Christians must understand that there is a particular order and purpose that is woven throughout the narrative of the Old Testament.

The period of restoration consists of three returns: the people return to rebuild the temple under Zerubbabel; they return to purify the worship of God under Ezra; and they return to rebuild and refortify the city of Jerusalem under Nehemiah.

God and His glory and His kingdom and His rule are all part of the Old Testament story line. Therefore, all Christians must be disciplined to frequently read from it.

Christ and His atonement for sin and the basic gospel of justification by faith alone are at the heart of Old Testament revelation.

Both Genesis and Exodus lay the framework for what transpires throughout the remainder of the Old Testament.

God gave the nation of Israel the sacrificial system in order to highlight their sin and their need to atone for their transgressions against Him.

There were two tragic sins that characterized the time period of the judges: intermarriage and idolatry.

The book of 1 Samuel records the establishment of Israel's monarchy and the rise of the prophetic office.

The united monarchy exposes that mankind needs a centralized ruler who is righteous and who will reign with justice. Someday that will come because God has made a promise to David that his dynasty will be an eternal dynasty, because his greatest Son will rule forever.