00:00
Instructor John Buckley
Category
• Bible

Old Testament II: Life & Literature of Israel

Overview

[Begin Transcript] Join me as we have and opportunity to have an overview of the Scriptures from the Book of Joshua all the way through the Book of Esther. It’s amazing how this short, seemingly, section of Scriptures contains most of what happens in the Old Testament. You’ll see the minor prophets pop up. You’ll be able to investigate the kings of Israel and be able to understand better what God is doing through the lives of the Israelite nation. We begin with Joshua as he takes over the reigns from Moses and end with Esther as she seeks to save her people from the anger and wrath of the enemies of the Jews. I hope you’ll enjoy this journey as we dig into these amazing Scriptures. [End Transcript]

Course Description: This course surveys the historical books of the Old Testament from Joshua to Esther. Visibility is given to the poetic and prophetic books as they intersect Israel’s history. Attention is given to background matters and critical and theological issues.

Learning Outcomes: The learner will:

  1. Recall the major events, characters, themes and structures of the text.
  2. Explain how the narrative of the text informs their theology.
  3. Integrate background material in the interpretation of the text.
  4. Assess critical approaches to the text.
  5. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and synthesize appropriate scholarly resources.
  6. Employ the text in their spiritual and biblical growth.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Faith, Failure, & Love. This unit takes us through the early conquest and division of the Promised Land, with a love story out of ashes

View:Introduction
View:Joshua: Faith Is the Victory
Read:Bible Introductions - Joshua by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 1
Activity:Create a Devotional: Joshua
View:Judges: Failure Through Compromise
Read:Bible Introductions - Judges by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 2
Activity:Create a Devotional: Judges
Submit:Quiz

Unit 2: The Rise and Fall of Saul and David. This unit will uncover the ups and downs of the rule of Israel's first and second king.

View:Introduction
View:1 Samuel: From Anarchy to Monarchy
Read:Bible Introductions - 1 Samuel by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 3
View:2 Samuel: From Triumph to Trouble Through Sin
Read:Bible Introductions - 2 Samuel by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 4
Activity:Create a Devotional: 1 and 2 Samuel
Submit:Quiz

Unit 3: The Demise of Israel. In this unit special attention will be given to the demise of Israel through disobedience.

View:Introduction
View:1 Kings: Division Through Disobedience (Part 1)
Read:Bible Introductions - 1 Kings by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 5
View:2 Kings: Division Through Disobedience (Part 2)
Read:Bible Introductions - 2 Kings by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 6
Activity:Create a Devotional: 1 and 2 Kings
Submit:Quiz

Unit 4: Obedience Produces Hope. The special focus of this unit will be on the genealogies and reigns of David, Solomon, and Kings of Judah.

View:Introduction
View:1 Chronicles: Hope Through Obedience (Part 1)
Read:Bible Introductions - 1 Chronicles by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 7
View:2 Chronicles: Hope Through Obedience (Part 2)
Read:Bible Introductions - 2 Chronicles by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 8
Activity:Create a Devotional: 1 and 2 Chronicles
Submit:Quiz

Unit 5: The God of Restoration. This unit will look at the remnant of Israel and how God restored His people.

View:Introduction
View:Ezra: Return of the Remnant
Read:Bible Introductions - Ezra by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 9
Activity:Create a Devotional: Ezra
View:Nehemiah: Reconstruction with Shovel and Scroll
Read:Bible Introductions - Nehemiah by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 10
Activity:Create a Devotional: Nehemiah
Submit:Quiz

Unit 6: The Providential God. This unit will look at the providential God in the life of Esther.

View:Introduction
View:Esther: Preservation Through Providence
Read:Bible Introductions - Esther by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 11
Activity:Create a Devotional: Esther
View:Ruth: Rest Through Redeeming Love
Read:Bible Introductions - Ruth by John MacArthur
Activity:Journal Assignment 12
Activity:Create a Devotional: Ruth
Submit:Quiz

Submit:Course Final Examination

The courses available through the Blue Letter Bible Institute are taught from a range of evangelical traditions. Therefore every idea and principal conveyed in each course may not necessarily be held in total by the ministry of Blue Letter Bible or the Blue Letter Bible Institute. For more information please visit our site at www.BlueLetterBible.org.

Note: All Scripture references are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise indicated.

Lesson List
Unit 1: Faith, Failure, & Love
Lesson 1
Introduction
Lesson 2
Joshua: Faith Is the Victory
Lesson 3
Reading 1
Lesson 4
Journal Assignment 1
Lesson 5
Create a Devotional: Joshua
Lesson 6
Judges: Failure Through Compromise
Lesson 7
Reading 2
Lesson 8
Journal Assignment 2
Lesson 9
Create a Devotional: Judges
Unit 2: The Rise and Fall of Saul and David
Lesson 1
Introduction
Lesson 2
1 Samuel: From Anarchy to Monarchy
Lesson 3
Reading 1
Lesson 4
Journal Assignment 3
Lesson 5
2 Samuel: From Triumph to Trouble Through Sin
Lesson 6
Reading 2
Lesson 7
Journal Assignment 4
Lesson 8
Create a Devotional: 1 and 2 Samuel
Unit 3: The Demise of Israel
Lesson 1
Introduction
Lesson 2
1 Kings: Division Through Disobedience (Part 1)
Lesson 3
Reading 1
Lesson 4
Journal Assignment 5
Lesson 5
2 Kings: Division Through Disobedience (Part 2)
Lesson 6
Reading 2
Lesson 7
Journal Assignment 6
Lesson 8
Create a Devotional
Unit 4: Obedience Produces Hope
Lesson 1
Introduction
Lesson 2
1 Chronicles: Hope Through Obedience (Part 1)
Lesson 3
Reading 1
Lesson 4
Journal Assignment 7
Lesson 5
2 Chronicles: Hope Through Obedience (Part 2)
Lesson 6
Reading 2
Lesson 7
Journal Assignment 8
Lesson 8
Create a Devotional: 1 & 2 Chronicles
Unit 5: The God of Restoration
Lesson 1
Introduction
Lesson 2
Ezra: Return of the Remnant
Lesson 3
Reading 1
Lesson 4
Journal Assignment 9
Lesson 5
Create a Devotional: Ezra
Lesson 6
Nehemiah: Reconstruction with Shovel and Scroll
Lesson 7
Reading 2
Lesson 8
Journal Assignment 10
Lesson 9
Create a Devotional: Nehemiah
Unit 6: The Providential God
Lesson 1
Introduction
Lesson 2
Esther: Preservation Through Providence
Lesson 3
Reading 1
Lesson 4
Journal Assignment 11
Lesson 5
Create a Devotional: Esther
Lesson 6
Ruth: Rest Through Redeeming Love
Lesson 7
Reading 2
Lesson 8
Journal Assignment 12
Lesson 9
Create a Devotional: Ruth