Israel's Story of Salvation

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The term heilsgeschichte, or salvation history, was initially associated with J. C. K. von Hofmann in the 19th century, identifying God's interaction with ancient Israel. The Old Testament is not just a record of history, but one of sacred history specifically related to divine revelation, crafted to communicate God's message to humanity. Joshua presented a speech from the Lord, reviewing history from Abraham to the conquest: the call of the patriarchs, the plagues, deliverance from Egypt, and crossing the Red Sea. Joshua exhorted the people to fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness, pressing them to choose whom they would serve, and they affirmed their commitment. Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning the elders, leaders, judges and officials, and they presented themselves before God. This is what the Lord says: I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates, gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. Like Moses and Samuel before him, Joshua's farewell became a history lesson, so the people might exhibit faithfulness while stepping into the future.