the greenest grass around

History books Part 2

This week we are looking into the context of the last six books of the Old Testament History Books. Over the last three weeks, we have taken a look into the background and context of the Old Testament. These books have shown us how God calls his people to live Holy lives, offers grace time and time again, and see His promises in actions just to name a few. The Old Testament is full of so many important aspects of God.

The Old Testament lays down spiritual truths we need to understand as Christians. We get to see the SAME God in both testaments, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). If we only study the New Testament, much of these things would be lost to us.

Lastly, the Old Testament gives us a glimpse of our gracious, Holy, and loving God.

2 Kings

Author: Unknown 

Time Frame: approximately 540 BC- 420 BC. 

Background: First and Second Kings are the history of the kings and kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Davidic covenant established the king as the moral representative of the people for covenant purposes. Covenant blessings were given or withheld on the basis of the kings behavior.
Quick Summary: Both kingdoms ignore God and his prophets, until they both fall captive to other world empires.

Main Themes: Obey God, prayer, you reap what you sow
Purpose: Sinfulness and odiednet behavior vs disobedient behavior

Popular Verses: 

• 2:11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
• 17:18 So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from His sight; none was left except the tribe of Judah.
• 1:10 Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
• 6:17-20 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

How can we apply 2 Kings to our lives today? 

• Always go straight to God in prayer 
• The example we set matters 
• Trust God to keep his promises 
• When God says go, you go 

1 Chronicles

Author: Traditionally, Ezra  

Time Frame: 450 BC- 320 BC 

Background:  Chronicles brings together many dimensions of biblical revelation. It gives up a big picture of Old Testament history. In 1 Chronicles the people have just resettled in Jerusalem after being exiled. 

Quick Summary: Timeline of David’s lineage and David making plans to build the temple. 

Main Themes: Consequences to sin, leadership, and God’s promises. 

Purpose: The Israelites need to reconnect with their identity of God’s people. 1 Chronicles reminds them of their heritage directs them back to God’s presence.

Popular Verses:

• 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
• 29:14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
• 16:11 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

How can we apply 1 Chronicles to our lives today? 

• Show humility for God’s power
• Recognizing our limitations and our reliance on God
• The importance of prayer 

2 Chronicles 

Author: Traditionally, Ezra  

Time Frame: 450 BC- 320 BC 

Background: Chronicles brings together many dimensions of biblical revelation. It gives up a big picture of Old Testament history. In 1 Chronicles the people have just resettled in Jerusalem after being exiled. 

Quick Summary: David’s son Solomon builds the temple, but after centuries of rejecting God, the Babylonians take the southern Israelites captive and destroy the temple.

Main Themes: Consequences to sin, leadership, and God’s promises. 

Purpose: The Israelites need to reconnect with their identity of God’s people. 1 Chronicles reminds them of their heritage directs them back to God’s presence.

Popular Verses:

• 7:14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
• 1:9 Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
• 1:11 God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king.

How can we apply 2 Chronicles to our lives today? 

• Keep your eyes on God
• God wants to speak to us but we have to listen 
• Seek wise counsel 

Ezra 

Author: Ezra  

Time Frame: 457 BC- 340 BC 

Background: The book of Ezra begins with Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem from exile and rebuild the temple. 

Quick Summary: The Israelites rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and a scribe named Ezra teaches the people to once again obey God’s laws.

Main Themes: God’s plan, prayer, obedience, and separation 

Purpose: Ezra’s mission was to realign the hearts of the people to their God and establish a system of worship.

Popular Verses:

• 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

How can we apply Ezra to our lives today? 

• God is greater than any other force 
• Loyalty to God
• Faith 
• Repentance 

Nehemiah 

Author: unknow for sure, some say Ezra, while other say Nehemiah himself. 

Time Frame: 424 BC- 310 BC 

Background: Nehemiah was the cupbearer to Persia’s Artaxerxes I. He returned to Jerusalem under special leave and led the returned exiles in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, resettling, and re-establishing the law in Israel. 

Quick Summary: The city of Jerusalem is in bad shape, so Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around the city.

Main Themes: Restoration, prayer, and protection 

Purpose: Nehemiah exhorts the people to stay faithful and return to him in the restored capital of Israel.

Popular Verses:

• 9:11 You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. 
• 1:5 Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,”
• 1:11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.” 
• 1:9 But if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

How can we apply Nehemiah to our lives today? 

• Godly leadership 
• Importance of spiritual health 

Esther 

Author: Unknown  

Time Frame: Approximately 450 BC – 340 BC 

Background: The Jewish people were scattered around the persian empire. It provides a model of who Jewish people could not only survive, but also thrive in a gentile environment. 

Quick Summary: Someone plans a genocidal plot to bring about Israel’s extinction, and Esther must face the emperor to ask for help.

Main Themes: Wisdom and guidance, faithfulness, and humility 

Purpose: The purpose is not explicitly stated but are derived from the story as a whole. But without mentioning God directly, the book of Esther underscores the providence of God.

Popular Verses:

• 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
• 2:3 ​​Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them.
• 5:6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

How can we apply Ester to our lives today? 

• God’s sovereign power 
• Encourages the people of God to stand up in their faith 
• You are here for God’s purpose
• Humility vs. Pride

I hope you have read and been given understanding from the Old Testament scriptures. Save this page and come back to it when you are reading one of the Old Testament books to help you through processing the information.

Happy reading. -Ashley