Introduction and References

This summary of the bible is a simple, bullet point record of the entire bible. The points written are the ones that struck me as being the key points of each passage during the time I read it. My own biases will be shown in regards to which points are highlighted. As the years go on, more thoughts may be added.

This summation does not include all of the important parts of scripture. Please do not read it without consulting biblical commentaries and gaining an understanding of the context and meaning of the passages. For example, some of the Old Testament sacrifices were for the people of Israel and the practices do not apply to Christians today. However, if context is not considered and this summary is read at face value only, one might be confused about if they need to make the same types of sacrifices today.

At times, I will ask a question about a point that I want to think about later. There are also instances when I make reference to a specific sermon, author’s thoughts or a discussion.

Because this summary is to serve as a reference, it has not been edited for grammar, spelling, etc. Some of the wording is awkward in regards to the usage of past/present and singular/plural tenses of words.

There are also gaps between the summary points of the verses. Usually the number of the verse being summarised is bracketed. Some verses are not summarised from the passages. Therefore, one point does not necessarily lead to the next.

 

 

Genesis

1

• Creation is good
• There are sacred times
• Water is full of living creatures
• Human beings are made in the image of God
• Plants are for food

2

• God rested
• Without the breath of God, we are not living beings
• God allowed Adam to name the creatures God created
• God does things to help us while we are sleeping
• God can do things to us in our sleep which would normally be painful, in a way in which we do not feel pain (ie. removing a rib)
• The man leaves his parents to be with the woman

3

• The serpent asks a loaded question
• Eve believes what the serpent says about God
  • It is so easy to believe other people’s agendas in regards to God, rather than my own experience of Him
• Stolen innocence is tragic
• There can be shame in sexuality
• Question: Is the cherubim and flaming sword still guarding the way to the tree of life?

4

• God helps people get pregnant
• Cain would have been accepted if he did what is right
• Cain was the older brother, Abel was the younger brother
• Being a murderer made Cain restless
• God still protected Cain- his life was still valuable
• Lamech decreed something on top of what God had decreed

5

• God created people in His likeness (1)
• Male and female were one as mankind (2)
• Adam and Seth both lived over 800 years after the birth of their sons
• Enoch walked faithfully with God (21-24)
  • Why is this not mentioned in regards to the others?
• Noah is described as a comforter (29)

6

• Males lived longer and could marry anyone they chose (1-2)
• God regretted that He had made humans (6)
• Noah walked faithfully with God (9)
• God will establish His covenant with Noah, despite destroying other humans and animals (18)
• Because of Noah’s favour, animals that the LORD regretted that he made had second chance at repopulating (20)

7

• God wipes away every creature He has made (4)
• Noah’s sons are mentioned before his wife (7)
• Animals came to Noah- creation is attracted to righteousness and safety (9)
  • Did Noah have to turn away animals?
• Animals have the breath of life in them (15)
• The waters covered the mountains (20)

8

• When the waters receded, the top of the mountains became visible (5)
• The animals on the ark were to multiply after the flood (17)
• The LORD has a heart (21)
• Every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood (21)
• Seasons will never cease as long as the earth endures (22)

9-10

• God made people in His image (9:6)
• God remembers things (9:15-16)
• Noah was a man of the soil (9:20)
• Noah cursed his youngest son (9:24-25)
• Chapter 10 outlines the clans of Noah’s sons

11

• Problems come when everyone is uniform (1)
• People wanted to make a name for themselves by using the tower (4)

12

• All peoples in the world will be blessed through Abraham (3)
• The great tree of Moreh at Shechem is interesting

13

• After Abram completed his tasks, he called on the name of the LORD (1-3)
• There were too many possessions, so Abram and Lot could not stay together (6)
• Abram and Lot agreed to separate and go in opposite directions (9)

14

• The Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills (10)
• There were great trees of Mamre the Amorite that Abram was living near (13)
• Mention of Melchizedek (18)
• Abram accepted nothing from King of Sodom so that the King would not be able to say he made Abram rich (23)

15

• God takes Abraham outside (5)
• God says Abram will die in peace (15)
• Sin can reach a full measure (16)

16

• Hagar goes to a spring in the desert and an angel finds her there (7-8)
• Ishmael’s hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him (12)
• Hagar knows that God sees her (13)

17

• God appeared to Abram and let him know he would greatly increase his numbers if he walked before him faithfully and blamelessly (1-2)

18

• There is mention of the great trees of Mamre (1)
• Nothing is too hard for God (14)
• The LORD asks if He should hide from Abraham what He is about to do (17)
• Sweeping away the righteous with the wicked is similar to the verse about the wheat and tares (25)
• God would not destroy Sodom for the sake of 10 righteous people (32)
  • There are implications for when entire cultures are deemed “sinful” and when individual people living there are forgotten

19

• It is interesting that the angels changed their minds about going to Lot’s house (3-4)
• All men (both young and old) from every part of the city of Sodom surrounded the house to have sex with the angels (4-5)
• Lot hesitated to leave Sodom but the angels led them out (16)
• The angels won’t destroy the town of Zoar until Lot reaches there (23)
• Lot was so drunk that he did not know his daughters slept with him (33-35)

20

• God does not let king Abimelek have sex with Sarah (6)
• God heals Abimelek and his wife so that they can have children (17)
• The LORD kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Sarah (18)

21

• Abraham cared for the son that Hagar had borne him (11)
• God tells Abraham not to be distressed (12)
• God heard the cry of Hagar’s child (17)
• Hagar sees a well of water

22

• God does not initially tell Abraham which mountain Isaac will be sacrificed on (12)
• God tests Abraham to see if he fears God

23

• Abraham buries Sarah in the land of Canaan

24

• God sends an angel ahead of Abraham’s senior servant so that he can get a wife for Isaac (7)
• The senior servant prays for success (12)
• Isaac marries Rebekah and was comforted after his mother’s death (67)

25

• Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac, even though he had other children (5)
• Abraham sent his other sons away, creating distance between them and Isaac (6)
• The descendants of Ishmael lived in hostility towards those related to them (18)
• Isaac and Rebekah loved each of their sons differently (28)

26

• The LORD tells Isaac not to go to Egypt (1-4)
• Adultery leads to guilt (10)
• The LORD blessed Isaac and let his crop reap a hundredfold (12)
• The people of Gerar fight over Abraham and Isaac’s wells (19)
• After Abimelek reconciled with Isaac, Isaac’s servants find water (32)
• Esau married two Hittites and they were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah (34-35)

27

• Rebekah tells Jacob that the curse will fall on her instead (13)
• Isaac is tricked by Jacob (22)
• Jacob took Esau’s blessing (25)
• When Esau grows restless, he will throw Jacob’s yoke from off his neck (40)

28

• Esau married a Canaanite woman because he was angry at his father Isaac (8-9)
• Jacob has a dream where he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its’ top reaching to heaven and the angels of God ascending and descending on it (12)

29

• Jacob rolled a stone away from the mouth the well and helped Rachel water her uncle’s sheep (10)
• Jacob’s time of service is complete and he wants to make love to his wife Rachel (20)
• God enables Leah to conceive because she was not loved (31)
• Leah keeps having children and thinks that this will attach Jacob to her (34)

30

• God kept Rachel from having children (2)
• Rachel and Leah have a competition to see which of their servants can bear Jacob more children
• Laban learned by divination that God had blessed him because of Jacob (27)
• The weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones went to Jacob (42)

31

• Laban’s attitude towards Jacob was not what it had been (2)
• God saw what Laban was doing to Jacob (12)
• God came to Laban in a dream and told him not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad (24)

32

• Jacob divided his groups so that one would survive if Esau attacked (8)
• Jacob had his staff only when he crossed the Jordan but now he has two camps (10)
• Jacob mentions his fears to God (11)
• Jacob tried to pacify Esau with gifts (20)

33

• Jacob said that to see Esau’s face was like seeing the face of God, now that Esau had received him favourably (10)
• Esau accepted the present because Jacob insisted (11)

34

• After Shechem raped Dinah, his heart was drawn to her (3)
• The land had plenty of room for Jacob’s family (21)
• Jacob’s sons killed every male in the city (25)
• Acts of revenge have no limit or forethought (30-31)

35

• No one pursued Jacob because the terror of God fell on the towns all around them (5)
• Rachel died giving birth to another son (17)
• Isaac died old and full of years (29)

36

• Esau took his people and things and moved to a land some distance from Jacob (6)
• Anah discovered the hot springs in the desert (24)

37

• Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons, because he was born to him in his old age (3)
• Jacob kept Joseph’s dream in mind (11)
• Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph (22)
• Jacob refused to be comforted because he thought Joseph was dead (35)

38

• The LORD put Er to death because he was wicked in his sight (7)

39

• Because the LORD was with Joseph, he prospered (2)
• The LORD gave Joseph success in everything he did (3)
• Because of Joseph, everything Potiphar owned was blessed (5)
• No one was greater in Potiphar’s house than Joseph
• Sleeping with Potiphar’s wife would be sinning against God (9)
• Potiphar does not give Joseph a chance to speak, he listens to his wife, with no questions asked (19-20)
• When Joseph was in prison, the LORD was with him (21)
• God being with us is the key to success (23)

40

• Joseph notices that the cupbearer and the baker of the King of Egypt look sad (6)
• All interpretations of dreams belong to God (8)
• The chief cupbearer was restored to his position, but he forgot about Joseph (28)
  • we should not forget those who have helped us

41

• The chief cupbearer remembers Joseph (9)
• Pharaoh sends for Joseph to interpret his dreams (14)
• God is the one who interprets dreams (16)
• God revealed to Pharaoh what he was about to do (25)
• Famine makes people forget abundance (30-31)
• Food is stored up for reserve (36)
• Pharaoh wants someone who has the spirit of God in them (38)
• Joseph is put in charge of the whole land of Egypt (41)
• Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain (so much that he stopped keeping records) (49)
• The famine was severe in all the world; all the countries came to buy grain from Joseph (57)

42

• Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt to buy grain
• Joseph says his brothers are spies and asks them to bring Benjamin as well (14)
• Joseph’s brothers say distress distress came upon them because of what they did to Joseph (21)
• Jacob states that everything is against him (36)
• Reuben says Jacob may put both of his sons to death if Benjamin is not brought back safely (37)

43

• Joseph asks if his father is still living (27)
• Benjamin’s portions at the table were five times as much as anyone else’s (34)

44

• Joseph used a cup for divination (5)
• The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack (12)
• Jacob will die in sorrow if Benjamin is not brought back (31)

45

• Joseph’s brothers could not answer him because they were terrified at his presence (3)
• God sent Joseph ahead of his brothers (7)
• Pharaoh was pleased that Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt (16)
• The spirit of Jacob revived (27)

46

• God will go down to Egypt with Jacob (4)
• Jacob brought his family to Egypt (7)
• There is a beautiful reunion between Jacob and Joseph (29)

47

• Pharaoh allows Joseph’s family to settle in the best part of the land (5-7)
• Joseph sells food in exchange for livestock (16)
• Joseph buys all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh (20)
• The priests had land of their own and a regular allotment from Pharaoh (22)
• A fifth of the produce would belong to Pharaoh (26)
• Jacob worshipped as he leaned on top of his staff (31)

48

• Jacob rallied his strength and sat up in bed when Joseph visited him (2)
• Jacob was made into a community of peoples (4)
• Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim in the wrong order (18)
  • is there a connection to when he stole the blessing?

49

• Jacob tells his sons what will happen in the future (1)
• Reuben is the first sign of Jacob’s strength (3)
• Jacob curses the anger of Simeon and Levi (7)
• Jacob finishes the instructions to his sons and dies (33)

50

• The Egyptians mourned for Jacob for 70 days
• Helping others can lead to great benefits (like when Joseph helped Pharaoh) (6)
• Joseph forgives his brothers (19-20)

Exodus

1

• The Israelites filled the land of Egypt (7)
• The new king did not know Joseph (8)
• The new king feared the Israelites because they were becoming too numerous (9-10)
• The more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they spread and multiplied (12)
• God’s people value the lives of babies (15-21)
• The midwives let the Israelite babies live because they feared God (17)

2

• When the female slave of Pharaoh’s daughter saw the baby, she felt sorry for him (5-6). This feeling of pity may have been the same type of feeling God had in v. 25.
• Moses is a leader with a cause to fight for, even before he is an “official” leader (12-14)
• The Israelites cry for help went up to God (23)
• God remembered His covenant (24)
• There may be something about crying out to God, that could be linked to Him remembering His promises (23-25)
• God looked on Israelites and was concerned (26)

3

• Moses goes over to the bush because it was on fire but did not burn up (2)
• Once Moses noticed God, God called to him (4)
• God sends Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt (10)
• God can make people favorably disposed to other people (21)

4

• The LORD gives Moses three signs to show the Egyptians to prove that the LORD appeared to Moses (1-9)
• The LORD reassures Moses in his call (11-12)
• The LORD will teach Moses what to say (12)
• The LORD makes human beings deaf or mute (12)
• The LORD gets angry at Moses when Moses asks Him to send someone else (13-14)
• God cleared the path for Moses’ leadership (19)
• The LORD was about to kill Moses but left him alone (24-26)

5

• A workaholic can be healed through sacrificing to God. Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light (see Matthew 11:28-30)
• Pharoah thinks the Israelites he has enslaved are lazy (8)
• Pharoah tries to distract the Israelites with work (9)
• Pharoah does not give the people the supplies they need and has them beaten when they do not complete their work (15-16)
• Pharoah thinks that worship is a sign of laziness (17)
• The desire of God’s people to worship Him can seem like laziness to corrupt leaders (17)
• There is trouble before rescue (22-23)

6

• God will do things to Pharaoh (1)
• God remembers His covenant (5)
• The Israelites did not listen to Moses’ words of hope because of their discouragement and harsh labour (9)
• Moses still feels bad that he cannot speak well (12) and again in verse 30.

7

• Moses will say everything God commands him (2)
• God’s power is more magnificent than magic (8-13)
• The Egyptians’ staffs also became snakes because of their secret arts; but Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs (12)

8

• The secret arts of Egypt were powerful (7)
• Pharaoh’s heart was hardened when there was relief from the plague of frogs (15)
• Pharaoh’s heart is still hard even when magicians say the plague of gnats is from the finger of God (19)

9

• God wants the people to be let go so they can worship Him (1)
• There will be a distinction between the animals of Egypt and Israel: no animal belonging to the Israelites will die (4)
• The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart (12)
• God controlled the weather in different parts of the land (26)
• Moses still prays for relief for the Egyptians even though he knows that they still do not fear the LORD (30)
• Sin leads to hardness of heart and a hard heart is one of the causes of sin (34-35)

10

• God is Sovereign over everything, even hard hearts (1)
• People with hardened hearts do only the bare minimum for others (10-11).
  • This idea can also be applied to religious people who technically obey the written law, but without a Spirit of love behind their actions.
• Pharaoh only lets the men go to worship the LORD (11)
• The LORD controls the wind (13)
• The LORD shows His glory to Pharaoh- a west wind comes and carries the locusts away into the red sea (19)
• The LORD spreads darkness over Egypt- darkness that can be felt (21)
• The darkness made it so they could not see anyone else or move about (23)
• Pharaoh gets intensely frustrated at Moses (28)

11

• The LORD makes a distinction between Israel and Egypt- not a dog would bark at any person or animal among the Israelties (7)
• Moses left Pharaoh hot with anger (8)
• The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that his wonders would be multiplied in Egypt (9)

12

• It was important to take into account the number of people there were there were in regards to the amount of lamb that was needed to eat (4)
• The LORD’s Passover had to be eaten in haste (11)
• The LORD would Passover the houses with the LORD’s blood on the doorways (13)
• This day was to be commemorated (not to be ashamed of) (14)
• God brought the divisions of the Jewish people out of Egypt (17)
• God tells the people how they should celebrate the victory before he wins the battle in Passover
  • How then should we live in light of Jesus’ victory and the eternal reality: in celebration or in shame of sin?
• God is the one who permits the destroyer to enter houses; the destroyer is not God (23)
• The Israelites ask for silver, gold and clothing when they leave Egypt; they plundered them (35-36)
• The LORD kept vigil to bring Israelites out of Egypt (42)
• There are restrictions to the Passover

13

• Moses told the people to commemorate the day where they came out of slavery; they were to eat nothing containing yeast (3)
• The people are there to tell their sons why they don’t eat anything with yeast in it (8)
• The law of the LORD is to be your life (9)

14

• God can gain glory for Himself and advance His purposes, by using people who have hardened hearts (4, 17-18)
• The LORD was the one who hardened the heart of Pharaoh (8)
• The people grumble against Moses (11-12)
• The LORD will fight for the Israelites, they only need to be still (14)
• The LORD will gain glory through Pharaoh (18)
• The LORD controls the elements and the weather (21-22)
• The power of the LORD led to people fearing Him and trusting in Him; it also led them to trusting Moses (31)

15

• Moses and Miriam sing to the LORD (1-21)
• If the Israelites do what is right in God’s eyes, God will not bring on them any of the diseases He brought on the Egyptians (26)
• The LORD is a healer (26)

16

• In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron (3)
• The LORD rains down manna from heaven and supplies for Moses’ leadership (4)
• God tests to see if instructions are followed (4)
• People were grumbling against the LORD not Moses and Aaron (8)
• Everyone gathered as much bread as they needed (18)
• Manna could be used as an image for of applying what we learn in the bible and church (19-21)
• God provides supernatural nourishment for us when we are unsettled (35)

17

• When the Israelites did not get water, they quarreled with Moses (2)
• Moses cries out to the LORD when he is feeling stress in his leadership (4)
• The LORD tells Moses to go out in front of the people (5)
• Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands when they became tired (12)

18

• Moses was camped near the mountain of God in the wilderness (7)
• Moses tells his father in law Jethro all the LORD had done (7-8)
• Jehtro tells Moses he cannot handle the work of judging the people alone and solving disputes (13-18)
• Moses must bring the people’s disputes to God (19)
• Character is what makes people progress in ministry (20-21)
• The capable men (who were officials and judges) from all the people, were to be God-fearing, and people who hated dishonest gain (21)
  • 1 Peter 5:2 also includes the quality of not pursuing dishonest gain for an elder.

19

• If the people of Israel obey the LORD fully and keep His covenant, they will be God’s treasured possession out of the nations (5)
• The LORD will speak to Moses in a dense cloud so the people will hear Him speaking to Moses and put their trust in Moses (9)
• The LORD descended on Mount Sinai in fire (18)
• If the priests do not consecrate themselves, the LORD will break out against them (22)

20

• Idols can be made from any place in the creation (4)
• Honouring parents leads to long life (12)
• The fear of God keeps people from sinning (20)

21

• If a servant is selected to marry her master’s son, she will be granted the rights of a daughter (9)
• There are different consequences for intentional and unintentional acts (12-14)
• If a man schemes and kills another man intentionally, he must be put to death (14)
• There are responsibilities that the owners of animals have (29)

22

• If someone steals and they have nothing, they must be sold (4)
• Issues can be decided by taking an oath before the LORD (11)
• Foreigners are not to be oppressed, the Israelites were foreigners in Egypt (21)
• God protects the widows and orphans and they are not to be taken advantage of (22-23)
• Lending to the needy is different than lending to people who are not needy (25)
• The ruler of the people is not to be cursed (28)

23

• Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong or pervert justice by siding with the crowd (2)
• Be compassionate to the animals of those who hate you (5)
• A bribe twists the words of the innocent
• God’s name was in the angel (21)
• The Israelites are to demolish the foreign gods (24)
• Worshiping the LORD leads to blessing on food and water (25)
• God will drive out the people opposing the Israelites little by little as the Israelites increase (30)

24

• Moses alone was to come near to the LORD (2)
• The people responded with one voice that they will do what the LORD had said, after they were told God’s laws (3)
  • Can this type of unity happen when there is the preparation of discernment in a ministry?
• The blood was sprinkled on the people (8)
• The leaders saw God and ate/drank (11)
  • They do this after the blood was sprinkled- is there an Old/New Testament connection in regards to the blood of Jesus allowing us to “see” God?
• What does it look like for the glory of the LORD to settle somewhere, like it did on Mount Sinai? (16)
  • Did this happen because the laws were told and the blood was sprinkled?
  • Does obedience to Jesus happen because of hearing the scriptures?
  • Does God pick whoever and wherever He wants to dwell with (Moses/Sinai) or will He dwell with anyone who experiences Christ’s sacrifice, reads scripture and obeys?
• To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain (17)
• Moses entered the cloud and stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights (18)

25

• The LORD receives offerings from anyone whose heart prompts them to give (2)
• The offerings are to go towards making a sanctuary (8)
• The bread of the Presence is to be before the LORD at all times (30)

26

• Skilled workers were needed to help construct the tabernacle (1)
• There were many details given for how to construct the tabernacle (1-37)
• A curtain will separate the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place (33)

27

• The altar is to be made as the people were shown in the mountain (8)
• All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle are to be of bronze (19)
• The lamps should be kept burning (20)

28

• The sacred garments for Aaron were to give him dignity and honour (2)
• Aaron is to bear names of the sons of Israel on his shoulder as a memorial before the LORD (12)
• The breastpiece helped with making decisions (15)
• Aaron was to bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD (30)

29

• The ram was to be a burnt offering for the LORD (18)
• Aaron and his sons were to eat the sacred meat of the ram and the bread (31-34)
• The LORD will meet people and speak to them regularly at the entrance of the tent of meeting

30

• Aaron must first burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps (7)
• When they are counted, each Israelite must pay a ransom for their life to the LORD (12)
• Priests were highly valued (33)

31

• The LORD chose Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God (3)
• The Spirit of God gives wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of skills (3)
• The LORD makes the Israelites holy (13)
• The Sabbath refreshed the LORD (17)
• The tablets of the covenant law were inscribed by the finger of God (18)

32

• Because Moses was so long in coming down the mountain, the people said to Aaron that they should make gods (1)
• Aaron made the calf idol (4)
• The LORD does not carry out his threats because Moses interceds for the people (11-14)
• Moses is angry at Aaron because he led the people into sin (21)

33

• The LORD promised the land on oath (1)
• An angel will go before Moses to drive out his enemies (2)
• If the LORD went with the Israelites He might destroy them for they are a stiff-necked people (5)
• The LORD would speak to Moses, face to face as one speaks to a friend (11)
• The LORD is pleased with Moses and therefore, His presence will go with him (17)
• The LORD will have mercy and compassion on those He will have mercy and compassion on (19)
• The LORD says Moses cannot see His face and live (20)
  • How does this connect with verse 11?

34

• The LORD will write on new tablets because Moses broke the first ones (1)
• Moses goes up Mount Sinai early in the morning (4)
• The Israelites were told not to make a treaty with anyone who lived in the land, so they would not be led astray (15)
• The Sabbath must be maintained even when there is a heavy work load and things are going well (21)
• Moses’ face was radiant because he had spoken to the LORD and the people were afraid to come near him (29-30)

35

• Whoever did any work on the Sabbath day was to be put to death (2)
• All who are skilled among the people were to come and make the tabernacle and the tent (10-11)
• Those who had their heart moved and was willing came and brought an offering (21)
• Being filled with the Spirit of God led people to have skills

36

• The people were bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded (5)
• Moses gives an order not to bring anything else for an offering to the sanctuary because they had more than enough to do the work (6-7)

37

• The lampstand was made out of pure gold (17)

38

• This chapter outlines the details about the altar of burnt offering, the basin for washing and the courtyard

39

• The onyx stones were engraved with the names of the sons of Israel (6)
• The plate was inscribed with a seal “Holy to the LORD” (30)
• The Israelites did all the work on the tabernacle just as the LORD had commanded Moses (42)

40

• The anointing oil/consecration made the tabernacle and everything in it holy (9)
• Aaron and his sons are anointed to a priesthood throughout their generations (15)
• Setting up a tabernacle is detailed, much like setting up a church
• Moses, Aaron and his sons washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar (32)
• Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it (35)
• The Israelites would not set out travelling, unless the cloud lifted (37)

Leviticus

1

• The LORD tells Moses what to say to the Israelites in regards to the burnt offerings (1)

2

• When a grain offering is brought to the LORD, it is to be of the finest flour (1)
• All grain offerings need to be seasoned with salt (13)

3

• Animals without defect are to presented to the LORD (1)
• The Jewish people were not to eat any fat or blood (17)

4

• If the anointed priest sinned, it would bring guilt on the people (3)
• All the fat from the bull of the sin offering was to be removed (8)
• Atonement needs to be made if the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally (13)
• The priest was to make atonement for a leader’s sin (26)

5

• People will be held responsible if they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about (1)
• If someone becomes aware of their guilt, they must confess (5)
• If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible (17)

6

• The fire on the altar of the burnt offering must be kept burning (13)
• The grain offering is most holy like the sin and guilt offering (17)

7

• This chapter outlines the guilt offering, the fellowship offering, how eating fat and blood is forbidden

8

• Moses anointed the tabernacle (10)
• Moses consecrated Aaron and his garments as well as his sons and their garments (30)

9

• The LORD gives instructions to Moses and the people so that His glory will appear before them (6)
• Aaron lifted his hands towards the people and blessed them (22)
• The glory of the LORD appeared to all the people (23)

10

• Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, it consumed them and they died (1-2)
• Aaron remains silent when Moses speaks about the holiness of the LORD (3-4)

11

• This chapter gives instructions about what to eat and what not to eat
• God’s people are to be holy, for He is holy (44)

12

• If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb for the purification ceremony after childbirth, she is to bring two young pigeons or two doves (7-8)

13

• This chapter outlines regulations about defiling skin diseases and molds

14

• This chapters outlines cleansing from defiling skin diseases and molds
• These verses point to Jesus. Bird in bowl and blood in water. Similar to how Jesus’ side was pierced (5-6)
• The sin offering and the most holy guilt offering belonged to the priest (13)

15

• This chapter outlines discharges causing uncleanness
• The Israelites were to be kept separate from things that make them unclean so they would not defile the LORD’s dwelling place (31)

16

• The two sons of Aaron died when they approached the LORD (1)
• Aaron cannot come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place; the LORD will appear in a cloud over the atonement cover (2)
• Aaron had to offer a bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household (6)
• There is an importance of sprinkling the blood of sacrifices (15)
• When Aaron went into the tent of meeting, no one was to be in it (17)
• All the sins of the Israelites would go on a goat’s head (21)
• It was important that people would purify themselves from sin (28)
• Atonement cleanses (30)
• Atonement would be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites (34)

17

• This chapter outlines why eating blood is forbidden
• Sacrifices were not to be offered to idols (7)
• The life of a creature is in the blood (11)

18

• Obeying the law involves being careful (4)
• The nations that God drove out became defiled sexually (24)
• The land became defiled (27)

19

• Grapes in fields were to be left for the poor and the foreigner (10)
• Judge your neighbour fairly whether they are rich or poor (15)
• Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity (35)

20

• There was to be no child sacrifice in Israel (1-5)
• The LORD makes people holy (8)
• There was to be no wickedness among the people (14)
• The LORD set Israel apart from the nations (24)

21

• Priests were to be regarded as holy (8)
• The LORD makes the priests holy (15)

22

• The sacred offerings were to be respected (1)
• The priests were to perform ceremonies without contempt (9)
• The LORD makes the priests holy (9)
• Thank offerings were to be offered in such a way that they would be accepted (29)
• The LORD’s name must not be profaned (32)

23

• The LORD had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when He brought them out of Egypt (43)
• This chapter outlines the appointed festivals (Sabbath, Passover, Festival of Unleavened Bread, Offering the Firstfruits, The Festival of Weeks, The Festival of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement and The Festival of Tabernacles)

24

• The lamps were to be kept burning and tended to continually (2)
• The son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the LORD and was put in custody until the will of the LORD was made clear (12)

25

• In the seventh year, the land was to have a rest (4)
• People were not to take advantage of each other (17)
• A blessing of crops would be sent in the sixth year that would be enough for three years (21)
• Israelites who became poor were to be helped, so they could continue living among the Israelites (35)
• The Israelites are the servants of God (55)

26

• If the Israelites are careful to obey the LORD’s commands, things will go well with the land and there will be peace (1-6)
• The LORD enabled the Israelites to walk with heads held high (13)
• If the commands are not followed, the Israelites will live in fear and paranoia (14-17)
• Confession leads to God removing his anger and remembering His covenant (40-42)

27

• Priests could set the vows of a person being dedicated according to what the one making the vow could afford (8)
• Offerings given to the LORD (like animals) can become holy (9)
• Priests could judge things dedicated to the LORD as good or bad (14)
• Tithes belong to the LORD (30)
• Tithes are holy to the LORD (32)

Numbers

1

• Moses and Aaron take a census of the people (1-54)
• The Levites were not to be counted but were to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant law (50)
• The Levites were to set up their tents around the tabernacle so the wrath of the LORD would not fall on them (53)

2

• This chapter outlines the arrangement of the tribal camps
• The Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses as far as encamping and setting out with their clan and family (34)

3

• The tribe of Levi were to assist Aaron in the work of the tabernacle (6)
• The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron (32)
• The Levites were the LORD’s (45)

4

• The work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things (4)
• The Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die (20)
• This chapter outlines the numbering of the Levite clans

5

• Unfaithfulness to the LORD includes wronging others (6)
• Things that were given to the priest would belong to them (10)
• Priests were to mediate between a man, woman and the LORD when a woman’s adultery was suspected (11-31)

6

• Holiness for Nazirites involved not using a razor on their head (5)
• The hair symbolized the dedication of a Nazarite (18)
• Aaron and his sons would bless the Israelites and put the LORD’s name on the Israelites (22-27)

7

• Moses anointed and consecrated the tabernacle and all it’s furnishings as well as the altar and all it’s utensils (1)
• The LORD tells Moses to accept the offerings of the leaders of Israel (4-5)
• The offerings of the leaders of Israel are listed that happen throughout twelve days (11-83)
• The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law (89)

8

• The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses (4)
• The Levites were to be taken from among the Israelites and made ceremonially clean (6)
• The LORD has taken the Levites in places of all the firstborn sons in Israel  (18)
• Levites were to retire at fifty and then assist the brothers (23-26)

9

• On the day the tent of the covenant law was set up, the cloud covered it (15)
• Whenever the cloud lifted, the Israelites set out (21)

10

• When both trumpets were sounded, the whole community was to assemble before Moses at the tent of meeting (3)
• The LORD God will remember the Israelites and rescue them when there is a blast on the trumpets (9)

11

• The LORD’s anger was aroused when the people complained about their hardships (1)
• The people complain about the manna (4-6)
• There is tremendous pressure on Moses to lead the people and provide meat for them (10-15)
• The LORD will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on Moses and put it on other elders, so that Moses does not have to do all the work alone (17)
• Moses wishes that the LORD would put His Spirit on all the LORD’s people (29)
• Moses yearned for the New Covenant (29)
• The people who craved other food were buried (34)

12

• Moses was more humble than anyone on the earth (3)
• The LORD stands up for Moses against Miriam and Aaron who were speaking against Moses (1-8)

13

• The LORD is giving Canaan to the Israelites (2)
• Moses asks the people exploring Canaan to bring back detailed descriptions of it (17-20)
  • This is similar to the importance of knowing the community demographics of the area we are ministering in
  • There may also be an Old/New Testament connection with how Jesus sends out 72 people to go to the places he was about to go to in order to prepare them for Jesus (Luke 10:1)
• They explored the land for 40 days (25)
• Caleb silences the people who explored the land and tells Moses they can take possession of it (30)
• In response, there is a bad report that spreads saying that the people of Canaan are too powerful (31)

14

• The people complain about the task and want to choose another leader to go back to Egypt with (4)
• Joshua and Caleb tell the Israelites not to be afraid and that the LORD will give them the land (9)
• The LORD is treated with contempt because the Israelites were disrespecting their leaders (11)
• If the LORD slaughters his people, the other nations will say that He was not able to bring them into the land (16)
• The LORD wants people to follow Him wholeheartedly (24)
• God will do to the Israelites what He heard them grumbling about (28-29)
• The Israelites banded together against the LORD (35)
• The men who spread the bad report about Canaan were struck down and died of a plague before the LORD (37)
• Disobeying God does not lead to success (41)
• Defeat happens when the LORD is not with us (42)
• The Israelites were presumptuous and went up anyways, through neither Moses nor the ark of the LORD’s covenant moved from the camp (44)

15

• There were to be the same rules for the Israelites and the foreigners (15)
• There is a difference about how to respond to sin is defiant and unintentional (27-29)
• The laws and scriptures were always to be physically around people (37-41)

16

• The Levites were not satisfied with their work (8-10)
• Moses represented the LORD (11)
• The LORD sent Moses to do things, they were not Moses’ ideas (28)
• The censers became holy (38)

17

• There was to be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe (3)
• Aaron’s staff did more that just sprout (8)
• Grumbling against the LORD can lead to death (10)

18

• The service of the priesthood was a gift for Aaron (7)
• The LORD gave a lot to Aaron (8-12)
• The LORD is Aaron’s share and inheritance among the Israelites (20)
• The LORD’s portion that is presented by people must be the best and holiest (29)

19

• This chapter describes the water of cleansing
• The LORD’s tabernacle would be defiled if someone touched a human corpse and forgot to purify themselves (13)
• The man who is clean is to sprinkle those who are unclean (19)

20

• The LORD responds to the quarreling of the Israelites by providing them with water (1-13)
• Aaron died and his garments were put on his son, Eleazar (26)

21

• The LORD listened to Israel’s plea (3)
• The people grew impatient and spoke against God and Moses (5)
• The people were wandering around in the desert and being bitten by snakes. They think it is a punishment from God. God tells Moses to make a bronze image of a snake, put it on a pole, and to hold it up, so that all the Israelites who look at it will be healed (9)
  • To be liberated, you need to be able to see the source of your suffering
  • God is communicating that He is not the source of the suffering, but that the snake is.
• Israel settled in the land of the Amorites (31)
• The LORD had already delivered the king of Bashan and his army into Israel’s hands (34)

22

• Balaam had ridden his donkey for his entire life (30)
• The angel for the LORD stopped Balaam from committing sin (31-41)

23

• Balaam goes outside to meet with the LORD and the LORD meets with him (3-4)
• The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth (5)

24

• Balaam prophesizes- his eyes see clearly (15)

25

• Phinehas speared an Israelite man and the Midianite woman he had brought into his family (6-9); this act turned back the wrath of God (10-11)

26

• This passage outlines the census of the new generation

27

• The LORD is the God of the spirits of all flesh (16)
• The LORD does not want His congregation to be like sheep with no shepherd (17)
• Joshua is commissioned (22-23)

28

• This chapter outlines daily, sabbath, and monthly offerings; it also describes the Passover and the Festival of Weeks

29

• This chapter outlines the festival of trumpets, the day of atonement and the festival of tabernacles

30

• When a man makes a vow to the LORD, he shall not break his word (2)

31

• After the war; sheep, goats, oxen, donkeys and people were given to the LORD as tribute (37-41)

32

• It is important not to discourage the hearts of people (7)
• The LORD’s anger was kindled and He made the Israelites wander (13)
• The Israelites were to do what they promised (24)

33

• This chapter outlines the stages of Israel’s journey from Egypt
• The LORD speaks to Moses and lets him know the Israelites will take possession of Canaan (53)
• If the Israelites don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land, then those who remain will give them trouble (55)

34

• This chapter outlines the boundaries of Canaan that will be allotted to the Israelites as an inheritance
• This chapter also outlines the names of the men who are to assign the land for Moses as an inheritance

35

• The Levites were to be given cities and pasturelands (2)
• The avenger of blood will put the murderer to death (21)
• No person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness (30)
• Blood pollutes the land (33)
• The LORD dwells in the midst of the people of Israel (34)

36

• Zelophehad’s daughters could marry anyone they pleased as long as they married within the tribal clan of their father (6)

Deuteronomy

1

• The land was set before the people and they were to go in and take possession of it (8)
• Leaders were to be wise, discerning and reputable (13)
• Judges were to give members of the community a fair hearing (16)
• Judgment must be impartial and judges were not to be intimidated (17)
• The LORD fights for people (30)
• God carried the Israelites in the wilderness like one carries a child (31)
• There is victory when the LORD is with people (42-43)

2

• The people lacked nothing in the great wilderness (7)
• The people were to engage King Sihon in battle (24)
• There was no citadel too high for the Israelites (36)

3

• The people were not to fear the King of Og (2)
• The land was given to the Israelites to possess (18)
• Do not fear, it is the LORD God who fights for you (22)
• Moses did not go over past the land of Jordan but Joshua would (23-29)

4

• Israelites must keep the commandments (2)
• Obeying the LORD leads to wisdom and discernment (6)
• The people did not see the form of the LORD, therefore they should not make an idol (16)
• Complacency can lead to making idols (25)
• If we search for God with all our heart and soul, He will be found (29)
• Love of people led to God’s power (37-38)
• Keeping commandments gives descendants well-being (40)

5

• Israel was to learn the LORD’s statues and be careful to do them (1)
• This passage outlines the Ten Commandments
• God shows steadfast love to those who obey His commandments (10)
• The LORD’s voice was heard out of the midst of the fire (24)

6

• The Great Commandment was to be kept in the heart (6)
• The LORD provided for the Israelites things they did not provide for themselves (10-15)
• When the Israelites were provided for, they were not to forget the LORD (12)
• The LORD brought the people out of Egypt in order to bring them in to the new land (23)

7

• The people of Israel are the LORD’s treasured possession (6)
• Diligently observing the ordinances leads to the LORD loving and blessing the people (12-13)
• Serving other gods is a snare (16)
• Coveting silver and gold is a snare

8

• The LORD led the people the long way in order to humble them (2)
• Keep commandments by walking in the LORD’s ways and fearing Him (6)

9

• The LORD is driving out the nations before the Israelites because of the wickedness of the nations (4)
• The people of Israel have been rebellious towards the LORD (7)
• The people of Israel are the LORD’s heritage (26)

10

• The LORD was unwilling to destroy the people (10)
• The LORD set his heart on Israel and chose her (15)
• Circumcise the foreskin of the heart and don’t be stubborn (16)
• The LORD is not partial and takes no bribes (17)
• The people went down to Egypt as seventy persons and the LORD made them as numerous as the stars in heaven (22)

11

• The people’s own eyes saw all the great things the LORD had done (7)
• The people were crossing over to occupy the land (8)
• The LORD looks after this land (12)
• The eyes of the LORD are always on this land (12)
• The people must diligently obey the LORD even after they occupy the land (31)

12

• The people were not to do as they saw fit (8)
• The people were to rejoice in everything they put their hand to (18)
• The people were not to inquire about the gods of the nations (30)

13

• God may send prophets that prophesize miraculous signs that come true, but then tell people to worship other gods. God does this to test whether people love Him (1-3)
• People who told the Israelites to worship other gods must be put to death (6-11)
• Do what is right in the eyes of the LORD (18)

14

• This chapter outlines clean and unclean food as well as tithes
• The Israelites must learn to revere the LORD God always (23)

15

• Debts were to be cancelled at the end of every seven years (1)
• The LORD cancels debts (2)
• There should be no poor among the Israelites (4)
• The people would lend but not borrow (6)
• Giving generously without a grudging heart leads to the LORD’s blessing (10)
• An animal with a defect must not be sacrificed (21)

16

• The LORD will choose a dwelling place for His name (2)
• The LORD’s blessing leads to joy being complete (15)
• Bring a gift in proportion to the way God has blessed you (17)
• Bribes blind the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous (19)

17

• Evil must be purged (7)
• Act on the decisions of the priests and judge in regards to difficult cases (10-11)
• Appoint the King that God chooses (15)
• Reading the law leads to reverence of God (19)

18

• The Levitical priests shall eat the LORD’s food offerings as their inheritance (1)
• The LORD is the inheritance of the Levitical priests (2)
• The LORD is driving the people out of Israel who practice abominations (12)
• If a prophet presumes to speak for the LORD when the LORD has not spoken, the prophet will die (20)
• If the word from the prophet does not come true, the LORD has not spoken it (22)

19

• If someone is killed, it is to be considered if the person who killed them hated them in the past (4)
• Only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be established (15)
• The evil must be purged from the midst of Israel (19)

20

• The LORD is the one who goes with Israel in battle in order to give them victory (1-4)
• There are situations listed when people should go back home instead of going to battle; these situations are for people who have not fully enjoyed their life (5-9)
• The fear of one person can spread to others (8)
• Terms of peace were to be offered to the city before the battle began (10)
• There was concern that others would teach Israel to do abominable practices (18)

21

• The LORD has chosen the Levitical priests to minister and decide all cases of dispute and assault (5)
• Doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD purges people of guilt (9)
• Purging evil leads to people being afraid (21)

22

• Do not ignore lost animals (1-4)

23

• The LORD turned a curse into blessing (5)
• The LORD does not want to see anything indecent in the camp. If He sees this, He will turn away (14)
• Do not charge your brother interest (19)
• Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do (23)

24

• Do not bring sin upon the land (4)
• In regards to leprous diseases, do exactly as the priests instruct (8)
• The LORD regards certain acts as righteous in His sight (13)
• Fathers and sons must die for their own sin and not sin of each other (16)
• Leaving things for the needy brings the LORD’s blessing (19)

25

• The elders of the town will talk to a man who does not want to marry his dead brother’s wife (8)
• There must be accurate and honest weights and measures, the LORD detests anyone who deals dishonestly (15-16)

26

• The LORD God will choose a place to make His name dwell (2)
• The LORD heard the cries of His people (7)
• The people were not to eat the tithe while they were mourning (14)
• The people were to be careful to do the statues of the LORD with all their heart and soul (16)

27

• The Israelites will set up large stones when they cross the Jordan (2)
• These stones will have the words of the law written on them (3)
• The people were to obey the voice of the LORD and keep His commandments (10)

28

• Blessings will overtake Israel if they obey the LORD’s commandments (1-2)
• If there is not obedience, there will be curses instead (15-68)
• If there is not obedience, there will be affliction of madness, blindness and confusion of mind (28)
• There will be work but no enjoyment (30)
• When there is not obedience, there is no power (32)
• The LORD must be served gladly and joyfully and the time of prosperity (47)
• The gentle and sensitive people will have no compassion (56-57)
• The lack of obedience will create such intense suffering that people will eat their own children (56-58)
• The LORD will give an anxious mind and a despairing heart because of disobedience (65-66)

29

• The LORD had not yet given the people a mind that understands, eyes that see or ears that hear; despite the fact that the people had seen all that the LORD did in Egypt (2-4)
• Following the terms of the covenant will lead to the people prospering (9)
• The people were to make sure that no one among them would have a heart that turned away from the LORD and worshiped the gods of the nations (18)
• The people were not to persist in going their own way (19)
• The people worshiped gods they did not know (26)
• There are secret things that belong to the LORD (29)

30

• When the blessings and curses are taken to heart by the people and they obey the LORD with all their heart and soul, then the LORD will restore their fortunes (1-3)
• The LORD will circumcise the people’s hearts so that they may love Him with all their heart, soul, and so they might live (6)
• What the LORD is commanding is not too difficult or beyond the people’s reach (11)
• The word is very near the people- it is in their mouth and heart so that they may obey it (14)

31

• The LORD will go before the people of Israel (8)
• Reading the law leads to the fear of the LORD (11-12)
• The LORD tells Moses that he is about to die (14-16)
• God will hide His face because the people turned to other gods (16)
• The LORD knows what people are inclined to do (21)

32

• All God’s ways are justice (4)
• God is the people’s father who created, made and established them (6)
• The LORD alone guided Jacob (12)
• The LORD will have compassion on His servants when He sees their power is gone (36)
• The LORD avenges the blood of His children (43)

33

• This chapter outlines Moses’ blessing on the people of Israel before his death
• Israel is a people saved by the LORD (29)

34

• The LORD lets Moses see the land that He will give his ancestors (1-4)
• Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom (9)
• The LORD knew Moses face to face (10)

Joshua

1

• The LORD will be with Joshua as He was with Moses (5)
• Joshua will lead the people to inherit the land God swore to their ancestors to give them (6)
• Obedience to the law leads to success (7)
• Joshua needs to do everything written in the law (8)
• The people say they will do whatever Joshua commands them to do (16)

2

• Rahab lies and it is a righteous act (4-6)
• The response to holiness was fear (9)
• The LORD is God of heaven and earth (11)
• Rahab is told to tie a scarlet cord in the window (18)
• The pursuers cannot find the spies (22)

3

• Joshua tells the people to consecrate themselves for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among them (5)
• The LORD will begin to exalt Joshua in the eyes of the Israelites, so that they will know the LORD is with Joshua as He was with Moses (7)
• The LORD dried up a part of the Jordan during a flood stage (15-17)

4

• The stones in the Jordan were a memorial forever about what the LORD had done (7)
• The LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel (14)
• Parents were to tell children about what the LORD had done (23)

5

• Joshua was to circumsize the sons of Israel a second time (2)
• The LORD raised up people’s children in their place (7)
• The manna ceased after the people ate the produce of Canaan (12)
• Joshua receives the same instructions as Moses, to take off his sandals for he is standing on holy ground (15)

6

• The LORD knows what actions will solve problems, even if the action seems strange (5)
• The people were to keep themselves from the things devoted to destruction (18)
• The people devoted Jericho to destruction (21)

7

• One of the people took some of the devoted things and thus the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things (1)
• Joshua asks what the LORD will do for His great name (9)
• Sin leads to defeat (12)
• Joshua tells Achan not to hide what he has done from him (19)
• What Achan did brought trouble on the people of Israel (25)

8

• Joshua prepares the leaders and spends the night in the valley (13)
• The people sacrificed peace offerings (31)
• Joshua read all Moses had commanded to the assembly of Israel (35)

9

• All the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel (1)
• The men took some of the provisions from the Gibeonites without asking the Lord’s counsel (14)
• The Gibeonites became cutters of wood and became cursed because they lied and said they were not neighbors with Israel (22-27)

10

• All the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country gathered against Gibeon (6)
• The Lord threw down large stones from heaven on the enemies of Gibeon (11)
• The Lord heeded the voice of a man and the sun stood still and the moon stopped (13-14)
• Not a person moved their tongue against the people of Israel (21)
• Joshua struck the whole land and devoted to destruction all that breathed (40)

11

• Joshua captured all the kings and devoted them to destruction (12)
• Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses (15)
• The only city that made peace with Israel was the Hivites (19)
• The land had rest from war (23)

12

• This chapter outlines the kings the Israelites defeated and whose territory they took over under the leadership of Moses and Joshua

13

• The LORD said to Joshua that he is very old and that there were still very large areas of the land to be taken over (1)
• The Israelites put to the sword Balaam, who practiced divination (22)
• Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi; because the LORD is their inheritance (33)

14

• The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in (4)
• The fellow Israelites who went up with Caleb made the hearts of the people melt in fear but Caleb followed the LORD wholeheartedly (8)

15

• This chapter outlines the allotment for the tribe of Judah
• Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites who were living in Jerusalem (63)

16

• This chapter outlines the allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh
• The people did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labour (10)

17

• Makir had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirties were great soldiers (1)
• The Manassites were not able to occupy the towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region (12)
• When the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labour but did not drive them out completely (13)
• Joshua assured the people of Joseph that they could clear the forested hill and that the farthest limits would be theirs, because they could drive the Canaanites out, even though they had chariots fitted with iron and are strong (17-18)

18

• There were still seven Israelite tribes who had not received their inheritance (2)
• Joshua asks the Israelites how long they are going to wait before they begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of their ancestors has given them (3)
• The Levites do not get a portion, because their priestly service of the LORD is their inheritance (7)
• The first lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin according to its clans (11)
• This chapter lists the towns the tribe of Benjamin had (21-28)

19

• The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon and their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah (1)
• Judah’s portion was more than they needed (9)
• The Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah (9)
• The third lot came up for Zebulun (10)
• The fourth lot came out for Issachar (17)
• The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher (24)
• The sixth lot came out for Naphtali (32)
• The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan (40)
• The Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun the town of Timnath Serah (50)
• Joshua built up the town and settled there (50)
• The people finished dividing up the land (51)

20

• This chapter mentions the cities that people could flee to if they killed someone unintentionally

21

• The Israelites allotted to the Levites towns and pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses (8)
• The LORD gave to Israel all the land He swore to give to their fathers (43)
• All the promises to Israel from the LORD came to pass (45)

22

• The people were to be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to keep His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and will all your soul (5)
• The people were to return home and divide the plunder from their enemies with their fellow Israelites (8)
• Some of the people (Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh) built an imposing altar by the Jordan (10)
• The Israelites asked how they could build themselves an altar in rebellion against the LORD now (16)
• The altar was actually for being a witness between the people and the Israelites and the generations that follow, that they will worship the LORD at His sanctuary with their burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future the descendants would not be able to say: “You have no share in the LORD” (26-27)

23

• The Lord fought for the people 3
• The people need to cling to the Lord 8
• Serving other gods leads to the Lord’s anger 16

24

• The elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel presented themselves before God (1)
• The people were to fear the LORD and serve Him in all faithfulness (14)
• If serving the LORD seems undesirable, the people were to choose for themselves who they were to serve (15)
• “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” is similar to Romans 12:1 which states: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.”
• The Lord preserved the Israelites in the way they went (17)
• If the people served other gods, the Lord would do them harm after he had done them good (20)
• Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua (31)

Judges

1

• The people cut off the thumbs and big toes of Adoni-Bezek (6)
• The LORD was with the men of Judah (19)
• When the people spyed out Bethel, the spies asked a man to show them how to get into the city (24)
• The man showed them, they put the whole city to the sword but spared the man and his whole family (25)
• When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely (28)

2

• Judges are like warrior-heroes (MCBC Staff Chapel)
• The covenant with the angel of the LORD is stronger than any covenant that could be made with the people of the land (1-2)
• Not knowing the LORD and what He has done leads to evil actions (10-11)
• The lesser gods seem trendy because the people around the Israelites were following them (12-13)
• The people quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors who obeyed the LORD’s commands (17)
• People obeyed while the judge was alive but then they got worse after the judge died (18-19)
• The LORD tests Israel to see if they will keep His way (21-22)

3

• Some nations were left to test the Israelites who had not previous battle experience to see whether they would obey the LORD’s commands (4)
• The Israelites forgot the LORD and served the Baals and the Asherahs (7)
• The Israelites cried out to the LORD and he raised for them a deliverer (9)
• When the Israelites did evil, he gave a king power of them (12)
• Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years (30)

4

• The army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left (16)
• The people of Israel destroyed Jabin king of Canaan (24)

5

• This chapter is the song of Deborah
• The angel of the LORD cursed Meroz and its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the LORD against the mighty (23)
• Jael struck Sisera and crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple (26)
• May the enemies of the LORD perish but may all who love the LORD be like the sun when it rises in its strength (31)

6

• Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried to the Lord for help (6)
• The Lord sent the people a prophet when they cried out to him (7-8)
• Gideon is an example of a biblical character who asked God why suffering exists (13)
• Gideon thought the Lord had abandoned them (13)
• The Lord will help Gideon strike down the Midianites even though Gideon is the least in the family of a weakest clan 15-16
• Gideon sees angel of Lord face to face but does not die 22-23
• Gideon’s father had an altar to Baal 25
• The spirit of the Lord came on Gideon and the Abiezrites followed him 34

7

• The Lord tells Gideon to shrink his army

8

• Gideon kills Zebah and Zalmunna because they killed his brothers 19-21
• Gideon saved the Israelites from the hand of Midian 22
• Gideon said he would not rule over the Israelites but the Lord would 23
• Before Gideon died, the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals 33
• The Israelites failed to show any loyalty to the family of Gideon in spite of all the good things he had done for them 35

9

• Abimelek hired reckless scoundrels who became his followers (4)
• After Abimelek governed Israel for three years, God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem (22-23)
• Abimelek finds ways to attack the people
• The servants of Abimelek kill him so that it could not be said that the woman who cracked his skull with a milestone killed him (53-55)

10

• Because the Israelites forsook the LORD and no longer served Him, he became angry with them (6-7)
• The LORD will no longer save the Israelites because they have forsaken Him and served other gods (13)
• The Israelites got rid of their foreign gods and served the LORD and the LORD could bear their misery no longer (16)

11

• Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Rob,  where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him 3
• The people come to Jephthah for help even though they hated him before 7-8
  the Ammonites want the land back that Israel took 13
• Israel had not wronged the Ammonites but they were waging war against Jephthah 27
• The Lord gave the Ammonites into Jephthah’s hands 32
• Jephthah either sacrifices his daughter as a burnt offering or dedicated her to perpetual virginity because of his vow to the Lord 39

12

• The Ephraimite forces were upset that Jephthah fought the Ammonites without calling them to go with him (1)
• Jephthah says that he did call but they wouldn’t help (2-3)

13

• Manoah asks what Samsons mission will be and the angel of the Lord only repeats his instructions 12-14
• The Lord works wonders 19
• The Lord had not meant to kill Samson’s parents even after they saw the angel of the Lord because the angel accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering, showed them things and announced to them things 22-23

14

• Samson wants to marry a Philistine woman (2)
• Samson did not tell his parents about the power of the Spirit that helped him tear a lion apart with his bare hands (6)
• Samson’s wife coaxes and presses him to tell her the answer to the riddle and then she explains the riddle to her people (16-17)

15

• Samson wanted revenge on the Philistines 7
• Samson merely did to the Philistines what they did to him 11
• Samson kills a thousand men with a donkey’s jawbone (16)
• God opened up a hollow place and water came out of it so Samson could drink (19)

16

• After he goes to see a prostitute, Samson falls in love with Delilah (1-4)
• Delilah asks Samson how he can say he loves her when he doesn’t confide in her (15)
• Samson became sick to death of Delilah’s nagging and finally told her how he could be subdued (17)
• Samson’s strength left him (19)
• The LORD had left Samson (20)
• Samson killed many more when he dies than while he lived (30)
• Note: this chapter has interesting implications for how pastors can sometimes be seen as entertainers instead of people with the power of God (25-30)

17

• Micah’s mother consecrates silver to the LORD and makes an idol out of it (3-4)
• Micah made his son a priest over his shrine of household gods (5)
• In these days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (6)
• Micah installs a Levite who was looking for a place to stay as a priest and the Levite stayed in his house (7-13)
• Micah thinks that the LORD will be good to him, since a Levite has become his priest (13)
• Note: It can be so easy as a pastor to enable people by not confronting sin. How often have Christians heard something to the effect of this statement: “I know that God will not send me to hell, because you (a Christian) are my friend”

18

• The Danites take the carved image, the ephod, the household gods and the metal image out of Micah’s house 17
• The Danites bring the young priest along with them so he is not the priest of just one man but of a tribe and clan of Israel 19
• The Danites set up the carved image for themselves 30-31

19

• Everyone who saw the atrocity mentioned said they must do something and speak up 29

20

• All the Israelites got together and united as one against the city (11)
• The LORD tells the Israelites to go up against the Benjamites, their fellow Israelites and fight against them (23)
• The LORD will give them Benjamites into the hands of Israel (28)
• There is an interesting battle strategy mentioned (29-48)
• Eighteen thousand Benjamites fell, all of them valiant fighters (44)
• All the towns the men of Israel came across, they set on fire (48)

21

• The people went to Bethel where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly (2)
• The people asked the LORD: “why has this happened to Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?” (3)
• Anyone who failed to assemble before the LORD at Mizpah was to be put to death (5)
• The people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a gap in the tribes of Israel (15)
• The Benjamites were to hide in the vineyards during the annual festival of the LORD and then seize a woman to be their wife (19-24)
• In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (25)

Notes from The Book of Judges study with J.D. Greear

Judges 1:1-3:6

• God felt pity before the people recgonized their sin
• How do we have a direct experience of the LORD today? It’s possible to see it in the life of a friend

Judges 3:7-31

• God saves trough weakness
• Availability is more important than ability

Judges 4:1-5:31

• Wickedness is also about what you don’t do
• God will one day right every wrong

Judges 4:1-5:31

• When God wants to use us, first He weakens us
• The value we ave after brokenness is better than before
• “God blesses a man greatly, after He hurts him deeply” A.W. Tozer
• God patiently deals with faltering faith… Jesus is ok with weak an faltering fait
• Random selection is not based on skill- water lapped like a dog

Judges 13:1-25

• Judge is promised before he is born
• The promise of delivering a son is given to a barren woman
• God brings his salvation to people not crying out for repentance

Judges 14:1-16:31

• Spirit of God filled Samson to do something petty an vindictive- God was using Samson as His instrument
• Just because we are used by God, doesn’t mean we are right with God
• The night represents moral darkness in Hebrew literature

Judges 17:1-18:31

• It’s possible to worship the right God in the wrong way
• People can live in a perpetual fear of losing God, but He will never lose us

 

 

 

Ruth

1

• Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them (6)
• Naomi wants the LORD to grant her two daughters-in-law rest in the home of another husband (8-9)
• Naomi felt that the LORD’s hand had turned against her because she was not going to provide sons for her daughters-in-law (12-13)
• Ruth clung to Naomi (14)
• Ruth did not want even death to separate her from Naomi (17)
• Naomi stopped urging Ruth to go away from her, when she realized that Ruth was determined to go with her (18)
• Naomi wants to be called Mara because the Almighty had made her life very bitter (20)

2

• Ruth found favor in the eyes of Boaz (10)
• Boaz put Ruth at ease by speaking kindly to her (13)
• Boaz tells his men not to reprimand Ruth and to leave some stalks for her to pick up (15-16)
• Naomi tells Ruth that it would be good for her to go with the women who work with Boaz because in someone else’s field she might be harmed (22)

3

• Naomi wants to find Ruth a home where she will be well provided for (1)
• Boaz is the guardian redeemer of Ruth’s family (9)
• Ruth is a woman of noble character (11)
• Boaz does not want Ruth to go back to her mother-in-law empty handed (17)

4

• Boaz announces to the elders and all the people that he has bought the property from Naomi and acquired Ruth as his wife. This will maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown (10)
• The elders want Ruth to be like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel (11)
• The LORD enables Ruth to conceive and she gives birth to a son (13)
• The LORD will renew Naomi’s life and sustain her in her old age (15)
• Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse the father of David (22)

 

1 Samuel

1

• Year after year Elkanah went from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD (3)
• Elkanah gave double portions of the meat to be sacrificed to his wife Hannah because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb (5)
• Being provoked by her rival about not being able to conceive, led Hannah to weep and not eat (7)
• Hannah pours out her soul to the LORD, praying in her heart (14-15)
• Hannah prays out of her great anguish and grief (16)
• The LORD remembers Hannah and she gives birth to Samuel (19-20)
• Hannah gives Samuel to the LORD for his whole life (28)

2

• The Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed 3
• The Lord kills and brings to life 6
• It is worthless to not know the Lord 12
• It is a sin to treat the offering of the Lord with contempt 17
• The boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord 21
• God will mediate for people when they sin against people but no one can intercede if we sin against the Lord 25
• The Lord will raise up a faithful priest to do what is in the Lord’s heart and mind 35

3

• The word of the Lord was rare in these days, there was no frequent vision 1 use your mind
• Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy Samuel 8
• The Lord will fulfill against Eli all He has spoken concerning his house 12
• The Lord will punish Eli’s house forever because his sons were blaspheming God and he did not restrain them 13
• Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli 15
• All Israel knew Samuel was established as a prophet to the Lord 20

4

• The Philistines killed about 4000 Israelites in battle 2
• The ark of God is captured 11
• Eli is sitting and watching for his heart trembled fie the ark of God 13
• Eli dies 18
• The glory of God departed from Israel for the ark of God was captured 22

 5

• The idol Dagon had fallen face foward before the ark 2-5
• The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod 6
• The Lord inflicted the people with tumors 9
• The cry of the city went up to heaven 12

6

• The people send the ark of the covenant away 1-16
• The Lord struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked on the ark of the Lord 19

7

• Eleazar was consecrated to guard the ark of the LORD and the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time- twenty years (1-2)
• All the people of Israel turned back to the LORD (2)
• The Israelites put away their foreign gods and served the LORD only (4)
• The Israelites asked Samuel not to stop crying out the LORD for them, so that He might rescue them from the Philistines (7-8)
• Samuel cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him (9)
• The LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into a panic and they were routed before the Israelites (10)
• Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines (13)
• Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life (15-17)

8

• Samuel grew old and appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders (1)
• Samuel’s sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice (3)
• When they asked for a king, the people have not rejected Samuel but they rejected the LORD as their king (6-7)
• The king that the LORD gives the people will take a tenth of their flocks and they will become his slaves (17)
• The people will cry out for relief against the king they have chosen, but the LORD will not answer (18)
• The people wanted a king so that they would be like all the other nations and have someone to go out before them and fight their battles (20)
• The LORD tells Samuel to listen to the people and give them a king (21)

9

• Saul said to his servant that they should go back because his father will stop thinking about the lost donkeys they were searching for and start worrying about them (5)
• The prophets used to be called “seers” (9)
• Samuel says that he will tell Saul all that is in his heart (19)

10

• Saul will go to Gibeah of God and will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high places. The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully on Saul and he will prophesy with them; and be changed into a different person (5-6)
• As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart (9)
• Deep spiritual things can happen while we are doing normal, everyday things (like looking for donkeys) (14)
• Saul wad accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched (26)
• Some scoundrels did not think Saul could save them and brought him no gifts. Saul kept silent (27)

11

• Saul heard about what was happening and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he burned with anger (6)
• The terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out together as one (7)
• The LORD rescued Israel (13)
• All the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the LORD (15)

12

• Samuel outlines some of Israel’s history 1-13
• If the people will fear the Lord and serve Him, it will be well 14
• If the people rebel, the hand of the Lord will be against them and their king 15
• All the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel 18
• Even though the people did evil, they should still serve the Lord with all their heart 20
• Do not turn aside after empty things 21
• Ceasing to pray for others can be sin 23

13

• Saul did not want to be attacked by the Philistines without seeking the Lord’s favor 12
• Saul did not keep the Lord’s commandment and so his kingdom did not endure 14
• On the day of battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword in their hand,  only Saul and Jonathan did 22

14

• No one was aware that Jonathan had left 3
• Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving,  whether by many or by few 6
• The armor bearer is with Jonathan heart and soul 7
• The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in 11
• God sent a panic and the ground shook 15
• The Philistines were in total confusion striking each other with their swords 20
• The Philistines were on the run 22
• The people were not to sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it 34
• Saul built an altar to the Lord and it was the first time he did that 35
• The priest wanted the people to inquire of God 36
• Jonathan sinned by tasting honey with his staff 43
• The men rescued Jonathan because he brought great deliverance in Israel 45
• All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service 52

15

• Saul devoted to destruction all the people of Amalek with the edge of the sword 8
• The Lord regretted that he made Saul king for Saul did not perform the Lord’s commandments 11
• Saul was little in his own eyes but the Lord still anointed him king 17
• Obeying the voice of the Lord is more important that burnt offerings 22
• God will not lie or have regret 29
• Samuel grieved over Saul 35

16

• The Lord will show Samuel who to anoint 3
• The Lord looks on the heart 7
• David was the eighth son that Jesse mentioned 12
• The spirit of the Lord departed from Sail and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him 14
• When David took the lyre and played it, the harmful spirit departed from Saul 23

17

• No matter what we fight against, God gives us the victory when He calls us into battle
• Saul, the rejected King is terrified of Goliath, along with all the Israelites (11)
  • The cost of poor leadership is fear among the followers
• Eliab, the oldest brother of David thinks that David is conceited (28)
• David has “rookie smarts” against the experienced Goliath (33)
• Saul dresses David in his own tunic (38)
• David was not used to the armor that Saul gave him, so he takes a staff and stones instead (39-40)
• The battle is the LORD’s; He does not save by sword or spear (47)
• David kills Goliath with a stone (49)
  • Are there implications for modern warfare here? The situation gets more intense in this passage after the battle is won (Goliath is beheaded, etc)

18

• Jonathan loved David as his own soul 1
• David was successful wherever Saul sent him 5
• A harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul 10
• Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul 12
• Saul was David’s enemy continuously 29

19

• Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David (1)
• Jonathan tells Saul that David has done a lot of good and that Saul is trying to kill him for no reason (5)
• David struck the Philistines with such force that they fled before him (8)
• Michal took an idol and laid it in the bed, so that Saul would think it was David (13)
• The spirit of God came even on Saul and he prophesied (23)

20

• Jonathan told David that whatever he wanted David to do for him, he would do (4)
• Jonathan tells David that he will tell him if Saul is trying to kill him (12)
• Saul calls Jonathan a son of a perverse and rebellious woman (30)
• Saul tells Jonathan that David must die (31)

21

• The priest gave David the holy bread 6
• David takes the sword of Goliath 9
• David was afraid of the king of Gath and pretended to be insane 12-13

22

• David became commander over everyone who was in distress, in debt and bitter in soul 2
• Saul was sitting with his spear in hand 6
• The servants of the king would not strike the priests of the Lord 17
• Doeg killed 85 priests (18)

23

• David inquired of the Lord about whether he attack the Philistines before he went 2
• David saved the inhabitants of Keilah 5
• God tells David that Saul will defeat him, so David departed from Keilah 10-14
• God did not give David into Saul’s hand even though he sought him every day 14
  David is very cunning 22

24

• David’s heart struck him when he cut off a corner of Saul’s robe because Saul was the Lord’s anointed 5-6
• David has not sinned against Saul even though Saul wants to kill him 11
• Saul knows David will be king 20

25

• Samuel died and all Israel assembled and mourned for him (1)
• David sent ten young men to greet Nabal and to ask him to give him whatever he can find for them (4-8)
• Nabal was such a wicked man that no one could talk to him (17)
• Abigail (Nabal’s wife) tells David that David fights the LORD’s battles (28)
• David accepts Abigail’s offering to him (35)
• Nabal dies and David marries Abigail (39-44)

26

• Saul searched for David again 2
• David has a chance to kill Saul but he will not kill the Lord’s anointed 8-11
• The Lord had put Saul and his army into a deep sleep 12
• Saul tells David he has sinned and that he will not try to harm him again 21
• There is a way in which both Saul and David recognize the other as being anointed for a specific time 25

27

• David wants to escape to the land of the Philistines (1)
• When Saul was told that David fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him (4)
• Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive (9)
• Achish said that David has become obnoxious to his people, the Israelites (12)

28

• Achish makes David his bodyguard for life 2
• Saul expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land 3
• Saul did not get an answer from the Lord so he inquired of a medium 5-7
• Samuel is brought up from the dead and speaks to Saul about what will happen 12-19

29

• Achish said he found no fault in David (3)
• The rulers of the Philistines don’t approve of David, so Achish asks David to turn back (6-7)

30

• David and his men found Ziklag destroyed by fire and they wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep (3-4)
• David was distressed but found strength in the LORD (6)
• David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken (18)
• David wants all his men to share in the plunder, even those who did not go with them (23-24)

31

• The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and they killed Saul’s sons (2)
• Saul took his own sword and fell on it (4)
• The Israelites abandoned their towns and fled (7)
• The Philistines came and occupied the towns (7)
• The Philistines cut off Saul’s head, put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan (9-10)
• The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall and burned them (11-12)