Joshua and Judges The Israelites in the Holy Land The Bible Course Document#: TX001078

To the Promised Land Led by God, and the Ark of the Covenant What is the Ark of the Covenant? This was a special box which contained the actual Law which was written by the finger of God. This box was where the physical presence of God would rest! A “Dwelling Place” is made for God! We call this the Tabernacle. It was a movable tent that could travel with the Israelites. It was like a portable Church! God would appear in the Tabernacle as the Mysterious “Glory” – a fiery and thunderous cloud. The Israelites always knew when God was physically present by seeing the cloud.

The Tabernacle

The Ark of the Covenant

A Time of Renewal – 40 Years of Wandering Before setting out, the Israelites committed a great sin. –They Worshiped the Golden Calf. As Moses was receiving The Law! So, they needed to be taught what it meant to be Holy. –It takes 40 YEARS! –What is the significance of 40? Remember, 40 is a number of renewal and transition. While the Israelites wander in the desert, they learn how to be more like God. We have to learn how to be God’s people.

Joshua – Coming into the Promised Land Joshua was the successor to Moses who led the Israelites into Canaan, the Promised Land. Joshua is Blessed by God! If Joshua continues to be faithful to the Law, God Promises to be with Joshua like God was with Moses.

FYI - The Canaanites (Don’t Take NOTES!) There were already a people living in Canaan – The Canaanites. The Canaanites had lived there for thousands of years, and so would not give up their land without a fight. The Canaanites were a sophisticated people, who had a complex economy and religious system. –It’s hard to tell how different the Early Israelites were from Canaanites. –worshiped a variety of gods and goddesses –Their main gods were Astarte and Baal

The Land of Canaan

Joshua: “God Is on Our Side” The Battle of Jericho They do receive some help from locals. For example, Rehab hides Israelite spies at Jericho. For this, she is spared from the destruction. Local Canaanites heard about Yahweh’s miracles in Egypt, and now they’re afraid! They circle around the city for a week, led by the Ark of the Covenant – the walls came tumbling down! static.artbible.info/large/jozua_amorieten.jpg

Joshua’s Undying Devotion to God Joshua models a true commitment to the Covenant with God. He demonstrates to the Israelites that when they remain true to the Covenant, God will abundantly bless them. Read Joshua 1- What will make Joshua successful? “As for me and my household, we will serve the L ORD.” (Joshua 24:15) Image in public domain

Biblical Judges After Joshua’s death, the Israelites fall into a cycle of sin, calamity, repentance, and deliverance. All about the covenant! The Book of Judges is a series of short stories about human leaders’ accomplishing God’s will. The time of the Judges was from 1200 to 1000 BC. There are twelve heroic yet flawed leaders in the Bible who are considered judges. Judges = leader of the people. Image in publiv domain

The Role of the Biblical Judges Settle disputes with their own tribe and between tribes Lead the military defense against outside invaders Challenge Israel to remain faithful to God and the Covenant Image in public domain Gideon Deborah Samson

Deborah One of the Great Women of the Old Testament. –Constantly reminding the Israelites to keep the Covenant. –As usual, the Israelites fail and are conquered by the Philistines. She rallies the people and helps raise an army. People have their doubts, but Deborah insists that they have faith in God. –God sends a thunder storm, which helped the Israelites defeat the enemy.

Samson Born to an old and barren woman. When he was born he was dedicated to God. –This kind of person was called a Nazirite. They make vows not to cut their hair, or drink strong drink. An Angel told his mother that he would be a great hero and stand against the Philistines. –God promised Samson great strength. Samson struggles against the Philistines. –They kill his first wife (a philistine woman), and he remarries another philistine woman named Delilah. Delilah was paid by the Philistine leaders to find out how to defeat him. –Eventually, Delilah learns that she must cut Samson’s hair! Image in publiv domain

Samson cont… Delilah cuts Samson’s hair, and he looses his strength. Then, the Philistines come and put him in prison. BUT! His hair grows back in prison. And one day, Samson was brought from his cell and chained between two columns– to mock him while they celebrated their pagan festival. –Samson prays to God for strength, and pushes the columns that held up the temple: destroying the Philistines along with himself.

Success and Failure in the When the Israelites were faithful to their Covenant with God, they experienced military success. When the Israelites were disobedient to the Covenant, they experienced military defeat. Books of Joshua and Judges Image in public domain

How can a “God of love” wage such a savage and brutal war? It is important to remember that the words in the Sacred Scriptures are conditioned by the language and culture of the Israelites. The metaphor of God as a warrior provided the Israelites with a sense of security. God freed them from the clutches of Pharaoh and would lead them into battle in the Promised Land. For the Israelites, war was a holy act to fulfill the promise God made to the fathers and mothers.