Transcript EQUIP BIBLE STUDY - West London Church of God

SECTION 2
Historical Books
The
Theocratic
Books
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
The Monarchical
Books
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1 & 2 Chronicles
The
Restoration
Books
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
What is Historical Books all about?
 The 12 Historical Books pick up the
story of Israel where it left off at the
end of Deuteronomy. These books
describe the occupation and
settlement of Israel in the Promised
Land, the transition from Judges to the
Monarchy, the division and decline of
the Kingdom, the captivities of the
Northern and southern kingdom, and
the return of the remnant.
JOSHUA
 Theme: Conquest
 Date Written: 1405 – 1385 B.C.
 Author: Joshua
 Setting: Canaan, the Promised Land
Joshua
 Joshua’s original name was Hoshea (Salvation)
but Moses changed it to Yehoshua (Yahweh is
Salvation). He is also called Yeshua, a
shortened form of Yehoshua. This is the
Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Iesous
(Jesus).
 His name is a symbolic of the fact that although
he is the leader of Israelite nation during the
conquest, the Lord is the Conqueror.
Joshua ... Continues
 When Moses passed the baton of Leadership on
to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34), Israel was at the
end of its 40 years of wilderness wanderings.
Joshua had been Moses’ faithful apprentice for
most of that 40 years and was approaching 90
years of age when Moses calls him to become
Israel’s new Leader. Joshua’s task is to lead
Israel into the land of Canaan, drive out the
inhabitants, and divide the land among the 12
tribes.
Joshua ... Continues
 The Book of Joshua teaches that when it comes
to fighting the battles of life and gaining
spiritual victory, blessing comes through
obedience to God’s commands.
 Active Faith does not require that you
understand all or any of what God is doing in
your life. You don’t need to understand. You
need only to obey and then reap the blessings
of that obedience.
SURVEY OF JOSHUA
 Chapters 1-5 Preparation for
Conquering the Land (Spiritual, Moral,
physical, and Military).
 Chapters 6-12 Conquering the Land.
 Chapters 13 – 22 Allocation of the
Land.
 Chapters 23 – 24 Last Words of Joshua.
Life Lessons from Joshua
 Faithfulness is a requirement for service.
 Serving others prepares you to lead others.
 Victory occurs when you let God fight your
battles.
 Guidance from God for daily living comes from
His Word, the Bible.
 At times you must make a stand for your
beliefs.
 Living for God requires ongoing obedience.
JUDGES
 Theme: Deliverance
 Date Written: about 1043 B.C.
 Author: Samuel
 Setting: Canaan
Author:
 The author of Judges is anonymous, but Samuel
or one of his prophetic students may have
written it. Jewish tradition contained in the
Talmud attributes Judges to Samuel.
 Talmud is a record of rabbinic discussions
pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and
history.
Judges ... Continues
 In seven distinct cycles of sin to salvation,
Judges shows how Israel had set aside God’s
law and in its place substituted “what was right
in his own eyes” (21:25).
 The cycles of apostasy and deliverance cover
the whole land:
 Southern (3: 7-31); Northern (4:1 – 5:31);
Central (6:1 – 10:5); Eastern (10:6 – 12:15)
 Western (13:1 – 16;31).
Series of Cycles in Judges:
 1. Israel Departs from God.
 2. God Chastises Israel by permitting military
defeat and oppression.
 3. Israel prays for deliverance.
 4. God raises up Judges, either civil or military
champions, who lead in the defeat of
oppressors
 5. Peace....
Then .... (Repeating the Cycle)
Judges .... Continues
CYCLE
OPPRESSOR
YEARS OF
OPPRESSION
DELIVERER
YEARS
OF
PEACE
1 (3:7-11)
Mesopotamians
8
Othniel
40
2 (3:12-30)
Moabites
18
Ehud
80
Parenthesis (3:31)
Philistines
__
Shagmar
___
3 (4:1-5:31)
Canaanites
20
Deborah/
Barak
40
4 (6:1 –8:32)
Midianites
7
Gideon
40
5 (8:33-10:5)
Abimelech
3
Tola/Jair
45
6 (10:6 – 12:15)
Ammonites
18
Jepthah/Ibzan/
Elon/Abdon
6, 7,
10, 8
7 (13:1- 16:31)
Philistines
40
Samson
20
Life Lessons from Judges
 Don’t compromise with the world – it leads to
defeat.
 Don’t sin – it results in suffering.
 Don’t wait until you are without hope to cry out
to God.
 Don’t do what is right in your own eyes—do
what’s right in God’s eyes.
Survey of Judges
 Deterioration (1:1 - 3:4).
 Deliverances (3:5 – 16:31).
 Depravity (17:1 – 21:25).
RUTH
Theme: Redemption
Date Written: 1050 B.C.
Author: Unknown/possibly
Samuel
Setting: Moab and Bethlehem
Introduction...
 The book of Ruth takes place during the
spiritually dark days of the Judges. Ruth is the
story of a woman (named Ruth) who lives
during this evil period in Israel’s history but
does not succumb to its moral decay. Ruth’s
story is one of integrity, righteousness and
faithfulness. Ruth and Esther are the only
women who have books of the Bible named
after them.
Contribution to the Bible:
1.Literary
Ruth is a book of simplicity and
profundity.
2. Historical
Ruth provides a bridge between
the Judges and the Monarchy
(its last word is “David”).
Ruth teaches that the Gentiles
are not outside the scope of
redemption.
Ruth communicates high ideals
of integrity in relationships and
marriage.
3. Doctrinal
4. Moral
A Brief Comparison of Ruth
and Esther.
RUTH
ESTHER
A Gentile woman
A Jewish woman
Lived among the Jews
Lived among the Gentiles
Married a Jewish man in
the royal line of David
Married a gentile man
who ruled an empire
A story of faith and
blessing
A story of faith and
blessing
Spiritual meaning of Ruth’s Story...
 In this story, Boaz became a kinsman-
redeemer, or a close relative who in essence
redeems the Gentile Ruth and gives her a home.
 The book of Ruth gives us an important analogy
of the work of Christ. Like Boaz, Jesus is
related to us by His physical birth, able to pay
the price of redemption, willing to redeem, and
able to redeem. And like Ruth, you must
choose to accept redemption and leave the
transaction to Jesus, who makes the redemption
a reality.
Life Lessons from Ruth
 What you think to be a tragedy is God’s
opportunity to show Himself faithful.
 Your abundance is an opportunity to help
the less fortunate.
 God honours faithfulness.
 Character is a noble quality that God
honours.
 Adverse circumstances give you the
opportunity to exhibit godly character.
Survey of Ruth
Ruth’s love is Demonstrated
(Chapters 1-2)
Ruth’s Love is Rewarded
(Chapters 3-4)
FIRST SAMUEL
 Theme: Transition (Judges to Kings).
 Date written: 931 – 722BC
 Author – Unknown (Jewish Talmudic Traditions
says that it was written by Samuel). 1 Samuel
25:1 states his death. It could be compiled by
one person. Samuel could have written the
first part of the book.
 1 Chronicle 29:29 – Samuel, Nathan, and Gad
could have contributed to write this book.
 Setting: The struggling nation of Israel.
An Explanation of the date:
 The Books of Samuel ends in the last days
of David; so they must have been complied
after 971 BC. The reference in 1Samuel
27:6 to the Divided monarchy in which
Judah is separate from Israel indicates a
compilation date after Solomon’s death in
931 B.C. However, the silence regarding
the Assyrian captivity of Israel in 722 B.C.
Probably means that First Samuel was
written before this key event.
1 Samuel ... Continues
 Originally 1 and 2 Samuel were one book in
the Hebrew Bible, but later translations
separate them into our present two books.
First Samuel is named for the first of three
prominent personalities—Samuel, Saul and
David –interwoven throughout its contents.
 Historically, First Samuel provides the crucial
link from the Judges to the Monarchy.
Life Lessons from 1 Samuel
 A Close walk with God will help you
better handle life’s transitions.
 Your faithful service will be rewarded,
at least in God’s eyes.
 God wants your inward commitment,
not just an outward observance.
 It’s not how you start that’s important,
but how you finish.
Survey of First Samuel
The Book is built around three
Key Men:
Samuel (Chapters 1 to 7)
Saul (Chapters 8 to 15)
Saul And David (Chapters 16 to
31)
SECOND SAMUEL
 Theme: Unification
 Date written: 931 – 722 BC
 Author: Unknown (see notes of 1
Samuel).
 Setting: United Kingdom of Israel.
2 Samuel ... Continues
 Second Samuel picks up where 1Samuel leaves
off. Saul is now gone so the people of Judah,
David’s ancestral tribe, declare David as their
king, while the northern tribe acknowledge
Saul’s youngest son as their king. David rules in
Hebron for 7 ½ years before all Israel finally
acknowledge David as their King. He then
reigns in Jerusalem for 33 years. Second
Samuel reviews the key events in David’s 40
year reign.
Life lessons from 2 Samuel
 Blessings comes to you and those around you
when you are obedient to God’s commands.
 Conversely, there are always consequences to
your sinful actions.
 Your role as a parent is a full-time job and must
not be neglected or delegated to others.
 Repentance restores your relationship with God.
Survey of 2 Samuel
David’s Success (Chapters 1–
10).
David’s Sin (Chapters 11).
David’s Struggles (Chapter 12
to 24).