The Books of Hebrew History
‘A Minute with the Minister’ By Jeremy Thornton “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 KJV) As we continue our survey of the Bible, we turn our attention to the books commonly know as the books of “Hebrew History” or as some may identify them as the “Former Prophets.” These are the books that begin in Joshua and continue through the book of Ezra. It is in these books that we will notice the promise of God to provide the Land of Canaan to the Israelites, the punishment from God toward those that fail to obey Him, and the providence of God to deliver the righteous through perilous times. Ultimately, through these books we begin to see the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption, as those that would bring the Christ into the world are seen in these books.
The book of Joshua is a significant book as it pertains to the history of the Israelites. In the beginning of this book we find the “servant” of God, Moses, has died (Joshua 1:2), and God commissions Joshua to be the one that will lead the people from the wilderness into the land that was promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:13). As God is instructing Joshua to lead the people God commands him to “be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6-9), and Joshua truly was one that led the people courageously as they made conquest of the land, receiving all that God had promised to the Israelites (Joshua 21:43-45). The key to the success of Joshua and the Israelites, however, could not be attributed to any personal strength they may have possessed but the might of that nation and the victories they enjoyed were a direct result of God being with them (Joshua 1:5).
Judges is a sad tale of what happens when “everyone does that which is right in their own eyes” (Joshua 21:25). The many victories that were seen in the book of Joshua are quickly diminished by the many failures in the book of Judges. In the book of Judges we can find the importance of teaching the Bible to our young ones, as there was a generation that came after Joshua and those that served with him that knew not God, nor the works He had done for Israel (Judges 2:7-11). It is in this book that we see that God will not tolerate disobedience and that every disobedience receives a just recompense of reward, but we also see the patience of God and His willingness to forgive the penitent as He would send a judge or deliverer (Judges 2:16) to save Israel from their oppression.
Ruth is the beautiful story of how God providentially gives to those that are in need. After reading of the tragic events that take place in the book of Judges, a reading of the first few verses of the book of Ruth may appear as if the theme of tragedy will continue. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah become widowed and begin to return to her home country.
Both Ruth and Orpah promise to go with Naomi, but after Naomi pleading for the women to return to their own homes Orpah leaves but Ruth stays with her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:14). As the book continues the providence of God in the lives of these two women are unfolded as Ruth meets Boaz and they marry.
It is a note of interest that Ruth gave birth to Obed, who would be the father of Jesse, and Jesse would be the father of David the king, and all of these men are mentioned in the genealogy of Christ.
1 and 2 Samuel continue the history of the Israelites and show the beginning of the kingdom if Israel. 1 Samuel begins with the birth of Samuel, who would be the leader of the people as they transition from the dark times of the judges to the glorious era of the kings. Samuel was an attendant for the prophet Eli, but was called by God to be the leader of the Israelites. The desire for Israel to be like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:1920) led the installation of Saul as king over Israel. Saul would be a mighty warrior and king for Israel (1 Sam.
9-18), but he would soon be overshadowed by the might of David as people would shout “Saul hath slain thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam.
18:7). David’s reign is the backdrop for the remainder of 1 Samuel and the entirety of 2 Samuel.
1 and 2 Kings begin with Solomon, the son of David, being anointed as king (1 Kings 1:32). Solomon was a man of great wealth and wisdom, and during his reign he would see to the building of the Temple (1 Kings 4-11), but because of his love for strange women the kingdom would be taken away from Solomon by God (1 Kings 11:911). 1 Kings 12 begins the divided kingdoms of Israel. Ten of the twelve tribes of Israel form the northern kingdom of Israel, and the remaining two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) form the southern kingdom of Judah. 2 Kings records the history of the divided kingdoms and brings us to the time of the Babylonian captivity.
1 and 2 Chronicles begin with a listing of genealogies (chapters 1-8) given for the purpose of land ownership (1 Chron. 9:1) after the Babylonain captivity.
Many neglect to study these books as much of the information in them is a restatement of the events in 1 Samuel-2 Kings, but the chronicles give us great commentary and insight to the things already stated in the previous books.
Ezra and Nehemiah show the rebuilding of the Israelites after the seventy years of captivity. These books continue to show the providence of God as the righteous remnant would return and have a mind to work (Neh.
4:6).
The book of Esther is one of the greatest books to show the providence of God although there is no mention of God’s name in the entire book. The Israelites find themselves near extinction but because one coming to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14), and God’s working through the kingdoms of men, Israel is saved from extinction.
As we study these books of Hebrew History we see that God can raise a people, or nation, and God can also bring nations down. For this reason, and many others, we should fear the Lord and obey Him.
Jeremy Thornton is minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion.
