A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues: Session Two – The Importance of Focus Points When Studying The Old Testament

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Last week we looked at the importance of understanding the big picture of the Old Testament by looking at twelve major historical events along with major players and covenants in those events. This week we are reviewing some of the important “Apologetics” for the Old Testament and looking at seven major “Focus Points” for our Old Testament study. Check out the presentation below:

A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues – Session Two:

Overview Notes From Presentation

Old Testament Apologetics

How do we know that the books of the Old Testament are reliable?

MAPS-S:

  • The Manuscript transmission is historically reliable
  • Archeology supports the narratives
  • Fulfilled Prophecy confirms God’s inspiration
  • The Science is authentic
  • People have Saved-lives for eternity based on the truths of Scripture – that point to Jesus

Excellent reference and library resource:

“Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Life Changing Truth for a Skeptical World,” by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, PhD

Big Picture Focus Points for Old Testament study

  1. God’s Sovereignty (His supreme power and authority over all things)

“Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’”

Isaiah 46: 8-10 (NASB)

  1. God’s Holiness (He is perfect and righteous)

“For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

Leviticus 11:45 (NASB)

“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

Hebrews 12:10-11 (NLT)

  1. God’s Hesed (His unconditional grace and love that passes all human understanding)

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

Ephesians 2:4-9 (NASB)

  1. The Scarlet Thread of Jesus: (Foreshadowing or pictures, in the stories and events, including Theophanies or Christophanies = appearances of the pre-incarnate Jesus)
  • The LORD speaks and appears to Abraham on several occasions in Genesis (Ch. 11-13, 15 and 17-18)
  • Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus (Ch. 14)
  • The LORD speaks and appears to Hagar (Ch. 16 and 21)
  • Isaac foreshadows Jesus (Ch. 22-23)
  • The LORD speaks to Rebekah (Ch. 25)
  • The LORD speaks to Isaac (Ch. 26)
  • The LORD speaks and appears to Jacob (Ch. 28, 31, 32, 35 and 46)
  • Joseph foreshadows Jesus (a few examples…)
      • Their fathers loved them dearly and suffered the temporary loss
      • Shepherds of their father’s sheep
      • Sent by fathers to brothers
      • Hated by brothers
      • Others plotted to harm them
      • Tempted
      • Taken to Egypt
      • Robes taken from them
      • Sold for the price of a slave
      • Bound in chains
      • Falsely accused
      • Placed with two other prisoners, one who was saved and the other lost
      • Both 30 years old at the beginning of public recognition
      • Exalted after suffering
      • Forgave those who wronged them
      • Saved their nation
      • What people did to hurt them God turned to good
  1. The Righteous Seed (Promised from Genesis 3:15), and Satan’s Attempt to Crush the Seed (throughout history Satan puts up road blocks in an attempt to thwart God’s Promise)

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Genesis 3:15 (NASB)

  1. The importance of the Nation of Israel (Even though they made many mistakes God will use them to fulfill His Promise and Plan)

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”” 

Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB)

  1. The people’s Obedience disobedience (When they follow God they are blessed; when they disobey God the result is discipline through hardship and trials)

“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” 

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NASB)

Genesis Conclusion

As we conclude the study in Genesis it is important to remember some key points so that you can share what you have learned with others:

  • The Old Testament is composed of “historical narratives” that teach us about our Christian history, and how God used a particular person, and the nation that came from him, to unfold and eventually fulfill his Promise that began at the Fall in Genesis chapter three, where humans sinned causing a separation from God.
  • The chosen people of Israel would carry the “Seed Promise” and the hope of salvation and eternal life through a rescue plan promised by God. Even though they themselves were not perfect, their life stories would serve as examples and lessons of how to live (and how not to live) as children honoring their God.
  • The Old Testament contains pictures and foreshadows in their narratives, known as the “Scarlet Thread of Jesus” that points to coming events of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Reflection

  1. Practice memorizing the twelve “Major Events” of the Old Testament (you can read them or recite them)
  2. Repeat by adding in the major players and covenants within the events

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us.

This week read Genesis Chapter 46 through Chapter 50 – Then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions. NOTE: The answers are found in the text (except for “Going Deeper” or “Discuss which may require research or your own thoughts on the passage)

Jacob’s family moves to Egypt; Israel settles in Goshen; Jacob’s last days and his prophecy concerning his sons; the deaths of Jacob and Joseph; Joseph’s final request

  1. (Genesis 46:1-34) In this chapter Jacob/Israel follows God’s instruction to move his entire family to Egypt during the famine.
    1. What did God specifically say to Jacob concerning the move to Egypt, and how does this relate to the Abrahamic Covenant?
    2. Who did Jacob send ahead of the rest of the family of Israel to meet with Joseph, and why do you think he chose him?
    3. Jacob and Joseph finally meet in a heartfelt reunion. What does Joseph tell Jacob to say to Pharaoh, and why?
    4. Discuss: Why do you think God wanted to separate Israel in the land of Goshen from the Egyptians and the rest of the country?
  1. (Genesis 47:1-27) In this chapter the family of Israel settles in the land of Goshen, and Jacob meets with the Pharaoh.
    1. Summarize the conversation between Jacob and the Pharaoh.
    2. Discuss: Why do you think Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and not the other way around?
    3. Summarize the agreement Joseph made with the people when the famine became more severe?
    4. Going Deeper: What does Joseph’s decree ultimately lead to during the time of Moses? Going even deeper (for those of you who like a challenge): Investigate the name Rameses and discuss why this name is the main reason for the controversy over the period of time these events, along with the Exodus, occurs?
  1. (Genesis 47:28 – 48:22) In this section Jacob/Israel is nearing his last days, and he gives the promise of the birthright to Joseph through his sons.
    1. How old was Jacob when he died, and what did he say to Joseph in 47:29-30?
    2. Discuss: How does this (verses 29-30) show Jacob’s faith in God’s promise?
    3. In chapter 48 Jacob gives the birthright of the firstborn to Joseph (but not the blessing of the “Seed Promise) by giving him a double-portion through his two sons. Summarize what happens during this blessing of Manasseh and Ephraim.
    4. Discuss: Why did Jacob put Ephraim over Manasseh?
  1. (Genesis 49:1-28) In this chapter Jacob/Israel gives a blessing and prophecy to each one of his twelve sons before he dies. This, in effect, does away with the “patriarchal” rule and institutes an individuality for each tribe as they move forward, even though it is clear that future, and final, rulership of the Nation (in the form of kings) will specifically come through one tribe, Judah.
    1. What does Jacob say to Judah, and what prophetic statements are specifically related to Jesus?
    2. Concerning Reuben, Simeon and Levi: Why did Jacob skip over them to Judah; what did Jacob/Israel prophecy about them and why?
    3. Going Deeper: Make a list of each of the twelve sons and summarize what Jacob prophesied about them?

Going even deeper (for those of you who like a challenge): Can you find, historically, what happened to each of these tribes in fulfillment of the prophecies, and any famous Biblical characters that come from these tribes?

  1. (Genesis 49:29 – 50:26) This is the final section of Genesis, and the end of Jacob and Joseph’s stories.
    1. Where does Jacob tell his sons he wants to be buried, and why? Who else was buried there?
    2. Discuss: What do you find unique about the burial process that happened for Jacob?
    3. After their father’s death, the brothers’ were afraid that Joseph would now enact revenge upon them. How does Joseph respond? Copy and read verse 50:20 as this would be a good memory verse for recall in times of trouble.
    4. How old was Joseph when he died; what did he say prophetically to his brothers and what did he make them swear to do? (We will see if this comes true in the book of Exodus!!!)

Join us next week as we continue our new study: A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues…

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15

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