introduction to the bible session 5: the promised land & god’s good purposes

Introduction to the Introduction to the BibleBible

Session 5: The Promised Land & Session 5: The Promised Land & God’s Good PurposesGod’s Good Purposes

Outline of this Unit

• The Promised Land (Geography)

• The Significance of the Land (Deuteronomy)

• The Conquest of the Land (Joshua)

• Rebellion in the Land (Judges)

• Move toward a monarchy (1 Samuel)

The promised land and God’s

purposesThe Bible begins on a cosmic note: God and his creation.But just as the focus narrows to Abraham and his descendents, so it soon rests on the small strip of land bounded on the east by the Jordan river, and on the west by the Mediterranean sea.

Where?

Geography:

Narrow strip 50-70km wide

Between:

Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Desert

Babylonians + Assyrians and Egyptians

Coastal plain, mountains, Jordan Valley run N-S

Climate: Mediterranean

Winter -rain,

Summer – warm & dry

DeuteronomyDeuteronomy

Deuteronomy OutlineDeuteronomy Outline Introduction 1:1-5Introduction 1:1-5 First address 1:6-4:43: First address 1:6-4:43:

Survey of history from Sinai to Plains of MoabSurvey of history from Sinai to Plains of Moab Second address 4:44-28:68Second address 4:44-28:68

Reminder of God’s lawReminder of God’s law Starts with 10 commandmentsStarts with 10 commandments Ends with blessings and cursesEnds with blessings and curses

Third address 29-30Third address 29-30 Covenant renewedCovenant renewed Choice of life or death, future hope beyond Choice of life or death, future hope beyond

cursecurse Moses final words and death 31-34Moses final words and death 31-34

Includes song of MosesIncludes song of Moses


purposes

Why?


In Moses’ address in Deuteronomy, on the plains of In Moses’ address in Deuteronomy, on the plains of Moab, we find out that the land is:Moab, we find out that the land is:

i. i. God’s landGod’s land (Deut 11:10-12) (Deut 11:10-12)It was a land cared for by God, not human irrigation schemes.It was a land cared for by God, not human irrigation schemes.

ii. ii. A ‘good’ landA ‘good’ land (Deut 8:7-10) (Deut 8:7-10)The point of the descriptions is not he natural fertility of the land, but The point of the descriptions is not he natural fertility of the land, but the way in which this land is to be the way in which this land is to be the place the blessing of God will the place the blessing of God will be enjoyed.be enjoyed.

iii. iii. The ‘promised’ landThe ‘promised’ land (Deut 9:4-6) (Deut 9:4-6)The people are about to enter this land because of God’s faithfulness The people are about to enter this land because of God’s faithfulness to his promise.to his promise.


purposes

Why?


In Moses’ address in Deuteronomy, on the plains of In Moses’ address in Deuteronomy, on the plains of Moab, we find out that the land is:Moab, we find out that the land is:

iv. iv. God’s giftGod’s gift God is to give the land ‘as your inheritance’ – something owned but God is to give the land ‘as your inheritance’ – something owned but not earned.not earned.

v. v. The place of ‘blessing’The place of ‘blessing’ (Deut 7:13-15) (Deut 7:13-15) The life of blessing can be summed up as ‘rest’.The life of blessing can be summed up as ‘rest’.

vi. vi. The place of ‘obedience’The place of ‘obedience’ Those who receive God’s gracious GIFT must respond with Those who receive God’s gracious GIFT must respond with OBEDIENCE. Redemption is for relationship with God.OBEDIENCE. Redemption is for relationship with God.

vii. vii. The other possibilityThe other possibility (Deut 30:15-20) (Deut 30:15-20)Their choice include the possibility of turning away from God, the Their choice include the possibility of turning away from God, the consequences of which are ‘curse’ rather than ‘blessing’.consequences of which are ‘curse’ rather than ‘blessing’.

Deuteronomy: Conditional or Deuteronomy: Conditional or unconditional?unconditional?

Unconditional PromisesUnconditional Promises God saved Israel because he loved them and because of his God saved Israel because he loved them and because of his

promises to their ancestors (7:7-8)promises to their ancestors (7:7-8) He would bring them into the land now because of the wickedness He would bring them into the land now because of the wickedness

of the people living there (9:4-6)of the people living there (9:4-6)

Conditional Promises Conditional Promises Blessings (28:1-14)Blessings (28:1-14)

The blessings are conditional on obedience.The blessings are conditional on obedience. Curses (28:15-68)Curses (28:15-68)

Disobedience & idolatry would result in curse.Disobedience & idolatry would result in curse.

Bringing them togetherBringing them together God’s unconditionally promised to give the land to Israel.God’s unconditionally promised to give the land to Israel. But for obedience was necessary for them to enjoy the gift.But for obedience was necessary for them to enjoy the gift. Israel would forfeit the land temporarily through disobedience.Israel would forfeit the land temporarily through disobedience. But God would still keep his promise to Abraham.But God would still keep his promise to Abraham. He would eventually do it by changing people’s hearts so that He would eventually do it by changing people’s hearts so that

obedience is possible (30:1-6)obedience is possible (30:1-6)

JoshuaJoshua

JoshuaJoshua


purposes

how?

The leadership of the people has passed to Joshua. The leadership of the people has passed to Joshua. Whilst Moses was the channel of God’s revelation to his Whilst Moses was the channel of God’s revelation to his people, Joshua’s leadership begins with his obedience of people, Joshua’s leadership begins with his obedience of all that is written down.all that is written down.

His leadership is new, different; it is His leadership is new, different; it is political and military.political and military.

JoshuaJoshua


purposes

how?

In the book of Joshua, we find:In the book of Joshua, we find:

(i) (i) Promises fulfilledPromises fulfilledAlthough the conquest of the land is not yet complete, the Although the conquest of the land is not yet complete, the emphasis of the book is on the emphasis of the book is on the fulfilment of God’s fulfilment of God’s promisespromises..

(ii) (ii) Response of obedienceResponse of obedienceAs at Mt Sinai, the people affirm their initial eagerness. As at Mt Sinai, the people affirm their initial eagerness. And at the conclusion of Joshua, we see a people who And at the conclusion of Joshua, we see a people who have received what God has promised and serve him (at have received what God has promised and serve him (at this stage).this stage).

JoshuaJoshua

Read Joshua 23:14-16 and Joshua 24. Read Joshua 23:14-16 and Joshua 24.

a.a. What is the point of JoshuaWhat is the point of Joshua’’s survey of s survey of IsraelIsrael’’s history in v1-13?s history in v1-13?

b.b. What is the fundamental response What is the fundamental response required by God in v14-15 (see Ex 20:1-required by God in v14-15 (see Ex 20:1-3)? 3)?

c.c. Why is Joshua cautious about the Why is Joshua cautious about the response of the Israelites in v16-20? response of the Israelites in v16-20?

Excurses: The Slaughter of the Excurses: The Slaughter of the Canaanites & the Justice of GodCanaanites & the Justice of God

The Command (Deuteronomy 7:1-6)The Command (Deuteronomy 7:1-6) 4 considerations:4 considerations:

God is justGod is just Genesis 15:16Genesis 15:16 Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 9:4-69:4-6 Justice is being done on a macro level.Justice is being done on a macro level. God is capable of making adjustments on an God is capable of making adjustments on an

individual level at the final judgement.individual level at the final judgement. God’s character of justice is seen in both the God’s character of justice is seen in both the

Old and New TestamentsOld and New Testaments Christians are not called to warChristians are not called to war

Ancient Israel was God’s instrument in executing Ancient Israel was God’s instrument in executing his judgementhis judgement

Our warfare is not physical (Ephesians 6:12)Our warfare is not physical (Ephesians 6:12) Religion is no protection against God’s Religion is no protection against God’s

judgement.judgement.

JudgesJudges

JudgesJudges

Read Judges 2v11-23Read Judges 2v11-23 What recurring pattern do we see?What recurring pattern do we see?

What are the elements in the pattern?What are the elements in the pattern?

Is this pattern a one-off, or can you Is this pattern a one-off, or can you think of any other examples in the think of any other examples in the Bible?Bible?

Can you think of equivalent patterns Can you think of equivalent patterns today?today?

JudgesJudges


purposes

What (next)?

The faithfulness of Joshua’ generation was short lived! The faithfulness of Joshua’ generation was short lived! The next generation did The next generation did exactly what their forefathers exactly what their forefathers had sworn NOT to do.had sworn NOT to do.

There is a There is a cyclecycle of events, of events,or a or a recurring patternrecurring pattern

through the book of Judges:through the book of Judges:

JudgesJudges


purposes

What (next)?

Israel sinsIsrael sins

God’s judgementGod’s judgement

Israel repentsIsrael repentsGod sends a God sends a

judge (saviour)judge (saviour)

Period of peace Period of peace & prosperity& prosperity

1 Samuel1 Samuel

Movement towards a Movement towards a monarchymonarchy1 Samuel1 Samuel

Read Read Gen 49v10; Gen 49v10; Deut 17v14-20; Deut 17v14-20; 1 Sam 8 & 121 Sam 8 & 12

What is the place of the monarchy in GodWhat is the place of the monarchy in God’’s s purposes?purposes?

Is it basically good, or basically bad, (or Is it basically good, or basically bad, (or what)?what)?


purposes1 Samuel1 Samuel

And then?

Samuel was the last of the ‘judges’, but also described as a prophet. His notable role was in relation to the first

two kings of Israel – Saul & David.In the book of 1 Samuel:In the book of 1 Samuel:

we see which shows

1. The demand for a king1. The demand for a king

The elders of Israel requested The elders of Israel requested that God appoint for them a that God appoint for them a KING KING ‘such as all the other ‘such as all the other

nations have’ (vv. 4-5)nations have’ (vv. 4-5)

The rejection of the The rejection of the Lord’s kingship over Lord’s kingship over them (vv. 6-8).them (vv. 6-8). Another Another instance of the people’s instance of the people’s

sinfulness!sinfulness!



And then?

we see which shows

2. The possible future2. The possible future

(1 Samuel 12)(1 Samuel 12)The king and the people may The king and the people may

choose to follow the Lord.choose to follow the Lord.

God’s faithfulness.God’s faithfulness.

Samuel goes from the last of Samuel goes from the last of the judges to the 1the judges to the 1stst prophet prophet

for the king.for the king.

3. The failure of Saul3. The failure of Saul

(1 Samuel 15)(1 Samuel 15)Saul failed to live up to the Saul failed to live up to the expectations of 1 Samuel expectations of 1 Samuel

12:24-25.12:24-25.

Saul’s rejection of God.Saul’s rejection of God.

The consequence of Saul’s The consequence of Saul’s rebellion was God’s rejection rebellion was God’s rejection

of Saul as king over Israel of Saul as king over Israel (v23b).(v23b).



And then?

we see which shows

4. The choice of David4. The choice of David

(1 Samuel 16)(1 Samuel 16)The sequel to the rejection of The sequel to the rejection of Saul is God’s appointment of Saul is God’s appointment of

David as king.David as king.

God’s sovereign choice.God’s sovereign choice.

The initiative comes from The initiative comes from God this time: his choice of God this time: his choice of the youngest, smallest of the youngest, smallest of

Jesse’s sons!Jesse’s sons!

The land of Palestine has not proved to be the place of The land of Palestine has not proved to be the place of ultimate blessing because Israel has continually been ultimate blessing because Israel has continually been

unfaithful to God.unfaithful to God.The purpose of God to bless his people has taken the form The purpose of God to bless his people has taken the form

of his choosing David to sit on Israel’s throne.of his choosing David to sit on Israel’s throne.

introduction to the bible session 5: the promised land & god’s good purposes

Documents

gods land deut

land joshuarebellion

land judgesmove

promised land deut

good land deut

small strip of land

land geographythe significance

land deuteronomythe