After last week’s column, we need to delve into the historical books of Scripture to gain a better understanding of this special nation awaiting access to their Promised Land.
These books are pivotal in our developing compassion for God’s chosen people.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Joshua after the death of Moses. The Angel of the Lord commanded Joshua to “Be strong and courageous.”
That would become Joshua’s marching orders as the Israelites would cross the Jordan River and claim much of the land the Lord promised to Israel.
Over the next 30 years Joshua would lead the 12 tribes on one military conquest after another. The people who were presently occupying the Promised Land followed heinous practices and worshipped many gods.
For the remainder of the lives of Joshua and Caleb, the task at hand was to conquer and occupy one city at a time and live obedient lives pleasing to God Almighty.
There was only one hiccup along the way. Ai, the city attacked after Jericho, should have been easily subdue. Instead, they were handily defeated.
The Israelites soon learned that “sin in the camp” was not pleasing to God. The family of Achan and all his relatives would lose their lives over taking spoils from Jericho, and the Israelites would learn that God was quite aware of disobedience.
The Book of Judges presents more than 400 years of precarious disobedience in the Promised Land.
The theme throughout Judges shows us the disobedience of worshipping false idols and the unclean hearts of the people again and again as He sent judge after judge to deliver them from certain enemies within their borders.
More than a dozen deliverers were given the Spirit of God to defeat these enemies within. The final judge was Samuel who was also a prophet of the Lord.
Samuel was an effective judge over all Israel for many years, but the elders came to him and asked for a king like the surrounding nations.
This was not God’s will, but He gave them the king they wanted. They soon realized that this was not the answer to their needs, but the die had been cast.
After the unsuccessful reign of Saul, God blessed them with a shepherd named David. King David and his heirs would reign over the people of Israel for many generations.
The historical books — 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Ezra and Esther — are extremely valuable in presenting God’s special intimate relationship with the Jewish nation. Through the centuries they have been disciplined for their disobedience.
Next, we will visit the books of poetry and prophecy, which will show the Lord’s continued love of His people. I trust you are enjoying this journey.