Assignment

1. The Ancient Israel's attitude to one's neighbors, resident aliens, slaves and outsiders.

2. Monarchy: what is wrong/problematic about it? Under which conditions is it acceptable? Discuss the faults of the following kings: Saul, David, Solomon.

3. What is the significance for Jews and for Christians of David's rule over Israel and of his covenant with God (2 Sam 7)?

4. Discuss the meaning and the function of the prophetic symbolic acts using the examples from the books of Hosea and Jeremiah.

5. Discuss metaphors used by the biblical writers about Israel and God (in the Pentateuch, Jeremiah, Hosea, Isaiah 40-55).

6. Compare Jeremiah with Moses.

7. Discuss the concept of vicarious suffering and atonement on the basis of Isa 52-53, and 2 Macc 6-7, 4 Macc 6-18.

8. Discuss the interpretation of the history by the authors of the Deuteronomistic History. Contrast the Dtr, Hist. approach with the modern one.

9. How did Isaiah 40-56 and Jeremiah see the restoration or the future of Israel? Discuss the New Covenant preached by Jeremiah (Jer. 31) and the new role of Israel acc. to 2nd Isa.

10. What is the biblical attitude toward foreign rulers? Use Pharaoh (in Exodus 1-15), Nebuchadnezzar (in Jeremiah), Cyrus (in Isaiah 40-56) and an Assyrian king (in Jonah 4) as examples.

11. Discuss the book of Jonah as a satiric story about a prophet. Compare Jonah with Jeremiah.

12. Discuss the status of Israel as "God's chosen nation". For what mission was it chosen? Use the second Isaiah and other relevant texts.

13. Discuss the evolution of the concept of atonement using priestly cultic laws and the story about martyrs' death in 2 and 4 Macc.