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What do these books tell us?

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.

2 Samuel 7:16
What do these books tell us? Book Cover

By the end of the Old Testament period, the people who had conquered the Promised Land were now displaced, returning from a foreign land as exiles. The nation that was supposed to bring God’s light to the world had itself fallen into darkness. As you move further through Israel’s history, you see some of the most depraved stories you’ll ever read (Judges 19, for example). Through these stories, we see how far Israel had moved from God through disobedience and idolatry.

In these books, what also becomes glaringly clear is the need for God’s salvation. He shone glimpses of light against the backdrop of such darkness. He made a covenant with David, promising a descendant that would reign as king forever (2 Samuel 7:16). The covenant would find its ultimate fulfillment in Christ (Luke 1:31–33).

Those Who Fear Him

The poetry books of the Old Testament communicated to Israel wisdom in how to fear God and live according to his ways. Through personification, stanzas, and other poetic devices, they encouraged them to praise God because of his mighty acts. They declare the benefits of serving the Lord and warn of the pitfalls of disobedience. And they promise the unrelenting mercy of God.

As we study these books, one thing becomes clear—the need for redemption. Not only for the children of Israel, but for our own selves. In our human condition, we are still broken. We too are in need of redemption, a displaced people longing for peace and restoration. The thread of hope that continues to run through the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Christ.

As followers of Jesus, we get to experience Christ in ways that our Old Testament family did not (Hebrews 11:13 — 16, 39 — 40). Because we are free from the shame of sin, we can praise God for his mighty acts in our lives, as the psalms declare. We continue to study his Word so that we may continue to learn his ways and please him with our lifestyle.

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Daily Question

How do you think studying these books can give you hope and help you remember God’s great love for you?

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Comments (8)

They are serve as examples of God’s everlasting love for me as His child and remind me that His grace is sufficient for me and covers all of my sins. These books also show me that even when I stray God is still seeking and pursuing me. He’ll never let me go.

He didn’t and does not have to pursue humanity. He didn’t and doesn’t have to give it second chances again and again. He doesn’t have to be involved in our lives at all. But God is love, God is faithfulness, and God is patience. He also loves justice, but mercy follows close after. And since God is unchanging, would He not have that same redemption plan for all who fear Him?….for me? God is who He is and nothing I will do changes His heart and His character. Praise Him!

Oh yes as we go through the days we are living in, being tested and tried for our faith, especially here in Canada. We long for a better place. We want to move to a more Godly country south of the boarder LORD willing, before we head to our eternal home

These books are a great reminder of what can happen when we step away from Him and turn our backs. The pitfalls we will experience and the hardships we will certainly endure. I know full well what that is like, however, I also have gotten to experience the full redemption of His love for us, as spoken in the OT. I am still broken, and I am still a sinner, however, knowing the love God has for all of us gives us the assurance of a better place. We can not seek and find it here on THIS earth, but need to strive to live according to God’s will so that we will experience Heaven for eternity!!

I can receive hope when I see God’s unwavering love to the Israelites and how he kept forgiving them. I can remember God’s great love for me when I see what he did after all the Israelites troubles and turning away from Him – God sent Jesus to die on the cross for us and that shows his love for all of us.

Though humanity falls again and again, God’s steadfast love never changes. I have hope because Jesus never fails. He never sins and his love on me will never change. Isn’t that amazing? Hallelujah!

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