User talk:JoannZhang/be bold

In the book of Exodus, Yahweh said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus3:14). Jewish people believe that Yahweh is self-existing and exists eternally. Yahweh does not have a beginning of days nor an end of life. Yahweh created all the living things by saying words. He created the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, and put them in the garden of Eden as well. Adam and Eve’s job was to take care of the animals. They had a peaceful life until they ate the forbidden fruit. Since the sin came into the world, Adam and Eve could not live in the garden because they were evicted by Yahweh. Yahweh does not forsake man because he is a merciful God. He blesses people who trusts him and also gives a chance for sinners to repent. Yahweh’s characteristics include holiness and righteousness because he punishes people who serves the idols, do evil things, ignore his warnings. When ancient people committed great sins against Yahweh, Yahweh felt sad because of them. The world was filled with violence and wickedness, but Noah did not live a sinful life like others. Yahweh told Noah to make an ark to elude the flood. Yahweh saved Noah and his family, but wiped out all the evil people. After this catastrophe, the number of people increased again on the earth. The new people desired to build the Tower of Babel to proclaim their names. Yahweh confused their language and dispersed them to all over the world. Then ancient people did not finish building the city and the tower. There was another righteous person by the name of Abraham who had faith in God for the rest of his life.

Jay Y. Gonen is a professor of psychology, and he graduated from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He wrote a book “Yahweh versus Yahweh.” I learned that Yahweh chose Abraham’s descendants to became his special people. Yahweh promised Abraham and his progeny would take over the land of Canaan. Abraham’s descendants Israel were attacked and became slaves by the ruler of Egypt. Yahweh sent Moses to lead his people out from Egypt because Israel cried out for Yahweh’s help. Yahweh used the ten plagues to punished Egyptians and ruined their gods.

There were many miracles that happened during the time Yahweh brought out Israel from Egypt. For example, Yahweh allowed the Nile waters to turn to blood, commanded an angel to kill the firstborns of the Egyptians. He parted the Red Sea for Israel to walk on dry land to cross the sea. However, the Egyptians were drowned as soon as Yahweh closed the sea. The miracles and signs showed Yahweh’s almightiness, compassion, and omniscience. He knows humans’ thoughts and he can guide his children to overcome trials and difficulties. Many Canaanite and Arabian tribes feared Yahweh after the Israelites won the victory. Ancient Israelites were trained by Yahweh in wilderness for forty years. Yahweh sent manna from heaven to fed his people; he also opened a rock and water to gush out for his people to drink. He wanted his people have their individual relationships with him and become holy nation. Yahweh established the law, which included moral law, civil law, festivals, and religious ceremonies. Yahweh’s law became the standards for living and scriptural truth for the Israelites. Yahweh uses his law to test whether the Israelites obey him. As the Bible records, Yahweh’s plan came true. Israel defeated the Canaan aborigines and built their own country later.

Yahweh is the supreme and true God of the Israelite nation. Yahweh is also considered by the gentiles as the God of Canaan. He is a jealous God because he cannot endure evil things in his eyes. He is faithful to his people and raise up his hands to save them. Through the ancient history to present, Jews have a strongly relationship with Yahweh. Jews have been practicing their religious beliefs no matter what situation they are in.