Which books of the OT should I read?

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OK-

I’ve read the entire NT and plan on starting over with the Gospels again soon.

During the past few weeks, I’ve been reading the OT. Within days, I realized that reading some of these ancient scriptures word for word was going to be difficult.

Below are the books that, to date, I’ve read for content with a critical eye (via a slow, deliberate pace):

Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings

Below are the books that, to date, I’ve covered via scanning or speed-reading (just trying to learn general themes and pick out important points):

Leviticus
Deuteronomy
Judges
Ruth
2 Kings

All other books of the OT are as yet unread.

So far, I’ve enjoyed learning about creation, Abram and Moses, Saul, David and Solomon, the building of the temple, etc., but a few of these books are dragging me down.

Do you think I’m on the right track if I continue to scan books like Chronicles and read more prophetic books carefully? What of the remaining books of the OT are “can’t miss” reads? Which ones could I skip over without much worry?

I’m just looking for a little advice beyond what the lazy side of my brain is telling me, that is, skip the rest of the OT and jump back into my second reading of the NT - I much prefer it and, after all, it’s the law of the new and everlasting covenant.

Thanks all,

Jeff
 
opdsgt said:
OK-

I’ve read the entire NT and plan on starting over with the Gospels again soon.

During the past few weeks, I’ve been reading the OT. Within days, I realized that reading some of these ancient scriptures word for word was going to be difficult.

Below are the books that, to date, I’ve read for content with a critical eye (via a slow, deliberate pace):

Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings

Below are the books that, to date, I’ve covered via scanning or speed-reading (just trying to learn general themes and pick out important points):

Leviticus
Deuteronomy
Judges
Ruth
2 Kings

All other books of the OT are as yet unread.

So far, I’ve enjoyed learning about creation, Abram and Moses, Saul, David and Solomon, the building of the temple, etc., but a few of these books are dragging me down.

Do you think I’m on the right track if I continue to scan books like Chronicles and read more prophetic books carefully? What of the remaining books of the OT are “can’t miss” reads? Which ones could I skip over without much worry?

I’m just looking for a little advice beyond what the lazy side of my brain is telling me, that is, skip the rest of the OT and jump back into my second reading of the NT - I much prefer it and, after all, it’s the law of the new and everlasting covenant.

Thanks all,

Jeff
Click to expand...
I’m no expert! But here’s what my bible study group is doing right now. We’re reading the NT straight through, while also reading all the OT references in the notes on the text. It can take a long time to get through a chapter that way, but it really opens up how closely the old and new are linked, and how the new fulfills the old.

After a few study sessions doing this, sometimes you find a book you just have to study more closely…Isaiah comes to mind…you just can’t get away from Isaiah no matter WHAT book you’re reading. That and the psalms, and Genesis and Exodus, would be on my short “essentials” list for the OT.
 
Unless im trying to connect theological dots i tend to avoid passages about genealogies. I also hate reading about which tribes warred with which tribes. The different measurements used in the temple and the bulding of the Ark could be quite redundant at times. Its hard to say what specific method use should use when reading or which parts are “juicier” than others. Just read it and go through it with a highlighter and highlight the parts you find interesting. if you think the OT can become try at times. Try reading the Babolynian Talmud. Its like leviticus on Steriods.
 
cecilia97 said:
I’m no expert! But here’s what my bible study group is doing right now. We’re reading the NT straight through, while also reading all the OT references in the notes on the text. It can take a long time to get through a chapter that way, but it really opens up how closely the old and new are linked, and how the new fulfills the old.

After a few study sessions doing this, sometimes you find a book you just have to study more closely…Isaiah comes to mind…you just can’t get away from Isaiah no matter WHAT book you’re reading. That and the psalms, and Genesis and Exodus, would be on my short “essentials” list for the OT.
Click to expand...
Hi Jeff

That is great what you have done.
Now try reading my thread below
"RSV-CCC RSV-CCC study-Genesis 1:1
and let me have your comments.
 
Cecilia and Sage, thanks for your replies. Richard, I’ll take another look at that thread. At first blush, it seemed somewhat complex for a n00b like me. 😃
 
Don’t miss all the wonderful poetry & wisdom books. Psalms, Proverbs. Ecclesiasticus (not Ecclesiastes, which is IMHO depressing, except to skim).
Ruth & Esther are both 👍 great stories. So is Tobit. (Who can’t get into a story about an angel in disguise?)
Dinnae fash yourself over all the genealogies; my beloved Mama read the Bible all her life, & always skipped the genealogies. She said she had “better things to do than try to figure out who begat who, & why [she] should even care”.😃 And the lists of the numbers of people in the tribes at the census…skip them with a good conscience.

I think you’re taking a very good view of this; I know people (one of them is a:p little Appalachian Irish girl not:whistle: :whistle: 500 miles from this very computer:wave: )who have tried to read every single word, in order as printed , & gotten so bogged down that they went for ages on end without reading on, because they were stuck in the midst of a list of names of people who made “brass couches” (whatever :o those may be when they’re at home) for the tabernacle.
 
We’re doing the CSS bible study on the book of Exodus right now. It is fantastic!

Remember, the old testament is fulfilled in the new and the new testament is revealed in the old!!! Don’t ignore the old testament.

For a very short read, try Obadiah!!!
 
Good advice, Zooey, thank you. (The “little Appalachian Irish girl” comment made me laugh.)

Charybdis, thanks as well.
 
Hosea is another great book. It shows how merciful God is. The prophet Hosea’s marriage is very similar to God’s relationship with His people. Hosea marries a woman who is a harlot, but he takes her back. God takes back His people after they have committed many horrible sins.
 
The chronological order of the bible Story line is
Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
Judges
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
Ezra
Nehemiah
1 Maccabees
Luke
Acts

I liked some of the stories in 2 Maccabees. and I liked the book of Wisdom.
 
runandsew said:
The chronological order of the bible Story line is
Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
Judges
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
Ezra
Nehemiah
1 Maccabees
Luke
Acts

I liked some of the stories in 2 Maccabees. and I liked the book of Wisdom.
Click to expand...
I usually skim over the first 8 chapters of Numbers, as well as chapter 26 (census lists), chapter 27 (inheritance laws), chapter 28 (sacrifices), chapter 29 (more feasts). I like Deuteronomy better than Numbers. More useful stuff in Deuteronomy, including another version of the Ten Commandments.
 
Yes, I agree that some of them are very difficult to read. The way I approach it is to not be too concerned with trying to go through them in order, or all at one sitting, and of course, to usually skip the genealogies, since I’m not one of the people involved.

But over time I have noticed that I have become more interested in some of what I previously avoided. This is true for (believe it or not) parts of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, as well as all of Lamentations.

So I think my answer to the original question would have to be…

All of them! 😃

Just not all at once.

Zirconia
 
I recommend that if you are having trouble sleeping; go to the parts where they give the measurements and specifications for either Noah’s ark, or for Ark of the Covenant.
Very interesting reading.:sleep:
 
runandsew said:
I recommend that if you are having trouble sleeping; go to the parts where they give the measurements and specifications for either Noah’s ark, or for Ark of the Covenant.
Very interesting reading.:sleep:
Click to expand...
The measurements for Noah’s Ark aren’t that bad. All the details of the Tabernacle and the Temple definitely are a cure for insomnia!🙂 😉 The same goes for the censuses of the Tribes and the geneologies.
😛
 
opdsgt said:
OK-

I’ve read the entire NT and plan on starting over with the Gospels again soon.

During the past few weeks, I’ve been reading the OT. Within days, I realized that reading some of these ancient scriptures word for word was going to be difficult.

Below are the books that, to date, I’ve read for content with a critical eye (via a slow, deliberate pace):

Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings

Below are the books that, to date, I’ve covered via scanning or speed-reading (just trying to learn general themes and pick out important points):

Leviticus
Deuteronomy
Judges
Ruth
2 Kings

All other books of the OT are as yet unread.

So far, I’ve enjoyed learning about creation, Abram and Moses, Saul, David and Solomon, the building of the temple, etc., but a few of these books are dragging me down.

Do you think I’m on the right track if I continue to scan books like Chronicles and read more prophetic books carefully? What of the remaining books of the OT are “can’t miss” reads? Which ones could I skip over without much worry?

I’m just looking for a little advice beyond what the lazy side of my brain is telling me, that is, skip the rest of the OT and jump back into my second reading of the NT - I much prefer it and, after all, it’s the law of the new and everlasting covenant.

Thanks all,

Jeff
Click to expand...
Hello Jeff,
In my work I use scriptures a lot. I personally love Genesis, and especially the first three chapters of Genesis. When I can, I encourage those I am speaking with or working with to spend about 3 months (yes you read right) on the first three chapters of Genesis. Daily reading first of the three chapters for several weeks, without meditating, just reading, then slowly breaking the chapters down to verses.The more time spent on these chapters the more deeper an deeper is the understanding.
So much so that you know the first three chapters completely.
I promise that at the end of this time (if you are faithful to the programme) you will understand both OT and NT better.
It is my humble opinion that within the first three chapters of Genesis is the whole story of God and humanity. and their relatiosnhip. Beginning then from Chapter 4, is the unpacking of the story until its completion at the last word. “Amen” at the end of Revelation.
Everything in Scripture is found in the first three chapters of Genesis, including dogmas of the church, fall, promise of a redeemer, virgin Mary, etc.
anyway, its an idea. And another thing, I promise that the more you read the first three chapters of Genesis, the more you will see deeply into the heart and mind of God.
God Bless your endeavours.
Grace Angel.
 
LOL @ runandsew & lak611!

I may read Job today just for you, blessedtoo! Thanks for the tip.

Grace Angel, that’s interesting advice, I just may take you up on it (I love your accent, btw).

Again, thanks to everyone who has contributed here, it’s helped immensely.
 
opdsgt said:
LOL @ runandsew & lak611!

I may read Job today just for you, blessedtoo! Thanks for the tip.

Grace Angel, that’s interesting advice, I just may take you up on it (I love your accent, btw).

Again, thanks to everyone who has contributed here, it’s helped immensely.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your compliment.
God Bles your endeavours.
Grace Angel/
 
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