For years I considered a lot of the Bible pretty boring. Okay . . . really boring. Reading through the first five books where God explains the “law” was sorta boring. Reading pages of “So and So was the father of . . .” was sorta boring as well. And reading one of the Old Testament books written by a prophet, where it can be really difficult linking the prophecy with the historical context — that’s just . . . tedious.
But it all has a purpose.
I had a high school literature teacher named Mrs. Nisun who taught me that “the author puts every word in the book for a reason. Pay attention to all of them.” I think she was talking about Nathaniel Hawthorne when she said that, but how much more true is that when the author is God? I began to enjoy those “boring” parts of the Bible a lot more when I seriously began learning about Him. Learning the history and context of the books. I learned why the first five books of the Bible needed to be as long and tedious as they are. I learned why the genealogical information was important.
The Bible is jam-packed with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. All of it — even the boring parts.
Very good, Adam. That’s why I get excited learning about economic conditions in Ur during Abraham’s day (for example). It makes what was happening that much more real.
i have never considered Genesis boring. I think it’s one of those stories you can’t put down.
Actually, i remember once i had too much coffee and couldn’t sleep, so i stayed up half the night reading Genesis. I got through the whole book in one sitting (with one bathroom break, i think). That is a great story!
Some of the law and begats have been boring to me. Some of the law it’s like, ‘what?’ hehe..