Now moving on from understanding that the Bible is the true and authoritative Word of God, we need to understand the basic history that it outlines. It is good to have a good grasp on the timeline of the Bible to help understand the context of each event and prophecy. The Bible begins with the history of all humanity, that is the Creation. It took place approximately 15,000-8,000 B.C. There are some that believe that Genesis allows for either the days of creation to actually be long periods. Others believe that the language at the first part of chapter one allows that there was a period of humanity before Adam and Eve. Still others believe that there are gaps in the genealogies that lengthen the time period. For these reasons, some believe that the Creation took place much longer ago than 15,000 B.C. However, many of these beliefs are motivated to attempt to make the Bible jive with scientific theories, namely evolution. According to most scientific theories the world is millions, if not billions of years old. Some theologians concede to these theories and then attempt to make the Bible compatible with them. Keep in mind that on Adam and Eve’s first day of life they appeared as adults. On the worlds first week of existence, it appeared as having existed. There were trees and not seeds. If there were trees and we determine the age of trees by its rings, then how old did these trees seem when they were days old? The earth was young with an older appearance. I believe that the earth is most likely younger; however, it is not entirely unacceptable for some to hold the older earth view.
The next major event was the Flood. It took place, along with the life of Noah, around 3,000 B.C. Then it was not until 2166-1859 B.C. that the lives of Abraham through Jacob took place. Around this time is when some believe that the book of Job was written and his life story took place. Then Joseph’s life was 1915-1805 B.C. and it was during this time that the family of Jacob moved to Egypt.
Then we move on from the events of Genesis into the time of the rest of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy). Moses lived from 1526-1406 B.C. The plagues, Passover, exodus, and ten commandments took place 1446-1445 B.C. Moses wrote Exodus and Leviticus around 1440 B.C. The desert wanderings took place from 1446-1406 B.C. During this time Moses wrote the book of Genesis. In 1406 B.C. Moses wrote Numbers and Deuteronomy. It was also during this time that the Israelites began their conquest of Canaan, the promise land. The Israelites Bible at this time was the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy).
From there the Israelites began to establish themselves in the promise land. The entire conquest of Canaan took place from 1406-1375 B.C. Some of the Psalms were written during this time. Around 1390 B.C. the book of Joshua was written just before his death. By 1375 B.C., the Judges began to rule Israel. Some of the most prominent Judges were Deborah, who ruled 1209-1169 B.C. and Gideon ruled 1162-1122 B.C. The judge and prophet Samuel were born around 1105 B.C. Other prominent judges were Jephthah, who ruled 1078-1072 B.C. and Samson ruled 1075-1055 B.C. There was some overlap with the judges because more than one judge could rule at the same time. It was not like the office of a king.
From there we move into the period of the kings. First Saul was anointed king of Israel in 1050 B.C and ruled until his death in 1010 B.C. During that time, David killed Goliath in 1025 B.C. Again, in 1010 B.C., Saul died and David became king in his place. He reigned until 970 B.C. During David’s reign, around 1000 B.C., the books of the Judges and Ruth were written and some believe the book of Job was written at this time. Then at 970 B.C. David died and his son Solomon became king in his place and reigned until 930 B.C. It was during that time that many of the Proverbs was written as well as the Song of Solomon. From 966-959 B.C. the Temple was under construction. Also, in 935 B.C., Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes. In 930 B.C. at Solomon’s death, there was civil war in Israel and the kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
During this time we continue to follow the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah and the prophets. In 930 B.C. Jeroboam began to reign in Israel and Rehoboam began to reign in Judah. During this time, in 925 B.C., the books of 1 and 2 Samuel were written. Then in 915 B.C. Rehoboam died and Abijah became king over Judah. In 910 B.C. Jeroboam died and Nadab became king over Israel. Nadab died that same year and Baasha became king over Israel in his place. Also, during that same year Abijah died and Asa became king over Judah in his place. We will pick up at this point in the next lesson.
