Beginning Our Study of the Old Testament

The Old Testament

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. An earnest study of the Word of God will not only make the weak strong but will enable us to bear the burdens and weaknesses of others. The instruction which the Scriptures impart is directed to patience and comfort. Patience is steadfastness or endurance, and comfort is more properly understood as encouragement or consolation. These culminate in hope, not some wistful desire that everything will turn out all right, but in the confidence that all things work together for good.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
All scripture refers not to the Old Testament as a whole but to every part of the Old Testament. Inspiration means “God breathed out” the Scriptures and not that God breathed into the human authors. The authors themselves were controlled by God so that they were not left to their human limitations (2 Pet 1:21).
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Doctrine … reproof … correction … instruction. The Scriptures are not only profitable for salvation but for sanctification and Christian growth as well. They are not only the road map to heaven, but the road map of the Christian life. They are all we need for faith and doctrine.
When sanctification takes place in the man of God and he is perfect or mature, the Scriptures are for service “furnished unto all good works.” Doctrine always should emanate in good works.

The Old Testament is divided into five sections:

• the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
• the historical books (Joshua through Esther)
• the poetic books (Job through Song of Solomon)
• the Major Prophets (Isaiah through Daniel)
• and the Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi)
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The Old Testament was written from approximately 1400 B.C. to approximately 400 B.C. The Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew, with a few small sections written in Aramaic (essentially a variation of Hebrew).


The Old Testament deals primarily with the relationship between God and the nation of Israel.

• The Pentateuch deals with the creation of Israel and God establishing a covenant relationship with Israel.
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• The historical books record Israel's history, its victories and successes along with its defeats and failures.
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• The poetic books give us a more intimate look at God's relationship with Israel and His passion for Israel to worship and obey Him.

• The prophetic books are God's call to Israel to repent from its idolatry and unfaithfulness and to return to a relationship of obedience and spiritual fidelity.

Perhaps a better title would be the First Testament. The word "old" tends to give the idea of "outdated" or "not-relevant." That could not be further from the truth.