Paul wrote Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). This command involves the correct interpretation of the Scriptures, which is important in our quest to understand and live in accordance with the will of God. This article will begin an examination of some fundamental principles necessary for the proper interpretation of God’s word.
First, we must understand the two main divisions, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is made up of the first 39 books of the Bible, Genesis through Malachi. The book of Genesis begins with the creation of the world and then moves to the Patriarchal period when the head of the household served as priest and prophet for the family. This covers the time between Genesis 1 through Exodus 4 (Job also lived at this time).
Next comes the formation of the nation of Israel from the time Moses is commissioned to lead the people out of Egyptian bondage to their encampment east of the Jordan River in preparation to entering the land under Joshua. This period is covered from Exodus 5 through the book of Deuteronomy. In these books one will find the record of Israel’s receiving their laws at Mount Sinai (both national and religious) and the period of wandering in the wilderness.
Following Deuteronomy is recorded the books of Israelite history from the conquest of the land under Joshua to the division of the nation into two (Israel to the north and Judah in the south), and the fall of each as punishment for sinful rebellion, their return under Ezra and Nehemiah, and the threat to the Jews by Haman in the Persian court. The books of Joshua through Esther covers this history.
Next is found the poetry section of the Old Testament covering the books of Job through Song of Solomon. Hebrew poetry is characterized by parallelism. Usually the first thought expressed is repeated in the second, using different words but describing the same concept. Sometimes the parallelism is expressed by contrasting one against another such as the actions of the righteous and unrighteous.
The final section of the Old Testament is the prophets covering Isaiah through Malachi. The primary work of the prophets was to call the people back to God and faithfulness based on the Law of Moses. They also contain prophecies about the future of the Jews, the coming Messiah (Jesus), and the nature of the kingdom under the reign of the Messiah.
All of the above makes up the Old Testament.
Lord willing an examination of the New Testament and the relationship between the two will follow next week.
—Denny