Premium Essay

Old Testament Summaries

In:

Submitted By cglafrance
Words 1082
Pages 5
Summary of the books of the Old Testament Books)

Leviticus

The genre of this book is law as defined in the Hebrew language for “teaching”. The purpose of this book was like a “handbook” for the priests and Levites that gave direction of their duties and describes how that family line should lead the Israelites in worship. The book provides ceremonial laws as opposed to the moral laws of Exodus, describing five key offerings made to God for their sins to be forgiven, dietary restrictions for consuming fat and blood, and purification rites to remove uncleanliness prior to worshiping God. There were also rules for healthy living which are just as important today and specific standards for people to live a holy life. “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (19:2). God also established several holy days and feasts each year for celebration, fellowship and worship which include the Sabbath, Passover, and Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The family of Aaron, Moses’ brother, is ordained as Israel’s formal priesthood. Leviticus lists several blessings for obedience and many more punishments for disobedience.

Joshua

The book of Joshua is narrative account of events following Moses’ leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. With Moses and an entire generation of disobedient Israelites dead, God tells Joshua to lead the people into Canaan, their promised land. In Jericho, the first major obstacle, the prostitute Rahab helps Israelite spies and earns protection from the destruction of the city: God knocks its walls flat as Joshua’s army marches outside, blowing trumpets and shouting. Joshua leads a successful military campaign to clear idol-worshipping people (Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) from the land. At one point, God answers Joshua’s prayer to make the sun stand still, allowing more time to complete a

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Old Testament Summary

...Barbara Barton 25406682 BIBL 104-B34 210240 LUO September 20, 2012 Summary of Old Testament Books LEVITICUS The book of Leviticus is a genre of the law. Moses is the author of this book and it is often referred to as the holiness code. “Do this because I the Lord your God am holy” is often mentioned in the book. Three different sacrificial offerings are presented to the Israelites as well. They consist of Consecratory, Expiatory and Communal. Consecratory being offerings of dedication of people or things to God. Expiatory were acknowledgements of sin and Communal were communities expressing thankfulness to God. God also wanted to establish the fact that the laws were not merely arbitrary but was indeed intended to help them understand the holiness nature of God. No longer would the Israelites be known as a group of former slaves they had become an established nation. This is also where we see the priesthood being established and thus creating a mediator between the people and their God. They now had rules and laws of which to live their lives on a daily basis. Joshua The book of Joshua is written in the style of a narrative. In this book we learn how Joshua led the people into the land of Canaan. We see two very well-known battles such as the battle of Jericho and the battle of Ai. The first battle of Jericho the city seemed impossible for man to conquer but with God we would soon learn that it was indeed possible. The next battle in the city of Ai was not as successful...

Words: 831 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Old Testament Bible Summaries

...Angela Clark 25056145 BIBL 104 April 23, 2012 Summary of the books of the Old Testament Books Judges The book of Judges is a historical narrative. This book is about God’s faithfulness with Israel’s apostasy. Judges was written to show us the consequences of disobedience to God and the necessity of summoning a righteous king who would lead the people to God. Judges reveal that the people of Israel started their disobedience against God even in the time of Joshua. Israel’s disobedience had grown more serious and more debased over time. God had provided deliverers or judges time and time again so because His people kept falling away from Him. God had delivered Israel from oppression because of His promise to Abraham and his descendants. In the book of Judges it tells us that Israel establishes the cyclical pattern of sin, slavery, and salvation that would dominate the time of the judges. Judges also tells us that with each new outbreak of disobedience and idolatry it took Israel further away from God and deeper into sin and misery. At the end of Judges it tells us that Israel had violated its covenant with God in almost every imaginable way. Leviticus The book of Leviticus is a law genre. The purpose of Leviticus was to the Israelites how they could live in ritual and moral purity. When the Israelites maintained their purity, God could live among them and they could approach Him in worship. Every detailed regulation that is recorded in the book of Leviticus is a revelation...

Words: 901 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Summary of the Books of the Old Testament

...Lacey Coronado L24607849 BIBL 104-D30 April 20, 2012 Summary of the books of the Old Testament Books) Joshua The genre of Joshua is narrative. The two major themes in Joshua are the possession of the land and the covenant. Key Events: The major events of the book of Joshua are essentially separated into three different parts, including: the conquest of the land, the division of the land, and the farewells. During the “conquest of the land,” God orders Joshua to take possession of the land and warns him to keep faith with the Covenant. After crossing the Jordan by God’s divine intervention, the Israelites begin conquering the land by first taking Jericho, and then Ai. After some mishap with the Gibeonites in the south, the Israelites overtake Hazor in the north with “Yahweh’s” help. The second division of the book of Joshua was “the division of the land.” The division of the land essentially put people in literal possession of the land. The land divisions consisted of land east and west of the Jordan River, and also cities of refuge and the cities of the Levites. Lastly, in Joshua’s “farewells,” Joshua tells the Israelite leaders that they need to remain faithful to the covenant and to Yahweh. He also tells reminds the whole land of Israel of God’s great works. Joshua then performs the last covenant ceremony and sends the people to their land. The book of Joshua emphasized how important it is to be faithful to the covenant. Key characters: God, Joshua,...

Words: 979 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Bible Book Summaries: Old Testament

...BIBL 104-D69 LUO 12/7/2013 Summary of the books of the Old Testament Books) Exodus The genre for the book of Exodus is law. Some of the key concepts include God revealing his identity and even some of his expectations. God appoints Moses as a chosen leader. He demonstrates thru Moses and Aaron the power of faith. He also preformed miracles like delivering Moses from leprosy, the destruction of Pharaoh and his army and the splitting of the Red Sea. After settling in Egypt a new king was appointed, killing an entire generation of male children. Moses was spared and brought the Israelites out of Egypt which, the Pharaoh made a very difficult task. As result of his stubbornness he made his consequences worse. But, eventually the Israelites were freed on the Passover. The Ten Commandments were written and tabernacles where built filled with the spirit of God. These tabernacles guarded and guided the Israelites and Moses through their many journeys. Job The genre of this book is wisdom. God described Jobs character to be a strictly honorable and honest man who feared him. Satan negotiated with God, which caused Job to suffer greatly. He lost not most but all of his possessions, including his children and painful sores which covered his body. Despite all of the devastation that was happening in his life, he still chose to believe and serve God even when his wife had given up on him (God). He questioned his purpose in life, wanted answers from God, and wanted a chance to plead...

Words: 638 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

New & Old Testament Book Summary

...New Testament: Matthew The genre of this book is a Gospel. Some key themes and events include Matthew Tracing Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, the conception of Jesus, John baptizing Jesus, Jesus in the wilderness for forty days, the Sermon on the Mount, Peter’s name change (Simon), the many miracles performed, the Eucharist, the crucifix and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew‘s purpose was to present Jesus as the Messiah by showing the OT prophecies he fulfilled. King Herod displayed his fear of the new “King of the Jews” by ordering the death of all the youth in Bethlehem. Matthew gives recognition to the first followers and the directives given to them by the many parables he used, his early ministry messages on humility, obedience, love, prayer methods and trust in God. He reveals some oppositions Jesus faced and how he dealt with them. Matthew denotes in the final chapter the Resurrection and the Great Commissions of Jesus. Mark The genre of this book is a Gospel. Some key themes and events include “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). John the Baptist predicts the coming of Jesus – a man more powerful than him, he baptized Jesus. God Acknowledges Jesus as his Son. Jesus goes into the wilderness for forty days where Satan tempts him. Jesus emerges and travels to Galilee, where he takes on two Jewish brothers as disciples- he teaches them to fish for lost souls. Jesus shows his anointing by performing miracles which caused...

Words: 1658 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Old Testament Summaries

...L23903002 BIBL104 June 19, 2010 Summary of the books of the Old Testament Exodus The book of Exodus consists of the two different genres, narrative and law, and is considered to be known as one of the books in the “Book of the Law”. It was written to record the events of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The overarching theme for Exodus is about God fulfilling the promises he made to the patriarchs making their descendants a great nation. God carried out his promises despite much opposition, which includes the great nation of Egypt and the unbelief and disobedience of God’s people. The book of Exodus shows that the success of the exodus is rendered by the power and character of God, who remembers his promises, punishes sin, and forgives those who are repentant. It also highlights both the faithfulness of Moses, who follows exactly what God commanded, and his prayerfulness. Some other key themes and events include the promises of many offspring, land, blessings for Abraham’s descendants and the nations, Abraham as the covenant mediator, and the covenant presence of the Lord. Some of the key personalities include Moses, Miriam, Pharaoh, Pharaoh’s daughter, Aaron, and Joshua. In the first seven chapters of Exodus we are introduced to Moses and the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt. The setting is about 400 years after Joseph and his families were living in Goshen at the end of Genesis. God protects baby Moses from Pharaoh’s decree of killing Hebrew baby...

Words: 511 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Old Testament Summaries

...Carmen Morrow February, 21, 2012 Bible104-Online Summaries of the books of the Old Testament Exodus Exodus contains two genres, narrative and law. Some of its main themes were suffering, loyalty, deliverance, law, judgment and worship. The book of exodus was written by Moses around 1450-1440 B.C. some of the main people in this book were Moses, Pharaoh, Aaron, and Joshua. The purpose of exodus was written to record the events of Israel’s deliverance from slavery. The book talks about how God spared Moses life and called upon him through a burning bush to free the people of Egypt from slavery. Exodus also speaks of the plague God placed upon Egypt and Pharaoh for ignoring his warning. In exodus Moses also presents all the Laws to the people at Mt. Sinai. And this book also mentions that Moses gave the people of Israel a tabernacle, priest, and worship instructions. Nehemiah The book of Nehemiah is a narrative history. It was said to be written between 445-420 B.C. Some themes associated with this book are obedience and opposition. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of Israel’s return from the Babylonian captivity and rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. In this book the word had reached Nehemiah that the temple needed to be rebuilt so he asked God to use him so he could save the city. God answered his prays and the kings allowed him to return to Jerusalem, where he was made governor. Nehemiah gained a lot of support throughout the process of building the wall....

Words: 659 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Summary of Old Testament

...Summary of the Old Testament Starting with the book of Genesis uses narrative form to tell us God created the universe. God then created man. He created man from his own image. There was Adam and Eve. They were supposed to populate the land and they both disobeyed God words by not listening. Exodus only the first part of the book is a narrative. The genre changes the law in verse 20. The narration picks up 400 years later after Jacob moved to Egypt. God used a burning bush to speak to Moses and inform him that he is the one to deliver the Israelites out of bondage. Moses did not think he could convince the Israelites and Pharaoh that this was God’s command. Moses confronted Pharaoh with ten plagues. The 10th plague began the Passover ritual. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and to Mt Sinai. When they reached Mt. Sinai, God gave the people his commandments or laws. The law taught the Israelites how to have a relationship with God and each other. Leviticus Leviticus uses the genre of law. Israelites are told how and why to have sacrificial offerings. These offerings are broken into three categories. Consecratory offerings were used to dedicate a person or thing to God. Expiatory offering were acknowledge sin. Communal offering were a way for communities to celebrate their thankfulness to God. Numbers Numbers is both the book of narrative and law. Per God’s instructions, Moses took a census of all the Israelites. This help organized them by their...

Words: 806 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Summary of Old Testament

...The genre of Joshua is narrative.   The two major themes in Joshua are the possession of the land and the covenant.   Key Events: The major events of the book of Joshua are essentially separated into three different parts, including: the conquest of the land, the division of the land, and the farewells.   During the “conquest of the land,” God orders Joshua to take possession of the land and warns him to keep faith with the Covenant.   After crossing the Jordan by God’s divine intervention, the Israelites begin conquering the land by first taking Jericho, and then Ai.   After some mishap with the Gibeonites in the south, the Israelites overtake Hazor in the north with “Yahweh’s” help.   The second division of the book of Joshua was “the division of the land.”   The division of the land essentially put people in literal possession of the land.   The land divisions consisted of land east and west of the Jordan River, and also cities of refuge and the cities of the Levites.   Lastly, in Joshua’s “farewells,” Joshua tells the Israelite leaders that they need to remain faithful to the covenant and to Yahweh.   He also tells reminds the whole land of Israel of God’s great works.   Joshua then performs the last covenant ceremony and sends the people to their land.   The book of Joshua emphasized how important it is to be faithful to the covenant.   Key characters: God, Joshua, Rahab, Achan, Eleazar, Phinehas, and Caleb. Leviticus The genre of Leviticus is law.   The major theme...

Words: 317 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Old Testament Summaries

...Deuteronomy The genre of this book is law. The key themes of the book of Deuteronomy are love and obedience. It teaches man to love and obey God. This is shown perfectly in Det. 6:4, 5 where we also have the greatest doctrinal statement of the Old Testament: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is on Lord.” Deuteronomy means “second law”, but this does not means a repetition of the Law given by God to Moses. The law interprets the experience of the wilderness in the 38 years in the dessert. It is a commentary on the Mosaic Law that emphasizes specific laws and enlarged some of them. Deuteronomy brings the Law of Moses to the new generation that entered the Promised Land. The book gives us amendments on new situations and problems that arose and that were not covered by the Law specifically. The main purpose of the book was to remind the people of what God had done during the 38 years in the dessert and encourage them to come back to God again. The book starts with Israel arriving on the bank of the Jordan River one month before entering the Promised Land. In Hebrew, the book is divided into eight orations in which Moses give Israel the final instructions from the Lord. The generation whom had left Egypt was now dead because of their unbelief and disobedience. They committed sins of commission by breaking God’s law and sins of omission by failing to believe God. The book addresses the following issues: It reviews the dessert experiences, reinstates the law of love and obedience...

Words: 1647 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Old Testament Summary Paper

...Running Head: OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY PAPER 1 Old Testament Summary Paper Arlietha Jackson Mid-American Nazerene University Discovering the Old Testament Professor Steve Longley, B.A., M.A. February 9, 2013 Running Head: OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY PAPER 2 The World Out of Which the OT Emerged Approximately 6,000 years ago God created the earth in six days and he rested on the seventh day. On the sixth day he created the first human beings and name them Adam and Eve. They both lived in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden, God placed the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:9). There was a Serpent in the tree who deceived Eve into eating from the tree. Adam also ate from the tree as well and their actions created the first sin of man; this was catalyst for the fall of mankind. After they were banished from the Garden, Adam and Even multiplied and populated the earth. God saw that all of mankind had become evil and corrupt and therefore he destroyed the earth with a great flood. Noah (a descendant of Adam and Eve) was spared by God before the flood and instructed to build an ark, gather up his immediate family along with a male and female of every living creature, and repopulate the earth after it was destroyed. Abraham a (descendant Noah) was part of God’s covenant. God promised Abraham that as long as he obeyed his commands, he would make him the father of a great nation; the nation of Israel. Because they were...

Words: 360 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Old Testament Bible Summaries

...Summary of the books of the Old Testament Books Exodus The book of Exodus is considered both a narrative and a law book of the Old Testament of the Bible. Exodus was written by Moses between 1450-1410 B.C. The main characters in the book are Moses, Pharaoh, Pharaoh’s daughter, Aaron, Joshua, and Miriam. Exodus contains the most miracles of the Old Testament books. As instructed by God through the burning bush, Moses tells the Pharaoh to let God’s people be free, to which he refuses. Exodus is literally the “exit” from Egypt. After ten plagues hit Egypt, the Israelites are finally set free. The Israelites travel to the mountain of God, where God presents the Ten Commandments to Moses. God then instructs Moses on construction of the tabernacle. The book ends with Moses gathering the Hebrew and explaining the Ten Commandments to them, as well as instructions for worship. The key theme of the book is Israel leaving the slavery of Egypt. Numbers The book of Numbers fits into the narrative genre of the Old Testament books. It was written by Moses from 1450 - 1410 B.C. The main characters in the book are Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Eleazar, Korah, and Balaam. The book of Numbers starts at Mount Sinai after Moses provides the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. Moses takes a count of the men available to serve in the military and they begin to march towards the promise land. God punishes those are disobedient along the way. Once they reach the promise land, Moses...

Words: 819 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Bible Summaries of the Old Testament

...Name: Aaron Moorman Student ID: L26155198 Course: BIBL 104 Date: 26OCT2013 Summary of the books of the Old Testament Deuteronomy The book of Deuteronomy is primarily a book of law that includes the Ten Commandments. The word Deuteronomy actually means “Second Law”. It describes how Deuteronomy locates Moses and gathered the people (Israelites) into the province of Mohab. As his last and final act at this significant time of transferring leaderships to Joshua, Moses delivered his farewell speeches in order to prepare the people for their movement into Canaan. In that speech Moses emphasized the laws that were especially needed at such a decisive moment, and he presented them in such a way that was vastly important to the situation at hand. Deuteronomy’s purpose was to prepare the new generation of the Lord’s chosen people to be his kingdom’s council in the land that he had absolutely promised them in the Abraham covenant (Deu 29). Moses’ final acts as the Lord’s appointed servant for Israel are so important and meaningful that Deuteronomy’s account of them marks the finale of the Pentateuch (first 5 books of the OT). Exodus The genre of the book of Exodus is largely a narrative of the departure of God’s people from slavery in Egypt into the desert. Exodus literally means “exit” or “departure”. Keys names mentioned throughout the book are Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Pharaoh, Joshua, and Jethro. The book contains numerous accounts of plagues: frogs, gnats, flies...

Words: 859 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Summary of Old Testament Summaries

...Exodus The book of Exodus is a narrative and law genre. The key themes are God’s deliverance, providence, holiness, and law. The major events that took place was the birth and call of Moses, the Israelites leave Egypt, and the Ten Commandments. Moses was born in a time of hardship. Moses was born and delivered to the family of Pharaoh. Moses was raised by the Pharaohs daughter who thought of him as his son. While he was trying to protect a Hebrew person he killed an Egyptian. He then escaped to Midian. While in Midian he met his wife Zipporah. God appeared to him and instructed him that he was the chosen one to free his people from Egypt. Moses and his brother Aaron returned to Egypt and demanded that the Pharaoh let the Israelites go free. Pharaoh refused and God sent plaques. The plaques resulted in death of the firstborn. The only people that were spared were the ones that had the blood of lamb on their doorpost. Finally, the Pharaoh let the Israelites go but then he changed his mind. He decided to attack the Israelites that live near the Red Sea. God parted the water and allowed the Israelites to cross. Then the Egyptians were demolished. While the Israelites while on their journey God presented them with the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were a list of religious and moral directions that created a covenant between man and God. Numbers The book of Numbers is a narrative genre. The key themes are a census, rebellion, wandering, and Canaan...

Words: 906 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Summary of the Books of the Old Testament

...BIBL 104 Summary of the books of the Old Testament Genesis Genesis is a historical narrative with the material organized a specific way for a specific purpose. The Book of Genesis can be divided into two sections: Primitive History and Patriarchal History. The first eleven chapters of Genesis tell an authoritative story about the beginnings of the world by opening with the story of creation. God created the universe and humanity. The Patriarchal history begins with Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve sinned and thereby banished from the Garden of Eden. God sent the Flood to wipe out evil, but delivered Noah and his family along with the animals in the Ark. After the Flood, humanity began again. God chose Abraham to create a chosen people and eventually the Messiah. The chosen line was passed on to Abraham's son Isaac, and then to Isaac's son Jacob. God changed Jacob's name to Israel, and his twelve sons became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. God had Jacob's son Joseph sent to Egypt by the shameful actions of Joseph's brothers. Eventually things ends up with Jacob and his family being saved from a famine by Joseph, who had risen to a powerful position in Egypt. Exodus The Basic Genre’s of the Book of Exodus are historical and of the law. It is historical because it gives the reader, an account of the birth of Moses, who his adoptive parents were, his early adulthood, and how he leads the Israelites out to bondage. It is of the law, because it gives details and...

Words: 352 - Pages: 2