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Old Testament Studies
These are studies to help you get acquainted with Gods precious word to us to grow and live the life He made available to us by His passion
on the cross for our sins thereby justifying the one that receives what He has made available in Himself by His blood shed on the cross.
Remember Acts 17:11Act 17:11
These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always examine all things in the light of Gods word not taken out of context.
COPYING THE MATERIALS
All of the authors of Grace Notes materials have made
their studies available free of charge; and they pray that they will receive the
widest possible distribution to people who love to study the Bible. Therefore,
we make no restrictions on copying the articles, except that we ask that you do
not publish any of them for sale. Many people have duplicated lessons and
complete studies for Sunday School classes, home schooling curricula, cell
churches, home Bible study classes, etc. So feel free to make full use of Grace
Notes.
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distribute things to others, I would like to hear about it. It is always a
blessing to hear how the Lord is using these lessons.
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The Old Testament (also known as the Jewish Tanakh) is the
first 39 books in most Christian Bibles. The name stands for the original
promise with God (to the descendants of Abraham in particular) prior to the
coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament (or the new promise). The Old
Testament contains the creation of the universe, the history of the patriarchs,
the exodus from Egypt, the formation of Israel as a nation, the subsequent
decline and fall of the nation, the Prophets (who spoke for God), and the Wisdom
Books.
Genesis speaks of beginnings and is foundational to the
understanding of the rest of the Bible. It is supremely a book that speaks about
relationships, highlighting those between God and his creation, between God and
humankind, and between human beings.
Exodus describes the history of the Israelites leaving
Egypt after slavery. The book lays a foundational theology in which God reveals
his name, his attributes, his redemption, his law and how he is to be worshiped.
Leviticus receives its name from the Septuagint (the
pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament) and means "concerning the
Levites" (the priests of Israel). It serves as a manual of regulations enabling
the holy King to set up his earthly throne among the people of his kingdom. It
explains how they are to be his holy people and to worship him in a holy manner.
Numbers relates the story of Israel's journey from Mount
Sinai to the plains of Moab on the border of Canaan. The book tells of the
murmuring and rebellion of God's people and of their subsequent judgment.
Deuteronomy ("repetition of the Law") serves as a reminder
to God's people about His covenant. The book is a "pause" before Joshua's
conquest begins and a reminder of what God required.
Joshua is a story of conquest and fulfillment for the
people of God. After many years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the desert,
the Israelites were finally allowed to enter the land promised to their fathers.
The book of Judges depicts the life of Israel in the
Promised Land—from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy. It tells of
urgent appeals to God in times of crisis and apostasy, moving the Lord to raise
up leaders (judges) through whom He throws off foreign oppressors and restores
the land to peace.
The book of Ruth has been called one of the best examples
of short narrative ever written. It presents an account of the remnant of true
faith and piety in the period of the judges through the fall and restoration of
Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth (an ancestor of King David and Jesus).
Samuel relates God's establishment of a political system in
Israel headed by a human king. Through Samuel's life, we see the rise of the
monarchy and the tragedy of its first king, Saul.
After the failure of King Saul, 2 Samuel depicts David as a
true (though imperfect) representative of the ideal theocratic king. Under
David's rule the Lord caused the nation to prosper, to defeat its enemies, and
to realize the fulfillment of His promises.
1 Kings continues the account of the monarchy in Israel and
God's involvement through the prophets. After David, his son Solomon ascends the
throne of a united kingdom, but this unity only lasts during his reign. The book
explores how each subsequent king in Israel and Judah answers God's call—or, as
often happens, fails to listen.
2 Kings carries the historical account of Judah and Israel
forward. The kings of each nation are judged in light of their obedience to the
covenant with God. Ultimately, the people of both nations are exiled for
disobedience.
Just as the author of Kings had organized and interpreted
Israel's history to address the needs of the exiled community, so the writer of
1 Chronicles wrote for the restored community another history.
2 Chronicles continues the account of Israel's history with
an eye for restoration of those who had returned from exile.
The book of Ezra relates how God's covenant people were
restored from Babylonian exile to the covenant land as a theocratic (kingdom of
God) community even while continuing under foreign rule.
Closely related to the book of Ezra, Nehemiah chronicles
the return of this "cupbearer to the king" and the challenges he and the other
Israelites face in their restored homeland.
Esther records the institution of the annual festival of Purim through the
historical account of Esther, a Jewish girl who becomes queen of Persia and
saves her people from destruction.
Through a series of monologues, the book of Job relates the
account of a righteous man who suffers under terrible circumstances. The book's
profound insights, its literary structures, and the quality of its rhetoric
display the author's genius.
The Psalms are collected songs and poems that represent
centuries worth of praises and prayers to God on a number of themes and
circumstances. The Psalms are impassioned, vivid and concrete; they are rich in
images, in simile and metaphor.
Proverbs was written to give "prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young," and to make the wise even wiser. The
frequent references to "my son(s)" emphasize instructing the young and guiding
them in a way of life that yields rewarding results.
The author of Ecclesiastes puts his powers of wisdom to
work to examine the human experience and assess the human situation. His
perspective is limited to what happens "under the sun" (as is that of all human
teachers).
In ancient Israel everything human came to expression in
words: reverence, gratitude, anger, sorrow, suffering, trust, friendship,
commitment. In the Song of Solomon, it is love that finds words–inspired words
that disclose its exquisite charm and beauty as one of God's choicest gifts.
Isaiah son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of
the writing prophets. His name means "The Lord saves." Isaiah is a book that
unveils the full dimensions of God's judgment and salvation.
This book preserves an account of the prophetic ministry of
Jeremiah, whose personal life and struggles are shown to us in greater depth and
detail than those of any other Old Testament prophet.
Lamentations consists of a series of poetic and powerful
laments over the destruction of Jerusalem (the royal city of the Lord's kingdom)
in 586 B.C.
The Old Testament in general and the prophets in particular
presuppose and teach God's sovereignty over all creation and the course of
history. And nowhere in the Bible are God's initiative and control expressed
more clearly and pervasively than in the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
Daniel captures the major events in the life of the prophet
Daniel during Israel's exile. His life and visions point to God's plans of
redemption and sovereign control of history.
The prophet Hosea son of Beeri lived in the tragic final
days of the northern kingdom. His life served as a parable of God's faithfulness
to an unfaithful Israel.
The prophet Joel warned the people of Judah about God's
coming judgment—and the coming restoration and blessing that will come through
repentance.
Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah over Judah
(792-740 B.C.) and Jeroboam II over Israel (793-753).
The prophet Obadiah warned the proud people of Edom about
the impending judgment coming upon them.
Jonah is unusual as a prophetic book in that it is a
narrative account of Jonah's mission to the city of Nineveh, his resistance, his
imprisonment in a great fish, his visit to the city, and the subsequent outcome.
Micah prophesied sometime between 750 and 686 B.C. during
the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Israel was in an
apostate condition. Micah predicted the fall of her capital, Samaria, and also
foretold the inevitable desolation of Judah.
The book contains the "vision of Nahum," whose name means
"comfort." The focal point of the entire book is the Lord's judgment on Nineveh
for her oppression, cruelty, idolatry, and wickedness.
Little is known about Habakkuk except that he was a
contemporary of Jeremiah and a man of vigorous faith. The book bearing his name
contains a dialogue between the prophet and God concerning injustice and
suffering.
The prophet Zephaniah was evidently a person of
considerable social standing in Judah and was probably related to the royal
line. The intent of the author was to announce to Judah God's approaching
judgment.
Haggai was a prophet who, along with Zechariah, encouraged the returned
exiles to rebuild the temple. His prophecies clearly show the consequences of
disobedience. When the people give priority to God and his house, they are
blessed.
Like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Zechariah was not only a
prophet, but also a member of a priestly family. The chief purpose of Zechariah
(and Haggai) was to rebuke the people of Judah and to encourage and motivate
them to complete the rebuilding of the temple.
Malachi, whose name means "my messenger," spoke to the
Israelites after their return from exile. The theological message of the book
can be summed up in one sentence: The Great King will come not only to judge his
people, but also to bless and restore them.