Moses is the most important figure in the first five books
of the Hebrew Bible, often known as the Five Books of Moses. He led the Hebrews out of
slavery in Egypt. He received the Torah from God at Mount Sinai. He led the people
through their forty years of wandering in the desert prior to entering the Promised
Land.
After the Hebrews entered Canaan (the Promised Land)
under the leadership of Joshua, Moses's disciple, in approximately 1200 B.C.E., the
Hebrews formed a loose confederation. That is, there was no central government, but at
times of crisis, leaders arose to defend the people from enemies. These leaders were
called Shoftim, which translates roughly as Judges. Some of the
better-known Judges were Deborah, Gideon, Jepthah, Samson, and Samuel. The Israelites
were ruled by the Judges for app. 1,000 years.
In app.
1,000 B.C.E., the Israelite tribes were united under the rulership of their first King,
Saul. For app. the next 400 years, the Israelites were ruled by a succession of kings.
They include: David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Ahaz, Hezekia,
Ahab.
Although there were prophets even in the days of the
Judges, the prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible deal mostly with those prophets who
lived during the reigns of the Kings. One of the main jobs of a prophet was to guide
the King in righteous behavior, and to rebuke him when he strayed. The prophets also
guided and rebuked the people at-large and warned them that improper behavior could lead
to national destruction. Some of the prophets are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nathan, Obadiah,
Elijah, Jonah.
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