Old Testament Survey: Genesis-Esther. Deuteronomy 6:4 “The Shema thus came to be like a precious...

Old Testament Survey: Genesis-Esther

Deuteronomy 6:4

“The Shema thus came to be like a precious gem, in that the light of faith made its words sparkle with rich brilliance of varied colors. Negatively, it underscored the Jew’s opposition to polytheism and pagan ethics…positively the One God was seen to imply one humanity and therefore demanded the brotherhood of all; it spoke of the world as the stage for the ethical life and linked monotheism and morality.

Deuteronomy 6:4

It meant that God undergirded all laws for nature and for mankind; hence heaven and earth as well as human history were His domain. . . . These principles were seen by generations of Jews as rays shining forth from the Shema, as from a diamond set into a crown of I faith and proven true and enduring in human history.”

Biblical Regions

Saul’s Kingdom

David and Solomon’s Kingdom

Solomon’s Temple

Kingdom of Israel and

Judah

Ancient Samaria

Fall of Samaria and Deportation of

Israelites

Assyrian Supremacy

in 7th century

Sennacherib

Sennacherib’s Throne in Nineveh

Assyrian Statues

Guarding Doorways

Walls of Nineveh

Description of Fall of

Nineveh in Cuneiform

Nebuchadnezzar's Palace

Nebuchadnezzar

World Powers of the 6th century

Jewish Exiles in Babylonia

Ancient Babylon

Ancient Babylon

Ancient Babylon

Conquests of Cyrus the Great

The Persian Empire

Province of Judah & Nehemiah’s Enemies in the 5th Century

Old Testament as Literature

“In world literature the place of the Old Testament is unique. No book—ancient or modem—has had such world-wide appeal, been transmitted with such exacting care, and been accorded such extensive distribution. Acclaimed by statesman and servitor, learned and illiterate, rich and poor, the Old Testament comes to us as a living book. Poignantly it speaks to each generation.” (Schultz, OT Speaks, 1)

Old Testament as Literature

“In world literature the place of the Old Testament is unique. No book—ancient or modem—has had such world-wide appeal, been transmitted with such exacting care, and been accorded such extensive distribution. Acclaimed by statesman and servitor, learned and illiterate, rich and poor, the Old Testament comes to us as a living book. Poignantly it speaks to each generation.” (Schultz, OT Speaks, 1)