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Knowing the Old Testament

Urim and Thummim

The story ahs been told of a young man who was a recent graduate of a theological seminary. Educated beyond his intelligence he had arrived at the spot where he thought he knew all the answers to all the theological problems and was eager to parade his knowledge. He came to a certain town where lived an elderly Christian layman who had never been to a Bible school or seminary but had taught himself the Word of God under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. In a very humble way he had gained a reputation as a man of wise counsel. When the prideful young theologian heard about him he said “I’d like to meet that man. I think I could ask him a question or two that he couldn’t answer!”

So a meeting was arranged. The first thing the young man said was “Sir I hear that you have quite a reputation as a Bible student. I’d like to ask you a question.” The old man said “Well I don’t know if I can answer it but I’d be glad to try. What is your question?” The young man said “Tell me what were the Urim and the Thummim? The old man thought a moment then said “Well sir I don’t know really and I don’t think anyone else does either. We do know the names mean ‘lights’ and ‘perfections’ and that these were the instruments by which the high priest could determine the mind of God in specific instances. Beyond that I don’t think I could go. But you know I’ve found that if we change just one letter in these words we have the instrument by which we can know the mind and will of God in our lives.”

The young man was a bit puzzled. “What do you mean?” The old man said “Well if you change the ‘r’ in Urim to an ‘s’ you’ll make it ‘Usim and Thummim.’ And when I want to know the mind of God I just take the pages of my Bible and I ‘Usim and Thummim.’ And by that means I can learn whatever I need to know!”

"THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE CHRISTIAN"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. What benefit is the Old Testament (OT) to the Christian today?
 a. Is the Christian under the OT as a system of justification?
 b. Should the Christian look to the OT for guidance regarding the
 work
worship
and organization of the Lord's church?
 -- If not
why even bother with reading and studying the OT?
 
2. It is true that Christians are not under the OT...
 a. Gentile Christians were never under the OT (or Old Covenant)
 1) The Old Covenant was made with the Israelites at Mt. Horeb
 (Sinai) - Deu 5:1-2
 2) Not even Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
etc.
were under the Old 
 Covenant - Deu 5:3
 -- Therefore Gentile Christians were not required to be 
 circumcised or keep the Law - Ac 15:1-29
 b. Jewish Christians have been delivered from the OT law
 1) Through the body of Christ - Ro 7:1-6
 2) By His death on the cross
Jesus brought the OT covenant to an
 end - Ep 2:14-16
 -- Its purpose was to lead the Jews to Christ - Ga 3:23-25
 
3. Unfortunately
some Christians conclude from this that we need not
 read the OT...
 a. I have known individuals who have been Christians for more than
 sixty years who had never read through the OT once
 b. I have heard of some who will not attend services if the Bible 
 class or sermon series is based upon the OT
 -- "Why bother
if we are not under the OT?"
is the reasoning of
 some
 
4. Is that the proper attitude of Christians toward the OT? This 
 attitude...
 a. Is wrong
contrary to the teaching of the NT itself!
 b. Deprives the Christian of a wonderful source of peace and comfort
 God provides for His children today!
 c. Prevents the Christian from gaining wisdom and understanding
 concerning the life that now is
and that which is to come!
 
[To help us to appreciate the value of the Old Testament
let's begin
by asking...]
 
I. WHY STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT?
 
 A. IT WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION - 1 Co 10:11
 1. Paul had just reminded the Christians at Corinth of Israel's 
 fall in the wilderness - 1 Co 10:1-10
 2. Note carefully what he says in 1 Co 10:11
  a. The events described may have happened to Israel
 b. But "they were written for OUR admonition
upon whom the
 ends of the ages have come"
 -- What we call the OT was written and preserved especially 
 for the benefit of Christians!
 3. We should not be surprised to see how often NT writers
 appealed to the OT in admonishing Christians
 a. As Paul does here
 b. As the writer of Hebrews
in exhorting Christians to remain
  steadfast - He 3:12-19
 c. As James
in encouraging Christians to be patient in their
 suffering - Ja 5:7-11
 d. As Peter
in warning of false teachers and scoffers 
 - 2 Pe 2-3
 
 B. IT WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING - Ro 15:4
 1. Paul had just appealed to a Messianic prophecy in the OT 
 - Ro 15:3
 2. Note carefully what he said in Ro 15:4
 a. Things "written before" (i.e.
the OT) were "written for
 OUR learning"
 b. Again
the OT was written and preserved especially for the
 Christians' benefit!
 c. The OT provides "patience and comfort"
that we "might 
 have hope"!
 3. The OT provides a record of God's faithfulness
how He kept
  His promises:
 a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel
 b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous
 c. To forgive the penitent
and protect the humble
 -- As we read this history of God's dealings with Israel
it
  gives us hope that God will keep His promises to us!
 
 C. IT MAKES ONE WISE REGARDING SALVATION IN CHRIST - 2 Ti 3:14-15
 1. Paul noted that Timothy had known the "Holy Scriptures" since
 childhood
 a. When Timothy was a child
the only scriptures available was
 the OT
 b. So Paul clearly had the OT in view
 2. He said the OT is "able to make you wise for salvation through
 faith which is in Christ Jesus"
 3. How is this possible? The OT provides:
 a. The fall of man and the rise of sin
 b. The background and development of God's scheme of 
 redemption
 c. Hundreds of Messianic prophecies which describe what to
 expect when He comes
 4. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New 
 Testament like:
 a. Hebrews
without an understanding of the Levitical 
 priesthood
 b. Revelation
without an understanding of OT prophecy and
 apocalyptic literature
 -- If one wishes to be wise concerning their salvation in Christ

 it is imperative to study the Old Testament!
 
 D. IT IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE
REPROOF
CORRECTION
INSTRUCTION
 IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - 2 Ti 3:16-17
 1. "All Scripture" would include the OT scriptures
especially in
 the context of this passage
 2. Therefore the OT is profitable for:
 a. Doctrine - such as the nature of God
man
and sin
 b. Reproof and correction - the need for repentance
 c. Instruction in righteousness - how to live godly lives
 3. Note that the apostles frequently appealed to the OT in 
 instructing Christians concerning their conduct:
 a. E.g.
Ro 12:19-21; 2 Co 6:16-7:1; 9:7-10
 b. E.g.
Ja 2:20-26
 c. E.g.
1 Pe 3:8-12
 
[Should the Christian study the Old Testament? Of course! Along with
the NT
it was written:
 
 "that the man of God may be complete
thoroughly equipped for 
 every good work." (2 Ti 3:17)
 
To not read and study the OT is to deprive one of much admonition

learning
wisdom
and instruction that God intended for His children!
 
In encouraging others to study the OT
let me offer some...]
 
II. SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING THE OLD TESTAMENT
 
 A. INCLUDE IT IN YOUR BIBLE READING PROGRAM...
 1. Do not limit your daily Bible reading to just the NT
 2. I encourage one to read the whole Bible through each year

 both OT and NT
 a. I usually start with Genesis and end with Revelation
 b. Others prefer reading portions from both OT and NT each day
 throughout the year
 -- The important thing is to make the OT a part of your regular
 study of the Bible
 
 B. CONSIDER USING A MODERN TRANSLATION...
 1. I grew up on the KJV
and had little problem with the NT; but
 the OT was extremely difficult for me
 2. In high school
I began reading the NASB
and the OT came 
 alive for me!
 -- I personally recommend either the NKJV or the NASB
 
 C. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BIBLE CLASSES OR SERMON SERIES...
 1. If your congregation offers a study in the OT
take it!
 2. If the preacher presents a series from the OT
give close
 attention to it!
 -- Don't be like some who won't attend whenever the class or
 sermon is on the OT
 
 D. GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PSALMS
PROVERBS
AND THE PROPHETS...
 1. Certainly all of God's word is of great value
 2. But one might appreciate the value of the OT more quickly
by
 giving attention to:
 a. The Psalms - as a great source of comfort
peace
and 
 drawing near to God
especially in troubling times
 b. The Proverbs - as a great source of practical wisdom for
 everyday living
 c. The Prophets - as a great source for learning about the
 righteousness
justice
mercy and love of God
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Should one study only those Scriptures that pertain to the covenant
 or dispensation under which they live? If so...
 a. The Jews should have discarded Genesis
and the first fourteen
 chapters of Exodus!
 b. We should discard the gospels
since Jesus lived and died under
 the Old Covenant!
 
2. We should not ignore the OT
for it provides...
 a. The background and setting of the NT
 b. Much in the way of admonition
learning
comfort
hope
even
 wisdom concerning our salvation in Christ!
 
Be careful not to neglect that which was written and preserved for OUR
benefit...
 
 "For whatever things were written before were written for OUR
 learning
that we through the patience and comfort of the
 Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
 
 "Now all these things happened to them as examples
and they 
 were written for OUR admonition
upon whom the ends of the
 ages have come." (1 Corinthians 10:11)
 
And remember that...
 
 "ALL Scripture is inspired of God
and is profitable..."
 (2 Timothy 3:16)

－－《Executable Outlines》

Introduction To The Minor Prophets
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. While Christians are not under the Old Testament as a system of 
 justification
the OT is of great value for us today...
 a. Written for our learning
it is a source of comfort and hope 
 - Ro 15:4
 b. Written for our admonition
we learn what mistakes to avoid 
 - 1 Co 10:11
 c. As with all scripture inspired of God
it is profitable "for 
 doctrine
for reproof
for correction
for instruction in 
 righteousness" - cf. 2 Ti 3:14-17
 
2. This is especially true with regard to "The Minor Prophets"...
 a. A collection of twelve books that make up the last part of the 
 Old Testament
 b. Beginning with Hosea
and ending with Malachi
 
3. Those willing to study these books will find their lives enriched as
 they increase...
 a. Their knowledge of God's holiness
righteousness
justice and 
 mercy
 b. Their understanding of God's dealings in the nations of men
 c. Their appreciation of the Bible as a literary masterpiece
 
[With this lesson
we begin a series of studies in which we will survey
"The Minor Prophets". Before we examine our first book
some 
introductory material may prove helpful...]
 
I. WHO WERE THE PROPHETS?
 
 A. THE OLD COVENANT HAD DIFFERENT KINDS OF INSTRUCTORS...
 1. There was Moses
the lawgiver - Neh 8:1
14; 9:13-14; Jn 1:17;
 7:19
 2. There were the priests
administrators of the law - Lev 10:
 8-11; Hos 4:6; Eze 22:26; Mal 2:7
 3. There were the wise men
who gave counsel - 2 Sam 14:1-24; 
 20:16-22
 4. There were the psalmists
poets who were the "sweet singers" 
 of Israel - cf. 2 Sam 23:1; 1 Chr 6:33
 5. There were the prophets
communicators of the Word of God
 
 B. A "PROPHET" WAS A SPOKESMAN FOR ANOTHER...
 1. Like Aaron was for his brother Moses - Exo 4:16; 7:1
 2. The word literally means "to boil up like a fountain"
 3. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit
a prophet...
 a. Was a spokesman for God - 2 Pe 1:21
 b. Was given something to say
and had to say it! - Jer 20:7-9
 4. A prophet was primarily a "forth-teller"
though sometimes a 
 "fore-teller"
 a. God's word often pertained to future events
  b. The fulfilled prophecies of these prophets are therefore a
 strong proof of inspiration
 -- But much of their word concerned not the future
but
 current events
 
 C. OTHER DESIGNATIONS HELP TO DEFINE THE ROLE OF A PROPHET...
 1. Early in Israel's history they were called "seers" - 1 Sam 9:9
 2. Another appellation was "man of God" - 1 Sam 9:6; 1 Kin 17:18
 3. Also known as a "servant of God" - 1 Kin 18:36; 1 Chr 6:49
 4. They served as God's "messenger" - Isa 42:19
 5. They were also assigned the role of "watchman" - Eze 3:17; 
 33:7
 
[The prophets were therefore servants of God
divinely appointed and 
inspired to proclaim His Word. At times
they were messengers of God's 
word as it applied to the present
serving as watchmen of the people of
God; other times
God's message pertained to the future
and as such 
they were "seers" of things to come.]
 
II. HOW ARE THE PROPHETS CLASSIFIED?
 
 A. IT IS COMMON TO SPEAK OF "ORAL" AND "LITERARY" PROPHETS...
 1. The "oral" prophets are those who left no writings bearing 
 their names
 a. Such as Elijah and Elisha - cf. 1 Kin 17; 2 Kin 2
 b. Many others
including Nathan (2 Sam 12)
Gad (2 Sam
 24:11)
Ahijah (1 Kin 11:29)
 2. Those who left books bearing their names are called the 
 "literary" prophets
 
 B. THE LITERARY PROPHETS ARE CATEGORIZED AS "MAJOR" AND "MINOR"
 PROPHETS...
 1. Augustine is credited with being the first to classify them in
 this way
 2. The distinction pertains only to the length of the books
 a. The "major prophets" include the books of Isaiah
Jeremiah

 Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
 b. The "minor prophets" are those twelve books from Hosea to 
 Malachi
 
[As we consider the works of the "literary" prophets
we should note 
that the order of the books in our Bibles is not chronological. 
Therefore it may serve useful to review...]
 
III. THE LITERARY PROPHETS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
 
Please note: Dating the prophets is not without controversy
and with
some it can be very difficult. What I provide below are the estimates 
among many conservative scholars...
 
 A. NINTH CENTURY (EARLY ASSYRIAN PERIOD)
  1. Obadiah (ca. 845 B.C)
 2. Joel (ca 830 B.C.)
 3. Jonah (790-750 B.C.)
 -- This is during the period of "The Divided Kingdom" in Israel's
 history; to the north and east the empire of Assyria was 
 beginning to make its presence known in Israel
 
 B. EIGHTH CENTURY (ASSYRIAN PERIOD)
 1. Amos (755 B.C.)
 2. Hosea (750-725 B.C.)
 3. Isaiah (740-700 B.C.)
 4. Micah (735-700 B.C.)
 -- In 722 B.C.
the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into 
  Assyrian captivity; these prophets were proclaiming God's 
 message as the nation was being threatened from the north
 
 C. SEVENTH CENTURY (CHALDEAN PERIOD)
 1. Jeremiah (626-586 B.C.)
 2. Zephaniah (630-625 B.C.)
 3. Nahum (625-612 B.C.)
 4. Habakkuk (625-605 B.C.)
 -- Assyria was eventually defeated by Babylon; these prophets 
 served as God's messengers when the Babylonian empire 
 threatened the kingdom of Judah
 
 D. SIXTH CENTURY (THE EXILE)
 1. Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.)
 2. Daniel (605-536 B.C.)
 -- Like many of their countrymen
these prophets were taken into
 Babylonian captivity; from Babylon they served as God's 
 messengers to both captives and kings
 
 E. SIXTH AND FIFTH CENTURIES (POST-EXILIC PERIOD)
 1. Haggai (520 B.C.)
 2. Zechariah (520-518 B.C.)
 3. Malachi (ca. 440 B.C.)
 -- After the Jews were allowed to return home from Babylonian 
 captivity
God used Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the 
 people to rebuild the temple; later
Malachi was used to 
 reform the priesthood during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah
 
[Finally
here are some thoughts on...]
 
IV. UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETS
 
 A. THREE THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND AS YOU STUDY THE PROPHETS...
 1. Seek to understand the political
social and religious 
 conditions of the times
 a. Any interpretation must consider how the message was 
 relevant for the people to whom the prophet spoke
 b. Secondary fulfillment of prophecy is often found in the NT

 but this can be understood only when applied by inspired 
 writers of the NT
 c. Guard against making interpretations that are purely 
  speculative
 d. Any application to modern events must be carefully 
 harmonized in light of the NT
 2. Consider God's relation to the heathen nations (i.e.
other 
 than Israel and Judah)
 a. The prophets often revealed how God directed their destiny 
 and judged them
 b. This may provide insight as to how Christ rules the nations
 today! - cf. Mt 28:18; Re 1:5; 2:26;27
 3. Note any teaching regarding the Messiah and His coming kingdom
 - Ac 26:6-7; 28:20
 a. The immediate mission of most prophets was to save God's 
 people from idolatry and wickedness
 b. Failing that
they were sent to announce God's judgment and
 the coming destruction of the nation
 c. But many prophets left a message of hope for the future

 regarding the Messiah who would come and establish a 
 kingdom that could never be destroyed!
 
 B. SOME OF THE GREAT THEMES DEVELOPED BY THE PROPHETS...
 1. The holiness of God - He is absolutely pure
righteous
just

 merciful
tender
loving
and longsuffering
 2. The sovereignty of God - He rules the universe and is above
 all
 3. The immutability of God's word
 a. He carries out His promises
 b. One can depend upon Him to act consistently with His Word
 4. The terribleness of sin
 a. God abhors iniquity
and will not tolerate
overlook
nor
 excuse it
  b. But He is willing to forgive those who humbly repent
 5. Repentance and righteousness
 a. This is the clarion call of the prophets
 b. Though severe is God's punishment of the wicked
yet God's
 mercy is great in loving kindness upon the righteous who 
 are of broken spirit and contrite heart
 6. The worship due God - The proper reverence
awe
and respect
 for God will cause one to praise Him and give thanks for His 
 wonderful grace and mercy!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Why study "The Minor Prophets"?
 a. This question was asked by a dear sister in Christ
when I 
 preached this series before
 b. She did not see the value of Christians studying this portion of
 the Old Testament
 c. Yet
she later remarked how much she got out of our study
 
2. Why study "The Minor Prophets"? Because in them we learn about...
 a. The nature of God
His holiness
justice
righteousness and mercy
 b. The workings of God
as He dealt with nations
bringing judgment
 upon the guilty
 ...which can help us in our relationship with God today
giving us 
 comfort and hope to face the future
knowing that God is in 
 ultimate control!
 
I hope this brief introduction has whetted your appetite to study "The 
Minor Prophets". Our next lesson will begin the study in earnest with
a look at the book of Obadiah...

──《Executable Outlines》