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 – 1 Kings
Key Words – “Glory” and “division”
Key Verses – 1 Kings 2:2-3; 1 Kings 3:9; 1 Kings 9:4-5; 1 Kings 11:11
Key Phrase – “As David his father” (1 Kings 11:6; 1 Kings 11:33; 1 Kings 15:11).
Messages – (1) The importance of choosing God’s word and wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14); (2) the importance of prayer in serving God (1 Kings 8:22-53); (3) God dwells even in “the thick darkness” (1 Kings 8:12); power, wealth, and knowledge often corrupt and lead to destruction; (5) we cannot serve two masters (1 Kings 18:21; Matthew 6:24).
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Book – 2 Kings
Key Words – “Downfall” and “captivity”
Key Verses – 2 Kings 12:2-3; 2 Kings 17:22-23; 2 Kings 21:13-15; 2 Kings 23:25-27; 2 Kings 24:1-3
Key Phrase – (1) “According to the word of the Lord” (2 Kings 1:17; 2 Kings 24:2); (2) “Because they have done that which is evil in my sight” (2 Kings 21:15); (3) “The man of God.”
Messages – (1) God’s anger is kindled against His unfaithful people (2 Kings 17:23; 2 Kings 24:2); (2) God is pleased with giving from the heart (2 Kings 12:4); (3) God’s people should “take root downward, and bear fruit upward” (2 Kings 19:30).
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Book – 1 Chronicles
Key Words – “Worship”, “praise”, “prayer”, and “glory”
Key Verses – 1 Chronicles 16:29; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; 1 Chronicles 29:18-19
Key Phrase – “Thou reignest over all” (1 Chronicles 29:12).
Messages – All men need to learn the necessity of giving unto the Lord the glory due His name and of worshipping Him “in the beauty of holiness” (1 Chronicles 16:29).
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Book – 2 Chronicles
Key Words – “Restoration” and “worship”
Key Verses – 2 Chronicles 1:10-13; 2 Chronicles 7:14; 2 Chronicles 16:9
Key Phrase – “Prepareth his heart” (2 Chronicles 30:19).
Messages – “The road to captivity”; the tragic consequences of spiritual decline and departure from God.
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Book – Ezra
Key Words – “Restoration” (of the temple) and “the house of the Lord”
Key Verses – Ezra 1:1-3; Ezra 7:9-10
Key Phrase – “The word of the Lord” (Ezra 1:1; Ezra 9:4)
Messages – (1) To show how God fulfilled His promise in the return of His people to Jerusalem after the 70 years of captivity in Babylon; (2) the restoration of the temple and the spiritual, moral, and social restoration of the remnant of God’s people.
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Book – Nehemiah
Key Words – “Rebuilding”, “prayer”, and “work” (in regard to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem).
Key Verses – Nehemiah 4:6; Nehemiah 4:9; Nehemiah 4:17; Nehemiah 4:20; Nehemiah 6:15-16; Nehemiah 8:8
Key Phrase – “For the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6).
Messages – Work, prayer, reverence for God, humble obedience and vigilance are essential to success in our service to God and to our salvation and everlasting happiness in Christ.
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Book – Esther
Key Words – “Providence” and “protection”
Key Verses – Esther 4:14; Esther 4:16; Esther 8:17
Key Phrase – “For such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
Messages – (1) The reality of God’s providence; (2) Always be ready to serve God and our fellow-man.
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