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Chapter 8

God’s Word

1. General
   1. What God’s Word Comprises
      • God’s word primarily is Scripture
      • God’s word includes his laws
      • God’s word includes his covenants and promises
      • God’s word includes his prophecies
      • God’s word includes the gospel, proclaimed by his people
      • Note: Jesus Christ is the Word of God
   2. God’s Communication of His Word
      • God has given his word by the Holy Spirit . . .
      • . . . Further mention of Scripture coming by the Holy Spirit
      • God gave his law through Moses
      • God has spoken through prophets
      • God has spoken through visions and dreams
      • God’s word was spoken by Jesus Christ
   3. Characteristics of God’s Word
      • God’s word is holy, righteous and good
      • God’s word is true . . .
      • . . . and what God’s word foretells comes true
      • God’s word is living and active
      • God’s word is powerful
      • God’s word is everlasting
      • Note: God’s word surpasses everything of this world
   4. Functions of God’s Word (I): General
      • God’s word makes known his commands
      • God’s word makes known his plans
      • God’s word plays a role in salvation
      • God’s word plays a role in sanctification
      • God’s word helps people avoid sin
      • God’s word helps people learn to fear God
      • God’s word encourages people
      • Other roles of God’s word
      • Note: God acts by his word
   5. Functions of God’s Word (II): Blessings
      • Life . . .
      • . . . including spiritual and eternal life
      • Light
      • Knowledge
      • Wisdom
      • Hope
      • Joy
      • Freedom
      • Note: Rejecting and not keeping God’s word brings his judgment

2. Key Old Testament Covenants
   1. God’s Covenant with Abraham
      • God called Abraham to go to the land of Canaan – and Abraham went
      • Subsequently, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him: countless descendants; the land of Canaan; . . .
      • . . . and that all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abraham
      • Abraham believed God, and God credited this to him as righteousness
      • God’s covenant required Abraham to obey God, which he did
      • God confirmed the covenant and promises with Abraham’s descendants
      • Note: God made circumcision the sign of the covenant with Abraham and his descendants
   2. God’s Making of Israel as His People
      • God made the nation of Israel . . .
      • . . . The people of Israel were Abraham’s descendants
      • God redeemed the Israelites out of Egypt to take them as his own . . .
      • . . . The Passover and God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt
      • God chose Israel out of all the nations to be his holy people . . .
      • . . . Israel was God’s chosen servant
      • Foreigners were accepted into Israel and able to worship God
      • Note: The tribes of Israel
   3. God’s Covenant with Israel and the Law
      • God made a covenant with Israel, based on his law . . .
      • . . . If the Israelites obeyed God, then they would be his people and he would be their God
      • The core of the law: The Ten Commandments
      • The whole law included: religious laws; . . .
      • . . . judicial laws; and social laws
      • By obeying all the law, the Israelites would be holy
      • By obeying all the law, the Israelites would be righteous and live
      • By obeying, the Israelites would have life and prosperity in the promised land
      • If the Israelites disobeyed the law and broke the covenant, there would be dreadful consequences . . .
      • . . . Their destruction would culminate in exile from the promised land
   4. The Ark of the Covenant and God’s Presence
      • The ark of the covenant – which contained the stone tablets of the covenant
      • The ark signified God’s presence amongst the people
      • Signifying God’s presence, the ark was where God would meet with Moses and the people
      • The ark brought great power and dreadful effects
      • The ark was kept in the Most Holy Place, shielded by a veil – in the tabernacle and later the temple . . .
      • . . . Access into the Most Holy Place and the whole sanctuary was greatly restricted
      • Containing the ark, the tabernacle and later the temple signified God’s presence . . .
      • . . . Thus the temple became the focus of worship and prayer to God
      • Note: God’s presence amongst the Israelites was dependant on their continued obedience
   5. God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant with Israel
      • God faithfully led Israel through the desert and provided for them
      • God promised that none of Israel’s enemies would withstand it – which he fulfilled
      • Conquering its inhabitants, God gave the promised land of Canaan to Israel – as an inheritance . . .
      • . . . Description of the promised land: Its goodness and location
      • God duly cared for Israel in the promised land
      • So, God was faithful to his covenants and promises with Abraham and Israel
   6. God’s Dealings and Covenant with David
      • David was chosen and anointed by God, as ruler over Israel
      • David reigned over Israel, as a powerful and righteous king – undergirded by God . . .
      • . . . However, David was not free of sin and trouble during his reign
      • God’s covenant with David, promising that David’s royal dynasty would last forever
      • The royal line of any king descended from David would continue if he obeyed God as David did
      • Note: God chose Jerusalem, David’s city, as his dwelling place . . .
      • . . . As such, God’s temple was built in Jerusalem – by Solomon, David’s son

 ➜Major headings in: 8. God’s Word (and all of Unit B)

Pray for persecuted Christians