Finding Your Way Around the Bible, Part 1

There are 66 books of the Bible. 39 of them are in the Old Testament, and 27 are in the New. Within each Testament, the books are arranged in such a way as to make it easier for us to locate books and passages. They are not organized chronologically, but by type of book. Books of prophecy are grouped together, books of history are grouped together, etc. Although the order the books are in is not set in stone, there is a traditional organization that has come to be.

The Old Testament covers from creation until about 400 years before the birth of Christ. The New Testament begins just a few years before Christ's birth, and the last book was written around the year 90AD.

The Old Testament is organized in the following way:
Books of Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Books of History: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Books of Wisdom/Poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Books of Prophecy: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

The New Testament is organized in this way:
The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Book of History: Acts
Paul's General Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Paul's Personal/Pastoral Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
Other Epistles: Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude
Book of Prophecy/Apocalyptic: Revelation

In this and following bulletins, Lord willing, we will take a brief overview of each book of the Bible in hopes that it will make it easier for us all to find our way through the scriptures. If we can remember in general what the book was, we can more easily locate it by placing it in its proper group.

The Books of Law (OT): (also sometimes called the Pentateuch)

Genesis

This is the book of beginnings. It begins with creation and ends with the descendants of Abraham in Egypt. Famous portions include Noah and the ark, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Jacob and Esau, and the story of Joseph. Other prominent people in the book are Cain and Abel, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Ishmael, and Israel's sons for whom the tribes are named. The book is attributed to Moses.

Exodus

This the book in which the Israelites exit Egypt after 400 years of slavery. It is most often remembered for the burning bush, the 10 plagues against Egypt and God giving Moses the law at Mt. Sinai. Much of the book is spend detailing parts of the Law given by God. This book is also attributed to Moses.

Leviticus

This book is predominantly given as regulations for the Levites and priests. Most of the book details laws the people were to follow. It is also attributed to Moses.

Numbers

The book is so named because it contains a numbering and census of the Israelites. It also records the time between leaving Sinai and arriving at the promised land (and the beginning of the 40 years of wandering). Oft remembered parts include God giving the people manna and quail, the 12 spies, water coming from a rock, the bronze serpent, and Balaam and his donkey. It too is generally attributed to Moses.

Deuteronomy

This is another book of laws, although it also details parts of the wilderness wanderings. It ends with the death of Moses on Mt. Nebo, with Joshua taking a leadership role. Like the other books of law, it is attributed to Moses.