I’ve always found the Old Testament interesting. Several years ago, I read a book about the accurate timing of the historical writings of the Old Testament.

According to that book, the official Bible is not a complete historical timeline. The order of the writing of some of the books doesn’t line up historically. That doesn’t make the Bible content inaccurate. It was how the men of God, who did the final approval of how the books of the Bible would be put together, prayerfully decided on the obvious leading of the Holy Spirit in what was written, in order to present the best way to clearly tell the history of God and his followers.

After all, the Bible was a collection of many writings, not gathered and put together for publication for many, many years. Putting it together was a means to make it available to all, sharing the truths. It was not at all a quick process. But the careful collection, studying, and seeking God’s direction was the best way to not to distract or confuse people.

There are groups of writings that didn’t meet the standards established and so didn’t make it to the official Bible. I have a copy of one of those and plan on getting others. There are different views on that process of choosing, and even today some Bibles are different according to a specific faith group.

Many of the writings that didn’t make it to the Bible are recognized as historically accurate, which to me means they are important. You learn so much from the history of the Christian faith. That’s the good thing about these times we live in: we have so much information that is easier to gain. That ease has not always been the reality.

That early book led to my trying more than one chronological Bible reading plan. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I was never able to finish them. So I stuck to a regular reading plan, and in the last several years I haven’t read the Scriptures; I’ve listened on my digital Bible.

In the last year, I’ve still felt that I should be doing some kind of chronological Bible plan. And today, I did day 82 of a one-year chronological online video podcast, where the leader reads the Scripture verse by verse, teaches the history of the time, explains the cultural meanings, and ties in how every book in the Old Testament leads to Jesus. There are questions as the lesson pauses for reflection. The lessons usually cover 30-40 minutes. And you can start it at any time, from where it is, or start at Day 1. There are two years of videos of the study on YouTube. Each year follows the same order, but might have a different teacher, and additional information as the teacher has learned more as well. They also have a Facebook site and also offer copies of the teacher’s notes from the lessons.

Personally, it has given me a fresher insight into God, the depth of love for His people, as well as a deeper understanding of the why in his law, and the difference between His law and the rules set up by leaders. (Similar to the way government can happen today). The more historical and culturally centered focus can lead to good chronological study.

There is bound to be one you can be comfortable with that aligns with your way of studying. If you love studying God’s Word, try it.

The one I am a part of is called Heart Dive. I found it on YouTube. It is taught by a woman who is not a pastor, but is a serious student of the Bible that God has led to help others study as she does.

And so, the first hours of my morning are prayer, my personal devotions, and the next step in the chronological bible study. Everyone does things their own way, but this has been a good experience for me, and I felt led to share this.

Blessings, my friends. – Vicki