1 Timothy 1:5
goal of the impact of the Word in his teaching was that people would love better
Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus summarized the Law and made it clear that love is the ultimate priority
1 Corinthians 13
Love outweighs knowledge, giftedness, abilities. If we do not love well, we do not serve well.
distinguishing mark of the church (John 13:34-35)
the love we have for one another
Point of our purpose in reading & studying OT
it should be affecting the way we live and love.
Implications of reading & studying the Bible
there was a human author, human readers, it's a literary composition, and its purpose is theological
Point in our approach to reading & studying the Bible
In order for the Bible to impact us, we must think deeply about it and encounter God
As we depend on God, we need to
take God seriously (encounter), take ourselves seriously, and take the Bible seriously
Point in our dependence in reading & studying the Bible
This Bible is not something to just be studied, something should happen when we study it.
Division of OT by time of Christ
Law of Moses 2. The Prophets 3. Psalms/Writings
Division of OT after being bound together
Historical 2. Prophetic 3. Poetic
Story Line books
Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah
Stories are powerful because
they communicate to a broad segment of society
Exodus
birth of Moses to the setting up of the Tabernacle at Sinai
Genesis
creation to death of Joseph in Egypt
Numbers
the wilderness journey from Sinai up to the death of Joshua
Joshua
the entrance and conquest of Canaan to the death of Joshua
Judges
the 400 year period of the judges
1 Samuel
the introduction of the Kingdom, Samuel and King Saul
2 Samuel
the reign of King David
1 Kings
the reign of King Solomon and the division of the Kingdom
2 Kings
the different kings of the divided kingdom & the period of the solitary kingdom to the exile
Ezra
the return from the Babylonian exile, including the building of the Temple
Nehemiah
the final phase of the return from exile, including the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem
Leviticus
Fit: within Exodus, Focus: gives details of how Mosaic Law is to be lived out everyday in Israel
Deuteronomy
Fit: bridge between Numbers & Joshua, Focus: Moses' last sermon to the 2nd generation, summarizing Israel's history & calling them to reaffirm their covenant
Ruth
Fit: within Judges, Focus: shows how God preserves the seed of the Messiah by focusing on a specific family's life
1/2 Chronicles
Fit: within Ezra & Nehemiah, Focus: summary of kingdom written after the exile
Esther
Fit: within Nehemiah, Focus: shows how God preserves His people in Babylon even though they do not return to the land of the exile
Six other historical books
Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Ruth, 1/2 Chronicles, Esther
Poetic books
Fit: Samuel & Kings, Focus: reflections on the experiences people as they live in a covenant relationship with Him
Prophetic books
Fit: within 2 Kings - Nehemiah, Focus: sermons calling people to turn from their sins & faithfully live for Yahweh
Main message of Genesis
Yahweh's creation of the human race (1-11) and covenant through the Hebrew race (12-50)
Purpose of Genesis
To provide a basic understanding of human experience in the world (shape, situation, salvation) 2. Provide beginning of understanding that it is possible to have a relationship with God
Contents of Genesis
A. Intro to Yahweh
B. Explain role of ppl in the world
C. Explain why Yahweh chose to work through chosen ppl
D. Demonstrate Yahweh's presence and perseverance in establishing chosen ppl
E. Show how Israel became a nation
Major divisions in Genesis
Primeval narratives and patriarchal narratives
Primeval narratives
universal concerns - origins of world and nations
Patriarchal narratives
Israelite concerns - origins of Israel
Toledoth formula
to bring forth/bear
"these are the generations of"
"this is the story of"
Vertical genealogy
linking of name with ancestors
Horizontal genealogy
shows different relationships
5 major blocks of narrative material
Intro
Creation & degeneration of humanity
Destruction of humanity
Abraham/Isaac
Isaac/Jacob
Jacob/Joseph
Major emphases in Genesis
Covenant/election
Monotheism
Sin
Origins
Theology of Genesis (1-2)
God's design: how God created it to be
Theology of Genesis (3-4)
Violation of God's Design: how it is
Covenant
a method of establishing and defining a relationship between 2 parties
4 main covenants
Abrahamic covenant
Mosaic covenant
Davidic covenant
New covenant
Abrahamic covenant: passage
Genesis 12, 15, 17
Abrahamic covenant: type
personal/family covenant
Abrahamic covenant: promises
land, seed and blessing
Abrahamic covenant: obligations
faithfulness to Yahweh and circumcision
Mosaic covenant: passage
Exodus 19-24
Mosaic covenant: type
National covenant
Mosaic covenant: promise
relationship
Mosaic covenant: obligations
obedience to stipulations of the Mosaic Law
Davidic covenant: passage
2 Samuel 7
Davidic covenant: type
dynastic covenant
Davidic covenant: promise
a forever throne
Davidic covenant: obligation
continued obedience to the Mosaic covenant
New covenant: passage
Jeremiah 31-32
New covenant: type
final covenant
New covenant: promise
rest
New covenant: obligation
to be yoked with Christ
Main message of Exodus
Israel's redemption from Egypt (1-18) and covenant with Yahweh (19-40)
Structure of Exodus
A. Israel in Egypt
B. Journey from Egypt to Mt. Sinai
C. Covenant and law at Mt. Sinai
Purpose of Exodus
A. Yahweh is judge, deliverer, and worthy of worship
B. God remembers His promise & covenant with the patriarchs
C. The importance of the Law in maintaining a relationship with Yahweh and being a distinct people
D. The story behind the Passover - a teaching memorial
Major emphases of Exodus
The Name of Yahweh
The Ten Plagues
The Passover
The Ten Commandments
The presence of God
Application of Exodus
He is the I AM who will be WITH you and who is FOR you
Theology of Exodus
God wants to be known
The Israelites want relief
HOW do we know him? (Exodus)
humility NOT pride
obedience NOT rebellion
worship NOT selfish-preoccupation
Main message of Leviticus
The proper means of fellowship between sinful humanity and a holy God
Writing of Leviticus (location)
in tent of Meeting and on Mt. Sinai
Writing of Leviticus (time)
Dedication of Tabernacle
Prep to enter Canaan
Purpose of Leviticus
Priestly manual of regulations, instructions and duties to point to "holy worship" and "holy living"
To demonstrate how a community is to live in a covenant relationship with Yahweh and one another
To demonstrate how one is to restore a broken relationship with Yahweh or one another
Similarities between Israel's religion and ANE
highly structured priestly classes
Differences between Israel's religion and ANE
direct revelation
monotheism
understanding of human sin
ethic/moral nature
holy character of Yahweh
Major emphases of Leviticus
Holiness
Sabbath rest
Law
Sabbath rest
brought sense of timelessness to worship and sense of holiness to time
Sabbath year
every 7 years
Year of Jubilee
every 49 years
Types of Law in Leviticus
Apodictic law and Casuistic law:
Apodictic law
unconditional categorical assertions of right and wrong
Casuistic law
laws that define specific cases & prescribed legal consequences
Main point/importance of sacrifices
For God's presence to remain with his ppl, they must maintain a purity in the land
Sacrifices were used...
to regulate a nation
express faith, worship, etc.
2 categories of sacrifices
for thanksgiving and praise
for sins of community
What did offerings not do?
Offerings weren't salvific because righteousness was by Abrahamic faith
Purpose was didactic for purpose of teaching
principles of Yahweh's holiness
principles of human sinfulness
principle of substitutionary atonement
need for repentance
Sacrifices/offerings ultimately point to
Christ
Christian counterparts to sacrifices/offerings
giving, worship, prayer, evangelism, selfless service
Over how many years was the Old Testament written?
1500
How many divinely inspired authors? How many in OT? How many in NT?
40, 30. 10
Prophets
Formal prophets-More historical, Joshua-2 Kings
Latter prophets-more prophetic
Historical stories
Genesis-Esther
Prophetic sermons
Isaiah-Malachi
Poetic songs
Job-Song of Songs