Old Testament Purpose statements

These were collected so that individuals could appreciate the way that life works in order that they might bring their life in line with the principles revealed.

Proverbs

The preacher advocates that life and work are a gift from God in order to impress upon his readers that life is to be enjoyed while reminding them that they must live life realizing they are accountable to God.

Ecclesiastes

The writer records the relationship of love between Solomon and his bride presenting the beauty of the love relationship in order to instruct the ‘daughters of Jerusalem’ not to become involved in a love relationship before the proper time.

Song of Solomon

The writer records the decline of the united and divided kingdoms in order to emphasize to the exiles that their captivity was the outflow of the promise of God as detailed in Hist covenant, thereby demonstrating God’s faithfulness.

1&2 Kings

_____________ prophesied concerning the Day of the LORD in which Edom would be judged for pride and the people of God delivered in order to demonstrate the justice of God and His covenant faithfulness.

Obadiah

Employing the imagery of locusts, _____________ prophesies concerning the Day of the LORD in which Israel would be judged and subsequently restored, as well as the ultimate judgment of Israel’s enemies in order to bring Israel to repentance and demonstrate the faithfulness of God.

Joel

________ announced a time of great judgment that was to fall upon Israel in which, although, a repentant remnant would be preserved, the nations would be exiled in order to demonstrate the faithfulness of God to His covenant.

Amos

The unfaithfulness and subsequent restoration of Israel to her LORD is illustrated in the martial relationship of _______ and his wife in order to affirm the faithfulness of God in His covenantal dealings with His people and to demonstrate His great love for them.

Hosea

_________ prophesied concerning Judah’s impending judgment by God for their unfaithfulness to the covenant and the greatness of the future kingdom in order to challenge his contemporaries to repentance and holy living and to comfort those of a future generation who would be in exile by reminding them of the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenantal promises.

Isaiah

_______ in his three messages directed primarily against the southern kingdom of Judah prophesies concerning the judgment that was to fall upon the Lord’s people because of their unfaithfulness in order to demonstrate the justice of God and his faithfulness in restoring a remnant to himself.

Micah

__________ personal struggle with the method of God’s dealing with His people is recorded in order to reaffirm the faithfulness of God thereby encouraging the Lord’s people to trust Him.

Habakkuk

The historical narrative of ____________ experience is directed to Israel in order to rebuke her and bring her to repentance and thereby enjoy the blessings of God.

Jonah

___________ announced God’s judgment upon Assyria in order to encourage Judah that God was sovereign and that He was committed to fighting for and protecting His people, thereby demonstrating His covenant faithfulness.

Nahum

__________ prophesied concerning the judgment of God upon Judah and their subsequent restoration to the Lord and their land as well as judgment upon the nations and their restoration in order to urge repentance, comfort those who would be in captivity and to demonstrate the faithfulness of Jehovah to the covenant.

Jeremiah

During the Babylonian captivity, ___________ prophesied concerning the judgment of Judah and the ultimate collapse of Jerusalem, judgment on the nations and the future restoration of Judah in order to encourage repentance and demonstrate the faithfulness of God.

Ezekiel

Through a series of visons and prophecies of judgment and blessing, God’s future program for His covenant people and the nations is revealed in order to affirm that God is sovereign, controlling the events of the world so that His purposes will triumph and to urge His people to repentance and covenant faithfulness.

Daniel

Through five dirges Jeremiah laments the plight of Jerusalem and the Lord’s people in order to emphasize the suffering which has resulted from their sin and to demonstrate the Lord’s covenant faithfulness even in judgment.

Lamentations

___________ prophesies concerning the great day of God’s judgment upon His people and the nations in order to encourage them to turn to the Lord and repent since a remnant was going to be delivered.

Zephaniah

The author recorded events pertaining to the first and second return of the people to the land emphasizing the construction of the temple and restoration of the people to the Lord in order to demonstrate the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promise of returning a remnant to the land, thereby encouraging his readers to continue in the temple worship and live according to the covenant even during times of difficulty.

Ezra

The author presents details concerning the third return of the captives under ____________ to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem emphasizing the faithfulness of God to His chosen people in spite of their unfaithfulness in order to encourage the remnant to be faithful to the Lord by fulfilling their responsibilities of the covenant and trust the Lord to protect and provide for them.

Nehemiah

The author recorded God’s preservation of His unbelieving people and the celebration of this deliverance in the Feast of Purim in order to show the people who have returned from the captivity (post-exilic remnant), that God is faithful to His people (even those living outside of the land) thereby encouraging them to finish the projects that God had given them to do in spite of opposition.

Esther

__________ preaches four messages to the post-exilic remnant encouraging them to covenant faithfulness by completing the rebuilding of the temple and living holy lives in order that they would once again enjoy the presence and blessings of God.

Haggai

______________ recorded his eight visions, four messages, and two oracles in order to encourage the returned remnant to rebuild the temple since God was going to send His Messiah who would establish His Kingdom by judging the nations and restoring His own people.

Zechariah

By employing the strategy of rhetorical questions and answers, ________ addresses the post-exilic remnant urging them to repent from their spiritual apathy as he warns them of future judgments as well as the promise of future blessings that were to come upon them through the Messiah, who is the Messenger of the covenant

Malachi

The Chronicler highlights the history of the Southern Kingdom, emphasizing the building and use of the temple through the Davidic line in order to encourage the post-exilic people to return to the temple worship and be faithful to their covenantal responsibilities and in order to show them their unique position before the Lord.

Chronicles