The Old Testament: The Four Threads Part 2

Old Testament Overview

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
CREATION. ABRAHAM. MOSES. DAVID. ELIJAH. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

As we've studied various kings of the Old Testament, we've read about men greatly used by God. Yet too often, pride dragged them down near the end of their lives. One person commented that studying the kings "is confirming that we humans are a real mess!" It's true, isn't it? We have seasons of faithfully following God and then some very messy stretches. Thank God for his grace!

From the beginning, we have said that these four threads are constant themes woven throughout Scripture: "Who is God?" "Who is man?" "How can we know God?" "How can we live for God?" The answers are clearly displayed in how God interacts with his people.

Last time we saw that God is the all-powerful Creator, is holy, and is our only redeemer. Today, let's continue to consider these four threads and keep our primary focus on the Person of God. 

God is One
Israel's faith was radically countercultural. In a polytheistic world, they worshiped the one true God. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Dt. 6:4). The first commandment instructed Israel, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3). They were not to follow God with a half-hearted commitment. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Dt. 6:5). 

It turns out this was one of Israel's greatest downfalls. Throughout their history, they were prone to worship other gods. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving God's law, the people bowed before a golden calf (Ex. 32). After they entered the promised land, they "prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them" (Jdg. 2:17 NIV). Their idolatry eventually split the united nation of Israel (1 Kgs. 11:9–11) and led them into captivity–first the northern kingdom to the Assyrians (722 BC) and then the southern kingdom to the Babylonians (586 BC). 

God is a jealous God—but not in a human sense of insecurity or envy. His jealousy is a holy, covenant jealousy. He calls for the exclusive loyalty of those who follow him and will not share their worship with anyone or anything else (Ex. 20:5; 34:14; Dt. 4:24). 

God is Sovereign
It has been confirmed repeatedly through our study that God is sovereign over all people, kingdoms, and nature. He is the author of today's headlines, moving every piece and working "all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph. 1:11). We see this, for example, when God appointed the Persian king Cyrus to carry out his work (Isa. 45:1). Cyrus even acknowledged, "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem…'" (Ezra 1:2). The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was so overwhelmed by God's sovereign power that he declared, "'Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just…'" (Dan. 4:37). Because "the king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will" (Prov. 21:1), we need not fret about world events. God is in complete control–now and forever. 

God is Just and Righteous 
All that God does is just and right; therefore, he holds humanity accountable for our sins. When his people strayed, God sent prophets to encourage them and to warn them of the consequences of continued sin. And when they refused to listen, he allowed them to be taken captive in order to turn their hearts back to him. 

In God's justice, there is an abundance of mercy. The reluctant prophet Jonah finally went to the wicked city of Nineveh to proclaim God's warning and grace. When the Ninevites responded in repentance, Jonah admitted that he had tried to escape this assignment, "'for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster'" (Jonah 4:2).^[1] 

King David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah, brought tragic consequences for both David and the nation. Even in Jesus' genealogy, sin is not ignored: "And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah" (Matt. 1:6). Yet with God there is forgiveness when we truly repent of our sin (see Ps. 51). 

God is Faithful
God is not distant. Throughout the Old Testament, we see him revealed in nature (Psalm 19:1–3), in miraculous acts like the parting of the Red Sea, and in stunning military victories, "for the battle is the LORD's" (1 Sam. 17:45–47; 2 Chron. 20:15). He speaks, guides, and dwells among his people. The tabernacle and the temple both symbolize his presence in their midst. 

God made unilateral covenants that he will keep. In Genesis 3:15, he promised that One would come through a woman to crush Satan's head. God then chose a people through whom to send the coming Savior and made a covenant with their patriarch, Abraham (Gen. 12:2–3), which he repeated to Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 26:3; 35:12). This covenant stood through times of both obedience and disobedience.^[2] God also promised David that one from his line would occupy his throne forever (2 Sam. 7:6; 23:5). The promise of the Davidic covenant echoes throughout the psalms, the prophets, and the New Testament.^[3] In the final book of the Bible, Jesus declares, "'I am the root and the descendant of David…'" (Rev. 22:16). 

God never wavers in his promises. He is faithful, and knowing this gives us confidence in the promises he has given to every believer. 

Let's wrap up our Old Testament review by going back to the beginning. God promised that he would send One who would crush Satan's head (Gen. 3:15). This is called the protoevangelium–the first mentioned of the gospel in the Bible. As the Old Testament closes, there are 400 years of silence before Jesus comes. Next time, we will consider what was taking place during those years. 

But Jesus does come, and he will be the focus of the next part of our study in the Gospel of Luke. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on God's characteristics in today's teaching. What competing loyalties can pull your heart away from wholehearted devotion to God alone?

Talking to God: Ask God to show you the competing loyalties in your life. 

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step.

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