OVERVIEW
The most important thing I can do to bring myself into victory and freedom is to read the Bible.
We are embarking on a journey into eternal truth that will never pass away. As we read and listen to the Bible through this year we will see Jesus throughout the scriptures. Whether we stay only in the New Testament—reading it three times this year—or venture further into the Old Testament, we are going to see Jesus. The gospel of Matthew brings us close to Jesus and His ministry of truth and power. Here, the Sermon on the Mount becomes the Constitution (or laws) of the kingdom. Romans is salvation by grace through faith, and why there could be no other way. We see the reason for darkness in man and the power of the new birth explained. Each chapter continues building upon these truths.
Genesis is the beginning of our story with the promise of Jesus coming in Chapter 3 after the fall of man. From there we watch the patience of God to bring forth His promises, while the wickedness of men’s hearts grows, until finally God determines to flood the earth.
Job’s life is a paradox of trusting and following the Lord with questions God isn’t answering. Yet he follows Him until the Lord causes him to see what is hidden in his own heart. It is often the same for us. Meanwhile, Job’s friends are accusing him of stuff he hasn’t done. This seems to be a process God allows many of us to experience for the sake of revealing what we can’t see in our own hearts as well.
Isaiah is the prophet who saw Jesus more than any other prophets did and prophesied His coming. But first, he had to see the glory of the Lord and be undone from his lofty position.
GOSPELS
Matthew 1 – 7
Matthew is a great gospel about the kingdom of heaven. It begins with the genealogy of Christ and Joseph’s experience with the angel of the Lord. Next, we are introduced to the wise men and then John the Baptist. Jesus is tempted by Satan and begins His ministry in Chapter 4. Chapters 5 through 7 are His Sermon on the Mount.
EPISTLES
Romans 1 – 7
Romans is a book of faith. The first six verses in Chapter 1 give the entire gospel, “The just shall live by faith” (v. 17). Then we see the refusal of man to glorify and give thanks to God, and its subsequent degradation. Chapters 2 and 3 demonstrate that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Chapter 4 brings us into the faith of Abraham. Chapter 5 reveals the abundance of grace Jesus has provided and Chapter 6 tells of our calling in baptism to walk no longer as slaves of sin. Chapter 7 shows the impossibility of justification through the law.
TORAH
Genesis 1 – 7
The first two chapters are the creation account; Chapter 2 recounts with more details. Chapter 3 reveals the fall. Chapter 4 discloses the subsequent consequences to the family and Cain’s actions. Chapter 5 is Adam’s genealogy. Chapters 6 and 7 cover Noah and the flood.
POETRY
Job 1 – 7
Job may be a hard book to start with but is very rewarding to any who have endured life’s trials and the questions arriving from them. Chapters 1 and 2 begin with Job’s life and the Lord pointing out Job to Satan. Job’s three friends show up and sit in silence with him for seven days until Job opens his mouth and curses the day of his birth in Chapter 3. Now Job’s friends begin to accuse him of wrongdoing that had brought these horrible events upon him. It is important to pay attention to who is speaking; much of this is in anguish (Job) and condemnation (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). I will share more as we go on but pay attention to the source of Eliphaz’s inspiration in Job 4:12-21.
PROPHETS
Isaiah 1 – 7
In the first five chapters, Isaiah is the woe preacher, pointing out Israel’s obvious errors—though he gives a beautiful prophecy in Chapter 4. In Chapter 6 he is undone and sees the Lord sitting on His throne in His glory. Everything changes (including Isaiah) and he immediately becomes the Messiah’s prophet in Chapter 7.
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