1. THE BOOKS OF THE LAW.—— (Five.)

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

These five books made up the Bible that was used by the Jewish people for many centuries. In these books we have the entire Bible in a state to be unfolded. The authors that followed Moses were thorough students of these books, so they could write their books in harmony with the teaching found in the first books of inspiration. It was necessary for each author to be familiar with the contents of the Bible so that he might be prepared to write. They were written by Moses and are called the Pentateuch. They record the history from the creation, 4004 B. C., to the crossing of the Jordan, 1451 B. C. (2553 years).

2. THE BOOKS OF HISTORY.—— (Twelve.)

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, First and Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

The authors of some of these books cannot be determined. These twelve books form the basis for the succeeding books of the Old Testament. The Poetic and Prophetic books are the results of conditions and circumstances of the Jewish nation at different intervals during this period of history. The history recorded in these books begins with the crossing of the Jordan, 1451 B. C., and closes with the close of the Old Testament, 400 B. C. (1051 years).

3. THE BOOKS OF POETRY.—— (Five.)

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.

There is some uncertainty in regard to the authors of some of these books. Most of the Psalms were written by David; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon, by Solomon. These books cover the same period as the Historical Books, but they are loftier in sentiment. This was an age of wisdom, and we have some valuable productions given us during this period.

4. THE BOOKS OF MAJOR PROPHETS.— (Five.)

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel.

These five books were written by the persons whose names they bear. Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied before the captivity of Judah. Ezekiel and Daniel prophesied during the captivity, 606 to 536 B. C. They are called Major Prophets because of the extensive and important work they accomplished in the Jewish church.

5. THE BOOKS OF MINOR PROPHETS.—(12.)

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi.

These books bear the names of their authors. The first nine prophesied before the captivity of 587 B. C.; Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi prophesied after the return of the Jews in 536 B. C.

REVIEW.

QUESTIONS.

• How many divisions of Old Testament books?
• Name them?
• How many books in the first division?
• Name them?
• What name is given to these books?
• Who wrote them?
• What are the opening and closing events of this division? 
• What are the dates?
• What period of time is covered?
• How many books in second division?
• Name them?
• What can you say of the authors?
• What other books are based on the Historical Books?
• What are the opening and closing events of this division?
• What are the dates?
• What period of time is covered?
• How many books in third division?
• Name them?
• What is known of the authors?
• Under what circumstances were these written?
• How many books in fourth division?
• How are these books divided?
• How many in each subdivision?
• Name them?
• Who are the authors?
• Why are they called Major and Minor Prophets?
• Name the books of prophecy written before the captivity?
• Name those written during the captivity?
• Name those written after the captivity?