Previous Written Records 

The belief that man had been created from clay or dust was almost universal in the Eastern Hemisphere; this tradition can be traced from the Philippine Islands around the world to Africa. Many groups accepted this story of man’s clay origin by some form of special creation.

The Genesis story of the creation of earth in six days was based on the tradition that Adam and Eve had spent just six days in their initial survey of the Garden. This was handed down orally over millennia and retained symbolic significance, if not factual content. Much became distorted as it passed from one generation to the next, including the myth that Eve was created from Adam’s rib and it was a serpent who deceived her. Like Adam’s story, the narrative about Noah is rooted in fact but exaggerated in scripture.

The Old Testament account of creation dates from long after the time of Moses. Jewish tradition became crystallized around the laws of Moses, and because he endeavored to trace the lineage of Abraham back to Adam, the Jews assumed that Adam was the first of all mankind. God was the creator, and since Adam was supposed to be the first man, God must have made the world just before making Adam.

This story came to the attention of Ptolemy, the Greek king of Egypt, who had it translated into Greek. This account found its place among those writings which subsequently became a part of the later collections of the "sacred scriptures" of the Hebrew and Christian religions, the Old Testament.

In writing and editing the Old Testament, its authors failed to delete the statement that Cain went to the "land of Nod" after killing Abel, betraying the idea that Adam and Eve were the first humans. Jesus referred to this mistake in his discourse on evil, sin, and iniquity. Such errors do not imply that all of the Old Testament is flawed; instead, they show that it is rich in ancient history and symbolic wisdom, much of which still influences morality, religion, and philosophy.

Melchizedek was a celestial being with a divine mission to reveal truth. He was incarnated four thousand years ago, and much of what he taught became part of religious thinking across Eurasia and northern Africa. However, the most profound influence of Melchizedek’s teachings was on his student Abraham. What the Old Testament records describe as conversations between Abraham and God were, in reality, conferences between Abraham and Melchizedek.

There were others who were inspired by the lingering teachings of Melchizedek, including an Egyptian named Amenemope. His teachings were subsequently translated into Hebrew and became part of the Old Testament Book of Proverbs. Another Egyptian, Ikhnaton, also wrote one hundred and thirty-seven hymns, twelve of which are now preserved in the Old Testament Book of Psalms.

Melchizedek sent his missionaries from Salem to the entire ancient world, and it was these missionaries who wrote many of the Psalms, inscribing them on stone. Later-day Hebrew priests found the stones and incorporated their verses into the Old Testament.

Moses was an extraordinary combination of military leader, social organizer, and religious teacher. He was the most important individual world teacher and leader between the times of Melchizedek and Jesus.

Moses gathered up the residue of the traditions of the days of Melchizedek, and these teachings, joined with the learning of the Egyptians, guided Moses in the creation of the improved religion and rituals of the Israelites. Moses was an organizer; he selected the best in the religion and mores of Egypt and Palestine and, associating these practices with the traditions of the Melchizedek teachings, organized the Hebrew ceremonial system of worship.

There is so little on record of the great work of Moses because the Hebrews had no written language at the time of the Exodus. The record of the times and doings of Moses was derived from the traditions of one thousand years after the death of this great leader.

The massive Book of Psalms records the varying concepts of God entertained by the believers of the Salem religion. It embraces the entire period from Amenemope to Isaiah. In the Psalms, God is depicted in all phases of conception, from the crude idea of a tribal deity to the vastly expanded ideal of the later Hebrews, wherein Yahweh (God) is pictured as a loving ruler and merciful Father.

After Melchizedek ended his incarnation, he continued to work behind the scenes with leaders and teachers who would prepare the way for Jesus. These men became known as the Prophets, the first of which was Samuel. He was followed by Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, the first Isaiah, Micah, Obadiah, Jerimiah, and the second Isaiah. The Old Testament list of prophets has forty-six men and seven women, from Abraham to Malichi, and from Sarah to Esther.

The first twenty-two books of the Old Testament describe the relationship of God to the Hebrews, along with their early history. The last seventeen books tell the story of the evolution of the God concept and the development of the Jewish nation through the lives and teachings of the prophets.

In the Old Testament, for almost four thousand years, God grew from a wrathful, tribal God to a loving and merciful Father of all. Melchizedek, with the help of many humans, known and unknown, made the world ready for the greatest teacher and God-revealer of all, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus often referred to Old Testament scriptures, choosing the best and truest of them to help convey his teachings.

In his fifteenth year, when asked to read scripture at the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus chose this verse from Isaiah: "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to set the spiritual prisoners free."

At the Feast of Tabernacles, while speaking to the people about the water of life, Jesus quoted Isaiah: "Behold, as the waters are poured out upon the dry ground and spread over the parched soil, so will I give the spirit of holiness to be poured out upon your children for a blessing even to your children’s children."

And when he was preparing to go into Jerusalem for the last time, Jesus chose a prophetic passage from Zechariah that said: "Behold, your king comes to you. He is just and he brings salvation. He comes as the lowly one, riding upon an ass, upon a colt, the foal of an ass."

The Old Testament predictions (Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6-7) that declare a Messiah will come to sit on David’s throne gave Jesus endless trouble. Few understood, and many were disappointed to learn, that his mission was to create a spiritual kingdom, not a political one.

The Old Testament offers a complex tapestry of historical narratives, moral teachings, and divine revelations. Viewed through the lens of modern wisdom, this ancient compilation takes on new dimensions, emphasizing the evolutionary progress of spiritual understanding and the universal quest for truth.

The Old Testament is a significant record of human spiritual development, tracing the journey from primitive religious practices to more refined and ethical worship. It acknowledges the early Hebrew people’s struggles, triumphs, and their evolving conception of God – from a tribal deity to a universal and loving Creator.

Early depictions in the Old Testament often present a God who is human-like in emotions and actions. Over time, however, the scriptures reveal a deeper understanding of a God who embodies justice, mercy, and love. This evolution reflects humanity’s growing spiritual maturity and the gradual unveiling of divine truth.

Melchizedek’s school at Salem was followed by the prophets who acted as conduits for divine guidance and moral reform. These visionary leaders challenged societal norms and called for a return to righteousness and justice. Their messages reflected in the Old Testament laid the groundwork for the more profound spiritual teachings brought by Jesus of Nazareth.

Egyptian luminaries, like Amenemope and Ikhnaton (also known as Akhenaten) significantly influenced the development of religious thought, including the creation of the Old Testament. Amenemope’s Book of Wisdom predated and influenced the Hebrew writings, especially the Proverbs. His teachings emphasized ethical living, humility, and integrity, which resonate with many Old Testament themes.

Ikhnaton, a revolutionary pharaoh, introduced a form of monotheism through the worship of Aten, the sun disk. His radical departure from traditional polytheistic worship towards a singular deity concept had a lasting impact on religious thought in the ancient Near East, contributing to the theological evolution that would shape the Hebrew conception of God.

Stories like those of Abraham, Moses, Job, and David provide timeless lessons on faith, courage, and the pursuit of a righteous life. These narratives serve not only as historical accounts but also as moral parables that continue to inspire and guide individuals in their spiritual journeys. Other ideas, such as treating women as a form of property, or that women are inferior, reflect cultural norms of the times they were written.

The Old Testament chronicles humanity’s evolving relationship with the divine. It underscores the idea that spiritual growth is a continuous process, marked by continuing revelations and deeper understandings of the eternal truths of love, justice, and mercy. All of which were up stepped by Jesus’ remarkable life and transcendent teachings during his brief tenure as the Son of Man and the Son of God.