A Thrill of Hope- Ketuvim

We are on our last section of our summary of the Old Testament- the Ketuvim. We have transversed the story of the first people through the Torah, saw Israel defeat other nations but proceed to turn away from God in the Nevi’im. Finally, we will sum it all together using the Ketuvim.  

Ketuvim means “writings” in Hebrew. Pretty generic if I do say so myself, but sometimes that’s necessary to lump sum a group of things together. These books are everything that was not in the former. Here you find unique stories like Ruth and Esther. You also find the poetry reading of Psalms and the wisdom scrolls (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job). You find both Israel's history coupled with intense prophecy in the book of Daniel. Then to wrap it all up, you get a full summary of the entire Old Testament in the first and second Chronicles.  

Is that it? Is that all we have to know? 

While this section may seem shorter by some measure, many of these books are rich with amazing texts about the coming King. In fact, this week, I plan on solely focusing our attention on the many passages found in this section dedicated to revealing God’s plan to save not just his people, but the whole word as he promised Abraham and David.  

Psalms 118 talks about Jesus becoming the salvation for mankind. As the stone the builders rejected, he is the gate for our righteousness: 

This is the gate of the Lords through which the righteous may enter. I will give thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. -Psalm 118:20-23 

Jesus in his last words, quoted from psalms: 

Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God- Psalms 31:5 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? - Psalms 22:1 

His body was broken as it was spoken in the Psalms: 

Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircle me; they pierce my hands and feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”- Psalm 22:16-18 

Job knew there was a Redeemer who could save him and one day they would be face to face (Job 19:25-27) 

Daniel saw visions of the coming Christ: 

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven, He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. -Daniel 7:13-14 

The Tanak ends with the Chronicles. Chronicles begins with Noah and walks all the way through exile. Exile is where we leave everyone.  

God made the world.  

God gave the world to man to live in with him.  

Man chose knowledge over life with God, bringing darkness and evil to the world.  

Man’s evil increases. Death and destruction run rampant. 

God cleanses the world through a flood.  

God chooses to recreate a new man who would follow him and bring reconciliation to the world through the lineage of Abraham. But Abrahams family constantly sins- straying from God. They end up in Egypt, enslaved for 200 years.  

God rises up a new leader who, through miracles, frees his people. But his people choose to still not follow Him and are banished to 40 years in the desert being cared for by God.  

God brings a good generation into the land he promised them. They flourish. Win wars. Gain land. Live successfully. 

Until they follow the world instead of God.  

The cycle continues: Faithlessness leads to destruction; faithfulness leads to success.  

A king is asked for. God raises up David who rules mostly righteously. God promises to bring a hope to the

world through David’s family.  

Kings that follow are wicked. Their sin breaks the kingdom in two. 

Israel to the north, Judah to the south.  

The cycle continues: Faithlessness leads to destruction; faithfulness leads to success. 

Sin caused the people to be led into exile. Prophets speak to the people, begging them to come back to God.  

In exile, we leave the Israelites. Israel was overtaken and gone. Judah being all that’s left becomes the only Israel again. Exiled. Broken. Waiting for their promised king and hoping for healing for their broken souls.  

400 years of waiting.