After the death of Joshua the tribes of Israel continue to attack the lands of Canaan. As the older generations pass and the younger generations grow, the younger generations turn away from God. They begin to worship pagan idol and they intermarry with the Canaanites.God threatens to abandon Israel because of the disobedience. Instead of completely deserting the Israelites, he sends 12 judges. The people of Israel repeat a pattern in their disobeying God. God will send a Judge to help the people of Israel out of their problem, the people of Israel are saved, the judge that was helping them dies, and the Israelites return to evil, getting the people back into slavery.
the 12 judges that help the people of Israel are
Othniel
Ehud
Shamgar
Deborah
Barak (he is the assistant of Deborah, so he is not counted separately as a judge, but still helps the people of Israel.)
Gideon
Tola
Jair
Jephthah
Ibzan
Elon
Abdon
Samson
The story of Samson and Delilah is in the book of Judges. Samson falls in love with a Palestinian women and ends up telling Delilah where he got his amazing strength. Delilah had been conspiring with officials and tells them of Samson's hair being his amazing strength. The officials go into Samson's house and cut off his hair as well as blind him. They imprison Samson and chain him to a temple pillar for entertainment during a religious ceremony. Samson regains some of his strength and tears down the pillars killing the Philistine rulers.
After the death of Samson, the Israelites become even more corrupt. The people of the tribe of Benjamin become extremely corrupt, killing a prostitute (or concubine) of a visiting man by raping her. The rest of the tribes of Israel become extremely mad with the people of Benjamin, and with their behavior. So with God's help, the rest of the tribes of Israel kill the tribe of Benjamin. Israel grieves for its lost tribe, but helps to repopulate the Benjaminites.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Verse Sample from Judges
"Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord would be moved to pity by their groaning because of those who persecuted and oppressed them." Judges 2:18
Verse Sample of Joshua
"My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your food will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses." Joshua 1:2-3
The summary of Joshua
The book of Joshua begins with Joshua seceding Moses because Mose has died on the way to the promise land. God tells Joshua and his men to obey his laws and the Israelites will have victorious military campaigns. Before Joshua and the Israelites attack Jericho, Joshua send two spies to see the terrain and people of Jericho. The two spies go to Jericho, but are quickly found out by city officials. luckily, a kind prostitute named Rahab hides them in her home. In return the men promise that when the Israelites attack, they will not kill Rahab. The men return to the Israelite camp and report of what they have seen in Jericho.
The Israelites cross the Jordan River, but they don't cross on water; they cross on dry land. To thank God for this, Joshua builds and altar for God out of twelve stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. As the Israelites approach Jericho more, Joshua encounters a man who says he is the commander of God's army, but he is not for or against the Israelite people. Joshua pays homage to the man and keeps moving towards Jericho.
When Joshua reaches Jericho, he follows the divine instructions God has given them to have success in battle. Joshua leads the Israelites around the city for six days and on the seventh day, he leads the Israelites around the city seven times. Joshua tells them to kill everyone in the city, but Rahab, and to not take any of the religious items. At the sound of the Israelites war cry, the walls of Jericho fall and the Israelites attack. They conquer Jericho in one mighty sweep.
The next city the Israelites try to conquer is the city of Ai, but they don not have the same luck they had with Jericho. One of the men, Achan, stole a religious statue from Jericho. After the people stone Achan, they attack again and are victorious.
Fearful of the Israelites, spies are sent out from the town of Gideon to see of the Israelites conditions and numbers. The two men enter the Israelite camp as travelers, who want nothing but peace. Joshua makes a mistake and does not talk to God before making a treaty with the two men. They learn later of that the men are from the city they are supposed to attack, so they refrain from attacking them, but five other local lords attack Gideon for making peace with Israel. Joshua and the Israelites save Gideon, defeating five armies. Joshua helps by commanding God to make the sun stand still. God listens and makes the sun stop. (This is the only time in history where God does something commanded by a human.)
The Israelites go on the destroy the southern and northern cities of Canaan killing all the inhabitants, just as God had told them to do. The people of Israel begin to divide the land and settle them. God protects Israel from its enemies for many years and Joshua becomes very sick. Before Joshua dies he tells the Israelites to be faithful and throw away religious idols along with refraining from intermarriage with the native people. The people assure Joshua they will follow the laws of God and then he dies.
The Israelites cross the Jordan River, but they don't cross on water; they cross on dry land. To thank God for this, Joshua builds and altar for God out of twelve stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. As the Israelites approach Jericho more, Joshua encounters a man who says he is the commander of God's army, but he is not for or against the Israelite people. Joshua pays homage to the man and keeps moving towards Jericho.
When Joshua reaches Jericho, he follows the divine instructions God has given them to have success in battle. Joshua leads the Israelites around the city for six days and on the seventh day, he leads the Israelites around the city seven times. Joshua tells them to kill everyone in the city, but Rahab, and to not take any of the religious items. At the sound of the Israelites war cry, the walls of Jericho fall and the Israelites attack. They conquer Jericho in one mighty sweep.
The next city the Israelites try to conquer is the city of Ai, but they don not have the same luck they had with Jericho. One of the men, Achan, stole a religious statue from Jericho. After the people stone Achan, they attack again and are victorious.
Fearful of the Israelites, spies are sent out from the town of Gideon to see of the Israelites conditions and numbers. The two men enter the Israelite camp as travelers, who want nothing but peace. Joshua makes a mistake and does not talk to God before making a treaty with the two men. They learn later of that the men are from the city they are supposed to attack, so they refrain from attacking them, but five other local lords attack Gideon for making peace with Israel. Joshua and the Israelites save Gideon, defeating five armies. Joshua helps by commanding God to make the sun stand still. God listens and makes the sun stop. (This is the only time in history where God does something commanded by a human.)
The Israelites go on the destroy the southern and northern cities of Canaan killing all the inhabitants, just as God had told them to do. The people of Israel begin to divide the land and settle them. God protects Israel from its enemies for many years and Joshua becomes very sick. Before Joshua dies he tells the Israelites to be faithful and throw away religious idols along with refraining from intermarriage with the native people. The people assure Joshua they will follow the laws of God and then he dies.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The story of Samson and Delilah
Samson was born to born to the Judge Jephthah and was raised as a Nazirite, or a person who symbolizes their devotion to God by not cutting their hair. Samson was a very powerful man who got his strength from God. Samson was planning to marry a Philistine woman which his parents were not pleased with, but when he came to receive his knew wife, she was already promised to another man by the Philistines. Samson was so angry that he burnt down their fields. The Philistines came after Samson and the Israelites had him over. The Philistines chain Samson, but he can not be held and he breaks out of the chains killing 1000 Philistines.
Samson falls in love with another Philistine woman named Delilah. The Philistines urge Delilah to find out where Samson gets his strength. She asks Samson 3 times what is his secret, but Samson lies to her and the officials cannot subdue him. Finally, Samson tells Delilah that his strength is his hair. Delilah tells the Philistine officials and that night the officials cut off Samson's hair and gauge his eyes out. Samson is put in prison and his hair slowly grows bringing back his strength.
The blind Samson is brought out for a Philistine religious festival to entertain the crowds. Samson is brought and tied to a pillar of the arena and asking God for strength, pulls down the pillars killing the Philistine rulers and himself. The Israelites become even more corrupt without their judge, Samson, but soon find the way back to God.
Samson falls in love with another Philistine woman named Delilah. The Philistines urge Delilah to find out where Samson gets his strength. She asks Samson 3 times what is his secret, but Samson lies to her and the officials cannot subdue him. Finally, Samson tells Delilah that his strength is his hair. Delilah tells the Philistine officials and that night the officials cut off Samson's hair and gauge his eyes out. Samson is put in prison and his hair slowly grows bringing back his strength.
The blind Samson is brought out for a Philistine religious festival to entertain the crowds. Samson is brought and tied to a pillar of the arena and asking God for strength, pulls down the pillars killing the Philistine rulers and himself. The Israelites become even more corrupt without their judge, Samson, but soon find the way back to God.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Judges
The 12 judges that are presented in the book of Judges are "helpers" sent by God to resolve the disruption that is occurring among the Israelites at this time. The pattern that occurs that causing the judges to be sent is the people do evil, god sends a judges to save them and once the judge dies they return to evil.
The Judges are:
1. Othniel-God had them sold the Israelites to King Cushanrishathaim of Aramnaharaim. They served the king for 8 years till the Israelites asked for forgiveness from God. God sends Othniel, son of Kenaz, to their rescue. He delivers them from slavery.
2. Ehud- The Israelites were worshipping the Canaanite gods which leads God to let the nation of Moab attack them. Ehud comes to save the Israelites. Ehud tells the king he has a secret message for him, so once the servants of the king are gone, he stabs the king, killing him. Then Ehud escapes and leads the Israelites in recapturing the Jordan River valley.
3.Shamgar- Shamgar was the son of Anath who killed 600 of the Philistines with a oxgoad delivering the Israelites once again.
4. Deborah- The Israelites again returned to doing evil and were attacked by a mighty army from the north who had a leader named Sisera. Deborah comes and counsels the people of Israel telling them to revolt. The Israelites, with the help of God, defeat Sisera and his army, but Sisera escapes. He runs into a women named Jael's tent. Sisera hides under a rug thinking he is safe, but he is not. While Sisera is passed out from running, Jael takes a tent stake and drives it through his temple. Deborah sings a song of the defeat calling herself "mother of Israel." (Judges 5:7)
5. Barak- Barak was the assistant of Deborah who went up to Mount Tabor with 10 thousand warriors and waited for Sisera's forces. He drove Sisera into jael's tent, which is where Sisera met his doom.
6. Gideon- God calls Gideon to save his people from the Midianites. He destroys his fathers alter to the pagan god Baal, and commands the people to fight. There are to many men and in order to limit them he brings them to the river. Those who cup their hands to drink are sent home and those who lap from the river stay and fight. The Israelites never end up truly fighting, though, because there war cry is so loud, it confuses the Midianites and the Midianites slay each other.
7. Tola- Tola was the son of Puah who judged Israel for 23 years. He died and was buried in Shamir.
8. Jair- Jair judged Israel for 22 years and he had 30sons who owned 30 towns.
9. Jephthah- Jephthah is selected to defend the Israelites from the Ammonites. He promises that if he is victorious he will sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out of his house. They are victorious, but Jephthah regrets his promise when his daughter comes skipping out of the house first. He kills her because of his promise. God promises them another child, who will be there next deliverer. The child is named Samson and is raised as a Nazirite, or a person who doesn't cut their hair as a symbol of his devotion to God.
10. Ibzan- Ibzan judged Israel for 7 years and had 30 sons and 30 daughters. When he died he was buried in Bethlehem.
11. Elon-Elon judged Israel for 10 years. When he died he was buried at Aijalon.
12. Abdon- Abdon judged Israel 8 years and had 40 sons and 30 grandsons. When he died he was buried in Pirathon.
13. Samson- Samson is a Naazirite, or a person who symbolises his devotion to God by never cutting his hair. God givces Samson amazing strength. Samson is supposed to marry a Philistine woman, but when he comes to recieve her, they have already given her to another man. Samson sets the Philistines feilds ablaze and when they come to capture him the Israelites hand him over, but Samson beaks free of the chains and kills 1000 Philistines. (For more information about Samson to go to the story of Samson and Delilah).
Through these judges the Israelites were saved numerous times from the evil and sins that they had done.
The Judges are:
1. Othniel-God had them sold the Israelites to King Cushanrishathaim of Aramnaharaim. They served the king for 8 years till the Israelites asked for forgiveness from God. God sends Othniel, son of Kenaz, to their rescue. He delivers them from slavery.
2. Ehud- The Israelites were worshipping the Canaanite gods which leads God to let the nation of Moab attack them. Ehud comes to save the Israelites. Ehud tells the king he has a secret message for him, so once the servants of the king are gone, he stabs the king, killing him. Then Ehud escapes and leads the Israelites in recapturing the Jordan River valley.
3.Shamgar- Shamgar was the son of Anath who killed 600 of the Philistines with a oxgoad delivering the Israelites once again.
4. Deborah- The Israelites again returned to doing evil and were attacked by a mighty army from the north who had a leader named Sisera. Deborah comes and counsels the people of Israel telling them to revolt. The Israelites, with the help of God, defeat Sisera and his army, but Sisera escapes. He runs into a women named Jael's tent. Sisera hides under a rug thinking he is safe, but he is not. While Sisera is passed out from running, Jael takes a tent stake and drives it through his temple. Deborah sings a song of the defeat calling herself "mother of Israel." (Judges 5:7)
5. Barak- Barak was the assistant of Deborah who went up to Mount Tabor with 10 thousand warriors and waited for Sisera's forces. He drove Sisera into jael's tent, which is where Sisera met his doom.
6. Gideon- God calls Gideon to save his people from the Midianites. He destroys his fathers alter to the pagan god Baal, and commands the people to fight. There are to many men and in order to limit them he brings them to the river. Those who cup their hands to drink are sent home and those who lap from the river stay and fight. The Israelites never end up truly fighting, though, because there war cry is so loud, it confuses the Midianites and the Midianites slay each other.
7. Tola- Tola was the son of Puah who judged Israel for 23 years. He died and was buried in Shamir.
8. Jair- Jair judged Israel for 22 years and he had 30sons who owned 30 towns.
9. Jephthah- Jephthah is selected to defend the Israelites from the Ammonites. He promises that if he is victorious he will sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out of his house. They are victorious, but Jephthah regrets his promise when his daughter comes skipping out of the house first. He kills her because of his promise. God promises them another child, who will be there next deliverer. The child is named Samson and is raised as a Nazirite, or a person who doesn't cut their hair as a symbol of his devotion to God.
10. Ibzan- Ibzan judged Israel for 7 years and had 30 sons and 30 daughters. When he died he was buried in Bethlehem.
11. Elon-Elon judged Israel for 10 years. When he died he was buried at Aijalon.
12. Abdon- Abdon judged Israel 8 years and had 40 sons and 30 grandsons. When he died he was buried in Pirathon.
13. Samson- Samson is a Naazirite, or a person who symbolises his devotion to God by never cutting his hair. God givces Samson amazing strength. Samson is supposed to marry a Philistine woman, but when he comes to recieve her, they have already given her to another man. Samson sets the Philistines feilds ablaze and when they come to capture him the Israelites hand him over, but Samson beaks free of the chains and kills 1000 Philistines. (For more information about Samson to go to the story of Samson and Delilah).
Through these judges the Israelites were saved numerous times from the evil and sins that they had done.
Historical books: Joshua and Judges
Joshua and Judges are both historical books or the history of the Israelites from 1250-100 B.C. They include the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel 1&2, Kings 1&2, Chronicles 1&2, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, and Maccabees 1&2.
Joshua:
Joshua was written by the Deuteronomic school of writers . They were convinced that God punished and rewarded "His people" in the historical books. The true writer of the scripture is unknown, but he implies that the book was written around 13th century B.C. Recent studies have shown, thought, that it was written around the 6th- 7th century B.C. The 24 chapter of Joshua explain the conquest of Palestine and how the land was divided.
Joshua was the successor of Moses who leads the Israelites to the promise lands because of Moses dying on the way to the promise lands. Joshua was the son of Nun and was full of wisdom because Moses "laid his hands on him". He was the leader of the Israelite people when the fall of Jericho and Ai happened.
Judges:
The book of Judges follows right after Joshua and ties into the story of Joshua. The book of Judges has 21 chapters. The author of the book of Judges is unknown, but it was put into its final form by the people from the Deuteronomic school. The people of the Deuteronomic school believe the events of the book of Judges occur during some period of time during the Israelite monarchy, but the exact time or century is not known. Judges is the 2nd historical book of the bible and has 21 chapters. The 12 tribes of Israel were having difficulties living peacefully. So God sent 12 remarkable and wise men and women to help them solve their problems. This book tells of how the Israelites fixed their problems with the help of the 12 judges.
Joshua:
Joshua was written by the Deuteronomic school of writers . They were convinced that God punished and rewarded "His people" in the historical books. The true writer of the scripture is unknown, but he implies that the book was written around 13th century B.C. Recent studies have shown, thought, that it was written around the 6th- 7th century B.C. The 24 chapter of Joshua explain the conquest of Palestine and how the land was divided.
Joshua was the successor of Moses who leads the Israelites to the promise lands because of Moses dying on the way to the promise lands. Joshua was the son of Nun and was full of wisdom because Moses "laid his hands on him". He was the leader of the Israelite people when the fall of Jericho and Ai happened.
Judges:
The book of Judges follows right after Joshua and ties into the story of Joshua. The book of Judges has 21 chapters. The author of the book of Judges is unknown, but it was put into its final form by the people from the Deuteronomic school. The people of the Deuteronomic school believe the events of the book of Judges occur during some period of time during the Israelite monarchy, but the exact time or century is not known. Judges is the 2nd historical book of the bible and has 21 chapters. The 12 tribes of Israel were having difficulties living peacefully. So God sent 12 remarkable and wise men and women to help them solve their problems. This book tells of how the Israelites fixed their problems with the help of the 12 judges.
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