Introduction to the Old Testament PDF

**Introduction to the Old Testament** What is the Old Testament? First of all, it is a history. It describe the major events in the history of an ancient people called the Israelites or Hebrew people. Secondly, the Old Testament is the theology of history. Just as any historian tries to interpret h...

**Introduction to the Old Testament** What is the Old Testament? First of all, it is a history. It describe the major events in the history of an ancient people called the Israelites or Hebrew people. Secondly, the Old Testament is the theology of history. Just as any historian tries to interpret history by the events he selects to be included and by the important or meaning he gives to those events, so also the writers of the Old Testament interpret the history in a theological way. They tell about events that show how God was working in the life of His people. They want to answer theological questions about the meaning of life in a world ruled by God. They do not try to speculate about philosophical questions like the existence or essence of God. They assume that God exists. They try to show how and why God is at work in our world. Like in the New Testament Gospels which give a theological history of the life of Christ. Thirdly, the Old Testament is an artistic history. Not all of all of the Old Testament is historical narrative. There are many different kinds of literature on the OT. Much of it is "Historical" but not all. For example, there are songs, sermons, proverbs, and stories used by the Israelites during different periods of their history. All of this literature is intended to show how God is involved in the world. It interprets the meaning of life under God. The purpose is to cause to respond to God by faith and loyalty. The Old Testament as we have it today is structured to three clusters. Each cluster is a different kind of literature. The first cluster contains the historical narrative and legal texts. This is a group of seventeen books, from Genesis through Esther. The second cluster contains the songs and wisdom texts, which are personal responses to the events described in the first cluster. Most of this literature is in the form of poetry. There are five books in this group from Job to the Song of Songs. The third cluster contains the prophetic and apocalyptic texts. There are seventeen books, from Isaiah through Malachi. These sermons and narratives deal with social, religious, and political problems from the eight century B.C. and after. The prophets denounced the sins of the people and called them to repent. The apocalyptic writing urges them to remain faithful to their God even when they are persecuted by other. All of these writers looked forward to a failure hope which only finds its fulfillment in the New Testament. The Old Testament it not complete without the New Testament. In the addition to these 39 books, Roman Catholic Bibles contain some other books, plus additions to the books of Daniel and Esther. These writings are called the Deuterocanon (second canon) or Apocrypha (hidden writings). We will learn more about these books later. **Cluster I The Historical Books** **A. the Pentateuch, Torah, or Books of Moses are the five books.** **Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers** and **Deuteronomy.** They are believed to have been written by Moses, with some additions by a later editor. For example, the death of Moses is included in the book of Deuteronomy. Some other person must have written that part. (or refer to find out) or because the its dictates, Moses does not need to be present in the event. He writes what was being said by find how is all knowing. **1.GENESIS:** The name means "beginnings". The book of Genesis tells the story of the beginning of the Universe, the beginning of human history, and the beginning of the Hebrew people. The narrative of the book is written within a framework of genealogies introduced by the formula, "These are the generations of (e.g. the generations of Noah)". This implies that the deeds of the person named are so important that they form a new part of the series. **2. EXODUS:** Means "going out". The book of Exodus is the story of how God rescued from slavery in Egypt. A result of his deliverance from bondage was that they became a nation\-\-- not just a family or group of slaves Egypt, and about Moses who became their leader. Moses brought them to Mount Sinai where God declared them to be the nation of Israel and His own people. He gave them a covenant and a set of laws to govern their relationship to Him and their life as a nation. **3.LEVITICUS:** The book of Leviticus continues the narrative of Exodus, with special attention to the instructions given to Moses for building a tabernacle as a place of worship, for consecrating Aaron and his sons of priests, and for carrying out of many sacrifices and other rituals which were part of the worship prescribed in the law. **4.NUMBERS:** Gets its name from the census or numbering of the people which occurs two different time in this book, in chapter 1 and chapter 26. Aside from that, it also describes the health practices, civil, military, and other instructions to the people in preparation for their journey through the wilderness. It also narrates the journey from Sinai to the Promised Land, Canaan. **5. DEUTERONOMY:** Means "the second law" or "the law repeated a second time". Moses repeated again the commandments and laws that he had given to the people at Sinai (Exodus), and gives final instructions to them before entering the Promised Land. Forty years had passed since the time that God made a covenant with the people at Sinai. It was a new generation of Israelites who are about to enter Canaan. So God renewed his covenant with them in this repetition of the Law. **B. The conquest and settling of Canaan, and the period of the Judges; Joshua, Ruth:** *The authors of these books are unknown* **1.** **JOSHUA:** Was the name of the man who took over the leadership of the Israelites after the death of Moses. This book continues the narrative of the Pentateuch. It tells how the people entered Canaan and drove out most of the Canaanite peoples who lived there. Each of the twelve tribes (describes of the twelve sons of Jacob) was assigned a territory in which to live. The book ends with the death of Joshua. **2.** **JUDGES:** After the death of Joshua, the people sometimes forgot about God. Then God let some enemies come and harass the Israelites. When they repented, God sent a leader to driver them from their enemies. The men and women who led the people at these times were called **Judges**. The book of Judges deals with the first two or three centuries after the death of Joshua. **3. RUTH:** Is a short story about one family who lived during the time of the Judges. It is named for the faithful daughter-in-law, Ruth, who is the heroine of the story. **C. The period of kings and Prophets:** I *and II* *Samuel, I and II Chronicles. The authors of these books are also not known. It is thought that an editor or group of editors may have put these books into their presents form, based on earlier documents.* **1. I Samuel:** Begins with birth and life of Samuel who was the last of the Judges and the first of the prophets. The book include the selection of Saul, and then of David to be king over all twelve tribes of Israel. **2.** **II SAMUEL:** Continues the story of I Samuel. It begins with the death of Saul, and covers the reign of David. This was a time of establishment of a secure and stable kingdom throughout Palestine. **3. I KINGS:** Tells about the reign of David's son, Solomon, as King Solomon expanded the kingdom and brought it to its highest economic success and political strength. But the heavy taxes and other oppressive policies of Solomon were continued by his son Rehoboam, causing the northern tribes to revolt and form a separate kingdom under Jeroboam. Beginning from chapter 12, the book tells about the kings of both the north and the south alternately. The work of the prophet Elijah and the beginning of the work of Elisha are also narrated in 1 kings. **4. II KINGS:** Continues the histories of the two kingdom, and tells more about the prophet Elisha. As in I Kings, this book also discusses the reign of the king of one kingdom and then the reign of the contemporary king in the other kingdom. Each king is evaluated on the basis of his loyalty to God, or failure to be loyal. ***5&6* I AND II CHRONICLES:** Are mostly a re-telling of the history found in the books of I and II Samuel and I and II Kings, but if is written for a different purpose. The writers of Chronicles selected those stories which showed David and Solomon as ideal kings. After the division of the kingdom, they included only the history of the southern kingdom where the king were the descendants of David. The importance of worship in the temple is emphasized. If worship is pure, all of life will be influenced by the Will of God. **D. The exile and the Restoration of the Kingdom:** *Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.* **1. EZRA:** Continues the history given in Chronicles. This book tells about the return of some the exiles and their rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra was a priest and scribe who probably wrote parts of the book from his personal experiences, and compiled other parts from various sources. **2. NEHEMIAH:** Tells the personal story of the man, Nehemiah, and his leadership in rebuilding the broken walls of the city of Jerusalem. Another author probably added some of the detailed history which is included along with Nehemiah's personal memoirs. In some versions of the Bible, the book is called II Ezra. **3. ESTHER:** This book is another short story, like the book of Ruth, in the book of Esther, we get a glimpse of life in exile under the Persian King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) who was king between 485 and 465 B.C. This book is unique in the Bible because there is no mention of God in it. It is a very "nationalistic" book, telling about the persecution of Jews in a foreign land, and explaining the origin of a Jewish holiday, the feast of Purim. **CLUSTER II the Poetical Books and Wisdom Literature** While modern poetry is based on rhyme and rhythm, and will find that Hebrew poetry is based in parallelism. This means that Hebrew poetry is written in couplets, with the second line of the couplet balancing the first line in some way. Usually the second line repeats the same idea in different words, or adds a little more to it. For examples: "O sing unto the Lord a new song, Sing unto the Lord, all the earth." Or the second line may give the opposite idea: "A soft answer turns away wrath, But grievous words stir up anger." Wisdom literature is made up of wise sayings based on observations about life. It deals with practical, everyday concerns like family life, business, and social life. Usually it is written in poetic form. The Biblical writers teach that "Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom." Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are wisdom literature. **1. JOB:** is a series of long poems about one problems\-\-- why do righteous people suffer? The book was probably written after the exile, but the story of Job on which it is based comes from the time of the Patriarchs. This old story is found in the prose introduction and ending of the book. The poetry which form the main part of the book is a series of conversation between Job and his friend who came to comfort him. They try to convince Job that the cause of his trouble is his sin. Job. Knows that is not true, but cannot find an answer until God himself answers Job. **2. PSALM:** is a collection of 150 religious poems dealing with every kind of human experience out of which the writers praise God or call Him for help. The Psalm were used as songs during worship by the Jewish people, and also by the first Christian. Many of the Psalms were composed by King David **3. PROVERBS:** is a collection of wise sayings which were written or collected by different people. Many of them were written by King Solomon. The first eight chapter consist of a series of poems in praise of wisdom. In the last poem, (Proverbs 8:1-36), wisdom is personified s if it is a woman. Wisdom herself speaks in this poem. Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem which tells the qualities of the perfect wife. Most of the other chapters consist of very short saying about various topics, Proverbs is guide for successful living. **3. PROVERBS:** is a collection of wise sayings which were written or collected by different people. Many of them were written by King Solomon. The first eight chapter consist of a series of poems in praise of wisdom. In the last poem, (Proverbs 8; 1-36), wisdom is personified as if it is a woman. Wisdom herself speaks in this poem. Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem which tells the qualities of the perfect wife. Most of the other chapters consist of very short sayings about various topics, Proverbs is guide for successful living. **4. ECCLESIASTES:** Deals with the search meaning in life. The author calls himself "the Preacher" of "the Orator". He also identifies himself with Solomon, but the book was written at a later time than Solomon as an example of the person in the best position to experiment with wisdom, riches, and pleasure, to find out if they bring happiness. The Preacher first gives the human viewpoint about man's labor "under the sun." He shows that "all is vanity"\-\-- all worldly things are empty and without meaning. He seems to look mostly on the dark side, yet he is not a really a pessimist because he sees that one can find happiness in a worthwhile life work. The real meaning of the world is to reveal the goodness of God. So the book ends on a note of faith. **5. SONG OF SONGS:** is also called SONG OF SOLOMON or CANTICLES. They theme of this book is enjoyment of the relationship between a man and a woman, with a sense of responsibility for loyalty and exclusiveness in the commitment of love. Scholars have many different ideas about the meaning and purpose of this book. Some believe it is only a collection of love songs to be sung during weddings. It was once the custom to celebrate a wedding with a series of feast during which the bride and groom sang songs extolling each other's beauty and ability. Guests treated them as "king" and "queen" This custom explains why the man is identified as Solomon \-\-- the most glorious king of Israel, while the bride as the Shulammite maiden\-\-- the very beautiful young woman who cared for David during his old age, The Jewish people considered this book as an allegory\-\-- a picture of the love between God and the nation of Israel. The early Christians thoughts it was a picture of the love of Christ and his Church. **CLUSTER III The Books of the Prophets** While some of the historical books include stories about the work of some prophets, you will find that the prophetical books also include some historical narrative. But these books deal mostly with the teaching of the great prophets of Israel. The greatest prophets appeared at times of greatest national crisis. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are called the Major Prophets because these book, are very long. The books of the twelve Minor Prophets are much shorter, but the work of some of these men was just important as that of the Major Prophets. Daniel is not classified as a prophet because his work was a government official under the Babylonian and Persian kings, but his book is prophetic. **A. the Major Prophets and other writings** **1. ISAIAH:** The message of this book is mostly in the form of beautiful poetry. Isaiah called the people of Judah to be faithful to God and to trust in his power to save them during the time that the northern kingdom was captured by Assyria. Isaiah understood God's promises for the future. He foresaw the future restoration of the kingdom, and still later the work of the suffering Servant\-\-- the Messiah\-\-- who was going to bring the universal kingdom of God. Many scholars think that characters 40 to 66 were written at a later time by other authors, while other scholars think that Isaiah wrote the entire book. Chapters 40 to 66 do seem to be addressed to people living at later time than of Isaiah. **2. JEREMIAH:** began his work before the capture of Jerusalem, and continued for a short time after the beginning of the exile. While Isaiah had been able to assure the people that God would protect Jerusalem, Jeremiah had to tell them that God was going to permit Jerusalem to be destroyed because of their sin. For this reason, the government leaders thought that Jeremiah was a traitor, and unpatriotic. He suffered much because he spoke only the truth. He been nicknamed "the weeping prophet" In addition to the messages of Jeremiah, the book includes some biographical information about the life of the prophet. **3. LAMENTATIONS:** is a series of acrostic poems lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 B.C. The verses of each poem correspond to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This alphabetic arrangement shows that Israel has Hebrew has sinned "from A to Z." Traditionally, the book was believed to be the work of a younger companion of Jeremiah because the style is quite different from that of Jeremiah. Whoever it must have been an eyewitness of the terrible events recorded in Chapter 2. **4. EZEKIEL:** was a priest. He was among the first group of upper --class Jews who were captured and taken to Babylon in 597 B.C., before the destruction of Jerusalem. Much of Ezekiel's message deals with how to worship God in a foreign land, far away from the temple of God. Ezekiel uses parables, allegories, and visions in his teaching. Babylonian influence is seen in the exact dating of events by year and month. The first part of the book explains why God will permit His temple in Jerusalem to be destroyed. Chapters 33 to 48 promise that the nation will be restored. The basic purpose is to cheer up the exiles and to encourage them to continue to have faith in God and in themselves as the Chosen People of God. It was mostly due to the work of Ezekiel that the people kept their religion and their national identity instead of becoming part of the Babylonian culture as other captured nations did. 5\. **DANIEL:** The first six chapter of Daniel are historical narrative. These chapters tell about the situation of Daniel and other exiles in Babylon. The rest of the bo0ok is in a style called apocalypse. Daniel shows that the kingdom which had captured Jerusalem would itself be captured, and other kingdoms would follows. It is God who guides the destiny of individuals and of nations. Eventually God will set up an eternal Kingdom. Daniel teaches these truths by means of symbols, imagery, mostly in the form of visions. Like the New Testament apocalypse (Revelation), Daniel predicts a time when the people of God will suffer through no fault of their own won. Much of the prophecy of Daniel was fulfilled between 175 and 163 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes tried to force the Jews to accept the Greek religion. **B. The Minor Prophets:** **1. HOSEA:** preached to the northern of Israel. He was especially concerned about the idolatry of the people. His message is based on his heartbreaking personal experience with an unfaithful wife. He said Israel had been unfaithful to God, but God still loved them and wanted them to run to Him just as Hosea tried to let his wife return home. **2. JOEL:** is a short and beautifully written book. Scholars do not agree about the date of Joel's preaching. The book begins with a description of a plague of locusts\-\-- an invasion of the country by millions of insect that destroyed all the grain and fruit trees. Joel used this natural disaster as an occasions to challenge the people to re-evaluate their lives. He compared the destruction by locusts to the situation of the earth on the Day of the Lord. Joel2:28-29 was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, in the New Testament. **3. AMOS:** was one of the greatest of the Minor Prophets. He preached in the northern kingdom at a time of great commercial prosperity. But luxury had dulled the conscience of the people, and they were oppressing the poor. The ethical teachings of Amos are based on his faith that God is righteous. God will judge and punish their injustice. **4. OBADIAH:** is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It was written by an unknown prophet after the destruction of Jerusalem, and deals with only one topic \-\--the judgmental of God against Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Jacob's twin Brother, Esau. When Jerusalem was destroyed the Edomites had helped the Babylonians and participated in the looting of the city. For this lack of brotherly love, God will punish team. **5. JONAH:** is different from the other prophetical books because it is a story about a prophet rather than record of his message. Jonah lived in the 8th Century B.C., but the book mat have written much later. God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The book teaches us that God's love and mercy are universal, not limited to Israel alone. **6. MICAH:** declares the coming judgement against both Israel and Judah, but he also predicts a future restoration and time of universal peace. He preached in Jerusalem mat about the same time as Isaiah. **7. NAHUM:** comforts Judah during troubled times by predicting the destruction of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, shortly before it occurred in 612 B.C. The message is in the form of the poem written as if the destruction has already occurred. **8. HABAKKUK:** deals with one question: "why does God allow evil men to continue in their oppressive and violent ways?" God answer is "Trust me." God will take action at the right time. In the meantime, "the righteous shall live by his faith." **9. ZEPHANIAH:** foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and its restoration, as well as the anger of God against their pagan neighbors, the Philistines. He scolded the people of Judah for their unfaithfulness to God and their worship of idols. His message probably prepared the people to accept the reforms carried out by King Josiah. **10. HAGGAI:** was the first prophet to speak to the Jews after they returned from Babylon. The wanted to inspire them to finish rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The work had been stopped because of opposition from neighboring people. Because the Haggai's preaching, the work was resumed. But Haggai also beyond his own time, to a future time when all nation will worship will worship the true God. **11. ZECHARIAH:** preached at about the same time as Haggai, and he also wanted the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple. He wanted the people to purify themselves in order to be ready for the full restoration of Judah which God would surely accomplish. The last part of the book deals with the rejection by the people of the God Shepherd-King. We can now understand that these verse predict in a symbolic way the death of Christ and his second coming. **12. MALACHI:** preached after the temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and worship there had been resumed. But the people were becoming careless about their worship and their moral obligations. They doubted the love and justice of God. The message of Malachi is in the form of answer to a series of six question which the people seem to be asking. The people should purify their worship, pay their tithes, and be more faithful to God. But their salvation will not come by their own efforts. It will come when God himself purifies them and destroys all unbelieving and rebellion people. Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets. After that, the written word became the primary means for people to hear the voice of God. The Old Testament writings were studied and explained by scribes and priests until John the Baptist-stepped onto the stage of history to prepare the way for the Messiah, the Living Word of God.