Lack of motivation to read the OT

[Lucis]

I've started to try to read the old testament, Genesis worked out fine, but then I found my self to be bored by all the laws and the endless lists of people that used to live back there, lists of their children, lists of what land they should own, lists about how everything should be done. I don't really feel that it is blessing me like I always feel the new testament is. The exceptions seem to have been Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Job and the Psalms, which is more wisdom-books/poetry. The prophecies have seemed to be somewhat absurd and I don't really feel that I understand much of them at all.

Anyone else feel the same, or is it something I do wrong? Is it even required at all for a Christian to read trough all of the Torah and the story about the people of Israel? Is there any blessing to find in it at all?

 

[Johnnz]

Unless you get some good reference/commentary material much of the OT will remain somewhat obscure. Understanding the OT takes time and effort. Just text popping what appeals will never unlock its many messages.

John
NZ

 

[wonderwaleye]

I've started to try to read the old testament, Genesis worked out fine, but then I found my self to be bored by all the laws and the endless lists of people that used to live back there, lists of their children, lists of what land they should own, lists about how everything should be done. I don't really feel that it is blessing me like I always feel the new testament is. The exceptions seem to have been Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Job and the Psalms, which is more wisdom-books/poetry. The prophecies have seemed to be somewhat absurd and I don't really feel that I understand much of them at all.

Anyone else feel the same, or is it something I do wrong? Is it even required at all for a Christian to read trough all of the Torah and the story about the people of Israel? Is there any blessing to find in it at all?

First let me say don't miss the BOOKS of SIRACH and WISDOM ( wisdom-books ) WONDERFUL WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING BOOKS.





The OLD TESTIMENT is or can be a hard read if you try to take in all of it. Breeze through the genealogy and get to the meat of it. Don't try to read a lot of it at one time. Set a goal of at least 2 pages a day and more if you desire. You will be surprised just how fast you will go through it.


It is the NEW TESTIMENT you should read and reread until it's locked in your heart. This is what makes you a CHRISTIAN and will lead you up the road to the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD. If it was not for JESUS we would be doomed as gentiles.



Be patient and go forward in FAITH!!!



I will look for you in GOD'S KINGDOM



steven

 

[Lucis]

Yeah Sirach and the Book of Wisdom in the apocrypha's seemed to be good stuff too, long time since I've read that one.

I will look for you in GOD'S KINGDOM

Yeah, I'll be there. Don't want to miss that party

 

[BobW188]

You may find it helpful to shift back and forth in your reading. The Old Testament in many ways lays the basis for the new. All those laws? The basis for Pharisiism. Isaiah, Malachi and other prophets? They announce the Messiah centuries in advance. From Genesis, you've already learned what it is to be "a priest on the order of Melchizedek." Every prophecy Jesus fulfils is written somewhere in the Old Testament.
I think you'll find it becomes a lot more readable once you're past those 613 laws and what seem like 613 censuses and genealogies.

 

[mercyreigns]

I find that once you get past the numbers and names, the OT is fascinating.

If you look at the laws in Liviticus, especially the hygeine ones, keep in mind that the Jewish people's obedience to these laws ket them relatively safe when plagues were killing thousands in Europe in the middle ages.

The 'blessings and curses' in Deuteronomy are interesting too.

It all reveals part of who God is.

 

[heron]

You seem to have given yourself a course in OT Overview -- you now understand the character of each book.

I found that I do much better if I don't read it cover to cover. I find questions that I want answered in the hard sections, then look them up. Then there is reason for me to read a passage that might be cluttered with names and locations.

I used to be fearful of the judgment prophecies, because I was reading the entire Bible as God's Word to me. (Then He was yelling at me.)

But when I started to read the whole story surrounding the judgments, and why God was taking action, I realized it was not much different than NATO stepping in and settling an oppressive situation. I hadn't seen the victim side of the oppression. God was reprimanding criminals who needed to be stopped.

 

[One day at a time]

Here is a suggestion and it might work for you. I have read through the Bible now quite a few times but the best and easiest times for me were when I read it chronologically. I found a Bible that comes in chronological order for 365 daily readings (NIV). It gives understanding about laws etc... and also there are several places instead of reading the same things over and over they only write them once. It might help you understand a bit more. Plus reading is also for our example...to learn from their mistakes....so don't give up on the O.T.!

 

[itpro4470]

What ever you do don't give up on it make your self do it for at least 1 hour per day. It some times get dry and boring but stick through it. It surprises me the amount of people who claim to be Christians and haven't read through and/or aren't reading through the bible. Thats kind of like a lawyer not reading the law books or a pilot not reading the aircrafts flight manual it's essential reading that you can't do without. One good way to get through it is to get with a group of people who will read a certain amount per week then discuss what you've read. Good Luck!!

 

[GaryP]

I would not read it at all. My focus is on the millisecond where Jesus is on the cross and
he departs to the Father, I will grab onto him and I will follow him to my Father in Heaven. I will not look or listen to Creation. The OT was in Roman Hands and it
belongs to the Earth and the Jews. Jesus is the Word, But I can not Read, Jesus is the light, but I can not see. Yet I will Hold on to the Word and Light and never let go.
Mark 15:38 Go through the Temple not into the Tomb.

 

[GaryP]

You do not need an instruction manual to follow Him, Just do it.

 

[Fellow Servant]

Perhaps what you need to do instead is a Bible Study. There are any number of studies that you could undertake that would help you to understand and enjoy why learning more about the OT is important to your understanding the NT.

One for instance cannot study Hebrews chapter by chapter and verse by verse and not also study the OT in order to better understand why the blood of Christ was necessary or why and how we need Him as our high priest at the right hand of God.

Another study might be to read the Gospel making a note of all references by Christ back to the OT and then go back and study why you feel Christ felt it important Himself to reference them.

Use your imagination!