Bible 180 is a three-minute summary of the most important themes of each book of the Bible. There are undoubtedly better summaries out there, but if you're looking for cheap and easy, Bible 180 will scratch the itch.
The focus is on themes over details. It's designed not simply to be a summary, but to help the reader connect the dots. The Old Testament summaries are an attempt to take the viewer on the next step towards understanding what Jesus means throughout the passion narrative where He claims that the Scriptures must be fulfilled, and on the road to Emmaus where Luke tells us, "And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them what was said in the Scriptures concerning Himself." If at any point along the way you have a question, please contact Pastor Greg. He would love to chat with you whether in person, by email, or phone.
The Pentateuch
The Pentateuch comprises the first five books of the Old Testament. It depicts a series of beginnings—the beginning of the world, of humankind, and of God’s promise to the Israelites. It introduces the origin of evil and brokenness that stretches to individuals, families, and people. Yahweh’s first steps in repairing this problem begin with creating a relationship with the Patriarchs and the tribes of Israel and the treaty/constitution of the Torah (Mosaic Law) to help fix this problem.
1 - GENESIS
2 - EXODUS
3 - LEVITICUS
4 - NUMBERS
5 - DEUTERONOMY
The Historical Books
The Historical Books cover the history of the Israelites from Moses’s death to the fall of the nation in 587 b.c. Here we learn how the Israelites successfully conquer the land promised to them by God, but they often fail in their more important objective faithfulness to the Lord, much less one another. They deliberately, repeatedly, and unapologetically turn away from God, often without showing any remorse or attempts to reconcile until Yahweh uses limited punishments to get their attention. God saves the people of Israel by designating judges, or rulers, or kings to lead the people back to Yahweh. The leaders, although are often fallible. Israel struggles to either endorse or follow a faithful king. King David is the closest and is the best model Israel has. Even though he receives divine promises, none of his descendants satisfactorily take up his mantle. In fact, the unified kingdom quickly splits and dives headlong into varying degrees of apostasy and idolatry.
6 - JOSHUA
7 - JUDGES
8 - RUTH
9 - 1 SAMUEL
10 - 2 SAMUEL
11 - 1 KINGS
12 - 2 KINGS
13 - 1 CHRONICLES
14 - 2 CHRONICLES
15 - EZRA
16 - NEHEMIAH
17 - ESTHER
The Poetic and Wisdom Writings
The Poetic and Wisdom Books are less concerned with national themes but more often concerned with personal faith, whether it be wisdom, worship, or trusting in the Lord in the face of hardship. They focus more on personal emotions and experiences and the individual’s relationship with the world and Yahweh. Many of these books are especially poetic, employing a range of literary devices. These books focus more on expression, worship, and navigating everyday life in light of God’s plan of salvation and how we connect to this salvation plan.
18 - JOB
19 - PSALMS
20 - PROVERBS
21 - ECCLESIASTES
22 - SONGS OF SONGS
The Major Prophets
The Major Prophets are longer and include global implications. Although the official leaders are failing, Yahweh won’t leave the people without God’s Word and direction. The prophets are necessary because the judges, kings, and official leaders of Israel have failed spectacularly. Therefore, God must bring in independent agents that report directly to Him—prophets. The prophets clarify that simply performing rituals or giving lip service to Yahweh is not what God really wants. Israel has been called to be a light, a good example to the world; instead, they have become a bad example. So, God will have to find a new way to make Himself known to the nations, somehow accommodating for Israel’s failure but still using them as His people as he promised.
When even the prophets are rejected, we hear of the exile and its fallout. Nevertheless, Yahweh preserves a remnant instead of obliterating them entirely. However, it becomes clear that the current system (the Mosaic Law, the kings, and the priesthood) is not cutting it. So, the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem is intended as a reboot and the return from exile as a chance to start over.
23 - ISAIAH
24 - JEREMIAH
25 - LAMENTATIONS
26 - EZEKIEL
27 - DANIEL
The Minor Prophets
The Minor Prophets are shorter in length, and the content is more narrowly focused. The repeated themes from various prophets, times, and circumstances all point to the basic failure of God’s people and the necessity of them repenting and turning away from idolatry, immorality, and mere ritual. Eventually, it becomes clear that the restart of the return from exile has not satisfactorily or fundamentally changed things. God’s people remain slow to follow Him and quick to turn to other needs, leaders, or hopes of help and salvation. The Minor Prophets try to encourage the unimpressive, kingless, sometimes exiled people to turn their hearts back to Yahweh and to trust Him even in hardship and trials. It clearly outlines the root issues and sins and states that a true return to Yahweh is the only solution. It promises Yahweh will return in order to truly fix things and inspire a change of heart for God’s people.