The Old Testament Made Easier

by David J. Ridges

In this study guide, noted teacher and gospel scholar David J. Ridges brings the books of Exodus through Ruth to life with his well-known teaching skills. In addition, he provides some direction and helps for understanding 1 Samuel through Proverbs. In-the-verse notes provide a highly effective, unique teaching tool. Notes between the verses provide additional 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. A Powerful Study Guide • Quickly gain a basic understanding of this portion of the Old Testament with the help of brief notes within and between the verses, accompanied by bolding for teaching emphasis. Ruth 2:8
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? [In other words, are you listening?] Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence [don’t go anywhere else], but abide [stay] here fast by [close by] my maidens [my servant girls]: • Transfer these brief notes into your own scriptures to increase your understanding now as well as in the future. A Quick Reference • Quickly get help for specific verses or chapters.
• Review for a lesson, talk, or family night discussion.

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction, Religion, Church, Spirituality

416 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

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

[T.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me preface this review by saying that I have loved all of David Ridges' other study guides. Granted, his books are always filled with typos, but I overlook them because the content is so great. However, this particular volume feels like his publisher only allowed him 375 pages, and after a thorough treatment of the remaining four books of Moses, he ran desperately out of space. He skips so much of the Old Testament (including passages covered in depth by the Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual) and then summarizes other parts so briefly as to be appalling. For example, Ezra, Nehamiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, and Proverbs are all covered on pages 373-375. Esther is disposed of this way: "The beautiful story of the courage and faith of Esther fits chronologically with Ezra 7:1." That's it. That's the full commentary for Esther. :(

[LMoody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learn a lot from these books by David Ridges. Here is a list of symbols he provides in Leviticus that point to Christ's Atonement.
1. without blemish=Christ's perfect life
2. voluntary =Jesus voluntarily gave his life
3. blood = life and cleansing blood of Christ shed for us
4. body=Savior's body give to us as a sacrifice for sin
5. bread=Jesus is the bread of life
6. the priest=Christ and priesthood leaders
7. altar=Christ's atoning sacrifice for us
8. wood=the cross upon which Jesus was sacrificed
9. fire=Holy Ghost who cleanses us as by fire and leads us, purification through the Atonement
10. washed in water=baptism and Jesus is living water
11. oil=pure olive oil is symbolic of the Savior, his healing power, light that comes to us from Him
12. frankincense=prayers of righteous
13. unleavened bread=we must hurry to worship the true God, leaven sometimes symbolizes corruption and evil of the world
14. anointing=Jesus is the Anointed One, we are anointed with the Christ's healing power (oil) when we are sick
15. salt=we are salt of earth
16. seven=symbol of completeness and perfection
17. laying hands on sacrificial animal=Savior took our sins upon Him
18. sin offering=Savior's atonement
19. restitution-repentance process for us
20. law of sacrifice=Savior's sacrifice for us
21. 3rd day=Savior's body laying three days in tomb
22. being sanctified=make clean, pure and holy through Savior
23. consecration=dedicating our lives to the Lord
24. not drinking wine=special dedication to the Lord

[Josephine M Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Testament

I really enjoy reading David Ridges books. They help my understanding very much. I have read most of them and will continue reading the rest of them. They have been a blessing o me and many of my family and . friends

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridges does a great job explaining different verses. There are many things he leaves out though and it can be frustrating at times. I will have questions on a certain verse or passage and Ridges will do no commentary.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been a helpful addition to our Old Testament study.

[Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the first two volumes of this work and find it fascinating. I have always found the Old Testament to be hard to understand but David Ridges makes it much easier to grasp. He uses the actual scripture and just explains it so that you can figure out what all of that hard to fathom stuff is all about. I have purchased the last volume which is all Jeremiah and I am at Jeremiah right now in my Old Testament reading. My only complaint is that after I read the first volume, Deseret Book decided to make them into three volumes instead of four. Fine but when I finished the first volume of the old version I missed all of the plagues or miracles that the Lord sent to Pharoah's people. I guess I could have bought the second volume of the new version but I sort of thought that Deseret Book should have printed up the last part of the first version and sent it to me. I mean it is a $20 book. haha

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really understand the Old Testament, and I didn't really find this book very helpful.

What I liked: Some of the commentary was interesting, particularly about historical customs and culture.

What I didn't like: My struggle with the Old Testament is that I don't understand or relate to some of the violence, the wrathful God, or some of the customs, such as taking concubines. I understand that part of this is just cultural differences, but I thought the commentary tried to excuse all of these tough topics in a way that wasn't very convincing to me.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Old Testament can be very confusing, but David Ridges really helps with this book. I only wish that it had the complete text like his other book series. I found that reading this book helped me realize just how much about Christ there really is in the Old Testament. I appreciate the research done to explain cultural differences that account for some of the things we find really strange.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful that David Ridges shares his abundant knowledge of the scriptures with us in these books. I do wish it could be expanded somewhat - some of the books had very little of his comment. However, what he does write is eye opening and helpful in my study of the Old Testament - which I love to read.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really made the Old Testament come alive for me. It just made so much more sense. I missed having the complete scriptural text but that would make a very long book. I thought the last few chapters were just barely mentioned and not really discussed but it is a very enlightening book!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are great, but for whatever reason this book and book 3 skipped to much of the old testament and did not cover many of the chapters many of us needed covered for teaching Gospel doctrine. That is the only reason the rating is so low.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised, after the first volume addressed each verse in such detail, that there were parts of the Old Testament completely missing in this volume. I can understand how daunting a task it is to write commentary on the whole Bible, but I was still disappointed.

[Katherine Woodin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped in my understanding of the Old Testament.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books really break down the scriptures so they are easy to understand.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is such a great source to understanding the Old Testament. Part 2 does not go through scripture for scripture as it did with Part 1 and I would have liked that.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It sits on my nightstand and helps me navigate through passages that have been difficult for me in the past. Thank you David Ridges!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such wonderful insights that make studying the old testament enjoyable and thought provoking. Can't wait to dig into #3 with my studies.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book. Wonderful insight into the Scriptures. It helped me understand so much better.
Reread July 2 2022

[Thebarrys10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find these books very helpful especially with the Old Testament.

[Ann Hollon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love David J. Ridges. His gospel studies series. One has to get used to the typo errors. Perhaps a new editor! :) Still I find them awesome in my studies and teaching my seminary students.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish he could have more pages in this book .... He skips over lots of OT chapters and/or books. I think there should be a 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d series of this Part 2 of OT by Ridges.

[Elizabeth Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the series. Terrific work, but skips too many important chapters.

[Eric Mostoller]

Old Testament for dummies.

Very easy to follow and love the updates on chronology. When the author adds quick insertions of layman terms in the verses, it becomes easier to understand.