Session 2D The People and the Land in the Old Testament …continue Pt 7

3) CONTEXT: How Geography plays a part in understanding theology “…history itself in many respects is inseparably bound by and subject to the limitations of geography.” Barry J. Beitzel

אֶךֶץ ’erets • land, earth earth land (country, territory , district, region , tribal territory , piece of ground , land of Canaan, Israel , inhabitants of land , Sheol, land without return, (under) world , city (-state) ) 1c) ground, 1d) people of the land. space or distance of country (in measurements of distance), level or plain country,land of the living, end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) , lands, countries , often in contrast to Canaan

“There was therefore an inextricable and vital interconnection between landlessness and hopelessness. Alternatively, it was the whole notion of ‘land,’ and, more important, being in possession of it, that became at once a powerful medium to display God’s mighty acts, and through which his promises might be realized by Israel. Furthermore, monarchic, Messianic, and eschatological expectations cannot be dissociated from, and often find their context precisely within, the concept of ‘land.’” Barry Beitzel

Introduction to Historical Books & Joshua Session # 3A Introduction to Historical Books & Joshua

LATTER PROPHETS TORAH WRITINGS HISTORICAL (17) POETICAL (5) PROPHETICAL (17) LAW (5) Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs MAJOR (5) Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel HISTORICAL (12) Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther MINOR (12) Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Latter Prophets Writings TORAH WRITINGS Former Prophets Writings HEBREW SCRIPTURE TORAH 2a. FORMER PROPHETS 2b. LATTER PROPHETS 3. WRITINGS LATTER PROPHETS

Historical Books Former Prophets Writings 1. Joshua 7. Ruth 2. Judges 8. 1 Chronicles 3. 1 Samuel 9. 2 Chronicles 4. 2 Samuel 10. Ezra 5. 1 Kings 11. Nehemiah 6. 2 Kings 12. Esther

CHRISTIAN OLD TESTAMENT: Historical Books (In chronological order) HISTORICAL CONTENT CHRISTIAN OLD TESTAMENT: Historical Books (In chronological order) HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Former Prophets HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Writings (Hagiographa) Conquest 1. Joshua   Pre-monarchy Judges 2. Judges 7. Ruth: Story of faithfulness in the midst of unfaithfulness Monarchy United Kingdom Saul 3. 1 Samuel 8. 1 Chronicles 9. 2 Chronicles (Retelling the story of the Kings from a theological hindsight) David 4. 2 Samuel Solomon 5. 1 Kings Divided Kingdom Israel in the north (922-722 BC) Judah in the south (922-586 BC) 6. 2 Kings Return: Rebuilding the People 10. Ezra Preservation of Jews in Persia 11. Esther Return: Rebuilding the Wall 12. Nehemiah

THE FORMER PROPHETS Why “Former Prophets?” They relate the early history of prophecy. They wrote the national history of Israel in the light of theological and prophetic interests. Relationship Between History and Prophecy Prophecy is not primarily futuristic, but concerned with obedience in time and space, in the here and now. Prophecy looks to the covenants of the PAST and interprets their significance for the PRESENT as well as FUTURE. The medium it uses to tie the PAST to the PRESENT is HISTORY.

THE FORMER PROPHETS Why “Former Prophets?” Jewish tradition believes that these historical books were indeed written by prophets.

c) General Statement on Authorship i) All of the historical books are actually anonymous. ii) The title of each book indicates subject matter of a particular book, and usually does not claim direct correspondence to authorships even though the key character for which the books are named may have been the source of most the materials that bears their names.

JOSHUA

A. TITLE c) The book is named for the principal character, Joshua, whose name means “the LORD is salvation” or “the LORD saves.”

2) THE PERSON OF JOSHUA Originally, his name was Hoshea, but Moses changed it to Joshua (Num 13:8, 16)

OUTLINE The defeat of the land (1—12) The distribution of the land (13—21) The dedication of the people to live in the land (22—24)

d. Overall Lesson from Joshua God is in control of events in history. Joshua 11:23 Joshua 21:43-45 The idea that God gave the land is found more than 50 times in the book. That it is a fulfillment of the land promised to Israel’s ancestors is also emphasized (11:23; 21:43- 45). In this way, God emerges as a trustworthy Sovereign, as one who keeps his promises. This is also emphasized in Joshua’s farewell speeches ( ch. 22-24).