These images are from a curriculem on the Old Testament that I am writing. (except for the picture of the ark of the covenant which I barrowed from http://www.mishkanministries
.org/theark.php)
I thought it would be cool to post on of my stories and get some feedback. It is a little long, but I would love to know what you think!
This is the episode which bridges the Old and New testament.
SIGNS
A new star appeared in the sky, it's light shining in the darkness of the night unnoticed by the world below. As the stars in the evening sky looked down on Israel, this new star seemed particularly interested in the events unfolding below. The people scurried to and fro unaware of the part they would play in what would soon transpire. The signs were all around them, but the struggles of daily survival were great, and most of humanity was unaware of the strange movements taking place in the heavens. There were some, however, who found great meaning in the movement of the stars. Deep in the east, a gathering of Magi, or wise men, watched the night skies trying to discern the meaning of these movements. Something big was coming.
Life was not good in Israel. Even though the Israelites had returned to their land and rebuilt their walls and temple, things were not like they once were. Israel was located on a very strategic route connecting the northern Mediterranean territories to the southern. In times of peace this roadway brought merchants and money, but these were not peaceful times and Israel had become the highway for conquerors and their armies. As they passed through the land, soldiers took whatever they wanted from the people, be it food, possessions, or other unspeakable things far more precious.
Powerful countries met for their wars on Jewish soil and turned the Israelites' homeland into a battle ground. The toll was mounting, but Israel felt powerless to stop it. Israel's land was simply too strategic to ignore so they were forced to serve one kingdom after another in ruthless succession. First it was Babylon, then Persia, then Egypt, then Alexander the Great and the Greeks, and finally Caesar Augustus and the Roman Empire. Each country had its own demands, but all made life hard for the people living in Israel. They dreamt of freedom; of the day when their God would make things right again. They were tired of paying taxes to fund the military ambitions of the latest superpower to conquer them. They were tired of the lack of respect given to their God and their land. They longed for the old days when David sat on the thrown and God fought for them. The days when the land flowed with milk and honey ... and laughter.
The Prophets of God spoke of a coming Messiah; a King who would be like David. He would deliver the people and inaugurate a new day of peace and prosperity. All of Israel longed for this Messiah to come and to save them. "Concerning this [coming] salvation, the prophets ... searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit ... in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of [the Messiah] and the glories that would follow ..." Little did the prophets know that they were not alone in their search. Even [the angels in heaven] long to look into these things.
The words of the Prophets were like seeds in fertile ground, and the legends of the coming Messiah spread like an uncontrollable fire. The idea of the Messiah became the answer to every struggle the Israelites faced and they thought that when he came all their problems would be over. They could imagine him marching down the streets of Jerusalem like a triumphant King returning victorious from battle. At first, all of Israel waited expectantly, passionately pleading with God to send their Messiah. Now, after 400 years without another word from God, the people were starting to wonder if he would ever come. They began to doubt the words of the Prophets. Contrary to their hopes, things were not getting better but worse. But the Prophet's words were not empty and unseen by human eyes events of great importance were shaping up.
Meanwhile, a great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon ... Something big was coming.
