Saturday, December 24, 2005
Carol's Old Testiment Blog???
Sorry, I've been ignoring this blog since I finished the B of M last month. I've been reading (or should I say, I've been TRYING to) the Old Testiment. I read it on the bus in the morning on the way to work. It's my least favorite book of scripture. Here's what Amira from Conversations blog said when I told her about my lack of understanding and appreciation of the OT. "I have to say the OT is my favorite book of scripture. Sometimes I think it could use a good editor like Mormon to trim things down and take out some of the less desirable parts. But most of the time I enjoy its diversity."
I am really grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel that helps me understand the OT as well as I do. I'd really be lost if I were trying to read it without the "big picture" view that the B of M and the gospel give me.
Once, when I was much younger and thought I knew it all, my sister was staying with us. She was trying to read the OT and I was both shocked and amazed that someone with such a low reading level would even attempt it. I proudly thought to myself, "Who does she think she is, reading the OT with her 3rd grade reading level? I have college level reading skills and I won't even attempt to read the OT." Then the Spirit gently touched my heart and took me down several notches. "At least she is trying. I'm not reading any scriptures now so even with her low reading level, she's getting more blessings and knowledge than I am."
So, I guess, that even with my limited understanding and appreciation, I will still gain knowledge by trying. Like the joke goes, "What's the biggest room in any house? Room for improvement." I'll try to blog about my attempt to read the OT and maybe, with this blog and my readers encouragement, I will succeed in this daunting task.
So, if you're reading this entry, please post some encouragement for me. I'll try to update at least once a week. It may be more, but not for a while since we are moving in a few days. It's not a far move, but a move up. We're leaving our rented 2 bedroom for a 3 bedroom condo in the next Emirate, Ajman.
I am really grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel that helps me understand the OT as well as I do. I'd really be lost if I were trying to read it without the "big picture" view that the B of M and the gospel give me.
Once, when I was much younger and thought I knew it all, my sister was staying with us. She was trying to read the OT and I was both shocked and amazed that someone with such a low reading level would even attempt it. I proudly thought to myself, "Who does she think she is, reading the OT with her 3rd grade reading level? I have college level reading skills and I won't even attempt to read the OT." Then the Spirit gently touched my heart and took me down several notches. "At least she is trying. I'm not reading any scriptures now so even with her low reading level, she's getting more blessings and knowledge than I am."
So, I guess, that even with my limited understanding and appreciation, I will still gain knowledge by trying. Like the joke goes, "What's the biggest room in any house? Room for improvement." I'll try to blog about my attempt to read the OT and maybe, with this blog and my readers encouragement, I will succeed in this daunting task.
So, if you're reading this entry, please post some encouragement for me. I'll try to update at least once a week. It may be more, but not for a while since we are moving in a few days. It's not a far move, but a move up. We're leaving our rented 2 bedroom for a 3 bedroom condo in the next Emirate, Ajman.
# posted by Carol @ 12:38 PM 
Comments:
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Hooray! I'm glad to see you blogging again.
My encouragement would be to say that it's okay to skip chapters that involve minute details of the law of Moses (or other very boring parts). Yes, there are excellent commentaries on those chapters and they can be very interesting, but if the goal is to read the OT, skipping some parts isn't unreasonable.
Good luck! I'll keep checking in- and reading along too.
My encouragement would be to say that it's okay to skip chapters that involve minute details of the law of Moses (or other very boring parts). Yes, there are excellent commentaries on those chapters and they can be very interesting, but if the goal is to read the OT, skipping some parts isn't unreasonable.
Good luck! I'll keep checking in- and reading along too.
Good for you, Carol! Along with what Amira said, you don't have to read it in order, either. A sheet of paper and a pencil can help you keep track of what you've read and you can skip around and treat yourself to a short interesting book like Ruth in between some longer ones. I enjoy the Old Testament generally, but there are parts that are less interesting. Others are full of stories and insights. Hang in there!
I read the Old Testament from start to finish about 8 years ago. I don't plan to ever do it again (although I do plan to re-read many sections of it). But, I'm glad I did read it all once. There are some tedious parts to be sure, but there is also much of it that is not only worthwhile, but beautiful.
Like Amira, I recommend reading it with a commentary and finding other supplementary books. It will help you understand and appreciate it more.
Like Amira, I recommend reading it with a commentary and finding other supplementary books. It will help you understand and appreciate it more.
Thanks for the encouragment. I'm just starting Exodus now and that's such a great story they made it into a movie- ha ha. I think I'll ask at RS if anyone has an OT commentary to loan me as I live half a world away from the nearest LDS bookstore. I surely don't mind skipping through lists of tribes and the generations of people. I'm VERY greatful for the JS Translations as they clear up a lot of the wonky parts. Amira is right. The OT is just crying out for a good editor.
We are moving to Dubai this summer, so I'm glad I've stumbled across your blog.
As a family we started in on the OT after finishing the BOM. I dread Deut and Lev., not to mention the feared Isa. but I've a great book by Ludlow on the subject and Nibley has interesting commentary via lectures on the BoM. If you are able, get the seminary lesson manuals as well as the institute ones. They shed some lovely light on the subject matter.
As a family we started in on the OT after finishing the BOM. I dread Deut and Lev., not to mention the feared Isa. but I've a great book by Ludlow on the subject and Nibley has interesting commentary via lectures on the BoM. If you are able, get the seminary lesson manuals as well as the institute ones. They shed some lovely light on the subject matter.
Hi,
I have tried 3 times to read the old testament. You have inspired me to try again ;)
My dad brags that he read the whole bible, cover to cover, when he was young.. except for the song of solomon because it was too embarrassing. LOL.
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I have tried 3 times to read the old testament. You have inspired me to try again ;)
My dad brags that he read the whole bible, cover to cover, when he was young.. except for the song of solomon because it was too embarrassing. LOL.
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