5. There was a new hope, that of a Messiah. From the time of the captivity the Jewish people looked forward with eager expectation to the coming of a Deliverer, the Consolation of Israel, the "Anointed One" (the word Messiah means "anointed"), who should lift up his people from the dust, exalt the throne of David, and establish an empire over all the nations. This had been promised by prophets for centuries before the exile, but only then did it begin to shine as the great hope of the people. It grew brighter with each generation, and finally appeared in the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of Israel.
6. From the captivity there were two parts of the Jewish people; the Jews of Palestine, and the Jews of the dispersion. 1.) The Jews of Palestine, sometimes called Hebrews (Acts 6. 1), were the lesser in number, who lived in their own land and maintained the Jewish state. 2.) The Jews of the dispersion were the descendants of those who did not return after the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1. 1), but remained in foreign lands and gradually formed Jewish "quarters" in all the cities of the ancient world. They were the larger in number, and later were called "Grecian Jews," or Hellenists, from the language which they used (Acts 6. 1). Between these two bodies there was a close relation. The Jews of the dispersion had synagogues in every city (Acts 15. 1), were devoted to the law, made constant pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and were recognized as having one hope with the Jews of Palestine. The traits of the two bodies were different, but each contributed its own element toward the making of a great people.
Blackboard Outline.
I. Cap. Isr. Jud. 1. Isr. 721. Jud. 587. 2. Ass. Sar.—Chal. Neb. 3. Cas. Sea.—Riv. Eup. 4. Nev. ret.—Bro. b.
II. Thr. Cap. Jud. 1. Jeh. cap. 607. 2. Jehn. cap. 598. 3. Zed. cap. 587.
III. Caus. Cap. 1. Pol. Or. conq. 2. Reb. kgs. Jud. 3. Riv. Eg. Bab. 4. Div. pur. dis.
IV. Con. Cap. 1. Kin. tre. 2. Org. main. 3. La. wor. obs. 4. Ins. pro. tea. 5. Lit. pre. enl.
V. Res. Cap. 1. Ch. lan. 2. Ch. hab. 3. Ch. char. 4. Ne. ins. (syn. scr.) 5. Hop. Mess. 6. Two. par. peo.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.
From what earlier captivity must that of Judah be distinguished?
What were the dates of these two captivities?
By whom was each nation taken captive?
Where was each nation carried captive?
What followed the captivity in each nation?
What were the three captivities of Judah?
What were the events of the first captivity of Judah?
Who were carried away at this time?
What date is connected with this captivity?
What were the events of the second captivity of Judah?
Who were then taken away?
What were the events of the third captivity?
How long was Jerusalem left in ruins?
By whom, and when, were the Jews permitted to return from captivity?
What causes may be assigned for the carrying away of the Jews?
What were the customs of ancient Oriental conquerors?
How did the conduct of the kings of Judah bring on the captivity?
What rivalry between nations was a cause of the captivity?
What were the two parties in the kingdom of Judah?
How was the carrying away of the Jews a political necessity?
What was the moral cause of the captivity?
How were the captive Jews treated?
What evidences show that their national organization was continued during the captivity?
Why was this fact a fortunate one for the exiles?
What customs of the Jews were observed during the captivity?
What instructors did the Jews have during this period?
What was the condition of Jewish literature during the captivity?
What events followed the decree of Cyrus?
Did all the exiles of the Jews return?
What change in language was wrought by the captivity?
What change in habits followed the captivity?
What great change in religion came as the result of the captivity?
How can that change be accounted for?
What two institutions arose during the captivity?
What new hope arose at this time?
How were the Jews divided after the captivity?