2020-05-15
Good Morning Dear Ones,
It is not possible for me to cover in detail the entire timeline of the OT in this devotion, but giving general information that will aid the memory and put things together in a way that makes sense is what the Holy Spirit has commanded me to write. The farther back in history or the farther forward one goes, the less exact the dates are. CREATION: From the time of the Creation to Abraham is the first period of mankind’s history. It is suggested that Adam and Eve lived about 6000 years back from our own time. CATASTROPHE: This part contains the story of the flood and Noah’s Gentile descendants from Japheth and Ham, as well as the royal line of David, which arises from Shem. The earliest writing, Cuneiform, came c. 3200 BC, and the first ziggurats were built in Ur by Naminu c. 2112-2095 BC.
COVENANT: Abraham, the first Jew lived from c. 2166-1991 BC. His sons, Ishmael (c. 2080-1943 BC) and Isaac (c. 2066-1856 BC), then, Jacob (c. 2002-1859 BC) followed him. God forged the Abrahamic Covenant with Abraham in c. 2100 BC. Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (11th-12th Dynasty) was from c. 2050-1800 BC. Jacob’s son, Joseph (1914-1805 BC) becomes an official in Egypt c. 1884 BC. Jacob and the rest of his family go to Egypt in response to famine in Canaan c. 1875 BC. It is these 12 sons, who give rise to the 12 tribes of Israel. In c. 1800 BC, the law code of Hammurabi of Babylon was written. At the same time, Egypt’s 2nd Intermediate Period (13th-17th Dynasties) began and ran through 1570 BC. The dates for Egyptian slavery of the Jews are uncertain, but Aaron (the High Priest) lived from c. 1529-1407 BC. Moses, his younger brother, whom God chose to lead the Jews out of Egypt, lived from c. 1525-1406 BC. The first Passover was c. 1446 BC. That was around the time of the first Shavuot (the giving of the Law [EX 24: 7-11] and the exodus. Amenhotep II (c.1453-1426 BC) had been ruling Egypt. Pharaoh Hyksos ruled Egypt c. 1670-1570 BC.
Shortly before the Judges in Canaan rule, young King Tutankhamen (c. 1360-1350 BC) reigns in Egypt. The era of the Judges in Canaan runs from c.1350-1060 BC. In Egypt, Ramses I c. 1318-1317 BC and then, Ramses II (c. 1304-1237 BC) ruled. Ruth lived c. 1290 BC, and the Iron Age began c. 1200 BC-the same time that the Hittite Empire collapses, and Tiglath-Pileser I rules Assyria from 1114-1076 BC. However, a loose alliance between Israel and Syria won’t clash with Assyria until 853 BC. The Trojan War begins c. 1190 BC. In c. 1164 BC, Egypt’s power begins to decline. Eli becomes a priest in Shiloh, Israel c. 1100-1060 BC. King Saul reigns c. 1051-1011 BC, and Samuel is a judge and prophet c. 1060-1020 BC. King David is given the throne of Israel c. 1011-971 BC, and his son, Solomon ruled from c. 971-931 BC. Israel was a single kingdom from c. 1050-930 BC. The priesthood of the prophet, Nathan, was 990-960 BC. During David’s reign in Israel, the Mayan dynasties were founded in c. 1000 BC in Mexico and Central America. The Philistines had been King David’s worst enemies, but Israel (still in the last of the Bronze Age) obtains its weaponry from their enemies, who had begun the Iron Age. The Bronze Age was c. 1600-1030 BC. Solomon’s temple was completed in 960 BC.
Israel splits into Israel in the north with its capital in Samaria and Judah in the south with its capital in Jerusalem in 931 BC. Jeroboam I reigns in Israel from 931-910 BC; Rehoboam I rules in Judah from 931-913 BC. Israel would have 19 straight evil kings before it is captured by the Assyrians in 722 BC; Judah’s kings would be a mix of faithful and unfaithful to God. The cruelest king was Ahab, who reigned with his wife, Jezebel, from 874-853 BC. In 602 BC, Judah is captured by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. This capture went on in stages, until the temple was sacked in 587 BC. It was during this time that Daniel and his friends were taken to the Babylonian palace to serve. Elijah became Judah’s prophet from 870-845 BC; later Elisha followed him in 845-800 BC. Long ago, Enos, and then, Elijah, were the only two men in history to be translated (taken into heaven by God without physical death). In 841 BC, Assyria forced the northern kingdom of Israel to pay tribute. [ A pamphlet from Rose Publishing called “Bible Time Line” is the source I’m using to share this information. It can be obtained on-line and is very useful].
PRAYER: O Lord, Your Spirit has commanded me to provide a timeline of people and events in history, so that as we read and study the Scriptures, we can see Your plan of salvation. Today and next week, I am led to present the OT this way to facilitate our understanding of how You bless us with Your plan and Your will. 2 TIM 3: 16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful in teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.” Nothing we study or do for You, Dearest Lord, is a waste of time. Yes, there are many people, events, dates, and underlying lessons from them that You give us to learn. We are Your students, servants, leaders, who desire nothing more than to live according to Your way. We love our Lord Jesus, who revealed Your mystery, that He is in us and opens to us the formerly hidden treasures of Your wisdom and knowledge [COL 1: 26-27; COL 2: 2-3]. We pledge our loyalty, love, diligence, and devotion to You. You bless us with the Holy Spirit, Who explains what we are learning, so that Your will can be done. We ask that You continue to open our hearts to Him and guide us in living the lifestyle You desire. These things we ask in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit leads me to present the second portion of the OT timeline. Hopefully, the people, places, events, and ages will be familiar to you for having studied the Scriptures. As I research and write these weekly devotions, I keep delving more deeply into God’s wisdom. Then, I pass what I learn on to my readers. These are a measure of my own devotion to the One and only God, Whom I adore. It is my hope that you too will come to adore Him and desire to fulfill His will, just as I do. Each of us is a sinner in need of God’s direction and blessings. Each of us who believes is given the gift of salvation eternally, forever justification, and never-ending forgiveness. Who could ask for more?! As I write to my readers every week, I am praying for each of us to mature in our understanding of His word and find happiness and inner peace. Join me in offering our much-deserving Lord praise and thanks for Who He is and what He does. The Bible is like an onion with many layers. As we peel them back, one by one, together, we are richly blessed with improved knowledge of history, ethics, poetry, wisdom, direction, lessons for living, and hope for the future. The wisdom and love of our God is unmatched anywhere or from anyone else.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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