What's Your Least Favourite Book(s) of the Old Testament?

[Tintin]

What's your least favourite book or books of the Old Testament?
And how can we help each other to see the value and get more enjoyment out of these books?

My least favourite books of the OT will be of no surprise to those who know me here.

But first a short history for context:
When I was in primary school (elementary) I read the Bible through from cover to cover. It was quite the challenge for someone who has mild dyslexia but learned to enjoy reading in the mid-primary school years (thank you, Tintin, Narnia, Hard Boys). The translation was the Good News (granted far from the best but it was still God's Word). Anyway, I read the Bible through in 6 months. I would've finished it sooner but I got really stuck in the Books of Law, more specifically the last half of Exodus/much of Leviticus/Numbers/Deuteronomy. Once I made it past them, I was back on track.

So, I've always struggled with these books. They're difficult reads and hyper-detailed and don't seem to be particularly relevant to Christians. That said, I've noticed some things I didn't pick up the first time. Some things that pertain to the Old Covenant and point to the New Covenant. I'm about to begin Leviticus again. Wish me luck!

But seriously, the last half of Exodus/much of Leviticus/Numbers/Deuteronomy - that section was almost a death knell for me. And I'm sure it's stopped many a people from reading the Bible all the way through.

What would you say to me and others like me?
How do we look for Christian value in these books?

 

[faroukfarouk]

I don't think we are even meant to cultivate the idea of least favorite parts of Scripture, since all are part of God's revelation.

 

[Tintin]

I don't think we are even meant to cultivate the idea of least favorite parts of Scripture, since all are part of God's revelation.

Come on, mate! Please read my post. I give good reasons and I'm asking for help. I think it's disingenuous if we pretend that we enjoy all parts of the Bible equally. Surely you too struggle with some books more than others.

 

[Jilly81]

Christian, I know what you mean about those books. I'd recommend a few things: pray for revelation from the Holy Spirit before you read them; He'll sometimes sort of "light up" something for you, for lack of a better way to phrase it. Makes it more fun if you notice something you hadn't before. Also, I've found that at times it's better to just read one of the other books; like if I don't feel very good and need cheering, I usually go for one of the letters in the N.T. rather than even trying to read the law. Also, I really don't think that most of the O.T. temple measurements were meant to be read very often unless we're doing a re-creation of the whole thing or something like that. Once per decade (if that) should be plenty for most of us .

 

[faroukfarouk]

Come on, mate! Please read my post. I give good reasons and I'm asking for help. I think it's disingenuous if we pretend that we enjoy all parts of the Bible equally. Surely you too struggle with some books more than others.

This is where dispensations come in.

Someone said: 'All Scripture is for us. All Scripture is not about us.'

 

[Fenner]

I'd have to say Exodus and Job were really a struggle for me to read and study. I did it because I took a literature of Tue Bible class and had to write paper's on them. I did have a great teacher who did help me understand them and see that they weren't as boring as I originally thought.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I'd have to say Exodus and Job were really a struggle for me to read and study. I did it because I took a literature of Tue Bible class and had to write paper's on them. I did have a great teacher who did help me understand them and see that they weren't as boring as I originally thought.

............

 

[Fenner]

I don't think we are even meant to cultivate the idea of least favorite parts of Scripture, since all are part of God's revelation.

I think as humans there are some books in the Bible that kind of make us say, well I don't completely understand this or even reading this is like reading the instruction manual of a piece of IKEA furniture. It helps to admit to, hey I don't get this. It will help to get another perspective on it and you learn more.

 

[shrimp]

The Chronicles. this person begat that person, begat, begat, begat. With all of those begats and names you can barely pronounce, UGH! But:
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

[faroukfarouk]

The Chronicles. this person begat that person, begat, begat, begat. With all of those begats and names you can barely pronounce, UGH! But:
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

...............

 

[Jilly81]

Another thought: in a library there are many books, though some of them are only reference books. They are very important, but not in the same way that a cookbook, how-to book or a biography is. You don't need to read them everyday, nor were they INTENDED to be read often or straight through; more used for reference. Certainly read them once if you want to read the entire Bible (a wise idea), but constant re-reading isn't expected.

 

[David_1]

I kind of have a soft spot for The Good News version, because yes as an Aussie kid this was the popular one growing up. These days I prefer NIV or NKJV, or even just KJV.

I wouldn't say I have a particular book I struggle with, but passages that just rattle off lists of 'begats' or names without much relevance bore me. So and so was son of so and so and they were [insert weird ancient name that is vaguely close to the other guy in the last passage].

To be fair, that's the same issue with Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, where half the characters have similar names.

 

[IloveyouGod]

I really think that's a great post Tintin. We are humans and definitely we struggle with things in the bible. It's not that we reject them or hate them. They might not be appealing to us for whatever reason. Everyone has his/her own reason. But here we are open to understand them more or better to start liking them. And THAT'S what this post is for. So thank you Tintin for a great idea.

Like I've mentioned before, it all depends why you read the bible. Is it for spiritual reasons or for studying certain things and so you need to know the history or reference of something. Either way, I think it is OK to have certain books/gospels close to your heart but still know the ones that don't really speak to you. In other words, as Christians we should know our bible well!

What's your least favourite book or books of the Old Testament?
And how can we help each other to see the value and get more enjoyment out of these books?

My least favourite books of the OT will be of no surprise to those who know me here.

But first a short history for context:
When I was in primary school (elementary) I read the Bible through from cover to cover. It was quite the challenge for someone who has mild dyslexia but learned to enjoy reading in the mid-primary school years (thank you, Tintin, Narnia, Hard Boys). The translation was the Good News (granted far from the best but it was still God's Word). Anyway, I read the Bible through in 6 months. I would've finished it sooner but I got really stuck in the Books of Law, more specifically the last half of Exodus/much of Leviticus/Numbers/Deuteronomy. Once I made it past them, I was back on track.

So, I've always struggled with these books. They're difficult reads and hyper-detailed and don't seem to be particularly relevant to Christians. That said, I've noticed some things I didn't pick up the first time. Some things that pertain to the Old Covenant and point to the New Covenant. I'm about to begin Leviticus again. Wish me luck!

But seriously, the last half of Exodus/much of Leviticus/Numbers/Deuteronomy - that section was almost a death knell for me. And I'm sure it's stopped many a people from reading the Bible all the way through.

What would you say to me and others like me?
How do we look for Christian value in these books?

 

[cinder]

I'll agree with the whole keep the begats far from me. I'll also agree that the details of the daily sacrifices and dimensions of the temple and what everyone gave gets boring quick. I think what helps me in those parts is to take a more global view of things. Example, the lists of who gave what it's just cool to keep in mind that after thousands of years their names are remembered because God saw what they gave and had it recorded. And the daily offerings (Numbers 28) adds up to 2 lambs, 4 quarts flour, 2 quarts oil, and 2 quarts alcohol every day. That's over 700 lambs a year given to God and the thing that really strikes me about that is that the people are incapable of obeying God unless God blesses and prospers them and provides such for them in the first place. Humbling and a bit freeing to know that even our obedience is dependent upon God.

So other than the begats, the other part of the OT that's really challenging is the weirder prophecy stuff like Ezekiel and Zechariah. I've read most if not all of the prophets, but some of it is just weird and out there and hard to understand. And sometimes it's doom and gloom and that's not enjoyable either.

 

[GodIsSalvation]

Heh, not too sure which book I'd pick, I liek them all in their own way.

However just to note on the begats. Lol this is what I've heard a lot of people say they find boring in the Bible. Kinda curious because the "begat" parts are some of the biggest reasons I left atheism behind. Lol, within all those begattings is pretty hard proof for the Bible being literal and they fill in the gaps of secular history seamlessly. Also by understanding all the begatting you can then understand the rest of the biblical narrative much easier (like for instance where different tribes originate from, fulfilment of prophecies, etc.)

 

[jb]

What's Your Least Favourite Book(s) of the Old Testament?

Without a doubt Leviticus...quite hard work just reading it alone, although I read a book called "The Law of the Offerings" by Andrew Jukes which was interesting, basically how they are fulfilled in Christ...

 

[BananaPie]

...hmm? How about Song of Solomon?

 

[Angela53510]

Chronicles is the worst for me. I know that if I read it in Hebrew, each name is supposed to mean something, and a grand plan is exposed. But it is hard enough to read in English, let alone with a Lexicon in one hand.

My thought is to buy books like:

1. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament by Wiliam Sanford Lasor et al.
2. Holman's Bible Atlas: A Complete Guide to the Geography of Biblical History by Thomas V. Brisco

Old Testament Survey goes through book by book and explains a lot of things that are not obvious from the text. Then read the books, and see what you have learned and can apply to the book. The Atlas is filled with maps, archeological discoveries and covers the whole Biblical background of the Old Testament. I put together a course and taught it to 60 women in our Ladies group, and everyone, including me, learned a lot!

There is not doubt some of the Old Testament books are hard. But the narratives are spell binding, and the Psalms I cling to daily. The prophets can be mysterious too, but understanding who they wrote to, and why opens them up too.

Good luck everyone. I read the Bible a minimum of once through a year. Tintin, I think it was incredibly ambitious of you to read the whole Bible through at that age. Everyone needs to cultivate reading the Bible through yearly, and when you are as old as me, the whole Bible is a familiar and comforting friend!

 

[Tintin]

...hmm? How about Song of Solomon?

We're not allowed to like that one until we're married.
Oops, this is your least favourite book of the Old Testament.

 

[tourist]

...hmm? How about Song of Solomon?

That is odd as that is my favorite OT book. It is all about romance. I have found that to be an important quality in the formation and sustaining of opposite sex relationships. Of course, there is nobody in my life at the moment so perhaps I am lacking in that department also. I love you Avatar by the way. Took me a month to realize that the symbol on the right was representing Pi. Very clever you are!