First Baptist Church of Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio

From the Creation to the Going Down Into Egypt.

Genesis tells us of the beginning of everything, except God. The beginning of the universe, of life, of man, of the Sabbath, of covenants, of nomenclature, of marriage, of sin, of redemption, of death, of family life, of sacrifices, of nations, of government, of music, of literature, of art, of agriculture, of mechanics, of cities and of languages; indeed, of everything that we know. As to its limits, it is only the beginning there is here no finality....... it is the foundation on which the whole superstructure of Divine revelation rests.

The Primeval Period

The Creation: The Bible begins with a majestic account of the creation of the universe, of the earth, of life and of man. We see, at once, the existence and nature of the eternal God; and the original nature of man - rational; moral, social and spiritual. To him was given work the Sabbath, and marriage. GOD and MAN are the Bible's chief themes.

The Fall to the Tower of Babel: Adam and Eve rebelled against God. Their descendants developed in sophistication, but deteriorated morally and spiritually. The depth of their wickedness caused the Flood. The height of their pride caused them to be scattered from Babel. God is seen to be against sin, and its Judge yet at all times he preserves some who are loyal to Him. But even at the time of the Fall the promise of a Redeemer is given. At first, through Shern, it is revealed that He will be Semitic. (9:26), and then that He will be a descendant of Abraham

The Patriarchal Period

Abraham: About the year 2000 BC, God called Abram from Ur of the Chaldeans, and then from Haran, leading him to Canaan. He promised to bless him; to be the God of his descendants, to make him a great nation; to give them the land Canaan, and to bless the whole world through his seed. Throughout his life God renewed this promise many times (1:7, 13:5' 15:4, 17:8, 22:16). The rest of the Bible is the outworking of God's promise - the seed is Christ; the great nation those who, like Abraham, have faith in Him; and for them there is a 'better country' of which Canaan is an earthly picture.

Isaac & Jacob: Out of Abraham's two sons, Isaac, not Ishmael, had the covenant confirmed to him. (26:24). Of Isaac's sons, Jacob, not Esau, received the promise. (28:13, 31:13, 32:28). This brings home the doctrine of election God chooses who He will enter into covenant with. Yet neither Isaac nor Jacob inherited Canaan, but were wandering nomads, In this way God emphasised that the fulfilment of His promise lay in the future. Isaac's "sacrifice" on Moriah, and Jacob's dream at Bethel and wrestling at Jabbok taught much about the coming Christ.

Joseph: Jacob (Isaac) had 12 sons. Joseph his favourite, was sold into slavery by his brothers, but through God's sovereignty became Grand Vizier of Egypt. He was able to save the family, from extinction by famine, by bringing them to Egypt where he had organised vast reserves of corn. All Jacob's sons died in exile in Egypt. A new dynasty of Egyptian kings enslaved their descendants treating them cruelly, and imposing intolerable burdens on them. God's people were still on the earth - but it seemed as if God had forgotten them and His promise......

From the Exodus to The Time of the Judges.

We saw that the first section of the Bible contains foundation truths, and PROMISES of the coming Redeemer

The Exodus: God had not forgotten His people or His promise. Having miraculously preserved and prepared Moses to be a deliverer of His People. He called him from a burning bush, and sent him with his brother Aaron to demand from Pharaoh the release of His people. Pharaoh refused and God visited Egypt with plagues. The final plague was the death of the first-born, but the angel of death `passed over' those houses where a lamb had been slain in the commanded way. After this the Egyptians begged the Israelites to go. Led by a pillar of cloud and fire, God's people crossed the Red Sea by a well-known miracle, and entered the Sinai desert. A cut-down tree made bitter water sweet, and at other times water gushed from a rock *. Their food was manna and quails. They were saved from defeat in an ambush by mountain-top intercession, and after about three months arrived at Mount Sinai where they remained almost a year.

At Mount Sinai: Here God renewed His covenant with His people, and, with His own finger, wrote the Ten Commandments Israel was to be custodian for this moral law, which is for the whole world. It reveals God's standard of righteousness, thus showing us our sin and our need of Saviour. God also gave to Israel statutes and judgements to govern her national life. In addition, at this time God ordered the Tabernacle to be built, appointed a system of atoning sacrifices by which sinners could approach Him.. instituted a ritual and feasts and established a priesthood Combining all these was the annual Day of Atonement - when the high priest took a scapegoat which was sent outside the camp bearing the people's sins. For the same reason he sacrificed another goat, and, sprinkling its blood, entered within the veil These repeated sacrifices of animals could not take away people's sin. The passing priesthood was itself in need of atonement. A once-for-all sacrifice and an unchangeable and sinless priesthood was required!

In the wilderness: With God's presence in the very centre the children of Israel set off for the promised Land Dissatisfaction with God's dealings with them, and rebellion against Moses' authority, took place on the way. When the 12 spies brought back a dismal report about the difficulties in entering Canaan, unbelief took root. As punishment, God would not let that generation in, and the Children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years, until that generation died out. With Moses still leading them, the new generation encamped on the borders of Canaan, despite opposition (which nonetheless recognised that Christ would come from Israel). Here Moses died - but not before reminding the people of God's love In the past, and giving them clear instructions about their future settlement. He also promised them a Prophet and Lawgiver superior to himself,

The invasion and settlement of Canaan Joshua succeeded Moses, and led them into the Promised Land, where the cities of Jericho and Al soon fell. They then subdued the south and north in turn, before dividing the land up between the tribes, who were to settle down, and finally drive out the previous inhabitants Seeing the dangers of apostasy, Joshua did not die before urging Israel to an uncompromising commitment to the Lord.

But God's Word was disobeyed, and many heathen wickednesses were practised by His people. Each time they sinned, God punished them by sending conquering invaders to oppress them. Each time they repented, He sent them a saviour or judge to deliver them, to minister to them spiritually, and to rule over them. This pattern of things continued for 200 years, until the time of Samuel - who stands as a milestone between the end of the judges, and the beginning of the prophets * and kings.

From Samuel to The Beginning of The Exile

Samuel: Samuel was the greatest and final judge, and the most godly, but in his later years the people demanded a king. Israel now became a monarchy. But it was not without spiritual direction, the rise of the kings also sees the rise of the prophets.

The United Kingdom: The first king was Saul, who began well, but who was soon rejected by God because of his disobedience. David, after ruling for 7 years in Hebron, captured Jebus, made it the national capital, placed the Ark there, subdued enemies at home and abroad, and gave to the nation the full promised Land. Despite one awful sin, he was a true man of God, the writer of most of the Psalms (which -speak constantly of a greater King who shall sit on his throne, and be his son and yet his Lord), and assured by God that his descendants would succeed to his throne.

Solomon also began well and prayerfully. He brilliantly administered the land, organised the trade, and built the Temple. He had remarkable wisdom, and wrote the Song of Solomon and many of the Proverbs. But he lapsed into idolatry and lust, and overburdened the nation with his demands.

When his son said that he would increase the burden, 10 tribes rebelled to form an independent kingdom in the north. This became known as Israel, and lasted until 722 BC. The two loyal tribes in the south became known as Judah, and had only Davidic descendants as kings. Judah lasted until Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC, and so outlasted Israel by 150 years.

Israel - The Northern Kingdom

Israel never had a righteous ruler, and from the start was led into paganism and idol worship. When Ahab married Jezebel, Baalism was introduced, and an attempt was made to systematically destroy faith in Jehovah. At this time Elijah ministered, and shortly after Elisha. Israel reached the height of its power in the days of Jeroboam II But God's voice was not silent, and Amos and then Hosea confronted the people with their sins. But. they would not listen. Little by little the shadow of Assyria spread over the land. At first Israel paid tribute, then rebelled, and was finally overcome. The Assyrians took most of the people Into exile, and they never returned. Those who remained intermarried with immigrants the Assyrians sent, and their descendants were the Samaritans of New Testament times.

Judah - The Southern Kingdom: This kingdom had both ungodly and righteous kings in its history, but at all times there was more godliness here than in Israel, and godly people there, and from surrounding nations, trickled into Judah. There were several occasions when God miraculously delivered the nation from its enemies. At the time that Israel was defeated, Hezekiah was on the throne. At this time the nation experienced a religious revival stimulated by the preaching of Isaiah and Micah, and was delivered from the e Assyrians. An appalling period of militant godlessness followed, but this was stopped when God raised up Zephaniah and Jeremiah to preach. A great reform took place under young King Josiah, in whose day the Temple was reopened, and the "book of the law" rediscovered.

But apostasy and Idolatry returned, and Jeremiah could only predict that God would judge the nation by means of a Babylonian invasion. Nahum's prophecy had proved true, for Assyria had been destroyed, and Babylon was now the paramount power, and soon Judah was paying tribute

In 601 BC Judah rebelled, and Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylonian forces into Jerusalem. Many national leaders (including Ezekiel) were taken intd exile. After a further rebellion Jerusalem was destroyed, and at this time Lamentations was written. Some of the people fled into Egypt, while a small remnant remained in the land. The vast majority were exiled into Babylon. Yet God assured them that Ho had not forgotten them, and that He would bring them out.

The Importance of This Section of The Bible: During this period you see the rise of the prophet - which excites one to look forward to the promised Prophet. The priests continue to minister in the temple, but sin also continues. This leads one to long for a Priest 'whose ministry will truly remove sin. All the kings were defective in some way, and one wonders if a perfect King who rules In righteousness will ever emerge.

Although the 10 tribes mostly vanish in exile, and Benjamin is absorbed into Judah, Judah alone keeps a strong individual identity. Within Judah the 'house and lineage of David' continues securely, God is working in history to ensure that His promise that the Messiah will be of Judah and descended from David, will definitely come true.

From the Exile to between the Testaments.

In this section we see God bringing Jewry and the world to the very fullness of the time" when He would send forth His Son.

The Exile in Babylon: In Babylon, encouraged by a letter from Jeremiah, the Jews settled down. Instead of blending with their conquerors, they kept their own culture and identity, and had a good deal of freedom. Ezekiel ministered the Word of God to them, and they knew that God had not forsaken them.

Many spiritual benefits were theirs during the Exile. Idolatry disappeared from among them, they had a new understanding of the attributes of God; they longed for God's Messiah; and had a new interest in the Law.

Meanwhile the kingdom of Cyrus king of Persia grew, until he was ruler of Media, Lydia, Asia Miner, and soon Babylon Itself (about 539 BC). This was the fulfilment of the prophecies of Isaiah. Cyrus gave permission to the Jews to return to their land, and to rebuild the Temple. However, many of the exiles decided not to return (and the book of Esther tells what happened to some of them), though very great numbers did go home.

The Return: The return took place in three stages. The first party set off in 538 BC, and was led by Zerubbabel, Jehoiachin's grandson, and Joshua the high priest. They began to rebuild the Temple, but were discouraged by opposition, and the work stopped for 13 years. But the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah caused the people to finish the work.

Over 70 years later Ezra was sent by Artaxerxes I to bring the people back to God's Law, and 13 years after that Nehemiah was sent by the same king with authority to rebuild the city, especially the walls. The completed reconstruction also saw a time of spiritual renewal among the people, though within a few years Malachi had to correct widespread backsliding, as did Nehemiah on a later visit.

Generally speaking however, the returned Jews showed great interest in the Law, and this period witnesses the rise of the synagogue and the development of the 'oral tradition'.

The Time Between The Testaments

During the time of Babylonian rule, and right Into the days of the Medo-Persian empire Daniel ministered God's Word in exile. He exactly predicted what would occur In the world between then and the coming of the Messiah. Four great empires would arise; and in the time of the fourth the Christ would come. He prophesied the rise of Alexander the great; the division of his empire after his death; the fact that Judea would be caught between the Ptolemies and Seleucids; and the cruelties of Antiochus Epiphanes ( 175-163 BC), who tried to forcibly Impose Greek culture on the Jews.

The period Daniel predicted is important, for In it arise so many features which carry over Into the New Testament. Alexander made the Greek language universal. The Ptolemies and Seleucids created large Greek-speaking Jewish colonies in North Africa & Asia Minor, and for them the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) was produced. Those who opposed Antiochus religiously were the forerunners of the Pharisees; and those who opposed him militantly were the forerunners of the Zealots.

Led by the Maccabees, the Jews rebelled against Greek rule, captured the Temple area, and mounted a lengthy war of Independence in 128 BC, under John Hyrcanus, an Independent Jewish state was formed. This lasted until 63 BC when Roman rule took over under Pompey

In 40 BC the Roman Senate appointed Herod ('By birth an Idumean, by profession a Jew, by necessity a Roman, by culture and by choice a Greek') to be 'King of the Jews'. He re-conquered his kingdom) and executed the last of the Maccabean priest-rulers. Although unpopular, he began rebuilding the Temple, and was on the throne when our Lord Jesus Christ was born.

We have now finished the Old Testament. Its 39 books covered a period of many thousands of years. We now come to the New Testament. Its 27 books cover only a period of 100 years. What the Old Testament was leading up to now comes to pass, and this is why the story is in greater detail.

First Baptist Church, Walnut Hills
2926 Park Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (513) 861-8885

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