From Creation to the Conquest of Canaan
by Michael J. Prival
Explaining the Bible from a modern historical perspective
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Note to Parents, Teachers, and Other Readers
The purposes, outlook, and origins of this book.
Introduction: What Is Religion? What Is the Bible?
How Did Religion Get Started?
Where Did the Bible Come From?
What Is the Hebrew Bible?
What Is the Difference Between the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible?
Why Do We Study the Bible?
Time Line Overview of the Bible and Jewish History
Chapter I. Origins – Earth and People
I - 1. The Story of Creation
I - 2. Adam and Eve, the First People
I - 3. Cain, the Jealous Brother of Abel
I - 4. The Time When There Were Giants on the Earth
I - 5. Noah and the Great Flood
I - 6. The Tower of Babel
Chapter II. The First Israelites
II - 1. Abraham and Sarah, the Promise from God
II - 2. Abraham Smashes the Idols
II - 3. Abraham Avoids an Argument with Lot
II - 4. Abraham Argues with Yahweh
II - 5. Isaac Is Born to the Sound of Laughter
II - 6. Ishmael and Hagar Are Cast out of Abraham’s House
II - 7. God Tells Abraham to Kill His Son, Isaac
II - 8. Isaac Marries Rebekah
II - 9. Esau Sells His Birthright to His Brother, Jacob
II - 10. Jacob Tricks His Brother, Esau, and His Father, Isaac
II - 11. Jacob’s Ladder
II - 12. Jacob Gets Married – Twice
II - 13. Jacob Leaves Haran
II - 14. Jacob Wrestles with an Angel, Gets a New Name, and Meets his Brother Esau
III - 1. Joseph and His Brothers
III - 2. Joseph and Potiphar – and Potiphar’s Wife
III - 3. Joseph Explains Some Dreams
III - 4. Pharaoh Dreams and Joseph Becomes Ruler of Egypt
III - 5. Joseph Sees His Brothers Once Again
III - 6. Israel (Jacob) and His Sons All Settle in Egypt
IV - 1. Moses – from a Basket to Pharaoh’s House
IV - 2. Moses Burns Himself
IV - 3. Moses Rescues a Hebrew Man and Leaves Egypt
IV - 4. Yahweh Speaks to Moses from a Burning Bush
IV - 5. The Israelites Gain Their Freedom
IV - 6. The Waters Part! The Israelites Escape!
Chapter V. Wandering in the Wilderness
V - 1. Complaints and Miracles – Food, Water, and a Battle
V - 2. The Israelites Receive Ten Commandments
V - 3. Commandments, Commandments, and More Commandments
V - 4. Yahweh Prescribes Religious Rituals
V-4-i. Sacrifices at the Temple
V-4-ii. Some Laws and Rituals
V-4-iii. Food Rules
V-4-iv. Do Not Oppress the Stranger, Except Sometimes
V-4-v. Crime and Punishment
V-4-vi. Yahweh Will Reward the Israelites for Following His Commandments
V - 5. Moses Is Criticized for Marrying a Cushite
V - 6. The Israelites Anger Yahweh and He Announces Their Punishment
V - 7. The Rebellion of Korah the Levite
V - 8. Moses and Aaron Are Punished for Disobeying Yahweh
VI - 1. Along the Road to Canaan, the Conquest Begins
VI - 2. From Moses to Joshua
VI - 3. Joshua Sends out Two Spies
VI - 4. Crossing over the Jordan and Conquering Jericho
VI - 5. The Israelites Settle in the Land of Canaan
Next – Note to Parents, Teachers, and Other Readers
Other writings by Michael Prival
This book is available for purchase in spiral-bound form with illustrations. It can also be obtained as an e-book from Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook Book) and other e-book providers.
Please send any comments you may have on this book to mprival@machar.org with the word “Bible” in the subject line.
Thanks very much.
Michael Prival
Copyright © 1995, 2014 by Michael J. Prival
Permission is hereby given for use of any portion or all of this book, with acknowledgment of the source, for educational purposes only. This work cannot be reproduced, in whole or in part, for any commercial purpose without permission of the author.