This week I finished Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy as part of the Bible in 90 Days class I am leading. In the spirit of BIND, here are my brief summaries of these 3 books of the Bible.
Leviticus--This book is a stumbling block for most people trying to read the Bible all the way through, whether they are doing it in 90 days or a year or longer. Full of descriptions of animal sacrifices and rules about eating, drinking, health concerns, clothing and more, it is a sure-fire cure for insomnia for the modern day Christian reader. Odd factoid: the phrase "the fat is in the fire" comes from Leviticus.
Since I have the advantage of also studying Hebrews this year in connection with another Bible study I am leading, this time through I was able to gain a greater appreciation for the freedom we have in Christ today and the burden of the Old Testament law. The anthem this Sunday at church was Thomas Tallis' "If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments". How appropriate!
Numbers--This is just a little bit more readable than Leviticus. Instead of a jumble of rules and regulations, though, it is a lot like reading a modern day census. The story of the pagan prophet Baalam and his Ass is found here, and it is a welcome diversion!
Deuteronomy--I actually enjoyed reading Deuteronomy. It is more literary and historical in its style and so easier for me to read. I like to think of it as Moses' Last Will and Testament to his people. One of my favorite passages in scripture comes at the very end of the book. It is the valedictory to Moses, after his death:
Leviticus--This book is a stumbling block for most people trying to read the Bible all the way through, whether they are doing it in 90 days or a year or longer. Full of descriptions of animal sacrifices and rules about eating, drinking, health concerns, clothing and more, it is a sure-fire cure for insomnia for the modern day Christian reader. Odd factoid: the phrase "the fat is in the fire" comes from Leviticus.
Since I have the advantage of also studying Hebrews this year in connection with another Bible study I am leading, this time through I was able to gain a greater appreciation for the freedom we have in Christ today and the burden of the Old Testament law. The anthem this Sunday at church was Thomas Tallis' "If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments". How appropriate!
Numbers--This is just a little bit more readable than Leviticus. Instead of a jumble of rules and regulations, though, it is a lot like reading a modern day census. The story of the pagan prophet Baalam and his Ass is found here, and it is a welcome diversion!
Deuteronomy--I actually enjoyed reading Deuteronomy. It is more literary and historical in its style and so easier for me to read. I like to think of it as Moses' Last Will and Testament to his people. One of my favorite passages in scripture comes at the very end of the book. It is the valedictory to Moses, after his death:
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt--to Pharoah and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. (NIV)
This week we're reading Joshua, Judges, Ruth and part of 1 Samuel.
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