OFTEN, PEOPLE ASK PREACHERS ABOUT THE PERIODS AND EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES/DAYS. IT IS MY INTENT TO SHARE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF THE BIBLE AND EXPLAIN SOME DETAILS OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE DAYS. IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS POST WILL HELP SOMEBODY IN THEIR LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY. Psalm 119:152. (152) Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. (KJV) Each part of the Bible occurred at a specific time in History and in specific cultural context. Proper understanding of a passage often relates to these factors. CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY - Chronological History tells when an event occurred in the past. Chronological Means in order or sequence. Chronological History organizes events of the past in proper order. In most of the world the dating of time is divided into Two major periods. These Two periods are shown by the use of initials after the number of the year; B.C. - Numbers marked with these initials mean an event that happened BEFORE the birth of Jesus Christ. A.D. - Numbers marked with these initials mean an event that happened AFTER the birth of Jesus Christ. When we say something happened 250 B.C. It means the event happened 250 years before Jesus. When we say an event happened 700 A.D. It means it happened 700 years after the birth of Jesus. When a number has B.C. After it, the larger the number is the older the date is. When a number has an A.D. After it, the larger number is the more recent date. Through archaeology, which is the study of ancient things. It is a science which gains knowledge of times past from the study of existing remains of their civilizations; CREATION TO ABRAHAM - (FROM CREATION TO 2000 B.C.) - The creation of the Universe, the fall of man into sin, the murder of Abel by Cain, Noah and the flood and the Tower of Babel are some of the major Bible events of this period. ABRAHAM TO MOSES - (200-1500 B.C.) - This period covers approximately 500 years. The experience of one man, Abraham, and his descendants are the focus of this period. From Abraham, God raised up the nation of Israel through which He wanted to reveal Himself to the nations of the world. This period includes the stories of Isaac, the son of Abraham, and of Isaacs son, Jacob. The period climaxes with the story of Joseph, Jacobs son, who was sold into slavery in Egypt and became a great ruler. Jacob and his family later joined Joseph in Egypt. THE EXODUS - (1500-1460 B.C.) - Between the close of Genesis and the opening of Exodus approximately 100 years passed. The family of Jacob multiplied into the nation of Israel during this time. The Egyptians became fearful because of the rapid increase of the Israelites so they made them slaves. Moses was raised up and under his leadership the Israelites miraculously departed from Egypt. After spending a year at Mt. Sinai, they wandered for 38 years in the desert. This period closes with the death of Moses and the leadership of Israel being assumed by a man named Joshua. THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN - (1460-1450 B.C.) - During this period Joshua led Israel into Canaan to possess the land God had promised them. When the ungodly people of this area were conquered militarily, the land was divided among the 12 tribes of Israel. This period of 10 years is recorded in the book of Joshua. THE JUDGES - (1450-1102 B.C.) - This was a time during which God raised up judges to rule the people of Israel. It is a dark period of time in the History of Israel as it was a time of spiritual failure. This period lasted for 348 years. THE KINGDOM - (1102-982 B.C.) - Samuel, the last judge of Israel, established the Kingdom of Israel and anointed Saul to be king. Three kings, Saul, David and Solomon each reigned about 40 years. During this time the nation of Israel attained the highest glory in their History. The government was firmly established and Israels borders were expanded. The History of this period, as well as the three following periods, are recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The kingdom period lasted for 120 years and then the kingdom was divided. THE TWO KINGDOMS - (982-722 B.C.) - When the evil son of Solomon, Rehoboam, came to the throne, the Northern tribes revolted. They established a separate kingdom of Israel. The Kingdom in the south became known as the Kingdom of Judah. For about 259 years Israel was divided into these Two kingdoms. JUDAH ALONE - (722-587 B.C.) - Israel, the Northern Kingdom, was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. The people were taken captive into Assyria. After the fall of Israel, the southern Kingdom of Judah lasted 135 years. Judahs kings had shown more loyalty to God and the people had not gone so deep into sin. THE CAPTIVITY - (587-538 B.C.) - In spite of the warnings of the prophets, Judah finally went deeper into sin until God let them be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and taken captive into Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed and the people of God, who a few hundred years before had miraculous crossed the Jordan River, now marched away in chains. THE RESTORATION - (538-391 B.C.) - When a king by the name of Cyrus became leader of Babylon, he permitted Gods people to return and rebuild Jerusalem and their temple of worship. Zerubbabel led the group who returned to reestablish themselves in the promise land. The records of this period are found in the books of Ezra, Nehemia and Esther. This period of restoration lasted for 147 years. BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS - (391-5 B.C.) - The Old Testament closes with the reestablishment of Gods people, Israel, in Canaan. Then came a period of about 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. There were no Bible books written during this period so information on the time comes from secular writings. During this time Palestine was ruled by the Persians (536-333 B.C.) the Greeks (333-323 B.C.) the Egyptians (323-204 B.C.) the Syrians (204-165 B.C.) the Maccabeans (165-63 B.C.) and Rome (63 B.C. through the time of Jesus Christ) LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST - (5 B.C. TO 28 A.D.) - After 400 years, John the Baptist was raised up by God to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus was to be the Savior of sinful mankind. The promised of this plan of salvation was first made in the Garden of Eden when man originally sinned (Genesis 3:15) Jesus was miraculously born of a virgin, revealed Himself to Israel as the Messiah, was rejected, crucified for the sins of all mankind, and resurrected by the power of God. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record this period in History of 33 years. THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL - (28-100 A.D.) - The period covers the events after Christs return to Heaven following His resurrection. Scripture records the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and throughout the world. > The Bible, Historians, and archaeological studies have provided information on the everyday life of the people of Israel in Bible times. Prior to the time when they went to Egypt the people of Israel lived in tents. They moved about with their flocks and herds in search of fresh pasture and water. After the exodus from Egypt and the years traveling in the desert, Israel settled in their promised land of Canaan. From that time in the life of ordinary people following a pattern that changed little throughout the years. Peasant men worked either in the fields or in a village craft while the Women and Children kept the home. Farming and shepherding were both important occupations. There was some fishing and all kinds of village crafts including carpentry, pottery and leather work. Clean water was in short supply since the land was hot and dry most of the year. Water was drawn from a village well in a goatskin bucket. This was an important place of socializing for the Women. People wore long flowing robes in order to keep cool. The material of the robe was decided by wealth. The wealthy could afford brightly dyed cloth. Often clothes indicated a mans profession. For example The priests wore special clothing and rabbi (Religious leaders of Israel) Wore a blue-fringed robe. Shoes were made of cow hide soles with leather thongs which fastened to the ankle. Marriages were arranged by parents and there was little social mixing between young people. Because the bride was a working asset, she had to be paid for with a bride price. Domestic life centered in the home. In the Old Testament times there was no school for common mens children. They were taught skills and religion by their parents. By the time of Jesus, a girls education was still entirely her Mothers responsibility. Boys went to a school at the synagogue from age Six on. The Old Testament was the textbook they used to learn History, Geography, Literature and Law. Exceptional students were sent to Jerusalem to learn from the Rabbis. Each boy also had to learn a trade. When a boy became 13 years old, he became Bar Mitzvah Which is Jewish for A son of the law This meant that he was considered to be a man. Death among the people of Israel called for elaborate ceremonies of mourning. Sometimes professional mourners would be hired. In New Testament times bodies were anointed and wrapped in special grave clothes. Poor people were buried in common graves or caves, but the wealthy had tombs dug out of rocks and seald with a flat boulder. There was no division between civil and religious law in Israel. The gate of the city or village was the place where problems were formally judged. The highest court in New Testament times was the Sanhedrin which consisted of 70 men who met in the temple. The Roman authorities, who were in control of Israel during New Testament times, allowed the Israelites to pass any sentence under their law except the death penalty. The religious life of Israel centered first on the tabernacle and later on the temple in Jerusalem. Old Testament religious regulations were administered by the priests and the Levites. Other festivals included the Passover, which was a way of remembering Israels escape from Egypt. Between the end of the Old Testament and beginning of the New Testament regular worship shifted from the main temple to the local synagogue. The Women and Children sat in a different section. The pattern of the service included statement of creed, prayers and readings from the law and prophets. This was followed by a sermon and at that time men could question the Minister. The Old Testament Scriptures were written on sacred scrolls which only the doctors of law might open. Whenever possible visits were made to the temple at Jerusalem which had been rebuilt. The temple was similar to Solomons original temple of Old Testament times but on a larger scale. #UnderstandingIsTheFirstKeyToKnowledge
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 01:23:19 +0000
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