The Bible's Big-Picture StorySample

STAGE 4: A RESCUE PLAN. God calls Israel.

This is the start of God’s plan to restore relationship with us. It’s the dramatic story of our choices and the lengths God goes to to undo their consequences. It is a story rooted in promises to individuals and to nations, promises that rely solely on God’s character and His love for us and promises that reveal His patience, mercy and grace.

A promise to Noah that He would redeem not destroy. A promise to childless Abraham that he would become the Father of many people (aka. The people of Israel). A promise that God would love those descendants, helping them relate to each other in ways that would reveal love. Then, a promise of a land in which they could flourish. The Bible records God reminding us of His promise through Abraham 26 times—it really mattered to Him!

Before the people of Israel could get to the land God promised, a famine drove them into Egypt where Joseph (Abraham’s great grandson) was working for Pharaoh. Joseph dies and they become slaves for 400 years. Then Moses is chosen by God to miraculously help free the people. Moses had an incredible relationship with God knowing his character and ways, but choices and fear prevented the people from entering the land promised for another 40 years, even though it was only an 8-day journey! Moses dies before they get there.

Consistently the people chose against God, and Satan used those choices to delay or destroy. But God remained faithful, and even though there was almost a 500-year delay, the people enter the land promised led by Joshua (Moses’ assistant). The people are now under the leadership of God who gave a whole set of rules and religious observance (the Law) to grow and demonstrate what a loving relationship with God, and with each other, could look like. They were now a nation called to represent God and relationship with Him to the whole world.

However instead of flourishing there, they make choices that don’t bring life. It’s a hard time where they repeat a cycle of destructive behaviour: choose against God, enemy attacks, say sorry and ask for God’s help, God sends a ‘Judge’ to the rescue, Judge dies, repeat! This drama filled cycle happened 12 times and ends in a bad place. Judges 21:25 says, ‘the people were self-indulgent and did evil.’

Yet, still God is faithful; the story doesn’t end there!

An invitation to interact with God and His life-giving Word:

You may want to go back to the Bible verses for today. Remember the promises God has given to us in the Bible and any personal promises God has given you. He may want to give you new promises today. Ponder any unwise choices you’ve made, releasing them to Jesus.  Allow thankfulness and hope to rise inside you remembering God is faithful!

Part of your interaction may look like visualising it with words, images, poetry, song, movement or quiet meditation… Enjoy!