Overview
of the Holy Bible
This
book provides an overview of the Holy Bible to better understand the Holy Bible
and the Holy Bible’s background. The Holy Bible is about real history
and real people that shared the same type of concerns and joys we feel
today. In the pages of the Holy Bible, God addresses every part of life: love,
hate, fear, hopes, needs, desires, family, money, work, war, peace and so on.
This book overviews and bridges the teaching and people of the Holy Bible to
our needs and concerns today so we can live happy and abundant lives as God
intended.
I.
Introduction
Since
the beginning of human history, the living LORD God has always wanted
fellowship and communion with His creation. Humans were created in the living
LORD God’s image – male and female.[1] In
Genesis, the living LORD God had direct fellowship with His first created
humans – Adam and Eve until sin through disobedience and rebellion broke this
communion.[2]
The Holy Bible tells of the living LORD God’s intention to have fellowship and
communion with His creation from the books of Genesis to Revelation.
II.
Overview
The
Holy Bible is the written word of God and God’s true message to the world.[3] Every
part of the Holy Bible is God-breathed by the Holy Spirit and true because the
words of the Holy Bible are God’s words.[4] The
Holy Bible is trustworthy, authoritative, and reliable.[5] Whatever
the Holy Bible says, God says as the Holy Bible comes from God. Every part of
the Holy Bible is right and accurate. God and His Word are faithful from age
to age.[6]
The
Holy Bible consists of sixty-six (66) books written over a period of more than
a thousand years by many different men and women. The living LORD God gave His
divine revelation and prophecy from heaven to men and women throughout human
history by His Holy Spirit.[7] These
men and women were guided in their thinking and writing by the Holy Spirit of
God. Therefore, the sixty-six books of the Holy Bible are unified in theme and
content as preserved by the Holy Spirit.[8] The
living LORD God has given His Holy Word to His appointed men and women as intermediaries
or messengers to give to the world.[9]
Because
the Holy Bible is true and comes from God, EVERYONE must trust and obey God’s
Word that comes from the Holy Bible.[10] Laws
of the LORD God are more precious than gold and silver.[11] Obedience
to the Holy Bible makes our lives and heart perfect and pure and brings a
joyous and blessed life.[12] Our
daily obedience to God and His teaching brings life, grace, wisdom, insight, and
blessings.[13]
The Holy Bible is valuable for showing every person truth and wisdom, exposing
our sins, correcting our wrongs, and training us to live God’s good ways.[14]
God’s Word are warnings to humanity so that we would not crave and seek after evil
deeds, sexual immorality, nor worship idols as some people have done, which led
to their death and destruction.[15] Evildoers
and those who rebel against God’s Word and indulge in sexual sins, worship
idols, commit adultery, prostitutes, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers,
and cheaters experience God’s wrath, punishment, and do not enter God’s
Kingdom.[16]
Significantly, the
entire Holy Bible points to God’s only begotten Son, Jesus the Messiah (also
known as Christ).[17]
The Mosaic laws, the sacrificial systems, the kingdom of Israel, and the Old
Testament prophets all pointed forward to Christ Jesus – the Redeemer.[18] The
living LORD God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham, Israel, and
David was fulfilled in His Son Jesus – a King and Jew from King David’s line.[19] Jesus
is the Word of God from heaven that became human, and God was with Him.[20]
Jesus is filled with God’s way, truth, and life.[21]
The Holy Spirit confirmed Jesus as truth from God.[22] Jesus
was the goal of the Old Testament prophets as the Old Testament writings
pointed to Him.[23]
The Holy Scriptures – the New Testament and the Old Testament is the voice of
God and the voice of Jesus. Even more, Jesus brought God’s glory to earth.[24]
Jesus is the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) promised by the
Old Testament prophets.[25]
A.
Old
and New Testaments
The
Holy Bible is made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament. There are
sixty-six (66) books in total that compromise the Protestant Holy Bible – 39
books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. These sixty-six
books are called “the canon” and accepted as authoritative by the early church.
The
Protestant Old Testament is composed of 39 books. Notably, the Protestant Bible
arranged the Old Testament books by subject matter and type of writing, not by
chronological order. In the Protestant Bible, the books of the Old Testament
are divided into the following five groups: Pentateuch, history, poetry, major
prophets, and minor prophets. The first five books of the Old Testament are the
Pentateuch (Law). After the giving of the Law, there are twelve (12) history
books beginning with the book of Joshua and ending with the book of Esther.
Then, there are five (5) books of poetry also called wisdom literature. These
five books which include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
and Song of Songs. Next, the Old Testament consist of five (5) major prophets
and twelve12 minor prophets.[26]
The
classification of the Hebrew Bible is different. The Hebrew Bible consists of
twenty-four (24) books composed of five (5) books of the Law, eight (8) books
of the prophets, and eleven (11) miscellaneous writings. Nevertheless, these 24
sections of the Hebrew Bible contain all 39 books of the Protestant Old
Testament. These twenty-four books correspond to the Protestant’s thirty-nine
(39) books, since the Protestant Bible has the Minor Prophets counted as twelve
(12) books, and the books Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, and Ezra-Nehemiah are
divided into separate books. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which date from 200 BC to AD
100 were discovered in 1947 and included the entire copies or fragments of
every Old Testament book except Esther.
In
the Hebrew Bible, there are three groups of books: the Law (Torah), the
Prophets (NEBi’im), and the Writings (Kethub’im). The Law contained the
Pentateuch – the first five books of the Holy Bible. The Prophets consist of
eight (8) books: the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings) and
the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Minor Prophets). The
Writings are the remaining books: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth,
Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.
There
are seven other books that are regarded as canonical and recognized as holy by
the Roman Catholic church. These seven other books include Tobit, Judith,
Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, plus the two additions to
Esther and Daniel. The Roman Catholic church recognizes forty-six (46) books of
the Old Testament canon.
The
New Testament contained writings of the apostles – members of God’s new
covenant people. The Old Testament is usually referred to as “the Scripture” in
the New Testament.[27] The
Old Testament focused on the LORD God’s spoken instructions given to His
servant Moses.[28]
Some biblical scholars refer to the Old Testament as the “old covenant.” The
Old Testament was composed of books produced by writers under God’s covenant
with Israel.
In
the New Testament, the living LORD God gives the “new covenant.” The new
covenant was established by Jesus’s sacrificial life, death, resurrection, and later
ascension to heaven. The New Testament was written over a period of less than
one hundred years. Many biblical scholars believe the letters (or epistles) of
the Apostle Paul were the earliest New Testament writings. Then, the New
Testament Gospels were written down later between AD 60 and AD 90 by Jesus’s apostles
such as Matthew and John that eyewitness Jesus’ public earthly ministry and by close
associates of Jesus’s apostles.[29]
The early church fathers believed Mark received his teaching about Jesus’s life
and ministry for his Gospel through the Apostle Peter and Luke received his
teaching about Jesus for his Gospel through careful investigation, oral
traditions, and eyewitnesses of Jesus’s earthly ministry.[30]
There
are other non-biblical books that were not canonized and not considered the
Holy Scriptures by the early church fathers. Some of these books were written
during the intertestamental period between the close of Old Testament and the
opening of the New Testament. For example, the Apocrypha is a collection of
fifteen books, most of which were written during the intertestamental period.
These books provide valuable information about the history and beliefs of Jews
during the intertestamental period, including the history of the Maccabees and
the Maccabean revolt. Some denominations such as the Roman Catholics include
these intertestamental books as part of their canonized Holy Scriptures.
Moreover, the Pseudepigrapha are intertestamental books. The Pseudepigrapha is not
included in the Hebrew canon, nor the Apocrypha and these books are non-canonized.
Examples of the Pseudepigrapha include Assumption of Moses, Enoch, and
Ascension of Isaiah.
B.
Language
of Holy Bible
The
Holy Bible was written in various languages including Hebrew, Aramaic, and
Greek over a span of 1000 years by different men and women directed by the Holy
Spirit of God. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew. Hebrew is the primary
language in which the Old Testament was written. The Jewish people spoke Hebrew
until the great Exile in 586 BC when the Jews were scattered from their
Promised Land and the First Temple – Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the
Babylonians.[31]
Hebrew was revived in 1948 once the Jews returned to their Promised Land of
Israel, also known as Palestine. After the Great Exile, Hebrew gave way to
Aramaic. By the end of the Old Testament, Aramaic was the international
language, and Aramaic became the spoken language in Palestine (Israel) during
Jesus’s time on earth. A few passages in Ezra, Daniel, Jeremiah, and the
Gospels are written in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in “common”
Greek, which was the everyday language in the Greek-speaking Roman Empire. The
Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
C.
Literature
of Holy Bible
The
Holy Bible includes various forms of literature including poetry, laws,
history, prophecy, apocalyptic writings (end times), wisdom literature, the
Gospels, and epistles (also known as letters).
1.
Poetry
Most
of the biblical poetry is found in the Old Testament. Some biblical books such
as Psalms, Song of Songs, and Lamentations are all poetry. The New Testament
also includes poetry such as Mary’s song, also called the Magnificat located at
Luke 1:46-55. Other examples of New Testament poetry include Luke 1:68-79 and
Luke 2:14, 29-32. Moreover, the New Testament contains Christian hymns such as
Ephesians 5:13-14; Colossians 1:15-20, and 1 Timothy 3:16.
2.
Law
The
Holy Bible also consists of God’s laws. These laws are an expression of God’s
holy name and His character. The living LORD God gave Israel many laws through
His servant Moses. The Ten Commandments found at Exodus 20:1-17 and repeated at
Deuteronomy 5:6-21 summarize God’s laws that teach everyone how to love God and
love one another. Basically, the Ten Commandments stand at the head of the Law
of God. The Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
contain many additional laws that explain how the broad principles of the Ten
Commandments were to be applied in Israel to worshipping God, governing the
nation, individuals’ behaviors, and social interaction with others. The Ten
Commandments define the life of goodness and righteousness the living LORD God
calls EVERYONE to live. In many respects, the detailed laws of the Pentateuch
or Torah – the first five books of the Holy Bible – follow the pattern of the
Ten Commandments, suggesting that the Ten Commandments functions as a summary of
the living LORD God’s requirements.
The
New Testament’s Sermon on the Mount and Sermon on the Plains taught by the Lord
Jesus Christ affirmed, repeated, and deepened the demands and meaning of the
Ten Commandments.[32]
Furthermore, the New Testament writers repeated the Ten Commandments for the
church to obey in their daily lives.[33]
Finally, the New Testament writers emphasized the Holy Spirit’s role of writing
God’s laws on our hearts and thus making everyone aware and sensitive to God’s
laws.[34] All
the Ten Commandments except the Sabbath commandment are explicitly reinforced
by the New Testament.
3.
History
In
addition, the Holy Bible includes historical information about God’s people –
Israel (sometimes called Jacob or Ephraim) and Judah (Israel’s southern
kingdom) as well as other important world events. In the Old Testament and New
Testament, biblical writers discussed important world events, such as the rise
of the Persian Empire and the Roman government, and these historical events
impact on God’s people. Significantly,
the Holy Bible records the greatest event and climax of world history in the
person and work of Jesus Christ.
4.
Prophecy
Likewise,
the Holy Bible contains prophecy throughout both the Old Testament and New
Testament. The living LORD God is the spirit of prophecy.[35] Prophecy
is a type of literature found not only in the Old Testament books of Isaiah
through Malachi but also the New Testament includes prophecy. Biblical prophets
were holy servants or messengers of the living LORD God.[36] Moreover,
these holy servants of God proclaimed the living LORD God’s words to the people
and predicted the future.[37] Even
more, the biblical prophets of God exposed and rebuked the sins of God’s people
and called for repentance and obedience to the living LORD God and His
commands.[38]
Biblical prophecy had both immediate and long-term references. Moreover,
biblical prophecy also pointed to future fulfillment in the life death,
resurrection, and return of Christ.[39]
5.
Apocalyptic
Apocalyptic
or end-time writings are included in the Holy Bible. These writings are a type
of prophetic literature that depicts political and spiritual future events in a
hidden or secret way. Apocalyptic or
end-time writings often use symbols, numbers, or vivid imageries to predict
future events. Ultimately, apocalyptic or end-time writings culminate in the
Day of the Lord and God’s final defeat of evil.[40]
The Day of the Lord is when the living LORD God will end human history of the
present earth by establishing His Kingdom on earth, and He and His Son Jesus
will live amongst His people.[41]
Apocalyptic writings are found in the Old Testament books of Isaiah, Daniel,
Ezekiel, Zechariah, and the New Testament books 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 2 Peter,
and Revelation.[42]
Moreover, apocalyptic or end-time writings are also found in other non-biblical
books (not canonized as Scripture) in such books as 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and
Fourth Ezra.
6.
Wisdom
Wisdom
literature of the Holy Bible focuses on the meaning of life (see Job and
Ecclesiastes) and on practical, day-to-day living (see Proverbs). These wisdom
writings contrast human wisdom here on earth – which brings grief, frustration,
and heartache (see e.g., Ecclesiastes 1:14-18) with God’s wisdom from heaven –
which brings blessings, life, and blessings (see e.g., Proverbs 2:6). The
living LORD God made the world by His power, and He preserves the world by His
wisdom.[43] The
Holy Bible also includes wisdom teaching in the book of Psalms, the Song of
Songs, and the New Testament, particularly the book of James.[44]
Wisdom
literature calls everyone to live with wholehearted dependence and trust in the
living LORD God and His commands and to flee sinfulness, foolishness, and evil
that only leads to death, depression, and destruction. [45] Godly
wisdom comes when we turn from evil and sin and turn to God and His Son Jesus.[46] Jesus
is the source and foundation of all wisdom.[47] Likewise,
anyone lacking wisdom can receive God's wisdom by asking Him by faith for His wisdom,
understanding, and guidance.[48]
7.
Gospels
Next,
the Holy Bible includes the New Testament Gospels about Jesus. The word Gospel
means “good tidings” and “Good News.” A Gospel means the Good News that God the
Father has given us salvation and a new heart by His Holy Spirit through faith
in His Son, Jesus the Messiah (Christ). The four New Testament Gospels contain
biographical and historical about Jesus. However, the main purpose of the
Gospel writers was to create wholehearted faith in Jesus as the Son of God and
the Messiah (Christ).[49]
Each of the four New Testament Gospels presents the ministry, teachings, death,
and resurrection of Jesus so we can believe in Him! There are other gospels
about Jesus that such as the Gospel of Thomas that has not been accepted as
Holy Scripture by the early church fathers.
8.
Epistles
Finally,
the Holy Bible includes epistles or letters. These letters are found in the New
Testament. There are twenty-one (21) epistles or letters in the New Testament.
These letters were written by the apostles of Jesus to the early church about
situations or concerns they were facing regarding Jesus and their faith in
Jesus.
III.
Summary
of the Old Testament
A.
Pentateuch
The
first five books of the Old Testament are called the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch
describes the beginning of the world and the beginning of the Jewish nation.
The Jewish people call these first five books the Law. Moses is considered the author
of the Pentateuch. Collectively, the first five books of the Old Testament are
called either the “Torah” (“law” or “instructions” in Hebrew) or the
“Pentateuch” (“five-volume” in Greek).[50]
The
first book of the Pentateuch is Genesis. Genesis is called the book of beginnings.
Chapters 1 through 11 of Genesis cover creation, the Great Fall of humankind with
the sin of Adam and Eve, the Great Flood with Noah, and then the growth of the
nations. Beginning with chapter 12, God selects Abraham to be the father of the
Jewish nation. The rest of Genesis is the story of Abraham and his descendants
Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s son – the twelve tribes of Israel. Notably, the
living LORD God changed Jacob’s name at Bethel, and He renamed Jacob to Israel
once Jacob submitted to His will and way.[51]
Exodus
is the second book in the Pentateuch and picks up the narrative of Genesis by
focusing on the time when the sons of Jacob grew into the people of Israel.[52] The
book of Exodus gives the history of the Jewish people in Egyptian slavery and
their divine redemption led by the prophet Moses. Egypt became the birthplace
of the nation of Israel. The length of time Israel was in Egyptian slavery was
430.[53] The
overall theme of Exodus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs
– Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – that He would make the patriarchs’ descendants a
great nation.[54]
God’s promises or covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob included a great land,
numerous offspring, and blessings for Abraham’s descendants and all nations and
thus restore His Presence and purposes in the world.[55] Exodus
also contains the Egyptian plagues, the power of the LORD God Almighty over the
so-called Egyptian gods, the Passover, and the Jews’ deliverance at the Red
Sea.[56] Israel
left Egypt so they could worship and serve the living LORD God.[57]
Next,
Exodus describes the giving God’s Law or Covenant at Mount Sinai (also known as
Mount Horeb).[58]
These laws are summarized in the Ten Commandments to assure love and worship.[59]
At Mount Sinai, the living LORD God called Israel to wholehearted obedience,
fear, and love for Him.[60]
Even more, the living LORD God called Israel to live as a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation because Israel was His special treasure.[61] Israel
was called by the living LORD God to proclaim His covenant to the world.[62] Additionally,
the book of Exodus describes the construction of the Tabernacle (also known as
Tent of Meeting).[63]
The Tabernacle functioned primarily as a place of God’s Presence with His
people Israel.[64]
Moreover, Exodus describes Israel’s covenant breach and covenant renewal after
Israel’s unfaithfulness by worshipping the golden calf.[65] Significantly,
Moses and Israel witnessed and saw God’s glory (also known as a Theophany) in
the pages of Exodus, and they received the LORD God’s Eternal Name – Yahweh or
I AM.[66] Exodus
ends with the glory cloud filling the Tabernacle and Israel’s commitment to
enter the Promised Land.[67]
The
living LORD God continued His covenant instructions to His people Israel in the
books of Leviticus and Numbers before Israel finally leaves the region of Mount
Sinai (Horeb) for the Promised Land – Canaan at Numbers 10:11.[68]
The book of Leviticus should be considered a continuation of Exodus. Leviticus gives
additional detailed instruction about Israel’s worship to God, especially the priesthood
and sacrifices.
The
entire book of Leviticus was given less than one month after the construction
of the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) following the Exodus from Egyptian slavery.[69]
Leviticus is a difficult book to read because many modern readers have no
firsthand experience of Israel’s many ancient rituals and worship practices. Moreover,
the sacrificial system of Leviticus has ceased for God’s people because of His
Son Jesus’s fulfillment with His sacrificial life and death on Calvary’s Cross.[70]
The
New Testament writers applied Leviticus’s Holiness Code when teaching about
Christian moral conduct and behavior. The living LORD God called His holy
people to honor and seek Him and to live a life of holiness and goodness.[71]
Even more, the living LORD God called His people to stay in alignment with Him,
and flee sin, wickedness, evildoing, and dark deeds.[72]
The living LORD God delights in obeying and knowing Him, and our walking in
goodness, kindness, and fairness while rejecting all evil.[73] God
called His people Israel to live holy, ethical, moral, and blameless lives for His
glory.[74]
The living LORD God did not want His people to breach faith with Him by lying,
cheating, deceiving, stealing, robbing, hurting, and oppressing others.[75]
Such actions are evil and brings sorrow to the Holy Spirit of God.[76]
The
book of Numbers describes how the generation of Israelites who came out of
Egyptian slavery ended up wandering in the wilderness for forty years instead
of entering the Promised Land because of their cowardness and unfaithfulness to
the living LORD God.[77]
The first part of Numbers describes Israel’s time in the wilderness from Mount
Sinai where God gave Israel the Law of God to Kadesh
Barnea.[78]
Kadesh Barnea was the border of God’s Promised Land – Palestine that was filled
with milk and honey.[79]
Then, the book of Numbers at chapter 14 records the tragic watershed moment in
Israel’s history at the border of the Promised Land at Kadesh Barnea. Despite
numerous proofs of the living LORD God’s power and might on their behalf in
Egypt and at Mount Sinai, the people of Israel coward at the spies’ report of
the giants and they lost faith and turned away.[80]
In the face of such rebellion and faithlessness, the LORD God decided to wait
for a whole new generation of Israelites. Only Joshua and Caleb of the
Israelites leaving Egypt would enter the Promised Land.[81] Joshua
and Caleb believed and trusted in the LORD God to defeat any giants in the
Promised Land.[82]
Because of Israel’s lack of faith, Israel was doomed to forty years of
wilderness wandering until that unfaithful and disobedient generation died off
in the wilderness. The LORD God’s Presence was with Israel in His glory cloud
in the wilderness.[83]
The
book of Deuteronomy is sometimes called the Second Law. In the book of
Deuteronomy, Moses gives a new generation of Israelites that have survived 40
years of wilderness wandering instructions on the Law of God (summarized in the
Ten Commandments).[84]
Also, Moses prepared Israel and their new leader Joshua through a series of
speeches to enter God’s Promised Land – Canaan. Furthermore, Moses predicted
the coming of the Great Prophet, who we must listen to and obey.[85] Importantly,
Moses stressed to the new generation of Israelites the importance of wholehearted
obedience and faithfulness to the living LORD God and to do what is good
and right if they wanted to experience life, victory, and blessings.[86] The
book of Deuteronomy records Moses’ reaffirmation of the covenant instructions
recorded in Exodus through Numbers and appealed to the next generation of
Israelites who will enter Promised Land and to keep to the commandments by fearing,
respecting, and wholeheartedly loving the LORD God and walking in all His ways
and commandments.
B.
Historical
Books
The
next group of books in the Old Testament is called the historical books. These
twelve books include Joshua through Esther, and they describe the history of
Israel from the time of entering the Promised Land – Canaan until 400 BC. Significantly,
the Holy Bible includes historical information about God’s people – Israel and
Judah – as well as other important world events. In the Old Testament and New
Testament, the biblical writers discussed important world events, such as the
rise and fall of the Assyrians, then Babylonians, the Persian Empire, and the
Romans, and these historical events impact on God’s people.[87] Importantly, the Holy Bible records the
greatest event and climax of world history in the person and work of Jesus
Christ.
The
book of Joshua described Israel’s conquest into the Promised Land under the
leadership of Joshua.[88] Significantly
for forty years in the wilderness, God provided manna and quail. Manna was a
miraculous food that appeared like dew on the grounds every night.[89]
As Israel entered the Promised Land, God’s manna miraculous stopped as Israel
would now become able to grow and gather adequate food for themselves in the
Promised Land.[90]
Notably at Joshua 5, Joshua meets the Commanders of the LORD’s Army before
entering the Promised Land.[91]
Rest of the book of Joshua is the living LORD God’s defeat of Israel’s enemies
through a series of battles.[92]
Then, the Promised Land is subdivided amongst the twelve tribes of Israel.[93]
Importantly, Joshua called God’s people to be united and exclusive in
worshipping the living LORD God.[94]
The
book of Judges covered the period between Joshua’s death and the crowning of
King Saul – Israel’s first human king. During this era, the living LORD God
raised up a series of judges such as Deborah and Samson to lead Israel against
their enemies. The people of Israel experienced cycles of disobedience, moral
corruption, and repentance. Israel would forget the living LORD God and His
commands and suffer defeat at the hand of their enemies until they cried out to
the LORD and repented, and the LORD would raise up a judge to deliver His
people from their enemies. The body of the book of Judges includes the stories
of twelve (12) judges raised up by the LORD God to deliver Israel from their
crises and “judge” Israel.[95] The
judges’ primary function was military in nature.
The
book of Ruth is a story about a family’s loyalty to the LORD God during the
period of the judges. Ruth was a non-Jew, but she was faithful to her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. Because of Ruth’s faithfulness,
the living LORD God made Ruth – a Gentile – part of God’s family with her
marriage to Boaz, a wealthy Jewish leader. Ruth became an ancestor of Jesus.[96]
After
the period of the judges, the book of First and Second Samuel covers the
history of Israel from Samuel – Israel’s last judge, King Saul – Israel’s first
king, and the rise and reign of David – Israel’s greatest king and mighty
warrior.[97]
Also, First and Second Samuel include the famous story of David and Goliath and
the sin of David with Bathsheba.[98] Importantly
the book of Samuel includes the famous declaration from the LORD God of Israel,
“I will honor those who honor Me, and I will despise those who think lightly of
Me” (see 1 Samuel 2:30, NLT). Moreover, the book of Samuel includes the LORD
God’s promise of an Eternal King from King David’s family.[99]
The books of First and Second Kings
describe the death of King David and reign of King Solomon and the
establishment of the great Temple in Jerusalem.[100] Also, the book of Kings includes Solomon’s unselfish
request not for riches and long life but for wisdom – a discerning heart to
distinguish right from wrong – so he could guide and govern God’s people.[101] The LORD God gave Solomon abundant wisdom and
insight.[102] Solomon is noted as the writer of the book of
Proverbs – an Old Testament wisdom book.[103] After Solomon’s death, the United Kingdom of Israel
is divided into two kingdoms – Israel in the north with ten tribes and Judah in
the south with two tribes.[104] Then, First and Second Kings describe a
series of kings and a queen (Athaliah) that ruled and reigned in Israel and
Judah. Israel in the north had NO good kings and these leaders disobeyed
God and His commandments. Judah had some good kings such as Asa, Jehoshaphat,
Hezekiah, and Josiah.[105]
After these good kings’ deaths, the people of Judah returned to living evil and
disobedient to the living LORD God. Also, the book of Kings describes the
divine prophetic ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha.[106] The
prophets Elijah and Elisha ministered to Israel from 875 through 797 BC. The
LORD God raised up Elijah and Elisha to call Israel to repent and return to
Him.[107]
Because
Israel and Judah’s repeated evil and disobedience, the book of Kings describe
the Great Exile and destruction of Israel by the Assyrian army in 722 BC and
the destruction of Judah along with the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC.[108]
The
Assyrians and Babylonians were used as the living LORD God’s weapon to punish
Israel and Judah.[109] The
living LORD God poured out His punishment and wrath on the land and people of
Israel and Judah, and He dispersed and scattered His people amongst the nations
as He promised.[110] In
the Great Exile, the Jews were removed and transported from their Promised Land
of Palestine and scattered by the Assyrians and Babylonians. However, the
living LORD God promised to be with His people as a sanctuary as they were
scattered around the world.[111] The
books of First and Second Chronicles repeated much of Israel and Judah’s
history and repeated King David and Solomon’s reigns from First and Second
Kings.
The
books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are called the restoration books. The book
of Ezra describes the return of the Jews from the Great Exile under the
leadership of Zerubbabel along with the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to help
with the reconstruction of the Temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians.[112]
This new Temple has often been called the Second Temple.[113]
The book of Nehemiah described the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls under the
leadership of Nehemiah. Also, Nehemiah described Ezra’s public reading of the
Law (the Pentateuch) and the people’s confession of their disobedience. The
book of Esther described a beautiful Jewish girl that saved her people the Jews
from extinction. The Feast of Purim celebrates Israel’s deliverance through
Esther’s heroism and faithfulness to God.[114]
C.
Poetic
Books
The
poetic books of the Old Testament have much to teach about human suffering,
divine wisdom, and obedience to the LORD God. First, the book of Job described
a godly man’s suffering by Satan and his faithfulness to God despite Satan’s
temptations and personal grief. In this book, the living LORD God allowed Satan
to test Job’s patience and faithfulness by making him suffer many tragedies.[115]
Job’s three friends offered various reasons for his suffering.[116] In
the last chapters of the book, the living LORD God spoke to Job, and Job realized
that he must submit and trust in the living LORD God’s sovereignty and love
during times of troubles.[117]
Because of Job’s patience and faithfulness, the living LORD God brought full restoration
and blessings to Job.[118]
The
book of Psalms is called Israel’s songbook. Psalms contain sacred songs, poems,
and prayers, written by David, Solomon, and many other authors. The book of
Psalms described periods of thanksgiving, joy, sorrow, and trouble and the
reasons to trust and remain faithful to the living LORD God during every season
of life because of His goodness.[119]
The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are the best example of wisdom
literature in the entire Holy Bible. These books have been attributed to King
Solomon, who is believed to be one of the wisest men ever lived.[120]
These two books teach the importance of obeying God and keeping His
commandments if one wants to find divine wisdom, happiness, and meaning in
life.[121]
Finally, the Song of Songs is also believed to be written by King Solomon. This
Old Testament poem described the sensual and beauty of love and sex between a
man and a woman.
D. Major Prophets
The
next section of the Christian Bible is the prophets. These prophetic books are
divided between the “major prophets” and the “minor prophets.” Through these prophets, the living LORD God
announced His love and comfort for His people, but He also warned Israel, Judah,
and EVERYONE through His holy prophets to REPENT and return to Him and His
commands and away from idolatry and wickedness or risk His wrath and
punishment.[122]
The major prophets included the book of Isaiah through Daniel. The minor
prophets are found at Hosea through Malachi. These books are classified as
“major prophets” and “minor prophets” because of the size of the prophets’ books,
not to their importance. Both the major and minor prophets are important for
teaching and rebuking.
The
first major prophet was Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied from 740 to 680BC. Isaiah’s
prophecies are frequently quoted in the New Testament.[123]
In the pages of Isaiah, the coming Messiah is predicted.[124]
Even more, the prophet Isaiah saw the glorious and holy LORD God – the King.[125] The
first thirty-nine (39) chapters of Isaiah contained several prophetic messages concerning
God’s impending judgment against foreign nations and Israel. During Isaiah’s
ministry, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken captive by Assyria and Judah
was threatened by the Assyrians in chapters 36 and 37. In chapters 40 through
66, sometimes called the Book of Comfort, Isaiah revealed the return of God’s people
from the Great Exile and the LORD God’s prediction of His everlasting
deliverance for His people.
In
the book of Jeremiah, the LORD God sent His prophet Jeremiah to Judah to warn
Judah to REPENT of their sins and wickedness and wholeheartedly return
to Him as LORD God or risk His wrath through the Babylonian army. However,
Judah ignored Jeremiah’s repeated warnings, and Judah and Jerusalem were
destroyed along with the Temple in 586 BC. Before Judah’s fall, the prophet Jeremiah
announced God’s comfort and future restoration of His people if they repent and
seek after Him.[126] Also,
Jeremiah announced a new covenant where God’s commands and laws would be
written on their hearts and no longer on stone tablets.[127]
Also, Jeremiah prophesied that a Righteous Branch from David’s family – the
Messiah – will come and rule God’s people.[128]
Then, Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations as a funeral song. Jeremiah wrote
of the destruction of Jerusalem because of their continual sins and rebellion
against the living LORD God. Yet, Jeremiah remained the people of the living
LORD God’s faithfulness and goodness, and he called the people to repent and
seek the living LORD God.[129]
The
prophet Ezekiel spoke to God’s people who had been deported to Babylon. Ezekiel
was both a prophet and priest.[130] The
prophet Ezekiel proclaimed God’s message of uncompromising judgment for
wickedness and evil, but he also claimed a message of comfort and restoration
for those who repented.[131] Ezekiel
along with other Jews were deported to Babylon in 597 BC as captives.[132] In
Babylon, Ezekiel warned Judah about the living LORD God’s coming judgment
because of the people repeated rebellion against Him and His moral commands.
Even more, Ezekiel saw the glory of the LORD depart Jerusalem before Judah and
Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians because of the people’s sinfulness.[133] In
addition, Ezekiel also predicted the coming Messiah and God’s people future
restoration and blessings with the outpouring of His Holy Spirit with the
return of God’s glory.[134]
Also, Ezekiel predicted the living LORD God would send a new covenant where the
Holy Spirit would write God’s commands on the people’s hearts so they will obey
Him.[135] Importantly,
people for generations have found peace, comfort, and hope with Ezekiel’s
vision of the valley of dry bones.[136] Overall,
the book of Ezekiel is one of the most complex books of the Holy Bible. The
book of Revelation draws off Ezekiel’s imagery including the imagery of the
living water,[137]
the enemy Gog and Magog (Israel’s pagan oppressors),[138]
and Ezekiel’s vision of a new city.[139]
Like
the prophet Ezekiel, Daniel was another prophet exiled to Babylon.[140]
Daniel and his three friends – Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and
Azariah (Abednego) of the tribe of Judah – served in the Babylonian’s
government.[141]
However, Daniel and his three Hebrew friends remained forever faithful to the
living LORD God.[142]
The book of Daniel also included a vision of the living LORD God – the Ancient
of Days – and the Son of Man coming in the glory cloud.[143]
Finally, Daniel chapters 7 through 12 contained apocalyptic visions of the
future and other world events. The book of Daniel contained the fall of Babylonian
Empire in 539 BC and the rise of the Persians as world powers.[144] In
the book of Daniel, both Babylon and Persia’s leadership acknowledged that the
living LORD God is sovereign, all-powerful, and the true King of heaven.[145]
E.
Minor
Prophets
There
are twelve books of the Holy Bible that scholars have designated as “minor
prophets.” These Old Testament prophets’ messages are not insignificant nor
unimportant because these prophets received divine words by the Holy Spirit of
God. However, these books are called minor prophets because of their small size
or length of their prophesy. The minor prophets are twelve prophets of God who
wrote their prophesy to Israel, Judah, and surrounding nations from
approximately 800 to 400 BC. These holy prophets wrote during three periods:
the period of the Assyrian power (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and
Micah), the Assyrian decline and Babylonian rise (Nahum, Habakkuk, and
Zephaniah), and after the Great Exile (also known as the restoration period or post-exilic)
with fall of Babylon and rise of Persia (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).
The
prophet Hosea wrote his prophetic message to Israel or the northern kingdom
before Israel was invaded and destroyed by the Assyrian army. Hosea linked his
wife’s unfaithfulness to Israel’s unfaithfulness to the living LORD God and His
covenant bond. Just as Hosea’s wife Gomer was unfaithful, Israel acted like a
prostitute and adulterer by worshipping other gods. Hosea proclaimed the living
LORD God’s judgment because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. Truly, sinfulness,
evildoing, and unfaithfulness to the living LORD God leads to destruction.[146] However,
Hosea also proclaimed Israel’s restoration, healing, and forgiveness if they repented,
confessed their sins, and wholeheartedly turned to the LORD God.[147]
The living LORD God called to His chosen bride Israel to repent and turn to
Him, and He expressed His unending love for Israel.[148] More
than any other prophet, Hosea emphasized the importance of knowing and loving
God with an intimate personal relationship and worshipping only the living LORD
God.[149] Knowing
God is more important than any other religious rituals, sacrifices, burnt
offerings, or any other religious activities.[150]
The
prophet Joel wrote his prophetic message to Judah – the southern kingdom of
Israel. Like Hosea, the prophet Joel called the people to wholehearted
repentance and faithfulness to the living LORD God and His goodness or reaped
His wrath, judgment, and plague of locust.[151]
Moreover, Joel predicted the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on all people and
this outpouring occurred at Pentecost in the New Testament book of Acts.[152]
The
prophet Amos focused on social justice.[153] Amos
was appalled by Israel’s abuse of the powerless.[154] The
living LORD God wanted justice, mercy, and love to fill His earth like a mighty
river.[155]
Amos accused the wealthy people of Israel of mistreating the poor, and Amos
condemned outward religious rituals but inwardly their hearts were far away
from the living LORD God. Also, the living LORD God sent His servant Amos to
warn Israel to wholeheartedly return to Him and seek Him.[156]
Then, the prophet Obadiah condemned the nation of Edom, who were descendants of
Esau for persecuting their brother Israel, who were descendants of Isaac and
Jacob.[157]
The
prophet Jonah was called by the living LORD God to the Gentile people of
Nineveh – who were Assyrians.[158] Jonah
was a Hebrew prophet of the LORD.[159]
The prophet Jonah called the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins,
wickedness, and evildoing and turn to the living LORD God and Nineveh repented.[160] The
living LORD God saw from heaven Nineveh’s good works by turning from their evil
deeds, and He relented from the disaster that He had planned.[161] The
soul that sins shall die.[162] Jonah’s
message revealed that the living LORD God reigns, rules, and loves ALL PEOPLE
and not just Israel and Judah.[163]
Then,
the pages of Micah are filled with divine prophecy. First, Micah predicted the
coming destruction of Israel and Judah because of their continued wickedness,
evildoing, and unrepentance. However, Micah’s message is clear in verses 4:1-5,
5:1-4; and 7:20 that the living LORD God’s sovereign plan for His people will
prevail, and the nations will come to know God through His people Israel and
His Chosen Ruler.[164]
The prophet Micah predicted the coming Ruler from Bethlehem – Jesus the
Messiah.[165]
Importantly, Micah’s prophecy gives the living LORD God’s declaration that He
requires ALL PEOPLE to seek and do what is right and good, to love mercy, and
to walk humbly with Him more than any sacrifices.[166] Humility,
faith, and obedience are always pleasing to the LORD God.[167]
Real spirituality and religion means doing good for one another, seeking
justice, relieving oppression, defending orphans, and aiding widows.[168]
The
prophets Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah prophesied for the living LORD God
during the decline of the Assyrians and the rise of the Babylonians as world
powers. First, Nahum predicted the downfall of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.
Sadly, Nineveh’s repentance with the prophet Jonah did not last, and the people
returned to their evildoing, cruelty, and wickedness.[169]
The living LORD God allowed the Babylonians to conquer the Assyrians in 612 BC.
The prophet Habakkuk learned that the living LORD God would use the Babylonians
to punish Judah – the southern kingdom of Israel – because of Judah’s continued
wickedness and rebellion. The prophet announced that everyone must live by
faith and trust in the living LORD God.[170]
Then the prophet Zephaniah predicted the coming Day of the Lord when the living
LORD God would punish Judah because of Judah’s wickedness and wrongdoing. Like
the earlier prophets, Zephaniah called Judah to REPENT of their sins and
wholeheartedly seek the LORD God.[171]
Also, the prophet Zephaniah prophesied a future restoration for God’s people.
Afterward,
the living LORD God raised up the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi to
comfort, rebuke, and encourage Israel and Judah after the Great Exile. These
prophets are known as post-exilic or restoration prophets. The prophets Haggai
and Zechariah worked together to encourage God’s people to finish rebuilding
the Jerusalem Temple destroyed by the Babylonians, and these prophets predicted
the coming Messiah that would fill the Temple with God’s glory. Moreover, the
prophet Zechariah contains apocalyptic visions of the future. Then, the prophet
Malachi encouraged the people to repent of their sins and remain faithful to
the living LORD God and obey His Law.[172]
Also, Malachi predicted the coming Messiah.[173]
[1]
See e.g., Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6.
[2]
See Genesis 3:8-9.
[3]
See e.g., Psalm 33:4; Romans 7:12.
[4]
See e.g., Isaiah 55:11; John 14:26.
[5]
See e.g., 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 12:6; John 17:17.
[6]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 32:4; Nehemiah 1:5; Lamentations
3:22-23; Matthew 24:35; 1 Corinthians 1:9.
[7]
See e.g., 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16;
Revelation 22:6.
[8]
See e.g., 2 Samuel 23:2; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter
1:20-21.
[9]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:5, 10, 12-14; Isaiah 37:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark
1:2; Acts 20:27.
[10]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:17; Deuteronomy 8:1, 3, 6; Joshua
1:7-8; Matthew 4:4; John 14:15, 21, 23-24; John 15:9-10, 17; John 17:8, 14; 1
John 2:3-5; 1 John 5:3.
[11]
See e.g., Psalm 19:10; Psalm 119:72, 127.
[12]
See e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 19:7-8; Proverbs 3:1-2; John
15:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
[13]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Deuteronomy 6:1-3, 17-18, 24-25; Deuteronomy
10:12; Leviticus 18:4-5; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 19:7-8; Psalm
119:14-16, 35; Matthew 19:17-19; Mark 7:13; John 12:49-50; Romans 12:1-2;
Ephesians 6:17.
[14]
See e.g., Exodus 19:3-6; Deuteronomy 4:5-6; Psalm 119:9-11; Romans 7:7; 2
Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12.
[15]
See e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:6-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13-14.
[16]
See e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 5:21;
Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15.
[17]
See e.g., John 1:18, 45; John 5:39-40; 1 John 4:9-10. Messiah is the Hebrew
version of the Greek word Christ. Both Messiah and Christ mean Anointed One of
God.
[18]
See e.g., Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:3; Numbers 21:9; Numbers 24:17; Deuteronomy
18:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 40:10-11; Isaiah
52:13-53:12; Isaiah 61:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 34:23; Daniel 7:13; Daniel
9:24-27; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 12:10; Malachi 3:1; Luke 24:27,
44-45; John 1:45; John 5:46; Acts 7:52; Acts 9:22; Acts 10:43; Romans 1:2;
Romans 3:21.
[19]
See e.g., Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:17-18; Matthew 1:1, 6; Matthew 21:5, 9, 15.
[20]
See e.g., John 1:1-3, 14; John 3:2, 13, 31; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 John 1:1.
[21]
See e.g., John 1:4, 14, 17; John 14:6; Revelation 19:13.
[22]
See e.g., John 15:26.
[23]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Luke 24:27, 44-45; John 5:39-40, 46-47; Romans
3:21.
[24]
See e.g., John 1:14; John 12:41; Acts 26:6; Romans 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 4:6.
[25]
See e.g., Matthew 16:16; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 1:29-37; Luke 2:10-11; John
10:24-25, 36; John 20:30-31; Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 13:27; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:5,
28; Romans 1:3-5; Galatians 4:4.
[26]
All of prophecy are important because their messages are from the living God to
His people and thereby equally important. Prophetic books are classified as
major and minor not because of their significance but only because of their
size. The major prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah are large bodies of
writings that cover many decades of Israel and Judah’s history, while the minor
prophets such as Nahum have very few pages.
[27]
See e.g., Matthew 21:42; Matthew 22:29; Luke 24:32; John 5:39; Acts 18:24.
[28]
See e.g., Exodus 20:1, 22; Deuteronomy 5:22.
[29]
See e.g., John 20:30-31; John 21:25; 1 John 1:1-3.
[30]
See e.g., Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2, 21-22.
[31]
See e.g., 2 Kings 25; Jeremiah 39:1-2, 8-10; Jeremiah 52:3, 13-16, 24-30. The
living LORD God warned His people in His covenant – the Law – that their
disobedience and rebellion against Him and His covenant would cause them to be
exiled, scattered, and deported from His land (see Leviticus 26:27-39;
Deuteronomy 28:64-68).
[32]
See e.g., Matthew 5:1-7:29; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 6:17-49.
[33]
See e.g., John 14:15; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Ephesians 6:2; 1 Timothy 6:13-14; 1 John 5:3.
[34]
See e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-13.
[35]
See Revelation 22:6.
[36]
See e.g., Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4-6; Ezekiel 33:10-11; Zechariah 1:4-6;
Zechariah 7:7, 12.
[37]
See e.g., 2 Chronicles 36:15.
[38]
See e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22-23; 2 Kings 17:13; 2 Chronicles 24:19-20; Isaiah
1:15-20, 23-24; Jeremiah 11:7-8; Jeremiah 35:15-16; Nahum 1:7.
[39]
See e.g., Jeremiah 23:5-6.
[40]
See e.g., Revelation 20:7-10.
[41]
See e.g., Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:1-5.
[42]
See e.g., Revelation 1:1.
[43]
See e.g., Jeremiah 51:15.
[44]
See e.g., Psalm 37; Psalm 119; James 1:5-6.
[45]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs
9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; James 3:13.
[46]
See e.g., Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 16:16; Matthew 7:24-27; James
1:5-8.
[47]
See e.g., Isaiah 11:1-2; Matthew 7:24; 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Colossians 2:2-3.
[48]
See e.g., 1 Kings 3:9-14; Matthew 7:7-8; James 1:5-6.
[49]
See e.g., Matthew 16:16; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 1:29-37; Luke 2:10-11; John
20:30-31; Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 18:5, 28; Romans 1:3-5; Galatians 4:4.
[51]
Genesis 32:22-32; Genesis 35:9-10; see also Genesis 46:2-3.
[52]
See Exodus 1:1-8.
[53]
Exodus 1:11; Exodus 12:40; see also Genesis 15:13-14.
[54]
See e.g., Exodus 2:24-25; Exodus 3:6, 14-17; Exodus 6:2-8.
[55]
See e.g., Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:5-6, 18-21; Genesis
17:5-8; Genesis 18:18-19; Genesis 26:2-6, 12-16, 23-25; Acts 3:25-26; Romans
4:11-12, 16; Galatians 3:26-29.
[56]
See Exodus 7:8-12:30; Exodus 14:15-31.
[57]
See e.g., Exodus 4:23; Exodus 5:3; Exodus 7:16; Exodus 8:1, 20, 26; Exodus 9:1,
13; Exodus 10:7, 24; Exodus 12:31.
[58]
See Exodus 20:1-23:33. This covenant was good and holy, but Israel could never
keep this covenant throughout their Israel (see Psalm 19:8; Romans 7:12; Romans
8:3).
[59]
See Exodus 20:1-17. The Ten Commandments were later repeated by Moses at
Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
[60]
See also Deuteronomy 28:58.
[61]
Exodus 19:5-6; see also Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Psalm 135:4-5; 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10; Revelation
1:6; Revelation 5:10.
[62]
See Deuteronomy 4:5-8.
[63]
See Exodus 25:1-31:17; Exodus 35:1-40:33.
[64]
See Exodus 29:42-26; Exodus 40:34-38; Leviticus 9:23.
[65]
See Exodus 32:1-34:35.
[66]
See e.g., Exodus 3:14-16; Exodus 16:7; Exodus 24:15-18; Exodus 33:12-23; Exodus
34:5-7; Exodus 40:34-38.
[67]
See Exodus 40:34-38.
[68]
ESV Study Bible, p. 140.
[69]
Exodus 40:1, 34-35; Leviticus 1:1; Numbers 1:1; see also ESV Study Bible, p. 211.
[70]
See e.g., Hebrews 9:1-14, 24-28; Hebrews 10:1-14; 1 Peter 1:16, 19.
[71]
See e.g., Amos 5:4, 6; 1 Corinthians 7:1; James 4:8.
[72]
See e.g., Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16.
[73]
See e.g., Psalm 33:5; Psalm 146:8; Jeremiah 9:23-24.
[74]
Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7, 26; see also Exodus 19:5-6;
1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:16-17.
[75]
Leviticus 6:1-7; Leviticus 19:9-18, 35-36; see also Exodus 20:15-17; Exodus
22:7, 10-11; Nahum 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:19.
[76]
See e.g., Isaiah 63:8-10; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 4:25-32.
[77]
See Numbers 13:1-14:45, particularly Numbers 13:26-30.
[78]
See Numbers 10:11-12:16.
[79]
See e.g., Exodus 3:8; Numbers 13:27; Deuteronomy 1:25.
[80]
See Numbers 14:1-4.
[81]
New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), p. 182.
[82]
See Numbers 13:
[83]
See Numbers 9:15-23.
[84]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
[85]
Deuteronomy 18:15-19; see also Acts 3:22.
[86]
Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13-18; Deuteronomy
10:12-13; Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; 15-45; Deuteronomy 30:15-20;
see also e.g., Genesis 18:19; Exodus 15:26; Exodus 23:25; Leviticus 26:14-39; Micah
6:6-8; John 14:15, 21; 31.
[87]
See e.g., 2 Chronicles 36:22-23.
[88]
The Talmud ascribes the book to Joshua, except for the account of Joshua’s
death. Notably, the Talmud is a collection of ancient writings by the Jewish
rabbis on Jewish law and tradition. The Talmud consists of the Mishnah and
Gemara.
[89]
See Exodus 16:12-16, 31, 35. The word “manna” means “what is it.” Manna was
like a white coriander seed, and manna tasted like wafers made with honey.
[90]
See Deuteronomy 8:3; Joshua 5:12.
[91]
See Joshua 5:13-15.
[92]
See Joshua 6:1-12:24.
[93]
See Joshua 13:1-21:45.
[94]
See Joshua 22:1-24:33.
[95]
See Judges 3:7-16:31.
[96]
See Ruth 4:13, 17-22; Matthew 1:5-6.
[97]
See 1 Samuel 8:1-5; 1 Samuel 9:17; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:1, 13; 2 Samuel
2:1-7; 2 Samuel 5:1-5.
[98]
See 1 Samuel 17:1-58; 2 Samuel 11:1-27.
[99]
See 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Luke 1:32-33.
[100]
See 1 Kings 2:1-12; 1 Kings 6:1-9:1.
[101]
See 1 Kings 3:5-14.
[102]
See 1 Kings 4:29-34.
[103]
See Proverbs 1:1.
[104]
See 1 Kings 11:9-13, 31-33; 1 Kings 12:1-14:31.
[105]
See 1 Kings 15:9-24; 1 Kings 22:41-50; 2 Kings 18:1-20:21; 2 Kings 22:1-23:30.
[106]
See 1 Kings 17:1-6; 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:1-25.
[107]
See 1 Kings 18:24, 36-40; 2 Kings 6:17.
[108]
See 2 Kings 17:23; 2 Kings 25:1-26; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21; Jeremiah 39:1-2,
8-10; Jeremiah 52:3, 13-16, 24-30. The living LORD God warned His people in His
covenant – the Law – that their disobedience and rebellion against Him and His
covenant would cause them to be exiled, scattered, and deported from His land
(see Leviticus 26:27-39; Deuteronomy 28:64-68).
[109]
See e.g., Isaiah 10:5-7, 12; Jeremiah 51:20.
[110]
See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:24-29; 2 Kings 17:6-23; Lamentations 1:1-11; Ezekiel
5:8-17; Ezekiel 36:18-19; Daniel 9:7.
[111]
See Jeremiah 29:11; Ezekiel 11:16.
[112]
See e.g., Ezra 5:1-2.
[113]
This Second Temple was fully completed and dedicated on March 12, 515 BC, and
the people celebrated the completion with joy (see Ezra 6:15-16). Thus, the
Second Temple was finished approximately seventy (70) years after the
Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. Herod the Great later remodeled and expanded
this Temple at the time of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Second Temple stood for
approximately 585 years until the Roman Army under Titus destroyed the Temple
in AD 70 ending the Jewish sacrificial system.
[114]
See Esther 9:23-32.
[115]
See Job 1:6-22; Job 2:1-10.
[116]
See Job 4:1-25:6.
[117]
See Job 38:1-42:6.
[118]
Job 40:10-17; see also James 5:10-11.
[119]
See e.g., Psalm 32:10-11; Psalm 93:1-3; Psalm 106:1.
[120]
See e.g., 1 Kings 3:5-14; See 1 Kings 4:29-34.
[121]
See e.g., Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 14:15; John 15:10-14; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 1 John 5:3.
[122]
See e.g., Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:12-13; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Hosea 6:1-6; Hosea
14:1-9; Joel 2:12-14; Amos 5:4, 6.
[123]
See e.g., Matthew 1:23, quoting Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 8:8, 10; Matthew
12:18-21 quoting Isaiah 42:1-4; Luke 4:18-19 quoting Isaiah 61:1-2.
[124]
E.g., see Isaiah 9:1-7: Isaiah 11:1-16; Isaiah 61:1-2, and the Servant Songs
fulfilled in Jesus at Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-13; Isaiah 50:4-9; Isaiah
52:12-53:12. Messiah (a Hebrew term) and Christ (a Greek term) both mean
“Anointed One.”
[125]
See Isaiah 6:1-7.
[126]
Jeremiah 29:10-14; see also Deuteronomy 30:1-3; Isaiah 55:6-7.
[127]
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:39-40; see also Ezekiel 11:18-21; Ezekiel
36:24-27; Hebrews 8:8-13.
[128]
See e.g., Jeremiah 23:5-6.
[129]
Lamentations 3:22-23, 25; see also Psalm 36:5.
[130]
See Ezekiel 1:3.
[131]
See e.g., Ezekiel 18:30-32; Ezekiel 37:1-14.
[132]
See 2 Kings 24:10-16.
[133]
See Ezekiel 10:1-22.
[134]
See Ezekiel 40:1-48:35, emphasis Ezekiel 43:1-5.
[135]
See Ezekiel 11:14-21; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Ezekiel 39:29.
[136]
See Ezekiel 37:1-14.
[137]
See Ezekiel 47:1-12; cf. Revelation 22:1-2.
[138]
See Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel 39:1-6; cf. Revelation 20:8.
[139]
See Ezekiel 40:1-42:20; Revelation 21:1-22:5.
[140]
See Daniel 1:1-7.
[141]
See Daniel 1:6-7.
[142]
E.g., see Daniel 3:8-29; Daniel 6:16-24.
[143]
Daniel 7:13-14; see also Revelation 1:7.
[144]
See Daniel 5:13-31.
[145]
See Daniel 4:34-37; Daniel 6:25-27.
[146]
See Hosea 14:1.
[147]
Hosea 6:1-6; Hosea 14:1-2, 4-7; see also 1 John 1:9.
[148]
See e.g., Hosea 11:1; Hosea 14:1-9.
[149]
Hosea 14:8; see also Isaiah 55:3, 6-7; Amos 5:4, 6; 1 John 5:21.
[150]
Hosea 6:6; see also 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Matthew 9:13; Matthew
12:7; Mark 12:29-34.
[151]
See e.g., Joel 2:12-13.
[152]
Joel 2:28-32, cf. Acts 2:17-21.
[153]
Amos 2:6-8; Amos 4:1; see also 1 Kings 21:16-24.
[154]
Amos 3:10; see also Jeremiah 4:22.
[155]
See Amos 5:24; Micah 6:6-8.
[156]
Amos 5:4, 6, 10-15; see also Isaiah 55:3, 6-7.
[157]
Obadiah 1:10; See also Genesis 27:41; Genesis 32:3; Genesis 36:1, 8-9, 19. In
the Holy Bible, the names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged, sometimes
referring to the individual patriarch Jacob and sometimes to the nation.
[158]
See Jonah 1:2.
[159]
See Jonah 1:9.
[160]
See Jonah 3:3-10.
[161]
Jonah 3:10; see also Jeremiah 18:8; Ezekiel 18:21-22.
[162]
See e.g., Ezekiel 18:20.
[163]
See Jonah 4:2.
[165]
See Micah 5:2.
[166]
Micah 6:6-8; see also Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 10:12; Isaiah 1:11-17.
[167]
See e.g., Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-8; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Hosea
6:6; Habakkuk 2:2-4.
[168]
See e.g., Exodus 22:21-25; Exodus 23:2-12; Deuteronomy 15:4-11; Deuteronomy
24:12-15; Nehemiah 5:1-13; Psalm 146:9; Jeremiah 22:13-17; Amos 5:7-24; Daniel
4:27; James 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-20.
[169]
See Nahum 3:1-7.
[170]
See Habakkuk 2:4.
[171]
See Zephaniah 2:1-3.
[172]
See Malachi 3:5-7; Malachi 4:4.
[173]
See Malachi 3:1-4.
