The Structure of the Books of the Old Testament According to the Hebrew Canon
E.W. Bullinger explores the structure and significance of the Old Testament books as outlined in the Hebrew Canon.
E.W. Bullinger delves into the structure of the Bible, highlighting the organization of the books into categories such as The Law, The Prophets, and The Psalms. Each section reveals God's interaction with Israel, from their beginnings as a family to their establishment as a nation, and the eventual blessings and judgments they experience. The Psalms, Proverbs, and other writings showcase God's purposes, moral governance, and the ultimate deliverance and redemption of His people.
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This Is Appendix 1 From The Companion Bible. I.--THE LAW (Torah). A GENESIS. The beginning. All produced by the Word of God (Genesis 1:3). Israel as a "family" (Genesis 15:1). B EXODUS. History. Israel emerging from Families and Tribes to a Nation. Called "Hebrews" according to their "tongue." C LEVITICUS. Worship. Jehovah in the midst. He, Israel's God; and they, His People. B NUMBERS. History. Israel, now a "Nation," numbered, and blessed, as such (23, 24). A DEUTERONOMY. The end.
All depending on the Word of Jehovah. Israel regarded as in the "Land." II.--THE PROPHETS (Nebi'im). A JOSHUA. "The Lord of all the earth" giving possession of the Land. Government under Priests. the former Prophets B JUDGES. Israel forsaking and returning to God; losing and regaining their position in the Land. "No king." Bethlehem. Failure under Priests. C SAMUEL. Man's king "rejected"; God's king (David) "established." D KINGS. Decline and Fall under the kings. D ISAIAH. Final blessing under God's King. the latter Prophets C JEREMIAH.
Human kings "rejected." David's "righteous Branch" "raised up." B EZEKIEL. God forsaking Israel, and returning in glory, to say for ever of His Land and city "Jehovah-Shammah." A MINOR PROPHETS. "The Lord of all the earth" giving restored possession of the Land, and foretelling final and unending possession. III.--THE PSALMS (Kethubim, Writings). A PSALMS. Tehillim. "Praises." God's purposes and counsels as to His doings in the future. B PROVERBS, that is Rules: Words which govern or rule man's life.
God's moral government set forth. C JOB. "The end of the Lord" shown in Satan's defeat, and the saint's deliverance from tribulation. D CANTICLES. Virtue rewarded. Read by the Jews at the Passover: the Feast which commemorates the deliverance from Pharaoh, the Jews' oppressor. the five Megilloth E RUTH. The stranger gathered in to hear of, and share in, God's goodness in Redemption. Read at Pentecost, which commemorates God's goodness in the Land. F LAMENTATIONS. "Alas!" The record of Israel's woes.
Read at the Fast of the ninth of Abib. E ECCLESIASTES. "The Preacher." The People collected to hear of man's vanity. Read at the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates God's goodness in the wilderness. D ESTHER. Virtue rewarded. Read at the Feast of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance from Haman, "the Jews' enemy." C DANIEL. "God's judgment." Here are shown the final defeat of Antichrist, and the deliverance out of "the Great Tribulation." B EZRA-NEHEMIAH. Men who governed and ruled God's People in their resettlement in the Land. A CHRONICLES. Dibrae hayyamim. "Words of the Days"; or, God's purposes and counsels as to Israel's doings in the past, and until the time of the end.
Sermon Outline
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I
- {'A': 'GENESIS: The beginning, all produced by the Word of God.', 'B': 'EXODUS: Israel emerging from families to a nation.', 'C': 'LEVITICUS: Worship with Jehovah in the midst.', 'D': 'NUMBERS: Israel as a numbered and blessed nation.', 'E': 'DEUTERONOMY: All depending on the Word of Jehovah.'}
- THE LAW (Torah)
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II
- {'A': 'JOSHUA: The Lord giving possession of the Land.', 'B': 'JUDGES: Israel's cycle of forsaking and returning to God.', 'C': 'SAMUEL: Rejection of man's king and establishment of God's king.', 'D': 'KINGS: Decline and fall under the kings.', 'E': 'ISAIAH: Final blessing under God's King.'}
- THE PROPHETS (Nebi'im)
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III
- {'A': 'PSALMS: Praises reflecting God's future purposes.', 'B': 'PROVERBS: Words governing man's life.', 'C': 'JOB: The end of the Lord shown in tribulation.', 'D': 'CANTICLES: Virtue rewarded during Passover.', 'E': 'RUTH: The stranger sharing in God's goodness.'}
- THE PSALMS (Kethubim, Writings)
Key Quotes
“Israel emerging from Families and Tribes to a Nation.” — E.W. Bullinger
“The record of Israel's woes.” — E.W. Bullinger
“God's judgment shown in the final defeat of Antichrist.” — E.W. Bullinger
Application Points
- Understand the importance of the Old Testament in the Christian faith.
- Recognize the themes of redemption and worship throughout the scriptures.
- Reflect on the historical context of Israel's journey and God's faithfulness.