Ancient Israelites in Canaan

After wandering in the desert for 40 years following the Exodus from Egypt, the return to Canaan held great promise for the exiled Israelites. They were no longer a wandering people but one with their own land and their own God. These elements are foundational for Israel’s mission of building a holy society and being a “light unto the nations.” But the path to gaining sovereignty in the Holy land would be a difficult one. This lesson will explore the challenges of leadership that plagued the Hebrews in their first attempt to live under their own sovereign rule.

Glossary

Yehoshua = Joshua • Avraham = Abraham • Shlomo = Solomon • Devora = Deborah • Moshe = Moses • Tzfat = Safed • Yericho = Jericho • Yerushalayim = Jerusalem • Tiveria = Tiberias • Lashon hara = evil speech • Shimshon = Samson • Nazir = Nazarite • Binyamin = Benjamin

The Jewish Story Explained is based on the book Letters to Auntie Fori: 5,000 Years of Jewish History and their Faith by Martin Gilbert.

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