In my daily devotions I’m in the book of Numbers right now: chapter after chapter of details about various offerings, names and numbers of people from the different tribes, details about the articles in the tabernacle, etc. etc. Between parts of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and many other parts of the Old Testament, it is easy to get lost and lose interest in reading through the Bible. So how would God have us read His Word so that we learn what we are supposed to learn, so that we honor the authorial intent, understanding that “all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Allow me to offer just a few suggestions that have helped me to see the Bible as anything but boring:

1. Start by reading the Bible with God in view rather than ourselves in view. The Bible is God’s Book, His revelation of Himself and His will and plan. Look for what you can learn about God in your reading and you’ll discover all sorts of amazing, wonderful truths. For example, the amount of time in the Bible God gives to details about the tabernacle or temple communicate volumes about how important proper worship is to God. In today’s reading, in a section of Numbers listing tribes, clans and leaders in the clans, I read Num. 27 about the daughters of Zelophehad. Easy to skim over, but slowing down to consider what we learn about God, we realize that these women have lost their father, they have no husbands, no brothers, no children, but they don’t want to lose their name and their land that is due to their family. Moses brings the issue before the Lord, and God says, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right,” and he goes on to institute how to care for women in such a situation so their name and inheritance are preserved. God cares about ALL people, including women in a patriarchal culture. Another example is the offerings we read about: sin offering, burnt offering, grain offering, drink offering, etc. (Num.29:11, et al) These show us that God is serious about atonement for sin, which leads us to praise God for His Son who was the once and for all sacrifice to atone for our sins (Hebr. 10). The division of the Promised Land in Numbers 34 reminds us that God is faithful to fulfill His promise to Abram all the way back in Genesis 15:17-20.
2. Closely related to this, keep in mind who the Bible was written to. It is all too easy for us to read with the question in our mind, “What can I get out of this?” “What is this passage saying to me?” The truth is that this Book is not about you or me, nor was it written to us. It was written to people long ago from a different time, culture, background, and language. BUT everything in the Bible is infinitely relevant and applicable for us today. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” God’s Word is applicable and relevant for us today (Hebr. 4:12), but to get to proper application, it will require some work. You must slow down and first consider how the original readers would have understood this passage, and having grasped this, then consider how we can properly apply that understanding in our context today. Put yourself in the sandals of the Israelites in the wilderness as they hear the Law being read to them. What seems very distant for us was brand new for them. The original author had an intent in putting these words in writing under inspiration of the Spirit. It’s there for a reason – spend the time considering why.
3. Make sure to read the Old Testament in view of the message of the whole Bible. We are no longer under the Old Covenant. Let us not put ourselves or others under the Law, placing “a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear.” (Acts 15:10) Legalistic preaching is so common globally, taking a command or portion of Scripture and quickly applying it to our lives as a means of blessing when that was never the intent of the Law. Rather, we must see how every passage fits into the whole message of the Bible, and the Law has a purpose in showing us we can never work our way to God (Gal.3:10-14). Praise God for His grace, and the shed blood of Christ who became a curse for us that we might receive His righteousness. Those laws have a purpose, even today, but not as a means to gain God’s favor.

Finally, I would suggest you pray – before, during and after reading, seeking the Holy Spirit’s help as you carefully study His Word and seek understanding and appropriate application. He gives enlightenment. If you listen carefully, He will nudge you into all wisdom.

If you want more help in how to study, understand and apply the Bible well, I’d encourage you to order a copy of Pathways Bible Study booklet from Amazon. It is the lay version of what our team teaches to pastors globally, and we’ve heard it has helped many to study the Bible in a much healthier way.