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Lectures in Old Testament History:

Before the Exodus

by

J. Robert Vannoy

1990


Topic
Library Type Author Title
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #01
Introduction

Last time Wellhausen JEDP. Natural religion (JE) vs Prophetic religion (D) Priestly religion (P). Gunckel Gattung. Formgeschichte. Legends in Genesis: Etiological legends. Ethnical legends: stories evolved to explain things (but they are fictitious); Etymological legends (fictional meanings of names); ceremonial legends.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #02
Introduction

Last time Wellhausen, Gunckel, von Rad. 2. Concessionary evangelicalism: one can hold onto the central message of scripture without asserting inerrancy (i.e. historical accuracy). H.M.Keitert Do you Understand what you Read?
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #02x
Introduction

Last time 3.f Discussion of the special characteristics of OT history writing. (1) OT History is to be viewed as redemptive history. Purpose is to describe what God has done in history to reveal himself and to redeem his people. (2) Linear concept of history embodied in the OT and its implications. (Linear = History is a meaningful process moving towards a goal).
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #03
II.A. Primeval Chronology

Last time finished I. II. A. Primeval Chronology. In Biblical narrative chronological relationships are not necessarily of primary importance. Example: How to date Abraham? William Henry Greene, Primeval Chronology; B. B. Warfield On the Antiquity of the Human Race. Five propositions: 1. The idea that man is of recent origin has no basis in scripture. 2. The attempt to date the creation of man based on biblical data is an invalid procedure. 3. The geneaologies of Genesis 5 and 11 do not have the purpose of chronology, but of descent. They did not require a complete record of descendence. "beget" = ancestor, not necessarily immediate. "son" = descendent, not necessarily immediate. Abridgment is the general rule in genealogy. Emphasis is on line of descent, not chronology - I Chr. 26:24; I Chr 6:1-3; Num. 3:39; I Chr. 6:3-14 and Ezra 7:1-5 parallel genealogies - 6 names omitted. 4. Numbers introduced may give an impression of chronological significance, but in reality they have no bearing on this, but only indicate life span and give child-bearing years. 5. (next hour)
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #04
II.B. Primeval Chronology ; III.A. Creation

5. If you total they years of Genesis 11 as if chronological, then Shem would still be living at the time of Abraham. No evidence of a flood in Mesopotamia in the 1000 years prior to Abraham (about 2000 BC). Further there are continuous historical records here and in Egypt going back beyond 3500 BC.  II. B. A Few Additional Considerations. 1. Strict genelogy not necessary conclusion of the Biblical account, and is not a theological issue. 2. Table of Nations. How could all of these develop in the time implied by a strict chronology? 3. The Bible itself does not combine the number of years in the genealogy. III. The World Before Abraham: Primeval History, Gen. 1-11 A. Creation of the Universe Gen 1:1-2:3. 1. General Teaching about God. a. God's existence is assumed. (Contrast with extra-biblical mythologies) b. Monotheism is presupposed. 2. General teaching about the Universe 3. General Tteaching about Mankind.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #05
III.A.4 Gen, 1:1 - 2:3

III.A.c. God is the Omnipotent Creator of the Universe. Heb. 11:3 d. God is separate from his Creation. Not a nature god. 2. General teaching about the universe. a. The universe is not self-existent or divine. b. It is not inherently evil or antagonistic to God or Man. c. The universe came into being at the will of the divine creator. d. Its formation followed orderly stages. 3. General teaching about man. a. an is not self-existent or divine. b. owes his existence to a creative act of God. c. Man comes as the culmination of the creative acts of God. d. Man is separate from all the other elements of creation because he was made in the image of God. 3/4/09 e. Man has divine authority or dominion over the animal creation.  4. Interpretations of Genesis 1:1. a. Independent clause All ancient versions take it this way. b. Subordinate clause. Most take it as subordinate to vs. 2. Some take vs. 2 as a parenthesis.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #06
III.A.6.1.a-b YOM etc (prev tape missing?)

Last time[ meaning of Yom=day top p2 class outline a. Usage of the word.1. Usage in OT in general 2. Usage in the framework of Gen 1. Things that took place on 6th day "now at last". All suggests longer period of time.]  Conclusion: Yom = A period of activity of indefinite length rather than a solar day. B. Main types of views of the days of Gen 1. 1. Actual days a. 24-hour solar days b. Indefinite length days. 2. Non-actual days.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #07
III.A.6-7 to B.1 Framework Hypothesis

Last time Framework Hypothesis (days of Genesis 1). 2. Non-actual days - literary device. Frederick Delitsch The Great Deception. "The Old Testament is full of deceptions." Babylonian Creation Story. (end of tape missing)
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #08
III.B.1b-2-3 Eden; Gen 1 & 2 Compared; Rivers of Eden

Genesis 2: A. Function of Genesis 2 in relation to Genesis 1. Is this another account of Creation? Gen 2 not primarily a creation account. Its subject is man and his function in the created world. A. Use of the Hebrew word "Toledoth". B. Function of Genesis 2 in relation to Genesis 3. 2. Does Genesis 2 contradict Genesis 1? 3. Garden of Eden. a. Location. Meaning of "head" of a river.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #09
III.B.3.b Trees of the Garden

Last time Gen 2 B.3 The Garden of Eden.  3.b. The Trees of the Garden. Significance of the Tree of Life. John Calvin: A sacremental symbol of life in fellowship with and dependence on God. Not intrinsically life-giving. Aside on Sacraments. Tree of Life in Revelation: 2:7, 22:2. Next: Creation of Woman.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #10
III.B.4-5 Creation of Woman; Evolution

4. Creation of Woman. The Marriage bond. 5. What about evolution? a. Meaning of the term.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #11
III.B-C.1-2 The Fall

Genesis 3. The Fall. Its place in history. 2. Details of the Fall. a. Nature of the test  b. the serpent.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #12
III.C.2.c-f The Fall

c. The process of surrender. 1. Injection of doubt. 2. The woman comes to God's defense - but she sharpens the prohibition. 3. Satan flatly accuses God of being false. 4. A mixture of truth and falsehood (it is true but not to man's advantage). d. The suddenness of the result. 1. Awareness of shame and nakedness. Fallen nature seeks to exploit another person. Positive role of shame.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #13
III.D Gen 4-5 Antidiluvian Technology; Cain, Seth, Flood

D. 2. Antidiluvian technology. 3. Line of Cain 3. 4:16-24 J. Grescham Machen, Christianity and Culture: Three options: Subiordinate to culture, withdrawal from culture, consecration of culture.  (TAPE DRAGS)
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #14
III.D Genesis 4-5 Cain & Abel

Sacrifices of Cain and Abel. 2. Antediluvian technology. Gen. 4:16ff. (tape drags)
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #15
III.E. The Flood

Sons of God vs. Daughters of Men.  Sumerian - "Sons of Gods" = royalty. "(even) all whom they chose" = polygamy? Nephilim = hard to translate. TWOT: 5. Historicity of the Flood account. Origin and Character of the Biblical Flood Story.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #16
III.E.6-7 Ordinances in Post-Diluvian World. Curse on Canaan

Mesopotamian vs Biblical Accounts of Flood. Dimensions of the ark differ (cube vs. proportions of modern ship). Skeleton of the accounts are clearly related. But Why the differences? Viewpoints: a. Proto-semitic b. Hebrew account derived from the Mesopotamian account. Von Rad: both versions are independent arrangements of a still older tradition. 6. Gen. 9:1-17 . Ordinances governing the Post-diluvian world. a. 9:1-7 Directions for the propagation and maintenance of human and animal life. b. Dominion of man over the animals is reconfirmed. c. vs. 6 The life of man is sacred (divine ordinance for the death penalty). B. Noahic Covenant. 7. Curse on Canaan. Gen 9:20ff. cf. Lev. 18:24ff.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #17
III.E. 7. F,g Babel

Curse on Canaan. Gen. 9:25-27 Contents of curses. F. Gen. 10 Table of Nations.  G. Gen. 11:1-9 Tower of Babel.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #18
IV Archaeology

IV. The Relation of Archaeology with Bible History. A. A general Survey of Biblical Archaeology. B. The role of archaeology in assessing the historical statements of the Bible. 1. Archaeological evidence is necessarily fragmentary in nature. 2. Archaeological perspective: evidence is tentative in nature.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #19
IV Archaeology; V. Patriarchal Period

Last time Role of Archaeology. Continuing 2. Nelson Gluck - Solomon's seaport in Ezion Geber. I Ki. 9-10. Copper Smelting in the Arabah?  interpretations changed in time. Identification of ancient sites. Subjective inature of archaeology and literary critical research. V. Patriarchal period. Gen. 11:27 - Gen. 50 - Generations of Terah. Narrowing down of Biblical History. A.    B. Authenticity of the patriarchal accounts. John Bright History of Israel p92. "The evidence gives us every right to affirm the historical nature. The patriarchs were historical figures." Cntra. T. L. Thompson, Abraham in History and Tadition: "Salvation history did not happen." Good evangelical review: Essays on the Patriarvhal Narratives (1983). Major collections: 1. Mari texts ca.1700 BC (near Babylon) - 20,000 tablets; 3. Cappadocian texts (Asia Minor) ca. 1800 BC 2. Nuzi texts 1500 BC; 4. Rasha Shamra-Ugarit 14th C BC (Syria) 5. Execration Texts 20th-19th C. BC. (Egypt) 6. Ebla texts at tel Mardikh n of Beiruit 24th C. BC. (17000 texts "greatest archaeological find of the century" (1975) named Sodom Gomorrah) Summary: It is evident that the patriarchal customs described in Genesis fit in this period. Early Hebrew names fit in a class of names current at this time. (Cf. Bright p77-78). Terah, Joesph, Zebulum, Assher, …
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #20
V.3.b-4 Abraham's Meaning & Redemptive Historic Method

V.3 Abraham and Hagar. Relation of doctrinal sections to Historical: doctrinal rests on the historical, not the reverse. History is not merely illustrative; it is the basis for doctrine.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #21
V.4.E Isaac; F. Jacob

V.4.E  Isaac. 1. His Birth Gen 17,18,21. 7. Isaac's Death.  F. Jacob
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #22
V.C Chronology of Patriarchs

Last time B. Authenticity of patriarchal accounts. C. The Chronology of the Patriarchs. Date for Abraham varies from 21st to 15th century (Schultz). 1. Biblical Data. For dating, must start at the kingdom period.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #23
V.C.2-3 Summary (Patriarchs) D. Abraham

Last time chronololgy of patriarchal period, 2 variables: I Ki. 6:1 is 480 years as exact or schematic? Ex. 12:40 430 yrs. in Egypt. Variant: Canaan and Egypt. Evidence for 215 years: Gal. 2:17. This class: Sugggestion of K. A. Kitchen p53 note 97. B. Genesis 14. Who was Amraphel? Unknown in history. Probably not Hammurabi. C. Abraham and the Philistines. Argument from silence: lack of archaeological evidence prior to 1200 BC. But cf. Ex. 13:17 "God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines -- implied Philistines were strong at time of the Exodus.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #24
V.D.2. Abraham as our Spiritual Father; Cont. Gen 12-15

Last time: 1. Abraham and the Philistines.  2. Abraham is our Spiritual Father. "Make a name." Abrahamic covenant, Gen. 15. Ratification of the Covenant by the Lord's covenant Oath.  Meaning of Hebrew idiom, "Cut a Covenant."
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #25
V.D. Abraham 2. Spiritual Father Gen 17;22; b. Sign of Covenant

Last time Gen. 15. Gen. 15:18 Land covenant. b. The sign of God's covenant Gen. 17:9-14. c. High point of Abraham's Faith Gen. 22.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #26
V.D.2.C Abraham. 3.a-b Lapses Gen 12,20. Abraham and Hagar

Last time: Abraham sacrifice Isaac. Gen 22:2. Lapses Gen 12,20. Abraham and Hagar.  Abraham's "sister" Sarah. Birth of Isaac. "according to the time of life."
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #27

Last time F.4 Loss of Joseph. Gen. 37  5. Jacob's Blessings. Gen. 49. Royal line in Israel Anticipated.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #28
V.F. Jacob Haran/Peniel

V.F. Jacob. 2. Gen. 29-31 Years at Haran. 3. At Peniel.
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #29
V.G.3-4 Joseph Enters Egypt

4. Gen. 39. When did Joseph enter Egypt?
*1 vannoylib.ibri.org MP3 Vannoy, J. Robert Old Testament History #30
V.G.4-VI.A-B Exodus Late Date Theory

END OF PART I -- See Exodus to Exile for the continuation.








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