Summary of the Old Testament books: Deuteronomy, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations and Hosea
Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is largely law material. The key personalities are Moses and Joshua. Deuteronomy is the only book in the Bible that God has commanded to be read. The instructions contained in this book are invaluable in the pursuit of the Kingdom of God. This book was a farewell speech that God had appointed Moses to carry out at the end of the Israelites 40 year journey in the wilderness. Some key themes and events include God’s continuous provision to the Israelites even through their rebellion, the Ten Commandments along with the teaching and instruction to the future generations and the blessings that come from obedience to God. Moses instructs the Israelites to fear the Lord and follow all of His decrees and laws. He also commands the people of Israel to destroy all false gods, to be diligent in tithing 10% of their profits and to follow the Lord’s commands regarding marriage, war, divorce, clean versus unclean food and other miscellaneous laws. Joshua is selected to succeed Moses and Moses directs the Levites to read the Book of the Law to the whole assembly every seven years. The Book of the Law is placed in with the Ark of the Covenant. Moses blesses the tribes and in the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses dies on Mount Nebo, overlooking the Promised Land.
Ruth
The book of Ruth is largely narrative material. It is a narrative of a love story but also includes some important genealogy. The timeline of this book, which was intertwined with the book of Judges, was written around 1046-1035 B.C. The key personalities in this book include Ruth, Naomi and Boaz. The purpose of the book of Ruth was to demonstrate the kind of love and faithfulness that God desires for us. This book also shows what happens when a nation does not live in obedience to the covenant of God and when God’s people live faithfully within the covenant. In Chapter 1, Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law after the death of her husband and in-laws. Naomi decides to return to her homeland of Bethlehem alone, however Ruth insists on staying with her and adopting Naomi’s God as her own. In Chapter 2, Ruth begins gleaning in the fields of Naomi’s relative Boaz. Out of compassion and obedience to the law, Boaz allows Ruth to glean the field and he also purposefully left extra grain for her to gather. In Chapter 3, Naomi encourages Ruth to seek marriage with Boaz. Boaz agrees but also mentions that he must first make sure that there are no others with first rights. Boaz and Ruth are married in chapter 4, and Ruth conceives a son name Obed, the grandfather of King David, in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes
The book of Ecclesiastes is largely a wisdom book. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes late in his life, as he had become aware of the mistakes he had made throughout his life and began to document them. The purpose of Ecclesiastes was to spare future generations from suffering the misery of seeking value and worth in meaningless and materialistic empty pleasure; and to offer wisdom in pursuing a relationship with God. In Chapters 1-2, Solomon relays his personal experiences throughout his life. He describes that everything he sought after was for his selfish pleasure and meant nothing for eternity. In his attempt to find lasting happiness, he came to this conclusion: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 NIV. Solomon gives explanations and observations in chapters 3-5 regarding our sinful nature that naturally gravitates towards materialism. Solomon has discovered in these chapters that all possessions are ultimately useless, for when we die, we will take nothing with us. Chapters 6-12, Solomon gives advice for living a meaningful life and concludes that all of the deeds of man are worthless without God. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV.
Lamentations
The book of Lamentations is largely a book of poems and songs. Jeremiah wrote Lamentations soon after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Jeremiah had predicted the destruction, watched it take place and now was lamenting over it. The key personalities are the prophet Jeremiah and the people of Jerusalem. The purpose of Lamentations was to teach God’s people that disobedience to the Lord results in immense suffering and distress. In chapter 1, Jeremiah mourns Jerusalem and Judea as it lays in ruin from the destruction of the Babylonians raid. Chapter 2 describes the anger of the Lord who had warned that He would bring judgment to their wicked land. Although Jeremiah is suffering along with the people of Jerusalem, he is reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness in Chapter 3:19-23 (NIV) which says, “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Finally in Chapter 4, we read that God has brought justice and ruled mightily and as evidence in the final chapter of Lamentations, the people of Jerusalem are repentant and ask that the Lord remember and restore them.
Hosea
The book of Hosea is largely narrative and prophetic material. Hosea is the first book in the section of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Hosea wrote this book in 715 B.C. and it records the events of 753-715 B.C. and the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 722. The key personalities are Hosea, Gomer, and their children. The purpose of the book of Hosea was to illustrate the spiritual adultery of Israel and the unending love that God has for His sinful people. Hosea brings God’s message to the wicked people in the Northern Kingdom whose sinful behaviors included idol worship. God has once again given an opportunity for Israel to repent and turn back to Him. In Chapters 1-3, God instructs Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman named Gomer, who is a harlot. Gomer leaves Hosea and finds another man. However, Hosea is faithful and he finds her and redeems her and brings her back home to him. Chapters 4-14 describe how Israel has been unfaithful to God and how much God wants Israel to turn from their wicked ways and repent. Unfortunately, Israel ignored God’s call and continues to disobey. God shows his boundless love and compassion in Hosea 14 as He promises to love the people of Israel freely if they repent. “Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” – Hosea 14:9 NIV.
