Introduction to the Bible Week 3

Old Testament: The Law and the Prophets

Student Notes

Romans 3:21

Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

The Law

God gave Moses over 600 laws, including the 10 commandments, for the Jewish people to obey.

Timeline:

Bible books:

Both in the Old Testament Law and in our lives today, salvation is offered as a gift through the means that God prescribes. Obedience to God’s commands has never been a means of personal salvation. People have always been saved by putting their faith in God and his provision for forgiveness.

The Law is a “contract” between God and Israel:

“The Mosaic Covenant”

Protection & blessing: "If you fully obey the LORD your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God…” – Deuteronomy 28:1,2

 “But if you refuse to listen to the LORD your God and do not obey all the commands and laws I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you…” – Deuteronomy 28:15

The Law is a “teacher” for individuals

1. The Law reveals God’s character

God is __________ (Lev. 19:2, Exodus 33:20 )

2. The Law reveals the human condition before God

Humans are ___________________ (Isaiah 59:1; Jer. 17:9)

The context of the law: Exodus 19:4-6

The content of the law: Exodus 20:1-17

Exodus 20:1-3

Exodus 20:14-17

The heart of the law:

Deut. 6:5 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

 Leviticus 19:18 love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

3. The Law reveals God’s solution: the Old Testament Sacrificial System

Atonement:

The Law provided a way for individuals their sins atoned for:

“…bring a bull with no physical defects to the entrance of the Tabernacle so it will be accepted by the LORD. Lay your hand on its head so the LORD will accept it as your substitute, thus making atonement for you.” – Leviticus 1:3,4, and chapter 16

A closer look at the Tabernacle:

See Hebrews 9:1-7

Jesus and the Tabernacle:

Heb. 9:11-14

The sacrificial system that the Law prescribed reminded them of their need for a sacrifice:

Heb. 10:1-4

The benefits for you from Jesus’ sacrifice:

Heb. 10:19-23

For an excellent treatment of the sacrificial system see:

http://www.xenos.org/teachings/nt/hebrews/gary/index.htm

Old Testament: Poetry and Wisdom

Bible books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

Timeline: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon were mainly written during the life of David and Solomon. Some Psalms were written as late as the 5th century BC (after the Babylonian exile). The story of Job takes place during the time of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).

Old Testament: Prophets

Bible books:

Major (longer) prophets:

Minor (shorter – not less important!) prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Timeline:

What is a prophet? _________________________________

As a _____________________, a prophet speaks a message about what God will do in the future.

Isaiah 46:9,10  “And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God—I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

The prophets also reaffirmed God’s promises to ______________and __________.

Daniel 2:44, 7:14 

As a ___________________, a prophet speaks forth a message for the present time.

Examples of those who challenged power: Elijah (Ahab) and Nathan (David)

The Problem of Idolatry

Jeremiah 2:11-13

Jeremiah 6:13-14 

Ezekiel 16:15-22 

Hosea 6:4-6   

The Problem of Materialism and Social Injustice

Isaiah 1:16, 17

Isaiah 2:7-9

The Prophets looked ahead to the “_________ Covenant”________________.

Jeremiah 31:31-33

Ezekiel 36:25-28

Sample prophecies from the book of Isaiah (740 – 680 B.C.)

The book of Isaiah has two major sections:

The Book of JUDGMENT (chapter 1-39)

The Book of COMFORT (chapters 40-66)

Isaiah 1:1-4; 10-23

Isaiah 2:12-22

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Notice: The servant (“he”) is distinct from Isaiah’s people (“us”)

New Testament Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets

Romans 3:19-28

Is your mouth closed? (19,20)

Have you let the law give you the knowledge of your sin?

vs. 24 “Justified as a gift by His grace”

“Redemption”

vs. 25 “propitiation in His blood”

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.

2 Cor. 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Assignment:

Bible Reading Assignment #3 and “Why Believe the Bible?” due next week