Introduction to
the Bible Week 2
Old Testament Historical Books
Looking back on last week’s readings:
Review: What is the Bible?
The Story of God Rescuing Rebels through a Redeemer - Jesus Christ
The problem of “moralism”
God’s loving pursuit
The
steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (Ps.
37:23,24)
Why believe the Bible?
Experiential evidence
Historical evidence (part 1)
Introduction to Old Testament Historical Books
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16,17
“…everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
Bible books:
Timeline:
Why OT history is important:
· It’s a __________________________ of scripture!
· Our faith grows as we learn about ______________________________.
Hebrews 12:1,2
· The events they describe ultimately __________________________.
Luke 24:13-45
The Setting:
When Jesus met the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, he discovered that they were in despair because their Messiah had been crucified. He responds, "'how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken!'... And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 24:25, 27)
Jesus blames the confusion of the disciples on their inability to see that all the Old Testament is about him and his salvation. He shows them that "all the Scriptures" point to him and that each part — the Law, the Prophets, and the Wisdom Literature — are all about Him.
Why are they despondent?
If we do not see that every prophet, every priest, every king, every hero in the Old Testament points to Jesus, then we will see each of them as only examples. As moral examples, they will load us with guilt! But they are not just that. They are pictures of our Savior — and when we see them as that, we learn hope and how God's grace works, and we are then motivated (out of that hope and grace) to live as we should.
There are great stories in the Bible ... but it is possible to know Bible stories, yet miss the Bible story ... The Bible has a story line. It traces an unfolding drama. The story follows the history of Israel, but it does not begin there, nor does it contain what you would expect in a national history.... If we forget the story line ... we cut the heart out of the Bible. Sunday school stories are then told as tamer versions of the Sunday comics, where Samson substitutes for Superman. (Edmund Clowney, The Unfolding Mystery)
Jn. 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.”
5:46,47 "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"
What kind of history do these books record?
· _________________history
2 Peter 1:20,21
· ______________________________ as He fulfills two important promises:
1. God’s Promise to ______________ – nation, land, blessing to the world.
2. God’s Promise to ______________ – one of his descendants will sit on his throne and rule the world forever.
Biblical history shows God’s faithfulness ______________________________ __________________.
Enjoying Narratives
When you read a narrative, look for:
· The tension between what was promised and the circumstances of the main characters. Are there perceived obstacles?
Examples of Tension:
The promise of Genesis 12:1-3 and the obstacles of:
11:30
12:6
12:10
The promise of 2 Samuel 7:11-16 (last week) and the crisis in Daniel 1:1,2:
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
· God’s faithfulness to His promise.
· The characters’ faith or lack of faith. Do they act ways that indicate they trust God’s promise?
· Look for predictions about or foreshadowing of Jesus (a.k.a. types)
Predictions about Jesus Christ (next week)
Foreshadowing of Jesus Christ (types)
Types are persons, institutions, or events that were designated by God to be models, previews, or pictures of something that was to come in the work of the Messiah (Jesus).
Examples of “Types”
The “Sacrifice” of Isaac (Gen. 22 & Jn. 3:16)
The Exodus from Egypt
The Exodus itself
Passover (Exodus 12; 1 Corinthians 5:7)
Manna (Exodus 16)
The Rock (Exodus 17)
Joshua & Rest (Joshua 21:44; Hebrews 4:8,9)
Offices:
Redeemer (Hebrew - goel)
Prophet
Priest
King
King David
David was a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:15; Ezekiel 34; John 10)
David was, “The Lord’s Anointed” (Psalm 2)
Example of Reading OT History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
ANALYSIS
Larger Context:
King Jehoshaphat (873-848 BC)
Read the whole passage
Outline the passage
· The people of God are threatened (1-4).
· Jehoshaphat’s prayer as a representative (5-12)
· God’s answer through Jahaziel (13-17)
· Jehoshaphat and the people are emboldened (18-23).
· God defeats the enemies (22-26).
· The results: joy and peace (27-30).
Look for repeated words or concepts:
Is this story related to God’s promise to Abraham or David? If so, how?
APPLICATION:
Prayerfully consider questions like:
Are there principles about the way God operates in this passage that have relevance for my life today?
WARNING:
Principle:
What have I learned and how can I put it into practice this week?
Identify some “threats” you feel and identify & reflect on promises in the Word
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Fear or threat |
Why are you afraid? |
Promise |
Steps of Faith |
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Assignment: Bible Reading Assignment #2 due next week. Read “Why Believe the Bible,” section III on Historical Evidence part 2