Introduction to

The Nevi’im
“The Prophets”
The Second Main Division of the Tanakh

Officially recognized as Hebrew Canon ~200 BC

Two Sections of the Nevi’im
The Former Prophets The Latter Prophets
– Joshua – Isaiah
– Judges – Jeremiah
– Samuel – Ezekiel
– The Book of the Kings – Daniel
– The Book of the Twelve
• Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
The Conquest of Canaan
and
The Period of the Judges
Joshua
and
Judges
 Joshua
Structure and Outline:
Entering the Land Chapters 1—5
Taking the Land Chapters 6—12
Dividing the Land Chapters 13—21
Honoring God in the Land Chapter 22—24
 Joshua
• What is Joshua?
The book of Joshua is named for its primary
character, the new leader of the Israelites
following the death of Moses. Genesis recounts
the beginnings of God’s promise to a chosen
people, and Exodus through Deuteronomy show
God’s faithfulness in rescuing the nation of Israel
from Egypt and providing for their needs in the
wilderness. Joshua details the conquest and
settlement of the Promised Land.
Concerning the book’s title, the Hebrew name for
Joshua is the same name translated as Isaiah and
Jesus. It means “Yahweh Saves” or “Yahweh Is
Salvation.”
 Joshua
• Who Wrote Joshua?
The authorship of the book is uncertain. Yet, since it
contains eyewitness testimony, some of it might have
been written by Joshua himself. The book’s events are
believed to occur around 1250—1225 BC. But, it is
suggested that the book was completed at a later date
due to repeated references to certain objects and places
existing “to this day” (4:9; 5:9; 6:25; etc.).
Also, Joshua 10:13 gives reference to an earlier record of
the deeds of Joshua. Therefore, establishing a firm date
for the book’s writing is impossible. Some suggest a
date some time after 587 B.C., but its final compilation
was more likely to have occurred following the death
of Joshua.
 Joshua
• Why Was Joshua Written?
The book of Joshua appears to provide theological
perspective on events surrounding the conquest
and settlement of Canaan, the Promised Land. The
emphasis is on God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his
promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is
seen as the Provider, the Guide, the Warrior and
Defender, and the ultimate Promise Keeper.
Subsequent generations find great encouragement
in the book of Joshua to be “strong and
courageous,” always trusting God to act on behalf
of His people when they trust His word.
 Similarities w/ Joshua & Moses
• Called a Servant of the Lord
– Moses Joshua 1:1
– Joshua Joshua 24:29

• Experienced Theophany
– Moses Burning Bush Exodus 3—4
– Joshua Warrior Joshua 5:13-14

• Led Israel Across Major Body of Water

– Moses The Red Sea Exodus 13—14
– Joshua The Jordan River Joshua 3
 Similarities w/ Joshua & Moses
• Sent Spies Into Canaan
– Moses Negative Report Exodus 13
– Joshua Rahab and the Spies Joshua 2

• Dealt With Sin in the Camp

– Moses Korah’s Rebellion Numbers 16
– Joshua Aachan’s Sin Joshua 7

• Proclaimed God’s Covenant

– Moses Mt. Sinai Exodus 20
– Joshua Mt. Ebal Joshua 8:30—35
 Similarities w/ Joshua & Moses
• One Major Mistake
– Moses Water from the Rock Numbers 20:8-13
– Joshua Treaty w/ Gibeonites Joshua 9

• Urged Israel to Obey God’s Law

– Moses Choose Life Deuteronomy 30:15-20
– Joshua Hold Fast Joshua 23:6-8
 The Battle of Jericho & Achan’s Sin
Joshua 6—7
• The Lord commands Israel to march around the city 1 time
silently for 6 straight days. Then on the 7th day, they would
march around it 7 times. After this, the priests would blow the
ram’s horn and the people would shout.
• Israel is commanded that everything in the city belongs to the
Lord. Only Rahab’s family is to be spared.
• They lose the following battle at Ai
• Joshua brings the Ephod and the lot falls to Aachan
• Aachan confesses to withholding the property and is stoned
with his family.
 The Treaty with the Gibeonites
Joshua 9
• The Gibeonites feared Israel, so they devised a crafty plan.
• They asked Joshua and Israel to make a covenant with them
because they had heard of the greatness of Yahweh.
• They brought provisions and gifts, making it seem as if they
traveled a great distance.
• The Israelites accepted the Gibeonites’ provisions without
inquiring of the LORD. Joshua made a covenant with them.
• When Israel encountered Gibeon, they did not strike them
because they had sworn to them by the LORD God.
• Joshua instead made them slaves for Israel
 The Covenant Renewal @ Shechem
Joshua 24
Element Function Verses
Preamble Introduces the superior, the sovereign leader/ v. 2
lord

Historical Recounts the superior’s past gracious acts and v. 2-13

Prologue dealings with the subordinate’s

Stipulations Outlines the subordinates’ consequent v. 14-24

responsibilities in respect to the superior.

Written Preserves the covenant agreement v. 26

Record
Witnesses Named vv. 26-27;
cf v. 22

Blessings and Considered Implicit throughout

Curses the passage,
especially in v. 20
 Caleb’s Character
(Chap. 14)

• He dared to be different
• He Didn’t offer excuses
• He dealt with tough tasks
• He followed the God of Israel
 Judges
Structure and Outline:
Overview of Israel’s Status/
Intro into Israel’s Apostasy Chapters 1:1—3:6

Downward Spiral of Israel

Careers of the Judges Chapters 3:7—16:31

Completely Corrupted Israel Chapters 17—21

 Judges
• What is Judges?
The book of Judges is named for the 12 leaders of
Israel between the periods of Joshua and Samuel
(~410 years). The Hebrew term for “judges” literally
means “saviors/deliverers.” That the leaders were
called “judges” might confuse contemporary readers,
but in the ancient world, governments were not
separated into multiple branches. All authority would
rest in one man, and the idea was that he would rule
justly, governing according to the foundation of the
law. Therefore, the book of Judges chronicles the rise
and reign of these leaders.
 Judges
• Who Wrote Judges?
The author of the book is anonymous. Though Jewish
scholars eventually ascribed it to Samuel, Scripture
provides no indication of this. It is possible that various
blocks of the book were authored by different people before
being complied into one document. Since the book’s latest
event occurred in the middle of the 11th century B.C.,
Judges could not have been completed before then. Though
it could have been finalized following the Babylonian
captivity (6th century), most of it was probably written
before David captured Jerusalem in 1003 B.C. Judges 1:21
states that the Jebusites were living in Jerusalem at the time
of writing, but they probably would have not been there
after David took the city. Therefore, a date in the early 11th
century B.C. is most likely.
 Judges
• Why Was Judges Written?
The book of Judges details the downward spiral of God’s people,
spiritually, morally, and nationally. Over and over, the
Israelites turned their backs on God, and the apostasy grew
more serious each time. The people violated the covenant in
every way possible, and the consequences were always severe.
It is interesting to note that during the period, Israel seems to
have functioned less like a unified nation and more like twelve
tribes. Two times the book mentions the lack of a king in
Israel (17:6; 21:25) as contributing to the problem. In the
absence of godly leadership, everyone tended to do “what was
right in his own eyes.” Therefore, it stands to reason that
the purpose of the book was to recount the state of Israel’s
depravity that led to its choosing a king to fill the void of
leadership.
 Writer’s Introduction and
Philosophy of History
S.W.O.R.D.S.
• Sin of the People of Israel
• Wrath of God
• Oppression of Israel by an Outside Force
• Repentance of the People of Israel
• Deliverance of the People by a Judge
• Sin of the People of Israel (again)
 Careers of the Judges
• Othniel (Judah) 3:7—14
– Symbol of courage
– oppressed by Mesopotamian King Cushan-Rishathaim

• Ehud (Benjamin) 3:12—30

– Symbol of physical makeup—left handed
– oppressed by Moab and King Eglon

• Deborah (Ephraim) and Barak 4:1—24

– Symbol of wisdom and military might
– oppressed by Jaban and Sisera of Canaan
 Careers of the Judges
• Gideon (Manasseh) 6—8
– Symbol of obedience
– oppressed by the Midianites

• Jephthah (Gilead-Manasseh) 10:6—11:40

– Symbol of foolishness and faithfulness
– oppressed by the Ammonites

• Samson (Dan) 13
– Symbol of physical strength and spiritual insensitivity
– oppressed by the Philistines
 Ten Events in the Life of Samson
• 4 Times He Received the Spirit
– 13:25 14:6 14:19 15:14

• 3 Different Women in His Life.

– He was married 14:15
– Harlot 16:1-3
– Delilah 16:4-22

• 2 Selfish Prayers
– He prayed for water 15:18
– He prayed for strength for revenge 16:28

• 1 Haircut
– 16:19
 Summary of the Judges
“In those days there was no king in
Israel and everyone did what was
right in his own eyes.”
Judges17:6
Judges 21:25