Study Notes Ed Underwood Matthew Ketterling

Joshua: Conquest and Settlement of the Promised Land

“This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all that you do” (Joshua 1:8-9).

In the historical book that bears his name, Joshua succeeds Moses and leads the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob across the Jordan into the Promised Land. The Book of Joshua transitions the story of God’speopleIsraelfromthePentateuchtotherestoftheirhistory. Theauthor’spurposeistogivean official account of the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. Most conservative scholars feel Joshua wrote the book (24:26). As with several other Old Testament historical books, some later editor added a few statements and updated a few names.

Joshua leads the nation on three military campaigns spanning a period of seven years in the first half of the book (1:1-13:7). His forces meet and defeat over 30 enemy armies. The second half documents the settlement of the land of Canaan (13:8-22). This conquest and settlement is the dramatic fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. The book closes with Joshua’s final encouragements to the nation and his farewell address (23-24). Born a slave in Egypt, Joshua is God’s choice to lead His people out of the wilderness wanders into the blessing God truly wanted for Israel in the land.

To ensure that no Israelite would falsely conclude that the victories were due to Joshua’s abilities, Joshua’s name underscores the message of his book—the Lord is the Conqueror. Moses had changed his name from the Hoshea, “salvation” (Numbers 13:16 to Yehoshua (Numbers 13:16), “Yahweh Is Salvation.” He is also called Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua. This is the Hebrew equivalent to the Greek name Iesou (Jesus)—a constant reminder that deliverance comes only through the Lord.

The theme of Joshua is victory through obedient faith (1:8). We learn the importance of believing and acting on God’s Word. Of all the historical books only Joshua does not record a massive failure by Israel or its leadership. Joshua did everything the Lord told him to do (Joshua 11:15) and the Lord blessed the nation with complete victory (Joshua 11:23).

From Day-to-Day Survival to Kingdom Victories: Moving Forward by Foolish Faith

Joshua is the most positive book of the Old Testament. The reason is clear: This is the generation that believed and applied God’s Word to their lives. To the extent that they entrusted themselves to their God and His covenantal promises, they succeeded and prospered.

I. CONQUEST: Will this generation succeed where their father failed? Under Joshua’s genius leadership

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Messiah: A type of Christ—Joshua. Although there are no direct messianic prophecies in this historical book, Joshua is a type of Christ. His name Yeshua (“Yahweh Is Salvation”) is the Hebrew equivalent of the name Jesus. In his role of triumphantly leading his people into their possessions, he foreshadows the One who will bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 8:37). Joshua succeeds Moses and wins the victory unreached by Moses. Christ succeeds the Mosaic Law and wins the victory unreachable by the Law (John 1:17; Romans 8:2-4; Galatians 3:23-25; Hebrews 7:18-19).

A. PREPARING FOR BATTLE: God prepares His people for the warfare just ahead. First, spies are once again sent before the nation (this time, however, only two spies) bringing back a positive report. Then God demonstrates His power and establishes Joshua as leader when Israel crosses the flood stage-Jordan with dry sandals. Physical monuments set up as constant reminders of God’s

the nation’s faith and obedience bring unparalleled military success (1-13:7; 1:8-9; 11:23).

1
Geisler and T. Howe When Critics Ask, pg. 135-144; R. Wade God and the Canaanites on bible.org.

Resources on apologetic issues of Joshua: G. Archer Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, pg. 155-162; N.faithfulness and power. Finally, vulnerable to attack from Jericho, the men are circumcised and the nation celebrates the first Passover in the Land (1-5).

Messiah: A picture of redemption—Rahab’s scarlet cord (Joshua 2:21). The scarlet cord illustrates safety through the blood (Hebrews 9:19-22). Note: Rahab, a gentile woman, a harlot, is found in Christ’s genealogy (Matthew 1:5).

Messiah: The Preincarnate Christ—Commander of the army of the Lord (Joshua 5:15, Cf. Exodus 3:5). Joshua meets the Second Person of the Godhead who assures His general that the battle surely is the Lord’s!

B. DEFEATING THE ENEMY: Three military campaigns—central, southern, northern—unite obedience and faith to bring victory after victory. A disobedient sinner brings the only defeat at Ai and an unwise oath with the Gibeonites will force them to disobey the command to obliterate the Canaanites (6-13:7).

II. CONSOLIDATION (Settling): Joshua is growing old, and God tells His servant to divide the land among the twelve tribes. Much remains to be won. To complete the task, Joshua assigns territories to each individual tribe with instructions to possess the land completely (13:8-24:33; 24:24-25).

A. SETTLING THE LAND: The allocation of lands east and west of the Jordan fulfills God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-15). The amazing faith of Caleb shows as he asks for and receives the area promised him by Moses—Mount Hebron, a known Canaanite stronghold! Shiloh becomes the new center of Israel’s worship (13:8-21).

B. FIERCE OBEDIENCE: Civil war is narrowly avoided between the tribes west of the Jordan and those on the eastern shore (Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh). Confusing an altar set up by the eastern tribes intended to honor Yahweh for an altar to a foreign god, the western tribes arrive with the full Israeli army ready to right the perceived wrong. Thankfully, a brief conversation clarifies the confusion but we are given a glimpse at the seriousness of Israel’s obedience to God at this time (22).

III. SUCCESS IN THE LAND: Joshua reminds them of the simple formula for success—trust and obey the Lord. His moving words, “Choose you this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” cause the people to renew the covenant (23-24).

Two funerals and a burial! Along with the bodies of their two most prominent leaders that brought them into the Promised Land—Joshua and Eleazer—the nation buried the bones of Joseph, the greatest son of Jacob. What a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His promises (Genesis 50:24-25) during a difficult transition!

IV. Foolish Faith? God’s directions to take the first city (Jericho) are absurd from a military viewpoint. The Lord does this to teach His people that success in battle will always be by His power and not their own cleverness and might (chapter 6). Where is God asking you to follow His absurd instructions today? That is, what kingdom victories is God calling you to that can only be won through foolish faith?

A. Are you using “good caution” as a cover for unbelief? Are your calculations justifying disobedience?

Foolish Faith ceases to be foolish when the all of reality is accounted for (5:13-15)!

B. Is it really a matter of seeking greater clarity concerning God’s will or is it more an issue of faith in God’s power?

C. What is the specific act of foolish faith God is calling you to trust Him in order to gain this Kingdom Victory? Write out a plan of action with very real and measurable steps.

Conquest Period

Study Notes by Ed Underwood

“If you indeed obey the Lord your God and are careful to observe all his commandments I am giving you today, the Lord your God will elevate you above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you obey the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

The second major unit within the seventeen Historical Books is called either the Conquest Period, Pre- Kingdom Period. Since there is no king in Israel during the events recorded they are also referred to as the theocratic books. These three books—Joshua, Judges, and Ruth—record the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the division of Israel into the twelve tribes, the period of the judges, and the story of Ruth. After the death of Moses and then Joshua there were a series of minor leaders in Israel. In the next section, the Kingdom era we will meet the great King David. The events cover a time period of just over 350 years from the death of Moses (c. 1405 BC) to after the death of Samson (c. 1079 BC).

The narrative bridges the gap between Israel’s great lawgiver—Moses, and her first king—Saul. This is a period of great contrasts. Joshua is the most positive book of the Old Testament; Judges is the most negative. The history begins with great faith in Israel; it closes with almost no faith in Israel. But amazingly, there is faith in Moab!

Joshua, Judges, and Ruth: Victorious faith, disastrous unbelief, and amazing grace!

Most of the events recorded in these books occurred in Israel and Moab.

I. The History of the Period of Conquest: During the conquest and settlement of Canaan, then during her beginning years of existence, Israel was a true theocracy—a nation ruled by God. The success or failure of the nation depended on the degree of their conformity to God’s will. During times of obedience (Joshua) they found blessing. When they rebelled (Judges) disaster followed. Through it all, God always responded to the faith of the righteous (Ruth).

1. Israel conquers the land (Joshua, 25 years): Joshua links the Pentateuch to the rest of Israel’s history. This selective history of the conquest and settlement of the land proves that victory comes through faith in God and obedience to His will rather than mighty armies or strategic leadership (1:8- 9).

   1. Theseven-yearmilitarycampaign(threemilitarycommands,thirtyenemies—Joshua1-12). 2. Thedivisionandsettlementoftheland(twelvetribes—Joshua13-24).

2. Israel fails in the land (Judges, about 350 years): During the time of the Judges life the new nation falls into chaos due to consistent disobedience and idolatry. Rather than listening to God the people began thinking for themselves (21:25). In spite of miraculous local deliverances from oppressors under the judges, the nation refuses to turn to their God.

   1. God’speopledeteriorate(Judges1-3a)). 2. God’speopledisciplined(Judges3b-16). 3. God’speopledepraved(Judges17-21)

C. God finds faith in Moab (Ruth, 30 years during the period of the Judges): An intriguing love story of devotion and faithfulness in the midst of chaos, war, immorality and idolatry. A Moabite widow leaves her homeland to live with her widowed mother-in-law in Bethlehem. God rewards her by guiding her to kinsman who redeems her and marries her (3:11). Astonishingly God grafts her into the family of Israel and the line of Messiah! Ruth is King David’s great-grandmother.

1. Ruth’sloveforGoddemonstrated(Ruth1-2). 2. Ruth’sloveforGodrewarded(Ruth3-4).

II. The Contrasts of the Conquest Period reveals a clear message: God blesses His obedient people, disciplines His disobedient people, and responds to faith no matter who it comes from.

BOOK

KEY TERM

GOD’S WORK

GOD’S ROLE

GOD’S PEOPLE

JOSHUA JUDGES RUTH

Victory Defeat Redemption

Fights For Israel Disciplines Israel Teaches Israel

Protector Disciplinarian Rewarder

Inherit the Promise Abuse the Promise Share the Promise

 

Joshua

   

Judges

   

Ruth

 

God responds to the faith of His people with loving blessing.

God responds to the unbelief of His people with loving discipline.

God responds to faith wherever He finds it.

1. Living by faith is daily and lifelong! Yesterday’s faith, though meaningful to God and you, will not carry you through today. Who would have imagined that the Book of Judges would follow the victories of Joshua? (Colossians 2:6-7)

   Are God’s mercies to you still new every morning? Or would you have to admit you’re living off the fumes of faith from years gone by?

2. Loving discipline is part of the Christian life! Imagine if God would have let Israel “get away” with their idolatry and rebellion? (Hebrews 12:5-11)

   Are you trying to “get away” with a sinful lifestyle? Could it be that God wants you to connect the circumstances of your life with His loving discipline?

3. Pedigrees—there are none in the family of faith! (Philippians 3:1-11; Galatians 3:28) God responds to faith not bloodlines. There are no barriers to promotions in His church.

   Are you a “have” when it comes to Christian pedigree? How can you make the most of the blessing of a Christian heritage?

   Are you a “have-not” when it comes to Christian pedigree? How can you begin to build a Christian heritage for those you will leave behind?

 

“Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and statutes that I am giving you today for your own good” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

Deuteronomy closes out the Pentateuch with Moses’ farewell address to his beloved people. It presents the law to the new generation, but in an expanded version from the teachings at Sinai. With 38 years of experience in leading the nation, Moses re-teaches the children of those who failed to trust and obey God at Kadesh. Seasoned by the wilderness wanderings, Israel’s 120-year-old deliverer and leader preaches three messages before handing off leadership to Joshua. The descendants of Jacob had learned that they were God’s special people (Genesis); they had experienced the delivering power of their redeeming God (Exodus); discovered that He is a holy God (Leviticus) who demands the trust that leads to obedience (Numbers).

Now, poised just east of Jericho, they re-receive the detailed instructions on every aspect of life formerly delivered through Leviticus. But this time the emphasis is on the people rather than the priests, and the practical aspects rather than the principles. The primary difference is the insight that obedience to God flows from love for God. The word love occurs 22 times, whereas the word obey occurs only 10 times. This basic lesson—love for God is expressed in obedience to God—is highlighted in three ways. First, through the history of the exodus generation as Moses reviews their wanderings (1-4). Second, through a review of the law (5-26). And, finally through a renewing of the covenant (27-34).

Much like the Gospel of John supplements the synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke— Deuteronomy supplements the first four books of the Pentateuch. It completes the history from God’s perspective by giving the spiritual significance of the events. And like John’s Gospel, Deuteronomy retells the story emphasizing God’s love. The lesson from Deuteronomy is clear. God’s instructions come from His loving heart. Obey Him because you love Him. This emphasis on God’s love (4:37, 7:7-8, 10:15, 23:5) made it the Lord Jesus’ favorite Old Testament book. He quoted Deuteronomy more than any other.

The theme of Deuteronomy is the need to obey God because you trust His love. The lessons from the past are placed in the context of the loving relationship between God and His people. “Beware lest you forget” is a repeated warning. This new generation was unfamiliar with the experiences of Mt. Sinai. Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things: (1) God’s love for them motivated His commands, and (2) their love for God should motivate their obedience to Him (Deuteronomy 4:1-6).

th
Deuteronomy follows the outline of the vassal treaties of the 15 century B.C. Israel, about to enter the

Promised Land, knows that disobedience will bring discipline but obedience will lead to blessing in the land.

I. HISTORY: Moses’ first sermon reviews their recent history with spiritual insight. For forty years they had wandered and died. Now with the passing of the unbelieving generation, God has led the nation in great victories over Sihon and Og, bringing them back to the threshold of blessing east of the Jordan. But before they enter the land they must learn a crucial lesson—obedience brings victory and blessing while disobedience results only in defeat and judgment (1-4).

II. HOLINESS: Moses’ second sermon (which extends through chapter 26) contains many of the same commands previously received at Mount Sinai. Every aspect of life is again addressed so that only a holy people would possess the land (5-26).

Deuteronomy: Obey your holy God because you trust His love!

1. MORAL DUTIES: Moses begins with the basics—the Ten Commandments—and then gives the Great Commandment (6:4-6) and urges parents to teach these faithfully to their children (6:6-9). There is urgency in Moses’ request. The Promised Land remains to be conquered and enjoyed. God is looking for a generation of obedient people to bless because they trust His love (5-11; 10:12-13).

2. CEREMONIAL DUTIES: More detailed regulations govern everyday life. Religious life must reflect the holiness of God. Every hint at idolatrous influences, and every uncleanness must be avoided and purged from the life of God’s people. National worship is to be holy and pure (12-16).

3. CIVIL DUTIES: Holiness should not be practiced in the Tabernacle only. Justice, truthfulness, and humane treatment must prevail (17-26).

Messiah: A type of Christ—Moses. Moses was like Christ in his service as the redeemer and shepherd of his people (Hebrews 3:2) and in his office as a prophet (Deuteronomy 34:10 and Luke 24:19). Deuteronomy 18:15 is a direct prophecy of a coming Prophet fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. The Jews expected a Prophet and the Messiah—two distinct persons (John 1:20-21, 7:40-41). The Christians realized that both came together in the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22-23).

III.HORIZONS: Moses’ final sermon speaks of new and exciting horizons for the future. He lays out the near future in a repetition of the blessings and cursings (27-28; Cf. Leviticus 26). Moses envisions the distant future in the prediction of their future dispersion among the nations and their eventual return. Dramatically, Moses delivers the challenge: “I have set before you life and death...choose life.” The covenant is renewed and Joshua takes over for the great hero of Israel. God Himself buries Moses in an unknown place, perhaps to prevent idolatry (27-34; 30:19-20).

1. RENEWING THE COVENANT: The time for recommitment to the covenant has come. Two chapters review the covenant; two chapters affirm the covenant. This is the Palestinian Covenant (30:1-8), which defines the borders of the land originally promised to Abraham (Genesis 12-15). This Covenant promises unconditional ownership of the land but warns that possession is conditioned upon obedience (27-30).

2. REPLACING A HERO: With the covenant re-established and the nation poised at the Jordan River, Moses’ service to the Lord is complete. After pronouncing blessings on each tribe, Moses climbs Mount Nebo for a final glimpse of the Promised Land. He would enter the Promised Land 1400 years later when he appears with His Messiah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, 31-34).

IV. God’s people must pass their faith on to the next generation by letting them know that the choice is between life and death (30:19-20).

1. Obedience to God should be taught in the context of trusting His love!

   Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength (6:4-6).

   “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and statutes that I am giving you today for your own good” (10:12-13).

2. Teaching trust and obedience to God begins at home!

   These words I am commanding you today and must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children, and speak of them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearms and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates (6:6-9).

“For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, and you are to be holy because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).

Leviticus records the teaching of God through Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai during the month between God’s occupation of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:16, 34-38) and the taking of the census at Sinai (Numbers 1:1-3). The descendants of Jacob had learned that they were God’s special people (Genesis), and they had experienced the delivering power of their redeeming God (Exodus). Now, in an intense one-month course on holiness, God will teach the Exodus generation about His holy character and how to relate to their holy God. The account is selective according to Moses’ purpose to teach Israel how to fulfill the responsibility of the Mosaic Covenant by becoming a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6; Leviticus 26:5). (See Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative, p. 323)

Leviticus is God’s handbook for his newly redeemed people, instructing them how to worship and serve Him. Unlike the gods of Egypt or the gods of the pagan peoples they are set apart from, their God is holy. Relating to a holy God creates a problem—sin is a barrier to ongoing intimacy with a holy God. The chapters naturally divide into two sections. The first section (1-17) teaches how a sinful people are to approach a holy God—through the blood sacrifice that atones for their sin. The word atonement occurs 45 times in the book. The second section (18-27) shows them how to walk with a holy God—by trusting Him enough to do what He says. It’s called obedience.

The theme of Leviticus is holiness: “You are to be holy because I am holy (11:45; 19:2). The word holiness occurs 87 times in 27 chapters! The object lessons for God’s redeemed people of the church age are clear: Sin is horrible; God is holy. Those approaching a holy God need a sacrifice to cleanse them from sin (1 John 1:5-10). Those walking with a holy God need to worship Him through obedience (1 Peter 1:15- 16; Romans 12:1-2):

Leviticus may not apply to our lives in the particulars of God’s demands on Israel (Mosaic Covenant), but it is a great presentation of the character of our God and His desire to bless His obedient people.

I. APPROACHING A HOLY GOD: The redeemed must be holy when they approach God. Holiness means cleansing from every sin and requires sacrificial blood offerings through a mediating priesthood (1-17; key verse, 17:11).

1. SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS: Five different offerings an Israelite could offer: three for those in fellowship with God (sweet savor—burnt, meal, peace) and two for those out of fellowship (non- sweet savor—sin, trespass) (1-7).

2. MEDIATING PRIESTHOOD: After the sacrifices come the divine requirements for the priests who offer them. Aaron and his four sons are instructed and consecrated for seven days. The disobedience and death of two of Aaron’s sons bring more restrictions on the priesthood (8-10).

Messiah: A type of Christ—the priest. The priest speaks to God for men. The Aaronic priest had to be a man chosen by God and qualified for his work to offer sacrifices for the people (Leviticus 21; Hebrews 5:1- 7). Though Christ was chosen by God and fully qualified to offer His once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:23-26), being from the tribe of Judah disqualified Him from being an Aaronic priest. Christ is a Melchizedekan priest. Like Melchizedek He is a ruler who deserves our obedience. He blesses us. And as Melchizedek offered bread and wine to refresh and sustain Abraham after the battle, our Lord as Priest refreshes and sustains His people. We have a great High Priest standing and ready to come to the aid of those who are tested (Hebrews 2:18) and anxious to give grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

  Leviticus: God’s redeemed must relate to Him as their holy God.

C. NATIONAL PURIFYING: Being a holy people demands a holy lifestyle. Laws regarding uncleanness caused by animals, birth, leprosy, and discharges regulate every aspect of life to prevent uncleanness. The word “unclean” occurs over 100 times in these chapters! The people find that disobedience and defilement is no small matter with God (11-15).

D. NATIONAL CLEANSING: The great Day of Atonement observed each year was Israel’s most significant day of worship. On that day the nation gathered to watch expectantly as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of atonement to cover the sins of the nation for another year (16-17).

Messiah: A type of Christ—atonement. The arrangements of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament included the necessity of the offerer laying his hands on the animal being offered as a sacrifice. The animal’s death took the place of the death due the one offering that animal. The animal suffered as a substitute for the sinner, instead of the sinner, resulting in the advantage to the sinner by paying for our sins. Clearly, according to His own teaching (Mark 10:45) and that of the rest of the New Testament, Christ’s death was a substitution for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).

II. WALKING WITH A HOLY GOD: The redeemed must live a holy life if they are to enjoy and worship God. Holiness means avoiding sin and following God’s guidance (18-27; key verses, 20:7-8).

1. SANCTIFYING THE PEOPLE: God’s strict guidelines for living reflect His desire that His people be holy and uniquely His. Sexual and social sins must be punished promptly to promote obedience among the people (19-20).

2. SANCTIFYING THE PRIESTHOOD: Because of their high calling, the priests accepted more restrictions on their conduct and privileges. Attention to detail in their daily duties was demanded since these reflected God’s goodness in His dealings with His people (21-22).

3. SANCTIFYING THE WORSHIP: Seven annual feasts provided the people with a yearly opportunity to look back and look ahead: look back upon the great epochs in their national history, and look ahead to the time when Messiah would come to fulfill the events pictured in the feasts (23).

Messiah: A type of Christ—Israel’s Feasts speak of the glorious career of Christ.

1. SANCTIFYING THE PROMISED LAND: Conversation and conduct in the land must be holy. Profanity is dealt with severely. Periods of rest should never be neglected (Sabbath rest, Sabbath year, Year of Jubilee). And the conditions and requirements for blessings or discipline of the people is clearly delineated. Note: The prophets will refer back to the blessing/cursing chapter, Chapter 26 of Leviticus (see also Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy) (24-26).

2. SANCTIFYING THROUGH VOWS: Dedicating their lives and resources to the Lord, some Israelites would take special vows. Everyone was to vow one-tenth of the increase of the land to God (27).

III. Redeemed people must claim God’s provision for sin to approach Him and claim God’s power over sin to walk with Him.

1. God has never asked His people to “take care of their sin” to approach Him. But He does insist that His people admit their sin and trust in His provision for sin to approach Him (1 John 1:5-10).

2. God has never asked His people to “make themselves holy” but He has asked them to trust Him enough to obey Him as His set apart people (1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 12:1-2).

3. Leviticus teaches the need for intense times of spiritual formation, especially for the newly redeemed.

“Then Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty (evidence of steadfast commitment, righteousness).” (Genesis 15:6)

Genesis provides the historical foundation for the entire Bible and the basis for the Pentateuch. Moses, the author (Matthew 19:8; Mark 7:10), traces the history of the universe from God’s perspective. The account is selective according to Moses’ purpose to encourage the Israelites assembled on the Plains of Moab to trust in their faithful and omnipotent God enough to conquer the Promised Land.

The events Moses records in Genesis take the reader from Eden to Egypt and cover thousands of years from Creation to Abram’s family (1-11) and then the 300 years from Abram’s covenant with God to the death of Joseph (12-50).

Moses moves the story forward through the phrase “the generations of” (toledot in Hebew, and translated “the account” or “record). It divides the book 10 times (36:9 repeats 36:1) beginning with the person named, who may not be the primary character of the section, and closes with that persons death (2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10; 11:27; 25:12; 25:19; 36:1; 37:1).

Genesis introduces the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) as God’s solution to a self-destructing humanity bent on devastating destruction. The first eleven chapters surface the desperate need of the Covenant. The remaining chapters unfold the outworking of the covenant through the lives of the four Patriarchs of the Hebrew faith—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

God is the luminary of Genesis as the narrative reveals His place in the origin of the universe and the birth and life of the believing community He powerfully and faithfully delivers. Of His own choice and due only to His love and mercy, He established Israel as the means of blessing the undeserving families of the earth in response to Abrahams’ faith.

Imagine the impact this view of history had on the children of the generation that refused to believe God at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 14). Far more than a gaggle of slaves slinking back home. Moses wanted them to see themselves as the chosen people of the living God with a glorious and eternal destiny! Genesis, the book of beginnings, has encouraged believers since the post-Exodus generation by providing God’s exciting perspective on their role in history:

Genesis is a theological presentation of selected facts and stories from history to expose humanity’s disastrous revolt against our Creator and His merciful response.

I. Genesis provides the historical basis for God’s covenant with His people and reveals the basic principles involved in God’s relationship with all people of all time.

A. HUMAN HISTORY: Genesis 1-11 proves the necessity for the covenant setting apart a special people, Israel, in a special land, Canaan, to worship Him. Two antithetical dynamics of God’s gracious provision for humanity and humanity’s totally rebellious and disastrous response are demonstrated in four primeval events, leaving humanity hopelessly enslaved to sin.

1. CREATION: God, seeking relationship with man, graciously and lovingly provides everything he needs for intimacy with Him—paradise, partner, purpose (1-2).

2. FALL: Man and woman, seeking independence and rejecting God’s love and care, sin and die spiritually, separating the race from God as sin’s destructive power rapidly pollutes every aspect of life (3-5).

Messiah: A glimmer of light, a thread of hope. In spite of the curse of the Fall, God promises hope for redemption through the seed of the woman (3:15).

Genesis: People of God, trust in your all-powerful and faithful Lord.

1. FLOOD: Sin’s exponential and cancerous growth brings a cleansing judgment to save humanity—a new beginning with a righteous man, Noah, and his family (6-9).

2. NATIONS: At the Fall, one couple rebelled against God. The fresh start fails as now the entire world civilization rebels against God’s love and care at the Tower of Babel. To throttle evil God fragments the single culture and language of the world and scatters people over the face of the earth (10-11).

B. HEBREW HISTORY: The decadence of humanity led to a necessary election of a people descended from one man of faith—Abraham. He would be the first of four great men (Patriarchs) who trust God. God promises to build a nation by faith, a nation through whom He will redeem the world from sin and bless all nations (12-50).

1. ABRAHAM: God calls Abraham; Abraham believes God; God makes covenant promises to Abraham (land, descendants, and blessings). The faith and covenants of Abraham form the foundation to God’s program of bringing salvation upon the earth (12-25).

2. ISAAC: God establishes His covenant with the son of promise—Isaac not Ishmael. Isaac would be the child of faith and blessing (25-26).

3. JACOB: God establishes His covenant with the second, ambitious son of Isaac—Jacob, not Esau. He transforms this man from selfishness to servanthood and his name to Israel, the father of twelve tribes. Every descendant of Jacob would inherit the promises to Abraham and Isaac (27-36).

4. JOSEPH: God protects His covenant people through the faith of Jacob’s favorite son—Joseph. A type of Christ, loved by the father and rejected by his brethren, Joseph becomes their deliverer. His brothers deliver him to slavery in Egypt. After his dramatic rise to rulership of Egypt, Joseph delivers his family from famine and brings them out of Canaan to Goshen (37-50).

Messiah: A glimmer of light, a thread of hope. In spite of the miserable failure of Jacob’s sons, Shiloh, the One who brings peace to the world and before whom the entire world will bow, will be a descendant of Judah (49:10).

“In the unfolding of this grand program of God, Genesis introduces the reader to the nature of God as the sovereign Lord over the universe who will move heaven and earth to establish His will. He seeks to bless mankind, but does not tolerate disobedience and unbelief. Throughout His revelation the reader learns that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God’ (Hebews 11:6).” Allen P. Ross, Genesis, p. 21

II. The God of the Bible moved heaven and earth so that He could relate to those who believe in Him—to love them and care for them as their omnipotent God.

1. Genesis records how God called Abram out of a godless culture and made wonderful promises to him (Genesis 12:1-3) that God guaranteed by an unconditional covenant (Genesis 15). Abraham is the model of faith according to New Testament authors. He trusted God’s promise to rescue him (Romans 4:1-3, 16-24; Galatians 3:6-9). And then, after entering into relationship with God due solely to his faith (Genesis 12:1-3; 15), Abraham trusted Him enough to follow and became God’s friend (Hebrews 11:8-19; James 2:21-23).

   Have you trusted in the promises of God to this generation of seekers—“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).

2. If you have been rescued from sin by faith, what is He asking you to trust Him for right now?

3. How does the big picture of the Book of Genesis help you trust Him enough to do what He’s asking you to do?

“For all the people have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have tempted me now these ten times, and have not obeyed me, they will by no means see the land that I swore to their fathers, nor will any of them who despised me see it” (Numbers 14:22-23).

Numbers contains the records of two generations, two censuses (numberings, chapters 1-4; 26), and two sets of instructions for enjoying the “rest” of experiencing God’s blessing in the land of promise. The book opens with Israel’s 11-day march from Sinai to Kadesh (Numbers 1:1) and ends almost 40 years later (Deuteronomy 1:3). Only a year has passed since the exodus of Egypt. In spite of God’s merciful and bountiful provision, the dissatisfied people murmur and complain (11:1). This attitude undermines their faith in the goodness of their God and leads to disbelief and disobedience (14:22-23). The descendants of Jacob had learned that they were God’s special people (Genesis); they had experienced the delivering power of their redeeming God (Exodus), and they had learned that He is a holy God (Leviticus).

Now, in a dramatic test within sight of the Promised Land, they will fail to trust Him enough to do what He says. Numbers, the book of missed opportunity due to disobedience, contrasts the faithfulness of God with the fickleness of His people. God will discipline the Exodus generation to purge their unbelief from His people (1-25). Then, He will return the new generation to their place of testing—poised once again at the doorstep of the Promised Land (26-36). The account is selective according to Moses’ purpose “to compel obedience to Yahweh by member of the new community by reminding them of the wrath of God on their parents because of their breach of the covenant; to encourage them to trust in the ongoing promises of their lord as they follow him into their heritage in Canaan; and to provoke them to worship of God and to the enjoyment of their salvation.” (Ronald B. Allen, “Numbers,” in Genesis-Numbers, vol 2. of The Expositor’ s Bible Commentary, p. 662)

Numbers is the book of wanderings. Two generations receive instructions on how to enjoy intimacy with God in the land He promised them. One mistrusts Him, disobeys, and does not enter the “rest” of the blessing of obedience. The next is told to learn from the 40-year object lesson of the discipline of their parents. The theme of Numbers is the correlated truths of grace and devotion: God makes covenants of grace with His people, but to experience the full blessings of His grace demands wholehearted devotion. The object lessons for God’s redeemed people of the church age are clear: The pattern of Israel’s frequent failures to trust and obey God is set at Kadesh. During times of trial and testing they complained and disobeyed—focusing on their circumstances rather than their God. Consequently God postponed the blessing. Most generations of Israel will never enjoy the benefits and blessing of God’s promises to His people:

Numbers is a map for God’s people of every generation to follow during the wilderness experiences of life.

I. OBJECT LESSON OF MISTRUST AND DISOBEDIENCE: The redeemed who witness God’s miraculous acts of deliverance and provision will miss their blessing and experience discipline if they mistrust Him and disobey Him (1-26; key verses, 11:1; 14:22-23).

A. PREPARATIONS: God instructs the generation that witnessed His miraculous acts of deliverance and preservation to prepare to move on. They are to march forward to experience the full blessing and potential of their redemption from slavery in Egypt. The old generation is numbered and told that they must trust and obey on the march to the Promised Land. Even as the journey begins they are complaining (1-12).

Numbers: Walk by faith toward your destiny or wander in circles in this world!

B. PUNISHMENT: With the Promised Land in sight, the people draw back in unbelief at Kadesh. They are judged by disinheritance and death. The generation of the Exodus will not be the generation of the conquest. The next generation learns that unbelief brings discipline and hinders God’s blessing (13-25).

Messiah: A type of Christ—the bronze serpent. Only those who believed God and looked on the serpent lived (21:4-9). The Lord Jesus uses this incident as an illustration of His vicarious death on the cross and of the necessity of personal faith for salvation (John 3:14-15).

II. PROMISE: When the transition to the new generation is complete, the people move to the plains of Moab, directly east of the Promised Land. Before they can enter the land they must be ready. Like their parents, they receive instructions, take a census, and are told to follow God’s appointed leader—Joshua (26-36).

A. COUNTING THE PEOPLE: Now that the journey is virtually over, it’s time for a second census—both to assess Israel’s military strength and to apportion the soon-to-be conquered territory of Canaan. Sadly, the nation has actually lost over 1,800 fighting men over forty years. The new army is 601,730 strong (26-30).

B. CONSIDERING THE PAST: Moses’ final days see him intensely preparing the people for their conquest. Midian is destroyed completely for its idolatrous influence. Reuben and Gad stay east of the Jordan. And Moses retells the story of their journey for the new generation (31-33).

C. COUNTING ON THE PROMISE: God assigns borders to the tribes and laws to govern life in the Promised Land. His promise to Abraham is so sure, even before they enter the land and fight their enemies, the land is divided among them, and life there is described (34-36)!

III. God’s people must walk by faith, trusting in His promises, if they are to move forward.

1. Numbers warns us that unbelief leads to discipline and hinders God’s blessing (1 Corinthians 10:1-

   12).
   The Slippery Slope towards Discipline:

   Murmuring-Complaining-Mistrust-Disobedience-Discipline

2. Numbers also comforts even the “unhappy wanderers” among God’s people that in spite of their discipline and diminished experience of relationship with God, His grace still prevails!

   “Perhaps the most prominent theme is that of the gracious providence of the Lord in caring for all of Israel’s needs—militarily, physically, nutritionally, and spiritually—in spite of constant rebellions by the people, both leadership and rank and file.” (Walter Riggans, Numbers, Daily Bible Study Series, Westminster Press, p. 2)

   God loves and cares for His “wilderness wanderers”!

3. Numbers also encourages the boldness of faith required to experience the “rest” of God’s full blessing—everything He had in mind when He saved us (Ephesians 2:10; Cf. Hebrews 3-4; Matthew 11:28-29).

   Facing your “Kadesh”?
   Will you trust Him enough to enter the “rest” of the adventure of life He wants to give you?

   “Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest,
   so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11).

“Therefore, tell the Israelites, ‘I am the Lord. I will bring you out from your enslavement to the Egyptians, I will rescue you from the hard labor they impose, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.’”
(Exodus 6:6)

Exodus begins where Genesis left off. Seventy descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are living as aliens in Egypt under the protection of Pharaoh who favored Joseph (Genesis 46:27; Exodus 1:5). But soon after recounting the unprecedented growth of just a handful to a nation within a nation, Moses (Mark 7:10) explains the necessity of the Exodus with the foreboding words, “Then a new kind, who did not know about Joseph, came to power over Egypt” (Exodus 1:8). The account is selective according to Moses’ purpose to encourage the Israelites assembled on the Plains of Moab (Exodus 16:35) by celebrating God’ s great and gracious deliverance of His people from Egyptian slavery to the freedom of living in covenant relationship and intimacy with Him.

The events Moses records in Exodus cover a period of about 400 years from the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt to the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness. The chapters naturally divide into two sections. The first section (1-18) documents the dreadful plight of Israel in Egypt and their dramatic deliverance from slavery. The second section (19-40) deals with God preparing His people to worship Him intimately.

Most of the book (chapters 3-40) focuses on only two of those 400 years—the year before and the year after the Exodus from Egypt. The Exodus is obviously the central event of the second book of the Pentateuch. Exodus is the most cited book in the rest of the Old Testament, and only the books of Psalms and Isaiah are referred to more than Exodus in the New Testament.

The two-fold theme of Exodus is redemption and relationship:

Redemption means liberation because of a payment made. The Passover is the greatest picture of redemption in the Old Testament. The story of the birth of Israel illustrates the three basic ideas of biblical redemption. (1) People are redeemed from something—slavery in Egypt. (2) People are redeemed by something—the blood of the Passover lamb. (3) People are redeemed to something—freedom to serve God through the obedience that comes from continued trust.

Relationship with God carries the glorious opportunity to dwell with Him intimately. The God of Israel clearly states what this intimate relationship with Him involves. As they learn to trust and obey Him, He will dwell among them and they will be His people:

Exodus dramatically contrasts God’s gracious choice to bless Israel with deliverance, adoption, and His abiding presence with Israel’s consistent ingratitude and rebellion.

I. REDEMPTION FROM EGYPT: God fulfills His promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:12-16) by delivering His people from slavery (1-18; key verse, 6:6).

A. CALL OF MOSES: In response to His people’s need, God chooses Moses to lead His people and patiently prepares His servant for the task, teaching him the futility of self-confidence and the necessity for faith (1-4).

B. CHALLENGE OF MOSES: In response to Pharaoh’s refusal to “let my people go” God demonstrates His sovereignty through Moses and the ten plagues culminating in the Passover (5-12).

Messiah: A type of Christ—the Lord’s Passover (Exodus 12:11). This is a wonderful illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). New Testament writers see this

in the details—the offering without blemish (Exodus 12:5; 1 Peter 1:19), the lamb had to die (Exodus 12:6; John 12:24, 27), and the blood had to be applied (Exodus 12:7; Hebrews 9:22).

C. CROSSING TO SINAI: In response to the faith of the people at the Passover, God redeems Israel and miraculously guides them to safety through the Red Sea and protects and sustains them through their journeys (13-18).

Note: As Dr. Ron Allen noted, Exodus 14:30-31 shows that Israel was a saved/redeemed people before they received the Mosaic Covenant. The LXX translates the Hebrew with the Greek word for believe or trust, pisteo. So the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore of the sea. When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, they feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Messiah: A type of Christ—the Exodus. Paul relates Christ to the Red Sea crossing because baptism symbolizes death to the old and identification with the new (Romans 6:2-3; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2) and Christ as the spiritual Rock that sustained them (1 Corinthians 10:4).

II. RELATING TO GOD: The people make a covenant with God—if they learn to trust and obey Him He will dwell among them in the Promised Land (19-40; key verses 19:5-6).

1. REVEALING THE COVENANT: Detailed instructions on how to be God’s people, how to worship Him and walk with Him (19-31). The Mosaic Covenant: Unlike the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1-21) which promised land, seed and blessing, the Mosaic Covenant offering the Exodus generation the opportunity to be God’s special treasure was conditional and fulfillment depended on the faithfulness of the people (Exodus 19:5).

2. RESPONDING TO THE COVENANT: The people learn to trust and obey—first through failure when they break the covenant and God disciplines them, then through success when they repent and God blesses them and dwells among them (32-40).

Messiah: A type of Christ—the Tabernacle (Exodus 24-27). The tabernacle clearly speaks of Christ and the way of redemption.

Exodus ends with the word “journeys” telling the reader that there is more to come from the pen of Moses.

II. Exodus is a book of redemption and freedom. The New Testament uses the Exodus to illustrate the Christian’s redemption from the slavery of sin to the freedom to serve Christ in love (Ephesians 1:7).

1. The Passover Principle: Trusting in the blood of the Lamb will liberate you from sin! John the Baptizer announced Jesus Christ as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus Himself said this about His mission from the Father to liberate those who believed in Him, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

   Have you been redeemed from the slavery of sin? That is, have you, as it were, placed the blood of the Lamb on the doorpost of your heart? If not, why not trust in Christ today as your “Passover Lamb” and He will give you eternal life.

2. The Covenant Principle: If the redeemed nation Israel would be true to the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19), God would dwell with them intimately. They would maximize their freedom by experiencing a worshipful life, if they would obey Him. In the same way, the Lord Jesus promises an intimate experience of a worshipful life to those who will trust Him enough to obey: “You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slave, because a slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I call you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father” (John 15:14-15).

   Are you experiencing the maximum potential of your freedom in Christ—friendship with the Son of God? If not, why not tell Him you want to walk with Him...starting right now?