Category: The Bible

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – The Post-captivity Prophets

Haggai is occupied with the house, and declares that its latter glory will be greater than its first. Zechariah is particularly occupied with Jerusalem. He shows the Lord dealing with all nations, having Jerusalem as a centre. Malachi – Here we have the testimony of the restored Jews’ total failure.

 

Outline of Bible coverIn these books, Haggai and Zechariah, the Jews are never called God’s people, except in prospect of the future.

 

Haggai

Haggai is occupied with the house, and declares that its latter glory will be greater than its first. God says that shakes all nations, and encourages them to build, declaring that His Spirit went with them’ as it was when Israel left Egypt. God will overthrow the throne of all kingdoms, and establish Christ under the name of Zerubbabel, as the elect Man, as the signet on His right hand.

Zechariah

Zechariah is particularly occupied with Jerusalem. He shows the Lord dealing with all nations, having Jerusalem as a centre, using one nation to cast out another, till His purposes are accomplished. Then, when the glory has come, He establishes Himself at Jerusalem. In the person of Joshua, the high priest, He justifies her against the adversary; He declares that He will come, and He puts all wisdom, the omniscience of His government, in Jerusalem. He prophesies as to the perfection of the administrative order in the kingdom and priesthood, and the judgment of all corrupt pretension to it, which is shown to be Babylonish. He builds the temple of the land by means of the Branch, judging the hostile power of the world, using all this to encourage them at that time in building the temple. Thus far is one prophecy (chaps. 1-6).

In the next prophecy he takes occasion, by those who inquire whether they should fast for the ruin of Jerusalem, to promise her restoration (now, for the present, on the ground of responsibility). He declares that He will protect His house against all surrounding enemies. He brings in Christ in humiliation, and carries on to the time of glory. He foresees Chris’s executing judgment by Judah upon Greece (Javan), gathering all the scattered ones. In chapters 11-14 we have the details of Christ’s rejection, and the foolish and idolatrous shepherd, when He judges all the nations as meddling with Jerusalem. He defends Jerusalem, bringing them to repentance, and opens the fountain for their cleansing. In contrast to the false spirit of prophecy, we get Christ’s humiliation and the sparing of a remnant, when the body of the people are cut off from Judea at the end. We have the final deliverance and the sanctifying of Jerusalem by the presence of the Lord, making her the centre of all worship upon earth.

In chapter 13:5 we see Christ as the servant of man, the rejected one of the Jews, and the smitten of Jehovah. “For man possessed me from my youth.” It then appears that it was among His friends that He was wounded in His hands. The great secret of all comes out, that He was Jehovah’s fellow, and smitten of Him. (Note, where Christ is owned as God, He calls the saints His fellows; and where, as here, He is in deepest humiliation, God calls Him His fellow.)

Malachi

Here we have the testimony of the restored Jews’ total failure. This was in spite of God’s electing love, which He still maintained. Then the Lord comes, sending a messenger before His face. He comes in thoroughly sifting and purifying judgment, owning the remnant who spake one to another in the fear of the Lord, in the midst of the wickedness. He lifts them up, and sets them over the power of the wicked, the Sun of Righteousness rising upon them for healing. But at the same time He calls them back to the law of Moses, with the promise of sending them Elijah the prophet to turn their hearts.

Originally by JND.   Lightly edited by Sosthenes, July 2014  

– Se A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible  for the original

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Daniel

Daniel has two parts:

The history of the Gentile empires, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, the head of gold.
Daniel’s special vision

Outline of Bible coverDaniel has two parts:

  1. The history of the Gentile empires, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, the head of gold.
  2. Daniel’s special vision (beginning with chap. 7), marking out the condition and circumstances of the saints in relation to these empires.  We have the coming of judgment to set them all aside in favour of Israel. But he only comes to the door of the millennium without unfolding it.

 

Originally by JND.   Lightly edited by Sosthenes, July 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Ezekiel

Ezekiel gives the judgment of Jerusalem. God comes from without, looking at all Israel, not just Judah. The nations around are judged – the ungodly oppressors in and over Israel, and the way individual souls are judged.

Outline of Bible coverEzekiel gives the judgment of Jerusalem.  God comes from without, looking at all Israel, not just Judah.  The nations around are judged – the ungodly oppressors in and over Israel, and the way individual souls are judged.

Then we have the setting up of David, and Israel’s new birth in blessing.  We have the union of Judah and Israel into one stick, and, on their restoration to their land, the destruction of the Assyrian, or Gog, by divine power.  This is in fact, by the presence of Christ.  Then at the end of the book we have the vision of the restoration of the temple and of the order of the land.

Originally by JND.   Lightly edited by Sosthenes, July 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Jeremiah and Lamentations

We have in Jeremiah, the present dealing of God with rebellious Judah. Judah becomes Lo-ammi (not my people) by the captivity in Babylon.

Outline of Bible coverJeremiah

We have in Jeremiah, the present dealing of God with rebellious Judah. Judah becomes Lo-ammi (not my people) by the captivity in Babylon.

Then, from chapter 30, we have the revelation of the infallible love of Jehovah to Israel (Judah and Ephraim). We have the certainty of their establishment under David, according to the order of God, in Jerusalem, Jehovah being their righteousness.  Then, after the history of Zedekiah, and the details of what brought in the captivity, and what passed in Palestine after that, we have the judgment of all the nations and Babylon itself.

Lamentations

In Lamentations we get the sympathy and entering in of the Spirit of Christ into the sorrows of Israel, especially the remnant, and the hope of restoration.

Originally by JND.   Lightly edited by Sosthenes, July 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Isaiah

In Isaiah we have the whole framework of God’s dealings with Judah, Israel coming in later, with the judgment of surrounding nations, and especially of Babylon. Israel is the centre, and the Assyrian is the great latter-day enemy; Immanuel is the hope of Israel, and the securer of the land. He, though Himself Jehovah, is rejected when coming as a testimony: a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling to the disobedient.

Outline of Bible coverIn Isaiah we have the whole framework of God’s dealings with Judah, Israel coming in later, with the judgment of surrounding nations, and especially of Babylon.   Israel is the centre, and the Assyrian is the great latter-day enemy; Immanuel is the hope of Israel, and the securer of the land. He, though Himself Jehovah, is rejected when coming as a testimony: a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling to the disobedient. We get, in addition, the details of the inroads of the Assyrian, and his judgment in the last days; and, included in the development of all this, we have the blessedness of Israel as re-established. This is the first part – chapters 1-35.

In the historical chapters (36-39) we get two great principles – resurrection, and deliverance from the Assyrians. It is a risen Christ who effects deliverance, which makes it so important. The captivity in Babylon is intimated here. This lays the ground for what follows.

In the last part we have God’s controversy with Israel, first on the footing of idolatry, and, secondly, because of the rejection of Christ. In this Israel is first looked at as a servant; and in chapter 49 the place of servant is transferred to Christ. He is rejected, and the remnant in the last days take the place of servant. All through this, though Israel be the object of favour, you get a definite contrast between the wicked and the righteous, and hence the separation of the remnant, and judgment of the wicked. There can be no peace to the wicked, whether Israel or others (end of chaps. 48, 57).

In the part that refers specially to the rejection of Christ we get the revelation of the call of the Gentiles, the judgment of the people, the coming of Jehovah, and the full blessing of the remnant of Israel at Jerusalem.

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

We have had subsequent to the history, the moral development of the heart of man, and of the Spirit of God working in various ways in his heart. Especially in Ecclesiastes, the heart of man makes itself a centre, and tries to feed itself, In Canticles, the heart is getting out of itself into the heart of Christ.

lay-preachingPROVERBS.

Here is the wisdom of God showing its path to man, in contrast with the corruption and violence in man.  The first eight chapters give us the principle, showing Christ as wisdom.   The remainder of Proverbs enters into details.   It is addressed to man in a remarkable way.   A man of the world escapes by knowing the crookedness of the world: this book enables a man to escape without knowing it – wise in that which is good, simple concerning evil.

ECCLESIASTES

Here is the result of the pursuit of happiness under the sun.   Man’s wisdom, as man, is God’s law.

CANTICLES or SONG OF SONGS

The Song gives us the relationship, and the affections of the heart of the spouse, with Christ.  This special form of the relationship, is to be realised properly in Israel, though we may apply this book, abstractedly, to the church and to the individual.   (What Canticles treats of is not relationship, but desires, faith, getting the joy of the relationship with occasional glimpses, but not an established known relationship.  The place of the church, though the marriage is not come, is that of being in the relationship.  Israel will not have this.)

There is a kind of progress observable. (1) “My beloved is mine” – this is the lowest point. (2) “I am my beloved’s” – this is the consciousness of belonging to Him. (3) “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me.”

_______

We have had subsequent to the history, the moral development of the heart of man, and of the Spirit of God working in various ways in his heart.  Especially in Ecclesiastes, the heart of man makes itself a centre, and tries to feed itself,  In Canticles, the heart is getting out of itself into the heart of Christ.

 

 

 

Slightly edited by Sosthenes, May 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Psalms

In the Psalms we have the Spirit of Christ working and developing itself in the remnant of Israel in the latter day. They are divided into five books.

In the Psalms we have the Spirit of Christ working and developing itself in the remnant of Israel in the latter day.   It shows His personal relationship,  taken, whether in laying the ground for them, or in exercising sympathy with them.  The Psalms continue up to the border of the millennium, but do not enter it except prophetically. They are divided into five books.

Lightly edited by Sosthenes, May 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Job

In Job we have the possibility of the relationship of a man with God, in the great conflict referring to good and evil between God and the power of darkness.

In Job we have the possibility of the relationship of a man with God, in the great conflict referring to good and evil between God and the power of darkness.   That involves the discipline of saints, in contrast with the allegedly present righteous government of the world (typified by Job’s three friends)   The necessity of a Mediator is intimated, but He is not revealed.   The power of Satan over the world is made known, and his character as accuser of the brethren pointed out.  

God is seen as the originator of all (not of the accusations themselves, but of the whole process) for the purpose of blessing His people, while the conscience is thoroughly searched in those He blesses.   This whole book has no dispensational reference.  You get in Elihu the wisdom of God in His word (Christ really), and then you have the power of God (also Christ) in God answering out of the whirlwind.  The book may be regarded as typical of Israel, inasmuch as it is in Israel that these ways of God are shown.

Originally by JND.   Lightly edited by Sosthenes, May 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

lay-preachingEZRA.

The re-establishment of the temple and divine service according to the law, while waiting for the Messiah.   But there is no ark, no Urim, etc.  It was an empty temple.

NEHEMIAH.

The re-establishment of the civil society and state under the Gentiles.

ESTHER.

The providential care of Israel when God is hidden from them, while Lo-ammi (not my people) is written on them.  He takes care of them while He is hidden from them and does not own them.  God’s name is never mentioned.  The Gentile queen fails to shew her beauty, and the Jewish bride supersedes her.

Lightly edited by Sosthenes, May 2014

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Samuel, Kings, Chronicles

lay-preaching1 SAMUEL

The judicial priesthood connection is here broken. Both judge and priest go in Eli. The ark is taken – a total breach. Power is lost.   Then God comes in, in His own sovereign way, by a prophet, as He had earlier when He brought them out of Egypt.  (Everything on the ground of man’s responsibility was gone; but God’s sending a prophet was sovereign mercy.)  Before He brings in strength (the king), He brings in prophecy – note this.  Before Christ returns in power, it is the testimony of the Spirit and word, by which a connection is maintained between God and His people.  From Eli to David on the throne the principle is faith and power, not succession.

But flesh requires governmental order,* and it gets what it wants.  However, it breaks down under the power of the enemy.  Even believers who cling to the flesh, fall with it (Jonathan).   If governmental order is established without Christ, they cannot accept Christ’s coming to set it aside.  The one in whom hope is (David) must be content to be as a partridge on the mountains.

Saul was raised up to put down the Philistines and Jonathan subdued them.  Saul did not, and was destroyed by them.  Jonathan was a believer associated with the outward order.  The place of faith was with David.  It is the place of the power of faith without the king.

{*It is quite true that there was a want through the misrule of Samuel’s sons.  Spiritual energy had failed.  The church can only stand in power: when it turned to the principle of succession, all was lost.}

2 SAMUEL

Saul falls on the mountains of Gilboa.   Then we get the royalty of David, in active power, not in the reign of peace.  There was the promise that God would  maintain David’s house, however they conducted themselves.  God would chasten them if disobedient, but not take His mercy from them.  Then we get David’s personal failure when he is king.

There is another element – the ark and the temple come in question.  The relationship with God is re-established first by faith, not according to order, but by spiritual power according to grace.  The ark was on Mount Zion, and there they were singing, “His mercy endureth for ever”.   At Gibeon there was the high place, and Solomon went there.  The tabernacle was there, but not the ark.  Solomon is not seen at Mount Zion till his return from Gibeon, after God answered him. Consequent on God’s interfering in deliverance and redemption, the place of ordered worship is set up, connected with earth, at the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  It was after judgment: people had been slain, and sacrifice made.   God loves Jerusalem; He stays His hand in judgment, and shows by prophecy the path of reconciliation by sacrifice.

1 AND 2 KINGS.

Here we have the reign of Solomon, the figure of the great Son of David.  We have the establishment of Israel in peace, and the building of the temple.  This fails in Rehoboam.   The book of Kings then gives us the history of Israel, not Judah, but with sufficient notices of Judah to carry on the history.  You get the intervention of God  in mercy, by prophets in Elijah and Elisha.   In the midst of Israel,  Elijah was a testimony to Israel, who had left the temple, on the ground of responsibility; Elisha was a testimony in resurrection-power.

First and Second Kings continue the history in Judah till the captivity, and then Lo-ammi (not my people) was written on the nation.   There are, of course, many details and various characters.   Hezekiah had faith, Josiah showed obedience, Jehoshaphat had piety, but through association with the world, there never was success.

1 AND 2 CHRONICLES

Chronicles gives us the history of the family of David – ending with the Babylonish captivity.

1 Chronicles is David himself.  At the close, David has the pattern of everything by the Spirit, and leaves it to Solomon to execute.

2 Chronicles is David’s posterity.

Chronicles is more connected with the establishment of the kingdom on earth; Kings is more figurative of what is heavenly.  In the temple in Chronicles there is a veil (2 Chron. 3:14), in Kings there is not.   The veil will not be rent for Israel in the millennium.

Lightly edited by Sosthenes, May 2014

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