Category: Books of the Bible

The books of the Bible

Ecclesiastes

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Ecclesiastes, likely written by King Solomon, the wisest man ever (I Kings 10:23) is a curious book. It’s essentially his ponderings into the age-old question, “What is the meaning and purpose of life?”

In this regard, Ecclesiastes records the meanderings of Solomon’s stream of consciousness. It bizarrely bounces between doubt and faith, along the way being fatalistic, pessimistic, skeptical, and rational, but yet still respectful of God.

As such, it takes on a decidedly dreary tone, but those who stick with its reading are rewarded with a fitting and profound conclusion, which ends the final chapter (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14).

A reoccurring theme throughout is that “all is vanity,” which Solomon despondently laments. Yet he works his way through this, ending up focusing on God as his final answer.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Tags Solomon, wisdom-literature

Books of the Bible

Ephesians

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It is a letter, or epistle, to the church in the city of Ephesus.

The book of Ephesians is a profound work that offers inspiration and therefore encouragement.

Tags books by Paul, Ephesians

Books of the Bible

Esther

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Esther is a rich and intriguing story of obedience, duty, risk, and love. It centers on the Jewish girl Esther (her Hebrew name was Hadassah).

This book paints a powerful and compelling picture of how one person can make a difference – a huge difference. Especially noteworthy, is that she did this in a male-dominated society and from a position of forced expatriation.

Unfortunately, not everyone embraces the book of Esther, as it is more secular (that is, less spiritual) than other parts of the Bible, and it does not directly mention God.

Much can be inferred, however, from this story about God’s providence and protection. It also showcases an example of serving him, regardless the cost or risk.

The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates Esther’s bravery and the Jew’s deliverance from the evil Haman.

Tags Esther, historical-books

Books of the Bible

Exodus

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The word “exodus” means “going out.” It refers to a time when the enslaved descendants of Abraham are released from their bondage and “go out” from Egypt, returning to the land promised by God to Abraham.

Exodus is basically in two parts: a narrative and a set of regulations.

The narrative details their enslavement and emancipation, along with Moses’ work – as directed by God – to win their freedom. This is found in chapters 1 through 19 and in 32 through 34.

The second part, chapters 20 through 31 and 35 through 40, is a meticulous, and at times, tedious account of the instructions God gave his people, through Moses, on how to live and worship God.

This includes regulations highlighting God’s holiness and conditions through which his sin-prone people can approach him.

The authorship of Exodus is attributed to Moses, who, as the central human figure in this book, stood up to the pharaoh and led the people out of Egypt to the promised land.

A succinct and effective overview of Exodus is found in Acts 7:17-44 as part of Stephen’s defense before the council.

Tags books of Moses, Exodus

Books of the Bible

Ezekiel

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Ezekiel is so named because it contains the prophecies of Ezekiel. Many people regard this book and its prophet with curiosity and confusion, as the book contains perplexing visions and strange imagery.

Ezekiel was a multifaceted individual, part priest, pastor, apocalypticist, theologian, civic planner, and poet or artist; these are all reflected in his book.

A general theme in Ezekiel is his denouncement of legalism and call for right living.

Tags Ezekiel, major prophet

Books of the Bible

Ezra

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Ezra is one of the historical books in the Old Testament. The book is named after it’s primary character, Ezra.

Chronologically, Ezra picks up over a century after the conclusion of Second Kings and Second Chronicles. (The books of Esther and Daniel give us some insight into what happened during this time, when the people lived in Babylonian captivity.

Ezra was instrumental in helping the struggling remnant of God‘s people rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and restore worship.

(Nehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra and led the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem.)

Tags Ezra, historical-books

Books of the Bible

Galatians

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It is a letter, or epistle, to the church in the city of Galatia.

Galatians (along with Romans) is a book that has helped shape Christian theology, covering, among other things, Christian freedom and faith.

It also offers insight into the church’s struggle to separate itself from the historical grip of Judaism.

Tags books by Paul, Galatians

Books of the Bible

Genesis

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

Genesis starts with the familiar phrase, “At the beginning God…” This is a fitting introduction to Genesis and for the entire Bible, as God is the reason and purpose that the Bible exists.

Genesis contains stories of some of God’s followers and other notable characters whose actions are sometimes hard to understand and occasionally, shocking. Yet this is life: raw, perplexing, and occasionally appalling. Through it all, God is there – and at work.

Genesis begins with creation and it’s corruption (chapters 1 through 11) and then settles down on the life and family of Abraham, patriarch of the nation of Israel (chapters 12 through 50).

A succinct and effective overview of Genesis chapters 12 through 50 is found in Acts 7:2-16 as part of Stephen’s defense before the council.

The authorship of Genesis is attributed to Moses, who recorded the oral accounts passed on from prior generations. Genesis is one of the four most quoted books in the New Testament (the others are Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Psalms.

Tags books of Moses, Genesis

Books of the Bible

Habakkuk

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Habakkuk is a record of the messages of the prophet Habakkuk. As with most prophets, Habakkuk’s message focused on current events for the people of Israel, but it also had a secondary meaning, anticipating the life of Jesus.

Habakkuk begins with questions about Israel’s foreign oppressors, including two revelations from God. Habakkuk then pronounces judgment against these oppressors and concludes with a confident prayer for God’s deliverance of Israel.

Habakkuk is sometimes called a minor prophet. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t important, but merely that the book named after him is shorter. (Compare this to the major prophets, whose books are much longer.)

Dig into the intriguing lives and ministries of the Bible’s twelve minor prophets in Peter DeHaan’s book Dear Theophilus, Minor Prophets: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope.

Tags Habakkuk, minor prophet

Books of the Bible

Haggai

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 27, 2014

The book of Haggai is a record of the messages of the prophet Haggai. As with most prophets, Haggai’s message focused on current events for the people of Israel.

Haggai was a contemporary of Zechariah, and his prophetic mission was to encourage the reconstruction of the temple by the returning exiles.

Haggai focused on the importance of the temple to the Jews, urging them to make it’s reconstruction a priority. He also criticized materialism and self-centeredness, advocating a timeless message of making God the people’s priority and focus.

Haggai is sometimes called a minor prophet. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t important, but merely that the book named after him is shorter.

(Compare this to the major prophets, whose books are much longer.)

Tags Haggai, minor prophet