The Old Testament

The Old Testament archives the beginning of God’s work to redeem God’s people. From the very beginning, God had a plan that no enmity or enemy could stop.

Narrative of the Bible

  • The Bible is not a disconnected series of self-help tales.
  • God’s Word outlines God’s work to redeem God’s people.
  • To summarize the Bible’s narrative, remember these four words: creation, corruption, crucifixion, and commission.

Creation

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

  • Creation
    • All things were made by God and for God (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16).
    • In God’s good design, He created a place for His people to enjoy His presence.
  • Fall
    • Sin entered the world when, instead of wanting to be like God, Mankind wanted to be God (Gen. 3:5).
    • The Fall happened because Mankind wanted to take God’s place but concluded with a promise that God would take Mankind’s place (Gen. 3:15, 21).
  • Flood
    • As sin reached a chaotic level, God’s wrath reversed the environments and covered the inhabitants.
    • God’s wrath came upon every person or a vessel meant to protect those marked by faith.
  • Covenant
    • With nations scattered, God blessed Abraham so that someone from his family would bless and reunite all peoples.
    • God took unrighteous Abraham and credited him righteous on the basis of his faith – not his works.
    • The only son was willing to be sacrificed in obedience to his father.
  • Placement
    • Joseph accepted his role to suffer unfairly for the redemption of those undeserving.
    • God brought the nation of Israel and placed them in the greatest nation on earth to reveal Himself to them.
  • Exodus
    • Through the plagues, God humiliated every god the Egyptians revered.
    • The sacrificial lamb took God’s wrath for the people so they could finally be free.
  • Commandments
    • God did not provide commandments in order to be redeemed but because they were redeemed.
    • The Law showed that no one could keep it perfectly, yet it provided the ideal order the world needed desperately.
  • Wanderings
    • The people’s disobedience kept them wandering for years, unable to reach the Promised Land.
    • No matter how consistent their rebellion, God maintained His presence on the sacrifice of substitutes.

Corruption

1 Samuel 8:1-9

  • Canaan
    • God led His people to His place to enjoy His presence.
    • The awe of blessings got replaced by the danger of entitlement.
  • Cycle
    • God’s people got stuck in a cycle of sin with a constant need for a redeemer.
    • When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, a culture deteriorates thoroughly.
  • Rejection
    • Discontent with the kingship of God, the people preferred to be like neighboring nations and follow flawed kings.
    • Whatever the people relied on other than God, He would use that exact thing to humble them.
  • Kingdom
    • No matter how impressive the feats, every king also portrayed disappointing frailties.
    • God promised that one from David’s lineage would become king and reign forever.
  • Division
    • The nation descended into chaos as God’s people tweaked religious devotion to satisfy personal desires.
    • The remaining prophets warned God’s people to return to God’s ways or experience God’s punishment.
  • Exile
    • God allowed pagan nations to defeat His own because, even if His enemies were worse, God’s people knew better.
    • The exile forced God’s people to learn how to follow Him in a land that did not.
  • Return
    • After a lifetime in exile, a remnant returns to rebuild what sin had broken.
    • While the people wondered if God had abandoned them, prophets urged them to wait for the help on His way.