OVERVIEW OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

THE FIRST SEVENTEEN BOOKS OF THE OT
(GENESIS - ESTHER)

A.The FIVE Books Of Moses (GENESIS - DEUTERONOMY) are historical in nature. Knowledge of them is critical, for they serve as the foundation for the rest of the Bible.

1.In the Original Hebrew Language they are called THE TORAH (“Instruction” or “Law”).

2.In Greek they are called THE PENTATEUCH (“Five Books”).

B.The Next TWELVE Books (JOSHUA - ESTHER) are also historical.

1.The first NINE (JOSHUA - 2CHRONICLES) are records of Israel’s living in the Land of Canaan (Pre-Exile history).

2.The last THREE (EZRA - ESTHER) concern Israel’s return to the Land after the Babylonian Captivity (Post-Exile).

C.Thus FIVE of the Books are Pre-Canaan; NINE are In-Canaan; And THREE are Post-Exile (in Canaan again).

THE MIDDLE FIVE BOOKS OF THE OT
(JOB - SONG OF SOLOMON)

A.The preceding SEVENTEEN BOOKS are National and Historical; these FIVE BOOKS deal with problems of the heart -- They are Individual and Personal in nature.

B.Those seventeen were written in prose; These five in Hebrew poetry.

THE LAST SEVENTEEN BOOKS OF THE OT
(ISAIAH - MALACHI).

A.The first FIVE are “Major Prophets,” setting the tone of prophecy (“MAJOR” only because generally they are longer.)

B.The last TWELVE are “Minor Prophets,” similar in tone to the first five (“MINOR’ only because generally they are shorter.)

1.The first NINE (HOSEA - ZEPHANIAH) are all Pre-Exilic.

2.The last THREE (HAGGAI - MALACHI) are all Post-Exilic.

CONSIDER THE OBVIOUS DESIGN OF THIS ORDER

A.The first and last groups of SEVENTEEN Books are both divided into smaller groups of: FIVE Books - NINE Books - THREE Books.

B.Between them (at the heart of the Old Testament) are the FIVE Books which deal with the emotions of the human heart.

C.There were thirty writers, covering more than twelve hundred years, writing for different purposes, with no idea about the collection of Books (The “Canon”) which we now have.

D.Surely a Divine Hand was controlling -- THIS IS REVELATION (An “uncovering,” “opening-up” of the Mind of God).