Book Summary: Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is the last of the Pentateuch – the Books of Moses.
It’s name comes from the recounting in the book by Moses of their journey through the desert and of the Laws, Statutes and Commandments. It made it clear that a person’s destiny was entirely tied to their obedience to God.
His example of disobedience precluded him from entering the Promised Land. The book ends with Joshua appointed to lead the people into the Promised Land.
Book Summary: James
This letter was written by James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem, to the Jewish believers scattered through the world. (James 1:1)
In it he tells them:
- To expect suffering for following Jesus. However, our patience (James 5:7-11) through trials makes us better people. (James 1:2-4)
- of the judgement that follows those who oppress the poor. (James 2:1-4, James 58:1-7) Also, that to trust God is better than riches. (James 2:5-7)
- God will give wisdom to any who ask, (James 1:5) and that wisdom will teach us correct behaviour. (James 3:13-16)
- that our actions will demonstrate whether trust in God. (James 2:14-26)
- of the danger of the tongue. (James 3:1-12)
- about sincere prayer. (James 5:13-16)
Book Summary: 1 Peter
The Apostle Peter wrote this letter and addressed it to the Jewish believers in a similar way to James’s letter. Peter, originally a fisherman, was one of Jesus’s apostles. He led the Church in Jerusalem before handing leadership over to James. Paul describes Peter as “Apostle to the Jews” (Galatians 2:8) in the same way that Paul was “Apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jews.) Peter was the first to witness the Gospel being opened to all.
Peter’s letter encourages many practical measures for living in peace in the world, while yet being an example to it.
Book Summary: 2 Peter
The Apostle Peter also penned this letter as he considered his approaching death, this letter was more generally address to all who held to faith.
In it, he encourages his readers to grow and trust the prophetic word of scripture as being from God. He encourages them to hold on to that word and trust that God will do what He says He will do, and not to be led by destructive teachers and their doctrines.
Book Summary: 1 John
The Apostle John wrote this letter to the believers in western Asia Minor.
John writes to assure believers of the certainty of their faith and to refute heretical doctrines teaching that Jesus was not fully human and fully divine.
Book Summary: 2 John
The Apostle John wrote this letter to a local church in western Asia Minor.
John writes to urge discernment in supporting traveling teachers, since false teachers were also traveling and teaching heresy.
Book Summary: 3 John
The Apostle John wrote this letter to Gaius, a leader of a local church in western Asia Minor.
John writes this letter to commend Gaius for supporting traveling teachers and to rebuke Diotrephes for refusing to welcome them. Read together, this letter and its companion, 2 John, present a balanced view of proper Christian hospitality.
Book Summary: Jude
Jude, a half-brother of Jesus, wrote this important letter. He addresses his letter generally to all who faced false teachers.
In it, Jude writes to warn Christians about false teachers who are trying to convince them that being saved by grace gives them license to sin. Jude writes to warn Christians about false teachers who are trying to convince them that being saved by grace gives them license to sin.
Book Summary: Isaiah
The book of Isaiah is the first of what we know as the Major Prophets. Isaiah was a Prophet in the kingdom of Judah. Isaiah was a poet who understood the two-sided nature of God’s character: mercy and judgment, grace and discipline, justice and forgiveness, exile and salvation. The tension of these great paradoxes fills the pages of Isaiah’s writings, demanding a resolution each reader must make: decide to commit to faith or to unbelief.
The books is split into two halves: the first half (ch 1-39) talks of the coming judgement on those who live double lives and warns of coming judgement. The second half (ch 40-66) speaks of the comfort and the ultimate grace of God and the restoration of the nation and people. More than once, Isaiah’s writing speaks prophetically of the (then) coming Messiah. Indeed, Jesus begins His ministry by quoting Isaiah 61 when called to read in His local synagogue in Nazareth, declaring that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Him.