Twelve Books of Theological History

Joshua through Esther

The presence of the Lord came to Moses in power, as God brought together a Blessed nation and delivered them to the Promised Land. The Word of the Lord came to life as Joshua divided the land among the tribes of Israel as an inheritance. When the nation stood in obedience to the Lord, they were blessed and enjoyed a period of rest. This serves as a reminder for all believers that our rest comes in the hands of our Lord and Savior.

The peace that the nation experienced was short-lived, as each tribe governed on their own, with each person doing what they saw fit. Not following God’s guidance, they relied on their own instincts, doing what was right in their own eyes. This is a recipe for disaster when we rebel against our just and Loving God.

God works in the lives of those called according to His purposes, even through tragic events and the loss of loved ones. We read of a woman named Ruth, who, after the loss of her husband, remained faithful to God’s leading. The story of the kinsman Redeemer touches hearts as told in Scripture. Boaz serves as a type of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it was God's will for the Messiah to be born through Ruth's lineage.

God listened to the desire of the Nation of Israel to be governed by a King to unify the twelve tribes. It’s important to note that God's answer was conditional; it was the Lord who ordained the reign of the King. Both the people and the Kings must listen to the voice of the Lord through His commandments and ordinances. Today, we receive God's Word through the written Word, reminding us that our leaders have the same requirement for obedience and commitment to govern our nation, as expressed in our Pledge of Allegiance: that we are 'One Nation under God'.

We are reminded where our true HOPE is found: in a relationship with the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. His throne lasts forever, and no human governance or leader can replace the one who has redeemed us for all eternity.

The nation of Israel was pulled apart because they turned to foreign gods and traditions. This was an abomination to our Lord God, and the nation paid a steep price. They were split into two nations, and God's gift of such a great inheritance began to crumble.

The story of King David exemplifies how God can work through a humble heart, bringing great victories and blessings. However, it also serves as a reminder of how quickly our pride can obstruct our actions from representing God's will. We see that God's purposes were not dependent on King David's faithfulness, for our Lord Jesus was born through his lineage, the line of Judah.