Old Testament Historical Books Why should we learn

Old Testament Historical Books

Why should we learn the OT? ● The OT is the NT concealed and the NT is the OT revealed (St. Augustine) ○ The promise and prophecies of the OT are fulfilled in the NT ● Learn about how God deals with Men ● God’s spiritual blessings are given to only those who obey him ● Righteous are rewarded and wicked are punished

Why learn the OT? ● God is both just and merciful ● For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Romans 15: 4) ● We will never fully understand the OT unless we understand the NT.

12 Historical books Joshua Judges Ruth 1 st Samuel 2 nd Samuel 1 st Kings 2 nd Kings 1 st Chronicles 2 nd Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther

Joshua ● Author: Joshua, Eleazar the high priest and his son Phinehas ● Time: 1390 BC

Joshua - 2 ● The conquest of the promised land ● The division of the land among the tribes of Israel ● The conquest was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. ● Possession of the land was based on their obedience to God’s law.

Joshua - 3 Jesus Christ in the book of Joshua ● Joshua is a representation of the Lord Jesus ○ Joshua (Jehovah is salvation) ● Joshua lead the Israelites to salvation. Jesus leads us to Salvation. ● Joshua interceded for Israel when they sinned.

Joshua - 4 ● In Jesus Christ all of God’s promises are fulfilled. Joshua was the one who completed God’s promises ● The scarlet string in Rahab’s window illustrates the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross

Judges - 1 ● Author: Samuel ● Time frame: 1050 ● Outlines events from the death of Joshua to Samuel’s ministry: 350 years ● Outlines 12 judges

Judges - 2 ● Israel needed to continue fighting the Canaanites and exterminate them. But didn’t. ● Disobeyed God and worshiped idols. ● God gave them up to the nations surrounding them. So that they may know that without Him there is no salvation. ● They would repent.

Judges - 3 ● God would send a judge to save them. ● They would live according to God’s law during his lifetime, then they would rebel again. ● And the cycle continues.

Judges - Purpose ● To reveal that disobedience to the word of God inevitably results in defeat. In contrast, obedience to God and His word assures blessings in all areas of life ● Whenever Israel rebelled against God, they were oppressed by pagan nations; when they repented, He raised a judge to deliver them

The Lord Jesus Christ in Judges ● The people did not choose their judges in the same manner as God chose His Only Begotten Son to save us. ● The judges freed the people from slavery. ● The judges went to war following the commandment of God, as Our Lord came, was crucified to fulfill the will of God the Father.

Ruth - 1 Author: Samuel? Time frame: during the period of the judges (Gideon)

Ruth - Characters ● ● ● ● Elimelech Naomi Mahlon and Chilion Ruth - Church of the Gentiles Orpah Boaz Un-named near kinsman - law

Ruth - Theme The book of Ruth highlights our Lord’s loving kindness in selecting a Moabite woman to be included in His covenant with Israel. Ruth is one of the only 4 women mentioned in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ in Ruth ● Un-named kinsman who rejected to marry Ruth because she was a Moabites. ○ The law can not forgive or make exceptions; it can only expose our sins and condemn us ● Ruth rejected idolatry, symbolizing the gentiles who’d follow the Lord. ● Ruth married Boaz as the Church is the bride of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus Christ in Ruth ● Redemption in Boaz, a type of the Lord Jesus Christ who assumed the right of “kinsman-redeemer”, purchased the property inheritance for Naomi and took Ruth as his wife.

Samuel - Esther ● ● Saul (Agagites) / David Solomon Rehoboam/Jeroboam (epitome of evil) Elijah confronts Ahab and commands a drought ○ ○ Escapes and fed by ravens Stays with a widow woman in Zarephath Challenges the priests of Baal. Elijah finds Elishah who becomes his disciple

Samuel - Esther ● ● ● Hezekiah (good)/Israel’s Captivity Manasseh (very bad → repents) Zedekaiah / Judah’s captivity Ezra - rebuilds the temple Nehemiah - rebuilds the walls Esther: ○ Israelites who remained in Persia after the 70 year captivity

Esther ● Events took place between chapters six and seven of the book of Ezra ○ 40 years after the Temple had been rebuilt ○ 30 years before the walls of Jerusalem was rebuilt ● The book of Esther confirm that God can accomplish His will through a helpless minority or faithful servants, even when they are ruled by ungodly men