Susan, Author at Profoundly Simple

A bike and the Bible – Joshua to 1 and 2 Samuel – part 8

From Joshua to 1 and 2 Samuel, familiar stories bring recognition and maybe a little comfort, much like the stretch of the bike trail that was out in daylight after the long dark tunnel.

Shared road

After 1.661 miles of darkness, I was glad to see sunlight and begin the stretch of the ride that was on a shared road. This section carried bikes, cars, and buses. A gravel road worn smooth from the weight of many tires and frequent use.

Though varied vehicles meant we had to watch for traffic in both directions, I welcomed the open expanse and chance to see something familiar.

Bigger view

Outside the entrance of the tunnel I could see the panoramic view of evergreens, blue sky, and sunshine. We were still near the start of the bike ride, but this was the first we could really see where we were going.

The next few books of the Bible – Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel – offer a similar perspective.

Joshua

Joshua, Moses’ successor, leads the Israelites as their journey continues. To recap, Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt (the Exodus) and gives his farewell speech in Deuteronomy. Joshua takes over leadership in the Book of Joshua.

The Book of Joshua includes the story of Rahab who hid the spies (chapter 2), the crossing of the Jordan River (chapter 3 and 4), and the fall of the wall at Jericho (chapter 6). These were stories I heard about at church when I was a kid. They read pretty quickly if you want to give them a look.

Rahab’s name is good to remember. Her name comes up in the New Testament in some pretty remarkable ways. (See Matthew 1:5 and Hebrews 11:31).

The Battle of Jericho is one of many battles that takes place in this action-packed book. The second half of Joshua covers the division of land among the tribes.

Before Joshua passes on, he gives a farewell warning to the people reminding them to obey God. (Joshua 23:6)

In chapter 24 the people swear they will be faithful to God, but the next book, Judges, tells a different story.

Judges

The Judges ruled or led people. The people would do things their own way, “did right in their own eyes,” until they really messed up and God sent a judge to lead them out of their predicament.

Some of the noteworthy names are Deborah (chapter 4 and 5), Gideon (chapter 6-9), and Samson (chapter 13-16). Don’t worry if you don’t recognize their names. Their stories only take a few chapters to read. Here are a couple of highlights from Gideon’s story.

Gideon

I so appreciate Gideon. God whittles down all Gideon’s resources to show God’s strength, not the strength of the Israelites. (Judges 7)

Gideon also has a few trust issues and asks God to do a lot of proving of His role in Gideon’s survival. (Judges 6:36-40)

Ruth

The Book of Ruth is a short four chapter self-contained story that packs a punch when you realize how significant Ruth’s role is in the bigger story of Jesus. (Read Ruth chapter 4, then compare Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:1-6)

1 and 2 Samuel

1 and 2 Samuel, once one long book split into parchment part one and two, 1 Samuel starts with the story of a woman longing for a child. We learn the story of Samuel from before he was born to boyhood to first job and God’s calling.

1 Samuel presents the rise and fall of Saul as king and the introduction of David who complicates the dynamics of Saul’s kingdom.

When the giant Goliath enters the scene, this adversary defines David’s popularity. David’s story comes to the forefront in the rest of 1 Samuel. His reign as king begins in 2 Samuel.

How to remember what’s in 1 and 2 Samuel?

Samuel anoints David as king. 1 and 2 Samuel contains the story of David.

In these five books of the Bible we find narratives and stories that are easy to follow and in some cases familiar. A breath of fresh air in the Old Testament murkiness.

Easier

On the bike ride we shared the road with automobile traffic and buses, as well as bikes moving in both directions. But because of all of this traffic, the road was smoother. All of that gravel had been worn down and was therefore easier to ride over.

These stories are either well-known, shorter, easier to comprehend, or to follow. We also find a few distinct references to the New Testament showing the two-way traffic between the Old and the New.

Hopefully like the bike path that opened up after the tunnel, you are finding a clearer view through the Old Testament with insights from Joshua to 1 and 2 Samuel.

Want a quick review of the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy? Find it here:

A bike and the Bible – long dark tunnel – part 7

The beginning of the Old Testament can feel like a long dark tunnel. Here are insights to shed some light on the first five books of the Bible.

Tunnel entrance

The moment had arrived. No more stalling. I clumsily made my way to the tunnel entrance. I couldn’t see daylight. This was like the beginning of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. At the risk of being redundant, Genesis means beginning.

Darkness

In the beginning of Genesis the earth is formless and void. Darkness covers all. That’s what this tunnel felt like. Pure black nothingness. I had no idea where I was going, what to expect, what I would find, and all the while I felt like I was going to fall.

Fall

Which is actually a good metaphor for the beginning of Genesis because a fall happens pretty quickly. It’s “the Fall” that gets referenced everywhere. I heard that phrase a lot growing up but wasn’t exactly sure what it meant. What fall? Who fell?

Well, Adam and Eve, the first man and woman. They listened to a voice other than God’s, then questioned what they thought they knew, but more importantly questioned God’s love for them. The resulting consequence was a fall from grace and a boot out of the Garden, not because God didn’t love them, but because He did.

Before God sent them away from the Garden, He clothed them to cover their shame of being exposed.

God wants to cover our shame too.

Grateful for the light

Back in the long dark tunnel I was grateful for the light on my bike though it seemed pretty dim compared to the darkness that surrounded me. I was thankful to have my husband riding in front of me so I had some sense of direction and a little more light to guide my way.

In fact, this tunnel was filled with other cyclists, many who appeared to be experienced with the layout of the tunnel, or at least to me it seemed that way. With all those riders, this really dark tunnel had a constant stream of light flowing through it. This perpetual light may not have been bright but it was fairly steady.

Not alone

We are not alone when we read the Bible. We may know other people who have already read the stories we are just experiencing. I personally appreciate the people who like me are in the process of learning what’s inside.

Connection

The best part of reading the Bible is finding connection to God. When we read the Bible we take a step toward Jesus. The moment we open our Bibles we open our hearts to the possibility of time with Jesus.

Tried to maintain control

It took all my concentration to stay upright and not ride into the gutters that flanked the sides of the tunnel. For some reason the wheels kept leaning toward the gutters. Later I would find out the tunnel was slanted so the water that dripped from the ceiling could run off into those handy water troughs but for me they were reminders of how quickly I could go off course. I gripped the handle bars while I tried to maintain control.

Two-way tunnel

Did I mention this was a two-way tunnel? Yes, not only was I conscious of the riders behind me – who probably wanted to pass – but I had to watch for the ones sailing back up toward the entrance.

Funny, I didn’t grasp what was happening at the time, but some point later in the ride I realized I, too, would have to make the return trip. God was kind to keep me out of the loop at the start of the ride.

Foundation

Reading the Bible has similar characteristics. When I led a group of people through the whole Bible we spent a lot of time in Genesis. So many of the stories in Genesis lay the foundation for other sections of Scripture. If you haven’t read Genesis I encourage you to start there. If you want an overview of what’s in it, here’s a reference point:

Through Genesis – shedding light on the journey

If you read through Genesis you’ll find it flows into Exodus, which also continues with the story concept, though this one focuses primarily on the story of Moses and the Israelites. Here are some tips on how to navigate Exodus:

Find your stride – how to navigate Exodus

After Exodus comes the stumbling block of Leviticus. Most people like to skip this one, but reading with a group kept me accountable and I read through it. Leviticus is worth the trouble if you’re up for it. Here’s some help to survive the ride through it:

How to survive the journey through Leviticus

Much like the tunnel that never seemed to end, Leviticus can feel like a plunge into darkness. But if you even take the time to skim it, you’ll find some content that relates to Jesus in a most profound way.

And if you survive the journey through Leviticus, you have the reward of Numbers which begins with a mind-numbing census. Here are a few highlights of what can be found in Numbers:

How to find knowledge in the narrative of Numbers

Rounding out the first five books of the Bible is Deuteronomy, the book of remembrance. I personally find it ironic because if I make it this far through the Bible, it’s doubtful I remember what I read up to that point. Here are a few highlights to what’s in Deuteronomy:

Finding reminders in the book of Deuteronomy

If you followed me through this list then congratulations, you just made it through the long dark tunnel of the first five books of the Old Testament.

I want to give you permission to forget what you read. The Bible is always available for us to come back to and open it to remember what we’ve seen. But most of all, God is always available to reach out to – that’s all I need to remember.

Catching up on this series?

A bike and the Bible – an adventure – intro – part 1

A bike and the Bible – reservations – part 2

A bike and the Bible – what I thought – part 3

A bike and the Bible – getting started – part 4

A bike and the Bible – finding a Bible – part 5

A bike and the Bible – before the ride – part 6

Like my experience with the bike before the ride, reading the Bible can be messy. We get stuck, lose our place, but also find our way, all while moving closer to Jesus. How to navigate the entry point.

Entry point

We drove to the trailhead, grabbed our gear, in my case, all the snacks I could carry in my pockets, and hiked up to the entry point.

A map

At the info table I requested a map. The gal handed me one and said I’d never use it. She may have been right, but I’ve looked at it countless times since then. A reminder of the path I endured, survived, lived to tell about.

A bookmark

When I started to read the Bible I could never find the table of contents. It must be at least 30 pages in. A bookmark with all of the books of the Bible on it became a handy reference for me, especially the kind that lists the books of the Bible in groupings. Not sure what I mean by groupings? I’ll explain along the ride. In the meantime you can either bookmark the table of contents or follow my example and stumble onto each book of the Bible.

Here’s one way I have a general sense of where I am in the Bible:

Finding my place

Before the ride

My husband took my picture with the bike before the ride started. Before the chaos. Before the first blog post.

Potential hazard

I sat astride my bike. No, actually I didn’t. I stood next to it to have my picture taken. I was well-outfitted. Favorite lightweight teal windbreaker, purple bike helmet, right pant leg in sock. I had ridden bikes enough to know that if you don’t keep your pant leg neatly tucked away from the bike chain, it will find the bike chain. One more potential hazard on this path of peril.

Reading the Bible

Reading the Bible can be messy. We get stuck, lose our place, but also find our way, all while moving closer to Jesus. What do I mean by that? The Bible is God’s Word. When we open our Bible we position ourselves to be aware of God in our own life. That’s the beauty in the mess.

Notice

Now when I look at the photo of the bike I notice the tires covered in dried on mud. And the seat. The back of the seat is streaked with dried on dirt. Did I not notice it before? I don’t think I noticed anything before.

Uncomfortable

My husband sat on his bike. Of course his feet touched the ground. Mine didn’t. And that’s another thing. My bike seat was too far off the ground. I couldn’t touch my feet easily on the ground. But the seat was short in the frame. My legs were perpetually bent, just enough to be a bit uncomfortable after a while.

Sound idea

He stood confidently astride his bike, wearing the backpack full of juice and lunch for the both of us. We may have actually eaten our lunch before we arrived at the trailhead. That was probably the most sound idea of the day.

Company

Although I did not have his confidence, I was grateful for his company. I’m happy to accompany you on this journey into the Bible.

Messy

When I look at the picture now I see all the mud caked on the tires. This ride was going to be messy and I didn’t even have a clue.

Want to see what I’m talking about? A few pictures before the ride:

Tunnel ahead

Question

What were some of your early experiences with reading the Bible?

Want to keep following the journey of a bike and the Bible? Subscribe for free to know when the next stretch of the journey is up.

Catching up?

A bike and the Bible – an adventure – intro – part 1

A bike and the Bible – reservations – part 2

A bike and the Bible – what I thought – part 3

A bike and the Bible – getting started – part 4

A bike and the Bible – finding a Bible – part 5

Like an ill-fitting bike rack, finding a Bible that works for us can be a challenge. Do we try to read it ourselves or let someone else do the heavy lifting? How do we find one we’ll use?

After a week off to share about my book project on Leviticus, this week returns to the bike ride I went on last summer and how it reminded me of the journey through the Bible.

Bike rack didn’t fit

We attempted to put a rented bike rack on our car, but it didn’t fit. After several tries we figured out the bikes couldn’t be secured in place and were at risk of falling off on the way from the bike rental to the trail head.

Finding a Bible

Kind of like finding a Bible that works. I’m not talking about what’s inside it. I mean the size of it. Bulky or compact. Is it portable or once I buy it will I just leave it home – and in the box?

Rent bikes

In the end it was better to rent bikes and have them transported to the trail head by others.

Read from the Bible

Listening to others read from the Bible is fine in the beginning. We can learn what’s in the Word of God at church or from someone’s teaching in a Bible study and avoid fumbling through the pages of Scripture trying to figure out how to read it ourselves.

Our own encounter

Hearing about someone else’s experience with Scripture is a great place to start. Let it be the first step toward having our own encounter with the Bible and what’s inside it.

What to look for when choosing a Bible

Gear

This bike ride was hardcore. The other riders had their gear. I had my purple helmet. And one pant leg rolled up in my sock so it wouldn’t get caught in the bike chain. At least on that point I was prepared though not very fashionable. They were cool. I was scared. I wasn’t here for adventure. I was here for survival.

When we need help

But isn’t that usually when we need help? When we’re in survival mode, unsure of ourselves? Maybe I was where I needed to be.

Question

Have you found a Bible that works for you? What hesitations did you experience trying to read it?

Want to keep following the journey of a bike and the Bible? Subscribe for free to know when the next stretch of the journey is up.

Catching up?

A bike and the Bible – an adventure – intro – part 1

A bike and the Bible – reservations – part 2

A bike and the Bible – what I thought – part 3

A bike and the Bible – getting started – part 4

For the Love of Leviticus – Finding Jesus

How I discovered a love of Leviticus on a journey through the Bible.

I entered a writing contest. I didn’t win, but I did. Before you write that off as an “everyone’s a winner” statement, let me explain.

Back in March a week before we all had to stay home, I woke up one Saturday with the notion I should enter a writing contest.

I had been writing on a project for fun since January. A book about Leviticus, the road block in the Old Testament. I had always struggled getting passed Leviticus on a Bible read through. But after I read through the entire Bible with my Bible study, I discovered a myriad of connections to Leviticus throughout the whole Bible.

I began writing about my experience in hopes of helping others find connections too.

Big picture

Having decided to enter the contest, I soon realized I had one week to pull together the writing sample. I needed a big picture view of the book, chapter summaries, and sample chapters. Doing this gave me a vision for the project that created momentum.

A few months went by and I was notified I was a finalist in the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Awards. Talk about validation! The judges’ comments were encouraging, insightful, and helpful.

I wrote some more.

Then life happened. I continued working on other projects, but didn’t spend much time on the Leviticus book, though I kept it on my to-do list.

Motivation

Two weeks ago I dove back into writing on this book. My new motivation? Finish writing a bad draft before the winners were announced. I didn’t know what the contest outcome would be, but I did know it’s more fun to write while you think you could win than if you know you didn’t.

So I did. Write, that is. I wrote like crazy. And that’s when I won. Not the contest, but something better.

A profoundly deeper understanding of the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Every writing session brought another jaw-dropping insight into the connections between Leviticus, that oft-ignored and neglected book of the Old Testament, and the compassion-filled love of our Savior.

Connections to Jesus

Most of us will never know just how much Jesus loves us. Oh, sure, we know from the children’s song, favorite Bible stories, and personal experience. But we don’t know from the perspective of Leviticus. We can only know if we look and nobody wants to look at what’s in Leviticus. It’s gross.

So I’ve been writing a somewhat humorous, yet insightful look into the connections to Jesus found in Leviticus.

I met my goal. I finished the bad draft. Now comes the fun part. Pulling all the pieces together to shape it into something you, my reader, would enjoy perusing.

Don’t worry, it won’t be a thick book. And if you’ve ever attended my Bible study you’ll find it to be much the same: motivating, encouraging, thoughtful, and a little entertaining.

The book is still in its early stages, but here’s the first line:

“Ask anybody what book of the Bible they’ll never read, chances are you’ll hear Leviticus.”

My title?

For the Love of Leviticus – Finding Jesus in the Least-loved Book of the Bible

I look forward to sharing it with you when it’s finished.

If you want a basic orientation to Leviticus:

How to survive the journey through Leviticus