Books for Bible Students: Read These Books to Understand the Old Testament

By Gary Hall The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas (Intervarsity Press, 2000) The cultural and historical background of the Old Testament is a mystery to most Christians, leading to many misinterpretations. This book begins with Genesis 1 and goes through the entire Old Testament, section by section, giving crucial sociocultural, historical, and geographical information. It is a treasury of facts that brings the text to life and enables Bible students to penetrate many of the barriers to Old Testament understanding. It is well informed, accurate, easy to use,

December 5, 2011

Christian Standard

Old Testament Theology & Bible

Lesson for Dec. 11, 2011: The Lord Gives His Promise (Genesis 15)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 11) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Gives His Promise (Genesis 15) By Sam E. Stone Last week we learned how God called Abram to leave his homeland and journey to a new country God would give him. The initial call from God came while he was still in Mesopotamia (Genesis 12:1-3; see Acts 7:2). Scripture next describes his sojourn in Egypt and his experiences with Lot. In chapter 15 we find Abram approaching the Lord with something that was troubling him.