Whistle-stop tour of the Old Testament

Whistle-stop tour of the Old Testament

Old Testament contents can be divided into four main areas:

· Torah: 5books of Moses, Torah, Torat, Pentateuch. Books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy – the Law (creation …people about to enter the land promised to them)

· Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Prophecy (people get into promised land – great hope and expectation …have to leave promised land as not honouring God – hopelessness)

· History: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah.

· Songs: Psalms, Proverbs

Old Testament shows God’s plan for salvation to save us from consequences of our rebellion.

Central themes-covenant promises to Abraham, Moses and David:

• God’s covenant with Abraham – Promising land, blessings, relationship with God and people (descendants) – unconditionally to all
• God’s covenant with Moses – promising land, blessings, relationship with God and people (descendants), plus holiness (blessing/ curses) – conditional on obedience
• God’s covenant with David – promising land, blessings, relationship with God and people (descendants), plus a shepherd (king), and eternal rule (a dwelling for God) – unconditionally available to all