Childrens Bible Stories

Genesis 37

foolishly told his brothers about it. “This that evening, unsure of what to do. And Traded goods
time the sun and the moon and eleven then they saw a caravan of Ishmaelite Ishmaelites were Arabian
stars were bowing down to me.” merchants on the horizon. One of the
brothers, who was named Judah, said, merchants descended
He also told his father, who was not “Do we really want to kill Joseph? He is from Abraham’s son
pleased. “What is this dream? Do you our own flesh and blood. Why don’t we Ishmael. Slave trading was
think the whole family will actually come sell him? Then we’ll be rid of him, without far less common than the
and bow down to you?” laying a hand on him.” His brothers agreed. trade of spices and
aromatic resins between
Joseph’s brothers went to look after So, they pulled Joseph out of the pit Arabia and Egypt. Fennel
their father’s sheep and goats in the north and offered him to the merchants. A price seeds (top) were sold as a
of the country. After some days, Jacob was agreed, and he was sold and hoisted medicinal ingredient, while
asked Joseph to go and see that all was on to a camel, bound for Egypt. myrrh resin (bottom) was
well. When the brothers saw Joseph part of the anointing
approaching, they saw their chance. “Here The brothers slaughtered one of the and embalming process
comes that little dreamer,” they said. “Let’s goats and smeared the blood on Joseph’s
kill him and hide him in one of these pits. tattered coat before going home. They for dead bodies.
We’ll say a wild animal attacked him.” showed the coat to their father saying,
“We found this. Do you think it could
But Reuben, who was a kind man and belong to Joseph?”
liked his brother, pleaded with the others,
“By all means, throw him into the pit, Jacob recognized the blood-stained
but don’t kill him.” When Joseph finally bundle and cried, “It is my son’s coat! An
reached his brothers, they pounced on him animal has devoured him.” And he mourned
and ripped off his coat. They put him in the for his beloved son. Meanwhile, Joseph had
pit without any food or water. reached Egypt. He was sold to Potiphar,
one of Pharaoh’s most important officials.
The brothers sat down to eat their meal

Jacob is grief-stricken when
he sees Joseph’s bloody coat

Understanding the story

Sibling rivalry leads to Joseph’s downfall. His jealous brothers
don’t like the preferential treatment he receives or the implications
of his dreams. When Jacob sees the blood-stained coat, he fears

the worst for his favorite son. But the brothers’ plan to kill
Joseph is in contrast with God’s plan for him. Joseph’s
destiny lies in Egypt, and God is with him.

51

Genesis 39–40

Joseph the Slave

Women in Egypt Joseph, who had been taken to Egypt
The most powerful from Canaan and sold as a slave, worked
Egyptian women
enjoyed a very high hard for his new master, Potiphar.
status, reflected in this
mural from the tomb The Lord was always by Joseph’s side, and rejected, Potiphar’s wife called
of Sennedjem, where and Joseph was good at whatever he did. the servants and told them that Joseph
Sennedjem’s wife, His master, who was captain of Pharaoh’s had tried to ravish her. “Look! When I
Iyneferty, is shown as guard and a man of great standing, was screamed, he left his cloak behind and
of almost equal stature impressed. Before long, he made Joseph ran!” Then she rushed to tell her husband
to him. Women were his own personal attendant and put him the story. Potiphar was horrified and
able to own and manage in charge of the whole household. ordered Joseph to be thrown into prison.
property, and make
important decisions. Now, Joseph was a very handsome But the Lord watched over Joseph.
man, and Potiphar’s wife took a shine to The prison warder liked the new inmate.
him. Eventually, her passion running high, Soon, Joseph was put in charge of all
she tried to seduce him. Joseph spurned her the other prisoners and, before long,
advances. “My master trusts me. How could he was running the place.
I betray him? How could I sin against God?”
There were two very special prisoners,
But Potiphar’s wife would not take the royal baker and Pharaoh’s chief
no for an answer, believing herself to be cupbearer. Before they were criminals,
irresistible. Day after day she pursued him, they had specific duties. The cupbearer
and day after day he refused her. At last, in had to taste Pharaoh’s food and drink in
desperation, she cornered him and tore at case it was poisoned, and the baker made
his cloak. Terrified, Joseph turned and fled, the household’s finest sweetmeats.
leaving his cloak in her hands. Scorned
One morning, while doing his rounds,

Cupbearer
The pharaoh’s cupbearer
held a high-ranking and
trusted position. His job
was to taste the pharaoh’s
food and drink to ensure
they were not poisoned.
The pharaoh would have
drunk from cups like this
typical Egyptian glazed

earthenware vessel.

52

Genesis 39–40

“How could
I sin against God?”

Joseph saw the two of them sitting in their Joseph interpreted the
cells with long faces. He asked what was dream. “The three baskets
the matter. “We both had really odd dreams are three days. Within three
last night,” they answered, “but there is days, Pharaoh will hang
nobody who can interpret them.” you on a tree, and the birds
will eat away your flesh.”
“Tell me your dreams,” said Joseph. The baker looked at
The chief cupbearer began with his. him, doubtfully.
“I saw a vine with three branches. As it
budded, it blossomed and its clusters Now, Pharaoh’s birthday
ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was was in three days time and
in my hand, and I took the grapes and he gave a feast for all his officials.
squeezed them into the cup for him.” He ordered the release of the
Joseph explained the dream. “The three chief cupbearer and the royal
branches are three days. Within three days, baker from prison. Then he
Pharaoh will restore you to your position summoned them to court
and you will put his cup in his hand, just and gave the cupbearer
as you used to do.” And he added, “Please, back his old job, but told
when you are back in favor, remember the baker that he would
me and mention me to Pharaoh. Try to be hanged, just as Joseph
get me out of prison. I have done nothing had said. Sadly, the
to deserve it.” The cupbearer agreed. cupbearer was so
Then the baker described his dream. happy to be restored
“On my head were three baskets of bread. to his position that
In the top basket were baked goods for he forgot to tell
Pharaoh, but the birds kept flying down Pharaoh about
to eat them.” Joseph’s plight.

Understanding the story

Joseph proves his good character by repelling the advances of his
master’s wife. Though Joseph is thrown in prison, God remains with him.
Though the meanings of Joseph’s own dreams have yet to be revealed,

his interpretations of the cupbearer and baker’s dreams come true.
This suggests that in the future, Joseph’s dreams will also come to pass.

53

Genesis 41

Pharaoh’s
Dreams

Two long years had passed
and Joseph was still in prison.
The chief cupbearer had forgotten
about him completely and, far
from home, there was no-one
else to spare Joseph a thought.

One night, in the royal palace, Pharaoh but they too were perplexed. Pharaoh’s throne
had a strange dream. He was on the banks Then, the chief cupbearer suddenly Pharaoh had a lavish throne
of the Nile and seven sleek, well-fed cows for religious ceremonies and
waded out of the water and began to graze remembered the young Joseph, who
among the bulrushes. Then seven more had interpreted his dream so perfectly other special occasions.
cows followed them out of the water— a long time ago in prison. And he felt bad The throne represented his
but these poor creatures were gaunt and that he had forgotten Joseph for so long. power and authority, and it
their ribs stuck out pitifully from their hides. He told Pharaoh, and Joseph was released was often placed on a higher
They opened their starving mouths and from prison and summoned to court. step or level to show the lofty
ate all seven of the sleek, fat cows.
Joseph bowed down before Pharaoh, position of the ruler.
That same night, Pharaoh had another who said, “I had a dream and no one can This ornate gold-plated
dream. Seven ears of plump, healthy explain it. But I have heard it said that when example was discovered in
corn were growing on a single stalk. Then the treasures of the boy-king
another seven ears of corn sprouted, but Tutankhamun’s tomb.
these were scorched and shriveled and they
devoured the seven healthy ears of corn.

Pharaoh was troubled. He could not
understand what his dreams meant, but
knew that they were important. He sent
for the royal dream interpreter, who was
much revered and practiced in such matters,
but even he was baffled. Then Pharaoh
issued a decree, summoning all the wise
men in Egypt. They came from far and
wide and listened to Pharaoh’s dreams,

54

Genesis 41

you hear a dream, you can interpret it.” there is no one more discerning or wise Pharaoh’s chariot
“I cannot do it,” replied Joseph, than you. You shall be in charge of my Joseph had the
palace, and all my people are to submit
“but God will give Pharaoh the answer to your orders. You will be my second-in- honor of riding with
he desires.” command. I hereby put you in charge of Pharaoh in his chariot,
the whole of Egypt.” a remarkable change in
So Pharaoh told Joseph about his his fortunes. Royalty and
dreams, and Joseph explained that they With that, Pharaoh took off his signet high-ranking officials
were the same dream. They had been sent ring and put it on Joseph’s finger. He
by God in two different forms because the dressed him in fine robes and placed traveled in style in
message they contained was so important. a gold chain around his neck. And together, ceremonial chariots,
“The seven good cows are seven years and they rode in a magnificent chariot, such as the one above,
the seven good ears of corn are the same Joseph by Pharaoh’s side, for all to see.
seven years. The seven thin cows that came which belonged
up afterward and the seven worthless ears Just as Joseph had predicted, seven to Tutankhamun.
of corn are the next seven years.” years of plenty followed, and the fertile
land, watered by the Nile, produced food Drought record
Joseph said that seven years of in abundance. The fields were full of wheat The Famine Stela,
great plenty would come to Egypt, but and barley, the fruit trees groaned with discovered on Sehel
then seven years of famine would follow. figs and pomegranates, and the vines were Island in the Nile River,
And he warned Pharaoh, “The abundance heavy with the sweetest grapes. Joseph recorded information
in the land will not be remembered, because traveled all over the country, making sure about a seven-year
the famine that follows will be so severe.” that a good proportion was stockpiled and drought and famine that
And he went on to advise Pharaoh that saved for the bad years that he knew lay affected ancient Egypt
he should find a wise man and put him in ahead. Huge quantities of grain were stored while Pharaoh Djoser
charge to make sure that, during the good in granaries in every town and city. was on the throne
years, one fifth of the harvest was saved (c. 2686–2667 bce). This
and stored so that there would be enough Then, after seven years, the Nile dried seven-year famine ties in
food when the famine came. up, the land shriveled and shrank back into with Pharaoh’s dreams.
itself, and the relentless famine began. But,
Pharaoh was impressed by Joseph’s although the crops failed year after year,
words. “Can we find anyone like this man?” there was food for everybody in Egypt and,
he asked. “Someone with the Spirit of God? thanks to Joseph, no one went hungry.
Since God has made all this known to you,

Understanding the story

Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams are of particular significance because
the Egyptians believed that their nation’s fate depended on the
pharaoh’s fate. When Pharaoh’s own dream interpreter cannot
tell him the meaning of his dreams, Joseph can. Joseph makes
it clear that it is God who is providing the answer.

55

The pharaoh
The Bible gives no clues to the identity
of the pharaoh in the story of Joseph.
The most famous pharaoh was Rameses II
(ruled 1279–1213 bce), who erected more
statues of himself than any other king.

56

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in
charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took
his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger.
He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain
around his neck. He made him ride in a chariot as his second-
in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!”

Genesis 41:41–43

57

Genesis 42

Joseph
the Governor

Famine gripped the land, spreading from
country to country. Soon, it arrived in Canaan,

which Joseph had left so many years before.

Famine His aged father, Jacob, had heard the rumor the time being, he put them all in prison.
This sad statue of that there were great mountains of grain far After three days, Joseph went to them,
a desperate man begging away in Egypt. So ten of Joseph’s brothers
was discovered in Egypt made the long journey to Egypt, but the relenting slightly. “If you really are honest,
and dates from the Middle youngest, who was named Benjamin, stayed as you say, one of you can stay here and
Kingdom (2040–1640 bce). at home with his father. the rest can go back home and take grain to
When the water levels of your starving household. But then you must
the Nile River dropped, Now, although they did not know it, bring back your youngest brother to prove
the crops could not their brother Joseph was the most that you are telling the truth.”
flourish and many people important governor in all Egypt and
starved to death. was in charge of selling grain. When The brothers looked at each other,
the brothers arrived, Joseph recognized bewildered. “This must be some kind of
Joseph was them. He did not let on, however, and punishment for what we did to our brother
now the asked them where they came from. so long ago,” they said. Reuben, the kindest
powerful of the brothers, who had pleaded with the
governor “From the land of Canaan,” they others to spare Joseph’s life, said, “Didn’t
of Egypt replied nervously, not recognizing him. I tell you not to sin against that boy?”

58 “You are spies!” Joseph accused them. Deeply moved, Joseph turned away
“You have come to snoop and pry!” from them to hide his tears. When he had
composed himself, he turned back and
“No, my lord,” they protested. “We chose Simeon to be held in prison.
were twelve brothers, all the sons of one Then he gave orders for their bags to
father who lives in Canaan. The youngest be filled with grain and for the silver
is now with our father and one brother they had brought with them to be hidden
amongst it. He also arranged for food
is no more.” to be given to them for their journey.
“I don’t believe you! I think you’re The brothers loaded up their donkeys
and set off for Canaan.
spies!” retorted Joseph. “But I will test
whether you are lying or not. You will not When they stopped to rest that night,
leave unless your youngest brother comes one brother opened his sack to give his
here. One of you must go and get him. The donkey a few handfuls of grain and he
rest of you will stay here in prison. Then we
will see if you’re telling the truth!” But, for

Genesis 42

found the piece of silver buried silver hidden in each one and they shivered
there. He showed it to the others with fear, not knowing what was going on.
in amazement and they looked at They told their father, Jacob, the whole
each other uncertainly, and said, story and begged him to let them take their
“What does this mean?” youngest brother, Benjamin, back to Egypt.
They continued their journey and But Jacob, distraught at the thought
at last arrived in Canaan. As they were of losing him, refused.
emptying their bags, they found the

Understanding the story Recording harvest
Grain gathered at harvest
The power balance has shifted and Joseph, governor of Egypt, time was stored in large
is now in charge. Joseph forces his brothers to confront their past and each
other, so they can all be reconciled. Simeon’s detention in Egypt reminds the granaries, with clerks
brothers of how they treated Joseph. The story proves that it is never too given the job of noting
and documenting the
late to change direction. Though the brothers were jealous stock. This clerk, part of
and aggressive, they see the error of their ways. a larger frieze, is writing
down the annual harvest
tally so all records are

kept up to date.

“Didn’t I tell Joseph orders Simeon
you not to to be taken to prison
sin against
that boy?”

59

Genesis 43–45

The Silver Cup

The famine continued and, in time, the grain that
Jacob’s sons had brought from Egypt had run out.

Benjamin Jacob wanted his sons to go back again Then Judah spoke to his father,
Jacob had 12 sons, but to buy more, but Judah reminded him that, “I myself will guarantee Benjamin’s safety.
this time, they would have to take their If I don’t bring him back, I will bear the
his favorite was the youngest brother, Benjamin. They had made blame all my life.”
youngest. Benjamin a promise to Joseph, the governor of Egypt.
(meaning “son of my “Why did you tell him that you had a young Reluctantly, his father agreed. “So be
right hand”) was the only brother in the first place?” grumbled Jacob, it. But you must keep on the right side of
one born in Israel. who was very fond of his young son. this governor. Take gifts with you and take
His father predicted great twice as much silver this time, for you must
things for Benjamin’s “He asked all about us and our family,” return the silver you found in your sacks.
descendants, who went his sons protested. “He wanted to know And take your brother. May God Almighty
on to form a tribe, called if our father was still alive and if we had grant you mercy.”
the Benjamites. King Saul another brother. How were we to know he
of the Old Testament would insist we brought our brother to him?” When the brothers arrived in Egypt,
and Paul of the New they presented themselves to Joseph. As
Testament were the soon as Joseph saw Benjamin, he said to
best-known Benjamites. his chief steward, “Take these men to my
house, slaughter an animal and prepare
Silver cup
To steal a silver cup was a a feast. They will eat with me at noon.”
The brothers could not understand
major crime in ancient why they were being treated with
Egypt. Silver was a highly such favor. Perhaps it was a trick
prized and relatively rare and they were going to end up
metal compared to gold, as slaves? And then, the
which was more readily steward brought in Simeon,
available. Silver supplies who had been left behind in
were limited because the
metal was imported into Silver bowl
This Ancient Egyptian bowl dates
Egypt from Syria. from 3rd to 1st century bce. It shows
This theft was particularly a daisy in its center surrounded by
serious because the cup petals or leaves, which was a typical
decoration style for containers in this period.
was the property of
Joseph. As the Pharaoh’s
deputy, he was the second
most important person

in Egypt.

60

Genesis 43–45

prison, and the brothers threw their arms Benjamin in disbelief. They returned “It was
around him, relieved that he was safe. to Joseph’s house. “How can we prove to save
our innocence?” asked Judah, sadly. lives that
Joseph arrived and, bowing low, the “We are all your slaves.” God sent
brothers gave him the gifts from Canaan. me ahead
He received them graciously, but could “No!” answered Joseph. “Only the man of you.
not take his eyes off Benjamin. Unlike the who had the cup will be my slave. The rest It was
others, Benjamin and he shared the same of you must return to your father.” not you
mother and they were real brothers. Tears who sent
welled in Joseph’s eyes at the sight of him, Judah pleaded with him, explaining me here
but he pulled himself together and ordered how precious Benjamin was to their father. but God.”
the food to be served. It was a feast, but the “Please let me stay here as your slave in
brothers were astonished as Benjamin was place of Benjamin. How can I go back
given five times as much as anybody else. to my father if he is not with me?”

Afterward, Joseph gave instructions At this, Joseph broke down. He sobbed,
for their sacks to be filled with food and “I am Joseph! Your brother Joseph! The
grain and for their pieces of silver to be one you sold into Egypt. But don’t be angry
hidden amongst it. And then he ordered with yourselves. It was to save lives that God
that his own special silver cup should be sent me ahead of you. It was not you who
put in Benjamin’s sack. sent me here but God.” And he gave them
a message for their father, “God has made
The brothers headed home, but had me lord of all Egypt. Come here to me.
not gone far before Joseph’s chief steward You shall live in the region of Goshen—
caught up with them, accusing them of you, your children, and grandchildren,
stealing his master’s silver cup. The brothers your flocks and herds, and all you have.
protested their innocence. “Why would we I will provide for you because five years
steal silver or gold from your master’s of famine are still to come.”
house? If any one of us is found to have it,
he will die. And the rest of us will become When Jacob heard the news he
your lord’s slaves.” Gladly, they opened their could not believe that his beloved son,
sacks and the steward peered inside them. Joseph, was still alive. And he was now
When he saw the silver cup in Benjamin’s the governor of Egypt and was offering
sack, he pulled it out and brandished it high the family refuge. He exclaimed, “My son
in the air. The brothers looked at Joseph is alive! I will go and see him before
I die!”

Understanding the story

Joseph recognizes that his rise to power in Egypt was God’s will all
along. As his family gather together and his brothers prove themselves
to be changed men, Joseph remembers his past dream. It all becomes

clear. The stars and sheaves of corn represented the 11 brothers
now working for him. Again, his dream comes to pass.

61

Exodus 1–2

Moses in the
Bulrushes

Victory steles Since the time of Joseph, the children of Israel
Steles were upright slabs had thrived and prospered in the land of Egypt.
crafted to commemorate Generations came and went and they multiplied,
spreading far and wide throughout the fertile country.
special events. The
Merneptah Stele (above) But one day, a new Pharaoh, who had women,” the midwives said.
never heard of the Israelites’ famous “They are healthy and give birth before
includes pictures and ancestor, Joseph, came to the throne the midwives arrive.”
text for King Merneptah and was consumed with fear. “Look,”
(c. 1213–1203 bce), and is he said to his counselors, “the Israelites At his wits’ end, Pharaoh declared,
the only Egyptian source are everywhere. There are far too many “Every boy that is born must be thrown
to mention the Israelites of them. If war breaks out, they will side into the Nile, but let every girl live!”
with our enemies.”
as a settled people. Now, there was a couple who belonged
He ordered that the Israelites be to the tribe of Levi and the wife had just
Papyrus boats forced to labor, building stone cities given birth to a son. She could not bring
The Hebrew for “basket” with their bare hands. But the more cruelly herself to comply with Pharaoh’s cold-
the Israelites were treated, the quicker blooded order and, for three months,
is used in the Bible to they multiplied. Then Pharaoh had a she hid her baby son at home. But as the
describe both Noah’s ark better idea. He ordered that all male infant grew bigger and noisier it became
and the container in which impossible. So she fetched a basket and
baby Moses was found. It children born to made it watertight. Then she laid her baby
actually means a papyrus Israelite women in it and took it to the banks of the Nile,
boat. Small boats made should be put hiding it in the bulrushes. Her young
of strong reeds were used to death at birth. daughter went with her to keep watch.
to transport people and But the midwives
goods on the Nile River. took no notice. Soon, Pharaoh’s daughter came to
“Why have bathe in the river and caught sight of the
you let the basket. She sent a maid to fetch it and, as
boys live?” she lifted the cover, the baby whimpered
thundered sweetly and her heart melted. “It must be
Pharaoh. one of those poor Israelite babies,” she said.
“Israelite
women aren’t At that moment, the baby’s sister asked
like Egyptian innocently, “Shall I get one of the Israelite
women to nurse the baby for you?”
Pharaoh’s daughter agreed. So the baby

62

Exodus 1–2

was brought up by his real mother, and Understanding the story
when he grew older Pharaoh’s daughter
adopted him as her own. She named him The birth of Moses came almost 300 years after Joseph’s death, during
Moses, which means “to draw out,” because a period in which the Israelite population expanded greatly. The pharaoh
she had drawn him out of the water. feels under threat from the Israelites and is determined to destroy them.

It is the pharaoh’s daughter who rescues and raises the baby boy.
Moses will go on to lead the Israelites and save them from slavery.

63

Exodus 2–4

Moses is
Called by God

Sinai Desert Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s palace and
With fine sand, bare was treated as if he was the son of the princess. But he
rocks, and high plateaus, was a thoughtful young man, who never forgot that his
the Sinai Desert is a
spectacular place. Desert birth parents belonged to the Levite tribe of Israel.
conditions are harsh,
however, with high One day, he went out and saw the Israelite Sinai Desert until he reached the land of
daytime temperatures slave gangs dragging huge slabs of stone Midian. He settled there, far from danger.
dropping to below out of the quarry. From morning until night
freezing at night. Despite they worked in the scorching sun. Suddenly, One day, Moses was sitting by a well
this, it has been home one of the slaves collapsed on the ground. when seven young women came to draw
The Egyptian slave driver went over and water for their flocks. The local shepherds
to Bedouin tribes kicked him. When the poor man still did tried to stop them, but Moses came to
for thousands of years. not get up, the slave driver gave him a their rescue and helped them get water.
savage beating. Moses, unable to bear it, They were grateful and took him to meet
YHWH rushed over and, glancing around to make their father, who was a priest named Jethro.
God’s name “I AM” sure that no one saw, killed the cruel slave He welcomed Moses and asked him to stay.
is spelled with the four driver. Then, filled with horror at what he In time, Jethro gave his daughter, Zipporah,
Hebrew letters YHWH had done, he dug a large hole in the sand to Moses in marriage.
and is known as the and buried the body.
“Tetragrammaton.” Moses helped his father-in-law to look
YHWH is usually written The next morning, Moses went back after the sheep. One day, he took the flocks
out as “Yahweh” and is and saw two Israelites arguing. One of across the desert to graze by the sacred
taken from the Hebrew them grabbed the other by the throat. mountain of Sinai. He sat down to rest
verb “to be.” It translates Moses went up and separated them, and started to sleep. Suddenly, he sat bolt
as “the one who is always asking them why they were fighting. upright and saw a blazing bush in front of
there,” which reflects the him. Although the flames crackled through
Lord’s eternal presence. “Who are you to judge us?” one replied. the branches, they did not even singe them.
“Are you going to kill me, just as you
murdered that Egyptian yesterday?” Moses crept nearer and then he heard
the Lord’s voice coming from the middle
Moses was filled with terror. Word of the burning bush. “I am the God of your
would soon spread and everybody would father, the God of Abraham, the God of
know about his crime. And when the news Isaac, and the God of Jacob. I have seen
reached Pharaoh, Moses knew that his own the misery of my people in Egypt and am
life would be in danger. He gathered a few concerned about their suffering. So I have
belongings and left Egypt, fleeing across the come down to rescue them from the hands

64

Exodus 2–4

of the Egyptians and bring them to a up by the tail now,” said God. Moses “I am
land of their own, flowing with milk and lifted it up at arm’s length, and the sending you
honey. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring serpent turned back into a wooden staff. to Pharaoh
my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
“Now go,” God told him. “Take your to bring
Moses was amazed and filled with brother, Aaron, with you. He is coming my people,
terror. “But how can I do that?” he asked. to meet you. I will tell you both what to the Israelites,
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh out of Egypt.”
and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” say. And take your wooden staff—
it will help you to perform
“I will be with you,” God reassured miraculous feats.”
him. “Say that the God of their
fathers has sent you and
that His name is ‘I AM’. ”

And God said Moses
must tell Pharaoh that
Egypt would be cursed,
and plagues would sweep
the land, if he did not
let the Israelites go.

“But what if he
doesn’t believe me?”
protested Moses.

God told Moses
to throw his staff on the
ground, which he did at
once. Immediately, it turned
into a snake, writhing and
hissing in the dust. “Pick it

Understanding the story

Though Moses lives the life of Egyptian royalty, he never forgets his own
people, demonstrated by him killing the Egyptian slave driver for mistreating the
Israelites. God’s presence is sometimes symbolized by fire to show His power, and here
He appears to Moses inside a burning bush. By telling Moses to lead the Israelites to the
Promised Land, God shows that He has not forgotten His chosen people either.

65

Exodus 4–7

Moses Warns
Pharaoh

Beating a slave After so long in the land of Midian, Moses said
At first, the Egyptians goodbye to his father-in-law, Jethro, and set off for Egypt,
looked after their Israelite
slaves. But as the number just as God had told him. He took his wife and sons.
of Israelites increased, the
Egyptians felt threatened. The landscape was bleak and barren He may strike you all with plagues
They began to mistreat and the sun beat down relentlessly. Moses or with the sword.”
their slaves, by making carried the wooden staff that God had
them work harder and given him. As they approached the great Pharaoh was angry. “Who is this Lord
punishing them regularly. holy mountain of Sinai, they could see that I should obey and let the Israelites go?”
Moses’s brother, Aaron, coming to meet he shouted. “Why are you keeping them
Wooden brick maker them. They greeted each other warmly and from their work?” Incensed, he summoned
This wooden brick mold Moses told his brother that God had spoken his chief slave drivers and ordered them
was used to make many to make the Israelites work even harder.
to him, and had sent him back to Egypt From now on they were not to be given
Egyptian buildings. to lead the Israelites out of slavery. straw to make the bricks. And so the
Equipped with a handle, slaves were forced to scavenge in the
As soon as they got back to Egypt, fields for any stubble they could find.
the mold has the Moses and Aaron called the elders of
distinctive brick shape the Israelites together and said that the Moses and Aaron were worried.
still used in construction Lord had sent them to rescue their people. But God reassured Moses and gave him
today. Workmen molded When they heard this, and that the Lord a message for the Israelites. “I am the Lord
the bricks from mud, was concerned about their misery, the and I will bring you out from under the yoke
sand, and straw, before elders bowed down to worship. Then Moses of the Egyptians. I will free you from slavery.
drying them in the sun. and Aaron went to Pharaoh in his splendid
court. “The Lord, the God of the Israelites,
has spoken to us,” they said. “He told us
to take His people into the desert to offer
sacrifices to Him. If we do not do this,

66

Exodus 4–7

And I will bring you to the land I swore At once, they turned into a mass of Serpent god
with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, serpents. But Aaron’s snake opened his The Egyptians
to Isaac, and to Jacob.” The Israelites mouth and swallowed the other snakes worshipped a variety
listened in disbelief. with relish. Pharaoh watched but was of gods, including the
not impressed. serpent god Sito. It is
God told Moses to go back to Pharaoh. a symbolic moment
“Say everything I command you, and Then God said to Moses, “Go to the when Aaron's serpent
your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to Nile tomorrow and wait for Pharaoh. Strike eats up the Egyptian
let the Israelites go out of his country.” the water with the staff and the water will serpents. This is a sign
turn to blood.” Moses and Aaron did as the that God has control
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord Lord had said and the Nile became a river over the Egyptian gods.
had told them. But, still, Pharaoh would of blood. It was a terrible sight. But it was They are far less
not listen. So then Moses told Aaron to not just the Nile that turned red. Blood filled powerful than the Lord.
throw down his wooden staff. As it touched the streams, the ponds, and the reservoirs.
the ground, it became a serpent. Not to be Pharaoh watched, unmoved. He returned
outdone, Pharaoh called his wise men and to his palace without a backward glance.
told them to throw down their staffs, too.

Understanding the story

The Lord’s miracles and Aaron’s
appointment as spokesman combine
to make Moses accept the role God offers
him. But the Israelites’ treatment under
the Egyptians gets even worse when
Moses asks the Pharaoh to let them go.
Moses’s staff (shepherd’s crook) is called
the “staff of God” in the Bible. For Moses,
it symbolizes God’s power, demonstrated
when it becomes a serpent and turns

the Nile’s waters to blood.

“He may strike you
all with plagues or

with the sword."

67

Exodus 7–10

The Plagues
of Egypt

Nile Seven days passed and still Pharaoh would not release
The Nile River was the the Israelites. Moses and Aaron, after speaking with the Lord
lifeblood of ancient Egypt. again, pleaded with Pharaoh, telling him that the Lord would
The annual flooding of
the river made the soil on send a plague of frogs if he did not let the slaves go.
its banks very fertile,
meaning that fruit and But Pharaoh did not listen. So, the next day, and the frogs died instantly. They were swept
vegetables could grow Aaron held his wooden staff over the Nile, up and piled into heaps that rotted in the sun.
as God had commanded, and suddenly a But Pharaoh broke his word and did not
there. Boats carried great croaking sound came from the river. release the Israelites.
people and goods An army of frogs emerged from the waters,
hopping out in their thousands, up the So Aaron struck his staff on the
along the river. banks and over the land, covering it like ground once more, as God had told him.
a shiny green carpet. They swarmed The dust turned into millions of gnats, which
everywhere—even into Pharaoh’s palace, took off in a cloud, biting any Egyptian man,
as the guards watched in horror. They woman, or child they could find. Pharaoh’s
jumped by Pharaoh’s feet and on his throne. magicians went to him, swiping the dreadful
insects away, and said, “This is the finger of
This was too much, and Pharaoh called God.” But, although he had been bitten
Moses and Aaron, saying, “Pray to the Lord badly himself, Pharaoh would not
to take the frogs away from me and my release the Israelites.
people. I will let your people go to offer
sacrifices to the Lord.” The Lord heard

68

Exodus 7–10

Then Moses went to Pharaoh again, of soot and toss them high in the air, in front Understanding
telling him that the Lord would send a of Pharaoh. It will drop as fine dust all over the story
swarm of flies next. They would plague Egypt and give everyone terrible boils.”
the Egyptians and their animals, but would The brothers did as He said and everyone, In Hebrew, “plague”
not bother the Israelites. And the next day except for the Israelites, broke out in boils. means “lash” or “blow,”
a dense black cloud of flies appeared, Pharaoh himself was covered in boils, but so God’s plagues are clearly
blotting out the light. At this, Pharaoh still he would not relent. punishments. As plague
relented and said to Moses and Aaron, after plague is unleashed,
“Go, sacrifice to your God here in this land.” Next, the Lord sent a violent storm, the Egyptians are left in
with hailstones as big as rocks, and after turmoil. They worshipped
But Moses replied, “No, the sacrifices that a plague of locusts that devastated the the sun in a variety of
we offer to the Lord, our God, would be country, gobbling up the crops and stripping forms, which is why the
detestable to the Egyptians. We must the leaves from the trees. Again Pharaoh
make a three-day journey into the desert said he would let the Israelites go, but plague of darkness is
to offer our sacrifices there.” Pharaoh again he broke his promise. terrifying to them. Still,
agreed, and the flies died immediately. the pharaoh refuses to
And then the Lord said to Moses, release the Israelites.
Again Pharaoh went back on his word, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky
and so the Lord sent a terrible disease that so that darkness will be spread all over
killed all the Egyptians’ livestock. But Egypt.” Moses did as he was told and
Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go. the sun went out, blanketing the whole
country, except for the area where the
Then the Lord said to Moses and Israelites lived.
Aaron, “Take handfuls
Pharaoh summoned Moses and
Aaron again. When they finally found
him in the pitch black, Pharaoh said,
“Go, worship the Lord. Even your women
and children may go with you. But leave
your flocks and your herds behind.” Moses
protested at this, saying they needed to take
their animals with them to be used as
sacrifices. Infuriated, Pharaoh changed his
mind, shouting, “Get out of my sight! If I
ever see you again, I will kill you.”

69

Exodus 11–12

The Tenth Plague

Bitter herbs The Lord told Moses that He would bring one
Israelites ate bitter herbs last plague to Egypt. It would be so terrible that Pharaoh
would go down on his knees and beg the Israelites to leave.
deliberately to remind
themselves of how bitter At midnight, each firstborn son in Egypt brother, Aaron, that from now on this would
and terrible their slavery would die. Even the livestock would not be the beginning of the Israelites’ year,
be spared—the firstborn cattle and sheep instead of the first month of harvest. It was
had been. The bitter would also die. But the Israelites would not early spring and that night there was a new
herbs that they ate were suffer and not one of their children would moon. On the tenth day of the first month
be harmed. Moses approached Pharaoh yet each Israelite household must choose the
probably sour salad again, as he had done so many times before, best firstborn lamb and prepare it for
vegetables. In ancient to plead for the Israelites’ freedom and to slaughter. It should be a one-year-old. Four
Egypt, these included give him God’s chilling message. But days later, at dusk, the lamb must have its
dandelions, chicory, Pharaoh did not believe him, and Moses throat slit and its blood was to be used to
came away seething with rage. mark the door of the house. That night
and lettuce. Today, there should be a feast, with the meat
horseradish is the most Then the Lord told Moses and his

popular choice to
represent the bitter taste.

“The Tenth Plague”, oil on
canvas, by German painter
Johann Heiss (1640–1704)

Passover feast
Jewish people celebrate

Passover every year.
Families gather together

to feast on symbolic
foods and remember the

Israelites’ last night in
Egypt. On the menu is
roasted lamb, unleavened
bread, charoseth (nut and
apple paste), horseradish

and lettuce, eggs,
and salt water.

70

Exodus 11–12

roasted over the fire and eaten with and killed all the firstborn sons as
bitter herbs and special bread, made they lay sleeping. And He wiped out
without yeast. all the firstborn cattle and sheep, too.
After He came and went, the dead
God said that this would be the very lay in their beds and in their cots
night when He would pass through Egypt and in their fields.
and all the firstborn sons, cattle, and sheep
would die. But He would see the bloody Howls of grief were heard as
marks on the Israelites’ doors and they the people discovered their lifeless
would be safe. sons. Soon, a wailing filled the air as
the scale of the horror was revealed.
Moses listened and then summoned Sorrow and terror swept the country.
all the elders of the Israelites to him. He Not one Egyptian household had
told them what was going to happen in two escaped the massacre—not even
weeks’ time and told them what they must Pharaoh’s. Beating his breast, he
do. “It will be known as the Passover summoned Moses and Aaron and
sacrifice to the Lord, because He will pass sobbed, “Leave my people, you and
over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord
and spare our homes when He strikes down as you have requested. Take your
the Egyptians,” he said. “And from that time flocks and your herds and go!
on the Passover feast must be celebrated Have pity on me!”
for all times.”
The Israelites left immediately,
So, two weeks later, the Israelites asking the Egyptians for silver and
slaughtered their lambs and roasted them gold and clothing, as Moses told
over the fire. They smeared their doors with them to do. They had lived in Egypt
blood, then tightly closed them against the for four hundred and thirty years
night, uncertain of what was to come. and, at last, they had been released
They feasted on the roasted meat with from their slavery. Six hundred
bitter herbs—wild lettuce, endive, and thousand men, women, and
nettle—and unleavened bread. children set off on foot, with
their flocks and herds, at the
At midnight, when the moon hung start of their long journey.
heavy in the sky, the Lord passed silently
over Egypt, just as He had promised,

Understanding the story “It will be known
as the Passover
God’s last plague shows the Egyptians His supreme power.
The pharaoh finally sets the Israelites free and begs for God’s sacrifice to
mercy. The event becomes known as Passover because the Lord the Lord.”
“passed over” the Israelite homes and they escaped the Egyptians’
punishment. Bitter herbs are to remind the Israelites of the bitterness
of their slavery. Unleavened bread is symbolic of the speed with
which the people left Egypt—with no time for their bread to rise.

71

Exodus 13–15

The Crossing of
the Red Sea

Egyptian mummy So the Lord led His people out of Egypt and through
Before Joseph died, the desert, on their way to the land of Canaan. It was a
he made his brothers huge group, with all the different tribes and clans of Israel.
swear an oath to take his
remains back to Canaan The Israelites took what few cattle and The Israelites, camping on the shores
with them. Moses kept sheep they had with them, and their of the Red Sea, felt the earth tremble and
the promise. After donkeys were piled high. They were looked at each other in fear. Then they
Joseph’s body was careful to avoid the land of their enemy, saw the Egyptians charging toward them,
embalmed, he was taken the Philistines, and went the long way their armor glinting in the sun.
to Canaan in an Egyptian around, toward the land that God had
mummy case like this. promised their forefathers. They took The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the
with them, too, the bones of Joseph, Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and
Red Sea which had been carefully preserved. An stretch out your hand over the sea to divide
Though the Red Sea oath had been sworn, long ago, that the the water. The Israelites will be able to go
usually looks blue, dying bones would be taken back to Canaan to through the sea on dry ground.” And the
algae in its waters turn it be buried by the side of his father, Jacob. great pillar of cloud and fire, which had
reddish-brown from time guided the Israelites on their journey,
to time. God allows The Israelites traveled eastward, moved behind them, protecting them
Moses to command its a vast human river creeping through the from their pursuers.
waters, demonstrating harsh desert landscape. Then they turned
God’s power over the southward toward the Red Sea. And the As Moses stretched out his hand over
seas, which He created Lord was with them and He guided them the Red Sea, a strong east wind whipped
during the day with a pillar of cloud. By up out of nowhere and the waters parted
on the third day. night, He led them with a pillar of fire, to reveal a path that stretched all the way
like a beacon, so they could see the path. across to the other side. The Israelites
hurried along the muddy track as fast as
In Egypt, Pharaoh had a sudden change they could. Huge walls of water towered
of heart. “What have we done?” he asked. above them, to their right and to their left.
“We have let the Israelites go and lost our They crossed in their thousands and
slaves. Prepare the chariots!” At once, the arrived on the other shore.
army was assembled and Pharaoh set off
in pursuit of the Israelites, with six hundred The Egyptians followed, driving their
of his finest chariots and the fastest horses. chariots toward the sea. But the wheels
They pounded through the desert in a got stuck in the mud of the seabed.
cloud of dust, with thundering hooves. They could not move.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch

72

Exodus 13–15

“The Deliverance of Israel” by
Irish painter Francis Danby

(1793–1861) shows the Egyptian
army engulfed by the sea.

out your hand over the sea so that the The Israelites, watching from the “Raise your
waters may flow back over the Egyptians other side, embraced and gave thanks. staff and
and their chariots.” Moses obeyed, and the And Moses’s sister, Miriam, took her stretch out
walls of water crashed together, meeting in tambourine and led the women in singing your hand
a sea of boiling foam. The path across the and dancing. “Sing to the Lord for He is over the sea
Red Sea vanished, as the waters swallowed highly exalted. The horse and its rider to divide
the entire Egyptian army. He has hurled in the sea!” the water.”

Understanding the story 73

The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is the start of God’s plan for His people.
The dramatic parting of the waters, the safe crossing of the Israelites, and the

subsequent destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army are proof of God’s power.
The pillars of cloud and fire are symbols of His presence and protection
throughout the journey to the Promised Land.

Exodus 19–20; 23; 24 Great Sea
(Mediterranean Sea)
God
Provides

After the Israelites had EGYPT Marah
crossed the Red Sea, Moses
rameses elim
and Aaron led them up Succoth red Sea
into the Desert of Shur.
From Egypt to Israel rephidim
For three days they walked under the There is debate over the exact location
scorching sun, and, by the time they of some of the places—such as Marah and
reached the spring at Marah, their throats Rephidim—mentioned in the Biblical description
were parched and dry. They rushed to of the journey from Egypt to Israel. What is known
the water, but it was foul and undrinkable is that Moses and the Israelites passed through the
and they looked at Moses. “What are Red Sea before heading across deserts and
we meant to drink?” they asked him. mountains on their way to the Promised Land
(Canaan). The route that is commonly accepted
The Lord showed Moses a special
tree. He snapped off a piece of wood as the most accurate is shown here.
and threw it into the spring. Immediately,
the water became sweet and pure.
The Israelites tried it again and this time
drank gladly and quenched their thirst.
Refreshed, they continued on their way
to Elim, where there were twelve springs
and seventy shady palm trees. They slept
well that night under a clear, starry sky.

Then Moses and Aaron led them
on their way through the dry and stony
wilderness. The landscape was so
different from the green valley of the
Nile River, which they had fled. There,
although their lives as slaves were hard,
at least the food was plentiful. Here, there
was nothing, and their supplies had run
out. “If only we had died by the Lord’s
hand in Egypt,” they grumbled at Moses.
“There we ate all the food we wanted.

74

Exodus 15; 16–17

Jericho ▲ Mt Nebo You have taken us to a desert to starve.”
Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron
CANAAN DEaD
SEa again and said, “I will rain down food from
heaven for you. The people are to go out
MOAB and gather it each day. At twilight they will
eat meat and in the morning they will have
Beersheba as much bread as they want.” Moses and
Aaron repeated God’s words, saying, “In the
Radesh evening you will know that it was the Lord
who brought you out of Egypt and in the
SINAI PENINSULA morning you will see the glory of the Lord,
because He has heard you grumbling against
Ezion Geber Him. Who are we? You are not grumbling
against us, but against the Lord.”
▲ Mount Sinai MIDIAN
That same evening, as the sun began
KEy to set, a huge flock of quails appeared in the
distance on their long migration across the
Moses’s route desert. They flew toward the Israelites’
camp, swooping lower and lower on tired
wings, and finally dropped to the ground,
exhausted by their journey. The plump
little bodies rained down in their thousands,
the soft brown feathers matching the sand
where they fell. They lay there motionless,
waiting to be caught. The Israelites lit their
fires and prepared the birds, roasting them
over the flames. The flesh was succulent
and, after so long without food, the
Israelites feasted to their hearts’ content.

The next day, the Israelites woke up
to find that the ground was covered with
strange white flakes that looked like thick
frost. They were puzzled, and Moses told
them, “It is the bread the Lord has given
you to eat, and you are to gather it each
morning. Take just as much as you need
for that day—no more.” It was the color
of coriander seed and tasted delicious,
like the sweetest honey. The Israelites had
never seen anything like it and they called
it manna. But some people were greedy
and ignored the instructions. They grabbed

75

Exodus 15; 16–17

“How long will you refuse
to keep my commands
and instructions?”

Quail as much as they could and stuffed it in said to Moses, “How long will you refuse
These small, speckled their bags. After a few hours the smell to keep my commands and instructions?”
birds fly over the Sinai was terrible and the manna was alive
with white maggots. Then the Israelites traveled on further
Peninsula on their through the desert under a burning sun,
migrations between On the sixth day, Moses told them and they camped at Rephidim that night.
Europe and Africa. they could take enough manna to last They were tired and thirsty and went
The distance is so them two days. “Tomorrow is to be a day to Moses to complain again. “Why did
great that they often of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Six days you bring us out of Egypt to make us
get tired and must you are to gather but not on the seventh.” die of thirst?” they moaned.

rely on the wind Nevertheless, a few people disobeyed Moses did not know what to do.
to carry them. and went out at dawn the next day to He appealed to the Lord again. “What
look for manna. But the manna had am I to do with these people?” he asked.
Manna vanished into thin air. And the Lord “They are almost ready to stone me.”
It is not clear from the
Bible text what manna The Lord told him to walk ahead,
(Hebrew for “What is it?”) taking with him his wooden staff. “I will
actually is. While some stand there before you by the rock at
people believe it is the Horeb,” the Lord said. “Strike the rock
sweet substance released and water will come out of it for the
from insects living off people to drink.” Moses went on and
the Tamarisk Bush in found the spot. He hit the sheer rock face
the Sinai Peninsula, others and immediately a stream of crystal-clear
believe it is the sticky water gushed out, sparkling in the sun.
resin produced by several
desert plants, including

this hammada
shrub (below).

Understanding the story

Hunger and thirst cause the Israelites to question their faith in God,
but He shows His presence by miraculously providing food and water.
In spite of God’s actions, the people still doubt Him. God did not give

food for the seventh day because it was set aside for worship
and rest, just as He commanded during the Creation.

76

Exodus 19–20; 23; 24

“You will Moses Receives
be my God’s Laws

treasured Three months after the Israelites had left Egypt, they
possession.” came to the sacred mountain of Sinai, where the Lord
had appeared to Moses in a burning bush many years before.

And the Lord called to him now, from of all the nations, you will be my
the top of the mountain, and Moses went treasured possession. Although the
up to meet Him. The Lord gave Moses whole earth is mine, you will be for me
a message saying, “You have seen what a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
I did in Egypt and how I carried you
here on eagles’ wings. If you obey me Moses went down and summoned
fully and keep my covenant, then, out the elders, telling them what God had said.

77

Exodus 19–20; 23; 24

Mount Sinai Then the Lord called Moses them to go down and to make an altar at
The holy mountain to Him again and said that, in three the bottom of the mountain. He went on to
of Sinai is where God days time, He would come down from give them some more laws and said that an
gives Moses the Ten the heavens in a thick cloud and speak angel would go with the Israelites on their
Commandments. It is to him in front of all the Israelites. journey to the Promised Land. Moses and
thought to be the mountain Aaron went back down to their people, who
Jebel Musa or “Mountain of Three days later, the sky suddenly had been waiting and repeated the Lord’s
Moses” in the south Sinai darkened. Peals of thunder crashed words. “Everything that the Lord has said,
Peninsula, in modern-day high above and lightning flashed from we will do,” said the people. So Moses
Egypt. The red granite the heavens. A deafening trumpet wrote all the Lord’s words down in the Book
mountain stands 7,500 ft blast ripped through the air. The people of the Covenant.
(2,300 m) in height. huddled together in terror, but Moses went
to them and led them to the bottom of the
Aaron mountain. From the middle of the cloud of
In this illumination from smoke the Lord spoke to Moses, and told
an 18th-century Hebrew him to come up with his brother, Aaron.
Bible, Aaron is depicted Before he went, Moses said to the Israelites,
as the first High Priest. God “Do not be afraid. God has come to test
selects Aaron and his sons you so that the fear of God will be with
you to keep you from sinning.” Then the
to lead the rituals of two brothers climbed higher and higher
worship and sacrifice into the thick cloud, where God was waiting.
on His behalf. Aaron was He said to them:
the forefather of the
Israelite priesthood. “I am the Lord your God and these
are my commandments:
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not bow down to idols or
worship them.
You shall not misuse the name of the
Lord your God.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping
it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony against
your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s
house or his wife or his belongings.”

When he had finished, the Lord told

78

Exodus 19–20; 23; 24 Sefer Torah
The distinctive crown
They built an altar with twelve stone shape symbolizes the
pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of ruling power of the
Israel, and they made burnt offerings to law. The scroll is sewn
God. The best young bulls were sacrificed, on to two wooden
and Moses sprinkled some of the blood on rollers, making
the altar and some over the people, saying, it easier to read.
“This is the blood of the covenant that the
Lord has made with you in accordance with
all His words.”

Then Moses and Aaron went up the
mountain again. This time they took with
them Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu,
and seventy of the Israelite elders. When
they reached the top, God was waiting for
them, standing on a beautiful sapphire floor.
And God said to Moses, “Come here and
I will give you tablets of stone with the laws
and commands I have given you written
on them.” And Moses went into the cloud
and stayed on the mountain for forty
days and forty nights.

Understanding “I am the Lord Code of law
the story your God and Handwritten scrolls that
these are my proclaim God’s commands
For the Creation, God creates order commandments” became codes of law for
from chaos using ten commands, people to read and live by.
and here God gives order to Israel This Sefer Torah scroll

with the Ten Commandments. is used in the ritual
God’s speech takes the same form of Torah-reading at
as an ancient royal treaty: first there Jerusalem’s main synagogue,
is an introduction identifying the
Heichal Shlomo.
king, then a historical section
follows before the terms are set. 79
The Book of the Covenant is the
constitution of Israel, establishing
how people should relate to God

and each other.

Exodus 32

The Golden Calf

With Moses staying on the mountain for such a long time,
the Israelites thought he was never coming back.

Apis bull god They went to his brother, Aaron, and said, gold jewelry they had to him. Obediently,
The golden calf is based “Please make us a god. We need someone they took off their necklaces, slipped off
to worship! Moses brought us out of Egypt, their bracelets and their rings, and unclipped
on the Apis bull—the but we don’t know what has happened to their earrings. They even searched in their
Egyptian god of fertility. him. He has deserted us!” bags for any gold trinkets that they might
Apis was worshipped in have hidden at the beginning of their
the form of a living bull. Aaron listened and thought for a little journey. They gave it all to Aaron.
Pagan gods were often while. Then he told them to bring whatever
represented as bulls in The pile of gold grew, glittering in the
ancient times because of Golden calf sun, and Aaron took it and poured it into
their strength and power. This golden calf is
This detail showing the a 17th-century-ce a great vat. It looked like an
Egyptian deity Horus and representation of enormous treasure chest.
the Apis bull was found what the calf may He placed it over the fire,
near Teti’s Pyramid in melting the gold into a thick
have looked like. paste. Then he let it cool slightly
Saqqara, Egypt. and molded it into the shape of a
young calf. When he had finished,
it bore a passing resemblance to the
Egyptian bull god Apis. The Israelites
watched, impressed by his skill.
Then, Aaron built an altar for the
golden calf, and the next day the people
worshipped their new idol. They made
sacrifices to it and put burnt offerings on
the altar. And they feasted and drank and
danced through the night.
Moses had been on the mountain for
forty days, and the Lord told him that he
must go down to his people again. “They
have been quick to turn away from what
I commanded and have made themselves
an idol cast in the shape of a calf. Now,
leave me alone so that my anger may burn
against them and destroy them,” He said.
But Moses pleaded with the Lord to

80

Exodus 32

spare the Israelites. He reminded Him to themselves and had become a laughing Egyptian jewelry
of His promise to make their descendants stock to their enemies. Ancient Egyptians were
as numerous as the stars in the sky in the skilled at crafting jewelry.
land of Canaan. The Lord listened carefully Moses went to the entrance of the Extracted metals, such as
and relented. camp and summoned the people to him.
“Whoever is on the side of the Lord, come gold and silver, were
Moses left Him and went back down to me!” he shouted. And the people of the processed and inset with
the mountain, taking with him the two Levite tribe were the only ones who came
stone tablets that the Lord had given him, to his side. Everyone else stood back and semiprecious stones.
inscribed with the Lord’s own writing. He looked the other way. He told the Levites This gold necklace
had engraved the Ten Commandments on that they must take their swords and teach (from c. 1880 bce)
both sides. As Moses got to the bottom the rest of the Israelites a lesson. There belonged to Egyptian
of the mountain, he could hear music and was a terrible massacre that day as the Princess Khnumet and is
singing. It got louder and louder and, when Levites killed at least three thousand decorated with carnelian,
he neared the camp, he saw, with horror, the of their kinsmen. lapis lazuli, and turquoise.
shiny golden calf standing by the altar and
the Israelites drinking and reveling around it. Afterward, Moses congratulated the Levites
In anger, Moses threw the stone tablets Levites and said to them, “You have been Descended from Aaron,
to the ground, smashing them into pieces. set apart today and the Lord has blessed the tribe of Levi was one
you.” Then he went back up the mountain of the 12 tribes of Israel,
The Israelites looked at him in stunned to speak to the Lord and to ask for His and the only one not to
silence. Then, Moses went straight over to forgiveness. “Oh what a great sin these worship the golden calf.
the golden calf and hurled it into the fire. people have committed,” he said. “They The Lord rewarded this
It melted in the heat, the body writhing and had made themselves a god of gold. loyalty by making them
bubbling in the flames. When it had cooled, But, now, please forgive their sin!” priests and giving them
he took the golden cinders and pounded
them into a fine powder, which he mixed “Go, lead the people to the Promised 48 cities where they
with water and made the Israelites drink. Land and my angel will go with you,” organized worship and
replied the Lord. “However, they have took care of the temples.
Then, he confronted his brother, Aaron. sinned and I will punish them when the
“What were you thinking of ?” he shouted time is right!” And He told Moses to write As a result, many
furiously. “How could you allow them to do the Ten Commandments on two new tombstones of Levites
this?” Moses could see that the Israelites tablets of stone to replace the ones
were out of control. They were a danger that had been broken. are distinguished
by hands symbolizing
Understanding the story
the blessing of
Many pagan civilizations showed their gods as bulls because they symbolized the priests (above).
power. By worshipping the golden calf, the Israelites are breaking the second

commandment of the Covenant Law. God tells Moses to inscribe the
commandments on two tablets in keeping with the Middle Eastern tradition
of writing two copies of a treaty—one for the king and one for his subjects.

81

Numbers 22–24

Balaam’s Donkey

After many years, the tribes of Israel were finally
allowed to go to the Promised Land of Canaan.

Canaanite necklace They arrived on the plains of Moab, You must not put a curse on the tribes of
The Canaanites traded fresh with victory over the neighboring Israel because they are blessed and are the
with Egypt as early as Amorites, and camped in their chosen people.” So Balaam told the envoys
thousands along the Jordan River, that he could not help them and they
3300 bce. Items of across from Jericho. Balak, who ruled returned, unsuccessful, to Balak.
jewelry, such as the Moab, was horrified at the sight of them.
necklace (above), were He sent his envoys with a message and a But the king refused to give up and sent
commonly traded. The fee to the famous soothsayer Balaam, who the most distinguished princes in the land to
Canaanites used a lot lived on the banks of the Euphrates. “A Balaam. They offered Balaam great riches,
of gold and jasper, people has come out of Egypt; they cover but he replied, “Even if Balak gave me his
a tough red stone, the face of the land and have settled next to palace filled with silver and gold, still
me. Come and put a curse on them because I could not go against
in their designs. they are too powerful. Then I can defeat the word of the Lord
them and drive them from my country.” my God. Stay here
Balaam received the message tonight and I will
and slept on it. In the night, the
Lord came to him and said, find out what the
“Do not go with these men. Lord says.”

That night,
God spoke to

82

Numbers 22–24

Balaam to see what was in his heart. “Go he shouted. “If only I had a sword,
with these men, but you must obey me and I would kill you now.”
do only as I say,” He told him. So, the next
morning, Balaam saddled his favorite Then suddenly, the Lord removed
donkey and set off with the princes back to the veil from Balaam’s eyes and he saw
the land of Moab. But God was not pleased the angel, gleaming sword in hand.
that Balaam had gone. Terrified, Balaam fell to the ground.

Suddenly, as they plodded along the “Why have you beaten your
dusty road, the angel of the Lord appeared, donkey?” asked the angel.
sword in hand, to stop Balaam. The little “I would have killed you, if she
donkey saw him and shied off the road. But, had not saved you. But I would
full of his own self-importance, Balaam was have spared her.” Balaam begged
blind to the apparition. He cursed and beat forgiveness and the angel told
the donkey to get her back onto the road. him to continue with the princes
to Balak in the land of Moab.
Then the angel appeared again, blocking “Go with these men but speak
a narrow path that snaked between two only what I tell you,” he said.
vineyards, with walls on each side. Again,
the donkey saw the angel and squeezed When Balaam arrived, he was
against the wall to avoid him, crushing met by the king. “I have come here as
Balaam’s foot in the process. As before, asked,” the soothsayer said, “but I can speak
Balaam did not even glimpse the angel only the words that God puts in my mouth.”
and beat the donkey. Together, they went up to the mountains
where they could see the tribes of Israel
For the third time, the angel appeared, below. There, they built seven great altars
standing in the middle of the path. It was and put a bull and a ram on each one as
impossible to get past. The little donkey’s offerings. Then Balaam left Balak and his
legs folded under her and she collapsed princes with the sacrifices and climbed
to the ground. Once again, Balaam saw higher to the most solitary peak to meet
nothing and he beat the donkey to within the Lord. When he came down again, the
an inch of her life. At this point, the donkey charred offerings were still smoldering
opened her mouth and asked, “What have and Balaam delivered God’s message,
I done to make you beat me?” blessing the people of Israel instead
of cursing them.
“You have made a fool of me!”

Understanding the story Fortune-telling tool
Though Balaam believed
Balaam is known for his powerful curses, but these are forbidden under Moses’s Law.
The curses are unable to contradict God’s will anyway. While the donkey is faithful, in God, he was known
Balaam is initially blinded by greed. When the angel bears a sword, Balaam sees the to use curses and make
light. He asks for forgiveness and ends up blessing the Israelites. God ensures Balaam
predictions. Unusual
and his donkey are part of His commitment to keeping the covenant promise. artifacts were used for
these occult practices.

This clay mold of a
sheep’s liver was a typical

aid to foreseeing the
future in ancient times.

83

Numbers 13; Deuteronomy 31, 34

The Promised Land

The Israelites were camped in the Paran Desert,
near Canaan, and the Lord told Moses to send some
scouts ahead. Moses picked twelve men, one from each

of the tribes of Israel, and sent them on their way.

“Go through the Negev and into to stir up trouble, made up a story that
Canaan,” Moses said to them. Canaan was full of giants who lived in
“Check out the lie of the walled cities.
land and see what the “We can’t attack them—we wouldn’t stand
people are like.” a chance!” they said. “They are much
stronger than us. Beside them, we look
The twelve men set off, traveling like grasshoppers!”
through the arid landscape until they got
to Canaan. They reached Hebron and the Two of the scouts, named Caleb and
Valley of Eschol, which was fertile and Joshua, remained silent. The rest of the
green. The trees were heavy with fruit. Israelites looked at each other grimly.
They cut a gigantic bunch of sweet grapes “If only we had died in Egypt,” they sighed,
from the vines, so heavy that it took two looking at Moses and Aaron. “Or in this
men to carry it. They also took juicy desert. Why did the Lord bring us to the
Promised Land if we are going to be killed?
pomegranates and luscious figs. Why don’t we go back to Egypt?”
Altogether, they spent forty days
exploring Canaan, before returning Caleb and Joshua then told their story.
They said that the inhabitants of Canaan
to Moses and the Israelites. were not giants and that it would be an
When they got back, the scouts excellent place to live. “Do not rebel against
reported that Canaan was a the Lord,” they pleaded. “And don’t be afraid
beautiful country that did, of the people who live in Canaan. We will
indeed, flow with milk and easily get the better of them. The Lord is
honey. But ten of with us.” But no one believed them and
them, who liked some talked about stoning them to death.

The Lord heard the tribes of Israel
complaining yet again and was saddened
and angry. “How long will these people
treat me with contempt?” He asked Moses.

84

Numbers 13; Deuteronomy 31, 34

“How long will they refuse to believe in Israelites carried the Ark with them Grapes
me, in spite of the miraculous signs I have wherever they went on their wanderings. The Israelites loved
shown them?” He said that, as a result of When they stopped to set up camp, the the juicy grapes from
their sins, they would be condemned to Ark was put in the most sacred place, deep Canaan. They dried them
wander in the desert for forty years before within the holy tabernacle—the brightly as raisins, boiled them
being allowed to enter the Promised Land colored tent that was set up for worship. into syrup, and pressed
of Canaan. “In this desert you will die, every them to make wine. As
one of you who has complained so much. The same day, Moses went to Mount explained at the Last
Not one of you will enter the land I swore Nebo in Moab, just across from the city of Supper, wine was a
to make your home—except Caleb, son Jericho. Although he was very old, his body symbol of Christ’s blood.
of Jephunneh, and Joshua, son of Nun. was still strong and his eyes were keen. He
But your children will reach Canaan and climbed slowly up the high mountain and Pomegranates
will enjoy the land that their parents will the Lord showed him the land of Canaan, The pomegranate
never reach.” which had taken so many years and such became a symbol for the
hardships to reach. He stood at the top and delights of the Promised
The years went by and the tribes saw the Promised Land, at last. It stretched Land. It is used as a motif
of Israel wandered in the bleak and across the Jordan River and the Salt Sea on the walls of Solomon’s
inhospitable wilderness. Moses grew old all the way to the waters of the Great Sea Temple and the robes
and he realized that, after all this time, he in the west. And the Lord said to him, of the High Priest.
would not live to cross the Jordan River and “This is the land I promised on oath to
get to Canaan. He summoned Joshua and, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You have now “How long
in front of everyone, said to him, “Be strong seen it with your own eyes, but you will will they refuse
and courageous, for you are the one who never reach it.”
must lead the people into the Promised to believe in
Land. And you must divide it between them. And Moses died that day in Moab, me, in spite of
Do not be afraid, the Lord will be with you.” one hundred and twenty years after he the miraculous
had been found as a tiny baby, hidden in signs I have
Moses told the Israelite people to follow the thick bulrushes of the Nile River in shown them?”
God’s Law, the Ten Commandments, which Egypt. The Israelite people grieved for
were written down on two tablets of stone thirty days, weeping and mourning. They
and kept in the Ark of the Covenant—a knew that there would never be another
magnificent golden chest, guarded by two prophet like him in the history of Israel.
cherubim with outstretched wings. The

Understanding the story

The Israelites who reject God’s Promised Land are condemned to wander the desert
for 40 years. These 40-year periods are significant because the number 40 represents

a period of testing. Only Joshua and Caleb give accurate reports of Canaan, and
God rewards their faith by granting access. Joshua (meaning “The Lord is Savior”)

will become Moses’s successor, leading Israel to salvation.

85

Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab
to the top of Pisgah, opposite Jericho. There the Lord
showed him the whole land… Then the Lord said to him,
“This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham.”
Deuteronomy 34:1–2, 4

86

Jericho
Known as the “City of Palms,”
Old Testament Jericho stood in a lush oasis.
Excavations reveal ancient cities built and
destroyed, one above another.

87

Joshua 2

Rahab and
the Spies

Flax After the death of Moses, the Lord told
Linen was made from flax Joshua that the Israelites should get ready to cross

plants. The stems were the River Jordan and enter the land of Canaan.
placed in water, then left
“It will all be yours—from the desert to But the spies needed somewhere to lie
to dry out in the sun.
Once the fibres were dry the Lebanon and from the Euphrates River low. They found a little house in the city
and separated, the threads
were woven together to to the Great Sea in the west,” He said. “No walls that was perfect. It belonged to a
create linen. The spies
one will be able to stand up to you. As I was woman named Rahab. She invited them
hid under the drying
flax at Rahab’s house. with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never in and told them to make themselves

Steep walls leave you or forsake you. But always be comfortable, offering them food and
Canaan lies between the
Mediterranean Sea and careful to obey the laws that my servant water. And soon, she agreed to help them.

the Jordan River. The Moses gave you!” By now, the ruler of Jericho had
Bible featured all six of
Canaan’s geographical Joshua told his heard a rumor that some spies might
lands – the coastal plain,
fertile foothills, central people the Lord’s have gotten into the city and he was
highlands, the Plain of
Megiddo, Galilee, and message but, first, he worried. He knew what a danger the

the Jordan Valley. sent two spies ahead to Israelites were. They had wreaked
Fortified towns with
steep, protective walls Jericho on the west bank death and destruction on the
dominated these lands.
of the Jordan. Jericho neighboring Amorites, and everybody

was the most important had heard how the Lord had parted

city in the whole of the waters of the Red Sea for them.

Canaan. The two men He sent his henchmen to search

set off through the Rahab ties a scarlet every house in Jericho from top
desert, at dead of night. ribbon to her window to bottom.
Guided by the moon and
Rahab had taken the two spies up

the stars, they crossed the river and drew to the roof of her house and had hidden

near to the city. The two spies hid among them under some flax that she was drying in

the palm trees until the sun began to rise. the sun. The henchmen arrived and

Then they slipped quietly through the city asked her if she had seen the men. “They

gates, just as they opened, mingling with the did come here,” replied Rahab, smiling

noisy traders and merchants. Like shadows, sweetly at them, “but I didn’t know who

they flitted through the narrow streets and they were. If only I’d known!” They searched

past the temple, hearing fearful talk about her house anyway and climbed the steep

the Israelites on every corner. steps up to the roof. All they saw were large

88

Joshua 2 “Go to the
hills and
bundles of plants laid out to dry. The men left
to search the house next door. hide!”

When they had gone, Rahab climbed 89
up to the roof and gave the two spies the
all clear. They emerged cautiously from the
piles of flax and dusted themselves off. Rahab
looked at them and said, “I know that the Lord
has given this land to the Israelites. We have all
heard about you. We are frightened! Please be
kind to me and my family. Haven’t I been kind
to you? I beg you to spare my father and
mother, my brothers and sisters.”

The men smiled at each other and nodded.
“A life for a life!” they replied. “Help us to escape
and we will help to save you when we attack
Jericho.” They told her to tie a scarlet ribbon in
her window when she heard that the Israelites
were advancing. It would be a sign, and she and
her family would be spared. But she must swear
that she would not betray them. She agreed,
thankfully, and went to find a thick rope.

They waited till the middle of the night
when all was quiet and still in the city. Then
they tiptoed to the window. Rahab took the
rope and dropped it silently out of the window,
tying it firmly to a thick beam inside. Then, one
after the other, the men climbed down and
landed outside the city walls. “Go to the hills
and hide!” Rahab whispered. “They’ll never find
you there!” The spies stayed hidden for three
days in the hills. Then they returned to Joshua
and told him what had happened.

Understanding the story

God reassures Joshua of His eternal presence on the journey to Canaan
with the Israelites. The two spies sent to Jericho agree a bargain with

Rahab—she will help the spies, and they in turn will spare her when the
Israelites attack. The scarlet ribbon on the window will protect Rahab

just as the lambs’ blood daubed on the Israelites’ doors did
on the night of the tenth plague in Egypt.

Joshua 5–6

The Battle
of Jericho

Ancient Jericho The two spies got back from Canaan, and they
In Joshua’s time told Joshua that the country was gripped by fear.
(c. 1400 bce) Canaan
was divided into walled So the Israelites moved forward and the priests came with the Ark. As they
city-states, each with its made their camp by the side of the Jordan stepped onto the bank, the river began
own king. Lying close to River. Joshua spoke to the assembled group. flowing again.
the Jordan River, Jericho “The Ark of the Covenant will go first,
is the location of the carried by the Levite priests. You must They set up camp at Gilgal on the plains
world’s oldest walled city follow it—but at a distance. As soon as the of Jericho. Joshua took the twelve stones
first built in c. 8000 bce. priests set foot in the river, the waters will and set them in the earth as a memorial to
These ruins at Tell stop flowing. There will be a path of dry the people of Israel. Now the forty thousand
es-Sultan are evidence land to the other side and you will all be Israelite soldiers were gathering. It was a
of settlements between able to cross safely.” fearsome sight. The king of Jericho ordered
c. 9600 bce and 1400 bce. the city gates to be shut tight and bolted.
Three days later, the priests led the way,
Shophar carrying the Ark, which contained the two Then the Lord said to Joshua,
In this story, the priests stone tablets with the Ten Commandments “Go to Jericho with your soldiers and march
blow on their shophars written on them. Sure enough, as soon as around the city once. Take the Ark with
when storming Jericho. they stepped in the water, the river stopped you. Seven priests must walk in front of it,
Today, the instrument is sounding their trumpets. Do the same for
traditionally blown at the flowing and they walked to the six days. Then, on the seventh day, march
middle. They waited there with the around the city like this seven times. At the
start of Rosh golden Ark glinting in the sun, and end, the priests must sound a long trumpet
Hashanah, the Israelites started to walk across. blast and everyone must shout together,
the Jewish as loud as they can.”
New Year. The Joshua chose twelve men, one
blasting sounds of from each tribe. He told them to And so, the soldiers advanced on
the shophar can stop in the middle of the dry path, Jericho and marched around the city walls.
still be heard The priests sounded their trumpets in front
in synagogues where the priests stood, and to of the Ark. The walls shook, and inside the
on holy days. pick up a stone. They did this, people watched in terror. For six days,
Crafted from
a ram’s horn, and carried the stones to the
it was steamed other side. When all the
to make it more Israelites had crossed,
malleable, before
the wide end was
bent into the typical
shape of a trumpet.

90

Joshua 5–6

This 5th-century-ce mosaic
from the Basilica Santa

Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy,
shows the fall of Jericho.

the Israelites marched. On the seventh Suddenly, cracks appeared in the stone Understanding
day, they marched around the city seven and bricks. The Israelites watched as the the story
times and the priests raised their trumpets. walls collapsed, crashing to the ground.
A long, mournful blast filled the air. At this, As the Red Sea parted
Joshua gave the signal and the Israelites Without its great wall, Jericho was at the during the Exodus, the
shouted at the tops of their voices. mercy of the Israelite soldiers. They rushed
in and killed every living thing. The soldiers Jordan River stops
But as the chorus faded away, another knew where Rahab lived, because of the flowing so the Israelites
sound could be heard. A rumble came scarlet ribbon in her window, so she
from the city walls and it grew louder. and her family were spared. can cross to Jericho.
The 12 stones stand for
“Go to Jericho with your the 12 tribes of Israel.
soldiers and march around the city
The seven-day siege
once. Take the Ark with you.” represents completion,
reflecting God’s people

finally inheriting the
Promised Land.

91

Judges 6–7

Baal The Call
The worship of pagan gods of Gideon
and goddesses grew popular
For seven years, the tribes of Israel suffered
among the Canaanite at the hands of their neighbors, the Midianites.
people. Their chief deity The Lord told the Israelites that they were being
was Baal (meaning “lord”), punished because they had been worshipping false gods.
who controlled the weather.
He was associated with rain
and storms, and is often
depicted holding a lightning
bolt. As Baal had the power

to bring heavy rain or
drought, the Canaanites
believed their fertile lands
could only flourish under

his influence.

One day, a young Israelite named Gideon food disappeared. And then the stranger
was busy at work, threshing wheat. From vanished into thin air himself. As Gideon
the shade of a great oak tree a tall figure stood staring in wonder, it slowly dawned
approached him. He greeted Gideon on him that he had seen an angel.
courteously and said, “The Lord is with
you, mighty warrior!” That night, Gideon smashed the altar
that his father had made to the god Baal.
“But, sir, if the Lord is with us why He also cut down the wooden Asherah
does He allow our enemies, the Midianites, pole, which was sacred to the goddess
to overrun our country?” Gideon asked. Asherah. Then, with the help of his
“The Lord has abandoned us!” servants, he made a new altar to the Lord
and sacrificed a fully grown bull on it.
The stranger smiled and said, “The Lord
has chosen you. You are to save In the morning, when the people saw
Israel from the Midianites. The that Baal’s altar had been destroyed and
Lord will be with you!” Gideon that the Asherah pole had vanished, they
shook his head in disbelief. were angry. They discovered that Gideon
was the culprit and called for his blood.
He went to get some food for the But his father, Joash, replied, “If Baal
stranger. The man had sat down to rest really is a god, he can defend himself
under the oak tree and, when Gideon when someone destroys his altar!”
approached, he asked him to put the dishes The people listened and agreed.
on a rock just by him. He then tapped the
food with the tip of his wooden staff and The Midianites and their allies from
a bright flame shot out of the rock and the the east had now joined forces. They were
camping in the Valley of Jezreel. Gideon
Bronze Baal knew the moment had come, and he took
This statue shows the Canaanite god his trumpet and blew it loud and clear,
Baal striking a warrior pose. It was calling the Israelites to arms.
probably crafted in the 14th century bce
in Ugarit, Syria, when the worship of Thousands of men came to join him.
the pagan god was at its height. Next morning, he led them all to the Spring

92

Judges 6–7

of Harod at the foot of Mount Gilboa, could hear a man talking. “I had a dream

and they made their camp. To the north, last night,” he said. “A round loaf of barley

the Midianites were gathered in the valley bread came tumbling into our camp. It hit

near the hill of Moreh. the tent with such force that it collapsed.”

But now the Lord said to Gideon, And another voice replied, “That must

“You have too many men. I do not want be Gideon, the son of Joash, the Israelite.

my people to forget me and to think that it We’ve heard about him! God has promised

is their strength alone that will bring victory him victory!” Camels
The story of Gideon
over the enemy. If some of your men are Gideon rushed back to his men. includes the first mention
of camels being used in
having second thoughts, “Get up!” he shouted. “I know warfare (Judges 6:5). These
animals were better suited
let them go.” And the Lord is with us! He will to the hardships involved
in desert battles. For
twenty-two thousand destroy the Midianites for us!” long-range attacks,
Midianite soldiers rode
of Gideon’s men turned He gave them all trumpets, jars, camels while firing arrows
and thowing spears. This
around and left. There and torches, and silently they relief from Nineveh shows
warriors fighting on camels.
were still ten thousand approached the enemy camp.
Spring of Harod
soldiers, but the Lord On Gideon’s order, they blew This spring at the foot
of Mount Gilboa is where
said again, “There are their trumpets and smashed Gideon observed his
soldiers’ drinking styles.
too many! Take them their jars. Then they held their Those who cupped the
water in their hands rather
down to the water and torches high in the air, lighting than dipping their faces
into it were chosen to
see who drinks using the darkness, and shouted do battle. God may have
considered them more
their cupped hands. loudly into the night. The alert and ready for war.

They shall stay with Gideon blows his trumpet to Midianites woke up, confused 93
you. But those who call the Israelites to arms and terrified. They did not

drink kneeling down know what the noise was

shall be sent away.” After this, Gideon or what the strange lights were. In

was left with only three hundred men. panic, they drew their swords and

Later, at dead of night, he crept toward turned on each other, and then

the Midian camp. From inside a tent Gideon led into the night.

“The Lord has chosen you. You are
to save Israel from the Midianites.”

Understanding the story

Gideon is a poor farmer’s son, and his father has given up on God. He seems
an unlikely champion to save the Israelites from their powerful enemy.

Gideon follows God’s guidance without hesitation, even when he is asked
to send away all but three hundred men. By putting his trust in God,
Gideon brings his people to victory.

Judges 13–14

Samson and
the Lion

Honey The Philistines swept through the south of Canaan,
Mainly eaten as where the tribes of Dan and Judah lived. They brought
a sweet treat, honey
and honeycomb were their gods and they set up altars to them.
also highly valued in
medicine. In the Bible, Although the Israelites feared the invaders, So Manoah took a young goat and
honey is often given they began to worship their gods. So the sacrificed it on the altar, with an offering
as a present because Lord decided to punish them by allowing of grain. The divine messenger rose to
it was a symbol the Philistines to stay for forty years. the heavens in the smoke and disappeared.
of abundance Manoah realized that their visitor had been
and prosperity. Manoah belonged to the tribe of Dan the angel of the Lord.
and he lived in the village of Zorah. He was
Philistines faithful to the Lord but, to his great sadness, In time, their baby boy was born and
The most dangerous he had no children. One day, his wife was they named him Samson. He was blessed
enemy of the Israelites working in the fields when a stranger and, from the very first moment, his life
were the Philistines, suddenly appeared. He told her that he was dedicated to God. As the years went
who lived in southwest had come from God and announced that by, Samson grew tall and strong and his hair
Canaan from 1200– she was going to have a son. “The boy is grew longer and longer. But he fell in love
600 bce. They had a to be a Nazarite and his hair must never with a beautiful young Philistine woman who
mighty army, but were be cut,” he said. “He will be set apart from lived in the fortress town of Timnah in the
also known for crafting other children and will dedicate his life to Sorek Valley. His parents were not pleased.
beautiful pottery, such God. He will be the one who will start to
as this striking beer jug. save Israel from the Philistines.” One day, Samson was on his way to
Timnah when a young lion jumped out
Manoah’s wife listened in amazement from the undergrowth in front of him.
and rushed to find her husband. She told Samson felt an incredible strength surge
him the joyful news, and Manoah wanted through him. He knew it came from God.
to hear it for himself. He prayed to the He grabbed the animal’s throat and killed
Lord, and the messenger came back and it with his bare hands. He left it lying there
repeated his words. Then Manoah invited and carried on his way.
him to stay for something to eat. He also
asked him his name. Days later, when he was coming back
along the path, he saw the lion’s carcass
“Why do you ask my name?” the man still lying there. He could hear a loud
asked. “It is beyond understanding. I am buzzing. He bent down and saw that, inside
happy to stay, but do not give me food. the rib cage, there was a bees’ nest oozing
Make an offering to the Lord, instead.” with honey. He broke off a chunk of the

94

Judges 13–14

95

Judges 13–14

honeycomb and ate most of it on his way down. She went to her husband and sobbed, “The boy is to
home. There was just a small corner left “You don’t really love me at all, do you? be a Nazarite
to give to his parents, although he did not If you did, you’d tell me the answer and his hair
tell them where it came from. Still his to that stupid riddle.”
parents would not agree to their son must never
marrying a Philistine, and Samson knew Samson finally relented. She told be cut.”
he would have to go ahead without them. her friends and, that evening, when Samson
He arranged the wedding feast, which put the riddle to them again, one of them Understanding
would be held at his bride’s house in Timnah. stood up with the answer, “What is sweeter the story
Her kinsmen and friends were invited, than honey? What is stronger than a lion?”
and thirty young Philistine men. The feast A Nazarite was someone
lasted seven days, with singing, dancing, When Samson heard this, he knew he dedicated to God for a
and games from morning until night. had been cheated by the Philistines and special purpose. They
tricked by his wife. In a rage, he headed for
But, although Samson loved his bride, the walled city of Ashkelon. Mad with fury, never cut their hair
he felt alone among the Philistines. He he ambushed thirty Philistines and slit their because it was considered
knew that some of the men mocked him. throats. He stripped off their clothes and the source of life. Samson’s
He wanted to outwit them and made up took them as payment for the wager he
a riddle. “If you give me the answer by the had been cheated out of by his wife and survival against the lion
end of the celebrations, I will give you each her friends. He returned to his father’s house, reflects the strength of
a set of the finest clothes,” he told them. and his wife was given to one of his friends. God in him. Miraculous
“If you fail, you have to give me thirty sets feats can be achieved with
of the finest clothes—one from each of God. However, Nazarites
you.” And then he gave them the riddle: were forbidden to touch
“Out of the eater comes forth meat; out dead bodies so they could
of the strong comes something sweet.” remain pure to do God’s
work. When Samson eats
For three days, his guests scratched honey from the lion’s
their heads. Defeated, they asked the new carcass, he breaks the
bride to coax the answer from her husband.
They even threatened to burn her house first of many rules.

During the wedding feast,
Samson poses a riddle
to the Philistines

96

Judges 16

Samson Ashdod • • Ekron
and Delilah Ashkelon • • Gath

• Gaza

Mighty Samson was feared and hated by the Philistines. Philistine empire
He had harassed them for years, killing thousands. By about 1050 bce, the
Philistine empire reached
When he fell in love again with another Samson leapt up, snapping the knotted the peak of its power.
Philistine beauty, Delilah, his enemies saw bowstrings as if they were the flimsiest Seizing land from the
their chance. The five most powerful lords of fairy cobwebs. “Why did you lie to me?” Israelites, the Philistines
sidled up to her with words of temptation. shouted Delilah. Samson laughed. The truth
“We will each give you eleven hundred was, he said, that he had to be tied up with settled on Canaan’s
pieces of silver if you can find the secret thick ropes that had never been used before. southern coast. This map
of Samson’s strength.” Again, Delilah persuaded him to play the
game with brand new ropes. But as she shows their territory
Now, Delilah’s love for Samson was was tying the last knot, she screamed, (shaded orange) and
great, but her greed and her fear of the “The Philistines are coming!” Samson their five major cities.
scheming lords were even greater. When broke free immediately.
Samson came to see her, she flattered him, Weaving
“You are afraid of nothing, my love, and Desperate with rage, Delilah asked The process of weaving
your strength is legendary. What is your him again. Samson told her that if she
secret, my sweet?” wove his long hair into her loom he would is the entwining of
lose his strength. The next evening, when threads to produce cloth.
Samson smiled gently to himself. he had fallen asleep near her loom, she Delilah would have used
“If I was tied up with seven new set to work, weaving his hair. Then she a horizonal loom similar
bowstrings, all my strength would cried, “The Philistines are coming!”
disappear and vanish into thin air.” to this one to weave
Samson’s hair into
Delilah persuaded him to try it out
for fun. What Samson didn’t know was her fabric.
that the Philistines were waiting next door.
He went along with the game pretending Delilah
to lose his strength and turn to jelly. weaves
Then, to test him, Delilah warned, Samson’s
“The Philistines are coming!” long hair

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Judges 16

Samson woke and tore free of the loom. Suddenly, one of the Philistines crept Understanding
Delilah still would not give up. “How in and cut off all his long hair. Staring the story
in horror at his shaven head, Delilah
can you say you love me when you tell screamed again, “The Philistines Samson’s bad behavior
me nothing but lies?” she sobbed. are coming!” is comparable with the

At last, Samson relented and told And this time they did come, and Israelites, who have
her his deepest secret. “I am a Nazarite Samson woke up, helpless and weak as turned away from God and
and my life is devoted to the service of a kitten, unable to defend himself. The worshipped idols. Samson
the God of Israel. As a token of obedience, Philistines dragged him away and blinded allows a woman rob him
I took a vow that my hair must never be him with burning spikes and threw him into of the sign of God’s calling,
cut. If I were robbed of my hair, I would prison in shackles. Day in and day out, he but he will discover that his
lose all my strength.” was put to work grinding corn, but day in
and day out his hair began to grow back. true strength lies not in
The next evening, after dinner, Samson bowstrings or his uncut
fell asleep contentedly on Delilah’s lap.
hair, but in God.

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Judges 16

Samson in
the Temple

The Philistine lords assembled in the great
temple to give thanks to Dagon, the fish god,

for delivering Samson into their hands.

They gathered, with the priests and O God, please strengthen me just Understanding
dignitaries, to celebrate and to offer a once more. Let me get revenge on the story
sacrifice. And they called for Samson the Philistines for my two eyes.”
to be brought up from the dungeons to Although Samson has
be paraded in front of them in his chains. Samson was standing not always heeded God’s
It was a sweet victory for the Philistines between the two great central
to have at last captured their greatest foe. columns, which supported the whole of word, he still turns to
Three thousand people packed into the the temple. Then he braced himself, arms Him in times of trouble.
temple when they heard that they might outstretched between the columns, and Samson’s last request is
get a glimpse of Samson. When it was cried, “Let me die with the Philistines!” to take revenge for his
full to bursting point, they poured up
onto the flat roof above. Samson pushed with all his might blindness. The Lord
and the two pillars trembled, bringing responds, showing His
And then there was a great clanking the roof down with a crash. Soon, the mercy, but also using
sound, and Samson was led out of prison other pillars gave way like a pack of
by his jailer. He shuffled into the temple, cards. Everyone in the temple and on Samson’s perceived
with blinded eyes and manacled hands the roof—who had taunted Samson weakness to the benefit
and feet. Everybody craned their necks to just a few moments before—was of the Israelites. As the
see him. They jeered, then started to prod crushed to death. Philistines taunt and jeer
and beat him. And the great warrior was Samson, God gives him
forced to dance on his toes to the sound When Samson’s kinsmen heard the the strength he needs to
of his own chains. It was a pitiful spectacle. news they searched for his broken body tear down their temple.
Gasping, Samson asked his jailer to take amongst the ruins, then took him home.
him to rest against the temple pillars. They buried him in a tomb next to his
father, Manoah. With his death, Samson
Then he prayed to the Lord, had killed more Philistines than he had
“O Sovereign Lord, remember me. during the whole of his lifetime.

“Let me die with the Philistines!”

99

Ruth 1–4

Ruth and Naomi

Harvest law There was a famine in Judah, and Elimelech
When gathering the took his family from their home in Bethlehem
harvest, farmers in Israel to live in the land of Moab, beyond the Salt Sea.
were not meant to reap
the outer edges of their He grew old and died there, leaving working hard from morning till night.
fields, nor take the harvest his wife Naomi with two sons. Both sons And Boaz, who was a relative of Elimelech,
“gleanings” (leftover married Moabite women—one was named came back from town and saw the young
grain). Instead, they were Orpah and the other was named Ruth. girl working in his field. He asked his
expected to leave both Then, sadly, both her sons died and foreman who she was, then went over to
for the poor to collect. Naomi lived with her daughters-in-law. talk to her. “You are welcome to collect
any grain you can find,” he said. “I will tell
An ancestor of David In time, Naomi heard that the famine my men to look after you. Help yourself
Ruth has an important had passed in Judah and she decided to to water from the jars whenever you feel
place in the Bible. Her go back, with both of her daughters-in-law. like it. It’s hot work!”
righteousness led to her All three of them set off, but Naomi
suddenly had second thoughts. How could Ruth bowed down low on the ground.
marriage to Boaz, and, as she take the young women away from their “How kind you are. Why have I found such
a result, she became the own people? “Go back, both of you! May favor in your eyes?” she asked. “I am a
great-grandmother to the Lord show kindness to you, as you have foreigner.” Boaz replied that he had heard
Israel’s King David, from shown kindness to your dead and to me,” about her kindness to her mother-in-law,
whom Joseph, Mary’s she said. Naomi. He invited her to sit down and eat
husband, is descended. with the harvesters.
They both protested and wept, but
Naomi would have none of it. She had That evening, Ruth took the grain she
made up her mind. Orpah turned around, had gathered back to Naomi, together with
kissing her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth some food that had been left over from the
still clung to Naomi and insisted on going meal. She told her mother-in-law how kind
with her. “Where you go, I will go and where Boaz had been to her. “The Lord bless him!”
you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my said Naomi. “He is one of the very best!”
people and your God, my God,” she said. And each day, Ruth went back to the same
So the two women traveled on together and fields and worked there until the harvest
they arrived in Bethlehem just as the harvest was finished.
was beginning. Naomi’s relatives welcomed
her home with open arms. Naomi knew that Boaz admired Ruth
and she decided that he would make
Ruth joined the workers in the fields a good husband for her. “Wash and
and picked up any grain that was scattered perfume yourself and put on your best
behind the harvesters. She gathered as clothes,” Naomi told Ruth. “Go and lie
much of the leftover grain as she could, at his feet tonight after he has finished

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