Notes + Questions: Old Testament Oddities

**Introduction:**

What do we do with challenging or confusing verses or stories in the Old Testament?
• Make an effort to overcome the culture or comprehension gap.
• Beware of Chronological Snobbery.
• Hold fast to what you know about God’s character.

Two Crucial Considerations:
1. The Scriptures are God’s Word and therefore truthful and reliable.
2. The Old Testament is one story that leads to Christ.
• Luke 24:25-27
• John 5:39


**Old Testament Overview:**

Creation - Fall - Flood - Nations (Genesis 1-11)

Covenant People: Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - 12 Sons of Jacob (Genesis 12-50)

Egypt: Moses, 10 Plagues, Exodus, Sinai, Wilderness Wanderings (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

Conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua)

Settlement: Judges - Deborah, Gideon, Samson, - - - Samuel (Judges, Ruth)

Monarchy: Saul (1050 BC - 1010 BC) - David (1010 BC - 970 BC) - Solomon (970 BC - 930 BC) — (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11, 1 Chronicles)

Divided Kingdom: Israel and Judah (1, 2 Kings; 2 Chronicles)
Israel - Northern Kingdom - Jeroboam - 19 Kings - 0 Righteous - Conquered by Assyria in 722 BC
Judah - Southern Kingdom - Rehoboam - 20 Kings - 8 Righteous - Conquered by Babylon in 586 BC

Prophets: Calling the people of Israel and Judah back to the Covenant (4 major, 12 minor prophets)

Exile: Babylon - Persia (Daniel, Ezekiel, Esther)

Return: Decree of Cyrus (538 BC) - Zerubabel, Ezra, Nehemiah (Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah)


**Who were the Nephilim?**

Key Texts:
• Genesis 6:1-5
• Numbers 13:33

Key Considerations:

Who are the ’Sons of God’?
• Men from the Godly Line of Seth
• Heroes of the mythical past
• Angelic Beings
- The literary construction 'Sons of God’ appears six times in the Old Testament and each time refers to a supernatural being.
- 2 Peter 2:1-10 and Jude 6-7 refer to the incident in Genesis 6 and confirm the supernatural reading

Who are the Nephilim?
• Fallen Ones
• Giants (the Septuagint translates the term as giants)
• Enochian Tradition (Hybrid Giant offspring of the angelic Watchers and human women)
• Connection to the 'heroes of old’ seems to indicate the same
• Some scholars suggest that the Nephilim simply are mighty warriors and rulers without any supernatural or extraordinary attributes


**What about Elisha and the two bears?**

Key Text: 2 Kings 2:23-24

Linguistic & Contextual Considerations:
• The term the ESV translates 'small boys' can refer to persons from young children to young adults
• The phrase ‘go up you bald-head’ could refer to the disappearance of Elijah who went to heaven in a fiery chariot - the implication is a desire for Elijah to “disappear" as well
• The authority and credibility of Elisha as a prophet of God calling Israel to repentance is at stake
• The terminology ’two she-bears tore 42 of the boys’ could refer to scratching or mauling as well as killing

—> The story could be understood as follows: The local punk militia which has rejected God and His prophet’s call to repentance is receiving a painful corrective lesson in God’s power.


**Who was Melchizedek?**

Key Texts:
• Genesis 14:18-19
• Psalm 110:1-7
• Hebrews 5:5-6
• Hebrews 7:1-28

1. Historic Figure - A Canaanite Priest-King
2. Christophany - an appearance of the Pre-Incarnate Christ
3. Type of Christ

—> Jesus is both King and Priest
—> Jesus is Priest and Mediator not only of the Jews but of all people
—> Jesus is King not only of the Jews but of all people


**Conclusion:**

One story that leads to Christ - who is our Lord and Savior, our King and Priest, our Hope and Comfort!

***Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16***


#CG QUESTIONS:

• How should we approach challenging or befuddling texts in Scripture - particularly the Old Testament?
• Can you think of ways in which the Old Testament leads to Christ?
• Can you think of other Types in the Old Testament?