Joshua and Judges The Israelites in the Holy Land

1. Joshua and JudgesThe Israelites in the Holy Land The Bible Course Document#: TX001078

2. Through the Wilderness • 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.

3. The Tabernacle

4. The Ark of the Covenant

5. A Time of Renewal – 40 Years of Wandering • Before setting out, the Israelites committed a great sin. • They Worshiped the Golden Calf • 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.

6. 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.

7. The Canaanites • 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

8. The Land of Canaan

9. “Joshua: God Is on Our Side” • The Battle of Jericho • The 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! • A pivotal moment is the taking of the small town of Jericho. • Joshua 5:13-15; 6: 1-27 • What is special about the Battle of Jericho? • They circle around the city for a week – the walls came tumbling down! static.artbible.info/large/jozua_amorieten.jpg

10. 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. “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) Image in public domain

11. Biblical Judges www.temkit.com • After Joshua’s death, the Israelites fall into a cycle of sin, calamity, repentance, and deliverance. • 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. www.uncutmountainsupply.com Image in publiv domain

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

13. 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. www.uncutmountainsupply.com

14. 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!

15. 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.

16. Success and Failure in the Books of Joshua and Judges • 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. Image in public domain

17. 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.