A theological introduction to the Old Testament

Description

Ancient Israel's Scriptures have exerted worldwide influence for more than two millennia. They explore human experience, including the human longing for the divine, through the powerful media of story, ritual, wisdom, and prophecy. This book retraces the Bible's exploration and shows how not only its conclusions but the steps taken to reach them still matter. Introduction -- The Pentateuch in Brief -- "In the Beginning": The Book of Genesis -- Rescue and Renewal: The Book of Exodus -- On Holiness and Life: The Book of Leviticus -- In the Desert: The Book of Numbers -- On Memory and Action: The Book of Deuteronomy -- Israelite Historiography -- A New Land and a New People: The Book of Joshua -- Seeking Order Amid Chaos: The Book of Judges -- The Model Convert: The Book of Ruth -- God, King, and People: 1-​2 Samuel -- The Triumph and Tragedy of Monarchy: 1-​2 Kings -- Rethinking Israel's History: 1-​2 Chronicles -- Ezra and Nehemiah: Finding Life After Death -- The Queen of Comedies: The Book of Esther -- Poetic and Wisdom Texts -- God as Defendant and Plaintiff: The Book of Job -- The Praises and Laments of Israel: The Book of Psalms -- Proverbs: Wisdom and the Order of the World -- Ecclesiastes: Doubt as an Order of Faith -- Love in the Air: The Song of Songs -- Introduction to the Prophetic Books -- Isaiah, the Prophet of Salvation -- Not Just a Weeping Prophet: Jeremiah -- Mourning a Lost World: The Book of Lamentations -- Ezekiel, the Prophet of the Rebuilt Temple -- Keeping Faith in a Distant Land: The Book of Daniel -- The Twelve Minor Prophets -- The Secondary Canon -- What's It All About? -- Index of Biblical references