OLD TESTAMENT
HISTORY IN BRIEF
For
JUNIORS
Prof. H.C. Hoeksema
Adopted for use in the Protestant Reformed Churches
by the Synod of 1961
FOREWORD
This book is designed for children of nine and ten years old, and is intended as a campion-book to that on the New Testament by the Rev. G. VandenBerg. Moreover, its proper use requires that it be preceded by the beginners’ and followed by the seniors’ books which are a part of the series, prepared under the auspices of the Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches.
In order that both parents and teachers may know at what to aim and what to expect in this course, we make the following remarks:
1. The aim of this book is briefly and systematically to acquaint our children with the facts of Old Testament history.
2. The success of this history course is dependent not only on the book and the teachers, but upon persistent effort at thorough memory work and study by the children, with the indispensable aid of their parents.
3. The written work for these lessons, prepared and printed in a separate workbook, should not be neglected if the aim of the course is to be achieved in the span of twenty-five lessons. It is purposely designed so that the pupils will be compelled to look up numerous Scripture passages related to the lesson material.
4. The book is designed for a thirty-week catechism season, which means that there should be a review, preferably written, after every five lessons.
5. The use of map study is also recommended as a valuable aid in this course.
6. The Memory Projects may profitably be followed, especially in those congregations where there is no Sunday School. A little persistent effort and some encouragement on the part of the teacher will produce surprising results in this respect. We ought not to underestimate our children’s ability to memorize; and these memory projects are not beyond the ability of most children of nine and ten years old.
May our covenant God use this effort in order that the children of His covenant may become founded in the knowledge of His Word.
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LESSON 1
Creation
1. What took place in the beginning?
God created the heavens and the earth and all things in them.
2. When did God create all things?
About four thousand years before Christ was born. (4000 B.C.)
3. In how many days was creation finished?
In six days, and on the seventh day God rested.
4. How did God create all things?
By the Word of His power.
5. How did God make man?
God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
6. What else does the Bible tell us about man?
God made man in His own image, able to love and serve God perfectly.
7. Whom did God give as a help meet for Adam?
Eve, whom He made from a rib of Adam.
8. Where did God place Adam and Eve?
In Paradise, a beautiful garden in Eden.
9. What was Adam called to do?
As king of the earthly creation, Adam was called to serve God.
10. Was there sin and death in the beginning?
No, God saw everything that He had made, and it was very good.
MEMORY PROJECT: Learn the books of the Old Testament in order.
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LESSON 2
The Beginning of Sin
1. Which two special trees did God place in Paradise?
The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
2. Might Adam and Eve eat of the tree of life?
Yes, and its fruit would make them live forever.
3. Might they eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
No, for God commanded them not to eat of it.
4. Who tempted Eve to disobey God and eat of the tree?
The devil, speaking through the serpent.
5. How did the devil lie to Eve?
Satan said, "Ye shall not surely die."
6. Did Eve believe the devil’s lie?
Yes, she ate of the fruit, and also tempted Adam to eat.
7. Did God punish Adam and Eve?
Yes, they lost God’s friendship, and the curse of death came upon them and their children.
8. What happened to the earth because of their sin?
The earth was cursed for man’s sake.
9. Did God let Adam and Eve eat of the tree of life after this?
No, God sent them out of the garden, and away from the tree of life.
10. But would they never again be blessed by God?
Yes, but only because God promised a Savior to save His people from their sin.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:1-3
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LESSON 3
The Growth of Sin
1. How did sin show itself immediately in the family of Adam and Eve?
Cain hated and killed his brother Abel, who was a believing child of God.
2. Whom did God give in Abel’s place?
The God-fearing Seth, whose descendants were called "the sons of God."
3. Did wickedness continue to grow in the world?
Yes, Cain’s children followed him in sin, and the world became more and more wicked.
4. What was one thing that helped the fast growth of wickedness?
The descendants of Cain were the great and mighty men of the world, and were also great in wickedness .
5. Can you name some of these great men?
Yes, the Bible mentions especially the murderer Lamech, and his three sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain.
6. Was there something else that helped this fast growth of sin?
Yes, before the flood men lived to be more than 900 years old.
7. But were all the descendants of Seth God-fearing?
By no means; many married Cain’s children, while only a few served the Lord.
8. Mention one of these God-fearing few.
Enoch, who walked with God, and who prophesied about the
coming of the Lord to judge.
9. What happened to Enoch?
God took him to heaven without death when he was only 365 years old.
10. How fast did sin develop in the earth?
In 1500 years the world was ripe for judgment, and God announced the flood.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:4, 5
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LESSON 4
The Flood
1. How did God destroy the first world?
By a terrible flood, in which the whole world of the ungodly
perished.
2. How great was the flood?
The flood covered the whole earth, and all flesh was destroyed.
3. Did this flood come through an ordinary rain?
No, it was a wonder; for the windows of heaven were opened, and the fountains of the great deep were broken up.
4. When did God announce this judgment?
One hundred twenty years beforehand, in which time Noah built the ark and preached righteousness.
5. Whom did God save in the ark?
Noah and his family and a few of every kind of animals.
6. Why did God save Noah and his family?
Because Noah walked with God and was righteous in a world filled with wickedness.
7. How long did the flood last?
The water prevailed for 150 days, and Noah had to stay in the ark for a year and ten days.
8. What did God tell Noah after the flood?
"And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you, and with every living creature that is with you."
9. What sign did the Lord give Noah of this covenant?
The sign of the rainbow in the cloud.
10. When did the flood take place?
About 2350 B.C.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:6, 7
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LESSON 5
From Noah to Abraham
1. Was sin destroyed by the flood?
By no means; it showed itself immediately in Noah’s family.
2. How did this take place?
Noah became drunk, and Ham mocked his father.
3. What did Noah do afterward?
He blessed Shem and Japheth, but cursed Canaan, the son of Ham.
4. Did sin show itself in any other way?
Yes, for men disobeyed the command of God to fill the earth.
5. What did wicked men want to do instead?
They wanted to stay together in the land of Shinar.
6. What did they do in the land of Shinar?
They built the tower of Babel as the center of a mighty and wicked kingdom.
7. How did God spoil their plan?
God confused their language, so that they had to scatter over the earth.
8. Where did the children of Noah’s sons settle?
Ham’s in Canaan and Africa; Shem’s in Asia; and Japheth’s in
Europe.
9. With whose descendants did the Lord continue His covenant after the flood?
In the Old Testament times God continued His covenant with the descendants of Shem.
10. With whom out of Shem’s descendants did God establish His
covenant?
With Abraham and his seed.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:8
REVIEW
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LESSON 6
Abraham
1. From what place did God call Abraham?
God first brought him from Ur of Chaldees, and later called him to leave Haran.
2. What did God tell Abraham?
"Get thee out of thy country . . . unto a land that I will show thee." Genesis 12:1
3. Did Abraham obey?
Yes, by faith Abraham obeyed, and went to live as a stranger in the land of Canaan.
4. When did God call Abraham?
About the year 1920 B.C.
5. Who went with Abraham?
His nephew Lot, who later quarreled with Abraham and chose to live in Sodom.
6. Whom did Abraham meet when he delivered Lot from the king of Elam?
Melchizedek, king of Salem, and priest of the most high God.
7. What became of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?
God destroyed them with fire and brimstone, but rescued Lot and his family.
8. What did God promise Abraham?
God promised to make of Abraham a great nation, and promised to give to his seed the land of Canaan.
9. Did Abraham have any children at this time?
No, but he believed God’s promise.
10. What wonderful promise did God give Abraham and Sarah in their old age?
He promised a son, Isaac, with whom He would establish His
covenant.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:9, 10
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LESSON 7
Isaac
1. Who were Abraham’s first two sons?
Ishmael, the son of Hagar, and Isaac, the son of Sarah.
2. Did God also establish His covenant with Ishmael?
No, only with Isaac, the child of the promise.
3. What became of Ishmael?
When he mocked Isaac, God commanded Abraham to send Ishmael and Hagar away.
4. How did God try Abraham’s faith when Isaac was a lad?
God commanded him to offer up his only son Isaac on Mt. Moriah.
5. Did Abraham obey?
Yes, for he believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead.
6. Whom did Isaac marry?
Rebekah, a God-fearing wife, brought from Haran by Abraham’s chief servant.
7. Why did Abraham send to Haran to get a wife for Isaac?
Because he did not want Isaac to have a wife from the Canaanites.
8. Did Isaac and Rebekah have any children?
Not at first, but God heard their prayer and gave them twins, Esau and Jacob.
9. Which of these two was a child of the promise?
The younger son, Jacob, whom God loved.
10. How did Esau show that he was wicked?
He sold his birthright, married wives from the Canaanites, and sought to kill Jacob.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:11, 12
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LESSON 8
Jacob
1. What did Jacob do when Isaac was about to give Esau the blessing?
With the help of his mother, he tried to get the blessing by deceiving his blind father.
2. Was Esau also blessed?
No, the blessing was for Jacob only.
3. What did Esau plan to do at this time?
He plotted to kill Jacob, and Jacob had to flee to his uncle Laban in Haran.
4. What happened at Bethel while Jacob was on his way to Laban?
God appeared to him in a dream, and promised him the same
blessing that He gave Abraham and Isaac.
5. How long did Jacob stay at Laban’s house?
For twenty years, during which time he married Leah and Rachel and became very rich.
6. What took place when Jacob was on his way back to Canaan?
Jacob wrestled with God at Peniel.
7. What did Jacob finally learn at Peniel?
He learned to expect the blessing from the Lord, and received his new name, Israel.
8. How many children did the Lord give Jacob?
One daughter and twelve sons, who were the fathers of the tribes of Israel.
9. Was there peace in Jacob’s family?
No, there was much jealousy and trouble among his wives and
children.
10. How did the brothers show their envy against Joseph, Jacob’s
favored son?
They sold him as a slave into Egypt, and made their father think Joseph was killed by a wild beast.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:13, 14
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LESSON 9
Israel in Bondage
1. Did God care for Joseph in Egypt?
Yes, first in Potiphar’s house, then in prison, and finally as chief ruler of Egypt.
2. Did Joseph see his brothers again?
Yes, when they came to Egypt to buy corn of him during the seven years of famine.
3. What happened when Pharaoh heard about Joseph’s father and brothers?
He sent wagons to bring them to Egypt, and gave them the land of Goshen to dwell in.
4. What did Jacob do before he died?
He blessed his sons and the two sons of Joseph.
5. What did both Jacob and Joseph foretell about Israel?
That God would deliver them from Egypt and bring them to Canaan.
6. Which book of the Bible tells of Israel’s slavery and deliverance?
The book of Exodus, which means "going out."
7. What happened to Israel after Joseph’s death?
A new Pharaoh tried to destroy them.
8. How did he afflict the Israelites?
He made them slaves, and commanded the baby boys to be killed.
9. What did the Israelites do in their trouble?
They cried to the Lord for deliverance.
10. How did the Lord care for His people in bondage?
The more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:15, 16
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LESSON 10
Delivered Through Moses
1. Did the Lord leave Israel in the bondage of Egypt?
No, God sent His servant Moses to deliver them.
2. When did Moses begin his work?
When God called him from the burning bush in the land of Midian.
3. Whom did God give to help Moses?
His brother Aaron, to be his spokesman.
4. Was Pharaoh willing to let Israel go when Moses told him?
No, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not obey God’s command.
5. When did he finally let Israel go?
After God showed His power by sending ten terrible plagues upon Egypt.
6. Which was the last of the ten plagues?
All the firstborn of Egypt were killed, while the children of Israel were spared.
7. How did Israel remember this deliverance afterwards?
They had to celebrate the Passover feast every year.
8. Did God take Israel to Canaan by the shortest way?
No, they had to pass through the wilderness by way of the Red Sea.
9. What happened at the Red Sea?
God made a path through the sea for Israel, but Pharaoh and his army were drowned.
10. How long was Israel in Egypt?
About 400 years.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:17-19
REVIEW
===============LESSON 11
Forty Years in the Wilderness
1. How did the Lord lead Israel in the desert?
By a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.
2. How did the Lord feed Israel?
With manna from heaven, and with water from the rock.
3. Was Israel satisfied in the wilderness?
No, most of them were rebellious, and time and again murmured against Moses and against the Lord.
4. Where did the Lord bring them first?
To Mount Sinai, where God gave the Ten Commandments, many other laws, and the plan for the tabernacle.
5. What grievous sin did Israel commit while Moses was on Mt. Sinai?
Israel made and worshipped the golden calf.
6. Where did the Lord bring Israel from Sinai?
To Kadesh Barnea, where twelve men were sent to spy out the land of Canaan.
7. What report did the spies bring?
They all brought an evil report except Joshua and Caleb, who believed that the Lord would give them the land.
8. To whose report did the people listen?
They listened to the evil report of the ten, that Canaan was much too strong for them to take.
9. What was the punishment for this unbelief?
God made them wander in the wilderness forty years, till all above twenty, except Joshua and Caleb, had died.
10. How did the Lord once save Israel from the fiery serpents sent to punish them for murmuring?
God told Moses to make a brazen serpent, and all who looked on it were saved.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:20, 21
============LESSON 12
Israel Enters Canaan
1. Who led Israel into the land of Canaan?
Joshua, the son of Nun, whom God appointed in Moses’ place.
2. Which part of Canaan was taken first?
The part east of the Jordan River, which was given to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
3. How did Israel cross the Jordan River?
God made a dry path through the river for them.
4. How was Israel able to take the land?
The Lord fought for them, and gave them the victory over their enemies.
5. Did it become plain during the conquest of Canaan that the Lord fought for them?
Yes, this was made plain many times to Israel, and was also a cause of fear to the enemy.
6. Mention two instances which prove that the Lord gave them the
victory.
The fall of Jericho’s walls, and the standing still of the sun to help Israel in battle.
7. Did Israel obey God’s command to wipe out the Canaanites
completely?
No, they let some of them remain; and these were the cause of much trouble for Israel later.
8. How was the land divided?
Every tribe except Levi received part of the land by lot.
9. Of what did Joshua warn the people before he died?
Of the terrible sin of serving strange gods.
10. What is the date of Israel’s entrance into Canaan?
About 1450 B.C.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:22, 23
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LESSON 13
The Judges
1. Did Israel remember Joshua’s warning against idol worship?
While Joshua lived, they did; but soon afterward they forsook God and served idols.
2. What was the occasion of this idol worship?
All the heathen nations of Canaan and their idols had not been
destroyed.
3. How did the Lord punish Israel for this disobedience?
The Lord gave Israel over to their enemies, to be oppressed.
4. How long did Israel’s trouble last each time?
Until Israel repented and turned to the Lord.
5. How did the Lord deliver His people?
By men called "judges," whom God sent to deliver them.
6. How long did this period of the judges last?
About 400 years, or from Joshua to Saul.
7. How many judges does the Bible mention?
Fourteen, namely:
Othniel Jephthah Ehud Ibzan Shamgar Elon
Deborah (Barak) Abdon Gideon Samson
Tola Eli Jair Samuel
8. Whose history belongs to this period of the judges?
The history of Ruth the Moabitess, one of the mothers of Christ.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:24-26
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LESSON 14
The Judges (continued)
1. What did Gideon do as judge?
With only 300 men he gained a great victory over the Midianites.
2. For what is Jephthah especially known?
Jephthah through faith overcame the Ammonites.
3. Which judge is known because he fought alone against the Philistines?
Samson, who was a Nazarite from birth, though he was not always faithful.
4. Mention some of Samson’s outstanding acts?
He carried away the gates of Gaza, killed a thousand Philistines with a jawbone, and at his death pulled down a Philistine temple on thousands of people.
5. What especially shows how far Israel had departed from the Lord during this period?
The sad history of Micah’s image and false priest, which the Danites stole from him.
6. Who was the last of the judges?
Samuel, whose name means "asked of God," and who was also a prophet.
7. How did the Lord save Israel in Samuel’s time when they repented?
By a great thunderstorm, so that the Philistines fled before Israel.
8. What wicked thing did the Israelites ask when Samuel was old?
They wanted to be like the other nations, and have a king.
9. What did the Lord tell Samuel about this request for a king?
That Israel had not rejected Samuel, but the Lord.
10. Did God give Israel a king?
Yes, the Lord told Samuel to give them what they wanted.
MEMORY WORK: Hebrews 11:27-29
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LESSON 15King Saul
1. Who was the first king God gave to Israel?
Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2. When did Saul become king?
About 1100 B.C.
3. Was Saul a God-fearing king?
No, he soon showed that he did not care for God’s commandments.
4. How did he show his disobedience before a battle with the Philistines?
By bringing a sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel to come.
5. What was Saul’s second great sin at the time of the battle against the Amalekites?
He disobeyed God’s command by sparing King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen.
6. What did Samuel tell Saul after this second sin?
That the Lord had rejected Saul as king, and would give the kingdom to Saul’s neighbor.
7. Who was anointed king in Saul’s place?
David, the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, a man after God’s heart.
8. Did David become king immediately?
No, he had to wait for God to give him the kingdom until after Saul’s death.
9. Did Saul love David?
No, although David was careful not to harm Saul, for a long time Saul tried to kill David.
10. How did Saul die?
He ended his 40 years as king by killing himself when he saw that the battle with the Philistines was lost.
MEMORY WORK: Hebrews 11:30, 31
REVIEW
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LESSON 16
King David
1. How long did David reign?
Seven years over Judah alone, and thirty-three years more over all Israel.
2. Show that the Lord blessed David as king.
Through David’s victories God gave to Israel all the land from the river Euphrates to Egypt.
3. What did David bring to Jerusalem with great joy?
The ark of the Lord, which since Eli’s time had been in the house of Abinadab.
4. Was David satisfied only to bring the ark to Jerusalem?
No, he very much wanted to build the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem also.
5. What did the Lord tell David about this?
Through the prophet Nathan God told David that his son should build the temple.
6. What wonderful promise did God give to David?
To establish David’s kingdom forever.
7. To whom did this promise point?
To the Lord Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is everlasting.
8. Did David ever prophesy of the Christ?
Yes, in many of the Psalms which he wrote.
9. Mention two grievous sins which David committed as king.
The sin with Bathsheba, and the numbering of the people.
10. What brought David great trouble and sorrow during his reign?
The rebellion and death of his son Absalom.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:32, 33
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LESSON 17
King Solomon
1. Who became king at David’s death?
His son Solomon, who reigned about 1000 B.C.
2. Was Solomon a God-fearing king?
Yes, he loved the Lord, and walked in the statutes of David.
3. What did he ask of the Lord?
When the Lord appeared to him in a dream, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people.
4. What did the Lord give Solomon?
Great wisdom, and riches and honor besides.
5. Who came to visit Solomon?
The Queen of Sheba, who came to hear his wisdom and see his glory.
6. In what books of the Bible do we find much of the wisdom God gave Solomon?
In the books called Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
7. Did Solomon fight many wars, as David had?
No, in his days there was peace and prosperity.
8. Did Solomon build the temple, as God had told David?
Yes, Solomon built a beautiful and rich temple at Jerusalem.
9. Who turned Solomon’s heart away from the Lord?
His many heathen wives, for whose idols he even built temples.
10. What did the Lord tell Solomon because of his sin?
That all the tribes except Judah would be taken away from the house of David, and given to Jeroboam.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:34, 35
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LESSON 18
The Division of the Kingdom
1. How was the kingdom divided after Solomon’s death?
Most of the tribes fell away from the house of David and followed Jeroboam.
2. Which tribes remained faithful to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son?
Judah, with parts of Benjamin and Simeon, known as the Kingdom of Judah.
3. What was the kingdom of the ten tribes called?
The Kingdom of Israel, whose capital was later the city of Samaria.
4. Was it right of these ten tribes to separate?
No, it was a very great sin, because they forsook the royal house of David and the temple of the Lord.
5. Did Rehoboam want to bring the ten tribes back?
Yes, he wanted to fight against Jeroboam, but God forbade him.
6. Why did the Lord not allow Rehoboam to fight?
Because God wanted to punish Solomon’s sin through Israel’s separation.
7. But did the Lord entirely forsake the kingdom of the ten tribes?
No, God often sent prophets to warn them of their sins and to
comfort His true people among them.
8. What was true of Judah in distinction from Israel?
They remained God’s chosen people, to whom God kept the promise given to David.
9. What became of Israel?
They steadily departed from the Lord, and after 250 years were taken captive by Assyria, and scattered.
10. What became of Judah?
Judah also departed from the Lord, was taken captive to Babylon after 400 years, but later returned from captivity.
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:36, 37
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LESSON 19
Israel — From Jeroboam to Ahab
1. From what sin did Israel never depart in its history?
From "the sin of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat," who taught them to worship the golden calves.
2. Did any of Israel’s kings serve the Lord?
No, they were all wicked, even worse than Jeroboam.
3. Were all Israel’s kings from the house of Jeroboam?
No, time and again the Lord took the kingdom from one king and gave it to another.
4. What does the Bible say of Omri, the sixth king?
That he was worse than all that were before him.
5. Who became king after Omri?
His son Ahab, who was even more wicked.
6. What was Ahab’s wickedness?
With his heathen wife Jezebel, he taught Israel to worship Baal.
7. What else did Ahab and Jezebel do?
They persecuted and killed the prophets of the Lord.
8. Through what prophet did the Lord show that He, not Baal is God?
Through Elijah, who announced to Ahab that it would not rain until Elijah prayed for it.
9. When did it rain again?
After three and a half years, when Israel confessed at Mount Carmel that the Lord is God.
10. Did the Lord have His people in Israel even in Ahab’s time?
Yes, God told Elijah that there were seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
Memorize the names of the kings of Israel from Jeroboam to Jehoram, as follows:
Jeroboam Omri Nadab Ahab Baasha Ahaziah
Elah Jehoram Zimri
MEMORY PROJECT: Hebrews 11:38-40
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LESSON 20
Israel — From Ahab to Captivity
1. Through whom was the entire house of Ahab destroyed?
Through Jehu, who was appointed for this work by God.
2. Was Jehu a God-fearing king?
No, for even though he destroyed the wicked house of Ahab, he did it only for his own good.
3. What makes this very plain?
Jehu did not depart from "the sin of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat."
4. Who prophesied during the time of Jehu?
The prophet Elisha, who did many miracles.
5. Who was Israel’s chief enemy at this time?
The kingdom of Syria, over whom Israel had many victories.
6. How long did the house of Jehu reign over Israel?
To the fourth generation, but none of them departed from the sin of the golden calves.
7. Who were two of the mightiest kings of Israel from Jehu’s house?
Jehoash and Jeroboam II, who won great victories over the Syrians.
8. Who prophesied especially during the time of the last kings of Israel?
Hosea, who warned of the coming judgment over Israel.
9. What mighty empire finally took Israel captive?
Assyria, which replaced the Israelites by strange people, known later as Samaritans.
10. What is the date of Israel’s captivity?
722 B.C.
Memorize the kings of Israel from Jehu to Hoshea, as follows:
Jehu Shallum Jehoahaz Menahem Jehoash Pekahiah
Jeroboam II Pekah Zachariah Hoshea
REVIEW
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LESSON 21
Judah — From Rehoboam to Ahaz
1. Were the kings of Judah from different houses as in Israel?
No, they were all from the royal house of David.
2. What was the reason for this?
The reason was not that these kings were all God-fearing, but that God kept His promise to David.
3. What! were not all the kings from David’s house God-fearing?
No, for the kings who faithfully served the Lord were but very few.
4. What was their chief sin?
They either served idols themselves, or they allowed the people to forsake the Lord and serve idols.
5. What else did they do wrong?
Often they did not trust in the Lord, but sought help from other nations against their enemies.
6. Can you mention examples of kings who did not serve the Lord?
Yes, Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Queen Athaliah; and the wicked Ahaz.
7. Can you mention some of the better kings?
Yes: Asa, and Jehoshaphat, who tried to end the idol worship.
8. What marred the reign of Jehoshaphat?
He made a league with wicked Ahab, and he helped him fight Syria.
9. What did the wicked Queen Athaliah do?
She tried to kill all the house of David, but the wife of the God-fearing priest Jehoiada saved the life of the baby Joash.
10. Who was one of the most wicked kings?
Ahaz, who sacrificed to idols, closed the temple, and built altars to idols in every corner of Jerusalem.
Memorize the kings of Judah from Rehoboam to Ahaz, as follows:
Rehoboam Athaliah (queen) Abijah Joash Asa Amaziah
Jehoshaphat Uzziah Jehoram Jotham Ahaziah Ahaz
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LESSON 22
Judah — From Hezekiah to Captivity
1. What king brought a great reformation in Judah?
The God-fearing Hezekiah.
2. What did he do?
He opened the temple, broke down the idols, and even called the people to keep the Passover.
3. What great deliverance did the Lord give from the Assyrians?
When they besieged Jerusalem, the Lord sent His angel to destroy 185,000 of them.
4. What great prophet was in Judah in Hezekiah’s time?
Isaiah, who was sent to warn the wicked and to comfort God’s people.
5. What did Isaiah foretell?
He told Hezekiah of the captivity of Judah in Babylon.
6. Who followed Hezekiah as king?
Manasseh, who was very wicked, but who repented in captivity.
7. What did king Josiah do while still young?
He sought the Lord, took away the idols, and taught Judah God’s law.
8. What prophet lived from the time of Josiah to the captivity?
Jeremiah, who warned against Judah’s sins, and called for
repentance.
9. Did the kings and people of Judah listen to Jeremiah?
No, and because of their sins they were finally taken captive to Babylon.
10. What is the date when Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar?
586 B.C.
Memorize the kings of Judah from Hezekiah to Zedekiah, as follows:
Hezekiah Jehoahaz Manasseh Jehoiakim Amon Jehoiachin
Josiah Zedekiah
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LESSON 23
Judah in Captivity
1. How long was Judah in captivity?
For 70 years, as Jeremiah had foretold.
2. Did God’s people repent in captivity?
Yes, the elect remnant repented and mourned over the sad condition of Judah.
3. What did they miss most of all in captivity?
They longed for Jerusalem and the temple.
4. Did God care for His people in captivity?
Yes, the Lord preserved His people, and kept the holy line of David alive.
5. Can you give an example of this care of God?
Yes, God safely kept the faithful Daniel and his three friends.
6. How was this shown?
Daniel and his friends were exalted to be chief men in the kingdom of Babylon.
7. Were they ever in danger because they feared the Lord?
Yes, once the three friends were cast into the fiery furnace; and once Daniel was cast into the lion’s den; but the Lord delivered them.
8. What other prophet, besides Daniel, is of the time of the captivity?
The prophet Ezekiel.
9. How did Ezekiel comfort God’s people?
By telling them that God does not delight in the death of the wicked who repent.
10. When did the captivity end?
When Cyrus was king of Persia.
MEMORY PROJECT: Ezekiel 33:11
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LESSON 24
Return from Captivity
1. Why did Cyrus let the people return to Canaan?
The Lord had called Cyrus for that very purpose, even though Cyrus did not know the Lord.
2. Did all the captives return to Canaan?
No, only about 50,000 cared to return.
3. Who led the returning captives?
Zerubbabel, the prince.
4. What did the people do after they returned?
They rebuilt the temple and the city of Jerusalem.
5. Which two men helped the people much?
Ezra the scribe, and Nehemiah the king’s cupbearer.
6. Was the work of rebuilding easy?
No, the people had many enemies, who tried to stop the work of rebuilding.
7. Which prophets urged them on in the work?
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
8. Against which sins were the people warned especially?
Against mixed marriages and against sabbath-breaking.
9. What kind of temple was built?
A temple that was not nearly as beautiful as Solomon’s; and the ark of the covenant was missing.
10. Did Israel have a king again?
No; though the line of David was kept alive, there was not again a king from David’s house.
MEMORY PROJECT: Haggai 2:6, 7
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LESSON 25
After the Return
1. What history belongs to the period after the return?
The history of Esther, who became queen to the king of Persia.
2. For what did the Lord use Esther?
To keep alive the seed of David when the wicked Haman sought to destroy the Jews.
3. Who was the last of the prophets?
Malachi, who lived about 400 years before Christ.
4. According to Malachi, did Judah serve God faithfully after the
captivity?
No, they sinned against the Lord greatly.
5. Were the Jews ever again a free nation?
No, different world-powers ruled over them.
6. Did these nations treat the Jews well?
No, it was a time of fierce persecution and suffering for God’s people.
7. Were there also faithful people of God at this time?
Yes, and these more and more longed for the coming of Christ.
8. How did the Lord begin to prepare for the coming of Christ?
By causing the Greek language, in which the New Testament was later written, to be commonly used throughout the world.
9. What wicked party arose in Israel during this period?
The party of the Pharisees, who believed in salvation by works.
10. What nation gained in power toward the end of this period?
The Romans, who ruled the world when Christ was born.
MEMORY PROJECT: Malachi 3:1
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