Mike’s Musings …
Which Book Should We Study Next?
That question has always been a difficult one for me. How does a true Bible student “pick a favorite,” or, to take a negative path, ignore the more difficult books of the Bible? Until I was old enough to drive myself to worship services, attending bible studies where Dad would be preaching presented a wide range of inspired scriptures. We might study from Matthew or Luke one week, and Romans or Hebrews the next. The third week, we might be studying from the Old Testament. By the fourth Sunday, we might be studying from Psalms or Acts or one of the epistles: we just never knew from week to week. But we knew it all was God’s word, so we learned early on, the value of “rightly dividing the word of God” (i.e., handling aright) – (2 Timothy 2:15).
But the older I get, the more I muse on whether I have progressed into the weightier matters of God’s word. The Hebrew writer told us we must “leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection …” (Hebrews 1:1). This doesn’t mean to forsake those basics, but instead, increase your knowledge and understanding of God’s word (2 Peter 3:18). Still, we tend to use more milk than meat in our studies (cf. Hebrews 5:11-14) and for that reason, seldom read, let alone study, the more difficult books of the Bible.
May I suggest that neither Hebrews nor Romans can be fully understood without a knowledge of the Old Testament law? And the book of Revelation would be impossible to grasp were it not for symbolic language being explained in books like Daniel, Ezekiel, and even several of the “Minor Prophets.” What I’m musing about in this brief thought is what Jesus said about God’s word: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) By that statement, what book of the Bible would you NOT study, and still please God?
Let’s challenge ourselves, at least in our private study, to “dig a little deeper” into God’s word. At least read and thereby acquaint yourself with every book of the Bible. You will discover with greater intensity the consistency of God’s favor toward the obedient, and His insistence on repentance from those who do evil. The depth and riches of God become more precious to the soul who seeks to know more about Him and His loving care for our souls! So “which book of the Bible should we study next?” Let’s just keep studying all of it – with diligence!
