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The Old Testament: King James Version
On cassette Genesis thru I Samuel narrated by E.W. "Red" Jeffries.
1184 pages
First published January 1, 1890
85 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 6, 2018
It took me about 2.5 years, but I finished it! Cover to cover! I’m happy to say I’ve now read the entire Bible! (I have already read The New Testament several times.) I learned new things and gained new perspectives on God’s interactions with his children in ancient times. It was a different era back then, but there are many relevant stories to apply to today.
September 23, 2013
My first serious attempt to read the Old Testament took place during my sophomore year in high school, and it ended that same year somewhere in the middle of Leviticus. (All that stuff in the Law of Moses about cleansing rituals after menstruation and copulation was just a bit much for me at the time…)
At other times, I’ve read various books of the Old Testament -- Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, Esther, Isaiah, Psalms and Proverbs, Daniel, Jonah -- and studied passages and stories from throughout the text (a favorite has always been 1 Samuel 1).
But in fall 2008, I was inspired by my interfaith work, my time at Harvard Hillel, and Scott’s example to finally complete a front-to-back read-through. And so it began, again.
And then it stalled. For a year or two. I renewed my efforts in 2010 and got to the middle of 1 Kings, before stalling again. Then in fall 2012, I returned, reviewed, picked back up where I left off, and read more or less steadily after that, mostly just a chapter or two each night. I made the most rapid progress once Atticus was born and I started reading on my smartphone whenever I nursed him. (Which, incidentally, amounts to a lot of time during the day!)
One of my more poignant experiences in this journey took place when I read this passage from the last chapter of Isaiah while nursing Atticus:
Beyond this, I was moved by the many other passages of lyrical prose in Isaiah. But I enjoyed Psalms less than expected. While there are some beautiful songs, more of the psalms than I realized basically involved David asking God to punish his enemies--not particularly charitable of him… At the same time, I enjoyed Ecclesiastes more than expected. It advanced what struck me as a sage perspective on life: we should feel gratitude for the giftedness of life and its simple pleasures, as a way to alleviate the disappointment and emptiness that accompanies insatiable ambition.
I was perplexed by the book of Job. (Seriously, still confused -- if anyone knows of a good exegesis of Job, please point me to it.) But at a basic level, I felt that the narrative in Job is quite contrary to what I had expected: Rather than having “the patience of Job,” Job is actually a chronic complainer (not that I blame him… some pretty awful stuff happened to him) who repeatedly blames, accuses, and questions God. He ultimately repents of this perspective after being called to do so by God, however, so I guess it ends happily.
I enjoyed reading about all of the temple rites, covenants, and imagery, and finding echoes of those things in my own experiences with the LDS temple ceremonies. I appreciated coming to understand more about the symbolic role of the tribe of Ephraim in the House of Israel. I found more meaning than ever before in the opening chapters of Genesis, and in the covenant Abraham made with the Lord. I found Ezekiel’s visions to be pretty trippy. I remain most curious about the historical period covered in the book of Judges.
Some new favorite scriptures:
2 Kings 4:13
2 Chronicles 32:31
Ecclesiastes 2:4-12
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13
Jeremiah 36:3
Daniel 3:18 (“But if not...”)
More broadly, after these five long years of Old Testament reading, what have I learned? What themes have I taken away from the text?
I admit I sort of began the Old Testament mentally prepared to do battle with it, to tackle it, to treat it like a long, hard slog… a slog filled with genocidal maniacs, idol worshippers, scheming dowagers, and gang rapists. And yeah. There was that. o_O But there was also so much more than that. Innumerable lessons of inestimable worth.
-- It is true that the God of the Old Testament is a god of jealousy, wrath, and vengeance. Indeed, Jehovah is an emotional, not passionless, God. But above all, He is a God of lovingkindness. He does not desire to inflict suffering upon his people. He sorrows at our pain and desires to show us mercy. He is a giving God that blesses His people in abundance and looks for any opportunity, any excuse to do so. He is both a Father and a husband to the people of Israel.
-- God is angered by the abomination of idol worship and the defilement of His holy temple. But to an equal or greater degree, He hates the way His people oppress the poor and needy, the stranger, the widow, the lame and afflicted. He chastises them for their greed, their usury, their exploitation and corruption. He hates their pride, especially the pride of their priests and rulers. He abhors their violence and bloodshed.
-- The law of Moses is a charitable law -- it emphasis the mercy and forgiveness of God, and it calls upon the Israelites to exercise that same mercy and forgiveness toward their fellow men -- toward debtors and servants, toward strangers and Gentiles.
-- Jehovah values the condition of the heart over outward ritualistic observance. In fact, contrary to prevailing Christian narratives, Jesus was not necessarily radical in His criticism of the ruling religious elites but was rather following the pattern of many Old Testament prophets before Him who had chastised Israel for the sin of hypocrisy.
-- Prophecy is not determinative. Often, prophecy is simply a means God uses to warn His people to repent. He would rather they repent than the prophecy be fulfilled. (See the book of Jonah, Jeremiah 36:3).
-- God engages in dialogue with His prophets, and He will sometimes change his mind as His servants the prophets plea and bargain on behalf of the people of Israel. (Evident in God’s conversations with Moses, Jeremiah, Daniel, and more.)
-- Jehovah calls upon the weak, the meek, the stuttering, the uncharismatic to be His servants. His prophets and servants often do not come from the halls of power, ecclesiastical or otherwise.
-- God is in control of the nations and the events of world politics (Daniel 4:17). He allows and sometimes uses wicked, profane leaders and nations to wage conquest and war to accomplish his purposes, such as the punishment of wayward Israel. (But at the end of the day, they’ll be punished for their wickedness too.) He is also the great creator who controls the forces of nature and uses those to punish the wicked and bless the righteous. (I can’t say that I’m particularly persuaded by these principles, but it’s definitely something taught by the prophets of the Old Testament.)
I’m grateful for this experience, grateful for the Old Testament, grateful for all the scribes and prophets and translators throughout history who have made it possible for these words to be passed down to us. I’m grateful to God for providing us with these words through his imperfect messengers. And I am grateful for the way these words have facilitated a process of learning, growth, and revelation for me these past years.
At other times, I’ve read various books of the Old Testament -- Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, Esther, Isaiah, Psalms and Proverbs, Daniel, Jonah -- and studied passages and stories from throughout the text (a favorite has always been 1 Samuel 1).
But in fall 2008, I was inspired by my interfaith work, my time at Harvard Hillel, and Scott’s example to finally complete a front-to-back read-through. And so it began, again.
And then it stalled. For a year or two. I renewed my efforts in 2010 and got to the middle of 1 Kings, before stalling again. Then in fall 2012, I returned, reviewed, picked back up where I left off, and read more or less steadily after that, mostly just a chapter or two each night. I made the most rapid progress once Atticus was born and I started reading on my smartphone whenever I nursed him. (Which, incidentally, amounts to a lot of time during the day!)
One of my more poignant experiences in this journey took place when I read this passage from the last chapter of Isaiah while nursing Atticus:
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Beyond this, I was moved by the many other passages of lyrical prose in Isaiah. But I enjoyed Psalms less than expected. While there are some beautiful songs, more of the psalms than I realized basically involved David asking God to punish his enemies--not particularly charitable of him… At the same time, I enjoyed Ecclesiastes more than expected. It advanced what struck me as a sage perspective on life: we should feel gratitude for the giftedness of life and its simple pleasures, as a way to alleviate the disappointment and emptiness that accompanies insatiable ambition.
I was perplexed by the book of Job. (Seriously, still confused -- if anyone knows of a good exegesis of Job, please point me to it.) But at a basic level, I felt that the narrative in Job is quite contrary to what I had expected: Rather than having “the patience of Job,” Job is actually a chronic complainer (not that I blame him… some pretty awful stuff happened to him) who repeatedly blames, accuses, and questions God. He ultimately repents of this perspective after being called to do so by God, however, so I guess it ends happily.
I enjoyed reading about all of the temple rites, covenants, and imagery, and finding echoes of those things in my own experiences with the LDS temple ceremonies. I appreciated coming to understand more about the symbolic role of the tribe of Ephraim in the House of Israel. I found more meaning than ever before in the opening chapters of Genesis, and in the covenant Abraham made with the Lord. I found Ezekiel’s visions to be pretty trippy. I remain most curious about the historical period covered in the book of Judges.
Some new favorite scriptures:
2 Kings 4:13
And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
2 Chronicles 32:31
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-12
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
12 ¶And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth ?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Jeremiah 36:3
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Daniel 3:18 (“But if not...”)
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
More broadly, after these five long years of Old Testament reading, what have I learned? What themes have I taken away from the text?
I admit I sort of began the Old Testament mentally prepared to do battle with it, to tackle it, to treat it like a long, hard slog… a slog filled with genocidal maniacs, idol worshippers, scheming dowagers, and gang rapists. And yeah. There was that. o_O But there was also so much more than that. Innumerable lessons of inestimable worth.
-- It is true that the God of the Old Testament is a god of jealousy, wrath, and vengeance. Indeed, Jehovah is an emotional, not passionless, God. But above all, He is a God of lovingkindness. He does not desire to inflict suffering upon his people. He sorrows at our pain and desires to show us mercy. He is a giving God that blesses His people in abundance and looks for any opportunity, any excuse to do so. He is both a Father and a husband to the people of Israel.
-- God is angered by the abomination of idol worship and the defilement of His holy temple. But to an equal or greater degree, He hates the way His people oppress the poor and needy, the stranger, the widow, the lame and afflicted. He chastises them for their greed, their usury, their exploitation and corruption. He hates their pride, especially the pride of their priests and rulers. He abhors their violence and bloodshed.
-- The law of Moses is a charitable law -- it emphasis the mercy and forgiveness of God, and it calls upon the Israelites to exercise that same mercy and forgiveness toward their fellow men -- toward debtors and servants, toward strangers and Gentiles.
-- Jehovah values the condition of the heart over outward ritualistic observance. In fact, contrary to prevailing Christian narratives, Jesus was not necessarily radical in His criticism of the ruling religious elites but was rather following the pattern of many Old Testament prophets before Him who had chastised Israel for the sin of hypocrisy.
-- Prophecy is not determinative. Often, prophecy is simply a means God uses to warn His people to repent. He would rather they repent than the prophecy be fulfilled. (See the book of Jonah, Jeremiah 36:3).
-- God engages in dialogue with His prophets, and He will sometimes change his mind as His servants the prophets plea and bargain on behalf of the people of Israel. (Evident in God’s conversations with Moses, Jeremiah, Daniel, and more.)
-- Jehovah calls upon the weak, the meek, the stuttering, the uncharismatic to be His servants. His prophets and servants often do not come from the halls of power, ecclesiastical or otherwise.
-- God is in control of the nations and the events of world politics (Daniel 4:17). He allows and sometimes uses wicked, profane leaders and nations to wage conquest and war to accomplish his purposes, such as the punishment of wayward Israel. (But at the end of the day, they’ll be punished for their wickedness too.) He is also the great creator who controls the forces of nature and uses those to punish the wicked and bless the righteous. (I can’t say that I’m particularly persuaded by these principles, but it’s definitely something taught by the prophets of the Old Testament.)
I’m grateful for this experience, grateful for the Old Testament, grateful for all the scribes and prophets and translators throughout history who have made it possible for these words to be passed down to us. I’m grateful to God for providing us with these words through his imperfect messengers. And I am grateful for the way these words have facilitated a process of learning, growth, and revelation for me these past years.
Read
December 28, 2022First time reading through the entire Old Testament!
January 1, 2023
*Started reading the Old Testament again the first day of 2012 until September 22nd when I finished it.
One of the best things I learned was that God definitely has an order to things. There are reasons for the way he commands us to do things, even if we can't see the reasons behind it.
*Started the Old Testament again in 2018. I accepted a challenge from a friend this year to read the Bible by the end of the year and just finished. It was good to remember all of the things that were told to people all throughout time to bless and benefit them and to help them to return to live with Heavenly Father again.
I think it's easy for us to say, "Why didn't they just listen to Moses? All they had to do was keep the commandments and they wouldn't have had to wander the desert for 40 years!" But it's harder for us to examine ourselves and whether we are doing all that we need to do to not be 'wandering in the desert'.
I was surprised nearly daily how the Old and New Testament reading I did was often about the same things. Scriptures are for us to read and to learn from.
*2022 brought my scripture study back to the Old Testament again. I especially liked it this year as I taught 6 year olds in Primary at Church. Everything in the scriptures shows me how God loves each one of us.
One of the best things I learned was that God definitely has an order to things. There are reasons for the way he commands us to do things, even if we can't see the reasons behind it.
*Started the Old Testament again in 2018. I accepted a challenge from a friend this year to read the Bible by the end of the year and just finished. It was good to remember all of the things that were told to people all throughout time to bless and benefit them and to help them to return to live with Heavenly Father again.
I think it's easy for us to say, "Why didn't they just listen to Moses? All they had to do was keep the commandments and they wouldn't have had to wander the desert for 40 years!" But it's harder for us to examine ourselves and whether we are doing all that we need to do to not be 'wandering in the desert'.
I was surprised nearly daily how the Old and New Testament reading I did was often about the same things. Scriptures are for us to read and to learn from.
*2022 brought my scripture study back to the Old Testament again. I especially liked it this year as I taught 6 year olds in Primary at Church. Everything in the scriptures shows me how God loves each one of us.
February 10, 2023
Learned to really love the OT last year. My biggest takeaways were that God will deliver us from our own types of bondage, He is patient with us, He can turn a messy situation into a miracle, He will guide us to become our best selves if we let Him, and He loves us.❤️ (Tried to keep up with the reading in 2022. Didn’t finish it 100%, but someday I will.)
June 15, 2022
I’m in awe. Before reading this cover to cover, I was familiar with the traditional “Bible stories.” But now I see that talking about and studying them out of context can only yield partial wisdom and sometimes downright trite interpretations.
The Old Testament is not for the faint of heart. Dense and dull when taken at face value, mind expanding and joyful when understood at a spiritual level, this book takes work! I found it useful to reference outside sources for context and explanation of aspects unfamiliar to me.
The structure and poetry of this book are meticulously crafted by who knows how many people over who knows how many years in order to tell the story of the House of Israel. Which I believe symbolizes the story of each individual human being. The main message of the book as I understood it is basically this: God loves his children, He asks them to follow him and promises them massive blessings if they do, people promise to follow God and immediately fail, thus forfeiting the promised blessings. But God is merciful and redeems them anyway.
The Old Testament is not for the faint of heart. Dense and dull when taken at face value, mind expanding and joyful when understood at a spiritual level, this book takes work! I found it useful to reference outside sources for context and explanation of aspects unfamiliar to me.
The structure and poetry of this book are meticulously crafted by who knows how many people over who knows how many years in order to tell the story of the House of Israel. Which I believe symbolizes the story of each individual human being. The main message of the book as I understood it is basically this: God loves his children, He asks them to follow him and promises them massive blessings if they do, people promise to follow God and immediately fail, thus forfeiting the promised blessings. But God is merciful and redeems them anyway.
August 25, 2018
This was my first time reading straight through, every word. Of course I sped-read through the long lists genealogies and contents of the temples, etc. I was really struck at how God always remembers his covenants and is always willing to take those with whom he has made covenant back into his favor, always waiting with open arms. One sign of his mercy is sending messengers or prophets to his children. This time reading through I was really struck by a vision of the image of the kind woman from Shunem or the Shunemmite, riding forward, in shock but undaunted in her faith to find the prophet after her son had died.
Want to read
January 4, 202361% complete. I petered out in psalms of all places.
I did read job and Isaiah though!
Skipped 1 and 2 chronicles as well.
Still need to read the following:
1 and 2 Chronicles
Psalm 48-150
Proverbs 10-14, 17-21, 23-30
Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
Jeremiah 6-52
Lamentations through Malachi
I did read job and Isaiah though!
Skipped 1 and 2 chronicles as well.
Still need to read the following:
1 and 2 Chronicles
Psalm 48-150
Proverbs 10-14, 17-21, 23-30
Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
Jeremiah 6-52
Lamentations through Malachi
November 21, 2023
Most gospel curricula don't cover the entire Old Testament, and so until now, I never felt I could honestly say I read the entire book. But earlier this year, I did, and it felt so good. There were books and chapters I wasn't familiar with that are now my favorites. Long and laborious, but wonderful 🥰
July 13, 2018
Shout out to Hugo and Jake, it's been a blast!
Read
December 12, 2022I did it! I read every word, verse, page, chapter, and book of the Old Testament. This has been a goal of mine for a while and it feels great to have pulled it off this year.
December 31, 2022
I mean it's the Old Testament. One question though, what were considered the "weird" or "embarrassing" names kids would get bullied for in those times? - A/B
January 6, 2023
It’s the women who did it for me in this very long very R rated history of the prophets
December 18, 2022
I have really enjoyed reading the old testament this year! So much for us to learn from, especially how the Lord will bless his people.
April 17, 2018
Replete with, genocide, infanticide, fratricide, sexual slavery, indentured servitude, polygamy, racism, tribalism, torture, and worse, all condoned by a supposed god.
Also replete, with anachronisms, known forgeries, contradictions, and provably untrue mythological stories and fictional charcters.
This book makes extraordinary claims that are not supported by evidence. most of the falsifiable claims have been proven false. There isnt a 8 year old child on the planet that couldn't improve on the "wisdom" and "morality" of this book. Humanity would be far better off leaving this bronze age morality behind.
Also replete, with anachronisms, known forgeries, contradictions, and provably untrue mythological stories and fictional charcters.
This book makes extraordinary claims that are not supported by evidence. most of the falsifiable claims have been proven false. There isnt a 8 year old child on the planet that couldn't improve on the "wisdom" and "morality" of this book. Humanity would be far better off leaving this bronze age morality behind.
Read
December 23, 2012The star rating system just seems inappropriate for this book. I listened to the cd version from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for several months while getting ready in the mornings. My mind wandered often. But, I enjoyed hearing the familiar stories that I had heard all my life and was surprised by how violent people were in the name of religion. Things never change.
October 18, 2018
4 1/2 stars because although I consider this holy writ and I think the KJV is fabulous (read Wide as the Waters for the story of the English Bible), the editors/compilers over the years could have edited it for clarity and content, I think. I'm sorta kidding. I do take some of the stuff with a grain of salt, however, and chalk it up to some things being lost in translation/editing/the ages.
June 9, 2013
Epic, the story of a nation and its failure to keep its covenant with God, this is the classic object lesson for all of human society, which is why it has stood the test of time like no other ancient record.
March 2, 2020
Dense and weird which I guess is what makes it cool? Good stuff in here to throw down Tarantino style if you need to say some hard stuff before you break someone off
February 11, 2013
Loved that I have actually made it through the Old Testament!
December 13, 2022
I've read the New Testament many times and have finally finished the Old Testament as well. It has always been a confusing book to me, but this time around I appreciated it much more as I used extra helps to study it, including podcasts, my church's (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) seminary manual and its Come Follow Me resource.
I love how the Old Testament was summed up in the Come Follow Me book:
As you reflect on what you have read in the Old Testament this year, what evidence do you find of God’s love? It’s easy to see many examples of human weakness and rebellion. Yet throughout all of that, God never stopped reaching out in love. When the sons of Jacob mistreated their brother Joseph, the Lord still prepared a way to save them from famine (see Genesis 45:4–8). When Israel murmured in the wilderness, God fed them with manna (see Exodus 16:1–4). Even when Israel abandoned Him, turned to other gods, and were scattered, God never fully abandoned them but promised that if they repented, He would gather and redeem them “with great mercies” (see Isaiah 54:7).
Viewed this way, the Old Testament is a story of God’s patient, enduring love. And this story continues today. “The Sun of Righteousness [will] arise with healing in his wings,” Malachi prophesied (Malachi 4:2). Jesus Christ did come, bringing physical and spiritual healing to all who come unto Him. He is the greatest evidence of God’s love for ancient Israel and for all of us.
The main message I found in this book was that God won't give up on us! He is patient and He loves us.
I love how the Old Testament was summed up in the Come Follow Me book:
As you reflect on what you have read in the Old Testament this year, what evidence do you find of God’s love? It’s easy to see many examples of human weakness and rebellion. Yet throughout all of that, God never stopped reaching out in love. When the sons of Jacob mistreated their brother Joseph, the Lord still prepared a way to save them from famine (see Genesis 45:4–8). When Israel murmured in the wilderness, God fed them with manna (see Exodus 16:1–4). Even when Israel abandoned Him, turned to other gods, and were scattered, God never fully abandoned them but promised that if they repented, He would gather and redeem them “with great mercies” (see Isaiah 54:7).
Viewed this way, the Old Testament is a story of God’s patient, enduring love. And this story continues today. “The Sun of Righteousness [will] arise with healing in his wings,” Malachi prophesied (Malachi 4:2). Jesus Christ did come, bringing physical and spiritual healing to all who come unto Him. He is the greatest evidence of God’s love for ancient Israel and for all of us.
The main message I found in this book was that God won't give up on us! He is patient and He loves us.
December 20, 2022
Even if sometimes I'm confused, scriptures get 5 stars. :) Full disclosure, many sections I only read chapter headings. A few of many favorites:
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?... Come near to me, I pray you... I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. (Genesis 45)
David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.... Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.... for the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17)
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1)
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm 25)
Psalm 37
Proverbs 31:10-31
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9)
Isaiah 58:6-9
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?... Come near to me, I pray you... I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. (Genesis 45)
David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.... Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.... for the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17)
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1)
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm 25)
Psalm 37
Proverbs 31:10-31
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9)
Isaiah 58:6-9
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December 31, 2022I made a goal to read the entire Old Testament this year, much of it done by listening to the audio while driving kids around to various places. This is the second time I've read the entire thing, I did it once before at some point. I'm glad I finished but I'm also glad to go back to a stronger focus on other study methods, like delving into a certain topic, a certain figure, or seeking answers to a specific question...rather than being concerned about plowing through every verse. Lots of great messages along the way though, including Haggai 1:7 "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; consider your ways." Maybe that can be my phrase going into 2023, Consider My Ways. Are my systems and routines working? How could they improve, and how could my overall health and wellbeing improve as a result? Are my ways selfless and giving and considerate of others? Am I seeking to follow the example of Jesus Christ?> If not, how can I change that? Etc. :) One small insight out of many.
On a humorous note, I did share with my son what happened to disobedient sons under the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 21) - death by stoning. Yeesh. Plenty of those moments too - gratitude not to have lived in those times! Ha.
On a humorous note, I did share with my son what happened to disobedient sons under the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 21) - death by stoning. Yeesh. Plenty of those moments too - gratitude not to have lived in those times! Ha.
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December 25, 2022The Old Testament is beautiful and befuddling and strange and scandalous and, often, just plain dull. What more can I say about writings thousands of years old and thousands of years in the making that undergird the faith of billions throughout the world? Whatever you’re looking for here, you can likely find it, and a whole lot more in the bargain. For me, the greatest benefit lies in the broadstrokes of God’s dealings with the children of Israel and the covenants with the Patriarchs. To modern sensibilities, though, the rampant violence, genocide, and incest are problematic, as would be a literal interpretation of events that beggar belief.
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June 11, 2022I don't know how to rate this. It was a long slog in some parts, for sure. But I loved it when I came to passages and stories that have meant a lot to me for a long, long time. I loved seeing some things in a new way this time through. I loved sharing this with my partner as we read aloud to each other a chapter (or more or less) each night. This is not the first time that I've read the Bible through cover to cover, but I much prefer savoring the tasty and meaningful nuggets to plodding through the irrelevant parts just to say I've done it.
December 13, 2022
I don't remember exactly when I started reading this book, but glad I finished it before the year ended. The Old Testament isn't the easiest thing to understand, but I find it enjoyable to read. Sometimes there are funny lines that are amusing if you read it out of context. Though if one was going to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this probably isn't the best book to start with. Or if you're simply curious. I'd recommend The Book of Mormon for example, or other books.
December 25, 2022
I have always had a special love for the Old Testament, ever since I did s study abroad in Israel and was able to study the scriptures as I visited all the places that were taught about. The Old Testament may seem hard to understand at times, and some of the stories harsh or difficult, but it is truly a book about covenants and covenant relationships, returning to God, choosing to have a relationship with Him. But mostly, the entire Old Testament points toward the Messiah, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
June 2, 2017
a few takeaways: the god of wrath is preferable to the god of love; no one is good, everyone is bad, and there is no sympathy for those who cross the lord; much of the criticism seems to come from those peoples who are simply caught up in a bad crowd, epoch, or tribe; i have actually come to favour petty authority to sappy vacancy; highlights outside the pentateuch include judges and daniel; psalms is pure mush
December 26, 2018
Reading the entire Old Testament is the ultimate act of perseverance. I did so only once before when I had much more time to dedicate to the endeavor. This time around was more challenging to my Internet-fragmented brain, but I am glad I stuck with it.
Just a couple of questions: Chronicles were important to include why, exactly? Haha
Just a couple of questions: Chronicles were important to include why, exactly? Haha
January 19, 2021
Chock full of greed, sex, murder, infanticide, buckets and buckets of incest, dick jokes, genocide, child slavery, casual rape, rules about building things, culinary tips, genealogical lists, magic, art criticism and a shocking obsession with proper penis care. It has something for everyone. Except brevity.
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