1. Introduction to the Bible Session 5: The Promised Land & God’s Good Purposes

2. Outline of this Unit The Promised Land (Geography) The Significance of the Land (Deuteronomy) The Conquest of the Land (Joshua) Rebellion in the Land (Judges) Move toward a monarchy (1 Samuel)

3. The promised land and God’s purposes The Bible begins on a cosmic note: God and his creation. But just as the focus narrows to Abraham and his descendents, so it soon rests on the small strip of land bounded on the east by the Jordan river, and on the west by the Mediterranean sea. Where?

4. Geography: Narrow strip 50-70km wide Between: Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Desert Babylonians + Assyrians and Egyptians Coastal plain, mountains, Jordan Valley run N-S Climate: Mediterranean Winter -rain, Summer – warm & dry

5. Deuteronomy

6. Deuteronomy Outline Introduction 1:1-5 Introduction 1:1-5 First address 1:6-4:43: First address 1:6-4:43: Survey of history from Sinai to Plains of Moab Survey of history from Sinai to Plains of Moab Second address 4:44-28:68 Second address 4:44-28:68 Reminder of God’s law Reminder of God’s law Starts with 10 commandments Starts with 10 commandments Ends with blessings and curses Ends with blessings and curses Third address 29-30 Third address 29-30 Covenant renewed Covenant renewed Choice of life or death, future hope beyond curse Choice of life or death, future hope beyond curse Moses final words and death 31-34 Moses final words and death 31-34 Includes song of Moses Includes song of Moses

7. The promised land and God’s purposes Why? Deuteronomy In Moses’ address in Deuteronomy, on the plains of Moab, we find out that the land is: i. God’s land (Deut 11:10-12) It was a land cared for by God, not human irrigation schemes. ii. A ‘good’ land (Deut 8:7-10) The point of the descriptions is not he natural fertility of the land, but the way in which this land is to be the place the blessing of God will be enjoyed. iii. The ‘promised’ land (Deut 9:4-6) The people are about to enter this land because of God’s faithfulness to his promise.

8. The promised land and God’s purposes Why? Deuteronomy In Moses’ address in Deuteronomy, on the plains of Moab, we find out that the land is: iv. God’s gift God is to give the land ‘as your inheritance’ – something owned but not earned. v. The place of ‘blessing’ (Deut 7:13-15) The life of blessing can be summed up as ‘rest’. vi. The place of ‘obedience’ Those who receive God’s gracious GIFT must respond with OBEDIENCE. Redemption is for relationship with God. vii. The other possibility (Deut 30:15-20) Their choice include the possibility of turning away from God, the consequences of which are ‘curse’ rather than ‘blessing’.

10. Deuteronomy: Conditional or unconditional? Unconditional Promises Unconditional Promises God saved Israel because he loved them and because of his promises to their ancestors (7:7-8) God saved Israel because he loved them and because of his promises to their ancestors (7:7-8) He would bring them into the land now because of the wickedness of the people living there (9:4-6) He would bring them into the land now because of the wickedness of the people living there (9:4-6) Conditional Promises Conditional Promises Blessings (28:1-14) Blessings (28:1-14) The blessings are conditional on obedience. The blessings are conditional on obedience. Curses (28:15-68) Curses (28:15-68) Disobedience & idolatry would result in curse. Disobedience & idolatry would result in curse. Bringing them together Bringing them together God’s unconditionally promised to give the land to Israel. God’s unconditionally promised to give the land to Israel. But for obedience was necessary for them to enjoy the gift. But for obedience was necessary for them to enjoy the gift. Israel would forfeit the land temporarily through disobedience. Israel would forfeit the land temporarily through disobedience. But God would still keep his promise to Abraham. But God would still keep his promise to Abraham. He would eventually do it by changing people’s hearts so that obedience is possible (30:1-6) He would eventually do it by changing people’s hearts so that obedience is possible (30:1-6)

11. Joshua

13. Joshua The promised land and God’s purposes how? The leadership of the people has passed to Joshua. Whilst Moses was the channel of God’s revelation to his people, Joshua’s leadership begins with his obedience of all that is written down. His leadership is new, different; it is political and military.

14. Joshua The promised land and God’s purposes how? In the book of Joshua, we find: (i) Promises fulfilled Although the conquest of the land is not yet complete, the emphasis of the book is on the fulfilment of God’s promises. (ii) Response of obedience As at Mt Sinai, the people affirm their initial eagerness. And at the conclusion of Joshua, we see a people who have received what God has promised and serve him (at this stage).

15. Joshua Read Joshua 23:14-16 and Joshua 24. a. What is the point of Joshua ’ s survey of Israel ’ s history in v1-13? b. What is the fundamental response required by God in v14-15 (see Ex 20:1-3)? c. Why is Joshua cautious about the response of the Israelites in v16-20? c. Why is Joshua cautious about the response of the Israelites in v16-20?

16. Excurses: The Slaughter of the Canaanites & the Justice of God The Command (Deuteronomy 7:1-6) The Command (Deuteronomy 7:1-6) 4 considerations: 4 considerations: God is just God is just Genesis 15:16 Genesis 15:16 Deuteronomy 9:4-6 Deuteronomy 9:4-6 Justice is being done on a macro level. Justice is being done on a macro level. God is capable of making adjustments on an individual level at the final judgement. God is capable of making adjustments on an individual level at the final judgement. God’s character of justice is seen in both the Old and New Testaments God’s character of justice is seen in both the Old and New Testaments Christians are not called to war Christians are not called to war Ancient Israel was God’s instrument in executing his judgement Ancient Israel was God’s instrument in executing his judgement Our warfare is not physical (Ephesians 6:12) Our warfare is not physical (Ephesians 6:12) Religion is no protection against God’s judgement. Religion is no protection against God’s judgement.

17. Judges

18. Judges Read Judges 2v11-23 What recurring pattern do we see? What recurring pattern do we see? What are the elements in the pattern? What are the elements in the pattern? Is this pattern a one-off, or can you think of any other examples in the Bible? Is this pattern a one-off, or can you think of any other examples in the Bible? Can you think of equivalent patterns today? Can you think of equivalent patterns today?

19. Judges The promised land and God’s purposes What (next) ? The faithfulness of Joshua’ generation was short lived! The next generation did exactly what their forefathers had sworn NOT to do. There is a cycle of events, or a recurring pattern through the book of Judges:

20. Judges The promised land and God’s purposes What (next) ? Israel sins God’s judgement Israel repents God sends a judge (saviour) Period of peace & prosperity

22. 1 Samuel

23. Movement towards a monarchy 1 Samuel Read Gen 49v10; Deut 17v14-20; 1 Sam 8 & 12 What is the place of the monarchy in God ’ s purposes? What is the place of the monarchy in God ’ s purposes? Is it basically good, or basically bad, (or what)? Is it basically good, or basically bad, (or what)?

24. The promised land and God’s purposes 1 Samuel And then? Samuel was the last of the ‘judges’, but also described as a prophet. His notable role was in relation to the first two kings of Israel – Saul & David. In the book of 1 Samuel: we seewhich shows 1. The demand for a king The elders of Israel requested that God appoint for them a KING ‘such as all the other nations have’ (vv. 4-5) The rejection of the Lord’s kingship over them (vv. 6-8). Another instance of the people’s sinfulness!

25. The promised land and God’s purposes 1 Samuel And then? we seewhich shows 2. The possible future (1 Samuel 12) The king and the people may choose to follow the Lord. God’s faithfulness. Samuel goes from the last of the judges to the 1st prophet for the king. 3. The failure of Saul (1 Samuel 15) Saul failed to live up to the expectations of 1 Samuel 12:24-25. Saul’s rejection of God. The consequence of Saul’s rebellion was God’s rejection of Saul as king over Israel (v23b).

26. The promised land and God’s purposes 1 Samuel And then? we seewhich shows 4. The choice of David (1 Samuel 16) The sequel to the rejection of Saul is God’s appointment of David as king. God’s sovereign choice. The initiative comes from God this time: his choice of the youngest, smallest of Jesse’s sons! The land of Palestine has not proved to be the place of ultimate blessing because Israel has continually been unfaithful to God. The purpose of God to bless his people has taken the form of his choosing David to sit on Israel’s throne.