(Selections from) The Old Testament Made Easier, Second Edition (Part 3)

by David J. Ridges

Noted teacher and gospel scholar David J. Ridges brings selections from the books of 1 Kings through Malachi to life. As with his other books in the Gospel Studies Series, the text of the scripture is included, and notes in and between the verses provide insights and teach principles and doctrines. Join the tens of thousands of readers who have experienced spiritual growth from reading and pondering the books in this series.

Genres: Religion, Lds

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2014

About the author

David J. Ridges taught for the Church Educational System for thirty-five years. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University and taught adult religion and Know Your Religion classes for BYU Continuing Education and spoke at BYU Campus Education Week for many years.

Ridges has served as a curriculum writer for Sunday School, seminary, and institute of religion manuals. His callings in the Church include Gospel Doctrine teacher, bishop, stake president, and patriarch. He and his wife, Janette, have served two full-time Church Educational System missions. They are the parents of six children and are enjoying a growing number of grandchildren. They reside in Springville, Utah.

Reviews

[Danielle Janzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really love David J Ridges’s commentary, this part of the series was not 5 stars like his other 2 I read before this. Majority of the chapters in it were just reprinted KJV chapters with no commentary. (Pretty much all of psalms and job were like this). However, he did go through Isaiah with great detail which helped me gain more insight than ever before… so I gave it 4 stars. Starting part 4 now!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! I just finished the Old Testament! And it only took me 16 months. Last time it took me 2 yrs. I bought these books to use as a companion study guide to the Old Testament but I ended up just reading the books. I wanted to familiarize myself with it. So my plan for next time is to have my scriptures out as I read this so I can make notes and highlights and then after I read it that way I will attempt to read it all by myself ;)

I really enjoyed this last part of the Old Testament. This book had Isaiah which I really enjoyed because I actually understood it. But I think my favorite book was Ecclesiastes. The author said “we don't know for sure who wrote Ecclesiastes; however, many Bible scholars suggest it was probably written by Solomon…” The author (David J. Ridges) looked at it with the point of view that sometimes the verses reflected the opinions of the natural man and other times the verses were deep and reflected godly opinion. It felt, to me, that I was reading someone's journal. We went through all his ups and downs with him. Sometimes his testimony was strong and stayed focused on the gospel and other times he seemed lost. It was a great example to me of how easy it is to get caught up in worldly things. And when that happened to him the heavenly perspective was so hard to hold on to which in turn made his worldly view stronger. When his worldly view was stronger the author was more self obsessed and felt sorry for himself. I think I liked it so much because I could relate. We all have our ups and downs. Self doubt and then self awareness.

Great book. It made the Old Testament much more relatable.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was helpful in my study of the Old Testament. The author gives many background facts to help in understanding the time period and what these events mean to us today. I love reading the Old Testament.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read several times. Wonderful help yo understand Old Testament.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does not have all the books and verses. He cut out a lot and only put in what I guess was significant enough.