Tola, from the tribe of Issachar, judged Israel for twenty-three years following Abimelech’s tumultuous rule, residing in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim, as briefly mentioned in Judges 10:1-2.
Shamgar, the third judge of Israel, delivered the nation from the Philistines by killing 600 of them with an ox goad, showcasing God’s ability to achieve great victories through seemingly ordinary means.
The Southern Kingdom of Judah, formed after the division of the united monarchy, was centered in Jerusalem and ruled by the descendants of David, experiencing periods of reform and decline before its conquest by Babylon in 586 BC.
Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and David’s grandson, was the first king of the Kingdom of Judah whose harsh policies led to the division of the united kingdom of Israel, resulting in continual conflicts and invasions during his reign.
Bethlehem, a small town in Judea, is renowned as the birthplace of Jesus Christ and King David, playing a crucial role in biblical history and Christian theology.
Zipporah, the Midianite wife of Moses and daughter of Jethro, played a significant role in Moses’ life, particularly noted for her quick action in circumcising their son to save Moses from God’s wrath, and later reuniting with him during the Exodus.
The Midianites, descendants of Abraham’s son Midian, were a nomadic people known for their interactions with key biblical figures and their conflicts with the Israelites, most notably during the time of the Judges.
Noah’s Ark, a massive vessel made of gopher wood and sealed with pitch, was built to specific dimensions to house Noah’s family and pairs of all animal species during the Great Flood, symbolizing God’s salvation and judgment.
The Ark of the Covenant, constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with gold, served as a sacred chest housing the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a pot of manna, symbolizing God’s presence and covenant with the Israelites.
The restoration of Israel is a prominent biblical theme involving God’s promise to return the Israelites to their land, foretold by prophets and seen historically in the return from Babylonian exile and in modern times with the establishment of Israel.
