I have a confession to make. There are times when I am reading the Bible and get to certain passages- you know, the ones with detailed censuses, land allotments, animal sacrifices, or temple measurements- and I just skim right over them. I know it is wrong and though I do not do it every read through, I am guilty of it more often than I would like to admit. Through sharing this faulty tendency with others, I also know that I am not alone in this, as multiple people have admitted to doing the very same thing. The other day, as I skimmed over one of my least favorite passages, the following verse came to mind:
Matthew 5:18 “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
Though this verse may not appear to directly address the issue, it does remind us that every single word in the Bible is important and included for very specific reasons. One of these being for our benefit. Now, how is it useful for me, in the year 2022, to know the building specifications of the temple built in OT times, in cubits no less? How is it edifying for me, an animal lover, to read the gory details of animal sacrifice? What is the value of reading countless lists of families and names or land allotments of ancient geographical areas? I asked God these questions and, in His forbearance and faithfulness, He answered. Here are some of the verses He used:
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’”
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
God has blessed us with His Word so that we may get to know Him and learn how to live our lives to His glory. His Word also provides us with the history of God and man’s relationship, the visual aid of God’s faithfulness and patience as seen in the origin, growth, and mercy bestowed upon the Jewish race, as well as in the failures and successes of many of God’s chosen vessels, both those of honor and dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20). Throughout this entire amazing book, there is a common theme for mankind:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
So, God’s answer to my questions regarding the reasons for and importance of reading the “not so fun” passages is found in the above verse. We are to read these passages because we are commanded to, as they are a part of the flawless Word of God. Will we always enjoy them? Probably not. Will reading lists of names, building specs, or details of animal sacrifice overtly improve our day to day lives? Maybe not. The important question to ask, however, is this- will we be blessed for reading these “unenjoyable” passages with a humble and obedient heart? Emphatically yes.
Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us.”
Luke 11:28 “But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’”
Is this blog simply a way for God to remind us that we should be reading the Bible in its entirety without skipping passages? In part, I would assume, but the topics of obedience and faith are repeated quite often in scripture and they are applicable to this situation as well as countless others we all face every day. There will always be things in this life we must hear, see, do, or live through that simply do not make sense to us. Our faith in the Lord, however, will make it possible for us to accept the fact that we will not always understand why. So, even though the benefit of reading these passages (or facing situations) we would prefer to avoid may not be clear to us right now; we must be content when the answer to our question “Why?” is simply, quoting parents throughout the years, “Because I said so”.
James 4:7a, 10 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Love in Christ,
Monica Ledford