Introduction to the Historical Books of the OT Synthesis of the OT – Historical Books Arturo Pérez [email protected]

Purpose of these OT classes “You can’t understand the true religion without understanding the historical background in which these spiritual truths have come to us.” – C.O. Gillis. 

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General: To have a general knowledge about the content and the background of each one of the books of the OT. Particular: To enable the students to articulate the topics of each one of the Historical & Poetical books of the OT knowing its importance for a deeper understanding in the New Testament.

Contents: (Weeks 1 to 8) Historical & Poetical Books of the OT Week 1- Introduction to the Historical Books Week 2- Joshua: Canaan’s conquer Week 3- Judges: Turbulent period of transition Week 4- Ruth: Messianic line in turbulent times Week 5- 1&2 Samuel: Starting the Monarchy Week 6- 1&2 Samuel: Continuation of the Monarchy Week 7- Kings & Chronicles: Division, Decadency and End of Israel’s Kingdom. Week 8- Kings & Chronicles: Conclusion

Contents: (Weeks 9 to 16) Historical & Poetical Books of the OT Week 9- Ezra & Nehemiah: Restoration after the exile Week 10- Ezra & Nehemiah : Israel’s religious, political and social reformation Week 11- Esther: Protection in the dispersion Week 12- Introduction to the Poetical Books Week 13- The book of Job Week 14- The book of Psalms Week 15- The book of Proverbs Week 16- The book of Ecclesiastes Week 17- The book of Song of Songs

Introduction to the Historical Books of the OT Synthesis of the OT – Historical Books Arturo Pérez [email protected]

Contents for this class 

Historical Books – Importance

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Historical Books – Elements to take into consideration for a profitable study

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Historical Books – Name & Contents

Importance of the Historical Books 

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They are a complement to the narrative of the Pentateuch. Historical period around ~ 1,000 years, from the Conquering of Canaan (1,400 B.C.) to the rebuilding of the city walls and the temple of Jerusalem after the captivity (~ 400 B.C.). They help you to understand the context of some Psalms and Prophetical books. Psal.51 cp. 2Sa.12; or Isaiah 1

Importance… (2/2) 

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Those books enlighten NT truths (Lc.4:24) They teach us great spiritual and moral lessons. (He.11; Jam.5:17) God’s personal character is manifested dealing with His chosen people. 

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God shows his Justice, Judgment, Grace, Love, Mercy, etc.

God’s centrality in mankind history. (2Re.19:35)

Elements to take into consideration 

The purpose of biblical historian inspired by the Holy Spirit was NOT to write a narrative about Israel’s events and surrounding nations. 

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Ej. Omri was a transcendental king in history (8 verses – 1Ki. 16:16-28); Ahab his son was not. However: 8 chapters for Ahab 1Ki.16:28 – 22:40).

Apart from history, these books contain laws, sermons, and philosophy. Besides, they show what are the results for obeying or disobeying God.

NAME: Why “Historical”? 

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The second SECTION of the OT is known as “Historical Books”. The order of the books of the OT has been a matter of historical development. Until 2nd century A.D., the order of the books was something irrelevant, because each books was just a collection of separated scrolls.

Jewish Division of the OT (Luk. 24:27,44) The Law 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

The Prophets

The Writings

Former

A. Poetical 14. Job 15. Psalms 16. Proverbs

6. Joshua 7. Judges 8. Samuel (1&2) 9. Kings (1&2) Latter

Currently called “Historical Books”

10. Isaiah 11. Jeremiah 12. Ezekiel 13. The TWELVE Minor Prophets

B. Five Rolls (Megillot) 17. Songs 18. Ruth 19. Lamentations 20. Ecclesiastes 21. Esther C. Historical 22. Daniel 23. Ezra-Nehemiah 24. Chronicles (1&2)

Current Division of the Old Testament The Pentateuch 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5. Deuteronomy Historical 6. Joshua 7. Jueces 8. Ruth 9. Samuel (1&2) 11. Kings (1&2). 13. Chronicles (1&2) 15. Ezra 16. Nehemiah 17. Esther

Poetical 18. Job 19. Psalms 20. Proverbs 21. Ecclesiastes 22. Songs Greater Prophets 23. Isaiah 24. Jeremiah 25. Lamentations 26. Ezekiel 27. Daniel

Minor Prophets 28. Hosea 29. Joel 30. Amos 31. Obadiah 32. Jonah 33. Micah 34. Nahum 35. Habakkuk 36. Zephaniah 37. Haggai 38. Zachariah 39. Malachi

Contents in the Historical Books 

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Joshua: Canaan’s conquering and tribal allotments under Joshua’s leadership. Judges: A cycle of: sin, oppression, repentance and deliverance of Israel through some Judges. Ruth: Life and love of Ruth the Moabite and her choice for the God of Israel. 1st Samuel: Last judge and the beginning of Hebrew monarchy during the lives of Eli, Samuel, Saul and David. 2nd Samuel: History of Hebrew kingdom from Saul to Solomon. 1st Kings: The history of the united kingdom under Solomon, and the divided kingdom until King Ahab in the North, and Jehoshaphat in the South. 2nd Kings: The history of the divided kingdom from Ahab’s death and Jehoshaphat, until the captivity of Israel and Judah.

Contents of Historical Books (2/3) 

1st Chronicles: David’s kingdom and his preparation to build the Temple. 

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Parallel with 2nd Samuel from a Priesthood’s point of view, recording only David’s good deeds including his death.

2nd Chronicles: Judah’s history from the kingdom of Solomon until Cyrus’ decree. 

Parallel with 1&2 Kings from a Priesthood’s point of view, and focused exclusively on the Southern Kingdom (David’s throne), and it doesn’t include any information about Elijah and Elisha.

Contents of Historical Book (3/3) 

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Ezra: Judah and Jerusalem’s restoration after Babylonian's captivity. Nehemiah: Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and Jewish awakening. Esther: Jewish’s providential liberation through queen Esther and Mordecai.

Appendix

Chronological View of the OT 1451

4004? BC

G E N E S I S

E X O D U S

N U M B E R S

1426 1116 1055

J O S H U A

J O D G E S

1016

807

605

1st

2nd

1st

2nd

S A M U E L

S A M U E L

K I N G S

K I N G S

562

414 BC

536

E Z R A

N E H E M I A H

1&2 Chronicles Job

Leviticus

Ruth Sal.

Deuteronomy

Legend Pentateuch

Historical Books Poetical

Prophets

Proverbs Songs

Babylonian Captivity

Ecclesiastes

(70 years) 605 - 536

Before

During

Jonah Micah Hosea Nahum Amos Habakkuk Isaiah Zephaniah Joel * Obadiah*

Ezekiel Daniel Jeremiah Lamentations

Esther

After Haggai Zechariah Malachi

NT