The Bible Roadmap: how the whole Bible fits together

The four eras

1. Era 1 · about 2000 – 1000 BCAbraham to David

   God makes promises — and keeps them.

   God calls Abraham and promises him a land, a big family and a blessing for the whole world.

   His family ends up as slaves in Egypt. God rescues them through Moses, gives them His Law at Sinai and leads them through the wilderness.

   Joshua brings them into the Promised Land, and God finally unites His people under King David in Jerusalem.

   Key moments

   • The call of Abraham
   • The Exodus and the Red Sea
   • The Law at Sinai
   • Forty years in the wilderness
   • Joshua and the Promised Land
   • David becomes king

   Books in this era

   Genesis 12–50, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel

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   My First ExodusMy First NumbersMy First DeuteronomyMy First Joshua
2. Era 2 · about 1000 – 587 BCDavid to the Exile

   Israel breaks the rules — God stays patient.

   Solomon builds the Temple, but after him the kingdom splits in two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

   The people keep turning away from God. Again and again He sends prophets to warn them and call them back.

   At last God disciplines them: Jerusalem falls and the people are carried off to Babylon.

   Key moments

   • Solomon's Temple
   • The kingdom splits in two
   • Elijah, Isaiah and the prophets
   • Jerusalem falls to Babylon

   Books in this era

   2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah

3. Era 3 · 587 – about 5 BCExile to the Messiah

   A second chance — will they or won't they?

   God brings His people home from Babylon. They rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.

   For a while they turn back to God, but the old habits creep in again.

   Then come about 400 quiet years with no new prophet. Everyone waits for the King God promised.

   Key moments

   • Daniel in Babylon
   • Coming home with Ezra
   • Nehemiah rebuilds the walls
   • Esther saves her people
   • 400 quiet years

   Books in this era

   Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

4. Era 4 · about 5 BC – today and foreverThe Messiah and beyond

   Jesus keeps every promise.

   Jesus is born in Bethlehem. He is greater than Moses and greater than David — the King everyone was waiting for.

   He dies on the cross for our sins and rises from the grave, opening the New Covenant to everyone.

   Jews and Gentiles become one family, the Church. The Kingdom of God is here, and one day Jesus will make all things new.

   Key moments

   • The manger in Bethlehem
   • The cross
   • The empty tomb
   • The Holy Spirit comes
   • The Church grows
   • Jesus reigns forever

   Books in this era

   Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans – Jude (the letters), Revelation