Introduction to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Pre-Christianity Ethiopia is a very ancient country whose history goes back to 5000 years, to the history of children of Noah mentioned in the Holy Bible. After the great flood, when the descendants of Noah divided the earth, one of the son of Ham (son of Noah) called Cush inhabited in Ethiopia. This is known from the Greek version of the Holy Bible itself (Old Testament) translated from Hebrew in 3rd C. BC, called Septuagint. In Septuagint, the words ‘Cush’ and ‘Cushites’ (indicating the tribe) in Hebrew is translated into ‘Ethiopia’ and ‘Ethiopians’. These settlers have not discontinued worshipping the one God Whom their grandfather Noah worshipped. Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God (Ps 67:31) While continuing in the belief of God, Ethiopia received the Law of Old Testament (Law of Moses) from Israel due to the visit of the Ethiopian Queen Sheba (1013-982 B.C) to King Solomon of Israel in Jerusalem. On her return she bore him a son, whom she named Menilek. After Menilek grew up he visited his father in Jerusalem, and returned home accompanied by Azarias, the son of Zadok the High priest and many other Israelites (Levites). They carried with them the Ark of the Covenant, Law of Moses and other Old Testament books written until the time of King Solomon. This was the time whereby the Judaic law with its teaching, the sacrificial service and priesthood hierarchies entered into Ethiopia. The Old Testament books began to be translated into the ancient Ethiopian language Geez from that time onwards. Queen Sheba visiting King Solomon (1kgs 10:1) It is not only history that testifies the acceptance of the Old Testament Law by Ethiopia. The cultures and traditions up to now manifested by the people are other major evidences. Circumcision on the eighth day after birth, the organization of the church choir and the instruments, the Ark of the Covenant and the celebrations of holidays, etc. are some of the examples that have resemblances with the orders of the Old Testament Law. There is also another version of history regarding the religion of Ethiopia in pre-Christian times saying that Ethiopia came to know God only after the visit of Queen Sheba to Jerusalem followed by her conversion. However, this doesn’t make much sense as one can infer that she already knew and believed God from the words that she spoke to King Solomon. “Blessed be the Lord your God, which delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made He you king, to do judgment and justice.” (1 Kgs 10:9).
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 05:06:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015