by Prisca | 30 April 2019 08:46 pm04
Shalom! Welcome, beloved in Christ. Today, by the grace of God, we begin to explore the books of the Bible how they were written, their structure, and their divine purpose. May this be a source of life and understanding as we grow in God’s Word.
When I first gave my life to the Lord, I struggled to understand the Bible. The only books I felt comfortable reading were the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. From the Old Testament, I could only grasp parts of Genesis, Exodus, Esther, and Ruth mainly because they read like continuous stories.
But books like Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Habakkuk, and Malachi confused me deeply. I didn’t understand the historical context, the reason they were written, or the situations the authors were facing. I thought, for example, that the book of Isaiah had been written by the prophet Isaiah in just a few days perhaps as God downloaded the message into him directly, chapter after chapter.
But that was due to spiritual immaturity. As I grew in the faith, I realized that the Bible is not just a random compilation of religious texts. It is the most orderly, divinely structured book ever written inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
We will begin with a few foundational books to understand the structure and purpose behind them.
Author: Moses
Time & Place: Written during the Israelites’ time in the wilderness after the Exodus
God gave Moses revelation concerning events that took place long before his time including the creation of the world, the Garden of Eden, the fall of man, and the flood. Moses, who uniquely spoke with God face to face (Exodus 33:11), received these divine insights while leading the Israelites in the desert.
Genesis includes:
The creation of the world (Genesis 1–2)
The fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3)
The flood and Noah’s ark (Genesis 6–9)
The lives of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
The origins of the twelve tribes of Israel
Genesis is not merely a historical record it reveals God’s covenantal dealings with mankind, setting the stage for His redemptive plan.
Author: Moses
Theme: God’s deliverance of Israel and establishment of His covenant
Unlike Genesis, the events of Exodus were mostly experienced firsthand by Moses. He didn’t need prophetic revelation for much of it it was a historical account of what he saw:
God calls Moses (Exodus 3)
The ten plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7–12)
The crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14)
God provides manna and water in the wilderness
The giving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
Instructions for building the Tabernacle
This book shows God’s mighty power to redeem, His holiness, and His desire to dwell among His people.
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:2 (ESV)
Author: Moses
Theme: Instructions for the Levitical priesthood and ceremonial laws
After delivering the Law, God commanded Moses to appoint the tribe of Levi Moses’ own tribe as priests. They were to be wholly dedicated to the service of the Tabernacle, mediating between God and Israel.
Leviticus is essentially a manual for the priests, especially the descendants of Aaron (Moses’ brother), explaining:
The types of sacrifices (burnt offering, sin offering, etc.)
Clean and unclean laws
Priestly garments and duties
Atonement rituals (see Leviticus 16 The Day of Atonement)
Laws concerning purity, worship, and holy living
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 (ESV)
This book may seem complex, but it teaches that God is holy, and those who draw near to Him must do so in reverence and order.
Author: Moses
Theme: The census, journey, and military preparation of Israel
At the beginning of Numbers, Israel is instructed to number all men over 20 years old who are able to fight (Numbers 1:2–3). This marked a major shift in God’s dealings with His people.
In Egypt, God fought for them directly. But in the wilderness, due to their rebellion and desire for self-rule, He allowed them to form armies and fight their battles with His guidance.
“Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head, from twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war.” Numbers 1:2–3 (ESV)
Key themes in Numbers include:
Census of the tribes and their organization around the Tabernacle
Journeying from Mount Sinai toward the Promised Land
Rebellions and consequences in the wilderness
God’s continued provision and guidance, despite their failures
Preparation for conquest, led by leaders like Joshua
Although the people turned from God’s original intent to conquer the land without war, He still worked through their military efforts to fulfill His promise.
The Bible is a divinely structured book authored by men but inspired by the Holy Spirit. Each book carries its unique purpose and fits into God’s greater redemptive plan. Understanding who wrote it, when, why, and for whom is essential in rightly handling the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
These first four books, often called the Pentateuch or Torah, lay the foundation of God’s covenant with His people and reveal His character, purposes, and holiness.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.“ 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/04/30/books-of-the-bible-part-1/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.