Theology: Old Testament

Leviticus

  • The name comes from the Levites, the priestly people of Israel. It is also known as the "Manual for Priests."

    • God gave Moses the instructions for what the priests needed to know to be mediators between God and the People of Israel.

    • The book teaches the people how to be holy.

  • (Leviticus 10 Story) When the brothers didn't follow directions, they were consumed from the fire.

  • After the death of Aaron's sons, the book goes on to give them all of the cleanliness laws.

    • The point of the laws was to remind them they were different from the others around them-- they were holy and belonged to God

      • Unclean activities

        • Eating unclean food

        • Touching blood and some other bodily fluids

        • Contracting skin diseases, including leprosy

        • Touching a dead body

    • God gave instructions for how to make atonement offerings when they disobeyed

    • The laws of Exodus and Leviticus together show their laws make them unique--they are governed by God, not kings.

Numbers

  • The book is named because it begins with a census of the People before entering Canaan (the Promised Land)

    • The Hebrews called the book "In the Wilderness" since it documents their 40 years of wandering in the desert.

    • An 11 day journey took them so long because they failed to trust God

      • They arrive in Canaan and spies report giants and do not believe they can conquer them

      • Only Joshua and Caleb believe and the rest of Israel despairs and rebels

      • God punishes them to wandering in the desert until their generation dies. Only Joshua and Caleb make it into the Promised Land with the next generation.

      • Moses also does not enter.

        • Numbers 20: 2-13

          • The congregation had no water and were complaining about no water. The Lord told Moses and Aaron to make water with a staff and the rocks. They wouldn't go into the Promised Land because they didn't trust God. Moses got angry and he also didn't go into the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy

  • Ch.1-4 Moses reminds the new generation of their history–why they are here and the past unfaithfulness.

  • Ch.5-11 Moses restates the importance of the law, including the Commandments, the Great Commandment, and more.

  • Ch.12-26 This is the heart of the book, where they are giving the new law for living in the Promised Land

  • Ch.27 The ratification ceremony at the entrance to the Promised Land–curses on anyone who breaks the law.

  • Ch.28-30 Moses prophecies that they forsake God and bring curses, but God will bring a future restoration.

  • Ch.31-34 Moses delivered his final words in forms of two songs that they are to remember forever, then he died within sight of the Promised Land. God buries him so no one will find his grave and go there to worship Moses.

Kings of Israel

  • The books of 1 and 2 Samuel tell of the anointing and kingship of Saul and David.

    • Samuel tried to remind the Israelites that God was their king, but they stubbornly insisted on a human king.

    • Samuel listens to God and anoints Saul

    • Saul is a good king at first, but then disobeys God by not completing a ban on the Amalekites

      • From then on, his kingship is doomed.

  • God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king

    • 1 Samuel 16: 1-13: Samuel anoints the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse, David, with oil.

    • David ends up in Saul's court as a musician

    • Later, he gains fame as the champion who defeats Goliath

  • The stories of David's anointing and defeat of Goliath show the importance of TRUST IN GOD.

    • Samuel trusts God that the young shepherd is the right king

    • David trust's God's power, not his own, to defeat the giant.

    • WE can learn from this. GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US IN OUR BATTLES.

  • Eventually, David grows in popularity and Saul is consumed with jealousy

    • Saul eventually persecutes and seeks to kill David

    • Even though David has been anointed the new king, he does not take advantages of opportunities to kill Saul

    • Saul dies at his own hand at the end of the book of 1 Samuel rather than face dishonor

We learn from this story that:

  • Even God's heroes in salvation history are not without fault

  • Disobedience to God's commandments brings suffering and obedience brings happiness and joy.

 

2 Samuel - the Kingship of David

  • David has to bring order to the kingdom by battling Saul's followers, the Philistines, and surviving assassination attempts

  • David unites all the tribes of Israel!!!

    • He restores Jerusalem as the capital city. AKA the City of David of ZION.

    • It later becomes the home of the Temple

    • It remains a sacred site for Jews, Muslims, and Christians

    • Heaven is referred to as the New Jerusalem in Revelation

    • David's greatest accomplishment is bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem

  • The House of David refers to the dynasty he left behind

    • His descendants whose "reign shall be established firmly forever" (2 Sam 7:16)

    • God's promise is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus--he was born of the House of David (Joseph is a descendent of David)

    • Jesus's reign will endure forever

  • David's reign is a high point in Israelite history

    • They are united in one kingdom

    • They are living in peace

    • Things go well as well as they are faithful


Guided reading key points

  • Divine retributive justice: the belief that God rewards and punishes people based on their behavior in this lifetime

  • Israelites believed God was a warrior because he taught them that He fights for his people to show love

  • Ban: practice of destroying everyone and everything in a defeated city and burning it as a sacrificial offering to God

  • We know through Jesus Christ that God isn’t a warrior, but a God of love and endless mercy, because he doesn’t murder innocent people

  • God isn’t the source of our pain; suffering isn’t a punishment from God

  • Parallels of Joshua and Moses:

    • Both are leaders of the Israelites–leading them to Canaan

    • Moses follows God in the escape from Egypt; Joshua follows God in the Ark of the Covenant into Canaan

    • Moses parts the Red Sea; Joshua leads Israelites through Jordan

  • 2 rituals when the Israelites enter the Promised Land

    • Circumcision

    • Passover

  • Jericho is sieged and is fallen, their city goes on a ban

    • Rahab is the only one spared because she hides the messengers that Joshua sent

  • Deuteronomic Cycle: pattern of sin and repentance that the Israelites repeat

    • Israelites sin by worshipping other gods

    • God punishes them by allowing them to be defeated by other nations

    • Israelites repent and cry out to God for mercy

    • God sends a leader to deliver them

    • The israelites sin again

  • Judges are sent by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression they brought on themselves

    • Deborah is the only female judge with a song recalling her feats

    • Gideon erects a golden idol after his victories

    • Jephthah makes a vow and ends up sacrificing his daughter

    • Samson was a nazarite (someone who can’t drink alcohol, must stay away from dead bodies, and have uncut hair)

      • He breaks his vow: touches dead lion, cuts his hair, sleeps with a prostitute and a foreign woman

      • SAMSON’S STORY TELLS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE FORGET THAT OUR TRUE STRENGTH IS FOUND IN OUR RELIANCE ON GOD.

    • Samuel helps Eli, a priest, prophet, and judge, with duties in the Temple. He becomes the last judge

 Saul (First King of Israel)

  • Chosen by God through the prophet Samuel.

  • Strengths: A strong military leader who united the tribes of Israel.

  • Weaknesses: Disobeyed God's commands, showed impatience, and was rejected by God.

  • Downfall: He became jealous of David, fell into paranoia, and ultimately died in battle.

2. David (Second King of Israel) aka the BEST KING OF ISRAEL

  • Known for: Defeating Goliath, writing many Psalms, and being "a man after God's own heart."

  • Achievements: United Israel, established Jerusalem as the capital, and brought the Ark of the Covenant there.

  • Failures: Committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, but later repented.

  • Legacy: God made a covenant with David that his descendants would rule forever, ultimately leading to Jesus.

3. Solomon (Third King of Israel)

  • Famous for: His wisdom, building the First Temple in Jerusalem, and writing parts of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

  • Prosperity: Led Israel during its peak of wealth and influence.

  • Downfall: Married many foreign wives who led him to idolatry, causing the kingdom to weaken.

  • Aftermath: After his death, the kingdom split into Israel (North) and Judah (South).

  • The people we surround ourselves with have an influence on us. It's important to have a group of people who encourage and applaud your good choices.

  • Israel is exiled by the Assyrians bc of unjust treatment of the poor

  • Judah is conquered by the Babylonian