When it comes to the Old Testament, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of the text. With 39 books spanning over several thousand years, it can be difficult to know where to start studying. That’s where “Bible Breakdowns” comes in- a series of one-page subject breakdowns for each book in the Old Testament. These concise summaries give readers a clear understanding of the themes and messages of each book, making it easier to dive deeper into their studies.
Genesis
Genesis is the first book of the Bible and covers a vast amount of time, from the creation of the world to the death of Joseph. One of the main themes of Genesis is the idea of God’s covenant with his people. We see this covenant established with Adam and Eve, Noah, and ultimately with Abraham. God promises to bless his people and make them into a great nation, all the while testing their faith and devotion.
Another key theme in Genesis is the idea of sin and its consequences. We see this most clearly with the story of Adam and Eve and the fall of man. From there, sin continues to be a prevalent issue throughout the book- from Cain’s murder of his brother Abel, to the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, to Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery out of jealousy. Through it all, we see God’s faithfulness to his people even in the midst of their sinfulness.
Exodus
Exodus picks up where Genesis leaves off, with God’s people enslaved in Egypt. The book follows Moses as he leads the Israelites out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land, with plenty of challenges and obstacles along the way. One of the key themes in Exodus is the idea of liberation- both physical and spiritual. God frees his people from their physical bondage to Egypt, but also offers them a new way of living that is centered around worshiping and following him.
Another prominent theme in Exodus is the idea of the Law. God gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments and other laws to follow as a way of remaining faithful and in good standing with him. However, we also see that these laws are not always easy to follow- even the Israelites themselves struggle with obedience and faithfulness. Ultimately, the book of Exodus shows us the importance of obedience to God in all things.
Leviticus
While Leviticus can seem like a dry and tedious book at first glance, it’s actually incredibly important when it comes to understanding the practices and beliefs of the Israelites. The book is mostly made up of laws and instructions for how to conduct various rituals and sacrifices. One of the key themes in Leviticus is the idea of holiness- both in terms of how to approach God and how to treat others.
Leviticus also deals with the concept of purity- both physical and spiritual. We see this in the many detailed instructions for how to handle issues like skin diseases or unclean animals. While these may seem arbitrary or outdated to us today, they were incredibly important to the Israelites’ sense of identity and belonging as God’s chosen people.
Numbers
As the title suggests, Numbers is a book full of, well, numbers. The book covers events like the census of Israel, the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, and the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. One of the key themes in Numbers is the concept of faithfulness and obedience. We see this through various stories- like the rebellion of Korah or the punishment of the spies who doubted God’s ability to give them the Promised Land.
Another important theme in Numbers is the idea of God’s presence with his people. We see this most clearly through the story of the Tabernacle, a portable temple that the Israelites built in the wilderness to serve as a place of worship and communion with God. Throughout the book, we see how the Israelites struggle to remain faithful and obedient to God, even in the face of adversity.
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is often referred to as a “second law,” as it repeats many of the same instructions and commandments found in the earlier books of the Pentateuch. However, it’s much more than just a rehashing of old material. Deuteronomy serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their covenant with God, and the blessings and consequences that come from obedience or disobedience.
One of the main themes in Deuteronomy is the idea of loving and serving God with every aspect of your life. We see this in the famous Shema passage, which commands the Israelites to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength. Throughout the book, we also see the importance of passing down this love and knowledge of God to future generations.
Joshua
Joshua takes place after the death of Moses and follows the Israelites as they finally enter the Promised Land. The book is full of stories of battles, victories, and defeats as the Israelites try to claim their new home. One of the key themes in Joshua is the idea of faithfulness and obedience. The Israelites are constantly challenged to follow God’s commands and remain faithful to him, even when it means sacrificing their own desires and plans.
Another important theme in Joshua is the idea of God’s faithfulness and provision. We see this most clearly in the story of Rahab, a prostitute who helps the Israelites conquer the city of Jericho. Rahab shows us that God can use anyone and anything to accomplish his will, and that he is always faithful to his promises.
Judges
Judges covers a tumultuous time in Israel’s history, with a series of judges and leaders rising up to guide the people through periods of oppression and rebellion. One of the main themes in Judges is the idea of the consequences of sin. We see this through the repeated cycle of the Israelites turning away from God, experiencing oppression and hardship, and then crying out to him for deliverance.
Another important theme in Judges is the idea of God’s mercy and grace. While the book is full of stories of sin and disobedience, we also see instances of God’s love and compassion. Characters like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson remind us that even when we fail, God is always ready and willing to extend his forgiveness and salvation.
Ruth
Ruth is a beautiful story of loyalty and love, set against the backdrop of the Judges period. The story follows Ruth, a Moabite woman who chooses to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband’s death. Together, they travel back to Naomi’s homeland of Bethlehem, where Ruth meets and ultimately marries Boaz. One of the main themes in Ruth is the idea of redemption- both in terms of Ruth’s personal story of tragedy and triumph, and in the larger context of God’s plan for his people.
Another key theme in Ruth is the idea of faithfulness and loyalty. We see this most clearly with the bond between Ruth and Naomi, as well as with Ruth’s dedication to following God’s plan for her life. The book reminds us that even in times of great loss and uncertainty, God is always working behind the scenes to bring about his good purposes.
1 Samuel
1 Samuel covers the period of Israel’s history following the death of judges, as the people transition to having a king. The book follows the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David as they grapple with power, leadership, and faithfulness. One of the key themes in 1 Samuel is the idea of obedience and submission to God’s will. We see this most clearly with the rise and fall of Saul, who starts out as a promising leader but ultimately falls short due to his disobedience and lack of faith.
Another important theme in 1 Samuel is the idea of God’s sovereignty and power. We see this in the story of David, who is chosen by God to be the next king despite his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy. Even in the midst of political upheaval and uncertainty, God remains in control and always works out his plans for his people.
2 Samuel
2 Samuel continues the story of Israel’s monarchy, covering the reign of King David and his successes and failures. One of the main themes in 2 Samuel is the idea of covenant and promise. We see this through the establishment of the Davidic covenant, in which God promises to make David’s lineage into a great and lasting dynasty. This covenant serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision towards his people.
Another important theme in 2 Samuel is the idea of power and leadership. David’s reign is marked by both great accomplishments and grave mistakes. Through it all, we see the importance of wisdom, humility, and obedience when it comes to wielding power and leading others.
1 Kings
1 Kings covers the period of Israel’s history immediately following the reign of David, as his son Solomon takes the throne. The book follows the stories of several kings and their successes and failures in leading the people of Israel. One of the main themes in 1 Kings is the idea of idolatry and temptation. We see this most clearly with the reigns of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, who lead the people into practicing pagan worship and forsaking God’s commands.
Another key theme in 1 Kings is the idea of covenant and promise. Even when the leaders of Israel turn away from God, he remains faithful to his promises and ultimately works out his good purposes. We see this most clearly with the rise of the prophet Elijah, who serves as a reminder of God’s power and sovereignty in the face of human weakness and disobedience.
2 Kings
2 Kings continues the story of Israel’s monarchy, covering the reigns of several kings and their successes and failures. One of the key themes in 2 Kings is the idea of justice and judgement. We see this most clearly with the fall of Israel to the Assyrian empire and the subsequent exile of the people. However, even in the face of this judgement, we also see instances of God’s mercy and grace towards his people.
Another important theme in 2 Kings is the idea of prophets and prophecy. We see this most clearly with the stories of Elijah and Elisha, who serve as instruments of God’s will and reminders of his power and sovereignty. The book serves as a reminder that even in times of great turmoil and uncertainty, God is always at work behind the scenes, moving and shaping history according to his good purposes.
1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles is often referred to as a “rewriting” of the events covered in the earlier books of Samuel and Kings. The book focuses mainly on the lineage of David and the building of the temple in Jerusalem. One of the key themes in 1 Chronicles is the idea of worship and devotion. We see this through the many descriptions of the temple and its importance as a place of worship and sacrifice.
Another important theme in 1 Chronicles is the idea of covenant and promise. The book serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to his promises and his desire to bless his people. Even in the midst of political turmoil and uncertainty, we see the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God in all things.
2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles continues the story of Israel’s monarchy, covering the reigns of several kings and their successes and failures. One of the main themes in 2 Chronicles is the idea of worship and devotion. We see this most clearly with the reign of King Solomon and the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. The book serves as a reminder of the importance of worship and sacrifice in remaining faithful to God.
Another important theme in 2 Chronicles is the idea of covenant and promise. The book reminds us of God’s faithfulness to his promises and his desire to bless his people. Even in the midst of political turmoil and conflict, we see the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God’s commands.
Ezra
Ezra covers the period of Israel’s history immediately following their exile in Babylon. The book follows the story of Ezra, a priest who leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and reestablish proper worship. One of the key themes in Ezra is the idea of repentance and restoration. We see this most clearly with the rebuilding of the temple and the return of proper worship practices.
Another important theme in Ezra is the idea of covenant and promise. The book reminds us of God’s faithfulness to his people, even in the face of exile and judgement. We see this most clearly with the reestablishment of proper worship and the renewed dedication to following God’s commands.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah continues the story of Israel’s exile and return to Jerusalem. The book follows the story of Nehemiah, who leads the rebuilding of the city walls and works to improve the lives of the people. One of the main themes in Nehemiah is the idea of leadership and service. We see this most clearly with Nehemiah’s dedication to his people and his willingness to sacrifice his own comfort and safety for their sake.
Another important theme in Nehemiah is the idea of covenant and promise. The book serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to his people and his desire to bless them. We also see the importance of community and unity in remaining faithful and obedient to God’s commands.
Esther
Esther is a unique book in that it doesn’t explicitly mention God or his commands. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s unimportant when it comes to understanding the story of the Israelites. The book follows the story of Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and uses her position to save her people from destruction. One of the key themes in Esther is the idea of courage and faithfulness. We see this most clearly with Esther’s willingness to risk her own life to save her people.
Another important theme in Esther is the idea of providence and God’s sovereignty. While God may not be mentioned directly in the book, we see his hand at work throughout the story- from Esther’s rise to power as queen, to the way events unfold to ensure the safety of the Jewish people.
Job
Job is a fascinating and complex book that deals with the problem of suffering and the nature of God. The book follows the story of Job, a righteous man who is tested by Satan and experiences unimaginable loss and suffering. One of the main themes in Job is the idea of trust and faithfulness in the midst of adversity. We see this most clearly with Job’s unwavering trust in God, even when he doesn’t understand the reasons behind his suffering.
Another key theme in Job is the idea of wisdom and humility. Through the many speeches and arguments between Job and his friends, we see the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding when it comes to grappling with life’s hard questions. Ultimately, the book serves as a reminder that even in the midst of pain and grief
