The Rise of Israel

Who would lead the people of Israel now that they had settled in the Promised Land? That's the big question being worked out in our readings and study this week. As we've seen God's plan was to form Abraham's descendents into a "great nation" and through them to bring about "great blessing" to all people (Gen 12:2,3). That blessing would be a Saviour for the sins of the entire world - Jesus Christ.

Becasue of their unique place in his plan, the Israelites experienced God's direct help and guidance over the years. It was God who free the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt; God who led them through the desert with pillars of cloud and fire; God who brought them to the Promised Land. And along the way is was God who took the initiative to reveal his priorities by giving them the Law at Mount Sinai. Since the very beginning, God had been powerfully and miraculously leading his people.