OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY The Pentateuch

1.) Structure of the Pentateuch -First 5 Books of the Old Testament; means “5 scrolls.” 1.) GENESIS 1-11 // THE HUMAN DILEMMA 2.) GENESIS 12 – DEUETERONOMY // THE DIVINE RESPONSE IT’S MADE UP OF TWO SECTIONS -Also known as the “Torah,” which means “teaching.” -Covers creation – 1450 BC.

2.) Formation of the Pentateuch A.) Traditional View – Moses wrote it. -Exodus 17:14, 24:4, Deut. 31:24 -Well-educated in Pharaoh's household (Acts 7:22) -Considered the writer after his death -Neh. 8:1, Mark 12:26, Luke 2:22, Acts 13:39 -Bible says he wrote it.

2.) Formation of the Pentateuch B.) Higher-Critical View -4 different sources/writers – “J,E,P, & D” -J = Jehovah writer // E = Elohim writer P = priestly writer // D = Deuteronomy writer P = priestly writer // D = Deuteronomy writer -Genesis 1 & 2 – start off as primary evidence - Why do people believe this? Different names for God; duplicate narratives (Gen. 1 & 2); Different vocabularies; Different writing styles; Different theologies (ex. J shows more of a human God) -Documentary Hypothesis

2.) Formation of the Pentateuch C.) Modified-Traditional Approach -This is why it seems there are 2 different writers. - All in all? Moses maybe wrote 90% of the Pentateuch, but there was some he probably didn’t. Deuteronomy 34:5-12, Moses dies – did he write this? Numbers 12:3 – Would Moses write this about himself? -Author is Moses. -Moses used different sources to write it himself. -Ex: He wasn’t even alive when the events of Genesis took place.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY The Book of Genesis

Interpretive Issues - Creation Myth : Enuma Elish (1100 BC) 1.) It’s relationship to other mythical stories. -Main problems: 1.) polytheistic 2.) Gods are sexually created. 3.) Gods are given over to sin and selfishness. 4.) Humans have no dignity. - Flood Myth : The Gilgamesh Epic (1600 BC) -Main problems: 1.) Reason for the flood 2.) 7 days here & 40 in Bible. 3.) Construction 4.) Reason for saving heroes is different.

Interpretive Issues What do we say to “mythical” skeptics? If Moses borrowed from these stories, he did a terrible job of it. If he didn’t borrow, then we know there really was a flood.

Interpretive Issues Two Affirmations to make about Bible & science: 2.) Its relationship to science. 1.) They are compatible. 2.) God’s purpose in Genesis was not science but theology.

Content of Genesis 1.) Primeval History (Gen. 1-11) 2.) Patriarchal History (Gen )

1.) Primeval History (Gen. 1-11) -When did it happen? Around 4004 BC. Creation -Genesis 1:1-2:25 recounts the creation of everything that exists. It is the main focus here. -Seem to be 2 different stories.

1.) Primeval History -The length of creation – how long did it take? Some Issues in Creation History -3 different ways to understand the word “day.” 1.) Day = 24 hour period (Gen. 1:5, day/night) 2.) Day = era/age – could be 24 hours or a longer period of time 3.) Day = literary device (Is Gen. 1 a poem?)

1.) Primeval History -The use of the word “us” in 1:26-31 Some Issues in Creation History -3 different ways to understand the word “us.” 1.) Heavenly court 2.) “Plural of majesty” 3.) Trinity – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit

1.) Primeval History -The idea of the word “image” Some Issues in Creation History -Gen. 1:26 – Man made in God’s image. 1.) Physical similarities (Jesus = God in flesh) 2.) Spiritual Resemblance 3.) Functional idea

1.) Primeval History -Chapters 2-3 – Rebellion in the garden with the first man and woman – Adam and Eve. Humanity’s Rebellion -Chapters 4-11 – Rebellion of the rest of the world. -Starts with Cain and Abel. (Gen. 4) -Moves to the whole world. (Noah – Gen. 6) -The climax is Tower of Babel (Gen. 11)

2.) Patriarchal History (Gen ) 1.) Abraham This is divided to the patriarchs (fathers). 2.) Jacob 3.) Joseph

2.) Patriarchal History (Gen ) -His life is narrated in chapters Abraham Significant Parts -11:27-12:4 // He is called by God. -15:1-21 // God makes a covenant with Abraham. Child and descendants promised. -22:1-14 // Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son, Issac.

2.) Patriarchal History (Gen ) -His life is narrated in chapters Jacob -Has conflict with Esau, Laban, then God. -God changed his name to Israel after Jacob wrestled with him for some time. -Has 12 sons – thus, the 12 tribes of Israel. -He is the grandson of Abraham (son of Issac).

2.) Patriarchal History (Gen ) -His life is narrated in chapters Joseph -Was a dreamer/prophet; interpreted dreams. -Saw himself ruling in a dream and made his brothers mad. They sold him; faked his death. -He eventually does rule. He had purity (39:1-20), persistence (37:2), and providence of God working (50:15-20). -He is a son of Jacob.

2 Themes of the Book of Genesis -God created. 1.) The Sovereignty and Power of God -God, himself, was not created. Always existed. -In the flood, we see he is in control of the world. -Also with Tower of Babel and Joseph’s story. 2.) Sin and Judgment -Adam and Eve’s sin judged. -Peoples’ sin in the flood account judged. - Tower of Babel, Sodom/Gomorrah, Joseph’s bros.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY The Book of Exodus

The Book of Exodus -It means “to go out.” -Assumed in tradition that Moses wrote it. -Most of the book is a story concerning him and the “exodus” of his people (the Israelites) from Egyptian captivity.

1.) The Dating of Exodus A.) 15 th century – based on 1 Kings 6:1. B.) 13 th century – based on extra-Biblical resources. Weaknesses: -Conflict with 1 Kings 6:1. -Information and generalizations are changed.

2.) The Route of the Exodus 1.) NORTHERN -Hebrews followed a strip of land south of the Great Sea coming into the northern area where Mt. Sinai was. -There would have been plenty of quail for them to eat this way – Exodus 16:13. Three different options -Would’ve come across Amalichites – Exodus 17.

2.) The Route of the Exodus 1.) NORTHERN – PROBLEMS W/ THIS ROUTE a.) God forbade this route because of the Philistines in Exodus 13:17. Three different options b.) This area has impossible sand dunes to pass. c.) This area is where the Egyptians had much territory; it wouldn’t have made sense for the Israelites to walk into their domain.

2.) The Route of the Exodus 2.) CENTRAL -Hebrews would’ve crossed the Sea of Reeds. -Moses knew the Midianites, who were in areas along this route. Three different options -This area contained volcanic activity, which would explain events in Exodus 19:16-25.

2.) The Route of the Exodus 2.) CENTRAL – PROBLEMS W/ THIS ROUTE a.) Midianites were nomadic; might not have been in this area at that time. Three different options b.) To say events of Exodus 19:16-25 are a volcano brings some problems. -People can’t be that close to a volcano and live.

2.) The Route of the Exodus 3.) SOUTHERN -This is the traditional belief. -They cross the Red Sea (waters parted) down to the Sinai peninsula. Three different options -Deut. 1:2 implies it took 11 days to get from Sinai to Kadesh Barnee; works with this route. -This area is known as Jebel Musa. -We have inscription that says Jebel Musa is where God revealed himself to Israelites.

The 3 Possible Exodus Routes

3.) The Content of Exodus 1.) Israel in Egypt (Exodus 1-13) 2.) Israel in the Wilderness (Exodus 14-18) 3.) Israel at Sinai (Exodus 19-40)

4.) The Themes of Exodus 1.) The Presence of God -God isn’t mentioned until Exodus 2:23. -He’s with Moses as he keeps going to Pharaoh. -God’s presence was a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day as they traveled. -God told Moses to build tabernacle (and how). -It was built. Exodus ends with a cloud covering the tent and the glory of God filling it. They couldn’t go in.

4.) The Themes of Exodus 2.) The Covenant with the People -First covenant was made with Abraham in Gen. -It’s carried to a 2 nd stage in Exodus (19-24). -In 19:1-6, he initiates the covenant as they came to Mt. Sinai. -In chapters 20-23, he gave them the substance and conditions of the covenant – the 10 Commandments.

QUESTIONS?

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY