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Understanding the Old Testament – Part 2


Knowing & Understanding Literary Styles


Law
There is a narrative and covenantal context to the OT Law.

There are many aspects to the Law that are based on an “old covenant” that was clearly conditional.

Exodus 19:5 “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.”

Deuteronomy 28

  • Verses 1-14 list the blessings of Israel for following the covenant.
  • Verses 15-68 list the curses if they don’t.

Hebrews 8:13 “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

This is how we must understand the 3 types/categories of law:

  1. Civil: deals with relationship and dispute between people in the context of a theocracy
  2. Ceremonial: deals with formal worship of God under a sacrificial system; expired with the fulfillment of the priestly work of Jesus
  3. Moral: timeless truths based on the character of God which does not change; sometimes overlaps with civil law; Ten Commandments fit in here

Historical
Simply recording events: more descriptive vs. prescriptive.

Poetry
The primary purpose of biblical poetry is to give us models and language for us to pray and sing to God.

  • Terseness: brief statements, not long narratives
    Psalm 54:4 “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.”
  • Structure: lines of verse instead of sentences and paragraphs
    Psalm 3:1-2 “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah”
  • Figurative Imagery: painting pictures vs. writing essays
    Exodus 15:6, 8 “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy…At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.”


Types of Psalms:

  1. Hymns: Psalms of praise
    Psalm 8:1 “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth

  2. Lament: Psalms of complaint or sadness
    Psalm 3:1 “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me”

  3. Royal: Psalms to honor the king of Israel
    Psalm 18:50 “Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever”

  4. Thanksgiving: Psalms giving thanks to God from individuals or community
    Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

  5. Wisdom: Psalms acknowledging the source of and practice of wisdom
    Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers”

  6. Ascent: Psalms specifically used for pilgrimages to Jerusalem
    • Psalms 120-134
    • Various types within them


Wisdom
Focuses on existential questions about God, humanity, nature of evil, and suffering

Short phrase truisms (like Proverbs) or dialogue (like Job)


Prophetical
Prophets were speaking to the people for God (“Thus says the Lord”).

Typical prophetical message:

  1. You have broken the covenant, so repent!
  2. Since you won’t repent, judgment is coming.
  3. There is hope beyond the judgement for a future restoration.


When reading and studying the OT, practice The Interpretive Journey

  1. Origins: What did the text mean to the biblical audience?
    Who was the audience? When was it written? What was the situation?

  2. Culture Gap: What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
    How much time has passed? How are our worldviews different?

  3. Timeless Truth: What is the theological principle being communicated? 
    What does this say about God and His work?

  4. Gospel: Does the NT modify or qualify the principle? 
    How does Jesus affect the principle? Is it fulfilled? Is it deeper? Is it transcendent?

  5. Action: How do I apply this principle to my life today? What is the appropriate response?
    • Worship?
    • Illumination?
    • Repentance?
    • Action?
    • Or a combination?

 

 

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