Introduction to the Bible
Study 4 - Israel and God’s Purposes
1. GOD’S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM - GENESIS 12:1-3
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show
you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will
bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Blessing
God’s purpose in calling Abram can be summed up as ‘blessing’ = opposite of cursing, the curse of sin and judgement.
A Great Nation
God’s judgement included the shattering of human society (Eden, flood, Babel). God’s purpose in creating a great nation is
to re-establish human society on its proper basis.
Land
Again, God’s purpose is to reverse the effect of sin and restore Abram to a place where the life of blessing can be enjoyed.
God’s purpose is to bless Abraham by reversing the curse of sin and blessing him through the restoration of the good things
in Gen 1-2.
God is at work through Abraham’s family, causing them to increase in number despite circumstances. Abraham’s grandson
Jacob is renamed Israel and his sons become the 12 tribes. However, Genesis ends with the family of Israel in the land of
Egypt. There is anticipation for God to take them back to the land of Egypt.
2. GOD’S REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL - EXODUS TO NUMBERS
Exodus starts with the Israelites in Egypt. They soon find themselves enslaved under the oppression of the Pharaoh. Egypt
has become the opposite of the Promised Land. The Promised Land is described in metaphor reminiscent of Eden ‘flowing
with milk and honey’. From Exodus to Deuteronomy Moses is ‘the man’.
Redemption (Ex 6:2-8)
• God raises Moses to lead and redeem his people.
• God’s motivation for redemption is entirely his own purposes.
• Great acts of judgement are brought on the Egyptians (plagues)
• The people were delivered to be God’s People and he could be their God.
• Egypt represents all they were redeemed FROM. The Promised Land represents all they were redeemed FOR.
Meeting God at Mt Sinai (Ex 19:1-25)
God brings the people to Mt Sinai where he meets them and calls them his people. He reaffirms the promises to Abraham.
The Law (Ex 20:1-17)
The law is given AFTER the work of redemption is complete. The law was never a means for the people to earn God’s favor.
The law spells out how they must live NOW THAT God has redeemed the people for himself. Obedience to the law is to be
Israel’s response to the grace of God.
The Journey to the Promised Land
The essential feature of the journey from Sinai to the Promised Land was the presence and guidance of God through the
tabernacle and a cloud/fire above it, which guided their movements.
Rebellion
Rebellion continues. The people refuse to trust God and enter the land. While the early books of the OT speak of the consis-
tent faithfulness of God, they also speak of the consistent unfaithfulness of Israel. How can God’s purposes ever be achieved
while the problem of sin continues?
3. THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY
Moses gives a series of addresses to the people who are still waiting to enter the land. He reminds them of all God has done
and exhorts them to remember and be careful to respond rightly to God as they begin their new life in the land. Deuteron-
omy concludes with a choice facing Israel as they move into the land. Faithfulness or unfaithfulness with blessing or ulti-
mate cursing as the final consequences.
Author: Ben Hudson Copyright © 2009 Moore Theological College
4. CONCLUSION
God has promised to bless Abraham’s descendants
The experience of Israel shows us what being blessed by God involves: Redemption, judgement, being brought to God and
it demands obedience to him.
God has promised to bless mankind through Abraham’s descendants
We expect that the history of Israel will ultimately lead to blessing extending to all nations on earth
Copyright © 2009 Moore Theological College
