Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament

by Chad Bird

The Bible is not some dusty textbook, but a veritable circus of humanity, with high-soaring saints, back-talking donkeys, left-handed kingslayers, and all the glory and gore you can fit inside the big top of this biblical tent. And everywhere in this story is God who, in his wild and passionate love for humanity, is shepherding history toward the birth and ministry of Jesus the Messiah. Do you already have a good grasp of the Old Testament? Wonderful. This book will be an enjoyable review. Do you not know the difference between the Bible and The Hobbit? Also fine. This book will be a helpful map into unknown territory. By the time we’ re done, you won’ t know all the ins and outs of the story, but you will have a strong grasp of the major movers and shakers. We will sit shotgun with patriarchs and prophets. Each one will take us a little farther down the Old Testament road until we get to the to Jesus, the one in whom the whole story finds fulfillment and meaning.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Christianity

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2024

About the author

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life, and Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew. He cohosts two popular podcasts: “40 Minutes in the OT” and “Hidden Streams.” Chad and his wife Stacy have four children and three grandchildren. They enjoy life together in the Texas Hill Country.

Reviews

[shanghao · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version while flipping through the ebook at times, lovely way of showing the overlying narrative of the OT, and engrossing in a relaxing yet enriching way.

I would’ve loved some insight into other prophets like Haggai or Zechariah, but this is in no way a criticism of the book content or its author, merely a confession of my greed, I’m sorry 😭

[Ryan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good intro to the OT, perfect length to give to church members and new Christians.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened on hoopla and will need to listen, or read again. I love the way Chad Bird connects dots through out Scripture. It helps paint a broader, overarching picture.

[Laurie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Journey through the Bible

I really loved reading a sort of summary of the characters in each chapter. Often I would refer back to my Bible “to read it for myself” because he would highlight events with more detail than I easily remembered. I love his writing style! I thoroughly enjoyed every page and hated to see it end! I hope he does the same for New Testament characters!

[Erik Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hitchhiking With Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament” by Chad Bird is a great introductory survey of the Old Testament of the Bible. The audiobook is only 5 hrs long and is read by the author. Chad Bird expertly explains the story of the Old Testament as a preparation for the coming of Jesus to bring redemption. I recommend this for all except young ears. The author is circumspect but the Old Testament does record rape and other atrocities. However, with a small amount of strategic muting by a watchful parent, this can still be phenomenal tool for all ages.

[Jeremiah Gumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable and insightful ride through the Old Testament. Can't recommend this book highly enough!

[Fr. Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very good bird's eye view of the "big picture" story in the Old Testament for someone who has not had much exposure to it before. After this book, I would direct people to Bishop Barron's The Great Story of Israel for a second, more in-depth look, at each of the relevant books before they read them.
Bird does a good job making the stories relatable and the story cohesive.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad Bird is both a scholar (with degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College) AND a fabulous teacher, a wonderful story teller and author. In “Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament,” he writes in an inviting manner the history of God’s people in the OT, sometimes faithful, often wayward (but God is always faithful) and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the long awaited Messiah, Jesus the Christ. I think this is the 3rd book I’ve read by Chad Bird, and at the conclusion of each book, I look forward to the next.

[Glynis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of the Old Testament and how it relates to Jesus. Easy for unbelievers and new Christians, yet still insightful for those who have studied for years. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Darren Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad Bird's Hitchhiking With the Prophets is easily one of the best introductory-level biblical theology books I’ve read, even though it focuses only on the Old Testament canon. What sets it apart is how Bird consistently connects each chapter back to the New Testament, showing the deep unity of Scripture in a way that is both pastoral and profound.

His typological reading of Christ is phenomenal—hands down the best I’ve seen in a popular-level book. He's also the only modern biblical theologian I know of who openly advocates for Christophanies in the Old Testament, which adds a layer of theological richness that most skip over. Even more remarkably, this is the only introductory biblical theology book I’ve encountered that thoughtfully includes the sacraments as a biblical-theological theme—something largely neglected by evangelicals, many of whom lean Zwinglian and downplay sacramental theology altogether.

Bird also does something virtually unheard of in introductory books: he takes time to engage with the Septuagint, the Apocrypha, and the intertestamental period—a historical and theological bridge often ignored even in most BT books (don't count commentaries they are different) except in much more technical works like G.K. Beale’s. That Bird can address these topics accessibly, without overwhelming the reader, is a testament to his skill.

And above all, Bird is a fantastic storyteller. While many popular-level biblical theology books still feel textbook-ish, his writing is vivid, punchy, and filled with memorable illustrations and turns of phrase. He doesn’t just explain the Bible—he draws you into its drama.

In short, Hitchhiking With the Prophets is deeply Christ-centered, sacramentally aware, historically informed, and beautifully written. It deserves a wide readership.

[Eric Estes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many Bible readers, especially newer ones, are intimidated by the breadth of the Scriptures, particularly the Old Testament. Reading the books of Moses, the Prophets, Psalms, and histories cover-to-cover is not like picking up the latest summer read. The Old Testament (OT) covers thousands of years of history, and its books are not organized chronologically. It can also be challenging to understand how an OT text connects to the New Testament announcing the arrival of God in the flesh, our Savior Jesus. When you open your Bible, you can miss the forest for the trees. For instance, you may find a Biblical story exciting or entertaining, but how does it fit into God’s grand purpose of saving humanity from sin and death? Likewise, some stories seem like detours and dead ends that challenge our senses and preconceived notions of how things should go. The OT depicts many graphic, shocking, and brutal things from Israel’s and the world’s history. How do they fit into the story of salvation?

Helping us navigate the trees so we don’t get lost and overwhelmed in the forest of the OT is Chad Bird’s goal in “Hitchhiking with Prophets.” He invites the reader to a fast-paced and inspiring ride through the OT while taking pitstops with its primary figures and themes. The journey begins in Genesis with Adam and Eve and follows the Biblical journey through Malachi. Bird includes a rest stop in the apocryphal books and discusses what happened during the intertestamental period, the 400 years of history between the Old Testament and the New. Finally, the journey ends at the new beginning, the hope of Israel with the arrival of the Messiah, the Son of David, Jesus of Nazareth. While doing so, Chad helps the reader wrestle with and understand those grittier and more challenging parts of the Bible. As he puts it:

“Biblical history is the record of God’s guidance of events toward their goal in Jesus, to be sure, but these same events are besmirched by backstabbings, sexual escapades, rebellions, and grossly selfish acts of men and women. The story of the Bible is not a neat and tidy documentary of upstanding citizens who dutifully perform righteous acts to shepherd history toward its culmination in Christ. Rather, it’s the story of sinners doing sinful things, all of which the wise Lord of history nevertheless uses for good, for his ultimate purpose of saving us.”

Anyone interested in the OT and NT Scriptures will benefit from this book, and it will significantly help readers less familiar with the OT. Chad Bird’s writing is engaging and fun to read, backed by his years of scholarly study of the Bible in its original languages. In this book, you will see how the OT is centered on Jesus. Bird emphasizes how the OT's prophecies, themes, and characters are ultimately fulfilled in Christ. He likewise shows that God’s mercy, grace, and faithfulness to the world He created are displayed throughout the salvation story of the Old Testament.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read Chad Bird’s latest, HITCHHIKING WITH PROPHETS. Never before has the Old Testament been laid out so well for me and I leave this book with more sure footing and the desire to continue to read and learn more from the Old Testament books.
I really enjoyed learning a little Hebrew along the way with one example being gillulim or false gods/”dung-deities” from Ezekiel. Another being Yasha meaning to save or deliver and referring to the actions of the judges in the Book of Judges.
There are a handful of OT books I have read a couple of times and still there are others I have barely glanced at…this book helps me see how they are all necessary and united in presenting the metanarrative~ pointing ahead to the promised Messiah, that is Jesus Christ.
While this book helps readers take a much closer look at the contents of the OT, Chad is always very good at showing how it connects and parallels events in the New Testament. Take for example the comparisons of Elijah and Elisha to John the Baptist and Jesus. I’m a person who likes to trace themes and take note of similarities and patterns, so I truly enjoyed these little “easter eggs” along the way.
In closing, what a journey! This is a book that I believe will be very helpful to reference time and time again AND I appreciated Chad’s closing words for Chapter 16, which were an invitation to read the words from the prophets and to take them in as if they were the finest feast you could ever partake of…we were given a spoonful and ultimately we are invited back to read from the Scriptures themselves to see for ourselves all the amazing wonders that are presented to us in God’s Word.
I look forward to using this book in both my continued work in the church as well as in my own home life. Thank you!

[Kimberly Trendelman-Faulds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read For All Believers and Those On The Fence

The simplicity with which the author summarizes centuries of Biblical and inter-testamental history is nothing short of genius. This book is appealing to every stage of Christianity, from new believer to regular churchgoer, to pastor (and even scholar)--as well as long-time faithful, but not so much into "church/organized religion," such as myself.
My appetite for reading the Word has been whetted, as I feel I'll have a deeper understanding, based on the thorough overview (which sounds like an oxymoron but isn't) of this brilliant author, who matter-of-factly presents the Biblical story with seasoned experience, creating a mouth -watering and irresistible aroma.
Thank you, Chad Bird, for doing the work you were called to do. You are definitely a part of God's story for present humanity.

[Myles Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read “Limping with God” and finding it memorable I figured this work would be just as good. I listened to this book on audio, and it took me about three days to get through. This was a great overview of the Old Testament. Chad’s writing is very down to earth and easy to follow along. Using road-trip imagery throughout the book, you gather a proper sense of the Old Testament books or characters he’s surveying while also reflecting on the theological (or more specifically Christological) implications. He also includes a chapter near the end on the inter-testament period, which was not something I expected or was familiar with. Overall, it was a refreshing listen and an insightful look into the overarching themes of the Old Testament. I would recommend it for any Christian to read through if they want a broad, yet compelling picture of the Old Testament.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new book of Chad Bird's is a great overview of the Old Testament, whether you are reading it for the first time or need a refresher. It shows how the Old Testament is always and only pointing ahead to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all of its events and prophecies.
Bird sets up the book as a journey (the hitchhiking part of the title), with a few detours and side turns on the way. If you are looking for an in-depth study of the Old Testament, this book isn't it. Instead, it presents a broad picture and highlights the important people in the timeline of the Israelites, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David.
As always with Chad Bird's books, I found this highly readable and insightful.

[Albert Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile ride through the Old Testament with author Chad Bird. In the beginning to the favored son with the coat of many colors we are treated to early visions redemption in the works! Then a calling came to a man deep in Mesopotamia for which a promise was made... through him a blessing would come to the world, first to Israel and then all mankind! The rest of the book highlights encounters with men and women who shape OT history and subsequently what is to present itself as the promise of the Gospels!
For those who thought they knew what the OT was revealing to those who have limited Bible knowledge, Hitchhiking With Prophets sheds proper light on what many readers find ancient history to be living history!

[Steven Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books by Chad Bird. He speaks with such grace. This was a good summary of the Hebrew Bible. I misunderstood the title to be a focus on the prophets themselves (because I did not pay attention to the subtitle). At 18 chapters, I could see this being used as a survey study for a church class spanning 1/3 of the year. Alternatively as an audiobook, it was only 5 hours so easy to knock out in a week in transit too and from work. Only minor hang ups. There is an under emphasis on the major and minor prophets - as Bird laments he is only able to provide a spoonful. Also, I can’t follow Bird’s Lutheran views on baptismal salvation, but there is so much great stuff here that I’d recommend this book as well as any of his others.

[Teri Reck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exquisitely written book by Chad Bird in which he links the history of the Old Testament with such amazing clarity to that of the New Testament. Growing up, I thought of the Old Testament as something that was endured by God's people and was overthrown by the work, death and resurrection of Jesus. Finis. Kaput. Not really necessary to think about any longer.

But Chad's books have opened my eyes to the meaning, the majesty, the beauty of God's plan from its very inception revealed to us in Genesis. In, Hitchhiking with the Prophets, it is especially so. It might seem at first to be a slip of a book to be discussing the OT, but it is tautly written, crafted with the finest weaving of Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment.

This book gave me an epiphany of the character and glory of God and His poetry, His song, His Story, revealed to us in BOTH the Old and New Testaments together as the Magnum Opus of the One True God. Everyone should read it alongside their readings of the Bible.

[Kyle Tomlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a relatively short (165 pages), but immensely helpful, introduction to the major storyline of the Old Testament. In it, you will get a good sense of who the major characters of the Old Testament are and how God was at work in and though the Israelite people to keep his promise of the coming “Seed” first given in the Garden of Eden and re-spoken to Abraham, David, etc., throughout that history.

Not only is this a great read for those who are new to the Scriptures or struggling to understand the Old Testament, but it’s also a great refresher for those seasoned in the Old Testament as well. Highly recommended for both personal and group studies!

[Rachel Oberlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and Funny

Reading this book was an adventure in the beginning, but a bit of a let down towards the end. It was funny and informative on how the beginning books of the Bible were set up. By the middle of the book, you were getting more of a synopsis of what was going on, and by the end, a brief summary. Yes, I learned something. Yes, I got a few laughs from this book. But I was a bit disappointed at the end because of the brevity of information of the last books and the addition of books that are not included in the standard Bible. Useful, maybe, but I'm not sure if it should be included with Biblical studies. Just my opinion.

[JoJo Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chad Bird's way of explaining OT prophecies and how they all point to Jesus is unparalleled in my opinion. Covering all of the OT in a book that's 182 pages long is not an easy feat. Consequently, he makes a few broad brush strokes in some places. This is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis; and certainly not a replacement for reading the Bible! What he does so well is to bring Jesus to the surface in all the OT accounts. And of course, He is there in every bit of the Old Testament....coming as promised to save. Praise God!

[Lydia Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Very good overview of the OT patriarchs, prophets, judges, and kings. This has further opened my eyes to how Jesus is written into everything in the Bible. This would be extremely helpful to a new Christian who is attempting to grasp the OT which is sometimes so far removed from our own culture that it is strange at best, and easily misunderstood. This is also good for seasoned believers to be reminded to look for Christ and to glory in His fulfillment of all Scripture. Listened to the free audiobook included in Spotify premium.

[Katherine Szerdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thinking that this would be a nice Christian book to help me fall asleep at night. Boy was I wrong—I couldn’t put it down! Once again, Chad Bird hits the mark!
I have read several of Chad Bird’s books—his theology is rock solid, his spiritual understanding golden! In an age where theology seems to be so fluid, we need the richness and depth of teaching such as is offered here in his most recent book!

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad Bird winsomely and concisely sums up all the major parts of the Old Testament all the while keeping an eye on Jesus. This is a great walk through for anyone who wants to understand the story line of the Bible and how Jesus fulfills it all.
Great for beginners in their faith as well as those who need reminders in how the whole story finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

[David Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hitchhiking with Prophets offers a quick overview of key leaders for Israel up to the promised Messiah, Jesus by looking at Prophets and their books of the Old Testament Bible. It's an easy and quick read. It is a great supplement to old Testament reading or a great teaser to get the reader interested in the Old Testament. I recommend this book.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple journey through the Old Testament using good storytelling, all with an eye toward the New Testament and application to the Christian's life. Relevant for newcomers and all others. I likely don't come to the same conclusions on baptism as the author, but that didn't ultimately detract from enjoying the book.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. A very quick overview of the old testament prophets and their importance to the Gospel and writings in the new testament. This a a good book for both a beginner at Bible study, while having enough depth to be interesting for someone farther along on their Bible studies journey. Well done and very highly recommended.

[Jeremy Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful little book to survey the OT story by reading forward and backward as the story leads to Christ. I would also read this work alongside Peter Leihart’s A House for My Name, Scot Hahn’s a A Father keeps his Promises, and Thomas Olbricht He Loves Forever. All of these works remind believers that the OT scriptures matter and help us understand our faith.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know the stories and figures from the OT. I have studied OT history/prophets. But my focus has mainly been on the NT, which is why I decided to take this journey. What an interesting way of presenting the OT. I thoroughly enjoyed my time hitchhiking with the prophets. Bird has whetted my appetite for the OT again!

[Jack Hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favorite author—Chad Bird

Chad Bird’s style reminds me of Max Lucado—breezy and elegant. He covers the whole story while tiptoeing past rabbit trails of less-important details. As an erstwhile storyteller, reading this excellent book was an humbling experience.