A Simple Approach To Bible History

Some Basic Bible Facts

The span of the Bible is equivalent to time itself. It begins with the words "In the beginning." (Genesis 1:1) and closes with the words "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (Revelation 22:20-21). In amazingly brief form, the Bible records the events that have shaped the very existence of man since the beginning of the world and which will continue to impact him until the end of it.

Many have become discouraged with Bible study because they have expected the Bible to read like a novel. The Bible is an entire library of books. Although parts of it can be read as ongoing history, some elements are accessories to that main thread. Those parts may expand on information already presented, add new insight to a given time or period, or simply demonstrate the situation from the perspective of God's people at that time.

Perhaps the following approach might help you in your Bible study.

QUICK OLD TESTAMENT INSIGHT

By reading less than 300 chapters of Bible text, you can familiarise yourself with the main thread of Bible History in the Old Testament. Here is the way that can be accomplished:

1. Read the book of Genesis (50 chapters), to follow man from Creation through the death of Jacob (the son of Isaac, the grandson of Abraham).
2. Continue onward into Exodus (40 chapters), to see the events that follow the birth of Moses (God's first notable deliverer and law giver). Travel with ancient Israel as they begin the wilderness wandering period (after their freedom from Egyptian bondage).
3. Next, consider the contents of Numbers (36 chapters), which describes two different census takings (or numberings of the people) while ancient Israel wandered in the wilderness on their way to the Land of Canaan. Their own lack of faith extended that wandering to some forty years duration.
4. Make a short visit to Deuteronomy 34 (one chapter only), to see the death of Moses, that first great leader.
5. Follow on with the conquering of the land of Canaan, under the leadership of Joshua (some 24 chapters).
6. Notice the restlessness of the people, and see the sad results when they are left on their own without effective leadership, in your study of the book of Judges (21 chapters).
7. Enter the final days of the judges, and read of Samuel, the last judge in Israel. Continue onward in the books of I and II Samuel (55 chapters), and I Kings (22 chapters), to follow ancient Israel through its united kingdom period with King Saul, King David, and King Solomon reigning in successive periods.
8. As you will have already noticed, by the middle of I Kings, the climate has changed. The once glorious kingdom is now divided into a Northern Kingdom, and a Southern Kingdom. A host of kings rises and serves over each respective kingdom (some are good, some are evil). II Kings (25 chapters) takes us through those tumultuous times that end in the Northern Kingdom being taken away into Assyrian captivity, and the Southern Kingdom being taken away into Babylonian captivity.
9. Conclude your trip through Old Testament History by reading the account of the return of ancient Israel to the land of Canaan. Ezra and Nehemiah (23 chapters total) speak of that return, and resettlement, under God's direction during the days of the Medes and Persians. Now the stage is set for the long-awaited first coming of Jesus the Christ.

QUICK NEW TESTAMENT INSIGHT

1. A period of silence between the Testaments (about 400 years) closes with the voice of John the Baptizer in the wilderness, announcing the coming of the kingdom of heaven.
2. One could read any of the gospels for a description of Christ's earthly walk, but we recommend the gospel of Mark (16 chapters), because of its brevity. Here you will be introduced to Jesus, the Christ. You will see Him demonstrate that He is much more than just a man, He is the Son of God. Mark takes you from event to event through the main happenings in the life of Christ. He draws his gospel to a close with the death, burial, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.
3. The book of Acts (28 chapters), details those last few days that Christ spent on the earth after his resurrection. Just before His ascension on high, Jesus tells of the fact that the proclamation of His message will begin in Jerusalem, reach Judaea, continue to Samaria, and then into the farthest reaches of the globe. That is exactly what is depicted in the chapters that follow. Acts, chapters One through Seven, cover the beginning in Jerusalem, and the influence in Judaea. Acts, chapter Eight, has the gospel in Samaria. Acts, chapters Nine through Twenty-eight, show the gospel spread through the then-known world.
4. Another benefit of the book of Acts is that it reveals exactly what the people in the first century did to become Christians (followers of Christ). Some Bible students refer to it as the book of conversions, others simply refer to it as the history of the spread of the gospel. Either way, it is important reading for us.
5. Romans through Jude in our New Testament (some 23 epistles), consists of letters written to individuals, to churches in a given location, and gives general instruction on how to apply the teaching of Christ to both one's life and actions in the church, and in the community.
6. The New Testament closes with a book of hope and expectation. The book of Revelation is best understood in light of the entire revelation of God (the whole Bible). It is a book of victory. It demonstrates that God, and His cause, will be victorious over evil and every enemy in the end. Its message was given in a form that those familiar with God's will could comprehend and the enemies of God could only confuse. May God bless you as you begin today to read this book of Books, the Bible.