New Testament writers often alluded to and quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures as the basis of their belief and practice. Jesus, too, referred to the many prophecies about Himself found in those ancient writings. This series explores the first 39 books of the Bible, also known as the Old Testament or “The Law, the Prophets and the Writings.”
Winter 2012
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 1
David Hulme
In this issue we begin a new series, on the books that comprise the Old Testament, starting with “the book of origins,” Genesis.
Spring 2012
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 2
David Hulme
Humanity’s journey from the Garden of Eden to the city of Babylon spanned two millennia and is retold in stories from the book of Genesis.
Summer 2012
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 3
David Hulme
In a continuing study of Genesis, we trace the biblical record from Nimrod and the Tower of Babel to Abraham and the start of the Patriarchal Age.
Fall 2012
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 4
David Hulme
Our continuing study of Genesis highlights various episodes in the patriarch Abraham’s life following God’s promise to make a great nation of his descendants.
Winter 2013
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 5
David Hulme
As the series continues, we review the ongoing biblical account of Abraham’s sons and grandsons. Their story is one of intrigue and deceit.
Spring 2013
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 6
David Hulme
Our study of Genesis continues the story of Jacob, from his return to Canaan to the treachery of his older sons, who sold their brother Joseph into slavery.
Summer 2013
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 7
David Hulme
In this installment we follow the story of the patriarchs to its conclusion: Jacob’s final years, Joseph’s life in Egypt, and the birth of the ancient nation of Israel.
Spring 2014
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 8
David Hulme
As the book of Exodus begins, Joseph and his generation are long dead, a new pharaoh sits on the throne of Egypt, and the outlook is bleak for the descendants of Jacob, or Israel.
Summer 2014
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 9
David Hulme
The descendants of Jacob had been enslaved in Egypt for many years when Moses brought them word that God was about to rescue them. In Part 9 of the series, we trace the story of their exodus from the land of the pharaohs.
Fall 2014
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 10
David Hulme
Under the leadership of Moses, the children of Israel make their way to the Promised Land, but their 40-year journey is marked by one episode of faithlessness and rebellion after another.
Winter 2015
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 11
David Hulme
As the Israelites stand poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminds them of their recent history and of the keys to future blessings from God.
Spring 2015
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 12
David Hulme
In the final chapters of Deuteronomy—the last of the five books of Moses—the man who led the Israelites out of Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land clarifies aspects of God’s laws and of His promises and warnings to the new nation.
Summer 2015
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 13
David Hulme
Few Bible scholars believe the book of Joshua, describing Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, to be of any historical value. What does the Bible tell us about that period of history, and can it be trusted?
Fall 2015
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 14
David Hulme
The idea that history repeats itself is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the story of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. The book of Judges records cycles of obedience, disobedience, war and deliverance as the young nation interacts with neighboring peoples and their gods.
Winter 2016
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 15
David Hulme
While the concluding chapters of the book of Judges tell of the utter faithlessness into which the children of Israel had fallen, the book of Ruth relates an altogether different episode from that period in the nation’s history.
Spring 2016
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 16
David Hulme
The period of the judges comes to an end when the ancient nation of Israel demands a king—for better or for worse.
Summer 2016
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 17
David Hulme
David, having been named as Israel’s next king, finds himself the target of the doomed monarch, Saul.
Fall 2016
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 18
David Hulme
As David takes Saul’s place on the throne of Israel, he shows himself to be a man of great strength but also of serious weaknesses.
Winter 2017
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 19
David Hulme
In a continuation of ancient Israel’s troubled history, an aging King David endures more violence and intrigue among his children but ultimately passes the crown to his son Solomon.
Spring 2017
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 20
David Hulme
Solomon’s kingdom has been divided, but the period of the early monarchs who succeed him is still largely defined by treachery, disloyalty and increasing idolatry.
Summer 2017
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 21
David Hulme
The ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah continue their descent into idol worship as they stray ever farther from their God.
Fall 2017
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 22
David Hulme
In their descent to national downfall, the people of ancient Israel increase in idolatry despite repeated warnings from the prophets of the day. The outcome is just as God promised.
Winter 2018
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 23
David Hulme
When the kingdom of Judah fails to heed the final, dire warnings of the prophets, their fate is sealed.
Summer 2018
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 24
David Hulme
Isaiah is the first of the Bible’s “major prophets.” Like the others, he delivered a message of not only judgment but also restoration.
Fall 2018
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 25
David Hulme
Where the first half of Isaiah’s prophetic book focuses mainly on warning Judah and surrounding nations, the second half is primarily about restoration and peace.
Winter 2019
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 26
David Hulme
In this installment on the Prophets, we look at the lives and messages of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Spring 2019
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 27
David Hulme
Who were the so-called minor prophets, and what was the purpose of their writings?
Summer 2019
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 28
David Hulme
Six remaining books round out the section of the Bible known as “the Prophets.” Their messages are diverse; yet, like the other prophetic writings, they share some common themes.
Fall 2019
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 29
David Hulme
Hoping to strengthen his people’s sense of identity, an anonymous chronicler documents their backstory.
Winter 2020
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 30
David Hulme
The book of Lamentations, though not often cited, serves as a microcosm of the human story.
Spring 2020
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 31
David Hulme
Freed from Babylonian captivity, some exiled Jews returned to rebuild Jerusalem. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah detail their story.
Summer 2020
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 32
David Hulme
Nehemiah’s account chronicles his efforts not only to restore the walls of Jerusalem but also to strengthen its returning inhabitants.
Fall 2020
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 33
David Hulme
What are we to do when we undergo suffering, and how are we to understand God’s role?
Winter 2021
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 34
David Hulme
Solomon’s name is attached to three books of the Bible. In this installment, we focus on the Song of Songs and the book of Proverbs.
Spring 2021
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 35
David Hulme
What can we learn from the book of Ecclesiastes, with its shifting viewpoints, its seeming contradictions, and its air of futility?
Summer 2021
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 36
David Hulme
Sometimes referred to as “a little Bible,” the book of Psalms offers much more than just a collection of ancient Hebrew poetry.
Fall 2021
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 37
David Hulme
The book of Psalms is intended to be an accompaniment to daily life, with all its ups and downs, its tests and trials.
Winter 2022
The Law, the Prophets and the Writings, Part 38
David Hulme
The final installment in the series examines the multifaceted book of Daniel, which serves as a bridge from the Old Testament to the New.
