Book
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Scripture
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Notes
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Pentateuch |
The first five books of the Bible
are called the Pentateuch (meaning “five volumes”), were authored my
Moses – a fact confirmed by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (John
5:46-47). The last four of these books focus on the beginnings of
Israel, the nation through which salvation by grace would be made
available to the entire world. |
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Genesis |
Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth. |
Theme: The Book of Beginnings
Author: Moses.
The book is well described it its
title, Genesis, which means “beginning,” for it is a history of the
beginning of all things – the beginning of heaven and earth, of all
life and of all human institutions and relations. It has been called
the seed-plot of the Bible from the fact that the germs of all the
great doctrines concerning God, man, sin and salvation are found
here. It is in Genesis that we read about the beginning of
redemption. It is here that we learn of the origin of the universe,
human race and the early history of Israel. |
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Exodus |
Exodus 9:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to
Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the
Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me."
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Theme: Deliverance
Author: Moses
Exodus comes from Greek words
meaning “going out”, and was so named because it recorded the
departure of Israel from Egypt. In the book of Genesis we read about
the beginnings of redemption. In the book of Exodus we read about
the progress of redemption. In Genesis this redemption is being
worked out through individuals; in Exodus, it is worked out through
an entire nation – Israel. In Exodus we learn how Israel became a
nation with Moses as leader. It talks of bondage, deliverance, the
ten commandments, the Tabernacle and the history of Israel on the
way to Canaan under the leadership of Moses. |
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Leviticus |
Lev 19:2
The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to
the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I,
the LORD your God, am holy.
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Theme: Holiness
Author: Moses
The book of Laws concerning morals,
cleanliness, food, the worship of God etc.. Taught access to God
through sacrifice. Leviticus contains a divinely appointed code of
laws designed to make Israel different from other nations,
spiritually, morally, mentally and physically. In other words Israel
was to become a holy nation – a nation separated from the way sand
customs of the nations surrounding them and consecrated to the
service of the one true God. |
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Numbers |
Numbers 14:8-9
If the LORD is pleased with us, he
will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and
will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not
be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them
up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be
afraid of them."
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Theme: Service, Order, Failure and
Wandering
Author: Moses
The book of numbers is so called
because it contains the record of the two numberings of Israel
before entering Canaan. It discusses the pilgrimage of Israel and
the forty years’ wandering in the wilderness. In Exodus we saw
Israel redeemed; in Leviticus, Israel worshipping; and now in
Numbers we see Israel serving. The service of the Lord was not to be
done in any haphazard manner, so the book gives us a spectacle of a
camp where everything is done according to the heavenly law of
order. Besides being a book of service and order, Numbers is a book
recording Israel’s failure to believe God’s promises and enter
Canaan, and of their wandering in the wilderness as punishment. But
this failure does not thwart God’s plans, for the end of the book
leaves us at the borders of the Promised Land, where the new
generation of Israelites awaits to enter. Thus four words – service,
order, failure and wandering sum up the message of Numbers. |
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Deut 6:18
Do what is right and good in the
Lord's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and
take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your
forefathers…
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Theme: Remember, Obey, Take Heed
Author: Moses
Deuteronomy comes from two Greek
words meaning, “second law”, and is so called from the fact that it
records the repetition of the laws given at Sinai. Moses has
fulfilled his mission. He has led Israel from Egypt to the borders
of the Promised Land. At the time of his departure is at hand, he
reviews before the new generation, in a series of discourses,
Israel’s past history and upon this review he bases the warnings and
exhortations that make Deuteronomy one great exhortatory sermon to
Israel. He exhorts them to remember Jehovah’s love towards them and
admonishes them to observe the law in order that they might prosper.
He reminds them of their past backslidings and rebellions and warns
them of the consequences of future disobedience. |
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The Books of History |
These 12 books picture the rise and
fall of Israel over a 1,000 year period – Israel’s settling of
Canaan, her faltering under the Judges, her rise under Saul, David
and Solomon. They also tell of the divided kingdom after Solomon’s
death, the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 B.C. and the fall of
Judah more than a century later. The last three books record the
history of the remnant of Jews who returned from the Babylonian
captivity. |
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Joshua |
Josh 21:45
Not a word failed of any good thing
which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. |
Theme: Promised Land
Author: Joshua
Joshua is the book of victory and
possession. It shows us a once rebellious Israel transformed into a
disciplined army of warriors for “the Lord fought for them.” The
book records of the conquest of Canaan under the leadership of
Joshua and the division of the land among the 12 tribes of Israel. |
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Judges |
Judges 2:7, 10
7 “So the people served the LORD all
the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived
Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD which He had
done for Israel.”
10 “When all that generation had
been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them
who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for
Israel.” |
Theme: Falling Away from God (apart
from Me you can do nothing…)
Author: Samuel?
Joshua is the book of victory;
Judges the book of failure. After Israel strayed from God after
Joshua’s death and did “that which was right in their own eyes”
(17:6). God raised up judges to deliver them. The book covers the
history of Israel during the times of the fourteen Judges |
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Ruth |
Ruth 3:12-13
Although it is true that I am near
of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the
night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him
redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will
do it. Lie here until morning." |
Theme: Redemption
Author: Samuel?
One of only two books in the Bible
to bear the name of a woman; Ruth and Esther. Ruth was a Gentile who
married a Jew, and Esther was a Jewess who married a Gentile. Ruth
is the only book in the Bible that is wholly devoted to the history
of a woman. The story of Ruth a Moab. Yet she chose to serve God of
Israel and later became the great grandmother of David. Jesus Christ
also came from the lineage of Ruth. |
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1 Samuel |
1
Samuel 8:6-9
But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased
Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: "Listen to
all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have
rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done
from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day,
forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now
listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the
king who will reign over them will do." |
Theme: Samuel, Saul and David
Author: Samuel and others
The book records the transition from
a government by judges and the passing from the rule of God, the
invisible King. It covers the rise of Israel under monarchy and
centers around three persons: Samuel, last of the judges; Saul, the
first king; and David who succeeded a disobedient Saul.
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2 Samuel |
2
Samuel 7:16
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your
throne will be established forever.'" |
Theme: The Reign of David
Author: Samuel and others
The forty-year reign of David. Seven
years over Judah and 33 years over a united Israel. The height of
Israel’s glory. |
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1 Kings |
1 Kings 9:4-7
"As for you, if you walk before me in
integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do
all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your
royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father
when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of
Israel.' "But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not
observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to
serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from
the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have
consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an
object of ridicule among all peoples. |
Theme: The History of Israel from
King Solomon to Ahab
Author: Jeremiah
King Solomon’s reign and the
division of the kingdom through the reign of Ahab in the north and
Jehosphaphat in the south. The introduction of the prophets Elijah
and Elisha. |
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2 Kings |
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Theme: The Decline and Fall of
Israel and Judah
Author: Jeremiah
The message if the prophets is
unheeded and the king and people slide into idolatrous practices.
Thus bringing about the final decline and fall of Israel
and then Judah. Key book in giving the historical setting for the
Old Testament Prophetical books. I and II Kings covers a 400 year
period. Eljah taken up to heaven and Elisha stepping in to take his
place. |
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1 Chronicles |
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Theme: A Miniature Old Testament
Author: Ezra
The annals of Israel from Adam to
the Babylonian captivity and Cyrus’ decree allowing the Jews to
return and rebuild the temple. 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles were
originally one book. |
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2 Chronicles |
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Theme: Continuation of 1 Chronicles
Author: Ezra
Continues Israel’s history through
Solomon’s reign then focuses on the southern kingdom. Closes with
the decree of Cyrus. |
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Ezra |
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Theme: Restoration
Author: Ezra
The return of the Jews from Babylon
after the decree of Cyrus. One group under Zerubbabel and 78 years
later under Ezra. The rebuilding of the temple. |
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Nehemiah |
Nehemiah 2:4-5
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it
pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight,
let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so
that I can rebuild it."
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Theme: Restoration
Author: Nehemiah
This book centers around a person -
Nehemiah. It is an autobiography of a man who sacrificed a life of
ease and luxury in order to help his needy brethren in Jerusalem. It
describes a man who combined spirituality with practicality.
Absolutely fearless, Nehemiah refused to compromise with enemies on
the outside or with sin on the inside. After rebuilding the wall of
Jerusalem and effecting many sweeping reforms among the people, he
humbly gave God the glory for all that had been accomplished. The
main lesson taught by Nehemiah's life is that prayer and
perseverance will overcome all obstacles. |
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Esther |
Esther 4:14
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for
the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's
family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal
position for such a time as this?" |
Theme: Queen Esther
Author: Unknown
God’s providential deliverance of
the Jews through Esther and Mordecai during the time when many of
them had dispersed throughout Person empire after the decree of
Cyrus. Queen Esther’s deliverance of the Jews from the plot of
Haman. |
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The Books of Poetry |
These five books are so called
because they are books of poetry rather than prose. Hebrew poetry
had as its chief characteristic a kind of “sense of rhythm” or
repetition of ideas. Lamentations also is in poetic form. |
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Job |
James 5:11
You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord
finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
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Theme: Why do the Righteous Suffer?
Author: Unknown
The affliction of Job, the vanity of
human wisdom and philosophy, the need for divine wisdom, faith and
patience during adversity. The deliverance of Job. |
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Psalms |
Psalm
150:6
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD." |
Theme: Praise and Worship
Author: David and others
The prayer and praise book of the
Bible. A collection of 150 spiritual songs, poems and prayers. Over
half of these are written by King David. One-fourth of the New
Testament quotations are from Psalms. Some psalms are Messianic –
foretelling of Christ. |
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Proverbs |
Proverbs
1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline. |
Theme: Wisdom
Author: Solomon
Divine wisdom applied to the
practical problems of everyday life. The word "proverb" itself means
a comparison. |
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Ecclesiastes |
Ecclesiastes
3:11-14
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do
good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find
satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God. I know that
everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it
and nothing taken from it...." |
Theme: The Purpose of Life
Author: Solomon
The futility of life without God’s
guidance and wisdom. The word "ecclesiastes" means "the preacher". |
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Song of
Songs |
Song
of Songs 2:4
He has taken me to the banquet hall,
and his banner over me is love. |
Theme: Love
Author: Solomon
A love poem about Solomon and his
Shulamite bride. Represents God’s love for Israel and prophetic of
Christ and the Church. |
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The Major Prophets |
There are five major prophets and 12
minor prophets. The prophets, official spokesmen whom God raised up
to speak for Him, especially in times of unbelief and apostasy, came
into special prominence during the decline and fall of Israel. Thus
the historical books – especially 2 Kings – gives valuable
background for understanding the prophets.
The Bible does not present the
prophetical books in chronological order. Instead, it groups the
major prophets (most prominent) first and then the twelve minor
prophets. The last three – Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi –
ministered after the Babylonian exile; Daniel and Ezekiel during it;
the others before. After Malachi there was a four-hundred-year
“silence” between the Old and New Testaments before the coming of
Christ. |
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Isaiah |
Isaiah
1:18-20
"Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are
willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if
you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the
mouth of the LORD has spoken. |
Theme: Prophetic
Author: Isaiah
The great prophetic book of the Old
Testament. Warns of coming Judgment against Judah (southern
kingdom). Written during the decline and fall of Israel (northern
kingdom). Much of Isaiah is Messianic. Isaiah has been called "the
fifth Gospel" and its author, "the Evangelist of the Old Testament."
Much of the book pertains to the Messiah and the coming of His
kingdom. |
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Jeremiah |
Jeremiah
1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I
set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." |
Theme: The Weeping Prophet
Author: Jeremiah
Written during the later decline and
fall of Judah (southern kingdom) to the Babylonians. Jeremiah saw
doom and urged surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. Talks of backsliding,
bondage and the eventual restoration of the Jewish nation. Jeremiah
served as a prophet to the Jews who remained in Palestine. |
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Lamentations |
Lamentations
3:22-23
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. |
Theme: A Lament for Israel
Author: Jeremiah
Jeremiah’s lament over Babylon’s
destruction of Jerusalem. Also portrays God’s lament over this
necessary act of divine chastisement. Jeremiah served as a prophet
to the Jews who remained in Palestine. |
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Ezekiel |
Ezekiel
3:17
"Son of man,
I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word
I speak and give them warning from me. |
Theme: Keep God’s Covenants
Author: Ezekiel “God strengthens”.
Ezekiel writes of Jerusalem’s
impending fall (586 B.C.) then foretells its future restoration.
Ezekiel served as a prophet to the Jews in exile in Babylon. |
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Daniel |
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Theme: Prophecy
Author: Daniel
The prophet Daniel wrote from
Babylon after he was captured during the early siege of Judah. A
personnel biography and apocalyptic visions. An important book to
understand other revelations including the book of Revelations. |
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The Minor Prophets |
There are five major prophets and 12
minor prophets. The prophets, official spokesmen whom God raised up
to speak for Him, especially in times of unbelief and apostasy, came
into special prominence during the decline and fall of Israel. Thus
the historical books – especially 2 Kings – gives valuable
background for understanding the prophets.
The Bible does not present the
prophetical books in chronological order. Instead, it groups the
major prophets (most prominent) first and then the twelve minor
prophets. The last three – Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi –
ministered after the Babylonian exile; Daniel and Ezekiel during it;
the others before. After Malachi there was a four-hundred-year
“silence” between the Old and New Testaments before the coming of
Christ. |
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Hosea |
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Theme: God’s Steadfast Love for
Israel in Spite of Her Unfaithfulness
Author: Hosea
Talks of Israel’s unfaithfulness,
chastisement and eventual restoration. Hosea was a contemporary of
Isaiah and Micah and prophesied to the northern tribes of Israel. |
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Joel |
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Theme: The Day of the Lord
Author: Joel
One of the earliest prophetic
writings (approx. 825 B.C.) Talks of Israel’s need for national
repentance and of the coming “the day of the Lord”, a time of
divine judgments may be transformed into a season of blessing. |
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Amos |
Amos 4:11-12
“I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have
not returned to me," declares the LORD.
“Therefore this is what I will do to
you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your
God, O Israel."
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Theme: A Call to Repentance
Author: Amos
The herdsman prophet, a courageous
reformer, denouncing selfishness and sin. Amos pronounced punishment
upon the Gentiles and the Israelite nations for their
transgressions. He proclaimed the promise of restoration in
Messianic times. |
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Obadiah |
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Theme: The Judgment of Edom and the
Folly of Pride
Author: Obadiah
The doom of Edom and the final
deliverance of Israel. |
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Jonah |
Jonah 3:2,10
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and
proclaim to it the message I give you."
10 “When God saw what they did and how
they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not
bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.”
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Theme: The Reluctant Missionary
Author: Jonah
The lesson of obedience to God and
the depth of divine mercy. Story also highlights God’s mercy on the
Gentiles. Mercifully the whole city of Nineveh repented when Jonah
delivers God’s message and the city is saved. |
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Micah |
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Theme: Hear!
Author: Micah
The dark moral picture of Israel and
Judah but foretelling the establishment of a messianic kingdom in
which righteousness will prevail. Includes key Messianic prophecies.
While Isaiah prophesied to the court in Jerusalem and Hosea
prophesied to the northern tribes of Israel. Micah was sent by God
to prophesy to the common people of Judah. |
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Nahum |
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Theme: Nineveh
Author: Nahum
The destruction of Nineveh and
Judah’s promised deliverance from Assyria. |
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Habakkuk |
Habakkuk 2:4b
“… the righteous will live by
faith.” |
Theme: The Righteous Will Live By
Faith
Author: Habakkuk
The mysteries of providence. How can
a just God allow a wicked nation to oppress Israel. Why does God
allow wickedness to persist within His own people? |
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Zephaniah |
Zephaniah 2:2b-3
“… Before the day of the Lord’s
anger comes upon you. Seek the Lord.” |
Theme: Judgment
Author: Zephaniah
Somber in tone but ends in a vision
of the future glory of Israel. |
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Haggai |
Haggai 1:9
You expected much, but see, it
turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?"
declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a
ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. |
Theme: Rebuild My Temple!
Author: Haggai
First prophetic voice after the
Babylonian Exile. He was a contemporary of Zechariah and Confucius.
His ministry was to call the people to finish the Temple, whole
completion had been delayed for 15 years. Chastises the people for
slackness in building the 2nd temple but foretells of a
return of god’s glory when the building is complete. |
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Zechariah |
Zechariah 4:6b
'…Not by might nor by power, but by
my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
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Theme: Hope and Faith
Author: Zechariah
A story of consolation and hope,
beginning with a call to repentance and concluding with prophecies
concerning the return and reign of Christ. Urges the Jews to rebuild
the temple. Includes eight visions describing the ultimate triumph
of God’s kingdom. Zechariah predicted more about Messiah than any
other prophet except Isaiah. |
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Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the
storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,"
says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the
floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not
have room enough for it.” |
Theme: Put God First in Our Lives
Author: Malachi
Describes the closing of the Old
Testament period and shows the necessity of reforms before the
coming of the Messiah. Malachi rebuked the people for their neglect
of the true worship of the Lord and called them repentance. |
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The
Gospels
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The four Gospels record the earthly
life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew emphasizes Him as King,
Mark as the Servant, Luke as the perfect Man, John as the Son of
God. |
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Matthew 27:11
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the
governor (Pilate), and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of
the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus
replied.
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Theme: Christ the King
Author: Matthew.
Addressed primarily to the Jews,
shows that Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies
concerning Him and was in fact the Messiah. Begins with the
genealogy of Jesus through His mother’s side of the family. Contains
the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, the
parable of the good fruit and several parables concerning the
Kingdom of God. |
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Mark |
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for
many.
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Theme: Christ the Servant
Author: Mark
Describes the supernatural power of
Christ over nature, disease and demons. Describes Christ as a
servant and divides this message into two parts. The first
describing the service of the servant and secondly, the sacrifice of
the servant. This Gospel emphasizes what Jesus did rather than what
He said. It is a book of action with the word “immediately”
occurring over 40 times. Mark wrote with the Roman readership in
mind and begins his story with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. |
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Luke |
Luke 7:22b
"…Go back and report to John what
you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk,
those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”
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Theme: Christ the Son of Man
Author: Luke
The most complete biography of
Jesus, it portrays Him as the Son of Man, full of compassion for the
sinful and the poor. Luke, a Gentile, wrote with a Gentile
readership in mind. Luke records the birth and childhood of John the
Baptist, the birth of Jesus, the visit of the shepherds and many
more details of Jesus’ early life. Luke includes the story of the
good Samaritan, the parable of the fruit tree, the prodigal son and
the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. This is the most detailed
of the four Gospels and shows that Luke gave great thought to his
writing and carefully researched out all that he wrote. |
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John |
John 20:31
“But these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in His name.”
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Theme: Christ the Son of God.
Author: John.
Jesus as the Son of God and records
His deeper teachings. Love, faith and eternal life. The Gospel is
sometimes called the Book of the Seven Signs, since the author chose
seven sign-miracles to reveal the person and mission of Jesus. These
are: 1) the turning of water into wine; 2) the cure of the
nobleman’s son; 3) the cure of the paralytic; 4) the feeding of the
multitude; 5) the walking on the water; 6) giving of sight to the
blind; and 7) the raising of Lazarus. Other important themes of the
book include the Holy Spirit, satan and the world, the Word and the
new birth. |
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Acts |
The book of Acts, written by Luke,
records the early growth of Christianity after Jesus’ ascension. It
acts as the historical record of the Churches growth in these early
years. |
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