The next 12 books are known as the history books of the Old Testament. At this point the Bible is following the people of Israel in the conquest of the Promised Land in the book of Joshua, the continuous cycle of disobedience in the book of Judges, the first kings and the United Kingdom of Israel and the Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah. We will also see the invasion of Babylonia and the years of exile and the return from exile during the Persian rule.
Joshua
Joshua begins the history section of the Old Testament. This does not mean that there is no lesson to be learned but instead the lessons taught are often in a fashion of do not make the same mistakes as the Israelites have made. Another important teaching that can be found in the 12 books of history is that in repentance there is reconciliation with God. All too often we don't associate the Old Testament being about the Gospel message but in the Old Testament they lived under the promise of a Savior just as we do today. The only difference is their Savior (the same Jesus we know) was yet to come where ours has already come.
Most famous for leading the battle of Jericho, Joshua was the leader appointed by God to take over for Moses. The book was probably written (or dictated) by Joshua with a scribe filling in the obituary notice at the end. The evidence is found in the book near its end. (Joshua 24:26 NIV) "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."
Joshua covers the historic period from entering the Promise Land to the time when the lands were being divided to the heirs of the tribes of Israel. The spiritual theme for Joshua is obedience without trying to redefine God's Word and is spelled out in the very beginning of the book when Joshua is given his charge from God.
(Joshua 1:1-9 NIV) "After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: {2} "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. {3} I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. {4} Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. {5} No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. {6} "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. {7} Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. {8} Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. {9} Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.""
The idea of receiving God's protection is an easy precept to buy into, but all too often the Israelites did not meet the requirements God set forth to receive his protection. An example can be found in chapter 7.
7:1 a But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things ;
Then later in the same chapter Joshua (much like we do today) tries to shift the blame to God.
7 And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?
Pay attention to God's reaction to Joshua's attempt to take repentance to blame.
(Joshua 7:10-12 NIV) "The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? {11} Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. {12} That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."
The lesson Joshua and the Israelites learned that day is a lesson that we need to continue to heed today. We cannot be repentant while trying to shift blame. True repentance is the accepting the blame; not creating an exception for the blame.
