Israel Under the Law of Moses

Summary of Israel Under the Law of Moses

The period of Israel under the Law of Moses lasted just over 1500 years from about 1440 BC when Moses received the Law including, but not limited to, the 10 commandments from God (the Father) or the LORD on Mount Sinai to about 30 AD. This latter time was when a new dispensation, administration of time, began with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the beginning of the Church after the completion of the first earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth the Son of God and fulfillment of the suffering parts of the promised Jewish Messiah of the Old Testament. In the Law of Moses there was not just the 10 commandments for regulations of the Israelites or Jewish people but altogether 613 commandments that comprise most of the Pentateuch or five books of Moses or five books of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. There were three main components of the Law of Moses: the ceremonial law such as regarding the sacrifices 7 Feast Days and dietary laws and the tabernacle or temple, the moral law (ethical guidelines including the Ten Commandments) and civil law such as rules for trade and government. The ordinaces of the law that had to do with the building of the tabernacle and the vessels of it and the vestments or clothing of the priests and high priest were not borrowed from Egypt or Sumeria or any other surrounding nation but were revealed directly from the LORD to Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus 25 to 31 and later in the book instructions were given to the Israelites to actually make the tabernacle and all its articles according to the pattern the LORD showed Moses on Mount Sinai (Horeb). These laws were very detailed and very strict and expected to be carefully enforced. God's purpose in that age was to give his blessing to Israel when they obeyed him and his laws and show how he and his people Israel had much higher moral and other standards or principles than the surrounding nations and their false gods. These laws were meant to attract the people of the surrounding nations to the God of Israel and His people Israel to join themselves to him because of His blessing Israel when they obeyed Him.

God first told Israel that he promised to give them the land he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants, the Jews, and they were to strive to possess it for God to worship him there in the promised land of Canaan or Israel (or sometimes called Palestine). This land was between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and from the Negev Desert in the south to the Euphrates River in the north especially in the vicinity of Syria. God expected the people or children of Israel to kill and drive out the idolatrous and immoral Canaanites that God considered to have forfeited their right to the land plus their being under the curse of Genesis 9 for their father Canaan's disrespect to Noah. This was partly achieved under Joshua and in the time of the Judges but wasn't more fully realized until the time of Israel's first kings, Saul and especially David. King David secured most of the promised land allotted to Israel and brought Israel to the height of her glory in God's sight, their own regard and in that of the other nations. This position of Israel at athe height of her power and glory to God continued in the reign of peace and prosperity of King Solomon but started to decline because of his immorality, idolatry and extravagant spending. This led to the breakup of the land of Israel into the northern 10 tribes of Israel and the 2 southern tribes of Judah for the remainder of Old Testament history.

All the kings of the northern kingdom were ungodly and the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity by the Assyrians in punishment about 720 BC (BCE). The southern kingdom had many evil kings but with occasional revivals and return to practice of the Law of Moses under some good kings like Jehoshaphat, Asa, Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah. However, they too eventually fell chronically into sin, self-centredness, immorality and idolatry and were taken captive by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar about 600 BC. Under the Babylonians there was a trial period for Judah under some puppet rulers of Judah like Gedaliah that failed resulting in a full destruction of Jerusalem and the 1st Temple or Solomon's Temple there and other parts of Judah.

In fulfillment of prophecy, 70 years later Jewish people, especially of the southern kingdom of Judah were allowed to return to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem by the Persian king Cyrus. Then a couple decades later in 445 BC also in fulfillment of Bible prophecy the Jews of Judah were allowed by another Persian king, Artaxerxes to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It is from this time of 445 BC the 70 weeks of years or 490 years of the times of the Gentiles when Israel would be ruled by foreign kings or emperors or leaders plus the whole Church age began. In the time of Jesus Christ, Israel was still under the Law of Moses with limited autonomy under the Sanhedrin or council of 70 chief priest led by the high priest but overuled by the Roman emperor Caesar. This continued to the end of the time of Israel under the law in the Bible with the the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in about 32 AD. However the end of Israel's limited autonomy and Temple worship happened to a fuller degree in history about a generation later in 70 AD with the destruction of the 2nd (Herod's) Jewish Temple and the city of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish people among the Gentiles or nations. It is from these same countries the Jews are now continuing to return to the land of Israel in these last days of the times of the Gentiles. This is in preparation for the 70th week of Daniel and then the Messianic Age both of which the God of the Bible will again work through and with the Jewish people on Earth rather than the Church which will be raptured or caught up to heaven immediatly before the 70th week of Daniel or tribulation.

Start of Dispensation of Law - the Giving Of the Law by the LORD to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19 About 1490 BC

It is stated in the first verse of this chapter that the LORD (God) called Moses, Aaron and some of the elders of Israel to go up to meet him and hear his commandments in the third month. This was shortly after passover which was when the Israelites left Egypt on the 14th day of the 1st month. The Jews or Israelites have traditionally believed God gave them the law on the 6th day of the third month when they celebrate the festival of Pentecost. This would be consistant with this scripture in Exodus 19 as it says Moses started his time in the third month probably on the third day. Although the scripture says that the LORD appeared on the 3rd day of the month Moses was down with the people at the base of Mount Sinai when the Ten Commandments were given. However in Exodus 24:16 the Bible says the LORD was in the cloud above mount Sinai for six days which would be the 3rd to 8th day of the 3rd month and that on the seventh day or the ninth day of the 3rd month God called out to Moses out of the cloud. This could still mean the Ten Commandments were given on the 6th day of the 3rd month but I think the 3rd day is just as likely. The term the LORD that is much used in these chapters of Exodus 19 and 20 and other parts of the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures especially the rest of the Torah or Law of Moses or Pentateuch is also referred to as Jehovah or Yahweh. Most born again Christians including myself would see these as references to God the Father. It should be pointed out as there is much confusion on this point including with genuine or professing Christians that books like Romans and Galatians in the New Testament make it clear that Christians or the Church are not bound to keep the ceremonial part of the Law of Moses. This includes laws regarding the sacrifices etc connected to the tabernacle or temple or the civil law about how to govern society by the Law in all its details. Christians however are to heed but aren't saved by keeping the moral law such as the Ten Commandments. For this present Church Age God uses the Law to show people Jew and Gentile of his lofty standards and that the Law only condemns us because we can't keep it fully and that we should seek salvation by God's grace through faith in the perfect sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ (Messiah) now. After the rapture of the Church God will again use the Law or a variation of the Law in the 70th week of Daniel or the tribulation and in the Messianic Kingdom. However this view of the law will then be in association with believing that His Son Jesus Christ uniquely completely fulfilled the Law of Moses and paid the price of death and the shedding of blood for all of us coming short of keeping the Law. The scripture here states that all the Israelites were camped around Mount Sinai at this time. There is an ongoing debate as to the exact location of Mount Sinai with the traditional view that it was Jebal Musa the Mountain of Moses and I believe this view was popularized by Constantine in the 4th century AD. This is in the southern Sinai peninsula. A good alternative however, with growing archaelogical evidence including remains of many chariot wheels in the nearby part of the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqaba) is Mount Luz or I think the mount of almonds in the territory of the former Midianites in what is now north west Saudi Arabia. There is a large enough plain for the Israelites to have gathered there and local people believe this is the location of the original Mount Sinai. Moses then went out of the camp of the Israelites to meet God and God gave Moses a message for the children of Israel. God told Moses to remind the Israelites of his protection (bearing them on eagle's wings) and delivering them from slavery in Egypt. God also promised the Israelites today the Jews and some who call themselves the sons of Israel that if they obeyed him he would make a covenant with them and that they would be to him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Scripture Reference from Exodus 19 of Moses Going Up to Mount Sinai to Meet God to Receive His Law for the People of Israel About 1490 BC

In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:1-6

Communication Between Moses, the Elders, the People of Israel and the LORD (God) in Preparation for the LORD (God) Coming Down to Mount Sinai on the 3rd Day of the 3rd Month in Exodus 19 About 1490 BC

Next Moses gathered the elders of Israel and told them what God had just told him in offering to make a covenant with Israel if they obeyed him. The people of Israel were also then told about God's offer of a covenant with them and they vowed to keep all of God's commandments (before they really knew what they were or pondered on what keeping these commandments would mean in practice). Moses then relayed their response to the LORD (God). The LORD then announced to Moses that he would very soon appear to him on Mount Sinai in part so the people would respect Moses as sent from God. Moses also told the LORD the response of the people to the LORD's offer of a covenant with them to make them his chosen earthly people. The LORD then instructed Moses to sanctify the people and to prepare them for the 3rd day of the 3rd month when the LORD would come down to Mount Sinai in the sight of the people and speak to Moses on Mount Sinai. God then instructed Moses to tell the people of Israel not to go up to Mount Sinai or even touch the base of it or let their animals touch it. This was to avoid being put to death at least until they heard the sound of the trumpet blast. They were also to wash their clothes and the men were not to have sex with their wives before the third day or of course with anyone else. The scripture reference in Exodus 19 of God instructing Moses to tell the people how to prepare for His coming down to Mount Sinai on the 3rd day of the 3rd month is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Exodus 19 Regarding God Preparing the People of Israel For His Coming Down to Mount Sinai in Their Sight on the 3rd Day of the 3rd Month About 1490 BC

And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak unto thee, and believe thee (you) for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. Exodus 19:7-15

The LORD Comes Down To Mount Sinai in Much Power and Awe and Moses Comes into His Presence on the 3rd Day of the 3rd Month from Exodus 19 About 1490 BC

On the 3rd day of the 3rd month the LORD (God) fulfilled his word and came to the top of Mount Sinai with much thunder and lightning in a thick cloud and a loud sound of a trumpet. This caused the people of Israel at the base of the mountain to tremble. When the LORD came out of the cloud to the top of Mount Sinai he came in fire and caused smoke to rise up from the top of the mountain and Mount Sinai to quake extensively. As the sound of the trumpet got louder and louder Moses spoke to God and God responded including instructing Moses to come up to the top of Mount Sinai. The LORD instructed Moses to forbid the people and the priests from breaking through to Mount Sinai so they wouldn't be killed and that Moses should go down to meet Aaron his brother and bring him up onto Mount Sinai as well. Moses also spoke to the people of Israel when he went down off Mount Sinai. The scripture reference from Exodus 19 of the LORD coming down to Mount Sinai in power and awe and speaking to Moses to prepare the people for the giving of the Law of Moses starting on the 3rd day of the 3rd month is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Exodus 19 of The LORD Coming Down to Mount Sinai in Power and Awe on the 3rd Day of the 3rd Month Before Giving the Ten Commandments to Israel About 1490 BC

And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargest us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. So Moses went down unto the people and spake unto them. Exodus 19:16-25

The LORD Giving the Ten Commandments to the People of Israel from Mount Sinai On or Beginning On the 3rd Day of the 3rd Month from Exodus 20 About 1490 BC

The LORD (God) amidst all this powerful and awesome spectacle of the thunder, lightning, earthquake and trumpet blast associated with His presence on Mount Sinai gave the core of but not the only part of the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses is regulations to the children of Israel and that is also of profit for the whole human race as moral guidelines and expectations. The first four commandments are of God's expectations of Israel and to some extent of all human beings toward Himself and the last six are God's commandments of how we are to treat our fellow human beings. It is a sad commentary on society and an indication of the lack of reverential fear or respect for God that although most people in today's society still respect and usually keep the last six commandments not many people especially people who aren't committed Christians or Jews keep the first four commandments. These first four commandments have to do with our relationship with God. The scripture passage in Exodus 20 of the Ten Commandments that form the core of the Law of Moses is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Exodus 20 of the LORD Giving the Ten Commandments Making the Core of the Law of Moses from Mount Sinai On or Shortly After the 3rd Day of the 3rd Month About 1490 BC

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Exodus 20:1-17

Response of the People of Israel to the LORD Appearing on Mount Sinai and Giving the Ten Commandments and Further Instructions for Worship from Exodus 20 About 1490 BC

The LORD appeared in power and awe with the thunder and lightning and smoke and fire and earthquake and the trumpet blast and spoke the Ten Commandments to the Israelites from Mount Sinai. The people responded by drawing back from Mount Sinai and asked Moses that God not speak to them directly but through Moses as their mediator. Moses then told them the LORD (God) had appeared to them in this way so they would have a (revential) fear of Him. Moses then approached the LORD again on Mount Sinai and the LORD told Moses to tell the people of Israel that He had talked with them from Heaven. The LORD (God) also instructed Moses to tell the people of Israel or the Jews and sons of Israel that they were not to make idols or gods of silver or gold. Instead they were to make an altar of earth to worship the LORD. This is what was done by the Jews or Israelites with the Tabernacle and then the Temple of Solomon and the second temple or Zerubbabel's Temple and probably the later version of it in Herod's Temple. This is also what groups like The Temple Institute are planning as part of the Third Temple that they say will be in the Messianic Kingdom but as Christians we believe will be in the 7 year tribulation. The altar of the Messianic Kingdom Temple mentioned in Ezekiel 44 will probably also be of earth. It was on this place that the sacrifices of sheep, oxen and other animals were to be offered to the LORD as burnt offerings, peace offerings or other offerings such as sin and trespass offerings. God later instructs the Israelites that these offerings should just be at the place he would choose. However at first after Israel left Egypt they set up the tabernacle wherever they stopped in the journeys of Israel through the wilderness to make offerings to the LORD. When Israel or the Jews arrived in the promised land the tabernacle and altar were first set up in Shiloh in the territory of the Ephraimites. Later under Kings David and Solomon the tabernacle was moved to the former location of the threshing floor of Aruanah (Ornan) the Jebusite on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem that King David bought from him for some pieces of silver. This is also the location of Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple and the current Temple Mount where the Jews want to build the Third Temple but are being hindered by the presence of the Muslim Dome of the Rock that is very holy to Muslims on the same location. The priests were also to take precautions to serve God at the altar in a holy way. The scripture reference in Exodus 20 of the response of the Jews or Israelites to the LORD's appearance on Mount Sinai and giving them the Ten Commandments and the further instructions God gives through Moses for the Israelites to worship Him are as follows:

Scripture Reference from Exodus 20 of Response of the Jews or Israelites to Awesome and Powerful Appearance of the LORD on Mount Sinai and His Giving Them the Ten Commandments and Further Instructions for Worshipping Him About 1490 BC

And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. Exodus 20:18-26

Table of Sacrifices Made on the Altar of Sacrifice at the Tabernacle Then the Temple in Jerusalem

Table of Furniture in the Tabernacle (and Temple), Their Use, New Covenant Application and Current Prophetic Status

Israel Carrying the Ark of the Covenant Distinct from Supposed Counterparts of Egypt and Mesopotamia from Numbers 10

The barque or box superficially resembling the ark of the covenant of the Egyptians and the palenquin of the Mesopotamians or those of Sumer were also boxes used for religious purposes and which were associated with their deity (deities) as the Ark of the Covenant was associated with the God of Israel but there were also major differences as well. This includes the fact that the ark like vessels of the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians actually contained the god(s) associated with a given festival and it was believed by them that in this way the gods could be transported from place to place through transporting their physical idols or images. However with the God of Israel this definitely wasn't the case. Although sometimes as with the march around Jericho and crossing the Jordan River when the Israelites first came into the promised land and later when the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines God gave power associated with the Ark of the Covenant God was not then or ever actually in the Ark of the Covenant. The things in the Ark of the Covenant were the stone tables of the ten commandments, the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded which of course were not the God of Israel but just tokens of His acting on behalf of His chosen earthly people Israel. Another point of distinction between the God of Israel and the Ark of the Covenant on one hand and the outwardly similiar boxes of the Egyptians and Sumerians is that the God of Israel in the journeys with the Ark of the Covenant moved in His glory above and distinct from the Ark of the Covenant unlike the gods of the heathen Egyptians and Sumerians that were viewed as contained in the idols or images within their boxes for their gods. The Egyptian box was called a barque probably because it was shaped like a boat while the box of the Sumerians was probably a more similiar shape as the Ark of the Covenant with a rectangular shape. The scripture reference from Numbers 10 of the God of Israel as not contained in the Ark of the Covenant but his glory moving with but above the Ark of the Covenant and procession of the Israelites through the wilderness is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Numbers 10 of the God of Israel Not Contained in But Independent of and Above the Ark of the Covenant in the Procession of His Chosen Earthly People Through the Wilderness

And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. And they departed from the mount of the LORD (Mount Sinai or Mount Horeb) three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, whey they went out of the camp. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel. Numbers 10:32-36

Description of the Faithless Report of the Majority of the Israeli Spies To The Promised Land and Its Possible Implications From Numbers 13 in 1490 BC

The twelve spies all brought back a report to Moses and the people of Israel what they had seen in the promised land of Canaan or Israel according to their journeys there for 40 days. None of the spies denied it was a good and fruitful land with all of them saying it was a land of milk and honey. However, immediately after that the 10 spies that returned the faithless report shifted focus to the existing inhabitants that they were strong and had great fortifications. However Caleb, one of the faithful spies with Joshua, gave a more faithful report which looked not just at what Israel could do with their own strength but that with God's strength the Israelites could get the victory over their adversaries in the promised land and that the Israelites could take possession of it as God promised them. The ten spies then spoke and re-emphasized Israel's standing in their own strength in their own sight and what they thought they would be without God's help in the sight of the people of the land. God called their report an evil report. According to verse 20 of this chapter, this was the time of firstripe grapes which was probably in early August or late July in the western calendar. The Jews have a tradition to this day perhaps in some of their other writings like in the Talmud that the day the majority of the spies brought the evil report became a day God has cursed on their calendar from that time to the present and that will last until the start of the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom. This day is the infamous Tisha B'Av or ninth of the Jewish month (the fifth month) of Av which is part of July and August on the western calendar. Some notable things that definitely happened on that day were the destructions of the 1st (Solomon's) in about 586 BC and the 2nd (Herod's) in 70 AD Temples and probably other more recent events such as the inquisition in Spain and perhaps the beginning of the so-called final solution of Adolf Hitler to try to kill all the Jews in World War 2. There is a scripture in Zechariah 8 that says the Ninth of Av and some other Fast Days assciated with the destruction of Solomon's Temple and mentioned in Jeremiah will become joyful feasts in the Messianic Kingdom. Anyway whether the return of the faithless report by the majority of the 12 Israeli spies of the promised land was on the Ninth of Av or not I can't say for sure but at least it would have been clearly the right time of the year and would be close if it wasn't the exact date. However it the faithless report of the spies of the land of Israel was on that day God could have taken great offence to that beyond the 40 years wandering in the wilderness in his punishment for the Jewish people. A lifting of this curse on the Ninth of Av in the Messianic Kingdom would also make sense with this interpretation since then the Jewish people will be in their land permanently including the New Earth never to be scattered again to the ends of the earth. The Jews continue to return to the land of Israel right now and this is preparing for the Messianic Kingdom although there will be the 7 year tribulation for the Jews and the nations before the Messianic Kingdom. The scripture reference in Numbers 13 of the faithless report of the majority of the Israelite spies into the promised land is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Numbers 13 of the Faithless Report of the Majority of Israelite Spies Into the Promised Land in 1490 BC

And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:26-33

Moses Carries Out God's Command to Appoint Joshua as His Successor to Lead Israel or the Jews to Possess the Land of Canaan or the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 31 About 1450 BC

The LORD reminded Moses that he was very old and about to die and have to give up leadership of the people of Israel. God instructed Moses to call Joshua as the appointed heir to his leadership and bring him with Moses to the tabernacle where the LORD dwelt. When Moses and Joshua were in the tabernacle, then the LORD appeared to them in a pillar of cloud at the door of the tabernacle. There the LORD revealed to Moses that he would very shortly die then the people of Israel would rebel against the LORD and his leadership and fall away from him to worship false gods or idols. This would then arouse the anger of the LORD against his chosen earthly people Israel and he would discipline them by withdrawing his protection and allow them to go through trials. This would cause the Israelites or Jews to think why these troubles came upon them and that it would likely be because God had withdrawn his presence and protection from them because they withdrew from His principles and precepts. Although it doesn't say it very clearly here, other scriptures make clear that when the Israelites called out to the LORD after they went through troubles due to their forsaking him for false gods and other lawlessness, God would have mercy and restore his presence and protection to them. The LORD will to the greatest extent restore his blessing, presence and protection to Israel or the Jews after they call out to him in the tribulation or time of Jacob's trouble for their ungodliness. Also in this case God will move to repentance His chosen earthly people the Jews for not previously in general recognizing their Messiah in Jesus of Nazareth. Most of the Jews of people of Israel, about 80% both in Israel and in North America are secular and don't even make much effort to follow the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament and more follow secular humanism or the New Age Movement which are not compatible with serving and trusting first in the God of Israel with their lives. The LORD is probably upset too that the civil laws of the nation of Israel are based mostly on English and Ottoman Turkish law and not on the Torah or other Jewish scriptures and are in same cases becoming more ungodly. The LORD is angry with this situation as He was when the Israelites weren't following Him or serving Him in Old Testament days and God urge them to come back to Him and wholeheartedly trust in Him. The Jews or the nation of Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah after they have been betrayed by the Antichrist or false Messiah in the tribulation and Jesus or Y'Shua as the true Messiah comes again in power and great glory at the end of the tribulation or 70th week of Daniel. The scripture reference from Deuteronomy 31 of the LORD transferring his position of authority from Moses to Joshua over his chosen earthly people Israel just before they went into the promised land of Canaan or Israel to possess it is as follows. Also covered is the LORD's prediction that when Israel got comfortably established in the promised land they would turn from him to the false gods of those nations.

Scripture Reference from Deuteronomy 31 of the LORD Transferring His Leadership Over Israel From Moses to Joshua and His Prediction Israel Would Forsake Him When in the Promised Land About 1450 BC

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle. And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they shall say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them for a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee (you). Deuternomy 31:14-23

Twelve Tribes of Israel Courtesy Ryrie Study Bible from the Moody Bible Institute

God Parts the Jordan River to Allow Joshua and the Israelites to Pass Over It to the Promised Land Of Israel From Moab on the Other Side of Jordan in Joshua 3 in 1451 BC

On the day on which God set for Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land, according to the instructions from the LORD, the priests that bore the ark of the covenant went first. When the feet of these priests dipped into the JOrdan River, the Jordan River backed up on both sides of where they were standing so they and the rest of the Israelites could cross the Jordan River on dry land as God had caused with the Red Sea about 40 years earlier. The rest of the Israelites followed the priests and crossed into the promised land of Israel around Jericho which is still a city in Israel until this day although now it is partly under the juerisdiction of the Palestinian Arabs. In verse 17 the scripture just confirms the priests and all Israel passed over where the Jordan River normally is on dry ground and then stood safely on Israeli soil of what was then the land of Canaan that God had given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and their descendants for an inheritance. The rest of the book of Joshau is the inspired account of the Israelites as God's chosen earthly people fighting with God's help to secure the land of Israel or Canaan God had promised them. The scripture reference from Joshua 3 of God bringing the Israelites safely across the Jordan River by blocking it up so the Israelites could go across on dry land is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Joshua 3 of the Israelites Crossing the Jordan River Onto the Promised Land of Israel or Canaan in 1451 BC

And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. Joshua 3:14-17

Departure of Israel from Serving the LORD Soon After They Arrived in the Promised Land After the Time of Joshua in Judges 2 About 1420 BC

God states that his chosen earthly people of Israel served him all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua or through the next generation. This is also a credit to Joshua as it means he was faithful to God to oversee the teaching of God's word and ways to the next generation. This is something that is sorely needed at this time with godly parents as well in this time of lawlessness or worldliness. However the next generation, two generations after Joshua and one generation after the elders that outlived Joshua arose that had not been taught in the things of the LORD or to honour the LORD. Alternatively as the passage here said they knew not the LORD or didn't have a relationship with Him or his works that he had done for Israel such as delivering them from Egypt or giving them the victory over their enemies to occupy the promised land. This new generation probably relied on their own understanding instead of the word of God at that time only the Law of Moses to make their decisions. This probably led them to think they should be more broadminded and permit evil and the religion of the people of the land - the Canaanites or the surrounding peoples such as the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Egyptians or Syrians. The Israelites as a result served Baalim which was the male fertility god and sun god of the Canaanites. This also made the Israelites despise the LORD and forsake him as they might have thought he wasn't permissive enough as they could do with the immorality in serving Baal. They also served Ashtoreth which was the Canaanite form of the female fertility goddess or mother goddess. This caused the LORD to get angry because of Israel's unfaithfulness even though he made a covenant with them with Abraham and Moses and had delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Because they wouldn't honour God and His principles God withdrew His protection of Israel and allowed their enemies to defeat and enslave them. After a while Israel became very distressed or anxious and dispirited. The scripture reference in Judges 2 of the departure of Israel from serving the LORD shortly after the death of Joshua when they were in the promised land of Israel or Canaan is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Judges 2 of the Departure of Israel from Serving the LORD Soon After They Came Into the Promised Land of Canaan or Israel After the Death of Joshua About 1420 BC

And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. And also that generation were gathered unto their fathers(buried): and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtoreth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever (wherever) they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Judges 2:7-15

God's Instituting Judges to Govern Israel in the Early Period When They Were in the Land of Israel in Judges 2 Starting About 1420 BC

After the death of Moses and Joshua God saw that he couldn't always get great men to lead his people without some more structure or authority. God therefore established the system of judges to raise up men that would deliver his chosen earthly people Israel when the nation fell into sin and departing from God. At this time of falling into sin God led Israel to call out to Him for deliverance from their enemies and their gods(empowered by evil spirits or demons). The judges of Israel were also to provide godly leadership after they delivered Israel from their sin and their enemies. However God shares through the author of the Book of Judges that often in this time of apostasy or willful sin against God in this time of the judges Israel often disobeyed or ignored God's righteous leadership through his judges. This was even though God was with these godly judges as long as they judged or ruled Israel. A main reason God sent these judges was because it grieved God to hear the groanings of His people Israel when they became oppressed by the other nations when God withdrew his protection when they forsook Him and His law. The Israelites would often follow the righteous judges and the LORD as long as the judge lived but when the judges died they then went right back into sin and following their own ways instead of God's ways especially the worshipping of false gods and accompanying idolatry and other sin. This cycle consists partly of obedience under a godly judge, departing from God and the godly rule of the judge when they died into idolatry and other sin, God giving the Israelites then into the hand of their enemies. This cycle also consisted of the Israelites' eventually crying out to God for deliverance from their oppression and misery and God raising up another righteous judge to deliver them. This cycle continued through the period of the judges for the next 300 years from about 1400 to 1100 BC until the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel under its first king Saul. The scripture reference from Judges 2 of the institution of righteous judges for the LORD to rule Israel and their only partial or temporary heed to them and God and the necessity of God to deliver Israel from her enemies with a further judge is as follows:

Scripture Reference in Judges 2 of the Institution of Judges for the LORD to Deliver and Give Godly Rule Over His Earthly People Israel in the First Part of Their History in Their Land from About 1400 to 1100 BC

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. And when the LORD raised up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD(the LORD regretted) because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. Judges 2:16-19

Death of Samuel the Last and Most Godly of the Judges from I Samuel 8 in About 1100 BC

Samuel was by far the most godly of the judges of Israel and made provision for his sons to be judges of Israel following his death. Probably in significant part because he spent much time away from home exercising his office of judge to establish and build up people in the Law of Moses and in devotion to the God of Israel Samuel didn't spend as much time as he should have with his children. This is probably what caused his sons to have rebellious or ungodly behaviour such as being covetous, taking bribes and being corrupt in their office of judges. This corruption of Samuel's sons who were taking up the office of judges after him as well as the awareness Israel probably had of the worldly glory of the kings of some of the surrounding countries were reasons for the increasing disfavour of the institution of the judges in Israel. These countries included Syria, Moab, Edom, Phoenicia, Ammon and probably especially Egypt and their royal offices persuaded the people of Israel that they wanted to replace their system of leadership with judges by a heriditary monarchy. Part of the intention of the rule of Israel under the judges was that the LORD would be their foremost king. In the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom the LORD (God) will take the best of the system of the kings and the judges to rule Israel and the entire world. The Messiah (Jesus) will then to be their King in the line of David with judges ruling under him and king David himself carrying out some of the worship of the LORD and the Messiah King in the Messianic Kingdom Temple described by Ezekiel at the end of his book. The scripture reference of the end of the period of judges ruling Israel after Samuel and the people of Israel asking for a king to rule them in 1 Samuel 8 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 8 of Ending of the Period of Judges with Death of Samuel and the People of Israel Asking to Be Ruled by a King in About 1100 BC

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of the firstborn was Joel; and the name of the second was, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre (money), and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 1 Samuel 8:1-6

The LORD Considered the Rejection by the People of Israel of the Rule of Israel by the Judges as a Rejection of His Rule Over the People of Israel in 1 Samuel 8 About 1100 BC

After the initial demand by the Jews or people of Israel for a king to replace the rule by the judges, the LORD took Samuel aside, who was the last and most faithful of the judges. The LORD shared with Samuel that the people had not rejected him, Samuel, but rejected the LORD who during the period of the judges reigned over Israel through the judges. The LORD shared further with Samuel that he was displeased with all the sins of Israel in forsaking him for other gods and generally acting by self-will instead of yielding their will to the LORD to keep his commandments they were also doing to Samuel. This was because the people of Israel asked for a king instead of yielding to God's instructions through Samuel to continue with judges and following God's commandments through him. Then the LORD told Samuel to condescend to the people of Israel's request for a king but to warn them that they would pay a heavy price for having a king that they would probably resent later on. The scripture reference in 1 Samuel 8 of the LORD's reaction to Israel's request for a king and His considering this a rejection of His rule over them is as follows:

Scripture Reference in 1 Samuel 8 of The LORD's Response to Israel's Request for a King and Considering it a Rejection of His Rule Through the Judges About 1100 BC

And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit (however) yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 1 Samuel 8:7-9

Characteristics Expected of a King That Would Reign Over Israel From 1 Samuel 8 About 1100 BC

After the LORD told Samuel that Israel had not rejected him but the LORD Himself who ruled through the judges when they rejected the institution of the judges and asked to replace them with a king, Samuel at the LORD's instruction told Israel some characteristics they could expect of a king. Samuel told the people of Israel that a king would probably take the sons of Israel and put them in his army to fight his battles. Samuel further said the king would use the sons of Israel to help harvest his fields and to make instruments of war and chariots or vehicles for war. Samuel added the kings of Israel would take the daughters of Israel to make sweets, to cook and to bake food at least in part for the king and his administrators. Samuel also said from the LORD that the kings of Israel would take the best of the olive fields and vineyards and other prime produce land and give them to his officials. Samuel also said it would be likely the kings of Israel would implement tithes or other taxes of the grain, the vineyards and other produce or products and give them to his officials and government servants. Samuel also said the king would likely tithe their livestock and that the people themselves would be the servants of the king. Finally Samuel warned the people from the LORD that they would cry out to the LORD for mercy from the rule of their king when the kingdom became established but that the LORD wouldn't hear them. The scripture reference from 1 Samuel 8 of the characteristics the LORD warns his chosen earthly people Israel to expect through his servant Samuel of a king is as follows:

Scripture Reference From 1 Samuel 8 of Characteristics the LORD Warns His Earthly People Israel To Expect From a King About 1100 BC

And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen: and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 1 Samuel 8:10-18

Saul Chosen to Be King Partly Because of His Imposing and Attractive Appearance from 1 Samuel 9 About 1095 BC

One of the requests from the people of Israel for a king was that they might have a king like all the other nations. Among other things this meant someone who would have an imposing appearance and probably personality which some of the other nations would look to for their leadership and inspiration instead of the one true God of the Bible in their kings. God granted in Saul the son of Kish a man with a goodly (attractive) appearance and an imposing build (from his shoulders upward he was higher than any of the people). However as Israel would later learn appearance isn't everything and a character flaw of Saul would lead to much misery for him and some misery and humiliation for the nation of Israel. The scripture passage identifying the first king of Israel in 1 Kings 9 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 9 of Identification of Saul as Someone With an Imposing Appearance to Be First King of Israel About 1095 BC

Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 1 Kings 9:1-2

Saul Annointed First King of Israel and Given the Holy Spirit from 1 Samuel 10 in 1095 BC

After meeting with Saul and talking with him for a while, Samuel annointed him the first king of Israel with a vial or bowl of oil that he poured over his head and confirmed that Saul was to lead the LORD's inheritance or the people of Israel. Samuel implied to Saul to comfort his father who he wouldn't be able to spend as much time with when he became king. Saul was then to go to Bethel on the way to which he would meet three men with some wine and bread from which he was to receive two loaves of bread. Saul was then to go to the hill of God near where Israel's enemies the Philistines were and where he would meet some prophets coming down from the high place with musical instruments and who would prophesy. This was the setting in which when Saul obeyed it he would receive the Holy Spirit and would become as another (more godly) man. Saul began well as king by obeying these instructions and as a result receiving the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately he soon showed his character flaw and his true nature with a self-willed heart that wasn't faithful to keep God's commandments to him and eventually led to God's rejection of him as king. The scripture reference of the annointing as the first king of Israel of Saul and the LORD giving him his Holy Spirit in 1 Samuel 10 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 10 of the Annointing of Saul as First King of Israel and the LORD Giving His Holy Spirit on Saul in 1095 BC

Then Samuel took a vial (bowl) of oil, and poured it upon Saul's head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath annointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is a garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 1 Samuel 10:1-6

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