Unit 1 Test Review - Jesus and His World

Q. Why did God choose Canaan as a homeland for His people? 
Canaan was a crossroads, a sort of bridge between several continents.
It was a connecting link between 2 major civilizations of the ancient world - Egypt and Babylon/Persia.
Trade caravans traveled through Canaan.

Q. Why is it important for us to understand the failure of Israel? 
When we understand how Israel failed, we can understand not to repeat the same mistakes they did.

Q. Briefly describe the size of and daily life in Biblical Palestine.
Size -> small about the size of the states of Vermont or Maryland.
Daily Life - > houses built of packed earth easily destroyed by heavy rains.
                 - > one or two room houses with flat roots of baked bricks of mud.
                 - > no electric lighting, windows on one side.

Q. List the three reasons why Jesus came to this earth.
1. To reveal God, show us what God is like.
2. To save us from our sins, redeem the human race, die as our substitute.
3. To be our example.

Q. How is it that Jesus came at exactly the right time? 
Many nations united under one government and one language.
After coming to Jerusalem for yearly feasts, they could spree the news of the Messiah when returning home.
Men losing faith in heathen belief systems and searching for truth.

Q. What makes Christianity unique from Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, New Age and other religions around the world? 
Christianity is based on what god has already done for us in Jesus.
All these other religions offer a way of self-salvation.

Q. Explain how we are made alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. 
We are made alive in Christ because of his great love for us.
He is rich in mercy and it is by grace we are saved.

Q. What are we saved from? 
Sin and the wrath of God against it.

Q. Explain how God's wrath is an essential part of His love. 
His anger is not direct at people but at the sin they commit. Sin is destructive and God want sot purge sin from humanity. In love, God always warns people before demonstrating His wrath.

Q. Explain the idea of righteousness by faith. 
It is not our faith that makes us righteous. We put our faith in Christ, and He is our righteousness.

Q. Explain the meaning behind the story of the uplifted serpent in Numbers 21:4-9
Israel rebelled against God and they were bitten by venomous snakes. They turned to Moses in repentance. If any Israelite wanted to live, there had to look to the uplifted snake. So in the same way we have all been bitten by a deadly serpent. The venom is within. And just as Moses lifted up that bronze serpent, so Jesus declares He must be lifted up on His cross in the likeness of sin-cursed humanity, but having no sin within.

Q. Explain why God didn't give the commandments to the Israelites while they were still slaves in Egypt. 
He heard their cry for deliverance and brought them out of bondage first. He initiated and acted first by delivering them from Egypt. They became a redeemed people and in response to what God did, the Israelites would live but the commandments given to them.