Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 11
Introduction to
KINGDOMS
Genesis to Samuel–Kings, together constitute Israel’s primary history. This opening story covers the events
from God’s creation of the world and his intentions for humanity to
the account of Israel’s covenant failure and forced exile from the Promised Land. The first five b
ooks—Beginnings—take us to the point when
God’s people have been freed from slavery in Egypt and are about to
enter the land promised to their ancestor Abraham.
The story continues in the next four books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth,
and Samuel–Kings) as Israel enters the land and is commissioned to be
God’s light to the nations. It is God’s plan for his new people to inhabit
a new place, the template for showing all people what it means to
follow God and help the world to flourish. These books are written in
narrative form and have a prophetic viewpoint, always calling Israel to
be faithful to the Lord, their High King.
As these books begin, God’s people are living under God’s three
earlier covenants made with Noah, Abraham, and Moses. The story
moves ahead with a description of the events surrounding the fourth
covenant. This covenant is with David, Israel’s second king, and promises a lasting dynasty of kings descended from him.
THE BIBLE’S OPENING BOOKS,
Originally, the Israelites didn’t have a human king because God himself
was their King. Once Abraham’s descendants grew into a nation, God
sent Moses to be their liberator and leader, freeing them from slavery in Egypt and guiding them to the land of Canaan. But Moses was
a prophet, not a king. A new leader named Joshua then leads Israel
into the Promised Land. He defeats their enemies and divides the land
among the twelve tribes. But Joshua wasn’t a king either.
In the years that follow, as described in the book of Judges, God
raises up a series of leaders called “judges” to rescue the Israelites
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