test 4 purposes

Ecclesiastes

Nothing in this life is able to bring self-fulfillment or meaning to life. Instead, we should seek a God-centered approach to life that accepts both success and adversity as coming from God.

Lamentations

To commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The destruction came as a result of the covenant unfaithfulness of the people.

Ruth

God demonstrates covenant loyalty by preserving families of faith.

Song of Songs

To celebrate the male-female relationship established by God at creation and the goodness of the sexual relationship expressed within the context of God-ordained marriage.

Job

To explore God’s policies regarding justice, especially the suffering of the righteous.

Psalms

Using the familiar hymns of Israel to present God’s kingship through his anointed representatives, especially the kings in David’s line.

Proverbs

“To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity.”

Esther

God can accomplish his purposes through “coincidences” just as much as through miracles

1-2 Chronicles

To retell the story of God’s faithfulness and provide hope that God will restore the Davidic king and fulfill his covenant promise.