General OT Flashcards
General Divisions of OT and Books in Each
Law
History
Psalms
Wisdom
Major Prophets
Minor Prophets
General Outline of OT with Key Dates
- Creation & Fall & Flood (3900-2245)
- Patriarchal Period/Promise to Abraham (2100)
- Exodus (1446)
- Conquest of Canaan (1406)
- Judges Period (approx 1375)
- United Kingdom (1050)
- Divided Kingdom (930 BC and 722 BC)
- Exile to Babylon (586)
- Return from Exile (538)
General History from Perspective Covenants
Covenant of Redemption
Covenant of Works with Adam (Genesis 3)
Covenant of Grace
- Adam/Eve (Genesis 3:15,21)
- Noah (Gen 6:18-20; Genesis 9:8-17)
- Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17)
- Moses (Exodus 19-24)
- David (2 Samuel 7:5-16)
- New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 34:25-31)
Abraham
He is the physical father of the Jewish nation and the father of the faithful. The son of Terah, he first is named Abram and was born in Ur but left to travel to the land God promised in Gen 12, as God promises land, nationhood, and that he would be a blessing to all the nations. He separated from his cousin Lot in Gen 13, rescuing him in Gen 14 and pleads for Lot’s city of Sodom in Gen 18. In Genesis 15 God covenants with Abraham regarding the land. Circumcision and renaming occurs in Gen 17 (after Hagar and Ishmael), with Isaac as the child of promise. His testing happens in Gen 22. He dies in Gen 25. He is often used in the NT as the example of faith, notably in Romans 4, which quotes Gen 15:6 regarding justification by faith. He is also used in Galatians 3, as those who belong to Christ are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Hebrews 7 discusses the greatness of the priesthood of Christ based on Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek. Hebrews 11 also uses Abraham as an example of faith.
Jacob
His life is recorded in Gen 25-50. The second twin of Isaac and Rebekah, his name literally means “he grasps the heel” but metaphorically means “deceiver.” His name matches his character, as he tricks his brother Esau out of his birthright (Gen 25) and then takes his blessing and must flee (Gen 27-28) and work for his uncle Laban (29) in order to secure the marriage of Rachel, also marrying Leah in the process. He fathers 12 sons (as well as one notable daughter in Scripture: Dinah). On his way back to meet with Esau, he wrestles with God, causing his name to be changed to Israel (Gen 32). He enters into Egypt through his son Joseph, dying there but buried in Canaan.
Joseph
His life is recorded in Gen 37-50. He was one of two sons born to Rachel and Jacob (11th overall), and his father favored him. His brothers despised his favored status and his two dreams of them bowing down to him did not help him (Gen 37). As a result, he was sold into slavery by his brothers and was bought by Potiphar, whose wife’s lie caused him to be imprisoned. He is freed from jail through his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream and becomes 2nd in charge of Egype (Gen 41). During the predicted famine, his brothers comes to Egypt, and Joseph’s position allows them to be saved. The NT mentions him in Hebrews 11. His example of fleeing youthful lusts might be alluded to in 2 Timothy 2:22.
Moses
The hero of Israel, God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under his leadership. He was born in Egypt, miraculous saved, and raised in Pharaoh’s household. He ran away after committing murder, marrying Zipporah and living in Midian until the Lord called him through the burning of the bush (Ex 3). The Lord revealed Himself as YHWH to Moses. He would confront Pharoah, giving the 12 plagues, lead the Israelites across the Read Sea and in the wilderness wanderings. The law was given to Moses at Mt Sinai. He brought the Israelites to the threshold of the Promised Land, though he was not allowed to enter because of his sin in Numbers 20. He also authored Psalm 90. In the NT, he is often referred to in light of his ministry with the Old Testament law, as the law was given to Moses but grace and truth came through Christ (John 1:17). His old covenant ministry is contrasted with Paul in 2 Cor 3 and he is contrasted with contrast in Heb 3. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11 as an example of faith,
Joshua
Originally named Hoshea, the son of Nun (Num 13), he was an aide to Moses from his youth and would succeed him. He led the fight against the Amalekites in Ex 17. He would be an assistant to Moses, the lone person who followed Moses on Mt. Sinai to receive the law (Ex 24). We find him as one of the faithful spies in Numbers 14 (along with Caleb). He would succeed Moses as the leader of Israel, leading the Israelites into Canaan and dividing the land; he was more than just a military leader, though, as he was a servant and a statesmen who completed Moses’ work. The majority of his life and leadership is seen in the book of Joshua. Jesus is the greater Joshua, giving the everlasting rest according to Hebrews 4:8.
Deborah
Her life is recorded in Judges 4-5. She is the only female judge in Israel, the fourth and (with Gideon), the greatest. She was a prophetess and administrator of justice. She was a divinely appointed deliverer and leader in Israel, leading Israel in battle against Sisera, whose death at the hands of a female she had predicted. Her song in Judges 5 is one of the oldest songs in Scripture.
Gideon
His account can be seen in Judges 6-8. He was the 5th judge of Israel, from the tribe of Manasseh (on out-cycle). He delivered the Isarelites from the Midianites (also Amalekites and other eastern peoples). He is known for tearing down the altar of Baal, giving him the name Jerub-Baal and defeating the Midianites with a mere 300 men. He is also known for repeatedly asking God for confirming signs, particularly the two fleeces. He refused to become king when offered the position but made an ephod that would become an object of worship; his behavior seemed to point to acting as a king though. His son, Abimelek, would seek to rule over Israel following Gideon’s death. He is mentioned in Heb 11 as an example of faith.
Ruth
Ruth is a Moabite widow, the step-daughter to Naomi, whose life is a testimony to God’s grace going beyond Israel. She follows Naomi back to Israel, where she would marry her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. She would be the father of Obed and is in the line of David. She lived in the period of the Judges. The NT mentions her in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of Christ.
Samuel
In some ways, functioned in prophetic, priestly, and judicial offices. He was son of Hannah, born in answer to her prayer request (1 Sam 1). She dedicated him to the Lord and he lived with Eli the priest and his wicked sons. At a young age, he was called by the Lord and given the message that Eli’s house would end (1 Sam 3). He was the last judge of Israel, delivering them from the Philistines at Mizpah (1 Sam 7). His sons did not follow his ways and the people asked for a king, which Samuel would give at the prompting of the Lord (1 Sam 8). In many ways, he was the first official prophet of Israel during the dynasty, as he anointed Saul (1 Sam 9), gave the message that his kingdom would be taken away (1 Sam 15), and anointed David (1 Sam 16). His death is recorded in 1 Sam 25:1 (so he probably did not write the book that bears his name!), but Saul called him up in 1 Sam 28 with the witch of Endor, an account in which he proclaimed the death of Saul and his house.
David
His life can be found in 1 Sam 16-1 Kings 2/1 Chronicles 2-29. He was the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah. Samuel anointed him as king of Israel in 1 Sam 16 and he was taken into Saul’s service (1 Sam 16). Though Saul tried to take his life, he refused to take the life of Saul, sparing him on multiple occasions while on the run, eventually going to live with the Philistines. Following Saul’s death, he was anointed king in Hebron and reigned there for 7 ½ years until he defeated Saul’s supports, restoring the united monarchy. He conquered Jerusalem (2 Sam 5) and brought the ark there (2 Sam 6). He wanted to build a house for the Lord but the Lord would build his house (2 Sam 7). However, he would greatly stumble into sin with Bathsheba in 2 Sam 11, which would have tragic effects on his house. He also wrote many of the Psalms.
Solomon
His life can be found in 1 Kgs 1–11 // 2 Chron 1–9. David and Bathsheba’s son, he became king of Israel after fighting with his brother Adonijah. He executed Adonijah and Joab. He asked for wisdom to rule in 1 Kings 3, which was given to him. He would write many proverbs and much of the wisdom literature is often attributed to him, as well as gain international acclaim because of his wisdom. He would build the temple (1 Kings 6) and dedicate it (1 Kings 8). However, he would fall into sin because of his multiplicity of wives, often married for political reasons but would bring idolatry to Israel (1 Kings 11). He had a great start but a bad finish.
Rehoboam
His life is recorded in 1 Kings 12-14/2 Chronicles 10-11, with 1 Kings 12 recording the rebellion and 1 Kings 14 summarizing his rule. Solomon’s son, he was the last king who would have the united monarchy, as the northern tribes would rebel. Their rebellion stemmed from rejecting the wise counsel of the advisors of his father, instead listening to the young men who grew up with him, telling him to impose hasher measures than his father. As a result, the 10 northern tribes rebelled under Jeroboam. Foreign religions were present in his time in Judah, though he repented in face of Egyptian invasions
