Second Timothy declares that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable to make the man of God complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The wording matters, because the recording of Scripture is inspired by God, while murder, torture, child sacrifice, and all the ugly events Scripture records are not inspired by God. Scripture tells the truth about what happened so that God’s people can know the world as it really is.
Reading Scripture forms Jesus in a person. The elemental spiritual forces of this world will form something else if discipleship is left unattended. The practice of SOAP gives a simple way to read with a studious eye: Scripture, observation, application, and prayer, with meditation added as that extra lingering moment. The Bible is meditative literature, and a lifetime of reading brings fresh revelation at the right time. The body may not remember last week’s dinner, but it still did good, and Scripture works in that same deep way.
The Torah, the first five books of Moses, means law or instruction, and Moses is read rightly when Jesus is sought there. Genesis begins with creation, innocence, and the fall, but Genesis also shows three rebellions: the garden, the watchers, and Babel. These falls explain why sin and depravity permeate mankind, and why the Old Testament becomes Israel against nations and nations against Israel. God then pursues his plan through Abraham’s very dysfunctional family, carrying the promise through Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph into Egypt.
Exodus shows Israel oppressed and God raising up Moses as deliverer. The Passover lamb spares Israel’s firstborn and becomes the great picture of Christ, the Lamb who keeps the destroyer from entering the house. Leviticus, often called boring, actually shows holiness, priesthood, and the gracious way God makes corrupt people able to live in his holy presence. Numbers shows the wilderness wandering and the guiding cloud and fire, a picture of the Holy Spirit’s constant guidance. Deuteronomy gives Moses’ farewell and promises a prophet like Moses, fulfilled in Jesus.
Genesis shows Jesus as the seed of the woman, fully human and in constant connection with the Father. Exodus shows Christ as the Passover lamb. Leviticus shows Jesus as the great high priest, praying by name and nestling his people tightly between forgiveness and eternity. Numbers shows Christ giving the Spirit, not as visitation but habitation. Deuteronomy shows Jesus as the prophet like Moses, the one who says, “You have heard it said, but I say,” and delivers the new mode of life for the people of God.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Scripture forms Jesus within disciples Scripture is not merely information to be scanned and forgotten. Scripture is a forming practice, and what a person repeatedly gives attention to begins to shape desire, instinct, and imagination. If Scripture is neglected, other spiritual forces do not wait politely outside the door. [08:25]
- 2. The Bible requires a lifetime The Bible does not yield all its treasure in one sitting, and that is not a defect. Meditative literature works slowly, returning to the same verse at different seasons with fresh light. Rhythm, same time, same place, spoken words, and quiet meditation help Scripture move from page to soul. [10:28]
- 3. Genesis names more than one fall Genesis does not leave the world’s brokenness with only one rebellion in view. The garden, the watchers, and Babel together explain why death, corruption, and the nations stand under such deep disorder. The rest of the Old Testament makes better sense when those three rebellions are kept in view. [14:26]
- 4. Jesus is everywhere in Torah Moses writes law and instruction, but Christ is shining through the whole thing. The seed of the woman, the Passover lamb, the high priest, the cloud and fire, and the prophet like Moses are not random images. They show one continuous project of salvation, not plan B, but plan A from the beginning. [22:10]
- 5. The Spirit is habitation, not visitation The Old Testament often shows the Spirit coming upon people for a task and then lifting again. New Testament life is different because the Holy Spirit inhabits believers and guides day and night. A relationship with the Spirit is not a one-off experience, but a way of life for the long haul. [31:15]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:02] - Becoming Bible Literate
- [06:11] - Scripture Given By Inspiration
- [08:25] - Reading, Studying, And SOAP
- [10:58] - Introducing The Torah
- [13:09] - Genesis And The Three Rebellions
- [19:10] - Exodus, Passover, And Covenant
- [20:05] - Leviticus, Numbers, And Deuteronomy
- [21:22] - Moses Points To Jesus
- [22:30] - Genesis: Seed Of The Woman
- [25:25] - Exodus: The Passover Lamb
- [27:26] - Leviticus: The Great High Priest
- [30:17] - Numbers: Cloud And Fire
- [32:42] - Deuteronomy: Prophet Like Moses
- [36:25] - Invitation To Receive Jesus