaiah. 1. Reasons for claim that book is composite. Isaiah lived 770 to 690 B. C. Exile 586 to 538. Author of second half sees Exile as past and hour for deliverance at hand. Second part unmeaning to age Isaiah was addressing. Repeated and detailed references to Babylon. Second Isaiah unknown to Jeremiah and Ezekiel, exilic and post-exilic prophets. Cyrus argued about as one known and doubted. Original position of book in canon after Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Language — different English of Chaucer, Shakspeare, Kipling. Hebrews careless as to authorship ; disarrangement of writings upon pieces of skin or parchment ; liability to bind up together what is from different hands. 2. Isaiah's call as a prophet ; scene in the temple. Holy energy of God pictured in huge winged creatures ; cleansing of the lips — organs of instruction, persuasion, not sword of force or censer of ritual. 3. His main contentions. Scorn for empty ritualism. Insistence upon social righteousness. Yahweh's holy sublimity. Yahweh's choice of Israel ; his argument with his peo- ple. " Come now, let us reason together," etc. Isaiah's foreign policy for Israel. Sign for Ahaz. His Messianic expectations. His prince with the "four names." High estimate of royalty. Hicah. The prophet of the poor. Contemptuous reference to futility of sacrifice in gaining divine favor. Summary of pure religion, "What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God." Righteous action — do justly. Humane feeling — love mercy. Spiritual devotion — walk humbly with God. 60 LECTURE XIIL The Exile and Return from Babylon. (Read Ezra 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 ; Nehemiah 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 13.) Higher class of Jews carried off first ; deportation incomplete. Babylon a commercial center ; almost a port on Persian Gulf. New note in Hebrew life — formerly pastoral, agricultural, now traders. Condition of Israelites in Exile. Generally peaceful and prosperous ; many unwilling to return. Religious faith sustained at first by continued existence of Jerusalem ; material and political forms destroyed at last, and a church took place of the state as a divine institution. Later problems of faith occasioned by captivity ; why did Yahweh permit the capture of his home ? Ezekiel's vision of Yahweh's chariot drawn by composite creatures, feet of quadrupeds, wings of birds, hands of men ; Yahweh could visit his people wherever they were. Some Results of the Captivity. Learned to live in the larger world and not be of it. Deeper sense of attachment to Holy Land ; " if I forget thee." Stronger disgust for idol worship ; intellectual scorn. New note of tenderness for afflicted ; suffering begets sym- pathy. Stronger sense of individual responsibility ; individual came to front when nation was no more. Cessation of sacrifice promoted spiritual forms of worship. God is spirit, not located at Jerusalem. God dwells not in temples made with hands, but in the individual worshipper. Sacrifice in its highest manifestation is personal, not material. 62 Conditions of the Return. Question as to historicity of accounts. Belief that discipline was completed. Office of Cyrus ; a broader doctrine of providence. God does not confine action of his Spirit to Jews ; " I have girded thee, though thou hast not known me." Return only partial ; long, perilous journey both educative and deterrent. First exodus clothed with miracle and marvel. Second exodus achieved by action of divine spirit on hearts of men. The Restoration of Jerusalem. Three expeditions described. 1. Company under Zerubbabel built an altar ; laid foun- dation of the temple. 2. Ezra the scribe ; literary development of period ; for- mation of " Priests' Code." Scribe as copyist ; registrar of genealogies ; ex- pounder of the law. Ezra's opposition to mixed marriages ; pathetic picture of the perplexed people. a. Partly ritualistic ; Yahweh must have pure community in which to dwell. h. Partly practical ; some of worst features of Hebrew life came from mixed mar- riages. Spanish in South America. Negroes in South. Cf. English practice. Ezra an idealist ; domestic happiness subordinate to principle. Ezra's influence in popularizing the "law." 3. Nehemiah the cup-bearer ; responsible court position. News of sad state of Jerusalem ; petition to king. Return to city and night ride around the walls. Opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, Gershom — an emir. Method of rebuilding the walls ; individual respon- sibility. Refusal of Samaritan aid ; early prejudice. Attention to social questions. Opposition to unjust interest ; condemnation of Sabbath traffic and labor ; mutual help- fulness of Hebrews. 64 Attention to public proclamation of the law. Not a priest working wonders in a dark place, but a scribe in the open air, instructing the people in truths that make for well- being ; real advance. Insistence upon joyous worship ; cheerfulness and love. Some exhortations from the prophets. Haggai's memory of former temple ; rebukes apathy of people ; restored temple would have moral attraction for Yahweh. Zechariah's vision of a restored Jerusalem ; dualism, belief in Satan. Some Wholesome and Abiding Effects of Babylonian Experience. 1. Beginning of detachment of Israel's religion from their political status. 2. Stronger interest in Hebrew literature as a religious force. 3. Impulse toward cessation of sacrifice and introduction of synagogue system. 4. Total destruction of former temple withdrew attention from venerated symbols. Holy of Holies in restored temple empty. Pompey's "There is nothing." 66 LECTURE XIV. Later Prophets. (Read Jeremiah 2, 7, 31, 51 ; Ezekiel 1, 10, 11, 18, 39 ; Isaiah 40, 42, 53, 55, 61 ; Malachi 1, 2, 3.) Jeremiah. The burning of Jeremiah's first book by the king. His opposition to two grounds of Israel's confidence — invio- lability of Jerusalem ; alliance with Egypt. Use of Rechabites to rebuke infidelity of Israel to Yahweh. His insistence on ethical elements in religious life. Josiah's reform mainly from idolatry to ritual of Deuter- onomy. Jeremiah's urging of justice, mercy, truth. Comparison of exiles and those remaining, to baskets of figs. Sensational appearance wearing a yoke. Reasons for his somber tone ; campaign of protest. His profound influence upon later Judaism. Ezekiel. Insistence that Jerusalem was to be destroyed ; clay tablet ; vile bread of mixed grains ; cutting and burning his hair. Excessive imagery ; influence of Babylon. Composite creatures, indicating mystery and supernatural character of beings represented : out of range of ordinary human experience. Yahweh's chariot as evidence of his ability to travel. Objective idea of holiness ; mechanical view. Temple to insulate Yahweh from touch of evil. System of offsets to wrong-doing through expiatory ritual.. Elaborate measurements of new sanctuary. Strong doctrine of personal accountability. National life destroyed or obscured, individual responsi- bility emphasized. Necessity for new heart, " I will take away the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh and put my spirit within you." 68 Hopes of restoration ; basis of, Yahweh cannot permanently abandon his people : story of foundling baby girl. Reputation to sustain : abandonment of Israel would be abdication of his throne. One of most influential men of Hebrew history. Father of legalism ; carried through a crisis ; inaugurated apocalyptic style of thinking. The "Second Isaiah." Unfortunate phrase; writing of a "great unkown" ; many of best books anonymous ; Deuteronomy, Job, many of the Psalms. Style, historical setting, issues discussed. Message of comfort ; chastisement accomplished by captivity. Israel personified as servant of Yahweh ; as prophet to the nations. His doctrine of God in history ; stronger emphasis on pre- dictive element in prophecy ; taken into God's counsel. His view of Cyrus ; the policy of general conciliation. Divine spirit operates outside Hebrew people ; extension of Yahweh's influence. Missionary spirit in Judaism. The servant of Yahweh despised, forsaken, but suffering for a redemptive purpose. Place of suffering and sacrifice in work of moral recovery. General principle of vicarious suffering. Note. — Messianic expectations. Early forms of. Development of idea by organic process. Family, prophet, king, priest, nation, servant. Extent of real prophetic insight. How far fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth? His vision of the universal reign of Yahweh. Part of cosmic movement, like fall of rain ; his word shall not fail to accomplish his ends. Jerusalem the religious metropolis of the world. Place of these prophets in development of religion of Israel. Their permanent contribution to morals and religion. 70 LECTURE XV. The Priestly Law. (Read Leviticus 5, 14, 16 ; Numbers 5, 19 ; Hebrews 9, 10.) Three main schools of thought. The Prophet — " Tlius saith the Lord." The Priest — laying emphasis upon ceremonial law. The Wise Man — making appeal to moral reason and experience. Main sources of Priestly Law — Leviticus, Numbers, Chroni- cles, Ezekiel, with parts of Exodus, Ezra, Nehemiah. Priest's Code, a history of Israel and its institutions from rit- ualist point of view ; book of Chronicles an argument rather than a history. Unity of character in all these writings — sacerdotal point of view. Result of Development. Traces of growth ; more and more elaborate form of same law. Leviticus, codified tradition touching ritual ; usage, reduction of usage to written law, the codification. Centers around the central sanctuary and its service. Fundamental Principle. Priest's business to secure a holy community in which God may dwell with satisfaction. Significance of " atone- ment day." Interest in disease not sanitary but ritualistic — leprosy offen- sive to Yahweh. n. Contrast with prophet's idea of human well-being. h. Contrast Sabbath law in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Trivial and Superstitious Elements. 1. The law of leprosy ; the two birds. 2. The law of jealousy ; test of cha-tity. 8, Moral purification by blood of red heifer. 4. Sending scapegoat into wilderness to demon Azazel. 6. Supposed explosions of divine anger on account of slight infringements of ritual; strange fire; holy oil ; position of tents ; superstitious accretions. 72 Suggestive and Educative Value of Ritual Observances. 1. Hebrew language deficient in abstract terms. 2. Notion of holiness through purifications. 3. Incense and the worship of the Unseen. 4. Sacrifice ; original meaning ; typical significance. 5. Tithing, feasts, holy places. 6. Clean and unclean meats ; only in slight degree hygienic : Yahweh had his prejudices which must be respected. 7. Rite of circumcision. Inconsistencies and Errors. 1. Not in maintaining the holiness of God, but in defining it. 2. All laws on same level. Murder or adultery with lighting a fire on Sabbath ; death penalty for ritual dis- obedience. 3. Imperfect alliance of morality and religion. Combination of bloodthirsty cruelty with ceremonial conpcientiousness in treatment of Midianites. 4. Liability to develop asceticism, selfish pride, formalism, celestial etiquette. 5. Inattention to fact that service to man is the wholesome expression of devotion to God. " Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these." Deficiencies Offset by Certain Compensations, as Seen in Actual Effect upon Life of the People, Life Better than Their Theory. Unlike pagan code in five particulars. (Abbott.) 1. Support of priesthood voluntary. 2. Worship voluntary ; not enforced by threat. 3. Offerings mainly inexpensive. 4. Offerings not to appease anger, but to satisfy the soul. 5. Levitical code contemplated its own discontinuance. The devout Hebrew's "delight in the law of Jehovah." Trivial and superstitious falls into disuse because trivial : real values symbolized are cherished. 74 LECTURE XVI. Hebrew Poetry. (Read Genesis 1 ; Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Job 1, 2, 3, 4, 8,- 11, 12, 13, 16, 28; 31, 38, 39, 40,42.) Some leading characteristics of Hebrew poetry. Absence of rhyme ; meter ; literary style. Abundant parallelism — synonomous, antithetic, synthetic. Main theme, morals and religion. The Poem of Creation in Genesis. Studied to-day not as scientific treatise but as religious poem. Trace of Babylonian concepts in cosmogony. Remarkable scientific insight for that period. Creation an orderly process ; operation of resident forces — " let the waters bring forth, etc."; first forms of ani- mal life marine ; birds and fish before reptiles — an order unusual in ancient cosmogonies. Disposition to hallow venerated observances — Sabbath. Really eight periods of creation named, but reduced to seven after model of Hebrew week. Permanent value in religious concepts. One God, Creator of all things. World not self-existent, nor evil opponent, but an expression of his will. Man at summit of creation by virtue of his moral nature — likeness and image of God. Note. — Compare with Yahwist account of creation in Genesis. The Song of Songs, or " Song of Solomon." Author unknown ; Solomon not author butcharacter in poem. Not allegorical — no hint of such a thought ; not so used by Christ and his apostles ; materials unsuitable to repre- sent Christ's love for his people. Loyalty of Shulamite maiden to her country lover in spite of allurements of royal lover. Dramatic treatment of sacredness of human love. Its spontaneity, constancy, fidelity. Apparent indelicacies to be judged by taste of that time and land. Wherein lies its " divine inspiration "? 76 The Book of Job. Anonymous — freethinker attacking current orthodoxy. Date, probably post-exilic. Product of wisdom school — no reference to prophecy, history of Israel, ceremonial law ; appeal to moral reason and experience. Dramatic poem rather than literal history. Arrangement of material plainly artificial. Literary form that of didactic parable. 1. Prose prologue. a. Scene on earth — Job's piety and prosperity. h. Scene in heaven — first trial decided upon. Question of motive raised — weak point in 0. T. theology — by Satan the Celestial Inspec- tor : his place among the Sons of God. c. Scene on earth — trial inflicted. d. Scene in heaven — second trial decided upon. e. Scene on earth — second trial inflicted. Job's attitude under extraordinary affliction. 2. Main argument. a. Job's three friends visit him ; silent in presence of grief. h. Series of speeches ; three sets of three each, with Job's replies. Main contention of friends — God is just ; all suf- fering is punishment for sin ; righteous- ness brings health, happiness, prosperity. Job's rebuttal : testimony of his own conscience, open record of his life, testimony of Jeho- vah ; also manifest prosperity of some wicked men. Failure of current orthodoxy to reconcile adver- sity with divine justice. Moral energy of a perplexed man, holding fast his integrity though torn by doubt. Compulsory modification and readjustment of beliefs ; necessity of inductive system. Strong affirmation of faith in a moral order that will not permanently allow injustice. Introduction of Elihu ; his failure to advance solution or adduce anything new : announces approaching storm. 78 c. Appearance of the storm. Boldness of author in bringing Jehovah on the stage. Not mere stage play ; nature sympathetic, vocal. The voice from the whirlwind ; soul of external nature. Content of Jehovah's answer. Mystery of Job's case part of a larger mys- tery. Affirmation of meaning and method in it all. Sympathetic interest of God all-inclusive — vast things, small things, things remote from human knowledge and interest. The order of nature as a divine revelation. 3. Prose epilogue. a. Job commended for speaking right ; friends rebuked. h. Job prays for his friends. c. Restored to double his former prosperity. d. Happy death at advanced age. Apparent inconsistency of conclusion ; dry, prosaic, morally disappointing. Main teachings of the book. a. Cases of apparent injustice involve consideration of larger issues. h. Powerlessness of man before God ; limited intelligence must find mysteries in divine government, c. Moral effect of adversity rightly borne. 80 LECTURE XVII. Hebrew Poetry — Religious Songs. (Read Psalms 1, 8, 15, 19, 23, 24, 37, 46, 51, 73, 84, 91, 103, 119, 121, 122, 139, 145.) The Psalter a National Hymn-book. Embodies personal and national religious experience. Gradual aggregation of smaller collections. Meets a demand in the ritual for temple worship. Its Division into Books. Five books, 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-160. Grouping chronological in a general way, not precise. Each book closes with appropriate benediction. Headings cannot be taken literally as to authorship. Certain Literary Characteristics. Tendency to poetic exaggeration. Abundance of parallelisms. Use of refrains — " His mercy endureth forever," etc. Musical notes in title and text ; higgaion, selah, etc. General Theological Attitude. Vivid sense of a personal God. Sometimes carries writer into anthropomorphism. Deep sense of personal communion with God. Sense of God's manifestation of himself in nature. Strong sense of antagonism toward other religious parties. Faith in future life for community rather than for individual. Bible piety, nourished on law and writings. Some Special Psalms. 1. Estate of godly and ungodly contrasted ; tree and chaff. Results of delight in the Torah. 19. The Song of Two Worlds. The orderly beauty and harmony of the heavens above. The moral peace where God's law is established within. Prayer that one's life movements may be brought into harmony with the moral order of the world. 82 23. The Shepherd Psalm. The shepherd's care for his sheep. The host's provision for his guests. Symbols of the Lord's care for his people. 34. A votive Hymn. Acrostic in form. Personal experience of the divine care and helpfulness. 37. Hebrew doctrine of Prosperity. Confidence that righteousness inevitably brings pros- perity. Bravely affirmed in most of psalms ; doubted and discussed in Job ; flatly denied in Ecclesiastes. How far true as a general principle. 46. The Lord of Hosts our Refuge. Beautiful literary form ; three stanzas with refrain. Serene confidence in time of storm, of war. 51. Penitential. How far referable to David. Confession on behalf of a people. Clear note of human responsibility to God. Last verses a possible addition to balance radical statements preceding. 73. Faith and Adversity. Oft-recurring problem of the mystery of prosperous wickedness. Vision of final outcome gained in the sanctuary. 84. A Song of God's House. Religious homesickness of an exile. 90, 91. God as a Refuge. Possibly suggested by " Song of Moses " in Deuteron- omy (Moulton). 90 — "The Eternal God is thy refuge." 91 — " Underneath are the everlasting arms." Serene confidence in efficacy of God's care. 103-104. Hymns of blessing. One addressed to the moral sense within. The other to the created world without. Complete ascription of praise to God. 119. Praise of the Torah. Acrostic in form ; eight-line stanzas beginning with successive letters of Hebrew alphabet. Each verse contains some designation for God's law. 139. The Omnipresent God. In all parts of the personal life ; in all parts of the earth ; in all places of human abode. 84 Expression of Certain Beliefs in Special Psalms. Messianic psalms, 2, 20, 21, 45, 72, 110. Antagonism to sacrifice, 40:6, 50:8, 15, 61:15. Highest morality, 15, 24, 119. Heroic faith without confidence in future life, 39. Imprecatory psalms 59, 69, 109. Results of national more than individual consciousness. Compare vindictive spiritof Psalm 137 with Jeremiah 29:7. Gleams of hope of immortality, 16, 17, 49, 73. Note. — Permanent value of psalter. Manual for private devotion. Furnishes suitable material for public liturgy. Gives poetic expression to religious faith. 86 LECTURE XVIII. The Literature of Romance. (Read Ruth, Esther, Jonah, Daniel, 1-6.) Oriental fondness for stories. Brought to their high excellence by repetition. Abundance of parable, allegory, apocalypse in all their liter- ature. Value of Imaginative Element in Hebrew Writings. Historic value of legends. Alfred the Great, William Tell, Washington's cherry tree. Useful for history of ideas if not for history of fact. Certain stories in book of Genesis. Moral uses of legend ; homiletic value unimpaired by critical study if sentiment is sound. Some Short Stories of Hebrew Romance. 1. The hero stories in book of Judges. 2. Some of the Elisha stories. 3. Certain stories in book of Daniel. Vindication of wisdom of Levitical lavi^ in diet. - Story of the composite image. The three men in the fiery furnace. The feast of Belshazzar ; handwriting on the wall. Daniel in the lion's den. Reasons for doubt as to historicity. Poetic statement of valuable moral truths. Probably written to stimulate faith under persecu- tion by Antiochus. Note. — Late date of Daniel ; traces of Persian influence. Two portions — Stories of Daniel and his friends ; the visions of Daniel. Danger of fanciful interpretation of apocalyptic writings. The Story of Ruth. A social pamphlet defending marriage with foreigners. Generous protest against race prejudice. Foreign marriages need not vitiate stock ; Ruth an ances- tress of David. Picture of primitive marriage customs. Fidelity of one woman to another. A foreigner's appreciation for the better religion of Hebrews. Perpetual interest in well told love story. 88 The Story of Jonah. Pathetic fate of a beautiful and useful book. Grotesque and fantastic allowed to obscure the real mes- sage. History or allegory? No such prophet as Jonah at period named. No such wholesale conversion of Ninevites known. Story of the big fish ; poetic prayer. Main points of interest. Results of disobedience. Religious faith of foreigners ; use of lot. Breadth of God's moral interest ; mission to Nineveh. The story of the gourd. Protest against Jewish bigotry and exclusiveness. Effect of Christ's reference to the book. The Story of Esther. Wholly secular ; God is not named ; no mention of prayer, sacrifice, temple, faith or other religious idea. Moral tone low, narrow, bitter. Strong opposition to admission to the Canon. Reasons for its final acceptance, gives historical basis for Feast of Purim ; glorifies the Jews. Development of the story. Trouble at the court of Xerxes ; choice of Esther as queen. Haman's plot against Mordecai and all Jews. Esther's social tact and brave intercession for her people. Discomfiture of Haman ; poetic justice. Fierce retaliation of the Jews. How far is story true to fact. Reasons for treating it as a historical romance. How far is its teaching morally wholesome? Fiction has its place in ministry of literature to the life of the spirit. Ideals which have not found adequate embodiment in actual history, made vivid by creations of fiction writers. 90 LECTURE XIX. The Wisdom Literature. (Read Proverbs 3, 10, 22, 25, 30, 31 : Ecclesiastes 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12.) Diverse elements in Post-Exilic Judaism. "The law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet." Decision of Priest by the oracle, of the Wise Man by reason and experience ; of the Prophet by " the word of Yahweh." Post-Exilic development ; result of contact with Greek ideas and civilization ; personification of Wisdom or Virtue. Resemblance to three classes of teachers (Abbott). Empirical, e. g., sceptical moralists of 18th century. Legal, e. g., Puritans and better class of Pharisees. Prophetic, e. g., men of deeper moral insight in all times. Certain Characteristics of Wisdom Literature. 1. Oriental love of pithy sayings, epigrams. 2. Habit of shrewd observation. 3. Attempt iU an ethical philosophy. 4. Strong secular element ; religion of a man of the world. 5. This literature " the humanism of the Hebrews "; meeting place of secular minds with Scripture. 6. Moral service rendered by humor. The Book of Proverbs. Question of authorship ; composite collection. Solomon, Hezekiah, Agur, Lemuel. Attached to name of Solomon, as lyric poetry to name of David. Moral effectiveness ; hit the mark ; easily remembered, quoted. Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, The Ram's Horn, Mr. Dooley. Ready money and small change of moral instruction. Strongly humanitarian ; feeling for the poor. Praise of wisdom ; Hebrew conception of — moral as well as intellectual. Two Voices in the street ; Hercules facing Vice and Virtue. 92 Advance upon sheer utilitarianism. Personal relation to God at basis of right life ; fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom. Characterization of fools and folly ; lack mainly moral. Words of Agur ; resemblance to spirit in Faust. Acrostic in praise of " The capable woman." Fundamental principle running through the collection, reverence for God and fidelity to His law at basis of right character. The Book of Ecclesiastes. Was Solomon the author ? Style, language, ideas indicate later date. Fact of being written in first person not conclusive. Monologue of man arguing with himself. Movement in a circle ; wisdom, labor, pleasure all failed. Resemblance to spirit of the Rubiyat of Omar. Writer's main point of view. Yahweh not named ; deity unsympathetic ; lack of phil- anthropic sentiment ; doctrine of future life named only to be rejected. Confusion of sentiment perhaps due to use of varying ma- terials by a Redactor — Epicurean Sadducee ; Stoic Wisdom counseling prudence of life ; despairing pessimism. Supposition of two voices contending in Solomon's own nature. Early training in piety under Nathan the prophet. Effect of later sensualism of his life. Main question argued, — "Is life worth living?" Negative conclusion implied : treadmill weariness. Failure of exciting pleasures, of property, of philosophy, of great achievements. Pure wedlock praised, but cynical view of woman. Open breach with Hebrew orthodoxy in main positions. Probable additions to book to mitigate shock of its bald scepticism. Somber pessimism — lack of redemptive purpose or spirit. Author abandons the effort to solve his problems. No doctrine of providence for the present. No hope of immortality for the future. Yet holds fast to God and duty — " Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Value of such an unusual book for religious life. Two observations as to Wisdom literature in general. a. In Proverbs, the principle that piety brings prosperity is affirmed ; in Job it is questioned and modified ; in Ecclesiastes it is flatly denied but with a firm grasp of moral obligation. h. The Divine Spirit speaks not only through the rapt visions of the prophet, the sacred observances of the ritualist, but through the hard common sense of average men applying their wisdom to facts of ex- perience. 94 LECTURE XX. Practical Influence of thls Literature upon Life. Wide currency due to popular Btyle, religious sentiment in its favor, demonstrated usefulness. Bible unique not by ecclesiastical decree on its behalf, but be- cause it stands the test of use. Some points of practical influence: In Providing Theme and Inspiration for Human Masterpieces. 1. In music — oratorios of Elijah, Messiah, Saul, Eli, Esther, St. Paul, Mount of Olives, etc. 2. In architecture — greatest buildings of the world. 3. In sculpture and painting — Angelo's Moses, David ; Ma- donnas, Transfigurations, Last Judgment. 4. In literature — Paradise Lost, Inferno, Saul, etc. Note. — Estimates upon Bible by eminent men— Heine, Ewald, Renan, Huxley, Matthew Arnold, Goethe, Emerson, Theo- dore Parker, Dickens, Ruekin, Gladstone. In Furnishing that Body of Wholesome Feeling and Sentiment which is a Fruitful Source of Right Conduct. "Out of the heart are the issues of life." 1. Faith in an All-powerful, All-wise and Beneficent God. 2. Confidence in a moral order, definite and capable of reali- zation. 3. Spirit of good will toward others. Stimulus to social service. Howard, Wilberforce, Shaftes- bury. 4. August sanctions of right affording powerful motive. 5. Hope of a future life; cannot be proved: grounds for a rational and useful confidence. Note. — Its ability to feed the world with moral energy. Its claims can be submitted to the test of experience. In Providing a Sufficient Code for Right Conduct Stated in Terms of Life Rather than in Abstract Precepts. 1. Its words are " made flesh" and dwell among us. 2. Ideals are set within an actual human, historic order. 3. Principle of development regarded. Every man repeats most of the story of moral evolu- tion from the "Garden of JEden " to John's " Holy City," in himself. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara College Library Santa Barbara, California t Return to desk from which borrowed. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. LD 21-20m-8,'52 (A2854s4)476 Lcient» report sessed in as- il, but mpor- lority. perse- wick- pecial ) said, truth, I gen- )\e : a made 5 of a ether. J.IS mia.[J[JiUcj,L;iicu. |jiiiiia>j_y m niiciigtiiciiiiig tiic win, ^Urify- ing the affections, making the moral judgment sane, forming the character. " A book of final values for all who would live nobly." 3 1205 00166 3150