OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Liberty University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
105 CO3
Subject
Religion
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by HighnessStrawBarracuda29
OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY I. Observation
A. I have read 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1–46 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV,
or CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You
can find various Bible translations by searching for them online (EBS Ch. 16).
o Yes
o No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying (EBS chs. 15 & 33).
1. Main characters: (List them)
Jerimiah, Elijah the Tishbite, Lord your God, King Ahab, Obadiah, Jezebel 2. Plot: (50–100 words)
Elijah proclaims a drought on the land for a “few years.” The Lord sends Elijah to present himself before King Ahab before sending ”rain on the earth.” Jezebel massacred prophets while Obadiah hid the prophets of the Lord. Elijah requests to the King that all the people of Israel and the prophets Baal be brought to Mt Carmel to offer sacrifices. The prophets of Baal prayed, and “their voices were not heard.” Elijah prayed, and the sacrifices were consumed. All the witnesses worshipped the Lord. At Elijah’s word, the prophets of Baal were seized and put to death. The drought comes to an end as Elijah had prophesied
.
3. Story structure: (50–100 words)
Introduction
: Introduction of Elijah the prophet “The Tishbite.” Description and time frame of the famine and drought in the land. Elijah proclaims to King Ahab that there will be a drought in the land.
Inciting incident
: King Ahab and the people had forsaken the Lord and worshipped Baal.
Rising action
: Jezebel massacres the prophets of the Lord. Climax
: The sacrifices of the prophets of Baal were not consumed. The Lord consumed Elijah’s sacrifices; the prophets of Baal were executed at Mt. Carmel. Elijah prayed for rain.
Resolution
: The people worshipped God. The drought ended.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the Key Questions from EBS Ch. 17.
1. Who:
Elijah the Tishbite
King Ahab
The Lord God
Obadiah
Jezebel
An hundred prophets
The Spirit of the Lord
Prophets of the Lord
Fifty Prophets of Baal
An hundred prophets of Asherah
2. What:
There was a severe drought in the land which Elijah had declared.”
Now the famine was severe
in Samaria” (I Kings 18:2)
King Ahab and the people had forsaken the lord and worshipped Baal, arousing the Lord’s anger. According to Exodus: 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
Jezebel wife of King Ahab, was on a rampage killing the prophets of the Lord. Faithful Obadiah was on a mission to hide prophets in caves. All the people of Israel and the prophets are gathered at Mt. Carmel. Prophets of Baal prepare and offer sacrifices. Prophets of Baal cried out “from morning till evening,” leaping on the altar and performing customs of “cutting themselves.”
Elijah mocks the prophets because Baal failed to hear their cries. Elijah prepared for the “evening sacrifice” and prayed, and the Lord consumed the sacrifice.
The prophets of Baal are seized and executed. Elijah prays for rain.
3. Where:
Samaria
in two caves
on the land
through the land to all the springs and valleys
Mt. Carmel
the Brook Kishon
4. When:
During Ahab’s reign
During the ministry of Elijah, the Prophet
After a long time, in the third
year,
5. Why:
Why was there a famine in the land? “Ahab did evil in the sight of the Lord.” (1 Kings 16:30)
Why did Elijah have the prophets of Baal and the people of Israel gather at Mt. Carmel? To prove that the Lord is God above all other gods.
6. How:
How did the Lord decide to punish King Ahab for his evilness and idol worship? By bringing judgment in the form of a drought.
How did Obadiah save the Prophets of the Lord? He hid them in caves.
How did the Lord answer Elijah’s prayer? He sent rain
.
II
. Interpretation:
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1–2 paragraphs (100–400 words), explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon. See EBS Ch. 28.
The story of the drought in the land is a reminder that God will send judgment upon those
who worship false gods, those who forsake his commandment “to have no other god before him.” (
Exodus: 20:3). God has no pleasure in those who commit evil in his sight. He is a God of righteousness and judgment, and no one is exempt from following his commandments, not even the King and his household. In this story, the evilness of King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, is displayed. Who killed prophets of the Lord. Obadiah’s reverence for the Lord is on display as he hid prophets of the Lord. The story also shows the love of
God for his people when he ended the drought. Today we must be careful not to put things before the Lord: People, cars, homes, and material possessions. As God dealt with Ahab and the people for their idol worship, he will hold us accountable today. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able
to express this principle in 1–3 sentences. See EBS Ch. 33.
God does not tolerate idol worship. 3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” (Exodus 20: 3-4)
III. Correlation:
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what
type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation), and
explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100–200
words) in length. See EBS chs. 1–6.
The story of the drought and the events that led up to it fits within the “fall” theme of the metanarrative of the Bible. King Ahab provoked the Lord to anger with his idol worship, raising altars to Baal, making a wooden image, and committing evil acts in the sight of the Lord. Jezebel, his wife, also committed evil acts by killing the prophets of the Lord. Ahab and Jezebel had no reverence for the commandments of the Lord. Thus, leading to a
falling away from God. Their evil deeds resulted in the Lord sending punishment in the form of a drought. God’s command is clear that there is to be no god before him.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you have
written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true
Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle
Discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your
explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. See EBS Ch. 29.
God’s response to King Ahab and Jezebel's wickedness and idol worship indicates his anger. Their willful commission of sin and evil caused God to send a famine to the land. Exodus Chapter 32 reflects on how the Lord responded to Idolatry with the Children of Israel. Moses referred to it as a “great sin.” The Lord’s response was to punish his people
for their act of idolatry “However when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.” (Exodus 32:33-34). C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100–200
words) in length. See EBS Ch. 30. Luke writes of the testing of the Lord in the wilderness “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” (Luke 4:5-8 NIV). The Bible reminded us that Jesus experienced temptation as we do, but “he sinned not. This
narrative reflects the person and work of Christ by showing us that he led by example. He
understood, as we should, that we are to worship the Lord and him only.
IV. Application:
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application (EBS Ch.
31)? State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation
for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100–200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
I am responsible for adhering to and revere the commandments of the Lord. The first of the Ten Commandments reminds us in (Exodus 20:3) “You shall have no other gods before me.” The New Testament reminds and warns of what happened when the children of Israel participated in idol worship. 6
Now, these things occurred as examples
to keep us
from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
7
Do not be idolaters,
as some of them were as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” (1 Corinthians 10:6-7 NIV) I am responsible for honoring God’s word and being
an example to others.
B. The question of character
King Ahab and Jezebel were devoid of morals. They lacked integrity, righteousness, and mercy. They were examples of how not to represent Christ. Examples of how not to handle God’s people and his laws. They willfully disobeyed the Lord’s commandment. They were vicious, evil idolaters and murderers of the prophets of the Lord. Obadiah, however, was a man of great integrity, morals, and reverence for the Lord. “(Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. 4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.).” 1 Kings 18:3-4 NKJV) Obadiah’s character, loyalty, reverence for God, and concern for others are examples we should follow today.
C. The question of goals
Jezebel devised and planned to kill the prophets of the Lord. She could have relented from her evil plan. But she continued her wickedness, eventually leading to her demise and violent death. “Then he said, Throw her down.” So, they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and the horses, and he trampled her underfoot.” (2 Kings 9:33 NKJV). Obadiah, on the other hand, set out to do good. We, too, have a choice to do good or evil. Good plans lead to good outcomes, while evil plans lead to evil
outcomes. (Galatians 6:7 NJKV) 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, he will reap.
D. The question of discernment
Evil will always be present, as we see in the characters’ lives in the story of King Ahab and Jezebel. The evilness of King Ahab and Jezebel was apparent, but some forms of evil
are not always as easy to recognize. We must always be prayerful that God will help us to
maneuver in a world that is not always so loving and kind. We should pray for discernment or “enlightenment.” (James 1:5 NIV). “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Then pray that God shows us how to deal with what we may encounter, those things or people that may cause us to stumble. His eyes are always open. He sees the injustice and the plots against his own. If we ask, he will give us discernment so we can better serve him as we are “sent out as sheep among wolves” and need the wisdom of the Lord. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help