Have you ever considered the orderly fashion of the Bible's organization? Each book has a theme, and most have an embedded key word. Let us examine the first six books of the Old Testament.
- Genesis: The Beginning and Call of God's People. We find the origin of all life in the first two chapters. Then we learn of God's promises to Abraham {Genesis 12:1-7}.
- Exodus: Israel's Redemption and Separation. Brought out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God, under the leadership of Moses, Israel was saved and separated to be a special people.
- "And Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.'" {Exodus 14:13}
- "For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth." {Exodus 33:16}
- Leviticus: Israel's Acceptance and Worship. This book instructs the people regarding their offerings to God and the Levites concerning their work as priests.
- "He shall kill the bull before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. And he shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into its pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay the wood in order on the fire." {Leviticus 1:5-7}
- Numbers: Israel's Walk and Wanderings. This book gives a census of two different generations of God's people.
- "The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised." {Numbers 14:29-31}
- Deuteronomy: The Second Law and Government. The law is given again to the new generation.
- "Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" {Deuteronomy 4:6,7}
- Joshua: The Conquest and Inheritance. The inheritance promised so long ago becomes a reality.
- "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them." {Joshua 1:5,6}
God's wonderful book is like a puzzle. As we place each piece in its proper place, the story unfolds. Every book in the Bible tells part of the story. All of its 66 books, woven together, reveal to us the wonderful story of God's love!