12 Bible Reading – How Do I Use The Chronological Charts Of Bible Books?

A Transcript Of The Video Study

In our previous study, I suggested The Chronological Chart Of Bible Books should be used as a navigational tool as you journey through the books of the Bible. For this study, I would like to explain how the chart works, so that you can proficiently use it as a guide. There are two charts—one for the Old Testament and another for the New Testament. Let’s begin with the Old Testament books.

1. The Old Testament Books.

Allow me to give an explanation of the color coding scheme, which will help you more easily identify the information on the chart. The color purple highlights the books of the Bible; the color blue highlights the number of chapters for each book, along with any Bible texts that are referenced; the color green highlights the length of time it takes to read the book in a single sitting; the color orange highlights the time period covered by each book; the color yellow highlights explanatory notes for the chart.

Now, notice, at the bottom of the chart is a timeline, or time-box, beginning with the creation of the world in 4004 BC and ending with the book of Malachi in 397 BC. The historic narrative recorded in the Old Testament, therefore, covers a period of 3,607 years.

Each book of the Old Testament is given its own box. Within each box, I have given the number of chapters, the length of time it takes to read the book in a single sitting, and for some of the books, such as the prophets, I have given the corresponding scriptures where those prophets fit within the Old Testament narrative.

Each book is positioned along the timeline in chronological order. Above each box are the years covered by that book. For example, the record of Genesis begins in 4004 BC and ends in 1635 BC, covering a total of 2,369 years; the record of Exodus begins in 1635 BC and ends in 1491 BC, covering a total of 145 years; the record of Numbers begins in 1491 BC and ends in 1452 BC, covering a total of 39 years; and so on.

Some books, such as Job, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Ruth are given dates at the bottom of their boxes—this represents the approximate year the events of that book occurred. It is for that reason, these books are aligned with Genesis, Exodus, Numbers and Judges respectively, as their narratives occurred within those timeframes.

The same is true of 1 and 2 Chronicles—these books recount the same period of history recorded in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings.

Henceforth, when reading through the Bible chronologically, we begin with the book of Genesis, then that of Job, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth and so on. 1 and 2 Chronicles may be read after 2 Kings.

We then have under the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles a period of history known as the United Kingdom of Israel, between the years 1095 BC and 975 BC. This section is enclosed by the dotted lines, which I have highlighted for the onscreen notes in the color red. There were three kings during this period, each sitting on the throne for forty years—Saul, David and Solomon. King David wrote many of the Psalms and King Solomon was the author of three books—Song of Solomon, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

The dotted line on the right side, positioned under 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, indicate the end of the United Kingdom of Israel. After King Solomon died in the year 975 BC, there was a spit, the Jewish people dividing into two separate nations. For the continuation of the timeline, we move to the top of the chart, where the Divided Kingdom of Israel is marked.

Beginning in the year 975 BC, the Northern Kingdom retained the name Israel, and was made up of ten of the twelve tribes. Its capital was Samaria, it had a total of 19 kings, it was taken captive by the Assyrians in 721 BC, and therefore survived as a kingdom for only 256 years. There are three books of prophecy which fit into the timeframe of Israel’s history—Jonah, Amos and Hosea. The end of the Northern Kingdom came in 721 BC, when they were conquered by Assyria.

On the other hand, the Southern Kingdom took the name Judah, and was made up of the remaining two tribes. Its capital was Jerusalem, it had a total of 20 kings, it was taken captive by the Babylonians in 588 BC, and therefore survived as a kingdom for 308 years. There are eight books of prophecy which fit into the timeframe of Judah’s history—Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk and Lamentations.

Now, although Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians in 588 BC, this was not the end of the kingdom. The timeline continues with a 70 year exile period, when Judah was in captivity to the Babylonians. There are three books of prophecy which fit within this timeframe—Daniel, Ezekiel and Obadiah.

After this time, the Jewish people slowly returned to Jerusalem, rebuilding the city and the temple. That history is recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah, with Esther fitting into the timeframe of Ezra. There are three books of prophecy which fit within this timeframe—Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. And this, of course, brings us to the end of the Old Testament books.

I believe your journey through the books of the Old Testament will be much more profitable and enjoyable if you read them in chronological order, with a timeline before you.

Let’s now look at the New Testament books.

2. The New Testament Books.

The color coding scheme is the same for the New Testament Books. The color purple highlights the books of the Bible; the color blue highlights the number of chapters for each book, along with any Bible texts that are referenced; the color green highlights the length of time is takes to read the book in a single sitting; the color orange highlights the time period covered by each book; the color yellow highlights explanatory notes for the chart.

Notice, at the bottom of the chart is a timeline, or time-box, beginning with the birth of Christ in 4 BC and ending with the book of the Revelation around 100 AD. The historic narrative recorded in the New Testament, therefore, covers a period of around 100 years.

Each book of the New Testament is given its own box. Within each box, I have given the number of chapters along with the length of time it takes to read the book in a single sitting. For many of the books, such as the Epistles, I have also given the author, the place where the letter was written and the corresponding scriptures where those letters fit within the book of Acts.

Each book is positioned along the timeline in chronological order. Notice, the dotted lines at the top and running down the length of the page, highlighted onscreen with the color red, divide the history of the New Testament into three equal sections–the gospel records covering a period of 33 years; the book of Acts and 11 Epistles covering a period of 33 years; and that history which occurred after the book of Acts along with the remaining 11 Epistles covering a period of 33 years.

For the first time period, we have the four gospel records—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These books record the history of Christ’s earthly ministry and the origin of the church.

For the second time period, we have a basic outline of the book of Acts, together with the time period each section of the book covers. The book of Acts records the history of Christ’s heavenly ministry together with the growth and multiplication of the church. It isn’t until we get to Acts 12-15, that the first New Testament letter was written—James. And then, between Acts 18-28, the Apostle Paul wrote 10 letters—1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians.

For the third time period, we have the remaining 11 Epistles—1 Peter, Jude, 1 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and the Revelation. Of course, these letters were written after the historic narrative recorded in the book of Acts, and I therefore provide a few explanatory notes to give some historic context surrounding these letters. This then, brings us to the end of the New Testament books.

And so, these are the chronological charts of the Old and New Testament scriptures which I recommend you use when reading through the books of the Bible. You start with the book of Genesis, and you systematically work your way through each book as it appears along the timeline. And, as it should be your goal to read one book of the Bible per week, and to read it in a single sitting, you have the benefit of knowing the approximate time it will take you to do that, for I provide that information in the designated box.

“But wait a minute,” you say, “I don’t have the time to read one whole book of the Bible per week, especially in a single sitting. Just look at how long it takes to read the book of Genesis—three and a half hours. There’s just no way I can squeeze that into my schedule.” My dear friend, I don’t believe that is entirely true. While it is true you may be required to make some significant changes in your weekly schedule, yet surely you will admit, it is possible to set apart three and a half hours at some point in the week, in order to read through the book of Genesis. I mean, look at it this way—you are sometimes asked to meet up with friends for dinner during a weeknight, right? Well, you seem to have little trouble squeezing that social outing into your weekly schedule. When you do go out with your friends on a weeknight, you’re looking at being out for three to five hours. Now, if you can set aside that much time to meet with your friends, is it really beyond possibility for you to set aside that much time to meet with the Lord by reading through the book of Genesis? In any case, the book of Genesis happens to be one of the longest books of the Bible. For most weeks, it will take you far less time to read a Bible book.

My dear friends, if you desire to be built up in the faith, there are no short cuts. Neither are there any substitutes for the Word of God. Get into the scriptures. Don’t just toy around with the Bible by reading a couple of chapters each day. Take the Word of God seriously by reading an entire book in one sitting. It will feed your soul and refresh your spirit.