+------------+-------------+--------------+-------------+--------------+ |I. Per. Hu. |II. Per. Ch. |III. Per. Is. |IV. Per. Is. |V. Per. Je. | | Ra. | Fam. | Peo. | Kin. | Prov. | +------------+-------------+--------------+-------------+--------------+ | C. M. | C. A. | E. E. | C. S. | C. B. | | C. A. | E. E. | C. S. | C. B. | Bi. Ch. | +------------+-------------+--------------+-------------+--------------+ | Dir. Adm. | Patr. Adm. | The. Adm. | Reg. Adm. | For. Adm. | +------------+-------------+--------------+-------------+--------------+ | Fa. | Jou. Pat. | Wan. Wil. | Ag. Un. | Ch. Sup. | | Del. | Soj. Eg. | Con. Can. | Ag. Div. | Per. Sup. | | Dis. | Opp. Isr. | Ru. Jud. | Ag. Dec. | Gk. Sup. | | | | | | Mac. Ind. | | | | | | Rom. Sup. | +------------+-------------+--------------+-------------+--------------+ | A. E. N. | A. J. J. | M. J. G. S. | D. E. H. |D. E. S. J. H.| +------------+-------------+--------------+-------------+--------------+ Review Questions What is the closing period of Old Testament history called? With what events and dates did it begin and end? How were the Jews governed during most of this time? Name its five epochs. Under whom did the Jews obtain independence? Name one person in each epoch of the fifth period, and for what he is distinguished. THIRD STUDY The Beginnings of Bible History Having taken a general view of Bible history from the creation to the coming of Christ, we now turn again to the record for a more careful study of each epoch. The aim will be not to give a mere catalogue of facts, but as far as possible to show the relation of cause and effect, and to unfold the development of the divine purpose which is manifested through all the history in the Bible. I. We begin with the =Deluge= as the starting point of history. Back of that event there may be studied biography, but not history; for history deals less with individuals than with nations, and we know of no nations before the flood. With regard to the deluge we note: 1. The _fact_ of a deluge is stated in Scripture (Gen. 7), and attested by the traditions of nearly all nations. 2. Its _cause_ was the wickedness of the human race (Gen. 6. 5-7). Before this event all the population of the world was massed together, forming one vast family and speaking one language. Under these conditions the good were overborne by evil surroundings, and general corruption followed.