The Exodus Story
Around 1300 BC the Hebrews were enforced by the Egyptians in to repression. God heard their prayers for care and chose Moses to lead the Hebrews to freedom and defended the Hebrews as they escaped from captivity. This was remembered and celebrated by the Passover rituals and songs.
After they escaped from Egypt, God made a holy bond agreement, called a ‘covenant’, with all people. The Ten Commandments served to remind them of the behaviour excepted and accepted by God. Moses died before the Hebrews settled into the Promised Land. They were led into this land by his successor, Joshua, who was appointed by God as well.
The Book of Joshua tells the story of the Hebrews entering and settling the Promised Land. Eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel spread throughout different regions of Palestine region. Members of the twelfth tribe, the tribe of Levi, were scattered among the other tribes to serve the people as priests.
During this time the Hebrews did not always remain faithful to the Sinai Covenant. There developed a pattern in their experience such as turning away from God, ignoring God’s guidance and protection and breaking the Ten Commandments. Suffering conquest and oppression by other nations because they made decisions without God’s guidance and direction and then they turned back to God and recalling the covenant eventually enjoying God’s guidance, protection, freedom and deliverance from the oppression of other nations.
Those who led the Hebrews after Joshua ruling were called Judges. From stories of the Judges, it seems that they were also military leaders of the Hebrews. Some of the noteworthy Judges were Deborah, Gideon and Samson.
The oral tradition of the Hebrews continued to develop through stories and poems, feasts, rituals and religious laws. Sacred places and objects served as noticeable reminders of the special bond they had with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
After they escaped from Egypt, God made a holy bond agreement, called a ‘covenant’, with all people. The Ten Commandments served to remind them of the behaviour excepted and accepted by God. Moses died before the Hebrews settled into the Promised Land. They were led into this land by his successor, Joshua, who was appointed by God as well.
The Book of Joshua tells the story of the Hebrews entering and settling the Promised Land. Eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel spread throughout different regions of Palestine region. Members of the twelfth tribe, the tribe of Levi, were scattered among the other tribes to serve the people as priests.
During this time the Hebrews did not always remain faithful to the Sinai Covenant. There developed a pattern in their experience such as turning away from God, ignoring God’s guidance and protection and breaking the Ten Commandments. Suffering conquest and oppression by other nations because they made decisions without God’s guidance and direction and then they turned back to God and recalling the covenant eventually enjoying God’s guidance, protection, freedom and deliverance from the oppression of other nations.
Those who led the Hebrews after Joshua ruling were called Judges. From stories of the Judges, it seems that they were also military leaders of the Hebrews. Some of the noteworthy Judges were Deborah, Gideon and Samson.
The oral tradition of the Hebrews continued to develop through stories and poems, feasts, rituals and religious laws. Sacred places and objects served as noticeable reminders of the special bond they had with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.