Old Testament Lecture/Assignment

LECTURE 3 SECTIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR SECTIONS:

1. PENTATEUCH - 5 books (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
2. HISTORY - 12 books (Joshua through Esther)
3. POETRY AND WISDOM - 5 books (Job through Solomon)
4. PROPHETS - 17 books (Isaiah through Malachi)

THE OLD TESTAMENT IS NOT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
NOTHING CAN BE ACCURATELY DATED BEFORE ABRAHAM

THEMATIC OVERVIEW:

The PENTATEUCH covers from Creation to 1410 B.C.

1. Genesis: The Origin of the Earth and all that is in the Earth including MAN.

A The origin of Israel
b. Introduction of 5 important people: Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph

2. Exodus: First half we see Israel=s emancipation (being set free)
Second half Israel receives the LAW

3. Leviticus: Holiness is discussed in ceremonial or ritualistic terms. Sacrifices by the Priests. Marriage Laws.

4. Numbers: Wilderness wanderings. 40 years are described

5. Deuteronomy: Renewed Relationship with God. Most of Israelites died in the wilderness. Their children received the promise. Challenges for them to renew their faith.

Moses and his exploits are recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE PENTATEUCH:

1. Divided into historical and legal divisions
2. At end of Genesis - Israel numbers from 70-75 people.
3. At the beginning of Exodus, the Egyptians begin to treat the Israelites cruelly. This is where Moses comes on the scene.


4. Numbers 1-10 we see the legal material was given to Moses at Mt. Sinai in a period of one year. He received more than just the Ten Commandments. Here they also constructed the Tabernacle.
5. They move on to the Promised Land. They rebel and Numbers 10-21 records these times
6. Numbers 22... Israelites have reached the Plans of Moab and here Moses spends his last days and tells them of God=s legal revelations.

KNOW THESE EVENTS IN ORDER, NOT NECESSARILY THE DATES. REALIZE THE HISTORICAL AND LEGAL DIVISIONS.