Reading the Bible Chronologically

Reading through the books of the Bible in chronological order can really help you put the different sections of the Bible together. But this can be a challenge since our Bibles are not arranged chronologically. That’s where a resource like the Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT) is a tremendous help. The people behind this resource have already done all the work of arranging the parts of the Bible chronologically. Plus, they’ve added all the notes from the Life Application Study Bible, introductions, articles, charts, maps, timelines, and much more! Let’s check out some examples of what you can expect from the Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT).

Chronological Section Introductions

There are ten chronological sections into which all the books of the Bible are grouped together. Each of these sections include introductions and summaries to the biblical events, books, and themes of that section. Furthermore, they include summaries of helpful topics covered in the sections, maps with important locations, and timelines of biblical and historical events.

Bonus: The Time between the Old & New Testaments (400—6 B.C.)

Let’s look at the beginning of section 8—Return and Diaspora (538—6 B.C.).

Return and Diaspora: 538—6 B.C.

Introduction and Overview

King Cyrus of Persia captured Babylon in 539 B.C. and absorbed the Babylonian empire into his vast domain. In order to foster gratitude and loyalty among his subjects, Cyrus quickly decreed that those held captive in Babylon were free to return to their native lands. So around 538 B.C., a small contingent of Jews returned home to the land of Israel and reestablished a semiautonomous state under the dominion of Persia. They repaired the altar, reinstituted the daily sacrifices, and rebuilt the Temple as well. As the memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah attest, Israel continued to enjoy relative religious freedom under the Persians throughout the remainder of the Old Testament period, despite occasional periods of oppression.

Not all of the Jews returned to the Promised Land, however. Over the decades in exile, many had largely integrated with the societies in which they were living and had built lives for themselves there. Over time the Hebrew language came to be replaced by Aramaic (the dominant language of the land of their exile) as the primary spoken language among Jews, and many Jews began to intermarry with the local foreign peoples and to regard their place of exile as their permanent home.

This large population of Jews living permanently outside of the Promised Land while maintaining some degree of religious and cultural distinctiveness is often referred as the Diaspora (“scattering”). Some, like Daniel, Mordecai, and Esther continued to serve God faithfully even in prominent positions while far from the land of Israel. Over time, more and more of the Jews chose to return home, even leaving important positions to do so, such as Nehemiah, who was cup-bearer to the king.

Chronological Order

The chronological order of the biblical passages surrounding the Israelites return from exile is truly extraordinary. Following the beginning of the Return & Diaspora section, we read from Daniel 9 to 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 to Ezra 1–2 to Psalm 126, 147 and then back to Ezra 3. If we were simply reading through these books in order in our translations, we would read 2 Chronicles first, followed by Ezra, Psalms, and finally, Daniel. That may not seem like much of a difference but remember that there are many other books in-between Ezra, Psalms, and Daniel. In other words, you have to be an experienced time traveler to read through the order of books in our translations as you jump from one period of history to another, sometimes with the turn of a page!

Daniel 9:1–27

It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed.

Daniel 9:1-4

Daniel 9 takes place at the end of the seventy-year period of exile described by Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 25:11–12; 29:10). So, it follows chronologically the events detailed in Jeremiah and precedes those of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Daniel pleaded with God to bring about the promised return of his people to their land. The prophet Jeremiah had written that God would not allow the captives to return to their land for 70 years. Daniel knew of this prophecy and realized that this 70-year period was coming to an end.

2 Chronicles 36:22–23

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are the LORD’s people may go there for this task. And may the LORD your God be with you!”

2 Chronicles 36:22–23

Cyrus made this proclamation 48 years after the Temple was destroyed (2 Chr 36:18–19), in the year after he conquered Babylon. The book of Ezra tells the story of this proclamation and the return of the exiles to Judah.

Second Chronicles focuses on the proper and improper worship of God as symbolized by the Jerusalem Temple. David planned the Temple; Solomon built it and then put on the greatest dedication service the world has ever seen. Worship in the Temple was superbly organized.

But several evil kings defiled the Temple and degraded worship so that the people revered idols more highly than God. Finally, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed the Temple (2 Chr 36:19). The kings were gone, the Temple was destroyed, and the people were removed. The nation was stripped to its very foundation. But fortunately there was a greater foundation—God himself. When everything in life seems stripped away from us, we must remember that we still have God—his Word, his presence, and his promises.

Ezra 1–2

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, livestock, and a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

Ezra 1:1–4

The Decree of Cyrus

Cyrus was not a Jew, but God worked through him to return the exiled Jews to their homeland. Cyrus gave the proclamation allowing their return, and he gave them protection, money, and the Temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar. When you face difficult situations and feel surrounded, outnumbered, overpowered, or outclassed, remember that God’s power is not limited to your resources. He is able to use anyone to carry out his plans.

This proclamation permitted the Jews to work together to accomplish the huge task of rebuilding the Temple. Some did the actual building, while others operated the supply lines. Significant ventures require teamwork, with certain people serving in the forefront and others providing support. Each function is vital to accomplishing the task. When you’re asked to serve, do so faithfully as a team member, no matter who gets the credit.

Cyrus was king over the entire region that had once been Assyria and Babylon. Assyria had deported the Israelites from the northern kingdom (Israel) in 722 B.C. Babylon, the next world power, had taken Israelites captive from the southern kingdom (Judah) in 586 B.C. Therefore, when the Medo-Persian Empire came to power, King Cyrus’s proclamation of freedom went to all the original 12 tribes, but only Judah and Benjamin responded and returned to rebuild God’s Temple. The 10 tribes of the northern kingdom had been so fractured and dispersed by Assyria, and so much time had elapsed since their captivity, that many may have been unsure of their real heritage. Thus, they were unwilling to share in the vision of rebuilding the Temple.

Psalm 126

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Psalms 126

The inclusion of Psalm 126 is fairly self-evident. Reflecting on God keeping his promises, restoring the fortunes of his people, and bringing them back from exile is truly an occasion worth celebrating! So, this psalm follows the events of Ezra chronologically.

God’s ability to restore life is beyond our understanding. Forests burn down and are able to grow back. Broken bones heal. Even grief is not a permanent condition. Our tears can be seeds that will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy. When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and that you will again find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God’s great harvest of joy is coming!

Ezra 3

In early autumn, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled in Jerusalem with a unified purpose. Then Jeshua son of Jehozadak joined his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his family in rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel. They wanted to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as instructed in the Law of Moses, the man of God. Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. Then they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the LORD each morning and evening.

Ezra 3:1–3

Almost immediately after arriving in the new land, the returning exiles built an altar. The people began worshiping God through sacrifices even before the Temple foundation was laid. After many years in captivity, they had learned their lesson—they knew that God does not offer special protection to people who ignore him. They had been carried off by the Babylonians when they were relatively strong; here they were few, weak, and surrounded by enemies. If ever they needed to rely on God’s power, it was at this time. They realized the importance of obeying God from the heart, and not merely out of habit. If we want God’s help when we undertake large tasks, we must make staying close to him our top priority.

Keep Reading the Chronological Life Application Study Bible

The benefit of a resource like the Chronological Life Application Study Bible is a better understanding of how the different sections of the Bible fit together. And the Life Application Study Notes help explain and apply the text! Follow the link below to purchase this resource for your Olive Tree Library.