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In Genesis the world was made by God's creative hand, In Exodus the Hebrews marched to greet the Promised Land Leviticus contains the Law. Holy, Just and Good: Numbers records the tribes enrolled - all sons of Abraham's blood. Moses, In Deuteronomy, records God's mighty deeds: Brave Joshua into Canaan's Land the host of Israel leads. In Judges their rebellion oft provokes the Lord to smite; but Ruth records the Faith of one pleasing in His sight. In First and Second Samuel of Jesse's son we read; ten tribes in First and Second Kings revolted from his seed. The First and Second Chronicles see Judah captive made; but Ezra leads a remnant back by princely Cyrus' aid. The City walls of Zion Nehemiah builds again; while Esther saves her people from plots of wicked men. In Job we read how Faith will live beneath affliction's rod; and in Psalms are precious songs for every child of God. The Proverbs like a goodly string of choicest pearls appear; Ecclesiastes teaches us how vain are all things here. The mystic Song of Solomon exalts sweet Sharon's Rose; While Christ the King and Saviour the rapt Isaiah shows. The warning Jeremiah apostate Israel scorns; his plaintive Lamentations their awful downfall mourns. Ezekiel tells in wondrous words of dazzling mysteries; while kings and empires yet to come Daniel in vision sees. Of Judgement and of Mercy Hosea loves to tell; Joel describes the blessed days when God with us shall dwell. Among Tekoa's herdsmen Amos received his call; while Obadiah prophecies of Edom's final fall. Jonah enshrines a wondrous type of Christ our Risen Lord; Micah pronounces Judah lost - lost, but again restored. Nahum declares that Nineveh just judgement shall be poured. A view of Chaldea's coming doom Habakkuk's visions give; next Zephaniah warns the Jews to turn, repent and live. Haggai wrote to those who saw the temple built again; and Zechariah prophesied of Christ's Triumphant reign. Malachi was last who touched the high prophetic chord; Its final notes sublimely show The Coming of the Lord. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Holy Gospels wrote, to tell us how the Saviour lived, His death and all He taught. Acts shows how the apostles preached His Word in every place, St Paul, in Romans, teaches us how we are saved by grace. And in Corinthians, he still exhorts, instructs, reproves, Galatians shows how faith in Christ our heavenly father loves. Ephesians and Philippians show what we ought to be, Colossians bids us live for God and for eternity. In Thessalonians we are told that Christ will come from Heaven, In Timothy and Titus too, the Bishop's rule is given. Philemon tells of Christian love which only Christians know. Hebrews reveals the Gospel truths as shown us here below. James teaches us that without love our faith is vain and dead, and Peter points the narrow way through which the saints are led. John, in his three Epistles, the love of Christ does tell, while Jude the warning gives to all of judgement, heaven and hell. The Revelation prophecies of that tremendous day, When Christ in glory comes again, and earth shall pass away. Peter Grayson Published in the October 2000 edition of the Church Magazine
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