Travelling Through the Testaments Volume 1: The Old Testament

Copyright © 2015 by Dr. William D. Burnham.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5144-2049-2

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CONTENTS

Introduction

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Exodus

The Book of Leviticus

The Book of Numbers

The Book of Deuteronomy

The Book of Joshua

The Book of Judges

The Book of Ruth

The Book of 1 Samuel

The Book of 2 Samuel

The Book of 1 Kings

The Book of 2 Kings

The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles

The Book of Ezra

The Book of Nehemiah

The Book of Esther

The Book of Job

The Book of Psalms

The Book of Proverbs

The Book of Ecclesiastes

The Book of the Song of Solomon

The Book of Isaiah

The Book of Jeremiah

The Book of Lamentations

The Book of Ezekiel

The Book of Daniel

The Book of Hosea

The Book of Joel

The Book of Amos

The Book of Obadiah

The Book of Jonah

The Book of Micah

The Book of Nahum

The Book of Habakkuk

The Book of Zephaniah

The Book of Haggai

The Book of Zechariah

The Book of Malachi

Bibliography

Author’s Bio

Introduction

W e accept the Bible as a single divine book with a single divine author even though it was written over a course of fifteen hundred years and by nearly forty different human authors. How can this be? To defend such an argument, we must go back in time. We must begin by recognizing that God has sought to communicate with man His love, plans for redemption, and wisdom for living since the beginning of man’s time.

Over time, God has used many different types of communication. Romans 1 tells us God has, and still does, use creation as a means of communicating to man. Throughout the Old Testament, God used theophonies, which are preincarnate appearances of Christ to communicate with man (Gen. 18; Exod. 3; Josh. 5, etc.). The Word of God was often communicated through prophesies (Heb. 1:1). God at times used miracles such as the parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River or the fleece of Gideon, etc., to communicate His divine message. But of all the methods that God has used, His written Word is still the most complete for man. God has given man His Word so we may know Him, believe upon Him and follow Him, and it is by faith we accept the Bible as His Word divine and inspired (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20–21).

Historically speaking, we accept the Bible as we know it today as the divinely inspired Word of God because of a process known as the canonization. The word cannon, which means the same no matter what language, is a standard, a measuring line, a model or a rule. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are considered their own cannon. Therefore, in order for any of the writings in either testament to be placed in their cannon, they had to have met the standard of rule as the inspired Word of God.

Over the centuries, there have been basically three widely recognized principles used to determine which writings came about as divine inspiration. The first is that the author had to be a recognized prophet or author or one associated with him such as in the case of the New Testament with Mark, who was Peter’s secretary, or Luke, who was Paul’s traveling companion. This also applies to Hebrews and James. Secondly, the writings could not disagree with or contradict previously accepted scriptures. And finally, the writing had to have the general consensus by the council or church as an inspired book.

With regard to the Old Testament, all the Old Testament had been written and accepted by the Jewish community, and there had been four hundred years of silence. This leaves one final question that must be asked. Why are the Apocrypha books not a part of this book? The answer is simple: We don’t use or recognize the Apocrypha books as divinely inspired books of the Bible, and there are a number of reasons for this view. First, they were written after Malachi. Secondly, they were not accepted or included in the Septuagint, which is the Hebrew Old Testament translated into Greek. Thirdly, not one passage from the Apocrypha is quoted or confirmed in the New Testament. And finally, Jesus did not conform any of it as He did recognize the Old Testament cannon of His day and time (Luke 24:27, 24:44).

With this in mind, I designed this book to be a compilation of recourses and studies put together in sermon-type outline, which gives a well-rounded overview of each Old Testament book. It is to be used by students as a quick reference guide to help them find their way around the Old Testament and by preachers as a teaching tool to better educate and equip the saints in knowledge and for service to our Lord. May all those who use it benefit from it as I have from those whose wisdom and knowledge I have gleaned from over the years in putting this together.

The Book of Genesis

Key verses: 3:15, 12:3

Key chapter: 15

Theme: Beginnings

Introduction

A. Genesis is the seed plot of the entire scripture.

1. It has 50 chapters, 1,533 verses, 32,267 words if you’re using KJV.

2. It is quoted about 60 times in 17 books of the New Testament.

3. Its divine revelation and the fact that Moses is the author is authenticated by the testimony of Jesus (Matt. 5:17–30).

B. Genesis tells us of the beginning of everything except God

1. Beginning of the created world (Gen. 1:1–25)

2. Beginning of man and woman (Gen.1:26–chap. 2)

3. Beginning of sin (Gen. 3:1–7)

4. Beginning of the promise of redemption (Gen. 3:8–24)

5. Beginning of family life (Gen. 4:1–15)

6. Beginning of civilization (Gen. 4:16–9:29)

7. Beginning of nations (Gen. 10, 11)

8. Beginning of a chosen people (Gen.12–50), as well as other beginnings—i.e., judgment, altars, death etc.

I. The Structure of Genesis: The Four Major Events

T he first part, chapters 1 to 11, covers 2,000 years and 4 major events.

1. Creation (Gen.1–2)

A. This is not a human theory but a divine testimony.

Verse 1

There is no definition of God, no description of creation, no declaration of date—it is a declaration of divine truth! Accept the first sentence in scripture and there will be little difficulty in accepting all of God’s word.

Creation week

Here we witness God bring something out of nothing by the authority of His word. There are at least three day theories:

• Literal day: 24 hours.

• Age day: time was progressive.

• Religious: God did it; it doesn’t matter.

B. The purpose is to show God as creator of all things.

Genesis 1:26–27 and Genesis 2:1

Man is the crown of creation and was created in the image (representation, resemblance) and likeness (character or model) of God. When God breathed life and man became a living soul, we were then body, soul, and spirit—that’s why when we get saved, we are complete in Christ.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 5:23)

C. On the seventh day, God rested.

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Heb. 4:9–10)

2. The fall of man (Gen. 3–4)

A. The tempting (Gen. 3:1–6)

Note how Satan cast doubts on God’s word (v.1). This is the first lie. The appeal to pride (v. 4), captures her ears, eyes and inward desires (v. 5.)

First John 2:16 tells us, For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

B. The yielding (Gen. 3:6)

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (cf. Rom. 5:12)

C. The results (Gen. 3:7–24)

They were self-conscious, ashamed, fearful, sorrowful. They were cursed with thorns, sweat, etc.

D. The Grace of God (Gen. 3:9, 3:15)

• God sought Adam: No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, Jesus said in John 6:44.

• Genesis 3:15 is the first direct prophecy of Jesus Christ to come, which can also be seen in Isaiah 53:5. But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

• For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

• The fruit of sin (Gen. 4:3–5, 8, and 25). We see the first murder and the birth of Seth.

3. The flood (Gen. 5–9)

• We see the book of generations from Adam to Seth (Gen. 4:25–5:3).

• In Gen. 6, we see the mixing of the godly and the ungodly.

You can also read about this in 2 Cor. 6:14.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

• Judgment falls in chapter 7 as a result of Genesis 6:5–7

Another account of the judgment can also be found in Matthew:

But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matt. 24:37–39)

Does this remind you of modern day?

• In God’s covenant with Noah (Gen. 9:8–17), He uses the word covenant 7 times. Underline it in your Bible.

4. The Babel crisis (Gen.10–11)

A. Generations of the sons of Noah (Gen. 10)

B. Confusion of Babel (Gen.11)

The reason for the actions of God: the people refused to obey God, to spread out and replenish the earth (v. 4), so God scattered them himself (vss. 7–8).

Genesis 1–11 covers a span of 2,000 years. So does Genesis 12 to Matthew 1.

II. The Structure of Genesis: The Four Main Characters

1. Abraham (Gen. 12–23)

We’ll see some overlapping of scripture in this second half of Genesis.

Abraham’s call (Gen. 12:1 and Acts 7:2, 7:3)

Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:2, 12:3; Acts 7:3)

Note the seven promises of God:

1. I will make you a great nation.

2. I will bless you.

3. I will make your name great.

4. You will be a blessing. blessed.

5. I will bless them that bless you.

6. I will curse them that curse you.

7. In you shall all the families of the earth be

This covenant would be confirmed over and over again (Gen. 13:14–18, 15:1–21, 17:6–8, 22:15–18, 26:1–5, 28:13–15).

A. Abraham was an old man, and Sarah an old woman, but Abraham was a man of faith (Heb. 11:8–19). Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. You can trust God’s word to be fulfilled! (Rom. 4:3).

B. Isaac was delivered to Abraham and Sarah around 25 years after the promise was given (Gen. 24–26; read Gen. 17:15–19).

Abraham laughed. Abraham believed God. This laughter is interpreted as with great joy. Can you imagine having wanted something so bad all your life and thinking God has passed it by, and then suddenly, He revisits the issue, and it is going to be grander than you ever could have dreamed when it is fulfilled. That was Abraham’s laughter.

2. Isaac

A. The beloved and obedient son (Gen. 22:1–8)

B. A bride for Isaac: Rebecca (Gen. 24)

C. Father of Esau and Jacob—two nations in a womb (Gen. 25:23–26) See also Hebrews

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, In Isaac your seed shall be called, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Heb. 11:17–20)

D. The Abrahamic covenant was confirmed in Isaac (Gen. 26).

3. Jacob (Gen. 27–36; Jacob became Israel)

A. The stolen blessing from his father Isaac (Gen. 27)

B. Abrahamic covenant confirmed to Jacob (Gen. 28:13–15)

C. Jacob has 12 sons (Gen. 29–30).

These become the heads of the tribes of Israel (Gen. 49:28).

D. Jacob’s name is changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28), thus we have the twelve tribes of Israel.

4. Joseph (Gen. 37–50)

A. There is no word of reproof (chastisement) against Joseph.

B. He was a favored son (Gen. 37:3).

C. Sold for 20 pieces of silver and taken to Egypt (Gen. 37:20–36).

D. Humiliation and exhalation in Egypt (Gen. 39–48). That is God’s way: "Humble yourself before Him and Hewill lift you up!"

E. Jacob (now Israel) enters Egypt, with his entire household (Gen. 46:27), which numbers 70.

Interestingly, you find 3 different numbers for the household of Jacob (Gen. 46:27–70, Acts 7:14–75), including all his kindred (Gen. 46:26–66) "out of his loins.

The reason is who is being counted (wives, sons, Jacob himself); the fact is, it won’t matter in heaven how many there were.

F. Joseph is the most complete picture (type) or shadow of Christ in the Bible.

• Both were beloved by their fathers (Gen. 37:2, Matt. 3:17).

• Both were shepherds (Gen. 37:2, Matt. 10:11–14).

• Both were severely tempted (Gen. 39:7, Matt. 4:1).

• Both were taken to Egypt (Gen. 37:26, Matt. 2:14–15).

• Both were sold for the price of a slave (Gen. 37: 28, Matt. 26:15).

• Both were highly exalted after suffering (Gen. 41:41, Phil. 2:9–10).

These are just a few examples, where many more are given of an idea or type that is given in the Old Testament of a reality in the New Testament.

G. The prophecy and blessing of the tribes of Israel (Gen. 49). An account of this can also be found in Hebrews.

H. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel. (Heb. 11:22)

Conclusion:

Everything about Genesis—its name, its relationship to the rest of scripture, and its structure—seems to say, If it exists today, it began right here in Genesis.

In the book of Genesis we see the supreme object of God in providing for us a family through which the promised Redeemer was to come. That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal. 3:14, NKJ).

Guide Questions:

1. Where was the first prophecy of Christ found?

2. When did the Sabbath day begin?

3. In one word how would you describe the fall of man?

4. Where do you find Israel at the close of Gen.?

5. Can you list the four outstanding events and people of Gen.?

The Book of Exodus

Key verses: 6:6, 19:5, 19:6

Key chapters: 12–14

Theme: Redemption

Introduction

I n America, Memorial Day is a day of fun and celebration. But it is also a time of solemn reflection. We relish our freedom, but it came at a great price. So remembering and enjoying go hand in hand. We are free because someone went before us to set us free. Do you know the same is true with our spiritual lives? As Christians, instead of being enslaved to our old master, sin, we are free to love and obey God and serve in His church. Long before Jesus came in the flesh, God put together a plan to redeem us through His Son. That’s what the book of Exodus is all about.

*     *     *

Exodus means the outgoing. In this case, the outgoing of the Israelites from the land of Egypt. Written (as was Genesis) by Moses and confirmed by Christ in Luke 24:44.

Exodus is the book of redemption. The Israelites had been under bondage of Egypt’s ruler, Pharaoh (Exod. 1:8–13). Exodus describes how God delivered them from bondage. In Genesis, we saw the ruin of man through sin, (the fall). In Exodus we see the redemption by blood and power of God. (You hear of those who don’t want to hear of the blood; but the Word tells us, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Heb.9:22).

Exodus continues what Genesis started. Genesis 46:27 tells us the number of Jacob’s family was 70, approximately 400 years. Later, it is 600,000 men, plus women and children (Gen. 12:37) that come out of Egypt.

Then He said to Abram: Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. (Gen.15:13)

Exodus 12:40 tells us it was 430 years. And Gal.3:16–17 confirms it was 430 years from the call of Abraham. (Consider the vastness of the exodus.)

The book of Exodus is broken up into 3 parts…

I. The Exodus (Exod. 2–18)

A. The deliverer

1. The birth of Moses and 40 years in the palace (Exod. 2)

This account is also told in Hebrews:

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. (Heb 11:23–29)

2. Call of Moses—40 years in Median (Exod. 3)

God’s grand plan centered around a broken-down eighty-year-old shepherd. At a time that most men, if they haven’t already, are ready to hang it up;.that was when God called Moses to his greatest challenge. (When God’s done with you, you’ll know it.)

3. Announcement of the deliverance of Israel (Exod. 4)

4. The nine plagues of Pharaoh(Exod. 5–11)

(Look at the assurance of God to Israel. Read Exod. 6:1–8)

B. The deliverance (by power and blood)

1. Institution of the Passover and the tenth plague (Exod. 11:5)

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.

Death of the firstborn – blood. It is a beautiful picture too.

See chapter 12 with 1 Cor 5:7b, for indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

And so the people followed their leader out of Egypt, who in turn was led by God.

2. The crossing of the Red sea – power (Exod.13, 14)

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. (Exod. 13:21–22)

(Note the presence and power of God when He is doing a thing!)

C. The march to Mt. Sinai

1. Song of redemption (Exod. 15)

2. God provides for 40 years (Exod. 16)

Exodus 16:4

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.

Exodus 16:13

So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp.

Exodus 16:35

And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

This account is also told in John:

Jesus said, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. ‘I am the bread of life.’ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven that one may eat of it and not die. ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.’ (John 6:47–51)

3. The smitten rock (Exod. 17)

And the LORD said to Moses, Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us or not? (1 Cor. 10:4) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (Exod. 17:5–7)

Now look at Jesus statement in the book of John:

Jesus answered and said to her, Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13–14)

God has shown His people He is not only a God who frees but also a God who stays close for the whole journey. Through all the lack of faith and grumbling, God still provided.

Now He is ready to give them…

II. The Law (Exod. 19–24)

A. Commandments

The governing of moral life -ch.19-20 at the foot of Mt. Sinai - the people agreed to the covenant at Sinai. (Note the Ten Commandments [20:1–17])

1. You shall have no other Gods before Me.

2. You shall not make any graven image.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy

5. Honor your father and mother.

6. You shall not kill.

7. You shall not commit adultery

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness.

10. You shall not covet.

Jesus gives us the new testament summary: Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 22:37–40)

B. Judgments

The Mosaic law includes not only the Ten Commandments, which serve as a summary of God’s moral standards, but all civil and