Emily Freeman - Written on Our Hearts: Invitations from the Old Testament

In January 2012 a group of people
set off on a life-changing journey.
This book is dedicated to each of those travelers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Freeman, Emily, author.
Written on our hearts : invitations from the Old Testament / Emily Freeman.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60907-595-8 (hardbound : alk. paper)
1. Bible. Old TestamentDevotional literature. 2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsDoctrines. I. Title.
BS1151.55.F74 2013
221.6dc232013019708

Printed in the United States of America
Publishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Acknowledgments

I once received a thank-you card that contained one handwritten line: words cannot express...

That is my sentiment as I begin to write this. Sometimes capturing words on paper is like wrestling; other times it is a process of discovery; and once in a while the words come as an unexpected gift. This book falls into the last category. The journey of coming to know the Deliverer is one of the most precious gifts I have ever received.

Heartfelt thanks to Jana Erickson for spending so much time helping me determine what was essential to include. Humble appreciation to my dear friend Emily Watts, who is a master at crafting the written word: Thank you for sharing your gift. I am profoundly grateful to the team at Deseret Book, including Heather Ward, Rachael Ward, and Sheryl Dickert Smith, for your attention to detail and the magical way you have of transforming words on a page into an experience for the heart. To Annie Henrie, whose cover artwork expresses so beautifully the spirit of this book. To Dan Burr, whose skill for capturing pure emotion on a simple piece of paper is a talent I greatly admire. To David Butler, whose wisdom, insight, and understanding led me to discover knowledge I couldnt have found on my own. To my mom and dad, and to the friends at www.dailyclosertochrist.com for accompanying me on this journey. To Meg and Grace, who gathered at 9:30 every night to share their favorite part. To Caleb, Josh, and Garett, who taught me the true meaning of sacrifice. And to Greg, who is my everything and my all in all. Without each of you this adventure would not have been complete.

Words cannot express...

Introduction

People often ask me why I love the Old Testament so fiercely. I always respond with the same answer. There will come a moment in your life when you or someone you love will struggle with a challenge so great you will wonder how you will make it through. In that moment you will long to better understand the Saviors role as the Deliverer, and to do that you must go to the book of scripture that describes that role the bestthe Old Testament. The stories and lessons of the Old Testament have carried me through some of the greatest challenges of my life. In those moments, much-needed verses of scripture have been written on my heart. When I need deeper courage, unyielding strength, and increased wisdom to face the situation at hand, I turn to the pages of the Old Testament. It is within those pages that I have come to know Jehovah, the DelivererJesus Christin a way I might not have before.

Sometimes we glance through the chapters of the Old Testament and immediately feel intimidated by the sheer number of pages, the scriptural language, or even some of the harsh themes. I hope that wont be the case as we begin this study of the Old Testament. Instead, let anticipation begin to fill your heartyou are about to discover stories you might have missed and heroes you have never met before. This book is different from other Old Testament books you might have studied. It is not a verse-by-verse guide, nor will we delve deeply into the doctrine. Instead we will read the stories, looking for the inspiration within. As we do this, something remarkable will begin to happenwe will come to understand the great application these biblical stories can have in our lives today. The pages of the Old Testament include lessons on building testimony, strengthening family, following the prophet, overcoming great adversity, instilling belief, understanding hope, and finding the courage to sustain us through the great battles of life. We will learn how to trust with Gideon, build with Nehemiah, plead with Hezekiah, and stand up for what we know like Micaiah. We will read stories of courageous prophetesses, great women, and mothers in Israel. We will come to understand the importance of the scarlet thread, the fringes, and what it means to be wise hearted. We will realize that the greatest blessings in life cannot come from that which doth cost us nothing.

We live in a world that pleads for deliverance. We may not be called upon to cross the Red Sea, find ourselves thrown into a pit and left for dead, or face armies whose strength is far greater than ours. We may not be led into captivity, be compassed on every side by the enemy, or be called upon to testify knowing it might lead to our death. However, there will be days when we face danger, oppression, and injustice. There will be great obstacles in our way and times when we feel surrounded by those who are intent on destroying us. We will face evil, overwhelming health challenges, and perhaps the captivity of sin. In these moments we must remember that, just as the Lord delivered the children of Israel, He has the power to deliver us from any trouble we must overcome in our life. He is, after all, the Great Deliverer. The pages of the Old Testament testify of Him.

In the midst of every challenge or adversity, one thing is certainthe Lord will deliver us. The Old Testament will help us understand how.

And these words... shall be in thine heart:
and thou shalt teach them diligently
unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:67

Because thou hast done this thing,
and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee...

Genesis 22:1617

A Reminder