Introduction to the Bible

Week 2

Initial Matters

What the Bible is not- • disconnected fables• moral tales• myths designed to explain human

experienceWhat the Bible is- The Living God’s

unified verbal self-disclosure that culminates in his direct self-disclosure, Jesus Christ.

HUMAN H

ISTORY

Story Arc

Climax

DenouementExposition

Falling ActionRising A

ctio

n

CREATION

†REDEM

PTION

RESTORATION

FALLCHRIST’S RETURN

Old Testament History

2 Timothy 3:16, 17- emphasis on AllRomans 15:4 – emphasis on everything

Bible books: Genesis – Esther (in Biblical order); Ezra-Nehemiah is later chronologically

Timeline: Creation - Fifth Century BC

Types

Old Testament History

Why is OT history important?• It’s a huge portion of scripture! • Our faith grows as we learn about

God’s past faithfulness. (Cf. Hebrews 12:1,2)

• Many of the events they describe ultimately point to Christ. (Cf. Luke 24:44; John 5:39)

What do these books record?

• “Space-Time” History- Not myths, moral talesJesus alludes to these events!• Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4-9)• Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:29)• Noah (Matthew 24:37,38)• Jonah (Matt 12:40)

• Prophetic history- Spiritually tailored, spiritually selected

What do these books record?

o Old Testament Narratives detail the unfolding of God’s plan as He fulfills two important promises: 1. God’s Promise to Abraham – nation, land,

blessing to the world.2. God’s Promise to David – one of his

descendants would sit on his throne and rule the world forever.

o Biblical history shows God’s faithfulness in spite of human rebellion and weakness.

Dissecting Biblical Narrative

Deep Spiritual Truths can be mined from the ground of Biblical narrative. What to look for:

1. The tension between what was promised and the circumstances of the main characters. Are there perceived obstacles?Fulfilling Abrahamic Promise, e.g. of tension-o No Children (Genesis 15:2-5)o Through Sarah (Genesis 17:19)o From Promise to Isaac’s Birth 24 years!

Dissecting Biblical Narrative

2. God’s faithfulness to His promise.3. The characters’ faith or lack of

faith--do they act ways that indicate they trust God’s promise?

4. Predictions about or foreshadowing of Jesus

a. Direct Predictions-Explicit description about a future event (e.g. Daniel 9)

b. Types

Biblical Types

Types are persons, institutions, or events that were designated by God to be models, previews, or pictures of something that was to come in the work of the Messiah (Jesus).

Examples of “Types”• Passover (Exodus 12;1 Corinthians 5:7b)• Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:6-9; John 3:14,15)  • Levitical Ritual System (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9)• King David (John 10:11;Ezekiel 37:24)• Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20, Psalm 110,

Hebrews 7)

Exercise- 2 Chronicles 20

ANALYSIS OF THE PASSAGE1. Read the whole passage2. Outline the passage

A. The people of God are threatened (1-4).B. Jehoshaphat’s prayer as a representative

(5-12)C. God’s answer through Jahaziel (13-17)D. Jehoshaphat and the people are emboldened

(18-23).E. God defeats the enemies (22-26).F. The results: joy and peace (27-30).

Exercise- 2 Chronicles 20

3. Look for repeated words or concepts.

4. Is this story related to God’s promise to Abraham or David? How?

5.What do we learn about God’s character from this passage? What do we learn about mankind from this passage?

Exercise- 2 Chronicles 20

APPLICATION OF THE PASSAGEPrayerfully consider questions like:• Are there principles about the way God operates

in this passage that have relevance for my life today?

WARNING! Beware of OT specific circumstances!

Principle(s): – Victory comes through humble faith– Listent to the Word, rather than the counsel of fear

• What have I learned and how can I put it into practice this week? this month?

• Is there any other Scripture that facilitates this application?