Joshua

I don’t consider these summaries but focus points. The earlier books: Genesis, Exodus,Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

• Josh1: The promises and presence of God strengthen the weak and give courage to the fainthearted (Josh1/1Chr28:20/Heb13:5-6)
• Josh2: The true God strikes fear in the heart of his enemy, but those who trust in him will be saved (Josh2/Matt1/Jas2)
• Josh3: God gives his promised people his promised place (Josh3/Gen/Heb12/Rev21)
• Josh4: Remember what the LORD has done. Teach it to your children. Fear Him (Josh4/Deut6/Prov1/Matt19:13-15)
• Josh5: The LORD will never join your side, but you can join his (Josh5/Ps99/Isa37:16/Rev19)
• Josh6: God will give his place to his people in his way (Josh6/Gen2/John18:33-38/Rev20-21)
• Josh7: Stealing from the LORD results in heavy consequences for you and those around you (Josh7/Mal3:6ff/Acts5)
• Josh8: We desperately need to hear the Word again (Josh8/Deut31/Neh8/Matt22:29ff)
• Josh9: Don’t trust in your own understanding (Josh9/Prov3:5-6/2Tim3:16/Jas1:5-6)
• Josh10: The LORD God fights for his people (Josh10/1Cor15:24-26/Rev19:11-21)
• Josh11: The LORD hardens and softens hearts. Who are we argue? (Josh11/Exod4:21/Rom9)
• Josh12: He is the King of kings (Josh12/1Tim6:15/Rev17:14)
• Josh13: Just as he said…(Josh13/Num23:19/1Kgs8:56/2Cor1:18-20/Eph1:13)
• Josh14-15: Being wholly devoted to the LORD motivates you to push forward even when everyone else your age is giving up (Josh14-15/Luke2:22-38)
• Josh16-17: The LORD’s plan is total victory, not complacent cohabitation (Josh16-17/Ps2/Rom6/Dan7/Rev7)
• Josh18-19: The LORD is fair (Josh18-19/Ps92:15;1Pet1:17)
• Josh20: The LORD watches over the wrongly accused and sojourner (Josh20/Gen15:13/Gen37-41/1Pet2:9-12)
• Josh21: Not one word of all the good promises of the Lord has failed (Josh21/Ps77/2Cor1:19-22)
• Josh22: Remembering and reminding are ways God keeps his children faithful (Josh22/Num10:10/1Cor15/Jude5)
• Josh23: The LORD promised, led, claimed, and delivered the good land. You must not forget, ignore, disobey, or turn away (Josh23/Heb1-6)
• Josh24: There’s no question who we will serve…look at what he has done! (Josh24/Deut10:12/Mic6:8/Acts4:19)

How does Joshua inform our reading of the rest of Scripture?

What really went wrong in the Garden of Eden? What really happened that we now need forgiveness?

If God were merely a single-person God, he would have created everything merely to rule (we can see this in all other gods from Allah to Marduk, Baal to Chemosh). The single-person god is only about himself, inwardly focused. Therefore, what went wrong was that man disobeyed. That is a problem, and that did happen in the Garden. But is that all?

But if God is triune, and the Bible teaches that he is, then what happened? Here is Michael Reeves’ answer (and I so appreciate it!)

“What if we start instead with the triune God? How would that change what was “right” in Genesis 2? How would that change what went wrong in Genesis 3? Well, in Genesis 1:27, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” That we are made in the image of God could and does mean many things; but the fact that the God in whose image we are made is specifically the triune God of love has repercussions that echo all through Scripture. Made in the image of this God, we are created to delight in harmonious relationship, to love God, to love each other. Thus Jesus taught that the first and greatest commandment in the law is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:36-39). That is what we are created for. What, then, went wrong? It was not that Adam and Eve stopped loving. They were created as lovers in the image of God, and they could not undo that. Instead, their love turned. When the apostle Paul writes of sinners, he describes them as “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:2-4). Lovers we remain, but twisted, our love misdirected and perverted. Created to love God, we turn to love ourselves and anything but God. And this is just what we see in the original sin of Adam and Eve. Eve takes and eats the forbidden fruit because a love for herself—and gaining wisdom for herself—has overcome any love she might have had for God.”

Reeves, Michael (2012-07-03). Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith (Kindle Locations 942-960). Intervarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

Michael Reeves has greatly challenged me to think in light of the Triune God when I come to answer the question, “What really went wrong? What is really wrong with me?” I would have to say that this section of the book caused more lose ends to be tied up than probably any other section I have read.

Deuteronomy

I don’t consider these summaries but focus points. The earlier books: Genesis, Exodus,Leviticus, Numbers

• Deut1 Despite what we know and have experienced, we still often fail to trust the wisdom and goodness of God (Deut1/Ps119:68/Matt14:22ff)
• Deut2 Seeing God’s works hardens some hearts and softens others (Deut2/Exod7/Josh2/John11)
• Deut3 The LORD fights for his people, even against the greatest enemy (Deut3/John11/1Cor15)
• Deut4 Unlike any other god, our God is near. So Listen and Do that you might experience Life (Deut4/Exod40/John1/John15)
• Deut5 The living God is glorious, full of greatness, and fearful. When we remember that, we obey and have life (Deut5/Isa48/Mark9/Rev4)
• Deut6 Do not put your God to the test by forgetting his goodness, his commandments, or his warnings. Love him over all (Deut6/Matt4/Mark12:28ff)
• Deut7 Destroy the old idols or they will destroy you (Deut7/1Kgs11/Luke19)
• Deut8 Don’t fool yourself, you did not earn God’s blessing (Deut8/Ps67/Eph2)
• Deut9 As a consuming fire, the LORD draws his people and destroys his enemies (Deut9/2Thess1/Rev20:10/Rev21:23)
• Deut10 In order to obey, my heart has to undergo a radical change (Deut10/Jer4:1-4/Rom2:28-29/Phil2:13)
• Deut11 Love God with everything and you will find peace (Deut11/Mark12:30/Matt11:28)
• Deut12 False gods are fickle, angry, and unsatisfied tyrants. You cannot serve the true God like you served them (Deut12/Ezek16/1Thess1:9-10)
• Deut13 False prophets proclaim false gods with false hope. Reject them (Deut13/Matt24/1John4)
• Deut14 Being adopted by the true God changes everything from how you eat to how you mourn to how you celebrate (Deut14/John1:12/1Pet1:13ff)
• Deut15 Open your hands wide to the poor for you have been extravagantly blessed (Deut15/Matt6/Eph1/Jas2)
• Deut16 Remembering is the motivation for worship (Deut16/Ps143/Luke22:7ff/1Cor11:17ff)
• Deut17 The long awaited king will not multiply wives, horses, or wealth. He will love the LORD and his Word (Deut17/Ps1/Matt4/John17)
• Deut18 A prophet would come who would speak the words of God. Listen to him (Deut18/John6:68/John17:8)
• Deut19 Accidents, anger, planned hostility… we need a righteous Judge (Deut19/Isa33/Acts10:42)
• Deut20 You do not need to fear, for the LORD your God is with you (Deut20/Ps105/Matt8:23-27)
• Deut21 Sin makes everything complicated, but Someone’s dealing with the problem (Deut21/Luke19:10/Heb10)
• Deut22-23 Love your neighbor as yourself (Deut22-23/Matt22:39/Jas2)
• Deut24 Don’t withhold from the powerless, for their God hears them. Give freely (Deut 24/Mal3/Jas5)
• Deut25 Hindering, harming, and cheating others is wicked because God is just (Deut25/Ps119:137/Rev16)
• Deut26 The Lord chose you, led you, freed you, guided you, and provided for you, and made you a people, as he promised (Deut26/Heb11/1Pet2)
• Deut27 A rejection of God’s laws results in judgment (Deut27/1Cor6:9-11/Rev21:8)
• Deut28 The God you serve determines whether blessing will follow you or cursing will pursue you (Deut28/Ps23/Eph1)
• Deut29 The only thing that awaits those who turn back is the fearful expectation of judgment (Deut29/2Tim4:10/Heb6:1-8)
• Deut30 He is life (Deut30/Ps27/John11)
• Deut31 He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deut31/1Chr28:20/John14/Heb13:5)
• Deut32 A song would remind them of their Rock and convict them of their rebellion (Deut32/Eph5:18-21)
• Deut33 The eternal God is your dwelling place (Deut33/Ps90/John14/Rev22)
• Deut34 A greater Moses would come…(Deut34/John5:43ff/Heb3)

How has Deuteronomy challenged your own understanding of God and the Bible’s Big Story?

Numbers

I don’t consider these summaries but focus points. The earlier books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus

• Num1 Your number will be as stars of heaven and I will bless all nations through you (Num1-2/Gen22:17/Gal3:7ff)
• Num3 To serve in the house of the Lord is a great privilege (Num3-4,8/Ps84:10/1Pet5)
• Num5 Confess, repent, and be forgiven (Num5/Luke19/1Jn1). All possible because of Jesus.
• Num6 Everyone notices the one who is set apart for the Lord (Num6/Judg13/Heb10:10)
• Num7 No sacrifice is too great in the presence of the LORD (Num7/Isa6/Mark14)
• Num8 To serve in the house of the Lord is a great privilege (Num3-4,8/Ps84:10/1Pet5)
• Num9 God’s presence ensures confidence (Num9/Prov3:5-6/Jn16:13)
• Num10 Enemies scatter before the LORD (Num10/Ps2/1Cor15:26)
• Num11 Complaining ignores God and his grace (Num11/Phil2:14)
• Num12 Listen to the one who has seen God face to face (Num12/Mark9:7)
• Num13 Failing to act on God’s promises is a sin that diminishes your joy and his reputation (Num13-14/Lk24:25/1 Pet2:3)
• Num15 I am the God of all the nations, Israelite and sojourner alike (Num15/Ps86:9/1Jn2:2/Rev7:9)
• Num16 The high priest stood between the wrath of God and a sinful people (Num16). My High Priest still stands, interceding for me (1Tim2:5/Heb4)
• Num17 “Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone” is an appropriate response when before the LORD (Num17/Isa6/Mark4:41/Rev1)
• Num18 The LORD takes care of those who serve him (Num18/1Cor9/1Tim5)
• Num19 Sin, and the affects of sin, make me unclean. However, Christ cleanses me from all sin (Num19/Ps5/1Jn1)
• Num20 Doing things my way to further God’s cause leads to disastrous results (Num20/1Chr13/1Cor10)
• Num21 Look to the One that is lifted up to be saved (Num21/John3:14-15)
• Num22-24 The blessing of God trumps all man’s cursing (Num22-24/Rom8/Eph1)
• Num25 Has the love of money or the zeal for the Lord consumed you? (Num25/John2/2Pet2:15/)
• Num26 The Lord keeps his promises to bless, and he keeps his promises to punish (Num26/Gen12/Matt25:31-46)
• Num27 People need a guiding shepherd and fearless conqueror to go before them (Num27/John10/Heb12)
• Num28 Because of the perfect sacrifice (Titus2:14), the continual offering is myself and not a lamb (Num28-29/Rom12:1-2)
• Num30 Don’t be hasty in making vows or tardy in completing them for the LORD is the great King and he will judge (Num30/Mal1:14/Rev19)
• Num31 Holiness demanded that those who would lead others to act treacherously against the Lord were to be cut off (Num31/Rev20:7-10)
• Num32 Each one must look to the interests of the others because we are one family united by one Man (Num32/Gal6/1Pet2/Rom5)
• Num33 Drive out the impostors, you can only serve one master (Num33/Matt6:24/Mark10)
• Num34 God keeps his promises (Num34/Gen13/Gen28)
• Num35 Life is sacred and to be protected because of who gives it (Num35/Gen1/John6:27)
• Num36 Thinking logically and acting orderly is a reflection of our Creator (Num36/1Cor14/Jas3)

Leviticus

I don’t consider these summaries but focus points. The earlier books: Genesis, Exodus

• Lev1 A spotless sacrifice would substitute its life in order to make atonement for the sinner (Lev1/Jn1:29/1Pet1:19)
• Lev2 The grain offering is the offering of my life (Lev2/Rom12)
• Lev3 Peace between the Just God and sinful man requires a sacrifice (Lev3). He came (Col1:20). We can rejoice.
• Lev4 Even “little” sins have consequences (Lev4/Jas2:10)
• Lev5 Sin makes me unclean and guilty. There must be a sacrifice (Lev5/Rom6:23)
• Lev6-7 The worship of God was to be kept holy, for He is holy (Lev6-7/John2:15)
• Lev8 The work of the priest is a bloody work (Lev8/Eph2:13)
• Lev9 The first high priest offered an offering for his sin, the great High Priest offered himself for my sin (Lev9/Eph5:2)
• Lev10 No matter who you are or what you do you still are subordinate to God (Lev10;Mark7)
• Lev11 You will be separate in every area for you are the people of the Holy God (Lev11; 1Pet1:16)
• Lev12 I was a sinner from the beginning (Lev12;Ps51:5) because sin was in all men (Rom5:12)
• Lev13-14 Leprosy meant no would ever touch you again…unless you met Jesus (Lev13-14;Matt8)
• Lev15 Godliness is not merely doing “good works.” I must be made clean (Lev15;Is64:6;2Pet1:9)
• Lev16 You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins (Lev16;Ps 51:2;Eph5:26)
• Lev17 The life is in the blood (Lev17/1Pet1:18-19)
• Lev18 True sexual liberty is finding fulfillment within the bounds of God’s plan, and therefore he himself (Lev18;Jn4)
• Lev19 A holy Lord is showcased to a sinful world by a wholly set apart people (Lev19;Jas2;1Pet2:9ff)
• Lev20 The penalty for murders, sexually immoral and perverted, and idolaters is the same in the OT and NT-Death. But Jesus already paid (Lev20;1Cor6)
• Lev21 Not only must the offering be perfect, but so must the priest who offers it (Lev21/Heb7:26-28)
• Lev22 Something clean is made unclean when the two touch, unless it is Jesus (Lev22/Mark5:25ff)
• Lev23 Rejoice! Do no work. For the LORD has made you, rescued you, and provided for you (Lev23/Jn9/1Cor11:26/Rev19)
• Lev24 Two men died for blasphemy. One because he wrongly cursed God, one because he rightly said he was God (Lev24/Matt26:65)
• Lev25 One day both the land and its inhabitants will have rest. Don’t miss it by unbelief (Lev25/Heb4)
• Lev26 Walk in my paths and you will have peace. Reject my paths and you will have misery (Lev26/Ps25/Matt11:30)
• Lev27 Giving, as an act of worship, takes what is the Lord’s and puts it into his service (Lev27/2Cor8)

I don’t consider these summaries but focus points.

You can read Genesis’ Focus Points here

Ex 1 To properly obey the king you must appropriately fear God (Ex1/1Pt2:17)
Ex 2 Sending a rescuer proves that God hears the outcries, feels the pain, and loves the lost (Ex2)
Ex 3 “The “”I Am”” needs no permission (Ex3/Jn8:58)”
Ex 4 When the LORD calls, a man’s weaknesses are not wounds but hands to hold more grace (Ex4/Acts9)
Ex 5 Ignoring Him and rejecting his messengers makes Him no less the King of the Universe (Ex5/Jn7)
Ex 6 When the LORD redeems, he does so with the strong hand of a just judge (Ex6/Eph2)
Ex 7 The heart of the king is in the hand of the LORD for he is the King of kings (Ex7/Prv21:1/Rev17:14)
Ex 8 Only those with hard hearts would fail to see His power over the natural world (Ex8/Mk4)
Ex 9 Our great God breaks hard hearts so we may see his glory (Ex9/Dan4/Acts0)
Ex 10 God uses hard hearts and incredible power to make lasting impressions of his glory (Ex10/Acts5/Rev19)
Ex 11 In judgment, to be counted as one of the LORD’s people is life, for the one who isn’t, death (Ex11/Matt25)
Ex 12 One’s life can only be spared by the perfect Lamb (Ex12/Jn1)
Ex 13 Only the LORD can release from slavery, and he does so with a strong arm (Ex13/Titus3)
Ex 14 Crushing the enemy ensures no chance of future enslavement (Ex14/1Cor15:54-55). Death is swallowed up in victory!
Ex 15 The LORD has triumphed and he will reign forever (Ex15/Rev19)
Ex 16 Bread lasts for a day, but the Bread of Life is for eternity (Ex16/Jn6)
Ex 17 Living in the desert drives one to life sustaining water (Ex17). Only One can make it last forever (Jn4/Rev7:17)
Ex 18 There is only one perfect Judge who judges both the living and the dead, Jesus Christ (Ex18/Acts10/Rev20)
Ex 19 Holy is the LORD (Ex19/Is6/Rev4)
Ex 20 Truly fearing God results not in running, but drawing near to learn and obey (Ex20/Mt14:22ff)
Ex 21 The LORD cares for the lowest in society (Ex21/Eph6/1Cor12:13)
Ex 22 How you use money reveals how you view the LORD (Ex22/Lk19/Eph4:28)
Ex 23 Follow me and you won’t regret it. Trust me (Ex23/Matt4)
Ex 24 He is a devouring fire. Fear, respect, and worship him (Ex24/Heb12:28-29)
Ex 25 The LORD yearns to dwell with man (Ex25/Jn1/1Cor3/Rev21)! How unworthy am I.
Ex 26 Many threads were woven to make the LORD a dwelling place (Ex26), but they were eventually replaced by skin and bone (Jn1:14)
Ex 27 Stained men would offer spotless lambs on a fiery altar to point to a Perfect Man on tree of death under the wrath of God (Ex27/Jn19)
Ex 28 A priest would stand between the LORD and the people (Ex28). The High Priest would one day sit down (Heb10:12)
Ex 29 The priests sacrificed in order to come before God while Jesus WAS the sacrifice to bring us before God (Ex29/Heb9)
Ex 30 A sweet incense rises before the LORD when the Gospel is preached (Ex30/2Cor2:15)
Ex 31 Rest is a demonstration of faith (Ex31/Lk8:25)
Ex 32 Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. We seek to worship anything but the true God (Ex32/Jer17/Acts17:16)
Ex 33 One man met with God in a tent (Ex33), now one Man makes it possible for any man (Heb7:25)
Ex 34 One man saw God’s glory in a cloud and his face changed(Ex34), now one Man has shown God’s glory to all and their hearts change (Jn1:14)
Ex 35 His Spirit fills His people to do His work for His glory (Ex35/Jn14:26/Acts1:8)
Ex 36 When the LORD moves his people to give there is more than enough (Ex36/Ps24/Acts2)
Ex 37 The LORD has no place for inferior work in his place of residence (Ex37-38/Jn14/Rev21)
Ex 38 The LORD has no place for inferior work in his place of residence (Ex37-38/Jn14/Rev21)
Ex 39 The high priest wore a precious stone and gold covering, while the great High Priest wore the sins of the world (Ex39/1Pet2:24)
Ex 40 And the LORD was with his people (Gen3:8/Ex40/Jn1/Rev21)

What are some cross references you would add?

Genesis

I don’t consider these summaries but focus points.

• Gen 1 “In the beginning, God created…” This puts Him at a distinct advantage in the race to see who’s in charge- Him or us.
• Gen 2 God made man to image Him to creation. In obedience to God, man could keep, protect, cultivate, and name God’s good creation. (Gen2)
• Gen 3 The Garden of Eden was the first of the great Hide and Seek of life. Man sinned and hid. God called and found. (Gen3) He still calls today.
• Gen 4 Only an acceptable sacrifice will do before God (Gen4)
• Gen 5 Though the whole race has rebelled and fallen, God views and treats us as individuals (Gen5)
• Gen 6 Even in the midst of incredible wickedness, God shows grace (Gen6)
• Gen 7 The same water which drowned many, lifted a few to safety. It all depended on where you stood (Gen7)
• Gen 8 The Flood changed the earth, but it couldn’t change man’s heart (Gen8). Hearts need more than water.
• Gen 9 Because of His image, God holds man’s life highly (Gen9), yet His Very Image laid down his own.
• Gen 10 The earth was meant to be filled with people and ruled in justice (Gen10). It’s coming.
• Gen 11 One language became many because of rebellion (Gen 11). One day many languages will become one because of the King.
• Gen 12 Through one, all the families of the earth would be blessed. God promised. God will fulfill. (Gen12)
• Gen 13 God promised a land for His people so His universal reign could be seen seen and experienced in time and space (Gen13)
• Gen 14 Abraham met the priest of God, Melchizedek (Gen14), but one day the High Priest would come (Heb6)
• Gen 15 Belief counted as righteousness (Gen15). Belief- leaning the hopes of one’s soul on a trustworthy God. Righteousness bestowed by a holy God.
• Gen 16 He is the “LORD who listens” and the “God of seeing,” no matter who you are (Gen16)
• Gen 17 When God wants to make a covenant with you (Gen17), He’s willing to die to make it happen.
• Gen 18 “””Is anything too hard for the LORD?”” (Gen18) Thankfully not (Matt19:26).”
• Gen 19 It is mercy when the LORD pulls us from our sin. Not hate (Gen19:16).
• Gen 20 In spite of weak faith and sinful decisions God still protects and guides (Gen20)
• Gen 21 The LORD does what he promises (Gen21:1). Just waiting now (Jn14:1-5).
• Gen 22 God has provided the Lamb (Gen22:8)
• Gen 23 While mourning for loses there are still promises to cling to (Gen23)
• Gen 24 Servant: “But…” Abraham: “Trust me. My God knows what He is doing.” (Gen24)
• Gen 25 One man’s food was greater than God (Gen3), another’s was greater than the promise (Gen25), but the Son of Man put it in its place (Lk4)
• Gen 26 God’s promises don’t die with the original hearers (Gen26). Still trusting (Jn14)
• Gen 27 This OT blessing could be stolen (Gen27). My NT one cannot (Eph1:3)
• Gen 28 The proper response to the presence of God is fear, then awe, then worship (Gen28). Oh come, oh come Immanuel
• Gen 29 In this sinful, deceptive world where people let us down, God is still the source of satisfaction and joy (Gen29)
• Gen 30 “””Am I in the place of God?”” demonstrates we have created gods out of people, ideas, or objects that will always disappoint (Gen30)”
• Gen 31 God’s presence, protection, and provision shadow the believer even in the far country – for he is a great God (Gen31)
• Gen 32 Sometimes a limp is the best thing we could receive from God because it makes us remember (Gen32)
• Gen 33 Safety, children, and possessions are not deserved payment, they are gifts from a gracious God (Gen 33)
• Gen 34 In a world of deliberate sin and evil hearts only God can exact perfect judgement and punishment (Gen34)
• Gen 35 Idols, attitudes, and names all changed, proof that one had truly met with God Almighty (Gen35). How could one do anything else (Jn6:68)
• Gen 36 What sets an individual apart is not his position, family, or location, but God’s personal interaction with him (Gen36)
• Gen 37 God’s hand was strangely silent during the “slaying” of a son, but it was meant for good (Gen37)
• Gen 38 Two brothers and a father proved that “but, no one is watching” is never a good reason to sin (Gen38)
• Gen 39 The only guaranteed strategy to cripple any temptation to sin is to recognize the glory of God (Gen39)
• Gen 40 “God uses the “”forgotten”” for His glory (Gn40)”
• Gen 41 God brings great good out of great evil so that all might know he is God (Gen41/Acts2)
• Gen 42 There will be a reckoning for every sin (Gen42). For some, the tally was taken at the cross.
• Gen 43 To give up your beloved son would break a father’s heart (Gen43). What a love! (Jn3:16)
• Gen 44 God has found out our guilt (Gen44), and it is very great (Rom6:23)
• Gen 45 “God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen45/Lk19:10)
• Gen 46 When God rescues a nation he does so by rescuing the individuals (Gen46)
• Gen 47 “I’m only a sojourner in this short and hard life. When I die I’m heading to the Promised Land” (Gen47)
• Gen 48 God is the good shepherd for life (Gen48/Ps23/Jn10)
• Gen 49 Every knee will bow to the ruler of Judah (Gen49)
• Gen 50 God fulfills his promises through unknown and often painful ways, for he is good (Gen50)

“I don’t want to ever preach a sermon that would still be true if Jesus had not died on the cross.” Bryan Chapell

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