Biblical Theology

School of Graduate Studies School of Distance Education Waxahachie, Texas THE 5323 Biblical Theology Old Testament Instructor, John W. Wyckoff, Ph.D. Essay Paper THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND MAN ii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................... 1 SUPPORT FROM THE PENTATEUCH ................................ 3 Genesis ............................................... 3 Exodus ................................................ 4 Leviticus ............................................. 5 Numbers ............................................... 7 Deuteronomy ........................................... 8 SUPPORT FROM THE HISTORICAL BOOKS .......................... 10 SUPPORT FROM THE POETICAL BOOKS ............................ 12 SUPPORT FROM THE PROPHETIC BOOKS ........................... 13 CONCLUSION ................................................. 14 NOTES ...................................................... 17 WORKS CITED ................................................ 19 1 INTRODUCTION The Old Testament consists of four logical divisions the Pentateuch, the Historical books, the Poetical books, and the Prophetic books. The Pentateuch consists of the first five books of the Old Testament - Genesis through Deuteronomy. The Historical books are Joshua through Esther. The Poetical books include Job through the Song of Solomon. The Prophetic books are the remaining books of the Old Testament - Isaiah through Malachi. The theology of the Old Testament spans all four divisions. A prominent theological theme in the Old Testament is the topic of covenant. Gleason Archer defines covenant as A compact or agreement between two parties binding them mutually to undertakings on each others behalf. Theologically (used of relations between God and man) it denotes a gracious undertaking entered into by God for the benefit and blessing