SAMMURY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

                        A SURVEY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT  

The beginning was the creation of the universe and the creation of man; the delivery of the Ten Commandments, sacrificial system, offering, duties of priest and census. There were uncertain future and hardship in Sinai, their faltering faith and host of enemies; the wanderings of the people in Sinai, trials and tribulations, victories and heritage.

Israelites crossed Jordan into Canaan with Joshua as the heir to Moses leadership. The conquest of Jericho led to the division of the land among the tribes. During the tumultuous time several leaders and judges were raised up to govern the people. Some men and women were heroic in their effort while others strayed from God. Ruth brought fulfillment in the life of embittered woman called Naomi. Samuel the prophet of God warned the Israelites about the dangers of having a king but they refused to obey him and God. David was crowned the king and he conquered all the enemies of Israel and consolidated Israel into a single nation. David’s indiscretion brought shame to him and God because of his attempt to cover his affair with Bathsheba. Solomon became king and asked God for wisdom. He built the temple of God and later lost his relationship with God because of his lust for women, the kingdom was split at his death.

        There later came the era of good and bad kings. Israel and Judah were in ruins as a result of their disobedience to God. God’s unmerited love for His people was revealed in the healing of Naaman through the ministry of Elisha. The genealogies of Israel from Adam to the accession of Solomon were recorded. Second chronicles are records of the construction of the temple and the succession of Israel. During this time the people of Israel returned to their land and rebuilt the temple which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. It also brought reform and spiritual revival. Nehemiah enforced the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem and faced opposition. God’s people are still subjects to anti-Semitism that forced some of them to reject their heritage. This situation brought Esther to power. Job was a righteous man who Satan believed can be corrupted and drawn away from God. Psalms is the book of songs that deal mostly with God leading His people. Proverbs deal with certain aspects of life such as sin, wealth, friends, idleness, poverty, the family, vengeance, humility, justice and pride. Ecclesiastes tells the life of a person without God and one with God centered focus. Isaiah is the combination of prophecy of the coming messiah and salvation. There was an era of Judah and Israel drifting from God and God allowed foreign powers to control them and later showed them His mercy.

There came a period of misery, desolation and the anger of God upon His people. God’s anger was against Judah and Jerusalem which was revealed through visions, parables and signs.God’s ability to save and reveal secret was manifested through the Hebrew children. There was a time in Israel when they lived a life of unfaithfulness as described by the marriage of Hosea. A message of repentance was preached and there was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Israelites were blessed yet they lived immoral lives. God’s judgment was pronounced on Edom for helping the enemies to invade Jerusalem and on Nineveh for refusing to repent. God through Micah delivered a message of hope and judgment to Samaria. There later came a period of judgment and God’s righteousness. Finally, there was a season of vision and God’s ability to bring it to pass; rebuilding of the temple and salvation made available to mankind and God’s blessing through tithes and offerings.