The Old Testament in Seven Sentences

Synopsis

"It's easy to see the Old Testament as confusing, out of date, or irrelevant. Using seven key sentences drawn straight from the Old Testament, Christopher J. H. Wright fits the pieces together, shows us the coherent whole, and points us toward Jesus. This short survey shows God's faithfulness and love for his people and illuminates how the Old Testament scriptures prepared for the identity and mission of Jesus"--.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Beginning

* Summary: God creates the world and everything in it, including humanity, in seven days.
* Example: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

Chapter 2: The Fall

* Summary: Adam and Eve disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit, bringing sin and death into the world.
* Example: "So they ate, and their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked" (Genesis 3:7).

Chapter 3: The Promise

* Summary: God promises Abraham that he will be the father of a great nation and inherit the land of Canaan.
* Example: "And He brought him outside and said, 'Look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your offspring be'" (Genesis 15:5).

Chapter 4: The Law

* Summary: Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and receives the Law from God on Mount Sinai.
* Example: "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image" (Exodus 20:3-4).

Chapter 5: The Prophets

* Summary: Throughout Israel's history, prophets speak God's word, warning against sin and foretelling the coming of a Messiah.
* Example: "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls'" (Jeremiah 6:16).

Chapter 6: The Messiah

* Summary: Jesus Christ, the Messiah, comes to earth as the Son of God, fulfilling the prophecies and bringing salvation to all who believe.
* Example: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Chapter 7: The End

* Summary: Jesus returns to earth to judge the living and the dead, creating a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.
* Example: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Revelation 21:1).