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LTRBE Seminar | Section 12: Overview of the Books of the Bible (Part 3)

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Section 12
Overview of the Books of the Bible (Part 3)

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Section 12: Overview of the Books of the Bible (Part 3)

I & II Kings
Author: Not known for certain
Time: 1000 - 586 B.C.
Summary: In the original Jewish texts, these books were regarded as one book. The two books contain the history of the Jewish monarchy from the death of David (around 970 B.C.) to the Babylonian exile (586 B.C.). They trace the division of the Jewish nation into the Kingdom of Judah in the south and the Kingdom of Israel in the north. I & II Kings record Israel's history from a religious, rather than a civil, viewpoint. As such, it records the religious progress of the nation and sets forth the various steps in the moral growth and decay of the kingdom. I Kings opens with Israel in its glory, and II Kings closes with Israel in ruins. The purpose of the Book of Kings is to record the lives and characters of the nation's leaders as a warning and exhortation to all subsequent genera¬tions of covenant bearers.

THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM SOLOMON TO REHOBOAM - I Kings 1:1 - 11:43

  1. Solomon's ascension to the throne - Ch. 1:1 - 2:46
  2. The wisdom and wealth of Solomon - Ch. 3:1 - 4:34
  3. Solomon's building activity - Ch. 5:1 - 9:28
  4. The Golden Age of Solomon - Ch. 10:1-29
  5. Solomon's apostasy, decline, and death - Ch. 11:1-43

THE DIVIDED KINGDOM, FROM REHOBOAM TO THE FALL OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL - I Kings 12:1 - II Kings 17:41

  1. Early antagonism between Israel and Judah, from Jeroboam to Omri - Ch. 12:1 - 16:28
  2. From Ahab to the ascension of Jehu - I Kings 16:29 - II Kings 9:10
  3. From Jehu to the destruction of Israel - Ch. 9:11 - 17:41

THE KINGDOM IN JUDAH TO THE FINAL DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM OF JUDAH - II Kings 18:1 - 25:30

  1. The kingdom under Hezekiah - Ch. 18:1 - 20:21
  2. The reigns of Manasseh and Amon - Ch. 21:1-26
  3. Reform in Judah and Israel under Josiah - Ch. 22:1 - 23:30
  4. The last days of Judah - Ch. 23:31 - 25:26
  5. Epilogue - The release of Johoiachin - Ch. 25:27-30

I & II Chronicles
Author: Ezra
Time: 1050-536 B.C.
Summary: Like the Book of Kings, I & II Chronicles were originally one book according to Jewish tradition. However, the Chronicles are not simply a repeat of the history already recorded in the books of Samuel and Kings. The Book of Chronicles was written to remind the nation of their entire history, and of their position among other nations, emphasizing the history of priestly worship from the death of Saul to the end of the Babylonian captivity. The Chronicles contain more detail on the organization of public worship, of religious ceremonies, of Levites and singers, and of the relationship of Kings to the worship of God, than does the Book of Kings. The history of the Northern Kingdom is omitted from the Chronicles because the Northern Kingdom had no bearing on the development of True Worship of God in Jerusalem.

GENEALOGIES - Chapter 1:1 - 9:44

  1. Patriarchs - Ch. 1:1-54
  2. Judah - Ch. 2:1 - 4:23
  3. Simeon - Ch. 4:24-43
  4. Tribes east of the Jordan River - Ch. 5:1-26
  5. Levi - Ch. 6:1-81
  6. Six other tribes - Ch. 7:1 - 8:40; 9:35-44
  7. Jerusalem's inhabitants - Ch. 9:1-34

THE REIGN OF DAVID - Chapter 10:1 - 29:30

  1. Background: the death of Saul - Ch. 10:1-14
  2. David's rise - Ch. 11:1 - 20:8
  3. David's latter days - Ch. 21:1 - 29:30

THE REIGN OF SOLOMON - II Chronicles 1:1 - 9:31

  1. Solomon's inauguration - Ch. 1:1-17
  2. Solomon's Temple - Ch. 2:1 - 7:22
  3. Solomon's kingdom - Ch. 8:1 - 9:31

THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH - Chapter 10:1 - 36:23

  1. The division of the kingdom - Ch. 10:1 - 11:23
  2. The rulers of Judah - Ch. 12:1 - 36:16
    Rehoboam - Ch. 12:1-16
    Abijah - Ch. 13:1-22
    Asa - Ch. 14:1 - 16:14
    Jehoshaphat - Ch. 17:1 - 20:37
    Johoram - Ch. 21:1-20
    Ahaziah - Ch. 22:1-9
    Athaliah - Ch. 22:10 - 23:21
    Joash - Ch. 24:1-27
    Amaziah - Ch. 25:1-28
    Uzziah - Ch. 26:1-23
    Jotham - Ch. 27:1-9
    Ahaz - Ch. 28:1-27
    Hezekiah - Ch. 29:1 - 32:33
    Manasseh - Ch. 33:1-20
    Amon - Ch. 33:21-25
    Josiah - Ch. 34:1 - 35:27
    Johoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah - Ch. 36:1-16
  3. The Exile - Ch. 36:17-23

Proverbs
Author: Solomon and others
Time: 1000 - 700 B.C.
Summary: In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is the attitude which puts God first as man's rightful guide and master. The book does not hesitate to link good and bad with reward and penalty. Much can be learned by testing personal conduct against the positive and negative standards and warnings as recorded in the Proverbs. Throughout the book, the view is set forth that all men fall into two basic classes. Both are known by their habits, their deeds, their "fruits", their chosen "ways" in life, and their fitting ends. They are either with God or without Him, good or evil, or wise or foolish. There is even a mutual tension between the two classes, the two ways of life, which shows up in every aspect of life.

SUPERIORITY OF THE WAY OF WISDOM - Chapter 1:1 - 9:18

  1. Introduction - Ch. 1:1-7
  2. The righteous woman, Wisdom, versus the evil woman - Ch. 1:8 - 9:18

MAIN COLLECTION OF SOLOMON'S PROVERBS - Chapter 10:1 - 22:16

  1. Contrasting proverbs - Ch. 10:1 - 15:33
  2. Proverbs largely parallel - Ch. 16:1 - 22:16

THE WORDS OF THE WISE, THIRTY SAYINGS - Chapter 22:17 - 24:22

  1. Sayings paralleled in Egyptian Wisdom - Ch. 22:17 - 23:12
  2. Sayings with no parallel in Egyptian Wisdom - Ch. 23:13 - 24:22

THE WORDS OF THE WISE, APPENDIX - Chapter 24:23-34

PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, COMPILED BY HEZEKIAH'S MEN - Chapter 25:1 - 29:27

FINAL APPENDICES - Chapter 30:1 - 31:31

  1. The Words of Agur - Ch. 30:1-33
  2. The Words of Lemuel - Ch. 31:1-9
  3. Alphabetical poem on the virtuous woman - Ch. 31:10-31

Ecclesiastes
Author: Solomon
Time: 960 B.C.
Summary: Ecclesiastes is the final book in the "wisdom literature". The name Ecclesiastes comes from the root meaning "to assemble together." As such, the book forms a collection of many wise sayings and proverbs of Solomon. The book is mainly comprised of observations of life. Solomon, having lived a full life with all its pleasures, concludes that life is vanity. What better man to speak about life than a man who was given all it had to offer. Without God, life would be meaningless. All his worldly possessions would amount to nothing. Therefore, the conclusion of his studies states that man should love and fear God and obey his commandments.

  1. The Futility of All Human Endeavors - Ch. 1:1-11
  2. The Test of Practical Experience - Ch. 1:12 - 2:26
  3. Men's Opportunity Limited by Time - Ch. 3:1-22
  4. Human Vanity Greatly Increased by Oppression - Ch. 4:1-16
  5. Vanity in Insincere Worship - Ch. 5:1-9
  6. Vanity of Riches - Ch. 5:10 - 6:2
  7. Vanity of Human Desires - Ch. 6:3 - 11:6
  8. Advice and Warning to Youth - Ch. 11:7 - 12:8
  9. Conclusion - Ch. 12:9-14

Song of Solomon
Author: Solomon
Time: about 960 B.C.
Summary: Its content includes speeches in Hebrew poetry. It depicts the beauty and pure love between a man and a woman which develops into a mature undying relationship. More in depth symbolism shows the relationship between Christ and his bride, the body of believers, which will be consummated at his return. The basic message is the purity and sacredness of love.

PART ONE: THE BRIDE SELECTED FROM ISRAEL - Chapter 1:1 - 5:1

  1. Song 1: The ardent love and becoming humility of the bride - Ch. 1:1-8
  2. Song 2: Love's communion and self sacrificing devotion - Ch. 1:9 - 2:7
  3. Song 3: Signs of his coming - Ch. 2:8-17
  4. Song 4: His sudden appearance - Ch. 3:1-5
  5. Song 5: The splendor of the marriage - Ch. 3:6 - 4:7
  6. Song 6: Entering the inheritance - Ch. 4:8 - 5:1

PART TWO: THE BRIDE SELECTED FROM THE GENTILES - Chapter 5:2 - 8:14

  1. Song 7: The first advent call and espousal of the bride - Ch. 5:2 - 6:10
  2. Song 8: Anticipating his coming - Ch. 6:11-13
  3. Song 9: The flowing beauty of the bride - Ch. 7:1-9
  4. Song 10: The bride's deep longing and ardent desire for the groom's return - Ch. 7:10 - 8:4
  5. Song 11: The joy and communion of true marriage - Ch. 8:5-7
  6. Song 12: Love's labor in the future - Ch. 8:8-14

Jonah
Author: Jonah
Time: 775-760 B.C.
Summary: The book is concerned with the commission of Jonah to warn the city of Nineveh (capital of Assyria) to repent and obey God's commandments to avoid assured destruction. Jonah is reluctant to preach this message and is therefore swallowed by a great fish and remains in the belly of the fish for three days. Upon his release, he preaches the message to the people of Nineveh who believe his message and repent of their sins.

FLEEING - Chapter 1:1-17

  1. The Lord's Command - Ch. 1:1-2
  2. A ship to Tarshish - Ch. 1:3
  3. A storm at sea - Ch. 1:4-14
  4. Cast overboard - Ch. 1:15-17

PRAYING - Chapter 2:1-10

  1. Cast out - Ch. 2:1-4
  2. Brought up - Ch. 2:5-6
  3. Paying vows - Ch. 2:7-9
  4. Delivered - Ch. 2:10

PREACHING - Chapter 3:1-10

  1. The Lord's second command - Ch. 3:1-2
  2. Declaring the message - Ch. 3:3-4
  3. Nineveh's repentance - Ch. 3:5-9
  4. Judgment withheld - Ch. 3:10

LEARNING - Chapter 4:1-11

  1. Complaint - Ch. 4:1-3
  2. The gourd and the worm - Ch. 4:4-7
  3. The wind and the sun - Ch. 4:8
  4. The lesson - Ch. 4:9-11

Amos
Author: Amos
Time: 765-750 B.C.
Summary: The book of Amos was written during a period of national optimism in Israel. King Jeroboam II was ruler, and politically and materially the northern kingdom rivaled the age of Solomon and David. Amos, a shepherd by trade, was called by God to pronounce judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel by denouncing Israel's luxurious living, idolatry, and moral depravity. Amos urges the people to repent before the judgments of God came upon them. "Seek God and live" was Amos' plea to the nation. He also foretells of the dispersion of the Israelites, but points to a day when God would regather them in the land of their forefathers.

JUDGEMENTS AGAINST THE NATIONS - Chapter 1:1 - 2:16

  1. Superscription and proclamation - Ch. 1:1-2
  2. Indictment of neighboring nations - Ch. 1:3 - 2:3
  3. Indictment of Judah - Ch. 2:4-5
  4. Indictment of Israel - Ch. 2:6-16

THREE DISCOURSES AGAINST ISRAEL - Chapter 3:1 - 6:14

  1. A declaration of judgment - Ch. 3:1-15
  2. The depravity of Israel - Ch. 4:1-13
  3. A lamentation for Israel's sin and doom - Ch. 5:1 - 6:14

FIVE VISIONS OF ISRAEL'S CONDITION - Chapter 7:1 - 9:10

  1. The devouring locusts - Ch. 7:1-3
  2. The flaming fire - Ch. 7:4-6
  3. The plumb line - Ch. 7:7-17
  4. The basket of ripe fruit - Ch. 8:1-14
  5. The judgment of the Lord - Ch. 9:1-10

THE PROMISE OF ISRAEL'S RESTORATION - Chapter 9:11-15

Hosea
Author: Hosea
Time: 755-710 B.C.
Summary: The book of Hosea describes the patient long suffering of God towards the rebellious and unfaithful northern kingdom of Israel. However, it is made clear to the Israelites that punishment will engulf anyone who remains willfully rebellious. A key theme is Hosea's marriage to the unfaithful Gomer, who is a symbolic representation of Israel.

THE PROPHET'S MARRIED LIFE - Chapter 1:1 - 3:5

  1. His marriage to Gomer - Ch. 1:1-9
  2. A message of hope - Ch. 1:10-11
  3. Judgment on faithless Israel - Ch. 2:1-13
  4. The restoration of faithless Israel - Ch. 2:14-23
  5. Hosea's redemption of his faithless wife - Ch. 3:1-5

ISRAEL'S UNFAITHFULNESS AND CONSEQUENT JUDGMENT - Chapter 4:1 - 13:16

  1. The guilt of the people - Ch. 4:1-3
  2. The guilt of the priests - Ch. 4:4-8
  3. Punishment for all - Ch. 4:9-10
  4. Immoral cult practices - Ch. 4:11-19
  5. Judgment on kings and priests for leading the people astray - Ch. 5:1-7
  6. Disastrous foreign policies of Ephraim and Judah - Ch. 5:8-15
  7. Israel's plea and God's rejoinder - Ch. 6:1-6
  8. The crimes of Israel - Ch. 6:7 - 7:7
  9. Israel's disastrous foreign policy - Ch. 7:8 - 8:3
  10. Israel's idolatry and wicked alliances - Ch. 8:4-14
  11. The exile of Israel foretold - Ch. 9:1-9
  12. Israel's ancient apostasy at Baal peor - Ch. 9:10-14
  13. Israel's apostasy at Gilgal - Ch. 9:15-17
  14. Destruction of the Baal cult prophesied - Ch. 10:1-8
  15. The sin at Gibeah - Ch. 10:9-10
  16. The ruin of Israel - Ch. 10:11-15
  17. God's love; Israel's ingratitude - Ch. 11:1-7
  18. God's pity for his people - Ch. 11:8-11
  19. The sins of Jacob - Ch. 11:12 - 12:14
  20. The wicked bull worship - Ch. 13:1-3
  21. The gracious God to bring destruction - Ch. 13:4-11
  22. Inescapable ruin - Ch. 13:12-16

ISRAEL'S CONVERSION AND RENEWAL - Chapter 14:1-9

  1. The call to repentance - Ch. 14:1-3
  2. The promise of pardon - Ch. 14:4-8
  3. A parting admonition - Ch. 14:9

Isaiah
Author: Isaiah
Time: 740-690 B.C.
Summary: Isaiah ministered during the rule of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His primary focus dealt with the coming judgment on the Southern Kingdom of Judah due to its great wickedness. Isaiah identified the root of Judah's trouble in its idolatry and apostasy. Although he spoke of judgments on other nations as well, the prophet Isaiah urged the kings and the people to put their trust in God rather than in alliances with earthly powers. He comforted his people with the realization that God loves those who are faithful to Him and keep His commandments. He spoke of the future Messiah who would come to redeem the nation and restore the Kingdom.

REBUKE AND PROMISE - Chapter 1:1 - 6:13

  1. Rebellion confronted with judgment and grace - Ch. 1:1-31
  2. Punishment for sin as preparation for glory - Ch. 2:1 - 4:6
  3. Judgment and exile in store for Israel - Ch. 5:1-30
  4. The prophet cleansed and commissioned by God - Ch. 6:1-13

IMMANUEL - Chapter 7:1 - 12:6

  1. Immanuel rejected by worldly wisdom - Ch. 7:1-25
  2. Messianic deliverance foreshadowed - Ch. 8:1 - 9:7
  3. Boastful Samaria doomed to exile - Ch. 9:8 - 10:4
  4. World empire crushed; glorious empire to come - Ch. 10:5 - 12:6

BURDENS OF JUDGMENT UPON THE NATIONS - Chapter 13:1 - 23:18

  1. Fall of Babylon; her king's descent into Hades - Ch. 13:1 - 14:27
  2. Downfall of Philistia - Ch. 14:28-32
  3. Downfall of Moab - Ch. 15:1 - 16:14
  4. Downfall of Damascus and Samaria - Ch. 17:1-14
  5. Downfall and conversion of Ethiopia - Ch. 18:1-7
  6. Afflictions of Egypt - Ch . 19:1 - 20:6
  7. Babylon to be conquered and her idols destroyed - Ch. 21:1-10
  8. Defeat for Edom; victory for Israel - Ch. 21:11-12
  9. Dedan and Kedar to be routed - Ch. 21:13-17
  10. Fall of Jerusalem foreseen; Eliakim to replace Shebna - Ch. 22:1-25
  11. Downfall and enslavement of Tyre - Ch. 23:1-18

GENERAL REBUKE AND PROMISE, I - Chapter 24:1 - 27:13

  1. Universal judgment upon universal sin - Ch. 24:1-23
  2. God praised as deliverer and comforter of Zion - Ch. 25:1-12
  3. Song of joy over Judah's consolation - Ch. 26:1-21
  4. Oppressors to be punished but God's people preserved - Ch. 27:1-13

WOES UPON THE UNBELIEVERS OF ISRAEL - Chapter 28:1 - 33:24

  1. Judgment of Ephraimite drunkards and Jewish scoffers - Ch. 28:1-29
  2. Disaster ahead for hypocrites - Ch. 29:1-24
  3. Confidence in Egypt versus confidence in God - Ch. 30:1-33
  4. God, not Egypt, to be Jerusalem's defense - Ch. 31:1-9
  5. Israel's final deliverance, and her spiritual renewal - Ch. 32:1-20
  6. Punishment of the Treacherous, and Triumph of Christ - Ch. 33:1-24

GENERAL REBUKE AND PROMISE, II - Chapter 34:1 - 35:10

  1. Utter destruction of Gentile world powers - Ch. 34:1-17
  2. Blessing on the way of holiness - Ch. 35:1-10

THE VOLUME OF HEZEKIAH - Chapter 36:1 - 39:8

  1. Destruction of Judah averted - Ch. 36:1 - 37:38
  2. Destruction of Judah's king averted - Ch. 38:1 - 39:8

THE VOLUME OF COMFORT - Chapter 40:1 - 66:24

  1. The Purpose of Peace - Ch. 40:1 - 48:22
  2. The Prince of Peace - Ch. 49:1 - 57:21
  3. The Program of Peace - Ch. 58:1 - 66:24

Micah
Author: Micah
Time: 735-700 B.C.
Summary: Micah, who was contemporary with Isaiah, was to the Southern Kingdom of Judah what Amos was previously to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Both were fierce critics of the rich and powerful who exploited the poor. Though Micah's prophecies refer especially to Judah, they concerned all of Israel. Micah's leading ideas are the regeneration of Israel's remnant through judgment, the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the line of David, and the conversion of the nations through that kingdom. The conclusion of his prophecy is a triumphant expression of faith, which is seen in its true quality against the background of the materialism and the corruption of the reign of Ahaz.

SUPERSCRIPTION - Chapter 1:1

APPROACHING JUDGMENT OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH BECAUSE OF PERSISTENT SIN - Chapter 1:2-16

  1. The call to attention - Ch. 1:2
  2. Terrible coming of God announced and described - Ch. 1:3-4
  3. Sins of the capital city representative of those of the nation - Ch. 1:5
  4. Fearful consequences of this judgment - Ch. 1:6-7
  5. The prophet's reaction and his vision of this judgment - Ch. 1:8-16

DOOM OF CORRUPT OPPRESSORS AND FALSE PROPHETS - Chapter 2:1 - 3:12

  1. Woe upon the land monopolizers - Ch. 2:1-5
  2. False preaching of lying prophets - Ch. 2:6-13
  3. Denunciation of the leaders of the people - Ch. 3:1-7
  4. Micah's consciousness of power from the Spirit of God - Ch. 3:8
  5. Gross sin and crime to bring destruction upon Jerusalem - Ch. 3:9-12

VISION OF HOPE FROM THE COMING ONE - Chapter 4:1 - 5:15

  1. Final triumph of Jerusalem - Ch. 4:1 - 5:1
  2. Coming mighty leader to be born in Bethlehem and to restore the remnant of Jacob - Ch. 5:2-15

THE LORD'S CASE AGAINST ISRAEL - Chapter 6:1 - 7:20

  1. First complaint of God - Ch. 6:1-5
  2. Israel's first reply - Ch. 6:6-8
  3. Second complaint of God - Ch. 6:9-16
  4. Israel's second reply - a confession of sin - Ch. 7:1-10
  5. Israel's promised blessing to follow judgment - Ch. 7:11-13
  6. Final plea for Israel - gathered from many nations - Ch. 7:14-17
  7. Doxology: The triumph of grace - Ch. 7:18-20

Nahum
Author: Nahum
Time: 620 B.C.
Summary: The book of Nahum was written approximately 140 years after the recorded events in the book of Jonah. During that period of time, Nineveh had turned from its repentant attitude and had taken the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity. Whereas Jonah proclaimed a message of mercy and repentance, Nahum pro¬claimed an indictment of doom upon Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. They who were once used as God's tool against the people of Israel and Jerusalem, would now be destroyed because of their great wickedness.

NINEVEH'S DOOM DECLARED - Chapter 1:1-15

  1. Character of Nineveh's Judge - Ch. 1:1-8
  2. Declaration of Nineveh's Doom - Ch. 1:9-11
  3. Comfort to Nineveh's Oppressed - Ch. 1:12-15

NINEVEH'S DOOM DESCRIBED - Chapter 2:1-13

  1. City Besieged - Ch. 2:1-5
  2. City Overwhelmed - Ch. 2:6-10
  3. City Made Desolate - Ch. 2:11-13

NINEVEH'S DOOM DESERVED - Chapter 3:1-19

  1. Cause of the Overthrow - Ch. 3:1-5
  2. Lesson of the Overthrow - Ch. 3:6-13
  3. Certainty of the Overthrow - Ch. 3:14-19

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