The Bible, a huge book, but let’s try and make it smaller. There’s a pretty straightforward storyline that we can follow, which can actually simplify our general understanding of it, and once we know that, hopefully we won’t feel so overwhelmed by this thing. And maybe we’ll be encouraged to study a little more often. Maybe even be able to recite the story in our mind and help us to see things more clearly from God‘s perspective. So let’s jump right in. 

First, we have the seven days of creation. Then the story of Adam and Eve and their fall to temptation in the garden of Eden. Next Cain murders Abel; violence fills the Earth. God has Noah build the ark, and then comes the flood. 

Noah’s descendants lead to the Tower of Babel, and after God separates the nations by language, finally Abraham enters the story. What is so inconceivable to me is that it is just 10 pages of your Bible, but nearly 2000 years of human history.

After Abraham enters the story, practically the rest of the Bible follows Abraham and his descendants: physical and spiritual Israel. Abraham then Isaac and Jacob. Jacob‘s name is then changed to Israel, and eventually his 12 sons become the nation of Israel, Those descendants of Israel are enslaved in Egypt until God delivers them through Moses in the Exodus of the nation begins.

At Mount Sinai the 10 Commandments are given. The first formal statement of God‘s law, statutes, and judgments. Yet Israel sins, refuses to enter the promised land which leads to 40 years of wandering. Eventually, Moses dies, and Joshua finally leads Israel into the promised land.

After that comes the time of the Judges until Israel demands a king. First Saul then David, and  Solomon. After Solomon, the kingdom splits:  Israel to the north consisting mostly of 10 tribes; Judah to the south, including the people from Benjamin, and some of the Levites. Israel never again has a righteous king and goes into Assyrian captivity never to return. Judah has a few righteous kings, but eventually they fall too. Taken captive by Babylon more than 125 years after Israel was overcome

Then 70 years passed before Judah returns to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. During the time of the kings, God‘s prophets warned of judgment and end time events, but also gave hope, including the prophecy of a coming Messiah and His kingdom of peace. 

Approximately 400 years later, Jesus Christ is born. Altogether, that section of the Bible is about 800 pages and add another 2000 years of human history. 

Now the New Testament begins. The life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ.  His crucifixion is followed by His resurrection, confirming Him as the Messiah. Then the Church of God begins. Acts– or the actions and works–of the apostles, then letters from Paul, James, Peter, John and Jude, full of correction and encouragement for the people of God.

Until finally the Revelation of Jesus Christ. End time events are prophesied in detail: the great tribulation followed by the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ to establish His kingdom on the Earth.

In the end, God the Father Himself finally comes down and joins His family, reigning together forever and ever. That's the Bible. At least the general story of it. From Genesis to Revelation: 10 pages for the first 2000 years, 800 pages for the next 2000 and 200 pages covering 100 years of history, but also an eternal future that follows. One huge story all pointing to God‘s awesome plan for His family. The summary of the Bible.