For some time I have had a copy of the Reese Chronological Bible on my shelf to reference. The whole time I have owned it though I have wanted to take the dive and attempt to read it cover to cover. Wondering what the benefits of reading the Bible chronologically would be. So a few months ago I decided to embark on that journey and it opened my eyes to the scripture in a new way. Causing me to believe that it is something every Christian should do at one point or another.
You might be under the impression that every Bible is in chronological order but that actually isn’t the case. The Bible’s that we all use are broken up into categories. Which can be easily referred to as law, history, poetry, major prophets, and minor prophets for the Old Testament. As well as Gospels, church history, letters, and prophecy for the New Testament.
When a regular, non-specialty chronological Bible, is read straight through the timeline actually jumps back and forth between books. In fact, the timeline in some books of the Bible actually changes as well. Taking you forward or backyard without much if any indication. Which can at times be hard to follow and cause problems understanding where the passages you are reading fit into the historical time. So reading the Bible chronologically is much different than how most normally read the Bible and comes with many added benefits.
Seeing Where Everything Fits
As we just mentioned a lot of scripture intersects sharing the same time in ways you never see by just reading the books of the Bible on their own. Of course, there are clues in each book that indicate where they fit in the timeline and extra-biblical resources can help. But when you read the Bible in chronological order passages are broken up based on where they fit in the timeline and not just by book.
For instance, this means a prophet’s writing is placed right in the timeline that it fits in. Allowing you to see the actions of the people God was speaking to through the prophet and who God’s word changed their actions. Likewise, David’s songs of praises follow his victories they relate to. The letters of Paul are mixed into the books of acts showing where he was and what he was doing as he wrote them.
It can be difficult to really grasp where certain passages of scriptures fit. Reading the Bible chronologically though makes it easy. Allowing you to see right where everything fits. Giving you an even greater understanding of God’s word and the circumstances surrounding everything He has said to His people.
Breaking Up The Tough Sections
Every book that makes up the Bible is important and contains valuable information about our faith. But if we are completely honest there are some sections that are simply hard to read straight through. Like Leviticus where the law and tabernacle plan is laid out in great detail. In fact, some of the information is even repeated. Or in Fist and Second Chronicles which seem to be almost an unending genealogy. Even psalms with all of the beautiful poems and songs can be hard to read through in succession because of it’s expansive size.
This is where reading the Bible chronologically really makes reading through it much easier. As it breaks those sections up and places them among other passages that tend to be easier to read. Allowing the reader to keep from getting burnt out and in turn miss important information. Something can happen to anyone can when reading the Bible in its entirety but that no one wants to happen. Simply reading the Bible in chronological order is easy and effective to keep this common occurrence from happening to you.
The Framework Built
So often in the church, we are told how the Old Testament all points to the coming of Christ. How every book of the Bible builds off the other. All coming together to present one major theme which culminated in Jesus coming to bring the free gift of salvation to our world. God is a master builder easy book He inspired builds a framework that supports the Christian faith.
It’s impossible to truly see this framework come together in its fullness by hearing a few sermons a week. There simply isn’t time for a pastor to layout all scripture in its fullness to display God’s masterpiece. The best way to see how the scripture comes together is to read it chronologically. Where you can see how each event affected the next and eventually led to our savior. You have been told about how the scripture works together but know that you can see it for yourself by choosing to go through the Bible chronologically.
The Gospels Combined
While it is so hopefully in the Old Testament possibly my favorite section of scripture to read chronologically is the Gospels. No other way can you get such a complete picture of the life of our savior. Reading about his life from not just one perspective at a time. But being able to read four different people’s views of the events that surrounded Jesus’s life and ministry.
You get to see every single detail that is recorded about every healing, miracle, parable, and message in one place. Without flipping between books or relying on your memory of what you have read before. Instead, you get to read each account one after the other. It is very interesting to see what may have affected one other more than another. Leading them to give more detail or even give an account left out by another author and vice versa.
Even if you do not decide to read the entire Bible chronologically I highly suggest that you take the time and read the gospel chronologically. It will teach you so much more about the one who gave His life to save you. Giving you the greatest picture from before birth to after death. So much can be gained from simply reading the gospels but I believe even more gained when read in this manner. Allowing you to see even events in the life of the messiah with every digital available all in one place.
A Fresh Way To Study
Bible study is so important and something that God wants us to do. Scripture emphasizes the importance of spending time every day in the word. Reading, learning, and applying it in our lives. A habit that every believer should have in their life.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Acts 17:11 (ESV)
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
But like all things that we do daily, it can become hard over time to keep it fresh and enjoyable. Reading the Bible chronologically can be the very thing you have been looking for to reinvigorate your study. Allowing you to see the scripture through new eyes and seeing things you may have missed before.
Try It For Yourself
I am glad that I decided to read the Bible chronologically and truly think you should do the same. There is so much to be learned from the Bible. This is just one more way of getting all that we can out of it. If you want to go down this path you can even use the Bible you already have. There are many free reading plans out there that will walk you through the Bible chronologically. Allowing you to read small chunks and even read the Bible in its fullness in one year. This is a journey that no Christian will ever regret embarking on. It will change the way you view scripture just as it did for me.
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