We begin at the beginning. The first 11 chapters of the Bible retell the ancient stories passed down for generations about the prehistory of the world. These are all stories we have read and heard before, yet they remain amazingly fresh: the creation, the fall, the violence of Cain, the faithfulness of Noah, the arrogance of the people at Babel. The question we should be asking is “What do these stories tell us about this God and about humanity?” They are not history, as we would understand it, but rather lay the groundwork for what we can expect from God and people throughout the rest of these writings.
Then we come to Abraham's story. These 10 chapters 12 – 22, cover the core of Abraham's life, his struggle to gain an heir and his relationship with Lot. Notice Abraham is described as an alien. He was a stranger in this land, a “wandering Aramean,” as he is described later in the Torah.
Speaking of Torah, that is what the first five books are called. You can find out more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentateuch
The stories in Matthew should sound familiar because we have just read most of them in Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. We also will get into the Sermon on the Mount (5-7) the first of five great discourses in Matthew. Jesus ascends a mountain, like Moses to distribute the new Law of the Kingdom. If you get the chance, read chapters 5-7 in one sitting.
Now is your opportunity to develop you own reading style. Will you read every day? Will you read at the same time everyday? It is certainly easier to develop a habit if you try to do the same thing at the same time every day. At the end of a week, if you have read at the same time everyday, you are well on your way to developing a good habit If you find you have some time and inclination to read ahead, do so. It is always easier to read ahead than to catch up.
No comments:
Post a Comment