Old Testament Summary

Introduction to Daniel: God Gives Hope In Our Bondage Collin Leong. September 1, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Author Traditional View : Daniel, a Jewish exile and court official in Babylon, is considered the author, especially due to the first-person narrative in chapters 7–12. Daniel is likely of noble or royal descent from Judah (Daniel 1:3–4), chosen for his intellect, appearance, and aptitude. Scholarly View : The book likely had multiple contributors and editors, with final compilation during the 2nd century BC , though set in the 6th century BC . Daniel’s visions speak to both  present trials   and   future hope , offering coded resistance and cosmic reassurance. 2.  Audience Jewish communities under foreign oppression , especially during the Seleucid persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (~167–164 BC). Intended to encourage faithfulness , resist assimilation , and trust in divine sovereignty amid suffering. 3.  Date of Composition Setting : B...

Introduction to Ezekiel: God promises a new heart and a new spirit. Collin Leong.  August 31, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Author Ezekiel , son of Buzi, was a priest from the line of Zadok. (Ezekiel 1:3) Ezekiel grew up in Jerusalem and trained to be a priest in the temple.  He was among the Jewish exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BC during the second deportation under King Nebuchadnezzar, along with King Jehoiachin. He lived among the exiles by the Kebar River in Tel Abib, where he received his prophetic visions. His priestly background deeply shaped his prophetic vision—especially his concern for holiness, the Temple, and ritual purity. His name means  “God strengthens” , which is fitting given the resilience and hope he offered to his people during a time of despair.  2. Date of Composition Ezekiel was 25 years old when he was exiled. He had the first vision when he was 30 years old.  Ezekiel’s ministry spans from 593 BC to 571 BC , based on the internal dati...

Introduction of Lamentation: God Grieves When We Suffer Collin Leong.  August 31, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Authorship Traditional Attribution : The prophet Jeremiah is traditionally credited as the author, based on internal tone, thematic overlap with the book of Jeremiah, and references like 2 Chronicles 35:25. Anonymous Composition : The text itself does not name the author. Some scholars suggest it could be a temple singer, scribe, or eyewitness to Jerusalem’s fall. 2. Audience Primary Audience : The exiled and surviving community of Judah , grappling with the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple. Secondary Audience : Future generations of Israelites, called to remember, mourn, and seek restoration through covenant renewal. 3. Date of Composition Circa 586–580 BCE , shortly after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem under King Nebuchadnezzar II. The poems reflect immediate grief, theological reflection, and communal trauma following the siege, famine, and exil...

Introduction to Jeremiah: God Desires Genuine Relationship Collin Leong.  August 30, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Authorship Primary Author : Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in Benjamin (Jer 1:1). Scribe and Compiler : Baruch, Jeremiah’s secretary, transcribed many of his prophecies (Jer 36:4; 45:1–5). Final Editors : Likely anonymous scribes during or after the Babylonian exile, who compiled and arranged the material into its final form. 2. Audience Immediate Audience : The people of Judah, including kings, priests, and common citizens—especially during the final decades before Jerusalem’s fall. Exilic Audience : Jews living in Babylonian exile, seeking theological and historical understanding of their suffering. Broader Audience : Future generations of Israel and surrounding nations, addressed through oracles and symbolic acts. 3. Date of Composition Prophetic Ministry : Began in 627 BCE (13th year of King Josiah) and lasted over 40 years, ending sometime after ...

  Introduction to Isaiah: God's Plan Includes All Nations Collin Leong.  August 28, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Author Isaiah son of Amoz  is the named author (Isaiah 1:1). His name means  “Yahweh is salvation.” He likely had access to the royal court, possibly of noble or priestly lineage, given his interactions with kings and his deep theological insight. Jewish tradition and early Christian sources affirm Isaiah as the primary author, though many scholars divide the book into multiple sections (e.g., First Isaiah [Ch. 1–39], Second Isaiah [Ch. 40–55], and Third Isaiah [Ch. 56–66]) based on style, content, and historical context. 2. Audience Primarily addressed to the  kingdom of Judah  and its capital  Jerusalem . Isaiah’s messages target both the ruling elite and the general population—calling for repentance, justice, and trust in God rather than political alliances. Later sections (especially Ch. 40–66) speak to  exiles in Babylon , of...

  Introduction to Songs of Solomon: God's Love Pursues Us Collin Leong. August 27, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Authorship Traditionally attributed to King Solomon , as stated in Song of Solomon 1:1:  “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.” Solomon is known to have composed  1,005 songs  (1 Kings 4:32), and this is considered the finest—hence the superlative title  “Song of Songs.” Some scholars suggest Solomon may have commissioned or inspired the work rather than penned every line, given its distinct lyrical style and northern imagery. 2. Audience Originally addressed to  ancient Israel , particularly those familiar with courtly love poetry and wisdom traditions. Over time, it became a cherished text for  Jewish and Christian communities , interpreted both  literally  (as romantic love) and  allegorically  (as divine love between God and His people or Christ and the Church). 3. Date of Composition Likely written during the ...

  Introduction to Ecclesiastes: God Determines Our Time Collin Leong. August 26, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Authorship Traditional View : The book is attributed to  King Solomon , son of David, based on Ecclesiastes 1:1— “The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.”  Solomon’s legendary wisdom, wealth, and poetic reflections align with the themes of the book. Meaning of the Title: The name Ecclesiastes is a  Latin transliteration of the Greek word   Ekklēsiastēs.  In Hebrew it is called  Qoheleth  (Hebrew: קֹהֶלֶת), which means “assembler,” “preacher,” or “teacher.” It suggests someone who gathers people for instruction, possibly in a public or liturgical setting. Scholarly Debate : Many scholars propose a later date and a pseudonymous author, possibly during the  post-exilic period  (around 3rd century BCE), due to linguistic style and philosophical tone. 2. Date of Composition Solomonic Era View : If Solomon authored ...

  Introduction to Proverbs: God's Way Of Wisdom Collin Leong, August 25, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1.  Authorship Primary Author : King Solomon is traditionally credited as the principal author (Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 25:1). His reputation for wisdom made him the natural figurehead for Israel’s wisdom literature. Additional Contributors : Agur son of Jakeh  (Proverbs 30): A reflective sage, possibly from outside Israel. King Lemuel  (Proverbs 31): His section is attributed to teachings from his mother. Anonymous Wise Men : Proverbs 22:17–24:34  are attributed to unnamed sages, possibly part of a wisdom school or royal advisory circle. Hezekiah’s Scribes : Proverbs 25–29 were compiled by scribes during King Hezekiah’s reign (circa 715–686 BCE), preserving Solomon’s earlier sayings 2. Date of Composition Solomonic Era : Most original proverbs likely date to Solomon’s reign (circa 970–931 BCE), a time of peace, prosperity, and international exchange. Compilation Peri...