Tips on surveying the old testament

H

Henoch

Puritan Board Freshman
Guys I'm relatively new to the reformed camp and the doctrines of grace(been about slightly more than a year since I got to know about God's sovereignty) and I've now got a passion/burning desire within me to systematically read the Old Testament and see all the evangelical motifs and doctrines of grace there
I've never read the Old Testament for myself except for the bible stories Ive heard from my parents and Sunday School and bits and pieces of the prophets here and there
Any tips on surveying the entire Old Testament quickly to get acquainted with it's contents? Are there like resources/commentaries etc.?
 
Henoch said:
Guys I'm relatively new to the reformed camp and the doctrines of grace(been about slightly more than a year since I got to know about God's sovereignty) and I've now got a passion/burning desire within me to systematically read the Old Testament and see all the evangelical motifs and doctrines of grace there
I've never read the Old Testament for myself except for the bible stories Ive heard from my parents and Sunday School and bits and pieces of the prophets here and there
Any tips on surveying the entire Old Testament quickly to get acquainted with it's contents? Are there like resources/commentaries etc.?
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The book of Hebrews is basically a commentary on the interpretation of the Old Testament. I would read Hebrews through a couple times, read Matthew Poole's commentary on it, then read the Old Testament. That will give you a good introduction to the types and shadows, the sacrificial system, how some major Old Testament persons foreshadowed Christ, and the way in which the Old Testament histories supply matter for moral and doctrinal instruction.

Matthew Poole and Matthew Henry's commentaries will be good resources if you have any questions, but are probably too long for you to read them in full during your first reading of the OT.

I have some other commentaries on individual books listed here (scroll down), some in English, some not. Of them, George Hutcheson on the minor prophets is probably the most worthy of mention.

Someone is probably going to mention Vos in this thread, so let me preempt that by saying he would be a very good person to read in 5-10 years. Not really suitable for a beginner.
 
I thoroughly agree that Hebrews is an excellent commentary on the Old Testament.

I'd encourage you to set a goal of reading the Old Testament without getting bogged down in the details, say three chapters a day. Take Hebrews as the place for verse-by-verse study.

I'd discourage you from reading what someone else wants to tell you about the OT until you've read it yourself.
 
Henoch said:
Guys I'm relatively new to the reformed camp and the doctrines of grace(been about slightly more than a year since I got to know about God's sovereignty) and I've now got a passion/burning desire within me to systematically read the Old Testament and see all the evangelical motifs and doctrines of grace there
I've never read the Old Testament for myself except for the bible stories Ive heard from my parents and Sunday School and bits and pieces of the prophets here and there
Any tips on surveying the entire Old Testament quickly to get acquainted with it's contents? Are there like resources/commentaries etc.?
Click to expand...
As far as just reading through, I would recommend going in the order of the Hebrew canon (Tanakh)— Law, Prophets, Writings. I find the order makes more sense as a story than the way it appears in the English versions. For example, in our English Bibles you start reading about the Prophets after reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and the wisdom books. Those three books are generally chronologically after most of the prophets. So, you get to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who are actually before the days of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. In contrast, in the Tanakh order you keep the prophets right after the general time period you're reading about right before (Samuel & Kings).

Keep in mind that the Tanakh order, though, is not exactly in chronological order.

Also, look for places where the OT is quoted in the NT. The NT interprets for us. Along with that, if there are sermons you listen to, find those who preach the OT as Christian Scripture.
 
Read "Promise and Deliverance" by De Graaf. The first two volumes cover the OT. I'd also recommend Hendriksen's "Survey of the Bible".
 
Henoch said:
Guys I'm relatively new to the reformed camp and the doctrines of grace(been about slightly more than a year since I got to know about God's sovereignty) and I've now got a passion/burning desire within me to systematically read the Old Testament and see all the evangelical motifs and doctrines of grace there
I've never read the Old Testament for myself except for the bible stories Ive heard from my parents and Sunday School and bits and pieces of the prophets here and there
Any tips on surveying the entire Old Testament quickly to get acquainted with it's contents? Are there like resources/commentaries etc.?
Click to expand...
I would get a good reformed study bible, like the Reformation Study Bible, Reformation Heritage Study Bible, or the ESV Study Bible, and scan the book introductions and outlines. There will be a lot of helpful things pointing to Christ in every book and showing you which passages to check out.
 
Charles Johnson said:
The book of Hebrews is basically a commentary on the interpretation of the Old Testament. I would read Hebrews through a couple times, read Matthew Poole's commentary on it, then read the Old Testament. That will give you a good introduction to the types and shadows, the sacrificial system, how some major Old Testament persons foreshadowed Christ, and the way in which the Old Testament histories supply matter for moral and doctrinal instruction.

Matthew Poole and Matthew Henry's commentaries will be good resources if you have any questions, but are probably too long for you to read them in full during your first reading of the OT.

I have some other commentaries on individual books listed here (scroll down), some in English, some not. Of them, George Hutcheson on the minor prophets is probably the most worthy of mention.

Someone is probably going to mention Vos in this thread, so let me preempt that by saying he would be a very good person to read in 5-10 years. Not really suitable for a beginner.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response! I think I'll survey the OT refer to MH when I get stuck!
Also love your site! That site is awesome! Love all the Latin theological resources you've mentioned there! Gratiam plurimam tibi habeo quod hunc situm/website fecisti!!
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jwithnell said:
I thoroughly agree that Hebrews is an excellent commentary on the Old Testament.

I'd encourage you to set a goal of reading the Old Testament without getting bogged down in the details, say three chapters a day. Take Hebrews as the place for verse-by-verse study.

I'd discourage you from reading what someone else wants to tell you about the OT until you've read it yourself.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion!
Yep I think I'll get bogged down by what everybody else says!
From childhood I've always been used to hearing the old testament interpreted in a narcissistic - prosperity gospel
- I'm the hero of the story type hermeneutic May the Lord open my eyes to see Christ in all of Scripture!!
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pastorgrumbles said:
As far as just reading through, I would recommend going in the order of the Hebrew canon (Tanakh)— Law, Prophets, Writings. I find the order makes more sense as a story than the way it appears in the English versions. For example, in our English Bibles you start reading about the Prophets after reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and the wisdom books. Those three books are generally chronologically after most of the prophets. So, you get to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who are actually before the days of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. In contrast, in the Tanakh order you keep the prophets right after the general time period you're reading about right before (Samuel & Kings).

Keep in mind that the Tanakh order, though, is not exactly in chronological order.

Also, look for places where the OT is quoted in the NT. The NT interprets for us. Along with that, if there are sermons you listen to, find those who preach the OT as Christian Scripture.
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Noted!
Thanks for the response!! Will try reading them in the Torah Neviim and Ketuvim order!
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Andres said:
Read "Promise and Deliverance" by De Graaf. The first two volumes cover the OT. I'd also recommend Hendriksen's "Survey of the Bible".
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Sure!
Will look into it, thanks for responding
!!
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Faithhopelove24 said:
I would get a good reformed study bible, like the Reformation Study Bible, Reformation Heritage Study Bible, or the ESV Study Bible, and scan the book introductions and outlines. There will be a lot of helpful things pointing to Christ in every book and showing you which passages to check out.
Click to expand...
Great idea!! Thanks for responding!
I've got a MacArthur Study bible!
 
Henoch said:
Thanks for the response! I think I'll survey the OT refer to MH when I get stuck!
Also love your site! That site is awesome! Love all the Latin theological resources you've mentioned there! Gratiam plurimam tibi habeo quod hunc situm/website fecisti!!
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Thanks for the suggestion!
Yep I think I'll get bogged down by what everybody else says!
From childhood I've always been used to hearing the old testament interpreted in a narcissistic - prosperity gospel
- I'm the hero of the story type hermeneutic May the Lord open my eyes to see Christ in all of Scripture!!
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Noted!
Thanks for the response!! Will try reading them in the Torah Neviim and Ketuvim order!
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Sure!
Will look into it, thanks for responding
!!
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Great idea!! Thanks for responding!
I've got a MacArthur Study bible!
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I’m not sure what your intent was by responding with saying you have a MacArthur study bible, but he is not reformed. I don’t say this lightly, but I would look for a new Bible as soon as you are able. I mean, the Bible is fine, but I wouldn’t read MacArthur’s notes.
 
I think Enoch's intent was sincere and fine. There are many folks who love MacArthur for his stand-up faith and witness, who do not realize he is against the Reformed in some areas other then soteriology — in which area he is sound, I believe.
 
Eyedoc84 said:
I’m not sure what your intent was by responding with saying you have a MacArthur study bible, but he is not reformed. I don’t say this lightly, but I would look for a new Bible as soon as you are able. I mean, the Bible is fine, but I wouldn’t read MacArthur’s notes.
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He's probably fine on everything but unfulfilled prophecy.
 
Eyedoc84 said:
I’m not sure what your intent was by responding with saying you have a MacArthur study bible, but he is not reformed. I don’t say this lightly, but I would look for a new Bible as soon as you are able. I mean, the Bible is fine, but I wouldn’t read MacArthur’s notes.
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I meant that that's the only physical study bible I've got at the moment haha
Ill try to get the reformation study bible then!
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Jerusalem Blade said:
Here is Kim Riddlebarger on “John MacArthur on Calvinism, Dispensationalism, Israel, and Hermeneutics: A Few Comments” : https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/reply-to-john-macarthur

It is clear that JM is hostile to the Reformed faith, saving, as I said, soteriology.
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I didn't know he's against reformed soteriology! Is his view of predestination not reformed?
 
Henoch said:
I meant that that's the only physical study bible I've got at the moment haha
Ill try to get the reformation study bible then!
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I didn't know he's against reformed soteriology! Is his view of predestination not reformed?
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He meant that he is for reformed soteriology but against other reformed doctrines.
 
pgwolv said:
He meant that he is for reformed soteriology but against other reformed doctrines.
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Oops sorry misread that!! I read "saving" as a participle there instead of a conjunction
The other doctrines meaning eschatology and his view of the church vs israel right?
 
Henoch said:
The other doctrines meaning eschatology and his view of the church vs israel right?
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Those are the main ones of which I am aware. I have also recently heard someone say that he denies the real presence of Christ in the elements, going too far in arguing against transubstantiation, which is ironic given his adherence to Jesuit-spawned eschatology.
 
Also in terms of secondary sources, Gleason Archer's Survey and E.J. Young's Introduction are well regarded conservative, fairly concise treatments. There are newer (and larger!) ones like the biblical theological introduction volume published by Crossway edited by Miles Van Pelt but this is written by different authors and will vary in quality and consistency.
 
pastorgrumbles said:
As far as just reading through, I would recommend going in the order of the Hebrew canon (Tanakh)— Law, Prophets, Writings. I find the order makes more sense as a story than the way it appears in the English versions. For example, in our English Bibles you start reading about the Prophets after reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and the wisdom books. Those three books are generally chronologically after most of the prophets. So, you get to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who are actually before the days of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. In contrast, in the Tanakh order you keep the prophets right after the general time period you're reading about right before (Samuel & Kings).

Keep in mind that the Tanakh order, though, is not exactly in chronological order.

Also, look for places where the OT is quoted in the NT. The NT interprets for us. Along with that, if there are sermons you listen to, find those who preach the OT as Christian Scripture.
Click to expand...

I am not so sure about this. The Hebrew order is mostly logical (I say mostly because the only thing connecting Song of Songs - Ruth - Lamentations - Ecclesiastes - Esther is Rabbinic liturgical tradition, and then Daniel - Ezra - Nehemia - I and II Chronicles is basically the miscellaneous collection around the end); but so is the one most of you are used to.

In fact, for a survey reading of the old testament, grouping Solomon's books together, putting Chronicles right next to Samuel and Kings (which go through the same events with a different focus), and immidiately following it with Ezra and Nehemia, which carry on where chronicles stopped, putting Ruth between Judges (which is the period the story happens in) and Samuel (which describes the period Ruth leads up to), putting Lamentations with Jeremiah, and putting all of the prophets together, and after you have the historical context from the historical books, are all useful features, which the Hebrew order does not offer.


Something I found helpful for "large picture" survey reading is reading or listening to large sections at once. Sit down and read the largest amount in one sitting that is not overwhelming for you. Try to get shorter books in one sitting, and longer books in a few long sections (so for Genesis, maybe read 1-11, then read everything up to Abraham's death, then isaac and Jacob's stories, then Joseph's stories in one sitting; if that is overwhelming maybe slightly smaller chunks). If you work in some sort of non-office environment (or have an unusually long commute), consider an audio-bible.



Keep in mind you won't get familiarity with the OT in one go. Do several large-picture readings. Cultivate a healthy prayer and bible reading habit, and make the OT an inseparable part of it. Read good books, especially puritan ones. Sing psalms. Memorize psalms. Memorize the ten commandments. Memorize other scriptures. When reading the NT, note how Christ and the apostles approach OT quotes, events, characters. Go back and read the OT passage in question (if your'e from the dispensationalist background, this in particular is revolutionary)
 
Sam Jer said:
I am not so sure about this. The Hebrew order is mostly logical (I say mostly because the only thing connecting Song of Songs - Ruth - Lamentations - Ecclesiastes - Esther is Rabbinic liturgical tradition, and then Daniel - Ezra - Nehemia - I and II Chronicles is basically the miscellaneous collection around the end); but so is the one most of you are used to.

In fact, for a survey reading of the old testament, grouping Solomon's books together, putting Chronicles right next to Samuel and Kings (which go through the same events with a different focus), and immidiately following it with Ezra and Nehemia, which carry on where chronicles stopped, putting Ruth between Judges (which is the period the story happens in) and Samuel (which describes the period Ruth leads up to), putting Lamentations with Jeremiah, and putting all of the prophets together, and after you have the historical context from the historical books, are all useful features, which the Hebrew order does not offer.


Something I found helpful for "large picture" survey reading is reading or listening to large sections at once. Sit down and read the largest amount in one sitting that is not overwhelming for you. Try to get shorter books in one sitting, and longer books in a few long sections (so for Genesis, maybe read 1-11, then read everything up to Abraham's death, then isaac and Jacob's stories, then Joseph's stories in one sitting; if that is overwhelming maybe slightly smaller chunks). If you work in some sort of non-office environment (or have an unusually long commute), consider an audio-bible.



Keep in mind you won't get familiarity with the OT in one go. Do several large-picture readings. Cultivate a healthy prayer and bible reading habit, and make the OT an inseparable part of it. Read good books, especially puritan ones. Sing psalms. Memorize psalms. Memorize the ten commandments. Memorize other scriptures. When reading the NT, note how Christ and the apostles approach OT quotes, events, characters. Go back and read the OT passage in question (if your'e from the dispensationalist background, this in particular is revolutionary)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice brother!!! I'll try to sing psalms more often they're very edifying compared to the insipid contemporary christian music out there
 
I listened to this sermon today, which brought up a point relevant to this thread: while we ought to seek to understand the scriptures, there is nothing wrong with going back to the passages that stirred up our first love (that specific point is toward the end). Additionally, I think the whole series @Rom is going through in the Song of Solomon (one of the most often neglected or misinterpreted books in the old testament) could be of benefit to you. It certainly helped me in understanding many a verse in the book.

Edit: Forgot to add the link. Here it is: https://web.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1525172923762
 
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