Genesis + Exodus + Leviticus + Numbers + Deutronomy
The five books of the Law are also called “the Pentateuch,” which means “five scrolls.” The core of this ancient literature was written by Moses (Luke 24:27; John 5:46). These books describe the creation of the world, God’s call to the Hebrews (1) to be His special people, their captivity and release (2) from Egypt, the law (3) that guided them on their way to the Promised Land (4) and how God blessed the people when they obeyed and disciplined them when they disobeyed.
Joshua + Judges + Ruth + 1 Samuel + 2 Samuel + 1 Kings + 2 Kings + 1 Chronicles + 2 Chronicles + Ezra + Nehemiah + Ester
God brought His chosen people (1) into the Promised Land with miracles, military victories and treaties. Then God allowed the Israelites a brief measure of earthly glory (2) in the reigns of David and Solomon. To King David, God promised an everlasting kingdom. However, the Davidic dynasty split. Assyrians (3) erased the Northern Kingdom (722 b.c) and Babylonians (4) conquered the Southern Kingdom (605-586 b.c.). Eventually, the Persians allowed the Jewish People to resettle Palestine and rebuild the Jerusalem Temple.
Job + Psalms + Proverbs + Ecclesiastes + Song of Solomon
Biblical poetry teaches that true worship and wisdom can only come from appropriate fear and affection for God. Coming in the form of a cosmic struggle between the Lord and His angelic enemies (Job) (1), the full range of emotions in verse (Psalms) (2), a father’s and mother’s wisdom sayings to their son (Proverbs), musings about the human condition (Ecclesiates) (3), and the love song of a bride and groom (Song of Solomon), the books of poetry also teach us how to anticipate a hopeful end to history through the coming of the Messiah.
Isaah + Jeremiah + Lamentations + Ezekei + Daniel
The major prophets wrote from the eighth to the sixth centuries before Christ, as nations were rising and failing (1) around Izrael, and idolatry (2) and injustice were endemic in Izrael. The major prophets teach us that God has a plan for history and that through the coming Messiah He will eventually subdue all His enemies under His feet and bring peace (3) to the Earth. The major prophets also vividly teach us that God is deeply concerned with moral integrity and justice in our daily lives.
Hosea + Joel + Amos + Obadiah + Jonah + Micah + Nahum + Habakkuk + Zephaniah + Haggai + Zechariah + Malachi
By the time most of the minor prophets were writing (1) (the seventh to the fifth centuries before Christ), the promise God had made to David of an everlasting kingdom was already at least 300 years old. These prophets foresaw tremendous destruction (2) and sorrow for God’s chosen people and for nations that would not humble themselves before God. Even so, they had faith that God would make good on His promises and send a Deliver (3) for HIs people and for those nations who would bow before him.
