Chapter II: Part 2

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--The "going out" of the Hebrews from Egypt marked the beginning of their national life, and laws were given governing their relation to God and to each other. The breaking of God's laws cost the nation forty years of wilderness wandering before they entered their "promised land."

Moses--Leader and Legislator

#33.# By far the greatest man in Old Testament history is Moses. In point of moral uplift, no man in all the world, until Christ, can be compared with him. His life divides itself into three equal sections--

(1) Life at Pharaoh's court.--Forty years.
(2) Life as shepherd in the desert.--Forty years.
(3) Life in the desert as leader of God's people.--Forty years.

#34. Life at Pharaoh's court.#--Moses was born at the time of Israel's greatest oppression, when, as a measure of self-defense, Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew male children to be cast into the Nile. Hence the Hebrew proverb, "When the tale of bricks is doubled, then comes Moses." As in the case of Joseph, we see at once the collision between God's plan and that of earth's greatest monarch. God's plan was that Moses must live; Pharaoh's plan, that Moses must die. Again we see the successful issue of God's plan, and the overthrow of the human plan. In carrying out his plan, God makes use of a mother's wit, a sister's fidelity, a woman's curiosity, and a baby's tears. For all this read carefully Exodus 2:1-10. These are the minute links in the chain of God's providence which, welded together, restore that babe to his mother's arms in less than twenty-four hours, now with the shield of royalty protecting him. Had any one of these links broken, Moses' fate might have been sealed.

#35.# As illustrating these links, in a different sphere, read the following: Professor Darwin tells that he noticed that pansies would not grow wild near English villages, but would grow far away from them. Investigation revealed that in English villages dogs go at large. Where dogs go at large, cats must stay at home; where cats stay at home, field-mice abound; where field-mice abound, bumblebees' nests are destroyed; where bumblebees' nests are destroyed, there in no fertilization of pollen. Therefore, where there are dogs, there are no wild pansies. Apply this to the case in hand. No mother's wit, no ark of bulrushes; no ark no sister's watch-care, and no chance to arouse the curiosity of the princess. Therefore, no discovery of the babe weeping. Consequently, no saving of the future deliverer of his people. Thus God worked through natural agencies to thwart the decree of Pharaoh. During these forty years Moses enjoyed all the educational advantages of the most civilized nation of that day. So he was prepared by the king himself to deliver the Hebrews from his control.

#36. Life as Shepherd in the Desert.#--Moses' life at court came to a sudden end, through his patriotic effort to deliver one of his race from the cruelty of an Egyptian. As a result he had to flee for his life, as even Pharaoh could not defend him for slaying one of the ruling race for cruelty to a mere slave. For forty years we find him on the Sinaitic peninsula, herding sheep. These must have been years of deep thought. Often he must have wondered why God had given him such deliverance, only to let him languish in the desert while at the same time his people, whom he might have helped, were ground down under the heel of the taskmaster. At the same time these years of solitude must have been rich in opportunity for meditation and communion upward. The city is not the best place for deep thought. Elijah was no city man, neither was John the Baptist. In solitude these men learned much that the city never could teach them.

#37. Life as a Leader of God's People in the Desert.#--His life of solitude came to a sudden close, when God called to him out of the midst of the burning bush, and bade him return to Egypt and deliver his people. At first Moses begged to be excused, for he doubtless well remembered that because of his effort to deliver _one_ Hebrew, he had been an exile for forty years. How then could he succeed in delivering _a nation_? But on God's promise to be with him, he and his brother Aaron undertook the task.

#38.# Here we note the collision between God's plan and that of the king. God's plan is, Let my people go. Pharaoh's plan is, they shall stay right here. So the battle was joined. Note that Pharaoh, as a result of the consecutive plagues, relents and tries compromises. For these read carefully the story of the plagues, noting especially these passages: Exodus 8:8, 15, 25, 32; Exodus 9:28, 35; Exodus 10:11, 20, 24, 28. And at last, when his pride is utterly broken, comes Exodus 12:31.

#39.# Then came that night, much to be observed, on which Israel marched out in triumph, while Egypt mourned, and Pharaoh repented ever resisting the divine command. To this day all Jews observe that great night, called the night of the Passover.

#40.# Under the crags of Mount Sinai, Moses spent one year with his people. That was a most significant year, as there he received the ten commandments, and the instructions as to the building of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. There, too, he received directions as to the sacrifices that were to be typical of that great sacrifice on Mount Calvary, hundreds of years later. There, too, he had his bitter experience with his people in the matter of the worship of the golden calf; a presage of much that was to follow in the history of that wonderful but stiffnecked people as they continued their journeys through the wilderness.

#41.# Mark in the life of this wonderful man the incredible contrast between his highest and his lowest moods. In his agony over the idolatry of his people while he was on the Mount receiving the ten commandments, Moses pleads with God for them, and even goes so far as to beg that, if need be, his own name might be blotted out of God's book. If he or the people must perish, let it be he, and not the people. This is most noble, and reminds one of what Paul later on said, in the same strain (Rom. 9:1-3). Yet later on Moses yields to incomprehensible murmuring, when the people have again transgressed. "Moses was displeased. And Moses said unto Jehovah--Have I conceived all this people?... that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom?... I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand" (Num. 11:10-15). Is this the same man who speaks in the matter of the golden calf, as we saw above? And in this extraordinary fall we learn a lesson of humility and self-distrust. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

#42.# At last, after forty years of wandering, Israel is on the borders of the Land of Promise, but on account of his unadvised speech, Moses is not permitted to enter. On Mount Nebo he dies, alone, and there God lays his body away until the great resurrection day.

#43.# But again we see Moses. This time not outside of the Land of Promise, but in the midst of it. On the Mount of Transfiguration he appears, and this time with Israel's great prophet, Elijah, and with Israel's Messiah. There they talk of the death so soon to be accomplished in Jerusalem. Then he and the prophet return to the spirit world.

#44.# Yet once more Moses is brought to our attention. On the Isle of Patmos, John in vision sees and hears much of what goes on in the eternal world of bliss. And lo, he hears the ransomed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb (Rev. 15:3). To this man is given the privilege accorded to none other of the sons of men, to have his name coupled with that of the Son of God in the glad songs of heaven. Truly a privilege so exalted that we cannot possibly magnify it too much!

Test Questions

Into what three divisions does Moses' life fall?

State the plan of God and man in relation to this babe.

Give the links in the carrying out of God's plan, on the birth of the child.

What illustration is given to make these links more clear?

What event terminated Moses' life at court?

How long did his desert life as shepherd last?

What brought this period of his life to its close?

Give again the conflict between the plan of God and that of Pharaoh with regard to the people.

Give the various attempts at compromise on the part of Pharaoh.

Where did Israel spend the first year after the Exodus?

What two great revelations did Moses receive at Sinai?

Give the two instances of Moses' action that are apparently contradictory to each other.

Where did Moses die?

Why could he not enter the Land of Promise?

Where do we next meet him?

Give the final mention of this man in the Word.

Test Questions for Review

Introduction to Lesson 5

1. Give the reasons why the following periods are important. Patriarchal; Mosaic; of Elijah and Elisha; of the Messiah.

2. Name the four periods in which the narrative amplifies and miracles multiply.

3. Give the extent of the first, second, and third periods.

4. Give two divisions of period four.

5. What was the cause of the division of the United Kingdom?

6. Give the names of the chief actors in the first period of Bible history.

7. Name the great characters of the Old Testament up to David.

8. Who were buried in the Cave of Machpelah?

9. Into what two sections may we divide Joseph's life?

10. Into whose household did Joseph go in Egypt?

11. What two peculiar facts may be noted with regard to Joseph's body?

12. State the three divisions of Moses' life.

13. Where did Israel spend the first year after the Exodus?

14. What two great revelations did Moses receive at Sinai?

15. Where did Moses die?

Lesson 6

Joshua to Samson

Old Testament Division--Third Period (Concluded)

#Conquest of Canaan.#--Joshua became leader (Josh. 1:2).
Received command from God (Josh. 1:6-9). Victory at Jericho
(Josh. 6), followed by defeat at Ai (Josh. 7). Central
Palestine conquered, and a great assemblage held at Shechem
(Josh. 8:30-35). Southern and northern Palestine partially
conquered (Josh. 10:1 to 11). Joshua's farewell (Josh. 23 to
24:27) and death (Josh. 24:29-33).

#Israel under Judges.#--Othniel delivered the people from
Mesopotamia (Judg. 3:5-11). Ehud delivered from Moab (Judg.
3:12-30). Deborah and Barak delivered from Canaanites (Judg.
4:1 to 5:31). Terrible oppression under the Midianites,
delivery by Gideon (Judg. 6:1 to 7:25). Jephthah delivered
from Philistines and Ammonites (Judg. 10:6 to 12:7). Samson
delivered from Philistines (Judg. 13:1 to 16:31).

#TIME.#--1458 B. C. to Samuel, 1121 B. C.

#PLACES.#--Palestine.

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--The Jewish nation under Joshua achieved success just so long as they obeyed fully the commands of God. The Judges, as leaders, were direct representatives of God--who was the actual head of the nation--and so far as God's laws were strictly obeyed, the nation prospered.

Joshua and the Judges

#45. Joshua Becomes Leader.#--At the death of Moses we see Israel on the east side of the Jordan, opposite Jericho. Joshua succeeds Moses as leader. To him comes God's command, "Moses, my servant, is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan." (Josh. 1:2.) Note here no sign of discouragement. Moses may be dead, but God still lives, and will work through Joshua as well as through Moses. Notice in the orders given by God to Joshua that no mention at all is made of sword, spear, or bow, but only of obedience. This is emphasized again and again and rightly, for in obedience to God's law lay Israel's hope (read Josh. 1:6-9).

#46.# Now follows the contest for the possession of the land. Jericho is taken, but at Ai defeat is experienced, on account of disobedience. So Israel learns a costly but salutary lesson. Then follows the conquest of the central part of Palestine, ending at Shechem. Next in turn came southern Palestine, and then the northern part of the land (Josh. 10:1 to 11). Yet at the close of Joshua's life, not all of the land had been taken possession of. Still the heathen tribes held on in various places; and, indeed, they were not thoroughly subdued until the time of David.

#47. Reading the Laws of Moses.#--Worthy of note was the great assemblage at Shechem, between the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, in the very center of the land, where the law of Moses was read, with its blessings and curses, to all the people (Josh. 8:30-35). Noteworthy also is the final address of the aged Joshua to his people, at Shechem, beseeching them to obey the law of Moses, recorded in chapter 24.

#48. The Period of the Judges.#--After the death of Joshua, the people seem to have become more or less disorganized. The tribes ruled themselves--at times well, and at times ill. During the times of the Judges the general trend of their history was as follows: Israel would fall into sin, and then as a punishment God allowed their foes whom they had spared to rule over them. Then in due time Israel would "lament after the Lord," that is, repent and call on the God of their fathers for deliverance. Then God would allow them respite, and by the hand of some one of the judges, whom he raised up, would give them deliverance (see Judg. 2:11-18). The chronology of the book of Judges is not very clear, and it is most probable that there were times when the "oppression" was not felt over all the land, but was only sectional. Just the lines for a right chronology are uncertain.

#49. Comparison of Periods of Oppression and Deliverance.#--Now if we desire in a general way to judge as to the proportion of godliness as compared with idolatry, that prevailed in these times, we can do so by adding up the years of "oppression" and those of deliverance. This will afford us a rough criterion as to the way in which Israel obeyed and disobeyed their God. For remember that the "oppressions" were the result of disobedience, while the "deliverances" were the result of true repentance. Worked out in this way, we have the following statement, in which the name stands for the country to which the people were in temporary bondage:

Mesopotamia, bondage 8 years,--rest 32 years.
Moab, bondage 18 years,--rest 22 years.
Canaan, bondage 20 years,--rest 20 years.
Midian, bondage 7 years,--rest 32 years.
Philistia and Ammon, bondage 18 years,--rest 7, 10, and 8 years.
Philistia, bondage 40 years,--rest 20 years.

Adding all these up, we find that the people were in bondage in whole or in part for 111 years, while they had "rest" as the result of their repentance for 151 years. Without pressing this mathematical calculation too far, we must nevertheless conclude that for more than half the time the nation at large obeyed God fairly well.

#50. Great Leaders among the Judges.#--Deborah and Barak, who, by their combined forces drove out the oppressors of Canaan, under Jabin their king. This man had mightily oppressed the people, he having nine hundred chariots of iron, against which poor Israel could bring no corresponding force. Yet when the Lord's time came, he was able to overthrow the armies of Jabin, through the courage and combination of the two persons named. Then the land had rest for forty years. (For a wonderful setting of the song of triumph that Deborah and Barak sang, let the student turn to Professor Moulton's "Literary Study of the Bible," pp. 133-142.)

#51.# After this came the terrible oppression of the Midianites, who, with their camels, their flocks, and herds came on the land like grasshoppers, and ate up everything. Fortunately this oppression lasted only for seven years, otherwise there would have been nothing left. The deliverance from the hosts of Midian came through Gideon, whose three hundred men with torches and trumpets wrought havoc among the Midianite army. What the three hundred at Thermopylae were to Greece, that this three hundred were to the people of Israel.

#52.# Another terrible experience of Israel was that which came to them in connection with their oldtime foes, the Philistines and the Ammonites. Study the story as told in Judges 10:6-18, together with the narrative of their deliverance under Jephthah. Here the student will see clearly set forth the cause of the "oppression," verses 6-9, and the cause of the deliverance, verses 10-18. Jephthah was a rude man of his times, but then we must realize that rude times call for violent men.

#53.# The only other case to which attention is called here that of the longest of all the periods of oppression,--the second under the Philistines, which lasted forty years. Here it was Samson who was to deliver the people from the iron hand of the Philistines, and it took the iron hand of a Samson to do the work.

#54. Not a Time of National Unity.#--During all these many years, the government of the people was largely that of the tribal leaders. There was not the national unity that we saw in the days of their two great leaders, Moses and Joshua. Nor was there the same unity of action that came later on under the kings. But none the less, the great need of the people during these years was not so much political as religious. Had they only obeyed the commands of God as given to Moses, and as reiterated by the angel of the Lord to Joshua, God would not have permitted them to be ground under the heel of their oppressors as they were. We fail to read the story aright unless we seize the truth that righteousness exalts a people, while sin is a reproach to any nation. This truth has its modern as well as its ancient application.

Test Questions

Where was Israel at the time of the death of Moses?

Whom did God appoint to be Moses' successor?

What peculiarity was there in God's directions to Joshua?

In what order were the different parts of the land conquered?

Tell of the great assembly at Shechem.

What was the general trend of the history of Israel during the times of the Judges?

What was the cause of each period of "oppression"?

What was the cause of each "deliverance"?

Give the proportion of the years of "oppression" and those of "rest."

Give the first two leaders named as deliverers.

Who brought relief from the oppression of Midian?

Who delivered the people from the first Philistine bondage?

Who did the same thing in the case of the second Philistine bondage?

What was the condition of the people politically during the period of the rule of the Judges?

Lesson 7

Saul to Solomon

Old Testament Division--Fourth Period

LEADING PERSONS

#Samuel.#--The connecting link between the times of the
Judges and of the kings (1 Sam. 1-8).

#Saul.#--First king, who made a good beginning (1 Sam.
10:1-27). He united the people, breaking down factions.
Spurned Samuel's advice (1 Sam. 15:1-35). He became jealous
of David, and angered at his own son, Jonathan (1 Sam. 18:8
to 19:11). Rejected by God as king (1 Sam. 15). Killed in
battle at Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:1-13).

#David.#--A shepherd boy, noted for bravery (1 Sam. 16-31).
Chosen king and ruled over Judah seven years (2 Sam. 2). Then
became king over all Israel, and greatly enlarged the
nation's borders. Made Jerusalem the capital (2 Sam. 5:6-9).
A great religious leader and composer of Psalms. Sinned
against Uriah (2 Sam. 11:1 to 12:14). His son Absalom
rebelled (2 Sam. 15 to 18).

#Solomon.#--Son of David. Began his reign with a wise choice
(1 Kings 3). Built the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5).
Sinned in his marriages (1 Kings 11). He was noted for his
great wisdom and riches. He lived in luxury, the people were
heavily taxed, and the outward prosperity was accompanied by
inward spiritual decay. See Samuel's warning in 1 Samuel
8:1-18.

#Other Persons.#--Goliath, the Philistine giant, whom David
slew.--Jonathan, Saul's son, a great friend of David.

#PLACES.#--Mizpeh, Socoh, Gilboa, Jerusalem.

#TIME.#--1121 B. C. to 983 B. C.

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--David's reign as king brought the people to the place of their greatest national success, and David's reign and that of Solomon were politically the best in all Israel's history. David was signally honored in becoming an ancestor of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The United Kingdom. Saul, David, Solomon

#55. Israel Asks for a King.#--Ostensibly because Samuel's sons were worthless men, but also and largely because they wished to be "like the nations around them," Israel asked the prophet Samuel to appoint a king over them. This Samuel was reluctant to do. But commanded by God to acquiesce, he anointed Saul, the son of Kish, to be king over Israel. That God did not consider the change from government by judges to government by kings to be an improvement, is apparent from his saying, "they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them" (1 Sam. 8:7).

#56. The First King, Saul.#--Saul found the nation somewhat disorganized, and split into many factions. His task was to unite the people, so that they could show a bold and successful front against their foes. Prominent among these foes were the Philistines, who lived on the southwest of Israel, and who were a courageous and persistent folk. In all this work Saul was somewhat successful. He began well, but before very long, owing to self-will, he swerved aside from the advice of the aged Samuel. During his reign the great war with the Philistines took place in which Goliath and David figured so dramatically (1 Sam. 17).

#57.# Saul's evil disposition grew worse and worse, showing itself in his twice-repeated effort to kill David and his one effort to kill his own son Jonathan for his friendship for David (see 1 Sam. 18:10, 11; 19:10; 20:32, 33). On account of his distinct disobedience to God's command, and his hypocrisy, God rejected him from being king (1 Sam. 15). Still Saul continued to rule for some years. Then came the end when, in battle with his old foes, the Philistines, Saul and his sons fell, near Mount Gilboa (1 Sam. 31). He ruled about forty years, and was a sad instance of a man who began well, who had a superb counselor in Samuel, but who, through self-will and disobedience, perished at last most miserably.

#58. David Becomes King.#--After the death of Saul, Judah turned to David as its rightful leader and king. He was therefore anointed at Hebron as king of Judah. Seven years later the remainder of the tribes came to him and asked him to rule over them. This he did, and in this way he was king over _all_ Israel for thirty-three years. His remarkable character and executive ability soon showed itself. His reign was most successful, and he enlarged the bounds of the kingdom to their utmost extent. It extended from the Red Sea and Egypt to the Euphrates, as promised by God (Gen. 15:18 and Josh. 1:4). He captured Jerusalem and made it the political and the religious capital of the nation (2 Sam. 5:6-9). Thither he brought up the Ark of the Covenant, and here he established the worship of Jehovah. He organized the whole of the ritual of worship, and formed choirs of singers to make a glad noise unto the Lord. Everywhere he brought order out of chaos, and made the name of Israel one to be feared by the surrounding nations. Thus to the Israelite both of his day and of subsequent centuries he became their ideal king.

#59.# His later life was saddened by his own sin in the matter of Uriah and Bathsheba, where he erred most grievously. In recalling this sin, and in condemning the king for it, we must also bear in mind his true repentance, and also recognize that in his time there was no king who would have thought it worth while to give a second thought to the whole matter (see 2 Sam. 11:1-12:14).

#60. The Rebellion of Absalom.#--The end of David's life was further embittered by the rebellion of his favorite son, Absalom. This nearly brought David to a violent death. Only the indomitable spirit that the king possessed, together with the ability of his chief general Joab, saved the day (2 Sam. 15-18). David was Israel's sweet singer. He composed many Psalms, which have come down to us as specimens of his poetic ability. (The writer is, of course, aware that some modern critics deny that any of the Psalms are by David, but he has never seen any conclusive proof of this.)

#61.# In general, until his later years, when too much prosperity had dulled his spiritual life, David's character was singularly pure and unselfish. His dealings with Saul while the latter was seeking his life show a most chivalrous spirit, in that twice he spared his enemy's life when he had him in his power (1 Sam. 24:1-22; 26:1-25). In his friendship for Jonathan he shows an affection which, reciprocated by Jonathan, constitutes one of the classic friendships of history. Taken all in all, and remembering the times in which he lived, David was perhaps the finest king that the world ever saw.

#62. Solomon.#--On David's death his son Solomon ascended the throne. Bathsheba was his mother. He began his reign well. When God gave him his choice between riches and wisdom, he chose the latter (1 Kings 3:5-15). He it was who carried out David's plan for a "magnifical" temple in Jerusalem, where he built the most splendid temple that the world had so far seen. His prayer at the dedication of the temple is a most remarkable one (1 Kings 8). His fame spread through the world, and on one occasion the Queen of Sheba, in Arabia, journeyed over one thousand miles to make him a visit. Her astonishment at what she saw and heard in Jerusalem is told in 1 Kings 10. In amazement she cries out, "Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard."

#63.# But alas! Solomon did not continue as well as he began. To enhance his glory and extend his political power, he made alliances with idolatrous sovereigns. He married the daughter of Pharaoh, and besides this had multitudes of wives, who led his heart astray (1 Kings 11:1-8). God's warning, given in the same chapter, seems to have been disregarded.

#64. Samuel's Warnings come True.#--In Solomon all the warnings of Samuel as to what would come on the nation if they persisted in their choice of a king were fulfilled (1 Sam. 8:1-18). He also disregarded what God had said through the mouth of Moses, as recorded in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He multiplied taxes to such a degree that the people were not able to bear them. His court life was most luxurious and enervating, and the demands of his wives for all manner of indulgences were continuous. In this way, though there was much outward prosperity, the seeds of decay were sown with prodigal hands. Of course the end of such a policy could be only disaster, though the king in his mad search after power and luxury failed to see the approaching storm. However wise he may have been, as shown in his proverbs, he lacked that practical wisdom which begins in the fear of God. He went steadily down hill, and only his fame, and his reputation as being the son of David, saved him from overthrow. But immediately on his death the consequences of his misrule showed themselves in a most pronounced way, in the disruption of the kingdom. Like Saul and David, he also ruled over Israel for forty years.

Test Questions

What ostensible reason did the Israelites give for asking for a king?

What other and truer reason did they urge?

What had God to say about this request of the people?

What good did Saul accomplish?

Why was Saul rejected by God from being king?

How did Saul come to his end?

Over what tribe did David rule alone for seven years?

Give the boundaries of David's kingdom at its largest.

What did David do for the establishment of religion, and in what city?

Into what bitter sin did David fall?

What great sorrow came to David toward the close of his life?

In general, what may we say of David's religious life at the beginning and the close of his career?

How did Solomon begin his reign?

What noted building did he erect in Jerusalem?

In what way did Solomon sin in his alliances with other kings?

Where had God given directions as to what course of action any king of his people should pursue?

Lesson 8

Rehoboam to Hoshea

Old Testament Division--Fourth Period (Continued)

LEADING PERSONS

#Rehoboam.#--Ascended the throne on death of Solomon, his
father. Rejected wise counsel and angered his subjects (1
Kings 12:1-20).

Israel, the Northern Kingdom.

#Jeroboam I.#--Set up as king by the ten tribes in revolt
(Israel, or the Northern Kingdom), erected two golden calves
for worship (1 Kings 12:25-33).

#Ahab.#--Followed Omri as ruler of Northern Kingdom (1 Kings
16:28). Married Jezebel, who established a heathen worship (1
Kings 16:31).

#Elijah and Elisha.#--Prophets of God, sent to stay the
wickedness of the Northern Kingdom. Elijah enters remarkable
contest with Ahab (1 Kings 17:1 to 18:46. See also 1 Kings
21). For elaboration of this story see Lesson 10.

#Jehu.#--Ruler of the nation; tried to abolish Baal worship
(2 Kings 9, 10). His reforms partially successful. His son
Jehoahaz continued in gross idolatry (2 Kings 13:2-9).

#Jeroboam II.#--Ruler of the Northern Kingdom. His reign
marked by great outward prosperity, but continued inward
decay (2 Kings 14:24). The time of the prophecy of Amos (read
the whole book) and of Hosea.

#Hoshea.#--Last of the kings. Samaria captured by the King
of Assyria, and Israel taken captive. Read 2 Kings 17:1-41.

#Shalmaneser.#--The Assyrian king.

#TIME.#--982 B. C. to 718 B. C.

#PLACES.#--Shechem, Bethel, Dan, Mt. Carmel, Jezreel, Horeb, Samaria, Cherith, Zarephath.

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--God's unceasing efforts to save his people from their sins are marked by the sending of prophets, like Elijah and Elisha, at a time when wicked kings had led the people into abominable idolatry.

The Divided Kingdom. Israel, or the Northern Kingdom

#65. Rehoboam Becomes King.#--After the death of Solomon his son Rehoboam ascended the throne. At once there came to him a delegation headed by Jeroboam, asking for relief from the intolerable taxation that Solomon had levied. Rehoboam, guided by the foolish counsel of his hot-headed young men, replied roughly, saying, "my little finger is thicker than my father's loins" (1 Kings 12:1-20). At once the men of Israel revolted, and set up Jeroboam to be their king. From that time on, to the end, the kingdom was divided, and many times the one part was antagonistic to the other.

#66. The Northern Kingdom.#--Jeroboam as its first king, fearing that if the religion of the two peoples remained substantially the same, and if his people went regularly to Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom, to worship, they would be alienated from him, devised a system of calf worship, and set up two golden calves, the one at Bethel, just over the border of Judah, and the other at Dan, in the extreme north of his domain. To these two centers of worship he invited his people to resort, in order to keep them from assembling with the men of Judah in Jerusalem. "It is too much for you," he said, "to go so far as to Jerusalem; behold your gods right in your midst" (1 Kings 12:25-33). All this he did in utter defiance of God's command, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image," and in spite of the bitter experience of Israel in the wilderness in the matter of the golden calf that Aaron made.

#67.# This action on the part of Jeroboam "set the pace" for the Northern Kingdom, and from that day to the end of their history the land was full of gross idolatry. Not that all the men of the Northern Kingdom refused to follow Jehovah, for this was not the case, but the rulers were leaders in one form or another of idolatry.

#68. Ahab and Jezebel.#--In 925 B. C. Ahab ascended the throne of the Northern Kingdom. He married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, a most masterful and wicked woman. She led her husband to establish the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, nature divinities, whose worship was connected with most abhorrent practises. Not only so, but between them they did their best to root out all those who persisted in the worship of the God of Abraham. They persecuted the sons of the prophets, and put them to the sword. It was now no longer safe to try, even in secret, to worship the God of truth.

#69. Elijah and Elisha.#--It was just at this time that God in his mercy sent two very great prophets to Israel to try to win them back to their allegiance to the God of Moses and the Patriarchs. This, the student will remember, was one of those periods which was mentioned in the introduction, in which the narrative is amplified and the miracle multiplied, as betokening that the period was of great importance. Elijah and his successor, Elisha, did their best to stay the downward tendency of their people, but quite largely in vain. For a while it seemed as though there was to be some real reformation. But it did not last long, and soon the people, led astray by their rulers, lapsed into idolatry once more.

#70. Jehu.#--The one bright spot in all this sad story of the decline of the Northern Kingdom is found in the story of Jehu, 891 B. C. (2 Kings 9, 10.) He dealt drastically with the worshipers of Baal, and tried his best to put a final stop to all Baal worship. He ruled about twenty-eight years. His son Jehoahaz continued the sin of calf worship, and led his people once more into the downward path.

#71.# Under #Jeroboam the Second# the Northern Kingdom attained much outward prosperity, but its spiritual life did not improve at all. Men became greedy of gain, and worldliness and sin of gross description gained the upper hand. It was possibly during this reign that God sent the prophet Amos to bear witness against the sins of the rulers and people. At this point read the prophecy of Amos, and try to realize how earnestly he pleaded with the men of Israel to return to the worship of the God of their fathers. But it was all in vain. Israel was joined to his idols.

#72. Hosea#, too, comes at about this same time, and he did his best to win Israel back from their apostasy. He has well been called the "pleading prophet," for his tenderness is most touching. Yet all in vain were his pleas. Israel would have none of them.

#73. Hoshea, Last of the Kings.#--At last the Divine patience seems to have been exhausted, and God gave the Northern Kingdom over into the hands of its enemies, and they were marched off into captivity. Hoshea is the last of the kings of Israel, and during his rule the King of Assyria captured Samaria, and led the people off into a strange land. Here let the student carefully read 2 Kings 17:1-41 to see the resume that the sacred writer gives of the reasons for the final catastrophe that befell Israel. It was on account of their sins that they were suffered to experience these dire disasters.

#74.# In the place of the deported people, the Assyrians, in accordance with the customs of those days, placed peoples from alien lands in their stead. In this manner the population of Samaria became much mixed, and the false worship of these idolatrous peoples became the religion of the land of the Patriarchs in its northern portion. This will account for the hostility between Jew and Samaritan which we find in the days of Nehemiah, and even as late as the times of our Lord.

Test Questions

What led to the disruption of the United Kingdom?

Who was chosen king over Israel, or the Northern Kingdom?

Of what was Jeroboam afraid at this time?

What did he do to hold his people from possible allegiance with Judah?

Where were the golden calves set up?

Whom did Ahab marry?

What innovation in matters religious did Jezebel introduce?

How did she treat those who desired to worship Jehovah?

What two great prophets did God send to Israel at this time?

Was the mission of Elijah and his successor permanently effective?

How did the kingdom fare under Jeroboam II?

Was religion any better off for this prosperity?

Name two prophets whom God sent at this time to try to win his people back to himself.

Were these two prophets successful?

Under what king was Israel at last carried into captivity?

Who were placed in the land of Israel to take the place of the deported captives?

What was the result of this mingling of races and religions?

Lesson 9

Abijam to Zedekiah

Old Testament Division--Fourth Period (Continued)

LEADING PERSONS

#Abijam.#--Son of Rehoboam. Reigned three years (1 Kings
15:1-8).

#Asa.#--Son of Abijam. Reigned forty-one years (1 Kings
15:9-24). Made some effort as a reformer.

#Jehoshaphat.#--Son of Asa. Brought Judah great success (2
Chron. 17:1 to 20:37).

#Jehoram.#--Did evil like unto Ahab (2 Chron. 21:6). Ahaziah
followed (2 Chron. 22:4) and was succeeded by Queen Athaliah,
worse than her predecessors (2 Chron. 22:10 to 23:15).

#Joash# was a very good ruler; he began his reign at seven
years of age. Repaired the Temple (2 Chron. 24:1-27).

#Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham.#--Not remarkable in any way (2
Chron. 25:1 to 27:9).

#Ahaz.#--An evil king; caused his children to pass through
the fire to idols (2 Chron. 28:3).

#Hezekiah# was the best king so far (2 Chron. 29:1 to 32:33).
Isaiah was influential and the Passover was restored.

#Manasseh# was the worst king in many ways, putting an idol
in the Holy of Holies (2 Chron. 33:1-20; 2 Kings 21:1-18).

#Josiah# was a good ruler, beginning at eight years of age.
The Temple was repaired, the Law was read, and reform was
established (2 Kings 22:1 to 23:30).

#Zedekiah.#--After Josiah's reign matters grew worse until
under Zedekiah captivity came (2 Kings 25:1-21).

#Outside Nations# that played their part in this catastrophe
were Assyria, Babylon, Syria, Egypt.

#TIME.#--966 B. C. to 588 B. C.

#PLACES.#--Judah, Jerusalem, Babylonia.

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--The influence of leadership is shown in a marked degree in the history of Judah; "like king, like people." It was many times demonstrated that one good man could turn the whole nation God-ward. At last, as in the case of Israel, Judah is given into captivity.

The Divided Kingdom. Judah, the Southern Kingdom

#75. The Kingdom of Judah# lasted one hundred and thirty years longer than that of Israel. This was largely owing to the greater loyalty of Judah to the law of God. Nevertheless even under the rule of Rehoboam, their first king, Judah showed an evil tendency to depart from the law of God (1 Kings 14:21-24). There is no record, however, that Rehoboam officially tried to influence the people toward idolatry, as did Jeroboam. Probably the very fact that the temple was in the capital of Judah held him and the people, in some measure at least, to the right manner of worship. Abijam, Rehoboam's son, followed in the footsteps of his father. But his son, Asa, was a much better man, and he made efforts at reform. Though he was not sufficiently radical in his work, he was a great improvement on his predecessors.

#76.# Under #Jehoshaphat# Judah reached the height of her power. "He walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim" (2 Chron. 17 to 20:37. Also 1 Kings 22:41-50).

#77.# Once more, under #Joash#, Judah enjoyed a sovereign who had in him much of godliness. He repaired the temple and did much to restore the true worship of God.

#78.# After a period of varying vicissitudes we find Ahaz on the throne of Judah. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and caused his son to pass through the fire, i. e., he sacrificed him to heathen idols. He introduced calf worship, and set up "high places," for false worship on every hill and under every green tree (2 Kings 16:1-4). Had it not been that his son Hezekiah was more godly than he, the doom of Judah might have been much hastened. During his reign Israel was carried captive.

#79.# Under #Hezekiah#, however, we see great reforms going on. He removed the high places, cut down the groves, and even brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made, for to it the people had been offering incense (2 Kings 18:1-8). He was the best of all the kings of Judah, and had his successors followed in his footsteps, there need have been no captivity of Judah to record. In his reign it was that God gave Judah signal deliverance from the hosts of Sennacherib.

#80.# Alas! that so godly a king should have been followed by so worthless a man as his son #Manasseh#. He was perhaps the very worst of all the kings of Judah. Now we see the high places rebuilt, and idolatrous altars to Baal established. But more than this. He went farther than any before him, in that he took the Ark of the Covenant out of the Most Holy Place, and put there a graven image. So the record says that Manasseh did more to seduce the people to sin than all the nations whom the Lord removed to make place for his people. Truly a dreadful record for one who sat on the throne of David.

#81.# Once more the people have respite, however, for #Josiah#, Manasseh's grandson, was a very different type. He was only eight years old when he began to reign, but he tried to do that which was right in the sight of God. The deserted temple was repaired, the law was discovered and studied, the Covenant was publicly renewed, the idol in the Most Holy Place was taken away, and burned with fire, and the high places were largely destroyed. Moreover, he broke down the altar at Bethel that Jeroboam had originally erected. He re-established the celebration of the feast of the Passover, which had long been neglected. His efforts at reform were extended even to the dominions of the Northern Kingdom, though with no permanent effect (see for all this 2 Chron. 34, 35, and 2 Kings 22:1 to 23:28).

#82.# From the time of the death of Josiah, the downward tendency of Judah was steadfast. At last the end, long delayed through the mercy of God, came, and under Jehoiachin the overthrow was complete, and under his son Jehoiakim Judah was marched off in captivity to the land of Babylon. Thus sadly was fulfilled all that God had warned his people of, and the day of retribution came just as predicted.

#83. Other Nations.#--In all this sad drama of course outside nations played a prominent part. Assyria, Babylon, Syria, Egypt, all come into view. But none of them could have wrought the havoc that they did had it not been for the recreant part that Israel on the north and Judah on the south played. He who brought them all out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm could and would have delivered them from all their foes had they been loyal to him. All the blessings of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 might have been theirs had they only hearkened to the commandments of God by the mouth of his servant Moses. But as it was, all the dreadful curses of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 (be sure to read these passages) came on them, and all on account of their idolatry and vileness.

#84. Isaiah and Jeremiah.#--Nor did the kings and people sin thus grievously because they had no prophets to warn them. Just as God sent Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea to warn and woo the Northern Kingdom, so he sent the great Isaiah and Jeremiah to warn the men of the Southern Kingdom. Plainer warnings, grander promises, better counsels than these prophets gave, have never been uttered by human lips. For about sixty years, beginning in the reign of Uzziah, Isaiah pleaded with the nation. He lived and prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, and all through these days he was faithful to his mission. Sometimes he was heeded, and sometimes he was scoffed at, but ever and always he was faithful. So too was Jeremiah, whom nothing could turn from the integrity of his course. For the most part mocked at, traduced and ridiculed by the leaders, these men were helpless, for the minds and hearts of rulers and people were set on mischief. But though hand joined in hand, evil was sure not to go unpunished, and so the end came.

#85. Captivity.#--What a contrast between Israel marching triumphantly into the land, and Israel (and later on, Judah) marching out of the land in chains and humiliation! Through faith they conquered Jericho, and through lack of faith they themselves were at last conquered, and taken off into a land of shame and sorrow.

Test Questions

How long did the Kingdom of Judah last?

How much longer did it last than the Kingdom of Israel?

What reason may we assign for this?

Under what king did Judah reach the maximum of her power?

Name the next king who ruled the nation in the fear of God.

How did Ahaz provoke the Lord to anger especially?

Who was probably the best of all the kings of Judah?

How did the son of Hezekiah act when he came to the throne?

What particularly evil deed did he do in connection with the temple?

Under what king did Judah enjoy great reforms?

How far did Josiah try to extend his reforms?

Name some of the nations who opposed Israel and Judah?

Would these nations have succeeded had God's people been loyal to him?

Give the names of two great prophets of Judah.

How long did Isaiah continue to prophesy?

Mention the contrast between God's people marching in to and out of the land.

What was the cause of their final disaster?

Lesson 10

Elijah.

Old Testament Division--Fourth Period (Concluded)

LEADING PERSONS

Ahab and Jezebel, and Ahaziah, rulers; Elijah and Elisha,
prophets. See Lesson 8.

#Notable Events# in the life of Elijah. Challenged Ahab (1
Kings 17:1). Sought solitude at Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-7).
Dwelt with the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-24). Entered
great contest with prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:1-40).
Offered a prayer for rain (1 Kings 18:41-46). Took flight in
despondency to Beersheba (1 Kings 19:1-8). Received
revelation from God at Horeb (1 Kings 19:9-21). Rebuked Ahab
and Jezebel for unlawfully taking Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings
21:1-29). Declared judgment upon Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:1-18).
Carried from earth in a chariot of fire, his prophet's mantle
falling upon Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-18). Reappears on the Mount
of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36).

#TIME.#--925 B. C. to 900 B. C.

#PLACES.#--Samaria, Brook Cherith, Zarephath, Mt. Carmel, Beersheba, Horeb, Mt. of Transfiguration.

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--The contest of true religion with heathen beliefs is brought to a sharp focus in Elijah's time; and the battle-line there drawn so sharply has ever been a challenge for Christian courage in later days.

Elijah, the Great Speaking Prophet

#86. Elijah's Mission.#--All the prophets spoke, though some of them wrote as well, like Isaiah and others. We call Elijah a speaking prophet because we have but one record (2 Chron. 21:12-15) of anything that he wrote. Elijah was sent by God to the Northern Kingdom at the time of Ahab and Jezebel, to try and stay the tide of idolatry that was threatening to overwhelm the land. Ahab and Jezebel had established the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, two nature divinities of the heathen world. To turn back this tendency God sent this man of the desert. Of his early life we know nothing. He appears before us suddenly, as a man in the full tide of life. He was from Gilead, and a man of action, most emphatically. To get a good idea of the man, we may set him forth as seen in six notable scenes.

#87. First Scene:# Elijah and Ahab.--This is where he meets the king, and announces that as the God of Israel lives, there shall not be dew or rain in all the land, excepting at the word of the prophet. Note here the significant nature of this challenge. The two divinities that the people were now forced to worship were supposed to preside over the processes of nature. Just in their realm of influence, therefore, Elijah challenges them, and claims that his God has given to him power over the forces of nature, such as neither Baal nor Ashtoreth possessed. Then Elijah disappears, no one knows whither.

#88.# Now follows the fulfilment of his prediction. The season for the early and for the latter rain comes and goes, and still there is no rain. Probably some said, "This is unusual, but of course things will even up next year, and we shall have an abundance of rain." But the next year came and went, and still the heavens were as brass. Ahab now tries to discover this man who holds the key of the heaven, that he may force him to unlock the clouds. But in vain. The third year comes and goes, and still there is no rain, while the land is dry and parched, and even the king finds it hard to get food for his horses. At the same time there are some who call attention to the most unwonted fact that not only has there been no rain, but that even the dew has not been seen for three years.

#89. Second Scene.#--Now comes the second encounter between the prophet and the enraged monarch. Most dramatic is this brief interview, in which Ahab charges Elijah with troubling Israel, and Elijah throws the charge back in his teeth. Then comes the further challenge on the part of the prophet to the priests of these two nature divinities, to test their power on Mount Carmel. The scene there is too familiar to need detailed description. Suffice it to remind the student that Baal's priests were powerless to make good their claim that their gods held control over the forces of nature. Elijah, however, proves that Jehovah is the God of nature, and holds all things in his hands, for his prayer is answered by fire, and the sacrifice is consumed, with the wood and the water and the very dust that lay around so abundantly. Now comes the confession of the people that Jehovah and not Baal is the true God. Then comes the rain at Elijah's petition, and the second great scene in the life of this man closes.

#90. Third Scene.#--Very different is this from either of the two others. We see this man sitting discouraged under a juniper tree, and asking God to take away his life, as he is not better than his fathers. Is this the same hero whom we saw standing in all his triumph before the king? Yes, the same. How then account for the difference in his mien? Probably because of the reaction that came after the exciting contest with the priests of Baal, and the consciousness that he had not won as great a victory for Jehovah as he had anticipated. For as soon as the prophets of Baal had been slain, Jezebel, instead of yielding, had sent word to Elijah that she would kill him within twenty-four hours. It was this apparent failure that most probably discouraged the prophet, so that all his work seemed to him to have come to naught. Note now how God comforts his servant, how he ministers to his body, by food and rest, and to his mind by assuring him that he is wrong in thinking that he only remains as a true worshiper of Jehovah. Furthermore, God sends him to Horeb, where Moses learned so many lessons in things divine, and there God speaks to Elijah and gives him further work to do, so that when the prophet comes forth from his communion with God, he is again the stern man of duty that he was before. (Three great men learned much at Horeb: Moses, Elijah, and Paul the Apostle, for when he went to Arabia, it was probably Horeb to which he journeyed.)