EQUIP BIBLE STUDY

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EQUIP BIBLE STUDY

• SECTION 2

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THE HISTORICAL BOOKS(Joshua to
Esther)
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Historical Books
The Theocratic Books The Monarchical Books The Restoration Books
Joshua 1 2 Samuel Ezra
Judges 1 2 Kings Nehemiah
Ruth 1 2 Chronicles Esther


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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.

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JOSHUA

• Theme Conquest
• Date Written 1405 1385 B.C.
• Author Joshua
• Setting Canaan, the Promised Land

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Joshua

• Joshuas 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.

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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 Israels new
  Leader. Joshuas task is to lead Israel into the
  land of Canaan, drive out the inhabitants, and
  divide the land among the 12 tribes.

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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 Gods commands.
• Active Faith does not require that you understand
  all or any of what God is doing in your life.
  You dont need to understand. You need only to
  obey and then reap the blessings of that
  obedience.

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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.

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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.

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JUDGES

• Theme Deliverance
• Date Written about 1043 B.C.
• Author Samuel
• Setting Canaan

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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.

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Judges ... Continues

• In seven distinct cycles of sin to salvation,
  Judges shows how Israel had set aside Gods law
  and in its place substituted what was right in
  his own eyes (2125).
• The cycles of apostasy and deliverance cover the
  whole land
• Southern (3 7-31) Northern (41 531)
  Central (61 105) Eastern (106 1215)
• Western (131 1631).

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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)

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Judges .... Continues
CYCLE OPPRESSOR YEARS OF OPPRESSION DELIVERER YEARS OF PEACE
1 (37-11) Mesopotamians 8 Othniel 40
2 (312-30) Moabites 18 Ehud 80
Parenthesis (331) Philistines __ Shagmar ___
3 (41-531) Canaanites 20 Deborah/ Barak 40
4 (61 832) Midianites 7 Gideon 40
5 (833-105) Abimelech 3 Tola/Jair 45
6 (106 1215) Ammonites 18 Jepthah/Ibzan/Elon/Abdon 6, 7, 10, 8
7 (131- 1631) Philistines 40 Samson 20
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Life Lessons from Judges

• Dont compromise with the world it leads to
  defeat.
• Dont sin it results in suffering.
• Dont wait until you are without hope to cry out
  to God.
• Dont do what is right in your own eyesdo whats
  right in Gods eyes.

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Survey of Judges

• Deterioration (11 - 34).
• Deliverances (35 1631).
• Depravity (171 2125).

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RUTH

• Theme Redemption
• Date Written 1050 B.C.
• Author Unknown/possibly Samuel
• Setting Moab and Bethlehem

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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 Israels history but does not
  succumb to its moral decay. Ruths story is one
  of integrity, righteousness and faithfulness.
  Ruth and Esther are the only women who have books
  of the Bible named after them.

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Contribution to the Bible
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).
3. Doctrinal Ruth teaches that the Gentiles are not outside the scope of redemption.
4. Moral Ruth communicates high ideals of integrity in relationships and marriage.
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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
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Spiritual meaning of Ruths 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.

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Life Lessons from Ruth

• What you think to be a tragedy is Gods
  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.

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Survey of Ruth

• Ruths love is Demonstrated (Chapters 1-2)
• Ruths Love is Rewarded (Chapters 3-4)

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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 251
  states his death. It could be compiled by one
  person. Samuel could have written the first
  part of the book.
• 1 Chronicle 2929 Samuel, Nathan, and Gad could
  have contributed to write this book.
• Setting The struggling nation of Israel.

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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 276 to the Divided
  monarchy in which Judah is separate from Israel
  indicates a compilation date after Solomons
  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.

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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
  personalitiesSamuel, Saul and David interwoven
  throughout its contents.
• Historically, First Samuel provides the crucial
  link from the Judges to the Monarchy.

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Life Lessons from 1 Samuel

• A Close walk with God will help you better handle
  lifes transitions.
• Your faithful service will be rewarded, at least
  in Gods eyes.
• God wants your inward commitment, not just an
  outward observance.
• Its not how you start thats important, but how
  you finish.

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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)

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SECOND SAMUEL

• Theme Unification
• Date written 931 722 BC
• Author Unknown (see notes of 1 Samuel).
• Setting United Kingdom of Israel.

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2 Samuel ... Continues

• Second Samuel picks up where 1Samuel leaves off.
  Saul is now gone so the people of Judah, Davids
  ancestral tribe, declare David as their king,
  while the northern tribe acknowledge Sauls
  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 Davids 40 year reign.

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Life lessons from 2 Samuel

• Blessings comes to you and those around you when
  you are obedient to Gods 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.

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Survey of 2 Samuel

• Davids Success (Chapters 110).
• Davids Sin (Chapters 11).
• Davids Struggles (Chapter 12 to 24).