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Introduction to Old Testament Historical Books

Instructor Background

  • Dr. Andy Chung introduces himself as the instructor for the Old Testament course, emphasizing his 37 years of ministry experience and recent retirement to serve in the mission field.
  • He currently serves as the director of Global Student Development and expresses a desire to connect with students globally.

Course Overview

  • The course focuses on an exposition of historical books from Joshua to Esther, highlighting their biblical theology, key themes, genre, and application methods.
  • Classes will be conducted online via Zoom over a 16-week session, requiring active student engagement through assigned readings and coursework.

Importance of Historical Context

Understanding Redemptive History

  • The historical books provide a chronological framework essential for understanding Israel's redemptive history within both the Old and New Testaments.
  • Students are encouraged to read both the Bible texts (Joshua through Esther) and selected textbooks by Gleason Archer and Eugene Merrill for deeper insights into these historical contexts.

Course Requirements

Reading Assignments

  • Students must complete assigned readings from both biblical texts and textbooks before each class session to ensure preparedness for discussions.

Research Paper Guidelines

  • A research paper is required on a selected topic related to the course material; it should be 10 pages long (excluding title page and bibliography) with proper scholarly support.
  • Emphasis is placed on avoiding reliance on AI tools for writing assignments; integrity in academic work is crucial in seminary education.

Ethical Considerations in Academic Work

Integrity in Scholarship

  • Dr. Chung stresses that using AI-generated content undermines personal integrity and honesty before God, which is vital for those serving in ministry roles.
  • He encourages students to focus on glorifying God through their academic efforts rather than merely achieving grades at university, reinforcing the importance of ethical scholarship in theological studies.

Course Introduction and Requirements

Integrity and Course Interaction

  • The instructor emphasizes the importance of integrity, urging students not to deceive themselves regarding their responsibilities in the course.
  • Students are encouraged to utilize the online course site for downloading materials and interacting with both the professor and classmates.

Required Textbooks

  • Essential textbooks include the Bible, "Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel" by Dr. Eugene Merrill, and "A Survey of the Old Testament" by Gleason Archer.
  • Students are advised to take notes while reading scripture to enhance understanding.

Class Schedule Overview

  • The first session includes an introduction to the course syllabus and a brief survey of historical books.
  • Reading assignments for next week include Joshua chapters 1 through 8, along with specific pages from Merrill's and Archer's textbooks.

Reading Assignments and Grading

  • The instructor reassures that reading requirements are manageable compared to previous seminary experiences involving multiple textbooks.
  • By week three, students will cover Joshua chapters 9 through 24; Easter recess is noted with no classes during that period.

Coursework Deadlines

  • Final exam scheduled for May 18th through May 22nd; research papers due by May 20th at 11:59 PM PST.
  • Late assignments will not be accepted; students must adhere strictly to deadlines for all coursework.

Course Structure and Content

Research Paper Guidelines

  • Research paper constitutes 30% of the final grade; topics provided should lead to a paper approximately ten pages long.

Course Policy Insights

  • Emphasis on self-exploration in learning; students should engage deeply with texts, highlighting important sections as needed.

Overview of Historical Books

Transition from Torah to Historical Books

  • This semester focuses on historical books from Joshua through Esther, building upon last semester’s study of Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy).

Themes in Historical Literature

  • Historical books narrate past events showcasing God's work among His covenant people, emphasizing narrative literature genre.

Poetry in Scripture

Understanding Poetic Books

  • Five poetic books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) reflect individual or collective experiences before God during specific circumstances.

Covenant Practice Through Poetry

  • These poetic writings express emotions related to covenant relationships with God—how individuals practice faith amidst life's challenges.

Understanding the Historical Books of the Bible

Overview of Prophetic Literature

  • The prophetic books, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Malachi, emphasize hope and expectation in God’s promises despite dire circumstances.
  • Prophets convey messages of hope to the Israelites, encouraging them not to despair even when facing bleak situations; they highlight God's commitment to future restoration.
  • Each prophetic book serves as a reminder for Christians today about God's will and the importance of maintaining faith amid challenges.

Categories of Historical Books

  • The historical books are categorized into three groups: Theocratic books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth), Monarchical books (1 Samuel - 2 Chronicles), and Restoration books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther).
  • Theocratic books depict a period where God directly rules over Israel without kings; this is illustrated through narratives in Joshua and Judges.

Theocratic Books: Conquest and Settlement

  • These historical accounts begin with Israel's journey after Deuteronomy and detail their conquest and settlement in Canaan following Moses' leadership.
  • They cover significant events such as battles against local tribes during the transition from judges to monarchy.

Monarchical Books: Rise and Fall of Kings

  • This section chronicles Israel's history under kings like Saul, David, Solomon until their eventual division into Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) kingdoms.

Restoration Period: Return from Exile

  • After captivity in Babylonian exile, these texts document the return of remnants to Jerusalem and their efforts to restore worship practices.

Key Themes in Joshua

  • The Book of Joshua emphasizes that victory comes through faithfulness to God rather than military strength; it recounts three military campaigns against various enemy armies.
  • It highlights critical lessons on obedience to God's commands during conquests like Jericho while stressing Israel's calling as a holy people devoted solely to God.

Transitioning from Judges

  • In contrast with Joshua’s obedience narrative, the Book of Judges illustrates disobedience among Israelites post-conquest.

Understanding the Cycles of Disobedience in Judges

The Cycle of Rebellion and Deliverance

  • The Book of Judges illustrates a pattern where Israel, a disobedient and idolatrous nation, faces defeat due to rebellion against God.
  • It describes seven cycles of foreign oppression, repentance, and God's deliverance, highlighting how the nation disregards God's law.
  • Instead of adhering to divine guidance, individuals act according to their own standards, leading to moral decay and external oppression.
  • God raises military champions periodically to restore pure worship but soon after, the cycle of sin begins anew as spiritual fervor declines.

The Story of Ruth Amidst Decline

  • The Book of Ruth serves as a poignant interlude during the dark period characterized by immorality and spiritual decline.
  • Ruth's loyalty is showcased as she leaves her homeland for Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi, demonstrating covenant loyalty and faith in God.
  • Through divine providence, Ruth meets Boaz—a kinsman redeemer—highlighting themes of mercy and redemption for those who are faithful.
  • The genealogy at the end reveals Boaz as an ancestor of King David, connecting personal faithfulness to God's larger redemptive plan.

Transition from Judges to Monarchy: Key Historical Books

Establishment of Israel's Monarchy

  • The historical books trace Israel's monarchy from its inception around 1043 BC until its disruption in 586 BC.
  • First Samuel narrates Israel’s transition from judges to monarchy under God's sovereign guidance while emphasizing obedience versus disobedience.

Saul's Reign and Downfall

  • Samuel anoints Saul as king; despite his impressive credentials, his indifference towards God leads to losing the kingdom's favor.
  • David is chosen as king elect amidst Saul’s jealousy; this sets off a series of events showcasing God's protection over David.

Themes in First Samuel

  • First Samuel emphasizes God's faithfulness in raising leaders aligned with His heart while warning against pride and compromise.

David’s Rise: Lessons from Second Samuel

David’s Leadership Journey

  • Second Samuel recounts David's ascent to kingship over Judah then all Israel while addressing both triumph and moral failures he faced.
  • After Saul’s death, David unites the nation but also experiences significant personal challenges including sin with Bathsheba.

Importance of Repentance

  • This book highlights that even flawed leaders can fulfill God’s purposes when they seek Him sincerely amid their shortcomings.

The Legacy Begins: Solomon's Reign in First Kings

Solomon’s Wisdom and Compromise

  • First Kings details Solomon's reign starting with wisdom in building the temple but later marked by compromises that lead toward division within Israel.

Overview of the Historical Books in the Bible

Themes in First Kings

  • The book recounts the successes and failures of Israel's kings, emphasizing God's sovereign rule, the dangers of disobedience, and His mercy towards those who repent.
  • Key figures include prophets like Elijah, who call for faithfulness among the people.
  • The narrative highlights God's faithfulness throughout both First and Second Kings.

Insights from Second Kings

  • Chronicles Israel's history, focusing on God's judgment against unfaithful rulers and nations due to persistent idolatry leading to Israel's fall to Assyria in 722 BC.
  • Judah lasted longer because eight out of twenty rulers remained faithful to God; however, it eventually fell to Babylon between 605 BC and 586 BC.
  • The book illustrates God's mercy through prophets like Elijah while underscoring consequences of sin and covenant faithfulness.

Understanding Chronicles

First Chronicles

  • Provides a divine perspective on Israel's history from King David until the two captivities, focusing on genealogy and David’s reign.
  • Emphasizes God’s faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and preparing for the temple's construction by Solomon.

Second Chronicles

  • Continues with Solomon’s reign, highlighting temple worship, covenant faithfulness, and contrasting David’s devotion with later kings' idolatry.
  • Illustrates blessings from obedience versus decline due to disobedience among Judah's kings.

Restoration Books: Ezra and Nehemiah

Book of Ezra

  • Describes the return of Jews after 70 years of captivity (605 BC - 536 BC), led by Zerubbabel and Ezra post-Persian conquest in 539 BC.
  • Highlights rebuilding efforts of the temple under Zerubbabel alongside spiritual renewal through adherence to God’s law.

Book of Nehemiah

  • Focuses on Nehemiah’s leadership in restoring Jerusalem's walls around 444 BC while emphasizing community reform following exile.

Overview of Historical Books in the Old Testament

Nehemiah's Leadership and Restoration

  • Nehemiah received permission, resources, and funding from the Persian King to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, emphasizing the themes of prayer, reliance on God, and steadfast obedience.
  • After the wall reconstruction, Ezra and Nehemiah led the people in revival and reforms, highlighting communal repentance and dedication to God's law as essential for fulfilling divine purposes.
  • The narrative illustrates that God's people thrive when they seek Him wholeheartedly.

The Story of Esther

  • The Book of Esther occurs between chapters six and seven of Ezra; it narrates how most Jews remained in Persia despite facing a plot against their lives.
  • Esther's story showcases God's providence during exile, with Queen Esther courageously intervening to save her people from annihilation while God's name is not explicitly mentioned.
  • The book emphasizes God's protection through bold obedience and perseverance among His covenant people, demonstrating that He works through ordinary circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

Conclusion and Encouragement

  • A call to focus on Bible reading and textbooks for deeper understanding of God's word throughout the semester is made.
  • The speaker expresses hope that by semester's end, everyone will appreciate God's sovereignty more deeply.