JOSHUA: A Search for a Home Entering the Promised Land

Joshua  Joshua, the first of twelve historical books (Joshua-Esther), forges a link between the Pentateuch and the remainder of Israel’s history.  Joshua’s name, which means “Yahweh is Salvation” is symbolic of the fact that although he is the leader of Israel during the conquest, the Lord is the Conqueror.

Joshua  The book of Joshua divides neatly into two principal sections: a.Chapters 1-12 record the conquest b.Chapters describe the assignment of tribal territories and the dispersal of the tribes throughout the Land of Promise.

Joshua  The theme of conquest and occupation pervades the book of Joshua.  The setting of the first five chapters begins east of the Jordan river as Joshua replaces Moses, and Israel crosses the Jordan on dry land and prepares for war :......

Joshua  As the Israelites gathered at Gilgal to prepare for their incursion into the land, four significant events took place at this time: A.The Passover was observed again. B.The sign of circumcision was reinstated. C.The manna ceased. D.Joshua encountered a revelation of God, as did Moses (5:1-15)

Joshua utilizes a divide-and- conquer strategy.

JUDGES The Struggle for the Land

Tribal Boundaries

Introduction  After the death of Joshua, the people fail to pass on their faith to the next generation. (cf. Judges 2:10) Moreover, that whole generation was gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.

Introduction  The book of Judges portrays a dark ages period in Israel’s history.  We find a formula in Judges: “There was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  The result was terrible acts of lawlessness. (cf. 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; etc.)

Deuteronomic Theme  There is a cycle which recurs in this book with each judge: a)Apostasy – The people turn away from the Lord. b)Oppression – They are oppressed by their enemies. c)Repentance – The people cry out to God for relief. d)Deliverance – God raises up a military leader to deliver them.

Characteristics of the Judges They were basically military deliverers. They were local deliverers. No one judge rules over all the land. Probably several judges were on the scene at the same time.

Time Period of the Judges Exodus1290 BC Enter Land1250 BC Time of Judges1200 BC Time of David1000 BC This leaves about 200 years of time for the Judges, as well as Samuel and Saul.

8.Six Major Judges 1)Othniel – Fought against the Mesopotamians. 2)Ehud – Left handed judge from Benjamin. Slew Eglon, king of Moab. 3)Deborah and Barak – Overcame the Canaanites. The only woman judge. Judges 5, the Song of Deborah, is an ancient piece of Hebrew poetry. 4)Gideon – Defeated the Midianites. 5)Jephthah – Overcame the Amorites. Made a foolish vow and sacrificed his daughter.

Major Judges (cont’d ) 6)Samson – Defeated the Philistines. His strength was associated with his long hair. Samson was a Nazarite. Three elements to the Nazarite vow: a.Avoid wine or strong drink. b.Avoid dead bodies and unclean objects. c.Stay away from the razor: don’t cut hair.

Major Judges (cont’d) Samson’s strength came because of his faithfulness to God as a Nazarite, not because of his long hair. It was only a symbol. Deliliah, Samson’s Philistine lover, was the cause of his downfall. She enticed Samson to tell her the secret of his strength, which she relayed to the Philistines.

Ruth This story provides an important link in God’s fulfillment of His Covenant with Abraham and the nation of Israel. God promised Abraham that through his offspring the entire world would be blessed. God incorporated a non-Israelite into the mix.