Here are some Simple Answers to Questions about Chronological Bible | Studies. Some preachers will tell you that you shouldn’t read the Bible chronologically, and others will tell you it can be a helpful tool. Here is why.
Question 1: How important is it to read the Bible chronologically? Should we be reading it? Why?
Simple Answer 1: Reading the Bible chronologically Reduces Confusion
Have you ever read a passage in one of the Old Testament prophets, perhaps Isaiah, Amos, or Zechariah, which left you scratching your head?
Hi! I’m Rodney Harrier, a passionate Bible teacher and continual student of God’s Word. Despite graduating from an excellent Bible college, I sometimes still found myself confused by the Scriptures. Like you, I wondered what prompted their writings and why they talked or preached about some subjects.
A true chronological Bible helps us understand the proper sequence of events, characters, and writings in the book. Scripture interprets Scripture and often reveals why they were written. This is an eye-opening experience, an “a-ha” moment. We finally understand it.
Simple Answer 2: Reading the Bible chronologically prevents us from making errors in our interpretations
Many Christians selectively use Old Testament verses without considering their context. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
This means the Old Testament is profitable if we take the time to understand it in its context. Think about it. Suppose you had written authoritative letters, and someone else were to read them 4,000 years later. Wouldn’t you want your words interpreted as they were meant?
Simple Answer 3: The dating of events and people are present throughout the Scriptures
If chronology is important to God, shouldn’t it be to us? Here are some dates and events scholars have figured out from the Bible.
- The day when the earth was created and the date of the flood
- The Jews exodus from Egypt
- When the Judges ruled
- The date of David’s reign
- When Solomon’s temple was built and dedicated
- How and when each king of Israel and Judah ruled
- The date that Isaiah saw a vision of the LORD
- 70-year exile of the Jews from their homeland
- King Cyrus’ proclamation predicted before he was born
- The date the Jewish people returned to their homeland
- Christ’s birth and death
- The beginning of the church and the destruction of the temple
- The seven and one-half years of the tribulation
These and others are identified by many scholars like Dr. Floyd Nolen Jones
Simple Answer 4: The Logical Progression of the Scriptures helps us understand God’s nature, emotions, and his Sovereign Design for the world
Without Genesis 1-3, nothing makes sense. Genesis answers the questions, who is God, what is he like, and where evil originated.
Questions about nature are answered
Where did all living things come from, how did they get here, and what sustains them? Why do living organisms die? Was this always the case?
Approximately, how old are the earth and its inhabitants? Was there a creator, or did all this stuff just evolve?
Questions about our relationships with God and each other are answered
What does God require of us? What happens when people pay no attention to God? Does he care? If so, what’s he going to do about it?
What happens when we mess up? Are we lost forever? Will our creator help us get out of trouble? Is there any hope for us?
Is there life beyond the grave?
Why do people get sick and die? Why do the innocent suffer? Is God mean or kind?
What could happen if we completely devote ourselves to God?
Questions about our needs and God’s provision for restoration are answered
We can’t fully understand the sacrifice of Jesus Christ without understanding the sacrificial system outlined in Exodus and Leviticus. What might it look like if God were among us? How would he want us to worship and obey him?
Israel needed restoration. In the sequential history of the events, the Israelites turned their backs on God, even though God had been very kind and patient. He punishes them, trying to bring repentance so he can walk among them and bless them.
Do we need spiritual restoration? We are probably not Jewish, so how does God bring us hope and healing for our souls? How can we be ready for Jesus’ return? We will find the answers in these chronological Bible studies.
Question 2. Why aren’t our regular or standard Bibles chronological?
Simple Answer 1: Half of the Bible is chronological, and there are many clues where the rest of the Scriptures fit
The Bible was written by Jewish people. The Scriptures were at first carefully passed on to the next generations orally, and later, scribes wrote them on papyrus (an early derivative of paper). Later on in Jewish history, God used prophets to convey his messages. Much like preachers, the prophets spoke God’s Word, and many of them wrote it all down. However, their audience knew the stories of their history, so they referred to it without giving the full version.
The Scriptures that aren’t in chronological order are organized by their genre. These are poetry, prophecy, narrative, doctrine, and apocalyptic literary styles. The challenge for most people coming to church is that they didn’t learn this stuff when they were children, and they know little of this. While Bible commentaries can help make connections, why not examine the Scriptures and the events together to understand them ourselves? That is what chronological Bible studies do.
Simple Answer 2: The arrangement of today’s standard Bible is not exactly the same as that of early Christians; there have been changes.
The arrangement of the books of the Bible is not inspired; the writings are. Chronological Bibles are good tools to help us understand why certain Scriptures were written when they were.
Question 3: Can we be sure of the dating of the Bible and its chronology?
Simple Answer: Most of the time, yes.
Chronology is often significant and determined by God, as was earlier stated. Many times, God’s prophets made a point of recording the details of the event, which were under the direct supervision of God. The book of Ezekiel is an excellent example of this. Other Scripture chronology can be determined by internal evidence, logic, and sometimes early church tradition and interpretations.
Take-Aways
You can now see how valuable it is to understand the chronology of the Bible. If it is important to God, it should be important to us. If you read the Bible chronologically, what you learn will change your life forever. Why not sign up today on my website? Study it for a whole year and see what a difference it makes. You will be amazed and blessed.
[1] Some Chronological Bible studies are arranged by theme instead of historical chronology. This violates the intent of the original writers.
[2] The Chronology of the Old Testament by Dr. Floyd Nolen Jones
[3] The current arrangement was by Jerome, but Ezra the priest and John, a disciple of Jesus probably assembled the original arrangement of the Scriptures. If you want to see what that is, go here
[4] institute for Bible reading--book order
Check out some chronological Bible Studies we have on this blog
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Good news! If you want chronological Bible studies to help you understand the Chronological Bible, just sign up for daily emails on my website. This gives you access to the daily Bible reading schedules that go with them, and you can use your own Bible. Yes, because I only move to parallel passages at natural breaks in the narratives, that means less flipping back and forth through your favorite Bible. Just think of it, in one year you can read through all of God’s Word and understand how it applies to you. What you learn can change your life forever.