A Walk Through the Bible 3.1

Transcription

1 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 YOU ARE HERE Joshua takes over Last week, we learned about God s plan for Moses to die and for Joshua to be the new leader of Israel. Today s lesson, from Joshua 1-2, tells about his message to the people. We ll also meet a very brave woman. God spoke to Joshua and promised him, Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5b ESV). Here is another time when God promised, I will be with you. Any time God promises that He will be with someone, it always works out right! Keep that in mind when you read Matthew 28:20! Joshua gathered the officers of Israel together and told them to get ready to cross over to the promised land. He said that the nation would cross the Jordan within three days. Let s check this out Joshua secretly sent two men to spy out the land, especially the city of Jericho. The men went into Jericho and went to the home of a woman named Rahab. They stayed at her house. The king of Jericho learned that the men had come, and he sent men to find the spies. He heard that they had gone to Rahab s house, so he sent his men to question her. 1

2 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 The king of Jericho sent a message to Rahab, telling her to bring out the men who came to her house. He said that they had come to search the land. A lie is told But Rahab had hidden them in stalks of flax on her roof. She lied and answered, True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them (Joshua 2:4-5 ESV). Isn t it wrong to tell a lie? But that s what Rahab did. This is a troubling part of the story. Obviously, God used her to help His people and to help work His plan. The men believed her and took the road toward the Jordan River. The gate was shut behind them. And here s why she lied Rahab went to the men whom she hid on her roof. She told them that she knew that the Lord had given them the land. She mentioned that the people of Jericho were afraid of them. Rahab even knew about how the Red Sea had parted for Israel and that Egypt had been destroyed! She had heard of some of the battles Israel had fought as they went through the wilderness. Then she made a wonderful statement: And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath (Joshua 2:11 ESV). I saved you, now you save me! Rahab asked the spies to protect her and be kind to her, since she saved them. She asked them to rescue her and her family when they came to take the land. The men agreed to do that. They told her what needed to be done in order 2

3 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 to be safe when they came to take the land. Tie a scarlet cord in the window to the city wall. Gather her family together in her home. Remain inside. They told her that if anyone left the house, the men would not be responsible if anything happened to him. Rahab agreed. On your way! Rahab let them down by a rope through the window on the city wall. They went into the hill country and stayed there for three days. The men returned to Joshua and told him, Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us (Joshua 2:24 ESV). Okay, but so what? The men were encouraged by Rahab. Not only did she protect them, but she reminded them of all that God had done for them! She told them that the people of the land were afraid of them. This gave the men confidence. There are times in your life when you will be discouraged or even afraid. You need someone to encourage you. Also, there will be times when someone you know is discouraged. This is your opportunity to be encouraging. Don t ever let an opportunity slip away to encourage someone else! Anxiety in a man s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad (Proverbs 12:25 ESV). The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. 3

4 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 Joshua sent two men to spy out Jericho. The spies went to the house of a woman named Rahab. Rahab hid them under stalks of flax on her roof. The king learned of the spies and sent men to find them. Rahab lied to the king s men and sent them off in a different direction. She told the spies that the people of the land had heard of God s protection of them and that they were very afraid. She asked the men to save her and her family when they took the city. The spies agreed, saying that she needed to mark her home with a scarlet cord in the window and to gather her family inside. The spies returned to Joshua and told him the positive news. If you learn nothing else, get this! Encouragement is a great gift! 4

5 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 Let s learn it! 1. Where did Joshua send the spies? 2. To whose house did the spies go? 3. Where did she hide the spies? 4. Who came looking for the spies? 5. What did Rahab tell the king s men? 6. Why did Rahab protect the spies? 7. What did she ask of them in return? 8. What did the spies tell her to do to make sure she and her family were protected? 9. How did the spies escape? 10. What news did they have for Joshua? 5

6 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 For deeper thought... Isn t it wrong to lie? Was it wrong for Rahab to lie to the king s men? In your opinion, would God have found a way to protect the spies if Rahab had told the truth? Could Rahab have helped them without lying? If you were in her place, what would you have done? Tell of a time when you were discouraged. Did someone help you? How could someone have helped you? 6

7 A Walk Through the Bible 3.1 Tell of a time when you helped someone who was discouraged. Look back at what Rahab told the spies. What does this tell you about a good way to encourage someone? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

8 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 YOU ARE HERE Joshua takes over Last week, we learned about the spies who checked out Jericho. In today s lesson, from Joshua 3-4, we ll enter the Promised Land! Joshua, encouraged by God s promises and the spies report, rose early, and he and Israel set out for the Jordan River. They stayed there, and the leaders went among the people and told them, As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before (Joshua 3:3-4 ESV). This is such a good thing to remember! No matter what is going on in your life, you haven t been this way before, and you need God to lead you! Remember, the ark of the covenant represented God s presence! Always let Him lead! Get ready to move! Joshua told the people to prepare themselves to purify themselves because they would see great wonders from God the next day! Then he told the priests to take the ark and cross ahead of the people. God told him to tell the priests, When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan (Joshua 3:8 ESV). 1

9 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 The crossing begins Joshua promised the people that God would drive out those who lived in the land. He then told the priests who were carrying the ark to go into the Jordan River! As soon as the feet of the priests who carried the ark entered into the Jordan River, the waters flowing down stopped and rose up into a heap! This is not a small miracle! The Bible tells us that during the days of harvest, the Jordan River floods out of its banks! This was more than just a tiny stream! The priests carried the ark to the middle of the Jordan River, standing on dry ground, while all the nation of Israel crossed over on dry ground! Does this story sound familiar? Remember in the Exodus, when Israel was leaving Egypt, God stopped the Red Sea, and Israel crossed on dry ground! A memorial When all the people had crossed the Jordan River, God told Joshua to select one man from each of the tribes and tell them to go back to the middle of the Jordan and pick up a rock near where the priests stood. They were told to take the rock to where they would camp for the night. This was to be a memorial. Why do we need memorials? Because we re human, and we forget! God wanted the people to be able to show their children and grandchildren the rocks and to tell them where they came from! They would always be able to tell the story of God s great care for them! Then Joshua set up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood. The priests finish crossing God told Joshua to tell the priests to come out of the river. As soon as they stood on the shore of the Jordan in Canaan, the waters came rushing back and closed over 2

10 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 the rocks and overflowed its banks again! God keeps His promises! God had promised to Joshua that He would lead His people, since they had not been that way before. He kept that promise. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills (Deut. 8:7 ESV). Okay, but so what? God had promised to Moses and later to Joshua that He would bring the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. God kept this promise. This gives us hope for our future, because God has made promises to us, too! He promises us a home in Heaven with Him if we will trust and obey Him. He promises that He will be with us. He promises us that death is not the end. We can trust God to keep His promises! The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. I promise God told Joshua to prepare the people to cross the Jordan River. He told Joshua that the priests were to carry the ark into the river. When the priests stepped into the river, it stopped flowing and the waters stacked up in a heap. The Israelites crossed on dry ground. God told one man from each tribe to collect a stone from where the priests were standing and take it to their campground. In the middle of the Jordan River, Joshua built a stack of 12 rocks from where the priests were standing. As soon as the priests stepped out of the Jordan River, the water began flowing again. 3

11 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 If you learn nothing else, get this! God keeps His promises! 4

12 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 Let s learn it! 1. What led the way across the Jordan River? 2. Who carried it? 3. What happened when the priests feet touched the Jordan River? 4. Where did the priests stand while the people crossed over? 5. What did God tell Joshua to do when they had crossed over? 6. What was God s purpose in this? 7. What did Joshua do next? 8. What happened when the priests stood on the Promised Land? 5

13 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 For deeper thought... What does the Ark represent? Why is it important that the Ark led the way? What is the purpose of a memorial? What memorials do we have today, both in church and just in our lives in general? How do they help us to remember? Name some specific promises that God has made to people in the Bible. Did He keep those promises? 6

14 A Walk Through the Bible 3.2 What are some specific promises that God has made to Christians? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

15 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 YOU ARE HERE A strange meeting Last week, we entered the Promised Land! This week, we ll see the walls of Jericho fall, as told in Joshua 5-6. Israel had entered the land of Canaan. God stopped feeding the people manna, since there were crops available in Canaan. Joshua was by Jericho one day, where he saw a man standing opposite him with a sword in his hand! Joshua went to him and asked, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? (Josh. 5:13b ESV). The man told him that he was captain of the host of God! Then he told Joshua to take his sandals off because he was standing on holy ground. Does this sound familiar? When Moses saw the burning bush, God spoke to him from the bush and told him to take his sandals off since he was standing on holy ground! A strange battle plan God gave Joshua the battle plan for taking the city of Jericho. It was not your typical battle plan! And the warriors of Israel were probably very confused when they heard it! 1

16 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 All the armed men were to march around the city once a day for six days without speaking. The priests were to blow trumpets of rams horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. After the seventh time around, all the people were to shout. God promised Joshua that when the people shouted, the city wall would collapse and the Israelites could enter the city. The battle begins Joshua gathered the people and told them the plan. He warned them to make sure they were silent until he told them to shout. The next morning, the priests took the ark. Seven priests carrying seven trumpets went before the ark, blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them. The rear guard followed the ark. They marched around the city once and went back to their camp. Imagine you live in Jericho. What are you thinking as you see this army marching around your city blowing trumpets and then going away? Do you feel threatened or amused? The army did this for five more days. The seventh day, the army got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times. The seventh time, Joshua reminded the army to spare Rahab and her family and then told the army to shout! And the walls come a-tumbling down When the trumpets sounded and the people shouted, the wall collapsed, just like God said it would! The wall fell straight down. The Israelite army charged straight in and took the 2

17 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 city. They destroyed every living thing animals, people everything, as God had told them to. But they found Rahab and her family and brought them safely out. Then they set fire to the city. Joshua pronounced a curse on the city. He said, Cursed before the LORD be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates (Joshua 6:26b ESV). And this came out exactly as stated! In I Kings 16:34, the Bible says, In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun (ESV). By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days (Hebrews 11:30 ESV). Promises kept The Israelites did as God told them; they burned Jericho completely. Rahab and her family lived among Israel for the rest of their lives because she helped the spies. They promised to protect her, and they kept that promise. Okay, but so what? Israel obeyed God s commands about how to take the city although it was a very strange plan. There are commands in the Bible that may not make much sense to us, like Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38 ESV). We may not understand why baptism is necessary or what it has to do with the forgiveness of sins, but it s what God told us to do! Another so what is that we are to keep our promises. The spies promised to protect Rahab and her family, and they kept their promise. We expect God to keep His promises, and if we make promises, we are to keep them! 3

18 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. A man with a sword talked to Joshua and told him that he was standing on holy ground. God gave Joshua a very strange battle plan to destroy Jericho. Israel obeyed God s battle plan by marching around the city one time every day for six days, silent except for horns blowing. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times. When they received the signal, the Israelites shouted, and the city walls fell straight down. The Israelites rescued Rahab and her family. They killed every other living creature and then burned the city. If you learn nothing else, get this! If we obey God s commands, we ll succeed! 4

19 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 Let s learn it! 1. Why did God stop feeding the Israelites? 2. God told the Israelites to march around the city how many times on the first through sixth days? 3. What sound did God authorize during the marching? 4. What did God say the Israelites were to carry? 5. What happened on the seventh day after the people had marched and shouted? 6. Who did the Israelites rescue? 7. What did Israel do to the city? 8. What curse was pronounced that day? 5

20 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 For deeper thought... Imagine you are an Israelite warrior. What do you think of God s battle plan (be honest!)? How would you feel while marching around the city one time, blowing a horn, and then going back to the camp? Why is it important that Joshua kept his promise to Rahab? Why is it important that Rahab obeyed the spies instructions to hang a scarlet cord and keep her family inside? 6

21 A Walk Through the Bible 3.3 Think once more about God s battle plan and how it probably did not make sense to the Israelites. Does baptism make sense to you? How does it connect you with Jesus blood? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

22 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 YOU ARE HERE Jericho was just the beginning... Last week, we learned of the fall of Jericho. Jericho was just the beginning! Joshua and the other fighters took other cities in the Promised Land as well! Our lesson today is from Joshua 8-9. The battle against Ai God told Joshua to fight against Ai. Again, He had a battle plan. God s plan was for Israel to lay in ambush behind the city. He told them to completely destroy the city. Joshua led 30,000 brave men behind Ai and told them God s plan. He told them that he and some men would go to the front of the city. Joshua said that the men of the city would run out of the town to chase them off, and that they would run away, as if they were scared. Then when the men of Ai were chasing Joshua, the brave men were to attack and take the city! The battle begins Joshua arose early in the morning. He took about 5,000 men and stationed them west of the city. Then he made sure the officials of Ai saw him. The king of Ai gathered his army and went out to meet Israel. Joshua pretended to be beaten and began running away. The city was left completely empty. Then God told Joshua to stretch out his hand, holding his javelin, toward Ai. When he did so, the men hiding in ambush arose, ran 1

23 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 into the city, and captured it. Then they set it on fire. When the men of Ai saw their city on fire, they turned back but were so upset they couldn t even run. Joshua and the Israelites struck down the men of Ai very easily. Then they obeyed God s command and destroyed all the people of the town. Then Joshua raised a heap of stones at the city gate as a memorial. The neighbors get worried The people of the land of Gibeon, a city which was fairly close to where the Israelites were camping, came up with a plan. The Gibeonites gathered together many worn-out items, like sacks, wineskins, clothes, and shoes. They also gathered up food that was old, rotten, and stale, and they packed them up in their worn sacks. Then they made the short trip to meet with the Israelites. The lie When they reached the Israelites, the said, We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us (Joshua 9:6b ESV). When the Gibeonites asked Israel to make a covenant, they meant that they wanted to be on peaceful terms with them. A covenant is a binding agreement that is not easily broken. The Israelites were smart they asked them where they came from. The Gibeonites continued to lie, saying that they came from a distant country. They used flattery by naming all the places Israel had destroyed. Most people enjoy hearing good things about themselves! But keep in mind that some people will use flattery to try to get what they want from you! 2

24 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 Then they showed Joshua their moldy bread and broken and cracked wineskins. They explained that the bread was still warm from the oven when they packed it and that the wineskins were brand new when they were filled right before they left! The Gibeonites showed their worn-out sandals and clothes and said they were new when they left. Joshua s mistake Then Joshua made a big mistake. He and the Israelites did not talk to God about this. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed (Proverbs 15:22 ESV). Joshua and the others leaders made a covenant with the Gibeonites, and the whole nation promised them peace. The truth comes out After three days, Israel learned the truth that Gibeon was a neighboring town! But because the Israelites had promised Gibeon, they did not attack them. Instead, they put the Gibeonites to work for them. Okay, but so what? The so what here is that you should always talk to God before making decisions. Joshua apparently did not think this was an important decision but, really, no decision is too small to make on your own. God wants to be a part of your life, and He will help you! The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. 3

25 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 God gave Joshua a plan to defeat the king of Ai. God told Israel to completely destroy Ai. The nearby Gibeonites made a plan to lie to Israel. The Gibeonites packed up old food in worn-out containers and put on old, ragged clothes. The Gibeonites traveled the short distance to Israel and lied to Joshua, saying they lived far away. Joshua did not talk to God about the Gibeonites before making a decision. Joshua agreed that Israel would not destroy Gibeon, and then Joshua learned that Gibeon was nearby. If you learn nothing else, get this! Make sure you include God in your decisions! 4

26 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 Let s learn it! 1. Which city did God tell Israel to conquer after Jericho? 2. What was God s battle plan this time? 3. After they destroyed the city, what did Joshua do? 4. Which neighboring city planned to lie to Israel? 5. Explain how they deceived Israel. 6. What did they ask of Israel? 7. What big mistake did Joshua make? 8. What did Israel decide to do about the Gibeonites? 5

27 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 For deeper thought... Why did God change battle plans, especially since His plan to defeat Jericho was so successful? Why did the Gibeonites decide to lie to Israel? If you were an Israelite at this time, would you have believed the Gibeonites? Why or why not? 6

28 A Walk Through the Bible 3.4 Do you talk to God before making decisions? Why or why not? Can you think of a decision where He can give you guidance? Since Israel was deceived by the Gibeonites, do you think they needed to keep their promise? Would you have kept your word in this situation? Why or why not? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

29 A Walk Through the Bible 3.5 YOU ARE HERE So much land... Last week, we talked about the Gibeonites and how they lied to Joshua. Today we ll look at a big job that Joshua needed to take care of: dividing the land. Today s lesson comes from most of the book of Joshua, with a step back to Numbers 32. More battles Joshua continued to lead the Israelites into battle. With God s leading, they defeated kings and took more land from the Canaanites. He obeyed God s commands to destroy the people. This sounds terrible. God is a loving God, so why would He command Joshua to kill everyone? It s because the Canaanites worshiped idols. God knew that if the Canaanites lived among the Israelites, Israel would probably start worshiping idols, too. That s why God said, So you shall purge the evil from your midst (Deut. 17:7b ESV). Joshua was very old at this time, and God said to him, You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess (Joshua 13:1b ESV). He went on to say, Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:6b-7 ESV). Wait a minute! Aren t there 12 tribes? What s all this about 9 1 /2 tribes? Let s look at that in more detail. 1

30 A Walk Through the Bible 3.5 Going back in time During the time of the wilderness wanderings, two tribes, Reuben and Gad, looked at the lands of Jazer and Gilead. They saw that it was very good pasture land, and they had much cattle. So, leaders from these tribes went to Moses and asked him to give them this land. At first, Moses was angry at them. He thought they were trying to avoid war and worried that they would discourage the other tribes. The leaders told Moses that they were not trying to avoid war. They told Moses, We will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance (Numbers 32:17-18 ESV). Moses listened carefully to the leaders and agreed that they may settle on the east side of the Jordan River. Half of the tribe of Manasseh wanted to remain there as well. Division of the land Because Moses had already given land to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, Joshua only had to divide the land west of the Jordan River among eight tribes. Remember, the tribe of Levi was the priestly tribe. They were not assigned land. They were to live among the tribes and serve as priests. Caleb s request Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, came to Joshua with a special request. Caleb was one of the two spies who declared that the land could easily be taken with God s help. He asked Joshua to give him the land of Hebron. Joshua blessed him and gave him the land he asked for. Joshua then began working on dividing the rest of the land. 2

31 A Walk Through the Bible 3.5 How to divide all that land? The land was large, and Joshua needed a way to divide it fairly. He decided to divide it by lot. Quick review on the lot : This was a system of deciding things or learning the truth. God would make sure the correct lot was chosen. It could be several stones with one marked to select a person. In this case, Joshua may have written the name of a tribe on a stone and called out an area of land as he drew out the stone. Joshua divided all the land to the remaining tribes. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass (Joshua 21:45 ESV). God kept His promises to Israel. He promised to bring them safely into the Promised Land. He promised to lead them in war to take the land. Cities of refuge God told Joshua to appoint cities of refuge. Here is the purpose of a city of refuge and the way to use it. A person who accidentally kills another may run to a city of refuge. The family members of the killed man may not enter the city of refuge to get revenge. The person who accidentally killed another could not leave the city of refuge until the high priest died; then he would be free to leave. Each of the cities of refuge were also assigned to the tribe of Levi. Trouble ahead Even though God led Israel to victory, the Israelites got lazy. Some of the tribes moved to their assigned land but did not drive out the Canaanites. 3

32 A Walk Through the Bible 3.5 Okay, but so what? The so what is a big one. This lesson is another reminder that God keeps His promises. The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. God helped Israel to take the Promised Land of Canaan. God told Joshua to divide the land among 9 1 / 2 tribes. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the Manasseh tribe settled east of the Jordan River. The tribe of Levi was not assigned land; it was assigned cities. Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, requested the land of Hebron. Joshua divided the land using the lot system. Joshua assigned the cities of refuge where a person who accidentally kills another may stay in safety. If you learn nothing else, get this! God keeps His promises! 4

33 A Walk Through the Bible 3.5 Let s learn it! 1. What job did God have for Joshua to complete? 2. How many tribes needed land assigned? 3. Which tribes had land assigned east of the Jordan River? 4. Which tribe did not need a land assignment? 5. Who asked for the land of Hebron? 6. What method did Joshua use to assign the land? 7. What is a city of refuge? 8. When could a person safely leave a city of refuge? 9. Which tribe was assigned to the cities of refuge? 5

34 A Walk Through the Bible 3.5 For deeper thought... How would it have discouraged the Israelites if Reuben and Gad had stayed east of the Jordan and refused to fight? Why was it necessary to have cities of refuge? Look in your Bible at Numbers 35:16-19 for a clue. Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 6

35 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 YOU ARE HERE The beginning of hard times At the end of last week s lesson, we got a hint that Israel had trouble in its future. In today s lesson, from Joshua 24 and Judges 1-2, we ll learn about the trouble brewing and the cause. A leader says good-bye Joshua had obeyed God and was faithful all his life. He divided the Promised Land. Then he called together the leaders of the people. He reminded them of all the good things God had done for them. He reviewed the exodus from Egyptian slavery and the wilderness wanderings. He urged the people to always serve God faithfully and to not serve idols. Joshua ended his speech with these wonderful words: And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. A solemn promise whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15 ESV). The leaders of Israel promised that they would serve the Lord. Joshua wrote down the words of their covenant in the Book of the Law of God and put up a stone of witness. 1

36 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 Death of a good leader Joshua died at the age of 110. The people buried him at Timnath-serah, on his portion of the land. Israel was faithful to God throughout the time of Joshua s leadership. After Joshua s death, the people were without a leader. They tried to do what was right. The tribes of Judah and Simeon went to war to drive out the Canaanites in their land. Things start to fall apart Judah and Simeon followed God s leadership and drove out the Canaanites. The other tribes did not. Here is how it all worked out. Benjamin allowed the Jebusites to live in their land. Manasseh allowed several villages to stay and eventually put the people living there in forced labor. Ephraim allowed the people of Gezer to live in their land. Zebulun let several villages stay but put them in forced labor. Naphtali and Asher not only let people stay in their land but lived among them. Dan was driven into the hills by the Amorites. The root of the problem Today s memory verse is one of the saddest in the entire Bible: And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10 ESV). Because the parents didn t teach their children about God, the children knew nothing about God. When the parents died, the children had no one to ask about who God is and what He had done for them. They did not know about their release from Egyptian slavery or about the Law or that God keeps His promises. 2

37 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 Since the Israelites no longer knew about God, they began worshiping idols, like the Canaanites did. They even began marrying Canaanites! They did everything God told them NOT to do! A sorry cycle As we study together the book of Judges through the next several weeks, we will see a pattern, or cycle. Here is what happened: The Israelites began sinning and worshiping idols. God would allow other nations to rise up and conquer Israel. The Israelites would cry out to God. God would hear their cries and raise up a judge to save them. The judge would lead Israel to victory. As long as the judge lived, Israel enjoyed peace. The judge died. The Israelites began sinning and worshiping idols....and the cycle would continue again and again and again. A word about judges Today, we think of a judge as a man in a robe behind a big table with a gavel in his hand, or possibly a celebrity deciding who is the best dancer or singer. In Bible times, a judge was a military leader, like a general. The book of Judges is an exciting, violent book. It is also a very sad book because it tells of a very dark time in Israel s history. Okay, but so what? Since you are in Bible class today, you have parents or someone else who cares enough about God and about you to want you to know about God and all the good things He has done for His people. It is important to keep teaching others about God so that we don t fall into sin and disobedience, like the Israelites did. 3

38 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. Joshua reminded Israel of all the good things God had done for them. Israel promised to obey God. Joshua died at age 110 after living a life of total faithfulness to God. After Joshua died, two tribes obeyed God and drove out the Canaanites. The other tribes did not obey, and the Canaanites lived among them. Israel eventually began worshiping idols and marrying Canaanites. Parents stopped teaching their children about God. A cycle or pattern began of Israel s unfaithfulness and God s deliverance by a judge He raised up. If you learn nothing else, get this! We must teach others about God! 4

39 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 Let s learn it! 1. Of what did Joshua remind the people? 2. What did the Israelites promise to do? 3. How old was Joshua when he died? 4. Which tribes obeyed God by driving out the Canaanites? 5. What is the cause of Israel s fall? 6. What did the Israelites do since they no longer knew about God? 7. Write the seven items in the cycle of Israel s history during the Judges: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. 5

40 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 For deeper thought... When you are older, you will have to choose who you will serve. How can you make sure you make a good decision? How do your parents teach you about God? Is there anyone in particular who teaches you about God? God told Israel not to marry the Canaanites. Why does God care about who His people marry? 6

41 A Walk Through the Bible 3.6 Since Israel did all the things God told them not to do, why did He answer their prayers? Look at Exodus 34:6-7 for a clue. Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

42 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 YOU ARE HERE God raises up judges Last week we learned of the cycle that takes place throughout the book of Judges: Israel sins, Israel is taken over by other nations, Israel prays to God for help, God sends a judge to help, a time of peace, then Israel sins again. Our lesson today, from Judges 3-4, is about the first few judges over Israel. Let s meet our judges! There were all kinds of judges who led Israel during this time. Some were good; some were bad; some showed very bad judgment; and there was one female judge. Although this was a very sad time in Israel s history, it was also a very exciting and violent time. Othniel The left-handed judge We are not told much about Othniel. Israel had begun serving idols, so God allowed the king of Aram to take Israel captive for eight years. Othniel was Caleb s nephew. He led Israel to victory and broke them free from Aram s rule. Israel was at peace for 40 years, until Othniel died. Israel began sinning again, so God allowed them to be taken over by Moab. Moab was ruled by a king named Eglon. Israel was captive to Moab 1

43 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 for 18 years. Israel began crying out to God, so he sent a member of the tribe of Benjamin, named Ehud, to save them. He was left-handed. Interesting trivia: Any time a person in the Bible is described as being left-handed, he is always from the tribe of Benjamin! Just how fat was he? Ehud went to visit Eglon, the king of Moab. Eglon was a very, very fat man. Ehud pretended he was going to give him a gift. He had a double-edged sword strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. Ehud went in to the king s room and presented the gift. He said he had a secret message for him. Eglon ordered all his guards to leave, and he and Ehud were alone. Ehud approached him and said, I have a message from God for you (Judges 3:20b ESV). Then he drew the sword from where it was hidden and plunged it into the king s belly. Eglon was so fat that even the handle of the sword was swallowed up and the fat closed around it. Then Ehud went out onto the porch and closed the doors behind him and locked them. Hmmm...he s been in there a long time! Meanwhile, the guards found the doors locked. There must have been a terrible smell because they assumed that Eglon was in the bathroom. They kept waiting, then finally decided that they had to go in to check on the king. When they unlocked the door, they found Eglon dead on the floor. Eglon s guards don t look too good here! You may wonder why they didn t search Ehud before leaving him alone with the king. Perhaps they did, but since so few people are left-handed, they probably just patted down his left side. As for waiting so long before going in to investigate...well, you don t want to embarrass the boss! Ehud freed Israel from Moab s rule, and the land enjoyed peace for 80 years. 2

44 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 Shamgar The Bible tells us almost nothing about this judge. He killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad and saved Israel. Deborah takes charge Israel again began sinning, so God allowed them to be conquered by Canaan. After 20 years of suffering, Israel began to pray to God. God sent Deborah to them. She was a prophetess. She called Barak and told him that God had called him to go to war against the commander of the Canaanite army, a man named Sisera. Barak s answer was, If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go (Judges 4:8 ESV). Deborah agreed to go with him, but she told him that Sisera would be defeated by a woman since he refused to accept his God-given responsibility. This story reminds us that if men refuse their God-given task of leadership, God will give it to women. It s so important for men to accept the work and responsibility that God gives to them! The war begins Deborah and Barak went to Kedesh. There they gathered about 10,000 men. When Sisera heard that Israel s army was gathering at Mount Tabor, he called out 900 chariots of iron and all his men and went to Mount Tabor. The battle was fierce! Sisera s army was defeated, but Sisera himself ran away. He came to the tent of a friend of his, named Heber. Heber s wife, Jael, invited him into the tent. She let him lay down and covered him up. He asked her for water, and she gave him some milk. He asked her to stand at the tent door and if someone came looking for him, she was to lie and say he was not there. Then he went to sleep. 3

45 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 When he was sound asleep, Jael took a tent peg and hammer and drove the peg into his temple, killing him. When Barak came past, Jael called him in and showed him Sisera s dead body. Israel grew stronger and eventually destroyed the king of Canaan. Deborah led Israel peacefully for 40 years. She wrote a song of praise, telling of the war and of Jael s courage in killing Sisera. Okay, but so what? God raised up leaders according to their talents. God gives talents to each of us. It is our responsibility to develop and use these talents to God s glory. God is not pleased when we refuse to do the work He has given us to do. Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them (Judges 2:16 ESV). The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. God raised up judges when Israel cried for help. The first judge was Othniel, the nephew of Caleb. Ehud, a left-handed judge, killed Eglon, king of Moab, a very fat man. The third judge was Shamgar. Deborah, a prophetess, served as Israel s judge. Deborah told Barak that God wanted him to go to war against the Canaanite army, led by Sisera. Barak refused to go unless Deborah went with him. Deborah agreed to go but said that a woman would kill Sisera. Israel won the battle, and Sisera ran. Sisera went to Heber and Jael s tent, and there Jael killed him. Deborah wrote a song of praise. If you learn nothing else, get this! God gives His people leaders according to their talents! 4

46 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 Let s learn it! 1. Who was Israel s first judge? 2. Who was this man s uncle? 3. Which judge was left-handed? 4. From which tribe was he? 5. How did he kill Eglon, the Moabite king? 6. How was he able to escape? 7. Who was Israel s third judge? 8. Who was Israel s fourth judge? 9. What other job did this woman have? 10. Who did she call on to kill the Canaanite army s leader? 11. He said he would go on one condition. What was it? 12. Who killed Sisera? 13. How did she do it? 5

47 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 For deeper thought... How did Ehud s left-handedness help him to kill Eglon? Do you have a physical trait that can help you to serve God? Do you know anyone who does? Explain. What does the story of Barak s refusal to go without Deborah tell you about him? 6

48 A Walk Through the Bible 3.7 What talents do you have that help you to serve God? How can you develop your talents? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

49 A Walk Through the Bible 3.8 YOU ARE HERE Wheat hidden in a winepress Last week we learned about the first few judges. This week we ll talk about Gideon, from Judges 6-8. After Deborah s time of judging, Israel had peace for 40 years. Then the Midianites came. They were very harsh to Israel. Israel had to hide in caves, and the Midianites and Amalekites would come and steal their crops. The Israelites were starving to death. A man named Joash had a son named Gideon. Gideon was processing wheat in a winepress. Usually wheat processing is not done in a winepress; he had to do it here to conceal it from the Midianites. An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. Gideon offered the angel some food, which he accepted by touching it with the tip of his staff, causing the food to be burned up. The angel told Gideon that God had selected him to be a leader. That night, Gideon destroyed the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole in the town. It s not that I don t trust you, but... The Midianites and Amalekites gathered and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. Gideon received the Spirit from God, and he gathered men to fight. But, Gideon was still uncertain. He talked to God and asked for proof that he was really the man to lead Israel. He placed a wool fleece on the ground and asked God to produce dew only on the fleece. The next morning, the ground was completely dry but 1

50 A Walk Through the Bible 3.8 the fleece was so wet with dew that Gideon wrung out a whole bowlful of water! Then Gideon asked God to try just one more thing. He asked that God cover the ground with dew but leave the fleece dry. In the morning, Gideon discovered that the ground was wet but the fleece was dry. God reduces the army When Gideon prepared to lead the army to attack Midian, God told him that there were too many men in his army! How can there be too many men in an army? God said that if they had a big army, Israel would think that its own might had destroyed Midian. God wanted to prove to them that it was by His might, not the army s! God told Gideon to tell those who were afraid that they could go home. Of the 32,000 men, 22,000 men left! That left only 10,000. But God told Gideon that was still too many. He prepared a test for the army. Gideon took the men to a river. He told them to drink. Some of the men got on their hands and knees to drink straight out of the river. A few bent down, got a handful of water, and drank from their hands. God selected the 300 men who drank from their hands! That s a mighty small army. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31 ESV). I had a dream The night before they were to attack, God talked to Gideon. He told him that if he was afraid, he should go to the Midianite camp with his servant and listen to what the Midianites were saying. Gideon went down to the Midianites camp, which was huge. He got there 2

51 A Walk Through the Bible 3.8 just in time to hear one man telling another about a dream he d had. He said that a round loaf of barley bread had rolled into the camp with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed. His friend told him that the bread was the sword of Gideon. He said that God had given the Midianites into Gideon s hands. Sometimes dreams just don t make sense. Sometimes they can help solve problems. This dream told the future, and it gave Gideon the courage he needed to carry out God s plans! God makes the strangest battle plans! Gideon headed right back to his camp and got his 300 men together. He told them that God had given the Midianites into their hands! He gave each man a trumpet and an empty clay jar. He gave each one a torch and told each man to put the torch into the jar. He instructed his men to follow him and to do exactly what he did. He told them that when he gave the signal, they were to blow the trumpet and shout, For the Lord and for Gideon! Together they went to the edge of the Midianite camp. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars. What effect do you think this had? Imagine you are sleeping soundly in your tent. You hear trumpets blowing and something breaking. You look out, and you see hundreds of torches burning! It s hard to figure out exactly how many there are it looks like a huge army out there! The Midianites ran for their lives! Gideon and his men chased them and captured and killed two of the leaders. Gideon led Israel into other battles as well. A sad ending The Israelites went to Gideon and asked him to be Israel s ruler. Gideon said no, but then he asked everyone to give him all the golden earrings they had taken from their enemies. The people gave him the gold, and Gideon 3

52 A Walk Through the Bible 3.8 made an ephod, which the people began worshiping. It s sad that so many people give up after living a faithful life to God. You will see this in other people in the Bible as well. Gideon served God faithfully until the end when he made this ephod, and it became an idol the very thing God hates! Okay, but so what? Sometimes our problems look overwhelming to us way too big for us to handle. But, God knows us and cares for us, and He will fight for us. There is no problem too big for God to handle! The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. The Israelites were being starved to death by the Midianites and Amalekites, who stole their crops. God called Gideon to overcome the Midianites. Gideon destroyed the altar to Baal and the Asherah. Gideon tested God twice by using a fleece, and God patiently agreed. God reduced the number of Gideon s army twice, so they would not be proud and would know that victory was God s. Gideon listened as a Midianite told of his dream and learned the meaning of it. Gideon destroyed Midian by attacking at night armed with trumpets, jars, and torches. Gideon led Israel to victory. Gideon later built a golden ephod, which the Israelites worshiped. If you learn nothing else, get this! Victory comes from God! 4

53 A Walk Through the Bible 3.8 Let s learn it! 1. How were the Midianites and Amalekites starving Israel? 2. What was Gideon doing when the angel appeared to him? 3. What brave thing did Gideon do after the angel talked to him? 4. What tests did Gideon request of God? A. B. 5. How many men left the army because of fear? 6. How did God further reduce the army? 7. What did Gideon hear from the Midianites that gave him courage? 8. Explain God s unusual battle plan for defeating Midian. 9. What did Gideon build later in life that hurt himself and Israel? 5

54 A Walk Through the Bible 3.8 For deeper thought... Would you like to ask God to prove His existence? What would you ask Him to do? Should we ask God to prove Himself? How do you think Gideon felt when God reduced his army from 33,000 men to 300? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 6

55 A Walk Through the Bible 3.9 YOU ARE HERE Continuing in Judges... Last week, we talked about Gideon. This week, we ll discuss several judges, and the first one is Gideon s son. Our lesson, from Judges 9-12, shows that some of the judges weren t always the brightest people. Today s first judge is Gideon s son, Abimelech. Abimelech didn t start out well. Every judge in the past had been chosen by God. But, Abimelech chose himself to be judge! Gideon had 70 sons, and Abimelech hired some thugs to kill all his brothers except one, who hid himself. Abimelech led Israel for three years. He was killed when he was trying to burn down a tower full of people. A woman threw a stone on his head and wounded him. He asked his armor-bearer to draw his sword and kill him, so they couldn t say that a woman had killed him. Tola and Jair Two more judges served after Abimelech. The first was Tola. He judged Israel for 23 years. After him came Jair, from Gilead. He led Israel for 22 years. The pattern continued. Israel worshiped Baal, the Ashtaroth, and the gods of the Canaanites and there were a lot of gods of the Canaanites! God grew very angry with them because of their disobedience. He allowed the Philistines and the Ammonites to crush Israel down. The people prayed and started looking for a leader. 1

56 A Walk Through the Bible 3.9 Meet Jephthah Jephthah was from Gilead. The leaders of Gilead came to him and asked him to lead them in fighting the Ammonites. He agreed to do so only if they would agree that he would be Israel s leader. The town leaders promised to do so. The first thing Jephthah did was to send a message to the Ammonites, trying to find out why they were attacking. They sent several messages back and forth, trying to come to a settlement. This process, called diplomacy, is often used, even today, to avoid war. If it is at all possible, it is easier to come to agreement instead of going to war. Sounds like Jephthah was a good leader! Unfortunately, the Ammonites refused to come to agreement with Jephthah, so the war was on. A foolish promise Jephthah got his army ready to battle with the Ammonites. Then he made a very foolish promise to God. He said, If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering (Judges 11:30b-31 ESV). What was he thinking?! What did he think would come out of his house to meet him? It would almost certainly be human a wife or a child! The pagan world of this time had influenced him. Human sacrifice was common in pagan faith, but it was not pleasing to God! Then, he went into battle and destroyed the Ammonites! He ruined 20 of their towns. Then he went home. As he approached, his only child, a daughter, came out to meet him! She was dancing to the sound of tambourines. Jephthah was very sad to see her. He told her of the promise he had made to God. She asked her father to give her two months to mourn. She went away with 2

57 A Walk Through the Bible 3.9 her friends and was gone for two months. When she returned, he kept his promise to God. Yet more foolishness The tribe of Ephraim then tried to pick a fight with Jephthah! They asked why he went to battle but didn t ask them to help. Then, they threatened to burn his house! Jephthah again tried to reason with them, and he ended up gathering the Gileadites to fight with the Ephraimites! The Gileadites won the battle, and they captured the fords of the Jordan River. From then on, when anyone wanted to go over the fords, the Gileadites would ask, Are you an Ephraimite? When he said, No, they said to him, Then say Shibboleth, and he said Sibboleth, for he could not pronounce it right (Judges 12:5b-6a ESV). Jephthah led Israel for six years. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin (Proverbs 10:8 ESV). More judges There were still more judges who ruled Israel. Ibzan, who led Israel for seven years. Elon, who led Israel for 10 years. Abdon, who led Israel for eight years. Okay, but so what? In today s lesson we see that people s mouths got them into trouble! Jephthah made a foolish promise to God, and the Ephraimites foolishly challenged Jephthah for no reason. It s so easy for us to talk without knowledge! We need to learn to think before we speak, and especially not to make foolish promises 3

58 A Walk Through the Bible 3.9 to God that we can t or shouldn t keep. The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. Abimelech made himself judge and hired men to kill his brothers. Abimelech came to a violent end when a woman hit him in the head with a millstone. Jephthah agreed to judge Israel and warred against the Ammonites. Jephthah made a foolish promise to God, saying that he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house to meet him after he won the battle. Jephthah s daughter came out to meet him after the successful battle. His daughter spent two months mourning with her friends. Jephthah kept his promise. The Ephraimites picked a fight with Jephthah and lost. The Gileadites set up a checkpoint at the fords of the Jordan, making the Ephraimites correctly say a password to cross over. If you learn nothing else, get this! Think before you speak! 4

59 A Walk Through the Bible 3.9 Let s learn it! 1. Which one of Gideon s sons appointed himself as judge? 2. How did he die? 3. Who were the next two judges? 4. How did Jephthah try to avoid war with the Ammonites? 5. What foolish promise did he make to God? 6. Who met him when he came home from war? 7. Did Jephthah keep his promise? 8. Which tribe started an argument with Jephthah? 9. What was the password the Gileadites made the people say in order to cross the ford of the Jordan? 10. How did this password show whether or not the person was an Ephraimite? 5

60 A Walk Through the Bible 3.9 For deeper thought... Read Leviticus 27:1-8. How could Jephthah have handled his foolish promise and saved his daughter s life? What does his sacrifice of his daughter tell us about his knowledge of God s word? Can you think of a time when your mouth got you into trouble? Write it down (you don t have to share it with the class). How could that have been avoided? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 6

61 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 YOU ARE HERE More of the same... After Jephthah died, guess what happened? You re right! Israel began sinning again. God turned them over to the Philistines for 40 years. This week s lesson comes from Judges A child of promise, but with conditions A woman who was unable to have children had an angel appear to her one day. The angel told her that she would give birth to a boy, and that he was to be a Nazirite. What is a Nazirite? We find the description in Numbers 6:2-8: He is to avoid all fruit of the vine, he is not to cut his hair, and he is to avoid all contact with a dead body. This is a special vow to God. The woman told her husband, Manoah, about it. He prayed for God to let the man appear again to tell them how to raise the child. What a wonderful prayer! All parents should pray for guidance on how to raise their children. Manoah wanted to be a good father! Answered prayer God answered Manoah s prayer and sent the angel to the woman again. She ran to get her husband. Manoah said to the angel, Now when your words come true, what is to be the child s manner of life, and what is his mission? (Judges 13:12 ESV). 1

62 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 The angel repeated the instructions he had given to the woman. Then Manoah offered a sacrifice. The flame went toward heaven, and the angel went up in the flame. Sure enough, the woman eventually gave birth to a son, and they named him Samson. He grew up, and God s spirit entered him. A bad marriage While Samson was in Timnah, he saw a Philistine woman who made his heart pound. When he got home, he told his parents to get her for him, so he could marry her. They tried to talk some sense into him, reminding him that the Philistines are their enemies, and that he should marry an Israelite woman. But Samson refused to listen. On their way to Timnah, an odd thing happened. A young lion came roaring at Samson. The Spirit of God came on him, and he ripped the lion apart as if it were nothing. God s Spirit gave Samson great strength. But, he did not tell his parents what had happened. A strange riddle Samson s parents arranged the marriage, and as Samson was on his way to visit his fiancee, he saw the lion s dead body. A swarm of bees had used it as its hive, and it was filled with honey. He scooped some out and ate it. Strike one! He had to touch the dead body in order to get the honey out. Samson was not very interested in following the rules. At the wedding, he had 30 bridegrooms. Samson offered them this deal: Listen to my riddle. Answer it within seven days. If you guess right, I ll give you 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothes. If you can t guess it, you give me 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothes. 2

63 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 Here is his riddle: Nag, nag, nag Out of the eater came something to eat; Out of the strong came something sweet (Judges 14:14 ESV) For three days, the men tried to figure out his riddle. On the fourth day, they approached Samson s wife and told her to get the answer or they d burn her and her family to death. She began an intense program of nagging. She cried and complained. You hate me! She continued to cry and weep for days. She nagged him. She used the old line, You don t really love me. Finally, Samson had enough. He told her, What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? (Judges 14:18 ESV). She told the bridegrooms the answer, and they went to Samson in triumph. This made Samson angry. He killed 30 men in Ashkelon and gave their clothes to the bridegrooms. Then he went back to his parents house in anger. More uncontrolled anger Eventually, Samson calmed down and went back to his wife s house. But her father had decided that Samson hated her, and he married her off to someone else! When Samson showed up, he demanded to see her. His father-in-law explained what happened and offered her little sister instead. Samson, in anger, caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs, and fastened a lit torch to every pair of tails. Then he released them in the Philistines grain fields. All of their grain burned up. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention (Proverbs 15:18 ESV). Then a cycle of revenge started up. 3

64 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 The Philistines burned up Samson s father-in-law and family. Samson attacked the Philistines and killed many of them. The Philistines threatened Judah with harm if they didn t turn Samson over to them. When they did, Samson grabbed a jawbone of a donkey and killed 1,000 men. Okay, but so what? Samson was a strong-willed, self-centered, and hottempered man. He refused to listen to the good advice of his parents. His anger got him into a lot of trouble, and he made a lot of enemies. He was cruel to animals in order to get his revenge. There are times when you will get angry, and God understands that, but He tells us in Ephesians 4:26, Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger (ESV). Also, listen to your parents! They have more experience than you do! The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. An angel appeared to a woman and told her she would have a son. The angel told her to raise the son as a Nazirite. Manoah prayed that God would send the angel again, so that he could make sure the child was raised correctly. God answered Manoah s prayer, and the angel returned. Samson was born, and God s spirit entered him. Samson wanted to marry a Philistine woman and would not listen to his parents advice. He killed a lion with his bare hands, and the next time he passed by, he ate honey from the lion s corpse. He made up a riddle and bet his wedding attendants that they couldn t guess it. They threatened his wife, who nagged Samson until he told the answer. Samson left in anger, and when he returned and found that his wife had married someone else, burned the Philistines fields. 4

65 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 If you learn nothing else, get this! An uncontrolled, angry life leads to disaster! 5

66 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 Let s learn it! 1. What instructions did the angel give to Manoah s wife? 2. For what did Manoah pray when his wife told him the news? 3. What happened when Manoah offered a sacrifice? 4. What was the name of the son born to Manoah and his wife? 5. Samson fell in love with a woman from what nation? 6. On his way to visit her, what animal did he kill? 7. When he returned, what did he find in the animal s body? 8. What was Samson s riddle? 9. How did the attendants solve the riddle? 10. What did Samson discover when he returned to get his wife? 11. What did he do to get revenge? 6

67 A Walk Through the Bible 3.10 For deeper thought... Why were Samson s parents so upset when he wanted to marry a Philistine? Why is it important to listen to your parents? What was the result of Samson s anger? What usually happens when you get angry? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

68 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 YOU ARE HERE Samson, part two There s so much to learn from Samson that it takes two lessons to cover it all! Today s lesson comes from Judges 16. This story sounds a little familiar... You remember from last week that Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman. His parents urged him to find a Hebrew woman to marry, but he refused to listen. God wants us to marry people who share our belief in Him. Samson s parents knew how important it is to be married to someone who would help Samson to grow spiritually and be faithful to God. Apparently, Samson did not learn from his mistakes. Once again, though he had judged Israel for some time, he fell in love with another Philistine woman. Her name was Delilah. When the Philistine rulers realized that Samson loved her, they went to her and offered her 1,100 shekels from each ruler if she would find out the secret of Samson s great strength. Samson had shown the Philistines MANY times how strong he was. They were very afraid of this man and wanted to bring him down! Delilah was very direct! She went to Samson and asked him straight out: Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you (Judges 16:6 ESV). 1

69 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 Samson told her that he could be overpowered if someone tied him up with seven fresh bowstrings that had never been dried. She dutifully reported his answer to the Philistine rulers, who gave her the bowstrings. She tied him with them; then, with the rulers hiding nearby, told him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! (Judges 16:9 ESV). He snapped the bowstrings as though they were wet paper. More questions, more lies Here another cycle begins: Delilah asks what will cause him to lose his strength, Samson gives her an answer, Delilah tells the Philistines, and they try it. Delilah asked him again how he might be bound. This time, Samson told her that if he were tied up with new, unused ropes, he would become weak. Guess what she did? She tied him up, using new ropes! Again, she had the rulers hiding nearby when she told him that the Philistines were upon him. And, again, he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads. Delilah was persistent. She asked again, and this time he told her that if she wove the seven locks of hair on his head into a web and pinned it, he d be weak. He s getting dangerously close to the truth here! You remember that part of the Nazirite vow is that he would not cut his hair. Somehow he knew that his great strength was linked to his long hair. He s being very foolish in telling her this! While Samson slept, Delilah wove his hair into a web and pinned it tight. Then she again told him that the Philistines were upon him. When he awoke, he pulled the pin out and loosened his hair. Nag, nag, nag (yes, again) Delilah started nagging Samson relentlessly. She accused him of making a fool of her by not telling him the secret of his strength. She accused him of not loving her after all, he wouldn t confide in her! LOVE The Bible tells us that Delilah s nagging tired him to death. Finally, he told 2

70 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 her the truth. He said, A razor has never come upon on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man (Judges 16:17 ESV). Delilah contacted the Philistine rulers and asked them to come once more. She got Samson to go to sleep in her lap. Then she asked a man to come shave his head. She called out, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! (Judges 16:20a ESV). He woke up, thinking everything would be fine but because he had once again violated the Nazirite vow, God had left him. The Philistines grabbed him, blinded him, and took him to Gaza. They put him to work grinding in the prison. The ultimate revenge Samson spent time in prison, working hard and his hair was growing. One day the Philistines had a big festival, and they decided to bring out blind Samson so they could make fun of him. All the leaders of the Philistines were there, as well as about 3,000 other Philistines. After he entertained them, he asked a servant to take him to the pillars which supported the temple where everyone was gathered. Some were in the temple, and some were on the roof watching. The servant led him to the pillars. Then Samson prayed to God, O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes (Judges 16:28 ESV). He stood between the two main supporting pillars and pushed one on his right and one on his left. The entire temple collapsed on all those gathered. Samson died with them. His family came and took his body and buried him. Samson led Israel for 20 years. Okay, but so what? Learn from your mistakes and don t get emotionally involved with people 3

71 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 who don t share your beliefs! The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. Samson fell in love with yet another Philistine woman. The Philistine rulers offered her money to persuade Samson to tell her the secret of his great strength. Delilah asked Samson three times the secret of his strength; each time, he told her and she tried what he said. Delilah cried and nagged him until he told her the truth. Delilah had his head shaved, and God left him. The Philistines blinded him and put him in prison. Samson killed himself and a large number of Philistines and their rulers when he pulled the temple down at a festival. Samson had great gifts from God, and although he used them to destroy the Philistines, he also misused the gifts. Samson didn t learn from his mistakes. Samson was foolish in choosing to love women who were not interested in pleasing God. Samson contributed to his own destruction. Final lecture There are so many things to learn from this lesson that a final lecture is needed here. First, learn from your mistakes. It s even better to learn from someone else s mistakes. Samson got mixed up with two women who nagged him and got him to tell them things that led to his downfall. You would think that by the third time Delilah tried what he told her that he d realize what would happen if he told her the truth but he did it anyway! Second, marry a person who will help you get to heaven that is, someone who loves God and shares your belief in the Bible and in the need to attend church and Bible class regularly. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (II Corinthians 6:14a ESV). 4

72 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 If you learn nothing else, get this! Marry someone who will help you go to Heaven! 5

73 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 Let s learn it! 1. Why did the Philistines fear Samson? 2. With which Philistine woman did Samson fall in love in this week s lesson? 3. What did the Philistine leaders offer her to get information from Samson? 4. What three things did Samson tell Delilah would make him weak? A. B. C. 5. What did he tell her that really did make him weak? 6. What happened after she had his head shaved? 7. How did Samson die? 8. Who else died with him? 6

74 A Walk Through the Bible 3.11 For deeper thought... Why is it so important to learn from your mistakes? Think about Samson and his tendency to keep making the same mistakes. What could he have done differently? Did Delilah really love Samson? What did you see in the story that tells you this? Why is it important to marry someone who shares your faith? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

75 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 YOU ARE HERE A good story! Last week we learned about Samson, a stubborn and selfish judge. During the time of the judges, though, there were good people living their lives and trying to serve God. Today s lesson, from the book of Ruth, tells of a family doing just that! Off to a bad start There was a time of famine, so a couple, named Elimelech and Naomi, from Bethlehem, went to Moab. Their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, went with them. They lived in Moab for a long time, and both sons married Moabite women. Eventually, Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion all died, and Naomi was living with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Time to go home Naomi finally decided that it was time to go back home. She had heard that the famine was over and that food was once again available in Bethlehem. Her two daughters-in-law went with her. On the way, however, Naomi stopped and told them, Go, return each of you to her mother s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband! (Ruth 1:8-9a ESV). Then she kissed them good-bye. The women argued with her for a short time, and at last, Orpah returned to Moab. 1

76 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 A beautiful promise Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi. She said to her these beautiful words: Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you (Ruth 1:16-17 ESV). The women continued traveling together to Bethlehem, and Naomi was welcomed back. Food is needed It was the time of the barley harvest, and Ruth went to glean. Gleaning is the way poor people during this time got food. They would follow the field workers who were reaping a crop and pick up whatever they dropped or discarded. It was hard work. Ruth ended up gleaning in a field which belonged to a man named Boaz, who was a family member of Elimelech. Boaz noticed her and asked people who she was. They explained that she was the Moabite widow of Mahlon and Naomi s son They also commented that she was a very hard worker. Boaz helps Ruth Boaz went to Ruth and told her to stay in his field, and he promised her that she would be safe there. He said that he had told his workers to leave her alone and not bother her. She was very touched at his concern for her, and she asked him why he was being so kind to her. Boaz explained that he d been told of her care for her mother-in-law and that she had come to a land where she had no family. He finished by saying, The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to 2

77 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 take refuge! (Ruth 2:12 ESV). Ruth worked hard all day and took the grain home to her mother-in-law. Naomi asked where she had worked, and Ruth told her all about Boaz and his kindness toward her. Naomi said that he was a close relative and that she should listen to his advice to stay in his field. A side trip for some background Let s go back in time to the book of Deuteronomy to learn about God s laws about widows with no children. In Deuteronomy 25:5-6, the Bible says, If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband s brother shall go into her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband s brother to her. And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel (ESV). This means that a man should marry his brother s widow and they should have a child. The couple s first son would be considered the son of the dead man. God went on to explain how to handle the situation if the brother refused to carry out the family name. Okay, now back to Ruth Ruth continued gleaning in Boaz s field throughout the end of the harvest season. Then Naomi gave her some advice. She reminded her that Boaz was a near relative and advised her to go visit him that night and wait until he went to bed; then, Ruth was to lie down at his feet. Ruth obeyed Naomi. In the night, Boaz awakened and discovered Ruth at his feet! He asked who it was, and she told him. She also told him that he was a redeemer. Of course, Boaz knew immediately what this meant. Boaz told her that it was true that he was a redeemer, but that there was a 3

78 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 closer relative than himself and that this relative had the first option to marry Ruth. He promised that he would take care of it the next day. Ruth waits Boaz sent Ruth home early the next morning before anyone saw her. He gave her grain. When she arrived home, Ruth told Naomi what had happened. Naomi answered, Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today (Ruth 3:18 ESV). Boaz went to the city gate and sat; soon, the relative passed by. Boaz asked him to sit down and then gathered witnesses. He explained that Naomi, Elimelech s widow, was selling the land that belonged to him and asked if the relative would buy it. The relative said he would. Deed Then Boaz explained, The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance (Ruth 4:5 ESV). The relative then said he would not purchase the property. Boaz then announced to all the witnesses that he would buy Elimelech s land and marry Ruth. A happy ending! Boaz and Ruth married, and eventually they had a son. They named him Obed. Okay, but so what? In today s lesson, we ve learned that a woman left her home to take care of her widowed mother-in-law. She promised to follow God, and God took care of her by giving her a good husband who cared for her. When you consider all the bad things that were happening in Israel at this time, it s comforting to know that there were still good people living there who wanted to follow God and do what s right. That s true today as well. 4

79 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30 ESV). The end of the matter Let s review what we ve studied today. Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab from Bethlehem to avoid a famine. While they lived there, their sons married Moabite women. Elimelech and his sons died, and Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem. Both daughters-in-law said they would go with her, but Naomi persuaded Orpah to stay in Moab with her family. Ruth promised to stay with Naomi and to worship God. In Bethlehem, Ruth began gleaning to get food. Boaz noticed her and took special care of her and was kind to her. Naomi advised Ruth to visit Boaz at night. Boaz agreed that he was a redeemer, but that there was a closer relative who may want to marry her. Boaz met with the relative in front of many witnesses, and the relative refused to marry Ruth and buy Elimelech s land. Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son, named Obed. If you learn nothing else, get this! Ruth was a godly woman during a very ungodly time. 5

80 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 Let s learn it! 1. What was the name of the couple who left Bethlehem because of a famine? and 2. Where did they go? 3. What were their sons names? and 4. Who did the sons marry? and 5. When the men died, which woman stayed behind in Moab? 6. What did Ruth do to feed herself and Naomi? 7. In whose field did she work? 8. Why is it important to know that he was a near relative? See Deuteronomy 25:5-6 for a clue. 9. What advice did Naomi give Ruth? 10. What was Boaz s answer? 11. Where did Boaz meet with the relative? 12. What was the name of Boaz and Ruth s son? 6

81 A Walk Through the Bible 3.12 For deeper thought... If you were in Ruth and Orpah s position, would you have stayed in your homeland with your family or gone to an unknown land with your mother-inlaw? Why? What traits do you see in Boaz that tell you that he was a good, God-loving man? Write your memory verse here: What does this verse mean to you? 7

82 A Walk Through the Bible 3.13 YOU ARE HERE Another love story Last week we learned about Ruth, a good and selfless woman. Today we will learn of another good, selfless woman! Today s lesson comes from I Samuel 1-3. A difficult situation During the time of the judges, there was a man from Ephraim whose name was Elkanah. He was married to two women, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. This made Hannah very sad. She wanted to have children. Peninnah made life even harder for Hannah because she would provoke her and irritate her. An annual trip Every year, Elkanah and his family would to go Shiloh to sacrifice. And, every time they made the trip, Peninnah would provoke Hannah, which made her cry. Elkanah would ask her why she cried and why she wouldn t eat. One evening at Shiloh, Hannah was at the temple. She again began crying and praying to God. She was praying by speaking in her heart, with her lips moving. The priest, Eli, saw her lips moving and assumed that she was drunk. He spoke to her and urged her to stop drinking. 1

83 A Walk Through the Bible 3.13 A strong promise Hannah explained to Eli that she was not drunk. She told him, No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation (I Samuel 1:15-16 ESV). What she did not tell Eli was that she had begged God to give her a son, and she promised that she would give the son to God. Eli told her, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him (I Samuel 1:17 ESV). God answers prayer The family arose early the next morning and worshiped, then returned home. Soon Hannah became pregnant and in due time had a son. She named him Samuel. Hannah keeps her promise The next year, the family prepared to travel to Shiloh. Hannah told Elkanah that she would go when Samuel was weaned. A child is weaned when he is no longer nursing and is able to eat solid food. He is not as dependent on his mother at this point. Elkanah agreed. When Samuel was weaned, she took him to Shiloh with the offerings the law required. She told Elkanah that Samuel would live in the presence of the Lord. This is a hard promise to keep! She loved her child, but she had promised to give him to God. Could you keep such a promise? Hannah talks to Eli Hannah found Eli and showed him her baby. She told him, Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your pres- 2