1. The Old Testament covers the period from the creation of the world until just before Jesus is born.

2. It contains 39 books, grouped into five sections.

     a. The Pentateuch. (Torah)

          • There are five books in the Pentateuch.

             – Genesis

             – Exodus

             – Leviticus

             – Numbers

             – Deuteronomy

          • They record God’s creation of man and the world.

          • The Pentateuch tells how God raised the nation of Israel through which He would reveal Himself to the nations of the world.

          • These five books, the Law, record the laws of God, establish his moral code, and teach humanity that they are sinners in need of forgiveness.

     b. Books of History.

         • There are 12 books of history in the Old Testament.

            – Joshua

            – Judges

            – Ruth

            – I and II Samuel

            – I and II Kings

            – I and II Chronicles

            – Ezra

            – Nehemiah

            – Esther

         • They cover a thousand-year history of Israel.

         • Their main purpose is to give theological history.

         • These books record the major events and show the results of both following and ignoring God’s law.

     c. Poetry.

         • There are five books of poetry/wisdom literature in the Old Testament.

            – Job

            – Psalms

            – Proverbs

            – Ecclesiastes

            – Song of Solomon

         • These are the books God’s people use to worship him.

         • They portray the human experience and our need for a personal relationship with God.

         • The writings of the poetic books are highly personal.

     d. Major Prophets

         • Longer books, not more important.

         • The prophetic books of the Old Testament are named after their author.

            – Isaiah

            – Jeremiah

            – Lamentations

            – Ezekiel

            – Daniel

         • They make predictions of future events and warn of coming judgment.

         • And they give us an overview of God’s plan.

         • They also challenge people to live in God’s ways.

     e. Minor Prophets

         • These make up the final section of the Old Testament.

         • The books are shorter, not less important.

            – Hosea

            – Joel

            – Amos

            – Obadiah

            – Jonah

            – Micah

            – Nahum 7

            – Habakkuk

            – Zephaniah

            – Haggai

            – Zechariah

            – Malachi

         • The minor prophet books contain prophetic messages from God to His people.

         • Many of the prophecies have been fulfilled.

         • Some will be filled in the future.

3. Main Themes of the Old Testament

     a. Monotheism

          • There is one true God.

          • He created heaven and earth and all humanity. 

     b. The creation and the fall of man.

          • God created the first human beings, Adam and Eve.

          • They were to live faithfully with God.

          • Adam and Eve betrayed God’s purpose. As a result, all people are born in sin and only God’s grace can save them.           

     c. Creation of the nation of Israel.

          • God chose the nation of Israel so they would teach others about Him.

          • His intent was for Israel to be a nation that pointed others towards God and His promise to provide a Savior.

          • The Old Testament shows that Israel was not successful.