1st century Christianity in the 21st century
The books of Ezra & Nehemiah pick up where 2 Chronicles left off (compare 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). They record the return from exile in Babylon and the restoration of Jerusalem.
The return to Judah happened in three phases. The first was led by Zerubbabel, the second by Ezra and the third by Nehemiah. There is a pattern which can be seen throughout the books with each of these men.
Continue reading “Ezra And Nehemiah: Return From Exile & Rebuilding Jerusalem – Bible Overview”Our Bibles list six books (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles), but originally each pair was a single book. These books record just over 500 years of Israel’s history beginning with the birth of Samuel (the final judge in Israel) and culminating with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.
Continue reading “Israel’s History in Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles – Bible Overview”The book of Ruth is the third history books in the Old Testament. It is a beautiful account of a young Moabite woman who came to faith in God. We do not know who wrote the book, but it appears to have been written during or after the time of David (4:17-22). It is set in the period of the Judges, which was a dark time in Israel’s history. This book shines as a light in the darkness.
Continue reading “Ruth: A Journey Of Faith, Loyalty, And Redemption – Bible Overview”The book of Judges is the second of the history books in the Old Testament. The name of the book comes from 2:18,“…the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” The word judge is from the Hebrew jps {shaphat}, which refers to “…a magistrate or ruler, rather than one who judges in the sense of trying a case.”1 The judges served Israel to deliver them from their enemies.
Continue reading “Judges: The Ongoing Cycle of Sin and Restoration – Bible Overview”The book of Joshua is the first of the history books in the Old Testament. It is named for Joshua the son of Nun, who led Israel after Moses’ death. His name means “Yahweh is deliverance,” and is the Hebrew name for Jesus (Gr. iesous).
Continue reading “Joshua: Conquest of the land of Canaan – Bible Overview”The fifth book of the Torah or Pentateuch is Deuteronomy. The name means “second law” or “copy of the law” and comes from the Greek δευτερονόμιον, which appears in Deuteronomy 17:18 of the LXX. That said, this text doesn’t appear to be the source of naming the book. The book retells the Law for the new generation ready to enter the promised land. The book is called mydbr, in Hebrew, meaning, “These are the words” (1:1).
Continue reading “Deuteronomy: The Second Giving of the Law – Bible Overview”The fourth book of the Torah or Pentateuch is Numbers. The name is descriptive, for in the book the children of Israel are numbered twice. The first census is the exodus generation (1:2-3), the second census is of their children (26:2-4). The Hebrew name for the book is rbdm, “in the wilderness,” coming from Numbers 1:1, “Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting…”
Continue reading “Numbers: Israel Wandering in the Wilderness – Bible Overview”The third book of the Torah or Pentateuch is Leviticus. The name of the book in English is from the Greek leuitikon, which associates the book with the priestly tribe of Levi. The Hebrew title for the book is arqyw, “And He called,” which is how the book begins (Leviticus 1:1).
Continue reading “Leviticus: God’s Instruction to the Priests – Bible Overview”The second book of the Torah or Pentateuch is Exodus. The name of the book in English is from the Greek exodov, which means “going out.” The Hebrew title for the book is twms, “Names,” derived from the opening phrase of the book, “Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt…” (Exodus 1:1).
Exodus is the continuation of Genesis. The last verse in Genesis (50:26) spoke of Joseph’s death. After reminding us of the sons of Jacob who had journeyed to Egypt, Exodus 1:6 says, “…Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation.”
Continue reading “Exodus: God’s Covenant from Sinai for Israel – Bible Overview”The first five books of the Bible are called the Law or Toral (instruction). They are also known as the Pentateuch, which literally means “five volumes.” The first in this series of books is Genesis, a name which comes from the Septuagint (Greek) translation of Genesis 2:4, “This is the book of the generation (genesewv) of heaven and earth…” The word means “creation or generation.”1 The Hebrew name for the book is “Bereshit,” which is the opening word, “beginning.”
Continue reading “Genesis: the Book of Beginnings – Bible Overview”