The books of Genesis through Esther tell the story of the history of Israel. This history spans perhaps thousands of years from creation’s beginning seconds all the way through Israel’s return from exile. The return from exile was about 400 years before Jesus was born.
If you’ve ever watched the movie Ground Hog Day you have a good idea what happens within these 17 different books of the Bible. A vicious circle transpires. Here is the basic plot:
1. -The people of God follow God’s ways
2. -They demand something of God. If they don’t get it they find a way to get it.
3. -A person or a nation sins and they choose not to live in God’s ways.
4. -Trials and tribulations follow.
5. -A person or a nation cries out in repentance for their wicked ways.
6. -The people of God follow God’s ways.
Example:
1. Israel follows God through the midst of the Red Sea and the Egyptian armies are destroyed. They give thanks to God. Exodus 14
2. They become hungry and thirsty in the wilderness and demand that God take of them. Exodus 15:22-16:31
3. God does take care of them with food and water but it isn’t enough. They choose to build a golden calf to worship. Exodus 32
4. Death and destruction follow. Exodus 32:26-35
5. Stiffed necked people repent. Exodus 33:1-6
6. The people again follow God’s ways. Exodus 33:7-34:35
This vicious cycle is repeated in the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Joseph and his brothers, King David and Bathsheba, the nations of Judah and Israel, the plot lines of most of the rulers of Judah and Israel, and many others. This cycle didn’t disappear in history. It is alive and growing today. That is why it is important for us to study the Bible and learn from the mistakes and the deep faith of those that served God.
Can you think of ways that you’re connected with a similar vicious cycle in your life today? Examples: Ignoring prayer, substance abuse, gossiping, joining the crowd and the peers rather than faith’s way. Take time to think about hurtful cycles in your life today. Writing them below might help you in your daily spiritual walk.
The good news is that eventually God did break the Israelites from their cycle and didn’t let them rot forever. He gave them and us the free gift of Jesus Christ.
Important term: Covenant. Covenant in the Old Testament is an agreement between God and the people of Israel. . “If you follow me and obey my commandments you are my people and I will do the following. If you fail to live up to your terms of the covenant, this will follow.” God considered Israel his chosen people. This covenant was first was established with Abraham in Genesis 15. The Old Testament spends the bulk of its time on examining this covenant relationship.
Historical Timeline
o Abraham and Sarah leave their families and travel west to the area of present day Israel. God promises them that their generations would be blessed.
o Sarah gives birth to Isaac.
o Isaac marries Rebekkah and they have two sons, Esau and Jacob.
o Jacob and his mother trick Esau into giving his birth right away to Jacob.
o Jacob and his wives Leah and Rachel produce the children that become the 12 tribes of Israel.
o Joseph is sold by his brothers and ends up as a slave in Israel.
o He rises to power and eventually brings his father and brother’s family to live in Egypt while there is a great famine.
o After Joseph dies, the people are made slaves in Egypt.
o Exodus: Moses is born, placed in a basket and dumped into the water, and is discovered by a princess of Egypt.
o Moses rises to power kills a man and flees Egypt. He is gone from the land nearly 40 years.
o God meets him at the burning bush and sends him to Pharaoh to proclaim, “Let my people go!”
o Plagues, Crossing the Red Sea, the 10 Commandments, the Ark of the Covenant, choosing of Joshua as leader
o Joshua: Joshua leads the people into the Promised Land.
o Stories of Rehab, the destruction of Jericho, siege of the land, the sun stands still, dividing up the land into the 12 tribes of Israel.
The leaders of Israel through the time of Joshua looked after the Spiritual and Physical needs of the people of God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua served in this role. You might call them God’s judges. God has told the people of Israel, “I am your God and you are my people. If you follow my ways, I’ll take care of you.” In session four we will begin to explore how the people of Israel transitioned from judges to kings and the differences in type of leadership and covenant responsibility.
At the end of each session we are asking you to turn to a passage of scripture and read and reflect on four questions:
1. What do I think this passage means for those who read it the first time?
2. What does this passage mean for me right now?
3. What are you going to do or how are you going to act differently in the future as a result of what this passage says?
4. What questions do I have about this passage that I need clarification on?
Read the following Bible Passage using the above formula: Joshua 24:1-28
You are invited to post your comments or question on the Beginner’s Bible Study Blog and join us in person once a month on the first Sunday of the month following worship to discuss this blog further.
*The Beginner's Bible Study Blog would like to acknowledge the following sources in creation of this study: Downloading the Bible by Jonathan Brant, The True Story of the Whole World by Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael Goheen
