Interesting Facts About The Old Testament
Books of Law
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
The Books of Law were written by Moses and are referred to as the Book of Moses in
2 Chronicles 35:12. The law was given to Moses by God.
GENESIS (which means beginning) tells us of the beginning of God's chosen people. It gives an
account of the creation of heaven and earth. (Genesis 1)
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First Day - Light and Darkness (Day and Night)
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Second Day - Firmament (Heaven)
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Third Day - Earth, Seas, Vegetation
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Fourth Day - Sun, Moon, Stars
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Fifth Day - Fish, Fowl
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Sixth Day - Beasts, Cattle, Creeping Things and Man to rule over them
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Seventh Day - God Rested
In Genesis, we learn about the Garden of Eden, time before the flood, Noah and his family, the Tower of Babel and the scattering of the nations. Also, we learn about the lives of the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Patriarch means father, and during the patriarchal age, the people were governed by the heads of the family. Jacob had twelve sons whose names were given to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Gad Issachar Reuben Levi Simeon
Joseph Judah Zebulon Benjamin
Asher Naphtali Dan
Levi was the priestly tribe. David and JESUS descended from the tribe of Judah.
EXODUS - Exodus means "going out" which refers to the children of Israel going out of Egypt.
This book tells about the birth of Moses, his training in Pharaoh's house, and his exile in Midian. It tells of his return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (The Exodus). God delivered ten plagues upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh would let the Israelites go. The plagues were:
1. Blood 6. Boils
2. Frogs 7. Hail
3. Lice 8. Locusts
4. Flies 9. Darkness
5. Murrain of cattle 10. Death of Firstborn
Moses journeyed to Mount Sinai where God gave him the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20: 3-
17) We also learn about the building of the tabernacle. The Ten Commandments could be used
as the basis of our moral conduct today. They are all carried over into the New Testament except
for one - "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shalt not covet.
LEVITICUS - This book gets its name from Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. It was the
priestly tribe. It had the duties of carrying out the rites and ceremonies in the tabernacle,
including the offering of animal sacrifices.
NUMBERS - This book continues with the law. It gets its name from the two numberings of the
children of Israel. The experiences of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for 40
years are recorded in this book. It tells about their crossing the Jordan River into the Promised
Land.
DEUTERONOMY - After the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, they were
ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land because he failed to honor God when he brought forth water from the rock. It warned the people what
their fate would be if they departed from God's law. He also told them of the blessings if they
were faithful in keeping the law. Deuteronomy includes several of Moses' speeches.
Deuteronomy is the second giving of the law.
Books of History
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 and 2 Samuel
1 and 2 Kings
1 and 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
JOSHUA - This book was named for one of the two spies (Joshua and Caleb) who went into the
land of Canaan to spy out the land. He later took the place of Moses in leading the children of
Israel into the Promised Land. He led them across the Jordan River and conquered the
Canaanites. Joshua admonished the people to honor God.
JUDGES - The Israelites settled in the land of Canaan and they repeatedly disobeyed and
departed from God. As they repented and turned back to God, He gave them leaders who
delivered them. These leaders were called Judges and there were 15 of them.
Othniel Abimelech
Elon Ehud
Tola Abdon
Shamgar Jair
Samson Deborah
Jephthah Eli
Gideon Ibzan
Samuel
RUTH - The book of Ruth is a love story from the time of the Judges. This love story gives a
picture of the life and customs of the common people during a violent period of the Judges. Ruth
was a Moabite and married one of Naomi's sons. One of the most beautiful passages in the Bible records what Ruth said to Naomi after their husbands had died and Naomi was planning to return to Bethlehem.
"Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou
goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord
do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." (Ruth 1:16,17)
Ruth later married Boaz, and it was through this lineage that Christ was born.
1 and 2 SAMUEL - These books tell the story of God's people under the leadership of Eli and
Samuel. Samuel was the last judge. The people became dissatisfied and wanted a king like other nations. So, as God directed, Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. After Saul's death, David became the next king. David was a man "after God's own heart." These two books cover the life of David.
1 and 2 KINGS - These two books continue the history of the people of Israel, the crowning of
Solomon as king, and the carrying away of the people into captivity. They tell about the dividing
of the kingdom: the northern kingdom which was Israel and the southern kingdom which was
Judah. Israel and Judah were captured and taken from their land into foreign captivity. Later the
tribes of Benjamin and Judah were restored to their Promised Land.
1 and 2 CHRONICLES - These two books give basically the same account of the history found
in 1 and 2 Kings.
EZRA - This book tells about the Israelite people in Babylon as they return to Jerusalem, and the
rebuilding of the temple. The rebuilding of the temple was hampered by the spiritual condition of the people.
NEHEMIAH - Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. He gives more history of this
time period of restoration. He was a strong leader and under his leadership, important religious
and social reforms were accomplished.
ESTHER - This book tells about what was happening to the Jews (people of Judah) during their
exile. It is about a Jewish girl who later became queen of the Persian empire. The book of Esther
is read with much interest. It shows the providence of God.
Books of Poetry
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
JOB - This book tells of the great suffering of a righteous man. Job was a man who endured
much in the loss of his children and his possessions. He was smitten by Satan with sore boils
which caused him extreme pain and humiliation. Job, being the righteous man that he was,
endured the suffering. In the end, God greatly blessed him.
PSALMS - The book of Psalms is made up of poems and songs, which praise Jehovah and
commemorate events in the history of Israel. About 70 of the Psalms are credited to David. Many of our hymns today are taken from the Psalms. The book consists of 150 Psalms. Some of the
favorites are: Psalms 1, 19, 22, 23, 90, 100, and 103.
PSALM 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me
beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me, Thy rod
and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup
runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
PROVERBS - Proverbs (written by Solomon) is a collection of wise sayings with moral truth.
The message of Proverbs is that wisdom comes from God.
Solomon's Description of a Virtuous Woman
Proverbs 31: 10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by
night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are
clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of
idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the
gates.
ECCLESIASTES - Ecclesiastes means "preacher" or "speaker." This book was written by
Solomon probably in his later years. He mentions vanity several times. He says that material
things do not give permanent satisfaction. In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon says:
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." (Chapter 12:1)
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Chapter 12:13, 14)
SONG OF SOLOMON - It is also known as "Song of Songs" which means the "greatest of
songs." Solomon is given credit as the author. Solomon writes of the beauty and sacredness of
the love and devotion between a husband and wife. Some scholars believe it symbolizes the great love of God for His people, which is the church, the bride of Christ.
Books of Major Prophets
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
A prophet is a special messenger from God. There are five major prophet books but only four
prophets. These books are called "Major" only because they are longer in length. Every prophet
who wrote one or more of these books can be placed in the history of Israel, which is covered by
the twelve books of history.
ISAIAH - This book was written during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah,
kings of Judah. Isaiah predicted the captivity of Israel and Judah by Babylon. He prophesied the
return of the exiles and the coming of the Messiah. We find stirring descriptions of Christ and
His kingdom in chapters 9, 11, and 53. Isaiah is sometimes referred to as the "Messianic
Prophet."
JEREMIAH - Jeremiah was prominent at the time Jerusalem fell to the Chaldeans. During
Jeremiah's day, the people of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) were carried by Babylon into
captivity. He wrote about the judgment of God upon a sinful people and the greatness of His
love.
LAMENTATIONS - This book also was written by Jeremiah soon after Jerusalem fell. It
contains a series of laments over the destruction of Jerusalem.
EZEKIEL - This book contains the messages of God as prophesied by Ezekiel. He was taken
captive from Judah before the destruction of Jerusalem. He was devoted to God's word. He
prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, judgment upon the people, and the return of the exiles
and a great future for Israel.
DANIEL - The prophecy of Daniel is probably one of the most interesting books of the Bible.
Daniel foretold many events by interpreting the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar. He interpreted
the meaning of the strange handwriting on the wall of Belshazzar. He refers to the Messianic rule of the kingdom of Christ in chapter 9.
Books of the Minor Prophets
Hosea Jonah
Zephaniah Joel
Micah Haggai
Amos Nahum
Zechariah Obadiah
Habakkuk Malachi
HOSEA - The prophet Hosea addressed his message primarily to Israel. He talks about his own
troubles. The book contains denunciations of the people for their idolatry and other sins.
JOEL - In Acts 2:16-21, the apostle Peter quotes the prophet Joel. Among other things, Joel
prophesied that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Peter stated on the day
of Pentecost that the pouring out of the Spirit fulfills Joel's statement in Joel 2:28-32.
AMOS - Amos prophesied that God loves mercy and not formal sacrifices. His prophecies were
directed to the Northern Kingdom (Israel).
OBADIAH - He was God's messenger who prophesied the doom of the Edomites (descendants
of Esau), who were happy over Judah's downfall. He also prophesied that the Jews would rule
over all the lands formerly under David's control.
JONAH - Jonah was reluctant to obey God when he was told to go preach to the wicked city of
Nineveh. Because of this, God punished him by causing a great fish to swallow him. He was in
the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights. Jesus refers to this incident in
Matthew 12:38-41.
MICAH - Micah lived during the time of Isaiah. He also preached against the sins and against
the oppression of the poor by the rich. He prophesied about the destruction of Judah and Israel.
NAHUM - Very little is known about Nahum. He prophesied about the destruction of Nineveh.
HABAKKUK - Habakkuk prophesied during the reign of Jehoiakim. He tells about the
wickedness of Israel and their impending defeat by the Chaldeans. This book ends as he affirms
his faith in God.
ZEPHANIAH - He lived at the same time as Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and Nahum. He preached
against the sins of the people. He prophesied judgment upon Judah as well as blessings for the
restoration of Jerusalem.
HAGGAI - God used Haggai to encourage the people to set new goals, trust in Him, and receive
His blessing.
ZECHARIAH - He prophesied about the restoration of the temple and the kingdom of Christ.
MALACHI - He lived after the temple had been restored. The people were slipping back into
sin and he rebuked them. He prophesied about the coming of the Messiah.
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