They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz), And when the house of JosephThe phrase "house of Joseph" refers to the descendants of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose lineage was divided into two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. In the context of the conquest of Canaan, the house of Joseph represents a significant portion of the Israelite confederation. Historically, Joseph's tribes were known for their strength and leadership among the Israelites. This phrase highlights the unity and collective action of these tribes as they seek to fulfill God's command to possess the land. sent spies The act of sending spies is reminiscent of earlier biblical narratives, such as when Moses sent spies into Canaan (Numbers 13). The Hebrew root for "spies" (רָגַל, ragal) implies a careful and strategic reconnaissance mission. This action demonstrates a blend of faith and prudence, as the Israelites seek to understand the land they are to conquer. It reflects a reliance on both divine guidance and human initiative, a recurring theme in the conquest narratives. to Bethel Bethel, meaning "house of God" in Hebrew, holds significant historical and spiritual importance. It was a place where Abraham and Jacob had profound encounters with God (Genesis 12:8; 28:19). By targeting Bethel, the house of Joseph is not only pursuing a strategic military objective but also reclaiming a site of deep spiritual heritage. This underscores the intertwining of physical and spiritual conquest in the Israelites' journey. (formerly known as Luz) The mention of Luz provides a historical context, indicating a transformation of identity and purpose for the city. Luz was the original Canaanite name, and its renaming to Bethel signifies a shift from pagan associations to a place dedicated to the worship of Yahweh. This transformation is emblematic of the broader divine mandate for the Israelites to establish a land devoted to God, replacing former pagan practices with the worship of the one true God. Persons / Places / Events 1. House of JosephRefers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. They were tasked with conquering the land allotted to them in Canaan. 2. BethelA significant city in the history of Israel, originally called Luz. It later became a central place of worship and a symbol of God's presence and promises. 3. LuzThe original name of the city before it was renamed Bethel. It was a Canaanite city that the Israelites were commanded to conquer. 4. Spying OutThe act of sending scouts to gather information about the land and its inhabitants, a common military strategy in ancient times. Teaching Points Faithful ObedienceThe house of Joseph's mission to spy out Bethel demonstrates the importance of following God's commands with diligence and faith. As believers, we are called to act in obedience to God's guidance in our lives. Strategic PreparationThe act of spying out the land underscores the need for preparation and wisdom in our spiritual battles. We should seek God's wisdom and guidance in all our endeavors. Transformation and RenewalThe renaming of Luz to Bethel symbolizes transformation and renewal. In our spiritual journey, God calls us to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new identity in Christ. God's PromisesBethel serves as a reminder of God's promises and faithfulness. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises in our lives, just as He did for the Israelites. Community and UnityThe collaboration of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh highlights the importance of unity and cooperation among God's people. We are stronger when we work together in fulfilling God's purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of spying out Bethel reflect the importance of preparation and strategy in our spiritual lives? 2. In what ways can we apply the concept of transformation, as seen in the renaming of Luz to Bethel, to our personal spiritual journey? 3. How does the account of Bethel connect to God's promises in your life, and how can you hold onto those promises during challenging times? 4. What lessons can we learn from the unity of the house of Joseph that can be applied to our church or community today? 5. How can we ensure that our actions, like those of the house of Joseph, align with God's commands and purposes for our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:19This verse recounts Jacob renaming Luz to Bethel after his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven, signifying God's promise and presence. Joshua 18:13Describes the boundary of the tribe of Benjamin, which includes Bethel, highlighting its geographical and spiritual significance. Judges 1:22-26Provides the broader context of the conquest of Bethel, including the strategy and outcome of the mission. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Beforetime, Bethel, Beth-el, Cause, Descry, Earlier, Explore, Formerly, Joseph, Luz, Round, Search, Spied, Spy, TownDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:23-24 5552 spies Library The Historical Books. 1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the … E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi. "On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven. Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor "Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom. ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their … Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation [Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which … Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah. It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, … Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee. The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City. Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, … G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land" Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect … Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:23 NIVJudges 1:23 NLTJudges 1:23 ESVJudges 1:23 NASBJudges 1:23 KJV
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