Rooted:Old Testament

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study one introduction to the Bible

TABLE OF CONTENTS

what kind of book is this 1-1 The Uniqueness of the Bible 1-2 The Structure of the Bible 1-4

inspiration: how the Bible was written 1-6

canonization: how the Bible was recognized 1-7 Old Testament Canon 1-9 New Testament Canon 1-10 What About the Stuff That Didn’t Get In? 1-11

illumination: how the Bible is understood 1-12

eight images the Bible uses to describe itself 1-13

problems in understanding the Bible 1-14

appendix: advanced Bible study method 1-16 Step 1: Observation: What does the author say? 1-16 Step 2: Exegesis: What did the author originally mean? 1-16 Step 3: Understanding and Application: What does it mean for today? 1-17

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT WHAT KIND OF BOOK IS THIS?

1. The Bible is mostly history.

2. The Bible is much more than history.

(a) It’s really God’s autobiography.

(b) This means it’s a combination of the facts of history and the heart of God for all humanity. It reveals how God created, sustains, works in, and saves the world.

3. The Bible is a book about God’s love affair with people, his most unique creation.

(a) John said, God is love (1 John 4:8). If this is God’s character, then everything God does is out of love for his creation.

(b) God’s love includes everyone (John 3:16).

4. Because the Bible demonstrates God’s love for his people, it is called salvation history.

SALVATION HISTORY: This term refers to the series of historical events that are specific acts of God to save his people.

SALVATION HISTORY 101

(a) Adam and Eve were created perfect (very good);

(b) Adam fell into sin, and consequently, away from God;

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 1 5. The Bible is different from a history textbook; the Bible is didactic, influencing how we live.

(a) It was written to change your life.

DIDACTIC: Intended to instruct. Possible discussion question:

How can words on a page change a person? DINOSAURS & SCIENTIFIC FACTS: Question: Why doesn’t the Bible mention dinosaurs and other ar- (b) If you open your heart, the Bible will impact you! chaeological or scientific facts? Answer: It’s not a relevant part of God’s autobiography to explain Possible discussion questions: prehistory and science. The purpose of the Bible isn’t to explain every scientific fact; it’s to reveal God’s character and plan. What does it mean to “open your heart”?

Why is having an open heart so important to change? How does a Christian keep an open heart?

6. Why else did God write the Bible?

To give people wisdom about life and to bring people closer to God.

Possible discussion questions:

Why should wisdom be a value to our lives? What are the different ways it is acquired?

Does everyone acquire wisdom the same way?

What are God’s ways for passing along wisdom?

[the uniqueness of the Bible]

1. Common myth: The Bible is just another “religious” book.

2. Facts about the Bible that make it incredibly unique:

(a) Written over a 2,000-year span.

(b) Written by more than 40 authors, from all walks of life—educated and uneducated, Jews and Gentiles. Most of them didn’t know each other.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 2 Moses: politician/shepherd

Peter: fisherman

Amos: herdsman

Joshua: general

Luke: doctor

Solomon: king

Matthew: tax collector

Paul: Pharisee and tentmaker

(d) Written in three different languages.

Daniel 2:20 (Aramaic) Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.

Deuteronomy 6:4 (Hebrew)

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

John 3:16 (Greek) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

3. The Bible contains hundreds of controversial issues, but there is one unfolding story: God’s love for his people and God’s work to draw them closer to him through Jesus Christ. It can accurately be said that because of the prophetic elements throughout the Old Testament, the whole Bible is about Jesus.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 3 4. Although there’s GREAT diversity in the Bible (such as voices of authority, two covenants, different styles of literature, different languages, different readers and situations, different moods and tones), there is GREATER unity (such as consistent moral message, prophecies don’t conflict with one another, theological themes are consistent, moral teachings are the same, and many other examples). How did this happen?

5. The Bible was written by the Holy Spirit! All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

If God’s love letter was written to give us wisdom for life and to draw us closer to God, with great diversity and even greater unity, then isn’t it worth our attention?

[the structure of the Bible]

Old TEstament 1. The Bible isn’t just one book. It’s a collection of many books. People have access to God through the priesthood.

new TEstament 2. The Bible has two major divisions. People have access to God through Jesus.

(a) The Old Testament has 39 books. torah Hebrew word meaning law, instruction, or commandment. (b) The New Testament has 27 books.

GOSPEL Greek word meaning good news.

What should we call the two parts of the Bible, Testament or Covenant? Testament is usually used in terms of a person’s “last will and testament” and determines what happens to property after death.

Covenant is “an agreement between two people or two groups that involves promises on the part of each to the other.”

When speaking of the Bible, the Old Testament and New Testament are better understood as the Old Cov- enant and New Covenant. The agreement between God and his people is different between the Old and the New. God does not change. What changes, is how we relate to God. (See Hebrews 8:8-12.)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 4 3. The divisions of the Old Testament:

-- Torah or Pentateuch Written by Moses regarding Creation, the beginnings of the nation of Israel, and the Law.

-- History About the rise, fall, captivity, and return of the nation of Israel.

-- Poetry and Wisdom All from different time periods, but written mainly by David and Solomon.

-- Prophets Called “major” and “minor,” not due to importance, but simply the size of the books.

4. The divisions of the New Testament:

-- Gospels and Acts About the life, teachings, and work of Jesus and the early church.

-- Letters Various letters written to a particular audience or person, usually for a specific purpose.

-- Revelation Prophecy is such a big deal, it gets its own category!

5. The Old Testament divisions and their books:

TORAH HISTORY POETRY & WISDOM PROPHETS Genesis Joshua Job Isaiah Jonah Exodus Judges Psalms Jeremiah Micah Leviticus Ruth Proverbs Lamentations Nahum Numbers 1 & 2 Samuel Ecclesiastes Ezekiel Habakkuk Deuteronomy 1 & 2 Kings Song of Songs Daniel Zephaniah 1 & 2 Chronicles Hosea Haggai Zechariah Esther Joel Malachi Nehemiah Amos Ezra Obadiah

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 5 6. The New Testament divisions and their books:

GOSPEL & ACTS LETTERS REVELATION Matthew Romans Titus Revelation Mark 1 & 2 Corinthians Philemon Luke Galatians Hebrews John Ephesians James Acts Philippians 1 & 2 Peter Colossians 1, 2, & 3 John 1 & 2 Thessalonians Jude 1 & 2 Timothy

7. The verse and chapter numbers in the Bible are not inspired, or directed, by the Holy Spirit. They were added by a monk in the Middle Ages, not by God. (And though the chapters and verses isn’t always perfect, they are useful for reference and study.)

INSPIRATION: HOW THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN

1. The Bible came to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

-- No person can ever see God on his or her own. They need to be shown.

“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us” (John 1:18).

2. The Bible was written by God through people. This miracle is called “inspiration.”

3. Although God has revealed himself in many ways, the most significant way is throughJesus (Hebrews 1:1-3).

4. Our knowledge about Jesus comes from the Bible, so what we share with others about our faith includes truth from the Bible to give it authority.

Possible discussion question:

If humans are imperfect, how could they write a perfect Bible?

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 6 5. Each biblical author expressed the Word of God out of personal experience:

(a) personality WHO WROTE THAT? The Gospel of Luke was written by a doctor. Because of that, he uses (b) language and grammar many technical medical terms the other three Gospels do not include. (c) historical context

6. Because the Scriptures are God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), there are no mistakes.

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20-21).

So What’s the Big Deal About Inspiration? Because the Bible is inspired by God there are no errors. It is the ultimate authority for the truth about God and God’s eternal plan.

This means that when there is a conflict between: -- my feelings and the Bible—the Bible wins -- my intellectual conclusions, opinions, or human reason and the Bible—the Bible wins -- my personal experiences and the Bible—the Bible wins

THERE IS NO CONTEST WHEN SOMEONE OR SOMETHING TRIES TO GO AGAINST THE BIBLE!

Scripture is: -- Authoritative for truth: includes theology, doctrine, and morality. -- Universal: spans across all cultures and time. -- Sacred: holy and inspired from God. -- Normative: for ALL followers of Christ and the rest of the world.

CANONIZATION: HOW THE BIBLE WAS RECOGNIZED CANON Now that we know the Bible is a collection of books, how did they get collected? Who chose This term comes from the Hebrew word for reed. Reed was straight them? Why did they make the decision to include these books in the Bible? and often used to measure things.

The bigger question is: What qualifies as Scripture and what does not? THE BIBLE A collection of inspired books.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 7 The Importance of Canon As Christians, having the Bible is of the utmost importance. Without God’s many revelations that were written down, God’s acts would be forgotten, misunderstood, or passed over. Without supernatural revelation, the death of Jesus would have just been another terrible evil the Roman Empire committed. Canon is the process of the church recognizing God’s true revelations as Scripture.

1. The process of canonization involves two parties:

The author.

The church (or the people of God).

2. The author writes the Scripture through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

3. The church recognizes (or “canonizes”) the Scripture through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. (God communicating truth, revealing that which was previously unknown.)

4. A book is canonized as Scripture based upon the evidence of inspired authorship.

IMPORTANT: The church did not create the canon or the Bible, but only recognized that which was already Scripture.

5. The first part to canonization is the actual writing of a book. It is simple: God worked through imperfect people to bring us his perfect message.

6. The second part is a bit more complicated, and the process differs between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

What is that evidence? What criteria must be met for a book to be “put” into the Bible?

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 8 [old testament canon]

1. There is not a lot of detailed information about how Old Testament books were canonized. What we do know is that a near- complete version of the Old Testament was in circulation about 200 years before the birth of Christ.

2. However, there are many sources that tell us the Old Testament is canon. While we may not know exactly how it was canonized, we do know that the process did happen.

3. Old Testament canon happened in three waves or stages:

First: Law—5 books

Second: Prophets—8 books

Third: Writings—11 books

Organization of the Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible is organized much differently from our English version. It has three divisions: -- TORAH: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. -- PROPHETS: Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve (our minor prophets). -- SACRED WRITINGS: Psalms, Proverbs, Ruth, Job, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 & 2 Chronicles.

4. The Old Testament canon starts with Moses.

-- Moses received the Law (Ten Commandments and then some) from God.

“I stood as an intermediary between you and the Lord, for you were afraid of the fire and did not want to approach the mountain. He spoke to me, and I passed his words on to you” (Deuteronomy 5:5).

-- Moses wrote them down.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.” Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets (Exodus 34:27-28). ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 9 -- The people accepted his writings as authoritative.

“ ‘Go yourself and listen to what the Lord our God says. Then come and tell us everything he tells you, and we will listen and obey’ ” (Deuteronomy 5:27).

5. Jesus said the Old Testament was Scripture.

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).

“As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar” (Matthew 23:35).

Abel to Zechariah Remember, the Bible that Jesus used was organized differently from the Bible we use today. Chronicles was the last book in this Bible. When he quotes Abel to Zechariah, he is talking about the ENTIRE Old Testament. Abel is in the first book, and Zechariah was in the last book.

6. The New Testament calls the Old Testament: extra-biblical -- Scripture (John 10:35; 19:36; 2 Peter 1:2) This term applies to any text that is not Bible. Often these -- the Scriptures (Matthew 22:29; Acts 18:24) sources help to illuminate or -- holy Scriptures (Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:15) explain portions of the Bible. For example, a Jewish historian named -- law (John 10:34; 12:34; 15:25; 1 Corinthians 14:21) Josephus, from the time of Jesus, has recorded many cultural insights -- law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17; 7:12; 22:40; Luke 16:16; 24:44) that aren’t found in the Bible.

7. The bottom line is this: Jesus and the rest of the New Testament authors referred to the entire Old Testament as Scripture.

[new testament canon]

1. There were basically four criteria the early church fathers used to determine the canonicity of New Testament texts:

-- Content (Is the book consistent with the Gospels and the Old Testament?)

-- Authorship (Was the author an apostle or did he have a sustained relationship with an apostle?)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 10 -- Catholicity (Was it universally accepted by churches?)

-- Spiritual (Does this material reveal the truth of God? Is the book spiritual in character?)

2. In the early church, about A.D. 180, elders from cities where the church was strong, met and decided which letters in their possession had apostolic credibility. These men of God collected, evaluated, and decided which of the books would be considered Christian Scripture.

3. Summary of canon:

“Jesus Himself affirmed the full authority of the Old Testament as Scripture. Then He made His own words and deeds equally authoritative, and promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would remind them of His ministry and teach them its significance. The canon of the New Testament, then, is the authoritative record and interpretation of God’s revelation of Himself through Jesus Christ.” (R. Gundry. A Survey of the New Testament, p. 58)

[what about the stuff that didn’t get in?]

1. Not everything made it into the Bible. APOSTLE Someone who had actually seen or been with Jesus, and then was personally commissioned by him to carry the message of the gospel. 2. Some of the material that didn’t make it into the canon can be found in the Apocrypha (definition: “hidden”). COMMUNICATION Communication and transportation -- These books were written in between the Old Testament and the New Testament— were limited when the Bible was written and recognized as canon. a time of about 400 years. It’s interesting that the churches who had little or no contact often reached similar conclusions about which texts were Scripture.

3. The Apocrypha was a part of the Bible called the Septuagint (abbreviated LXX).

-- LXX means 70.

-- The LXX was a common translation used during Jesus’ time.

-- The LXX was written in Greek, which was the language everyone knew.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 11 4. Why is the Apocryphal literature not in the Protestant Bible?

-- Jesus, the Apostles, and the first generation of church fathers after the Apostles never referred to any passage in the Apocrypha in their writings, nor did they ever refer to it as Scripture.

-- The Jews do not consider the Apocrypha to be Scripture.

5. The Apocrypha is in Roman Catholic Bibles but is not considered to be on the same level as the “rest” of Scripture.

ILLUMINATION: HOW THE BIBLE IS UNDERSTOOD

1. We cannot fully understand the Bible without faith in Jesus as our Savior.

-- Why? We need the Holy Spirit to teach us what would otherwise be impossible to understand.

No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:11-16).

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (John 16:13).

2. Anyone can be a Christian, so anyone can understand the Bible. (It does not take a degree from a Bible college to understand Scripture.)

3. Illumination is the Holy Spirit’s work of making truth from the Bible clear when a Christian reads the Bible.

This is why people are touched differently by the same passages. The Holy Spirit always teaches us what we need to know, when we need to know it. This doesn’t mean the Bible is only a matter of interpretation and that any verse can mean anything. God is consistent in the overall meaning of Scripture but is creative and powerful enough to make it apply to various people’s circumstances, in different places in the world, at every point of history.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 12 EIGHT IMAGES THE BIBLE USES TO DESCRIBE ITSELF

1. Seed

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

2. Sword

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12).

-- In Ephesians the sword is in our hand, defending against the enemy.

-- In Hebrews the sword is in God’s hands, penetrating and deeply impacting our lives.

3. Food

“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies” (Jeremiah 15:16).

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ ” (Matthew 4:4).

4. Milk

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment (1 Peter 2:2).

5. Hammer

“Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 13 6. Fire

Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies says: “Because the people are talking like this, my messages will flame out of your mouth and burn the people like kindling wood” (Jeremiah 5:14).

7. Lamp

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).

8. Mirror

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it (James 1:23-25).

PROBLEMS IN UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE

1. The New Testament was written almost 2,000 years ago, and the Old Testament is even older. This naturally leads to some problems in our understanding of the text.

THREE STRIKES If someone told you they always strike out when they take a test, then you know that they are 2. Differences in culture: terrible test takers. -- we’ve never had a king Would you know what they meant -- we’ve (probably) never farmed or raised sheep if you had never heard about the game of baseball? -- we’ve never performed an Old Testament sacrifice -- we don’t live in tribes -- we’ve never lived under the oppression of the Philistines -- we don’t live in houses made of mud, straw, and brick -- we don’t live in a Hellenistic culture -- we don’t have a formal priesthood -- we don’t travel by camel or donkey -- we don’t write on papyrus or clay tablets

3. Differences in language.

(The Hebrew reads right to left; Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek use different characters than English uses.) ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 14 4. Differences in common knowledge. The author is writing to an audience that has a specific point of reference as to the context of what is written. The letters of the New Testament were written for a specific purpose, and we often know very little about what that was. It’s like listening in on a phone conversation or reading a letter from someone you don’t know to someone you’ve never met. When the Old Testament talks about the “Kings of Israel,” it is giving an incomplete picture and reference to another book.

The rest of the events in Solomon’s reign, including all his deeds and his wisdom, are recorded in The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41).

5. We are filled with our ownassumptions .

6. The key to understanding the Bible is to first understand it in its own context and then bring that truth intotoday .

FINAL THOUGHTS

Congratulations! You made it through a lot of material. If some of it was confusing, don’t worry!

Most of the material in this lesson is background information, relevant to reading the Bible. Our hope is that you’ve learned some things that will fill in the gaps and help you understand the Bible next time you read it.

Our challenge to you: Go back to the section called “Eight images the Bible uses to describe itself,” read through it again, and reflect on how the Bible can impact your life. It’s our prayer that your love for God’s Word will grow.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 15 APPENDIX: Advanced Bible Study Method

Here is a good process to use in interpreting a particular biblical text.

(Step 1) Observation: What does the author say? (a) Read and survey a unit of Scripture (book, chapter, pericope, paragraph). PERICOPE Another word for a context-defined (b) Read and survey the context. unit of Scripture. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a pericope.

(c) Ask questions (who? where? when? what?). -- Who are the characters? -- Where is the unit occurring? -- When is the unit occurring? -- What is happening?

(d) Title the unit.

(e) State the theme of the unit in one sentence.

(f) Outline, diagram, and/or chart the unit.

(Step 2) What did the author originally mean? (a) Ask questions (who? where? when? what?). -- Introduction Is there an introductory sentence or paragraph? -- Interrogation Why? How? Who? Where? When? What? -- Comparison How are things similar? -- Contrast How are things different? -- Interchange Are there alternating elements? -- Unifying Theme What theme permeates the unit? -- Continuity How does the theme relate to the context? -- Cause and Effect Does one action or statement cause another? -- Progression How are themes developed? -- Repetition Are any ideas or phrases repeated? -- Cruciality Is the unit arranged around one pivotal point? -- Summarization Does a portion of the unit summarize the activity or thought of the unit?

(b) Study major terms.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 16 (Step 3) Understanding and Application: What does it mean for today? (a) Evaluate: What have you learned? What truths does the unit teach that have meaning for every age? What are the results?

(b) Meditate on the theological, spiritual, and ethical implications.

(c) Dedicate the truths you’ve discovered to your life: -- What has been said to me? -- How should my attitudes respond to these truths? -- How should my behavior respond to these truths?

(d) Communicate: -- What applies only to your life? -- What would you teach to others? -- How would you teach this to others?

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 1 - 17 ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study two the pentateuch part i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

introduction 2-1

the pentateuch 2-1

genesis 2-2 Brief Synopsis 2-2 Creation 2-3 Sin 2-3 Judgment 2-4 Abraham 2-4 Election 2-5 Promise 2-6 Covenant 2-7 Into Egypt 2-7

exodus 2-8 Brief Synopsis 2-8 Oppression: Slavery in Egypt 2-8 Moses 2-9 Redemption: The Exodus 2-10 Covenant: The Giving of the Law 2-11 God’s Character 2-13 Worship: The Tabernacle 2-13

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT study two the pentateuch part i

TABLE OF CONTENTS continued

leviticus 2-13 Brief Synopsis 2-13 Worship: Responding to God’s Call 2-14 The Law 2-15 Holiness 2-16 The Five Major Offerings 2-17 Atonement 2-17

appendix A: major OT passages 2-19

appendix B: israel’s travels 2-20

appendix C: charts 2-21 The Tribes of Israel 2-21 The Tabernacle 2-22 Major OT Theological Themes 2-23

study two endnotes 2-24

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION

This class will study three of the first five books of the Old Testament, commonly called the Pentateuch.

This class will cover: MAJOR OT DIVISIONS -- The basic structure of each book. The Pentateuch The History Books -- An introduction to the major teachings found in these books. Poetry and Wisdom Literature -- A survey of the main historical events and people that played a significant role in Major Prophets Minor Prophets the history of Israel and in God’s unfolding plan of salvation for his people.

Many Christians don’t spend a lot of time reading the Old Testament (OT). However, the OT is THE PENTATEUCH Genesis the foundation for a greater understanding of Jesus and the character of God. The OT has much Exodus to offer our faith! One person has noticed: Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy “Aside from a few celebrated texts on Creation and the fall of man, selections dealing with the names and ascriptions of deity, and passages presenting the basic ideas of covenant, the Torah [Pentateuch] is generally neglected. True, passages are chosen from time to time to illustrate truth already affirmed in the NT, but rarely do theologians build theological propositions solidly on Torah truth.”1

The purpose of this class is to provide a quick snapshot of this portion of the OT and to provide you with some tools to help you read the Bible well.

[the pentateuch] genesis The ancient beginnings of the 1. The term Pentateuch is a Greek word meaning five-volumed. This refers to the first human race and Israel. five books of the Bible (see sidebar). exodus The creation of a nation that began -- These books are also called: The Law, The Book of the Law, The Five Books of Moses, in slavery and ended in a covenant and The Torah. relationship with God.

LEVITICUS Focuses on what it means to lead a holy life and to worship God. 2. Torah is a Hebrew word meaning instruction or teaching. This is an accurate description of these books because they contain the history and laws of the people of Israel. NUMBERS The events of the 40-year wanderings of Israel, which was judgment due to the people’s rebellion against God.

3. Most scholars believe Moses wrote the Pentateuch. DEUTERONOMY The farewell speeches of Moses to -- The Bible teaches this (Jesus did—see Mark 12:26), and the earliest Christian and Israel in which he reminds them of their redemption and obligation Jewish traditions have always affirmed Mosaic authorship. to God.

-- Those who have disputed this don’t have conclusive evidence. ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 1 4. The Pentateuch is not a collection of abstract religious or moral ideas. Its message roots itself in history and cannot be understood apart from the historical events it describes.

5. The importance of the Pentateuch can hardly be overemphasized. These five books create thefoundation for understanding the Bible. For example, the New Testament book of Hebrews makes little sense without an understanding of the OT.

-- These books are the first written revelation by God. They are the opening chapters of God’s love letter to humanity. The Pentateuch is the center of the Jewish canon and is the most important section of their Bible.

6. The Pentateuch sets the tone for the rest of Scripture. Every major teaching or doctrine has its roots in the Pentateuch. God’s love for humanity and our hope of redemption can be found on nearly every page.

GENESIS

[brief synopsis]

I. Major World Events (1–11) -- Creation -- Fall -- Flood -- Tower of Babel

II. The Forefathers of Israel (12–50) -- Abraham -- Isaac (Ishmael) -- Jacob (Esau) -- Joseph (11 brothers)

Genesis seeks to establish two major points:

(a) The God of creation is the God of the Israelites.

(b) Obedience to God’s covenant with Israel is the re-establishment of God’s original purpose for creation.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 2 [creation]

1. God created everything, and God did it out of nothing.

-- There were no accidents in creation; everything was intended.

-- God made everything in six days and then rested on the seventh.

-- God created everything through his words, but the exact details of how this happened is not known.

2. God created everything perfect, without sin.

3. Human beings were the “crown” of all creation, created in God’s image.

-- Many people have said that “in the image of God” means we have a soul or spirit, mind, conscience, self-awareness, and reason.

-- The Bible does not give us a specific definition; there is something in us—the image of God—that is not in animals.

-- People have the ability to choose and to be held accountable; this separates us from everything else in creation.

4. God wanted people to rule (steward) over the earth; it is our great gift, a playground for us to find life.

5. God created everything in love, and that meant giving Adam and Eve the option of whether or not to love back.

[sin]

1. With encouragement from the devil, Adam and Eve chose to disobey God.

2. The consequence of disobedience was death—not just the physical kind, but also spiritual separation from God. This is why they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 3 3. Sin had other drastic consequences that devastated and perverted God’s perfect creation:

-- Increased pain in childbirth.

-- A chasm between gender—male and female relationship imperfect.

-- The ground grew weeds. Food came only after hard work.

4. The three major relationships a person has—with God, other people, and creation—were ruined and therefore in need of restoration.

[judgment]

1. God’s judgment on Adam and Eve wasn’t arbitrary, vindictive, or evil. It’s evidence of God’s love and consistency.

2. God’s love led to the perfect creation of people who had choice. Those choices had to have consequences; they wouldn’t be real choices without real results.

3. God’s love means he wanted nothing but the best for us. Even in the midst of judgment, God’s gift of the hope of redemption was still present.

-- God promised that salvation would come from Eve’s offspring and that ultimately this person would destroy the devil.

[abraham]

1. Abraham was a wealthy man who lived in the city of Ur. At the age of 75 he was called by God: “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

2. Abraham became a nomad with a large family and many servants. His travels led him through Canaan, the Sinai Peninsula, and Egypt.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 4 3. Abraham was very old before he had any sons. God had promised Abraham his descendants would become a nation.

-- Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was too old for childbearing. So Abraham decided to have a child with Sarah’s servant Hagar; their son’s name was Ishmael.

-- Although God disapproved of Abraham’s actions (even though they were “culturally acceptable”), God still chose to bless Abraham and Sarah with a son, Isaac. God’s blessings are not always linked to a person’s actions.

4. Abraham was the father of the nation of Israel. He is known for putting God first in his life, he was a man of faith and obedience (Hebrews 11:17-19), and he was the father of all who live by faith (Galatians 3:9).

[election]

1. Important to understanding OT theology is the concept of the election of Israel.

2. Out of all of the people in the world, God elected or chose Abraham for a specific task, for specificpromises .

-- “Election” probably isn’t the best term; it implies a bunch of people getting together and voting—that’s not how it happened. There’s only one vote: God’s.

3. Historical events don’t just happen by chance. God is in control.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

-- God has plans for everyone, plans made before the world was made.

4. Jesus also taught this idea of election:

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 5 5. Election is God’s sovereign choosing of a person according to his eternal purposes.

[promise]

1. A promise is something you can count on. God made a promise to Abraham that he didn’t have to make. Nobody forced God; he gave a gift of his promise.

2. In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham:

-- He would become a great nation

-- He would be blessed

-- He would have a great name (interesting irony: see Genesis 11)

-- God would be on his side

-- He would bless all the peoples of the earth

Another word for promise is grace—undeserved favor. God made and kept all sorts of favors to Abraham (see Deuteronomy 9:5; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 105; Psalm 119; and Haggai 2:5).

3. When God makes a promise, our response is to have faith in what God plans (see Romans 4:16-17 and Galatians 3:18).

4. Maintaining faith in God’s promises was difficult for Abraham. For example:

-- Sarah was “barren”—unable to have children

-- The land of Israel was filled with other powerful nations

Some of God’s promises to Abraham weren’t fulfilled until Jesus came!

5. Believers in Christ receive Abraham’s promise from God (Galatians 3:29). This means Christians are God’s children.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 6 [covenant]

1. A covenant is a legal contract or deal between two parties.

2. There were several different kinds of covenants in ancient times, depending on the parties involved and the duration of the covenant.

3. Covenants usually involved responsibilities to be carried out by both parties. When one side broke the covenant, the other side was released from obligation.

4. In Genesis 16–17, God entered into a strict covenant with Abraham according to ancient traditions.

God’s Obligations -- Make Abraham father of many nations of kings -- Covenant will be everlasting, with descendants to give Abraham the land of Canaan

Abraham’s obligations -- He must keep the covenant and his descendants must be circumcised

5. Further details of God’s covenant with Abraham’s descendents came to Moses some 400 years later in the form of the Law.

-- With his death and resurrection, Jesus ushered in a new and better covenant between God and humanity (see Hebrews 8).

[into egypt]

1. Through a complex series of God-controlled events, the Israelite clan (Abraham’s descendents) moved to Egypt (from Canaan).

2. The last major portion of Genesis—chapters 37–50—is called the “Joseph Narrative.” THE FATHERS OF ISRAEL Abraham These chapters describe the amazing life of Joseph and reveal how God worked Isaac “behind the scenes” to bring about his will. Jacob

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 7 3. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, and his 11 brothers were very jealous. They sold Joseph into slavery, and he ended up in Egypt. After being falsely accused of sexual immorality, he was thrown into jail.

4. A few years later, Joseph impressed the Pharaoh by interpreting his dreams (God gave Joseph the wisdom to understand). Joseph became the second in command over all of Egypt.

5. There was a severe famine in the region, and the Israelites needed food, so they moved to Egypt. Joseph gave his father the best land for his family. The Israelites would end up living there for more than 400 years.

(See the chart of the Tribes of Israel on page 2-21.)

EXODUS

[brief synopsis]

I. Redemption from slavery (1–18) -- The time is now: Slavery (1) -- A leader is born: Moses (2–6) -- The 10 plagues (7–11) -- The Exodus (12–18)

II. Covenant at Mount Sinai (19–24) -- Covenant proposed (19) -- The Law (20–23) -- The Covenant ratified (24)

III. Worshipping God (25–40) -- Instructions for building the tabernacle (25–31) -- Rebellion so soon: Idol worship (32–34) -- Building the tabernacle (35–40)

[oppression: slavery in egypt]

1. The narrative in the book of Exodus begins about 400 years after the close of Genesis. The Israelites still lived in Egypt.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 8 Political power shifted in Egypt, and a Pharaoh “who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done” (Exodus 1:8) ruled over the Egyptians.

2. This Pharaoh feared the rapidly growing Israelites, and he enslaved them as a means to control them. This action wasn’t enough, so the Pharaoh ordered all Israelite males to be killed at birth.

3. The slavery by the Egyptians was particularly harsh (see 5:1-21), and a collective “groan” arose from the Israelites to the Lord for help (6:5).

4. God heard this plea for help, remembered his promise to Abraham, and sent Moses to deliver Israel.

[moses]

The life of Israel’s most important human prophet can be conveniently divided into three roughly equal parts of 40 years.

Prince

-- Moses was born during the time of Pharaoh’s persecution but escaped death and was raised by one of Pharaoh’s daughters.

-- Living in the royal household, Moses received an advanced education (Acts 7:22) in order to be prepared for political leadership in Egypt.

-- Being an Israelite, Moses sympathized with the harsh slavery of the Hebrews. One day, in a fit of anger, Moses killed a cruel Egyptian who was beating an Israelite. Moses became a fugitive and fled to the wilderness, to Midian.

Shepherd

-- In Midian, Moses took on a much different position as a shepherd far from Egypt.

-- These 40 years in the wilderness represented an important step in Moses’ development as a leader. Moses had time to think, reflect, develop humility, and build a family.

-- He also spent time learning about the land through which he would eventually lead the Israelites.

-- From a mysterious burning bush, God called Moses to lead Israel from slavery. Moses tried to make excuses; eventually he obeyed God. ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 9 Prophet

-- Moses returned to Egypt and asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, but the Egyptian king wasn’t ready to give up free labor. In order to convince Pharaoh, God sent 10 plagues upon Egypt (Genesis 7–11):

-- Nile River turned into blood -- Frogs -- Gnats -- Flies -- Death to livestock -- Boils -- Hail -- Locusts -- Darkness -- Death of firstborn (Passover)

-- After the last plague, Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites go, but after they went just a short distance, Pharaoh tried to stop them. His entire army ended up drowning in the sea.

-- Moses led Israel to Mount Sinai; he probably had 2.5 million people with him. This journey was filled with several more miracles, evidence to the people that God was with them.

-- Moses was the greatest prophet of the Old Testament, yet the biblical record portrays a normal and imperfect person. Moses wasn’t a good public speaker, he had insecurities, he argued with God, and he had a problem dealing with his anger. In spite of this:

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel (Deuteronomy 34:10-12).

But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ (Hebrews 3:3-6).

[redemption: the exodus]

1. Perhaps the single most important act in the life of the nation of Israel was the Exodus. This act of redemption by God wasn’t ever supposed to be forgotten by Israel. It was to be repeated to every generation of children.

“On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 10 the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time” (Exodus 12:12-14).

“And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery. Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, so the Lord killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to the Lord—except that the firstborn sons are always bought back.’ This ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. It is a reminder that the power of the Lord’s mighty hand brought us out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:14-16).

2. It is important to understand that God redeemed Israel before giving them the Law. The people’s salvation came before their lifestyle changed. God “gained credibility” before giving them guidelines for living.

3. After the 10 plagues, God led the Israelites by a pillar of clouds during the day and by a pillar of fire at night. The journey to Mount Sinai included several other miracles:

-- Splitting of the sea -- Purified “bitter” water -- Provided food (manna and quail) -- Brought water from a rock -- Victory against the Amalekites

4. The trip from Egypt to Sinai took three months. God saved, protected, and guided Israel, yet the people still complained often and put God to the test.

(See map on page 2-20 for the details of their journey.)

[covenant: the giving of the law]

1. When Israel first got to Mount Sinai, God reminded the people of hisredemption and stated his plans for them:

“ ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel” (Exodus 19:4-6).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 11 -- The people agreed to follow God:

And all the people responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to the Lord (Exodus 19:8).

2. Israel camped before Mount Sinai, but the people were careful not to touch the mountain. The mountain was holy and off limits because God’s presence was there. Only Moses could go up on the mountain to listen to God and receive the Law.

-- Moses came down from the mountain:

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 24:3-4).

-- The people agreed to the covenant with God

-- Moses wrote down everything God had said

3. Moses returned to the mountain a second time, this time for an extended period: 40 days. While there, Moses received more instructions for worship and the two tablets of the testimony.

4. The people got nervous and thought Moses would never come back, so they created an idol and worshipped it.

-- When Moses came down, he was so angry that he threw the tablets and broke them. That day, God’s faithful servants killed 3,000 people. As further punishment, God sent a plague on the people.

5. Moses went up to the mountain a third time, again for 40 days, to listen to God. When he returned, the people began building the tabernacle. The total time Israel spent at Mount Sinai was about a year.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 12 [God’s character]

The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations” (Exodus 34:6-7).

“But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands” (Exodus 20:6).

God is—at all times—righteous and just. God is our model; God sets the standards. God is compassionate and gracious but also consistent: The guilty will be punished.

It’s important not to ignore truth about God simply because it doesn’t make sense, we don’t agree with it, or it’s a truth that doesn’t “help” us.

[worship: the tabernacle]

1. A major portion of Exodus deals with worshipping God in the tabernacle. The significance of the tabernacle for Israel could hardly be overstated. The glory of God, God’s very presence, was in the tabernacle. God came down from heaven to dwell among his people.

-- The tabernacle was yet more evidence of God’s love. God created us, saves us, and reveals himself to us, but this is not enough—God also lives among us.

-- With the tabernacle, God no longer spoke to Israel from the mountaintop—God “lived” with them and would travel with them.

(See the chart on page 2-22 for a diagram of the tabernacle.)

Leviticus

[brief synopsis]

I. Five major offerings (1–7)

II. Tabernacle worship (8–10)

III. Laws of cleanness (11–15)

IV. The Day of Atonement (16)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 13 V. Personal holiness (17–22)

VI. Feasts and worship (23–24)

VII. Laws of land use (25)

VIII. Warnings against falling away (26)

IX. Laws concerning gifts (27)

[worship: responding to God’s call]

1. The book of Leviticus contains very little narrative. The opening and closing scenes find Israel at the same geographical spot (Mount Sinai).

2. Leviticus is a book of worship. It explains the workings of the tabernacle, laws the people were to obey, and holy days they were to observe.

3. Leviticus is a book of law and must be studied carefully by the Christian.

-- With Jesus, there is a change in law (Hebrews 7:12) and thus some laws do not apply to Christians (Acts 10:14-15), and yet others are to be obeyed (such as the Ten Commandments).

(We’ll take a closer look at the Law in a moment.)

4. The book of Leviticus lays the foundation for the work of Jesus on the cross.

-- Without Leviticus, the death of Christ would hold no meaning; we would be forced to say, “So why did Jesus die?”

-- No matter how you slice it up, animal sacrifice is nasty. Bulls are screaming, knives are being sharpened, blood is spilling, and life is being extinguished. And can you imagine the smell? Burnt flesh and blood? When the pastors—the priests— went home, they needed a shower.

-- However, none of this even comes close to illustrating just how painful and gross all sin is before God.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 14 5. The books of Genesis and Exodus record dozens of times where God calls out to his people. In Leviticus we see people answering that call.

[the law]

1. The nation of Israel was a theocracy: a country ruled by God. There was no difference or division between church and state, as the NT seems to advocate (Matthew 22:21).

-- The religious laws of Israel were also the civil laws; this is why breaking the Law would have punishments like capital punishment.

2. There are several ways to categorize, understand, and interpret the Laws found in the OT:

(a) Traditional understanding

1. Moral laws: “you shall not” laws that are always true for all time

2. Civil laws: given by government to ensure a smooth-running society

3. Ceremonial laws: dietary laws, laws about cleanliness, and so on

For the Christian, this understanding usually views the ceremonial laws as no longer relevant. The civil laws change to the standard to existing government laws, and the moral laws are still relevant.

TEN Commandments 1. You must not have any other god but me. (b) “Relational” understanding 2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind; you must not 1. Laws that deal with our relationship with God. bow down to them or worship them. For example: Commandments 1-4. 3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. 2. Laws that deal with our relationship with people. For example: Commandments 5-10. 4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

5. Honor your father and mother. This second understanding seeks to look at God’s principle behind OT Laws and then apply that principle in today’s context. 6. You must not murder. 7. You must not commit adultery. For example: 8. You must not steal. -- LAW: “When you build a new house, you must build a railing around the edge 9. You must not testify falsely of its flat roof. That way you will not be considered guilty of murder if against your neighbor. someone falls from the roof” (Deuteronomy 22:8). 10. You must not covet.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 15 -- PRINCIPLE: Your possessions should not hold potential harm for others. -- TODAY: Don’t drive your car with bad brakes.

1. Case laws (casualties)—“If a person…, then…”

2. Categorical laws (apodictic)—“You shall not”

This third understanding came about as an attempt to discover the origin of Old Testament Law in its relation to other cultures of the time.

Although many scholars pursue this course of study, it is enough to say, “the Lord spoke to Moses”—18 chapters in Leviticus begin this way!

God revealed the Law to Moses. It contains God’s will for living. The goal of the Law is to define sin (and thus holiness) and create a model for the people of God to follow.

[holiness]

1. In its most basic understanding, holiness means to be set apart—separated from sin HOLY GOD He [David] led them to Baalah and united with God. of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from 2. Holiness is the essence of God’s character. God is holy; no one can see God’s face— Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s that is, behold all of God’s glory and love (see Exodus 33:19-20 and John 1:18). sons, were guiding the cart as it left the house, carrying the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all 3. Holiness is the opposite of sin and cannot tolerate the presence of sin. This is the problem kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and we have if we want a relationship with God. That is why God calls us to be holy as he is holy, cymbals. But when they arrived at and that’s the only way we can enjoy God’s presence. the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the 4. The Law outlines the path to holiness. Follow the law completely and you’d be a completely Ark of God (2 Samuel 6:2-7). holy person.

-- It is impossible for a person to become holy and remain holy—that is where sacrifices enter the picture.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 16 [the five major offerings]2

The book of Leviticus opens with a description of the five major sacrifices an Israelite could offer (see Leviticus 1–7).

SACRIFICE ELEMENTS PURPOSE burnt offering a bull, ram, or male bird; totally burned; voluntary act of worship; atonement for must be without defect unintentional sin in general; expression of devotion, commitment, and complete surrender to God grain offering grain, fine flour, olive oil, incense, baked voluntary act of worship; recognition of bread, salt; no yeast or honey; usually God’s goodness and provisions; devotion went along with grain or thanks offering to God thanks offering any animal without defect from herd or voluntary act of worship; thanksgiving flock; a variety of breads and fellowship; included a communal meal sin offering the high priest and congregation mandatory atonement for specific sacrificed a young bull; a unintentional sin; confession of sin; leader of Israel sacrificed a male goat; a forgiveness of sin; cleansing from common person sacrificed a female goat defilement or lamb; a poor person sacrificed a dove or pigeon; a very poor person sacrificed fine flour guilt offering a ram or lamb mandatory atonement for unintentional sin requiring restitution; cleansing from defilement; make restitution; pay fine of 20 percent

[atonement]

1. For a person to be made right with God, atonement (or payment) for his or her sins must be made.

2. Blood must be spilled—a life taken—to make this happen. This is not some harsh and vindictive rule; it’s a necessary consequence of sin.

3. Sin is a serious thing; it holds deadly consequences. God’s grace is not cheap; it costs life (Leviticus 17:11).

4. The offerings of the OT, found in Leviticus, were a shadow of the things to come in Jesus. His sacrifice was final, perfect, and eternal (see Hebrews 10).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 17 “Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as a sin offering to purify them, making them right with the Lord. Afterward, cleanse the altar by purifying it; make it holy by anointing it with oil” (Exodus 29:36).

“This is a permanent law for you, to purify the people of Israel from their sins, making them right with the Lord once each year” (Leviticus 16:34).

-- Atonement sacrifices were offered several times a day, extra offerings were done on holy days, and all of these are in addition to personal offerings.

The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. … For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. … And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:1-14, 10, 21-22).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 18 Appendix A: Major OT Passages

A suggested reading list to get you started in your journey into the Old Testament.

Genesis 1–3 Creation, fall of man 6–8 Flood 12 Call of Abraham 16–17 God’s covenant with Abraham

Exodus 1–2 Oppression of Israelites; birth of Moses 3 Moses meets God 11–12 Passover and Exodus 19–20 Israel receives Law at Mount Sinai 24 Covenant confirmed by people 26 Making of the Tabernacle 32–33 Israel rebels 40 Setting up the Tabernacle

Leviticus 1–7 Five major offerings 16–17 Day of Atonement 26 Consequences for action (see also Deuteronomy 28)

Numbers 6 Nazarite vow 9 Passover celebration 13 Spies inspect the Promised Land 14 Rebellion of Israel

Deuteronomy 1–3 Historical recap 5 Ten Commandments 6 Loving God 12 One place of worship 17 Instructions for kings (vs. 14-20) 18 The prophet 26 First fruits and tithes to the Lord 30 Offer of life 34 Death of Moses

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 19 Appendix B: Israel’s Travels

Map of Egypt, Sinai, and Israel3

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 20 Appendix C: Charts

The Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ruben Abraham Esau Simeon Levi** Isaac (Wives of Judah Jacob) Issachar Jacob* Zebulun Leah Gad Zilpah Asher Bilhah Dan Ephraim Rachel Naphtali Joseph*** Benjamin Manasseh

*Jacob’s name was changed to Israel by God in Genesis 32.

**Levi’s tribe is not included in the 12 tribes of Israel because they “belonged to the Lord;” this entire family became priests who served God.

***Joseph became the father of two tribes because Jacob adopted Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 21 The Tabernacle

1. Courtyard Curtain (75’ x 150’) 1

2. Entrance (always faced east)

3. Bronze Basin 5

4. Bronze Altar

5. The Tent of Meeting (15’ x 35’) 12 13 11 6. Entrance to the Tent of Meeting 10 7 9 7. Holy Place (15’ X 30’) 8 8. Golden table for bread 6 9. Golden lampstand

10. Altar of incense 3

11. The Curtain 4 12. Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) (15’ X 15’)

13. Ark of the Covenant

(for more detail, read Exodus 25–28) 2

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 22 Major OT Theological Themes

THEME ELECTION PROMISE COVENANT HOLINESS REDEMPTION In other choice pledge relational obligations set apart salvation words... land; Abraham chosen by be blessed; For Israel the Law moral and ritual the exodus God be a blessing; become a nation

Our response humility faith obey pursue repent

So the promise is received by faith. “And in the future, It is given as a free “For I, the Lord, am your children will gift. And we are all “And you will live in the one who brought ask you, ‘What does certain to receive it, Israel, the land I gave you up from the all this mean?’ Then The Lord had said to whether or not we live your ancestors long land of Egypt, that I you will tell them, Key verse Abram according to the law ago. You will be my might be your God. ‘With the power of (Genesis 12:1). of Moses, if we have people, and I will be Therefore, you must his mighty hand, the faith like Abraham’s. your God” be holy because I am Lord brought us out For Abraham is the (Ezekiel 36:28). holy” of Egypt, the place of father of all who (Leviticus 11:45). our slavery’ ” believe (Exodus 13:14). (Romans 4:16).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 23 STUDY TWO ENDNOTES

1. See page 660 in Ronald B. Allen’s commentary on Numbers in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 2, Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor.

2. This material has been adapted from the NIV Study Bible, page 149.

3. Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1963.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 2 - 24 ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study three the pentateuch part ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

introduction 3-1

the pentateuch 3-1

numbers 3-2 Brief Synopsis 3-2 Historical Overview 3-3 Three Reasons for Numbers 3-5 The Census Lists 3-6 Major Theological Teachings 3-6

deuteronomy 3-7 Brief Synopsis 3-7 Overview of Content 3-7 Purpose 3-8 Major Theological Teachings 3-9

study three endnotes 3-11

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT Introduction

This class will study two of the first five books of the Old Testament, commonly called the Pentateuch.

The purpose of this class is to provide a quick snapshot of this portion of the OT and to provide you with some tools to help you read the Bible well.

-- Those who have disputed this don’t have conclusive evidence. ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 1 4. The Pentateuch is not a collection of abstract religious or moral ideas. Its message roots itself in history and cannot be understood apart from the historical events it describes.

NUMBERS The book of Numbers describes the historical events of the Israelites between Mount Sinai and the conquest of the land of Canaan.

[brief synopsis]

One popular way to structure the book of Numbers is according to three general geographical locations of the Israelites:

I. At Sinai: Preparations for Departure (1:1–10:10) -- journey from Sinai to Kadesh (10:11–12:16)

II. At Kadesh: Rebellion and Wandering (13:1–20:13) -- journey from Kadesh to Moab (20:14–22:1)

III. At Moab: Preparations for Conquest (22:2–32:42) -- miscellaneous matters (33:1–36:13)

Many scholars agree to three major sections, but there is no consensus on the division between the second and third sections.

Structuring the book according to geographical locations assumes a chronological progression, and fails to account for Numbers 1:1 and 9:1.

A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. On the first day of the second month of that year… (Numbers 1:1).

A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. In the first month of that year… (Numbers 9:1). ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 2 An alternate understanding of Numbers structures the book according to two generations of Israelites.

Numbers is called Numbers because of two census lists it contains in chapters 1 and 26. In a book where there seems to be little or no structure, these lists become excellent markers of the two major divisions.

I. First Generation: Failures in the Desert (1:1–28:18)

-- Preparations for the march into the Promised Land (1:1–10:36)

-- Rebellion and judgment of an unfaithful generation (11:1–25:18)

II. Second Generation: Ready to Enter the Promised Land (26:1–36:13)

-- Preparations for the march into the Promised Land (26:1–32:42)

-- Review of the first generation’s journey; words of warnings and encouragement (33:1-56)

-- Anticipation of the Promised Land (34:1–36:13)

[historical overview]

The First Generation The book of Numbers begins with the Israelites still at Mount Sinai, after completing construction of the tabernacle.

After more than 400 years, God was about to fulfill another promise made to Abraham: God was about to lead the people into the land of Canaan.

The Israelites were totally prepared to occupy their new land. God had: -- saved them from slavery -- led them on a miraculous journey through the desert -- revealed to them his holy Law—instructions for life and worship -- given them the plans for the building of the tabernacle

According to God’s timing, Israel was ready for land, the next part of their inheritance. God was about to lead them in a victorious march to Canaan for their conquest. The only problem: The Israelites lacked faith in God and were afraid.

The Edge of the Promised Land The Israelites traveled from Mount Sinai to the southern most tip of the Promised Land (a place called Kadesh Barnea), a trip that should have taken less than 11 days. Even during this short trip, the Israelites complained against God and Moses.

Once at Kadesh, God commanded Moses to send 12 spies into the Promised Land (one from each tribe). When they returned:

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 3 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.” But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge” (Numbers 13:27-32).

Sending the spies into Canaan was a test from God, an opportunity for the Israelites to put their faith in God. It would take a miracle for the new nation of Israel to conquer the overwhelming odds that faced the people if they entered the land of Canaan.

-- The test? Which is better: human logic and reason or God’s commands?

The spies were fearful, and with their “bad report” the rest of Israel also became fearful and faithless.

-- Ultimately, everyone is personally responsible for his or her decisions, but one person’s actions can have a powerful influence over others’ perspectives and choices.

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting” (Matthew 18:6-7).

Judgment And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?” (Numbers 14:11).

God’s judgment comes when people reject him, when they refuse to believe in God.

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. You said your children would be carried off as plunder. Well, I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised. But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness. 33 And your children will be like shepherds, wandering in the wilderness for forty years. In this way, they will pay for your faithlessness, until the last of you lies dead in the wilderness. Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.’ I, the Lord, have spoken! I will certainly do these things to every member of the community who has conspired against me. They will be destroyed here in this wilderness, and here they will die!” (Numbers 14:26-35).

God’s judgment on Israel was that they would not live in the land he promised them. If they didn’t want the gift, God wasn’t going to force them to take it. ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 4 The Israelites would wander in the desert for 40 years; during this time every member of the older generation would die.

“Anger seems to be an essential element of the Lord’s love which is inseparably connected with His holiness and His justice.”2

The Wilderness Not many of the events during the 40-year period are recorded: -- the rebellion of Korah against the priesthood -- some miscellaneous laws -- the disobedience of Moses -- the oracles of Balaam

The Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” (Numbers 20:7-12).

The Second Generation The second part of Numbers (chapters 26–33) introduces a new generation of Israelites. Nothing negative is recorded about this group of Israelites; they were obedient to God.

This section contains: -- some miscellaneous laws -- Joshua to succeed Moses -- battle and victory against Midianites -- stages in Israel’s journey -- land allotments for the “trans-Jordan” tribes

There isn’t a whole lot of detail about the second generation. It is the testimony of the older generation that failed to trust God. This book forces the reader to answer an important question: “Have you learned from the past? Will you obey God or run from God?”

[three reasons for numbers]

1. To record the history of the Israelites between Mount Sinai and the conquest of Canaan.

2. To teach that the 40-year wandering in the desert (a trip that should have taken 11 days) was punishment from God for the Israelites’ disobedience and lack of faith.

3. To demonstrate that even in the midst of his wrath, God had not forsaken his people totally.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 5 [the census lists]

God commanded Moses to take a census for several reasons: -- to recruit men for war -- to allot work assignments -- for taxation (tithes) -- to arrange the tribes for marching and camping -- to unite the once-enslaved people into a unified people

The first census was taken a little over one year after the Exodus.

The second census was taken in the 40th year after the Exodus.

Each census counted men of fighting age, who probably represented one-fourth of the entire population.

Totals: First census: 603,555 Second census: 601,730 -- This means there were 2.5 million people who left Egypt! -- These high numbers are evidence of God’s blessing and fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. -- After 40 years of wandering, the population didn’t grow (punishment).

[major theological teachings]

The Presence of God In Leviticus, we saw the instructions and the construction of the tabernacle.

On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire (Numbers 9:15-16).

In Numbers, God literally dwelled among his people in a unique way. Even in their 40 years of wandering in the desert, God was still in their midst.

The Power of God God cared for the needs of his people and always met those needs.

-- God guided them every day after the escape from Egypt

-- God provided them food (bread and meat) and water

-- God protected their clothing from wearing out (Deuteronomy 8:3)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 6 The Patience of God The history of Israel is filled with numerous examples of disobedience and a lack of faith in God. Yet God remained true to his covenant with Israel, even though God wasn’t obligated.

Despite the people’s rebellion, God continued to work among them and waited for them to follow his will.

-- Intercession: the prayers of a righteous person on the behalf of another (see Numbers 14 and James 5:16).

Deuteronomy The name Deuteronomy comes from two words meaning “second” and “law”—the second giving of the law.

[brief synopsis]3

I. First Speech: Historical Recap (1:1–4:43) -- Israel’s travels from Mount Sinai to the Jordan -- Israel before the Lord

II. Second Speech: Covenant Responsibilities (4:44–28:68) -- Basic elements of life in the land -- Specific responsibilities -- Ratification of the covenant -- Blessings and cursings

III. Third Speech: The Call to Commit (29:1–30:20) -- Warnings and encouragements -- The offer of life and death

IV. Concluding Narratives (31:1–34:12) -- The charge to Joshua -- Song of Moses; Moses’ blessing of the 12 tribes -- Death of Moses

[overview of content]

First Speech After a quick historical recap, Moses’ first speech reminded Israel of God’s unfailing love that was demonstrated by: -- God giving Israel the land -- God going before Israel in the conquest -- God’s continued presence with Israel

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 7 Second Speech In his second speech, Moses begins with the Ten Commandments and their application to specificsituations . In general terms, he gives instructions for loving God and living in the land they were about to possess.

Third Speech The third speech is the shortest; it contains the renewal of the covenant and the offer of life and death.

[purpose]

“Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter. If you obey, you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors and to you, their descendants—a land flowing with milk and honey!” (Deuteronomy 11:8-9).

The message of Deuteronomy is clear: The people of Israel were to obey God’s commandments and they would live long in the land and be blessed.

These are the terms of the covenant the Lord commanded Moses to make with the Israelites while they were in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant he had made with them at Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 29:1).

Deuteronomy is a renewal of the original covenant made at Mount Sinai. This new generation of Israelites needed to make the choice to follow God for themselves.

Deuteronomy thoroughly prepared Israel for their conquest and occupation of the Promised Land. This teaching held straightforward consequences: Obedience would lead to blessing, and disobedience would lead to curses.

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it. Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 30:11-20).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 8 Ultimately, Deuteronomy reveals how God gave Israel a choice and urged them to commit to serving God with everything that they had.

[major theological teachings]

Deuteronomy is important; there’s not a major theological teaching found in the Bible that doesn’t have its roots within the pages of Deuteronomy.

At the most fundamental level, Deuteronomy describes the relationship between God and humanity, a covenant established in God’s love. -- God’s grace is evident because Israel never earned the right to that relationship. -- God’s mercy is always present as he puts up with so much disobedience.

In the midst of this gold mine of theology, three important truths rise to the top:

1. God is jealous and demands total obedience from his people. God’s people must love him with every shred of their being: heart, soul, and strength.

2. Disobedience will be punished; every decision holds consequences. God’s love is evident in his judgment because it proves God is consistent and that our choices are real (Deuteronomy 29:19-28).

3. God will always remember his people and the promises he has made to them. Even in the midst of his wrath, God will eventually relent (Deuteronomy 30:4).

GUIDED BY A CLOUD Exodus 13-14 Concluding Thoughts Understanding the OT brings light to understanding the New Testament: SPIRITUAL FOOD Exodus 16; Numbers 11

I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long SPIRITUAL ROCK ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked Exodus 17; Numbers 20 through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same BODIES WERE SCATTERED Numbers 14:29 spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the CELEBRATED, INDULGED wilderness. These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as Exodus 32 they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated 23,000 DIED with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” And we must not engage in Numbers 25 sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day. Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble PUT CHRIST TO THE TEST Numbers 21 as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 9 them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 10 STUDY THREE ENDNOTES

1. See page 660 in Ronald B. Allen’s commentary on Numbers in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 2, Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor.

2. S. Evlandsson, “The Wrath of YHWH.” Tyndale Bulletin, 23 (1972): 115.

3. This outline is a stripped-down version of E. S. Kalland’s in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3, Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor (1993): 15ff.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 3 - 11 ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study four the historical books of the old testament

TABLE OF CONTENTS

introduction 4-1 Historical Review 4-2 Historical Overview 4-2 Reading the Historical Books 4-2

joshua 4-3 Outline 4-3 Summary of Contents 4-4 Central Characters 4-4 Theological Message 4-5

judges 4-6 Outline 4-6 Summary of Contents 4-6 Central Characters 4-7 Theological Message 4-8

ruth 4-8 Outline 4-8 Summary of Contents 4-9 Central Characters 4-9 Theological Message 4-9

samuel 4-10 Outline 4-10 Summary of Contents 4-10 Theological Message 4-12

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study four the historical books of the old testament

TABLE OF CONTENTS continued

kings 4-12 Outline 4-12 Summary of Contents 4-13 Central Characters 4-14 Theological Message 4-14

chronicles 4-15 Outline 4-15 Summary of Contents 4-15 Theological Message 4-16

ezra–nehemiah 4-16 Outline 4-16 Summary of Contents 4-17 Theological Message 4-18

esther 4-19 Outline 4-19 Summary of Contents 4-19 Theological Message 4-20

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT Introduction

The history books of the Old Testament create a rich picture of God’s working in the lives of his people.

Although each book carries its own distinctive traits, the history books establish several MAJOR OT DIVISIONS major themes: The Pentateuch The History Books Poetry and Wisdom Literature 1. God’s role as the mover behind history; God is ultimately in control, working to bring Major Prophets Minor Prophets about his will on earth

THE history books Joshua 2. God’s will for Israel Judges Ruth 1 & 2 Kings 1 & 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Chronicles 3. God’s fulfilledpromises to Israel Ezra Nehemiah Esther

4. God’s unfailing love for his people, along with his protection.

The 12 books that make up the “historical books” cover more than 1,000 years of history. In this class we will touch on the following three things for each book:

-- content/historical value

-- central personalities

-- theological message

Many books that are separate books in our Bibles were originally a single work and will be treated as such in this class. Those works are:

-- 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings

-- 1 & 2 Chronicles

-- Ezra-Nehemiah

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 1 [historical review]

Genesis to Deuteronomy

-- Adam and Eve

-- Noah

-- Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

-- 12 Tribes move to Egypt (for 400 years)

-- Exodus (redemption from slavery)

-- Mount Sinai (giving of the Law)

-- Wanderings (punishment for disobedience)

[historical overview]

Joshua to Esther

-- Conquest and settlement of Canaan

-- Period of the Judges (downward spiral of wickedness)

-- United monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon)

-- Divided monarchy (Northern Kingdom, Israel; Southern Kingdom, Judah)

-- Fall of Samaria (Assyria), 722 B.C.

-- Fall of Jerusalem (Babylon), 586 B.C.

-- Babylonian exile (40 years)

-- Return to the land to rebuild

[reading the historical books]

1. Modern history writing attempts to accurately reflect events through thecauses and effects of this world. In other words, it assumes that God doesn’t directly intervene in the course of human events.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 2 2. Biblical history assumes God is involved. That’s why these books comment on people’s inner thoughts and judge their motives. Biblical history records events that actually happened from God’s point of view.

3. The purpose of the historical books is to:

(a) Establish an identity of God’s people (God’s purpose and covenant)

(b) Demand a response of obedience and trust from God’s people

4. Understanding the context is important to discovering the meaning of any type of communication. Each of the historical books was written to the people after the period it describes:

Historical period: Conquest Judges Monarchy Exile Return Book(s) written: Joshua Judges Samuel - Kings Chronicles

The particular period of history had a large impact on determining the needs and questions of the people of Israel.

-- During the monarchy, under such pressures from a king as heavy taxes, the people were asking, “Why do we even have a king?” Judges answers that question.

-- During the exile, the people were asking, “How could God let this happen?” Samuel-Kings answers that question.

Joshua

[outline]

I. Conquering the Promised Land (1–12) -- New leader for Israel -- Gaining a foothold: Jericho and Ai -- The southern campaign -- The northern campaign -- Summary of conquests

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 3 II. Dividing the Promised Land (13–21) -- Division of the land east of the Jordan -- Division of the land west of the Jordan -- The cities of refuge -- Towns for Levites

III. Preparation for life in the Promised Land (22–24) -- Eastern tribes return home -- Joshua’s farewell -- The covenant renewed

[summary of content]

1. The book of Joshua describes the conquest, division, and preparation for living in the Promised Land.

2. The army of Israel began with gaining a foothold in central Canaan (Jericho), then proceeded to invade the south, and then turned to the north.

3. After the conquest, Canaan was divided among the 12 tribes. The book ends with Israel reviewing its covenant with God.

[central characters]

Joshua

1. Joshua was the servant and second in command to Moses; he was a competent military leader.

2. He was also a “disciple” of Moses, faithful to God like Moses. He and Caleb trusted God when the other 10 spies did not.

3. Joshua was divinely appointed for leadership of Israel.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 4 4. He had the dual roles of military commander and administrator over all of the land.

5. Joshua was a man of God, faithful to God’s calling in his life, and he instructed the people to obey the Lord.

Joshua speaking: “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

[theological message]

1. God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. The book of Joshua sees this fulfilled. The key concept for Joshua is “inheritance.”

2. In the book of Joshua, the Israelites were usually obedient to God and received God’s blessing. God blesses those who obey.

3. God is the God of Israel. In spite of the people’s earlier rebellions, God had not stopped being faithful.

4. God’s holiness: God would not tolerate wickedness from the Canaanites or Israel.

5. God’s grace: God showed grace to all who repented (such as Rahab and the Gideonites).

6. God’s peace: After more than 40 years as a nation wandering in the desert and fighting battles, God gave his people (and the land) peace from their enemies.

And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies (Joshua 21:44).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 5 7. God’s plans for his people: Everyone had an appointed place in the land and in God’s plans for Israel. The Levites had no land, but they had cities (48 of them) for their livestock. God even created cities of refuge for people escaping wrongful vengeance.

Judges

[outline]

I. Incomplete conquest and apostasy (1–2)

II. The rule of the Judges (3–16) -- Othniel -- Ehud (Lone warrior) -- Shamgar -- Deborah (Woman) -- Gideon (Ideal judge) -- Abimelech (Anti-judge) -- Tola & Jair -- Jephthah (Social outcast) -- Ibzan, Elon, Abdon -- Samson (Lone warrior)

III. Appendix: Further Apostasy (17–21)

[summary of contents]

1. The Israelites during the period of the Judges were best described as a tribal confederacy, bound together with vague ancestral ties and their covenant with God. They had no official centralized power (such as a king) because God was their ultimate authority.

2. Harsh geography and difficult travel conditions worked toisolate the tribes from one another. Leadership was patriarchal—the eldest males made the decisions.

3. Definition of a judge: charismatic leader over alimited geographical region raised up and empowered by the Spirit of God for a specific purpose (such as defeating a particular enemy).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 6 4. The book of Judges was masterfully constructed with an easily discernible structure. The main body of this book (Chapters 3–16) consists of six cycles of:

(a) Israel’s rebellion against God

(b) Oppression by enemies

(d) Deliverance by a judge

5. The cycle of Judges is better described as a downward spiral, each new generation more wicked than the last.

But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways (Judges 2:19).

-- This dark period of history lasted 300 years.

[central characters]

Othniel He defeated Aram, and peace lasted 40 years. reading carefully The book of Judges makes it clear that Ehud was from the tribe of Ehud Benjamin and that Samson was from the tribe of Dan. He killed the king of Moab alone and led the army against Moab. Peace lasted 80 years. After reading the last section of this book (Chapters 17–21) why do Deborah you think the author did this? She told a warrior, Barak, to fight the Canaanites. But he was afraid to do it without her help.

Gideon Defeated the Midianites with only 300 men. He was a good judge who did a lot for Israel. The people even tried to make him king, but he declined because he knew that God was king.

Abimelech Ruled over Israel for a short time. He was an evil judge who killed 70 brothers and tried to become king.

Jephthah He was a social outcast who became a mighty warrior. In their time of need, the Israelites went to him for help against the ever- present threat of the Philistines.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 7 Samson This well-known judge was one of three people in the Bible called to live according to the Nazarite vow for his entire life. God gave Samson superior strength, which he used to fight the Philistines. Although he was intelligent, Samson’s passions often went unchecked, which eventually led to his downfall.

[theological message]

1. Judges establishes a reason for the monarchy. This period of history was dark and filled with moral corruption, wickedness, and oppression from enemies.

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25).

2. Judges shows the direct connection between Israel’s spiritual condition and its political/material condition. God’s judgment fell hard on his people who habitually denied him.

3. Judges provides a vivid picture of human sinfulness and the nature of God. Human disobedience requires judgment. In Israel’s case, that wrath was physical oppression from its enemies. But God never left his people. God’s forgiveness was available every time they repented.

4. In Joshua, God was with the whole nation, as the people marched from victory to victory. In Judges, God was with individuals and gave the victories to them.

Ruth

[outline]

I. Naomi’s family moves to Moab (1:1-5)

II. Naomi’s family returns to Judah (1:6-22)

III. Ruth meets Boaz (2)

IV. Encounter at the threshing floor (3)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 8 V. Ruth and Boaz marry (4:1-12)

VI. The genealogy of David (4:13-22)

[summary of contents]

1. The book of Ruth opens with a famine in Judah sometime during the days when the Judges ruled in Israel. Elimelech moved his wife, Naomi, and two sons to the country of Moab.

2. In Moab, Elimelech died and his two sons married. After about 10 years, both sons died and Naomi was left without her husband and sons. She returned to Judah with Ruth (one of her daughters-in-law).

3. Life was difficult for the two women in Judah. To find food, Ruth would pick up the crops leftbehind in the fields after harvesting.

DEUTERONOMY 25:5-6 “If two brothers are living together on the same property and one of 4. The owner of one particular field, Boaz, was related to Ruth’s husband, and eventually them dies without a son, his widow may not be married to anyone from he married Ruth (he was a “kinsman redeemer”). They had a son named Obed, who was the outside the family. Instead, her grandfather of King David. husband’s brother should marry her and have intercourse with her to fulfill the duties of a brother-in-law. The first son she bears to him will be considered the son of the dead brother, so that his name will not be [central characters] forgotten in Israel.”

Ruth She was known for her fierce loyalty to Naomi (see 1:16-18), being a hard worker, and as the grandmother of David. She was not an Israelite but was from Moab.

[theological message]

1. Although the period of the Judges was spiritually bleak, not everyone turned away from God. The book of Ruth paints a tiny bit of hope for this dark period of Israel’s history, showing the godliness of some individuals.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 9 2. Naomi’s family was nearly wiped out, a terrible fate for ancient peoples. In spite of her bitterness, God had a bigger plan and provided a way for her family to continue—and eventually be part of the lineage of David.

3. Ruth also provides some insight to David’s genealogy: He had non-Israelite ancestors. The royal line of David eventually produced the Savior of the world: Jesus.

Samuel

[outline]

I. Prelude to the monarchy (1 Samuel 1–7) -- The birth of Samuel (1–3) -- The ark narratives (4–7)

II. The reign of Saul (1 Samuel 8–31) -- Rise to power (8–12) -- Decline in power (13–15) -- Rise of David (16–27) -- The end of Saul’s reign (28–31)

III. The reign of David (2 Samuel 1–20) -- Kingship over Judah (1–3) -- Kingship over Israel (3–5) -- David’s growing power (5–8) -- Court history of David (9–20)

IV. Epilogue (2 Samuel 21–24)

[summary of contents]

1. The narrative of 1 & 2 Samuel centers largely around three people: Samuel, Saul, and David.

-- It covers a period of about 100 years and describes the transition Israel made from a tribal confederacy (period of the Judges) to a united monarchy.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 10 2. Samuel was the godly man who transitioned Israel from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy. He begrudgingly took on the task of appointing a king for Israel because the people pleaded with him:

Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance (1 Samuel 8:4-6).

-- Although there were special laws from God concerning the king (see Deuteronomy 17:14-20), this request was a rejection of God:

“Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7-9).

-- Samuel warned the people of the dangers and price they would pay for having a king: taxes, forced labor, called to serve in the army and take servants for his palace.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” So Samuel repeated to the Lord what the people had said, and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home (1 Samuel 8:19-22).

-- Their sin: They wanted to rely on the king, not God, for military strength.

-- The first king that Samuel anointed was Saul:

[Kish’s] son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land (1 Samuel 9:2).

ANOINT 3. Although Saul had limited success against the Philistines, he never succeeded as king. The act of pouring oil upon a He disobeyed God too many times, and Samuel anointed a new king, David. person’s head was a symbol of God’s special selection for a special purpose. The phrase “the Lord’s anointed” was synonymous with “king.” Christ is the Greek word for Messiah, and Messiah is the Hebrew word for “anointed one.” 4. David was a great leader and man of God. His reign was a model to be followed by all kings after him. Out of his respect for God, he would not kill Saul, because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed.”

-- After Saul died in battle against the Philistines, David took power, first in the south, then the north.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 11 5. David’s reign saw many victories and created a time of peace for Israelites. Although he wasn’t perfect, David was know as “a man after God’s heart.” David’s devotion to the Lord is expressed in the book of Psalms (he wrote most of them).

Summary

-- Samuel: The king maker

-- Saul: The evil king

-- David: The ideal king

[theological message]

1. The people of God are always to trust in the faithfulness of God. The books of Samuel seek to define the monarchy as agift from God. The king was to be a man who led the people in trusting God.

2. Samuel made kings. He was also the first “official” prophet of God. Prophets were themouthpiece “ ” of God, speaking God’s words to keep Israel on the path of faith.

3. The books of Samuel also show us that God can’t be manipulated. Actions like offering sacrifices or carrying the ark into battle could not cause God to act. God is in control of events; our job is to obey.

4. Samuel also records God’s covenant with David (1 Samuel 7), which established his dynasty for eternity. This promise was ultimately fulfilled inJesus .

Kings

[outline]

I. The Reign of Solomon (1 Kings 1–11) -- Solomon’s succession to the throne (1 Kings 1–2) -- Solomon’s establishment of the kingdom (1 Kings 2–3) -- Organization and building projects (1 Kings 4–8) -- Miscellaneous activities of Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 9–11)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 12 II. The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12–2 Kings 17) -- The division and early kings (1 Kings 12–16) -- The ministry of Elijah (1 Kings 17–19) -- Other events of the divided kingdom (1 Kings 20–2 Kings 17)

III. The Kingdom of Judah -- Hezekiah to Zedekiah (2 Kings 18–24) -- The Babylonian exile (2 Kings 25)

[summary of contents]

1. The books of 1 & 2 Kings recount the events from the end of David’s reign to the capture of Jerusalem (about 400 years).

-- Solomon was king after David, and his reign brought Israel to its golden age. His kingdom wasn’t just politically stable; it thrived.

2. Solomon’s success came with a high price that was paid by the common people. He taxed them heavily and forced them to work for free.

At his death, the kingdom split around 930 B.C. because of the people’s unhappiness, which Solomon caused because his heart was far from God.

-- The Southern Kingdom was called Judah (two tribes) and was ruled by Solomon’s son (Rehoboam). A Davidic king was always on the throne in Judah.

-- The Northern Kingdom was called Israel (10 tribes) and was ruled by Jeroboam. Several different dynasties ruled in the north.

3. It’s not surprising that political unrest descended quickly upon both nations after the division.

-- Nearly every king in the north turned away from God. After just 200 years, God used the Assyrians to destroy the Northern Kingdom (fall of Samaria, 722 B.C.).

-- The southern kings weren’t as evil; about half followed God faithfully. Judah lasted 136 years after the collapse of Israel, the Northern Kingdom. In 586 B.C., God used the Babylonians to destroy Judah and take captive most of its leaders.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 13 4. The disobedience and evil of all the kings did not go without warning of the consequences of their actions. God sent many prophets to both kingdoms to warn and encourage the wayward people and kings to repentance and obedience.

Timeline Review:

-- Saul 1050-1010 B.C. -- David 1010-970 B.C. -- Solomon 970-930 B.C. -- Division 930 B.C. -- Fall of Samaria 722 B.C. -- Fall of Jerusalem 586 B.C.

[central characters]

Solomon The son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon was far different from his father. Where David excelled on the battlefield, Solomon mastered economics.

He is best known for his vast wisdom that he used to build his kingdom to a glory never seen in Israel since. Solomon relied too much on his own skill and failed to obey God as David had. Because of this, God would take most of the kingdom from him.

Elijah Elijah was a great prophet during the reign of the man identified as the most evil king of Israel, King Ahab. This king brought many pagan religions into practice for Israel, largely because of his marriage to Jezebel, a high priestess of a pagan god. Elijah’s mission was to destroy the pagan worship that was bound to ruin Israel (1 Kings 18:21).

[theological message]

1. Like Samuel, Kings emphasizes the sovereignty of God—God’s total control over events.

2. In reading Kings, the call to obey God’s Word is loud and clear. Obedience brought God’s blessing; turning from God brought God’s wrath.

-- God’s wrath wasn’t quick—no one person’s disobedience brought on God’s punishment. It was repetitive, continual patterns of rejection and disobedience that brought about the destruction of both nations.

-- God was willing to forgive, but no one was asking.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 14 Chronicles

[outline]

I. Genealogies (1 Chronicles 1–9)

II. The Reign of David (1 Chronicles 10–24) -- David’s rise (1 Chronicles 10–20) -- David’s latter days (1 Chronicles 21–29)

III. The Reign of Solomon (2 Chronicles 1–9) -- Solomon’s inauguration (2 Chronicles 1) -- Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 2–7) -- Solomon’s kingdom (2 Chronicles 8–9)

IV. The Kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 10–36) -- The division (2 Chronicles 10–11) -- The rulers of Judah (2 Chronicles 12–36) -- The exile (2 Chronicles 36)

[summary of contents]

Much of the content found in Chronicles is duplicated from Samuel-Kings. For that reason, a quick survey of the Chronicles additions and omissions would be most helpful.

Additions:

1. Detailed genealogies. Written sometime after the Babylonian exile, the writer of Chronicles opens his work with genealogies beginning with Adam. This would have special significance for the original readers—returned exiles—as it would help them trace back and remember their roots.

2. The temple and its worship. The writer adds material concerning the ark, preparations for the temple, and religious reforms. In doing this, he magnifies the Law and the greatness of David.

3. The prophets. Chronicles provides extra information about many prophets. Perhaps he did this to echo the older prophets’ messages to the people of their day.

Omissions: The Chronicler was hesitant to write anything negative about David or his dynasty. He wrote his material assuming people would have access to Samuel-Kings, and thus he only duplicated the material that served his purpose.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 15 -- The chronicler wrote for a time when the Israelites needed the example of David’s godliness.

-- He wrote little about Saul and the Northern Kingdom, both of which had little to do with David.

[theological message]

1. The importance of the heart turned toward God is one of the chief themes in Chronicles. It is the heart that determines a person’s actions and God’s blessings.

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).

2. The Chronicler also sought to establish some hope for the returning exiles. His work served as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and promises to David. God punished Israel with the exile, but God had not left the nation forever.

“If they sin against you—and who has never sinned?—you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to a foreign land far away or near. But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’ If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their captivity and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name—then hear their prayers and their petitions from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you” (2 Chronicles 6:36-39).

3. Special emphasis is given to the temple and the priesthood. The Chronicler does this to remind the people of their need to worship God—according to God’s terms—and not worship other gods.

Ezra-Nehemiah

[outline]

I. The First Return from Exile and Rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1–6) -- First return (Ezra 1) -- The list of returning people (Ezra 2) -- Revival of temple worship (Ezra 3) -- Opposition to the rebuilding (Ezra 4) -- The completion of the temple (Ezra 5–6)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 16 II. Ezra’s Return and Reforms (Ezra 7–10) -- Ezra’s return to Palestine (Ezra 7–8) -- Ezra’s reforms (Ezra 9–10)

III. Nehemiah’s First Administration (Nehemiah 1–12) -- Nehemiah’s response to the situation in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1) -- Nehemiah’s journey to Palestine (Nehemiah 2) -- List of builders of the wall (Nehemiah 3) -- Opposition to the rebuilding (Nehemiah 4) -- Social and economic reforms (Nehemiah 5) -- The completion of the walls (Nehemiah 6) -- The list of exiles (Nehemiah 7) -- Ezra’s preaching/revival (Nehemiah 7–10) -- New residents of Judah in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11) -- Lists of priests and the dedication of the wall (Nehemiah 12)

IV. Nehemiah’s Second Administration (Nehemiah 13) -- Abuses during his absence -- Nehemiah’s return -- Reorganization and reforms

[summary of contents]

1. Ezra-Nehemiah describes two distinct periods of Israel’s history after the exile:

(a) The return and rebuilding of the temple

(b) The restoration of the community and rebuilding of the walls

2. Under the command of the new king in Persia (Babylon), the Israelites were allowed to return home to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.

Three Groups of Returning Exiles:

(a) Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the first group of Israelites returned in 538 B.C. Zerubbabel began and completed the rebuilding of the temple after much harassment from his neighbors.

(b) Several years after the completion of the second temple, a new king in Persia sent Ezra to Jerusalem in 458 B.C.

This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him (Ezra 7:6). ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 17 This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel (Ezra 7:10).

Ezra brought about many religious reforms among the struggling Israelites. He taught the Law of Moses and spoke out against marriages with people from other religions.

(c) The third and final return happened under the leadership of Nehemiah. He was a Jewish official for the Persian king. When he heard about the sad state of Jerusalem, he asked the king if he could return and rebuild the walls (444 B.C.).

3. The close of Ezra-Nehemiah finds Israel with a new temple and walls for Jerusalem. This struggling community was a small shadow compared to the past glories of Israel, but there was hope for continued survival.

Historical Summary:

-- First group: Zerubbabel 538 B.C.—built temple

-- Second group: Ezra 458 B.C.—brought reform

-- Third group: Nehemiah 444 B.C.—built walls

[theological message]

1. Ezra-Nehemiah stands as a call to the one true faith for Israel.

-- Even with the completion of the temple, the people still faced strong temptations to worship other gods. This paganism could not be accepted.

-- Ezra-Nehemiah stands before the survivors of the exile and pleads with them to trust God for a new beginning.

2. As we’ve seen already, Ezra-Nehemiah demonstrates God’s sovereign control over history. God works outside of Israel, in the heart of a Gentile king, to let God’s people return home.

3. God’s work involves the entire community, not just a select group. Doing God’s work brings opposition from the world. But God is faithful and will keep his people strong.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 18 4. God preserved a remnant of his people during the exile so he could send the promised redeemer, Jesus, and fulfill his covenants with Abraham and David.

Esther

[outline]

I. Esther Elevated to Queen of Persia (1–2) -- Banquets of King Xerxes (1:1-8) -- Queen Vashti’s dethronement (1:9-22) -- Choosing of a new queen (2)

II. The Feud Between Haman and Mordecai (3–8) -- Haman’s plot to kill Mordecai (3) -- Mordecai’s plot to save his people (4) -- Esther’s first banquet (5:1-8) -- Haman’s plot and humiliation (5:9–6:14) -- Esther’s second banquet (7) -- Mordecai’s elevation (8)

III. The Jews’ Day of Vengeance (9:1-19)

IV. Institution of the Feast of Purim (9:20–10:3)

[summary of contents]

1. Esther is the only book of the Bible that takes place only in Persia—entirely outside of Israel. It is one of two books of the Bible that never mention God (the other one being Song of Songs).

2. The book of Esther establishes the historical context for a major Jewish holiday, Purim, which is not mentioned in the Law of Moses.

3. The story begins with King Xerxes choosing a new queen (Esther, a Jew) because his previous wife disobeyed him and was banished.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 19 4. The king’s highest official, Haman, did not receive therespect he thought he deserved from Mordecai (cousin of Esther).

-- The enraged Haman decides to eradicate not just Mordecai, but all of the Jews living in Persia.

-- He has the king sign a decree that will allow this to happen; all the Jews were to be killed on a specific day.

5. Esther convinces King Xerxes that Mordecai was an “adversary and an enemy.” Mordecai seals his own fate when found in a compromising situation with Esther and is sent to his death.

6. Xerxes, unable to recall his previous order to kill the Jews, creates a new law that allowed the Jews to defend themselves against their attackers

-- The feast of Purim is then created for the Jews to celebrate and rejoice over their survival of persecution.

[theological message]

It is obvious that Esther’s failure to mention God (or God’s name) contributes to the overall message it attempts to convey.

-- This entire event took place in Persia during the exile—a time in which Israel found itself in the midst of God’s wrath.

-- God’s wrath is sometimes expressed through his displeasure and silence (see Amos 8:11).

God was hidden from Israel, but God was still working behind the scenes to save his people. After reading the book of Esther, one can see too many “coincidences” that are better explained in terms of God’s sovereignty.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 4 - 20 ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study five the poetry and wisdom literature of the OT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

introduction 5-1

the basics of hebrew poetry 5-1 How to Read the Psalms Well 5-2

the book of psalms 5-4 Outline 5-4 Types of Psalms 5-4 Message 5-6

psalm exercise 5-7

the basics of hebrew wisdom 5-7 Limitations of Wisdom 5-9 How to Read the Wisdom Literature Well 5-10

the book of proverbs 5-10 Outline 5-10 General Observations on Content 5-11 Two Major Types of Proverbs 5-11 The Purpose of the Book of Proverbs 5-12 The Benefits of Wisdom 5-12 Range of Expressions 5-13 The Power of Comparison 5-13 Message 5-14

proverbs exercise 5-15

the book of job 5-16 Outline 5-16 Content Overview 5-16 Message 5-18

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study five the poetry and wisdom literature of the OT

TABLE OF CONTENTS continued

the book of ecclesiastes 5-20 Outline 5-20 General Observations on Content 5-21 Message 5-22

the song of songs 5-23 Outline 5-24 General Observations on Content 5-24 Common Theories of Interpretation 5-25 Message 5-26

conclusions 5-26 The Wisdom Tradition 5-27 The New Testament Speaks to Old Testament Wisdom 5-27

study five endnotes 5-28

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT Introduction

This section will cover a unique series of books—Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes—that represent a form of literature distinct from other genres found in the Bible.1

MAJOR OT DIVISIONS These books aren’t like narratives (such as Genesis or the Gospels), law (such as Deuteronomy), The Pentateuch The History Books or epistles (such as Romans). Poetry and Wisdom Literature Major Prophets Minor Prophets Reading them well will require some understanding of Hebrew poetry and Hebrew wisdom, two things that are foreign to most modern readers. THE history books Psalms However tempting it may be, different literature like Genesis and the Psalms cannot be read Proverbs Job and interpreted in the same way. A new set of skills must be learned. Ecclesiasties

The purpose of this section is to help you discover these skills so you can read poetry and wisdom literature well. This class will give you a taste of this literature, touching on the major themes and messages for each book.

The Basics of Hebrew Poetry

1. By its very nature, poetry (in any language) is condensed language: A skillful construction of words into a work of art.

-- Divine revelation expressed in human poetry is creative and dynamic; this makes interpretation especially difficult. Understanding the poet’s methods and goals makes the task of interpretation possible.

2. One major component of Hebrew poetry is parallelism.

-- Laying two concepts side by side is a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. Knowledge of the three basic types of parallelism will lead to good interpretation:

(a) Synonymous (identical) Parallelism: Two or more lines express essentially the same concept.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him (Psalm 24:1).

(b) Antithetic (opposite) Parallelism: Two (or more) lines are set in contrast to one another.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction (Psalm 1:6).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 1 (c) Synthetic (progression) Parallelism: One line builds upon the previous concept, taking it further and providing additional meaning.

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble (Psalm 41:1).

3. Here is an example of how this helps us understand Scripture:

A1 “Look at the proud! B1 They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. A2 But the righteous B2 will live by their faithfulness to God.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

A1 to B1 is synthetic parallelism (progression)

A1/B1 to A2/B2 is antithetic parallelism (opposites)

A1 to B1 teaches: -- Proud (puffed-up) people will have wrong desires

A2 to B2 teaches: -- Righteousness will include living by faith

A1 to A2 teaches: -- Righteousness is the opposite of pride

B1 to B2 teaches: -- Living by faith requires proper desires

To summarize: Are you prideful or righteous? The desires you have will determine the life you lead. Do you struggle with pride? Perhaps it is because your desires are not upright; you do not let your faith determine your desires.

How to Read the Psalms Well

1. The Bible is God’s Word, and people assume that Scripture contains only communication from God to us.

-- God’s revelation always invokes a response from people; it does not return to God empty (see Isaiah 55:11 and Hebrews 4:12). Psalms is a collection of the responses of God’s people to his revelation.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 2 -- Reading the book of Psalms well begins with a fundamental understanding and awareness of their dual nature: The writings are both communication from God to humanity (revelation), and communication from humanity to God (response).

-- This is why many mature Christians don’t just read and study the psalms but actually pray through them to God.

2. The book of Psalms helps us in two major ways. They teach us:

(a) How to express ourselves to God

(b) About God’s ways so we can consider them

3. Psalms are musical poetry, often conveying truths emotionally with hyperbole (purposeful exaggeration). Metaphors paint powerful pictures that aren’t to be understood literally.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety (Psalm 18:2).

-- The images of rock, fortress, shield, and place of safety are clearly images employed to describe God’s character or actions.

4. Each psalm should be read and studied as a single unit. A single verse should be understood within the greater context of the entire song.

5. There are several different types of psalms, each intended for a different worship setting.

-- While most were created for Israel’s corporate worship, special attention must be considered to the particular function and worship setting of a given psalm.

-- The historical context has little to do with the meaning of a psalm, instead the “important question is the purpose of the Psalm...[its particular] situation in worship.”2

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 3 the Book of Psalms

The magnificent book of Psalms is a collection of 150 writings that capture the heart of Israel’s praises to God. Psalms is divided into five books. The New Testament quotes the book of Psalms more than any other Old Testament book.

Psalms act as windows into the faith of the ancient Israelites, providing us a spiritually rich example of worship.

Reading, studying, and praying through Psalms is a rich journey of spiritual devotion. The prayers of the psalms cover the entire spectrum of human emotion, from the heights of joy (Psalm 34) to the depths of sadness (Psalm 13).

Many scholars and fathers of the church have hailed Psalms as the one book in the Bible that has impacted Christianity more than any other.

[outline]

Book I DOXOLOGY “A declaration of praise to God or -- Psalms 1–41; Doxology 41:13 a brief hymn expressing His power and glory.”

Book II (From Nelson’s Illustrated Bible -- Psalms 42–72; Doxology 72:18-19 Dictionary)

Book III PSALM 41:13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, -- Psalms 73–89; Doxology 89:52 who lives from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen! Book IV -- Psalms 90–106; Doxology 106:48

Book V -- Psalms 107–150; Doxology 150

[types of psalms]

1. Hymns (songs of praise)

-- These enthusiastic songs center on who God is, God’s greatness, salvation of Israel, God’s creation of the world, and God’s place as the Lord of history.

-- (Examples of hymns include Psalms 8, 19, 33, 66, 100, 104, 113, 117, 145–146, 148)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 4 2. Laments (complaints to God)

-- The lament psalm is the most common (more than 60). These psalms cry out to God out of the depths of human sorrow, expressing struggle, oppression, or disappointment with God.

-- Many laments end with thanksgiving to God. This change of mood is anticipation for deliverance.

-- (Examples of laments include Psalms 3, 12, 13, 22, 31, 44, 80, 90, 139)

3. Thanksgiving Psalms

-- The opposite of laments, these psalms express joy in response to God’s deliverance.

-- The thanksgiving psalm is different from the hymn psalm. The thanksgiving psalm praises God for a “particular action in a concrete situation,”3 whereas the hymn is usually more general in character.

-- (Examples of thanksgiving psalms include 32, 34, 92, 103, 107, 116, 118, 124, 138)

4. Other Minor Types of Psalms

-- Salvation History Psalms. These focus on a review of Israel’s history, usually the deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

-- Wisdom Psalms. These focus on instruction for wise and effective living.

-- Songs of Trust. These focus on the fact that God can be trusted at all times of our lives.

-- Royal and Enthronement Psalms. These focus on Israel’s king or on God’s kingship over Israel.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 5 [message]

1. Once a person recognizes God’s revelation, mercies, gifts, salvation, peace, strength, and encouragement, the instant response ought to be worship.

-- The book of Psalms paints a vivid picture of what our worship should look like. This worship doesn’t come from a fairy tale land where everyone is always happy, full of joy and positive emotions.

-- Instead this worship comes from heaven and meets us where we are: in the midst of a sinful and thus, often, painful world.

2. The psalms were born out of Israel’s covenant relationship with God and helped the people remember their duties and the greatness of God.

-- The psalms express a combination of “awe and intimacy”4 the Israelites felt for God. They stood in awe of God’s power and enjoyed a privileged relationship with God.

3. The book of Psalms is not a systematic theology textbook. Its collectors assumed worshippers would have knowledge of the rest of the Old Testament.

-- For the most part, each psalm stands alone, and the psalms are not placed in any particular order to communicate theological truths.

-- The psalms are a great library of knowledge about God’s character and God’s actions. A few of the things Psalms teaches us:

-- God is the Lord and creator of the universe, the great king over all.

-- Eventually God’s kingdom will fill the earth; a time will come when there will be no more rebellion.

-- God’s justice will come. The proud are those who do not rely on God, and they will be punished.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 6 Psalm Exercise

1. What type of psalm is this? (circle one) Hymn Lament Thanksgiving Other

2. What key words, phrases, or verses support the reason for the type you identified?

3. Make a list of word pictures or imagery used in this psalm.

4. List two examples from this psalm of the following types of parallelism (your psalm may not contain all three types):

(a) Synonymous parallelism

(b) Antithetic parallelism

5. What theology does this psalm teach? (What does this psalm teach us about God?)

6. What does this psalm say about how we ought to live our lives? (What lessons have you learned?)

The Basics of Hebrew Wisdom

1. Among the different voices of the OT we hear the:

-- Blunt commands of the Law

-- Memorable facts of history in the narratives

-- Urgent cry of the prophets

We hear a new voice in the wisdom literature of the OT. The tone has changed to the “cooler comments of the teacher, and the often-anguished questions of the learner.”5

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 7 2. Wisdom teaching was based upon careful observation of the world (human experience) and assumed that every action carried a necessary consequence.

-- Good actions would result in good results, and the opposite was also true: If a person was suffering, it was because of his or her own bad choices (sin).

3. Wisdom teaching was based in everyday events with the goal of instructing social/moral rules, so that one could have a happy life.

-- Short, easily remembered (and easily understood) sayings were passed down from generation to generation. (Thus wisdom was intended to be oral, not necessarily written.) As society progressed, a class of teachers (or sages) was created to instruct.

4. Wisdom arises from the human need for:

-- Things to make sense—understanding our present experience

-- Things to be familiar—stereotyping our past experiences

5. Interestingly, the wisdom literature of the OT does not concern itself with “salvation history”—in other words, events central to the faith of the Israelites like: -- God’s promises to Abraham -- The Exodus from Egypt -- The receiving of the Law -- God’s covenant with David

-- “The wisdom literature of the Bible does not represent the actions of God in Israel’s history; it deals with the daily human experience in the good world created by God.”6

-- This does not mean that Israel’s wisdom was “secular” or separate from faith in God. Wisdom affirms God as creator and begins with the “fear of the Lord.” It is a gift from God and should be applied to life alongside (not in place of) obedience to the Law.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 8 6. It is helpful to note the two basic types of wisdom:

(a) proverbial wisdom: Short, easily remembered statements about the reality of life. This kind of wisdom is found in the book of Proverbs.

(b) speculative wisdom: Long discourses that probe the common questions of human existence. (What is the meaning to life? Why do bad things happen to good people?) This kind of wisdom is found in the books of Job and Ecclesiasties.

[limitations of wisdom]

1. Wisdom often paints a black-and-white picture: The wise prosper and the foolish suffer.

The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin (Proverbs 10:16).

-- The sages recognized that life wasn’t always that simple:

-- Manasseh, a very evil king, reigned 54 years; Josiah, a very good king, reigned only 23 years.

-- Another example: Laziness carried the threat of poverty (see Proverbs 10:4). Yet poverty might have another cause (see Proverbs 10:22).

2. The human mind is limited in its understanding of God and God’s ways (see Proverbs 21:30-31). Wisdom cannot fully explain the world; instead it confines its teaching to the field ofpractical conduct.

3. Wisdom (Proverbs in particular) comments on only a narrow slice of reality; no single saying covers the “whole” subject.

-- Each saying is relative to a particular context; it’s not an absolute or universal truth.

-- For example, which is true: “Look before you leap,” or “He who hesitates is lost”?

Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation (Proverbs 26:4-5).

-- Traditional wisdom assumed that good action always resulted in good consequences. Which particular action is “good” might be in question, but the assumption that action carries consequence was never questioned.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 9 4. The greatest limitation of wisdom is the potential danger for pride in the heart of the person who thinks he or she is wise.

There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise (Proverbs 26:12).

[how to read the wisdom literature well]

1. As in the study of all biblical literature (including the book of Proverbs7), understanding the context of a particular verse or passage is important for its interpretation.

-- Reading a book all the way through (in one sitting if possible) will allow you to follow the development of concepts.

2. Nearly all wisdom literature is written in the form of poetry. Most of the discussion on the basics of Hebrew poetry earlier also applies to the wisdom literature.

3. It is important to remember that the proverbs commonly found throughout wisdom literature are not promises from God—they are not universal truths.

The Book of Proverbs

In his commentary on the Bible, Warren Wiersbe defines a proverb as a “short statement based on a long experience” and calls the book of Proverbs a “guidebook for the godly.”8

The first of the three Wisdom Literature books of the OT, the book of Proverbs assumes the reader is seeking wisdom and forces the reader to think in terms of wise (righteous) or foolish (wicked).

The book of Proverbs lays down the positive and negative rules of the world, applying Israel’s covenant faith to everyday life.

Intensely practical, the truth gained from a study of this book is intended to help a person live life well. Having wisdom allows us to successfully navigate through difficult everyday situations and make correct decisions.

[outline]

I. Introduction 1:1–9:8

II. Proverbs of Solomon 10:1–22:16

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 10 III. Sayings of the wise 22:17–24:22

IV. More sayings of the wise 24:23-34

V. More Proverbs of Solomon 25:1–29:27

VI. Proverbs of Aure 30:1-33

VII. Proverbs of Lemuel 31:1-9

VIII. Wife of noble character 31:10-31

[general observations on content]

1. The book of Proverbs is a collection of collections—at least eight of them. Most are assumed to be written by King Solomon; there are significant collections attributed to other, non-Jewish sages.

2. With the exception of Chapters 1–9, the main body of the book seems to be unorganized; that is, the individual proverbs were not arranged according to a particular theme or purpose.

[two major types of proverbs]

(a) Wisdom Admonition

-- This type of proverb gives a specific command to be followed.

-- Usually, the first line is the instruction and the second is the motivation. This proverb assumes the reader desires to know the “why.”

-- Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice (Proverbs 23:9).

(b) Wisdom Sayings

-- This type of proverb presents truth about reality; it makes a value judgment about the world, commenting on “the way it is.”

-- These descriptive proverbs invite you to agree or disagree—based upon your experience—and subtly calls into question your skills of observation.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 11 -- This proverb assumes the reader can validate its truthfulness.

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3).

[the purpose of the book of proverbs]

The first seven verses of Proverbs state the book’s purpose:

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:1-7).

[the benefits of wisdom]

The first nine chapters of Proverbs stand apart from the rest of the book and serve as a rather lengthy introduction. This section is distinctive in both its:

(a) Form (long poem)

(b) Content (strong emphasis on the pursuit of wisdom)

The benefits of wisdom include: -- Gaining honor -- Avoiding trouble and danger; being protected -- Living in safety without fear -- Understanding the fear of the Lord -- Gaining knowledge of God -- Knowing what is right -- Delighting in knowledge -- Being saved from the plots of the wicked -- Prolonging your life -- Being saved from adultery; maintaining discretion -- Sleeping in peace -- Developing the ability to make good decisions -- Being blessed and finding life

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 12 [range of expressions]

The following is a list of the range of expressions often used in Proverbs:

(a) Good/not good sayings

Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes (Proverbs 19:2).

(b) Better sayings

Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil (Proverbs 15:16).

There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise (Proverbs 30:24).

(d) Abomination sayings

The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights (Proverbs 11:1).

(e) Blessed sayings

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble (Proverbs 28:14).

[the power of comparison]

The vehicle of parallelism often compares two subjects with the purpose of further defining them.

It will shock you by drawing out unexpected similarities:

-- A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout (Proverbs 11:22).

-- Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart (Proverbs 26:22).

Simple truths won’t be forgotten with obvious opposites:

-- An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies (Proverbs 12:17).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 13 Some comparisons may contain deeper meanings:

-- Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! (Proverbs 25:16).

Some comparisons point out both differences and similarities:

-- Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice (Proverbs 25:4-5).

[message]

1. The world is good, and a successful life can be lived according to wisdom. Wisdom can be discovered through careful observation of life.

-- Responsibility focuses upon the individual, rather the community of faith. This is a radical shift from the normal tone of OT Scripture.

2. Proverbs stands as a commentary on the deeds and fate of both the wise and the foolish.

-- The wise prosper and the fool is doomed. “Folly is not ignorance but that deliberate disdain of moral and pious principles.”9

-- Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! (Psalm 14:1).

3. The strong moral overtones of Proverbs do not reduce it to a good moral textbook—even a “relevant” one grounded in experience and saturated with practicality. Arguing against this are the facts that:

(a) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10)

(b) Wisdom is a gift from God (Proverbs 3:6; 8:22)

(d) Ultimately, God is in control (Proverbs 1:9)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 14 4. Wisdom brings life/salvation (note its comparison to a life-giving fountain and a tree of life in Proverbs 10:11; 16:22; 3:18; 11:30; 13:12).

-- In Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified and seen as “helping” God with creation. Wisdom is nothing less than the laws of the universe.

5. Although there are many black-and-white statements—indeed a “guidebook for the godly”—Proverbs doesn’t contain magical recipes for success.

Proverbs Exercise

1. Take turns reading (out loud) all of the proverbs from this chapter.

2. With your partner, select three of your favorite verses in Proverbs and write them down.

3. Are these proverbs “wisdom sayings” or “wisdom admonitions?”

4. Choose one of the three (above) and explain how parallelism affects or enhances the proverb’s meaning:

5. Choose one of the three (above) and explain how its teaching can apply to your life:

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 15 The Book of Job

The speculative wisdom found in the book of Job is honest, relevant, and attractive for nearly any reader. It doesn’t take long for readers of the book of Job to resonate with his cry: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Perhaps he speaks best for himself:

“I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain. I will say to God, ‘Don’t simply condemn me—tell me the charge you are bringing against me….Although you know I am not guilty” (Job 10:1-2, 7a).

The book of Job challenges the basic truths of the traditional wisdom found in Proverbs.

The book of James sums up Job’s life with the word endurance (James 5:11). Job, a good man, suffered much (perhaps more than he “deserved”) and lasted in his faith all the days of his life. We turn now to that life, to discover what wisdom it offers.

[outline]

I. Prologue: Job’s Happiness and Testing (1–2)

II. The Dialogues (3–37) (a) The first cycle (3–14) (b) The second cycle (15–21) (c) The third cycle (22–27) (d) Wisdom poem (28) (e) Job’s call for vindication (29–31) (f) Elihu’s speeches (32–37)

III. God Responds (38–42)

IV. Epilogues: Job’s Restoration (42)

[content overview]

Prologue: Job’s Happiness and Testing 1. Job is pictured as a holy and righteous man, with a large family and many possessions.

2. Satan challenges Job’s faithfulness before God. Satan claimed Job was faithful only because of his blessings from God.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 16 3. Satan asks God if he can “take away everything” Job has (1:11). God consents, and Satan destroys all of Job’s possessions and family.

4. Job responds in extreme grief, yet does not sin (1:22).

5. Satan challenges Job’s faithfulness a second time. His argument: Job still had his life. Satan asks if he can take away his health; God consents, and Job’s body is covered in terrible sores.

6. Job holds on to his integrity and still does not sin.

7. At this point, Job’s friends come to “comfort” him.

The Dialogues 1. The bulk of Job 3–37 contains a series of speeches. For the most part, Job’s speeches alternate with each of his friends for three cycles. (One cycle: Job, Eliphaz, Job, Bildad, Job, Zophar.)

2. Basically, the point of his three comforters was that Job’s affliction came because he wassinful . All actions have consequences, they said, and Job was experiencing negative consequences because of his previous negative actions.

3. Job’s speeches range from arguments with his friends, to despair at his situation, to conversations with God. Job’s essential question was “Does God care about me? Why has God let bad things happen to me, a good person?”

4. In Job 31:35, Job offers the final of his many challenges to God: “Let the Almighty answer me.” At this point a new friend, Elihu, begins a series of speeches against Job. Rather than repeating the previous arguments by Job’s friends, Elihu attempts to vindicate God in the whole matter.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 17 God Responds 1. Out of a storm God appears to speak with Job. This theophany didn’t contain the expected answers. Instead, God says to Job: “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them” (Job 38:3).

2. In his speeches to Job, God asks more than 80 questions about the mysteries of the universe—none of which Job could answer.

Each question was a reminder of the limits of Job’s wisdom:

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?...Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?” (Job 38:4, 35-38).

3. Job’s questioning possibly went too far; at the heart of God’s response is:

“Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?” (Job 40:8).

4. Virtually speechless, Job can only utter a few words and end with:

“I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes” (Job 42:5).

Epilogue: Job’s Restoration 1. The close of this book reverts back into narrative (like the beginning), describing the restoration and blessing of Job. God blessed Job even more than before.

[message]

1. One concept taught by the book of Job that usually is difficult to accept by modern readers is that both good and bad comes from God (Job 1–2). This has been called radical monotheism.

-- In the book of Job, Satan is not pictured as the adversary of the NT. Satan is the Hebrew title for Accuser, and his position in the first two chapters of Job is much like a prosecuting attorney.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 18 2. The attack on the traditional (Proverbs, Deuteronomy) wisdom view is obvious. The book of Job unapologetically examines the old wisdom assumption: Suffering comes from sin.

-- Job suffered terribly without sinning, yet in the end he enjoys a double blessing. In a very long breath of 41 chapters, the book of Job questions the wisdom order. Yet in the next breath, it seems to uphold the same order it was questioning.

-- From a NT perspective, everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23). The book of Job seems to admit this truth:

Eliphaz speaking: “Can any mortal be pure? Can anyone born of a woman be just? Look, God does not even trust the angels. Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in his sight. How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst for wickedness!” (Job 15:14-16).

-- However, the sin nature all people possess does not enter the debate concerning Job’s suffering:

Job speaking: “Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin” (Job 13:23).

3. Human wisdom is vastly limited. This simple truth easily is forgotten (especially by the so-called wise).

-- Job complained based on his limited experience. Job’s friends argued based on their limited experience. Finally God revealed just how limited their experience really was.

-- Wisdom does come from careful observation of experience, but limited experience and observation of that experience will yield limited wisdom.

4. Any careful reader of this book is forced to ask difficult life questions. It is important to note that the question Job asked (and thus its answer) is not necessarily the question the author of the book of Job is asking.

If Job’s perspective (and question) is all we are to be concerned with, then it is all we would have been given. Instead, our perspective is greater than Job’s, complete with a peek into heaven.

Job’s question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

The mystery and magnificence of the book of Job is that this question is never answered—at least not with words. God never explains to Job why he suffered so much.

In the midst of his pain and suffering, in his deep and dark questioning of the soul, Job’s only answer and comfort came from nothing less than a direct experience with God.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 19 The author’s question: Is God worthy of our worship because of who God is or because of what he can give us?

The book of Job is not primarily about the problem of pain, but the worth of worship. Where is the worth: in God or God’s blessings?

Personally, I am not sure the book of Job (or the rest of the Bible) answers this question. Is it possible for a person to love God without selfish interest?

-- On one hand, the answer is obvious: God created us. God alone is worthy to be worshipped (2 Samuel 22:4; Psalm 18:3).

-- On the other hand, all who believe in Christ will be rewarded—not necessarily in this life—but definitely with eternal life. Such a gift is an irresistible selfish motivation.

Who God is (worthy) and what God offers (blessings) is impossible to separate, and the latter is the easier motivation for worship: A child loves because of what he’s been given. The mature learn to love the giver.

When motive translates into action, only three life questions remain:

(a) Can human faith stand up under adversity? -- Of course; Job persevered under his trials (and so have others).

(b) Should human faith stand up under adversity? -- Without a doubt.

The Book of Ecclesiastes

The final volume of OT Wisdom Literature is perhaps the most obscure book in the Bible. Ecclesiastes is a book of reflections written by a mysterious figure simply called the Teacher.

The tone is mostly pessimistic—the key phrase for this book is “Everything is meaningless!” The author does jump back and forth from negative to the positive: This work presents an honest conflict of the soul over the very meaning of life.

[outline]

I. The meaninglessness of nature, wisdom, and wealth (1–2)

II. The divine order of life (2–3)

III. The frustration of politics (4)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 20 IV. The frustration of life (5–7)

V. Life in view of death (8–9)

VI. Proverbs (10)

VII. Wisdom for the future and present (11)

VIII. The frustration of old age (12)

IX. Epilogue (12)

[general observations on content]

1. It is extremely difficult to discover thestructure of this book.

2. The author is called the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem (1:1).

-- This is an obvious reference to King Solomon, the “father” of Hebrew wisdom. Most scholars believe Ecclesiastes was written at a much greater date, due to grammatical considerations.

3. This short work contains a relatively high number of repetitions. Common words include meaningless, toil, work, wise, good, time, know, sun, tool, eat, profit, wind, death, just, wicked, portion, worry.

4. The reflections of the Teacher challenge the wisdom tradition even more than the book of Job. Human wisdom isn’t just limited; we can know almost nothing.

5. The Teacher uses both types of proverbs in his work in (wisdom sayings and wisdom admonitions).

-- In the midst of an almost depressing dissertation, these proverbs argue against utter despair. They serve as summary statements, helping to readers to “cope with life’s difficulties.”10

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 21 6. The epilogue (12:9-14) was written by another person. He affirms thecredibility of the Teacher and summarizes his work.

[message]

1. There’s no doubt in the fine mind of the Teacher that absolutely everything ismeaningless . This is where he begins with his wisdom.

2. The next logical question is why? Why does the Teacher claim everything is meaningless? True to the wisdom tradition, the Teacher focused his acute perception onto things:

(a) The actions of people

(b) The actions of God

The Teacher observed that nothing a person can do or gain can keep him from death (2:14-16). Pleasure, work, riches, and even wisdom are all meaningless and without profit because none of these things can avert death.

The Teacher also observed the injustices of our world (3:16) and his inability to fully understand God’s plan. People have been given the God-given ability (or burden) to perceive a tiny bit of God’s plan, without being able to see the entire plan:

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The Teacher sees everything as meaningless because of the following two unchanging facts:

(a) Everyone dies in spite of what they do

(b) God’s plan is beyond our comprehension

3. The Teacher never gets the experience of the divine presence like Job did.

-- What is a person to do in the midst of his crisis of the soul? Job complained for 30 chapters, pleading for an answer from God—and eventually God responded.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 22 -- The teacher never enjoyed such a response. To his credit, he never endorses foolishness (7:5-7; 10:1); wisdom ultimately profits nothing (2:15; 9:2) but is better than foolishness. It is even more to his credit that he never allows his confusion to deny or limit God (6:10; 7:13).

-- The Teacher worships God on God’s terms—however mysterious those terms may be. “The Teacher never denies that God judges (3:1; 11:9), but he denies that human beings can make sense of the divine judgment or of anything that God does (3:11, 80:17, 11:5).”11

4. In my understanding, the teacher’s final wisdom is this:

(a) You can’t change the fact of your death, so live a life where you’re satisfied with the simple things God has given you: food, drink, work, relationships (5:18; 6:3).

(b) You can’t understand the ways of God, so fear God and obey God’s commands (12:13).

The Song of Songs

As long as people have been reading have been reading the OT as Scripture, the Song of Songs—also known as Song of Solomon— has created controversy concerning its interpretation.

The main reason for disagreement is due to the highly sexually graphic nature of the Song. Many people find this material offensive; thus, there is little consensus with how to understand the Song.

Because of its poetical nature, no one is really sure about the author’s original intentions. The Song stands in isolation in its genre (literary type); no other biblical text is like it. Some consider the Song to be wisdom literature because the title of the book is “Solomon’s song of Songs” (1:1). That’s why we’ve grouped it here at the end of our conversation on poetry and wisdom literature.

However, the Song contains neither proverbial nor speculative wisdom. The wisdom tradition is characterized by its careful observation of experience. The Song seems to be an emotional “gushing” of feeling and subjective experience. Calling the Song “wisdom literature” seems to sell it short.

The Song is perhaps best understood as “love poetry,” and few would argue. However, this classification is not very helpful for interpretation.

A good orientation to the Song is to understand it as “a collection of ancient Hebrew love poems celebrating the experiences of a lover and his beloved as they taste the beauty, power, agony, and joys of human sexual love.”12

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 23 [outline]

I. First Cycle: Passionate Longings (1:1–2:7)

II. Second Cycle: Springtime and Showers (2:8–3:5)

III. Third Cycle: The Lovers’ Royal Wedding (3:6–5:1)

IV. Fourth Cycle: Lost and Found (5:1–6:3)

V. Fifth Cycle: Beauty Kindles Desire (6:4–8:4)

VI. Sixth Cycle: The Security of Love (8:5-14)

[general observations on content]

The Song is essentially a conversation between two lovers, captured in elaborate poetry. One commentator has noted13 the following observations of the Song:

-- The Song is written in a series of cycles, and several themes and key words are repeated.

-- The text contains many metaphors, many of which are subtle and difficult to understand.

-- There are a “large number of words which occur nowhere else in the Old Testament,” Gledhill notes, and sometimes the same word is used several times with different meanings.

The Song is one of the two books in the OT that does not mention God (the other being Esther). This work is unique within the Bible, as it makes no theological statements and sets for no new understandings of God.

The conversation between the lovers is varied:

-- Most of their conversation describes one another’s beauty

Young man: How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.

Young woman: You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words! The soft grass is our bed (Song of Songs 1:15-16).

You are slender like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of fruit (Song of Songs 7:7).

Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus (Song of Songs 7:4).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 24 -- They express joy and tensions

Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit (Song of Songs 2:3).

One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover. I yearned for him, but he did not come (Song of Songs 3:1).

I opened to my lover, but he was gone! My heart sank. I searched for him but could not find him anywhere. I called to him, but there was no reply (Song of Songs 5:6).

-- They express erotic arousal

Some interpreters have suggested the “shepherd hypothesis,” which views the Song as a story about a love triangle between the woman, Solomon, and the shepherd.

Although entertaining, this understanding is difficult to accept because it requires an artificial parceling out of the lines belonging to the shepherd and Solomon.

[common theories of interpretation]

1. Literal

-- This understanding sees the Song as a historical work about the life of Solomon, perhaps describing one of his many marriages. An extension of this view sees Solomon as a “type” of Christ; however, there is no biblical evidence that supports this view.

2. Fictional

-- Gledhill views the Song as a “literary creation” meant to entertain and possibly even instruct the reader. This understanding sees the two lovers as creations, not real people. The Song is not a “drama,” and a coherent plot is not important.

3. Allegorical

-- This understanding was popular in the early church and was probably used to distance Christians from the sexual nature of the Song.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 25 -- Instead of describing the love between a man and a woman, the allegory finds the “higher” meaning; common applications of this method see the Song about God’s love for Israel or Christ’s love for the church.

-- Although this imagery is used elsewhere in the Bible (see Hosea 2:16, 19; Ezekiel 16:8; Jeremiah 31:32; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 19:9), there is no textual evidence for this in the Song.

[message]

One person has written14:

-- Job explores the riddle of suffering

-- Ecclesiastes explores the riddle of existence

-- Song of Songs explores the riddle of love

Human sexuality was created by God (Genesis 1–2) for our enjoyment.

Just like everything God has created, sex can be “used” sinfully; that is why God has given us guidelines to follow.

The Song reveals a part of the big picture of sexual love between two lovers. It’s not the whole picture, and like any other particular text, it should be interpreted within the context of the entirety of Scripture.

“Though expressed in bold language, the Song provides a wholesome, biblical balance between the extremes of sexual excess [and] asceticism.”15

“In the Song we have an expression of God’s goodness in creating humankind in its complementary sexes. The mutual delight in physical beauty and sexual expression is all part of the creation upon which the Creator himself passed the verdict that it was very good.”16

[conclusions]

The primary lesson of wisdom is that it begins with the “fear of the Lord.” In the midst of a difficult world, with its hard questions, the fear of the Lord is the anchor that keeps:

The shrewdness of Proverbs from turning into pride. The perplexity of Job from rebellion against God. The disillusionment of Ecclesiastes from total despair.17

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 26 The Wisdom Tradition

Proverbs Proverbs teaches that human wisdom discovers the order in the world: Good actions lead to good consequences. Although human wisdom is limited, it can discover good conduct.

Job Job questions the order Proverbs upholds: Good actions don’t always lead to a happy life. This question is never answered with logic or words, but with the divine presence. God should be worshipped for who he is, not what he gives.

Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes affirms the questions of Job and argues that most people don’t get the answers of Job—most people don’t experience the divine presence. Human perception isn’t just limited, it’s flawed; the only thing certain is death.

The New Testament Speaks to Old Testament Wisdom

The NT responds to each of the claims made by OT wisdom:

To Proverbs Good actions may not always yield good consequences now, but in the eternal picture it still rings true: You can choose Christ and get heaven, or you can reject him and get hell. Seek the success of the kingdom of God, not earthly success.

To Job He was never righteous; a person is justified by his faith, not his deeds. Even if he was faithful, he should have trusted that God would have worked out all things for his good.

To Ecclesiastes Live your life well in faith, because that will determine the type of death you will face.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 27 STUDY FIVE ENDNOTES

1. In addition to specific materials referenced in the endnotes, much of the material found in this document was developed with the help of How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981).

2. Bernhard Anderson. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak To Us Today (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983), 32

3. Ibid, 110

4. W.S. La Sor; D.A. Hubbard; and F.W. Bush. Old Testament Survey (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 530

5. Derek Kinder. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985), 19

6. Roland E. Murphy. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature, second edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 1

7. Even the book of Proverbs should be read as a collection and interpreted in relation to the rest of Scripture. Because each proverb comments on a single aspect of reality, an understanding of all the book of Proverbs provides a fuller picture of reality.

8. Warren W. Wiersbe. With the Word: The Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1993), 411

9. La Sor, Hubbard, and Bush, 549

10. Ibid, 524

11. Murphy, 59

12. Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 5 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), 1201

13. Tom Gledhill. The Message of the Song of Solomon: The Lyrics of Love (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 19-20

14. Gledhill, 35, quoting M. Sadgrove.

15. La Sor, Hubbard, and Bush, 610

16. Gledhill, 37

17. This has been adapted from Kinder, 17

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 5 - 28 ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT

study six an overview of the prophetic literature of the OT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

introduction 6-1 Major Divisions of the Old Testament 6-1 Organization of the Prophetic Literature 6-2 Historical Overview 6-2 Understanding the Prophet 6-3 Understanding the Literature 6-4 Group Exercise 1 6-6

prophets of the assyrian period 6-8 Jonah 6-8 Amos 6-9 Hosea 6-11 Micah 6-12 Isaiah 6-13 Group Exercise 2 6-16

prophets of the babylonian period 6-18 Zephaniah 6-18 Habakkuk 6-19 Jeremiah 6-20 Nahum 6-22 Ezekiel 6-24 Obadiah 6-26 Lamentations 6-27

prophets of the persian period 6-28 Daniel 6-28 Haggai 6-31 Zechariah 6-32 Joel 6-34 Malachi 6-35

study six endnotes 6-37

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION

Living consistently according to God’s way is difficult under the best of conditions. Pressures from our selfishness, our friends, and Satan create more than enough temptations and pitfalls to our faith.

Every Christian struggles to live according to God’s way, and occasionally we need the insight, care, wisdom, and help of others to get us back on track.

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins (James 5:19-20).

This passage describes the goal of the prophets in the Old Testament (OT). Those people were God’s representatives on earth who worked hard to turn Israel back to the Lord.

The purpose of this section is to survey this often overlooked and understudied portion of the Bible. After completing this class, you will be able to better read the prophetic literature of the OT.

Major Divisions of the Old Testament

Torah History Books Genesis Joshua Exodus Judges Leviticus Ruth Numbers 1 & 2 Samuel Deuteronomy 1 & 2 Kings 1 & 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther

Poetry and Wisdom Prophetic Literature Job Isaiah through Malachi (see below) Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 1 Organization of the Prophetic Literature In our Bibles, the Prophets are divided into two major divisions: the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets. The terms “major” and “minor” refer not to importance or significance, but to the size of the written works. For example, Isaiah has 66 chapters, while Jonah has 4. Both books are equally important.

Major Prophets Minor Prophets Isaiah Hosea Jeremiah Joel Lamentations Amos Ezekiel Obadiah Daniel Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

Historical Overview Understanding the historical context of this literature is especially important for reading it well. The prophets spoke their message from God to a specific people and place (such as Israel, Judah, other nations, individuals) during a specific time (monarchy, exile, and so on).

These factors are crucial to understanding the original message; from here, we can discern the eternal truths and principles.

Brief History Review 1375 B.C. Judges

Assyrian Period 1050 B.C. United Monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon) 930 B.C. Divided Monarchy (Israel in the north, Judah in the south) 722 B.C. Fall of Northern Kingdom (Israel)

Babylonian Period 586 B.C. Fall of Southern Kingdom (Judah)

Persian Period 586 B.C. Exile in Babylon/Persia 538 B.C. Return to the Land

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 2 Fee and Stuart1 have noted three helpful observations concerning the three centuries during which the prophetic literature was written:

1. unprecedented political, military, economic, and social upheaval

2. an enormous level of religious unfaithfulness and disregard for the original Mosaic covenant

3. shifts in the populations and national boundaries

Understanding the Prophet Willem A. VenGermeren points out seven characteristics true of every prophet of God:

He is (1) an Israelite, (2) called by God, (3) empowered by the spirit, (4) who serves as God’s spokesperson, (5) who has received authority and revelation from God, (6) who is a good shepherd over God’s flock, (7) who demonstrates God’s Word and mission by signs.2

God’s Mouthpiece Originally, a prophet spoke his message, and later the words were put into the text that is found in our Scriptures. Sometimes, the prophets did the writing; other times it was a scribe.

The prophet was totally convinced of his call and message from God and was compelled to speak the truth:

The lion has roared—so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Lord has spoken—so who can refuse to proclaim his message? (Amos 3:8).

But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! (Jeremiah 20:9).

The Message of Judgment and Salvation The Israelites, as a nation, had committed to serving God. In Deuteronomy, God (through Moses) gave the people a warning and a command:

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9).

It was the job of the prophet to speak to a nation that wasn’t careful and had forgotten God and all the things God had done for them.

Each prophet had a unique message, specific to his time and audience. Generally speaking, their writings can be summarized in terms of salvation (blessings) and judgment (curses) from the Lord. Nearly all of the prophets touch on these themes, demonstrating God’s total sovereignty over his creation.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 3 The words of the prophets weren’t anything new; they were a reminder of the covenant:

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:15-19).

The prophet saw the dangerous consequences of living apart from God and the destruction that lifestyle would bring.

The prophets also painted a picture of hope, reminding the people that a remnant (portion) of the Israelites would remain faithful. It was never too late for the Israelites to return to God. Eventually, perfect salvation from the Lord was coming in the Messiah, God’s chosen one to bring about a new covenant with his people.

Three Groups of Prophets In this study, we’re going to look at the prophets in chronological order, because a familiarity with their historical backdrop will aid in understanding message. The prophets can be grouped easily according to three major time periods.

The Assyrian Prophets (during the divided kingdom before the fall of Israel) Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah

The Babylonian Prophets (between the fall of Israel and Judah) Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Nahum, Ezekiel, Obadiah, Lamentations

The Persian Prophets (during the exile) Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, Malachi

Understanding the Literature A common problem we have in understanding the prophetic literature is that we focus on too narrow of a definition of the word prophecy.

Although predicting the future was a vital element to the prophet’s message—validating his authority and emphasizing his message—most prophetic discourse (95 percent) has nothing to do with foretelling events.

Of the prophetic material that does predict the future, less than 1 percent concerns events yet to come. Most of the predictions were of the immediate future of Israel, Judah, and specific individuals rather than our future.3

A biblical definition of prophecy means to speak the word of God.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 4 If you survey the prophets, you don’t find any new or original theology:

The social reforms and the religious thought which God wished to impart to the people had already been revealed in the covenantal law...therefore, when we read the prophet’s words, what we read is nothing genuinely new, but the same message in essence delivered by God originally through Moses.4

Barriers to Understanding As we said above, the prophets were first and foremost speakers; it was later that their oracles (sermons or messages) were gathered into written works. This means that what we are reading now (in the prophetic literature), people originally heard.

Four Barriers to Understanding the Prophetic Literature 1. Poetry is condensed language. This literature is mostly Hebrew poetry (English poetry is hard enough to understand) that is 2,500 years old.

2. The collected oracles often contain no reference to the historical context—information that is so important for good interpretation.

3. The collected oracles are not necessarily in chronological order—but more importantly, they are in the order God wanted them.

4. The collected oracles often run together, making it difficult to see when one ends and another starts.

Forms of Prophetic Utterance -- The Lawsuit In this type of oracle, the prophet describes a courtroom scene where a nation is on trial and God is the persecuting attorney and judge. These texts make a case against Israel, convicting the people for not following the covenant previously accepted.

-- The Woe In this type of oracle, the prophet announces destruction and doom that is coming upon a nation for (usually) a specific reason.

-- The Promise (or Salvation Oracle) In this type of oracle, the prophet holds out the hope that deliverance will come, and that the Lord has not totally forgotten his people.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 5 Group Exercise 1

Take the next few minutes to read the following passages and answer the questions.

Habakkuk 2:6-8 “But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’ Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless. Because you have plundered many nations; now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.”

What type of oracle is this? Circle your answer: lawsuit woe promise

Underline the words and phrases that support your choice.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says the people have done wrong.

Isaiah 3:13-26 The Lord takes his place in court and presents his case against his people! The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people: “You have ruined Israel, my vineyard. Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor. How dare you crush my people, grinding the faces of the poor into the dust?” demands the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

The Lord says, “Beautiful Zion is haughty: craning her elegant neck, flirting with her eyes, walking with dainty steps, tinkling her ankle bracelets. So the Lord will send scabs on her head; the Lord will make beautiful Zion bald.”

On that day of judgment the Lord will strip away everything that makes her beautiful: ornaments, headbands, crescent necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and veils; scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes, perfumes, and charms; rings, jewels, party clothes, gowns, capes, and purses; mirrors, fine linen garments, head ornaments, and shawls.

Instead of smelling of sweet perfume, she will stink. She will wear a rope for a sash, and her elegant hair will fall out. She will wear rough burlap instead of rich robes. Shame will replace her beauty. The men of the city will be killed with the sword, and her warriors will die in battle. The gates of Zion will weep and mourn. The city will be like a ravaged woman, huddled on the ground.

What type of oracle is this? Circle your answer: lawsuit woe promise

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 6 Underline the words and phrases that support your choice.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says the people have done wrong.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says will happen as a result of the people’s actions.

Amos 9:11-15 “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine.” The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things. “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

What type of oracle is this? Circle your answer: lawsuit woe promise

Underline the words and phrases that support your choice.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says the people have done wrong.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 7 PROPHETS OF THE ASSYRIAN PERIOD

Jonah

[prophet’s profile]

The book of Jonah stands unique among the prophetic literature of the OT because it is mostly narrative and contains very little prophetic discourse. The message of Jonah comes from his life, not his teachings.

In 2 Kings 14:25, Jonah is called a prophet and servant of the Lord, although his fulfillment of his duty is best described as reluctant obedience.

Jonah sang praises to God for his own salvation, yet complained bitterly when God saved the Ninevites. Jonah put action behind his feelings and purposefully disobeyed God’s command because he wanted the Ninevites to be destroyed.

[historical background and recipients]

Jonah’s message of destruction was given to the “great city” of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians were brutal conquerors, which is probably why Jonah ran in the opposite direction; he wanted them to be destroyed.

[content overview]

I. Jonah Quickly Disobeys (1–2) (a) Jonah receives God’s call; he sails in the opposite direction (b) God sends a storm; the sailors get scared (c) Jonah is thrown overboard and swallowed by a fish (d) Jonah praises God; God commands the fish to vomit him up

II. Jonah Slowly Obeys (3–4) (a) Jonah is commissioned again and prophesies against Nineveh (b) God has compassion and relents in sending destruction (c) Jonah becomes greatly displeased (d) God responds and tells Jonah that he is concerned

[theological highlights]

God’s universal love Although God chose Israel for a special purpose, the nation’s election didn’t mean the rest of the world was forever cut off from God. ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 8 God’s total control Behind the historical events in the book of Jonah, it is not difficult to see God’s hand at work. Hurling the storm, commanding the fish, forgiving the Ninevites, creating the vine, and sending the worm and wind are clear examples of God’s totalcontrol over the world.

God’s expectation of obedience God’s plan is bigger than our finite perspectives and selfish attitudes. When God commanded Jonah, he wanted it to be carried out regardless of Jonah’s concerns.

[for personal reflection]

Do you ever find yourself becoming selfish with God’s love, not wanting people you don’t like to experience God? Do you ever let your personal feelings get in the way of serving others?

Amos

[prophet’s profile]

Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer from a town called Tekoa, located near Jerusalem. Amos wasn’t educated or trained to be a priest; he was a blue-collar guy whom God used to change a nation.

But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore- fig trees” (Amos 7:14).

[historical background and recipients]

Amos spoke his message primarily against Israel, specifically at Bethel—one of the two main places of worship for the Northern Kingdom (see 1 Kings 12:29). He also spoke out against several nations neighboring Israel, including Judah.

The prophet’s message came during the so-called “Golden Age,” a time when King Jeroboam II had brought economic and political stability to Israel. He built up a strong army and a stable economy under which Israel prospered greatly—materially but not spiritually.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 9 [content overview]

I. Eight oracles against the nations (1–2)

II. Further oracles against Israel (3–6)

III. Five visions of judgment (7:1–9:10)

IV. A promise of hope: Restoration of Israel (9:11-15)

[theological highlights]

Destruction and Salvation Although Israel was elected—chosen by God—that privilege didn’t guarantee automatic blessing. Amos told the people of Israel they would be destroyed for their choices. But God is faithful and would restore his people.

“For I will give the command and will shake Israel along with the other nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, yet not one true kernel will be lost. But all the sinners will die by the sword—all those who say, ‘Nothing bad will happen to us.’ In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory” (Amos 9:9-11).

God Demands Justice Amos cried out against social injustice, as the rich (those in power) took advantage of and oppressed the poor.

This is what the Lord says: “The people of Israel have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They sell honorable people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals. They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way. Both father and son sleep with the same woman, corrupting my holy name” (Amos 2:6-7).

[for personal reflection]

During the time of Amos, Israel was all talk but no action. Does your life ever fall into this trap? It’s easy to tell others that we believe in Jesus; it’s difficult to live it in our everyday lives.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 10 Hosea

[prophet’s profile]

Not much is known about the prophet Hosea other than that he was the son of Beeri (1:1) and that his name means “salvation.”

Like many of the prophets, Hosea had a tough call to fulfill. In the midst of a period of Israel’s prosperity, he delivered God’s message of anger with Israel’s unfaithfulness—a message the Northern Kingdom wasn’t willing to accept.

Hosea’s life also communicated his message of his words: God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer, and to remain faithful to her despite her unfaithfulness.

[historical background and recipients]

Hosea’s ministry took place toward the end of Israel’s “Golden Age,” after Amos. Hosea’s message clashed with popular opinion— everything was not “going great.” From God’s point of view, the Northern Kingdom had broken its covenant by worshipping other gods, and this was the spiritual equivalent of adultery.

During this time of material blessing, King Jeroboam should have led the nation of Israel to worship the Lord, but instead he allowed idol worship.

[content overview]

It’s not difficult to imagine the passion behind Hosea’s words as spoke against the spiritual adultery of Israel, because he was speaking from his own experience. The relationship between Hosea and Gomer was a living illustration of the relationship between God and Israel.

I. Hosea Marries a Prostitute (1–3) -- Hosea marries Gomer and has three children -- Gomer is unfaithful to Hosea -- Hosea redeems his wife and remains faithful to her

II. Hosea States God’s Case Against Israel (4:1–11:11) -- Hosea describes Israel’s unfaithfulness toward God -- Hosea describes God’s punishment of Israel -- Hosea describes God’s love for Israel

III. God Redeems Israel (11:12-14:9) -- God recounts Israel’s unfaithfulness -- God expresses his anger toward Israel -- Israel repents, and God redeems the nation ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 11 [theological highlights]

Worship God demands that his people worship him. Period. No one or no thing can share the limelight with God. The intimacy between a husband and wife isn’t to be shared with another, and neither is our relationship with God to be defiled.

God’s Character The book of Hosea clearly demonstrates God’s love, faithfulness, and mercy for his people.

In spite of the atrocities Israel had committed in its love affair with other gods, God still remained faithful to his people. Sin always carries dangerous consequences, but Israel’s imperfections never moved Israel outside the realm of God’s love.

God’s mercy—undeserved favor—is always greater than our sin. God is always waiting for his people to return and seek his forgiveness.

[for personal reflection]

Why do you think God demands to be the first priority in our lives? What are the results when a person has divided loyalties? In your own life, do you have people, priorities, or possessions that hinder your pure worship of God?

Micah

[prophet’s profile]

The prophet Micah was a citizen of Moresheth, located about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Micah is one of the few prophets to be mentioned in another prophetic book (Jeremiah 26:18-19).

[historical background and recipients]

Micah’s ministry began before the fall of Samaria, in a time when the Assyrians were a world power intent on conquest. Under the evil king Hoshea, Israel was defeated (see 2 Kings 17). The Southern Kingdom was saved because Hezekiah worshipped God (see 2 Kings 19).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 12 [content overview]

I. The Trial of the Capitals (1–2) -- Indictment and judgment against the people -- Hope for the people

II. The Trial of the Leaders (3–5) -- Indictment and judgment against the leaders -- Hope for the Lord’s leadership and deliverance -- The future “king”

III. The Trial of the Nations (6–7) -- Indictment and judgment against the nation -- Hope for the nation

[theological highlights]

God’s Justice Israel and Judah had reached the point where they would have to face the consequences of their idolatry and moral failure.

God is both merciful and righteous. God continually offered his forgiveness, and it was God’s desire to accept back his disobedient people. However, Israel and Judah would have nothing to do with God, and Micah told them of the coming destruction.

They would suffer the shame of defeat and exile; redemption would come, but only for the faithful. More than just survivors, this remnant would be a force in the world, one that would eventually conquer it (4:11-13).

[for personal reflection]

In light of the definition of justice given above, what do think would be “just” in your life? How does the reality of Jesus affect justice?

Isaiah

[prophet’s profile]

Easily the most known of all the Prophets, Isaiah is quoted in the NT more than any other OT book aside from the book of Psalms.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 13 Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and was perhaps an aristocrat because he seemed to have easy access to Judah’s kings. He was married to a “prophetess,” which could refer to (a) a woman called by God to the office of prophet or (b) a woman who was a prophet’s wife. In any event, they had at least two sons (7:3; 8:3). Early traditions claim that Isaiah was put to death for his ministry.

[historical background and recipients]

Two major historical events help provide a background for understanding the book of Isaiah: the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians and the Assyrians’ invasion of Judah.

In order to control conquered peoples, the Assyrians would force mass deportations to destroy national identity. For the people of Israel, this was especially devastating: They were removed for the land God had promised to them.

For Judah, this was a time of fear and political uncertainty. When Assyria invaded and lay siege to Jerusalem, it was only because Hezekiah sought help from the Lord that they were saved from destruction.

[content overview] I. Judgment -- Ruin and restoration of Judah (1–6) -- Comfort despite external threats (7–12) -- Judgment against the nations (13–23) -- Judgment and promise for Judah (24–27) -- Six woes—five for the unfaithful in Israel and one for Assyria (28–33) -- More prophecies of judgment and promise (34–35) -- Historical transition from Assyrian threat to Babylonian exile (36–39)

II. Comfort -- The deliverance and restoration of Israel (40–48) -- The servant’s ministry and Israel’s restoration (49–57) -- Everlasting deliverance and everlasting judgment (58–66)

[theological highlights]

God as the Holy One of Israel Isaiah’s favorite description of God is “the holy one of Israel,” which undoubtedly came from his experience described in Chapter 6. When Isaiah was taken up into heaven, he witnessed the angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.”

Holiness describes God’s separation from everything—not in the sense of being distant, but distinct. God is God alone; there is no one like God. There is nothing that is perfect like God’s perfection. Unholiness cannot exist in God’s presence, like a shadow cannot exist on the sun. ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 14 God’s people were called to be holy like God is holy. God’s people weren’t to be distant from the world, just set apart—living for perfection.

God as the Redeemer of Israel God’s holiness meant that God would never forget his people and the promises made to them. Eventually, God would redeem his people. Isaiah calls God the Redeemer more than a dozen times, whereas this title is only used elsewhere a total of four times. Isaiah’s name means “YHWH is salvation” and reflects this aspect of God’s nature.

The Remnant The tension that lies between a God who is merciful yet also judges his people is resolved by the “remnant” theme.

The remnant is that group of people of people who survive some catastrophe brought about by God, ordinarily in judgment of sin. This group becomes the nucleus for the continuation of humankind or the people of God.

The members of the remnant are the true followers of God, as divine judgment separates them from the false followers.

The Suffering Servant Although the remnant would endure persecution and be made holier through it, the survivors would never be perfect. Without this perfection, God’s plan to reconcile the world back to himself could never happen through Israel.

Several famous passages predict the coming of God’s suffering servant, Jesus, who completed the act that God’s people could never do.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 15 Group Exercise 2

Break into four groups. Each group will be assigned one passage. As a group, discuss and create a list that describes the Suffering Servant based on your passage.

Group 1: Isaiah 42:1-7 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says, “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.”

Group 2: Isaiah 49:1-9 Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.” I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

And now the Lord speaks—the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

This is what the Lord says: “At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.”

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 16 Group 3: Isaiah 50:4-11 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.

Group 4: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about.

Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 17 prophets of babylonian period

Zephaniah

[prophet’s profile]

Unique among the prophets, Zephaniah was a member of the royal line of David and probably held a high social position.

[historical background and recipients]

The fall of Samaria should have been a constant reminder of God’s power, but an evil king (Manasseh) ruled in Jerusalem after Hezekiah (the godly king who saved Jerusalem from the Assyrians).

Josiah followed Manasseh and began a widespread series of religious and social reforms. Zephaniah began his ministry before Josiah reformed the kingdom. His message focused primarily on Judah but also included words against some surrounding nations.

[content overview]

-- The Day of the Lord is coming for the nations and Judah (1) -- God’s judgment on the nations (2:1–3:9) -- Redemption of the remnant (3:10-20)

[theological highlights]

The Day of the Lord Zephaniah uses this term more than any other prophet. The day of the Lord is near. “It will be a day when the Lord’s anger is poured out—a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet calls and battle cries. Down go the walled cities and the strongest battlements!” (Zephaniah 1:15-16). The day of the Lord was a time of severe punishment for the nations and for Judah. Like most of the prophets, Zephaniah concludes his letter with the promise of restoration and rejoicing.

[for personal reflection]

A major cause of judgment for Judah was that the people had chosen to “sit complacent in their sins” (1:12), yet God made a promise: “With his love, he will calm all your fears” (3:17). In your life, what makes the difference between being complacent and being calm? How do God’s promises in Zephaniah calm your heart?

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 18 Habakkuk

[prophet’s profile]

Not much is known about Habakkuk other than that his name probably means “embraced by God.” Based on his knowledge of musical forms (3:1, 19), it’s suspected that Habakkuk was a temple musician.

[historical background and recipients]

Habakkuk’s prophecy was delivered during the decline of Judah, before the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

Conditions during the life of the prophet would have progressed from excellent—with considerable material prosperity and even the promise of spiritual revival—to the height of desperation as the net was drawn around the hapless capital [Jerusalem].6

[content overview]

The prophecy of Habakkuk is unique among the prophetic literature in its form because it does not contain God’s words to his people. Instead, the majority of the book is a dialogue between the prophet and God, although God intended for it to be Scripture (see Habakkuk 2:2-3).

1. Habakkuk’s first complaint: Why does the evil in Judah go unpunished? (1:2-4)

2. God’s answer: The Babylonians will punish Judah (1:5-11)

3. Habakkuk’s second complaint: How can a just God use the wicked Babylonians to punish a people more righteous than themselves? (1:12–2:1)

4. God’s answer: Babylon will be punished; faith will be rewarded (2:2-20)

5. Habakkuk’s prayer of joy and thanks to the Lord (3)

[theological highlights]

Theodicy: The presence of evil in the world Habakkuk came to God with a legitimate and often-asked question about God’s very character: How can a good God tolerate evil?

Most of the time, this question is asked selfishly: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Habakkuk saw this from a different perspective, and he asked, “Why do you tolerate wrong? Why have you not punished it yet?”

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 19 God responds, “I will punish it, in accordance with my timing. The Babylonians will punish Israel.”

Habakkuk makes a second complaint to God, similar to the first: “Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?” (1:13).

God responds, “I am in control, my plans will be accomplished. Babylon will also be punished.”

The Righteous Shall Live By Faith Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted three times in the NT (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; and Hebrews 10:37-38).

“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God” (Habakkuk 2:4).

[for personal reflection]

God didn’t strike Habakkuk down for his questions; instead, God answered them. How does this give you confidence in your prayers? What will you ask God during your next time of prayer and quiet reflection?

Jeremiah

[prophet’s profile]

God called Jeremiah to go and speak to the leaders of Judah and Babylon when he was still very young (1:6). Jeremiah struggled inwardly with his call to prophetic ministry, and often found the job to be overwhelming:

My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still. For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and the roar of their battle cries (Jeremiah 4:19).

O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me. When I speak, the words burst out. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! (Jeremiah 20:7-9).

Despite much hardship and abuse by those he ministered to, Jeremiah remained faithful to God’s calling. Because of this, we think of him as a model of perseverance and devotion.

Jeremiah was the son of a priest and was a contemporary of Zephaniah, Ezekiel, and Habakkuk.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 20 [historical background and recipients]

Jeremiah’s ministry occurred during a very critical time in the history of the Middle East. Judah had just suffered a crippling defeat by the Egyptian army and was going through a series of appointed vassals, puppet rulers, and pagan kings. Having lost their freedom, the people of Judah turned to idols for salvation, rather than to God.

Thousands of political and religious leaders were taken captive to Babylon (589 B.C.)—Judah was truly in an uproar! When the people tried to rebel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed all remaining Jewish settlements, including the temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Ironically, the Babylonians released Jeremiah from jail when they overran the city, gaining him a short-lived freedom.

Although God had strictly warned Judah not to go back to Egypt, the survivors of Babylon’s attacks panicked and fled shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah was taken with them to Egypt against his will, where he continued to speak out against the people’s idolatry and unfaithfulness.

[content overview]

I. God’s call of Jeremiah to ministry (1)

II. The covenant lawsuit against Judah (2–24) -- Judah’s sins are the basis for the lawsuit (2:1–3:10) -- A summons to repentance (3:11–4:2) -- Destruction is imminent for Judah (4:3–6:30) -- The judgment of false religion (7–10) -- The broken covenant (11–13) -- Jeremiah’s lament and prayers over Judah (14–17) -- Signs and symbolism of judgment (18–24)

III. Jeremiah as the prophet to the nations (25–51) -- Judah will be punished for 70 years because of its idolatry (25) -- Contention with the false prophets in Jerusalem (26–29) -- A promise of restoration for Judah and Israel (30–33) -- Jeremiah’s life as he goes through the fall of Jerusalem (34–45) -- Prophecies against the nations (46–51)

IV. The historical fall of Jerusalem (52)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 21 [theological highlights]

The Word of God Jeremiah knew God because he had a deep understanding of the Word of God. His knowledge of Scripture was intimate and personal; God himself had touched Jeremiah’s lips with a promise to fill his mind and speech with God’s words.

God’s Word is powerful! It brings truth, but it also brings the courage for obedience. Only in it is real wisdom found (Jeremiah 8:9).

God’s Covenant There were always two sides to God’s special covenant with the Jewish people—faithfulness bringing blessing; disobedience bringing punishment and exile (Deuteronomy 27–28). Jeremiah was deeply aware of this, and he pleaded with the people to turn from their idolatry and to obey God (Jeremiah 11:6-7).

Hope for the Remnant A pattern that is seen throughout the prophetic books is that God always leaves a remnant of his people, a group of righteous individuals who have followed him all along. God does not destroy the righteous for the sins of others but is near to them during suffering and gently restores them to favor when trouble is over (Jeremiah 30:18–31:6). Just as God judges the wicked based on his everlasting justice, God saves the righteous based on his everlasting love.

[for personal reflection]

Nobody really listened to Jeremiah, and he was often plunged into situations that he didn’t choose for himself: accused of being a traitor, his intentions misunderstood, thrown into jail, kidnapped to Egypt, and more. Life frequently brings us situations we don’t choose for ourselves. Considering Jeremiah’s life, how can you be encouraged as you plod through these seasons? What sort of strength does knowing the Word of God give to you?

Nahum

[prophet’s profile]

Nahum is virtually unknown as a prophet. Even the location of his birthplace, Elkosh (1:1), is in doubt. It’s thought that he wrote the book under the reform of King Josiah in 622 B.C.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 22 [historical background and recipients]

When Israel sinned greatly and ignored the warnings given by the prophets, God used the nation of Assyria to judge Israel and carry its people into captivity. But a century later, it was Assyria’s time to feel the wrath of God for its own sins. Just because the nation had been part of God’s plan didn’t excuse its guilt.

This is the second book of the Bible centered on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. In the book of Jonah, the people repented when they were warned of God’s judgment, and God demonstrated compassion by not destroying the city. However, their repentance was short-lived, and within the century, evil once again reigned in the city. This time, the people ignored God’s prophet Nahum when he came to warn them.

[content overview]

I. God’s jealousy, justice, strength, and wrath (1)

II. The siege of Nineveh is prophesied (2)

III. Doom—an oracle of woe (3)

What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies! She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims. Hear the crack of whips, the rumble of wheels! Horses’ hooves pound, and chariots clatter wildly. See the flashing swords and glittering spears as the charioteers charge past! There are countless casualties, heaps of bodies—so many bodies that people stumble over them. All this because Nineveh, the beautiful and faithless city, mistress of deadly charms, enticed the nations with her beauty. She taught them all her magic, enchanting people everywhere (Nahum 3:1-4).

[theological highlights]

God’s Jealousy We tend to think of jealousy as a self-serving emotion resulting from feelings of inadequacy, but God’s jealously comes from his holiness. God’s jealousy for his people is a claim for exclusive allegiance (Joshua 24:19-20). Because God is the Holy One, he will tolerate no rivals (Exodus 20:5).

Coming Judgment Jesus issued a warning: “Those who use the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Nineveh had an international reputation for its bloodthirsty destruction, repression, and violence. God could not be good if he failed to punish such rampant evil. In this way, Nineveh became an example of God’s coming judgment on the world. The fact that God avenges evil is a proof of his goodness (Nahum 1:7-8).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 23 [for personal reflection]

Consider how the book of Nahum stands alongside Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Although Jesus spoke of loving our enemies, he also warned of coming judgment. How does this motivate you to develop and display compassion toward people you know who are without God?

Ezekiel

[prophet’s profile]

Ezekiel, the son of a priest, was taken captive to Babylon along with thousands of his countrymen in 597 B.C. He enjoyed a lot of freedom even while in captivity, and we know that he was married and owned a house.

Because of his upbringing, Ezekiel had an excellent understanding of Levitical laws and rituals, as well as the temple and its regulations. He knew the requirements of the Mosaic covenant between God and the Jewish people, teaching them in detail about the temple, the priesthood, related ceremonies and feasts, and the importance of obeying God’s law and seeking after God.

Ezekiel spoke in visions, a literary type that was common in Babylon and was familiar to his hearers. He also performed 10 peculiar object lessons in order to get the attention of his hearers, including shaving and burning his hair in thirds, and lying on his side for a total of 430 days while playing with a model city and miniature armies.

[historical background and recipients]

The nation of Israel had already been taken into captivity as God’s judgment for its spiritual and moral corruption. About a hundred years later, some of the people of Judah were also taken captive to Babylon, including Ezekiel. He prophesied a coming catastrophe and captivity for the rest of Judah, which came true during his lifetime in 586 B.C. Babylon was located in what is now the southeast portion of modern Iraq.

Ezekiel’s messages were intended primarily to encourage these captives, but they also provided practical instruction for the few remaining Jews who had not been deported from Israel or Judah, so that they might live with hope in the midst of their pagan neighbors.

[content overview]

Unlike others, Ezekiel pays attention to chronology and gives 13 exact dates throughout the book, more than any other prophet. Archaeology and research of the Middle Eastern calendar confirm these dates precisely.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 24 I. Ezekiel’s commission (1–3) -- A vision of God’s glory (1) -- God charges Ezekiel to be a “watchman” to warn the Jews of danger (2–3)

II. Judah’s sin and the resulting judgment (4–24) -- Initial warnings to Judah that judgment is near (4–7) -- Ezekiel predicts the departure of God’s glory (8–11) -- God responds as the captives try to rationalize their unfaithfulness (12–19) -- Israel and Judah’s leadership is defective (20–23) -- The destruction of Jerusalem (24)

III. Judgment on foreign nations (25–27)

IV. The promise of restoration for the Jews (28)

V. Judgment on Egypt (29–33)

VI. Future blessings because of God’s faithfulness to his covenant (33–39) -- Restoration of the Jews to the Promised Land (33–37) -- God will defend the Jews against their enemies (38–39)

VII. God’s glory will return to the land (40–48) -- Description of the new temple (40–44) -- The Prince as a political and worship leader (45–46) -- Israel reorganized according to tribal divisions (47–48)

[theological highlights]

Spiritual Renewal “They shall know that I am the Lord” is a recurring message throughout the book of Ezekiel. It emphasizes that the purpose of God’s judgment is spiritual renewal, not just punishment for punishment’s sake.

Corporate and Individual Responsibility For Sin Because the temple and the sacrificial system were central in the lives of the people, their priests and leaders were directly responsible for the sins that led to the people’s captivity. Past defilements and indiscretions by these leaders would lead to further judgment (Chapters 20–23). However, because worship is connected to individual behavior, the people also bore responsibility for their captivity—insincere worship leads to immoral behavior, which leads to judgment. Sincere worship leads to moral behavior, which leads to blessings.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 25 [for personal reflection]

It’s easy to blame our leaders for the sins we get involved with, especially when they legitimately are at fault. How can you avoid being led into sin by others?

Obadiah

[prophet’s profile]

Obadiah means “Servant of the Lord” and is probably the prophet’s title rather than his proper name. Otherwise, he remains anonymous.

[historical background and recipients]

The book of Obadiah is addressed entirely to the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau, who had been feuding since ancient times with Israel, the nation descended from Esau’s twin brother, Jacob. Instead of helping the people of Israel and Judah during their times of distress when Babylon attacked, the people of Edom gloated and raided their homes. Some Edomites even murdered Jewish refugees—their own distant relatives!

[content overview]

It’s doubtful that the Edomite leaders ever heard or read Obadiah’s oracle. Instead, it served to encourage the surviving Jews that God had not abandoned them. After Edom’s punishment, God would restore his people to their land.

[theological highlights]

Sovereignty God is the ruler over all nations, whether they acknowledge God’s control or not. God is very aware of sin and treachery in the world, and God will judge any nation that deserves it.

[for personal reflection]

The defining characteristic of the nation of Edom was pride. Have you ever hurt somebody by allowing your pride to get the best of you? With God’s help, what steps can you take to make it up to that person?

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 26 Lamentations

[prophet’s profile]

Although no author is named for Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah is traditionally considered to have written the book; he was known as a composer of laments (2 Chronicles 35:25). Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem firsthand and knew the pain of rejection by the people he’d tried to warn.

[historical background and recipients]

In this book, the author expresses in poetry his sorrow and grief at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Those who survived the attack were dying of starvation, and mothers were cooking and eating their own children in a desperate attempt to survive. These were truly Judah’s darkest days.

The guilt of my people is greater than that of Sodom, where utter disaster struck in a moment and no hand offered help…. Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger. Starving, they waste away for lack of food from the fields (Lamentations 4:6, 9).

Because the author’s style of writing is so personal, it’s not clear who the intended recipients of these five poems are. However, we do know that they can provide comfort and hope to anyone who is suffering.

[content overview]

I. Grief after the destruction of Jerusalem (1)

II. God’s anger with Jerusalem (2)

III. Anguish and hope in the face of adversity (3)

IV. The pain and horrors in Jerusalem after its destruction (4)

V. Prayer for restoration; remembering that God is still in control (5)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 27 [theological highlights]

Suffering Other parts of the Bible address human pain, but Lamentations addresses the broader and more confusing issue of national suffering. The book tackles some of our hardest questions: If God is in control of history, why doesn’t he stop this from happening? Where is God when national suffering happens? How can love and justice be reconciled? Rather than trying to explain pain, the book shows us how to face suffering when it happens.

The Anger and Faithfulness of God The anger of God is a sign that he knows what is going on in our world and that he cares. Even in God’s anger, mercy is shown. God’s discipline is meant for our good, and God is never unreasonable. God is faithful and compassionate (3:22-24), and his arms are always open.

[for personal reflection]

Because God is faithful, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel of our sorrow. Think about the times that you have come through pain and have been restored.

prophets of the persian period

Daniel

[prophet’s profile]

Daniel was just a young man during the Babylonian invasion of Judah and Jerusalem. He was taken captive along with other Jewish teenagers who were chosen for their nobility, appearance, intelligence, and potential to lead. Upon arrival at their new home in Babylon, these youngsters were enrolled in special training to prepare them for future roles as diplomats and leaders. Daniel and his small group of friends worked diligently and eventually became governors under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel became a close confidant of the king. Later, he gave advice to King Belshazzar. And when the Persians captured Babylon, Daniel served King Darius and King Cyrus closely in official capacities.

Daniel had a huge impact on the spiritual and political direction of the Babylonian government, and he may have been responsible for orchestrating the return of the Jews to their homeland under the rule of Cyrus (see Ezra 1:1-4). God gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams, boldness to gently confront kings about their pride, and courage to live righteously even when faced with death by lions.

Although Daniel was not a prophet in the traditional sense of the word, Jesus mentions him by name and calls him a prophet in his predictions of the End Times (see Matthew 24:15).

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 28 [historical background and recipients]

Daniel’s book spans a broad period of history and records many changes in power. During this timeframe Israel and Judah were ruled by Assyria, Babylon/Chaldea, and lastly Persia. Finally, King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jews to begin returning to their homeland.

The book is somewhat historical and somewhat prophetic. It’s addressed to many people, including foreign kings, captive Jews, and future readers.

Some of its predictions are so detailed that a few critics believe the book of Daniel was finished in the second century B.C. and then backdated to make it look like prophecy. However, with numerous witnesses and the unanimous testimony of ancient tradition, we can trust that Daniel did write this book in his lifetime and well before the predicted events.

Because of the careful accuracy of the book of Daniel, it has one of the best timelines in Scripture for helping us to piece together a picture of the End Times.

[content overview]

I. Daniel is taken to Babylon as a young man and remains faithful to God (1)

II. Service to King Nebuchadnezzar (2–4) -- King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s interpretation (2) -- Daniel’s friends are commanded to worship the gold statue, they’re miraculously rescued from a furnace, and the king turns to God (3) -- Daniel interprets the king’s dream of a great tree (4:1-28) -- The king turns into a beast until he acknowledges God (4:29-37)

III. King Belshazzer’s feast and the fall of Babylon (5)

IV. King Darius accidentally becomes involved in a plot to kill Daniel; the king turns to God (6)

V. Daniel’s visions and predictions of the future (7–12) -- The four beasts/kingdoms (7) -- The ram and the goat (8) -- The 70 “weeks” timeline (9) -- A heavenly messenger appears (10–11) -- The very end of time (12)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 29 [theological highlights]

Pride and Humility Much of the book of Daniel is focused on the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II, known throughout history as Nebuchadnezzar the Great. He was a brilliant military leader but is even more famed for his reconstruction of the Babylonian empire after years of turmoil. Nebuchadnezzar is credited with building the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, rebuilding Lake Sippar, and opening a port to the Persian Gulf. Archeologically, there is scarcely a place in modern-day Iraq where Nebuchadnezzar’s name does not appear or traces of his activity are not found.

Sadly, as he grew in strength and power, Nebuchadnezzar also grew in pride. He reveled in his own greatness until God disciplined him with seven years of insanity. The book of Daniel tells of the king’s transformation into a beast-like human who crawled on the ground and ate grass. A clay tablet in the British Museum (BM34113) describes Nebuchadnezzar’s behavior during these years: “His life appeared of no value to him … he does not show love to son or daughter … family and clan does not exist.” There is no record of acts or decrees by the king from 582 to 575 B.C.

The Bible is full of references that tell us how God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13), worshipping self instead of treasuring God.

“God opposes the proud but favors the humble” (James 4:6).

King Nebuchadnezzar was brought low in the ultimate embarrassment so that he might learn true humility—and with a changed and humbled heart, the king came to know God in a new and living way.

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud” (Daniel 4:37).

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Progression of Belief

1. Acknowledges that God has some power (2:47)

2. Proclaims God as the supreme being (3:28-29)

3. Sees the full glory of God and acknowledges God’s personal care (4:2-3)

4. Worships God because God is worthy; it’s no longer about self (4:34-35)

Restoration and Preservation Israel and Judah were suffering punishment for their disobedience, but there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. God had made a covenant to preserve the Jewish people, and Daniel predicted a time when God would fully restore his people to himself. In God’s eternal kingdom, their suffering will be ended forever.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 30 [for personal reflection]

Daniel was not called to a special “ministry;” God simply expected him to be faithful and truthful in the situations that life brought him. Because of Daniel’s obedience, powerful kings came to know God. What are simple ways that you can live faithfully and honestly at school, among your social groups, and in your other daily interactions? How does prayer play a part in your witness?

Haggai

[prophet’s profile]

All of Haggai’s messages were given in the short span of just four months. Haggai is mentioned briefly in the book of Ezra as an associate of the prophet Zechariah (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14). Both men served the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem after the captivity. The name Haggai means “festival,” which is an appropriate meaning considering his primary work of restoring temple worship.

[historical background and recipients]

In 538 B.C., some Jews were given permission to leave Babylon and return to their homeland in order to start rebuilding. The first item on their agenda was to build the temple again, but they got distracted shortly after arriving in the land and decided that erecting an altar on the original temple site would be an acceptable temporary solution.

Although they managed to avoid falling into the idolatry of their neighbors, these Jews were spiritually lethargic and focused their efforts on insignificant things such as decorating their homes. Unfortunately, this misdirected focus led to economic disaster and crop failure.

They managed to procrastinate on rebuilding the temple for 16 years. At that time, Haggai confronted the people about their priorities; within three weeks, Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest responded positively to Haggai’s messages by starting work on the temple.

Encouraged by this, Haggai spoke to the Jews again about God’s presence with those who are willingly his. This was the same message Moses had brought to the Israelites (see Exodus 3:8) and was preparation for the soon-coming Messiah—Immanuel, God With Us.

[content overview]

I. The call to rebuild the temple -- The people’s indifference (1:1-11) -- The people’s repentance (1:12-15)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 31 II. God’s greater temple and blessings for obedience -- Encouragement from God (2:1-9) -- Holiness and the worship of God (2:10-19) -- God’s blessing on Zerubbabel (2:20-23)

[theological highlights]

Spiritual Pollution Haggai asked the priests a series of questions about “holy” or “consecrated” items to illustrate the danger of having a wrong attitude toward God. Just as contact with a dead body would spoil a consecrated item, having a wrong view of God spoiled the “holy” work that the people had hoped to do by rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says. Ask the priests this question about the law: ‘If one of you is carrying some meat from a holy sacrifice in his robes and his robe happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or olive oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?’ ” The priests replied, “No.” Then Haggai asked, “If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be defiled?” And the priests answered, “Yes.” Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin” (Haggai 2:11-14).

Likewise, sin or wrong attitudes in our lives can spoil all the good things that we may try to do in God’s name. God wants us to follow him completely.

[for personal reflection]

God brought many blessings to the returned Jews after they got their priorities straight and finally began work on the temple. In what ways might you need to reorder your priorities in order to receive God’s blessings?

Zechariah

[prophet’s profile]

Zechariah was one of three prophets, along with Haggai and Malachi, who ministered to Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem. His name means “YHWH remembers,” a powerful phrase filled with hope.

The book of Revelation is full of references to Zechariah’s messages, where he is the second-most quoted prophet, after Ezekiel. His predictions of Christ’s crucifixion are also quoted extensively throughout the four Gospels.

Zechariah was the grandson of a tribal leader, Iddo, who governed the priestly tribe of Levi.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 32 [historical background and recipients]

As explained in the book of Haggai, the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from their Babylonian captivity started out with good intentions to rebuild the temple and worship God there. They quickly lost their sense of spiritual purpose, however, and it wasn’t until 520 B.C., when Haggai confronted them, that they once again began to work.

Zechariah joined Haggai in encouraging the people in their newfound commitment to the Lord, and he continued to serve them for two more years.

As the people worked, God poured out his blessings, and the temple was completed with great rejoicing in 515 B.C.

[content overview]

I. Present encouragement for the people -- A call to repentance (1:1-6) -- Night visions: horsemen, horns, a measuring line, high priestly garments, lampstand, olive trees, a flying scroll, the woman in a basket, chariots, the crowning of Joshua, and fasting (1:7–8:23)

II. The future messianic kingdom -- The coming of the Messiah (9) -- The Messiah as a shepherd (10) -- The Messiah is rejected (11) -- Judgment on the nations (12) -- Israel scattered as sheep (13) -- The Messiah’s second coming and kingdom (14)

[theological highlights]

First Coming of the Messiah There are many prophecies about Jesus in the book of Zechariah, including:

-- His entrance to Jerusalem on a colt (9:9)

-- His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (12:12-13)

-- The piercing of his hands and feet (12:10)

-- His death would provide cleansing from sin (13:1)

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 33 Along with these prophecies, Zechariah gives an excellent explanation of repentance and salvation. In Chapter 3, there is a striking illustration of the removal of sin and imputed righteousness. True religion, Zechariah explains, has its roots in a personal relationship with God and is not achievable solely through good works.

Second Coming of the Messiah Zechariah foretold future events, such as the destruction of Israel’s enemies (14:3), Israel’s coming to Christ (12:10–13:1), and the Messiah’s reign in a new and eternal kingdom (14:9). He goes into quite a bit of detail and gives the promise that everyone who comes to God would find favor in the Messiah’s kingdom, not just the Jews.

[for personal reflection]

Zechariah encouraged the people to complete the job that God had entrusted to them. In their case, repentance was necessary for their previous negligence. During your next time of prayer or quiet reflection, ask God what job he has for you that you might have missed—and ask for God’s strength to accomplish it.

Joel

[prophet’s profile]

Little is known about the prophet Joel. His name means “The Lord is God,” which suggests an upbringing in a God-fearing family. Joel frequently refers to the work of temple priests in the city of Jerusalem, but he also demonstrates a great deal of interest in and knowledge about agriculture.

[historical background and recipients]

It is not clear exactly when the book of Joel was written or the intended audience for the book.

[content overview]

I. The devastation of a locust plague (1)

II. A coming Day of the Lord (2)

III. Judgment on the surrounding nations (3:1-17)

IV. The promise of future blessings (3:18-21) ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 34 [theological highlights]

The Day of the Lord The Day of the Lord is a major topic in Old Testament prophetic literature; 13 of the 16 prophets speak about it. Rather than being a single day or isolated event in history, the Day of the Lord has referred to periods in Israel’s early history, Judah’s invasion by Babylon, the first coming of Jesus, and Jesus’ future Second Coming. Although prophecy about the Day of the Lord typically includes judgment, it also includes promises of deliverance and restoration.

[for personal reflection]

Joel 2 begins with these words: Sound the alarm in Jerusalem! Raise the battle cry on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us. Although there will be judgment and destruction on this day, there will also be blessing and hope for those who love God. How can you be ready for his coming?

Malachi

[prophet’s profile]

Nothing is known about Malachi aside from this book. Malachi means “My Messenger” and may be more of a title than a name. Because of his interest in the priesthood as written in this book, it’s assumed that Malachi served as a temple priest.

[historical background and recipients]

By the time of this book, the Jewish people had returned to their homeland and were trying to rebuild their lives. They paid regular taxes to the Persians but were otherwise left alone.

Malachi addresses many of the same issues that were concerns to Nehemiah, who had governed the land about 30 years previously: marriages to foreign women, not paying tithes, neglecting to keep the Sabbath, injustice, and a corrupt priesthood. Once again, the people were spiritually apathetic, and God sent Malachi to rouse them back to true worship.

This was the last time that a prophet spoke until the coming of Jesus; the next 400 years were known as Israel’s “Silent Period.” Because there was no direction from God other than his written Word, Pharisees emerged and began to build an amazingly heavy system of legalism into the Jewish faith.

By the time Jesus Christ came on the scene, the people were hungry for truth.

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 35 [content overview]

I. Dispute over the love of God (1:1-5)

II. Dispute over God’s honor (1:6–2:9)

III. Dispute over the people’s unfaithfulness (2:10-16)

IV. Dispute over God’s judgment (2:17–3:6)

V. Dispute over returning to God (3:7-12)

VI. Dispute over rebellion against God (3:13-18)

VII. Warnings about the coming Day of the Lord (4:1-3)

VIII. The promise of the prophet Elijah coming to prepare the way of the Lord (4:4-6)

[theological highlights]

Defective Sacrifices Although God is the creator of all things, both healthy and flawed, he refused to acceptdefective animals as sacrifices (Leviticus 3:1; Deuteronomy 17:1). These imperfect offerings reflected what was in the hearts of the people: They thought it would be a waste to give their best gifts to God. Because of their insincerity, Malachi wrote that it would be better to give no sacrifice at all, rather than to give with a self-righteous attitude.

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!” (Malachi 1:6).

[for personal reflection]

The only place where God explicitly tells us to test him is in Malachi 3:10. God promises to pour out lavish blessings if we are faithful to give him our best. Do you need to change your habits in order to give God your best?

ROOTED:OLD TESTAMENT 6 - 36 STUDY SIX ENDNOTES

1. Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981), 174.

2. Willem A. VenGermeren. Interpreting the Prophetic Word (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 32

3. Fee and Stuart, 166

4. Ibid, 170

5. Raymond Dillard and Tremper Longman. An Introduction to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), 277.

6. Gaebelein, 493

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