OVERVIEW
Theme of The Bible
"God purposes to bring glory to HIMSELF by establishing HIS KINGDOM through redemptive history."
"To bring glory to HIMSELF by establishing God’s Kingdom through the unfolding of redemptive history."
"To bring glory to HIMSELF by establishing God’s Kingdom through the unfolding of redemptive history."
5 Reasons to Study The Old Testament
1) The Bible used by Christ and the Apostles was the Old Testament.
2) When the New Testament refers to the “SCRIPTURES” it refers to the Old Testament.
3) Two decades after Christ, when the early church was quickly spreading, the basis for preaching and teaching was the Old Testament
Act 13:26 – 41..."Brethren, sons of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled {these} by condemning {Him.} And though they found no ground for {putting Him to} death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this {promise} to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.' {As for the fact} that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY {and} SURE {blessings} OF DAVID.' Therefore He also says in another {Psalm,} 'YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.' For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon {you:} 'BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH; FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.'" (NASB)
Act 15:14 – 18..."With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 'AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,' SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO." (NASB)
Act 24:14..."But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets..." (NASB)
Act 26:22...""So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place..." (NASB)
Act 26:27..."King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." (NASB)
4) Jesus attitude toward the Old Testament...
He considered it inspired authority
Matthew 1:22..."Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet..." (NASB)
Matthew 2:15..."He remained there until the death of Herod. {This was} to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON." (NASB)
Matthew 4:1 – 11..."Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON {their} HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and {began} to minister to Him." (NASB)
Its teachings were intended to deal with the heart not rituals
Matthew 15:6 – 9..."...he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And {by this} you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" (NASB)
Matthew 15:18 – 20..."But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." (NASB)
The Old Testament was personally fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Matthew 5:17 – 18..."Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (NASB)
5) The Old Testament is part of the God-breathed Scripture
2nd Timothy 3:16..."All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness..." (NASB)
2) When the New Testament refers to the “SCRIPTURES” it refers to the Old Testament.
3) Two decades after Christ, when the early church was quickly spreading, the basis for preaching and teaching was the Old Testament
Act 13:26 – 41..."Brethren, sons of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled {these} by condemning {Him.} And though they found no ground for {putting Him to} death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this {promise} to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.' {As for the fact} that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY {and} SURE {blessings} OF DAVID.' Therefore He also says in another {Psalm,} 'YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.' For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon {you:} 'BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH; FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.'" (NASB)
Act 15:14 – 18..."With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 'AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,' SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO." (NASB)
Act 24:14..."But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets..." (NASB)
Act 26:22...""So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place..." (NASB)
Act 26:27..."King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." (NASB)
4) Jesus attitude toward the Old Testament...
He considered it inspired authority
Matthew 1:22..."Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet..." (NASB)
Matthew 2:15..."He remained there until the death of Herod. {This was} to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON." (NASB)
Matthew 4:1 – 11..."Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON {their} HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and {began} to minister to Him." (NASB)
Its teachings were intended to deal with the heart not rituals
Matthew 15:6 – 9..."...he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And {by this} you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" (NASB)
Matthew 15:18 – 20..."But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." (NASB)
The Old Testament was personally fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Matthew 5:17 – 18..."Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (NASB)
5) The Old Testament is part of the God-breathed Scripture
2nd Timothy 3:16..."All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness..." (NASB)
The Literature of The Old Testament
Hebrew is the language that God used to write almost all the Old Testament.
Hebrew was originally written without vowels.
About 500 A.D., the Masoretes added vowel symbols to Hebrew text.
Most people use the Hebrew Bible which is from the Masoretic Text.
Aramaic is the other language used...
Jeremiah 10:11..."Thus you shall say to them, "The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens." (NASB)
Daniel 2:4 – 7:28
Ezra 4:8 – 6:18
The types of literature in the Old Testament...Historical narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Allegory, Prophecy, Apocalyptic, Figures of Speech.
The 39 books collected in The Old Testament constitute only a fraction of the literature produced by Ancient Israel. This remains supported by The Old Testament itself, which frequently makes reference to literature that we no longer have at our disposal, details from which the biblical authors borrowed from time to time. ¨Among these lost works was The Book of The Righteous, which appears to have contained a number of ancient national songs. The document, which is quoted twice in The Old Testament, probably dates from the time of David and Solomon. Quotations are as follows...
Joshua 10:12b – 13a..."Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go {down} for about a whole day." (NASB)
2nd Samuel 1:19 – 27..."Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How have the mighty fallen! "Tell {it} not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. "O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. "Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. "O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. "How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!" (NASB)
1 Kings 8:12 – 13..." Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. "I have surely built You a lofty house, A place for Your dwelling forever." (NASB)
An even older document, related to The Book of Righteous, is the no longer existing Book of The Wars of Yahweh (or YHWH). Its quotes are as follows...
Numbers 21:14 – 18..."Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, "Waheb in Suphah, And the wadis of the Arnon, And the slope of the wadis That extends to the site of Ar, And leans to the border of Moab." From there {they continued} to Beer, that is the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Assemble the people, that I may give them water." Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well! Sing to it! "The well, which the leaders sank, Which the nobles of the people dug, With the scepter {and} with their staffs." And from the wilderness {they continued} to Mattanah..." (NASB)
Judges 5 (Song of Deborah)
Besides poetic texts, Ancient Israel likewise possessed a number of historical works that have not been passed down to us. They are as follows...
The Book of The Chronicles of The Kings of Israel (2nd Kings 15:31..."Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel." (NASB))
The Book of The Chronicles of The Kings of Judah (2nd Kings 16:19..."Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?" (NASB))
The Book of The History of Solomon (1st Kings 11:41..."Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?" (NASB))
The author of Chronicles makes reference to...
The Book of The Kings of Judah and Israel (2nd Chronicles 16:11, 25:26, 27:7, 28:26, 32:32, 35:27, and 36:8)
The Book of The Kings of Israel (1st Chronicles 9:1..."So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness." (NASB)) and (2nd Chronicles 20:34..."Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel." (NASB))
The History of The Kings of Israel (2nd Chronicles 33:18..."Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh even his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are among the records of the kings of Israel." (NASB))
The Explanation of The Book of Kings (2nd Chronicles 24:27..."As to his sons and the many oracles against him and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the treatise of the Book of the Kings. Then Amaziah his son became king in his place." (NASB))
The important archaeological discoveries that were made during the 19th and 20th Centuries A.D. in the Near East have shed significant light on Ancient Israelite literature in general and on The Old Testament in particular. Where commentaries in the past endeavored to understand The Old Testament as an entirely unique document, archaeological discoveries have made it apparent that the literary genres encountered in The Hebrew Bible exhibit, as a rule, various degrees of kinship with other Ancient Near Eastern literature. The characteristics that the documents of The Old Testament share with those stemming from The Mesopotamian, Hittite, Egyptian, and Canaanite worlds are numerous indeed. Ancient Israel did not exist in cultural isolation with its own typical and entirely unique civilization.
Hebrew was originally written without vowels.
About 500 A.D., the Masoretes added vowel symbols to Hebrew text.
Most people use the Hebrew Bible which is from the Masoretic Text.
Aramaic is the other language used...
Jeremiah 10:11..."Thus you shall say to them, "The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens." (NASB)
Daniel 2:4 – 7:28
Ezra 4:8 – 6:18
The types of literature in the Old Testament...Historical narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Allegory, Prophecy, Apocalyptic, Figures of Speech.
The 39 books collected in The Old Testament constitute only a fraction of the literature produced by Ancient Israel. This remains supported by The Old Testament itself, which frequently makes reference to literature that we no longer have at our disposal, details from which the biblical authors borrowed from time to time. ¨Among these lost works was The Book of The Righteous, which appears to have contained a number of ancient national songs. The document, which is quoted twice in The Old Testament, probably dates from the time of David and Solomon. Quotations are as follows...
Joshua 10:12b – 13a..."Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go {down} for about a whole day." (NASB)
2nd Samuel 1:19 – 27..."Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How have the mighty fallen! "Tell {it} not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. "O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. "Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. "O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. "How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!" (NASB)
1 Kings 8:12 – 13..." Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. "I have surely built You a lofty house, A place for Your dwelling forever." (NASB)
An even older document, related to The Book of Righteous, is the no longer existing Book of The Wars of Yahweh (or YHWH). Its quotes are as follows...
Numbers 21:14 – 18..."Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, "Waheb in Suphah, And the wadis of the Arnon, And the slope of the wadis That extends to the site of Ar, And leans to the border of Moab." From there {they continued} to Beer, that is the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Assemble the people, that I may give them water." Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well! Sing to it! "The well, which the leaders sank, Which the nobles of the people dug, With the scepter {and} with their staffs." And from the wilderness {they continued} to Mattanah..." (NASB)
Judges 5 (Song of Deborah)
Besides poetic texts, Ancient Israel likewise possessed a number of historical works that have not been passed down to us. They are as follows...
The Book of The Chronicles of The Kings of Israel (2nd Kings 15:31..."Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel." (NASB))
The Book of The Chronicles of The Kings of Judah (2nd Kings 16:19..."Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?" (NASB))
The Book of The History of Solomon (1st Kings 11:41..."Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?" (NASB))
The author of Chronicles makes reference to...
The Book of The Kings of Judah and Israel (2nd Chronicles 16:11, 25:26, 27:7, 28:26, 32:32, 35:27, and 36:8)
The Book of The Kings of Israel (1st Chronicles 9:1..."So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness." (NASB)) and (2nd Chronicles 20:34..."Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel." (NASB))
The History of The Kings of Israel (2nd Chronicles 33:18..."Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh even his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are among the records of the kings of Israel." (NASB))
The Explanation of The Book of Kings (2nd Chronicles 24:27..."As to his sons and the many oracles against him and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the treatise of the Book of the Kings. Then Amaziah his son became king in his place." (NASB))
The important archaeological discoveries that were made during the 19th and 20th Centuries A.D. in the Near East have shed significant light on Ancient Israelite literature in general and on The Old Testament in particular. Where commentaries in the past endeavored to understand The Old Testament as an entirely unique document, archaeological discoveries have made it apparent that the literary genres encountered in The Hebrew Bible exhibit, as a rule, various degrees of kinship with other Ancient Near Eastern literature. The characteristics that the documents of The Old Testament share with those stemming from The Mesopotamian, Hittite, Egyptian, and Canaanite worlds are numerous indeed. Ancient Israel did not exist in cultural isolation with its own typical and entirely unique civilization.
The Canon of The Old Testament
The Old Testament books were written with the immediate idea of be held as divinely authoritative.
Claims within the Old Testament concerning the inspiration and authority of its writings concerning The Law...
Exodus 40:20..."Then he took the testimony and put {it} into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark." (NASB)
Deuteronomy 31:9..."So Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel." (NASB)
Deuteronomy 31:24 – 26..."It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete, that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, "Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you." (NASB)
Joshua 1:7 – 8..."Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." (NASB)
Joshua 23:6..."Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left..." (NASB)
2nd Kings 11:12..."Then he brought the king's son out and put the crown on him and {gave him} the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "{Long} live the king!" (NASB)
2nd Kings 21:8..."And I will not make the feet of Israel wander anymore from the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them." (NASB)
2nd Kings 22:8 – 13..."Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD." Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (NASB)
2nd Kings 23:25..."So Jehoiakim gave the silver and gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land in order to give the money at the command of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and gold from the people of the land, each according to his valuation, to give it to Pharaoh Neco." (NASB)
Nehemiah 8:1 – 8..."And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who {could} listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah {and} Meshullam on his left hand. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with {their} faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people {remained} in their place. They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading." (NASB)
Nehemiah 13:1..."On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God..." (NASB)
Daniel 9:11..."Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him." (NASB)
Malachi 4:4...""Remember the law of Moses My servant, {even the} statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel." (NASB)
The Jewish canon of Scripture contained 24 books (later grouped into 22 books – attaching Ruth to Judges and Lamentations to Jeremiah):
THE LAW - Torah (5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
THE PROPHETS - Nebiim (8 books)
The Former Prophets (4 books): Joshua, Judges, Samuels, Kings
The Latter Prophets (4 books) * Major (3 books): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel * Minor (1 book):
THE TWELVE: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
THE WRITINGS - Ketubim (11 books)
Poetical (3 books): Psalms, Proverbs, Job
Five Rolls (5 books): Song, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther
Historical (3 books): Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles
Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls ¡They contain some non-canonical books, but all the commentaries (so far) deal only with canonical books. It seems to show that a distinction between canonical and non-canonical books was recognized. Also 20 out of 39 books of the Old Testament are quoted or referred to as Scripture.
Other evidence of canonicity...
The prologue to Ecclesiasticus (or Sirach) refers to a threefold division know around 200 B.C. "the law and the prophets and the other books of our fathers', the law itself, the prophecies and the rest of the books."
Philo about 40 A.D. has the same division
Josephus, 37 – 100 A.D., lists the 22 which are exactly the same as our present 39 books.
Council of Jamnia, 90 A.D., questioned the authenticity of some Old Testament books like Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. They moved away from the LXX (Septuagint) which was rapidly becoming the Old Testament of the Christian Church. They also rejected the Apocrypha which was contained within the LXX.
The three fold division and 24 books were listed in the baraitha (a tradition from the period 70 – 200 A.D.) quoted in the Babylonian Talmud, in the tractate Baba Bathra. This tradition assigns inspired or authoritative authors to all 24 books and discusses their order (F. F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, page 30).
The canon of Scripture used by Jesus and the apostles was the same as the Jewish canon...
The limits of the canon are suggested by Jesus' statement in Luke 11:51. "...from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house {of God;} yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation." (NASB)
Matthew 5:17 - Two fold division covering the Old Testament... "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." (NASB)
Luke 24:27 - Two fold division of the Old Testament..."Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures." (NASB)
Luke 24:32 - uses the term “Scripture” to refer to all of the Old Testament..."They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (NASB)
Luke 24:44 - A three fold division (Psalm was the beginning of the writings)..."Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (NASB)
The early church fathers made a distinction between those books within the Jewish canon and the Apocrypha although in practice they used both sets of books for instructions...
Origen (185 – 254 A.D.)...his list of books excluded the Apocrypha.
Tertullian of Carthage (150 – 230 A.D.)...He gives the number of Old Testament books as 24.
The so-called canon of Laodicea (363 A.D.) included the canonical books only, rejecting the Apocrypha.
Athanasius (345 – 410 A.D.) rejected the Apocrypha as heresy and accept the Jewish canon except he does not list the book of Esther. He also includes Baruch and the "Letter of Jeremiah" with the book of Jeremiah (Bruce, Canon, pgs. 77 – 80).
Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem (d. 386) gives a list corresponding with the Hebrew canon, except that he includes Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremiah.
Gregory of Nazianzus in Cappadocia (d. 390) omits Esther.
Jerome (345 – 419 A.D.) is responsible for the Latin Vulgate which includes the Apocrypha.
Augustine (354 – 430 A.D.) accepted the Apocrypha.
The Third Council of Carthage (397 A.D.) included the Apocrypha.
Between the 4th and 16th century the process of gradually widening the limits of the canon continued.
The Reformers (Luther, Calvin, etc.) rejected the canonicity of the Apocrypha.
The Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Trent (1546 A.D.) during the counter-reformation affirmed the authority of the Apocrypha declaring an anathema on any who rejected those books.
Claims within the Old Testament concerning the inspiration and authority of its writings concerning The Law...
Exodus 40:20..."Then he took the testimony and put {it} into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark." (NASB)
Deuteronomy 31:9..."So Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel." (NASB)
Deuteronomy 31:24 – 26..."It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete, that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, "Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you." (NASB)
Joshua 1:7 – 8..."Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." (NASB)
Joshua 23:6..."Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left..." (NASB)
2nd Kings 11:12..."Then he brought the king's son out and put the crown on him and {gave him} the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "{Long} live the king!" (NASB)
2nd Kings 21:8..."And I will not make the feet of Israel wander anymore from the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them." (NASB)
2nd Kings 22:8 – 13..."Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD." Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (NASB)
2nd Kings 23:25..."So Jehoiakim gave the silver and gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land in order to give the money at the command of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and gold from the people of the land, each according to his valuation, to give it to Pharaoh Neco." (NASB)
Nehemiah 8:1 – 8..."And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who {could} listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah {and} Meshullam on his left hand. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with {their} faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people {remained} in their place. They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading." (NASB)
Nehemiah 13:1..."On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God..." (NASB)
Daniel 9:11..."Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him." (NASB)
Malachi 4:4...""Remember the law of Moses My servant, {even the} statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel." (NASB)
The Jewish canon of Scripture contained 24 books (later grouped into 22 books – attaching Ruth to Judges and Lamentations to Jeremiah):
THE LAW - Torah (5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
THE PROPHETS - Nebiim (8 books)
The Former Prophets (4 books): Joshua, Judges, Samuels, Kings
The Latter Prophets (4 books) * Major (3 books): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel * Minor (1 book):
THE TWELVE: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
THE WRITINGS - Ketubim (11 books)
Poetical (3 books): Psalms, Proverbs, Job
Five Rolls (5 books): Song, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther
Historical (3 books): Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles
Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls ¡They contain some non-canonical books, but all the commentaries (so far) deal only with canonical books. It seems to show that a distinction between canonical and non-canonical books was recognized. Also 20 out of 39 books of the Old Testament are quoted or referred to as Scripture.
Other evidence of canonicity...
The prologue to Ecclesiasticus (or Sirach) refers to a threefold division know around 200 B.C. "the law and the prophets and the other books of our fathers', the law itself, the prophecies and the rest of the books."
Philo about 40 A.D. has the same division
Josephus, 37 – 100 A.D., lists the 22 which are exactly the same as our present 39 books.
Council of Jamnia, 90 A.D., questioned the authenticity of some Old Testament books like Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. They moved away from the LXX (Septuagint) which was rapidly becoming the Old Testament of the Christian Church. They also rejected the Apocrypha which was contained within the LXX.
The three fold division and 24 books were listed in the baraitha (a tradition from the period 70 – 200 A.D.) quoted in the Babylonian Talmud, in the tractate Baba Bathra. This tradition assigns inspired or authoritative authors to all 24 books and discusses their order (F. F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, page 30).
The canon of Scripture used by Jesus and the apostles was the same as the Jewish canon...
The limits of the canon are suggested by Jesus' statement in Luke 11:51. "...from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house {of God;} yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation." (NASB)
Matthew 5:17 - Two fold division covering the Old Testament... "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." (NASB)
Luke 24:27 - Two fold division of the Old Testament..."Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures." (NASB)
Luke 24:32 - uses the term “Scripture” to refer to all of the Old Testament..."They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (NASB)
Luke 24:44 - A three fold division (Psalm was the beginning of the writings)..."Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (NASB)
The early church fathers made a distinction between those books within the Jewish canon and the Apocrypha although in practice they used both sets of books for instructions...
Origen (185 – 254 A.D.)...his list of books excluded the Apocrypha.
Tertullian of Carthage (150 – 230 A.D.)...He gives the number of Old Testament books as 24.
The so-called canon of Laodicea (363 A.D.) included the canonical books only, rejecting the Apocrypha.
Athanasius (345 – 410 A.D.) rejected the Apocrypha as heresy and accept the Jewish canon except he does not list the book of Esther. He also includes Baruch and the "Letter of Jeremiah" with the book of Jeremiah (Bruce, Canon, pgs. 77 – 80).
Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem (d. 386) gives a list corresponding with the Hebrew canon, except that he includes Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremiah.
Gregory of Nazianzus in Cappadocia (d. 390) omits Esther.
Jerome (345 – 419 A.D.) is responsible for the Latin Vulgate which includes the Apocrypha.
Augustine (354 – 430 A.D.) accepted the Apocrypha.
The Third Council of Carthage (397 A.D.) included the Apocrypha.
Between the 4th and 16th century the process of gradually widening the limits of the canon continued.
The Reformers (Luther, Calvin, etc.) rejected the canonicity of the Apocrypha.
The Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Trent (1546 A.D.) during the counter-reformation affirmed the authority of the Apocrypha declaring an anathema on any who rejected those books.
The Transmission and Reliability of The Old Testament
Done by copying and recopying.
English translations are made directly form Hebrew manuscripts.
There have been mistakes in the copying, some words have changed, some left out, some added. However, no major Christian doctrine rests on a disputed reading (textual criticism).
The Dead Sea scrolls demonstrate the accuracy with which the Hebrew manuscripts (MSS) were copied.
100 scrolls representing all the Old Testament books (except Esther) were found in 1947 in a cave near Qumran.
The scrolls date from 250 B.C. to 35 A.D.
The significance of the discovery is that it reduced the gap between the original writings and the oldest existing Mss by 1000 years (250 B.C. to 800 A.D.).
The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) agreed so substantially with what was then the oldest.
English translations are made directly form Hebrew manuscripts.
There have been mistakes in the copying, some words have changed, some left out, some added. However, no major Christian doctrine rests on a disputed reading (textual criticism).
The Dead Sea scrolls demonstrate the accuracy with which the Hebrew manuscripts (MSS) were copied.
100 scrolls representing all the Old Testament books (except Esther) were found in 1947 in a cave near Qumran.
The scrolls date from 250 B.C. to 35 A.D.
The significance of the discovery is that it reduced the gap between the original writings and the oldest existing Mss by 1000 years (250 B.C. to 800 A.D.).
The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) agreed so substantially with what was then the oldest.
The Documentary Hypothesis
Definition: The Pentateuch was a compilation of many sources, composed at different times over five centuries, and completed long after Moses.
Originator of the Hypothesis: Julius Wellhauser in 1879.
Description of the four documents: J E P D
JAHWIST - Written about 850 B.C. and deals with personal biography and character, ethics & theology.
ELOHIST - Written about 750 B.C. and deals with particulars like the origin of place, names and customs.
PRIESTLY CODE - Written between 570 – 400 B.C. and deals with the origins and institutions of the theocracy. Also concerned with the details of sacrifice and ritual.
DEUTERONOMIST - Written about 621 B.C. to compel abandonment of places of false worship and for all worship to instead be made in Jerusalem.
Weaknesses of the Documentary Hypothesis:
It is based on circular reasoning that limits one author to one style of writing and vocabulary.
There is a clear anti-supernatural bias that rejects the possibility of supernatural revelation.
There is no historical or archaeological trace of any JEPD source documents.
When "J" uses "E" it is simply explained as the work of a later editor or redactor.
An Overview of The Land of The Old Testament
The Fertile Crescent --mountains to the North, Desert to the South formed natural barriers. the oldest centers of the population are located in three great river valleys: Tigris River; Euphrates River; Nile River.
THE LAND OF ISRAEL
1. Characterized by a deep fault line that runs North to South along the Jordan River Valley
2. On the West side are Hills of Samaria and Judea
3. On the East side are the Hills of Moab and Edom
4. To the North is Mt Hermon (9,000 ft.)
5. To the South is the Dead Sea (-1300 ft.)
6. South of the land is the Negev - a barren wilderness
7. The western coast is the Shephelah ("lowlands")
8. Up the coast is Mt. Carmel (on the Peninsula)
9. The inlet above Mt. Carmel opens onto the plains of Jezreel, a natural battle ground that stretches all the way to the Hill of Megiddo (in Hebrew "Har-Megiddo" = Harmageddon).
10. The important body of water in the North Central is the Sea of Galilee
OUTSIDE THE LAND OF ISRAEL
1. The Sinai Peninsula is important in Israel's history.
2. The Israelites left the land of Goshen, crossed a tributary of the Red Sea, and journeyed South to Mt. Sinai or Horeb.
3. To the East of the Sinai Peninsula is the Gulf of Aqaba and the Land of Midian.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS (South to North)
1. In the land of Goshen note Pithom and Ramses, places the Israelites built while in Egyptian bondage.
2. Their Exodus first took them southward to Succoth, Migdol, and Marah.
3. After receiving the Law at Mt. Sinai, Israel's experiences in the wilderness include: the journey to Kadesh Barnea, their defeat at Hormah, wandering in the wilderness until moving around Edom, their arrival to the Plains of Moab from where they entered the Land under Joshua.
4. Key cities in the SOUTH are: Beersheba (Home of Abraham), Jericho (the first conquest in the Land), Bethel and Ai (places just North of Jerusalem and Bethlehem where Israel met defeat over Achan's sin).
5. Key cities in the NORTH are: Megiddo, Hazor (a major Canaanite strong hold conquered by Joshua), Dan (just south of Mt. Hermon), Damascus, Tyre, and Sidon.
6. Other important places include: Sodom and Gomorrah (under the waters of the southern end of the Dead Sea) and Qumran (the community from which we have the Dead Sea Scrolls).
THE LAND OF ISRAEL
1. Characterized by a deep fault line that runs North to South along the Jordan River Valley
2. On the West side are Hills of Samaria and Judea
3. On the East side are the Hills of Moab and Edom
4. To the North is Mt Hermon (9,000 ft.)
5. To the South is the Dead Sea (-1300 ft.)
6. South of the land is the Negev - a barren wilderness
7. The western coast is the Shephelah ("lowlands")
8. Up the coast is Mt. Carmel (on the Peninsula)
9. The inlet above Mt. Carmel opens onto the plains of Jezreel, a natural battle ground that stretches all the way to the Hill of Megiddo (in Hebrew "Har-Megiddo" = Harmageddon).
10. The important body of water in the North Central is the Sea of Galilee
OUTSIDE THE LAND OF ISRAEL
1. The Sinai Peninsula is important in Israel's history.
2. The Israelites left the land of Goshen, crossed a tributary of the Red Sea, and journeyed South to Mt. Sinai or Horeb.
3. To the East of the Sinai Peninsula is the Gulf of Aqaba and the Land of Midian.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS (South to North)
1. In the land of Goshen note Pithom and Ramses, places the Israelites built while in Egyptian bondage.
2. Their Exodus first took them southward to Succoth, Migdol, and Marah.
3. After receiving the Law at Mt. Sinai, Israel's experiences in the wilderness include: the journey to Kadesh Barnea, their defeat at Hormah, wandering in the wilderness until moving around Edom, their arrival to the Plains of Moab from where they entered the Land under Joshua.
4. Key cities in the SOUTH are: Beersheba (Home of Abraham), Jericho (the first conquest in the Land), Bethel and Ai (places just North of Jerusalem and Bethlehem where Israel met defeat over Achan's sin).
5. Key cities in the NORTH are: Megiddo, Hazor (a major Canaanite strong hold conquered by Joshua), Dan (just south of Mt. Hermon), Damascus, Tyre, and Sidon.
6. Other important places include: Sodom and Gomorrah (under the waters of the southern end of the Dead Sea) and Qumran (the community from which we have the Dead Sea Scrolls).
Quote
The Old Testament ... is even more deeply, personally comforting than the New Testament in times of great danger or of sharp affliction. God’s hand and eye are so sensibly felt there, His goodness and severity shown in the guidance, chastening, and deliverance of individuals. Not only in His care of kings and prophets, and evidently selected persons, like Jacob, Hezekiah, Jonah, and David, but in His (compassion) for poor, forsaken, (discontented) women, grieved in soul and harassed by unkindness, like Hagar, Leah, Hannah. ‘Lo, this poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy, to deliver their souls from death, and to keep them alive in time of death.’ It is this sense of what (is) call(ed) ‘ the insight, foresight, and oversight of God’ that has made the Book of Psalms the covenant poetry of the human race. They are founded upon a sense of friendship, and an established personal relation with God ; a familiar and friendly confidence upon which (remains) consider(ed) man’s first religious ideas to have been founded and to which God Himself has invited man. (The Old Testament in Life and Literature)
7 Major Moves of The People of The Old Testament
1.) Eden to Ur
2.) Ur to Haran
3.) Haran to Israel
4.) Israel to Egypt
5.) Egypt to Israel
6.) Israel to Babylon
7.) Babylon to Israel
2.) Ur to Haran
3.) Haran to Israel
4.) Israel to Egypt
5.) Egypt to Israel
6.) Israel to Babylon
7.) Babylon to Israel
20 Key People or Groups of People
6 in Genesis: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
11 Leaders or group of leaders: Moses, Joshua, The 12 Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, The 39 Kings of The Divided Kingdom, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and
Nehemiah
The Other 3: Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and The Prophets
11 Leaders or group of leaders: Moses, Joshua, The 12 Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, The 39 Kings of The Divided Kingdom, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and
Nehemiah
The Other 3: Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and The Prophets
Where are the people located?
Israel in The Wilderness:
The Key People - Moses
Books where story is found - Exodus and Numbers
Major Move - Egypt back to Israel
Israel’s Leader - Moses
Major Covenant - The Mosaic Covenant
Back in The Promised Land:
The Key People - Joshua, The 12 Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, The 39 Kings of The Divided Kingdom, The Prophets
Books where story is found - Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings
Israel’s Leader - Joshua, The 12 Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, The 39 Kings of The Divided Kingdom
Major Covenant - The Davidic Covenant
The Exile and Beyond:
The Key People - Nebuchadnezzar, The Prophets, Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah
Books where story is found - 2nd Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Ezekiel
Major Move - Jerusalem to Babylon back to Jerusalem
Israel’s Leader - Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah
The Key People - Moses
Books where story is found - Exodus and Numbers
Major Move - Egypt back to Israel
Israel’s Leader - Moses
Major Covenant - The Mosaic Covenant
Back in The Promised Land:
The Key People - Joshua, The 12 Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, The 39 Kings of The Divided Kingdom, The Prophets
Books where story is found - Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings
Israel’s Leader - Joshua, The 12 Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, The 39 Kings of The Divided Kingdom
Major Covenant - The Davidic Covenant
The Exile and Beyond:
The Key People - Nebuchadnezzar, The Prophets, Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah
Books where story is found - 2nd Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Ezekiel
Major Move - Jerusalem to Babylon back to Jerusalem
Israel’s Leader - Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah
The Reign of 3 World Powers
The Assyrian Empire
The Babylonian Empire
The Persian Empire
The Babylonian Empire
The Persian Empire
God’s 8 Major Covenants with man
The Edenic Covenant
The Adamic Covenant
The Noahic Covenant
The Abrahamic Covenant
The Mosaic Covenant
The Palestinian Covenant
The Davidic Covenant
The New Covenant
The Adamic Covenant
The Noahic Covenant
The Abrahamic Covenant
The Mosaic Covenant
The Palestinian Covenant
The Davidic Covenant
The New Covenant