Summary of Genesis to Joshua in the Bible
An Overview of the First Six Books of the Old Testament
Sep 20, 2009
This commentary features the main stories and characters in the first five books of the Old Testament (called the Pentateuch which means 'five books' in Greek) and also Joshua, the sixth book.
A Short Summary of Genesis
God creates the earth, animals, plants and the first humans Adam and Eve. Later God expels them from their home in the garden of Eden after a snake tricks them into eating fruit from a tree He had warned them not to touch.
Adam and Eve's first two sons Cain (a hunter) and Abel (a shepherd) are rivals, Cain kills Abel and God banishes him as punishment.
Humans fill the earth but are disobedient to God, so Adam and Eve's ninth descendant Noah and his family become the only survivors of a flood God sends to wipe out the rest of mankind. They then re-populate the earth and Abraham emerges as God's favourite.
His son Isaac marries Rebekah and have twins Jacob and Esau. Jacob who marries sisters Rachel and Leah and has twelve sons. The eleventh son Joseph is hated by his brothers for being Jacob's favourite and they sell him to Egypt where he prospers after trials including a false rape accusation and prison and becomes prime minister, then the rest of the family move there.
A Review of Exodus
Jacob (now named Israel by God) and his family multiply and become slaves in Egypt until God persuades Moses to free them, but Pharaoh won't let them go until God causes ten plagues to torment the Egyptians.
God then parts a sea so the freed nation could cross it. They spend 40 years walking through the desert to the land God promised them and on the way they disobey God who punishes but also feeds them with manna and quail that fell from heaven and gives them ten major and many minor commandments.
God also shows them how to build a mobile temple and how to sacrifice animals in his honour.
Leviticus - A Quick Overview of God's Rules for Israel
God, through Moses gives the Israelites rules on the etiquette of sacrifice, what animals to sacrifice for various purposes (atonement for sin, thanksgiving offering) and also institutes Israel's the holy days.
God also informs the Israelites about what foods to avoid, how to treat various diseases, unlawful sexual relationships and the rewards for obedience and punishments for disobedience.
Numbers - Israel's Census
A tribe by tribe census of Israel is published (there are twelve tribes based on the twelve sons of Jacob) and the number of men of fighting age from each tribe is also counted.
Then each family contributed various valuable items to the altar and they celebrated the Passover which commemorates God's faithfulness to Israel whilst they were in Egypt.
Men are then sent to explore Canaan, their promised land currently inhabited by others. They return with a fearful report predicting failure if they invade, but God assures them of victory. The Israelite army then capture many cities along their route and distribute it amongst themselves by tribe.
Deuteronomy - The Death of Moses and Rise of Joshua
God institutes more laws, including procedures for dealing with worship, marriage, war, murder and law courts.
God implores Israel to continue to worship him and they will be blessed and if they worship other gods they will be cursed. Joshua is named Moses' successor. Moses dies.
Joshua - Israel's Warrior Leader
Joshua leads Israel to capture more land. He sends out a group to spy out a city called Jericho and enlist the help of Rahab the prostitute.
Then God tells Joshua to get all of Israel to march around it several times blowing on trumpets until the city walls came down, and Rahab's family home is the only one left standing because she helped to conceal the Israelites from detection. They capture Jericho and other cities and distribute it amongst themselves. Joshua dies.
These first books of the Bible are the most important in the Old Testament because they describe how God created the earth and documents the formation and history of the Israelites, God's chosen people.
More Quick Guides to the Bible:
 |
