Introduction to the Bible - Old Testament Overview

Introduction to the Bible

• This video is part of a series called Bible Basics.
• The purpose is a general overview of the Bible's books, focusing on the Old Testament.
• Previous video (Bible Basics 1: Intro to the Bible) is recommended before watching this one.

Old Testament Books

• The Old Testament is categorized into: Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets.
• The Protestant Bible has 39 books while the Catholic Bible contains 46.

Books of the Law

• Includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
• Details creation, early humans, and God's laws to his people.
• Contains famous stories like Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, and the Ten Commandments.
• Features Abraham and Sarah having a child at age 100.

Books of History

• Includes Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
• Focuses on Israel and the Israelites.
• Describes their journey to Canaan and the development of a nearly 500-year kingdom.
• Highlights notable figures: Esther (courageous in saving a nation), Joshua (leading Israel's conquest of Canaan), and David (powerful king who fought Goliath).

Books of Poetry

• Includes Job, Psalms (the Bible's longest book), Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.
• Composed in poetic form, making up a significant portion of the Old Testament.
• Explores diverse themes like suffering, God, life, and love.

Books of Major Prophets

• Includes Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
• Prophets convey God's messages.
• While some predicted future events, their main role was interpreting God's will and love for the people.
• Features Daniel being miraculously unharmed in a lion's den because of his devotion to God.
• The "Major" designation refers to book length, not importance, compared to Minor Prophets.

Books of Minor Prophets

• Includes Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
• Outlines punishment for disobedience and showcases God's love for his people.
• The final book, Malachi, speaks of "the one to come", believed by Christians to refer to Jesus.

Catholic Bible Additions

• The Catholic Bible includes six extra Old Testament books: Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch.
• Contains additional stories about Esther and Daniel not found in the Protestant version.

Conclusion

• The video urges viewers to study the Bible further.
• It prompts watching the next video (Bible Basics 3: The Books of the New Testament) and engaging in online resources/activities.