How is the Bible organized?

As I discussed before, the Bible was written over a very long period of time by many authors.   It is very difficult to fathom that one collection of writings can relay such accurate and vivid history while maintaining consistent truths about our Creator.  The additional fact that these writings have been remained pure for thousands of years is simply remarkable.  This fact alone demonstrates the awesome power of God's everlasting truth.  Time has no detrimental effect at all.

The Bible is organized into two major sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament.  The Old Testament contains 39 books beginning with the Creation and culminating around 400 years before Jesus was born.  These writings take you through the following natural flow of history:

• Creation of the universe
• Fall of man
• Judgment flood over the earth
• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel) - fathers of the chosen nation
• The history of Israel
• Exile in Egypt - 430 years
• Exodus and wilderness wanderings - 40
• Conquest of Canaan - 7 years
• Era of Judges - 350 years
• United Kingdom - Saul, David, Solomon - 100 years
• Divided Kingdom - Judah/Israel - 350 years
• Exile in Babylon - 70 years
• Return and rebuilding the land - 140 years

These 39 books have been divided into 5 categories:

• The Law - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
• History - Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
• Wisdom - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
• Major Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
• Minor Prophets - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

The New Testament contains 27 books beginning with the events surrounding the birth of Jesus and completed with a vision from John written before the first century ended.  The books of the New Testament are organized by the following categories:

• The Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
• Acts - a book all on its own
• The epistles - Romans; 1 and 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Phillippians; Colossians; 1 and 2 Thessalonians; 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; Hebrews; James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1, 2, and 3 John
• Revelation - another book all on its own

Everything revealed in God's Word speaks within 5 major categories:

• The character of God
• The judgment for sin and disobedience
• The blessing for faith and obedience
• The Lord Savior and sacrifice for sin
• The coming kingdom and glory

The church I attend has developed a Statement of Beliefs that includes core doctrine based on Scripture.  I remember when they were going through the process of developing those statements of belief.  It makes me happy to know that the leaders of our church are searching scripture and articulating to the average person what God says in his Word.  It makes me sad to know that until a couple years ago, I was that average person who simply relied on someone else to tell me what the Bible says.  The unfortunate fact is that the vast majority of people do not investigate for themselves.  They are content with accepting whatever is fed to them.  How is a person supposed to know whether or not they are being fed the truth unless he or she searches for the truth independently?  The reason I felt comfortable accepting the Statement of Beliefs from this church is because it agreed with everything that God had imparted to me.  Why is that important?  Because my faith and belief system are based on God's unchanging truth, not on what an organization says I should believe.  It is very comforting to know 100% that the two agree with each other.

There are many ways to approach reading the Bible.  I remember starting again this last time, determined that this would be the time that I would make it all the way through.  I have done that countless times before.  Who knows how many times the first 10 or so chapters of Genesis were perused with little understanding and an ultimate failure of progressing.  The biggest difference was that this time I wanted to understand.  So, there were some ground rules that I set out for myself in this process.   First, no time limit.  I was not going to make myself feel guilty because I didn't keep up with a yearly reading sheet.  This turned out to be key for me.  Second, I was going to "dirty" up my Bible with notes in the margins.  As God revealed certain things to me, I made sure to mark that.  If there were things God did not reveal to me, I marked that.  It has been fascinating to look back at my notes as scriptures began to connect from book to book.  A much more clear picture began to emerge of what God says.  Third, and frankly should have been first, I have been asking God for wisdom in understanding His truth.  I am willing to accept that some things will jump out at me, and some things are currently beyond my grasp.  God knows what is best for me, and He will take care of that as long as I keep asking.  Finally, realize that understanding God's Word is a lifelong process.  Nobody will fully understand God while on this earth.  That is not the point.  The point is to develop a relationship with Him that brings you closer and closer to Him throughout your entire life.  This process involves spending time reading what He has to say.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are so majestic to have taken simple humans like us and inspired them to write down everything that You wanted us to know.  To know that You have preserved Your holy Word throughout all this time to be given to sinners unworthy of Your grace shows compassion that we cannot comprehend.  Thank you Lord for providing a way to learn about You and know that You are in control over all aspects of our life.  Please maintain in me a burning desire to read Your Word and take in knowledge of You.  Please help me to understand Your truths so that I can share them with others.  Please help me to constantly see the need for You in my own life as well as in those around me.  Please give me the courage to speak up about Your unwavering love.  Lord, thank you for who You are.  There is no one like You.  Amen.