Complete List of Lessons Learned in Qoheleth
Below is a listing of all 198 key truths Qoheleth is designed to teach
so that you will remember each of them--and which book they come from--
for years to come!
GENESIS:
- is the "book of beginnings" which describes our fall into sin
- records God calling Abram to leave his homeland and renaming him Abraham
- teaches that Jacob wrestled with an angel who renamed him Israel
EXODUS:
- contains the story of Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt and receiving the Law from God
- tells of ten plagues sent by God upon Egypt to make Pharaoh free the Hebrews from slavery
- records the first Passover, when the angel of death "passed over" the Hebrews
LEVITICUS:
- tells how God established sacrifices for sin and appointed priests from the tribe of Levi
- proclaims a Year of Jubilee every 50 years when all land returns to its original owners
- records how God forbids priests to drink alcohol before offering sacrifices to Him, and foreshadows when Jesus refused alcohol at His crucifixion
NUMBERS:
- records God's people doubting they can enter the Promised Land and then wandering 40 years in the wilderness under God's judgment
- tells how Moses lifted a bronze snake on a pole to save the people from death
- contains the story of Balaam the prophet, who was hired to curse the Israelites, but blesses them instead
DEUTERONOMY:
- teaches that Moses repeated the Law to the people and urged them to obey it
- tells how Moses gave the people a choice between life and death
- chapter 6 contains the great commandment "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord"
JOSHUA:
- records the Israelites beginning to take possession of and settle in the Promised Land
- tells of Rahab of Jericho helping the Israelite spies to conquer her city
- records the Gibeonites tricking the Israelites into a treaty and becoming laborers for Israel as a punishment
JUDGES:
- tells of heroes sent by God to deliver His people from trouble, which they usually brought on themselves by disobeying God
- names Deborah, Jephthah, Gideon and Samson as heroes of Israel, or "judges"
- recalls how Deborah accompanied Barak the Israelite to fight Sisera's enemy army, and how Sisera was killed by a woman
RUTH:
- was a loving and loyal Moabite woman who became the ancestress of King David and of Jesus
- returned with Naomi to Bethlehem saying, "Where you go, I will go...your people will be my people and your God my God"
- records how Boaz, the son of Rahab of Jericho, married Ruth and how they had a son which allowed Naomi to keep her land in her family
1 SAMUEL:
- records that the people wanted a king (against God's wishes) and that Saul became the first king of Israel
- tells how King Saul was told it is better to obey God than to offer sacrifices to Him
- recalls the Philistines capturing the Ark of the Covenant and finding their god bowing to it
2 SAMUEL:
- is the story of King David's reign of Israel, but also tells of his family problems, including Absalom
- records King David taking Uriah's wife and having Uriah killed in battle to cover it up
- tells how King David danced when the Ark of the Covenant came to Jerusalem
1 KINGS:
- records Solomon's reign and the divided kingdom after his reign ended
- tells how Jezebel forced Israel to worship Baal and how Elijah challenged Baal's priests to a showdown
- teaches that God spoke to a discouraged Elijah in a still, small voice
2 KINGS:
- records the fall of both the northern and southern kingdoms: Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon
- tells how Elisha was allowed to see Elijah ascend to heaven in a chariot of fire, thereby knowing he was chosen to continue Elijah's ministry
- records Elisha asking God to blind an enemy army and then leading them blind to the king of Israel
1 CHRONICLES:
- includes a genealogy from Adam to David and parallels the book of 2 Samuel
- records David's plans to build God's temple, and God telling David he can't build it
- retells Israel's history through David's reign for Jews returning from Babylon
2 CHRONICLES:
- parallels the books of 1 & 2 Kings, with special emphasis on Solomon building the temple
- tells how the Levites and godly Israelites leave Israel and move south to Judah to have a godly king
- states that the land was given 70 missed sabbath years while the Jews were exiled
EZRA:
- records the return of some Jews to Jerusalem to live there and rebuild the temple
- tells how the Jews had to stop rebuilding the temple because their neighbors made trouble
- contains the story of Jewish exiles praying and fasting before a long, unarmed walk from Persia to Jerusalem
NEHEMIAH:
- was the cupbearer for the Persian king, who permitted Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls
- recalls how the wall builders arming themselves and posting guards while they worked
- ordered the rich Jews to stop taking financial advantage of the poor Jews
ESTHER:
- was a brave queen who risked her life to save her Jewish people from a plot to destroy them all
- contains the story of Haman, prime minister of Persia, being hanged on the gallows he made to kill Mordecai the Jew
- had a Jewish name, Hadassah, and was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai
JOB:
- was a man who suffered greatly and asked God why he had been singled out to suffer so much
- had friends who told him he must be very evil for God to punish him so severely
- suffered greatly because he was a righteous man who became God's testimony to Satan
PSALMS:
- is a "book of praises" composed in large part by King David
- is frequently quoted in the New Testament, including by Jesus
- has three famous verses (22:1, 51:10, 127:1) to learn in Qoheleth
PROVERBS:
- is a book of wise sayings, mostly from King Solomon, urging us to seek wisdom and avoid folly
- warns young people to avoid violent "friends" and to be on guard against lust
- contains sayings by King Solomon, Agur, "The Wise," and King Lemuel (who learned the sayings from his mother)
ECCLESIASTES:
- tells us life is meaningless apart from God
- teaches that there is a right time for everything
- teaches that two people together are better than one person alone
SONG OF SOLOMON:
- is a love song between a bride and groom
- declares that love burns like an unquenchable fire and is beyond price
- contains a famous verse: "His banner over me was love" (2:4)
ISAIAH:
- prophesied that the Messiah would suffer the punishment for our sins to bring us peace
- was quoted by Jesus in the synagogue in Nazareth, when He declared that He fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy
- foretold a boy would be born whose name would be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
JEREMIAH:
- chapter 31 contains God's promise of a new covenant with His people
- wrote this book as a scroll, which King Jehoiakim burned piece by piece to show his contempt
- prophesied that Judah would be in captivity to Babylon for 70 years until Babylon fell
LAMENTATIONS:
- is a sad poem about the destruction of Jerusalem and a reminder of God's faithfulness
- captures the horror and agony of the siege and fall of Jerusalem to Babylon
- is an acrostic poem read today at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, and "acrostic" means each phrase begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet
EZEKIEL:
- records God giving life to dry bones, which represent the Jews in exile in Babylon
- tells how God called Ezekiel "son of man" many times, which means "mortal man" here
- teaches that each person is accountable to God for their own sin, not their parents' sin
DANIEL:
- records the handwriting on the wall which announced the end of the Babylonian Empire
- tells how King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a disturbing dream, which God interpreted to Daniel
- contains the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their courageous stand against idolatry
HOSEA:
- declared that Israel was unfaithful to God like an unfaithful wife is to her husband
- proclaimed that since Israel was "sowing the wind" of idolatry, she would "reap the whirlwind" of captivity
- was quoted by Paul in Romans: "I will call them my people which were not my people"
JOEL:
- contains God's promise to pour out His Spirit on all people
- speaks of an army of locusts which announce the "day of the Lord" is at hand
- urged the people to rend their hearts, not their clothes, and turn to God
AMOS:
- tells of God's plumb line measuring Israel and finding it to be crooked
- declares that God, who made the stars, hates those who poison justice and hurt the poor
- says God hates an outward show of religion; He wants justice to roll like a river
OBADIAH:
- is a judgment against the Edomites for their cruelty toward Judah as it fell to Babylon
- says that even though the Edomites live on high mountains, they will be brought low
- condemns the Edomites for handing fleeing Jews over to their enemies and looting their land
JONAH:
- was a prophet who disobeyed God's call to preach repentance to a pagan city
- was angry with God for killing a shade vine and sparing a large city from destruction
- records God's compassion and concern for Nineveh's many children and animals
MICAH:
- foretells a great Shepherd coming from Bethlehem to rule Israel
- 6:8 says that the Lord requires us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him
- prophesied that in God's kingdom swords will be turned into plows and war will stop
NAHUM:
- prophesied the total destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria
- assured Judah that Assyria would be destroyed before they could conquer Judah
- records the rejoicing over the destruction of Nineveh, the bloody city full of lies and corpses of their victims
HABAKKUK:
- asked God why He let Israel do great evil and God answered that He would use Babylon to punish Israel
- asked God why He would punish evil Israel by letting even more evil Babylon invade them
- said even if nothing was left and everything looked hopeless, he would still rejoice in the Lord
ZEPHANIAH:
- declared Jerusalem and Judah would be severely punished, along with their neighbors, for their sins
- condemned those who jumped over thresholds because they believed spirits lived in them
- contains God's terrible promise to search out and punish those who said He didn't ever do anything
HAGGAI:
- records how God's people were urged to finish rebuilding the temple after delaying for 15 years
- tells how God comforted older Jews who remembered how much larger the first temple was
- teaches that God withholds His blessings from those who put their own interests ahead of God
ZECHARIAH:
- announced that the promised King would come to Jerusalem in peace, riding a donkey
- tells of a flock who rejected their Shepherd and paid 30 pieces of silver to be rid of Him
- prophesied that the people would look upon the One they pierced and mourn Him
MALACHI:
- contains God's warning to the Jews not to doubt His justice or cheat Him of what is rightfully His
- declares that God hates divorce and acts of violence
- records God's promise to send a messenger before He suddenly comes to His temple
MATTHEW:
- chapters 5-7 record Jesus teaching His disciples about the kingdom of God in the Sermon on the Mount
- tells of wise men called Magi seeing a bright star and traveling to worship a newborn King
- is the gospel which quotes the most Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah
MARK:
- is the shortest of the four gospels and is full of action
- records how Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and made enemies by doing it
- explained Jewish customs and translated Aramaic words to help Gentile Christians understand
LUKE:
- was a doctor who carefully researched everything before he wrote this gospel
- tells how angels appeared to shepherds at night and announced the birth of the Savior
- contains two parables about rich men: one makes big plans but dies before he can carry them out; the other is condemned by God for ignoring his poor neighbor
JOHN:
- records at 3:16 that Jesus is the only Son of God sent by God to bring us eternal life
- recounts the amazing story of Jesus telling an outcast Samaritan woman that He is the Messiah
- teaches how Jesus told those who wanted to stone a woman caught in sin that the person without any sin could cast the first stone
ACTS:
- records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and the birth of the Christian Church
- tells how Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus and asked him, "Why do you persecute me?"
- records how the gospel was preached to the Gentiles
ROMANS:
- declares we can be right with God apart from the Law by having faith in Jesus
- contains the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus
- teaches us to accept other believers with different views on what can be eaten or what day to worship
1 CORINTHIANS:
- chapter 13 is the "love" chapter which declares love to be God's greatest gift to His people
- teaches that Christ has risen from the dead, which assures that we will also rise
- teaches the church is one body which needs all of its parts, and no part can stand alone
2 CORINTHIANS:
- is a follow-up letter to a troubled church
- says we should not feel forced to give; we should want to five from what we have
- tells how the apostle Paul had troubles and trials, but was not defeated or abandoned
GALATIANS:
- contains a strong warning against giving up freedom in Christ in exchange for a set of rules
- tells how Jesus Himself taught the gospel message to Paul, making Paul a true apostle
- contains Paul's declaration that he has been crucified with Christ, so Christ lives in him
EPHESIANS:
- contains the list of the Christian's armor of God in chapter 6
- teaches we are saved by grace through faith, which is a gift from God
- says the mystery of God's will is to gather all things together in Christ
PHILIPPIANS:
- proclaims that Jesus' name is above every other name
- contains Paul's bold statement that his respectable past life is garbage compared to knowing Jesus
- records that Paul was glad that Christ was being preached, even when it was for bad motives
COLOSSIANS:
- declares that Jesus is fully God and is everything we can possibly need
- says we shouldn't let others judge us based on our diet or choice of worship days
- reveals that we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God
1 THESSALONIANS:
- contains the promise in 1 Thessalonians that we will meet Jesus in the air together with all other believers
- says that Jesus will return to earth suddenly, surprising unbelievers who feel secure
- records that Timothy was sent to the Thessalonian church to encourage them
2 THESSALONIANS:
- speaks of the "man of sin" who comes before Christ's return
- records Paul's statement that if believers in the community won't work, they shouldn't eat either
- tells of Paul refuting a false message sent in his name saying Christ had already returned
1 TIMOTHY:
- 2:3-4 says that God wants everyone to be saved and come to know the truth
- says the love of money is the root of all evil
- declares believers should provide for their families so the church can help those truly alone
2 TIMOTHY:
- is Paul's last letter before he was executed, and he was prepared to die because he had lived faithfully
- 3:16 says all Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for us to learn
- records how Paul charged Timothy to faithfully preach God's Word
TITUS:
- lists qualities all church leaders should have to avoid making God and the church look bad
- 2:11 says the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to everyone
- declares that false teachers who are out to get rich are to be sharply rebuked
PHILEMON:
- was the master of the runaway slave Onesimus whom Paul helped with this letter
- contains Paul's plea that Philemon receive Onesimus back as a brother rather than a slave
- contains Paul's promise to pay back anything owed by Onesimus (you also learn that Onesimus means "useful")
HEBREWS:
- unveils the better covenant of Jesus, who made a one-time sacrifice for sin for all people
- states that Jesus is a merciful high priest because He knows what it's like to be tempted
- says Old Covenant heroes of faith saw God's promises from far away and welcomed them
JAMES:
- teaches that faith without good works is dead faith
- warns against showing favor to rich people and looking down on poor people in church
- says that whoever controls their tongue controls their body because the tongue can ruin lives
1 PETER:
- warns against Satan, a roaring lion seeking to devour believers
- tells how believers are living stones being built into a spiritual house and a holy priesthood
- assures us that God blesses believers who are punished for doing good; they are like Christ
2 PETER:
- reminds us that God is not slow as we think of slow; we are to be patient for Jesus to return
- records the apostle Peter's declaration that he wasn't making up stories about Jesus: he had been an eyewitness
- states that Paul's letters are Scripture, and ignorant people mishandle them at their peril
1 JOHN:
- says God is love and loved us first
- teaches that if we say we are without sin, we make God a liar
- tell us we need to love God and others not in word, but in deed and truth
2 JOHN:
- warns believers not to help travelling false teachers
- was written to a lady, who is told to love God by obeying His commandments
- teaches that those who go beyond what the Gospel teaches do not have God
3 JOHN:
- contains praise for those who welcomed travelling teachers of the true Gospel
- warns a power-hungry church leader named Diotrephes
- says to help travelling teachers of truth who rely wholly on God's people for their needs
JUDE:
- condemned those who say God's grace is a license to sin all you want
- tells how Michael the angel argued with Satan over Moses' body, but didn't stoop to calling Satan names
- had intended to write about salvation, but was compelled to warn them not to abuse grace
REVELATION:
- foretells God's complete victory over evil, and proclaims Jesus as First and Last, the Lord of history
- declares that only the Lamb who was slain was worthy to open the scroll in heaven
- promises a new heaven and new earth, and that God will dwell among us