Series Details
In this practical series, covering the books of Joshua through Esther, Chuck Swindoll will provide a close-up look at the heights and depths of living in this world. From the heights of Joshua’s entrance into the land of promise to the depths of exile from the land, this series will trace the threads of faithfulness through the often faithless existence of God’s chosen people.
In this second volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the “Historical Books” of the Old Testament (Joshua through Esther). This era chronicles Israel’s journey from the triumphant conquest of the Promised Land to the tragic depths of exile and the hopeful return of a remnant. Through these historical accounts, we discover that while God’s people are often faithless, God Himself remains unfailingly faithful to His covenant.
1. Joshua: Triumph After Tragedy
- Overview: Charts the transition from wilderness wandering to the conquest of Canaan. It highlights the importance of courage rooted in the Word of God.
- Key Fact: Joshua’s leadership was successful because it was built on a foundation of meditation and obedience to the Law.
- Scripture: Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth… then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
2. Judges: Recycled Misery
- Overview: A sobering look at Israel’s downward spiral of disobedience, discipline, and deliverance. It illustrates the chaos that ensues when people reject God’s authority.
- Key Fact: The book follows a repetitive four-part cycle: Sin, Suffering, Supplication, and Salvation.
- Scripture: Judges 21:25 – “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
3. Ruth: Interlude of Love
- Overview: A beautiful narrative of loyalty and redemption set during the dark days of the Judges. It highlights God’s grace toward those outside the covenant of Israel.
- Key Fact: Ruth, a Moabitess, becomes an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ, proving that God’s grace knows no national boundaries.
- Scripture: Ruth 1:16 – “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”
4. 1 Samuel: Nation in Transition
- Overview: Records the transition from the period of Judges to the United Kingdom, focusing on the lives of Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David.
- Key Fact: This book marks the beginning of the monarchy in Israel—a move prompted by the people’s desire to be “like the other nations.”
- Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For God sees not as man sees… but the Lord looks at the heart.”
5. 2 Samuel: Ecstasy and Agony of a King
- Overview: Focuses exclusively on the reign of David, showcasing both his spiritual triumphs and his devastating personal failures.
- Key Fact: While David was a “man after God’s own heart,” the second half of the book reveals the severe domestic consequences of his sin with Bathsheba.
- Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:7 – Nathan’s direct confrontation: “You are the man!”
6. 1 Kings: Solomon and a Civil War
- Overview: Details the peak of Israel’s glory under Solomon and the subsequent division of the kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South).
- Key Fact: Solomon’s divided heart eventually led to a divided nation.
- Scripture: 1 Kings 11:4 – “His heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”
7. 2 Kings: From Compromise to Captivity
- Overview: Traces the decline of both kingdoms as they ignored the prophets’ warnings, ending in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles.
- Key Fact: Despite the spiritual darkness, God raised up prophets like Elijah and Elisha to demonstrate His power and call the people to repentance.
- Scripture: 2 Kings 17:13 – “Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets… saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways.'”
8. 1 and 2 Chronicles: Reassurance for a Remnant
- Overview: Written after the exile, these books retell the history of Judah to encourage the returning remnant of their spiritual heritage and God’s ongoing plan.
- Key Fact: Chronicles focuses primarily on the southern kingdom of Judah and the Davidic line, emphasizing the importance of the Temple and worship.
- Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land.”
9. Ezra: True Man of the Word
- Overview: Chronicles the return of the Jews from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple under the leadership of a priest dedicated to the Scriptures.
- Key Fact: Ezra’s primary contribution was not just a building, but a spiritual reformation based on the study of the Law.
- Scripture: Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes.”
10. Nehemiah: Softhearted Hard Hat
- Overview: The story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the restoration of its people’s security and identity.
- Key Fact: Nehemiah models the perfect balance between fervent prayer and practical, hard-working leadership.
- Scripture: Nehemiah 4:9 – “But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set a guard against them day and night.”
11. Esther: The Beauty and the Best
- Overview: A dramatic account of God’s silent but sovereign protection of His people during the exile through a young Jewish queen.
- Key Fact: God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, yet His “fingerprints” are on every page of the narrative.
- Scripture: Esther 4:14 – “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume Two
1. Why did God allow Israel to be taken into captivity in 2 Kings? As Pastor Chuck explains in “From Compromise to Captivity,” God is patient but also holy. After centuries of ignoring prophetic warnings and practicing idolatry, the exile was a form of divine discipline designed to purge the nation of its unfaithfulness.
2. What is the significance of the “cycle” in the book of Judges? The cycle illustrates human nature: we tend to forget God when things are going well. The “Recycled Misery” shows that without a spiritual anchor, society quickly decays into moral relativism, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
3. How does the book of Ruth fit into the larger story of the Bible? Ruth provides a “ray of light” during the dark era of the Judges. It demonstrates that God’s plan of redemption (the family line of the Messiah) continues even in small, seemingly insignificant acts of loyalty and kindness.
4. What can we learn from the difference between 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles? Kings was written to explain why the exile happened (judgment), while Chronicles was written to remind the survivors who they were (heritage). Kings is more “prophetic” and critical, while Chronicles is more “priestly” and encouraging.
5. Is God still in control even when He seems silent, like in the book of Esther? Absolutely. The series emphasizes that Esther is a masterpiece of divine providence. Even when God isn’t performing “parting of the sea” miracles, He is working behind the scenes through the “accidental” decisions of kings and the courage of ordinary people to fulfill His purposes.
