FROM CONQUEST TO KINGS JOSHUA Describes key events

FROM CONQUEST TO KINGS

JOSHUA Describes key events in the conquest of Canaan Three primary stages: The crossing of the Jordan River and the conquest of Jericho The southern campaign The northern campaign The division of the land The renewal of the covenant

COVENANT RENEWAL Joshua 24 Historical recitation – the importance of the past Challenge and declaration of intent – the need to take a stand Dialogue and acceptance – uncompromising obedience

JUDGES Deals with events during the transition from theocracy to monarchy Characterized by a “leadership vacuum”: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. “ Jg. 21. 25 Principal issues – the dangers: A generation without knowledge of the past Lack of consistent leadership The danger of the indigenous people who remained Idolatry Disobedience

THE CYCLE OF JUDGES

SAMPLE NARRATIVE: Judges 3: 7 -11 So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs. Therefore, the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan. Rishathaim eight years. When the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

EXAMPLES OF JUDGES Deborah – only female judge; ordered Barak to fight against Jabin of Hazor; composed a song of victory Gideon – led an “army” of 300 against a larger force of Midianites; used stealth rather force Abimelech – called the “bramble king”; killed all but one of his brothers; injured by a woman in battle Jephthah – sacrificed his daughter Samson – long of hair, short of self-control; destroyed a temple in Philistia

DEBORAH Worked in the area of Hazor ± 1239 BCE Requested that the leader of Naphtali Barak fight the Canaanites He agreed only if she went with him Deborah agreed but said that woman would receive the credit. The Canaanite general, Sisera, was killed by Jael, a woman

GIDEON Worked in the area of Manasseh Encountered the angel of the Lord and received instructions to fight the Midianites The fleece verification (Judges 6: 36 -40) Began with a force of 32, 000 but attacked with 300 Refused the offer to rule as king (Judges 8: 22 -23)

ABIMELECH JEPHTHAH Gideon’s son Fought against the Ammonites and gained Presented himself as candidate for king a victory Jotham, a brother, Vowed to offer in warned the people with sacrifice the first thing a fable (Jg. 9: 7 -15) that came out to meet Hired “ hit men” and him upon his return. killed all but one of his (Jg. 11: 30) brothers Upon returning, his Killed in the assault of daughter came to Thebez when a woman meet him. dropped a stone on him

SAMSON AND THE TEMPLE AT GAZA “Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived” Judges 16: 29 -30

A PHILISTINE TEMPLE AT TEL QASILE

ARTIST RECONSTRUCTION

SAMSON COINS Scholars say the scene shown on the artifact recalls the story in Judges of Samson fighting a lion

INTERLUDE: THE BOOK OF RUTH

THE STORY Set during the time of the Judges Deals with Elimelech who took his family to Moab during a time of famine. While there, Elimelech died. His sons married Moabite women, but the sons also died, leaving three widows. Naomi returned to Israel after the famine, bringing one daughter-in-law, Ruth’s “confession of faith” (1: 16 -17) Upon returning, Ruth met a certain Boaz whom she later married

THE SIGNIFICANCE The providence of God Mercy demonstrated Illustrating Lev. 19: 9: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. ” “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor. ” (2: 2) Boaz’ mercy to Ruth as a foreigner (2: 5 -12) The concept of the “kinsman redeemer” (Ruth 4: 1 -6) The responsibility to maintain a family line (See Deut. 25: 5 -6) The genealogy of David The birth of Obed, King David’s grandfather (Ruth 4: 18 -22) The inclusion of a “foreigner” in the lineage of David and Jesus