Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved to read. One of my greatest joys during the summer was our biweekly trip to the library. I would carefully seek out the seven books I was allowed to check out, knowing that these would have to last me for the next two weeks. I rarely get to indulge myself as I did back then, but I still enjoy sitting down with a good book.
In the western world, there is a book that has come to be known as THE Good Book. It’s the Bible, the bestselling book of all time. It’s often quoted and even more frequently referred to, yet many people have little idea of what is really inside its pages.
The Bible is actually a collection of books, dozens of books that discuss everything from family relations to the end of the world. What’s more, a number of the books in the Bible are actually compilations, the grouping together of other writings. For example, what we know as the Book of Psalms is made up of five books, and each of those books is an anthology of poems. We could even say that Psalms is a compilation of compilations!
One thing that I appreciate about the Bible is the diversity of material contained within its pages. Many people assume that it’s all “Thou shalts” and “Thou shalt nots,” but that’s not true at all. There are rules and regulations, that’s true, but there is also history, humor, wise sayings and personal messages. If you read carefully, you can find every human emotion represented, from despair to exultation, from fear to confident peace. To the surprise of many, there is even some romantic verse included.
When men sit down to write about religion, the result can often be dry and detached from reality. When God provided us with religious writing, He filled it with multiple genres that present the best and worst of humankind. He used drama and word play. He spoke of everyday life and questions of eternity. He showed us man’s failures and man’s successes. Above all, He revealed Himself to us.
I don’t get to make those summer trips to the library. But I do get to spend time in God’s library, the Book of Books which is the Bible. I hope that you take time to do the same.
If you’re new to studying the Bible, I’d suggest you start by studying the life of Jesus. Our www.hopeforlife.org website has an online course that help you do that. If you’re already familiar with the basic stories from the Bible, you might want to try the “Life Made New” course. And, as always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to write me at tarcher@heraldoftruth.org.
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