So I have been hounded by many for not posting...so here I am. In the last week I have taken my first college test and written my first college paper. My test was in my old testament class. I did not know til i started taking this class how little i actually knew about the old testament...not just what happens but the history of how it was written and all the background in it. I have been guilty of thinking that the OT is boring. I now realize it is because i did not fully understand it...who knew there were three stages of power: 1) assyrians who destroyed the Israel in 722 bc 2) babylonians conquered judah in 587 bc 3) the persians arose to power in 539...now why is this important to the OT...well the whole Babylonian exile from 587-539 also known as the exilic period...and that my kids is your first "encountering the old testamentA" lesson. Anyway I am learning all these cool things behind the whole OT and it has helped me to understand it so much more...I think everyone needs to take an OT class...Adios