A Jog Through The Old Testament

Have you ever wondered what is in that big Holy book? I am writing here what I have gathered over the years from my references. I took a few Bible courses in college and a few home study courses. I also went to a Christian Academy during my high school years so I have a few notes. I have written all over in my Bible from cover to cover with notes to help me reference where things are and what they mean.

I will go through the Old Testament giving you some information about each book . Eventually I would like to tell you what I think each chapter is about but that will come later. This way you can have a quick reference as well. You can also scan over the summury and fing out just exactly what is in each book instead of just a list of book names.

THE OLD TESTAMENT

GENESIS

Why Was This Book Written? The first 5 books of the Bible are called the books of the law. Genesis is the first book of the Bible. The word Genesis means “beginning”. The book of Genesis tells how the world began. Moses wrote this book a long time ago.

What Is This Book About? The book has many stories, stories of God’s people. Moses wrote about Adam & Eve, Noah & Abramham. He wrote about Issac, Jacob, & Joseph. Genesis tells of Adam’s and Eve’s sin and God’s love.

  • All things begin (1:1-2:25)
  • People sin (3:1-5:32)
  • The flood (6:1-9:29)
  • The tall tower (10:1-11:32)
  • Abraham’s life (12:1-25:18)
  • Isaac and his family (25:19-26:35)
  • Jacob and his sons (27:1-37:1)
  • Joseph’s life (37:2-50:26)

EXODUS

Why Was This Book Written? Is the 2nd book of the law. Moses wrote this book. Exodus means “going out.” The children of God are called Israelites in the book. The book of Exodus is the next part of their story. It tells us what happened when God’s people left Egypt.

What Is This Book About? Moses was the leader of the Israelites. God told him what to do. God led Moses and the people across the Red Sea. God gave Moses the law. God’s laws are rules to live by. He told Moses how to build God’s holy tent too.

  • God chooses Moses (1:1-4:31)
  • The King says “No” (5:1-13:19) ; God’s signs (6:28-12:36)
  • From Egypt to Mount Sinai (13:20-19:2)
  • God’s covenant and laws (19:3-24:8)
  • The holy tent (24:9-40:38)

LEVITICUS

Why Was This Book Written? Moses wrote the book. Leviticus means “about the Levites.” The Levites were priests. They took care of the holy tent. The book gives the rules and laws for worshiping God. The rules tell people what God wants them to do.

What Is This Book About? Many of the rules in the book seem strange to us today. The rules tell how to give animals to God. Some rules are about being clean. Some rules are about special days. God wants his children to worship him. God wans his people to follow and obey Him.

  • The laws and instructions for offerings (1:1-7:38)
  • The appointment of Aaron and his sons as God’s priests (8:1-10:20)
  • A Good Life (11:1-15:33)
  • Paying for sins (16:1-34)
  • Being Good (17:1-22:33)
  • Special days (23:1-25:55)
  • Conditions for God’s blessings (26:1-27:34)

NUMBERS

Why Was This Book Written? Is the 4th book of the law. The children of God were counted two times while they were in the desert. The book gets its name from these two countings. Moses wrote the book just before he died.

What Is This Book About? It tells the story of the Israelites and their trip in the desert. They walked for 40 years. They saw God make water come out of a rock. They saw bread come down from heaven. Sometimes they obeyed God. Sometimes they did not. But God still cared for them.

  • Instructions for camping and marching (1:1-10:10)
  • From Sinai to the plains of Moab (10:11-21:35); Some do wrong (13:1-20-13)
  • Balaam, Balak, and Israel (22:1-25-18)
  • Instructions for conquest and possession of the land of Canaan (26:1-36:13)

DEUTERONOMY

Why Was This Book Written? Is the last book of the law. Moses wrote this book to remind the children of God to do what God said. He wanted them to remember that God loved them. Moses wrote the book just before he died.

What Is This Book About? Moses gave two speeches  in the book. He told  the people that God had been good to them. He told them God’s law too. Moses told the people to love God. He told them to listen  to Joshua also.  Joshua would lead them after Moses died.

  • The first speech (1:1-4:43)
  • God’s Law (4:44-11:32)
  • Rules for daily living (12:1-28:68); Being good and bad (27:1-28:68)
  • God’s promise (29:1-30:20)
  • Moses’ blessing on Israel and his death (31:1-34:12)

JOSHUA

Why Was This Book Written? There are 12 books in the Bible from Joshua through Esther. These books are history books. Joshua is the first history book. Joshua was the leader of God’s children after Moses died. God told Joshua to be strong and brave. The book of Joshua tells his story.

What Is This Book About? God told Joshua to take the children of Israel into a new land. God helped them cross the river. God helped them make the land their home. God broke down th walls of strong cities. He did many wonderful things. Joshua told the people to love  and serve God.

  • Preparation for possession of Canaan (1:1-5:15)
  • The conquest of Canaan (6:1-12:24)
  • The division of land by tribes (13:1-21:45)
  • Farewell and death of Joshua (22:1-24:33)

JUDGES

Why Was This Book Written? When the children of Israel loved God, things were good. Things were bad when they forgot God. The children of Israel would cry to God. They would tell him they we sorry. God would send a new judge to help them. These stories are in the book of Judges.

What Is This Book About? Joshua had died. The children of Israel needed help. God gave the rules. They were called judges. They helped the children of Israel fight their enemies. They told the people to do what God said. The book is named after these judges.

  • What life is like (1:1-3:6)
  • Good and bad times (3:7-16:31)
  • Idolatry and civil war (17:1-21:25)

RUTH

Why Was This Book Written? The book is named after a woman called Ruth. She was King David’s great-grandmother. It shows us how God cares for all of us.

What Is This Book About? The books tells a wonderful story of God’s care. There was no food in the land. Ruth’s husband’s mother asked god for help. They went to Israel. There God helped them find food. Ruth found a new husband too.

  • A time of death (1:1-22)
  • Ruth’s welcome (2:1-3:18); Ruth looks for food (2:1-23); Ruth marries again (3:1-4:12)
  • A happy ending (4:1-22)

1 SAMUEL

Why Was This Book Written? This book tells us about the life of Samuel. He was a man who spoke for God. Samuel lived in God’s house. He told the people of Israel how God wanted them to live. The book tells us about Saul and David too.

What Is This Book About? Saul was the 1st king of Israel. He did not do what God wanted. God told Samuel to find David. God wanted David to be the next king. David loved God and did what God wanted. The book of 1 Samuel tells us about the lives of these men.

  • Eli as priest and judge (1:1-4:22); The life of Samuel (1:1-7:17)
  • Samuel as leader of Israel (5:1-8:22); The people want a king (8:1-12:25)
  • Saule the first king of Israel (9:1-15:35); King Saul turns away (13:1-15:35)
  • David is chosen (16:1-30:31)
  • Death of Saul (31:1-13)

2 SAMUEL

Why Was This Book Written? The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were once one big book. It was divided a long time ago. Samuel wrote both books. He spoke for God and lived in God’s house.

What Is This Book About? It tells about king David. David was king of Israel for 40 years. The country grew strong. God kept the country safe. God promised David he would bless David’s family.

  • David as king of Judah (1:1-4:12)
  • David unites Israel (5:1-24:25); King David of Israel (5:1-5); A great land (5:6-9:13); David makes mistakes (10:1-20:26); King David’s last days (21:1-24:25)

1 KINGS

Why Was This Book Written? The books of 1 and 2 Kings were once one big book. The book of 1 Kings tells about kings of Israel and Judah. Some of the Kings were good. They did what God wanted. Solomon was a good king. He built the temple.

What Is This Book About? God made a promise to the kings of Israel and Judah. If the kings did what God wanted, they would have peace. If the kings did wrong, they would have war. The book of 1 Kings tell about good kings and bad kings too.

  • The reign of Solomon (1:1-11:43)
  • Rehoboam and Jeroboam (12:1-14:31); The land falls apart (12:25-16:34)
  • Kings of Israel and Judah (15:1-16:34)
  • Elijah and Ahab (17:1-19:21); Elijah and King Ahab (17:1-22:40)
  • The reign of Ahab and Jezebel (20:1-22:53); A southern king (22:41-50); A northern king (22:51-53)

2 KINGS

Why Was This Book Written? The book tells the rest of the story of the kings of Israel and Judah. Most of the kings in this book are bad kings. They did not do what God wanted. They would not follow God’s law.

What Is This Book About? God sent Elijah and Elisha to tell the kings to do good. But the kings still would not follow God. God let kings from other countries take the Israelites captive. The book tells about the end of the kings of Israel and Judah.

  • Elijah and Elisha (1:1-8:15)
  • The last kings of Israel (8:16-17:6)
  • The northern land falls (17:7-41)
  • Good king Hezekiah (18:1-23:37)
  • The southern land falls (24:1-25:30)

1 CHRONICLES

Why Was This Book Written? The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were one big book. Some Bible teachers think Ezra wrote these books. Ezra wanted Israel to love God and do what God said.

What Is This Book About? The book gives a list of King David’s family. The rest of the book is about King David’s life.  The book tells the children of Israel that God still loves them. He will keep his promise to them.

  • List of generations (1:1-9:44); King David’s family (1:1-9:44)
  • The reign of David (10:1-29:30); King David’s life (10:1-21:30); Plans for God’s house (22:1-29:9); King David dies (29:10-30)

2 CHONICLES

Why Was This Book Written? The books tells about King David’s sons. It was written to help the children of Israel. It reminded them about their past. God had always loved them. God still loved them.

What Is This Book About? God made a promise to King David’s sons. If they did what God said, they would have peace. If they did not follow God, they would have war. This book tells a little about the bad kings. It tells a lot more about the good kings.

  • The reign of Solomon (1:1-9:31); Building God’s house (1:1-7:22); King Solomon rules (8:1-9:31)
  • The kings of Judah (10:1-36:14)
  • The destruction of Jerusalem (36:15-23)

EZRA

Why Was This Book Written? Ezra was a prophet. A prophet is a man who speaks for God. Ezra was a wise and good leader. He helped the Israelites work together. Hel helped them ray together. The book tells of Ezra’s story.

What Is This Book About? The book tells about the Israelites who went back to their land. They had been living in Babylon. King Cyrus said they were free to go back home. The Israelites went back to Israel. They built up the city of Jerusalem. They built up God’s house too.

  • Coming home (1:1-2:70)
  • Building up God’s home (3:1-6:22)
  • Ezra’s return and ministry (7:1-10:44); Ezra comes back home (7:1-8:36); Ezra teaches (9:1-10:44)

NEHEMIAH

Why Was This Book Written? Nehemiah knew it was important to talk to God. He talked to God a lot. He told the Israelites to talk to God. He told them to listen to God’s law too. He said they must do what God said. God wanted them to be good.

What Is This Book About? Is about the Israelites who went back to their land. Nehemiah worked for the king of Babylon. The King said Nehemiah could go back home. Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem. He helped build up the city walls. He was a leader of the Israelites.

  • Nehemiah rebuilds the walls (1:1-7:3); Nehemiah comes home (1:1-2:10); Fixing the walls (2:11-7:3)
  • Reading God’s law (7:4-10:39)
  • Nehemiah’s plans (11:1-13:31)

ESTER

Why Was This Book Written? The book gets its name from a girl named Esther. Esther was a Jew. She lived in a country called Persia. The king of Persia made her the queen. She was very brave. She saved her people from being killed. This book tells her story.

What Is This Book About? God’s name is never used in this book. But God is at work. God was taking care of Esther. He was taking care of the Jews too. Jews read this story once a year n their homes. It tells them God cared for Esther. God cares for his people everywhere.

  • The King’s Party (1:1-2:23)
  • A bad man’s plan (3:1-5:14)
  • The Jews win (6:1-10:3); Esther wins (6:1-8:15); A party for Esther (8:16-10:3)

JOB

Why Was This Book Written? There are 5 books of poems and wisdom in the Bible. Job is the first. This book gets its name from a man called Job. He was very rich. He loved God very much. But some bad things happened to Job. Had Job done something wrong?

What Is This Book About? Job had three friends. They said bad things would happen because Job was a bad man. But Job said he loved God very much. This book shows us that God lets good things happen. He sometimes lets bad things happen too. But, in the end, God takes care of all things.

  • Setting and background (1:1-3:26); Meet Job (1:1-12); Job is tested (1:13-2:13); Job talks to his friends (3:1-26
  • Job’s discussions with his three friends (4:1-31:40); Does God care? (4:1-14:22); Bad things and people (15:1-21:34)
  • A friend speaks (32:1-37:24)
  • God speaks (38:1-41:34)
  • Ending (42:1-17)

PSALMS

Why Was This Book Written? Psalms is the second book of poems and wisdom in the Bible. Psalms means “praises.” Some of the poems in this book were songs. Some of the poems were prayers. David wrote most of this book. This book was his song book.

What Is This Book About? This books says that God is the great king. The poems say that he made all things. They say people can trust God. The poems say we should be thankful to God. The poems tell us God loves us.

  • Book 1 (1-41)
  • Book 2 (42-72)
  • Book 3 (73-89)
  • Book 4 (90-106)
  • Book 5 (107-150)

PROVERBS

Why Was This Book Written? This book is full of wise words. In short sentences it tell many truths about life. Some of these wise words come from King Solomon. He told people how to live a good life.

What Is This Book About? The words of Proverbs help make people wiser. If people do what God says, they will be wise. They can not do bad things and be wise. They can not be wise if they do not love God. This book tells them what to do.

  • Instructions on wisdom and foolishness (1:1-9:18); Why it was written (1:1-7); The way to be wise (1:8-9:18)
  • King Solomon’s words (10:1-22:16)
  • Wise words (22:17-24:34)
  • More proverbs of Solomon (25:1-29:27)
  • Sayings of Agur and Lemuel (30:1-31:31); A good wife (31:10-31)

ECCLESIASTES

Why Was This Book Written? This is the fourth book of poems and wisdom in the Bible. Ecclesiastes means “teacher.” The person who wrote this book is called the Teacher. Some people think King Solomon wrote this book. He loved God very much. He was a wise teacher.

What Is This Book About? This book tells the words of the Teacher. The Teacher tells the people to do what God says. He says the things of this world are no good without God. Money, work, and wisdom will not make them happy. Without God life is empty.

  • No happiness in things (1:1-11)
  • Life is nothing (1:12-2:26)
  • A time for everything (3:1-22)
  • The bad and good of life (4:1-8:17)
  • Life balanced with wisdom (9:1-10:20)
  • True wisdom – fear of God (11:1-12:14)

SONG OF SONGS

Why Was This Book Written? This book is the last of poems and wisdom in the Bible. Sometimes it is called Solomon’s song of songs. King Solomon is talked about in this book. Some Bible teachers think he wrote this book. Song of Songs is a beautiful love poem. 

What Is This Book About? In this book a woman sings her poem of love to a man. The man sings his poem of love back to the woman. Their friends sing poems too. This book shows what makes a good marriage. It shows God’s love for us too.

  • Knowing each other (1:1-3:5)
  • In praise of the bride (3:6-5:1); The wedding (3:6-11); Loving each other (4:1-5:1)
  • A troubled love (5:2-7:9); True love (7:1-8:4)
  • The unbroken communion (7:10-8:14); We’ll be together always (8:5-14)

ISAIAH

Why Was This Book Written?Isaiah wrote this book. His name means “The Lord Saves.” He was a man who spoke for God. He told the Israelites to do what God said. He had some strange dreams. The dreams told Isaiah what God was going to do. The dreams told him war would come.

What Is This Book About? Thebook has sad news. War would come and destroy the cities. The Israelites would have to move away. But Isaiah said God would send help to them. god would send a time of peace too. They would come back to their country.

  • A sinful nation (1:1-6:13)
  • God’s helper (7:1-12:6)
  • God’s words for others (13:1-23:18)
  • God’s promises (24:1-27:13)
  • Warnings and Zion restored (28:1-35:10); Six cures (28:1-33:24); More promises (34:1-35:10)
  • War comes (36:1-39:8)
  • Promises of divine deliverance (40:1-56:8); Help for God’s people (40:1-66:24)
  • The final kingdom established (56:9-66:24)

JEREMIAH

Why Was This Book Written? Jeremiah was a man who spoke God’s words. He wrote this book. He lived in Judah. He told the people of Israel to do what God said. His words made them angry. They wanted to kill him. God kept him safe. Jeremiah kept on telling the people to obey God.

What Is This Book About? Jeremiah gave God’s promises to the Jews. The Jews had been sinning. They were not doing what God said. God said they would have war. Jeremiah told them to do good. He said God would keep the war away fro a short time if they were good.

  • The call of Jeremiah (1:1-19); God calls Jeremiah (1:1-6:30)
  • The sinful condition of Judah (2:1-29:32); God’s house and the law (7:1-18:23)
  • The promise of restoration (30:1-33:26)
  • The kingdom falls apart (34:1-39:18); Jeremiah suffers (34:1-38:28); The city walls fall (39:1-45:5)
  • The trip to Egypt (40:1-45:5)
  • Messages about foreign nations (46:1-51:64); God’s words for the nation (46:1-52:34)
  • The fall of Jerusalem (52:1-34)

LAMENTATIONS

Why Was This Book Written? Jeremiah wrote this book. Lamentations are “songs for the dead.” This is a book of poems. Some of the poems are very sad and some of them ask God for kindness. Jeremiah wanted the Jews to know that God was good. God is good even when times are bad.

What Is This Book About? Lamentations is a sad book. It tells about Jerusalem’s fall. It tells how the walls were knocked down. It tells about the burning of God’s house. Jeremiah wanted the Jews to know these things.

  • Crying for the city (1:1-22)
  • God’s anger and the search for comfort (2:1-22)
  • God is good (3:1-66)
  • Then and now (4:1-22)
  • Please be kind (5:1-22)

EZEKIEL

Why Was This Book Written? Ezekiel was a prophet for God. His name means “God is strong.” He wrote this book when the walls of Jerusalem fell down. He wrote this book for the Israelites who had to move away from their land. He wanted them to know that God cared for them.

What Is This Book About? Ezekiel had some dreams. He wrote them down in this book. The dreams told the Israelites that God was good. The dreams were about the end of the world too. God wanted the people to know that He was the Lord. He would watch over all things.

  • God call Ezekiel (1:1-3:27)
  • God’s rules are broken (4:1-24:27)
  • Words for the nation (25:1-32:32)
  • What to do now (33:1-39:29)
  • New love for God (40:1-48:35)

DANIEL

Why Was This Book Written? Daniel wrote this book to tell the Jews to trust God. Daniel had some dreams. The king had dreams too. Daniel told him what his dreams meant. Daniel said God was greater than the king. God was powerful ad He would keep his people safe.

What Is This Book About? The King of Babylon had a war with Jerusalem. He broke down the city walls. He made all the Israelites leave the city. Daniel had to move away from his home. He had to work in the King’s house. But Daniel knew God would take care of him.

  • Events during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (1:1-4:27); Daniel goes to Babylon (1:1-21); The king’s dream (2:1-4:37)
  • The writing on the wall (5:1-30); Two new kings (5:1-31)
  • Daniel in the den of lions (5:31-6:28); Daniel and the lions (6:1-6:28)
  • Visions during Belshazzar’s reign(7:1-8:27); Daniel’s dream (7:1-12:13)
  • Daniel’s prayer and the seventy “sevens” (9:1-27)
  • Daniel’s finial revelation (10:1-12:13)

HOSEA

Why Was This Book Written? Hosea was a man who spoke for God. He lived in the northern part of Israel. The kings of Israel were bad. Hosea told them an enemy would come to start war. He said the enemy was from Assyria. He wrote this book before his country came to and end.

What Is This Book About? Hosea wrote about his family. He said his wife would not be true to him. He wanted her to come home. Hosea said the Israelites were like his wife. They would not be true to God. They wanted to leave God’s way. But God wanted them to come back.

  • Husband and wife (1:1-3:5)
  • The Israelites turn away (4:1-6:3)
  • Band things happen (6:4-10:15)
  • God still loves (11:1-14:9)

JOEL

Why Was This Book Written? Joel was a prophet for God. He lived in Judah and his name means “the Lord is God.” He wrote this book to tell the people to turn back to God. He said God would send bad things if they did not turn back to Him.

What Is This Book About? Joel wrote about grasshoppers. The grasshoppers came and ate all the plants. Joel also wrote about a time when there was no rain. He said these things were bad.  But God would let worse things happen if the people did not turn back to him.

  • An invasion of locusts (1:1-12)
  • Be sorry for sin (1:13-20)
  • Warnings and God’s promise (2:1-32); Bad things come (2:1-11); Be sorry for sin (2:12-17); God’s good promises (2:18-32)
  • God’s day is coming (3:1-21)

AMOS

Why Was This Book Written? Amos was a man who took care of sheep. He lived in a time of peace. The kings were good. But the people  were bad. Amos went to the markets in the city. He saw many horrible things. No one would help the poor. Amos said this was wrong.

What Is This Book About? Amos saw people who only wanted more and more money. They were mean. They prayed to other gods. Amos said the people must turn back to God. They must be kind to each other. They must tell the truth. They must do what is right.

  • Words for other nations (1:1-2:5)
  • Words for the Jews (2:6-16)
  • Israel’s guilt (3:1-6:14); Wrong living (3:1-5:17); No more homes (5:18-6:14)
  • God’s will is done (7:1-9:10)
  • Better times are coming (9:11-15)

OBADIAH

Why Was This Book Written? Obadiah poke for God. His name means “servant of the Lord.” His book is the shortest book in the Bible. He wrote about the nation of Edom. Edom was proud and strong. They were cruel to the Israelites. Obadiah said God was angry with Edom.

What Is This Book About? Edom came from the family of Esau. The Israelites came from the family of Jacob. Jacob and Esau were brothers. But Edom and the Israelites did not get along. Edom did not help the Israelites when they had problems. They made them worse. God said Edom would be destroyed.

  • Bad things for Edom (1-14)
  • Edom in the day of the Lord (15-21)

JONAH

Why Was This Book Written? Jonah was a prophet. God told him to go to Nineveh which was a very wicked city. The enemies of Jews lived there. God wanted the people of Nineveh to follow Him. The book of Jonah shows us how much God loves even the worst people. 

What Is This Book About? Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. He did not want the people to turn to God. They had been cruel to the Jews. Jonah wanted God to punish them. Jonah ran away from God. But God use a fish to bring Jonah back. This book tells Jonah’s story.

  • Jonah flees from the Lord (1:1-17)
  • Jonah’s prayer and deliverance (2:1-10)
  • Jonah goes to Nineveh (3:1-10); The people follow God (3:5-4:4)
  • Jonah’s anger at the Lord’s mercy (4:1-11); God’s word to Jonah (4:5-11)

MICAH

Why Was This Book Written? Micah lived in Judah and was a man who spoke for God. He wrote this book when his country was rich and powerful. The money and power of the rich people had made them unkind. They did not take care of the poor and they did not want to please God.

What Is This Book About? Micah said God was angry. He said God would punish the Israelites. Micah said they should take care of each other. Then God would send good things too. He would send a kingdom that never end. He would send a ruler who would always be good.

  • Judgment against Samaria and Jerusalem (1:1-16); God will punish (1:1-3:12)
  • Leaders guilty of oppression (2:1-3:12)
  • God will bless (4:1-5:15)
  • Judgment and mercy (6:1-7:20); The people are bad (6:1-16); God will be kind (7:1-20)

NAHUM

Why Was This Book Written? Nahum wrote God’s words to the people. The books of Nahum and Jonah are about Nineveh. It was a big city. The enemies of the Israelites lived there. Jonah’s words made Nineveh turn to God. But soon they turned back to sin.

What Is This Book About? God was angry with Nineveh. Nahum said God hated their sin. He said God would punish them. Nahum said God’s kingdom was good. All bad kingdoms must end. God was the ruler of all nations. he would make everything right.

  • God is angry (1:1-15)
  • The will fall (2:1-13)
  • Bad things for Nineveh (3:1-19)

HABAKKUK

Why Was This Book Written? Habakkuk lived at the same time as Jeremiah. Habakkuk spoke for God and he believed in God. He tried to do what God said. He prayed to God. He wrote down what God told him.

What Is This Book About? Habakkuk saw that some rich people did not love God. He asked God why bad people had good things. He say bad kings who had big countries. He asked God why these kings would rule his country. His questions are in this book. God’s answers are in this book too.

  • Habakkuk’s question and God’s answers (1:1-11)
  • Habakkuk’s second question and God’s answer (1:12-2:20)
  • Habakkuk’s talks to God (3:1-19)

ZEPHANIAH

Why Was This Book Written? Zephaniah was a very important person. He was a friend of the king’s family. Josiah was the ruler and he was a good king. Zephaniah said the Israelites had sinned and he said God was angry. That made the king sad. The king tried to make the people turn back to God. But they did not do what God said for very long. They turned back to sin.

What Is This Book About? Zephaniah told the people to turn back to God. He said that if they did not, God would send a war. The people would lose their homes. But God loved them. He would bring them back again.

  • God’s judgment announced (1:1-2:3); Bad things coming (1:1-3); The day of the Lord (1:4-18); Words for the nation (2:1-3:8)
  • Judgment against the nations (2:4-15)
  • The future of Jerusalem (3:1-20); The good news (3:9-20)

HAGGAI

Why Was This Book Written? Haggai was a prophet of God. He lived in Babylon. He went to Babylon when Jerusalem fell. The king of Babylon said Jews could go back to their country. This book tells the story of their return to Israel.

What Is This Book About? Haggai saw the Jews start to fix the destroyed cities. But no one fixed God’s house. It was still broken. Haggai said that the Jews must fix God’s house first. He said they would have good things if they put God’s house first. They would have God’s help and they would have God’s spirit.

  • The call to rebuild the temple (1:1-15); Fix God’s house (1:1-11); The people say yes (1:12-15)
  • God will be with them (2:1-9)
  • God’s laws for them (2:10-19)
  • A promise for the leader (2:20-23)

ZECHARIAH

Why Was This Book Written? Zechariah’s name means “the Lord remembers.” He lived at the same time as Haggai. Zechariah worked in God’s house. He helped with the offerings. He wrote this book after the Jews had come home to their country. He wrote down God’s words for the Jews.

What Is This Book About? Zechariah told the Jews to do what God said. He wanted them to fix God’s house. He wanted them to love God too. Zechariah wrote about the king God would send. He would save his people. Zechariah was talking about Jesus.

  • Do what God says (1:1-6)
  • Visions (1:7-6:15); Eight Dreams (1:7-6:8); The new temple helper (6:9-15)
  • What will happen (7:1-8:23)
  • Judgment on Israel’s enemies (9:1-8); God sends a king (9:1-11:17)
  • The coming of Zion’s King (9:9-14:21); The king helps (12:1-14:21)

MALACHI

Why Was This Book Written? Malachi wrote this book after the Jews had come back to their country. The Jews had fixed God’s house. They had fixed their houses. But things were not good. There was no rain. There was no food. The Jews had forgotten God’s words. They did not do what he said.

What Is This Book About? Malachi told the Jews to turn back to God. He said God loved them. He said they should not forget that. If the Jews disobeyed God, bad things would happen. But if they obeyed God, then God would bless them.

  • God’s love for Israel (1:1-5)
  • Israel forgets God (1:6-2:16)
  • The day of the Lord (2:17-4:6)

SOME STORIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT:

  1. The Creation of the World (Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-3)
  2. The Sin of Adam & Eve (Gen. 2:10; 3:24)
  3. Cain Kills Abel (Gen. 4:1-26)
  4. Noah’s Ark (Gen. 6:1-8:22)
  5. The Tower of Babel (Gen. 10:1-11:9)
  6. God’s Promise To Abraham (Gen 11:27; 12:20)
  7. Abraham Offers Isaac (Gen. 22:1-19)
  8. Jacob’s Ladder (Gen. 28:6-29)
  9. Jacob Wrestles an Angel (Gen. 32:1-33)
  10. Joseph In Prison (Gen. 39:1-40)
  11. Joseph Rewarded by Pharaoh (Gen. 41:1-57)
  12. Joseph and His Brothers (Gen. 42:1-45)
  13. Moses In His Cradle (Ex. 1:1-2:10)
  14. The Burning Bush (Ex. 3:1-4:31)
  15. The Red Sea (Ex. 14:1-15:2)
  16. The Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:1-20)
  17. The Brazen Serpent (Num. 20:23; 21:1-9)
  18. The Wall Tumbled Down (Joshua 5:13-6:27)
  19. Gideon’s Army of 300 (Judges 7:1-15)
  20. Samson’s Strength (Judges 14:1-16)
  21. Samson’s Death (Judges 16:4-31)
  22. The First King  (I Sam. 8:1-10:27)
  23. King David (I Sam. 16:1-13)
  24. David and The Giant (I Sam. 17:1-58)
  25. Friends (I Sam. 19:1-20:42)
  26. Solomon’s Wisdom (I Kings 3:1-28)
  27. The Still Small Voice (I Kings 19:1-21)
  28. Noaman’s Obedience (II Kings 5:1-27)
  29. The Chariot of Fire (II Kings 6:1-23)
  30. Jonah and the Fish (Whale) (Jonah 1:1-4:11)
  31. The  Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:1-30)
  32. Daniel In The Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:1-28)

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