In Epoch 1 of the 8 Great epochs in the fabric of time we considered the books of origins: Genesis and Job. These are our ancient roots. We learned from the woven threads of the God Story that the Son who came in the form of Jesus also was the Creator of everything.
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:13-17
We also learned how God is at work in His chosen people through Abraham and his descendants, and what it meant to experience supernatural deliverance of body and heart in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
We now conclude Epoch 2 by completing the Deliverance books: Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. Israel has been taken out of the land of Egypt, wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, and now it is time for a new generation to come into the promised land. Jesus’ name is translated Yeshua or Joshua, because He is the deliverer of all God’s chosen people. He comes as a different kind of warrior, bringing victory through humility, love, and overcoming sin by faith. Israel will now try a number of ways to find peace and prosperity in the Land. None of them will work. All who believe God will find peace with God.
The time of the conquest (Joshua) and the judges are a sad period in Israel’s history. Though God’s power was there to deliver them, their hearts continued to wander. Humanity needed another kind of Deliverer – which was no surprise to Creator Father. The book of Ruth is a parable of being covered by God’s grace. She shines in her humility of heart, and helps give us a picture of the supernatural victory that would come through Messiah.
” Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
As we investigate these three books (and their amazing theme-threads which carry throughout God’s Word) we are given keys to understanding the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the same Kingdom that John the Baptist and Jesus both announced in the Gospel of Matthew (3:2; 4:17).
Joshua speaks of not only conquest over the land but also over the sin of our hearts.
Judges reveals our nature of wanting to find solutions through the failed arrogance of mankind. Over and over we rely upon ourselves and plunge once again into sin cycles.
Ruth shines the light of grace and the comfort of covering into this very dark time, during the deliverance story of God’s chosen people.
Let’s dive into the Jesus-centric message of these books of Deliverance. Where would we be if God had not preserved an inheritance for us?!
Enjoy the Journey!
Dave and Burnadette
Search our Book by Book Course for Joshua, Judges, Ruth to go deeper
The Joshua Heart
The Ruth Heart