HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE 2001
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Introduction
Terms in study of the “old testament”
Torah – “teaching, direction”
Talmud – “practical conclusions”
Midrashim- “system of study” (put handles on the Talmud)
Mishnah – “codification of the law”
Jewish objection to the term
OT means there is a NT (Jew Book vs New Book)
Implies that OT is out of date
Wrong perspectives
“Study to show self approved” – directed to OT since NT was not written
Salvation not until church in Acts. Jesus used the OT.
“Roman Road” was not there
The Tenach
This is the Jewish term for the OT
Made up from the following terms:
Torah - law
Neveen – prophets
Catauveen – writings
Jewish Text arrangement vs. Christian Text arrangement
11 Primary Foundational Books (time written)
Genesis (1450-1410 BC)
Exodus (1450-1410 BC)
Numbers (1450-1410 BC)
Joshua (1400-1370 BC)
Judges (1010-1000 BC)
I Samuel (930 BC)
II Samuel (930 BC)
I Kings (550 BC)
II Kings (550 BC)
Ezra (456-444 BC)
Nehemiah (445-425 BC)
Three Major Divisions of Foundational Books
Formation of Judaism (Creation to the Promised Land to the Monarchy)
Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
Judges
The Monarchy (United and Divided kingdoms)
I & II Samuel (united)
I & II Kings (divided)
Post-Exilic
Ezra
Nehemiah
The Formation of Judaism
Genesis
Hebrew Meaning – beginnings (heaven, earth, sky, life, man, sin, Israel)
Key Chapters 12 Abraham called out, (Aba- father, Raham – nation)
38 The Breach
Notes: Book records birth and development of nation of Israel
Book covers a period of 2,500 years
First 11 chapters focus on the world and events
Chapter 12 forward focus on Jewish People
Book of Job was written – city of Kemah archaeological site
Blessings help us trace genealogies and nations
Exodus
Hebrew Meaning – names of those going out (see Matt. 1:1)
Key Chapters 10 Record of Exodus
20 Giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai
Notes: Three theories of time period
1446 – 1491 – 1296
Time span of book 80 years
Red Sea to Mt. Sinai took 1 year
Book of Leviticus was written
Descendants of Moses – priests
Descendants of Aaron – high priests (Cohen)
Entering the Promised Land
Abraham’s Family Tree
Abraham (specific promises apply to all his descendents)
Ishmael
Midian, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Ishbak, Shuah
Isaac
Esau
Jacob (specific promises apply to only his descendents)
Judah
Benjamin
Asher
Reuben
Simeon
Dan
Gad
Naphtali
Zebulon
Issachar
Levi
Joseph (specific promises apply to only his
descendents)
Manasseh
Ephriam
Numbers
Hebrew meaning – “in the wilderness” – a record of wanderings
Key Events
2-3 years to get to Kadesh-Barnea
40 years to get in the Promised Land
Tithe instituted
Notes on Numbers
10 of 12 spies filed to trust in God
Caleb & Joshua believed
Result of unbelief: continue to wander; penalty tax every third year
Book of Deuteronomy (“secondary” or “recap”) was written
Torah ends with Moses death and Israel camped on east bank of Jordan
Joshua
Hebrew meaning – “God of Salvation”
Notes on Joshua
Book covered a period of 30 years
Joshua waited 40 years for the chance to be in command
Joshua was a military leader
Took 5-7 years to knock out power bases
Land divided and people sent out
“Mop up” operation left to individual tribal leaders
Failure to clean up caused problems later
Example: Sadaam Hussein in first Gulf War
End of the book – No Central Leader
COMPARISON
Twelve Sons vs Twelve Tribes
Judges (referred to as “dark days of Jewish History”)
3:1 – 11 Othniel - 40 Mesopotamia (8)
3:12 -30 Ahud – 80 Moabites (18)
3:31 - Shamgar
- 40 Philistines, Canaanites (20)
- 5:31 Deborah
(Baraki)
6:1 – 8:32 Gideon – 40 Midianites (7)
8:33 - Tolar
- 45 Abimelech (3)
-10:5 Jael (Jair)
10:6 Jepthah
Ibson
- 31 Ammonites (18)
Elon
- 12:15 Abdon
13: - 16 Sampson - 20 Philistines (40)
I Sam. 1-4 Eli
Samuel
Pattern is repeated: Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation
Seven Cycles of Sin:
Backslide
Idolatry
Sinful Acts w/o repentance
Oppression
Call for Deliverance
Rise of a Judge
Deliverance
SIDE NOTES ON EGYPT
Pre-Dynasty 3500 – 3050 BC
1st Dynasty 3050 – 2857 BC
3rd Dynasty 2705 – 2630 BC “old kingdom” Djoser “father of the pyramids”
4th Dynasty 2650 – 2524 BC Khafre “builder of the great pyramid”
12th Dynasty 1991 – 1784 BC
Amenhat I – IV, Sensuret I – III, Queen Sebeknefru
13th Dynasty 1784 – 1668 BC
65 kings in 116 years
14-16th Dynasty 1720 – 1565 BC (Hebrews came to Egypt)
Nehesy, then followed by Hyksos Kings
17th Dynasty 1668 - 1570 BC
Thebean Kings
18th Dynasty 1570 – 1293 BC
Ahmose I, Amenhotep I-III, Tutmosis I-IV, Hatshepsut, Tutankhmun
19th Dynasty 1299 – 1185 BC
Ramses I – built fortress cities to store weapons in case of attack Ex. 1:11
Seti I – short reign (pharaoh of the Exodus) 1276 BC
Ramses II – “the Great”, ruled 67 years
17OO BC – Joseph sold into slavery – age 17
In prison 13 years
Came into power at age 30
Egyptian name – Zaphenath-Paneah “god speaks and lives”
Neith – Egyptian goddess
Married Asenath “belongs to god”
Daughter of high priest of ON (center of sun worship)
Two sons – Manasseh (forget)
Ephriam (fruitful)
Red Crown – lower Nile delta based in Memphis (pyramids)
White Crown – upper kingdom based in Thebes (valley of the kings)
Double Crown – title of “Lord of Both Lands”
The Monarchy (united)
I Samuel the people are united under one banner (1120 BC)
First king anointed – Saul
Saul disobedient to God
Went his own way
Disobeyed battle orders to totally destroy enemy
“Do I hear the bleating of sheep”
Second king anointed – David, son of Jesse
Hand picked – long wait to rule
Story of Goliath
Struggles between Saul/David
“Saul has slain thousands, David ten thousands”
Deaths at the end of the book
Saul
Jonathan (covenant relationship with David)
Samuel
II Samuel
Davis ascends to the throne – first in Hebron, then Jerusalem
New enemy arises – self (an ongoing struggle)
The fall of David II Sam 11, 12 (thou art the man – Nathan)
David sent others to do his work. He stayed behind and fell into sin.
David was forgiven, but punishment remains:
Ch. 13 – incest between his children
Ch. 14 – murder
Ch. 15 – treachery, rebellion, murcer
Ch. 21 – famine
Ch. 24 – sin in numbering the people (lack of faith)
Choice of punishment- 7 yr famine, 3 months pursued by enemies, 3 days of
pestilence (plague)
He chose the last last – 70,000 men died – alter made II Sam 24:14
I Kings 1 - 11
Written not only to record history, but to show “lessons”
Author unknown
David appoints Solomon to throne 971 BC
Chapter 2 – David dies
Chapter 3 – Solomon prayer for wisdom
The Temple
Chapter 3 - preparation begins
Chapter 8 – temple dedication
Chapter 11:6 - Solomon died evil
Chapter 11:9 – the Lord was angry with Solomon
Chapter 11:41 – Solomon dies
Chapter 11:43 – Rehoboam took the throne
The Monarchy (divided)
I Kings 12
Civil War –
Rehoboam overtaxed the people against the advice of elders
The people were behind Jeroboam – he led revolt against Solomon (11:26)
Rehoboam increased the taxes and punishments
The Split – v. 16
Rehoboam – South 2 tribes (Judah, Benjamin) based in Jerusalem
Jerusalem – North 10 tribes based in Samaria
Sin of Jeroboam – 13:33-34
Elevation of non-Levites to the priesthood (professional ministers)
Key Figures – Omri (written in several historical records,
Ahab/Jezebel (874-853 BC)
Elijah
Elisha (12 pairs of oxen) 19:19-21
End of I Kings - North – Ahab’s death, succeeded by Ahaziah (noheirs), then
Joram (brother to Ahaziah)
South – Jehosophat died 848 BC
Jehoram co-regent 853 BC, died 841 BC
The Divided Kingdom and Surrounding Nations
The Phoenicians
1200 BC through the Greco/Roman area
Organized into “city states”- Sidon, Tyre (Hiram)
Language similar to Hebrew
Baal worship – fertility god
Known for commerce and travel
Trading colonies in Spain, England, Africa
Solomon references
Ahab/Jezereel I Kings 5 daughter of Ethball
The Moabites
High plateau east of the Dead Sea
1400 BC – 500 BC
Distant cousins – descended from Lot
High god Chemosh – I Kings 11
Conflict during the reign of Omri II Kings
Destroyed by Babylon 586 BC
The Edomites
South and East of Dead Sea
Descended from Esau (RED)
Num 20:14-21 Denied passage through the land
No significant archaeological texts have been found
The Arameans
NE of Israel (Syria)
Damascus is the capital
Descended from Aram > Shem Gen. 10:22,23
In power from time of Saul for 300 years
Destroyed by Assyria end of 8th century BC II Kings 15
The Egyptians
Weak power after 1200 BC
Record of Wen-Amon, an Egyptian official being snubbed by Phoenician court
The Assyrians
Came on the scene as power in 2300 BC
By 9th century BC became a world power
Israelite/Judean kings mentioned in Assyrian texts
Black Obelisk – major archaelogy find with Jehu (Omri) bowing before
Shalmanaser II 858-824 BC
Declined in power but returned after dividing of the Israel
Tiglath-Pileser 744 BC Jereboam – Israel – II Kings 14:23-29
Azariah – Judah – I Kings 14:22-23
In control and led resurgence II Kings 16
Followed by Shalmaneser V 726-722 BC
Followed by Sargon II 721-705 BC
The Babylonians
Nebuchadnezzer II 604-526 BC
Defeated Egypt – Carchemish - II Kings 24
Texts from 10th to 35th year of his reign mention Jehoichin and sons
and distribution of portions of oil for captives
II Kings
History of Both Kingdoms
North – Assyria 725 -721 BC (Amos, Hosea)
South – Babylon 605 – 586 BC Temple was sacked
First called “jews” II Kings 16:6
End of the Monarchy
Prior to fall of North and South, affluent leaders fled North, South, West
Many went to Alexandria – Talmud created
Assyria allowed the people of the North to scatter
Babylon wanted integration into Babylonian society, worship, etc.
Babylonians spoke Caldean + Hebrew + Aramaic
I, II Chronicles covers II Samuel, I, II Kings – mainly Judah
Psalms mostly written by David. Some by Moses.
Psalms written as 5 books – ancient song books of Israel
Book of Solomon written 965 BC
Proverbs (wisdom literature) written 950-700 BC – not all by Solomon
Ecclesiastes written 935 BC
PROPHETS TO THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
Conflict over place of worship – Jerusalem vs Samaria
Amos
755 BC
He was a southerner from the south
Traveled north to Bethel – center of idol worship, home of Jereboam II
A layman, a master sheep breeder, a man of influence
He attacked social evils, pagan worship
Urgent call to repentance as the only escape from judgement
Hosea
710 BC
Contemporary of Isaiah and Micah
Theme: God’s steadfast love for his people in spite of continual unfaithfulness
PROPHETS TO THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM
The Davidic line
Joel
835 BC
Reign of Joash
Contemporary of Elisha
Warns of the Coming Day of the Lord
Message – be obedient, repent
Micah
700 BC
Ministry to the people
Prophet in Judah, but concerned with Samaria
During reigns of Jothan, Anaz, Hezekiah – Judah
Pekiah, Pekah, Hoshea – Israel
Isaiah
740 – 680 BC
Court ministry
Under 5 different kings in Judah
Zephaniah
645 BC
Contemporary of Jeremiah
Reign of Josiah
Message “coming judgment of Judah”
Habakkuk
607 BC
Later years of Josiah
Little know of him
Message “God’s holiness vs chastisement”
Jeremiah
627 – 585 BC
Wrote Lamentations (fall of the temple)
Key Passages: 22:28, 25:12, 29:10
Kept the Davidic line
BOOKS WRITEN TO GENTILE NATIONS
Jonah
760 BC
A biggoted Jew prophet to the Assyrians
Nahum
663-612 BC
Prophet to the Assyrians
During reign of Hezekiah – destruction predicted
According to historian, Diodorus Siculus, Ninevah was destroyed 100 years later
Obadiah
840 BC or 586 BC ??
Prophet to Edomites (Esau)
Reign of Athaliah II Kings 8:16-26
First person to use the term “Day of the Lord”
PROPHETS DURING THE EXILE
Daniel
537 BC
Name means “God is my Judge”
Future days
Ezekiel
592-570 BC
Name means “God Strengthens”
Chapters 1 - 24 takes place before the fall of Jerusalem
Chapters 33 – 48 on future restoration
Source for 1,000 yr Kingdom after Tribulation
Notes on Exile – 70 years
1. Change in world power base
Assyria over Israel (North)
Babylon over Judah (South)
Persia over Babylon
2. Synagogue worship instituted
Alexandrian Talmud vs Babylonian Talmud
3. System of Study Developed
4. God’s plan continues for Israel and Judah
PROPHETS DURING THE POST-EXILIC PERIOD
Haggai
570-518 BC
Message: Consolidation of Hope, Messiah’s Return, New Kingdom
Prophet of the Restored Remnant
Focus on unfinished temple
Zechariah
Name means “Yaweh Remembers”
Contemporary of Haggai
Son of Berechiah, grandson of Iddo (high priest who returned in Group 1)
Major predictions – 1st and 2nd coming of the Messiah
Malachi
450-475 BC
Name means “my messenger”
100 years after return
People lax in worship 1:7
Delinquent in tithing 3:8
People could not understand God’s displeasure
Ezra
Prophet to Judah
456-444 BC
Priest in Babylon
“spiritual leader”
Takes Jews to rebuild temple in first group of 50,000
Book of Esther written during this time
Nehemiah
Prophet to Judah
445-425 BC
Civil servant of King - administrator
Inquired of travelers about rebuilding process
Asked king to leave for rebuilding
Led 2nd group 14 years after first group
Historical background for book of Malachi
Close of New Testament
Unexplained ceremonies
Unachieved purposes
Unappeased longings
Unfulfilled prophecies