What do maps have to do with Bible study? I’m so glad you asked!

Most Bibles have at least a couple of maps of the Holy Land included in the back matter. Some Bibles have many maps, not just of Israel, but of the surrounding areas, too. Maps can be a useful tool in helping us understand both minute and obvious things about Biblical narratives. It gives us data that applies not only to the geographical information, but also to the historical context of the passages. In turn, these can be applied to our spiritual lives.

For example, when Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, we know they traveled through the wilderness for forty years. But if you look at a map, you can see exactly where they traveled. It will help you understand why they cried for water at some points, how near Mount Sinai was when Moses received the Ten Commandments, and why God was displeased when the Amorite king Sihon wouldn’t allow the people to travel through his land (Num. 21:21-30).

But you might have never considered Ruth and Naomi’s sojourn from Moab to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1-2, 19). Did you know that they, too, had to cross a desert? If you looked at their journey on a map, you would see it!

A map would also allow you to see how close Mars Hill (Areopagus) is to the Acropolis or how God clearly directed Paul to travel west while on a missionary journey, rather than east - and how that direction affected the course of the world (Acts 16:6-11).

Use your maps as you study the Bible for a more complete picture of all that God was doing and accomplishing in the narratives. It will enrich your Bible study and your knowledge of the Scriptures.