Introduction to the Old Testament

1. The Bible is regarded by the Church as the most important and most accurate spiritual book. It is our main source for spiritual reading and learning.

2. The Bible is different from all other books. Other books, like science books, technical books, fictional and non- fictional books are written by people. The Bible was written by people with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Bible consists of two Testaments: The Old Testament and the New Testament. These are the main two divisions of the Bible. The Old Testament is the period before Christ was born, and the New Testament covers the period of Christ's birth and after.

4. The Bible covers a period of 5000 years from creation to the resurrection of Jesus. We are now 2000 years beyond the resurrection, so we are now 7000 years after the creation.

5. The Old Testament consists of 39 books and the New Testament consists of 27 books. The Apocrypha includes 7 more books and 2 additions that are to be included in the Old Testament. The Apocrypha is not included in New King James versions of the Bible. Only the 39 books of the Old Testament appear in the New King James version. The books of the Apocrypha are Tobit, I and II Macabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, Baruch, and Judith. The additions are the additions to the book of Daniel (The Song of the three Young Men, Susanna), and the additions to the book of Esther.

6. The books of the Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These books appear in this order in the Old Testament. Lamentations was written by Jeremiah.

7. The 12 Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These are the last 12 books of the Old Testament, and appear in that order.

The Old Testament consists of:

1. Genesis - Contains the stories of the creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

2. Exodus - Contains the stories of Moses, the Israelites leaving Egypt and going into the promised land, the crossing of the Red Sea, the plagues, the ten commandments, and the building of the tabernacle.

3. Leviticus - This book contains the laws of sacrifices, laws of worship, laws on what is clean and unclean, laws of priesthood, and laws of governance.

4. Numbers - This book mainly gives an account of the numbering of the people in Israel, and a census of the people. It also talks about some of the laws covered in Leviticus. It gives the story of Balaam.

5. Deuteronomy - The theme of this book is the "second law". It is a book that talks about the clarification and the renewal of the covenant God made to his people. It gives the ten commandments for the second time. At the end of Deuteronomy, Moses turns over the leadership of the Israelites to Joshua. The five books of Moses are thus Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These five books are called the Pentateuch, which is a Greek word meaning five containers or five books.

6. Joshua - Joshua was Moses's successor as leader of the Israelites. This book gives the stories of Joshua, the crossing of the Jordan, the falling of Jericho, the story of Rahab, and the capture of Ai.

7. Judges - Talks about the 12 Judges of Israel, contains the story of Gideon, Samson, and Deborah.

8. Ruth - Great book about marriage and relationships between children and their parents and parents-in-law.

9. First Samuel - contains the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David. It ends with Saul's death. Contains stories of David and Goliath, David and Jonathan, and David and Abigail.

10. Second Samuel - Contains stories about David as king of Israel. It talks about David and Bathsheba, David and Nathan, David's sons, the birth of Solomon.

11. First Kings - David's son, Solomon, becomes king. The book contains stories about Solomon. Solomon is the wisest man to ever live. It contains stories about Elijah, Elijah raising the widows son, and the contest on Mount Carmel.

12. Second Kings - Contains stories about Elisha, including Elisha and the Shunammite woman, the story of Naaman, the story of Hezekiah, Hezekiah consults Isaiah, and Jerusalem conquered by Nebuchadnezzar.

13. First Chronicles - This book gives genealogies and lists of families. It also gives stories of the life of David.

14. Second Chronicles - Gives stories about the reign of Solomon.

15. Ezra - Rebuilding of the temple lead by Ezra.

16. Nehemiah - Nehemiah helps rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

17. Esther - Story of Esther, Haman, and Mordecai.

18. Job - Story of Job. He was wealthy, lost all, and regained twice as much as what he had before.

19. Psalms - 150 Psalms, mostly written by David. The Psalms are poetic songs talking about repentance, God's love, God's justice, God's mercy, and prophecies about Jesus. Psalm 50 is a Psalm of repentance read at the beginning of every hour in the Agpeya. The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible.

20. Proverbs - A book of wise spiritual saying written by Solomon. A book of guidance and advice for the young and the old.

21. Ecclesiastes - A book aiming to understand the reason and meaning for human existence and the good that man can find in life. Chapter 3 is a well known chapter on "Everything Has Its Time."

22. Song of Solomon - A book of poetic songs of love for the Lord.

23. Isaiah - Contains the stories of Isaiah, Lucifer (Satan) (Chapter 14), many prophecies concerning the birth and crucifixion of Jesus (Chapters 49 and 53).

24. Jeremiah - This book contains stories about Jeremiah the priest. It also talks about rewards for following in God's ways and the punishment for sin. The sins of the people are revealed and they are urged to repent. Contains the story of Jeremiah at the potters wheel.

25. Lamentations - This book contains laments following Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians. The lamenting is also a call to repentance for committed sins. 26. Ezekiel - This books talks about Israel's sins, God's judgment, justice and restoration of Israel. Ezekiel also has the powerful verse on the perpetual virginity of the Virgin Mary (Ezekiel 44:2).

27. Daniel - Contains stories about Daniel, Daniel in the kings house with his friends, Daniel in the lions den, and Daniel interpreting dreams. This book also contains many prophecies regarding the second coming of Christ.

28. Hosea - Hosea was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ and the life of Hosea.

29. Joel - Joel was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

30. Amos - Amos was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

31. Obadiah - Obadiah was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

32. Jonah - Jonah was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ. The book also gives the story about Jonah being in the belly of the whale for three days.

33. Micah - Micah was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

34. Nahum - Nahum was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

35. Habakkuk - Habakkuk was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

36. Zephaniah - Zephaniah was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

37. Haggai - Haggai was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

38. Zechariah - Zechariah was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.

39. Malachi - Malachi was one of the twelve minor prophets. The book gives about prophecies about Christ.