In today’s devotion, we’ll offer a brief synopsis of the Old Testament books of the Bible.

Genesis is the book of beginnings, covering the beginning of the human race and of God’s chosen people, through whom God’s Son and our Savior would eventually come into the world.

Exodus tells the story of Israel’s exodus from Egyptian bondage.

Leviticus is a book of laws for Israel’s Levitical priesthood.

Numbers is a census book of ancient Israel.

Deuteronomy is the summation of God’s law to Israel.

Joshua tells the story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

Judges is a book that tells of the great exploits of Israel’s judges.

Ruth tells the story of Ruth the Moabitess and great-grandmother of Israel’s King David.

1 Samuel tells about the end of Israel’s judges and the beginning of the kingdom of Israel.

2 Samuel tells about the reign of Israel’s King David.

1 Kings is a book that tells about the kings of Israel and Judah from David to Ahab and Jehoshaphat.

2 Kings is a book about the kings of Israel and Judah from Ahaziah and Jehoram until the time of captivity.

1 Chronicles is a chronicling of the reign of King David.

2 Chronicles is a chronicling of the reign of King Solomon and the subsequent kings of Judah.

Ezra is a post-exilic book that tells about the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah is a post-exilic book that tells about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Esther tells the story behind the Jewish Feast of Purim.

Job is a book about the suffering and restoration of Job.

Psalms is the Bible’s hymn book.

Proverbs is a book of wise sayings.

Ecclesiastes tells the story of Solomon’s search for the meaning of life.

The Song of Solomon is a love song.

Isaiah is a book of the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah.

Jeremiah contains the biography and prophecy of Jeremiah.

Lamentations is Jeremiah’s lamenting over the destruction of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel is a book containing Ezekiel’s prophecies of the fall, restoration, and glorious future of Jerusalem.

Daniel contains the biography and apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel.

Hosea is a book containing Hosea’s prophecy about the spiritual adultery of Israel.

Joel is a book containing Joel’s prophecy about the coming Day of the Lord.

Amos contains the prophecy of Amos concerning the coming judgment of God upon Israel and neighboring nations.

Obadiah contains the prophecy of Obadiah against Edom.

Jonah tells the story of the Prophet Jonah’s prophecy against Nineveh.

Micah contains the prophecy of Micah concerning the sins, destruction, and restoration of both Israel and Judah.

Nahum contains the prophecy of Nahum against Nineveh.

Habakkuk tells of the Prophet Habakkuk’s complaints to God and prevailing faith in God.

Zephaniah is a book containing the prophecy of Zephaniah about the coming Day of the Lord.

Haggai is a book that tells of the Prophet Haggai’s calling of the returned Jewish exiles to the task of rebuilding God’s temple.

Zechariah tells of the Prophet Zechariah’s apocalyptic visions and ministry to the returned Jewish exiles in their rebuilding of the temple of the Lord.

Malachi contains the closing Old Testament prophecy to the Messianic nation and a call for them to prepare for the coming of their Messiah.