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Interesting Bible Stories From the Old Testament – Viral Believer
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Interesting Bible Stories From the Old Testament

The Old Testament of the Bible contains many fascinating stories that reveal important truths about God, human nature, faith, and redemption.

In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore some of the most interesting and impactful stories from the Old Testament. These stories demonstrate God’s power, justice, mercy, and plan for humanity’s salvation through Jesus Christ.

Introduction

The Old Testament spans hundreds of years, from the creation of the world to the last prophets before Jesus’ birth. Within its pages are myths, epic adventures, provocative prophecies, wisdom literature, and more.

While the New Testament centers on Jesus Christ and the early church, the Old Testament provides crucial background that helps us understand God’s nature and His unfolding plan.

Here are some key takeaways about the Old Testament:

  • It reveals who God is – His power, holiness, justice, mercy, goodness, and sovereignty. We see God directly interacting with people and guiding the nation of Israel.
  • It sets the stage for Jesus – Through types, symbols, and prophecies, the Old Testament points ahead to the coming Messiah who will deliver God’s people.
  • It shows the origins of sin – Beginning with Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, the Old Testament demonstrates humanity’s tendency toward sin and need for salvation.
  • It establishes God’s chosen people – God selects Abraham and his descendants to be His own special people, making a covenant with them. The stories of the patriarchs and the nation of Israel reveal God’s faithful love.
  • It provides wisdom and truth – Books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job contain timeless principles for wise living as well as reflections on the meaning of life.
  • It’s the foundation for our faith – Jesus and the writers of the New Testament allude to and quote the Old Testament extensively as the authoritative Word of God.

In this post, we will highlight some of the most remarkable stories that stand out in the Old Testament narrative. From creation to the conquest of Canaan, from the psalms of King David to the wisdom of Solomon, these stories reveal who God is and set the stage for the coming of Christ.

The Creation (Genesis 1-2)

The opening chapters of Genesis offer an epic and poetic account of God’s creative work. Over the course of six days, God speaks the universe into being – light and darkness, land and sea, living creatures, and finally human beings.

Everything God makes is proclaimed as “good”, and human beings are made in God’s own image, revealing our inherent dignity. God rests on the seventh day, establishing the pattern of Sabbath rest.

The creation account displays God’s immeasurable power and divine purpose. The world is not some accidental cosmic fluke, but the intentional work of a loving, artistic Creator.

Humanity is portrayed as the pinnacle of creation, designed to live in relationship with God and one another. However, this paradise is soon disrupted by humanity’s rebellion, introducing sin and death into the world. But already here, we see hints of the redemptive plan God has set in motion.

Adam and Eve (Genesis 3-5)

Immediately after the glorious creation, the Bible segues into tragedy. God places Adam and Eve in the paradise of Eden and gives them a single prohibition: do not eat the forbidden fruit. But tempted by the serpent, Eve eats the fruit and gives some to Adam.

Their eyes are opened, recognizing their nakedness, and they feel ashamed. When God confronts them, they pass the blame instead of repenting. As punishment for their disobedience, Adam and Eve are banished from Eden and death enters human experience.

This episode explains the origin of humanity’s sinful nature and provides the context for God’s plan of salvation throughout the rest of the Bible.

Despite their failure, God shows care by making clothes for Adam and Eve (the first animal sacrifice). Eve gives birth to the first children, Cain and Abel, inaugurating the human family.

Their story also ends in tragedy, as Cain murders his brother Abel out of jealousy. Sin infects the next generation. However, Adam and Eve also give birth to Seth, whose line will eventually lead to Noah. Even in the midst of sin and death, God’s redemptive plan continues forward.

Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9)

In the generations after Adam and Eve, wickedness spreads through humanity like a plague. God sees how great human evil has become and regrets making man. So God decides to wipe out mankind with a flood, saving only righteous Noah and his family.

God commands Noah to build a massive ark to preserve themselves and pairs of every animal species. After the ark is completed, the floods come and inundate the earth for 40 days and nights.

After over a year on the ark, the flood waters recede, Noah’s family and the animals are saved, and God places a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise never again to destroy the world with water.

The flood account highlights God’s holy judgment against sin as well as His mercy in saving Noah. Noah’s obedience and trust in God amidst a wicked world set a righteous example to follow.

The story provides a picture of salvation by entering God’s ark. It also prefigures baptism as a symbol of cleansing from sin. Despite human failures, God preserves a remnant to fulfill His sovereign plans.

Abraham’s Call (Genesis 12-25)

At the end of Genesis 11, humanity has again descended into idolatry and pride, trying to “make a name” for themselves by building the tower of Babel. God scatters them across the earth by confusing their languages.

But amid this bleak situation, God’s redemptive plan charges forward as He calls a man named Abram (later renamed Abraham). God promises to make him into a great nation, bless him, and make his name great.

Remarkably, God chooses to bless the whole world through Abraham’s offspring. Abraham obediently follows God’s call and travels to Canaan with his wife Sarai (later Sarah).

God makes a special covenant with Abraham, promising him offspring and land. When Abraham proves his faith by nearly sacrificing his miraculously-conceived son Isaac, God spares Isaac and renews His covenant that Abraham’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars.

The births of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (later Israel) set the stage for the emergence of the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. Through this line, Jesus the Messiah will ultimately be born.

Abraham’s faithful obedience and God’s promises offer a picture of salvation by faith alone rather than works. Abraham’s story marks the beginning of God’s plan to redeem and bless the world.

Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28)

Along Abraham’s family line, his grandson Jacob flees after deceiving his brother Esau. One night, Jacob stops to sleep with only a stone for a pillow. As he sleeps, he dreams of a magnificent stairway between heaven and earth with angels ascending and descending on it.

At the top stands God, who renews the covenant promises to make Jacob’s offspring like the dust of the earth and a blessing to all nations. In this vivid dream, Jacob receives a glimpse into the intersection between heaven and earth and God’s intention to partner with humanity to fulfill His plans.

The vision of Jacob’s ladder illustrates that God is deeply invested in the affairs of men and maintains an active connection between the spiritual and physical realms.

The specific promise given to Jacob marks him as another key figure in God’s redemptive lineage. Jacob awakes recognizing the presence of God, exclaiming “Surely the Lord is in this place!”. His descendants will eventually become the 12 tribes of Israel.

Joseph’s Dreams (Genesis 37, 39-50)

Jacob’s favored son Joseph has two prophetic dreams that his brothers and parents will all bow down to him. Out of jealousy, his brothers sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt.

Through an up-and-down journey, Joseph gains favor by interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, warning of an impending famine. He rises to become Pharaoh’s right-hand man, managing food storage in preparation.

When the famine strikes, it extends to Canaan where Joseph’s family lives. His brothers travel to Egypt for food and appear before Joseph, fulfilling the dreams.

After testing his brothers, Joseph forgives them, saying God intended his misfortune for good to preserve many lives. He invites his family to stay in Egypt.

The book ends with the extended family of Jacob/Israel safely in Egypt under Joseph’s care and provision. Joseph’s story has many highs and lows but demonstrates God’s sovereignty even through human evil. He serves as a Christ-figure, saving many and then forgiving and redeeming his betrayers.

Moses and the Exodus (Exodus 1-15)

The Israelites are fruitful in Egypt at first but eventually are oppressed as slaves. In response to their cries, God calls Moses to demand that Pharaoh let God’s people go into the wilderness to worship.

Pharaoh repeatedly refuses, and God sends 10 plagues including the Passover to convince him. The Israelites flee Egypt after the angel of death passes over their households. Pharaoh pursues them but God miraculously parts the Red Sea for Israel to cross safely but drowns Pharaoh’s armies.

Moses leads the people to Mount Sinai where God establishes His covenant with Israel, giving them the 10 Commandments and the Law to set them apart as holy people.

But when Moses is on the mountain too long, the Israelites rebel against God’s commands and construct a golden calf idol. God wants to destroy them for this sin, but Moses intercedes on behalf of the people, appealing to God’s mercy.

The Exodus shows that the God of Abraham keeps His promises to His people. After hearing their affliction, He delivers them powerfully from slavery. The plagues pronounce God’s judgment on the false Egyptian gods.

The Exodus and Red Sea crossing prefigure the saving work of Christ to redeem God’s people from sin and death. God makes Israel His treasured possession and dwelling place among them in the tabernacle. Yet the golden calf incident also previews Israel’s tendency to rebel against God’s laws.

The Battle of Jericho (Joshua 5-6)

After 40 years wandering in the wilderness due to Israel’s disobedience, the next generation finally enters Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. The impressive fortified city of Jericho bars their way into the Promised Land.

But Joshua meets a heavenly warrior who announces that Jericho’s wall will fall flat at their shout. The Israelites march around the city once a day for six days led by priests blowing trumpets.

On the seventh day they march around seven times. Then the priests blow a long final blast and the people shout, and the walls collapse straight down! The city is taken and burned to the ground, apart from Rahab and her household who aided Israel’s spies.

The miracle at Jericho displays God’s power to bring down strongholds and remove obstacles that stand in the way of His people’s destiny. Humanly speaking, the walls posed an impossible barrier, but nothing can restrain the plan and promise of God.

This remarkable event fosters faith in God’s ability to do the unimaginable. The destruction of Jericho also accomplishes God’s judgment on a wicked pagan city but spares the faithful Rahab.

David vs. Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

The Philistines have gathered for war against Israel and their champion Goliath taunts the cowering Israelites. When young David comes to the Israelite camp to deliver food, he is outraged at this indignity against God’s people.

He volunteers to fight Goliath in hand-to-hand combat. King Saul tries to dissuade David by pointing out Goliath’s massive size advantage, but David is undeterred. With just a sling and stones, David defeats the giant. He then seizes Goliath’s sword and cuts off his head, leading the Israelites to rout the Philistines.

Though just a shepherd boy, David relies fully on God to overcome a towering opponent. His courage and faith in God in the face of impossible odds inspire many.

The story foreshadows that Israel’s true king will come not from privilege or physical prowess but from humble beginnings with courageous faith in God. David’s defeat of Goliath begins his trajectory toward the kingship.

As the ancestor of Jesus, David serves as an early example of God raising up an unlikely hero to accomplish His purposes.

Elijah vs. Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18)

The evil king Ahab and queen Jezebel promote worship of the false god Baal in Israel. The prophet Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest between their god and Yahweh to see whose deity will send fire from heaven.

The prophets of Baal spend all morning dancing and cutting themselves to no avail. Elijah then builds a simple altar, soaks it in water, and cries out to God, who immediately sends fire to burn up the offering. Elijah executes the false prophets, ending their deception. Later he prays and God finally ends a severe drought.

This vivid demonstration of God’s overwhelming power led the people to recommit to worshiping Yahweh exclusively. Elijah’s faith and courage in confronting hundreds of false prophets inspired devotion to the one true God.

God controls the rain, the fire, and the hearts of men. The drought also reminds that refusing to obey God leads to scarcity and thirst, while obedience brings abundant blessing and refreshment. All other “gods” pale pathetically in comparison to Yahweh’s supreme power and reality.

The Temple Dedication (2 Chronicles 5-7 / 1 Kings 8)

King Solomon completes construction of an opulent Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant and God’s presence. In his dedication prayer, Solomon recognizes that no earthly building can contain God’s vastness.

Solomon asks God to hear prayers made toward this place, forgive sin, heal the land when afflicted, and maintain justice. Fire falls from heaven, consuming the sacrifices, and God’s glory fills the temple. God appears to Solomon at night, approving the temple and promising both blessing for obedience and discipline for turning away.

The vivid imagery portrays the splendor of God coming to meet with His people. Yet God makes clear that His presence is not forever tied to a building but to His faithful followers. Solomon’s requests for God’s mercy and responsiveness illustrate effective prayer.

God promises to both sustain and prune His people, showing unconditional love and a passion for holiness. The dedication of the Temple marks God’s blessing on Solomon and the kingdom of Israel at the height of her glory as a thriving worship center in the Promised Land.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6)

Daniel serves faithfully as an administrator in Babylon under several rulers. Some other officials become jealous and trick the king into signing an edict that no one may pray to any god but the king for 30 days.

Daniel continues openly praying to God 3 times a day. He is arrested and sentenced to be thrown into a den of lions as punishment. The king reluctantly carries out the sentence, but expresses hope that Daniel’s God will deliver him.

At dawn, they find Daniel completely unharmed, and the men who conspired against him are thrown into the lions’ den instead where they immediately perish.

The account demonstrates God’s faithfulness in protecting those who remain devoted to Him even under threat of persecution or death. God miraculously shuts the lions’ mouths, highlighting that He dominates even the animal kingdom.

Daniel’s integrity shines in continuing to pray the way he always had despite this opposition. In rewarding Daniel’s trust and punishing those who exploited power for evil ends, God displays His justice that ultimately rights all wrongs. The story encourages believers facing persecution that God sees them and can supernaturally rescue them.

Job’s Perseverance (Book of Job)

Job was a righteous, prosperous man with a large family – but God allowed Satan to test Job by removing his health, wealth, and children. Job’s friends claim he must have done something wrong to deserve such misfortune.

Job maintains his innocence but cries out in his anguish, questioning God’s justice. An arrogant young bystander names Elihu criticizes both Job and his friends. Finally God Himself intervenes.

God never directly answers Job’s demand to know the reasons for his suffering but instead uses rhetorical questions to humble Job and glorify His own power and wisdom in creation. Job repents “in dust and ashes”. In the epilogue, after Job prays for his friends, God restores Job to twice his previous wealth.

The book grapples with the difficult question of why faithful people suffer undeservedly. It provides no definitive answer except to point people toward the unfathomable mysteries of God’s wisdom.

Job models Wrestling honestly with God in the midst of suffering but also displaying faith through the darkness. His friends show the harm caused by simplistic explanations about suffering.

Elihu cautions against arrogance and demands that we humbly acknowledge our limited understanding compared to God. God’s speech puts suffering in the broader context of God’s omnipotent sovereignty over all Creation. Ultimately God does reward Job, providing a partial foretaste of the redemption of all wrongs still to come.

Jonah and the Whale (Book of Jonah)

God calls the prophet Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh to repent. Jonah resists this call and boards a ship sailing the opposite direction, but God sends a massive storm to stop him.

To save the ship, the sailors throw Jonah overboard at his request, and he is swallowed by a giant fish. Inside the fish, Jonah prays a beautiful psalm of deliverance. After three days, the fish vomits Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah finally goes to preach to Nineveh, warning of imminent judgment, and the people immediately repent. Jonah becomes bitterly angry that God spares the wicked city, so God rebukes Jonah’s lack of compassion.

The book explores the themes of mercy, repentance, and God’s limitless love for all humanity. Jonah serves as an anti-example; his prejudice against pagan Nineveh leads him to resist God’s call there.

But God pursues Jonah until he fulfills his mission. Jonah would rather die than see enemies receive grace. The story rebukes religious hypocrisy and exclusivity. God yearns even for faraway people to come into relationship with Him. It anticipates the spread of the Gospel beyond Israel to bless all nations.

Conclusion

These powerful Old Testament stories provide intriguing glimpses into who God is and how He interacts with humanity. We see God’s unmatched power in miracles and creation. God establishes His plan to redeem mankind from sin and death through the calling of Abraham and establishment of Israel.

God uses both mighty acts and faithful human servants to accomplish His will. Yet even the most heroic Bible figures prove flawed and sinful, pointing toward the need for an ultimate Savior.

Jesus Christ will fulfill all the types, prophecies, and promises embedded in these stories. He will come not merely as a human leader but as Immanuel – God with us.

The passion narratives of Christ’s death and resurrection will echo and transform many OT themes. The Old Testament provides the theological foundation and historical context to help us understand the completion of God’s redemptive mission in the New Testament.

These stories showcase human drama involving love, deception, heroism, betrayal, redemption, and sacrifice. At times disturbing and at others inspiring, they offer intriguing snapshots into God’s unfolding interaction with humanity across centuries of history.

The stories elicit countless questions, tensions, emotions, and applications that have kept the Bible meaningful across millennia. Far from a dry, religious history, the Old Testament presents creative accounts of human experience that both describe how things were and imagine how things could be.

The ancient narratives, poems, proverbs, and prophecies found in the Old Testament depict a dynamic, colorful, potent God relentlessly pursuing His creation and His people.

Yahweh progressively reveals Himself through miraculous events, divine encounters, God-inspired leaders, and prophetic voices that speak truth. We see that God indeed keeps His promises, though rarely in expected or comfortable ways.

Ultimately, these stories beckon us as readers to learn wisdom from human failure, recognize our own need for deliverance, and place our faith in the God who defies human understanding and limitation.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.