[Shincheonji Bible Story] Classification of the Biblical Era - Joshua

The Reality of Joshua's Generation

After the death of Moses, the physical Israelites led by Joshua, entered into the land of Canaan and worshiped God. (Jos24:31, Jud2:6~7)

Jos24:31 Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel.

After the death of Joshua, however, they did not pay careful attention to God's commandment and acted on their own accords. That is, they forgot about the fact that they made a covenant at Shechem.(Jos24:25~27)

Jos24:25~27 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he drew up for them decrees and laws. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD.

"See!" he said to all the people. "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God."

Even in the era of Judges, the circle of their rebellious action repeated on and on.

One of the most prominent betrayers was Solomon, who was the third king of Israel. As the son of the King David, he was endowed with much of wisdom, wealth and honor from God.

But he gave way to Satan by marrying with over 1,000 gentile women. 1King 11 portrays well how Solomon came to bow to gentile gods and turn his back to God's will. The king's betrayal indicates the lax state of people's mind.

Finally, God made a decision to split Israel into the two countries and send the Messiah as the only way of saving the Israelites.

Prophets from Isaiah to Malachi were the messengers to deliver God's messages on the coming of Messiah.(Mal3:1, Ps2:6~7, Isa61:1~3, Jer31:22) Therefore, to accept and understand their sayings was a right path to keep God's promise.

But what was the reality of them at that time? Did they well receive God's words? Or vice versa?

I guess that most of you are well aware of how they were.

Next time, let us examine what the Israelites were like at the time of Messiah's coming.