Old Testament Overview

(To Be Used with the O.T. Chart)

-Introduction

-Daily-Bible-reading schedules

            -Cannot overemphasize the importance of reading and studying our Bibles.

            -Structure can help - i.e. reading schedules

-Whether cover-to-cover or chronological, we begin with the O.T.

-However, I’m afraid that we sometimes struggle somewhat with the O.T.

            -larger than the N.T.

            -covers a long period of time - approx. 3600 years

            -difficult names, a number of nations

            -former covenants - hard time understanding and/or relating to the things

                                           contained within

-Outline of the Old Testament

-Pentateuch (penta = 5) - first 5 books of the Bible - Genesis through Deuteronomy

-History - Joshua - Esther

-Poetry - Job - Song of Solomon

-Major prophets - Isa - Daniel

-Minor prophets - Hosea - Malachi

            -Major vs minor isn’t about the importance of the prophet and/or his work or

  message.  The difference between the two is the length of the prophets’ writings.

  The major prophets wrote more than the minor prophets.

-Three-fold Message of the Prophets

1.  Warnings/Doom against Israel and/or Judah

2.  Warnings/Doom against other nations

3.  Message of hope

            -Most of the prophets included all three.  There are exceptions.  For example,

              Jonah was sent to the Ninevites rather than the nations of Israel or Judah.

-Chronology

-We like to have things in chronological order.  We like it when something begins at the

  beginning and progresses in order toward the end.

            -example of movies &/or books

            -Have you ever become confused &/or frustrated due to information in a book or movie not

              being presented chronologically?  Have you had a hard time following along?

-It is very important for us to realize that the Bible is not always presented in a chronological

  format. 

            -The Old Testament certainly is not arranged in a chronological order.  Therefore, we must

        study accordingly.

            -This can certainly help to reduce confusion and frustration in our efforts to study the

        scriptures.  As a result, we can grow in our understanding of God’s truth.

-see O.T. chart

-Closing

-relationship between the O.T. and N.T. - The O.T. pointed to the N.T. and the N.T.

  fulfills the O.T.

            -A knowledge of one helps us in better understanding the other.

-Rom 15:4 (1 Cor 10:11, Heb 11)

            -There is a great deal that we can learn from the study of the O.T.

            -When we combine the O.T. and the N.T., we should stand in awe of the power and

              wisdom of God.

            -It is amazing how He utilized so many people in so many places over an

  extended period of time in the revealing of His will for mankind.

-Throughout the scriptures, God’s plan of salvation unfolds ultimately leading to the

  sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross.

            -Throughout the O.T. we see the care of God for His people.  Yet, we see His

        instructions for them to obey Him.   We see their rewards for doing so and their

        punishment for failing to do so.

     -The same holds true for us today.  God wants us to obey Him.  There are rewards

       promised for doing so and punishment for failing to do so.

-Are you living obediently to God?

Date:  Jan 8, 2006