Old Testament Final Review
Explain the two ways the phrase "day of the Lord" is used.
In the immediate future Yahweh would judge Judah and the surrounding nations In the eschatological future, the Lord's purifying of the nations would lead to the salvation of Israel and believers from the nations
who are the key people in Job
Job Job's wife Three friends - Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar Elihu God
Outline the structure of Job
Job's circumstances: most righteous person on earth in his day, very wealthy, happy family God's evaluation: no one else on earth was like him Satan's response: Job is well-paid to be good. If his wealth was taken away, Job would curse God to His face. God permits a test from Satan: Satan takes away Job's health and the support of his wife; however, Job still doesn't curse God.
Unpack the message of the book of Ecclesiastes by using key repeated words and phrases and internally stated conclusions.
Message - Instruction on how to live in a fallen world since life can only be enjoyed when we fear God and are satisfied by what is eternal Repeated words/phrases: "Vanity" 37x "Life under the sun" 29x "Hevel" "Enjoy life" Internally stated conclusions: The value of wisdom The sovereignty of God The inevitability of death The enjoyment of life Remembering God
Pentateuch
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Discuss the key questions raised by Habakkuk along with the answers God gives and the prophet's final response to God's answers.
1. "Why does the Lord not punish injustice in Judah?" The lord explained that He was not ignoring Habakkuk's prayer or the violence in Judah but was in fact answering his prayer in a manner that was even beyond the prophet's understanding. The Lord was raising up the Bbabylonians (Chaldeans) to punish the wicked people in Judah for their sin. 2. "How can God use the Babylonains to punish Judah?" The Lord's response was that His sovereign purposes were beyond human understanding and could not be reduced to Habakkuk's simplistic formulas regarding who was most deserving of judgment. The Lord would ultimately punish sinners but in His time and His way. He would first judge Judah and then would judge Babylon. The Lord promised that He would protect and preserve the faithful even as He accomplished His work of judgment against the wicked. Though the Lord had delayed in executing judgment, the five woe oracles in 2:6-20 guaranteed the final destruction of the Babylonian empire. "Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion" "Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin" "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice" "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies" "Woe to him who says to wood, 'come to life' or to lifeless stone 'wake up'" 3. "Will the lord have mercy?" The Lord appeared to Habakkuk in a theophany and revealed to him that when God comes to earth He shakes the earth and causes the mountains to disintegrate when He marches out in glory as a warrior to fight on Israel's behalf God's ultimate purpose on earth is always to destroy evil and bring forth salvation to His people
key people of the Pentateuch
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph Adam and Eve Cain and Abel Noah Moses Joshua
Discuss the background of Habakkuk.
Babylonians replaces Assyrians as the dominant power in the ancient Near East at the end of the 7th century BC Babylonians (under the rule of Nabopolassar) declared independence from Assyria (626 BC) and then won a series of military victories over the Assyrians capturing the cities of Asher (614) and Nineveh (612). They then finished what was left of the Assyrian army at Haran (609) and Carchemish (605) Victory over the egyptians and assyrians (at carchemish) put Syria and Judah under Babylonian control. Nebudchudnezzar marched south from Carchemish and took a first wave of exiles [including Daniel] from Judha (605). He then took two more groups of exiles (597 & 586). Habakkuk prophesied before the just prior to the first Babylonian invasion (605) when Egypt was controlling Judah and Jehoiakim was king over Judah
Isaiah 53:8-12
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, And was numbered with transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
key events of the Pentateuch
Creation, fall, flood, divided nations Noah's ark Tower of Babel Abraham sacrifices Isaac The 12 sons of Jacob The burning bush The 10 plagues Crossing of the Red Sea The 10 Commandments
Discuss "The Ethical Imperative" of prophecy.
Daniel 12:3 Those who speak of true prophecy from the Lord will be blessed and glorified eternally while those who are false prophets and tell of untrue signs will be judged before the Lord.
Identify the top 10 events in David's life
David's anointing David kills Goliath David's marriage to Michal David meets and marries Abigail David becomes king of Judah David becomes king of Israel David captures Jerusalem David brings the ark to Jerusalem Desire to build kingdom David and Bathsheba
What does the "vision of the dry bones" in Ezekiel mean? Include at least two 21st century applications/truths for believers today?
Ezekiel 37 Confirmed the lord's promise to restore and spiritually renew the people of Israel Applications: 1. Reminds us of Christ's promise to raise up all who die in Jesus Christ. 2. Dry bones will try to take over our lives (depression, comparison, etc), but God has the power to speak life into us instead and fill us with His goodness.
What is God's summation found in Job
People face inexplicable suffering Job is helpful in understanding some of the most difficult cases in life God is just and we are not God does not use retribution theology
Catalog the four sign acts in Ezekiel and explain what they teach about jerusalem.
Sign of clay tablets - the people's sins separated them from God's presence and protection Lying on his side - the accumulated sin of Israel and Judah Defiled bread - future famine conditions in the besieged city of Jerusalem Razor and hair - only a tiny remnant would survive the fall of Jerusalem Teaching: God was going to pour out his wrath on sinful people. The fall of Jerusalem was near.
Explain the dream interpretation in Daniel chapter 2.
Statue: 1. Gold head: Nebuchadnezzar and the Kingdom of Babylon 2. Silver arms: Meda-Persia 3. Brass belly: Greece 4. Iron mixed with clay feet: unnamed but commentators identify it as Rome Feet of iron and clay indicated the instability of the entire statue Dream: Stone falls on the feet of the statue and the whole thing collapses Davids interpretation: This is God saying what will happen in "the last days" Elements of the statue crushed and replaced with a falling stone Falling stone = "kingdom of god" Daniel explained that in the ten days of the 10 toes of iron and clay, the God of heaven would destroy the earlier kingdoms symbolized by the stone falling on the toes of the statue The stone falling on the feet would cause the preceding kingdoms to disintegrate; then God replaced them with the kingdom of God (the stone) Premillennialists identify the stone with the second coming of Christ because only then will human governments literally be replaced by the kingdom of God on earth. [Essence pg. 356]
Explain what the 10 commandments teach about God and community. Utilize the New Testament teachings of Jesus and the 10 commandments.
The 10 Commandments reveal to us how to serve God and love others well. The first 4 are about our relationship with God while the other 6 are about our relationship with others. The 10 Commandments help us to know who God is - that He is just, lawgiver, and honorable. The 10 Commandments also are central to the ethics of the New Testament. When the rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus listed off commandments about community.
Explain the theme of the book of proverbs.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because God is the ultimate source of truth
Contrast the personal character of the prophet Jonah and the rest of the characters in the book including God.
The lord has a redemptive concern for all peoples, while Jonah that the Lord's mercy and grace were only for Israel because of its special status as the chosen people of God. [Jonah has a prejudice against the Assyrians and unresolved anger - he thought God's mercy should only extend to Israel so he was displeased at the Lord's salvation of others. Lord's question: "Should I not be concerned about that great city?] The Lord is merciful in sparing Jonah even when the prophet disobeyed the command to go and preach to Nineveh Foreigners feared the Lord and presented themselves more spiritually sensitive to the Lord than Jonah did
Explain the purpose of the book of proverbs.
To impart moral discernment and discretion Mental clarity and perception Practical righteousness and preventative grace
what do the top 10 events in David's life teach you about your spiritual journey?
While David has many highs in his ministry, he also falls into sin, seen through his attempt to be with Bathsheba. Although David loved the Lord, he still fell into temptation. This reminds me that God isn't finished with me yet. Despite my sin, God continues to choose me and use me as a vessel. When God forgives David, it is a reminder to not take God's mercy for granted because it is a great gift.
10 commandments
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall make no idols. You shall not take the Lord's name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Honor your father and mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet.
Who is the only prophet with a royal family connection.
Zephaniah
themes of the Pentateuch
covenant obedience and renewal, validity in the law, holiness and cleanliness, offering sacrifices, blessings and curses