OLD TESTAMENT

• God creates the world and man in His own image.
  • He creates Adam and Eve and forbids them from eating from the tree of knowledge.
  • The serpent tricks Eve into eating from the tree of knowledge.
• The Lord saw the wickedness of man except for Noah.
  • Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, Japheth
• The Lord warned Noah of a great flood and made a covenant with him that he bring his wife, sons and their wives plus two of every living thing onto the arc.
  • The Lord said that He will send rains for forty days and forty nights.
  • The Lord said that He will never again flood the earth.
• The call of Abram
  • The Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred to the land that I will show you".
  • Abram's wife was Sarai.
  • Abram's and his brother's son Lot split the land. Lot takes the Jordan Valley and Abram settled in the land of Canaan.
  • God made a covenant to Abram that all the stars that he can number is how many that will be his offspring.
  • Sarai let her servant Hagar bear Abram a child. After the child was born Sarai had contempt for Hagar.
  • God changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah and promised that she would bear him a son named Isaac.
  • Abraham intercedes for Sodom.
  • Two angels came to Lot and told him to take his two daughters and wife and leave Sodom. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. Lots wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.
  • Both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by him.
  • Sarah conceived a son named Isaac.
  • God tests Abraham and asks him to sacrifice his son Isaac.
  • Rebekah becomes the wife of Isaac.She bore twin boys, Esau and Jacob.
  • Rebekah overhears Esau's plan to kill Jacob.
  • Jacob goes to Haran and has a dream of a ladder that reached heaven. At the top of the laddr God told him that He will give him and his offspring the land on which he lies.
  • Jacob marries Leah and Rachel. Rachel has her servant give Jacob two sons.
  • God changes Jacob's name to Israel.
  • Dinah daughter of Leah and Jacob, was raped by Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite.
  • Jacob had twelve sons representing the 12 tribes of Israel. His favorite was Joseph. Because of this Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit then sold him to the Ishmaelites.
  • The brothers told Jacob that an animal killed Joseph.
  • Joseph's master's wife lied to her husband accusing Joseph of trying to sleep with her. Joseph was put in prison.
  Abraham (Sarah) --> Issac (Rebekah) --> Jacob (Leah)

• The Tower of Babel
• Man is being disobedient to God by making a tower so that they are equal to God and by remaining in one region they are not adhering to the promise of God to go forward and multiply. They build it with water proofing material which showed they have no faith in God's promise not to flood the earth. The whole earth had one language. The Lord goes down to the people to confuse their language so they may not understand each other. The name was called Babel because there the Lord confused the language of the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of the earth.

2) EXODUS

• The birth of Moses.
  • The king of Egypt was concerned that the Hebrews might become too strong so he told the Hebrew midwives to kill the baby if it is a son but they feared God and did not listen.
  • Then the Pharoh commanded all of the midwives to cast any Hebrew born son into the Nile.
  • When the daughter of Pharoh came to bathe at the river she found the basket by the river. He became her son and was called Moses because she drew him out of the water.
• The burning bush.
  • When Moses was flocking his sheep the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush.
  • God spoke to him saying that he is theGod of Abraham, Isaacand Jacob.
  • God said to Moses that He will send him to Pharoh that he will bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.
  • God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM".
• The Lord sent Moses to Pharoh
  • The Lord showed Moses miracles to perform such as turning his staff to a serpean and making water into blood.
  • Aaron was the brother of Moses.
• The Lord sends 10 plagues
  1. Changing water to blood.
  2. Frogs.
  3. Gnats.
  4. Flies.
  5. Egyptian livestock die.
  6. Boils.
  7. Hail.
  8. Locusts.
  9. Darkness.
  10. The Passover - death of the firstborn.
• Passover
  • The congregation shall kill their lambs at twilight and take the blood and put it on the two doorposts.
  • The firstborn in the land of Egypt will be executed.
  • On the houses where the blood has been placed shall be passed over.
  • The Lord struck down the firstborn of Egypt including the Pharoh's firstborn.
  • Pharoah relented and the people of Israel fled from Egypt.
  • After Pharoh'd heart was hardened and he pursued the people of Israel.
  • The Lord told Moses to lift his staff and part the sea so the people may pass.
• The Lord gives Moses the Ten Comandments
• Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights
• The Ark of the Covenant is built
• Under Aaron's direction, the people construct a golden calf. When Moses came down from the mountain he broke both of the tablets of stone

3) LEVITICUS

• Moses gives his people lawsregarding: burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, clean and unclean animals, diet, sexuality, leprosy, proper hygiene
• Moses shows his people the proper way to seek atoinment.
• Moses died before crossing the river.

• A census is taken of the congregation of the people of Israel.
• A man who was gathering sticks on the Sabbath was broght to Moses. The Lord commanded Moses to have him stoned to death.
• As punishment for complaining, God gave Miriam leprosy for seven days. Serpeants were sent against the others
• God instructed Moses to build a bronze serpent on a pole. If the nserpent bit anyone they could look at the bronze serpent and live. This pole has become our symbol for medicine

• Moses gives the people the Ten Comandments before they go into the promised land.
• The Greatest Commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your might.
• When Moses came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the Ten comandments and saw that the people had made a golden calf. So Moses broke the two tablets out of anger
• Moses instructs the people on what is clean and unclean foods
• The Lord commisions Joshua to lead the people to the promised land.
• The Lord allows Moses to see the promised land but not enter it. Moses dies.

• Joshua took over from Moses and led the Jews to the Promised Land.
• Josua becomes the leader of the Isrealites
• Spies were sent to see the new land. They found Jericho, the oldest city in the world. They reported how high and thick the walls were.
• The spies were taken in by a prostitute named Rahab. She agreed to hide them if they Israelites would take care of her after they conquered the city
• The Israelites conquered the city
• Rahib became the matriarch of a family tree where King Davis, King Solomon and Jesus where descendents.
• Joshua divided the land amongest the 12 tribes of Israel before he died

• Without a strong leader like Joshua. other nations started taking over. The Lord raised up judges to save Israel from their oppressors.
• Deborah became the only woman jugge of Israel.
• Deborah defeated the Hazorites, aforwhich there was piece for forty years.
• After the Midianites invaded Israel, Gideon raises an army to defend Israel.
• Gidean raised an army of over 30,000 but God told him that it was too big.
• God told him to watch how the men drink water. Anyon ewho doen't lap the water should be sent home.
• All were sent home expect 300 hundred men.
• The smaller army was easier to manner and good for sneak attacks
• After the army defeated the Midianites the people asked Gideon to be their judge. He declined instead accepting one gold earing from every man as payment
• Gideon's son Jephtah became a judge.
• Jepitah led a battle against invading foreignors and was victorious. He promised to make a sacrifice to God.
• Unable to find a sutiable sacrifice he had his only daughter burned at the stake
• the most famous judge was Samson who God granted great strenght on the condition that he neve cut his hair.
• Samson fought the Philistines
• Samson was mad at his Philistine wife so he threw her out. On her wedding day he took 300 foxes and lit their tales on fire setting them loose in the wheat fields, destroying the Philistine crops
• Samson married another Philistine woman named Delilah who tricked him into revealing the source of his strength
• Delilah cut Samon's hair while he slept. The Philistines arrested Samson and gouged both of his eyes.
• While in the dungeon Samson's hair grew back. One day during a celebration the King brought Samson out and stood him between two pillars
• Samson pulled down the pillars killing himself and the Philistines

• Naomi marries an Israelite and they have two sons who marry Oprah and Ruth.
• all three husbands died. Ruth and Naomi became gleanors
• One day the landlord spotted Ruth in the fields. His name was Boaz.
• On night ruth crawled into Boaz bed.
• Boaz wanted to marry Ruth but he was bound by the law of Moses to offer her to the next of kin of her late husband
• Boaz tricked the next of kin by offerhim Naomi's land at a very low price on the condition that he take the unseen widow Ruth as well. The man declined Boaz offer
• boaz married Ruth. they had a baby named Obed who would be grandfather to King David,
• Ruth would go oo to become the maternal ancester of King David, King Solomon and Jesus Christ.

• Hanah gave birth to Samuel which means God heard me.
• Eli the high priest raised Samuel to be a priest.
• The Philistines went to war with Israel and captured the Arc of the Covenant.
• the Philistines put the Arc next to their god Dagon. Plagues hit the Philistines so they sent it back to Israel.
• Samuel succeeded Eli as the high priest of Israel.
• Samuel made Saul king of Israel.
• Saul was not a good king so Samuel replaced him with 12 year old David.
• David accepted the challenge of the Philistine giant Goliath.
• David killed goliath with his sling shot.
• Saul was jelous of David and tried to have him killed. David escaped each time.
• David had an opportunity to kill Saul but showed marcy.
• After the Philistines won a battle against Israel Saul committed suicide and David became king.

• There was a long war between the house of Saul and the House of David
• David's reign began when he was thirty years old. He reigned for 40 years, 7 years over Judah and 33 years at Jerusalem over Judah and Israel
• David conquers the city of Jebus and renames it Jerusalem (city of peace) and makes it the capital.
• David become infatuated with Bathsheba.
• David sends her huband Uriah to fight the Ammonites where he knew he would die, then he marriesd Bathsheba
• The prophet Nathan rebuked David and told him that and that David's child shall die
• Davis had a son named solomon with Bathsheba
• David's daughter Tamar was raped by her half brother Amnon
• Tamar's older brother Absalom killed Amon.
• Absalom went on the run and declared himself king. David fled to raise an army
• David returned and defeated Absalom
• Absalom got his beard caught in a tree while fleeing the battle and was slaughtered there.

• David was dying so his wife Bathsheba, tricked David into bypassing is oldest son Adonijah, and naming Solomon his yougest son as king of Israel
• Adonijah set himself up as king
• Adonijah accepted the decision and only asked that he be able to marry the woman who had cared for King David. Solomon denied this request
• Solomon had Adonijah killed and went on to kill all of David's ols generals
• God granted Solomon one wish and solomon choose the gift of wisdom
• God was so pleased that he made Solomon the wisest man in the world
• Two prostitutes each had a child. One child died and the moter tried to claim the other's as her own. Solomon ruled that the baby would be cut in half and given to each. One woman then pleaded for Solomon to let the other woman have the baby revealin herself as the true mother. Solomon gave her the child.
• This story had another meaning as it represented how a faction of the country would have it torn in half rahter than have Solomon as king
• Solomon builds a temple
• Solomon had over 700 wives and 300 concubines. He temples for their gods
• Solomon died after a long reign and Israel had a new ruler in the north and Solomon's son was the king of Judaah in the south
• Ahab became king of Israel and his wife Jezebel worshiped a god named Baal.
• God sent the prophet Elijah to expose Baal. Two alters were set up each with a sacrifice and they prayed for fire to be sent to cook the sacrifice. As the priest prayed the sacrifice to Baal stood idle while fire was sent to cook the sacrifice of Elijah.
• Ahab wanted to buy a piece of land but the land owner declined to sell it. Ahab's wife invited the land owner to a dinner with the king. She paid to men to lie and accuse the land owner of cursing the king. The land owner was killed for treason and his land was given to the king.
• Elijah confronted Ahab and told him as punishment his dynasty would be destroyed.
• Ahab got shot in a battle with an arrow and died

• God sent a golden chariot to carry the prophet Elijah to Heaven.
• The Jews now looked to the son of Elijah, Elisha as their prophet.
• Elisha perfomed small miracles like multiplying small amouns of food, making water appear in the desert or healing people.
• Jehu became the new king of Israel by killing Joram.
• Jehu destroyed to temple of Baal.
• Elisha died of natural causes.
• GKing Jehu died and the Jews went back to worshiping foreign gods.
• The Assyrians conqured Israeal.

Naaman was a great commander of the army of the King of Syria. He was a might man of valor, but he was a leper. A girl from Israel who served Naaman's wife told her of a prophet in Israel who could cure him. The King of Syria sent a letter and sent him to Israel. The prophet Elisha sent him to the Jordan river to wash off his leprosy. Naaman doubted the prophet saying that he could wash in the rivers of Damascus. So he turned away in rage but his servants convinced him to do as the prophet said. So he did and his flesh was restored.

The story of Naamon is one of humility. Naamon was a great and feared Syrian general. He is stricken by leprosy but healing in Syria is not coming. The first show of humility is when the young Jewish slave girl tells him of a prophet in Israel who can heal him. The King of Israel fears him and denies him safe passage. Naaman could destroy Israel. The King shows humility when a messenger from the Prophet Elisha sends him a message saying let him come and the King lets him go to meet the prophet. The prophet's messenger not the prophet tells him to wash in the river Jordan. Naaman is angry because he knows he has rivers in Damascus but hi uses humility and does what the prophet's messenger tells him and the leprosy is cured. Naaman offers many gifts to the prophet to show his appreciation by the prophet humbly does not accept them. Instead Naaman being touched by God asks for soil from Israel so he can worship the true God on Israel soil.

• The first 5 chapters contain birth records and geneologies going back to Adam and Eve.
• Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
• Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the commandment of the Lord and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David.
• David had the Arc of the Covenant moved to a nearby tent.
• God told David that he would have his son Solomon build him a Temple.
• David took a census that angered God.
• God gave David three choices for punishment: 1)Israel could suffer three years of famine, 2)three months of losingg battles, 3)or three days of God's wrath.
• David choose three days or wrath.
• God did not allow David to build the temple because David shed too much blood.
• Before David died he gave Solomon all his riches and plans to build a new temple.

• After becoming king, Solomon began construction of the Temple of Solomon.
• The Ark was moved into the temple.
• Jerusalem was conqured by the Assyrians then the Babylonians.
• The Babylonians destoye dthe temple.

• The Babylonians conquer Judah then Jerusalem.
• The Jews lived in exile for 50 years.
• The King of Persia,Cyrus,let the Jews return to Jerusalem.
• The Babylonians conquer Judah then Jerusalem.
• Cyrus had the Temple rebuilt.
• The king of Persia sent a letter to Ezra asking him to lead prists, Judges and artist back to Jerusalem.
• When Ezra went back to jerusalem he found that it was in bad shape and many of the people had married foreign pagans.
• Ezra told the people that they must send their pagan wives and kids away.

• Nehemaih was born and raised in Babylon but returned to his home land.
• Nehemaih asked King Artaxerxes if he could go to build Jerusalem's wall.
• The king put him in charge of the city.
• Foreign kings tried to stop him from building the wall.
• They said he was walling off the city so he could become king and lead a revolt against Persia.
• The wall was built and people fealt safe about returning to Jerusalem.
• After the wall was built there was a great celebration and Exra came and read from the Torah.

• King Xeres of Persia's wife Vashti refused to dance for him at his party. His advisers were concerned that this could lead to other wives dispbeying their husbands.
• The king divorced Vashti
• The king selected a Jewish girl named Esther as his new queen
• Mordecai was Esther's uncle and one of the kings advisers. He told her not to tell the king that she was a Jew.
• Mordecai later discovered a plot to assasinate the king and saved the king's life.
• Mordecai refused to bow to the king's prime minister, Haman.
• Haman decided to kill Mordecai as well as his entire race. He sneeks a law into the books to kill the Jews without the king realizing it.
• Haman used a set of dice called Purim to select the date of the Jewish genocide.
• The king later wanted to reward Mordecai for saving his life but Haman mistakenly thought the rward was for him.
• Haman was now more determoined to get revenge on Mordecai.
• Mordecai appealed to Esther to have the king interceed against Haman's orders.
• Esther reveal sto the king that she is Jewish
• A terrified Haman beseeched Esther but in the process was touching her as the king walked in.
• The king had Haman implale don the spike and made Mordecai his new prime minister.
• The king said that he could not repeal the law to kill the jews because it was already on the books but he armed the Jews instead thus saving the Jews.

• Satan told god that Job only loved him because he was blessed with wealth.
• Satan told god that Job only loved him because he was blessed with wealth and a family.
• To prove Satan wrong God allows Satan to kill Job's family and take away his wealth.
• Satan makes Job sick and he loses the great respect he once had from his neighbors.
• Satan told god that Job only loved him because he was blessed with wealth.
• God rewards Job by giving him more wealth and another family.

The book is an anthology of individual Hebrew religious hymns, with 150 in the Jewish and Western Christian tradition and more in the Eastern Christian churches. Many are linked to the name of David, but modern scholarship rejects his authorship, instead placing the composition of the psalms to various authors writing between the 9th and 5th centuries BC.

The book of Proverbs is a book of wise sayings written by King Solomom.

The subjects of Ecclesiastes are the pain and frustration engendered by observing and meditating on the distortions and inequities pervading the world, the uselessness of human ambition, and the limitations of worldly wisdom and righteousness.

The actual author of Ecclesiastes is unknown, but the superscription (1:1) attributes the book to qohelet (commonly translated “preacher,” Greek ekklesiastes), who is identified as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Though these words can only refer to Solomon

The book, whose author is unknown (Solomon's name is a later addition), is a collection of love poems spoken alternately by a man and a woman. There is no coherent story in the book. A number of the poems systematically describe the beauty and excellence of the beloved.

The literal subject of the Song of Songs is love and sexual longing between a man and a woman, and it has little (or nothing) to say about the relationship of God and man.

The book of Isaiah outlines Israel and the nations' coming judgment while pointing to the future hope of a new covenant and the coming Messiah. the Book of Isaiah was written by King Hezekiah, who reigned from 715 to 686 BCE, and his aides.

Isaiah wrote that the Savior wouldn't judge people by what He could see on the outside or by what He heard, but He would judge people with righteousness, knowing what was in their hearts.

The Book of Jeremiah records the final prophecies to Judah, warning of oncoming destruction if the nation does not repent. Jeremiah calls out for the nation to turn back to God. At the same time, Jeremiah recognizes the inevitability of Judah’s destruction due to its unrepentant idolatry and immorality (https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Jeremiah.html).

The Book of Jeremiah is primarily a message of judgment on Judah for rampant idolatry. After the death of King Josiah, the last righteous king, the nation of Judah had almost completely abandoned God and His commandments. Jeremiah compares Judah to a prostitute. Even in this most severe judgment, God promises the restoration of Judah back into the land God has given them (https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Jeremiah.html).

The Babylonians are God's tool for bringing judgement to jerusalem.)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jerimiah 1:5)

“When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11)

As a result of Judah’s continued and unrepentant idolatry, God allowed the Babylonians to besiege, plunder, burn, and destroy the city of Jerusalem. Solomon’s Temple, which had stood for approximately 400 years, was burned to the ground. The Prophet Jeremiah, an eyewitness to these events, wrote the Book of Lamentations as a lament for what occurred to Judah and Jerusalem (https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Lamentations.html).

The prophet Ezekiel is the author of the book of Ezekiel.

The Book of Ezekiel was written for the people of the former kingdom of Judah who were living in exile in Babylon.

The book of Ezekiel contains the visions and prophecies of Ezekiel, whom the Lord called to minister to the Jewish captives in Babylon. The Book of Ezekiel is notable for its vivid descriptions of the prophet's visions and symbolic acts. Indeed, it contains some of the first known examples of apocalyptic literature. The revelation described in the book's first chapter is remarkable in that it describes not only the appearance of majestic angelic beings but even of God Himself:

The book records a number of visions and prophecies, purportedly proclaimed by Ezekiel during the first stages of the Babylonian exile in the early sixth century B.C.E.

He engaged in a number of symbolic acts, often involving severe personal suffering, as a sign concerning God's attitude toward his people and what their response should be.

The book teaches that the exile was indeed a punishment for the collective disobedience of God's people, but it also offers hope, suggesting that the exile will be reversed once the Israelites return to God.

The prophet Jeremiah, whose ministry in Jerusalem overlapped Ezekiel, told the exiles that they should become part of the Babylonian culture and even pray for King Nebuchadnezzar II, who had conquered them. Other prophets speaking in Yahweh's name, both in Jerusalem and in Babylon insisted that the Babylonian power must be resisted. Ezekiel agreed with Jeremiah, and he also emphasized that the Jews of Babylon must keep their national and religious identity, rather than becoming assimilated into Babylonian culture.

Chapter 4 describes God as commanding the prophet to build a scale model of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem and to lie on his side before it for 390 days, to "bear the sin of the house of Israel" (Ezek. 4:5). God commands Ezekiel to eat a scanty diet of bread cooked over a fire fueled with human dung. The prophet objects, on the grounds that to do so would violate his commitment to ritual purity. God then relents, saying, "Very well. I will let you bake your bread over cow manure instead of human excrement" (4:15).

The book shockingly reports God caused the sudden death of the prophet's wife. The reason for God's seemingly cruel treatment of his prophet is that Ezekiel is to act again as a sign for God's people. As Ezekiel is to refrain from mourning for his wife, so the people are to refrain from mourning for the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. In both cases it is "the sovereign Lord" who brings the destruction.

The book of Ezekiel was written during Ezekiel’s captivity in Babylon. He prophesied from about 592 to 570 B.C.

Ezekiel 1–3 Ezekiel sees the Lord and His glory. He is called as a watchman to the house of Israel to warn, reprove, and call them to repentance.

The most famous vision preserved in the Book of Ezekiel is that of the Valley of Dry Bones. Here the prophet envisions an entire valley of bones reassembling and coming back to life. God explains the vision as being symbolic of Israel's redemption

Chapters 38 and 39 predict an invasion that will occur after the Jews return to their land, called the Battle of Gog and Magog, in which God directly intervenes to protect Israel from its enemies.

Ezekiel 4–24 The Lord instructs Ezekiel to use symbols to represent the wickedness of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel prophesies of the Lord’s judgments on Jerusalem and explains why famine, desolation, war, and pestilence will sweep the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 25–32 The Lord commands Ezekiel to declare the wickedness of the nations surrounding Israel and prophesy of their destruction.

Daniel was written hundred of years after the events it describes. It is written during the Greek occupation of Israel

This book takes its name not from the author, who is actually unknown, but from its hero, who was allegedly among the first Jews deported to Babylon, where he lived at least until 538 B.C.

The book contains traditional stories (chaps. 1–6), which tell of the trials and triumphs of the wise Daniel and his three companions. The moral is that people of faith can resist temptation and conquer adversity.

The first half of the book (chapters 1–6) contains stories in the third person about the experiences of Daniel and his friends under Kings Nebuchadrezzar II, Belshazzar, Darius I, and Cyrus II

The second half, written mostly in the first person, contains reports of Daniel’s three visions (and one dream).

The Jews are living in exile in Babylon, some time in the sixth century BC. We are told that the Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and calls upon the wise men of his court (who included Daniel) to interpret its meaning for him.

Unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar can’t remember the dream, so Daniel has to remember it for him and then divine its significance, otherwise he and his fellow ‘magicians’ or wise men will be put to death.

The next key event in Daniel is the famous incident of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – Daniel’s fellow Jews in exile in Babylon – being thrown into the ‘burning fiery furnace’ for refusing to pay homage to an idol of Nebuchadnezzar. God intervenes and the men are spared from the flames, emerging unscathed.

Then we come to Belshazzar’s feast. Daniel is now an old man, and is called upon to interpret the mysterious ‘writing on the wall’ that appears during Belshazzar’s feast: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN’. This cryptic inscription is thought to mean something along the lines of ‘Babylon has been weighed in the balance and found wanting’, prophesying (again) that the Babylonian empire will be swallowed up by a much mightier one (the Persians).

ure enough, Darius and his Persian army invade, and Belshazzar dies. The remainder of the Book of Daniel includes the incident in which Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den for praying to God when an edict prohibited it (since Darius set himself up as godlike and wanted no competition). Once again, God intervenes, and the lions do not harm Daniel. There follows a series of prophetic dreams and apocalyptic visions.

Foreshadowings: We see in the stories of the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den a foreshadowing of the salvation provided by Christ. The three men declare that God is a saving God who can provide a way of escape from the fire (Daniel 3:17). In the same way, by sending Jesus to die for our sins, God has provided an escape from the fires of hell (1 Peter 3:18). In Daniel’s case, God provided an angel to shut the lions’ mouths and saved Daniel from death. Jesus Christ is our provision from the dangers of the sins that threaten to consume us. (https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Daniel.html)

God sends Hosea to Israel during the reign of King Jeroboam II to communicate God's despair over their perpetual idol worship and dependence on outside nations.

Although there are consequences for our unfaithfulness, the Lord desires that all of His people return to Him and renew their covenant with Him.

God loves the people of Israel with a deep and passion, comparable in nature to the deep and pas- sionate love between a man and a woman. Israel's unfaithfulness breaks the heart of the living God, just as marital unfaithfulness breaks the heart of one's spouse.

Hosea's wives represent Israel, \ unless Israel puts aside her harlotries and reforms she will meet with stern action.

Hosea divorced Gomer for infidelity, and used the occasion to preach the message of God's rejection of the Northern Kingdom.

Judah, the setting for the book, is devastated by a vast horde of locusts. This invasion of locusts destroys everything—the fields of grain, the vineyards, the gardens and the trees. Joel symbolically describes the locusts as a marching human army and views all of this as divine judgment coming against the nation for her sins. The book is highlighted by two major events. One is the invasion of locusts and the other the outpouring of the Spirit.

The book of Joel teaches about the power of the combined prayers and fasting of God's people during a time of great difficulty in Israel's history.

The house of Israel has fallen into a state similar to drunkenness caused by iniquity. Therefore, great judgments will come upon them from the Lord. The judgments will be so terrible that Joel calls on the Lord's people to howl and cry for repentance.

Joel also speaks about the promise of the messianic King and the arrival of God's Spirit. He prophesied that God's people would be filled with visions, dreams, and the power of the Spirit.

A terrible plague of locusts is followed by a severe famine throughout the land. Joel uses these happenings as the catalyst to send words of warning to Judah. Unless the people repent quickly and completely, enemy armies will devour the land as did the natural elements. Joel appeals to all the people and the priests of the land to fast and humble themselves as they seek God’s forgiveness. If they will respond, there will be renewed material and spiritual blessings for the nation. But the Day of the Lord is coming. At this time the dreaded locusts will seem as gnats in comparison, as all nations receive His judgment.

Amos was a shepherd and farmer in the land of Judah who belonged to a family of prophets. His prophetic writings are dated between 760-750 BC, making them the Bible's first book of prophecy. The nine chapters of Amos contain stern warnings for the northern kingdom of Israel and the neighboring nations of Judah.F

Amos' mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, Israel. His messages of impending doom and captivity for the nation because of her sins are largely unpopular and unheeded, however, because not since the days of Solomon have times been so good in Israel. Amos' ministry takes place while Jeroboam II reigns over Israel, and Uzziah reigns over Judah.

Even though Amos was sent especially to Israel, he spoke for God against the evils of all the nations. Some have termed Amos a prophet of doom, but he only warned the people of the calamitous paths they were following. All of these territories or kingdoms eventually fell.

The Book of Amos is about the sovereign God of creation and covenant who announces judgment upon disobedient Israel, and yet proclaims a future kingdom hope for the people of God.

Amos can see that beneath Israel’s external prosperity and power, internally the nation is corrupt to the core. The sins for which Amos chastens the people are extensive: neglect of God’s Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership, and oppression of the poor. Amos begins by pronouncing a judgment upon all the surrounding nations, then upon his own nation of Judah, and finally the harshest judgment is given to Israel. His visions from God reveal the same emphatic message: judgment is near. The book ends with God’s promise to Amos of future restoration of the remnant.

The book of Obadiah is a book of the Bible whose authorship is attributed to Obadiah, a prophet who lived in the Assyrian Period. Obadiah is one of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible.

In the Siege of Jerusalem (597 BC), Nebuchadnezzar II sacked Jerusalem, carted away the King of Judah, and installed a puppet ruler. The Edomites helped the Babylonians loot the city. Obadiah suggests the Edomites should have remembered that blood was thicker than water.

The Book of Obadiah is based on a prophetic vision concerning the fall of Edom, a mountain-dwelling nation whose founding father was Esau. Obadiah describes an encounter with Yahweh, who addresses Edom's arrogance and charges them for their "violence against your brother Jacob".

Obadiah means servant of God. This book teaches the importance of brotherhood and the dangers and consequences of forsaking the commandment to love others. It delivers a warning of judgment on Edom, one of Israel's oldest enemies. This passage also warns every nation that defies God that there will be a reckoning. Edom's specific sin was an aggravated lack of brotherhood.

The book tells of a Hebrew prophet named Jonah, son of Amittai, who is sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh, but tries to escape this divine mission.

A huge storm arises and the sailors, realizing that it is no ordinary storm, cast lots and discover that Jonah is to blame. Jonah admits this and states that if he is thrown overboard, the storm will cease. The sailors refuse to do this and continue rowing, but all their efforts fail and they are eventually forced to throw Jonah overboard. As a result, the storm calms and the sailors then offer sacrifices to Yahweh. Jonah is miraculously saved by being swallowed by a large fish, in whose belly he spends three days and three nights. While in the great fish, Jonah prays to God in his affliction and commits to thanksgiving and to paying what he has vowed. God then commands the fish to vomit Jonah out.

One of the overarching messages from the Book of Jonah is compassion. Jonah was a prophet, and even though he had let God down in numerous ways, he was still forgiven because God showed him unlimited love and compassion. God also modeled forgiveness and mercy for Jonah in how God dealt with other people.

There are parallels between Jesus' time inside the tomb and Jonah's time inside the whale — they both spent three days and three nights in these places. The biblical story of Jonah and the whale is fundamentally about rebirth and redemption, as well as following God.

God sent the fish to keep Jonah from drowning.

After three days and three nights, Jonah realized that disobeying God wasn't worth it so he apologized to God and told him he would go to Nineveh. The big fish spit Jonah out and Jonah did exactly what God told him to do.

Micah identifies the sins of idolatry and the oppression of the poor by the upper classes as the reasons for the Israelites' imminent destruction. He also condemns corrupt religious teachers who teach for money. Micah 4–5 Micah prophesies of the restoration of Israel.

Micah announces God's judgment against Israel. But Micah's prophecies are not without hope. The God of Israel is also faithful and full of mercy. God promises to preserve a faithful remnant, from which he will create a new Jerusalem on the other side of sin and exile.

The book of Nahum, using Assyria and Babylon as examples, says that God is grieved and cares about the death of the innocent and that his goodness and justice compels him to orchestrate the downfall of oppressive nations.

Nahum prophesies the downfall of Nineveh and Assyria. The destruction of the Assyrian empire is an image of how God will confront and bring down all violent human empires. This is about God's commitment to justice, which is as true today as it was in the time of Nahum.

The major theme of Habakkuk is trying to grow from a faith of perplexity and doubt to the height of absolute trust in God. Habakkuk addresses his concerns over the fact that God will use the Babylonian empire to execute judgment on Judah for their sins.

Habakkuk provides us one of the most remarkable sections in all of Scripture, as it contains an extended dialogue between Habakkuk and God (Habakkuk 1–2). The prophet initiated this conversation based on his distress about God's “inaction” in the world.

Habakkuk never gave up hope during the trials he mentioned. He rejoiced in God, which is a lesson to all Christians.

The book of Zephaniah was written during the reign of King Josiah, likely in the early part of his reign, between 635 and 625 BC.

Zephaniah’s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines: 1) God is sovereign over all nations. 2) The wicked will be punished and the righteous will be vindicated on the day of judgment. 3) God blesses those who repent and trust in Him.

Zephaniah pronounces the Lord’s judgment on the whole earth, on Judah, on the surrounding nations, on Jerusalem, and on all nations. This is followed by proclamations of the Lord’s blessing on all nations and especially on the faithful remnant of His people in Judah.

Zephaniah had the courage to speak bluntly because he knew he was proclaiming the Word of the Lord. His book begins with "The word of the Lord" and ends with "says the Lord." He knew that neither the many gods the people worshiped nor even the might of the Assyrian army could save them. God is gracious and compassionate, but when all His warnings are ignored, judgment is to be expected. God’s day of judgment is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. The prophets called it the "Day of the Lord." They referred to various events such as the fall of Jerusalem as manifestations of God’s Day, each of which pointed toward the ultimate Day of the Lord.

Practical Application: With a few adjustments in names and situations, this prophet of 7th century B.C. could stand in our pulpits today and deliver the same message of judgment of the wicked and hope for the faithful. Zephaniah reminds us that God is offended by the moral and religious sins of His people. God’s people will not escape punishment when they sin willfully. Punishment may be painful, but its purpose may be redemptive rather than punitive. The inevitability of the punishment of wickedness gives comfort in a time when it seems that evil is unbridled and victorious. We have the freedom to disobey God but not the freedom to escape the consequences of that disobedience. Those who are faithful to God may be relatively few, but He does not forget them.

(Got Questions - Summary of the Book of Zephaniah; https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Zephaniah.html)

Haggai sought to challenge the people of God concerning their priorities. He called them to reverence and glorify God by building the Temple in spite of local and official opposition. Haggai called them not to be discouraged because this Temple would not be quite as richly decorated as Solomon’s. He exhorted them to turn from the uncleanness of their ways and to trust in God’s sovereign power. The Book of Haggai is a reminder of the problems the people of God faced at this time, how the people courageously trusted in God, and how God provided for their needs.

God sought to warn the people to heed His words. Not only did God warn them, but He also offered promises through His servant Haggai to motivate them to follow Him. Because the people of God reversed their priorities and failed to put God in first place in their lives, Judah was sent into Babylonian exile. In response to Daniel’s prayer and in fulfillment of God’s promises, God directed Cyrus the Persian king to allow the Jews in exile to go back to Jerusalem. A group of Jews returned to their land with great joy, put God first in their lives, worshiped Him, and began to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem without the aid of the local people who lived in Israel. Their courageous faith was met with opposition from the local people as well as the Persian government for approximately 15 years.

Haggai asks us 1) to examine our priorities to see if we are more interested in our own pleasures than doing the work of God; 2) to reject a defeatist attitude when we run into opposition or discouraging circumstances; 3) to confess our failures and seek to live pure lives before God; 4) to act courageously for God because we have the assurance that He is with us always and is in full control of our circumstances; and 5) to rest secure in God’s hands knowing that He will abundantly bless us as we faithfully serve Him.

Practical Application: The Book of Haggai draws attention to common problems most people face even today. Haggai asks us 1) to examine our priorities to see if we are more interested in our own pleasures than doing the work of God; 2) to reject a defeatist attitude when we run into opposition or discouraging circumstances; 3) to confess our failures and seek to live pure lives before God; 4) to act courageously for God because we have the assurance that He is with us always and is in full control of our circumstances; and 5) to rest secure in God’s hands knowing that He will abundantly bless us as we faithfully serve Him.

(Got Questions - Summary of the Book of Haggai; https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Haggai.html)

A contemporary of the prophet Haggai in the early years of the Persian period, Zechariah shared Haggai’s concern that the Temple of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Unlike Haggai, however, Zechariah thought that the rebuilding of the Temple was the necessary prelude to the eschatological age, the arrival of which was imminent. Accordingly, Zechariah’s book, and in particular his eight night visions (1:7–6:8), depict the arrival of the eschatological age (the end of the world) and the organization of life in the eschatological community. Among Zechariah’s visions was one that described four apocalyptic horsemen who presaged God’s revival of Jerusalem after its desolation during the Babylonian Exile. Other visions announced the rebuilding of the Temple and the world’s recognition of Yahweh, Israel’s God. (Book of Zechariah;https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zechariah)

Zechariah emphasized that God has used His prophets to teach, warn, and correct His people. Unfortunately, they refused to listen. Their sin brought God’s punishment. The book also bears evidence that even prophecy could be corrupted. History shows that in this period prophecy fell into disfavor among the Jews, leading to the period between the Testaments when no lasting prophetic voice spoke to God’s people.

The Book of Zechariah teaches that salvation may be obtained by all. The last chapter depicts peoples from all over the world coming to worship God, who desires that all people follow Him. This is not the doctrine of universalism, i.e., that all people would be saved because it is God’s nature to save. Rather, the book teaches that God desires that all people worship Him and accepts those who do, regardless of their national or political expressions. Finally, Zechariah preached that God is sovereign over this world, any appearance to the contrary notwithstanding. His visions of the future indicate that God sees all that will happen. The depictions of God’s intervention in the world teach that ultimately He will bring human events to the end He chooses. He does not eliminate the individual’s freedom to follow God or rebel, but holds people responsible for the choices they make. In the last chapter, even the forces of nature respond to God’s control.

Prophecies about Jesus Christ and the messianic era abound in Zechariah. From the promise that Messiah would come and dwell in our midst (Zechariah 2:10-12; Matthew 1:23) to the symbolism of the Branch and the Stone (Zechariah 3:8-9, 6:12-13; Isaiah 11:1; Luke 20:17-18) to the promise of His Second Coming where they who pierced Him will look upon Him and mourn (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:33-37), Christ is the theme of the Book of Zechariah. Jesus is the Savior of Israel, a fountain whose blood covers the sins of all who come to Him for salvation (Zechariah 13:1; 1 John 1:7).

Practical Application: God expects sincere worship and moral living of us today. Zechariah’s example of breaking through national prejudice reminds us to reach out into all areas of our society. We must extend God’s invitation of salvation to people of all national origins, languages, races, and cultures. That salvation is only available through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, who died in our place to atone for sin. But if we reject that sacrifice, there is no other sacrifice through which we can be reconciled to God. There is no other name under heaven by which men are saved (Acts 4:12). There is no time to lose; today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

(Got Questions - Summary of the Book of Zechariah; https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Zechariah.html)

The Book of Malachi is an oracle: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi (1:1). This was God’s warning through Malachi to tell the people to turn back to God. As the final book of the Old Testament closes, the pronouncement of God’s justice and the promise of His restoration through the coming Messiah is ringing in the ears of the Israelites. Four hundred years of silence ensues, ending with a similar message from God’s next prophet, John the Baptist, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2).

Malachi 3:1-6 is a prophecy concerning John the Baptist. He was the Messenger of the Lord sent to prepare the way (Matthew 11:10) for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. John preached repentance and baptized in the name of the Lord, thus preparing the way for Jesus’ first advent. But the Messenger who comes “suddenly to the Temple” is Christ Himself in His second advent when He comes in power and might (Matthew 24). At that time, He will “purify the sons of Levi” (v. 3), meaning that those who exemplified the Mosaic Law would themselves need purification from sin through the blood of the Savior. Only then will they be able to offer “an offering in righteousness” because it will be the righteousness of Christ imputed to them through faith (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Practical Application: God is not pleased when we do not obey His commands. He will repay those who disregard Him. As for God hating divorce (2:16), God takes the covenant of marriage seriously and He does not want it broken. We are to stay true to the spouse of our youth for a lifetime. God sees our hearts, so He knows what our intentions are; nothing can be hidden from Him. He will return and He will be the judge. But if we return to Him, He will return to us (Malachi 3:6).

(Got Questions - Summary of the Book of Malachi; https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Malachi.html)