an extraordinary religious development, a high sense of their position as a divinely chosen people. sang: "The Lord's portion is His people; He found him in a desert land, As Moses But more than religious development had been attained. The forty years' wandering in the wilderness had produced a race of hardy, independent, and fearless men. Their victories over Sihon and Og had kindled their courage. As they stood on the eastern banks of the Jordan, we may well believe that, while a well-founded fear seized upon the tribes of Canaan, the Hebrews were confidently eager for the conquest. RESEARCH WORK GENESIS The account of creation, Gen. 1, 2. The story of the fall, Gen. 3. The tragedy of Cain and Abel, Gen. 4: 1–18. The rescue of Lot, Gen. 14. Renewal of the covenant with Abraham, Gen. 17. The offering of Isaac, Gen. 22. The death and burial of Sarah, Gen. 23. Romantic story of Rebecca, Gen. 24. A domestic conspiracy and deception, Gen. 27. 1 Deut. 32:9-10. Flight and vision of Isaac, Gen. 28. Seven years. of loving service, Gen. 29. The flight of Jacob, Gen. 31. Meeting of Jacob and Esau, Gen. 32, 33. Parental partiality and its consequences, Gen. 37. An interpretation of two dreams, Gen. 40. EXODUS The oppression in Egypt, Ex. I. The appointment of Aaron as spokesman, Ex. 4. An interview with the king, Ex. 7. The appointment of civil rulers, Ex. 18. LEVITICUS Various offerings, Lev. 1–7. Consecration of Aaron and his sons, Lev. 8, 9. The distinction of clean and unclean animals, Lev. 11. Regulations relating to leprosy, Lev. 13, 14. The centralization of sacrifices, Lev. 17. Sundry regulations relating to holiness, Lev. 18-22. Various religious festivals, Lev. 23. The septennial Sabbath and year of Jubilee, Lev. 25. NUMBERS The numbering of the Israelites, Numb. 1. Murmuring and condemnation of the Israelites, Numb. 14. Visitation of fiery serpents and the remedy, Numb. 21. Joshua appointed Moses' successor, Numb. 27: 12–23. The assignment of land east of the Jordan, Numb. 32. DEUTERONOMY Moses briefly rehearses Israel's history, Deut. 1-3. A forcible exhortation to obedience, Deut. 4. A song of Moses, Deut. 32. A poetical blessing of the twelve tribes, Deut. 33. CHAPTER VI FROM THE CONQUEST TO SOLOMON Relation to the Pentateuch. As we have seen, the Pentateuch records the origin and development of the Hebrew people prior to the conquest of Canaan. It describes the patriarchal age, the protracted sojourn of the Israelites in Egypt, their deliverance from tyrannical oppression, and their weary wanderings on their march to Canaan. It recounts the giving of the moral and ceremonial law, and the gradual organization of the Hebrews into a theocratic commonwealth. The remaining historical books, which now come under consideration, record a continuation of Hebrew history. They complete the story of Jehovah's dealings with the Chosen People. After the rapid conquest of Canaan, there followed the period of the Judges. At length the monarchy was established under Saul, reached its culmination under David and Solomon, was disrupted under Rehoboam, and then passed into a period of decadence, until at last the Hebrews were carried in captivity to Assyria and Babylonia. After a captivity of seventy years, a part of the people returned under patriotic leaders, and rebuilt the temple and walls of Jerusalem. In our studies of Hebrew history we must not forget that it is the divine rather than the human element that is made prominent. It sets forth the blessings of righteousness and the evils of iniquity. Kings and courts and state policies are viewed only from the religious side. This dominant religious purpose of the Hebrew historian makes his records incomplete and fragmentary. His principal aim is to exhibit the continual divine agency in human affairs an omnipresent factor generally neglected in other historical writings. Book of Joshua. The book of Joshua, which is named after the heroic leader of the Hebrews, describes the conquest of Canaan and its division by lot among the tribes of Israel.1 It falls naturally into two well-marked divisions. The first part, including twelve chapters, briefly describes the conquest of the territory west of the Jordan. The second part, extending from the thirteenth to the twentysecond chapter, describes the allotment of land among the various tribes. The book concludes with a brief farewell address by Joshua. It covers a period of about seven years, and leaves many events untouched. The author of the book is unknown. According to Jewish tradition it was written by Joshua himself. But this can hardly be true; for the book contains references and incidents referring to a later time. The conquest of Hebron, for example, which is related in chapter 15, did not occur till the time of the Judges.2 On the other hand, it contains materials furnished by a contemporary writer, who had crossed the Jordan.3 Moreover, it is stated that Rahab, who had been saved in the destruction of Jericho, "dwelleth in Israel even unto this day." Whoever the author may have been, it is evident that he wrote in the true prophetic spirit. 4 1" The crossing of the Jordan and the entry into this territory [of Canaan] were destined to become of the utmost importance to mankind. The land of which the shepherd tribes possessed themselves became the arena of great events, so enduring and important in their results, that the country in which they took place became known as the Holy Land."—H. GRAETZ, “ History of the Jews," p. I. 2 Judges 1: 12-15. 3 Josh. 5: I. 4 Josh. 6:25. |