Chapter 18

THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE. 1. Province of Particular Introduction--The Necessity of Understanding the Unity of Divine Revelation--2. Relation of the Old Testament as a Whole to the System of Revelation--It is a Preparatory, Introductory to a Final Revelation, of which the Gospel everywhere avails itself--the Unity of God; Vicarious Sacrifice; General Principles; Well-developed State of Civilization-- Connection of the Hebrews with the Great World Powers--Their Dispersion through the Nations at our Lord's Advent--Relation of the Gospel to Civilization--3. A Knowledge of the Preparatory Character of the Old Testament Revelations enables us to judge correctly concerning them-- Severity of the Mosaic Laws; Their Burdensome Multiplicity; Objection from their Exclusive Character answered--4. Office of each Division of the Old Testament Revelations--the Pentateuch; the Historical Books; the Prophetical Books--Character and Officers of the Hebrew Prophets-- Era of Written Prophecy--The Poetical Books--5. Each Particular Book has its Office--6. The Old Testament was a Revelation for the Men of its Own Age, as well as for those of Future Ages--the Promise made to Abraham; the Deliverance from Egypt; the Mosaic Law; the Words of the Prophets; the Psalms of David: the Wisdom of Solomon--7. Value of the Old Testament Revelations to us--the System of Divine Revelation can be understood only as a Whole; Constant Reference of the New Testament to the Old; the Old Testament a Record of God's Dealings with Men; the Principles embodied in the Theocracy Eternal; the Manifold Wisdom of God seen only when the Whole System of Revelation is studied