introduce the Messiah, who was to establish a new The writings of the last twelve prophets (among the predictions relating more immediately to the Sketch of the Old Testament History, and of the Jewish History. B.C. The world was created (according to the Hebrew text, but according to the Septuagint 5872, and according to the Samaritan Pentateuch 4700.) The Fall of Adam, and consequent corruption of the human race, were the original cause of the necessity of a Redeemer, the promise of whose coming was first given to Eve*. Only three of Adam's sons are mentioned, Cain, Abel, and Seth; and the latter is chiefly discoursed of in Scripture, because Noah and Abraham were descendants from him, and consequently the Messiah was. The lives of the Patriarchs extended to 900 years. In consequence of the depravity of mankind, The Deluge happened ....... It lasted 150 days, and then began to abate. *Exod. iii. 15. 4004 2348 it one year and 17 days. Noah was ninth in descent from Adam. The ark rested upon Mount Ararat, in Armenia. The new race of men removed afterwards to the plains of Shinar, in Assyria, or Chaldæa, where they built, as if in defiance of God's power, B.C. The Tower of Babel (i.e. confusion,) so called 2247 because God there confounded the language of mankind, which caused their dispersion. It is doubtful whether there be any remains of the primitive language. The old Hebrew or Syriac is the most ancient. The name Hebrew is derived from the Patriarch Heber, from whom Abram was sixth in descent. Terah, the father of Abram, was ninth from Shem; he removed from Ur, in Chaldæa (not the Chaldæa of which Babylon was afterwards the capital, but) in Armenia, to Haran, in Mesopotamia, and there died. Abraham called, by divine direction (to Ca- 1921 naan,) and this second promise of the Saviour given-" In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." In consequence of a famine Abraham left Canaan, and went and resided in Egypt, whence he returned, after some time, by order of King Pharaoh, to Canaan. Here begin the 430 years mentioned in Exodus and in Galatians †. In Stephen's account in the Acts, he mentions only 400 years; but he refers to the promise taking effect, which was at Isaac's birth, about 25 years after the period Moses speaks of, and consequently 400 years in round numbers. From Abram's first call to Jacob's going into Egypt, was 215 years, and from that time to the Exodus 215 more. B.C. Isaac born, (the child of promise) when 1896 Abraham and Sarah were far advanced in years. Abraham had a son 14 years previously to Isaac, by Hagar, an Egyptian bondwoman; he was called Ishmael, and the Arabians are descended from him. Abraham's trial of faith, in being required 1871 to sacrifice his son Isaac, nów 25 years old. This whole transaction is considered typical of Christ's sacrifice. Abraham's answer, "God will provide himself a burnt-offering," may be considered as prophetical. The transaction took place upon Mount Moriah, the place where the Temple was afterwards built, and + Gal. iii. 17. * Exod. xii. 40. on the B.C. same mountain upon which Christ was crucified. Isaac married Rebekah; she was 1856 the daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, who was Abram's brother. Esau and Jacob born. The head of the family was considered as a governor, appointed by God, and was both king and priest. Esau did not value this, because he sold his birthright, and therefore Jacob's arts were permitted to succeed. Jacob went to Padan-Aram, to take a wife 1760 from his own family. Esau had sinned by marrying a Canaanitish woman. Jacob had a vision by the way, in which God renewed his covenant. After residing in Padan-Aram some time he married Leah and Rachel, daughters of Laban, his mother's brother, by whom he had the following twelve sons: 1. Reuben; 2. Simeon; 3. Levi; 4. Judah; 5. Issachar; 6. Zabulon; by Leah:-7. Joseph; 8. Benjamin; by Rachel:-9. Dan; 10. Naphthali; by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid:-11. Gad; 12. Ashur; by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid. They were all born in PadanAram. Jacob returned to Canaan before his father's death on his way back God changed his name to Israel, from a figurative promise |