The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made | A Book Review

Amber Thiessen
20 minutes ago
4 min read

I’m always on the lookout for solid Bible study resources. Whether I’m teaching my kids, writing for the blog, or leading a Bible study, understanding the context of a passage—its audience, themes, and place within the book—is essential. The right resources make it possible to grasp God’s Word fully so we can apply it faithfully to our lives. Too often, though, we study in a rush or in isolation, which can leave us feeling stuck.

When I find something genuinely helpful, I love sharing it and encouraging others to use it.

This is definitely one of those resources you’ll want to consider!

The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made | A Book Review

Content

Purpose of the Book

Table of Contents

Summary

My Take

My Recommendation

Quick Stats

Scriptures About God’s Promises

Follow Along

Content

Purpose of the Book

In this extensive resource, you’ll move through every book in the Old Testament, learning the story and seeing the promises God has made, which point us to their fulfillment in Christ.

Part 1: The Great Story

Chapter 1: The Message of Genesis: “. . . Which in Their Seeds and Weak Beginning Lie Intreasured”

Chapter 2: The Message of Exodus: “All the World’s a Stage”

Chapter 3: The Message of Leviticus: “The World Is Not Thy Friend nor the World’s Law”

Chapter 4: The Message of Numbers: “Past and to Come Seem Best, Things Present, Worst”

Chapter 5: The Message of Deuteronomy: “What’s Past Is Prologue”

Part 2: The Other Millennium

Chapter 6: The Message of Joshua: Conquest

Chapter 7: The Message of Judges: Stalemate

Chapter 8: The Message of Ruth: Surprise

Chapter 9: The Message of 1 Samuel: Faith in Faithless Times

Chapter 10: The Message of 2 Samuel: Repentance

Chapter 11: The Message of 1 Kings: Decline

Chapter 12: The Message of 2 Kings: Fall

Chapter 13: The Message of 1 Chronicles: Heights

Chapter 14: The Message of 2 Chronicles: Depths

Chapter 15: The Message of Ezra: Renewal

Chapter 16: The Message of Nehemiah: Rebuilding

Chapter 17: The Message of Esther: Surprise

Part 3: Ancient Wisdom

Chapter 18: The Message of Job: Wisdom for the Troubled

Chapter 19: The Message of Psalms: Wisdom for Spiritual People

Chapter 20: The Message of Proverbs: Wisdom for the Ambitious

Chapter 21: The Message of Ecclesiastes: Wisdom for the Successful

Chapter 22: The Message of Song of Songs: Wisdom for the Married

Part 4: Big Hopes

Chapter 23: The Message of Isaiah: Messiah

Chapter 24: The Message of Jeremiah: Justice

Chapter 25: The Message of Lamentations: Justice Up Close

Chapter 26: The Message of Ezekiel: Paradise

Chapter 27: The Message of Daniel: SurvivalPart 5: Eternal Questions

Chapter 28: The Message of Hosea: What Is Love?

Chapter 29: The Message of Joel: Whom Will God Save?

Chapter 30: The Message of Amos: Does God Care?

Chapter 31: The Message of Obadiah: Does God Have Enemies?

Chapter 32: The Message of Jonah: Can You Run from God?

Chapter 33: The Message of Micah: What Does God Want?

Chapter 34: The Message of Nahum: Who’s in Charge?

Chapter 35: The Message of Habakkuk: How Can I Be Happy?

Chapter 36: The Message of Zephaniah: What’s There to Be Thankful For?

Chapter 37: The Message of Haggai: Are Your Investments Sound?

Chapter 38: The Message of Zechariah: Does God Give Second Chances?

Chapter 39: The Message of Malachi: Does It Matter How I Worship God?

Summary

This resource is a collection of sermons preached by the author while pastoring at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Each chapter guides the reader through one book of the Old Testament, outlining its structure, context, and practical application. The author includes a variety of illustrations that make the chapters easy and engaging to read. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter help readers apply the material personally.

My Take

I received the hardcover copy of this book, and yes—it can feel a little daunting at first. But once you open the pages, you quickly realize how valuable and accessible it really is.

I haven’t made it through every book of the Old Testament yet, but I’ve found it incredibly helpful as I worked through the minor prophets. I don’t always remember the context, and Dever’s framing of each book in terms of the question it answers makes the theme much easier to grasp.

As we began our winter Bible study session on the lives of Elijah and Elisha, I again turned to the chapters on 1 & 2 Kings to set the context as I prepared.

I was also struck by Sinclair Ferguson’s suggestion in the foreword to read this book with your kids. With biblical literacy declining in many churches, a resource like this provides invaluable background and insight for both adults and children, helping all of us grow in our understanding of Scripture.

My Recommendation

The book may seem daunting at first, but it reads surprisingly accessibly for the layperson and is incredibly valuable as a Bible study resource. It would be an excellent addition to a church library or a thoughtful gift for a Bible teacher. For homeschool parents—or any parent who takes time to guide their children in Bible education—this book provides a clear and helpful framework for understanding the Old Testament scriptures, benefiting both you and your kids.

Quick Stats

# of Pages: 1096

Level of Difficulty: Easy

My Rating: 5 stars

Scriptures About God’s Promises

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Cor. 1:20)

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Pet. 1:4)

And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. (Josh. 23:14)