History of Israel (O t Introduction)

The first part of a three-part introduction to the Old Testament offers an account of the history of Jews and their emerging consciousness as the People of God. Topics covered include: the Patriarchs and the beginnings of history; the Exodus; the 12 tribes; the first Kings; the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah; and chapters on the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman empires. It also includes maps, time charts, illustrations and suggestions for further discussion and study. The International Study Guides (ISGs) are clear and accessible resources, contextual and ecumenical in content and missional in direction. It offers biblical commentaries, pastoral care, church history and theology, and is aimed primarily at people training to serve the church for whom English is an additional language, so the books are clearly written and designed for student use. The contributors are theological educators who come from different countries and different religious backgrounds, and bring practical emphasis alongside contemporary scholarly reflection.