The Old Testament is both Ancient History and Future Prophecy.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament is a record of God’s dealings with the Hebrew people. It is a statement of His will to His people and to the entire world.

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Genesis
The book of Genesis takes you back to the beginning of time. It tells about many beginnings: the first of all the creations, plants, animals, land, water, day, night and man and woman. As well as the first sin and news of God’s salvation. The book was written by Moses around 1440 B.C., and since he was not around at that time he relied heavily on revelation from God and oral and written records.
Exodus
This book spotlights God’s direct involvement in human history and reveals how he goes to astonishing lengths to reach those he loves. Despite God’s miraculous intervention, the Israelites seem unable to remain loyal to Him. Israel’s faltering faith reminds us that even imperfect people can get to know the God who loves them perfectly.
Leviticus
God wanted the people of Israel to have instructions for their social and religious life. These instructions and laws provided a sense of order, a means for dealing with their sin and the consequences. This book gives an understanding of God’s holiness and his gift of salvation as portrayed in Israel’s sacrificial system.
Numbers
The book of Numbers covers the 40 years 0f Israel’s wanderings in the desert from Mt. Sinai to the banks of the Jordan River. For every day that the spies spent scouting in Canaan, the people spent one year wandering in judgment for their unfaithfulness. It reveals a God of wrath towards sin, yet one who holds his arms wide open for those who repent and turn to Him.
Deuteronomy
This book shows that faith is not automatic, but becomes personal and active when its springs from the living relationship with a loving God. This book records the final words of Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land; a challenge to obey the Lord faithfully.

Joshua
The book of Joshua tells how God often offers second chances. Although the Israelites wandered for 40 years from their first approach to the Promised Land, God did allow the next generation to enter that Promised Land.
Judges
The book of Judges shows what happens when a society slides into moral anarchy, and it also shows God’s merciful deliverance when people cry out to Him for repentance.
Ruth
Here is a story of a woman who had numerous strikes against her. She was childless, a widow and a foreigner. It shows how God's love welcomes and takes care of outsiders when they come to Him for help.
1 Samuel
First Samuel continues the history of God's relationship with his people. It connects the era when the judges ruled Israel to the time of the kings.
2 Samuel
Second Samuel accounts for the history of Israel from the death of Saul to the end of David's reign, approximately 1010 to 970 B.C.
1 Kings
First Kings covers the last days of David, the reign and fall of Solomon and the division of the kingdom between Isarel and Judah.
2 Kings
This book was originally written to preserve the history of Israel and Judah for the Jews living in exile in Babylon. Probably between 853 B.C. and 560 B.C.
1 Chronicles
First Chronicles looks at the genealogical records from the beginning of recorded history until after the Babylonian exile.
2 Chronicles
Second Chronicles covers the period from Solomon's reign to the fall of Jerusalem, approx. 970 B.C. to 586 B.C.
Ezra
The book of Ezra reveals God as the power behind earthly events, moving even pagan kings according to his purposes. As Cyrus the Persian allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah overcame his lack of motivation, fatigue and criticism to accomplish his goals. This book shows how to tackle God's difficult assignments and survive both opposition and apathy.
Esther
This book is an example of how God works in the lives of His people. This book shows God's work indirectly, in fact God's name is not mentioned once, nor is there any reference to God. But all the events that transpired were because of God's direct involvement.
Job
Many times in today’s world you hear people ask, why is there pain and evil in this world. Why do good people suffer? Well, read on, you’ll appreciate the honest way the book of Job looks at God’s mysterious ways.
Psalms
Some Psalms authors originally may have intended their Psalms for solitary singing or meditation. Others were written for group singing, some even for soldiers marching. As their value for spiritual encouragement became apparent, they were collected as guides for worship, prayer and instruction about God.

Proverbs
Most of Proverbs were written by Solomon, the wisest king to rule Israel, to show how godly wisdom merges with real life. A Proverb is a truth condensed into a few words and stated in a memorable fashion with application to a variety of situations in life. My favorite is, "Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it."Proverbs 22:6
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes offers a philosophy of life, and shows how life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. This book was used by the Hebrews as a book of instruction.
Song of Solomon
This book was written for God’s people to celebrate his gift of love and sexuality in marriage and to encourage reflection on the goodness and intimacies of God’s love.
Isaiah
Isaiah was a prophet who shared God’s hatred for the compromising; double lives the people of Israel were leading. He challenged them to shape up and to love God with all their hearts and minds. He wanted them to see their hypocrisy and change their ways.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah struggled to know God’s plan for his life. Even after he had made his choice, additional pressures made him wonder if he had done the right thing. What he discovered can give us insight and perspective when we feel stressed out about serving God in difficult times.
Lamentations
This is a somewhat dark but beautiful book that reflects the pain of injustice and human loss. It’s filled with anger, depression, fear, loneliness, and hopelessness. In reading this book, those feeling wounded may feel strangely understood.
Ezekiel
Don’t dwell on the bizarre visions and revelations, instead, dig beneath the surface and find the timeless lessons about God’s love and His relationship with His people. He would rather forgive us than judge us, He remains faithful even if we don’t, he can use anything to accomplish his greater good.
Daniel
A book that shows God’s awesome acts and love. How He kept His promise to punish His disobedient people, but also how He kept His promise to never desert them. The miraculous rescues and the humbling of pagan kings, all displays God’s power and His willingness to use it.
Hosea
The story of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer illustrates the love story of God, that He still loves us, even when our sins have broken his heart. Here is a picture of God who longs to forgive us when we turn to Him.
Joel
The prophet Joel urged the people of Judah to turn to God. He also warned Judah that judgment in the form of an agricultural disaster of major consequences would come if they did not repent. God has a double barreled plan for his people, a specific plan of punishment for their sin, but also a promise to defend them zealously.
Amos
This book takes a hard look at injustice and sends out a CALL TO RIGHTEOUSNESS. Amos tells how God feels when the wealthy and powerful exploit the poor and the defenseless.
Obadiah
This book deals with the longstanding feud with the Edomites. Watch for God’s loyalty to his people, evidenced by the judgment he pronounces against those who defy him by opposing his people.
Jonah
God’s compassion for all people, his desire for earnest repentance regardless of what someone has done, and the extraordinary length to which he will sometimes go to get our attention.
Micah
Micah wrote to the people of Judah to warn them that God’s judgment was approaching because they had rejected God and His law. Micah also encouraged the godly few, assuring them that judgment would not permanently destroy Israel.
Nahum
Nahum reminds us that God is in control of history and will not allow evil to persist forever.
Habakkuk
Most prophets speak to the people on God’s behalf. Habakkuk was unique in that he spoke to God on behalf of the people. Habakkuk struggled to understand how God works, but in the end he became convinced that he could trust God no matter how bleak or confusing the circumstances appeared to be.
Zephaniah
Zephaniah reinforces your confidence that God will make everything right. When justice is distorted, when leaders are corrupt, when there is no difference between right or wrong, Zephaniah reassures us that we can still trust God, that even in dark times our faith can still burn brightly.
Haggai
If you feel discouraged or complacent about your spiritual life, Haggai has encouraging words for you. His lessons from this prophetic book are very relevant today. When spiritual vitality seems to be ebbing away, Haggai meets the problem head on.
Zechariah
This book offers spiritual strength and encouragement. Zechariah shows the people how God had been working in their lives even when they did not realize it.
Malachi
Malachi presents some words from God to the people, followed by a complaint from the people to God, followed in turn by an answer from God. God shows His passion throughout the exchange. God loves us with an unfailing passionate love, and wants us to return His love by demonstrating love for others.