4:111 – What Is The Bible?

#faithbites #faithjourney Bible

Setting

I’m trying to practice what I preach by looking at other ways to engage with God’s word. I saw down and watched the first video from the Bible Project, What Is the Bible? You may be thinking, if Sol doesn’t know the Bible then why is he a Christian and writing #faithbites? The truth is we may know parts of the bible but not understand the construction or the storytelling. Most of us have heard about the Old and New Testaments but what about the 2nd Temple Writings or the deuterocanonical books? How did certain books get in the Bible and others didn’t? Did you know that the Torah is only one part of the old testament?

I learn the term Tanakh for the first time. I probably would have learned it in synagogue or Hebrew school if I finished my studies but that is another story. Tanakh is an abbreviation for Torah (the first five books of the bible “The Law”), Nevi’m (Profits), and Ketuvim (Writings). Did you know that?

The point of this #faithbites is to remind us that understanding how and why God’s word was written down, can help us understand others who believe similar truths and more about our faith.

Today’s Questions: What do you wish you knew about the Bible that you don’t know? What can you to do deepen your understanding of the structure and layout of the Bible?

Scripture

• Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Reflection

We will all die one day. Our cities will fall, our countries will change shape, and eventually, this world will cease. God will be eternal as will his words. This is what our ancestors believed thousands of years ago and is still true today. We know it because they wrote it down.

The Bible could easily be considered one of the if not The most influential book in history. It has been used and misused in some form or fashion for over 4000 years. What I got most out of the Bible Project video was that the Old Testament is an incomplete story. Think of it as a TV show with a season-ending cliffhanger that gets canceled. Then for four hundred years, nothing. But just as all was lost, your favorite show is brought back and has an ending that we all wanted. Twists and turns for sure, but a wonderful ending. This is the Bible. A story started in the Tanakh (old testament) continued in the Deuterocanonical books (for those that read them as a part of their bible) and finished in the New Testament. The full story of God’s love for his people revealed.

I’m not Biblical expert but knowing these pieces helps me understand more.

As we close, what can you do to learn more about the Book that is the physical representation of God’s word on earth?

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for your word. While we fight about translations and what is and isn’t included, we know you gave us these words through your prophets for teaching and growing. Help us understand the whole story, your story, so that we may always follow it and know you. We pray this in your name, Amen.