The Journey Takes New Shape

~ A People at Home ~

CHAPTER FIVE

- This chapter will cover the history of the Israelites from the time they came to Palestine to the beginning of the monarchy around 1050 B.C.

- Deuteronomic History: Six historical books including oral and written stories edited into books

Introduction

1.) Joshua

2.) Judges

3.) 1 Samuel

5.) 1 Kings

6.) 2 Kings

4.) 2 Samuel

Deuteronomic History

- Reflects influence of Martin Noth

• Thesis stated that six historical books were six parts of one long work

• Similar to how Luke and Acts were originally two parts of one written volume

Introduction

Regulations found only in Deuteronomy:

Astrology, the worship of stars, is forbidden

3.) Celebrating the Passover is legally required among all Israelites

The Temple is the only acceptable location for sacrifice on the face of the earth

Introduction

- Clear relationship between the book of Deuteronomy and the six books that make up Deuteronomic History

- Deuteronomy influenced writing of historical books

- Told in the books of Joshua and Judges

- Settlement was a conquest

• Joshua was put in charge after Moses died

• He became a military leader and led the Israelite army to a conquest of Jericho

Events of Settlement

Events of Settlement

- The prostitute Rahab is a central character in the fall of Jericho

-Fall of Jericho shows how the Israelites should depend on God over their own strength and abilities

- When the Israelites have faith, God takes care of them

Joshua and Judges

- Both contain accounts of battles, biographies of soldiers, and details of conquest of Palestine

- God is actively involved in military campaigns

- When Israelites are faithful, they are rewarded with victory

Events of Settlement

Israelite Warfare Traditions:

- Ideas of war in early Israel

• The Lord will fight for Israel, not only with Israel’s warriors (Egyptian defeat in Red Sea)

- Miracle Warfare = Divine Warfare

• The people asked for a king, rejecting God as king and he no longer fought their battles

- Later periods return to conventional warfare

Events of Settlement

Exploits of the Judges

- Judges were leaders spiritually selected by God to lead the tribal peoples

- Function of the Judges:

• Military Leadership

• Settled political disputes

• Reminded people to turn to God

Deborah:

- Successfully called a war where Israel was victorious

- Heralded in the famous “Song of Deborah”

- Prophetess and a judge

Exploits of the Judges

Gideon:

- Came from a poor family, but God led him to become a judge

- He led victory over the Midianites

- Took gold and fashioned an ephod (idol)

• Shows how easily even a leader can be swayed away from God

- God brought a curse on Gideon’s sons

Exploits of the Judges

Samson:

- His weakness was foolish love for Delilah who betrayed him

- Infidelities caused loss of personal strength

- Israel’s infidelities caused a loss of their independence and power as a nation

Exploits of the Judges

Israel in Palestine

Reasons for leaving Canaan:

• Escape upheaval in the cities caused by invaders

• Climatic changes

• A response to poverty

- Bet Av (“House of the Father”)

• Basic social unit of a village in Israel

• Patriarchal household of extended family members

• Gathered into associations called clans

Israel in Palestine

• Deuteronomical History

• Miracle Warfare

• Just War Doctrine

• Judge

• Levirate Marriage

Vocabulary