Encountering the Old Testament

Bill T. Arnold (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he has taught for more than 25 years. He is the author or editor of 12 books, including commentaries on Genesis and 1-2 Samuel.Bryan E. Beyer (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is Bible professor emeritus at Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina, where he has taught for more than 35 years. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Encountering the Book of Isaiah.

• To the ProfessorTo the Student1. What Is the Old Testament and Why Study It?2. Where and When Did the Events of the Old Testament Take Place?Part 1: Encountering the Pentateuch3. Introduction to the Pentateuch: The Birth of God's People4. Genesis 1-11: The Prelude to Israel5. Genesis 12-50: The Patriarchs: Ancestors of Israel's Faith6. Exodus: A Miraculous Escape7. Leviticus: Instructions for Holy Living8. Numbers: Failure in the Desert9. Deuteronomy: Restoring the CovenantPart 2: Encountering the Historical Books10. Introduction to the Historical Books: The History of Israel's Nationhood11. Joshua: Conquest and Division12. Judges and Ruth: Israel's Moral Crisis13. First Samuel: God Grants a King14. Second Samuel: David's Reign15. First Kings: The Glory of Solomon and the Beginning of the End16. Second Kings: The End of National Israel17. First and Second Chronicles: A Look Back18. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: A Time to RebuildPart 3: Encountering the Poetical Books19. Introduction to the Poetical Books: The Literature of God's People20. Job: One Man's Search for Justice21. Psalms: The Songbook of Ancient Israel22. Proverbs: Advice on Living in God's World23. Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs: Israelite Faith in Everyday LifePart 4: Encountering the Prophets24. Introduction to the Prophets: Voices of God's Servants25. Isaiah 1-39: Prophet of Judah's Royal Court26. Isaiah 40-66: Great Days Are Coming!27. Jeremiah 1-20: Struggling with God's Call28. Jeremiah 21-52 and Lamentations: Dealing with Disaster29. Ezekiel 1-24: Rough Days Are Coming!30. Ezekiel 25-48: God Is Planning an Exciting Future!31. Daniel: The Kingdom of God--Now and Forever32. Hosea, Joel, and Amos: A Call for Repentance and a Promise for Blessing33. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: God's Plan for the Nations34. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: Rebuilding a PeopleEpilogue: A Final WordGlossaryIndexes