I had lunch with a friend of mine the other day and we began discussing the importance of story in the Bible. The conversation turned from the standard “What is the story of the Bible?” or “What is the story of the Gospel?” to a much more philosophical question.
My friend asked me about the specific stories that we’ve been given in Scripture.
I believe that we were given the Bible, the epic love story of Almighty God for his people, for a reason. God wanted us to know what he did, why he did it, and how we are invited into this story (See Ephesians).
It goes to follow that everything we are given points us to this end. Everything in scripture – talking donkeys, kings, prophets, miracles, widows, shepherds, everything – give us insight into Almighty God and his story. However, we are given larger glimpses into some stories rather than others. We began to ask Why?
Why do we know more about Moses than we do about Job? We know almost everything about Moses’ life yet we only get a small glimpse in Job’s life, focused primarily on his suffering. Many scholars believe Job was the first OT book written. There must be a reason we are told what we are told.
What can you tell me about Thaddeus or Bartholomew? Out of the twelve apostles we really only know about half and we really only know half of those. Don’t even get me started on Matthias.
Why do we understand more about Paul than Barnabus? My friend said that if you was going to throw a party you would send an invitation to both men but that you would really hope Barnabus showed up. What little we know about Banabus is that he was the type of Christian you’d want to be- encouraging, strong, faithful. Why are we given more about the life of Paul?
In the whole of Scripture, 6 stories stand out over and above everything else:
Abraham
Moses
Joseph
David
Jesus and Pals
Paul and the Church
I believe that the stories we have in Scripture are not put there by chance. There is a bigger reason to study these stories. These overarching stories must connect us to something much deeper than the average Bible lesson (if there is such a thing as an average Bible story).
Why do you think we’ve been given a larger glimpse into some of these stories rather than others? What story would you like to know more about? Who would you like to know more about?
GREAT STUFF MIKE.
NO, is KNOW. under the bold in point #1, but LOVED the thought. Very interesting that you say scholars believe Job was the first book written… where can I find stuff like that? I’d like to chronologize the OT and NT, so i have the concept.
Imagine this…
Just read Job 36-39 the other day, and started thinking… how would I react if God said… “Brace yourself like a man, I will question you and you shall answer me.” I just sat and wept.
Ever wondered who wrote Genesis?
Brandon,
I absolutely love that section of Job. I can understand the complaining. I understand the posturing of Job’s “friends” and the rationalization of his suffering. But when God shows up to “answer” Job… WHOA! Get out of the way! Hide your face, shut your mouth, and marvel at all that is the Almighty God.
As far as scholarship, there are a few books I would recommend that could help you in your study but that won’t bog you down.
Tradition says that Moses wrote Genesis.
Thanks for catching my typos bro!