Old Testament Study

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Basic facts and Genesis

This study course will be made up of the 11 historical foundational books of the Old Testament. Within the time frame of these 11 books, the remaining books of the Old Testament interact, and were written. The first 11 chapters of the book of Genesis gives the account of Creation, the fall of man, the first murder, the tower of Babel, and the great flood.

From Genesis ch.12 to the last book of the Old Testament, it is God’s dealings with the nation of Israel, of which He raised up from the loins of Abraham; out of which would come the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ: who would be the Savior of all of mankind; ( In him shall the Gentiles hope etc. Isaiah 9:2, 60:3 Ephesians 3:6 )  the fulfillment of the promise, that God gave in Genesis 3:15, that from the woman’s seed, God would bruise Satan’s head.    Hallelujah !

 The following 11 historical books will make up this study course.

 Genesis

 Exodus

 Numbers

 Joshua

 Judges

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

Ezra

Nehemiah

Some basic facts

Genesis   

Genesis is the book of beginnings. The beginning of the universe, the human race, earth animals, sin,  redemption,  and the Hebrew ( Jewish ) people.

 Some main persons and events of Genesis.

Ch.1-5         God, Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Seth, Satan

   Events      Creation, fall of man, promise of a Savior, murder, Cain’s exile, birth of Seth

Ch.6-10       Noah and family

   Events      The Great flood judgment, God’s promise and sign of the rainbow

Ch.11          The people at Babel

   Events      The confusion of languages

Ch.12-50     Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

   Events      Beginning of Hebrew nation, Abrahamic covenant, Jews move to Egypt

 Exodus

Exodus deals with the deliverance of the Hebrew ( Jewish ) people from slavery, in Egypt, by the miraculous hand of God. At the close of the book of Genesis, Joseph and his family ( est. 75 people ) move to Egypt and after an increase in population were enslaved by Pharaoh. Another word for Exodus would be exit, departure.

 Some main persons and events of Exodus

Ch.1- 40      Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Pharaoh, Jethro

    Events    Birth of Moses, the call of Moses, the Plagues, the Passover, the Exodus,
                  the Red Sea, Jethro's advise, Giving of the Law ( Ten Commandments )
                  the building of the tabernacle and its furnishings

 Numbers

The first part of this book deals with the experiences of the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai; the latter part, their wanderings in the desert for forty years, thus, the theme of this book is considered by many, Wilderness Wanderings.

 Some main persons and events of Numbers

Ch.1-36      Moses, Aaron, priesthood, ten spies, Joshua, Korah, Balaam

    Events     Constant murmuring of the people, spies sent to spy out the land, Moses'       
                   intercessions, Aaron’s rod buds, Moses sin, smiting the rock, 
                   Balaam’s prophecies, years of wanderings, preparations to enter promise land

 Joshua

The book of Joshua records for the most part the military conquest of the promised land and concludes with instructions, for dividing the land. Joshua served under Moses and was appointed as his successor.

 Some main persons and events of Joshua

Ch.1- 24    Joshua, the 12 tribes, Rahab, Achan, Amorites, Gibeonites

  Events     Joshua assumes command, spies sent out, military campaigns, circumcision of    
                 the new generation of Jews, wall of Jericho falls, Achan's sin, Gibeonite's       
                 trickery, dividing of the land.

 Judges

After the 12 tribes of Israel settle down in the promise land Joshua dies, without leadership, the people begin to fall away from God and his commandments. God raises up Spirit filled Judges ( leaders ) that bring about  spiritual revival and unity.

 Some main persons and events of Judges

 Ch.1-21     13  Judges - Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Barak, Gideon, Tola, Jair,
                                       Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson

Events       Gideon's victory,  Samson slays a lion, slays 30 men, burns crops, slays 1000                  Philistine men,  defeated by a woman, his eyes put out, Samson destroys the 
                 temple of the Philistines and dies with many people. Civil war with the tribe
                 of Benjamin.

 1 Samuel

This book begins with the life of Samuel, who was called to the Prophets office, but is mainly about David.  After the time of the Judges, the people of Israel  want a King and Samuel is directed by the Lord to anoint Saul, to be the first king of Israel.

After disobeying God, the Lord rejects Saul; and David is chosen and anointed to be the next king; which brings about the persecution of David by Saul. 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are considered one book in the Hebrew bible, the Tanak.

 Some main persons and events of 1 Samuel

Ch.1-31       Samuel, Eli, Philistines, Saul, David, Jonathon, Nabal

     Events    Samuel’s birth, Eli’s sons die, Philistines capture the Ark of God, Ark is          
                   returned to Israel, Saul chosen as King, Saul is rejected, David is chosen and  
                   anointed, David kill giant Goliath, Saul persecutes David, David and      
                   Jonathon become friends, Saul and Jonathon are slain.

 2 Samuel

In this book, David comes to power, first over the tribe of Juda and some years later over all of Israel. This book records David’s victories, his personal sins of adultery, a plot of murder, and the numbering of the people. David’s daughter is raped by a half  brother, whom in turn, is murdered by another brother, Absolom: who is banished for his crime but later is brought back to Israel. Absolom stirs up a revolt against David which fails and is killed in the ongoing battle.

 Some main persons and events of 2 Samuel

Ch.1-24   David, Abner, Joab, Mephibosheth, Bath-sheba, Uriah, Absolom, Tamar,
                Hushai, Nathan

    Events   David becomes king, Jerusalem becomes the capital of Israel, David’s sin,         
                 Tamar is raped, the revolt of Absolom, the Ark is returned to Jerusalem, the      
                 Davidic covenant given, Absolom is killed.

 1 Kings

The first eleven captures records David’s death, and the reign of his son Solomon until his death.  Following the death of king Solomon, the kingdom is divided, each having its own king. The northern kingdom consisted of 10 tribes under the rule of Jeroboam, with the southern kingdom consisting of 2 tribes, under the rule of Rehoboam.

    * One must have an understanding of this division, to understand all the events that       transpire, leading up to the conquering and captivity of the 2 kingdoms by the Assyrians and Babylonians.

 Some main persons and events of 1 Kings

Ch.1-22   Solomon, Queen of Sheba, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, Jezebel

   Events   Solomon becomes king, God gives Solomon wisdom, Solomon has the temple   
                built, his reign as king, Shekinah-Glory fills the temple, The visit of Queen of        
                Sheba, Rehoboam’s foolishness, The ministry of Elijah

 2 Kings

 This book records the fall of the northern kingdom, the 10 tribes called Israel, with Samaria as their capital; the southern kingdom, consisting of 2 tribes known as Judah with Jerusalem as their capital. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians around 721 BC. and the southern kingdom was conquered around 606 BC. by the Babylonians. From the people taken captive by the Babylonians, there was three separate returns of the Jews, to their homeland.

 Some main persons and events of 2 Kings

Ch.1-25   Elijah, Elisha, Succeeding kings, Assyrians and Babylonians

    Events  Elijah taken to heaven by a whirlwind, Elisha succeeds him, signs and wonders   
                done by Elisha, Israel invaded, Judah invaded

 Ezra

An est.70 years lapse from the captivity and carrying away of the inhabitants of the southern kingdom, to their first return, led by Zerubbabel. These Jews restored their genealogy and set about to rebuild the temple, under much opposition,

 Some main persons and events of Ezra

Ch.1-10   Cyrus, Zerubbabel, Artaxerxes, Ezra

    Events  The return of Jews, building the temple, opposition from the inhabitants of the    
                land, Artaxerxes suspends the work, the work resumed, The prophets Haggai    
                and Zacharia encourage the Jews to complete the work, Ezra’s ministry.

 Nehemiah

This book records the return of Nehemiah with permission to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, the opposition to the rebuilding of the walls, and a great revival under Ezra.

 Some main persons and events of Nehemiah

 Ch.1-13   Nehemiah, Ezra

   Events   The rebuilding of the walls, opposition, Revival under Ezra

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Genesis

Book 1 - of the 11 foundational books

Other books during the time period of Genesis
Book of Job

ASSIGNMENT:

                         Genesis Ch. 1-5

Lesson 1

 1.  What did God do on the first day?________________________________________________________________

 2.  On what day did God create man?________________________________________________________________

 3.  What did God do on the 7th day?_________________________________________________________________

 4.  At what point did Adam become a living soul?________________________________________________________

 5.  What job did God give Adam to do in the garden? ____________________________________________________

 6.  Who gave names to all the animals?   1. God   2. Adam   3.  Eve

 7.  In your own words describe the creation of Eve_____________________________________________________
      ________________________________________________________________________________________

 8.  After being tempted by Satan, what 3 things compelled Eve to eat of the forbidden tree?________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________ 
     
 9.  Whom did Adam blame for his disobedience?   1. God  2. Satan  3. Eve

10. What curse did God put upon Satan_______________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Upon Eve?_________________________________________________________________________________

12.  Upon Adam?________________________________________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

13.  Why did God drive Adam and Eve out of the garden? _________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

14.  What kept them from going back into the garden?___________________________________________________

15.  Abel's occupation was  1. farmer  2. carpenter  3. sheep herder

16.  In your opinion why did Cain kill Able?____________________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

17.  The name of Adam’s 3rd son was   a. Saul  b. Seth   c. Enoch

18.  Adam lived how many years?   a. 800  b. 930  c. 730

19.  Enoch______________ with God and he was not; for God took him.

20  Name the three sons of Noah____________________________________________________________________

__________

 ASSIGNMENT:

                        Genesis 6-11

Lesson 2

 1.  Why did it repent the Lord that he had made man on the earth?___________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

 2.  Noah found __________in the eyes of the Lord.

 3.  The Ark was built out of what kind of wood?  a. oak  b. cedar  c. gopher

 4.  The size of the ark was_________________________________________________________________________

 5.  By what was God going to destroy mankind?________________________________________________________

 6.  How many days did it rain?

 7.  What mountain did the ark come to rest upon?_______________________________________________________

 8.  The second bird sent out of the ark was a___________________________________________________________

 9.  God told Noah that every living thing they could eat: what restriction did he put on this?_________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________
          
10. In your own words, what do you think God means in Genesis 9:6_________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What promise did God make, in the covenant that he made, with all mankind and animals at thistime?______________
       _________________________________________________________________________________________   

12. The token of this covenant was   a. clouds  b. rainbow  c. doves

13. Which of the brothers saw their father uncovered?  Shem - Ham - Japheth

14. Noah lived____________ years.

15. Nimrod was a mighty_____________ a. farmer  b. fisherman  c. hunter

16. In who’s day was the earth divided?  a. Elam  b. Sidon  c. Peleg

17. What do you think this means, the earth was divided___________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

18. At one time, all the earth was of one speech ( language )  true or  false

19. At the tower at Babel what did God do to the language of the people?____________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________
      To the people?______________________________________________________________________________

20. Why do you suppose God did this?_______________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

21. Abram’s ( Abraham ) father was.   a. Haran  b. Terah  c. Nahor

22. What was the name of Abram’s wife?   ____________________________________________________________

23. Abram and his family were from the land of.  a. Ur  b. Canaan  c. Harran

________________________

ASSIGNMENT:

                        Genesis 12-20

Lesson 3

1.   What command did God give to Abram concerning the land he was living in?________________________________

2.   What sort of blessings did God pronounce upon Abram?_______________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

 3.   Why did Abram go into Egypt?__________________________________________________________________ 

 4.   Abram and Lot departed company because- ________________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

 5.   When Lot was taken captive, what did Abram do about it?_____________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________________

 6.   To whom did Abram give a tithe to?_______________________________________________________________

 7.   God Appeared unto Abram.  a. by a tree   b. in a vision   c. in a dream

 8.   Why did God have Abram look up at the stars?______________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

 9.   How many years did God tell Abram, that his seed ( offspring ) would be afflicted 
      in  a  land that wasn’t theirs?  (Slaves in Egypt )   a. 200 yr..  b. 300 yr..  c. 400 yr..

10.  Who was Ishmael?___________________________________________________________________________

11.  How old was Abram when God changed his name to Abraham?_________________________________________

12.  What was circumcision a sign of?_________________________________________________________________

13.  Sarah’s name was_____________________ before God changed it.

14.  How did Abraham treat the 3 men that came to him at Mamre?________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________

15.  What did Sarah do, when they told them, they would have a son? a. cried   b. laughed

16.  Why were these 3 men ( angels ) going to Sodom and Gomorrah?________________________________________

17.  What did Abraham do, upon learning of their mission?_________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

18.  Why were the men of Sodom, (that had come to Lot’s house) struck blind?_________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________ 
      
19.  What happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?________________________________________________
       _________________________________________________________________________________________

20.  Who became a pillar of salt?____________________________________________________________________

21.  What evil thing did Lots daughters do?_____________________________________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

22.  Why did Abraham get Sarah,( his wife ) to pretend she was his sister?_____________________________________
       __________________________________________________________________________________________

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ASSIGNMENT:

                        Genesis 21-37

Lesson 4

 1.   Abraham was_______ years old when Isaac was born. 

 2.   Why was Hagar and Ishmael cast out by Abraham?___________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________________

 3.   God tested Abraham by requiring him to sacrifice  1. Best lambs 2. his son  3. wife

 4.   Sarah died at the age of____________________

 5.   She was buried in the cave of   1. Jottom  2. Jana  3. Machpelah

 6.   What prayer did God answer, for Abraham’s servant, when he was sent to get Isaac a wife?___________________
        ________________________________________________________________________________________

 7.  The name of Isaac’s wife was.  1. Rachel  2. Leah  3. Rebekah

 8.  The name of Abraham’s 2nd. wife was.  1. Keturah  2. Gomer  3. Hanna

 9.  Isaac was _________years old when he married Rebekah

10. Esau and Jacob were twins.  True - False

11. How did Jacob steal Esau’s blessing?______________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

12. What two women did Jacob marry?_______________________________________________________________

13. Which did he love the most?_____________________________________________________________________

14. Why was Jacob willing to serve Laben 7 Years?______________________________________________________

15. Besides his 2 wives, Jacob also had sons by what two women?___________________________________________

16. Rachel’s 1st son was.  1. Judah  2. Joseph  3. Ruben

17. God changed Jacob’s name to___________________________________________________________________

18. Esau forgives Jacob for tricking him out of his blessing and birthright.  True - False

19. Why did Jacob’s sons kill Shechem and the men of his city?_____________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Rachel’s 2nd and last son was. 1. Laban  2. Benjamin  3. neither

21. In what manner did Rachel die?___________________________________________________________________

22. Why was Joseph hated by his brothers?____________________________________________________________

23. What terrible thing did they do to Joseph?___________________________________________________________

24. What lie did they tell to Jacob ( Israel )_____________________________________________________________

25. The Midianites sold Joseph to.  1. Pharaoh  2. Amorites  3. Potiphar 

26. Including Joseph, how many sons did Jacob have?   a. 10  b. 12  c. 13

_________________

ASSIGNMENT:

                        Genesis 38-50

Lesson 5

1.  What rank did Potiphar made Joseph?  a. chief cook  b. overseer over all his house

 2.  Why did Potiphar send Joseph to prison?___________________________________________________________

 3.  What two men had their dreams interpreted by Joseph while in prison?_____________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

 4.  What sort of dream did Pharaoh have 2 years later?___________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

 5.  Who told Pharaoh about Joseph?    a. Butler  b. Baker  c. Potiphar

 6.  Pharaoh made Joseph ruler over all the land.  true - false

 7.  For what purpose did Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt, the 1st time?______________________________________

 8.  Why did Joseph prevent Simeon from returning home?_________________________________________________

 9.  What did the brothers discover in their grain sacks, besides grain?_________________________________________

10. Who’s sack was Joseph’s cup put into?  ___________________________________________________________

11. Benjamin was Joseph’s full blooded brother.  true - false

12. In your words: why do you think Joseph tested his brothers?_____________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

13. All of Joseph’s family moved to Egypt.  true - false

14. The name of the land that Joseph’s family moved to in Egypt was._________________________________________

15. How was it that Pharaoh ended up with all the land? ( except for the priests’ )________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

16. What was the name of Joseph’s 2 sons?____________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Jesus descended from the line of Judah, what blessing did Jacob pronounce upon Judah?________________________

18. In the remaining space; what lessons can we learn from the story of Joseph and his      
      brothers?    

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