The days of the judges were termed the days when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." As the people of Israel began following the customs and gods of the nations around them God began delivering them into the hands of their oppressors. Judges 3 covers the time of Samson leading the people of Israel and the days after Samson, when the people again turned away from God to do whatever they saw fit.

The days of the judges were termed the days when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." The people of Israel began following the customs and gods of the nations around them. So God began sending judges to deliver His people. Judges 1 covers the early judges Othniel, Ehud and Deborah.

Joseph was the next youngest son of the patriarch Jacob and his name is synonymous with all the tribes that made up the northern kingdom of Israel. Being betrayed and sold by his brothers is an example of God's ultimate plan to bring purpose out of great suffering. Through divine circumstances, Joseph becomes Pharaoh's chief of staff over all Egypt and is used to preserve and bring the nation of Israel to Egypt.

Isaac was the second of the patriarchs of Israel, the only son of Abraham and Sarah, as well as the father of Esau and Jacob. In the Old and New Testaments, God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because with them God's relationship of promise and purpose was fixed for all those who descended from them. Jacob, also called Israel, was a Hebrew patriarch as the grandson of Abraham, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and also viewed as the traditional...

When they did not seek the Living God, the people of Israel began turning to various gods. Civil war ensued and the nation of Israel was broken into two entities - the northern tribes of Israel and Judah in the southern part. Jeroboam and Rehoboam were the first of many kings of these new national entities. A beginning chronology of both the good and wicked kings of Judah and Israel.

Ezra recounts God's marvelous work in bringing many Israelites back to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile in Babylon. His teaching of God's Word helps the returning Israelites as they struggle to rebuild the Temple and deal with sin in the lives of those not living in obedience to God's Law.

After the prophet Elijah leaves in a fiery chariot, his appointed prophet successor Elisha comes to the forefront of spiritual service to the nation of Israel. Like Elijah, his ministry is marked with great miracles. Axeheads float, people are healed, mockers are hunted down by bears and many other events mark the ministry of Elisha. God also reveals future political leaders to Elisha and the damage they will do to the nation of Israel.

King David makes a fatal mistake when he commits adultery with the wife of one of his loyal soldiers and then sets up to have the loyal soldier killed in battle. One of the results of this sin is that the civil war that ensues in the country and against him is led by his own son Absalom. David survives the revolt against his kingship but his own son is killed in the process. Later, when David compels his army leaders to do a census of the fighting...

After his great triumph over the Philistine giant, Saul brings David into his house and into his service. The people find a national hero in David but as the people praise him it inspires jealousy in King Saul. David marries one of the king's daughters but still finds himself an object of King Saul's temper and jealousy outbursts. David begins to gather a ragtag army around him and this group of adventurers follows him as he flees from place to place...

Passion Week 3 - As Jesus is left to die on the cross, he offers eternal life to a thief on the cross beside him and asks the disciple John to take care of his mother. Judas Iscariot hangs himself. An angel visits the tomb where Christ is buried and rolls away the stone. Mary sees the risen Christ, as do the disciples. Christ reinstates Peter, tells his disciples to go throughout the world with the good news of salvation through Christ and ascends...