Old Testament Context: Part 1

In looking at how the Old Testament books fit together, I have divided them into three segments. The first is early history, the years preceding the Jewish kingdom. This period lasts nearly 3000 years and is probably the easiest to keep straight, because it starts with Genesis and continues straight through Ruth. These books fall in order chronologically as they appear in the Bible, with only Ruth and Job as exceptions.

GENESIS: Starting with creation around 4000 B.C., Genesis covers the longest time frame of any book, ending around 1800-1700 B.C. It is a book of beginnings: the beginning of the world, of the human race, of the conflict between God and man, of God’s promised redemptive plan, of civilization, and of the Jewish nation. Genesis is also a book of promises. These promises, linked to redemption, are given to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. While covering many years, Genesis has few major characters. Adam and Eve’s story in creation and the fall is followed by characters about whom little is known. Ten generations bring us to Noah: Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. The story of Noah and the flood is followed by a list of the next ten generations: Shem, Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abraham. The remaining major characters are the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. We see the beginning of the Jewish race through the choosing of Abraham, the very slow growth of the nation of Israel through Isaac and Jacob, and God’s preserving of the Jewish race through Joseph. The book ends with the growing nation having moved from Canaan to Egypt to escape a terrible famine.

JOB: Chronologically, Job is commonly considered to fall during the time of Genesis. This seems likely, as after the nation of Israel is started, we don’t typically see believers of God except in the context of Israel. Job is a strong believer, noted by God Himself as being without equal. With God’s permission and oversight, Satan brings horrific attacks against Job – destroying his wealth, his possessions, his family, and his health. Job struggles under those attacks, but ultimately recognizes that God does not have to explain Himself. Job submits to God, after which God restores and increases blessings upon him. Satan desires to destroy and discredit the possibility for a reconciled relationship with God, but the story of Job illustrates that Satan is wrong. God’s plan is good, and it will work.

EXODUS: Chapter 1 provides a transition between Joseph and Moses. God is preparing to return His people to Canaan after their 400 years in Egypt. Originally a nurturing setting for the young nation, Egypt has become a place of oppressive slavery. This book is a highlight of God’s plan, as God brings deliverance so amazing that no one would have dreamed it possible. The action of the story, with Moses as the primary character, likely takes place in less than a year (1400s B.C.). Moses, a Jew brought up in the palace of Egypt, obeys God’s instructions by confronting Pharaoh about delivering the Israelites. When Pharaoh consistently refuses, God sends a series of ten plagues that devastate Egypt. Finally forced by Pharaoh to flee, the Israelites are miraculously delivered at the Red Sea. The remainder of the book describes the first part of the journey toward Canaan, with its trials and God’s provision for this multitude in the wilderness. As the Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai, God gives the law and His instructions for the tabernacle they were to build as their place of worship. The book ends with the establishment of the tabernacle.

LEVITICUS: The book of Leviticus does not move the story line of Israel forward. It is a record of what God revealed to Moses at Mt. Sinai – the types of sacrifices, the rules for living, and the system of worship.

NUMBERS: This book picks up the action where Exodus left off and continues the story of Israel’s journey to Canaan. The first several chapters tell about the census of the people and some more laws; in chapter 7 we come to the dedication of the tabernacle. After a few more incidents, the Israelites arrive at the edge of Canaan. Ten of twelve spies bring back a report that conquest of the land is impossible; because of the unbelief of the people, God sends them into the desert to wander for forty years. The book ends as God brings the next generation back to the border of the land in preparation for conquest.

DEUTERONOMY: Like Leviticus, Deuteronomy does not carry the story line forward. These are Moses’ final words to Israel as they are on the brink of conquest. He reminds them of what God has done and challenges them to obey God and conquer the land. He reminds them of the law they are to keep; he tells of the blessings if they keep it and of the consequences if they don’t. These final words of caution, encouragement, challenge, and instruction come graciously from Moses, though he knows he will not enter the land with them. The book ends with his death.

JOSHUA: Now in the early 1400s B.C., the story shifts to Joshua, the next leader of Israel. The book begins with the crossing of the Jordan River and the initial victory at Jericho. Joshua is a book of battles and conquests, in which the Israelites win the land from the heathen nations that were established there. The territories for each tribe are established. The book closes with Joshua’s final challenge to the people to remain faithful to God, followed by Joshua’s death.

JUDGES: Judges covers about 300 years immediately following the end of Joshua. In some ways a sad book, it recounts the repeated failure of Israel to follow God instead of false gods. The Israelites had not thoroughly defeated their enemies, and they were influenced by the remaining heathen nations. There is a cycle of rebellion, oppression by other nations, cries for help, and relief. God keeps His redemptive plan alive by continuing to deliver His people. He does this through a series of judges (or deliverers), 14 of whom are named: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson. This book concludes this segment of Jewish history and leaves us around 1100 B.C., prepared for the kingdom to be established.

RUTH: The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the judges and describes a Jewish family who moves to Moab during a famine. The sons marry foreign wives before the husband and both sons die. Ruth, one of the daughters-in-law, returns to Bethlehem with Naomi. There she marries Boaz, the great-grandfather of King David. The story gives the assurance that Gentiles are also included in God’s redemptive plan.

As a whole, this group of books shows the need for redemption and the introduction to that plan. We see man’s sin and failures. A few people stand out because of their righteous living, and God uses these people within His plan. We also see God’s promises that He will bring redemption. We see the initial steps in that process, as God chooses the Jewish people, increases them as a nation, delivers and helps them. These are the critical beginnings of the nation through whom God has promised to bring the Redeemer. God is able to move His plan forward in spite of man’s rebellion, Satan’s opposition, slavery and servitude to other nations, and even sojourns of His people in foreign countries. While the stories focus primarily on the big group, we also see God’s personal intervention in the lives of individuals, such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Job, and Ruth.