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Kings and Chronicles, Part 2: Seeds of Hope

  1. Lesson One
    Hezekiah (2 Kings 17–20, 2 Chronicles 28–32)
    19 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Josiah and the Fall of the South (2 Kings 21–23, 2 Chronicles 33–35)
    23 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Overview of 1 and 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 1–7, 14–29, 2 Chronicles 29–36)
    22 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Ritual and Sacramental Living (1 Chronicles 13, 21, 2 Chronicles 1–27)
    24 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Wisdom Literature (Proverbs 1–4, Ecclesiastes 1–3, 12, Job 1–4, 40–42)
    18 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

The Torah’s ritual texts formed the basis for centuries of ritual practice in both the tabernacle and temple. These texts are some of the simplest yet most mysterious passages in the Bible. Bible scholar Dr. Michael Hundley has noted the difficulty of understanding “ritual” in the Old Testament.

The term “ritual” is alien to the Hebrew Bible. No single Hebrew word can be appropriately translated “ritual.” In (the Bible’s ritual texts) we do not even possess a ritual, merely a textual representation of rituals. The (reader) can neither participate, observe, nor consult the native participants.

As much as we might understand about the texts themselves, the rituals they describe will always be unavailable to us, and known only to the ancient worshipers and priests who performed them.

Such a situation can be likened to having instructions for a board game without the pieces (the sacrifices and sacrificial equipment), the board (the tabernacle/temple), or the experience of anyone who has ever played the game (e.g., the priests).