Download How to benefit from reading OT History

Introduction to
the Bible
Instructor: Bill Covert
Week 2 Old Testament
Narratives
Week 2 OT History
The Daily Reading Plan
Questions from readings?
Turn in reflections…
Week 2 OT History
What is the Bible?
His-Story of His Loving Pursuit of
Rebels in Jesus Christ
The error of religion
Week 2 OT History
What is the Bible?
His-Story of His Loving Pursuit of
Rebels in Jesus Christ
These
emphasize
your
pursuit of
God
The error of religion
The error of “moralism”
Week 2 OT History
Ephesians 2:8,9. God saved you by his grace
What
isAnd
the
when you
believed.
youBible?
can’t take credit
for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a
His-Story
of His
Loving
Pursuit
reward
for the good
things
we have
done, soof
none of usRebels
can boastinabout
it. Christ
Jesus
These
emphasize
your
pursuit of
God
The error of religion
The error of “moralism”
Week 2 OT History
Ephesians 2:8,9. God saved you by his grace
What
isAnd
the
when you
believed.
youBible?
can’t take credit
for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a
His-Story
of His
Loving
Pursuit
reward
for the good
things
we have
done, soof
none of usRebels
can boastinabout
it. Christ
Jesus
These
emphasize
your
pursuit of
God
The error of religion
The error 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)
Week 2 OT History
----Review---Two Problems
– Problem 1: LOST RELATIONSHIP
– Problem 2: LOST DOMINION
Two Promises
– God’s promise to ABRAHAM: All the
peoples of the world will be blessed
– God’s promise to DAVID: A descendant of
David will rule forever
Week 2 OT History
Jesus’ first coming
Matt. 1:1 Jesus the Messiah, son of David, son
of Abraham.
Week 2 OT History
Jesus’ first coming
Matt. 1:1 Jesus the Messiah, son of David, son
of Abraham.
John 1:1-4. Word was God and in Him was life.
John 1:14-18. God became a man in Jesus
Christ
Week 2 OT History
Jesus’ first coming
Mark 1:14,15 Jesus announces His
kingdom.
Week 2 OT History
Jesus’ first coming
Mark 1:14,15 Jesus announces His
kingdom.
However, Jesus is not a normal king:
Mark 10:45 He is the Ruler who serves.
John 1:29 He is the Lamb of God!
Week 2 OT History
The death of Christ
Luke 19:37,38. Jesus is hailed as
King
Week 1 The Big Picture
The death of Christ
Luke 19:37,38. Jesus is hailed as
King
Luke 23:38,39. The irony
"If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38
There was also an inscription over him, "This is the
King of the Jews." 39 One of the criminals who was
hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us!"
Week 1 The Big Picture
The death of Christ
Luke 23:44-46
The veil is torn!
Week 1 The Big Picture
The death of Christ
Luke 23:44-46
The veil is torn!
Problem 1: Lost relationship – Solved!
For it was the Father's good pleasure for all
the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him
to reconcile all things to Himself, having
made peace through the blood of His cross.
(Colossians 1:19,20)
Week 1 The Big Picture
Question…
Read Genesis 2:16-17. How does
the death of Jesus solve the
relationship problem between God
and man?
Week 1 The Big Picture
After the resurrection
Read Luke 24:47,48
– To the nations of Genesis 12
Week 1 The Big Picture
After the resurrection
Read Luke 24:47,48
– To the nations of Genesis 12
Read Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8
– The Spirit’s Power for Mission
Week 1 The Big Picture
After the resurrection
Read Luke 24:47,48
– To the nations of Genesis 12
Read Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8
– The Spirit’s Power for Mission
The Church Age
– Acts 2:1-4 People from many nations
gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost
Week 1 The Big Picture
Paul’s Mission and Message
Take the “Gospel” to the nations
“Everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We
warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God
has given us, for we want to present them to God,
perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard
at this, as I depend on Christ’s mighty power that
works within me.” – Colossians 1:28,29
Week 1 The Big Picture
Paul’s Mission and Message
The wandering lines on this map show the travels of
Paul as he shared the message of Christ in town
after town:
Week 1 The Big Picture
Jesus’ second coming
Matt. 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his
right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for
you since the creation of the world.
Week 1 The Big Picture
Jesus’ second coming
Read Revelation 5:5,9,10.
Problem 2:
Lost dominion – Solved!
Week 1 The Big Picture
Jesus’ second coming
Read Revelation 5:5,9,10.
Problem 2:
Lost dominion – Solved!
Satan’s rebellion destroyed
Revelation 20:10
Week 1 The Big Picture
New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21:1-4 The Eternal State:
living in the presence of God!
Week 1 The Big Picture
New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21:1-4 The Eternal State:
living in the presence of God!
Total Relational Restoration!
This is what we all long for!
Week 1 The Big Picture
New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 22:1-5 Problems of Genesis
resolved!
The tree of life restored!
The nations blessed!
The curse removed!
Week 1 The Big Picture
New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 22:1-5 Problems of Genesis
resolved!
The tree of life restored!
The nations blessed!
The curse removed!
Revelation 22:16 Fulfillment of the Davidic
Promise (2 Samuel 7, as we saw earlier)
Restored Dominion
Week 1 The Big Picture
Resolution
Two Problems
– Problem 1: LOST RELATIONSHIP
– Problem 2: LOST DOMINION
Two Promises
– God’s promise to ABRAHAM: All the peoples of the
world will be blessed
– God’s promise to DAVID: A descendant of David will
rule forever
Two Victories
– Jesus’ first coming: Problem 1 Solved!
– Jesus’ second coming: Problem
2 Solved!
Week
1 The Big Picture
New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 22:17 The Personal
Invitation:
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the
one who hears say, "Come." And let the one
who is thirsty come; let the one who desires
take the water of life without price.
Week 1 The Big Picture
The Big Picture
Jesus’ 2nd
Coming
Promise to
Abraham
Jesus’ 1st
Coming
Promise to
David
People from all nations
blessed under an eternal
king
Week 1 The Big Picture
Introduction to the Old
Testament Historical Books
Week 1 The Big Picture
Introduction to the Old
Testament Historical Books
“…the sacred writings which are able to give
you the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus…
the focus is on the gospel of grace
– 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Week 2 OT History
Introduction to the Old
Testament Historical Books
“…the sacred writings which are able to give
you the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus...
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 3:15-17
Week 2 OT History
Introduction to the Old
Testament Historical Books
“…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
Now these things took place as examples for us, that we
might not desire evil as they did… 11Now these things
happened to them as an example, but they were written
down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages
has come. (1 Cor. 10:6,11)
Week 2 OT History
Introduction to the Old
Testament Historical Books
Bible Books: Genesis-Esther
Timeline: Creation to 400 BC
Week 2 OT History
Why OT History is Important
It’s a huge part of scripture!
Our faith grows as we learn about _______
___________ ____
Hebrews 12:1 Since we are surrounded by
such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life
of faith, let us strip off every weight that
slows us down, especially the sin that so
easily trips us up. And let us run with
endurance the race God has set before us.
Week 2 OT History
Why OT History is Important
It’s a huge part of scripture!
Our faith grows as we learn about God’s past
faithfulness.
Hebrews 12:1 Since we are surrounded by
such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life
of faith, let us strip off every weight that
slows us down, especially the sin that so
easily trips us up. And let us run with
endurance the race God has set before us.
Week 2 OT History
Why OT History is Important
The events they describe ultimately point to
Christ.
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."
Week 2 OT History
Why OT History is Important
The events they describe ultimately point to
Christ.
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— all
point to Him.
Week 2 OT History
Why OT History is Important
The events they describe ultimately point to
Christ.
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— all
point to Him.
Their despondency was the result of
misinformed hope based on not fully
understanding the role of the Messiah.
Week 2 OT History
Why OT History is Important
The events they describe ultimately point to Christ.
Jn. 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think
that in them you have eternal life; it is these that
testify about Me.”
Jn. 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?"
Week 2 OT History
What kind of history do these
books record?
Prophetic history (2 Peter 1:20,21):
1:20 But know this first of all,
that no prophecy of Scripture is
a matter of one's own
interpretation, 21 for no
prophecy was ever made by an
act of human will, but men
moved by the Holy Spirit spoke
from God.
Week 2 OT History
What kind of history do these
books record?
Prophetic history
Therefore, it is both true & selective
Week 2 OT History
What kind of history do these
books record?
The Unfolding of God’s Plan as He fulfills
two important promises:
1. God’s Promise to Abraham – nation, land,
blessing to the world.
2. God’s Promise to David – one of his
descendants will sit on his throne and rule the
world forever.
Biblical history shows God’s faithfulness in spite
of opposition and human weakness.
Week 2 OT History
Enjoying Narratives
Be aware of the conflict, tension and drama of
the Biblical story.
At the macro level, the Biblical Story involves a
battle between God and his enemy, Satan.
Week 2 OT History
Enjoying Narratives
Be aware of the conflict, tension and drama of
the Biblical story.
At the macro level, the Biblical Story involves a
battle between God and his enemy, Satan.
At each stage of the Biblical story, there is a
tension between what God promised and
what is actually happening.
There are dramatic reversals and surprises of
how God comes through.
Week 2 OT History
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 old age & barrenness
12:6 dangerous culture
12:10 famine
Week 2 OT History
Enjoying Narratives
Examples of Tension:
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 them in the treasure house of
his god.
Week 2 OT History
Enjoying Narratives
When you read a narrative, look for:
God’s faithfulness to His promise
The characters’ faith or lack of faith. Do
they act in ways that indicate they trust
God’s promise?
Abraham’s lie (Gen. 12:10-21)
Week 2 OT History
Look for foreshadowing of Jesus
(“types”)
Week 2 OT History
Look for foreshadowing of Jesus
(“types”)
One scholar defines typological predictions
as “persons, institutions, or events that
were divinely designated... to be models,
previews, or pictures of something that
was [often] to come in the days of
Messiah.” (Walter C. Kaiser, The Messiah
in the Old Testament, p. 34)
Week 2 OT History
Examples of Types
The “Sacrifice” of Isaac (Gen. 22 & Heb. 11:17-19)
A preview of God providing His own son
Passover (Exodus 12 & 1 Cor. 5:7)
Jesus is the Lamb of God
The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:6-9; John
3:14; Gal. 3:13)
Jesus is “lifted up” (in death) to give life
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
ANALYSIS
The Larger context:
King Jehoshaphat
(873-848 BC)
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
ANALYSIS
The Larger context:
• God’s Promises to Abraham & David
• King Jehoshaphat is a descendent of
David (part of Jesus’ genealogy)
• King Jehoshaphat is one of “the
Lord’s Anointed” (like David, a
representative of God on earth)
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
ANALYSIS
Read the whole passage
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
1
After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites,
and some of the Meunites declared war on
Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told
Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching
against you from beyond the Dead Sea….
3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and
begged the LORD for guidance. He also ordered
everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people
from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to
seek the LORD’s help.
Week 2 OT History
5
Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and
Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of
the LORD. 6 He prayed, “O LORD, God of our ancestors,
you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of
all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and
mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did
you not drive out those who lived in this land when your
people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land
forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8
Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor
your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with
any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can
come to stand in your presence before this Temple
where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to
save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’
Week 2 OT History
“And now see what the armies of Ammon,
Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not
let our ancestors invade those nations when
Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and
did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they
reward us! For they have come to throw us out
of your land, which you gave us as an
inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them?
We are powerless against this mighty army that
is about to attack us. We do not know what to
do, but we are looking to you for help.”
10
Week 2 OT History
13
As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD
with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the
Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men
standing there. His name was Jahaziel…
Week 2 OT History
15
He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem!
Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says:
Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty
army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow,
march out against them. You will find them coming up
through the ascent of Ziz... 17 But you will not even need
to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch
the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah
and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out
against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!”
Week 2 OT History
18
Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the
ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did
the same, worshiping the LORD. 19 Then the Levites from
the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD,
the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into
the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat
stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah
and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you
will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and
you will succeed.”
Week 2 OT History
21
After consulting the people, the king appointed singers
to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and
praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they
sang:
“Give thanks to the LORD;
his faithful love endures forever!”
Week 2 OT History
22
At the very moment they began to sing and give praise,
the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and
Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The
armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies
from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they
had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking
each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the
lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead
bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not
a single one of the enemy had escaped.
Week 2 OT History
25
King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the
plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment,
clothing, and other valuables—more than they could
carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three
days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they
gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name
that day because the people praised and thanked the
LORD there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with
Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the LORD had
given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched
into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and
trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the
Week 2 OT History
LORD.
29
When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD
himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear
of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom
was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every
side.
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
ANALYSIS
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 (1823)
• God defeats their enemies (22-26)
• The results: joy and peace (27-30)
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Repeated words or concepts:
don’t be afraid” (15,17), believe (20)
“you don’t need to fight” (15,17)
Week 2 OT History
How to benefit from reading OT
History: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Prayerfully consider questions like:
Is this story related to God’s promise to
Abraham or David? If so, how?
• See vs. 7
Week 2 OT History
APPLICATION:
Are there principles about the way God
operates in this passage that have relevance
for my life today?
WARNING:
Watch for special circumstances in the OT
Principle(s):
Listen to God’s word rather than the counsel of
your fears. Courage is not the absence of
fear, but faith in spite of fear.
• Spiritual victory through Jesus (Eph. 6:10-18).
Week 2 OT History
What have I learned and how can
I put it into practice?
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
Week 2 OT History
Fear
Why are you God’s promises
afraid?
Scary steps of
faith
Week 2 OT History
Fear
Rejection
Why are
God’s promises
you afraid?
Scary steps of
faith
Dangers
Commitment
Conflict
Desires
Failure
Relational
Closeness
Week 2 OT History
Fear
Rejection
Why are
God’s promises
you afraid?
Dangers
Commitment
Conflict
Scary steps of
faith
•“I am with you
always” (Mt. 28:20)
Desires
Failure
Relational
Closeness
Week 2 OT History
Fear
Rejection
Why are you God’s promises
afraid?
Dangers
Commitment
Conflict
Failure
Relational
Closeness
Desires
Scary steps of
faith
•“I am with you
always” (Mt. 28:20)
•“I can do all things
through Him who
strengthens me.”
(Phil. 4:13)
Week 2 OT History
Fear
Rejection
Why are
God’s promises
you afraid?
Dangers
Commitment
Conflict
Failure
Relational
Closeness
Desires
Scary steps of
faith
•“I am with you
always” (Mt. 28:20)
•“I can do all things
through Him who
strengthens me.”
(Phil. 4:13)
•“Perfect love casts
out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18)
Week 2 OT History
Fear
Rejection
Why are
you afraid?
Dangers
Commitment
Conflict
Failure
Relational
Closeness
Desires
God’s promises
Scary steps of
faith
•“I am with you
Move
always” (Mt. 28:20) toward the
•“I can do all things fear with
through Him who
God as your
strengthens me.”
“shield”
(Phil. 4:13)
But you, O LORD,
are a3:3
shield
Psalms
•“Perfect love
casts
about
me, my glory, and the
my head…
out fear” (1 lifter
Jn. of
4:18
I will not be afraid of many
thousands of people
who have set themselves
against me all around.
(Psalm 3:3,6)
Week 2 OT History
`
Assignment:
Bible Reading Assignment #2 due
next week.
Read “Why Believe the Bible,”
section III on Historical Evidence
part 2
Week 2 OT History
Week 2 OT History