Jesus Time!

The book of Joshua felt like a happily ever after kind of book. Judges was the complete opposite. Israel kept sinning and was consequently oppressed by foreign nations. They would then cry out to God who would mercifully send a judge to deliver them. This happened over and over as Israel grew farther and farther from God. The judges grew so corrupt that they no longer knew His ways, and eventually didn’t even know Him. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

After God’s promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, 400 years of slavery in Egypt, deliverance and 40 years in the desert, Israel finally enters the promise land! There is a transition in leadership, many battles, and distribution of the land to each tribe. God is so faithful.

Right before entering the promise land, Moses tells this new generation everything that God has commanded. The laws, festivals, and practices are to help God’s people flourish in the land He’s giving them. Through Moses, God lays out blessings of obedience and curses of disobedience. Knowing they will end up turning away from God, He’s still implores them to choose life.

After all of the Egypt-freed Israelites died in the desert, and the new generation is about to take the promised land! Before they go in, though, Moses begins with a few of several speeches to prepare them. God repeats himself over and over in chapters 1 through 11, because the Israelites, like us, are a forgetful people.

Grumbling, complaining, rebellion, oh my! The book of Numbers takes place throughout the desert. It is the time between Egypt and the promised land. God is forging his people and getting Egypt out of their hearts.

This book of the Law is not just a set of rules. God speaks DIRECTLY to Moses and through Moses to His people from chapter 1-27. These statutes, procedures, offerings, and festivals are not God’s way to make it hard for His people to get to Him. They are His way to make it possible.

Finishing up the book of Exodus, we see God‘s detailed instructions to His people, so that He can dwell with them. He filled Bezalel and a Oholiab with His Spirit so that they could accomplish every detail and teach others to do the same. The book ends with God’s glory filling the temple and being with His people throughout their whole desert journey!

After 400 years of hard labor, God delivers the Israelites from the Egyptians. Through their discouragement, doubt, and grumbling, God continues to provide for them and create a space where He can be with His people and they can worship Him. Don’t miss 30 chapters of Exodus summarized in 20 minutes!

The story of Joseph is so familiar, but I don’t want us to miss the sweetness and presence of God throughout. We’ll also look at a couple of other characters— Judah and Moses— and see how faithful God is despite their weakness, sin, and doubt.

In Genesis 11-35 we see three generations of God’s promises, people being stupid, and God being faithful despite that stupidity.