Thirty Old Testament

Below the surface of every seemingly ordinary Bible verse lies a deeper meaning just waiting to be discovered. And these hidden insights aren't just reserved for scholars, academics, or pastors. Anyone who knows where to look can uncover the surprisingly significant messages that the biblical authors intended for us to hear. In 30 Old Testament Passages with Deeper Meaning, Michael Williams seeks to lead believers to a deeper comprehension and appreciation of biblical truth.

This book is for people who want a clearer understanding of the Bible. With modern language and brief, digestible short explanations of each story, it should be used as a guide to learning about the Old Testament, helping you to decode it and comprehend the Bible better.

The purpose of the book of Amos was to announce God's holy judgment on the Kingdom of Israel (the Northern Kingdom), call them to repentance, and to turn from their self-righteous sins and idolatry. God raised up the prophet Amos, as an act of His great mercy to a people who repeatedly shunned and disobeyed Him.

The book of Zechariah is Narrative History, Prophetic and Apocalyptic in genre. It is a post-exilic book, meaning it was written after (post) the return from captivity (exile) in Babylon. The prophet Zechariah wrote chapters 1-8 approximately 520-518 B.C. (Before the temple completed), and then wrote chapters 9-14 approximately 480 B.C. (After the temple is completed). Zechariah is among the most precisely dated books in the Bible. Key personalities are Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Joshua.

The small book of Zephaniah is Narrative History and Prophetic Oracle. Zephaniah wrote it circa 630 B.C. very soon before the fall of Judah in the Southern Kingdom. The purpose of this book was to show that God raised up his prophet Zephaniah to proclaim a warning of coming judgment and to encourage repentance. The Southern Kingdom was complacent in their wicked lives. They not only suffered under wicked kings they also would suffer under the holy judgment of God.

The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years from around 1400 BC through 90 AD. The Old Testament was written in Biblical Hebrew, excluding the books written during "the Chaldean captivity" such as Daniel and Ezra which were written in "Biblical Aramaic" during the "Chaldean captivity". Many of the books of the Old Testament bear the names of the prophets who authored them. Moses compiled the earlier parts of Genesis and directly authored the remaining portion.

The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1500 years from around 1400 BC through 90 AD. The Old Testament was written in Biblical Hebrew excluding the books written during the Chaldean captivity such as Daniel and Ezra. Alexander Scourby was the first to record the King James Bible on audio in the early 1950s. Since then millions have been sold the world over. Although many have recorded the Bible over the years, no one could ever match Scourby's unparalleled and majestic reading.

The book of Micah is a Prophetic Oracle. The prophet Micah wrote it 742-686 B.C. shortly before the Northern Kingdom's fall in 722 B.C. Key personalities are all the people of Samaria and Jerusalem. The purpose of the book of Micah was to proclaim warning and judgment to both the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms. His message was similar to that of Isaiah and was written at about the same time. Micah described the impending judgment that would eventually exile the nation.

The book of Habakkuk is Narrative History and displays Prophetic Oracle. Habakkuk wrote it approximately 612-589 B.C. just before the fall of Judah in the Southern Kingdom. Key personalities are Habakkuk and the Babylonians. As is true of the many other prophets, Habakkuk is a short book. The information in it was vital since it carried God's message to His people. Its purpose was that Habakkuk was announcing a familiar message of judgment.

"Malachi" is the last book of the Old Testament and is a book of Prophetic Oracle. It is a post-exilic book, meaning it was written after the return from captivity in Babylon. The prophet Malachi wrote it approximately 430 B.C. Key personalities include Malachi and the priests. The purpose of this book is that Malachi wrote to ensure that the hearts of the Jews were right and that they were keeping God first in their lives.

The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years from around 1400 BC through 90 AD. The Old Testament was written in Biblical Hebrew, excluding the books written during "the Chaldean captivity" such as Daniel and Ezra which were written in "Biblical Aramaic" during the "Chaldean captivity". Many of the books of the Old Testament bear the names of the prophets who authored them. Moses compiled the earlier parts of Genesis and directly authored the remaining portion.

The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years, from around 1,400 BC through AD 90. The Old Testament was written in Biblical Hebrew with the exception of the books written during "the Chaldean captivity" such as Daniel and Ezra, which were written in "Biblical Aramaic" during the "Chaldean captivity".