Old Testament Introduction: Reading Guide
The best plan by which to gain an understanding of Scripture, of course, would be to systematically read the entire Bible. For those seeking to get an overview understanding of the entire ‘storyline’ of Scripture, however, this task would certainly prove intimidating, daunting, or just plain overwhelming. Unfortunately, what should be an exciting journey through God’s word would most likely lead to discouragement and abandonment of the whole endeavor—how often have we resolved to read through the Bible only to get bogged down in Leviticus or Numbers!
To help achieve our goal of gaining a high-level understanding of God’s redemptive plan, the following books, chapters, and passages are suggested with our overall purpose in mind and should help us gain an overall view of God’s work, God’s character, and God’s grace as revealed in the Old Testament and consummating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
May the Spirit lead, guide, and illuminate our hearts and minds as we read his word together!
Genesis: 1-3; 12-24; 37-50
Exodus: 1-15; 19-20; 32-34; 40
Leviticus: 1; 4; 5; 10; 16; 19.9-18; 20.22-26; 26
Numbers: 10.11-14.45; 16; 17; 20-25; 33.50-56
Deuteronomy: 1-11; 21.22-23; 27-34
Joshua: 1-10.15; 21.43-45; 23-24
Judges: 1.1-3.6; 6-8; 13-16
Ruth
1
Samuel: 1-10; 15.1-18.16; 20
2
Samuel: 1-7; 11-12; 22-24
1
Kings: 1-3; 8-11; 17-19
2
Kings: 2; 4-6; 16-25
1
Chronicles: 13-17; 21-22
2
Chronicles: 1; 5-8; 20; 26; 28-30
Ezra: 1; 3-7
Nehemiah: 1-4; 8-9
Esther
Job: 1-14; 19; 32-33; 39-42
Psalms: 1-19; 31-33; 38-42; 51; 68; 90-104
Proverbs: 1-9; 15; 30-31
Ecclesiastes: 1-3; 5.1-7; 8-9; 12
Song
of Songs
Isaiah: 6-12; 24-27; 30-35; 40-45; 49-56; 60-66
Jeremiah: 1-9; 11; 15; 18-19; 23-25; 30-33; 38-39; 42-44; 51-52
Lamentations
Ezekiel: 1-11; 15-16; 18; 20-21; 24; 33-43
Daniel: 1-6 (7-12 if desired)
Hosea: 1-4; 11-14
Joel
Amos: 1-5; 8-9
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah: 1-2; 8-14
Malachi
Genesis: 1-3
Job: 1-14; 19; 32-33; 39-42
Genesis
12-24; 37-50
Exodus: 1-15; 19-20; 32-34; 40
Leviticus: 1; 4; 5; 10; 16; 19.9-18; 20.22-26; 26
Numbers: 10.11-14.45; 16; 17; 20-25; 33.50-56
Deuteronomy: 1-11; 21.22-23; 27-34
Joshua: 1-10.15; 21.43-45; 23-24
Judges: 1.1-3.6; 6-8; 13-16
Ruth
1
Samuel: 1-10; 15.1-18.16; 20
2
Samuel: 1-7; 11-12; 22-24
Psalms: 1-19; 31-33; 38-42; 51; 68; 90-104
1
Chronicles: 13-17; 21-22
1
Kings: 1-3
2
Chronicles: 1
1
Kings: 8-11
2
Chronicles: 5-8
Proverbs: 1-9; 15; 30-31
Ecclesiastes: 1-3; 5.1-7; 8-9; 12
Song
of Songs
1
Kings: 17-19
2
Kings: 2; 4-6
2
Chronicles: 26
Jonah
2
Kings: 16
Isaiah: 6-12; 24-27; 30-35; 40-45; 49-56; 60-66
Micah
Hosea: 1-4; 11-14
Amos: 1-5; 8-9
Zephaniah
Jeremiah: 1-9; 11; 15; 18-19; 23-25; 30-33; 38-39; 42-44; 51-52
Lamentations
Obadiah
Nahum
2
Kings: 17-25
Habakkuk
2
Chronicles: 28-30
Ezekiel: 1-11; 15-16; 18; 20-21; 24; 33-43
Daniel: 1-6 (7-12 if desired)
Ezra: 1; 3-7
Nehemiah: 1-4; 8-9
Esther
Joel
Haggai
Zechariah: 1-2; 8-14
Malachi
In addition to focusing on these passages, three additional suggestions are offered:
1. Read from a dynamic translation! While literal translations (NASB, ESV, KJV, etc.) are great for in-depth study, dynamic translations (NIV, NLT) present Scripture in smooth-flowing English and are suitable for reading large sections of Scripture.
2. Read aloud! The contents of Scripture were almost exclusively delivered orally to the original audience and are well suited, by God’s design, to be heard.
3. Read chronologically! Our English Bibles are not arranged according to chronology by according to tradition and genre. Therefore, our chosen passages are presented in two arrangements—first, by the order in which they appear in our Bibles, and second, by chronological order.