Introduction to History of Ancient Israel A Study of the Historical Books (Joshua to Esther)

History Up To This Point Creation Time of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons) (2165-1804 B.C.) The Exodus from Egypt (1405 B.C.)

Map of Area in 1800-1400 BC

History to Be Covered by Books Books of Conquest-Joshua (1405-1382 B.C.) Books of Judges (1382-1043) 1. Judges 2. Ruth 3. I Samuel Books of the United Kingdom (1043-931) 1. I Samuel 2. II Samuel 3. I Chronicles 4. II Chronicles

History To Be Covered Cont. Books of the Divided Kingdom (931-605 B.C.) 1. I Kings 2. II Kings 3. II Chronicles Books of the Return 1. Ezra 2. Nehemiah 3. Esther

Themes and Lessons in the Period of Time Immediately Before the Book of Joshua God is Always Central in the Deliverance of His People (God as a Warrior) God’s Promises Always Go Hand and Hand with Obligation of His people (I Am-You Shall, No other gods before Me, responsibility to worship God and be thankful) God’s People Are To Be Different from Others that don’t follow Him (Circumcision was the outward sign) 1. Care and protection of minorities and foreigners, widows and orphans 2. Slavery was to be balanced 3. To worship only 1 God 4. People were organized by tribe, clan and family

Characteristics of Many Early False Religions of the Middle East (O. T Characteristics of Many Early False Religions of the Middle East (O. T. World, p 73) The deities were more like exalted humans. They were sexual beings who married, raised families and were subject to injury or even death Humans were to relieve them of physical labor and provide for their needs (food and drink) Divine statutes were made and believed to be inhabited by the “god”. This “god” was housed in some form of temple

Some of the “gods” at this time Baal (Hadad was his/her/their sacred name) Canaanite Deities originally called the son of Dagon, an ancient grain god of the Philistines Local Baals were thought to control fertility in agriculture, beasts, an mankind. Early on the Word was also used to mean “Lord” and “master” To “keep them happy” ritual prostitution and child sacrifice was practiced.

Molech-Another “god” Known as the sacred bull The word originally meant king “Pass through Molech” (Lev. 18:21, 20:2-5, II Kings 23:10, Jer 32:35) refers to the sacrifice of children or a dangerous purification rite of fire The 12th century rabbi Rashi, commenting on Jeremiah 7.31 stated: Tophet is Moloch, which was made of brass; and they heated him from his lower parts; and his hands being stretched out, and made hot, they put the child between his hands, and it was burnt; when it vehemently cried out the priests beat a drum, that the father might not hear the voice of his son, and his heart might not be moved. A different rabbinical tradition says that the idol was hollow and was divided into seven compartments, in one of which they put flour, in the second turtle-doves, in The third a ewe, in the fourth a ram, in the fifth a calf, in the sixth an ox, and in the seventh a child, which were all burnt together by heating the statue inside.

Ashur & Asherah The Assyrian King, while not being a God himself, was acknowledged as the chief servant of the chief God, Ashur. The ancient Assyrians believed Ashur to be the "Sky Axle" or "he who makes the world turn" Asherah is considered to be the northwest Semitic mother goddess. Biblical references have been taken to indicate that a goddess Asherah was worshipped in Israel and Judah, as the Queen of Heaven whose worship Jeremiah so vehemently opposed in chapters 7 & 14. Ashtoreth as a Philisitine goddess The word asherah also refers to a standing pole of some kind or trees carved with her image. The Bible states that God hated Asherah poles (Deuteronomy 16:21). King Josiah's supposed reforms in the late 7th century BC included the destruction of many Asherah poles. (2 Kings 23)