From Sinai to Promised LandFrom Sinai to Promised Land(Wilderness and Conquest)(Wilderness and Conquest)

Over 90 references in the NTOver 90 references in the NT

Be Holy for I am HolyBe Holy for I am Holy

Content of LeviticusContent of Leviticus Sacrifices (1-7)Sacrifices (1-7) Consecration of Aaron and Sons (8-10)Consecration of Aaron and Sons (8-10) Laws for Daily Life: Purity & Impurity (11-15)Laws for Daily Life: Purity & Impurity (11-15) Day of Atonement (17)Day of Atonement (17) More about Sacrifice (18-20)More about Sacrifice (18-20) Rules for Priests (21-22)Rules for Priests (21-22) Feasts (23)Feasts (23) Regular Duties (24)Regular Duties (24) Sabbaths and Jubilees (25)Sabbaths and Jubilees (25) Promise & warning; blessing & cursing (26)Promise & warning; blessing & cursing (26) Vows and Tithes (27)Vows and Tithes (27)

Emphases of LeviticusEmphases of LeviticusGetting it right with regard to worship, for Getting it right with regard to worship, for

both people and priestsboth people and priests Institution of the priesthood under AaronInstitution of the priesthood under AaronLaws protecting ritual cleanness, including Laws protecting ritual cleanness, including

atonement for sins (the Day of Atonement)atonement for sins (the Day of Atonement)Laws regulating sexual relations, family Laws regulating sexual relations, family

life, punishments for major crimes, life, punishments for major crimes, festivals, and special years (sabbaths and festivals, and special years (sabbaths and jubilees).jubilees).

The Book of NumbersThe Book of Numbers

Hebrew Title – “In the Wilderness”Hebrew Title – “In the Wilderness”

Describes miscellaneous experiences of Israel Describes miscellaneous experiences of Israel from the final days of sojourning at Mount Sinai from the final days of sojourning at Mount Sinai

until the encampment on the plains of Moab until the encampment on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land.before entering the Promised Land.

The dominant note is God’s patient discipline of The dominant note is God’s patient discipline of faithless, rebellious, impetuous, licentious faithless, rebellious, impetuous, licentious

Israel, that he might prepare an unworthy but Israel, that he might prepare an unworthy but chosen nation to inherit the Promised Land.chosen nation to inherit the Promised Land.

The Book of NumbersThe Book of Numbers

A mixture of legislation and narrative. A mixture of legislation and narrative. Chronological rather than topical.Chronological rather than topical.

80 times we are told, “God said to Moses …”.80 times we are told, “God said to Moses …”.

Moses’ journal – “The book of the Wars of the Moses’ journal – “The book of the Wars of the Lord” (Num 21:14). Records his own anger.Lord” (Num 21:14). Records his own anger.

What is going on? Narrative, additional laws, What is going on? Narrative, additional laws, census lists, oracles from a pagan prophet, a census lists, oracles from a pagan prophet, a

bronze snake, the Aaronic blessing. How does bronze snake, the Aaronic blessing. How does it all fit together?it all fit together?

The Book of NumbersThe Book of Numbers

The Book is divided into three parts.The Book is divided into three parts.

Part 1 (1:1-10:1) covers twenty days and Part 1 (1:1-10:1) covers twenty days and describes the organization of Israel at Mount describes the organization of Israel at Mount

Sinai for wilderness life and travel.Sinai for wilderness life and travel.

Part 2 (10:11-21:35) covers 38 years and Part 2 (10:11-21:35) covers 38 years and describes God’s discipline of Israel in the describes God’s discipline of Israel in the

wilderness of Paran.wilderness of Paran.

Part 3 (22:1-36:13) spans about six months and Part 3 (22:1-36:13) spans about six months and describes experiences in the plains of Moab.describes experiences in the plains of Moab.

Spying Out the LandSpying Out the LandNumbers 13Numbers 13The Land God had given them.The Land God had given them.God tells them to send out spies. Why?God tells them to send out spies. Why?What sort of land?What sort of land?What sort of obstacles?What sort of obstacles?What sort of blessings?What sort of blessings?The obstacles are great!The obstacles are great!Grumbling or faith?Grumbling or faith?What lessons do we learn? 1 Cor 10:1-13What lessons do we learn? 1 Cor 10:1-13

Balaam and Balak (Num 22-24)Balaam and Balak (Num 22-24)The Campaign in MoabThe Campaign in MoabBalaam is from Pethor on the Euphrates. He Balaam is from Pethor on the Euphrates. He

was not an Israelite yet the source of his was not an Israelite yet the source of his utterances is God Himself.utterances is God Himself.

A Repeating ritual with four oraclesA Repeating ritual with four oraclesBlessings on Israel with a final oracle which Blessings on Israel with a final oracle which

bears a remarkable prediction of Israel’s bears a remarkable prediction of Israel’s future.future.

It was Balaam’s advice (31:16) that led Israel It was Balaam’s advice (31:16) that led Israel to sin and he paid for it with his life (31:8).to sin and he paid for it with his life (31:8).

Emphases of NumbersEmphases of NumbersPreparation for military conquest of CanaanPreparation for military conquest of CanaanGod’s covenant loyalty towards Israel with God’s covenant loyalty towards Israel with

regard to the landregard to the land Israel’s failure to keep covenant with God;Israel’s failure to keep covenant with God;God’s leadership of His people and God’s leadership of His people and

affirmation of Moses’ leadership.affirmation of Moses’ leadership.Preparations for entering in and worshipping Preparations for entering in and worshipping

in the promised land.in the promised land.Conquest and settlement of land east of Conquest and settlement of land east of

Jordan.Jordan.

ChronologyChronology E1-18E1-18 Egypt to SinaiEgypt to Sinai NN 50 days50 days E19-40E19-40 SinaiSinai LL ?? L1-17L1-17 SinaiSinai LL 30 days30 days N1-10aN1-10a SinaiSinai LL 19 days19 days N10b-12N10b-12 Sinai to Kadesh Sinai to Kadesh NN 11 days11 days N13-20aN13-20a KadeshKadesh LL ?? N20b-21N20b-21 Kadesh to MoabKadesh to Moab NN 38 years38 years N22-36N22-36 MoabMoab L 100 daysL 100 days D1-34D1-34 Moab Moab L 5 monthsL 5 months

A Lost Book Refound?!A Lost Book Refound?!

2 Kings 222 Kings 22

DeuteronomyDeuteronomy

Lit. second Law. More accurately a series Lit. second Law. More accurately a series of Moses’ sermons on the plains of Moab of Moses’ sermons on the plains of Moab shortly before his death.shortly before his death.

Often quoted in the New Testament.Often quoted in the New Testament.Found in the words of Jesus, eg in the Found in the words of Jesus, eg in the

TemptationTemptationAbout the gracious deeds of God in About the gracious deeds of God in

Israel’s behalf and how Israel should Israel’s behalf and how Israel should respond to God’s gracious deeds and why.respond to God’s gracious deeds and why.

Outline of DeuteronomyOutline of Deuteronomy 1. What God has done (1:1-4:43). The mighty 1. What God has done (1:1-4:43). The mighty

acts of God, which call for exclusive loyalty, are acts of God, which call for exclusive loyalty, are recited.recited.

2. What God requires (4:44-18:68). The meaning 2. What God requires (4:44-18:68). The meaning and obligation of the covenant relationship., its and obligation of the covenant relationship., its specific terms, and the enforcement by God of specific terms, and the enforcement by God of those terms.those terms.

3. What God proposes (29:1-30:20). Covenant 3. What God proposes (29:1-30:20). Covenant renewal by the new generation is contemplated.renewal by the new generation is contemplated.

Narrative about the change in leadership from Narrative about the change in leadership from Moses to Joshua(31-34).Moses to Joshua(31-34).

The Book of Joshua (=Jesus)The Book of Joshua (=Jesus)

The book is both a climax and a new The book is both a climax and a new beginning. It records the fulfilment of the beginning. It records the fulfilment of the

promise made to Abraham concerning the promise made to Abraham concerning the gift of the Land of Canaan (Gen 12, 15) gift of the Land of Canaan (Gen 12, 15) and the beginning of a long life for the and the beginning of a long life for the people of God in that land. The exodus people of God in that land. The exodus

from Egypt and the covenant in the from Egypt and the covenant in the wilderness have meaning in Israel’s wilderness have meaning in Israel’s

history only because a homeland was won history only because a homeland was won in which a redeemed people could work in which a redeemed people could work

out their destiny under God.out their destiny under God.

The Book of JoshuaThe Book of Joshua

1-121-12 Stories of the Conquest Stories of the Conquest CampaignsCampaigns

13-2213-22 Division of the Land among the Division of the Land among the tribes and “by families”. tribes and “by families”.

23-2423-24 Renewal of the Covenant at Renewal of the Covenant at ShechemShechem

The ConquestThe Conquest

The Conquest is seen as divine The Conquest is seen as divine judgement on the previous inhabitants judgement on the previous inhabitants (Gen 15:16; Lev 18:24-30; cf Heb 11:31).(Gen 15:16; Lev 18:24-30; cf Heb 11:31).

It was the (temporal) fulfilment of the It was the (temporal) fulfilment of the covenant and promise to Abraham. The covenant and promise to Abraham. The land was a monumental witness and land was a monumental witness and reminder to Israel of God’s faithfulness reminder to Israel of God’s faithfulness and generosity. It was acknowledged in and generosity. It was acknowledged in their liturgy (see Deut 26:1-9).their liturgy (see Deut 26:1-9).

The LandThe Land

Although it was given to Israel, it was still Although it was given to Israel, it was still God’s land. Many practical details of God’s land. Many practical details of Israel’s law reflected this divine ownership Israel’s law reflected this divine ownership of the land. What you did on and with the of the land. What you did on and with the land reflected your relationship with God. land reflected your relationship with God. The economic life was religious – Israel The economic life was religious – Israel was God’s people on God’s land.was God’s people on God’s land.

The CampaignsThe Campaigns

A three-pronged campaign from the base A three-pronged campaign from the base camp at Gilgal near Jericho (1:1-5:12)camp at Gilgal near Jericho (1:1-5:12)

The central campaign (5:13-8:35)The central campaign (5:13-8:35) The southern campaign (9:1-10:43)The southern campaign (9:1-10:43) The northern campaign (11:1-23)The northern campaign (11:1-23)The Book of Joshua concentrates on the The Book of Joshua concentrates on the

conquest (12:1-24), but only hints at the conquest (12:1-24), but only hints at the quite separate and much more sporadic quite separate and much more sporadic work of occupation (13:1-6; 18:3).work of occupation (13:1-6; 18:3).

Joshua’s PreparationJoshua’s PreparationFighting with Amalek (Ex 17)Fighting with Amalek (Ex 17)On Mount Sinai (Ex 24)On Mount Sinai (Ex 24)Golden calf Golden calf TabernacleTabernacleProphesying in the camp (Num 11)Prophesying in the camp (Num 11)Spying out the land (Num 13-14)Spying out the land (Num 13-14)Joshua’s Ordination (Num 26:65)Joshua’s Ordination (Num 26:65)Moses’ Final addressMoses’ Final address

Does History have a Meaning?Does History have a Meaning? Joshua 1:1-9 - The divine word to Joshua. The Joshua 1:1-9 - The divine word to Joshua. The

death of Moses males no difference to the declared death of Moses males no difference to the declared intention of God.intention of God.

The promises made to the Patriarchs still The promises made to the Patriarchs still stand and determine the way in which stand and determine the way in which coming events will be shaped (1:3).coming events will be shaped (1:3).

The presence of the Lord with his people The presence of the Lord with his people guaranteed the power inherent in the guaranteed the power inherent in the promises (1:5-6)promises (1:5-6)

Joshua’s fidelity to the word of God brings Joshua’s fidelity to the word of God brings that same power into his experience (1:7-9).that same power into his experience (1:7-9).

Joshua and the CanaanitesJoshua and the CanaanitesThe slaying of the Canaanites must be The slaying of the Canaanites must be

seen in the context of the OT’s worldview. seen in the context of the OT’s worldview. Note Genesis 15:16.Note Genesis 15:16.

It belongs within the revelation of God’s It belongs within the revelation of God’s government of the world. Particularly,government of the world. Particularly,

We live in God’s worldWe live in God’s world God is a holy GodGod is a holy God No sin passes unrecordedNo sin passes unrecorded The history of the world is a divinely The history of the world is a divinely

supervised arena of moral providence.supervised arena of moral providence.

A Complete Conquest?A Complete Conquest?Joshua 10:40-41 suggests a complete Joshua 10:40-41 suggests a complete

conquestconquestJoshua 11:18 indicates a long campaignJoshua 11:18 indicates a long campaign It appears that sometimes victories were It appears that sometimes victories were

won over cities and their kings killed won over cities and their kings killed without the cities actually being captured.without the cities actually being captured.

Joshua 12:7-24 gives a list of kings Joshua 12:7-24 gives a list of kings defeated, but Judges 1 notes their cities defeated, but Judges 1 notes their cities and others being unoccupied.and others being unoccupied.

See also Joshua 17:14 and 18:3.See also Joshua 17:14 and 18:3.

A Complete Conquest? (cont)A Complete Conquest? (cont)HazorHazor

Joshua 11:13 – Hazor burntJoshua 11:13 – Hazor burnt Judges 4:2 – Jabin king in HazorJudges 4:2 – Jabin king in Hazor

JerusalemJerusalem Judges 1:8 – Jerusalem capturedJudges 1:8 – Jerusalem captured Judges 1:21 – Jebusites still in possessionJudges 1:21 – Jebusites still in possession

Some see Joshua 24 and Judges 1 Some see Joshua 24 and Judges 1 contradicting each other. Judges 1 shows contradicting each other. Judges 1 shows the incomplete conquest of the north. It the incomplete conquest of the north. It sets the scene for the Book of Judges. sets the scene for the Book of Judges.

Covenant Renewal – Josh 24Covenant Renewal – Josh 24Recapitulation of Israel’s history (2-13)Recapitulation of Israel’s history (2-13)A call for faithfulness and renewal of promises A call for faithfulness and renewal of promises

(14-15)(14-15)Enthusiastic response of the people (16-18)Enthusiastic response of the people (16-18)Serving God is costly – disobedience has Serving God is costly – disobedience has

consequences (19-20)consequences (19-20)The people affirm they will serve God (21-24)The people affirm they will serve God (21-24)Renewing the Sinai covenant and setting up a Renewing the Sinai covenant and setting up a

memorial (25-28)memorial (25-28)

Points to NotePoints to NoteTheophanyTheophanyThe God of MiraclesThe God of Miracles

Crossing of Jordan, Fall of Jericho, Sun Crossing of Jordan, Fall of Jericho, Sun standing stillstanding still

Ebal & Gerizim (8:30-35)Ebal & Gerizim (8:30-35)The Cities of Refuge (20:1-9)The Cities of Refuge (20:1-9)The farewell Speech (23)The farewell Speech (23)Covenant Renewal (24)Covenant Renewal (24)