Who here enjoys the old testament?

[gav]

Since we are nearing the end, what have been your favourites this year?

[The Mean Farmer]

I enjoy the OT VERY much.

It is all about people just like me...and pretty much everyone else.

 

I glimpse heaven in Genesis.

I see faith and sacrifice.  People who love their children and family.

My jaw drops at stories of Joseph and Moses.

My heart gushes and then breaks every time I read David.   How I weep for David!!

I marvel at the painstaking efforts put in by people like Isaiah and Jeremiah to craft their words with meanings on multiple levels at multiple times.  

I kind of wish prophets would speak as plainly as some did in the OT.   Probably right up until the time they do, then all bets are off!  I don't envy the people at these moments!!

I see example after example of people trying to do well in the situation they are in, and God loves them where they are and encourages them to change.

Hope, love, consistency, and perspective is what the OT is about to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2022 by The Mean Farmer

[OGHoosier]

28 minutes ago, gav said:

Since we are nearing the end, what have been your favourites this year?

I love the Old Testament. I find Moses and Joseph to be inspiring examples of inspiration and imperfection. Abraham is inspiring as well. David's story is wrenching. I admire the fire of Elijah and I adore the prescient poetry of Isaiah. The Old Testament is my favorite of the standard works.

Particularly because it reminds me that God speaks to tongues and cultures other than my own. 

[bluebell]

I’ve loved it so much this year, due to the Follow Him podcast that has a different bible scholar on every week providing more insights. 

[Kenngo1969]

I would have to pull out my notes to comment in any detail, and my notes are very voluminous!  But I love anything and everything in the Old Testament that hints at, prophesies of, and presages the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior in glory.  

[Vanguard]

I don't find too much interest in it. However, I did thoroughly enjoy teaching about the stories of Moses & Joseph to my CTR 5s. I can weave a pretty good story. Being able to hold their rapt attention was a definite ego boost. ; ) 

[tagriffy]

I am very much in agreement with The Mean Farmer's response. A few things I'd like to add:

Job. Interesting how God never actually answers the question, at least not in plain terms that we may understand.

Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes. One of my favorite books of the Bible, which probably says more about me than I care to admit in public.

And last but not least, the Old Testament contains the most radical book in all the Standard Works: Jonah. That book practically screams everything you think you know about God and prophets is wrong. I'm sure many of you can understand the appeal for me.

[OGHoosier]

12 minutes ago, tagriffy said:

Job. Interesting how God never actually answers the question, at least not in plain terms that we may understand.

I find Job to be quite compelling as well.

[InCognitus]

4 hours ago, tagriffy said:

Job. Interesting how God never actually answers the question, at least not in plain terms that we may understand.

I've posted this before, but I still enjoy this Rabbi's approach to the book of Job.  I listened to it again when we were studying the book this year:

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by InCognitus

[InCognitus]

5 hours ago, bluebell said:

I’ve loved it so much this year, due to the Follow Him podcast that has a different bible scholar on every week providing more insights. 

Thanks for this.  I was looking for something to listen to for my trip to Arizona and back in the coming week.  I hadn't been listening to this podcast.  It will give me something to pass the time while I drive.

[Pyreaux]

The Old is the context for the New. Those who neglect it may not understand what the New Testament nor what the Book of Mormon is saying. Take Daniel, none of my Sunday School knew what "a son of God", a "son of man", or what a "watcher" is. I very briefly explain it in 5 sentences, a small reference to the Book of Enoch, and sure they enjoyed it, but as a fun factoid, and fated to be forever forgotten for the foreseeable future until it's found again in four years. I just hope if we read how Christ is the "Son of Man", they remember that phrase.

Reminds me of a friend who served a mission in a hot Asian country (and after long bike rides, folk offered a refreshing glass of boiled water), getting an investigator to read the Book of Mormon, and then when they asked for their thoughts they got replies like, "Who is Moses?", "Who is David?", the Book of Mormon is a bit dependent on basic knowledge of the Old Testament.   

I'm not shaming those who haven't read the OT cover to cover, but those who do not dive into it at all.

Edited November 17, 2022 by Pyreaux

[gav]

On 11/15/2022 at 10:38 PM, bluebell said:

I’ve loved it so much this year, due to the Follow Him podcast that has a different bible scholar on every week providing more insights. 

Yup, that podcast is one of my favorites... lots of insights.

[gav]

3 hours ago, Pyreaux said:

The Old is the context for the New. Those who neglect it may not understand what the New Testament nor what the Book of Mormon is saying. Take Daniel, none of my Sunday School knew what "a son of God", a "son of man", or what a "watcher" is. I very briefly explain it in 5 sentences, a small reference to the Book of Enoch, and sure they enjoyed it, but as a fun factoid, and fated to be forever forgotten for the foreseeable future until it's found again in four years. I just hope if we read how Christ is the "Son of Man", they remember that phrase.

Reminds me of a friend who served a mission in a hot Asian country (and after long bike rides, folk offered a refreshing glass of boiled water), getting an investigator to read the Book of Mormon, and then when they asked for their thoughts they got replies like, "Who is Moses?", "Who is David?", the Book of Mormon is a bit dependent on basic knowledge of the Old Testament.   

I'm not shaming those who haven't read the OT cover to cover, but those who do not dive into it at all.

Agreed, the OT enriches the Book of Mormon experience.

Love the meme...

I've been immersed in the book of Daniel and Revelation for since 2019 and its changed much of my outlook on the rest of the OT prophets and the Torah

Edited November 17, 2022 by gav
Added last sentence

[gav]

On 11/16/2022 at 4:31 AM, InCognitus said:

I've posted this before, but I still enjoy this Rabbi's approach to the book of Job.  I listened to it again when we were studying the book this year:

 

Will make time!