Have you gotten into the 66 books?

Sometimes we can be so close to something we can’t see it. Recently, I was reviewing a list of the books of the Bible and began to add my own summary to the different sections. Before I realized it, I had zoomed out to the 60,000 foot level, and filled two pages! As I thought about helping new readers of Scripture, I put these new pages together with other resources of mine and I’m calling it The 66 Book Starter Pack! Below are both of the new pages and down below, I’ll describe the other materials: (click the PIX to preview)

Historical context is a significant part of understanding what God meant when He had men write to people in SPECIFIC circumstances. If we don’t understand the circumstance, we’re missing out on great gems. This is particularly key in the action-packed Old Testament. Yes, we can read the books in the order of their placement in the Bible, but I have found that reading in an historically informed order is far more powerful AND exciting! It is particularly significant when delving into the post-Solomon civil war of Israel and the resulting Dual-Kingdoms. I was confused at times until I realized kings in the North and South and used some of the same names. But soon enough Chronicles and Prophets begin to overlap and God’s hand becomes more apparent. (I highly recommend the Expanded Bible for clearing up confusion.) I also think you’ll find my previous post Kings, Chronicles, & Prophets ALIVE! will help end the sense of repetition, so I’ve included it in The 66 Book Starter Pack.

The passage in one book, like Kings, often informs the other, like Chronicles. Chronicles was written to help the exiles from Babylon understand their Judean history as they “went back home” to the Promised Land. Sometimes Chronicles has explanations that are missing in Kings. Then when reading the Prophets in connection to the attacks on Israel, it begins to make even more sense. It’s also very dramatic.

From the time the Dual-Kingdoms begin, until the attacks by the Assyrians on Israel in the North, followed by the Babylonians’ attacks on Judah and Jerusalem in the South, the drama is intense and the gems are endless. Literally. Patterns will emerge along with hints of the Messiah or the “Eternal Covenant.” Wow!

God seems to delight in showing His true character. Don’t miss them!

One of my favorite hints is in Jeremiah 36:26 – “The king [Jehoiakim] commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but Yahweh hid them.
What a comfort! The world at that time was in complete upheaval. Israel had been attacked and Jews scattered. Now God was trying to offer Judah a way out of their sin’s consequences, but they pressed on – like those in Romans 1 – and they were conquered. Nevertheless, God was not too busy to hide Baruch and Jeremiah.

Of course, this is the kind of thing that drives me to return to the start and re-read the God-story all over again. And I will. How about you?

Will you give it a try?

If you find it intimidating, download The 66 Book Starter Pack. It also includes an easy 2-page guide on Properly Handling the Word using the 5 “C’s”: Use Common understanding, Context around a verse, Comparison of word use, clear up Contradictions with research, and a please Consider multiple fulfillments of the same prophecy.

All God’s best to you as you… Discover Him!*

Leah at MarkUp Discovery
*ONE FINAL SUGGESTION: If you are struggling to get through the Old Testament, find a reading partner and read out loud to each other (even over the phone ) and discuss What it says about God, us and the events, What God wants you to do in response and who you can tell about it. #VeryMemorable

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MAP is from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Israel_and_Judah_Simplified.png