Your Study of The Old Testament Made Easier - Part 1: Genesis through Exodus 19

by David J. Ridges

In this third edition, noted teacher and gospel scholar David J. Ridges brings the Old Testament to life with his well-known teaching skills. It is much expanded over previous editions and includes almost all of the scripture reading blocks referenced in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Come, Follow Me for the Old Testament. A quick glance inside will show you the format, which includes background and setting, brief notes within and between the verses, and bold font to emphasize and point things out.UNDERSTAND THE OLD TESTAMENT AS NEVER BEFORE!The Old Testament is a most valuable book of scripture. It is the source of several favorite Bible stories many of us heard when we were growing up, such as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Noah and the Flood, David and Goliath, Ruth, Daniel in the Lions' Den, and many more. However, far beyond, it is a rich source of gospel doctrines and teachings of the plan of salvation. It teaches the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement of Christ in many ways and with rich illustrations, including in the law of Moses. It teaches the mercy and willingness of Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, to forgive. It teaches and illustrates time and again what kinds of thinking and actions we need to avoid if we desire to remain firmly on the covenant path. And it teaches how to repent and return to Christ, whose arms of mercy are extended all the day long (Isaiah 65:2), inviting us to repent.

Genres: History, Church, Religion

809 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2021

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

[Cassaronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for help with basic understanding and some definitions. Definitely didn’t agree with all of his “interpretations.” It’s good for a seminary-student-level of inquiry. I would recommend Skinner or Welch for deeper scholarship.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a verse-by-verse study guide that I read right through instead of using as a careful study guide, but I found it had some helpful insights and it was nice to have an overview of these Old Testament chapters I will be reading in the next few weeks. Here are some quotes I liked:

"As members of the Church, we have a tremendous advantage over others in understanding the Old Testament because we study its pages through eyes and hearts that understand the Father's plan of salvation and the central role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ (P. 5)."

"We cannot overcome the devil by ourselves (p. 11)."

"Obeying the commandments we have already received from God opens the door for additional light and knowledge from above (p. 13)."

"If we follow the simple teachings and commandments placed before us by the Lord, we will progress upward seeing and understanding more and greater things (p. 19)."

"The premortal Christ is the Creator until it comes to the creation of man. At that point, the Father will take over (p. 27)."

"The plan was already in place. It was the Father's plan, used countless times already on many worlds that had already been celestialized before our great premortal Council in Heaven (p. 57)."

"'When God created the earth and placed our first parents upon it, He did not leave them without knowledge concerning Himself' (p. 60)."

"The ordinances of the Gospel have never been changed from the days of Adam to the present time (p. 86)."

"The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years (p. 88)."

"No wonder faithful Saints who have the gift of the Holy Ghost are said to have a special glow about them! They do! (p. 102)"

"It does not pay to intentionally live near the edge of evil and gross wickedness (p. 212)."

"One of the interesting things about the Old Testament is that it presents people as they are. Thus, we are often shown the human weaknesses of great people in its pages. This should be comforting to us, knowing as we do that if they could make it to exaltation despite their human frailties, so can we, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (p. 251)."

"'I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of' (p. 258)."

"'Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob' (p. 259)."

"Can you imagine the relief and joy that swept over Jacob as Easau ran to him and greeted him with great affection! (p. 280)"

"On a personal note, my wife Janette, and I have had the privilege of visiting Rachel's tomb, which is just one mile north of Bethlehem. We had a tender feeling of reverence there (p. 287)."

"The Book of Mormon [verses] bear clear testimony that Joseph in Egypt was a mighty prophet of God (p. 293)."

"Verse 21 implies that Reuben was not actively involved in the plot to kill Joseph. Rather, he listened as the others discussed it and took steps to prevent it (p. 297)."

"It is amazing that Joseph was not executed immediately. One tends to wonder whether, after his initial anger cooled, Potiphar suspected that his wife might not be telling the truth and thus sent Joseph to prison rather than to his death (p. 307)."

"'Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God?' (p. 308)"

"Joseph, with the help of God, interprets that butler's dream. It is a prophecy with a happy outcome (p. 309)."

"Joseph will marry and have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (p. 319)."

"Perhaps you've noticed many ways... in which Joseph is symbolic of Christ (p. 322)."

"An overriding principle of welfare administration is that of self-reliance (p. 335)."

"There are generally thirteen possible lineages that could be given in patriarchal blessings... Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin (p. 337)."

"'When Jacob blessed Joseph, he gave him a double portion (p. 240)>"

"'Joseph is a fruitful bough' (p. 342)."

"Jacob had requested that he not be buried in Egypt, but rather in the same cave as his wife, Leah, and his parents, Isaac and Rebekah (P. 344)."

"The JST adds much to the Genesis account (p. 346)."

"In the book of Exodus, we are introduced to Moses and his ministry (p. 349)."

"Forty years as a prince in Egypt.
Forty years as a shepherd.
Forty years as a prophet (p. 351)."

"Satan can cause trouble, and indeed he does, but he cannot ultimately triumph over Christ and His work, including us, unless we let him (p. 384)."

"'The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are' (p. 397)."

"'Leaven, or yeast, was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy' (p. 398)."

"Obedience is often referred to as the 'first law of heaven' (p. 400)."

"The Lord is very patient with the children of Israel (p. 416)."

[Britni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for better understanding the Old Testament. It gives just enough background and historical context to make the stories make more sense but not too overwhelming. I love the format because you are literally reading the Old Testament verse by verse with the explanations written right in. That was much easier for me to read instead of having to go back and forth to different sections. I also appreciated the translations into Hebrew that gave some scriptures a totally different meaning. You can probably find more scholarly books on the Old Testament, but this is what I needed.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books take you through the Old Testament verse by verse and adds explanations and additional quotes and scriptures to help you understand them better. I loved it and learned so much! This specific books goes from Genesis through Exodus 20.

[Brent M Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mixture of the scholarly and the spiritual.

Mr. Ridges has included a wealth of information from a multitude of Bible scholars, apostles, and teachers. He gives alternate translations as well, making this work a most valuable resource.

[Mike Milam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

David Ridges explains the meanings of Old Testament verses. A great resource for Sunday School and personal study. Enjoyable reading.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Made Easier series, but especially for the Old Testament. It makes studying more clear and easy to understand.

[Mickalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ridges books are an excellent source to aid Scripture study.

[Rebekah Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learn so much through these scriptures made easier series

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It brings so much insight and helps you understand the traditions and meanings of biblical times! So helpful and awesome to read and helped me to actually understand all that I was reading!!