Tag: Old Testament Survey

proverbs

Proverbs

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Author

The majority of the proverbs were written by King Solomon, although later portions of the book are attributed to other authors, as well.

The proverbs collected in chapters 22:17-24:34 are attributed to “the wise,” while chapters 30 and 31 are assigned to the authorship of Agur and Lemuel. These men’s identities are otherwise unknown. It is possible that these proverbs, however, came before the time of Solomon, and that he, too, collected them and added them to his book of saying.

Chapters 25-29 are attributed to Solomon, but were collected and edited together by order of King Hezekiah of Judah around 700 B.C.

Date

Solomon would have written his portion of Proverbs from around 971-931 B.C; however, Hezekiah’s collection was not compiled until around 700 B.C. It is therefore easy to conclude that the book of proverbs in its current form was completed at that time.

Audience and Purpose

The audience and purpose of the book are stated clearly in the introduction of the book. Chapter 1 verse 5 says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning…” which implies that Solomon was writing to anyone looking to grow in wisdom, particularly among his people, Israel. (Though we know the fame of Solomon spread around the world, so it is reasonable to assume many of his proverbs went beyond the borders of Israel as well.)

His purpose is again stated in chapter 1, verses 2-4: “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.” He expands on his own explanation of purpose in Ecclesiastes 12:9-14.

Major Themes

  • Wisdom.
  • Ethics and Morality.
  • Godly Worldview.

Key Scriptures

  • Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
  • Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Outline

  • Proverbs 1:1-7 — Introduction
  • Proverbs 1:8-9:18 — A Father to Son Call to Wisdom
  • Proverbs 10:1-22:16 — Solomon’s Proverbs
  • Proverbs 22:17-24:34 — Proverbs of “The Wise”
  • Proverbs 25:1-29:27 — Hezekiah’s Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs
  • Proverbs 30:1-33 — Agur’s Proverbs
  • Proverbs 31:1-9 — King Lemuel’s Proverbs
  • Proverbs 31:10-31 — Proverbs Regarding a Godly Woman

Gospel Summary

The book of proverbs gives everyday examples of what it means to obey the great commandment of God: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. These sayings, or maxims, apply daily wisdom to demonstrate how to live, and how not to live, to fulfill God’s law and to have a blessed life.

As with all of the books of the Old Testament, Proverbs points to Christ in many different ways, with each topic that is discussed in the book. However, the most prominent picture we get of Christ is that as Solomon became known as the wisest man ever to live, and put that wisdom into this writing, it was only a picture of Jesus (see Isaiah 11:2 and Matthew 12:42), who in His own early life demonstrated the wisdom of God in every aspect thought and action, as He lived in perfect obedience to God. Jesus is our highest example to follow in living a life of wisdom (see Colossians 2:1-3).

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for any purchases made using the links on this post. Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry!

Job

Job

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Author

The author of the book of Job is unknown. The book takes its name from its primary character, however most biblical scholars believe the book was written down from oral history at a later date, rather than being recorded by Job himself.

Date

The exact date of the writing of Job is unknown. Many scholars believe the book was likely written during the time of King Solomon.

The events of the book of Job likely took place between the Tower of Babel and God’s calling of Abraham (i.e. between Genesis 11:9 and Genesis 12:1). There is no reference to any of God’s covenants to Abraham or the Law of God, which are central to Hebrew theology from Genesis 12 onward. This means that Job was a believer in Yahweh, but outside of the covenant family of Israel.

Audience and Purpose

The fact that scholars believe the book of Job was originally passed through Jewish oral traditions means that the intended audience was the Jewish people. There was a value found in the story, which kept each generation passing it on to the next.

The purpose of the book was to remind the people the God always has a sovereign plan, and is trustworthy in the good times and bad. Job does away with any idea  that God is keeping score, or that He works among mankind on an emotional basis.

Major Themes

  • Overcoming Trials and Adversity.
  • The Heavenly Host. The book of Job gives us great insight into the political workings of Yahweh and His heavenly host, or “the divine council.” (See also Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1.) It clearly shows Yahweh to be God above all gods. 
  • God’s Justice.
  • Satan and Evil. Evil has a name. Mankind has a personal enemy. The devil is not just a force at work against humanity, but a person with a strategic mind to battle against God and His people.

Key Scriptures

  • Job 1:21 — “And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
  • Job 38:3-4 — “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.’”

Outline

  • Job 1:1-2:13 — Introduction
  • Job 3:1-26 — Job’s Complaint
  • Job 4:1-5:27 — Eliphaz Speaks to Job
  • Job 6:1-7:21 — Job Responds to Eliphaz
  • Job 8:1-22 — Bildad Speaks to Job
  • Job 9:1-10:22 — Job Responds to Bildad
  • Job 11:1-20 — Zophar Speaks to Job
  • Job 12:1-14:22 — Job Responds to Zophar
  • Job 15:1-35 — Eliphaz Speaks to Job A Second Time
  • Job 16:1-17:16 — Job Responds to Eliphaz A Second Time
  • Job 18:1-21 — Bildad Speaks to Job A Second Time
  • Job 19:1-29 — Job Responds to Bildad A Second Time
  • Job 20:1-29 — Zophar Speaks to Job A Second Time
  • Job 21:1-34 — Job Responds to Zophar A Second Time
  • Job 22:1-30 — Eliphaz Speaks to Job A Third Time
  • Job 23:1-24:25 — Job Responds to Eliphaz A Third Time
  • Job 25:1-6 — Bildad Speaks to Job A Third Time
  • Job 26:1-14 — Job Responds to Bildad A Third Time
  • Job 27:1-31:40 — Job’s Final Complaint
  • Job 32:1-37:24 — Elihu Speaks to Job
  • Job 38:1-41:34 — God Speaks to Job
  • Job 42:1-6 — Job Responds to God
  • Job 42:7-9 — God Responds to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar
  • Job 42:10-17— The Finale of Job’s Life

Gospel Summary

The book of Job does not fit well into the Old Testament historical narrative. Rather than building on the stories of God’s covenant people (leading to Christ), it instead gives us a glimpse into the life of faith of a single person who is living dedicated to God as King. Job forces us to ask the question, “why do bad things happen to good people;” or rather, “to God’s people?” Throughout the course of the narrative, there is not an adequate answer given to ease the human mind. Instead, the story of Job encourages us to remain faithful, anyways, even when an explanation is not given for our struggles, simply trusting that God’s glory and His justice will shine through in the end. 

Job makes clear that the world does not work on a principle of karma; in which good is repaid with good and evil with evil. Instead, as we get a glimpse into heaven we find that we have a spiritual enemy, who is actively working against us (and against God’s Kingdom). As Job waits for deliverance, we understand that God’s justice will eventually triumph over that enemy, through the coming of Christ. All of Job’s questions throughout the book are answered in Jesus. Like Job, our only hope is to keep our faith in God, and to know that suffering is but for a moment compared to an eternity in God’s Kingdom.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for any purchases made using the links on this post. Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry!

esther

Esther

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Author

Unknown. Some scholars suggest Ezra, as there is a similarity in writing style.

Date

The book of Esther was probably written in the later part of the fifth century B.C., around the same time the book’s events occurred.

Audience and Purpose

The story of Esther fits somewhere between the events of Ezra chapter 6 and 7, and tells us how God’s people were sustained, even in the exile, by God’s supernatural hand.

Major Themes

  • God’s Sovereignty, Protection, and Faithfulness. Despite the fact that “God” is not mentioned in the book of Esther, His hand can clearly be seen guiding Esther and others, in His sovereign plan to protect His people and remain faithful to His covenant promise.
  • Partnering with God in His Work.
  • Deliverance.

Key Scriptures

  • Esther 4:13-14 — “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’”

Outline

  • Esther 1:1-2:23 — Introduction
  • Esther 3:1-9:19 — Main Story
  • Esther 9:20-10:3 — Conclusion

Gospel Summary

Esther is a young Jewish girl, chosen by Persian King Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes I) to become Queen. Through her appointment to this office and her willingness to be a voice for her people, even if it costs her life, she foils a plot by the King’s right-hand man, Haman to exterminate the Jews. The Jewish holiday of Purim is a celebration of God’s deliverance through Queen Esther.

Esther not only protected God’s people from extermination, ensuring the continuation of Abraham’s line leading to the Messiah, but she also becomes a picture of Christ who would place Himself in harm’s way in order to save God’s people from death and extinction. (See John 17:12.)

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for any purchases made using the links on this post. Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry!

E&N

Ezra and Nehemiah

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Author

Originally Ezra and Nehemiah were one book. They were separated into two by Jerome in the Latin Vulgate. Ezra is the author, and also a primary character in the books. 

Date

Probably between 450 and 425B.C. The book picks up immediately after 1 & 2 Chronicles closes.

Audience and Purpose

Ezra/Nehemiah was written to the Jews returning to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon during the reign of Artaxerxes I. 

The primary focus of Ezra is God’s fulfillment of His promise to restore the people to their homeland, and also the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem.

The primary focus of Nehemiah is the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem, and a return to life in the land, led by the Law of Moses and the priesthood.

Major Themes

  • Restoration.
  • God’s Faithfulness.
  • Spiritual Commitment.
  • Idolatry and Culture.
  • Partnering with God in His Work.

Key Scriptures in Ezra

  • Ezra 6:16 — “And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.”

Key Scriptures in Nehemiah

  • Nehemiah 6:15-16 — “So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”

Outline of Ezra

  • Ezra 1:1-2:70 — Exiles Return from Babylon
  • Ezra 3:1-6:22 — Rebuilding the Temple
  • Ezra 7:1-8:36 — Ezra the Priest Returns to Jerusalem to Reestablish the Law of Moses
  • Ezra 9:1-10:44 — Ezra calls for Separation from Intercultural Marriages

Outline of Nehemiah

  • Nehemiah 1:1-2:20 — Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem to Rebuild Walls
  • Nehemiah 3:1-7:4 — Wall is Rebuilt in 52 Days Despite Opposition
  • Nehemiah 7:5-73 — List of Original Returnees from Exile
  • Nehemiah 8:1-8:8 — Public Reading of the Law by Ezra
  • Nehemiah 8:9-10:39 — Covenant Renewal to the Law by the People
  • Nehemiah 11:1-36 — Resettlement of Towns and Villages Around Jerusalem
  • Nehemiah 12:1-26 — High Priest and Leading Levites Since Time of Zerubbabel
  • Nehemiah 12:27-43 — The Dedication of the Rebuilt Walls
  • Nehemiah 12:44-13:31 — Nehemiah Governs in Jerusalem

Gospel Summary

The book of Ezra follows the initial return of the Jewish exiles under the governorship of Zerubbabel, who although he did not carry the title of King, was appointed as ruler over the Jewish people and a descendant of King David (the grandson of King Jeconiah; take note of Jeremiah 22:30). As the people return to the land, there is a restoration of worship, leading to the rebuilding of God’s Temple. This would be the temple where Jesus would one day stand and fulfill many of the prophecies concerning Messiah.

In Ezra, the people recommit themselves to living according to God’s plan and rule, there is a revival of holiness among the people. This leads the people to separate from their mixed marriages. The community of faith is restored, and God is at the center of life once again.

In Nehemiah, we see the community of faith come together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, as they also rebuilt their national identity as the people of God.

This points us to Jesus who would become the ultimate Temple of God and sacrifice on the altar, as He dwelt with man on earth. He would call all of God’s people – not just Jews, but gentiles as well – back to true worship and holiness. He is rebuilding us- His church – into a royal priesthood and a holy nation in Him.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for any purchases made using the links on this post. Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry!

IMG_2347

First and Second Chronicles

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Author

It is very likely that Ezra was the author, and it has been suggested that 1 & 2 Chronicles and the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally written to be one consecutive work.

Date

Probably between 450 and 425B.C.

Audience and Purpose

1 & 2  Chronicles have many topics in common with 1 & 2 Kings, however Chronicles deal mostly with the Kingdom of Judah alone, and was written to the Jews returning from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. 

Also, whereas Kings was written from the prophetic perspective, Chronicles is written from the priestly viewpoint. Rather than judgements, it offers hope.

Major Themes

  • Redemption.
  • The Construction of The Temple.
  • The Davidic Lineage of Kings.

Key Scriptures in 1 Chronicles

  • 1 Chronicles 28:4-5 — “Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.”

Key Scriptures in 2 Chronicles

  • 2 Chronicles 7:1 — “As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”
  • 2 Chronicles 36:19 — “And they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its precious vessels.”

Outline of 1 Chronicles

  • 1 Chronicles 1:1-9:44 — Genealogy of Tribes of Israel
  • 1 Chronicles 10:1-20:8 — Reign of King David
  • 1 Chronicles 21:1-29:30 — David Prepares to Build the Temple

Outline of 2 Chronicles

  • 2 Chronicles 1:1-7:22 — Solomon Builds the Temple
  • 2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31 — Reign of King Solomon
  • 2 Chronicles 10:1-36:23 — Reigns of Judah’s Kings in the Divided Kingdom
    • 2 Chronicles 10:1-12:16 — Reign of Rehoboam
    • 2 Chronicles 12:1-14:1 — Reign of Abijah
    • 2 Chronicles 14:2-16:14 — Reign of Asa
    • 2 Chronicles 17:1-21:1 — Reign of Jehoshaphat
    • 2 Chronicles 21:2-22:12 — Reign of Jehoram and Ahaziah
    • 2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27 — Reign of Joash
    • 2 Chronicles 25:1-28 — Reign of Amaziah
    • 2 Chronicles 26:1-23 — Reign of Uzziah
    • 2 Chronicles 27:1-9 — Reign of Jotham
    • 2 Chronicles 28:1-27 — Reign of Ahaz
    • 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33 — Reign of Hezekiah
    • 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 — Reign of Manasseh
    • 2 Chronicles 33:21-25 — Reign of Amon
    • 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27— Reign of Josiah
    • 2 Chronicles 36:1-4 — Reign of Jehoahaz
    • 2 Chronicles 36:5-8 — Reign of Jehoiakim
    • 2 Chronicles 36:9-10 — Reign of Jehoiachin
  • 2 Chronicles 36:11-14 — Reign of Zedekiah
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15-21 — Destruction of Jerusalem and Captivity of Judah
  • 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 — Restoration
  • Gospel Summary

The books of 1 & 2 Chronicles show very clearly how God, through many trials, sins, and global events, upheld His promise of a Messiah King who would be a son of David. The genealogies and stories of family lines show that the seed of David remained in tact, even in years of exile.

2 Chronicles, especially, outlines both the building and destruction of Solomon’s Temple – representative of God’s presence as the center of Jewish life and culture. Jesus Himself would later prophecy the destruction and rebuilding of God’s Temple. This time, however, it would not be with stones! His body would be the Temple broken down, rebuilt through His resurrection, and expanded  through the establishment of His church (see John 2:19 and 1 Corinthians 3:16).

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this site. 
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

IMG_2346

First and Second Kings

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Author

Unknown. Some traditions hold that Jeremiah was the author who wrote down the narratives passed through oral tradition. Most scholars simply ascribe authorship to an unknown Jewish captive in Babylon.

Date

Likely written between 562B.C. (when the Jehoiachin, the last king written about was released from prison) and 536B.C. (when the exiles returned from captivity). The two books cover the period of history from about 970 to 562B.C.

Audience and Purpose

Written to the Jewish exiles living in Babylon, 1 & 2 Kings (originally a single book that was divided in two for the sake of scroll lengths) picks up the story of the Kingship of God’s people where 2 Samuel left off. The book is written from the prophetic perspective of the nation, with God’s judgement continually in mind.

Major Themes

  • Spiritual Offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. These topics are continued from 1 & 2 Samuel.
  • God’s Justice.
  • God’s Faithfulness or His “Steadfast Love”. Based on His nature and His promise, God proves over and over again that He does not treat His people according to their sins. Rather, he continually shows mercy and grace.
  • Morality.

Key Scriptures in 1 Kings

  • 1 Kings 2:3 — (David to Solomon) “…and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…”
  • 1 Kings 8:23 — “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart…”
  • 1 Kings 11:35-36 — “But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand and will give it to you, ten tribes. Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.”

Key Scriptures in 2 Kings

  • 2 Kings 17:22-23 — “The people of Israel walked in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They did not depart from them, until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had spoken by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their own land to Assyria until this day.”

Outline of 1 Kings

  • 1 Kings 1:1-11:43 — Reign of King Solomon
  • 1 Kings 12:1-14:31 — Divided Kingdom
  • 1 Kings 15:1-24 — Reigns of Abijam to Asa in Judah
  • 1 Kings 15:25-16:34 — Reigns of Nadab to Ahab in Israel
  • 1 Kings 17:1-22:40 — Elijah the Prophet vs. Ahab
  • 1 Kings 22:41-50 — Reign of Jehoshaphat in Judah
  • 1 Kings 22:51-53 — Reign of Ahaziah (son of Ahab) in Israel

Outline of 2 Kings

  • 2 Kings 1:1-18 — Elijah the Prophet vs. Ahaziah
  • 2 Kings 2:1-8:15 — Elisha the Prophet
  • 2 Kings 8:16-29 — Reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah (son of Jehoram) in Judah and Joram in Israel
  • 2 Kings 9:1-10:27 — Jehu kills Ahaziah, Joram and Jezebel
  • 2 Kings 10:28-35 — Reign of Jehu in Israel
  • 2 Kings 11:1-12:21 — Reign of Joash (also spelled Jehoash) in Judah
  • 2 Kings 13:1-25 — Reigns of Jehoahaz in Israel
  • 2 Kings 14:1-15:7 — Reigns of Amaziah and Azariah in Judah; Jeroboam II in Israel
  • 2 Kings 15:8-31 — Final Kings of Israel
  • 2 Kings 15:32-16:20 — Reigns of Jotham and Ahaz in Judah
  • 2 Kings 17:1-41 — Destruction of Israel
  • 2 Kings 18:1-20:21 — Reign of Hezekiah in Judah and the Prophet Isaiah
  • 2 Kings 21:1-23:30 — Reigns of Manasseh, Amon and Josiah in Judah
  • 2 Kings 23:31-25:30 — Final Kings and Destruction of Judah

Gospel Summary

God’s continual faithfulness in the books of Kings is overwhelming at times. Though the people continue to sin and work for their own passions and desires, God continually shows grace. He does this, “for the sake of my servant David,” as stated in 1 Kings 11:11-13, 32, 34, and in 2 Kings 8:19 and 19:34. This statement should point our attention directly to Jesus, who is the offspring of David, and the one who would fulfill God’s promise of an eternal Kingdom.

Despite the fact that their sin did lead to times of cursing, destruction, and even exile, God continually showed them grace so that the promise of the coming King could be fulfilled. This is such a beautiful picture of the faithfulness of God because this King who would come, would be the one to extend God’s grace beyond the nation of Israel, to the whole world. Because of Jesus, God still does not deal with us as our sin deserves.

Once again, we see Jesus typified as our great Prophet and King by Elijah, Elisha, David, and Solomon.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this site. 
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

IMG_2267

First and Second Samuel

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Author

Unknown. Some have suggested that 1 & 2 Samuel were compiled by various authors, of which many have proposed Abiathar, one of David’s servants; Nathan and Gad; or a group of students from Samuel’s school of prophets.

Date

Unknown. The detailed accounts of events do insist on first-person witnesses to the events, rather than being written down from oral histories at a later date.

Audience and Purpose

The books of 1 & 2 Samuel, originally written as a single book, continue to give a history of the nation of Israel for later generations of God’s people. They take us from the days immediately following the period of Judges, through the rise of Samuel as Prophet, and the Kingships of Saul and David.

Major Themes

  • Anointings and Spiritual Offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. Each of these offices play a role throughout the two books. The Prophet, Samuel, is the directing voice of the Lord. The Priests are the ones who mediate the law and sacrifices on behalf of the people. The King is the one who would lead the nation, hopefully, to righteousness and obedience to God’s commands. All three of these offices of the Old Testament are fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament.
  • Theocracy. As opposed to a democracy, which is government chosen by the people, a theocracy is a government led by God. When the people demand an earthly King, they are refusing to live under the government of God. (1 Samuel 8:4-9).

Key Scriptures in 1 Samuel

  • 1 Samuel 8:4-7 — “Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.’”
  • 1 Samuel 16:7 — “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”

Key Scriptures in 2 Samuel

  • 2 Samuel 7:12-16 — (Nathan the Prophet to David) “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son….And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

Outline of 1 Samuel

  • 1 Samuel 1:1-7:17 — Samuel the Prophet
  • 1 Samuel 8:1-22 — Israel Demands a King
  • 1 Samuel 9:1-15:35 — Reign of King Saul
  • 1 Samuel 16:1-31:13 — Saul and David

Outline of 2 Samuel

  • 2 Samuel 1:1-24:25 — Reign of King David

Gospel Summary

Through the books of 1 & 2 Samuel, we see Israel’s first Kings, Saul and David. Their reigns stand in stark contrast to one another. One, Saul, has the stature and grandeur of a man, is respected by all, and he lives and leads from ego and ambition, just as the kings of other nations. The second, David, is a humble shepherd, who is overlooked by all, yet his love for the Lord and reputation as “a man after God’s own heart,” is elevated before men, and promised a kingdom that is without end. Both of these kings are sinners, yet, one of them embraces sin and selfishness while the other one looks to God for help and guidance.

The promise to David, that his kingdom will be without end, adds another layer to God’s existing promises to Abraham and to Adam, and gets us another step closer to the revelation of Jesus. Jesus would not only be the promised Savior who would crush the head of the serpent. He would not only be the seed of Abraham who would bless all nations. He would also be the perfect, matchless Prophet, Priest and King, who’s rule would be without end.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this site. 
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

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Ruth

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Author

Unknown.

Date

The book was likely written sometime during the reign of King David, as his name is listed in the genealogies of chapter 4, while Solomon, his successor, is not mentioned. This would be sometime between 1011 and 971 B.C.

Audience and Purpose

The audience of the book was the people of Israel in general, but the original purpose is unclear. Many scholars believe the book to be a real-life parable, teaching the need for the people of God to take care of one another, especially in times of great trial and need. It cannot be overlooked, however, that Boaz gives us a clear picture of the greater Savior to come.

Major Themes

  • The Kinsman-Redeemer. Based in the Jewish traditions that if a man were to lose his land out of financial burden, his closest relative must step in to purchase the land, in order to maintain the family’s name and inheritance from God. Ultimately, this points to Jesus, who, after mankind was lost to God through sin, stepped in as our kinsman to purchase us back into the family.
  • The Genealogy of the Messiah. The book concludes with giving the genealogical line of King David, whose line the Messiah would come from. The inclusion of Ruth, a non-Jewish person in this lineage is a major point of interest tho those of us outsiders who have also been grafted into God’s promise through Jesus.

Key Scriptures

  • Ruth 1:16-17 — “…where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
  • Ruth 4:14 — “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!’”

Outline

  • Ruth 1:1-5 — Naomi’s Family Dies
  • Ruth 1:6-22 — Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem
  • Ruth 2:1-23 — Ruth Meets Boaz
  • Ruth 3:1-18 — Ruth Proposes Marriage to Boaz
  • Ruth 4:1-12 — Boaz Redeems Naomi and Ruth
  • Ruth 4:13-17 — Boaz and Ruth Begin a Family
  • Ruth 4:18-22 — Genealogy of Ruth to David

Gospel Summary

The book of Ruth gives us a glimpse into Jewish life and customs, which included a familial responsibility to take care of their own, as well as being welcoming to outsiders who would join with them. The story of Ruth gives us a picture into the people whose lineage would give us the Messiah, while also giving us a typological picture of the redemption that Messiah would bring. Jesus is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who as a man, paid the price for the redemption of those lost to sin, and in the process, took for Himself a bride.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this site. 
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

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Judges

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Author

Unknown. Some traditions say the book was compiled by Samuel.

Date

Unknown. Most of the book was probably written and compiled shortly after the death of Samson, who was the final judge. This would have been around 1050B.C.

Audience and Purpose

The book serves as a historical record to God’s people of the time between Joshua’s death and Samuel’s arrival as a prophet. It record’s God’s continual leadership to a people who had no desire to be led.

Major Themes

  • Godly Leadership. The book begins by asking who would take leadership after Joshua (1:1) and ends with the lack of leadership in the land “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25). Throughout every trial of Israel, God raised a leader among the people to act as a deliverer and judge. These leaders themselves are continually tested in keeping their own faithfulness to God above their self-serving desires.  
    • One other point to note on leadership is that in the Book of Judges, God does not limit this governing authority to men. Deborah, a woman and a wife, is a prophetess and the fourth Judge of Israel (see Judges 4:4).
  • Idolatry and Culture. Throughout the book of Judges, the people of God are continually pulled into the worship of the pagan gods of the nations, and reject the Lord and His commands.
  • The Need for a Savior. Every story in the book of Judges points to the fact that humanity cannot overcome our sinful nature, and need a Savior to save us.

Key Scriptures

  • Judges 3:1,4-6 — “Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them… They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And their daughters they took to themselves for wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods.”
  • Judges 21:25 — “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Outline

  • Judges 1:1-3:6 — The Roots of Unfaithfulness
  • Judges 3:7-16:31 — The Spread of Unfaithfulness
  • Judges 17:1-21:25 — The Depths of Unfaithfulness

Gospel Summary

The book of Judges shows Israel’s weakness in remaining faithful to God and His law. Their failure to drive out all of the pagan nations, has now introduced them to a compromised life, where the culture of those nations overtakes the commands of God. A lack of leadership, as the nation previously had in Moses and Joshua, leads to a cycle of faithfulness, laxity, compromise, and sin, until God raises someone to judge the nation and restore righteousness once again. This progression is broken when the people finally reject God as  the ultimate judge and King, and demand a king over them, like the other nations (in 1 Samuel 8).

The ESV Gospel Transformation Bible states, in it’s introduction to Joshua, “The failure of both people and judges are so signifiant that they urge us to long for the hero who will never fail… Israel in Judges is in bad shape, but a new day is dawning when God will provide, from the line of David, King Jesus, the King of His choosing.”

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for purchases made using the links on this post.
Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry! 
You can also donate to my missionary work and ministry through Sozo Ministries, here.

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Joshua

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Author

Unknown. Jewish tradition says that Joshua was the author, although it is possible that the majority of the book was written by another eyewitness to the events written about. Some passages are specifically ascribed to Joshua, though we cannot be certain of the author for the entire book.

Date

The book of Joshua recounts a period of 24 years, ending around 1400B.C. The book was written a short time after the events occurred by an eyewitness to the events.

Audience and Purpose

The author was writing as a testimony of God’s work to future generations of His people. At the time, this would have been future generations of Jews, but it also includes those of us who are children of Abraham through faith.

The book covers the history of the nation of Israel from about 1451B.C. to 1427B.C. at the death of Joshua.

Major Themes

  • God Fights Our Battles. Even the name “Joshua” means, “God Saves.” As the Jews come into their promised land, they quickly learn that they cannot win any battle on their own. Yet, God, in His infinite power and wisdom, has a plan for every battle that will come to win the battle for Israel. Victory is always dependent on Him, rather than the people. The supernatural downfall of Jericho is the first example (see Joshua 6), yet many more follow.
  • Obedience to God’s Commands. Though God was continually ready to fight for Israel, there were many occurrences where He relented in the battle because of the people’s own disobedience. The plundering of Jericho and the subsequent defeat at Ai is the first example in Joshua (see chapter 7).
  • Judgement on Idolatry. One the the biggest, modern criticisms of the Bible is that “God commanded the slaughter of millions of innocent people.” However, the Bible makes clear that the timing of Joshua’s conquest was determined by the determination of when God would judge the sin of those people (see Genesis 15:16). These nations are recorded as practicing incest, child sacrifice, religious prostitution, and other abhorrent sins.
  • Inheritance. After all the promises made concerning the land, the people finally make their home there. Much of the book deals with the distribution of the land by tribe.

Key Scriptures

  • Joshua 1:8-9 — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
  • Joshua 21:44-45 — “And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.”
  • Joshua 24:14-15 — “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Outline

  • Joshua 1:1-5:15 — Crossing the Jordan
  • Joshua 6:1-12:24 — Conquest of the Land
  • Joshua 13:1-22:34 — Dividing the Inheritance
  • Joshua 23:1-24:33 — Renewed Commitment to Faithfulness

Gospel Summary

The book of Joshua is about God’s people and His promise. His people have been brought from bondage and are becoming a nation identified by God. The land that this nation is coming to inherit, has been promised by God for centuries. The challenges the people now face become the opportunity for God to prove Himself powerful over the false God’s of the nations. The book of Joshua is the climax of the books of Moses, and yet it is also the commencement of a new era for Israel. Joshua tells us of the turning point, where God finally gives the people their inheritance, and in the process, brings judgement on all the unbelieving nations who are cast out. (Note, it is likely a preincarnate appearance of Jesus as “the commander of the army of the Lord,” in 5:15.)

As it applies to the gospel, Tremper Longman writes in The Case for Spiritual Continuity, “The war against the Canaanites was simply an earlier phase of the battle that comes to its climax on the cross and its completion at the final judgment. The object of warfare moves from the Canaanites, who are the object of God’s wrath for their sin, to the spiritual powers and principalities, and then finally to the utter destruction of all evil, human and spiritual.”

Jesus will still be the judge of the unfaithful. He is giving them time and an opportunity to repent (as did Rahab), but the day will come when He removes them in the final judgement and giving the world as an inheritance to His people, the church.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for any purchases made using the links on this site. Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry!

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