THE ORACLES OF GOD A Popular Introduction to The Old Testament Copyright, 1916, by Richard G. Badger All Rights Reserved ANDWER HARMA D APR 2 1917 ANDOVER a 67,342 THE GORHAM PRESS, BOSTON, U. S. A. PREFACE The purpose of this book is to supply the need of a convenient popular introduction to the books of the Old Testament, for the use of Bible Classes, and the general reader. It is intended for popular use, and therefore avoids technical methods and critical discussion, but on the other hand, it is positive, and I hope not merely superficial in its presentation of the messages given by inspiraton for our learning. The extent of the work has been regulated by the aim to give as much as can be fairly well considered by a class in about fifty lessons. It is presumed that the reader is tolerably familiar with the narratives of Scripture and the books most generally used for devotional reading. No one can be too familiar with the contents of these Scriptures, but it is quite possible to have our knowledge so detached and ill arranged that we get confused and vague impressions of the whole,-possible to not see the woods for the trees. If this book helps to give a true perspective, and an harmonious view of the great redemption which is revealed in the Holy Bible, it will not have been written in vain. IV. The Conflict of Good and Evil Typical Incidents-The Progress of Civiliza- Israel in Egypt-The Call of Moses and the Contents of the Book-The Witness of His- tory-The Exhortation to Loyalty-The Su- preme Law, Holiness-Love, the Fulfilling of the Law-The Ten Commandments-Statutes, Ordinances, and Judgments-The Thanksgiving Ritual-The Priests-The Publication of the IX. The Ritual of the Tabernacle 33 41 48 |