One horrible story is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. God decided to destroy these cities because of their great wickedness. Another is the sacrifice of Jephthah's daughter. Jephthah made a vow to God that if he won a battle, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house, and it was his daughter. It shows some of the harsher and more complex aspects of the Old Testament narratives.
We can interpret them as lessons from the past. For example, the harsh stories might be warnings about the consequences of extreme disobedience or immorality. We don't have to take them literally in every aspect but can see the moral and ethical teachings they convey.
One of the main themes is the relationship between God and His people. It shows how God chose the Israelites, made covenants with them, and guided them. Another theme is the concept of sin and redemption. The stories often depict the people's disobedience and God's mercy in forgiving them when they repent.
I'm not entirely sure specifically which '87' stories you are referring to. However, in the Old Testament, the concept of 'the beast' can be related to various symbolic or literal interpretations. For example, in the book of Daniel, there are visions of strange beasts that represent kingdoms or powers. Each beast has distinct characteristics that signify different aspects of worldly rule and its relationship with the divine.
The age of the Old Testament stories is difficult to pinpoint precisely. They have been passed down and developed over a long period, likely spanning several millennia.
The Exodus is a very significant event. It's when the Israelites were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses. Another one is the creation of the world as described in the book of Genesis.
Well, if we assume that the 'beast' is being presented in a traditional Old Testament sense, it might be shown as a symbol of evil or chaos. Maybe it's depicted as something that is in opposition to God's order.