By Mike Riley
From time to time a short refresher course is needed to refresh our memory (2 Peter 1:12) regarding key words, key verses, key phrases and key messages contained within the books of the Old Testament. With this in mind, the following are “keynotes” of the books of the Old Testament:
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Book – Genesis
Key Words – “Beginning”
Key Verses – Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 22:18
Key Phrase – “In the beginning God.”
Messages – Origin of heaven and earth and all things therein.
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Book – Exodus
Key Words – “Deliverance” and “Redemption”
Key Verses – Exodus 3:8; Exodus 3:14-16; Exodus 6:2-8; Exodus 12:23
Key Phrase – “Let my people go.”
Messages – God remembering, rescuing, and redeeming His chosen people.
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Book – Leviticus
Key Words – “Holiness”
Key Verses – Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7-8
Key Phrase – “I am the Lord your God.”
Messages – Holiness to God.
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Book – Numbers
Key Words – “Wanderings” or “sojouring”
Key Verses – Numbers 14:22-23; Numbers 20:12; Numbers 22:18; Numbers 32:23
Key Phrase – “Because ye believed me not.”
Messages – God’s people are saved to serve and they must beware of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12).
Book – Deuteronomy
Key Words – “Remember”, “obey” and “covenant”
Key Verses – Deuteronomy 5:29; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 29:29; Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Key Phrase – “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God”
Messages – (1) God’s love of man is the motive of His government; (2) Man’s love for God is the motive of his obedience.
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Book – Joshua
Key Words – “Conquest” and “possess”
Key Verses – Joshua 1:5-6; Joshua 22:5
Key Phrase – “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
Messages – Faithfulness of God in keeping His promises.
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Book – Judges
Key Words – “Confusion”
Key Verses – Judges 2:20-22; Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25
Key Phrase – “Right in his own eyes.”
Messages – (1) The certainty of human failure and divine punishment when men disobey God; (2) the power of the effectual fervent prayer of the penitent in obtaining God’s favor, forgiveness and blessings.
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Book – Ruth
Key Words – “Kinsman” (redeemer); “love”, “faith”, “rest”, “redemption”.
Key Verses – Ruth 1:16-17; Ruth 3:11
Key Phrase – “Entreat me not to leave thee.”
Messages – As Ruth found rest through redemption and union with her redeemer (Boaz), so we find peace and rest in Christ, our Redeemer (Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 1:3, 7; Philippians 4:6-7).
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Book – 1 Samuel
Key Words – “Prayed” or “Prayer”
Key Verses – 1 Samuel 13:14; 1 Samuel 15:22
Key Phrase – “Asked him of the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:20).
Messages – (1) God’s purpose is advanced in spite of the success or failure of men; (2) God’s victories are accomplished through the obedient and disobedient alike; (3) God’s will…will be done on earth.
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Book – 2 Samuel
Key Words – “Before the Lord”
Key Verses – 2 Samuel 7:12-13; 2 Samuel 22:21
Key Phrase – “Thou art the man” (2 Samuel 12:7).
Messages – (1) God is no respecter of persons (2 Samuel 14:14; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11); (2) Our victories come from God (2 Samuel 5:12; 2 Samuel 5:20; (3) Death does not end our existence (2 Samuel 12:23).
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