Defining event?

[Gideon]

Can someone help me on a bit of history please?

What was the defining event that marks the beginning of the nation of Israel? I'm doing a study on the life of Jacob and finding it really interesting. Did Israel begin when Jacob had his name changed? (Gen 35:9) Or was it when God first appeared to him in the 'ladder dream'? (Gen 28:12)

Or is it considered to be later when Joshua conquered the land? Or was it earlier - a gradual evolvement covering the general period of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

Gideon

 

[Beasley]

I would go with when the Jews were delivered out of Egypt and established in the land.

 

[Macrina]

That's a tough one. I'm not sure of the answer.

My first thought is God's covenant with Abraham, because that is when his numerous descendants (Israel) were promised.

Other defining moments include Jacob obtaining his brother's birthright, the name Israel being given, the Exodus, the covenant at Sinai, and the crossing of the Jordan.

I'm not sure I could pin down just one, but if I had to point to the deepest spiritual roots of those I've named, I would go back to Abraham.

I'm interested to hear what other people suggest.

 

[childofGod31]

I think it was when God first called to Abraham and told him to leave the land of his fathers. Because Abraham is our spiritual father and from him the nation of Israel was born.

Human race started with the first person of our race, Adam.
Israel nation started with the first person of that nation - Abraham. And it happened when God chose him from all the peoples to be His servant.

 

[mark kennedy]

I would say here since it is the first mention of Israel and Nation together.

"And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, "Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name:" and He called his name Israel. And God said unto him, "I am GOD ALMIGHTY: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land." (Gen 35:9-12)

That's the best I have because the covenant of promise was actually made before the world began. Notice the land was promised to Abraham and God said that He would make Abraham a great nation (indicating a future time). In Jacob the promise was that out of him would come not only a nation but a company of nations and kings. One could argue that it was at Sinai when the people revieved the covenant as a nation or following the conquest of Canaan when they actually entered the land. It might even appeal to some that it was the annointing of Saul who became the first king that was the beginning of Israel as a nation.

I'm going with the new name of Jacob at Padan-aram, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[Gideon]

I'm going with the new name of Jacob at Padan-aram, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thats close.

I appreciate the thoughtful replies so far but perhaps I should clarify my question with a few examples.

The defining event that marks the beginning of modern Israel is May 14, 1948 when the State of Israel was proclaimed.

The defining event that marks the beginning of the United States is July 4, 1776 at the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The defining event that marks the beginning of the southern super-power (New Zealand) is Feb 6, 1840 which is, as you all know, the Treaty of Waitangi.

HOWEVER, in each of the above mentioned cases settlers had already moved in and the national identity had already started even up to several generations. So I'm not trying to get back to 'seed' beginnings. I'm trying to get back to what might be generally accepted as the 'official' national start-point.

With that little blurb in mind my thinking is it was something to do with Jacob but I am inclined to think it was Bethel, 20 years before Padan-aram.

IMHO

 

[mysterychristian]

Can someone help me on a bit of history please?

What was the defining event that marks the beginning of the nation of Israel? I'm doing a study on the life of Jacob and finding it really interesting. Did Israel begin when Jacob had his name changed? (Gen 35:9) Or was it when God first appeared to him in the 'ladder dream'? (Gen 28:12)

Or is it considered to be later when Joshua conquered the land? Or was it earlier - a gradual evolvement covering the general period of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

Gideon

Israel is the name given to jacob, so that was the beginning of Israel.