God’s Plan for Nations: A Biblical History of Redemption
Essay Topics for Biblical Studies
Write an essay on any of the following topics:
Reasons to Study Historical Books
The three reasons why we study and preach the historical books are:
- They cover the whole counsel of God.
- They reveal God’s plan and show how His plan has been accomplished in history.
- They are a framework for understanding the rest of the Bible.
Principles for Using Old Testament Historical Books in Preaching
There are three principles that should be followed when using Old Testament historical books in preaching:
- We should avoid using the historical books like allegory, i.e., to represent or symbolize the details of the story with something else.
- Historical passages should be interpreted and preached using the same principles as other Scriptures, and it involves three steps:
- Observation
- Interpretation
- Application
- We should not omit the middle step of interpretation, since this would mean that our preaching will be based on our own creative imagination as we invent new meanings for the text.
- Each story was included for a reason; therefore, we should identify that reason.
The Sovereignty of God
This is a biblical teaching that all things are under God’s rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the counsel of His will.
God’s Plan to Reach the Nations: Biblical Revelation
Write a two-page essay in which you will discuss how God’s plan to reach the nations developed and grew throughout the biblical revelation. In so doing, you will:
Identify the historical periods of biblical revelation:
- Pentateuch
- Conquest & Settlement
- Judges
- The United Monarchy
- The Divided Monarchy
- Judah Alone
- The Exilic Period
- The Post-Exilic Period
- The Intertestamental Period
- The New Testament
Discuss four key themes:
- God’s love for the nations
- God’s calling for a people for Himself
- God’s presence dwelling among His people
- God’s revelation of His character
Describe how these themes are revealed in the unfolding plan of God in several of the historical periods of biblical revelation, from the mission of God formed in the Pentateuch and unfolded through the Old Testament to the New Testament.
The Pentateuch
The Nations
God was concerned with all the peoples of the earth, and His plan was to bring salvation to the peoples of the world. God promised to bless Abraham so that he would be a blessing to all nations.
A People
God also had a unique relationship with the Israelites. Because God redeemed them from Egypt, He took them to be His own people, living in a way that would reflect His righteous nature.
His Presence
God pledged Himself to dwell among His people. This is demonstrated by the building of the Tabernacle, a visible representation of God’s presence among them.
God’s Character
God revealed Himself in love, compassion, forgiveness, and justice.
Conquest & Settlement
The Nations
The book of Joshua shows God’s concern for the nations in the salvation and inclusion of Rahab the Canaanite into the people of God.
A People
Joshua led the people in a covenant renewal ceremony and recommitted them to God’s people to carry out His mission.
His Presence
During the settlement, God promised that His presence would continue among His people.
God’s Character
God extended His love toward those who repented.
Judges
The Nations
Regardless of Israel’s failure to walk according to God’s ways, we see Him raising up individual leaders, called the Judges, to deliver His people.
A People
Though Israelite disobedience led God to withdraw His presence from them and allowed other nations to conquer and rule the tribes of Israel, there were still signs of God’s presence among His people.
His Presence
We see God’s Spirit coming upon the Judges and empowering them to act.
God’s Character
Though the Israelites repeatedly failed to live righteously, we see that God did not forsake His mission to reach the nations or His love for all the nations.
The United Monarchy
The Nations
God’s love is displayed when He expanded the covenant He made with Abraham to bless all nations through the covenant He made with David.
A People
God still had ownership of His people, as He was pleased to make them His own, and His plan was not limited to Israel but would include all nations.
His Presence
The building of the Temple by Solomon was of great importance, as it signified the presence of God among His people.
God’s Character
God is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
The New Testament
The Nations
Jesus fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant, for He is the promised seed to bless the nations, and He is the promised ruler who will fulfill the Davidic covenant and reign over the kingdom forever.
A People
Today, God has a people not made up of Israel only, but all who have faith in Him.
His Presence
God’s Spirit dwelling in the hearts of His people was foreseen by the prophets, and this was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. Believers are also to consider themselves as the Temple of God.
God’s Character
God’s presence will illuminate His people forever and ever.