Old Testament: The Foundation of the Story

The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible — and it tells the beginning of the story of God and humanity.

It’s not just a collection of ancient laws and stories. It’s a record of God’s pursuit of people through covenant, rescue, correction, and promises.

It shows us:

• How the world began.

• How sin entered the world and broke our connection with God.

• How God chose a people (Israel) through whom He would one day bring redemption to all.

• And how again and again, God remained faithful, even when people did not.

A Promise in the Waiting

Even from the beginning, the Old Testament carries a thread of hope — promises of a Savior who would one day come to restore what was broken.

You can see it in:

• The sacrificial system — pointing to the need for a perfect sacrifice.

• The prophecies — foretelling the birth, life, and suffering of the Messiah.

• The covenants — God promising to redeem and bless all nations through one to come.

“All of us, like sheep, have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all
To fall on Him.”
— Isaiah 53:6

The Jewish Roots: The Tanakh

The Old Testament is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. In Hebrew Scripture, it’s called the Tanakh — made up of:

• Torah (Law) — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

• Nevi’im (Prophets) — books like Joshua, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets

• Ketuvim (Writings) — Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and more

These ancient writings were preserved, memorized, and passed down with extraordinary care — because they were believed to be the very words of God.

The Old Testament is not only spiritual — it is deeply historical. These writings reflect the real events, people, places, and cultures of the ancient Near East, and they were carefully preserved across generations.

Here’s what’s historically important to understand:

• Time Span: The events of the Old Testament cover roughly 2,000 years of history — from the call of Abraham (around 2000 BC) to the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile (around 400 BC).

• Geographic Setting: Much of the Old Testament unfolds across modern-day Israel, Egypt, Iraq (Babylon), and surrounding regions.

• Cultural Context: The writings reflect life under empires like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia — offering a unique window into ancient customs, governance, war, and worship.

• Historical Records: Some Old Testament figures — like kings David, Hezekiah, Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus — are also mentioned in non-biblical historical sources and archaeological findings, confirming the Bible's cultural and historical framework.

• Compilation: Though written by many authors — prophets, leaders, and scribes — over many centuries, the books were eventually recognized as sacred scripture by Jewish communities and preserved with meticulous care.

These writings weren’t simply passed down — they were copied by hand with extreme accuracy, especially after the Jewish exile, when preserving God’s word became even more vital to identity and faith.

How the Old Testament Was Recognized as Scripture

While the books of the Old Testament were written over centuries, they weren’t always compiled as a complete set right away. So how did the Jewish community determine which writings were truly sacred?

By the time of Jesus, most of what we now call the Old Testament was already widely recognized and used in Jewish worship. Here’s how the canon came together:

• Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy) had long been central to Jewish life and law.

• The Prophets and Writings were gradually recognized over time based on their consistent message, use in worship, and alignment with God’s truth.

Around 90 AD, after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, Jewish scholars gathered at what’s often referred to as the Council of Jamnia (or Yavne). While this was not a formal council like later Christian gatherings, it marked a period of discussion and affirmation of the books considered authoritative.

They affirmed:

• That the books were written by trusted prophets or leaders.

• That they were already in widespread use among Jewish communities.

• That they reflected consistency with God’s character and message.

These texts — the Tanakh — became the foundation of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament used by Christians today.

How It Connects to Jesus

Jesus Himself affirmed the Old Testament:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” — Matthew 5:17

He quoted from the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, showing that He saw them all as Scripture. The Old Testament was not replaced, but fulfilled — its promises, prophecies, and patterns all pointed forward to Him.