Home> Introduction Contents> 02 Year 1 Month 1 Issue 2
The Bible, God's Written Word
02 The Old Testament as a Whole
Also in this Issue:
01 The Bible as a Whole Click
03 Five Books of Law Click
2.1 Contents of the Old Testament
2.1.1 Ten Great Periods In Old Testament History
Creation
Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel
Patriarchal
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (Egypt)
Egyptian
from settlement in Egypt to Mt. Sinai
Religious
from Sinai to death of Moses
Settlement
from Joshua to settlement in Palestine
Judges
from death of Joshua to last of the Judges
Kings
from Samuel to Solomon
Division
from division to capture of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar
Captivity
in Babylon, covering 70 years
Canon
from return from the captivity to close of Malachi
2.1.2 The Connected Story Thread of Redemption
2.1.2.1 The Need of Redemption Genesis 1—11
The Rapidity of the Fall
The Completeness of the Fall
The Results of the Fall
In the Individual
In the Family
In the Race
2.1.2.2 The Channel of Redemption Genesis 12 - Malachi
The Channel of Redemption (Israel) as a Family Under the Patriarchs (Genesis 12—50)
Abraham the pioneer
Isaac the son and connecting — link
Jacob the head of the twelve tribes
Joseph the exalter of Cod and the Messianic family
The Channel of Redemption (Israel) as a Theocratic Nation under Moses (Exodus - Deuteronomy)
Moses the nationalizer
The Channel of Redemption (Israel) as a Settled Commonwealth under Joshua and the Judges (Joshua - Ruth)
Joshua the possessor
Restraint during the days of the Judges
The Channel of Redemption (Israel) as a Kingdom for more than 500 years (1, 2 Samuel; 1, 2 Kings; 1, 2 Chronicles)
The united kingdom for 120 years
Samuel the positive preparation for the kingdom
Saul the negative preparation for the kingdom
David the foundation of the kingdom
Solomon the exaltation of the kingdom
The divided kingdom for 260 years
19 kings ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel
First 13 kings ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah
The single kingdom for 135 years Last 8 kings ruled over Judah
The Channel of Redemption (Israel) as a Dependency under Babylon from 606 BC to 538 BC (Ezekiel and Daniel)
The Channel of Redemption (Israel) as a Dependency under Persia from 538 BC to 332 BC (Ezra, Nehemiah and
Esther)
2.1.3 Four Fundamental Subjects of the Old Testament
General Foundation Principles of Revealed Religion
5 books of Law: Genesis — Deuteronomy
Great facts: creation, fall, flood, Babel, choice of Abram (Israel), Exodus, revelation, symbol of God’s presence, moral and ceremonial laws
External Historical Development of Israel as a Nation
12 historical books: Joshua — Esther
Great facts: possession of Palestine, Theocracy, Judges, Kings, divided kingdom, captivities
Inner Spiritual History of the Nation of Israel
5 poetical books: Job — Song of Solomon
God’s Ultimate Purposes for Israel and the World
17 prophetical books: Isaiah — Malachi
Great facts: captivities, return, Messianic and kingdom promises
2.1.4 Books of Old Testament Provide History and Illustration
From Creation to the Call of Abram (Genesis 1—11)
The Age of the Patriarchs
History: Genesis 12—50
Illustration: Job
The Formation of the Nation of Israel
History: Exodus and Numbers
Illustration: Leviticus and Deuteronomy
Conquest of and Settlement in Canaan
History: Joshua; Judges 1—16; 1
Samuel 1—7
Illustration: Ruth and Judges 17—21
The Kingdom Undivided
History: 1 Samuel 8—31; 2 Samuel; 1
Kings 1— 11; 1 Chronicles
Illustration: Psalms 1—90; Proverbs;
Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon
The Kingdom Divided
History: 1 Kings 12—22; 2 Kings; 2 Chronicles
Illustration: Prophets and Most of the Later Psalms
The Captivity
History: Parts of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Daniel 1—6
Illustration: Parts of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Obadiah; Daniel 7—12
The Restoration
History: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Illustration: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and some later Psalms
2.2 Chronology of the Old Testament
2.1 Briefly
Abraham about 2165 BC
Israel into Egypt about 1875 BC
The Exodus about 1445 BC
Saul Anointed about 1043 BC
Kingdom Divided about 931 BC
Assyrian Captivity of Israel about 722 BC
Babylonian Captivity of Judah about 606 BC
Return from Captivity about 538 BC
Temple Rebuilt about 520 BC
Old Testament Closes about 425 BC
2.2.2 Broadly
(Gen 1:1) Creation - (Gen 11:27) Birth of Abraham
Gen 1:1-2:25 “Generations of the heaven and earth” (2:4) Undated Past
Gen 3:1-24 Fall of Man
Gen 4:1-26 Cain, Abel, Seth
Gen 5:1-32 “Generations of Adam
1 Chr l:1-3
Gen 6:1-8 “Wickedness of man was great”
Gen 6:9-10 “Generations of Noah”
1 Chr 1:4
Gen 9:1-29 Covenant with Noah: Rainbow
Gen 10:1-32 Generations of the Sons of Noah
1 Chr 1:5-23
Gen 11:1-9 Babel: Spread of Nations
Gen 11:10-26 Generations of Shem
1 Chr 1:24-25
II. The Patriarchal Period: Abraham to Joseph 2165-1804
(Gen 11:27) Birth of Abraham - (Gen 50:25) Death of Joseph
1 Chr 1:26-28
Gen 11:27-25:11 The Life of Abram (Renamed Abraham) 2165-1990
(175 years)
Gen 11 Birth of Abraham (Abram) by Terah 2165
Gen 12 Abraham enters Canaan 2090
Gen 14 Lot carried to Damascus by invading Kings 2086?
Gen 16 Birth of Ishmael by Hagar and Abraham 2079
(Ishmael is Father of Arabs)
(Mohammed, Father of Islam, through Ishmael)
Gen 19 Sodom and Gomorrah 2066
Gen2l Birth of Issac by Sarah and Abraham 2065
Gen2l Ishmael and Hagar cast out 2062
Gen23 Death of Sarah )127 years) 2028
Gen25 Abraham marries Keturah 2020?
1 Chr 1:32-33 Children of Keturah
Gen 25 Death of Abraham 1990
Book of Job
Gen 25:12-18 “Generations of Ishmael”
1 Chr 1:29-31
Gen 25:19-26 “Generations of Issac”
1 Chr 1:34
Gen 21:1-35:29 The Life of Issac (180 years) 2065-1885
Gen2l Birth of Issac by Sarah and Abraham 2065
Gen22 Issac taken to Mt Moriah as sacrifice 2050?
Gen24 Issac marries Rebekah at 40 2025
Gen25 Birth of Esau (“red all over like hairy garment”) 2005
Gen25 Birth of Jacob (literally, “supplanter”) 2005
Gen35 Death of Issac 1885
Gen 36:1-43 “Generations of Esau, who is Edom”
1 Chr 1:35-54
Gen 25:25-50:13 “The Life of Jacob (renamed Israel) 2005-1858
(147 years)
Gen 25 Birth of Jacob by Rebekah and Issac 2005
Gen 27 Jacob cheats Esau for Partriarchal blessing 1928
Gen 27 Jacob flees to Haran 928
Gen 27 Jacob returns to Shechem 1908
Gen 31 Jacob returns to Bethel 1898
Gen 46 Jacob and family enter Egypt 1875
Note: 430 years before the Exodus (Ex 12:40; Gal 3:17)
Egyptian Pharaoh probably Senusert III, 1878-1841
Gen 49 Death of Jacob 1858
Gen 37:2-4 “Generations of Jacob”
1 Chr2:1-2
Gen 46:12 “Sons of Judah”
1 Chr 2:3-9
Gen 30:22-50:26 The Life of Joseph (110 years) 1914-1804
Gen 30 Birth of Joseph by Rachel and Jacob 1914
Gen 37 Joseph sold into Egypt 1897
Gen 41 Joseph exalted in Egypt during rule of Egyptian
Pharaoh Senusert II (1894-1678)
Gen 50 Death of Joseph during reign of Egyptian Pharaoh 1804
Amenemhet III 1841-1797
Ill. The Mosaic Period: Joseph to Joshua 1804-1405
(Gen 50) Death of Joseph — (Deut 34) Death of Moses
Sojourn In Egypt
Israelites enjoyed prosperity for 75 years after death of Joseph
Exo 1:8-12 Oppression In Egypt: Hyksos Dynasty c1730-1570
Israelites were oppressed for 3 recorded
reasons: (1) The new Hyksos ruler “knew not
Joseph”- he did not have historical knowledge
of Joseph, nor did he have reason to respect it
if he had; (2) Israelites were “more and mightier”
than the Hyksos; (3) A military alliance with the
former Egyptian regime was seen as a possible
trouble area.
Exo 1:13-12:20 Oppression in Egypt: Eighteenth Egyptian Dynasty 1570-1445
Exo 1:15-22 Midwives ordered to kill Hebrew boys c1530?
Some think Amenhotep I, 1548-1528,
commanded the midwives to kill Hebrew boys
(Exo 1:15-20), and Thutmose I, 1528-1508,
commanded the Hebrew boys to be thrust into
the Nile (Exo 1:22).
Exo 2:1-4 Birth of Moses by Jochebed and Amram 1525
Moses’ parents hid him for 3 months and when
no longer possible, laid him in a basket of
bulrushes where the daughter of Thutmose I found
him. The daughter was the only living child of
Thutmose I and his official wife, Ahmose.
Hatsheput later exerted great power and even
ruled all of Egypt from 1504-1483.
Exo 2:5-10 Moses in Pharaoh’s Court: Prince 40 years. 1525-1485
Exo 2:11-15 Moses slays an Egyptian beating a Hebrew and flees 1485
Exzo 2:16-4:17 Moses in Midian Wilderness: Shepherd 40 years 1485-1445
Moses married Jethro’s daughter: Zipporah.
Moses’ area of work seems to have been near
the Gulf of Aqaba and Mt Sinai, the very region
through which he would lead Israel - no doubt
geographical information would prove invaluable.
Birth of Gershom by Zipporah and Moses.
Exo 4:18-7:13 Moses returns to Egypt 1445
Moses appears before the Pharaoh of the
Exodus, Amenhotep II, 1450-1423. Upon the
request for a leave of three days, Amenhotep
took away the straw from bricks—forcing a
great deal of hardship.
Exo 7:14-12:30 The Plagues and Passover Oct-Apr 15, 1445
Probable length of plagues is 6 months,
October-March. Following are suggestive
reasons: (1) 1st plague, the Nile to Blood, is
suggested at its flood stage which is Sept./Oct.
and 7 days following was the 2nd plague, Frogs;
(2) 10th plague, Death of Firstborn, was noted
as Mid Nisan (Mar./Apr.)
The Passover was instituted on the 14th of April
in the evening. The month of April was
commanded by God to be “the beginning of
months: it shall be the first month of the year
to you.” (Exo 12:2)
Journey was about 150 miles: 2 months; cf Exo 19:1
Manna begins on May 15, 1445 exactly one month
after leaving Egypt (Exo 16:2, 14) and ends forty
years later in Canaan after the great Passover
Commemoration (Exo 16:35; Josh 5:11-12).
Quail was provided for one day on May 14th,
1445 (Exo 16:12-13).
Exo 19:2-Num 10:11 Encampment at Mt. Sinai Jun 15, 1445-May 20, 1444
Encampment: 11 months 5 days (Num 10:11)
Exo 19:2-24:18 The Law/Covenant Given
Exo 25:1-31:18 Instructions for the Tabernacle
Exo 32:1-33:23 Golden Calf
Exo 34:1-35:3 The Law/Covenant Regiven
Psalm 90? Psalm of Moses c1444
Exo 35:4-40:38 Construction of the Tabernacle completed Apr 1 1444
Lev 1:1-27:30 Levitical Laws Given
(cf Exo 40:17-Num 1:1) Apr 1444
Num 1:1-46 First Census: 603,550 Warriors May 1444
Compare this census (Num 1:45-46) with
the census at the time of David: 1,300,000
warriors (2 Sam 24:9; 400 years later)
Num 1:47-10:10 Preparations to leave Mt. Sinai (20 days) May 1444
Num 10:11-12:16 Journey from Mt Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea May 20-Jun1444?
Deut 1:2 calls this a journey of 11 days –
probably, however, it took much longer
with the great mass of people and animals
to travel the 150 miles.
Num 13:1-14:45 Encampment at Kadesh-Barnea cJul-Aug 1444?
Twelve spies searched out the Promised
Land for 40 days. All but Joshua and Caleb
lived by sight not faith and convinced the
people to not enter the land.
Because of this very great act of unbelief
every Israelite 20 yrs. or older with the
exception of Joshua and Caleb would die
in the wilderness wanderings - 40 years –
a year for each day of the spies’ search.
(Num 14:34).
Immediately, all ten of the faithless spies
died in a plague (Num14:36-ff).
Num 15:1-19:22 Wandering in Wilderness cSep 1444-Mar 1406?
Wandering approximately 37 years 6 months
During these wasteful years very little
is recorded. From Kadesh the people traveled
as far southeast as the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba
85 miles. Sixteen different locations are
mentioned but they most likely spent the
majority of time at Kadesh.
Num 20:1-21:35 Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Plains of Moab cMar 1406-Sep 1405?
Num 21 Death of Miriam at Kadesh: First Month Apr 1405
Num 20:7-13 Sin of Moses at Kadesh
Num 20:28 Death of Aaron (123 years) at Mt. Hor
Fifth Month (33:38) Aug 1405
Num 20:29 Mourning for Aaron 30 days
Num 21:12 Deut. 2:14:Israel crossed Zered
38 years after Kadesh Sep 1405
Num 22:1-Deu 34:12 Encampment at Plains of Moab/Jordan River cSep-Mar 1405
Num 22:1-24:25 Balaam Encounter
Num 26:1-65 Second Census: 601,730 Warriors
Deuteronomy Three Sermons of Moses: Feb 1405
Covenant Renewed (Past 1:1-4:43;
Present: 4:44-26:19,
Future: 27:1-30:20)
Deu 34:1-7 Death of Moses Feb 1405