Zephaniah

Did you know that the arrangement of the Old Testament in Protestant Christian Bibles is not original? Along with all ancient Jewish people, Jesus encountered the Scriptures as a three-part collection of scrolls known as the TaNaK, an acronym for the three large subcollections of the Hebrew Bible: Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

In chapters 1-11, the book of Genesis recounts God’s good world and humanity’s repeated rebellion. How will God restore blessing to the world? We find the answer in the family of Abraham.

Through Abraham’s family, God promises to bless all nations. Genesis follows four generations of human failure set against God’s continued faithfulness. As Joseph says, “You planned this for evil, but God planned it for good” (Gen. 50:20). The book ends with the promise of a future king who will restore blessing to the nations.

How does God respond when his people cry out to him? The first part of the book of Exodus recounts a powerful confrontation between God and the unjust Pharaoh. This section is a fast-paced narrative that leads to divine justice, rescue, and deliverance.

The first part of Exodus shows God freeing Israel from Egypt. Then, at Mount Sinai, Moses receives God’s law, but Israel breaks the covenant. Moses pleads with God, who renews his promises. After the tabernacle is built, God’s glory fills it, but Moses can’t enter due to his own rebellion.

God made a covenant with Israel and brought his own presence to dwell with them. However, Israel cannot enter his presence because of their corruption. In response, God introduces a set of sacrifices, the priesthood, and purity laws in the book of Leviticus.

The book of Numbers tells the story of Israel’s repeated rebellion in the wilderness and how it is met by God’s justice and mercy. God responds with short-term severity and long-term generosity that speaks to his covenant faithfulness.

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gives Israel final words of warning and blessing. He covers the story so far, a collection of laws, and a charge for Israel to listen and obey rather than rebel. Moses knows the people well enough to know they will eventually choose rebellion, yet Moses looked forward to their promised hope.

The book of Joshua shows us God’s covenant faithfulness to bring the Israelites into the land he promised Abraham. This book points to the importance of covenant obedience before, during, and after God fulfills his promises.

After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel begin a downward spiral.The book of Judges highlights six judges and their increasing corruption during this time. The central verse that summarizes this says, “In those days Israel had no king, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”