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Finding Your Way Around the Bible. TIP:- The Gospels & Psalms are the best place to start. Law GENESIS The CREATION of the world and FALL of mankind. (ch. 1-5)God floods the earth but saves Noah’s family and then scatters their descendants across the earth. (ch. 6-11) God chooses the nation of ISRAEL as His chosen people through Abraham - Isaac - Jacob and his twelve sons. (ch. 12-50) EXODUS - DEUTERONOMY God’s people find themselves in SLAVERY in Egypt but are brought out through Moses and are given the law (which showed them their need for a saviour) and the tabernacle (the tent which held God’s presence). History JOSHUA Under Joshua the people of Israel are given the rest and the LAND that they have been promised.JUDGES Israel is led by a series of spiritual / military leaders called Judges.RUTH Story of a foreign woman who married an Israelite, from whom Jesus would be a descendant.1 SAMUEL History of Samuel, the last judge of Israel, and of Israel’s first kings Saul and David, Ruth’s great grandson.2 SAMUEL David’s history after the death of Saul.1 KINGS Reign of David’s son and successor Solomon. (ch. 1-11)Israel is SPLIT into two kingdoms - Israel in the north and Judah in the south. (ch. 12-16) 2 KINGS Ministry of Elisha and history of northern Israel up to captivity / EXILE in Assyria. (ch. 1-17)History of the southern kingdom of Judah up to captivity / exile in Babylon. (ch. 18-25) 1 & 2 CHRONICLES A list of Israelite families from creation to the exile and a summary of 1 Samuel - 2 Kings EZRA & NEHEMIAH The RETURN from exile back into to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple and the city walls. Note: This is the end of the “story” of the Old Testament - the following books all slot somewhere into the story that has gone before. ESTHER Life-story of a Jewish woman who became Queen of Persia and used her position to save the Jews from destruction. Persia’s empire took over Babylon when the Jews were in captivity there.Wisdom JOB Life-story of a rich man who is tested by the devil and loses his wealth and his family but keeps his faith in God.PSALMS Collection of songs and poems, about half of which were written by David.Others were written by King Asaph, one by Moses, many are anonymous. PROVERBS A collection of wise sayings by King Solomon (ch. 1-29) and a couple of people called Agur (ch. 30) and Lemuel (ch. 31).ECCLESIASTES Solomon confesses and repents of his foolishness.SONG OF SONGS (OR: SONG OF SOLOMON) Solomon’s love songs representing God’s love for His people.Prophets ISAIAH & JEREMIAH Major books of prophecy to the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah mourns the capture of Jerusalem, capital of Judah. EZEKIEL & DANIEL Major books of prophecy during Judah’s captivity in Babylon. MICAH Minor books of prophecy to the northern kingdom of Israel.(Joel may have been from the South.) NAHUM - ZEPHANIAH Minor books of prophecy to the southern kingdom of Judah. HAGGAI - MALACHI * * * Gospels MATTHEW - JOHN Gospels - eye-witness accounts of the life and ministry of JESUS CHRIST. Acts ACTS OF THE APOSTLES History of the early CHURCH. Epistles ROMANS - PHILEMON Letters by Paul to new Churches and young Christians. HEBREWS Letter by an unknown author to Jewish Christians. JAMES Letter by a half brother of Jesus Christ. 1 & 2 PETER Letters by the apostle Peter. 1-3 JOHN Letters by the apostle John. JUDE Letter by a half brother of Jesus Christ. Revelation REVELATION OF JOHN John’s vision of the SECOND COMING of Christ. |
