Inscribe the Word - March Scripture Writing Plan
Please note: There are two errors on this months study. Day 10 should read Joshua 24:14-15. Day 27 should read 2 Samuel. 6:4-17.
Happy March, Dear Friends. We are so excited to continue Inscribing the Word with you this year. We have just finished writing gleanings from Genesis through Deuteronomy, and now we turn to the first part of the historical books; Joshua through 1 Kings.
WHAT IS IN STORE FOR 2019?
This year we began a new series here at A Symphony of Praise called “READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR.” This plan is a minimalistic, simple, and efficient way to read the Bible in a year. As I was praying about the direction for Inscribe the Word in 2019, I felt in my heart to go along with the reading plan as we WRITE THE BIBLE in a year. Now before you get nervous - no, we aren’t writing the entire Bible (although that is a dream of mine to accomplish!). We are taking gleanings out of the Scriptures and writing parts of the chapters.
The word glean means to collect bit by bit gradually. We are going to collect some of the key treasures out of the entire collection of sixty-six books of the Bible. It is going to be thrilling and exciting, and I cannot wait to start writing (and reading) the Word with you this year.
Please note . . . last month we provided a study guide to help better understand the Books of the Law. We will not be providing a study guide this month as the material is easier to understand.
GLEANINGS FROM Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 Kings.
We are about to head into the Historical Books of the Old Testament. These books will take us from Joshua to Esther. We will go into Israel’s history starting with the conquest of the Promised Land in the book of Joshua and continuing through the preservation of the Israelite nation through the bravery of a girl named Esther.
In January, we started with the first two books of the Bible; Genesis and Exodus.
In February, we finished the Pentateuch, the Law, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
And now, Part One of the Historical Books of the Old Testament.
JOSHUA
WHO: The Book of Joshua is named for its principal figure; Joshua. Most scholars agree that Joshua wrote this book except for the last section which may have been written by an assistant or someone close to him.
WHAT: Israel has come through forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It is now time to possess the land. Moses has died, and Joshua has taken up the mantle to lead the people. The purpose of this book is to chronicle Israel’s conquest of part of the Promised Land.
WHY: As you read through and Inscribe the book of Joshua, you will see God’s faithfulness to His people. He made a promise to Abraham back in Genesis that his descendants would inherit the Promised Land. (Genesis 12:7) This book details a part of their success. It also shows a major failure in that they did not possess the entire land. This will come back to bite them as we read through the historical books and beyond. (Joshua 13:1)
WHERE: The Book of Joshua takes place in the land of Canaan; the Promised Land. Key places will be Jericho, Ai, Shiloh, and Gilgal.
“In the Book of Genesis Israel was born. In the Book of Exodus Israel was chosen. In the Book of Numbers the nation was proven. In the Book of Leviticus it was brought nigh by the blood. In Deuteronomy it was instructed. Now in the Book of Joshua it faces conflict and conquest.” - J. Vernon McGee
JUDGES
WHO: No author is named in the Book of Judges. However, the Jewish Talmud names Samuel the prophet as the author.
WHERE: The Book of Judges takes place in the land of Canaan; the Promised Land.
WHY: The Book of Judges bridges the gap between the twelve judges who ruled Israel and the monarchy that introduced Saul as Israel’s first king.
WHAT: The Book of Judges is the tragic Part 2 to Joshua. In Joshua, we see a people who were obedient and excited to possess their promise. In Judges, we see that the Israelites have become a disobedient, rebellious, and idol-worshipping people who run from God at every turn. Judges shows us “that God’s judgment against sin is certain, and his forgiveness of sin and restoration to relationship are just as certain for those who repent.” (source)
The entire Book of Judges can be summed up in the final verse of the book. Judges 21:25 says,
”In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This verse sums up this tragic book, and reminds us to place our eyes on our Righteous Judge; Jesus Christ.
RUTH
WHO: The author of the Book of Ruth is unknown. Some say it was Samuel, but he has not been proven as its author.
WHERE: The Book of Ruth takes place during the time when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1). It’s location is Bethlehem-Judah and Moab.
WHAT: The Book of Ruth is like a fresh drink of water after the war-torn, sin-filled, and idolatry of Judges. These four short chapters contain a treasure for anyone willing to dig below the surface. The Book of Ruth is a book of ordinary folks, full of sin, mistakes, and a past. It shows how the Lord takes these everyday people and uses them in His-story.
The Book of Ruth is exceptionally significant in that it gives the genealogy that leads to Jesus Christ and shows that He comes through the seed of David. This tiny Book holds a great promise; we all have a Heavenly Boaz; a Kinsman Redeemer in Jesus Christ. He redeemed us from the death of sin and has paid the ultimate price so that we would have eternal life.
1 & 2 SAMUEL
WHO: The author of the Books of 1 & 2 Samuel is unknown. Some scholars say the books were written by Samuel himself. Others mention Nathan or Gad. We may not know the author, but we do know that these books were breathed and inspired by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
WHERE: The majority of these books take place in the land of Israel. It bridges the gap between the time when the judges ruled and Israel's demand for a king so they could be like other nations.
WHY: 1 and 2 Samuel record the life of Israel’s first prophet. Samuel is an extraordinary figure in that he is Israel’s last judge and first prophet.
WHAT: In Judges, we see many "little" men and women trying to be "big" men and women; judges like Samson, Gideon, Deborah, Jair, and Tola. None of them were "Joshua's" and of course they couldn't even touch a Moses.
But in the Books of Samuel, we see some huge men and women who God used to change a nation. People like Hannah, David, Saul, Samuel, Jonathan, and Abigail. These are BIG HEROES (ordinary as they were) who God used to accomplish great things.
1 KINGS
WHO: Unknown. However, Jewish tradition holds the prophet Jeremiah as the author.
WHERE: The majority of the Books of Kings are located in a divided Israel.
WHY: 1 and 2 Samuel record the life of Israel’s first prophet. Samuel is an extraordinary figure in that he is Israel’s last judge and first prophet.
WHAT: “The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings combined represent a chronicle of the entire history of Judah’s and Israel’s kingship from Saul to Zedekiah. First and Second Chronicles provides only the history of Judah’s monarchy.” - Dr. John MacArthur
The main events of 1 Kings are David’s death, Solomon’s reign, the division of the kingdom, and Elijah’s ministry. Elijah was one of Israel’s greatest prophets, and here we get an introduction to this amazing man.
Thus begins the Books of History in the Old Testament. My friend, you are about to meet some amazing men and women of the faith. If you’ve already met them, you are about to know them in a deeper way than ever before.
As I read through these books my heart is lifted one moment and breaking the next. I have been called higher in my walk with the Lord by following the downfall of Israel, and the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father.
