Which Book of the Bible Came First?

Ruth emphasizes how God wants Jews, as well as Gentiles, to believe in him. Interpersonal love and loyalty are major themes in Ruth. The eponymous figure was a Moabite who was determined to stay with her Israelite daughter-in-law, Naomi—which symbolized Ruth's devotion to God.

The book of Daniel describes a time when Gentiles ruled and the people of God lived under unrighteous tyranny. Throughout his text, the prophet Daniel pleaded with the Israelites to remain faithful to God in spite of their dire circumstances.

In 2 Chronicles, Solomon, son of David, secures reign over his kingdom, for "the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly," according to 2 Chronicles: 1. In the book, Israel questions whether God still maintained a covenant with the people since they were subject to Persia.

The book of Ezekiel acknowledges how the Israelites were so wicked that God was compelled to leave Jerusalem and the existing temple. The eponymous prophet predicts God's return to the land, the temple and the people.

The Book of Lamentations uses the national suffering of Judah as an example. It offers coping mechanisms for sufferers during trials, and it reassures that rehabilitation after a devastating ordeal is possible.

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as God who became a man. Out of all the miracles that are recorded in John's book, the disciple chose those that exemplify God's most divine qualities.

Psalms are used for communal worship, as well as individual utterance. Verses from this book are some of the most referenced in Christianity. Types of Psalms include Davidic psalms, psalms of the sons of Korah and anonymously written psalms.

Matthew's gospel gives an account of Jesus' life story and emphasizes to Jewish adherents that Jesus is the Messiah they seek. Specifically, the genealogy of Jesus in the first chapter proves the point that Jesus is the Christ whom God promised would descend from the seed of David.

Paul's second letter to the Corinthians was the apostle's attempt to remedy problems that the church at Corinth had been having. Regarding the issue of charity, Paul admonished in his letter, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity ..."

Luke's Gospel was also meant as a book of instruction among a select few readers, but its primary purpose was to help fortify the faith of all believers. Luke's accounts served to disprove false tales about Jesus' life.

The Gospel of Mark includes Jesus's divine and biological lineages; Mark 10:47 refers to Jesus as "son of David." Mark targeted gentile Christians of the early church, as the gospel expounds Jewish customs and does not mention that Jesus frowned upon the practice of preaching to gentiles.

The book of Ezra is a historical account of the returning Israelite exiles. Ezra's stories demonstrate how God's promises to the children through the prophets were ultimately manifested.

The pressures of politics and the demands of faith collide in 1 Kings. God showed favor to rulers who resisted the temptations of evil for good. However, the balance of the acts recorded in 1 Kings is of evildoing that incited God's chastisement.

Samuel was appointed as prophet of these first two kings of Israel. First Samuel includes Saul's reign, but it delves most deeply into David's kingly exploits. The book is a careful account of how the kingship of Israel came to fruition, in general.

The full title of this last biblical book is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Revelation refers to Jesus Christ as bridegroom, worthy lamb, lion of Judah, King of kings and Lord of lords, among other descriptors.

You'll find a number of Jewish traditions and Old Testament references mentioned in the Epistle of Jude. Apostle Jude used his letter to educate believers and rebuke false teachers of the faith.

The prophet Joel called for national repentance during his tenure. His predictions, such as the one reference here from Joel 2:28, also served to encourage the righteous with promises of blessings and salvation assurances.

Prophet Hosea assailed sin and predicted inevitable judgment. Through the prophet, God demands that his people show him their complete devotion. Hosea 1:9 warns of the alternative: "... ye are not my people, and I will not be your God."

Second Samuel details the unification of Israel's kingdom under King David's reign. It portrays David, who was morally flawed, as the consummate representative of a ruling monarch of Israel.

After Moses was disobedient, God chose Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. Joshua's book stresses strict adherence to God's covenant and steadfastness in daily life.

Through the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon demonstrates a recommitment to living a righteous life in the sight of God. Incidentally, the text serves to help others resist decadence and vanity.

Zechariah's book encourages returning exiles of Israel to seek God and be cleansed of sin. Prophet Zechariah was also a priest who was among the children of Israel who returned to Judah.

In 1 Timothy, Paul provides instruction on the way the church should function. The apostle focuses on nurturing leadership for a divine purpose and rooting out false church doctrine.

To counter pervasive heresy in Colossae, the Apostle Paul promotes Jesus as the Christ and manifestation of God, in his letter to the city. Paul expounds on the sufficiency of Christ's doctrine, to dispel the need for human philosophy.

The Apostle Paul's letter to Titus is a discourse concerning salvation — how it's not determined by one's deeds alone, but by God's love and mercy for his believers. Titus 1:4 regards Titus as Paul's "son after the common faith."

In 1 Corinthians, Paul aims to correct conduct problems in the church. His instructions pertain to general behavior during worship services, the role of gifts in the church and the importance of formality during the Lord's Supper ritual.

Scholars place John in Ephesus, where he based his ministry after Jerusalem fell. Third John is a letter to an early Christian named Gaius, who was likely a member of a church in Asia Minor.

False teachers were a significant problem in the days of the early Christian church. Paul's letter to the Galatians attempts to counter false doctrine with the promise of justification "by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law ..."

The Apostle Paul, the author of the Romans Epistle, sought to provide detailed instructions for how Gentiles and Jews should coexist harmoniously. His letter also establishes key points of faith.

A lonely Apostle Paul also authored 2 Timothy because he was distressed about the oppression of the churches under Nero's rule. In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul encourages Timothy, whom Paul regarded as a son, to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" in spite of the persecutions.

Hebrews 5:7 reminds believers of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who "learned ... obedience by the things which he suffered." This example, as well as others in the text, was intended to reassure early Christians, who second-guessed their conversions.

John relied on the doctrine of Christ to communicate his message of action-backed faith. Some early Christians had parted ways with the church due to conflicts in devotional practices; 1 John emphasizes Christ's love-based doctrine and deeds to counter the dissent.

Malachi 3:8 begins with the referenced quote, which exemplifies the prophet's concern for those who contend with worship of God. The verse ends with the question and resolute answer, "Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

Second Kings continues where 1 Kings leaves off, with a record of the divided kingdom during the rulerships of Ahaziah in the north and Jehoshaphat in the southern kingdom. Some scholars surmise that Jeremiah wrote both 1 and 2 Kings.

Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament's first five books, which together are referred to as the Pentateuch. The Book of Numbers is comprised of two parts and each part begins with a census.