2. What is the Bible?
The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart
- it is a book full of all the greed and glory
and violence and tenderness and sex and
betrayal that benefits mankind. It is not the
collection of pretty little anecdotes mouthed
by pious little church mice - it does not so
much nibble at our shoe leather as it cuts to
the heart and splits the marrow from the
bone. It does not give us answers fitted to
our small-minded questions, but truth that
goes beyond what we can even know to ask.
from Thoughts and Reflections by Rich Mullins
3. What is the Bible?
• A working definition:
A collection of writings
containing the record and
revelation of God’s
interaction with man.
4. … of God’s interaction with
man.
• Actual people
• Actual places
• Actual problems
• Actual encounters
• Actually God
22. Old Testament
785 BC 722 BC 420 BC
755 BC 586 BC
605 BC 458 BC
Jerusalem Malachi
Isaiah
Destroyed Written
Israel Falls
Daniel Ezra
Captured Returns
Hosea
23. Old Testament
Genesis - Deuteronomy – The Law
Joshua – Chronicles – The Land
Ezra – Ester – The People
Isaiah – Malachi –
The Preparation
Creation Job – Song of Solomon – The Heart
24. Summary
• God’s character is consistent
throughout His word.
• Understanding the history helps
us as we seek to understand how
God worked through specific
people in a specific place at a
specific time.
Editor's Notes
Isaiah – Confrontation, exhortation, and warning – 755 BC began preaching – 722 BC Northern Kingdom falls to the Assyrians Jeremiah – Judgment against the people of Judah for their idolatry, their unfaithfulness to the covenant, and their obstinate disobedience of His will. 626 BC Called to ministry. 586 BC Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. 585 BC Jeremiah is taken to Egypt. Lamentations – 585 Jeremiah writes Lamentations probably from Egypt. Focus on national suffering. Ezekiel – 597 Deported to Babylon – preached in Babylon to Jews in exile.
Daniel – Purpose of God – 605 BC Daniel captive. 586 BC Jerusalem destroyed 538 Jews return to Jerusalem 537 Daniel thrown into lion’s den. Hosea – Israel expanding boarders; Judah was getting stronger army (2 Chronicles 26:1-15). 785 BC Hosea begins ministry, 725 Hosea ministry ends. Assyrians take Israel captive Amos – Israel in the shadow of Jeroboam’s pagan temple at Bethel. 755 BC Amos delivers prophecies. 722 BC Israel conquered by Assyria. Jonah – Nineveh – 770 BC approximate time of Jonah – 722 BC Israel taken captive. 612 Nineveh falls to the Medes and Babylonians Micah – 740-710 BC approximate time of Micah’s Ministry – Treat of Assyrian invasion. Nahum – Judgment of Israel does not excuse Nineveh –722 Israel is taken by Assyrians. 612 Nineveh falls. Habakkuk – Why so much evil in Judah? How can you use Babylon to punish God’s people?” 612 BC Nineveh falls to Medes and Babylonians. 586 BC Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. Zephaniah – Godly King Josiah repented and stayed off destruction (2 Chr. 34:27,28) 640-609 King Josiah reigns in Jerusalem. 627 Zephaniah’s ministry begins. 586 BC Jerusalem falls to Babylonians Haggai – Return from Babyon. 539 Cyrus of Persia conquers Babylon. 538 Return of Jews to Judea. 536-534 Temple rebuilding 520 Haggai preaches 515 Temple is complete. Zechariah – Exiles returning from Babylon. At same time as Haggai. Malachi – deliverance because of God’s love. 420 to 425 BC is probably when it was written. 458 Ezra returns. 444 Nehemiah leads a group of returners. 443 Jerusalem’s wall constructed.
