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Old Testament Survey - Church Leadership Resources Flipbook PDF
Preview Old Testament Survey © Bill Scheidler 3 Lesson 1 Why Study the Old Testament? A. Introduction For many people th
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Old Testament Survey
Teacher’s Manual Preview Old Testament Survey © Bill Scheidler
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Old Testament Survey Contents Lesson 1 – Why Study the Old Testament?...................3-6 Lesson 2 – Introduction to the Old Testament……....9-11 Lesson 3-4 – Genesis……………………………….....12-18 Lesson 5 – Exodus………………………………….....19-22 Lesson 6 – Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy……...23-30 Lesson 7 – Joshua………………………………..........31-36 Lesson 8 – Judges………………………………..........37-41 Lesson 9 – Ruth…………………………………….…42-45 Lesson 10 – I & II Samuel………………………….…46-51 Lesson 11-12 – Kings and Chronicles………...............52-63 Lesson 13-14 – Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther………….…..64-70 Lesson 15-16 – Wisdom Literature……………….…..71-87 Lesson 17 – Isaiah………………………………….…..88-94 Lesson 18 – Jeremiah, Lamentations……………….95-100 Lesson 19 – Ezekiel………………………………….101-105 Lesson 20 – Daniel…………………………………...106-110 Lesson 21-22 – Minor Prophets, Hosea-Micah….…111-123 Lesson 23-24 – Minor Prophets, Nahum-Malachi…124-137
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Lesson 1 Why Study the Old Testament? A. Introduction For many people the Old Testament of the Holy Bible is cloaked in mystery. When people become Christians, they are encouraged to read the Bible, but they are often directed exclusively to the New Testament and, perhaps, the Psalms of the Old Testament. There are even versions of the Bible that only contain the New Testament and the Psalms. Many Christians spend their whole life reading primarily the New Testament books. If they do start reading in the Old Testament, they usually only make it through the first few books of the Pentateuch before getting frustrated and jumping back to the New Testament. Part of the difficulty is that very few people understand the link between the Old and the New Testament and do not see them as one book. In our normal course of life, no one sits down to read a book by starting in the middle and reading to the end. If this were done, so much would be lost in the sense of the book. In fact, one would run the risk of missing the whole point of the book. It is no different with the Bible, the most unique book in the entire world. Even though it is comprised of 66 books, written by multiple human authors over a period of nearly 2000 years, it is one book and can only be truly understood and appreciated when seen in that light. B. Why Study the Old Testament? 1. Because it is part of the “All Scripture” that is given by inspiration of God that is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:14-17). “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” a. The Scripture of the Old Testament provides a source of wisdom. b. The Scripture of the Old Testament leads us to salvation. c. The Scripture of the Old Testament guides our steps. d. The Scripture of the Old Testament equips us to fulfill our destiny. 2. Because “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4; I Pet. 2:12-13). “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, Preview Old Testament Survey © Bill Scheidler
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not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” I Peter 1:12-13 a. The Scripture of the Old Testament was written for our learning. b. The Scripture of the Old Testament was written specifically for us in the Church Age not simply those who lived in Old Testament times. c. The Scripture of the Old Testament was written to bring comfort to us as we walk in faith in the New Testament Age. 3. Because “all these things happened to them as examples, and they “were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (I Cor. 10:6, 11). a. The Scripture of the Old Testament gives us examples of both the positive and the negative to bring admonition to our lives. b. The Scripture of the Old Testament is especially written for the last generation before the return of Christ to inspire the faith needed to fulfill the unique challenges of that era. 4. Because the whole Old Testament was a shadow of the real (Heb. 10:1). It is the purpose of the shadow to point us to the real or the substance that has come to us in Christ (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 8:5). So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Colossians 2:16-17 a. The Scripture of the Old Testament gives us tangible or visible expressions of invisible realities. b. The Scripture of the Old Testament points us to and help us to visualize all that we have been given in Christ. Old Testament or Covenant Natural Flesh Testimony Shadow Figure Made with Hands Patterns Figures For a Time Visible (Seen) Temporal By Sight Preview Old Testament Survey © Bill Scheidler
New Testament or Covenant Spiritual Spirit Things Spoken After Image Things to Come Not Made with Hands Heavenly Things True Eternal Invisible (Unseen) Eternal By Faith 4
Study the chart above in relation these verses: John 3:5-6; II Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 3:5; 8:7, 13; 9:9, 23-24; 10:9. c. The Scripture of the Old Testament presents the natural that precedes and paves the way for the spiritual (I Cor. 15:44-47). However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. I Corinthians 15:46 • Natural birth precedes spiritual birth (Jn. 3:5). •
Natural Israel precedes spiritual Israel (Gal. 6:16).
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Natural Jerusalem precedes spiritual or heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22).
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Natural temple precedes the spiritual temple (I Pet. 2:5).
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Natural priesthood precedes a spiritual priesthood (I Pet. 2:5).
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Natural sacrifices precede spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:16).
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Natural enemies and warfare precede spiritual enemies and warfare (Eph. 6:12).
5. Because the entire Bible, including the Old Testament is the story of Jesus Christ our Redeemer (Mt. 5:17; Lk. 24:27, 44; Jn. 1:45; 5:39, 46-47; Acts 10:43; Gal. 3:24; Heb. 10:7). “
You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me!” --Good News Translation
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:25-27 a. The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is His—Story (History). He is the unifying theme of the whole Bible. b. The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is an unfolding of the plan of redemption. The first two chapters of Genesis and the last two chapters of Revelation are history before sin and after sin with everything in between covering the redemption of man. c. The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, relates the unfolding struggle between the two seeds—the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). The Seed of the Woman Children of Light
The Seed of the Serpent Children of Darkness
Mystery of Godliness
Mystery of Iniquity
Spirit of Truth
Spirit of Error
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Children of Promise
Children of the Flesh
Kingdom of God
Kingdom of Satan
Life
Death
Godly Seed or Line
Godly Seed or Line
Christ
Antichrist
d. The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, could be labeled the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. 6. Because the Old Testament is the foundation on which the house of the New Testament is built (Heb. 3:1-6; Eph. 2:20). Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 a. God has only ever had one people—His chosen ones. The saints of the New Testament are inseparably connected to the saints of the Old Testament (Heb. 11:40; Mt. 8:11). b. The prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament were all working on the same spiritual temple made of both Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:19-22). 7. Because the first church was build upon the revealed Scriptures of the Old Testament (Acts 6:2-7; 18:11; 28:23). “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11, NIV a. The Scripture of the Old Testament is the only word that shaped the New Testament church because it was the only Bible they had. b. Rightly dividing the Scripture of the Old Testament was essential for the success of the Early Church (II Tim. 2:15). Without adherence to the principles contained in the Old Testament, the New Testament workman will end up being “ashamed.” “
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (NIV)
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Lesson 2 Introduction to the Old Testament A. Background of the Old Testament The term “Old Testament” is most commonly used to apply to what is known as the Hebrew Bible consisting of 39 individual books, covering the time from the creation of the world to approximately 400 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. 1. Authorship While there is some debate about the authorship of some of the books, it is generally accepted that over thirty writers over a period of approximately 1200 years contributed to the content of the Old Testament as we know it today. 2. Language Most of the Old Testament was written originally in Hebrew. A few minor portions in books like Ezra, Daniel and Jeremiah seem to have been written in Aramaic, a near language to that of Hebrew and very likely the language which Jesus spoke in the New Testament era. The Old Testament was translated into Greek somewhere in the middle of the third century B.C. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament is known as the Septuagint (in reference to some 70 Jewish elders who worked on the translation). This version was in common use during the time of Jesus especially among the Jews of the dispersion. 3. Culture The Old Testament comes to us out of a very different culture to that of the modern western experience and, therefore, can only be understood fully by understanding certain elements of early eastern culture. The culture of the Bible is a shepherding and agricultural culture. Most of the marriage customs of the Bible times are very different to our western understanding of things.
B. Division of the Books of the Old Testament 1. The Old Testament is categorized in the New Testament in various ways including: • • •
The Law and the Prophets (Mt. 7:12; 11:13; 22:40; Lk. 16:16) Moses and the Prophets (Lk. 16:29-31) The Law, the Prophets and the Psalms (Lk. 24:44).
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Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Luke 24:44
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2. The more common way of looking at them for the purpose of study is to divide the books into five sections including The Pentateuch, Historical Books, Poetical Books, The Major Prophets and The Minor Prophets (See Chart on page 10).
C. Approximate Chronology of the Old Testament The books of the Old Testament are not arranged in chronological order. They are arranged by category as listed above. When reading any of the books, especially the prophets, it is important to tie them together with the historical books of the same era. The following timeline will serve as a guide for the student of the Old Testament (See Chart on page 11).
D. Outline of History Covered in the Old Testament Event(s)
Location
Historical Books
Creation
Garden of Eden
Genesis
Fall of Man
Garden of Eden
Genesis
Man Expelled from Garden
Mesopotamia
Genesis
Populating of the Earth
Widespread
Genesis
Flood of Noah
Worldwide
Genesis
Call of Abraham
Chaldea
Genesis
Patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Twelve Sons
Mesopotamia (Nomadic)
Genesis
Joseph, Israel to Egypt
Egypt
Genesis
Israel in Bondage
Egypt
Exodus
Israel in Wilderness
Sinai Peninsula (Nomadic)
Exodus-Deuteronomy
Israel under Joshua
Canaan/Palestine
Joshua
Israel under Judges
Canaan/Palestine
Judges, Ruth
Israel United under Kings, Saul, David, Solomon
Canaan/Palestine
I & II Samuel, I Kings, I Chronicles
Israel Divided, Northern, Southern
Canaan/Palestine
I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles
Northern Kingdom Captive to Assyria (10 Tribes)
Assyria
II Kings, II Chronicles
Southern Kingdom Captive to Babylon (3 Tribes)
Babylon
II Kings, II Chronicles
Restoration of Judah to Land
Canaan/Palestine
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
E. Ways to Study the Old Testament 1. Chronologically
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In this format of study the books of the Old Testament are arranged in chronological order and studied in regards to their historical settings and the local prophetic context. 2. Covenantally In this format of study the Old Testament is looked at in relation to God’s nine covenants with man culminating in the New Covenant laid out for us in the New Testament. 3. Messianically In this format of study the each book of the Old Testament is seen as a unique revelation of the Messiah who was to come. Each book is highlighted with regard to how Christ is seen in that book.
F. The Relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament Both the Old and New Testaments are parts of one book or one divine revelation. Genesis 1-2 gives us the creation of man apart from sin, Revelation 21-22 gives us the state of things after sin and everything in between is the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption for man. It has been stated this way: The New is in the Old concealed; The Old is in the New revealed. The New is in the Old contained; The Old is in the New explained. The New is in the Old enfolded; The Old is in the New unfolded.
G. Our Approach to the Old Testament In this course we will survey of all the Old Testament books, emphasizing their historic setting and thematic content. Each book will be highlighted for its relationship to Christ and to its special contribution to the rest of Scripture.
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Lesson 3-4 Genesis—The Book of Beginnings A. What is the significance of the name “Genesis?” 1. The word “Genesis” means “beginning, origin or birth”. 2. Genesis is the Book of Beginnings. a. The Book of Genesis marks the beginning of the universe. It lets us know that the universe had an actual beginning, that matter is not eternal and that God was the active force in creation. b. The Book of Genesis details three new beginnings. 1) The original creation (Gen. 1-9) that was followed by the fall of mankind, rebellion and ultimately God’s judgment in a worldwide flood. 2) The new beginning with Noah and his family that was followed by the tower of Babel rebellion and ultimately God’s judgment in the confounding of languages (Gen. 10-11). 3) The new beginning with Abram (Gen. 12-50) when God put His hand on a nation and set them apart as His instrument in the earth to fulfill His purposes. c. Key words in the Book of Genesis include: Begat (67), Generation (21) and some form of begin or beginning (12). 3. Genesis is the Seed Plot of the Bible. Themes that begin in Genesis are developed in the rest of the Bible only to end up in the Book of Revelation. Note the following: a. The Seed of the Woman becomes Christ and His Church (Rev. 12:17). b. The garden or paradise of God gives way to the foursquare city of God, the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-21). c. The creation of the first heavens and earth give way to the creation of the new heavens and earth (Rev. 21:1). d. The rivers in the garden become the river of life for the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:1-2). e. The tree of life gives way to the ultimate tree of life (Rev. 22:2, 14). f. The serpent introduced here is ultimately cast into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:23). B. What significant questions does the Book of Genesis answer?
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