OT Bible Content Study Guide of Book Descriptions Flashcards
Learn the descriptions of each OT Book.
Records the story of God’s creation of the world, the fall of man, the origins of the people of the earth, the beginning of God’s covenant people and his desire to have a people set apart to worship him.
Genesis
Records the events of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the development as a nation governed by terms of God’s covenant and the laws of God.
Exodus
A handbook for the priests and Levites outlining their duties in worship, and a guidebook of holy living for the Hebrews. (Remember: all Israelites were to know and keep the law.)
Leviticus
The book of wanderings. Most of the book deals with Israel’s experience in the wilderness. The Nation goes through a painful process of testing and maturation where God teaches his people the consequences of rebellion and irresponsible
decisions.
Numbers
A series of farewell sermons from Moses. It is addressed to the new generation who will possess the Promised Land and reminds the people of God what he has done and encourages them to rededicate their lives to him.
Deuteronomy
Israelites enter Canaan; Records the conquest of the Promised Land and the division of the territory among the 12 tribes.
Joshua
Israel’s turbulent existence from Canaan to Samuel. Bridges the gap between the death of Joshua and the inauguration of the monarchy. Shows moral and political degradation of a people who 1) neglected their Godly heritage and 2) compromised their faith with the surrounding paganism. “Israel had no king, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges
A young gentle Moabite widow follows her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem. There, she gains the favor of Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, who takes her as his wife when she becomes an ancestor of David and of Christ Jesus.
Ruth
The transition of leadership in Israel from Judges to Kings. 3 characters play a prominent role in this book Samuel- Israel’s last judge, Saul – Israel’s first king who was rejected, and David – Israel’s great King.
1 Samuel
David’s kingship over Israel. God’s promised him an everlasting Kingdom.
2 Samuel
Story of Israel’s monarchy beginning with Solomon, David’s son and successor to the throne. Great accomplishments (temple, wealth, wisdom, fame). His zeal for god diminished in his later years (pagan wives, idolatry).
1 Kings
The tragic history of two nations on a path to captivity.
2 Kings
The account of the genealogies from Adam and the coming power and reign of David. Instructs the people of God that genuine worship ought to be the center of individual and national life.
1 Chronicles
The acts of Solomon and the history of Judah from the rebellion of the northern tribes to exile.
2 Chronicles
Shows how God fulfills His promise. People return after 70 years of exile. The “2nd Exodus” is less impressive.
Ezra
_________ leads the final return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
Nehemiah
Nominal Jews who stayed in Persia face genocide. _______ and Mordecai foil the plot, resulting in a great deliverance which is celebrated by the feast of Purim.
Esther
_________ suffers in order to defend God’s honor and integrity as part of the spiritual battle between God and Satan.
Job
Praise within the context of the covenant relationship between God and his people.
Psalms
Practical instruction on fearing the Lord. Basic wisdom amidst the cracks and crevices of life.
Proverbs
Certain paths in life lead to emptiness. True satisfaction comes in knowing that what we are doing is part of God’s purpose for our lives.
Ecclesiastes
A wedding song honoring marriage. Describes God’s honor of love and the enjoyment found between a husband and a wife.
Song of Songs
“The prince of prophets.” The 1st 39 chapters are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous people, both Judah and surrounding nations. The final 27 chapters, however, declare a message of hope and consolation.
Isaiah
“The Weeping Prophet” Delivers a heartbreaking message of doom to the stiff-necked people of Judah. Despised and persecuted by his countrymen, Jeremiah bathes his harsh prophecies in tears of compassion.
Jeremiah