Sentence 8 is short. But the information behind it is a bit longer than normal. Have you ever wondered what those smaller OT books are about? You know, the ones that we don’t talk about as much? Well below is a short explanation of each of the historical books!
The major storyline of the Old Testament can be understood by following Max Anders’ nine eras of Old Testament history: Creation, Patriarch, Exodus, Conquest, Judges, Kingdom, Exile, Return, and Silence.
In his book 30 Days to Understanding the Bible, Max Anders worked to make this storyline more easily grasped. He divided Old Testament history into nine main eras that summarize the story told in Genesis – Esther, the seventeen Historical Books of the Old Testament.
The following summaries trace Old Testament history through each Historical Book.
Genesis: The book of Genesis records the early events of world history and the beginning of God’s work of redemption through Abraham and his family. The first twelve chapters record God’s work of creation, mankind’s fall into sin, the judgment of the flood, and the rebellion at the tower of Babel. The remaining chapters tell of God’s dealing with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. At the end of Genesis Jacob’s family, his twelve sons and their families, have migrated to Egypt.
Exodus: The book of Exodus records the deliverance of God’s people from Egyptian slavery and their journey to Mount Sinai where they enter into covenant with God. The first part of Exodus records the family’s incredible growth in Egypt, hardship under Egypt’s new pharaoh, cry to God for help, and deliverance through Moses’ leadership. Moses delivered God’s people through ten plagues, culminating in the Passover. The book then records the crossing of the Red Sea and the Israelites’ journey to Mount Sinai where God entered into the Mosaic Covenant with His people. At Sinai God revealed the Ten Commandments and instructions for constructing the tabernacle. The book closes with the completion of the tabernacle and its filling with the glory of God.
Leviticus: Leviticus records God’s further instructions for His people that He revealed at Mount Sinai. These instructions concerned how His people should approach and obey Him. They took up matters related to sacrifices, the priesthood, the clean and unclean, the day of atonement, social, civil, and ceremonial law, the heart of the Mosaic Law—“If you obey, I will bless you. If you disobey, I will curse you”—, and vows.
Numbers: Numbers records the people’s departure from Mount Sinai, wanderings in the wilderness, and arrival at the plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan River. After numbering their men of war and organizing around the tabernacle, Israel’s twelve tribes set out from Sinai headed toward the Promise Land. At Kadesh-Barnea, a city south of the land, they sent twelve spies to survey the land. The spies returned; ten gave a fearful report, and the people believed the fearful spies. Because of this, God judged the people—the nation spent forty years in the wilderness, and everyone over twenty years old died, except Caleb and Joshua. After the old generation died, the new generation arose and made their way to the east side of the Jordan River, poised to enter the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy records Moses’ final words to the young generation before he died. Having committed a sin that would keep him from the Promised Land (Numbers 20), Moses addressed the new generation that was about to possess it. He pointed them to the past, warning of disobedience. He encouraged them in the present, calling for obedience. He looked ahead, foreseeing Israel’s future dispersion to the nations but ultimate return. Moses then died on Mount Nebo.
Joshua: The book of Joshua recounts Israel’s successful conquest of the Promised Land. Joshua took Moses’ place as the new leader of the people. They crossed the Jordan River, toppled Jericho, and defeated Canaanite enemies in central, southern, and northern portions of the land. After completing the initial conquest, the nation divided the land among the twelve tribes, designated cities of refuge, and set apart forty-eight cities for the Levites. Finally, before his death, Joshua addressed the people and encouraged them to fear and serve the Lord.
Judges: The book of Judges records Israel’s three hundred plus years of disobedience to God and the resulting hardship it brought. Having disobeyed the Lord’s commands to utterly destroy the Canaanites, to avoid intermarriage, and to reject idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:1-5), the nation plunged into numerous cycles of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation. Israel sinned against God. The Lord raised up a foreign nation to which Israel suffered servitude for years. The nation prayed to God for deliverance (supplication is a fancy word for prayer). The Lord called a judge to save His people and bring peace. After that particular judge died, the cycle started all over again—time and time again. This book ends with an intense look at the idolatry and immorality that marked God’s people during this age.
Ruth: The book of Ruth records the story of a Moabite woman, Ruth, who married an Israelite man, Boaz, and became a progenitor of David, the eventual king of the nation. The events of this book do not further the storyline of the Old Testament, but rather take place during the time of the judges. In contrast to the darkness of that period, Ruth was a shining light—a Moabite woman who demonstrated the faith, love, and righteousness that was so lacking in Israel.
1 Samuel: The book of 1 Samuel records Israel’s transition from a loose federation of twelve tribes to the united kingdom of Israel under their first king, Saul. After centuries under judges, Israel cried out for a king. God used Samuel, Israel’s last judge, to anoint Israel’s first king, Saul, in 1051 BC. Though he brought stability to the nation, Saul served without a passion for God. His disobedience was evident, and His insecurity was displayed in his attempts to kill young David, a faithful servant in the king’s court. Saul’s life ended in shame as he fell upon his own sword in an act of suicide.
2 Samuel: Originally one book with 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel records the rise of David to the throne of Israel, along with the painful consequences his sins brought into his life. After Saul’s death, David became king in 1011 BC. The initial years of his rule were marked by great triumph as he established his rule over all Israel, founded Jerusalem as the capital of the nation, returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and won many victories over Israel’s enemies. But his kingship took a troubled turn through his own adultery and murder, his son Amnon’s rape of his half-sister, and his son Absalom’s estrangement and attempted coup against his father.
1 Kings: The book of 1 Kings records the reign of Solomon over Israel before recording the division of the kingdom. After David’s death, Solomon became king in 971 BC. His reign was marked by remarkable success as he excelled in wisdom, wealth, and accomplishment in the building and dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. But, Solomon’s multiple marriages to foreign women turned his heart from the Lord. A reign that seemed so strong ended in a whimper. At Solomon’s death the kingdom of Israel split into the northern kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the southern kingdom of Judah (two tribes) in 931 BC. The histories of the two kingdoms follow and are carried on in the book of 2 Kings.
2 Kings: The book of 2 Kings begins where 1 Kings left off (originally these were one book), recounting the history of the two kingdoms of Israel, the northern kingdom, and Judah, the southern kingdom. The northern kingdom of Israel’s rebellion against God eventually brought judgment when the Assyrians defeated and deported them out of their land. This is recorded in 2 Kings 17 and took place in 722 BC. The southern kingdom survived longer, being represented by some godly leadership, but eventually their sin led to their demise. The Babylonians attacked Judah in 605 BC, 597 BC, and finally destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in 586 BC, exporting the people of Judah to Babylon on all three occasions. These events are recorded in 2 Kings 25.
1 and 2 Chronicles: Originally one book, 1 and 2 Chronicles do not further the story of the Old Testament, but rather cover much of the same history recorded in 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings. These books were written after the return of the southern kingdom from Babylonian exile (see Ezra and Nehemiah) when the people were greatly discouraged—they had no king; the rebuilt temple lacked the glory of Solomon’s former temple, and they were under the thumb of Persia. These books sought to encourage Judah by pointing to their storied past and God’s faithfulness to bring them back to their land (Remember, Chronicles was written after Judah had returned to their land.).
Ezra: The book of Ezra records the return of Judah to their land, the rebuilding of the temple, and the ministry of Ezra. In fulfillment of His promise through Jeremiah to bring Judah back to their land after seventy years of captivity, God stirred up the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to allow the Jews to return to their land. Under Zurabbabel’s leadership fifty thousand Jews returned to the land, laid the foundation of the temple in 536 BC, put off the work for sixteen years, and then at the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah finished the temple in 516 BC. In 457 BC Ezra led two thousand others back to the land. With the word of God and prayer, Ezra led the people in repentance toward God.
Nehemiah: The book of Nehemiah records the return of Nehemiah and his successful effort to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes. After hearing the walls in Jerusalem remained in ruins, Nehemiah prayed God would give him an opportunity to return and rebuild the walls. After receiving permission from the king, Nehemiah returned, rallied the people, persevered through trials, and led the people to complete the rebuilding project in fifty-two days. The latter chapters record the further ministry of Ezra as well as Nehemiah’s own spiritual leadership.
Esther: The book of Esther records God’s providential care for His people through a young Jewish girl name Esther who became queen of Persia. Chronologically, the book of Esther fits between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7, the book’s events taking place from 483-473 BC. Though the name of God is not mentioned, His hand is evident throughout this book. When a decree was issued for the destruction of all Jews throughout the Persian Empire, a young Jewish girl named Esther was providentially in place to change their fate. Rather than being exterminated, the Jews were able to defend themselves and survive. The events of this story form the background of the feast of Purim, a feast still celebrated by Jews today.
Day 15- Different seasons. While it has been very chilly out recently, I have been loving coats, scarves, chunky sweaters, boots and pumpkin everything! Praise the Lord for different seasons!
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