These are themes established in the first five books of the Bible (the Torah) that “echo” throughout the rest of Scripture. We will develop these themes when they first occur and watch as they build.
Sacraments
You will see that there are many ways in which God uses very finite things of earth to mediate and bring into our finite reality the actual experience and expression of the infinite. This begins in the Garden and continues throughout all of Scripture.
Tabernacle
God desires a “dwelling place” with His people.
- Begins in the Garden
- Tabernacle in the wilderness
- Mt. Zion with King David
- Solomon’s Temple
- Church of the New Testament
- Described in Revelation as “The New Jerusalem”
Feasts and Festivals
- God is a God of celebration.
- Feasts and festivals were predominant in the Jewish calendar.
- An appendix outlines the calendar of feasts and festivals.
- Much of the Gospels are written around Jesus attending the Feasts and Festivals of the Jewish calendar. Learning about the Feasts enhances our understanding of the Gospel stories.
Covenant
- God is a God of Covenant. “Testament” could also be translated “Covenant.”
- There are seven major covenants in the Old Testament:
- Adam
- Noah
- Abraham
- Moses (Nation of Israel)
- Elijah (Prophets)
- Samuel (Judges)
- David (Kings / Kingdom)
Covenant Names of God
- God’s ongoing revelation of Himself is expressed through the ongoing disclosure of His “names.”
- An appendix is provided for continued study.
- We will highlight the most significant revelations of His name as we encounter them.
Numbers
- Numbers are significant throughout Scripture.
- Understanding the nature of numbers in the Bible is essential to understanding the Book of Revelation.
- An appendix of the basic meaning of numerology in the Bible is provided.
- Some have numerology as a “special” means of revelation — the intent here is to avoid that emphasis.
Jesus Is the Focal Point of All History
- Even our calendar is dated from the life of Jesus.
- The ENTIRE Old Testament looks forward in anticipation to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.
- It is essentially the story of the FAMILY through whom the Messiah would come.
- The New Testament is a historical accounting of Jesus’ life and activities, validating His claims as the promised Messiah.
- The New Testament further provides a historical accounting of the response to, and understanding of, Jesus’ teaching in the early Church.
Historical Importance of the Old Testament
- The folks we read about after the Torah had only the Torah as Scripture.
- The progression of revelation in the Old Testament is based entirely on the truth contained in the Torah.
- All other books were “added” during history, from an understanding of and further revelation of the Torah.
- Jewish boys would have been able to recite the entire Torah from memory before the age of twelve (Bar Mitzvah).
- Jesus would have also memorized these books.
- By the time of Jesus, the prophetic books — especially Isaiah and Jeremiah — were also very significant in the training and education of Jewish boys.
- Jesus quoted continually from the Torah and these prophetic books.
Jesus Claimed to Fulfill the Law and the Prophets
- Adam: beginning of mankind.
- Sinned, bringing the need for redemption.
- Moses: brings into being the Law of God.
- The revelation of God’s purposes for His people.
- Elijah: is to the Prophets what Moses was to the Law.
- Brings to birth the prophetic vision of the coming Messiah.
- Jesus: The fulfillment of all of Old Testament revelation and history.
- On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared to discuss Jesus’ exodus and explain the fulfillment He would bring.