Congratulations! You’ve completed Week 1 of your 90-day challenge. And in the process you have read hundreds of years of biblical narrative; a family history of sorts that sets up the rest of the Bible!
The plot of God’s great story has taken shape. His perfect world was shattered by our sin and the curse of death held creation captive. But God did not leave us there. He promised to redeem, he showed the dramatic rescue from slavery (a detailed picture of God’s great rescue yet to come), and the journey of God’s people through life as they learn to love, trust, and obey him from the wilderness to Canaan.
When we read these first books of the Bible it can be tough to see ourselves in Israel’s story. It’s tempting to look at the sin of God’s people and wonder how they could be so foolish. And yet, if someone else were to read a history of our life – complete with the details we would rather leave out – would we really look that different than Israel?
As the Apostle Paul later wrote about sin’s continuing presence in our lives, “Nothing has overtaken you except that which is common to man.” God wants us to see our own inability to keep his perfect law, and then see how big a savior we need.
“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the human flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us…”
Romans 8:3-4
Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy: Themes
Leviticus Named for the tribe of Levi, who assisted the sons of Aaron with the priestly duties in the tabernacle. This book gives detailed instructions for various types of offerings and sacrifices.
The rest of the book is devoted to instructions for worship, priestly service, laws for cleanliness and daily life. INSIGHT: Note how many of the laws and regulations are not simply arbitrary “because-I-said-so” rules, but are for the good of God’s people. In this era of history before germs and diseases were better understood, these laws prescribed basic hygiene that would have made life better for everyone. Indeed ALL of God’s laws are for our own good, that we might live life to the fullest as God lovingly intends! Numbers So named because of the censuses taken of God’s people at the beginning and end of the book. Sadly, much of Numbers is the story of how, despite God’s miraculous provision again and again, the Israelites doubt, grumble and rebel against God. As Michael Williams notes in How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens:
Deuteronomy The first five books of the Bible are sometimes referred to as “The Law” or the “Books of Moses”. This final book of Moses contain God’s final instructions through Moses to the Israelites. Soonthis great prophet of God will die, and then Joshua will take his place as leader. In effect, Deuteronomy summarizes the previous four books, highlighting events and instructions to remind God’s people to follow Him in faithfulness as they proceed to take the Promised Land. In the final day of your reading this week, note how Moses summarizes the purpose and intent of the Law:
How did God speak to you through His Word this week? |
Encouraging Comments from another B90 reader
| It amazes me how God’s people kept up with all the sacrifices and offerings that they had to make. When I think of all the offerings: the grain offering, the peace offering, the drink offering, the burnt offering, etc., I am thankful that Jesus was all those things because of His life that he poured out for us. And now, He is the perfect sacrifice and there will never have to be another because He has done it once and for all!
Debra Reed |
B90 Insight of the Week
| You might think Israel would have learned something by now about grumbling against God. But once again, in Numbers 21, Israel’s stomachs growled and the rumblings of discontent began. In response, God sent snakes into the camp whose venomous bites were deadly.
It’s hard to mistake the visual imagery of how God provided relief from the venomous curse of the serpent. When the Israelites repented, God responded by instructing Moses to set up an image of their sin, a bronze snake, on a pole. Anyone who gazed upon – as they were dying – it would be given back their life. In the same way, later God would raise his own Son on the cross and all who turned from their sins and looked to him would receive eternal life. John 3:14-15: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” Jesus would be lifted up on the cross so that those who grumble and complain against God could turn from their sins and – in him – have eternal life. |
The Bible in 90 Days
Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!
Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!
4 Comments
The way that God gave His people a way to be restored to Him by a blameless animal or other sacrifice points to Christ. No conditions other than confession gives a way back to God is encouraging to me.
On January 12th, I ordered the NIV Bible in 90 Days (Softcover) online after I paid for it as requested. But I have not received it until this day. You keep sending me emails about what to read for two weeks before I even received the bible. What is the deal here? Are you going to send that bible as promised? If so, when?
Hi Senait. Thank you so much for ordering the Bible and signing up for the weekly encouragement! You’re receiving these emails early because you have clicked the activation button in the first email we sent you. Everything from this point is automated, so I will send you a separate email with details on how we can get you back on track. Also, I checked our database and it shows that your Bible shipped on January 18 after a short backorder. It should be arriving any day now, and perhaps even today. I hope this helps clarify what happened! And I’ll be emailing you again shortly.
I have been so blessed as I read daily. God’s word is so powerful and precious. I am really enjoying Deut. God is so faithful to His people. I have noted that the book reveals much about the attributes of God. Also Moses repeats the phrase “the Lord your God” over 250 times. Because of who God is we are called to be a holy people.