Religious Education 2

OLD TESTAMENT
Pentateuch
- Means five books.
- Greek words Penta (five) and teuchos (books)
- Also known as Torah in the Jewish tradition
- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
- The main theme of the Pentateuch is the origin of the world, the connection bet. God and man.
- The stories of the people of God “Israelites”
- The fathers of Faith to God “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses”
1. Genesis
-the first book of the Pentateuch, a five-part collection on the birth of the nation of Israel – from Creation to
Israel entering Canaan.
- meaning origin
- serves as the Prologue of the Bible
- around 1400 BC.
Content/Overview:
• Genesis 1-11 is a brief outline of history beginning with creation, the fall and the spread of sin, to the
origin of people groups and languages, all in need of redemption.
• Genesis 12-50 are the patriarchal stories: God partners with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Joseph, in
establishing Israel and a plan of redemption.
2. Exodus:
- - The Biblical book of Exodus describes the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, so it's no surprise
that the word has come to refer more generally to any mass departure. The word itself was adopted into
English (via Latin) from Greek Exodos, which literally means "the road out." The Greek word was
formed by combining the prefix ex- (meaning "out of") and hodos, "road" or "way.“
 The purpose of Exodus was to help the people of Israel understand their identity as God's special people,
and to learn about their covenant obligations to him.
 The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt marked the end of a period of oppression for Abraham’s
descendants, and the beginning of the fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham that his
descendants would not only live in the Promised Land, but would also multiply and become a great
nation.
 It took 40 years to journey from Egypt to the promise land.
3. LEVITICUS
- traditionally attributed to Moses as the author.
- The word Leviticus derives from the tribe of Levi, whose members were set aside by the Lord to be His priests
and worship leaders. As a title, the word is translated from the Septuagint, meaning ‘pertaining to the Levites’.
- The first known use of Leviticus was in the 14th century.
• The book of Leviticus was written between 1440-1400 BC, covering events between 1445-1444 BC.
• The Exodus occurred in 1445 B.C. and the tabernacle was finished one year later.
• Leviticus records God’s design for the sacrificial system of Israel. About 42 times the word sacrifice is used.
“Priest” occurs about 189 times, “blood” about 86 times, “holy” about 87 times, and “atonement” about 45
times (all depending on the translation you are reading). The regulations emphasize holiness of both body and
spirit, of both physical and spiritual life. The New Testament refers to Leviticus about 90 times.
• It is to provide instruction and laws to guide a sinful, yet redeemed people in their relationship with a holy
God. There is an emphasis in Leviticus on the need for personal holiness in response to a holy God. Sin must be
atoned for through the offering of proper sacrifice.
 4. NUMBERS
- the fourth book of the Bible, and it carries forward the story of Israel after their exodus from slavery in Egypt.
God brought them to Mount Sinai and entered into a covenant with them. And despite Israel’s rebellion, God
graciously provided a way for them to live near his holy presence in the tabernacle.
- have been written during the 15th or 13th century and attributed to Moses as the author
- it continues the narrative of the Israelites' journey from Sinai to the Promised Land which is the Canaan. It
includes census data, legal instructions, and highlights events like the sending of spies and the rebellion of
Korah.
5. DEUTERONOMY
-Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. It stands last in the section known as the
books of the Torah, the Pentateuch, or The Books of Moses.
- The name Deuteronomy comes from the Septuagint’s Greek title for the book, to deuteronomion, meaning
“second law” or“repeated law,” a name tied to one of the Hebrew appellations for the book, Mishneh Torah.
- must be written around the 7th century BC
- attributed to Moses but still debatable, there are claims that Joshua finished the book.
It consists of Moses' speeches, serving as a reminder of God's covenant and laws before Israel enters the
Promised Land.
• it aims to reinforce the importance of obeying God's commandments and adhering to the covenant. It
emphasizes God's faithfulness and Israel's responsibility to follow His laws for their well-being in the Promised
Land.

The twelve historical books

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and First Kings are the
books in the Hebrew Bible.

Joshua:
• Written by Joshua, believed to be completed around 1400-1370 B.C.
• Retells the narrative of possessing, conquering, and dividing the promised land.
• Thematic core lies in God's faithfulness to His promises.
• Key verses emphasize God's promises and the necessity of adherence to His law for success.
• The narrative emphasizes the spiritual dimensions of obedience, sincere service to the Lord, and the critical
nature of leadership transitions.

Judges:
• Traditionally attributed to Samuel but authorship uncertain.
• Derives its name from the leaders called judges whom God raised to deliver Israel from oppression.
• Dated from 1050 to 1000 B.C.
• Chronicles seven cycles of decline, oppression, supplication, and deliverance.
• Emphasizes the need for righteous leadership in the absence of national morality.
• Highlights the consequences of disobedience and the redemptive nature of God when His people turn back to
Him.

Ruth:
• Named after Ruth, a Moabite woman, the great-grandmother of David, and part of the lineage of the Savior.
• Presents a story of loyalty, purity, and love amidst anarchy and depravity.
• Highlights God's faithfulness to those who walk with Him in faith.
• Notable verses include Ruth's heartfelt commitment in 1:15-17 and the pivotal events surrounding the
Kinsman-Redeemer in 3:11-13.

First Samuel:
• Believed to be written by Prophet Samuel and likely completed around 930 B.C.
• Traces the transition from judges to kings, focusing on Saul and David.
• Documents the divine origin of the Davidic dynasty.
First Kings:
• Continues the narrative of Israel's kingdom narrative from David's death and Solomon's reign.
• The central theme is disobedience leading to the disruption of the kingdom.
• Highlights the importance of faithfulness to God's covenants.

Book of Second Kings:

• Continues the historical narrative from 1 Kings, dated around 550 B.C.
• Covers the period of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, emphasizing the consequences of willful sin.
• Highlights the departure of Elijah, Elisha's miracles, the healing of Naaman and Gehazi's greed, the capture of
Syria, Israel's fall and the Assyrian Captivity, Sennacherib's invasion and Hezekiah's prayer, Josiah's revival and
reforms, and the fall of Judah to Babylon.

First Chronicles:
• Written by Ezra, likely compiled between 450-425 B.C.
• Covers the history from Adam to the death of King Saul, focusing on the reign of King David.
• Serves as a spiritual editorial aimed at the returned exiles, reminding them of their royal lineage from David
and their status as God's chosen people.
• Highlights the consequences of apostasy, idolatry, intermarriage, and lack of unity.

Second Chronicles:
• Written by Ezra, completed between 450-425 B.C.
• Focuses on the Southern Kingdom of Judah, emphasizing godly kings and religious elements, particularly the
temple.
• Highlights reform and revival under kings, offering a priestly perspective on Judah's history.

Ezra:
• Written between 457 B.C. and 444 B.C.
• Details the historical and spiritual restoration of the Jewish Remnant following the Babylonian exile.
• Highlights God's fulfillment of promises and the importance of obedience to His law in the restoration of His
people.

Nehemiah:
• Possibly authored by Nehemiah or Ezra around 445 B.C. to 425 B.C.
• Details the historical account of the Jewish Remnant's restoration under Nehemiah's leadership.
• Highlights God's evident hand in reestablishing His people after exile.

Esther:
• Set between the events of the first and second returns led by Zerubbabel and Ezra.
• Reveals the providential care of God for His people in the face of trials and persecution.
• Highlights the theme of divine protection amidst adversity.

MAJOR PROPHETS
Prophets are the messenger of God.
Isaiah:
• Written between the third and second centuries B.C.
• Comprises 66 chapters and foretells events of destruction, judgement, salvation, and redemption.
• Offers a message of hope about a suffering servant, a coming messiah, who would establish God's kingdom
and create a New Jerusalem.

Jeremiah and Lamentations:

• Written in 605 BC, and about 586 BC.
• Authored by the prophet Jeremiah.
• Has 52 chapters and four major areas: calling of Jeremiah, prophecies concerning Judah, other nations, and fall
of other nations.
• Has five chapters: sorrow experienced by the writer and the city, reasons for the Lord's anger, human
perspective of destruction, and prayer for the city.
• Explains the disaster of exile as God's response to Israel's pagan worship.

Ezekiel:
• Written in 570 BC.
• God shows Ezekiel future events and warns about Judah's punishment.
• Has 48 chapters divided into four major sections: prophecies of Jerusalem's destruction, prophecies for other
nations, Israel's repentance, and details of hope for Israel's future.

Daniel:
• Last written record of events by Daniel occurred around 536 BC.
• Comprises 12 chapters, a mixture of historical events and future prophecies.
• Covers a combination of prophecies and history with an eschatology.
• The message is that God will save all Israel in their present oppression.

MINOR PROPHET
Hosea and Amos
• Composed in the second half of the eighth century, in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
• Amos focused on the economic disparities created by Israel’s newfound wealth.
• Hosea focused on the theme of Israel’s loyalty to God.
• Amos criticized the wealthy Israelites’ lack of concern for the fate of the poor.

Micah
• Prophesied at the end of the eighth century in Judah, the Southern Kingdom.
• He was active at the same time as Isaiah, whose prophecies are recorded in the first part of the long Biblical
book bearing this name.
• Micah was a practical and national thinker, while Isaiah had a more universal vision.

Obadiah, Nahum Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

• All prophesied around the time of the destruction of Judah.
• Zephaniah refers to idolatry and corruption in Jerusalem, describing the punishment of the impending “day of
the Lord.”
• Nahum’s prophecy speaks about the fall of Nineveh, which was conquered by the Babylonians in 612 BCE.
• Habakkuk focused on the social injustice in Judah and announced its destruction at the hands of the
Babylonians.

Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi

• All prophesied after the Babylonian exile.
• Haggai encouraged the people to rebuild the Temple despite their grinding poverty.
• Zechariah focused on the theme of God choosing and desiring Israel.
• Malachi spoke about the social and religious problems of the return to Zion: neglect of sacrifices and
intermarriage.

Joel
• The dating of the entire book of Joel is uncertain.
• Joel chapters 1-2 prophesy about a plague of locusts that would come upon the land, and urge the people to
pray and repent.

Jonah
• One of the Twelve Prophets stands out as unconnected to any historical event.
• Jonah attempts to escape from God’s Presence, but encounters God’s policy of reward and punishment.