Interpreting the Old Testament John Stevenson 2016

Interpreting the Old Testament © John Stevenson, 2016

Do you have a favorite section of the Old Testament?

Literary theory has suggested that narrative can offer a more powerful medium of truth than propositions. • Why would this be the case? • Should we look to construct our theology on the basis of stories? • What do you think of the idea of God as a character in the narratives?

Genesis 3: 15 “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. ”

Seed of the Serpent Seed of the Woman Satan Jesus Christ His head bruised on the cross His heel bruised on the cross (A fatal wound) (Humanity)

Seed of the Serpent Seed of the Woman Satan Jesus Christ His head bruised on the cross His heel bruised on the cross

Seed of the Serpent Cain Seed of the Woman Abel & Seth Enoch Lamech Noah Ham Shem Canaan Abraham

Seed of the Serpent Seed of the Woman Abraham Ishmael Isaac Esau Jacob Whose Seed are You?

Genesis 3: 16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you. ”

Genesis 3: 16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you. ”

Genesis 3: 17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life…. ”

Genesis 3: 18 -19 “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; 19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return. ”

Examples of Retributive Irony The Serpent More crafty than. . . is now made any beast of the lower than all of the field. . . other animals. Satan Bruises Christ on. . . is bruised on the heel. . . head. The Desires to rule. . . finds that he shall Woman her husband. . . rule over her. Man Made of dust. . . is returned to who would rise to dust again. be like God. . . Warren Gage

Promises given: Abram called to leave his family. Promise of Seed (12: 1 -3) Sojourn in Egypt, “She is my sister” (12. 10 -20) Lot and Abram: Negotiations (13). Abram rescues Lot and people of Sodom (14) Abram prepares a sacrifice for a covenant ceremony: God promises descendants and the Land (15) Hagar and Ishmael (16) Abrahamic Covenant (17: 1 -22) Abraham and Ishmael circumcised (17: 23 -27). Abraham prepares a meal: God promises that Sarah will give birth to Isaac (18: 1 -15). God and Abram: Negotiations (18: 16 -33). Angels rescue Lot and destroy Sodom (19) Sojourn in Gerar, “She is my sister” (20) Promises fulfilled: Isaac born; Hagar & Ishmael sent out; Isaac offered on altar (21 -22)

• Abram / Abraham • Isaac • Jacob • Israel

• Story of concubine when there was no king in Israel • Saul and the men of Jabesh-gilead • Saul and Amalekites • Saul and the witch of Endor • Ahijah and Jeroboam

Deuteronomy & the Suzerain Treaties • • The Preamble The Historical Prologue The Stipulations Deposit and Reading of the Covenant • Witnesses • Curses & Blessings

What is poetry?

• Synonymous Parallelism The First line is restated in the Second line Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? (Psalm 2: 1).

• Synonymous Parallelism The First line is restated in the Second line The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together (Psalm 2: 2 a).

• Synonymous Parallelism The First line is restated in the Second line He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. (Palm 2: 4).

• Synonymous Parallelism • Antithetical Parallelism The First line is followed by its opposite in the Second line For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. (Psalm 5: 4).

• Synonymous Parallelism • Antithetical Parallelism • Synthetic Parallelism The Second line continues and expands the thought begun the first line

• Synonymous Parallelism • Antithetical Parallelism • Synthetic Parallelism I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. (Psalm 3: 4).

• Synonymous Parallelism • Antithetical Parallelism • Synthetic Parallelism • Emblematic Parallelism As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God (Psalm 42: 1).

• Synonymous Parallelism • Antithetical Parallelism • Synthetic Parallelism • Emblematic Parallelism The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalm 23: 1).

• Synonymous Parallelism • Antithetical Parallelism • Synthetic Parallelism • Emblematic Parallelism • Climactic Parallelism

Psalm 29: 1 -2 A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array.

Jeremiah 18: 1 -3 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying, 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I shall announce My words to you. ” 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something on the wheel.

Jeremiah 18: 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

Jeremiah 18: 5 -6 Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does? ” declares the LORD. “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. ”

Jeremiah 18: 7 -8 At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 8 if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it.

Jeremiah 18: 9 -10 Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 10 if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it.

Prediction Contingency Fulfillment If I speak concerning a nation to destroy it If they turn from their evil I will relent of the calamity If I speak concerning a nation to plant it If they do evil and do not obey I will think better of the good

• Conditional Predictions: “If… then” clauses • Unqualified Predictions • Confirmed Predictions • Sworn Predictions

Excel Instructor & Course Evaluation

The Loyal Opposition

1: 12 Habakkuk’s Problem #1: Why does God allow the wicked? Problem #2: How can God use wicked to punish? Answer #1: Answer #2: God will bring God will also judgment judge them

Observations made by Biblical writers Revelation given by God

If God is good and if God is all -powerful, then why does evil exits?

Chapters 1 -2 3 -31 33 -37 38 -41 Chapter 42 Historical prologue: Job Tested Historical epilogue: Job Restored Job’s three friends Elihu’s speeches God speaks Dialogue & Discourse Prose Section Poetry Section Plain language Written in pure Hebrew Highly ornate Contains many expressions characteristic of Chaldaean

Are the proverbs… Promises? or Probabilities? No single Proverb contains all the truth. They must all be taken and weighed together.

The pen is mightier than the sword Actions speak louder than words

You’re never too old to learn You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Proverbs 26: 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. Proverbs 26: 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 17: 9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. Proverbs 28: 23 He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.

Describes a situation in life without commenting on whether it is good or bad

A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. (Proverbs 17: 8).

The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. (Proverbs 14: 20).

Proverbs A Basic approach to life Exceptions Job Ecclesiastes The righteous suffers A lack of meaning to life Song of Songs Irrationality of love

Progressive Revelation Did Solomon know about the resurrection and life after death?

Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? (Ecclesiastes 3: 21).