Overview to the Old Testament

Genesis           The book of beginnings.  Covers 2000 years of history. Themes begun here   
                  often end in Revelation.                                                   

Exodus            The story of Moses.  The historical events surrounding the giving of the   
                  Law                                                                        

Leviticus         Details of the Law                                                         

Numbers           Numerical listings and further history                                     

Deuteronomy       Further details on the Law                                                 

Joshua            Entering the Promised Land                                                 

Judges            Apostacy and Revival.  From the death of Joshua to the start of the kings  

Ruth              A picture of hope during the dark time of the Judges                       

1 Samuel          The life of Samuel, Saul and David until the death of Saul                 

2 Samuel          The life of David                                                          

1 Kings           Solomon and the division of the kingdom.  Additional kings.                

2 Kings           More kings.  The destruction of Israel.  The destruction of Judah.         

1&2 Chronicles    A short overview of the Old Testament until the decree of King Cyrus       

Ezra              Revival.  The rebuilding of the temple.                                    

Nehemiah          The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.                                  

Esther            God's working on behalf of the Jewish people                               

Job               Why do bad things happen to good people?                                   

Psalms            The hymnbook of the Old Testament.                                         

Proverbs          The wisdom of the Old Testament                                            

Ecclesiastes      The meaninglessness of worldly attainment                                  

Song of Songs     Romantic love.  A picture of Christ and the Church.                        

Isaiah            The major book of Bible prophecy in the Old Testament                      

Jeremiah          Warnings about sin and judgment.  A promise of hope and restoration.       

Lamentations      A lament concerning the destruction of Jerusalem                           

Ezekiel           A book of prophecy which includes numerious references to the Millennial   
                  Kingdom                                                                    

Daniel            History and prophecy.  Often studied together with Revelation              

Hosea             Israel likened to Hosea's unfaithful wife                                  

Joel              Desolation and deliverance                                                 

Amos              A word of warning to Israel (the northern kingdom)                         

Obadiah           A prophecy against Edom (the descentants of Esau, Jacob's brother)         

Jonah             The best known of the "Minor Prophets"                                     

Micah             A word of prophecy to Judah (the southern kingdom)                         

Nahum             A prophecy against Nineveh                                                 

Habakkuk          2 questions and 2 answers                                                  

Zephaniah         Prophecies of judgment and coming Millennial blessing                      

Haggai            Setting priorities straight.                                               

Zechariah         A major prophetic book, but one that is little studied                     

Malachi           The last book of the Old Testament. Question and answer format. Begins     
                  the "400 Silent Years"