1. Narrative
2. Law
3. Wisdom
4. Prophecy
Below are examples of how you can interpret different books.
Leviticus
The genre
of Leviticus is full of law information.
The entire book is set in a relatively brief period of time. Sacrifices, priests, and the sacred Day
of Atonement open the direction for the Israelites to come to God. God’s people were also to worship him
with their lives. Purity laws and
rules for daily living, concerning family responsibilities, sexual conduct,
relationships, worldliness, and vows.
These laws involve one’s holy walk with God, and the patterns of
spiritual living. Mount Sinai was
noted as a key place and Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar are
key people in this genre. At the
foot of Mount Sinia, God is teaching the Israelites how to live as holy
people. With the final emphasis on
celebration. These were special,
regular, and corporate occasions for remembering what God had done, giving
thanks to him, and rededicating lives to his service.
Numbers
The genre
of Numbers is a book that is narrative.
Content of this book is diverse, moving back and forth between laws and
narratives. There are several key
people in this book, Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Eleazar, Korah, and
Balaam. We also see several
locations as the book progress, Mount Sinai, Promised Land (Canaan), Kadesh,
and Mount Horplains of Moab. We
note that God instructed Moses to take a census so that the people would be
organized both for travel and warfare.
The first census was conducted in the 2nd month of the 2nd
year of the Exodus. It was that
same month Moses and the people departed from Sinai. During the travel the people complained about food. We see that God punished some people
but spared the nation because of Moses’ prayers. Ten spies were sent to Canaan to determine the strength of
the army. Stories were brought
back about giants. Caleb and
Joshua encouraged the nation to “go at once and take the land.” As we see unbelief of people, God
declared that the present generation would not live to see the Promised
Land. This began the wandering in
the wilderness. Numbers ends as it
begins, with preparation. The new
generation of Israelites was numbered and sanctified. They defeated numerous armies, and settled on the east side
of the Jordan River. The final
test they faced was to cross the river and possess the beautiful land God had
promised to them.
Job
The genre
of Job is a book of Wisdom. The key
person in this book is Job himself.
Job is portrayed as a wealthy man of upright character who loves
God. We see that God allowed Satan
to destroy his flocks, his possessions, his children, and his health. Satan had
to ask God to take this from Job.
God did limit Satan on what he was allowed to take. Job’s greatest trial was not the pain
or the loss; it was not being able to understand why God allowed him to
suffer. Satan tried to drive a
wedge between Job and God by trying to convince Job that God’s governing of the
world was not just and good. God limited Satan on what he was allowed. Job’s suffering didn’t make sense
because everyone believed good people were supposed to prosper. Three other individuals appear in this
book that offer counsel to Job.
They were his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Although these three men debated with
Job that he must have sinned to deserve such suffering. Job continued to search for
enlightenment and never completely gives up hope for justice. Job learned that when nothing else was
left he had God, and that was enough.
Proverbs
The genre
of Proverbs is a Wisdom book. The chief
contributor to this book was Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel contributing at the
end of Proverbs. The audience for this book was for the people of Israel. This book covers a vast array of
topics, including youth and discipline, family life, self-control, resisting
temptation, business matters, word and the tongue, knowing God, marriage,
seeking the truth, wealth and poverty, immorality, and wisdom. Solomon writes that fear of the Lord is
knowledge, and that fools despise wisdom and discipline. This is a book of wise sayings, and a
textbook for teaching people how to live godly lives through the repetition of
wise thoughts. Throughout the book
people were able to attain wisdom, discipline, and a prudent life, and how to
do what is right, and fair. In
short, to apply divine wisdom to daily life and to provide moral instructions. Solomon wanted to impart wisdom to all
people, regardless of their age, sex, or position in society. Proverbs teaches qualities that promote
success and a good reputation, and at the same time it teaches what prevents
success and causes a bad reputation.
Daniel
The genre
of Daniel is a Prophecy book. The
characters that should be pointed out in this book are Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar,
Shadrach, Mecharch, Abednego, Belshazzar, and Darius. Daniel’s vision was of apocalyptic nature. It gives a glimpse of God’s plan for
the ages, including a direct prediction of the Messiah. Daniel had been taken captive and
deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar and drafted as a counselor to
him. There he served for about 70
years during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. The purpose of the book is to give a
historical account of the faithful Jews who lived in captivity and to show how
God is in control of heaven and earth, the destiny of nations, and the care of
the people. The audience was the
captives in Babylon and Judah. Important
to note that the king ordered Ashpenaz, to bring four men from Judah’s royal
family and other noble families.
The men needed to be young good-looking men. The four men were Daniel – he was called Belteshazzar,
Hananiah – was called Shadrach, Mishael – was called Meshach, and Azariah – was
called Abednego. This book
concludes with a series of visions that Daniel had during the reigns of
Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus.
Theses visions dramatically outline God’s future plans, beginning with
Babylon and continuing to the end of the age. They give a preview of God’s redemption and have been called
the key to all biblical prophecy.
Beautiful Song........God Bless and until next time....
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