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The OT is inspired by God and it is useful!

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16–17, NLT

The OT is inspired by God and it is useful!

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16–17, NLT

The OT is inspired by God and it is useful!

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16–17, NLT

The OT is a true story

The OT is a story being told on 3 levels.

1. “Top level” story: the universal plan of God.

The “Top Level” StoryCreation

The “Top level” StoryCreation

The Fall

The “Top level” StoryCreation

The Fall

The Rescue

The “Top level” StoryCreation

The Fall

The Rescue

Restoration

The OT is a story being told on 3 levels.

1. “Top level” story: the universal plan of God.

2. “Middle level” story: Israel.

The “middle level” story: Israel• The start of the nation through

Abraham. • The growth of the nation though his

descendants. • The salvation of the nation by being

delivered from Egypt.• The establishment of the nation in the

Promised Land.

The “middle level” story: Israel• The drifting of the nation away from

God. • The destruction of Israel and its exile to

foreign countries.• Then the re-gathering of Israel out of

exile.

The OT is a story being told on 3 levels.

1. “Top level” story: the universal plan of God.

2. “Middle level” story: Israel.3. “Bottom level: story: a collection of

individual stories.

The OT must be viewed through the lens of the Old Covenant.

The OT must be viewed through the lens of the Old Covenant

Testament = Covenant = Contract

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.

Exodus 20:8–10, NLT

The “law” comes in three parts.

1. Civil law: the laws to govern Issrael as a nation.

The “law” comes in three parts.

1. Civil law: the laws to govern Issrael as a nation.

2. Ceremonial law: the laws to govern worship and the operation of the temple.

The “law” comes in three parts.

1. Civil law: the laws to govern Issrael as a nation.

2. Ceremonial law: the laws to govern worship and the operation of the temple.

3. Moral law: the laws that govern the moral conduct of the people.

“God’s office is at the end of our rope.”

–John Zahl

The OT is written in five types of literature.

1. The Law

The OT is written in five types of literature.

1. The Law2. History

The OT is written in five types of literature.

1. The Law2. History3. Wisdom

The OT is written in five types of literature.

1. The Law2. History3. Wisdom4. Psalms

The OT is written in five types of literature.

1. The Law2. History3. Wisdom4. Psalms5. Prophets

Prophets

Less than 2% of the OT prophecy is messianic. Less than 5% specifically describes the New Testament age. Less than 1% concerns events yet to come. The prophets indeed announce the future. But it was the usually the immediate future of Israel, Judah and other nations…rather than our future.

"I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.“

Isaiah 46:9-10

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