Welcome to this week’s blog. For the next few weeks, I will continue to focus on my favorite book, the Bible.
I will lay out the Old Testament (the Bible, Part 1) and the New Testament (the Bible, Part 2), identify the purpose of each book, the author of each book, the date written, key verses and key people involved to help give you a better understanding of the Bible before you dive into it on your own.
Let’s pick up where we left off last week in the Old Testament. When you open your Bible, you will find 39 books in the Old Testament, starting with Genesis (50 chapters) and ending with Malachi (4 chapters). The New Testament has 27 books, starting with Matthew (28 chapters) and ending with Revelation (22 chapters).
The authors and compilers of the next five books of the Old Testament are Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum and Habakkuk.
31st Book – Obadiah: Verses (1-12)
Purpose: To show that God judges those who have harmed His people.
Author: Obadiah. Very little is known about Obadiah, who’s name means ‘servant (or worshiper) of the Lord.’
Date Written: During the reign of Jehoram in Judah (~855-841 B.C.) Before Christ or perhaps during Jeremiah’s ministry (~627-586 B.C.).
Key Verse: The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. – Obadiah, Verse 15 (NIV).
Key People: The Edomites
32nd Book – Jonah: Chapters (1-3)
Purpose: To show the extent of God’s grace – the message of salvation is for all people.
Author: Jonah, son of Amittai
Date Written: ~ 785-760 B.C. (Before Christ)
Key Verse: And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals? – Jonah 4:11 (NIV).
Key People: Jonah, the ship’s captain and crew
33rd Book – Micah: Chapters (1-7)
Purpose: To warn God’s people that judgment is coming, and to offer pardon to all who repent.
Author: Micah, a native of Moresheth (near Gath, about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem).
Date Written: ~ 742-687 B.C. (Before Christ) During the reign of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah
Key Verse: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 (NIV).
Key People: The people of Samaria and Jerusalem
34th Book – Nahum: Chapters (1-3)
Purpose: To pronounce God’s judgment on Assyria, and to comfort Judah with this truth.
Author: Nahum
Date Written: ~ 663-612 B.C. (Before Christ) During Nahum’s prophetic ministry.
Key Verse: The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness. Whatever they plot against the LORD he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time. – Nahum 1:7-9 (NIV).
Key People: The people of Nineveh and of Judah (the southern kingdom).
35th Book – Habakkuk: Chapters (1-3)
Purpose: To show God is still in control of the world, despite the apparent triumph over evil.
Author: Habakkuk
Date Written: Between 612 and 588 B.C. (Before Christ)
Key Verse: LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. – Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV).
Key People: Habakkuk, and the Babylonians
Let’s recap. This week we covered the next five books (31-35) of the Old Testament (Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum and Habakkuk). Next week I will pick up with Zephaniah (36) in the Old Testament with the same format.
I am hoping you find this format an easy, quick overview of each chapter as we make our way through the Old Testament (the Bible, Part 1). Once we have covered the Old Testament, we will then move into the New Testament (the Bible, Part 2) in the next several weeks.
Blessings until next week,
Debra Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quoted From: New International Version Bible (NIV)