OT - Survey 45 - What we have Learned

All content is derived from A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton, with additional insights from R.C. Sproul's Dust to Glory. Further sources referenced are listed in the reference section below.

The Unchanging God of the Old Testament

Yahweh’s Self-Revealed Name and Nature

— The encounter at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) introduces the divine name "Yahweh," derived from "I Am," emphasizing God's self-existence and active, sovereign nature. — Yahweh's name introduces His attributes—creative power, covenantal authority, and unwavering nature.

What we have learned.

The God who does not change. Outlines fade away and King's names often take their place only in the darkest recesses of the memory, but if nothing else is retained, the person studying the Old Testament should come away with an expanded view of God. And access 3:14 as God is speaking to Moses from the burning Bush, he offers I am as his name and it is from this that the name Yahweh is derived. The verbal form stresses the nature of Yahweh as one who causes to be. While this has implications concerning creation and sovereignty, it can possibly be applied also to his election of Israel and his nature as the covenant-making God. His name is the introduction to his attributes the key attributes of God emphasized in the Old Testament are summarized here by name by means of some of the clearest passages addressing them these are among the clearest these are among the greatest theological affirmations of the Old Testament and they carry over into the New Testament and in today for God does not change

God's Key Attributes in the Old Testament

Creator and Sovereign Over All

— God is proclaimed as Creator in verses such as Amos 4:13 and Job 42:2. — His sovereignty follows logically from His role as Creator. — Isaiah 46:9–11 presents creation as intentional and wise.

Wisdom and Order in Creation

— Wisdom is personified in Proverbs 8:22–31 and praised in Job 28:20, 23–27. — Creation reflects divine wisdom and not random power.

Monotheism and Divine Exclusivity

— God’s exclusive divinity is asserted in Isaiah 41–48, particularly Isaiah 42:8–9.

Holiness as God’s Defining Attribute

— God’s holiness emphasizes His separateness from creation (Leviticus 19:2). — Violations of His holiness are met with judgment (Leviticus 10:1–2; 1 Samuel 6:19; 2 Samuel 6:6–10). — Holiness may be seen as the sum of all divine attributes.

Transcendence and Human Limitation

— God’s transcendence is declared in Isaiah 55:8–9 and Jeremiah 23:23–24. — Humans cannot critique or exceed God’s justice or love.

Righteousness and Justice in Balance

— God is not capricious—His righteousness and justice are consistent (Jeremiah 9:23–24). — What may seem unjust is often a limitation in human perspective.

Compassion and Grace

— God’s mercy is natural, not exceptional (Exodus 34:6–7; Nehemiah 9:26–31). — Justice and grace are held in divine equilibrium.

God's Covenant and Loyalty

Election by Grace

— Israel's election (Deuteronomy 10:12–15) was by God’s grace, not merit. — The covenant implies both privilege and responsibility.

God’s Covenant Loyalty

— Psalm 136 praises God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. — Translations of the Hebrew word for loyalty include mercy, love, and lovingkindness.

Redeemer and Savior

— God reveals His redemptive character in delivering Israel (Isaiah 43:10–12). — This attribute extends into the New Testament with salvation from sin and death. — Deuteronomy 10:17, 20–21 offers a fitting theological summary.

Challenging False Dichotomies Between Testaments

Judge vs. Savior

— It is overly simplistic to label God in the Old Testament as Judge and in the New as Savior. — God’s grace, patience, and redemption are visible throughout the Old Testament. — Extraordinary acts of judgment do not override the dominant themes of mercy and restoration.

Law vs. Grace

— The law itself was a form of grace: it revealed God's character and offered a relational framework. — The contrast between law and grace is misleading; law relates to the revelatory people of God, while grace applies to the soteriological people of God. — Deuteronomy reinforces that the Israelites viewed the law as a gift of revelation rather than burden.

God's Constancy in Nature and Character

The Doctrine of Immutability

— God does not change in nature, character, or attributes. — Apparent changes in His actions (e.g., Genesis 6:6; Jonah 3:10) reflect human experience of divine interaction, not divine change. — 1 Samuel 15:29 reaffirms that God does not change His mind. — God's constancy assures believers of His trustworthiness.

Central Theme of the Old Testament

The Search for a Central Motif

— Scholars debate whether the Old Testament has a single unifying theme. — Options include “covenant,” “plan,” or “promise.” — Books like Esther and Ecclesiastes challenge the idea of a single conscious theme.

Christ as the Center of God’s Plan

— Jesus affirmed that the Old Testament spoke of Him (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39, 46). — Christ is the fulfillment of God’s plan initiated in Genesis and traced throughout Scripture. — His role in the Kingdom and as redeemer anchors the broader biblical message (Matthew 5:17; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10).

The Presence of God as Overarching Theme

— From Genesis to Revelation, the presence of God and His relationship with people is central. — The incarnation and atoning death of Christ fulfill the restoration of God’s presence among His people.

The Plot Line of the Old Testament

— God created humanity for relationship and presence. — Sin led to separation, societal disorder, and judgment (e.g., the flood, Babel). — Through covenant with Abraham, God initiated restoration. — The Exodus, Sinai, and conquest under Joshua reflected God's movement toward reestablishing His presence. — Despite repeated unfaithfulness, God continued to deliver through judges and kings. — Prophets warned of judgment and promised restoration. — The exile marked a second forfeiture of God’s presence, yet the return from exile renewed hope. — The Old Testament ends in anticipation of the coming Messiah and full restoration of the Kingdom.

Summary: Future Hope and the Continuity of God’s Plan

— The Old Testament leaves readers with hope grounded in God’s sovereign control. — Jesus Christ incarnates that hope and points toward its ultimate fulfillment in His return. — While relationship and God’s presence are already available through Christ, His future reign will consummate God’s plan. — The faith of the Old Testament and the New Testament converge in trust that God will fulfill His promises.

Overall Section Description: Chapter 45 serves as a theological and thematic conclusion to the Old Testament, emphasizing God’s immutable character and His consistent attributes—holiness, justice, mercy, and sovereignty. It dismantles artificial contrasts between the Testaments and reaffirms that God's nature has remained constant throughout redemptive history. Ultimately, it proposes that God's desire for relationship and His presence among His people forms the narrative arc of the Old Testament, fulfilled in Christ and awaiting final consummation.

References

Hill, A. E., & Walton, J. H. (2009), A survey of the Old Testament (3rd ed.). Zondervan Academic.

MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (2021). The MacArthur study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson. (New American Standard Bible).