Syllabus for Old Testament 1

Union University MCS 500 (Memphis)

Genesis—Esther, Psalms
Dr. Jason B. Hood
901.483.0248 [email protected]

Course Content
Old Testament I: Promise, Covenant, Praise. In this course we examine the foundation of
the Bible: God’s original design for the world and humanity, the covenant relationship
between God and his people, the historical record of the relationship between God and
Israel (“the longest bad marriage in history”), and the songbook of God’s people.

Course Objectives
(1) Develop familiarity with content, chronology, and the creational, canonical, and
Christological significance of these texts
(2) Develop skills to apply these texts for personal and pastoral guidance

Those objectives presuppose many smaller foundational tasks: cultural and geographic
familiarity, simply learning to read with care and an active imagination, improved research skills,
using the text to foster and guide our emotions (not just head knowledge), learning to probe by
asking good questions of texts, developing familiarity with theological, linguistic, socio-cultural
and archaeological aspects of the text.

Course Values
(1) A high view of the original meaning and authority of OT texts
(2) A strong interest in the interpretation of the OT in the NT, our authoritative guide for
OT interpretation; in other words, we will read the OT as a Christian book

Required Course Readings

Genesis (all); Exodus 1-20, 39:32-40:38; Leviticus 16,19, 25-26; Numbers 16, 24-25;
Deut 1-6, 17:14-20, 18:15-22; 26-34; Judges (all); Ruth (all); 2 Samuel 22; 1 Kings 1-12;
21:17-22:53; 2 Kings 1-6, 17-25; 1 Chronicles 3:1-9; 4:8-11, 34-43; 5:18-26; 9:1-34; 16-
17; 28-29; 2 Chronicles 6-7; 29:1-33:20; 36. Ezra 3-5, 9-10; Nehemiah 1:1-2:20, 8:1-12;
13:1-31. Psalms 1, 2, 8, 19, 22-24, 34, 37, 51, 73,78, 95-100, 103-106, 120-139, 144-150.

Bible readings should be done in a modern translation, not the King James Version and
not a paraphrase like the Living Bible or The Message (ESV, Holman Standard, NIV,
Contemporary English Version, NRSV, NKJV).

Sandra Richter, Epic of Eden (All)

Michael Williams, “The Law: Transcribing God’s Character in the World,” which is
chapter 9 in his book Far As The Curse Is Found, pages 148-169. (This will be passed
out in class.)
ESV Study Bible Introductory notes (NOT ALL NOTES, just introduction) for Genesis
(pages 39-46), Exodus (39-43; chart and “Battle between Yahweh and the Rulers of
Egypt” on 156, 186, 190-1), Numbers (257-61), Joshua (389-93), Ruth (475-7), 1 and 2
Samuel (484-489), 1 and 2 Kings (585-589; consider images on 595, 604-5, 607); Ezra
(799-802, “The Hand of God” on 814), Nehemiah (821-2), Esther (849-852).

ESV Study Bible articles: “Introduction to the Historical Books,” 385-7; “The Date of the
Exodus,” 33; “Introduction to the Poetic and Wisdom Literature,” 865-8.

Recommended Articles, not required

“The Septuagint,” 2601-2603; “Archaeology and the Bible,” 2591-2; “The Canon of the
OT,” 2577-9; “The Reliablity of the OT Manuscripts,” 2585-7; “Overview of the Bible,”
23-26; “History of Salvation in the Old Testament: Preparing the way for Christ,” 2635-
2646, 2648-2651. Online at http://www.esvstudybible.org/sb/objects/article-bible-
overview.html#bible-overview-article-overview-of-the-bible-a-survey-of-the-history-of-
salvation

Course Attendance:

Class attendance and participation is essential in order to successfully complete this

course. Students will be assessed a two point penalty off their final average for each
absence over one. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, in no case shall a student who
misses three (3) class sessions receive credit for the course.

Tardiness will negatively impact attendance/participation grades.

Makeup work (notes, class announcements, etc) should be procured from peers, not
professors. (Ask more than one student to maximize your chance of getting what you
need!)

Inclement weather decisions are in the hands of MCS director, Dr. Easley.

Course Schedule: January 29 – March 19 (this is a rough guide only; expect changes!)

January 29 course introduction and syllabus; academic, theological, and pastoral study
of the OT; introduction to Pentateuch and Old Testament chronology,
canon, geography

February 5 introduction to Genesis & selected passages

February 12 introduction to Exodus & selected passages; introduction to Leviticus &

selected passages; introduction to Numbers & selected passages; excursus
on OT Law and covenant

February 19 introduction to Deuteronomy & selected passages; introduction to Joshua

& selected passages; introduction to Judges & selected passages
February 26 introduction to Ruth & selected passages; introduction to 1 & 2 Samuel &
selected passages; introduction to 1 & 2 Kings & selected Passages

March 5 introduction to 1 & 2 Chronicles & selected passages; introduction to

Ezra-Nehemiah & selected passages; introduction to Esther

March 12 introduction to Psalms & selected psalms

March 19 selected passages from Psalms; course conclusion and final exam

Course Assignments

20 points Reading, attendance, participation

20 points Reflection paper
20 points Analysis Paper
40 points Final Exam

(A) Reading report and all material should be emailed to professor by March 19.

(B) Participation includes asking questions, engaging in discussion, and summarizing

and commenting on the biblical text reading for the week. (The instructor will call on you
unannounced.) For Attendance, see above.

Note: you must learn how to do document word counts on a computer word processor
before finishing (C) and (D). Papers do not have to be polished to earn a B
or C, but does have to be thoughtful. Papers that are As will be solid in
every respect.

(C) Analysis Paper: Due February 12 (not accepted late): less than
1400 words total. There are two parts to this paper. In the first part,
read Esther carefully (more than once) and search for and document
events, ideas, or features that occur in more than one place in the
book of Esther. In the final part (roughly 400 words), try to describe the
literary, social/cultural, or theological significance of repeated features,
events or ideas.

(D) Reflection Paper: Due March 5 (not accepted late): write a 1000-
1200 word reflection on one or more aspects of course lecture
material. Correct grammar, sentence structure, and paragraph
structure are essential. Include comments on one or more aspects or
passages of the Bible and its features (i.e., make historical, literary
and/or theological comments). Conclude by commenting on how the
text as you have interpreted it might work itself out in your life or
ministry. The goal is twofold: (1) to have something on paper that is
solid enough to use as the basis for teaching/preaching in the future,
and (2) to begin to use course lectures and readings to work.

(E) The final exam will include short essays, matching, multiple choice, a map, memory
verses, true/false, etc; you will be asked to summarize the basic content of a handful of
key chapters, which will be identified during the course; you may be asked to summarize
the primary message of books, or their significance for Christians (per class discussion
and the NT). Begin studying as soon as the course begins. There’s much to learn!

Course Bibliography

T. Desmond Alexander, From Paradise to the Promise Land: An Introduction 
to the Themes of the Pentateuch. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1995.

T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner (eds.), New Dictionary of Biblical
Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000.

T. Desmond Alexander and Simon Gathercole, Heaven on Earth: The Temple 
in Biblical Theology (Paternoster, 2004).

Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Narrative (1981).

Bill Arnold and Bryan Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian 
Survey (Baker: Grand Rapids, 1999).

Bill Arnold and B. E. Beyer. Readings from the Ancient Near East. EBS. 
Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002

Bill Arnold, 1 and 2 Samuel. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Tim Ashley, Numbers (NICOT).

Joyce Baldwin, The Message of Genesis 12­50 (Bible Speaks Today.

Joyce Baldwin, 1 & 2 Samuel. TOTC. repr. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.

* Joyce Baldwin, Esther: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. Downers 
Grove: IVP, 1984.

* Greg Beale, The Temple and the Church’s Mission (NSBT).
Roger Beckwith,  The Old Testament Canon in the New Testament Church 
and Its Background in Early Judaism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.

Daniel Block. Judges and Ruth. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 1999.

John Calvin, commentaries (sermons) on Genesis and Deuteronomy

Umberto Cassuto, A Commentary on the Book of Genesis. 3 vols. Jerusalem: 
Magnes Press, 1961‐64.

Peter Craigie, Psalms 1­50 (WBC)

* Dale Ralph Davis, Joshua: No Falling Words (sample, 
http://www.wtsbooks.com/pdf_files/9781845501372.pdf)

* Dale Ralph Davis, Judges: Such a Great Salvation. Fearn, Ross­Shire: 
Christian Focus, 2000.

* Dale Ralph Davis, 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart. Fearn, Ross­Shire: 
Christian Focus, 2007.

* Dale Ralph Davis, 2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity. Fearn, Ross­Shire: 
Christian Focus, 2001.

* Dale Ralph Davis, The Wisdom and the Folly: An Exposition of the Book of 
First Kings. Fearn, Ross­Shire: Christian, 2002.

* Dale Ralph Davis, 2 Kings: The Power and the Fury. Fearn, Ross­Shire: 
Christian, 2006.

Stephen Dempster, Dominion and Dynasty: A Biblical Theology of the 
Hebrew Bible. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003.

David deSilva, Honor, Patronage, Kinship and Purity: Unlocking New 
Testament Culture (IVP, 2000). This is an NT text, but the themes are very 
important for OT as well, and I know of no other text like it.

Mary Douglas, Purity and Danger (1966).
Mary Douglas, “Forbidden Animals in Leviticus,” JSOT 59 (1993).

David Noel Freedman, ed., Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 vols.)

Mark Futato, Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook (Kregel, 2007)

*  Graeme Goldsworthy, “The Kingdom of God and the Old Testament” 
(http://beginningwithmoses.org/bt­articles/236/the­kingdom­of­god­and­the­
old­testamentm)

Graeme Goldsworthy, Gospel and Kingdom.

Scott Hafemann, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith: Understanding 
the Heart of the Bible.

Scott Hafemann, ed., Biblical Theology: Prospect and Retrospect.

Scott Hafemann and Paul House, ed., Themes in Biblical Theology

James Hamilton, “John Sailhamer’s The Meaning of the Pentateuch: A 
Review Essay,” in SBJT 14 (2010), 62­76. Available online: 
http://jimhamilton.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/sbjt­v14­n­2­hamilton.pdf 

Victor Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books (Baker Academic)

Victor Hamilton, Handbook on the Pentateuch (Baker Academic)

J. Daniel Hays, “Applying the Old Testament Law Today,” Bib Sac 158 
(2001), 21­35 http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_law_hays.html.

Richard Hess, Joshua: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. repr. 
Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.

Andrew Hill, 1 & 2 Chronicles. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

J. K. Hoffmeier, Ancient Israel in Sinai: The Evidence for the Authenticity of 
the Wilderness Tradition (Oxford Univ Press, 2005).
J. K. Hoffmeier, Israel in Egypt: the Evidence for the Authenticity of the 
Exodus Tradition (Oxford Univ Press, 1999).

Paul House, “Examining the Narratives of Old Testament Narrative: An 
Exploration in Biblical Theology,” WTJ 67 (2005), 229­45.

Paul House, Old Testament Theology (IVP).

David Howard, Joshua (NAC).

Robert Hubbard, Ruth (NICOT).

* Karen Jobes, Esther. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999.

Karen Jobes and Moises Silva, Invitation to the Septuagint (Baker Academic 
2000) 

Derek Kidner. Ezra and Nehemiah. TOTC. repr. Downers Grove: IVP, 2007.

* Derek Kidner. Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. repr. 
Downers Grove: IVP, 2008

Derek Kidner. Psalms 1­72. TOTC. repr. Downers Grove: IVP, 2007.

Derek Kidner, Psalms 73­150 TOTC.

Kenneth Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament (Eerdmans, 2003)

Peter Leithart, 1 & 2 Kings. BTC. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2006.
Peter Leithart, 1 and 2 Samuel A Son to Me (Canon Press).

Eta Linneman, Historical Criticism of the Bible: Methodology or Ideology? 
Reflections of a Bultmannian Turned  Evangelical. Trans. Robert W. 
Yarbrough. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990.

V. Phil Long, “Historiography of the Old Testament,” in The Face of Old 
Testament Studies: A survey of Contemporary Approaches, 145­175. 

V. Phillips Long, The Art of Biblical History.
Tremper Longman, God Is a Warrior. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

Tremper Longman, III, “The Divine Warrior: The NT use of an OT Motif,” 
WTJ http://beginningwithmoses.org/bt­articles/229/the­divine­warrior­the­
new­testament­use­of­an­old­testament­motif

Gordon McConville, Deuteronomy (Apollos)

Merrill, Eugene H. Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel. 
2nd ed.;
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

Merrill, Eugene H. “History.” Pages 89­112 in Cracking Old Testament 
Codes: A Guide to Interpreting the Literary Genres of the Old Testament. 
Edited by D. B. Sandy and R. L. Giese, Jr. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 
1995.

Alan Millard, “The Old Testament and History: Some Considerations,” Faith 
and Thought 110 1983: 34­53.

Alan Millard, “The Bible and Arcaheology: Friends or Foes?” 
http://www.faithandthought.org.uk/content/The%20Bible%20and
%20Archaeology%20Friends%20or%20Foes%20­%20Alan%20Millard.pdf

William Moran, “The Ancient Near Eastern Background of the Love of God in
Deuteronomy.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 35 (1963):77­87.

Patrick Miller, Deuteronomy (Interpretation).

Dennis Olson, Numbers (Interpretation).

Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Psalms of Ascent)

Eugene Peterson, Answering God. (Psalms)

Vern Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses (P & R?).
Richard Pratt, He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting 
Old Testament Narratives (P & R, 1990)

Richard Pratt, “Pictures, Windows and Mirrors in Old Testament Exegesis.” 
WTJ 45 (1983) 156‐67.

* Richard Pratt, Designed for Dignity (2nd ed., P & R)

*  Richard Pratt, 1 and 2 Chronicles (Mentor Commentaries; Christian Focus,
UK). See especially introductory material, 9­59, for guidance in the 
interpretation of Chronicles’ themes for preaching and teaching.

James Pritchard, Ancient Near East: an Anthology of Texts and Pictures
James Pritchard, Ancient Near East Texts Relating to the Old Testament

Iain Provan, 1 and 2 Kings. NIBC. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1995.

Iain Provan, Phil Long, and Tremper Longman III, A Biblical History of 
Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003

Allen Ross, Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of 
Leviticus (Baker).

Allen Ross, Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of 
Genesis (Baker).

P. Satterthwaite and G. McConville, Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to
the Historical Books. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2007

Meir Sternberg, The Poetics of Biblical Narrative. Bloomington, IN: Indiana 
University, 1984.

Douglas Stuart, Exodus. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 2006.

Derek Tidball, The Message of Leviticus: Free to Be Holy. BST. Downers 
Grove: IVP, 2005
*  Willem van Gemeren, “Psalms” in Expositor’s Bible Commentary. vol. 5. 
rev. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. (Or older edition from 1980s)

*  Bruce Waltke. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and 
Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.

*  Bruce Watlke and Cathi J. Fredricks. Genesis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 
2001. 

John Walton, Genesis. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

John Walton, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: 
Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible (Baker Academic, 
2006)

Gordon Wenham, Genesis 1­15. WBC. Dallas: Word, 1987. 

Gordon Wenham, “The date of Deuteronomy: linch­pin of Old Testament 
Criticism,” Themelios 10:3 (April 1985):15­20; 11:1 (September 1985):15­18.

Gordon Wenham, Genesis 16­50. WBC. Dallas: Word, 1994.

Gordon Wenham, “Grace and the Law in the Old Testament,” in Law, 
Morality and the Bible (IVP UK). http://www.the­
highway.com/law1_Wenham.html

* Gordon Wenham, The Book of Leviticus. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 
1979. See especially the Introductory material, passed out in class.

Gordon Wenham, Numbers, TOTC.

Gordon Wenham, “Sanctuary Symbolism in the Garden of Eden Story,” I 
Studied Inscriptions From Before the Flood: Ancient Near Eastern, Literary, 
and Linguistic Approaches to Genesis 1­11. ed. Richard S. Hess and David 
Toshio Tsumura; Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1994, 399­404.

* Michael Wilcock, The Message of Chronicles: One Church, One Faith, One 
Lord (BST)
* Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (BST)

Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Psalms 1­72: Songs for the People of God. 
BST. Downers Grove: IVP, 2001

_______. The Message of Psalms 73­150: Songs for the People of God. BST. 
Downers Grove: IVP, 2001.

* Michael Williams, Far As The Curse is Found (P & R).

* Al Wolters, Creation Regained.

Christopher J. H. Wright, “A Christian Approach to Old Testament Prophecy 
Concerning Israel,” in P.W.L.Walker, ed., Jerusalem Past and Present in the 
Purposes of God. Cambridge: Tyndale House, 1992. 
http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/jerusalem_wright.pdf

* Christopher J. H. Wright, Deuteronomy (NIBC)

* Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. 
Downers Grove: IVP, 1996.

Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing God the Father through the Old 
Testament IVP.

Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God.

Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God’s People.

* Christopher J. H. Wright, Old Testament Ethics for the People of God

Christopher Wright, Knowing the Holy Spirit through the Old Testament

E. J. Young, “The Human Writers of the Old Testament,” 
http://reformedperspectives.org/newfiles/ej_young/ej_young.humanwrittersoft
heot.pdf