Genesis

The book of Genesis is an amazing narrative testimony to God’s creativity, provision, and love,
which are among the most obvious key themes in the book. It begins with the account of the
miraculous creation of the universe, quickly (and unfortunately) proceeding into the introduction
of sin and death into the world and the need for a Savior. God shows his provision for Adam and
Eve (and all humans until Christ’s death) by giving them a way of atonement through blood
sacrifice. However, not very much later in history, man becomes so evil that God decides to wipe
out all of humanity, save Noah and his family. Again, God shows love and provision by
choosing not to destroy his creation entirely but spare a select few and begin again with them.
Even though man should have learned the lesson the first time, man still chooses to disobey God,
this time trying to unify humanity and “reach heaven” at the tower of Babel. God confuses the
language of the people and they are forced to obey his command to spread into the world. Later
in the book, God’s provisional nature is shown through Abraham and his descendants: Abraham
is provided with an heir, Isaac with a wife and two sons, one of whom becomes “Israel,” and
lastly, with Joseph’s placement in Egypt and the preservation of his family due to God placing
him there.

Exodus

Like Genesis, Exodus also is a narrative book. It describes in detail the…exodus of the Israelites.
Egypt had forced Israelites into slavery after the family produced by Jacob became large enough
to be a threat. Key to this book is God as a Savior of His people. During the time of Egyptian
oppression, Moses was born and delivered by God into the family of the current Pharaoh, whose
daughter found and raised him as her son (Moses means son). However, Moses killed an
Egyptian to defend a fellow Hebrew and fled for his life into Midian. There, he married
Zipporah, but God did not allow him to stay dormant for long. God appeared to Moses and
instructed him to be the one to free His people from Egypt. After some argumentation by Moses,
he and his brother Aaron went back to Egypt, demanding that the Pharaoh must let Israel go.
However, Pharaoh refused, and the Lord sent plagues onto the nation and people of Israel,
ending with a terrible plague of death for the firstborn of all who did not have the blood of a
lamb on their doorposts. His will finally broken, Pharaoh relented and let the Israelites go.
However, he changed his mind and decided to pursue the Israelites, who were camped near the
Red Sea. Even though the Israelites were trapped and expected death, God saved them by parting
the water, allowing the Israelites to cross, then destroying the Egyptians by the same water. The
next part of Exodus follows the Israelites journey to Mt. Sinai, and how God provides them with
sustenance for living. When they arrive at Sinai, God provides them with the Ten
Commandments, laws creating a covenant between God and man.
Leviticus

Leviticus is the first book of the law genre in the Bible. Here God gives Moses instructions on
how to sacrifice animals and grain, as well as for burnt offerings. God also instructs Israel what
to eat – camels, rabbits, and pigs were on the “no” list. Fish were allowed, as well as some birds,
though most birds were off limits. Homosexuality is clearly mentioned as being against the law,
and Holy Feasts were observed. The Year of Jubilee, held every fiftieth year, forgives all debts
and returns land back to its original owner and heir. Throughout the book, God consistently
promises to remember the covenants he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is often
referred to as the God of the aforementioned patriarchs. Leviticus as a whole is an outline of the
things God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The theme in this book is the covenant set up
between God and man.

Numbers

Numbers brings the reader back to the narrative genre. It begins with a census of the Hebrew,
non-Levite men over twenty – numbering 603,550. Following the story, we read of the journey
from Sinai to Moab. After much complaining during the journey, spies were sent out to
investigate the land, but brought back a report of strong, evil giants who inhabited the land.
However, Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, reported land flowing with milk and honey. The
Israelites are punished for their lack of faith by wandering the wilderness for 40 years. During
this time, the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses, and had no water. Moses was
commanded to speak to a rock, but disobeyed and instead struck the rock with his rod. This
disobedience caused God to disallow Moses to enter the Promised Land. A new census is taken
and the number hits 601,730. The Israelites camp out in the plains of Moab to prepare to finally
enter the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy returns to the law genre. The book is largely comprised of Moses’ five sermons to
the Israelites concerning the past forty years and the upcoming entry into the Promised Land.
The key theme of this book is the law by which the Israelites should live in their new home, and
how the Israelites should not forget their God when they enter Canaan. The Ten Commandments
are repeated, and further instructions are given on the job and placement of the Levites, as well
as what to eat and not eat. Rules are given for the Cities of Refuge as well as punishments for
certain types of disobedience to the law. Specifically mentioned is cross dressing and false
witnessing (eye for an eye). At the end of the book, Moses is instructed to go to Mount Nebo to
view the Promised Land. Moses dies and the Lord buries him in a valley in Moab.
Joshua

Joshua is a narrative book. The theme of the book is the reward for obedience to God, as well as
the recording of the conquest of the Promised Land. In Joshua, we see that Joshua has become
Moses’ successor, and demonstrates his faith through the leadership of the nation as well as his
obedience to God. Joshua begins with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. Next, the
Israelites conquer the center of the Promised Land: Jericho. Here God displays his power by
destroying the mighty fortress and his mercy in sparing Rahab. Then the Israelites attempt to
conquer Ai, but fail due to sin in the camp – Achan’s disobedience to God’s command that
nothing be taken from Jericho. The Israelites make a second attack on Ai, this time conquering
the city. Lastly, the Promised Land is divided up among the tribes of Israel. The Levi’s are
rewarded several large cities for their duties. At the end of the book, Joshua challenges the
people in verse 15 of chapter 24: “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… as for me
and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Judges

Judges is a narrative history, one with a very sad story. The theme of Judges is God’s
faithfulness and the need to remain loyal to him. The book begins by describing how the
Israelites have failed to do just that: keep their end of the covenant. They also failed to conquer
all of the Promised Land, which escalates into a huge problem. After showing how the Israelites
have failed, Judges describes several judges that God brings to rescue Israel, who falls into a
cycle of sin, rescue, worship, and back to sin. The most famous judges are Samson, Deborah, and
Gideon. In the last section of Judges, Dan and Benjamin, two tribes of Israel, have turned far
away from God. Dan has fallen to idol worship due to a man named Micah, and all but 600 of the
tribe of Benjamin are killed in a civil war. Judges ends on the sad note of chapter 21 verse 25,
“everyone did as he saw fit.”

Ruth

Ruth is a great narrative testimony of a woman’s faithfulness to the covenant of God and Israel.
While it is practically a love story about Ruth and Boaz, it also contains important genealogies
and insight into God’s relationship with those who are loyal to Him, which is the main theme of
the book. Ruth begins with another woman, Naomi, whose husband recently perished. Ruth is
Naomi’s daughter-in-law, and remains loyal to Naomi, traveling with her to Bethlehem and even
adopting Naomi’s God as her own. Ruth immediately begins working to provide for Naomi,
gleaning in the fields of Naomi’s relative, Boaz. Boaz obeys the laws of gleaning, and even
purposely leaves extra grain out for Ruth. Naomi encourages Ruth to seek Boaz as a husband.
Boaz agrees, but still remains loyal to the law by checking for rights to Ruth. At the close of the
book, Ruth gives birth to Obed, the grandfather to King David.
1st Samuel

The books of Samuel are narrative, written by the last Judge of Israel – Samuel. The 1st book
begins with the dedication and birth of Samuel to Hannah, a Nazarene. Samuel is brought to the
temple to serve God. Israel loses the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines in a battle, but it is
returned after the Philistines are struck by plagues. Samuel anoints Saul to be the chosen king of
Israel. Things almost immediately go downhill. Saul makes bad decisions and disobeys God
multiple times; Samuel relays to Saul that God has rejected Saul as king. God then selects the
next king – David – “a man after God’s own heart.” (1 Sam. 13:14). Samuel anoints David, who,
as a young boy, slays the Philistine giant Goliath, declaring God as his protector. Saul, fearing
for the throne, pursues David, who has the chance to kill Saul twice, but shows respect for the
king. In the end of the book, Saul commits suicide after a lost battle.

2nd Samuel

The second book of Samuel is also narrative and again, written by Samuel. This sequel to 1st
Samuel tells the story King David’s crowning and reign. The key theme is how effective
leadership can be attained by submission to God. In this book, David is crowned king, but the
northern part of Israel rejects God by choosing Saul’s son to reign. However, David is asked to
be king of the north after Ish-Boseth is killed. Jerusalem is established by David as the capital of
Israel and the Ark of the Covenant is brought there. This concludes the “good” half of the book;
the second half reveals David’s shortcomings. David adulterates a baby and has the husband of
the woman, Bathsheba, killed. David repents soon after being confronted by Nathan. Bathsheba
bears two more sons: Solomon – future king of Israel, and Absolom – rebellious revolutionist
who is put to death for treachery. During Absolom’s most prominent time, he gets Israel to
approve a revolution, forcing David to hide. Eventually, David is able to rally troops together
and takes back his place on the throne.

1st Kings

1st Kings is narrative and prophecy. It details the very different stories of people (especially
kings) who obey and disobey God. Kings describes the reign of some of the kings of Israel as
well as the split of Israel into the Northern and Southern divisions. After David dies, Solomon
becomes the king of Israel. God grants Solomon his request for wisdom; Solomon becomes
known for his wise counsel. Solomon begins building the temple David prepared to be built. The
Ark is brought to the temple seven years later, where the Lord’s glory descends on it and
Solomon offers prayer and sacrifice. Solomon reigns wisely for a time, but eventually falls to
worship of the gods of his wives and to his lust for women. Solomon dies and the nation splits
into North and South. Reheboam, their new king, enforces high taxes that incite a rebellion that
puts Jeraboam as king. All but Judah and Benjamin form the Northern Kingdom. The prophet
Elijah is sent to warn Ahab against idol worship.
2nd Kings

The second book of Kings is also narrative and prophecy. It describes the affairs of the divided
kingdoms of Israel. It was written to show what happens when people obey God, and what
happens when people do not allow him to rule. 2nd Kings contains the prophecies of many
prophets sent by God to bring hope to Israel, who is very distant from God, lost in sin. The first
part of the book details the decisions of the rulers who lead Israel to exile. Elijah’s ministry is
ending, so he takes on Elisha as an apprentice, who witnesses Elijah’s fiery bringing up to
heaven. Elijah asks for and receives a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha performs double
the miracles that Elijah did. This section also shows the disobedience and ignorance of God by
many kings and dynasties. Assyria takes Northern Israel captive during the evil king Hoshea’s
reign, who rejected the prophet Hosea. The more evil Northern kingdom is never recorded to
have returned from this exile. The Southern kingdom did not fare much better, evident by the
warning given to them in the last part of the book.

1st Chronicles

The word “Chronicle” means historical record, which is the main component of Chronicles. The
first book is narrative and genealogical. It was written after the exile to encourage those who
were out of Babylonian captivity. The book begins with the genealogies and ancestry of the past
nations, beginning with Adam and going all the way through King David and the Priests. These
genealogies give evidence for the date of the earth. The next section of the book reviews Saul’s
death in battle, the Philistines, David’s reign, and the temple that Solomon was to build. The
book concludes with Solomon’s reign over Israel.

2nd Chronicles

Second Chronicles is primarily narrative. The prophet Ezra is supposed to have written the book.
It is another book of contrast of kings – showing the blessings of righteousness and the harm of
sin. The book reveals the events of the reign of Solomon up to the captivity of Israel by Babylon.
It is written with spiritual perspective and parallels parts of 1st and 2nd Kings. Like 1st Chronicles,
it is written after the exile. The book begins with the reign of Solomon and details the building of
the temple, as well as instances in which Solomon showed wisdom. It describes the visit of the
Queen of Sheba, and the story of King Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab. The next half of the
book describes how Israel split into the North and the South. Jeraboam was made king of the
North; David of the south. The last few chapters tell of the 20 kings and of the Northern
kingdom’s Babylonian captivity. However, the last verses of the book reveal God’s plan for
Israel – the king of Persia releases the Israelites to “fulfill the will of God.” 36:22.
Ezra

Ezra is a narrative book. It records the events of the return from Babylonian exile and the
rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. God’s faithfulness in returning the Jews from exile is
another theme of Ezra. The book was written by the prophet Ezra. The book begins with the
return of 42, 360 Jews from exile due to a decree by Cyrus of Persia. A small number of Jews
immediately go to Jerusalem to begin planning, gathering materials, and building the temple.
Many of Israel’s enemies oppressed and frightened the Israelites while building the temple,
causing the temple construction to be delayed. After twenty years, the temple is completed. The
next part of the book describes how the rest of the Jews return from exile, Ezra included. Ezra’s
job is to purify the Jewish community. Ezra teaches what is right, but the priests marry heathen
wives, who bring along pagan religions.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah, a narrative book, was originally combined with Ezra, but was split into a separate
book in the Protestant translations. Nehemiah was the Jewish cupbearer for Artaxerxes, who sent
Nehemiah to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple wall. Previously, Jerusalem had no protection
against attack, so Nehemiah requested and was granted permission to build the wall. Nehemiah
rallied workers to help build the wall, and after a few weeks, the walls of Jerusalem were
completed. In the first part of the book, Nehemiah describes his return to Israel and his method
of constructing the wall: each family built the section in front of their home. Within 52 days, the
wall was built. The next part of the book tells of the renewal of Israel as a unified nation. Ezra
conducts a renewal ceremony, which includes the teaching of the Law, specifically on
intermarriage, honoring the Sabbath, debts, working the land, priesthood, and tithing. This
section reveals the theme of the book: obedience to God’s laws is key to survival as a nation and
as an individual.

Esther

The story of Hadassah, the book of Esther, is a narrative. The book shows the love and
sovereignty of God, as well as the benefits of trusting in Him. It is set in the captured land of
Babylon after most Jews have left to return to Israel. Persia is the new kingdom, ruled by King
Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus miraculously chooses Esther to be queen, not knowing her Jewish
heritage. Mordecai, Esther’s uncle and the gatekeeper for King Ahasuerus, overhears a plan to
assassinate the king, and reports it, prompting the king to publicly honor Mordecai. Mordecai
also refuses to bow down to Haman, Ahasuerus’ highest official. Haman’s pride is pricked, and
he devises a plan to kill all the Jews remaining in Persia. Mordecai overhears the plan and relays
it to Esther. Esther is miraculously able to relay it to the king and pleas for the protection of her
people from Haman’s evil plot. Infuriated, Ahasuerus hangs Haman on the very gallows that
Haman built for the Jews. Modecai is granted the ring of signet and the rights for protection of
the Jews. Mordecai was also given Haman’s old position as prime minister.
Job

Job is a narrative book, one of the more popularly known Old Testament stories. Job is the story
of a man whose faith is attacked by Satan in a test to prove one man’s faithfulness to God. Job is
a great example of faith; he lost everything but remained loyal to God. The book of Job shows
God’s faithfulness amidst suffering. In the first part of the book, God gives Satan permission to
attack Job in any way other than Job’s own life. Job loses everything – his children, his land, his
animals, even his health. His wife tells him to curse God and kill himself. However, Job remains
faithful to God. In the next section of the book, Job’s friends give round after round of bad
advice, blaming his suffering on his sin. God’s true purpose is to humble Job and test his faith.
The last part of the book details God’s response to Job. God speaks to and restores Job,
clarifying the limits of human knowledge and the unlimited nature of God. God humbles Job
through a series of rhetorical questions that only God could answer. The end of the book makes it
clear that God always knows the situation and circumstance even when humans don’t; Job
receives double his possessions before his trials.

Psalms

Psalms is possibly the most popular book in the Old Testament apart from Genesis and Proverbs.
It is of the Psalms genre, specifically Song and Poetry. The book contains praises, laments,
thanksgiving, and blessings directed at God and serve as a model for man to express ourselves to
and communicate with God. Psalms is located in the middle of the Bible, and expresses psalmists
praise, worship, repentance, and need of God. It also expresses many attributes of God – his
power, trust, thankfulness, and forgiveness. Psalms was written by King David, Asaph, Solomon,
the sons of Korah, Ethan, and Moses; some are anonymous. The 23rd Psalm is well known, and
serves as a clear example on a good relationship with God – the satisfaction, protection,
sustenance, and comfort He provides His people.

Proverbs

Proverbs is of the Proverb genre, although it contains some Parable and Poetry. It teaches
wisdom through short and clever expressions and phrases that clarify matters on life, perception,
and good judgment and principals. There are several types of syntax in Proverbs, but one of the
most common is antithetic parallelism, in which the author makes a statement and follows it with
the exact opposite of that statement, such as Proverbs 19:4 – “ Wealth brings many friends, but a
poor man's friend deserts him.” Proverbs also draws a clear contrast between the decisions of a
wise man and a foolish man through parables and proverbs. The first section of the book is
directed towards young people, detailing how to live and the benefits of obeying the instruction
of parents. A major theme and warning here is against lust and deceitful women. The next
section is general wisdom applying to many different topics, again pitting the wise against the
foolish. The last part applies to those in leadership positions, containing instruction and warning
for daily life.
Ecclesiastes

The book of Ecclesiastes is part Proverb and part Narrative autobiography. It was written by
Solomon to describe the mistakes he made in his lifetime. It is pessimistic in nature, but serves as
a “what not to do” for future generations, warning against the pursuit of material, empty things
and condoning the pursuit of Godly wisdom and truth. Ecclesiastes makes a good follow up to
Proverbs, giving real life situation on wisdom and foolishness. The book begins with Solomon’s
life – his thoughts and actions, and how vain he had been; nothing he had thought had any
eternal value. The general theme is that a life not lived for God is “vanity and striving after the
wind,” 1:14. Solomon conveys that even he, the wisest person to ever exist (apart from Christ)
never found happiness in anything on Earth. Solomon then launches into some common ways of
seeking material things and how vain they are. He then contrasts these vain things with ways to
live life with meaning. The book ends with a summary, “Fear God and keep his commands, this
applies to every person,” 12:13.

Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon is a large love poem comprised up several smaller kinds of poetry written by
Solomon between him and his bride, a Shulammite girl. The Song of Songs was written to
express the blessing and sanctity of marriage in God’s eyes. It could be seen as an image of
God’s love for us, but is more obviously a description of the blessings and working of marital
relationships. The book chronologically follows the relationship of Solomon and his lover,
beginning with their courtship and engagement. It goes on to describe the ceremony of marriage
of the bride and groom. The last section describes the relationship the two share within marriage
and the incredible love they have for each other. The entire book has implicit and explicit sexual
references, but they are sanctified because they are within a martial relationship.

Isaiah

Isaiah is Narrative and Prophecy, the first book of the Major Prophets. The book contains
prophecies that explicitly refer to and describe the coming Messiah. Isaiah was written to bring
Israel back to God and to prepare them for Christ’s coming. The Major Prophets are instructed
by God to condemn Israel for their sin, but to give them a hope for the coming Savior. The book
begins with the sin of the North and South Kingdoms, condemning and declaring punishment on
the Israelites, but still gives them hope through the promise of a virgin birth. The next section
returns to the events of the return from Babylonian exile, the restoration of the Jewish people and
temple, and again mentions the Messiah. The last section of the book promises reward for those
who remain faithful to God. Isaiah describes the New Heaven and the New Earth, and gives
hope to those who are afflicted and damns those who are evil.
Jeremiah

Jeremiah is of the same genre as Isaiah: Narrative and Prophecy. It was written to warn Judah of
the danger that they were about to undergo by rejecting God, and to encourage Judah to return to
God. Jeremiah writes to convince Israel of the seriousness of their sin, treachery against God.
The book also gives several prophecies of the Messiah and a new covenant. The book begins
with a verbal attack by Jeremiah against the Israelites’ sin and lack of faith. The book goes on to
describe the destruction in store if Judah continues in its ways. Jeremiah reveals God’s righteous
and holy anger against Israel. Idol worship was a major offense to God, one that Israel had fallen
heavily to. Jeremiah then writes of the coming Savior and the covenant he will establish. King
Zedekiah has Jeremiah thrown into a cistern, even though Jeremiah warns him that he and the
nation will fall to Babylon. This very thing happens – the book then describes how Jerusalem
falls to Babylon and Judah is taken captive. Sadly, King Zedekiah is forced to witness his son’s
murder, and is then blinded and taken into captivity. The book does not end on this sad note,
however; God promises to deliver his people and destroy their enemies.

Lamentations

To lament means to express great sorrow. This is exactly what the book of Lamentations is. It is
book of Psalms expressing great sadness over the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of
the Jewish people. It was written by Jeremiah, an eyewitness of the destruction of Israel’s
capitol. The book’s theme is despair over the events that occurred as well as the consequences of
disobedience to God. Jeremiah expresses great compassion and empathy for the alienated people
of Israel, who have been taken captive by Babylon. The book begins with lamentation over the
city of Jerusalem, followed by Jeremiah’s sorrow and troubled spirit. However, the prophet
writes of God’s faithfulness and his promised restoration. In the final part of the book, Jeremiah
describes the siege of Jerusalem. The people of the city suffered great starvation, some even
eating their own children. The book ends by showing God’s sovereignty and wrath against sin.

Ezekiel

The book of Ezekiel is Prophetical and Apocalyptic. The book was written to allow Judah one
last chance to repent before the judgment came. It also prophesied God’s deliverance of his
people from Babylonian captivity. The book partly describes the events that occur during that
captivity. In the beginning of the book, the prophet Ezekiel is called by God and receives visions
that prompt him to confront the nation’s sinfulness. He then delivers the message of destruction
on the people but also gives hope through God’s promise to punish men based on their own
deeds. Ezekiel compares the nation to a prostitute who has whored herself out to many nations
and customs and cultures. Ezekiel also prophesies the destruction of nations who have mocked
God because of the captivity of his people. These nations are Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia,
Tyra, Sidon, and Egypt. Towards the end of the book, God is shown as a Shepherd, seeking after
his lost people to bring them home. In one specific vision, Ezekiel is taken to a valley of bones,
where he speaks the Word of the Lord and the bones are brought up, covered in skin, and
become alive. This vision represented the hope given to the captive nation that they would be
brought up from their seemingly hopeless situation and returned to their land to live and thrive.

Daniel

The book of Daniel is Prophetic and Narrative. It describes the time of captivity in Babylon as
well as apocalyptic events in the future. The theme of the book is God’s faithfulness to His
people even during their time of captivity. Daniel begins the book by writing of his personal time
during the captivity. Several famous stories occur here, including the refusal to eat the king’s
food, praying although it was illegal, and refusing to bow to the king’s idol. The results of
remaining faithful to God were evident: David and his friends were healthy and wise even
though they refuse the food of the king, Daniel was spared being eaten by lions, and his friends
were spared death in a furnace when they refuse to bow to the idol. Daniel interpreted two
dreams, for which he was promoted to chief of all the wise men in Babylon, yet he always gave
God the glory. The last part of the book describes the visions God gives to Daniel and his
ministry as a prophet. Daniel describes the outcome of several different kingdoms, and
prophesies events of the Messiah and the coming apocalypse.

Hosea

Hosea begins the Minor Prophets with a Narrative and Prophetic book. The book contrasts
Israel’s spiritual adultery with God’s enduring faithfulness. In the beginning of the book, Hosea
is instructed by God to marry Gomer, a harlot. He has children, but Gomer is unfaithful and
leaves Hosea for another. Hosea remains faithful, finding and redeeming his wife back to him.
This draws a clear personification of Israel, the harlot. God’s bride, Israel, is unfaithful, leaving
God for other nation’s customs, cultures, and religions, especially idol worship. Hosea then
declares to Israel that God longs for Israel to repent and return to himself. Even though Israel has
been warned many times, they remain unfaithful, rejecting God and continuing in their
disobedience. The wicked Northern kingdom oppresses the poor into slavery and continues their
idol worship. Soon after, they are permanently taken captive.

Joel

The book of Joel is Narrative and Prophetic. It was written to the Southern Kingdom to warn
them against their sin and to call them to repentance lest they face judgment. Joel compares
God’s judgment to a plague of locust that inflicts terrible damage to the land, small in
comparison to what God’s wrath will be on the Kingdom. The second part of the book is God
directly speaking to Israel through Joel, calling His people to return and repent or face judgment.
Joel contrasts the coming judgment to blessings that God would give if Israel repents.
Amos

The book of Amos is Prophetic and Narrative. It was written by Amos near the fall of the
Northern Kingdom to Assyria to declare the judgment of God upon the Northern Kingdom. Like
the other prophetical books, it also called the kingdom to repentance for their sin and idolatry.
Amos’ ministry begins with a vision of God roaring like a lion from his temple, saying that he
would scatter the Israelites throughout the world. The book begins in the time period wherein the
Northern Kingdom is facing imminent destruction. The “religion” of the people was only
surface, and God was concerned with the condition of the hearts of the people, which lied
elsewhere. Amos also prophesies the destruction of Damascus, Gaza, Edom, and Tyra. Amos
writes of the coming destruction of Israel and gives specific examples of the judgment they face.
However, the last part of the book explains that hope that Israel will have in the restoration of
their nation after captivity.

Obadiah

The book of Obadiah is purely Prophetical, describing the end of the nation of Edom. The book
serves to show how God judges those who oppose his children. Obadiah is the shortest book in
the Old Testament. In it, Obadiah announces God’s powerful judgment on Edom, the
descendants of Jacob’s brother, Esau. Obadiah starts the book of by declaring how wicked and
prideful Edom was. He goes on to explain the specific transgressions and offenses that Edom has
done. Obadiah compares the nation to the original brother-brother relationship – Jacob and Esau
– and how Edom should act like a brother to Israel. Instead, they had been in conflict with Israel
and rejected God since their existence. The book ends with Obadiah’s description of the fall of
Edom at the hands of Israel. By the time of Christ, Edom was completely destroyed. The book
also tells of the destruction of other nations.

Jonah

Jonah is Prophetic and Narrative. It is a widely known story in today’s world. It was written
before Assyria’s capture of the Northern Kingdom. The book’s theme is God’s mercy and
forgiveness despite constant rejection by His people. God had every right to destroy the wicked
nation of Nineveh, yet he graciously sent a messenger, Jonah, to encourage repentance. The book
begins with God’s instruction that Jonah go to Nineveh, a dangerous nation, to speak of God’s
call to repent. Jonah disobeys and boards a ship headed for Tarshish. While at sea, a great storm
appears and threatens to destroy the ship. Jonah tells the crew that the storm is a judgment from
God for his disobedience, and the sailors throw him overboard, where he is swallowed by a great
fish. After three days in the fish’s belly, Jonah is coughed up onto the shore. Jonah then obeys
God and travels to Nineveh. Jonah preaches to the city, and to his surprise, the nation repents.
The book ends with God teaching Jonah a lesson about love and compassion.
Micah

Micah is a Prophetic book, written by Micah to declare God’s judgment on the kingdoms of
Israel. It was written close in time to Isaiah, and parallels its message. Micah describes the
judgment and exile that Israel was facing due to their sin. In the first section of the book, Micah
accurately describes the destruction of wicked nations. He then vividly prophesies the birthplace
of the Messiah, Bethlehem. The next part of the book describes the desire for men of God, “to
act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with…God,” 6:8. Micah declares salvation and
hope to God’s people, that he “delights in unchanging love,” 7:18.

Nahum