Top 5 Books of the Bible
Well, I’ve been thinking for three months to get a list of top five favorite books of the Bible. I’ve gone for a good month and a half consistently agreeing with the ones I’ve chosen. I teetered a bit on if I wanted Isaiah or Ecclesiastes for my number 5 slot, but finally decided on Isaiah. The thing I love about Ecclesiastes is that it makes it so clear that nothing I desire will bring me joy except for the REAL joy I experience by living my life in step with my Savior. But, Isaiah finally won out due to historical predictions, cool poetry, and through God’s work in me using chapter 30.
Here’s my Top Five:
5. Isaiah – My favorite prophet. This book has poetry and prophecy combined. And the prophecy is so real…the predictions of Christ’s return are phenomenal and I never would have thought they would have come about so accurately according to what Isaiah predicted so many years before Christ’s existence. It really shows me that God’s plan and story was laid out and moving long before I was alive and that His moving is great and powerful and big! Love: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
4. Proverbs – I love Proverbs because it’s so practical. It gives small, quotable verses and really really practical advice. I think the words of Proverbs probably come to mind the most day to day as I interact with people and live. Proverbs gives a good roadmap to practical Biblical life application. Love: Wisdom’s Call: “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:10-11
3. Exodus – This is where the good stories are of God’s character and faithfulness and love for His people. You’ve got Moses and Pharaoh and the story of how God reveals His glory and saves His people from slavery. Talk about a beautiful and amazing metaphor of what comes later with Christ’s return! Then, God teaches them how to live the free life that He has given. Good stuff that really points to a bigger story. Love: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt , and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession…” Exodus 19:4-5a
2. Romans – The whole “I’m a sinner, Jesus died for my sins, give my life to Christ” thing always confused me and seemed really really bizarre. In Romans, Paul just lays out the whole gospel message really smoothly and understandably. I try to read Romans twice a year so I keep it close to heart. Love: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24
1. John – Jesus totally lays the smack down in this. Before I was a Christian, I always envisioned Jesus as this really safe, sweet, politically correct guy. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to follow someone who seemed no different from Gandi or other pacifists. Not that God couldn’t be a pacifist…but I grew up on the Old Testament Bible stories where God shows His righteous anger and all that stuff. The God I knew from the Old Testament didn’t seem to go with the cheesy Jesus they taught about in Church. If Christ was supposed to be God, then you’d think they’d exhibit some similar characteristics. Then I read the book of John and was always shouting out (seriously…shouting), “Whoa!,” “Jesus is AWESOME!,” “Oooo! Sucks to be a Pharisee!” and similar phrases. The first time I read John I thought, “Jesus…now this guy is SO God. And he’s a God I can totally worship.” Good stuff. Love: I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5