Books of the Bible

A work in progress.

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Old Testament

Pentateuch

Also called "The Torah" or "The Book of the Law"

• Genesis: Creation to the entry to Egypt of the family of Israel. The Origin of God's People
  • 1-5: Pre-flood
  • 6-9: The Flood
  • 10-50: Post-flood, the history of God's Family
• Exodus:
  • Israel leaves Egypt and is given the Law
• Leviticus:
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• Numbers:
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• Deuteronomy:
  • Retelling the law to the new generation before entering the promised land

History

Note: 1st/2nd Samuel and 1st/2nd Kings are really one long book, separated due to the limitations of scrolls. 1st/2nd Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah also form one storyline.

• Joshua:
  • The initial taking of the first part of the promised land.
• Judges:
  • In the promised land without a ruler, but God raises "Judges" to save them when they repent.
• Ruth:
  • Preparing the promised line of Judah
• 1st Samuel:
  • The story of King Saul
• 2nd Samuel:
  • The story of King David
• 1st Kings:
  • The story of King Solomon through the divide kings of Jehoshaphat and Ahab
• 2nd Kings:
  • Continues from Jehoshaphat and Ahab to the Exile of both Kingdoms.
• 1st Chronicles:
  • Historical Background to the Kingdom of David
• 2nd Chronicles:
  • the history of the rest of the Kingdom in Jerusalem (United and Southern Kingdom)
• Ezra:
  • Artaxerxes I, King of Persia 465-424 BC.
  • Returns to Jerusalem 458 BC
  • Devoted to teaching the decrees and laws in Israel
• Nehemiah:
  • Cupbearer to Artaxerxes I
  • returns to Jerusalem 445 BC
  • rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem 
• Esther:
  • Xerxes I, King of Persia 486-465 BC
  • Book starts in 3rd year of his reign
  • Continues to the 12th year
  • Some have returned to Israel, but many are still in diaspora.
  • Renewal of the Covenent.

Wisdom

• Job:
  • Set in the patriarchal period. (possibly during Israel in Egypt, as Job's friend Eliphaz is a Temanite, and Teman was a "Grandson" of Esau)
  • Live in Uz, before Mosaic Law
  • Satan tests Job under God's sovereignty
  • Job comes to an understand of God: “I had heard of you but now my eyes see you”
• Psalms:
  • Israel's worship book and Hymns.
  • Built over an extended period of time.
• Proverbs:
  • Proverbs are short memorable sayings that give timeless principles
  • Many are from Solomon, some later
  • Proverbs are NOT promises, but general principles to live by.
• Ecclesiastes:
  • Theme: Life without God is meaningless
  • Written by Solomon
• Song of Songs:
  • Theme: Romantic love is a gift from God
  • Attributed to Solomon
  • The vision of the forming of the bond between Husband and Wife, showing the parallel to Christ and the Church.

Major Prophets

• Isaiah:
  • 8th Century to Southern Kingdom
  • proclaims Israel to be blind and deaf
  • Only God can save his people.
  • A Righteous Davidic king is to come
• Jeremiah:
  • Begins 627 BC (7th century) in the closing days of the Southern Kingdom
  • Proclaims the coming judgment, the curses of the Covenant are upon Israel, fall of Jerusalem.
• Lamentations:
  • After Babylon has conquered Jerusalem
  • Songs of Lamentations over the instructions
  • Attributed to Jeremiah
• Ezekiel:
  • Sees God's presence leaving Temple in preparation for the coming Judgement (in 586 BC)
  • Priestly Style
• Daniel:
  •  Deported to Babylon 605 BC and to  Nebuchadnezzar court
  • Interpretes Dreams
  • Prophesies of 4 kingdoms to rise and fall.
  • Sees God's eternal Kingdom to come

Minor Prophets

The minor prophets are "minor" not because they are less important, but because they didn't right as much.

• Hosea:
  • 8th Century BC, to the Northern Kingdom
  • Proclaims the unfaithfulness of Israel
  • Proclaims that God will redeem his bride.
• Joel:
  • Lament for the swarm of "Locusts" that will devour the land.
  • The promise of the Lord's redemption
• Amos:
  • 8th Century BC to the Northern Kingdom.
  • Warning of the day of the Lord's justice
• Obadiah:
  • During the Exile (6th Century)
  • To the nations around Israel that ransacked the land after Israel's defeat.
• Jonah:
  • 8th Century. Northern Prophet.
  • Sent to Ninevah to warn them of their judgement.
• Micah:
  • Late 8th Century BC, to the Southern Kingdom.
  • Judgment for injustice.
  • eventual restoration.
• Nahum:
  • 7th Century to Southern Kingdom.
  • Judgment coming to the Assyrians (Ninevah)
• Habakkuk:
  • Final days of Southern Kingdom
  • Babylon is coming to judge Judah.
  • Righteous will live by faith
• Zephaniah:
  • 7th Century to the Southern Kingdom.
  • The Day of the Lord is Near
• Haggai:
  • 520 BC, after work on rebuilding the temple stopped
  • BUILD GOD'S HOUSE
• Zechariah:
  • 520 BC
  • Promise that city and temple WILL be rebuilt
  • Ruler will be Priest AND King
• Malachi:
  • Last prophet of the Old Testament
  • Peoples lack of faithfulness
  • Gods promise delayed by the people's sin
  • Bringing unfit offerings

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New Testament

Gospels

• Matthew:
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• Mark:
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• Luke:
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• John:
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History

• Acts:
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Epistles

• Romans:
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• 1st Corinthians:
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• 2nd Corinthians:
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• Galatians:
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• Ephesians:
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• Phillippians:
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• Colossians:
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• 1st Thessalonians:
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• 2nd Thessalonians:
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• 1st Timothy:
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• 2nd Timothy:
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• Titus:
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• Philemon:
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• Hebrews:
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• James:
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• 1st Peter:
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• 2nd Peter:
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• 1st John:
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• 2nd John:
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• 3rd John:
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• Jude:
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Prophecy

• Revelation:
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