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Posts tagged ‘Old Testament’

Biblical Wisdom: Old Testament Laws for Study

What does the Bible say about studying it in the Old Testament? How does that compare to what the New Testament Says? Read on to find out.

Laws of Torah Study

  • To learn Torah
    • Deut. 6:7
      • And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
    • Romans 15:4 ESV
      • For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
      • All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
    • Hebrews 4:12 ESV
      • For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    • James 1:25 ESV
      • But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
    • 1 Peter 2:2 ESV
      • Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation
    • Matthew 5:17-19 ESV
      • “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  • To honor those who teach and know Torah
    • Lev. 19:32
      • Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.
    • Hebrews 13:17 ESV
      • Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV
      • We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Notes:

Paul teaches us in Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. This means that the Old Testament including the Torah (1st five books of the Old Testament) in our instructions. Those things, when we learn it, gives us hope. Notice how it is written in the KJV: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. This clarifies that the Old Testament was written for our learning. We are supposed to learn and be instructed by the Old Testament so that we can have hope. That hope has many purposes. However, we have a commandment as to 1 thing we are to do with that hope.

  • 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The word hope is the same in both 1 Peter 3:15 and Romans 15:4.

Hope

  • Strong’s G1680 – elpis
    • ἐλπίς elpís, el-pece’; from a primary ἔλπω élpō (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:—faith, hope.

We are to learn so that we can have hope and then be ready to give a reason of having the hope with meekness and fear.

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Rebuilding the Temple: Haggai’s Call to Action

Haggai 1:4(NKJV) “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”
Haggai 1:8(NKJV) Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD.

Author

  • Haggai
  • Haggai means “Festive”

Date

  • 520 B.C.

Theme

  • Rebuilding the temple

Purpose

  • Haggai was among the first prophets to minister to the Israelites returning from Babylonian captivity.
  • In 539 B.C. they begin rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Ezra. They were delayed for eighteen years by opposition from the north.
  • In 521 B.C. after receiving a decree from Darius king of Persia they continued the work and dedicated the temple in 515 B.C.
  • Haggai urged the people to continue the work of the temple. It was believed that Haggai was old enough to remember the former temple before it was destroyed by the Babylonians.
    • Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
  • Haggai had to address the three D’s
    • Disinterested
      • Haggai 1:2(NKJV)Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.”
    • Discouraged
      • Haggai 2:3(NKJV) ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?
    • Dissatisfaction
      • Haggai 2:19(NKJV) Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.”
        • They were seeking an immediate turn around

Content

  • The call to rebuild the temple: Haggai 1:1-15
    • Haggai 1:4(NKJV) “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”
    • Haggai 1:8(NKJV) Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD.
  • Hopes and expectation for the new temple: Haggai 2:1-9
    • Haggai 2:9(NKJV) The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
  • God’s promised blessings: Haggai 2:10-19
    • Haggai 2:19(NKJV) Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.””
  • God’s final triumph: Haggai 2:21-23
    • Haggai 2:21-23(NKJV)”Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother. In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel (She-al-ti-el),’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Christ in the Book of Haggai

  • Christ and the work of the cross as the fulfillment of the latter glory filling the temple of God
    •  John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.
    • 1 Corinthians 6:19,20(NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

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Understanding Zephaniah’s Prophecies and Themes

Zephaniah (NKJV) Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek
righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the
LORD’S anger.

Author:

  • Zephaniah
  • Zephaniah means that the Lord has Hidden

Date:

  • 630 BC
  • Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah, the young king of Judah.
  • Other Prophets during this time include Jeremiah and Nahum.
  • Zephaniah was the last prophet before Judah went into captivity.

Theme:

  • The wrath and judgement of a loving God toward the nations and the restoration of a remnant.

Purpose:

  • During this time, Judah had been paying tribute to Assyria, which opened the doors for increasing pagan worship. Zephaniah prophesied against the complacency of the people of Judah.
  • He painted the darkest picture of God’s judgment and the brightest picture of God’s restoration.

Content:

  • God’s judgement announced: Zephaniah 1:1-2:3
    • Zephaniah 1:2-4 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
  • Judgment against the nations: Zephaniah 2:4-15
    • Here there is a list of judgments against the nations
  • The future of Jerusalem 3:1-20
    • Zephaniah 3:13(NKJV) The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
    • Zephaniah 3:17(NKJV) The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Christ in the Book of Zephaniah

  • Hidden in Christ
    • Zephaniah means “The Lord has Hidden”
    • Colossians 3:1-3(NKJV)If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Understanding Nahum: God’s Judgment on Nineveh

Nahum 1:7-9(NKJV) The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.

Author

  • Nahum
  • Nahum means “Comfort, Full of Comfort, Consolation”

Date

  • 612 B.C.
  • During the reigns of Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah (Kings of Judah)
  • Other prophets at this time: Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah
  • Approximately 120 years after Jonah’s ministry to Nineveh

Theme

  • God’s judgment on the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria

Purpose

  • This book reveals God’s judgment on the tyrant city of Nineveh the capital of Assyria.
  • The Assyrians captured the Northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C.
  • They threaten Judah, the southern kingdom, but God intervened.
  • The Assyrians were know for their abuse and acts of torture inflicted on their captives. At this time the Assyrians were known as the world’s greatest oppressor.
  • This book was also a message of comfort and hope for God’s people of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Content

  • The vengeance of the Lord Nahum 1:1-15
    • Nahum 1:2,3(NKJV) God is jealous, and the LORD avenges: The LORD avenges and is furious.
      The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His
      enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.
  • The fall of Nineveh and Restoration of Jacob: Nahum 2:1-13
    • Nahum 2:8-10(NKJV) Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry; But no one turns back. Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold! There is no end of treasure, Or wealth of every desirable prize. She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in every side, And all their faces are drained of color.
    • Nahum 2:2(NKJV) For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches.
  • The despair of Nineveh: Nahum 3:1-19
    • Nahum 3:7(NKJV)It shall come to pass that all who look upon you Will flee from you, and say, “Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her? Where shall I seek comforters for you?”
    • This prophecy came to pass about 50 years after it was written.

Christ in the Book of Nahum

  • Type of Christ on the cross
    • God’s vengeance against sin was satisfied through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, His son Jesus.
      • Romans 12:19(NKJV) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Death of Eli and his sons

DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS

In the morning Samuel feared to tell Eli what the Lord had shown him; but Eli bade him do so, saying to Samuel, “God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all that He said unto thee.” So Samuel told Eli all God had said, keeping nothing back, and Eli answered, “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

Afterwards there was war between the Israelites and the Philistines, and both sides prepared for battle. They fought; the Israelites were defeated, and many of them slain. Then they sent to Shiloh and fetched the ark of the covenant out of the Tabernacle, carrying it to the camp, and thinking that if the ark were with them they would overcome their enemies. But the ark only signified God’s presence in their midst; it was not God Himself, to give them victory. It was very sinful of them thus to use what God had made so holy; and God suffered them again to be defeated. The ark was taken by the Philistines, and many of the Israelites were slain.

Eli, who was then ninety-eight years old, and nearly blind, sat by the wayside, trembling for the safety of the ark, and waiting for messengers to bring news of the battle. Presently a messenger came who told him the Israelites had fled before the Philistines, that his two sons Hophni and Phinehas were slain, and that the ark of God had been taken. When he heard that the ark had been taken, he fell backward from off his seat and died. Thus God’s judgment upon Eli and his sons came to pass. In our picture we see the messenger, who has just come from the field of battle, telling Eli the sad tidings that caused his death.

MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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God’s Mercy in Jonah: Lessons from Nineveh

Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Author

  • Jonah

Date

  • 760 BC

Theme

  • God’s compassion on an ungodly nation.

Content

  • Jonah flees from the Lord: Jonah 1:1-17
    • Jonah 1:1-3 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
    • Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
  • Jonah’s Prayer and Deliverance: Jonah 2:1-10
    • Jonah 2:1-2 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
  • Jonah goes to Nineveh: Jonah 3:1-10
    • Jonah 3:3-4 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
    • Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
  • Jonah’s displeasure in the Lord’s mercy: 4:1-11
    • Jonah 4:1-3 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
    • Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Christ in the Book of Jonah

  • Christ the Savior
    • Luke 19:10(NKJV) for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
    • 1 Timothy 2:4(NKJV) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
  • The Sign of Jonah
    • Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Eli and Samuel

ELI AND SAMUEL

Elkanah went up to Shiloh yearly to offer sacrifice: and when Samuel was old enough, Hannah went with her husband and took her little boy with her. They came to Eli the high priest, and Hannah said: “Oh, my Lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here praying. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition. Therefore also have I given him to the Lord.” Then she left Samuel with Eli.

Samuel assisted Eli in the Tabernacle service, and wore a linen ephod like a priest. His mother came yearly to see him, when she accompanied Elkanah to the sacrifice at Shiloh, and each time brought with her a little coat, which she had made for her son. Eli was an old man, who had two wicked sons. These he had not restrained as he should have done. So God was displeased with him and them on account of their sins.

One night, while the lamp in the Tabernacle was burning, and Eli was resting, Samuel was sleeping. A voice came to him calling, “Samuel!” He rose, and ran to Eli saying, “Here am I.” But Eli had not called, so Samuel lay down again. A second time the same voice called, “Samuel!” He went to Eli and said, “Here am I; for thou didst call me.” But Eli replied, “I called not, my son; lie down again.” The call was repeated a third time; then Eli told Samuel it was the Lord who called him; and bade him answer if the voice came again, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.” Again, God called, and Samuel answered as Eli had commanded him. Then God told Samuel what terrible things should befall Eli and his sons through their wickedness.

MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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Hannah Praying Before the Lord

HANNAH PRAYING BEFORE THE LORD

The Tabernacle, which had been set up by the Israelites in the wilderness, was after the conquest of Canaan erected at Shiloh, a city about ten miles south of Shechem. There it remained for more than three hundred years. No Temple was at Jerusalem in those days, so the Jewish priests offered sacrifices to God in the Tabernacle at Shiloh.

One day, Hannah, the wife of a priest named Elkanah, came to the Tabernacle to worship. She was grieved because she had no children; and especially sad because she had no son. So she knelt down and prayed to God, and asked God to remember her sorrow and to give her a son; promising that if God granted her request, she would give that son to Him all the days of his life.

As Hannah prayed, Eli, the high priest, saw her. She did not speak aloud, but prayed in her heart; her lips moved, but no voice was heard; so Eli thought that a drunken woman had come before the Lord. He reproved her saying, “How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee.” But Hannah had not drunk wine. She answered Eli, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.” Then Eli bade her “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.”

Hannah left the Tabernacle. Her face was no longer sad. She believed God had heard her prayer; and He had done so. In due time a son was given her, whom she named Samuel. Samuel means Heard of God, which name Hannah gave him in remembrance of God’s goodness in hearing her prayer.

HANNAH PRAYING BEFORE THE LORD
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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Understanding Obadiah’s Prophecy Against Edom

Obadiah 1:15(NKJV) For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near, As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.


Author

  • The Prophet Obadiah

Date

  • 588-583 B.C.
    “Servant/Worshiper of Yahweh

Theme

  • God’s judgment on Edom

Purpose

  • Obadiah is the shortest book of the Old Testament (21 verses).
  • The prophet Obadiah prophesies against the nation of Edom.
    • The Edomites are descendants of Esau.
  • There has always been hostility between the descendants of Jacob and the descendants of Esau.
  • During the Babylonian invasions and eventual captivity, the Edomites joined in to bring destruction and desecration to the land of Judah and the city of Jerusalem.
  • This book is about God’s promise of judgment on the Edomites for their treatment of the Israelites and His promise of deliverance and prosperity of His people.

Content

  • The judgment of Edom: Obediah1:1-16
    • Obadiah 1:1, 2(NKJV) The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom (We have heard a report from the LORD, And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, “Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”): Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You shall be greatly despised.
  • Victory for God’s people: Obediah 1:17-21
    • Obadiah 1:17-21  But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it. And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

Christ in the Book of Obadiah

  • Type of Christ as the deliverer, and final Judge
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Boaz and Ruth

BOAZ AND RUTH

When Naomi returned to Bethlehem she was poor. The poor were allowed at harvest time to follow the reapers; gleaning or gathering up the stray ears of corn. One day, Ruth obtained permission from her mother-in-law to go gleaning, and went to glean in the field of a rich man named Boaz, who happened to be a kinsman, or relative of Elimelech. But Ruth did not know of this relationship.

Boaz saw Ruth gleaning, and asked one of his servants who she was. The servant replied, “It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.” Then Boaz spoke kindly to Ruth, telling her not to go to any other field to glean, but to stay with his maidens and glean in his field. She fell on her face before him and bowed herself to the ground, and asked, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Boaz was pleased with her because of her kindness to Naomi, so he replied, “It hath fully been showed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine husband.” He also bade her to eat and drink with his servants, and told his reapers to let some handfuls of grain fall on purpose for her. So Ruth gleaned that day quite a large quantity of barley, which she took home to Naomi. Then she learned that Boaz was her kinsman.

She continued gleaning until the end of harvest; and afterwards became the wife of Boaz and grandmother of Jesse, the father of David. Jesus Christ descended from David; so, we see what high honour was bestowed upon Ruth for her kindness to her mother-in-law.

BOAZ SHOWING KINDNESS TO RUTH
MOTHER STORIES From the Old Testament

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