The Time of Psalms

The Psalms cover a wide time span from Moses (Psalm 90 - 1410 BC) to the post-exilic community under Ezra and Nehemiah (Psalm 126 - 430 BC).

Because of their broad chronological and thematic range, the Psalms were written to different audiences under many conditions.

They reflect a multitude of moods and as such they are relevant to every reader.

The Time of 1 Samuel

The Time of 1 Samuel (1105-1011 BC)

1 Samuel covers the 94 year period from the birth of Samuel to the death of Saul (1105-1011 BC).

The Time of Joshua

The Time of Joshua (1405-1390 BC)

            A.  One month, 1405 BC (1-5).

                        1. Death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-9).

                        2. Crossing the Jordan River (4:19)

            B.  Seven years, 14-5-1398 BC (6:1-13:7)

                        1. Caleb forty years old at Kadesh (14:7).

                        2. Caleb eight-five years old (14:10).

            C.  Eight years, 1398-1390 BC (13:8-24).

                        1. Division begun (14:7-10).

                        2. Joshua dies at 110 years of age (24:39).

Joshua

The title of this book is named after its central figure, Joshua.

1. His original name is Hoshea, “Salvation” (Numbers 13:8); but Moses evidently changes it to Yehoshua (Numbers 13:16), “Yahweh Is Salvation.”

2. He is also called Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua.

This is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Iesous (“Jesus”).

Joshua’s name is symbolic of the fact that, although he is the leader of the Israelite nation during the conquest of Canaan, the Lord is the Conqueror (The Open Bible, p. 249).

The Purpose of Joshua: To give the history of Israel’s conquest of the promised land.

The Author of Deuteronomy

The Author of Deuteronomy: Moses

Deuteronomy includes about forty claims that Moses wrote it (see 1:1-5; 4:44-46; 29:1; 31:9, 24-26).

The Old Testament attributes Deuteronomy and the rest of the Pentateuch to Moses (see JOSH 1:7; JUDGES 3:4; 1 K 2:3; 2 K 14:6; EZRA 3:2; NEH 1:7; PS 103:7; DAN 9:11; MAL 4:4).

Christ quotes Deuteronomy as God’s word in turning back Satan’s three temptations and attributes it directly to Moses (MATT 4:4, 7, 10; 19:7-9; MK 7:10; LK 20:28; JN 5:45-47).

The Time of Deuteronomy

The Time of Deuteronomy (1405 BC)

Deuteronomy covers about one month (see 1:3; 34:8 & JOSH 5:6-12).

Like Leviticus, Deuteronomy does not progress historically; Deuteronomy takes place entirely on the plains of Moab due east of Jericho and the Jordan River (1:1; 29:1; JOSH 1:2).

Deuteronomy was written at the end of the forty-year period in the wilderness when the new generation was on the verge of entering Canaan (1405 BC).

The Christ of Numbers

The Christ of Numbers:  Jesus is the Star of Jacob!

A.  Perhaps the clearest portrait of Christ in Numbers is the bronze serpent on the stake, a picture of the crucifixion (21:4-9).

1.  “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (JOHN 3:14).

B.  The rock that quenches the thirst of the multitudes is also a type of Christ (20:8-13).

1.  “…they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” (1 COR 10:4).

           

C.  The daily manna pictures the Bread of Life who later comes down from Heaven (11:6-9; JOHN 6:31-33).

D.  Balaam foresees the kingship of Christ:  “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel” (24:17; LK 1:32-33; HEB 1:8).

E.  The guidance and presence of Christ is seen in the pillar of cloud and fire (9:15-23; 1 COR 10:1-4).