The Divisions Of The Old Testament

II Peter 3:18 

"....but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."

The Bible is the most amazing book, isn't it?!  It can tell us about history, science, astronomy, geography, all kinds of things.  First and foremost, of course, ithe tells us the incomparable story of the the One Who cane and saved us all:  Our Lord Jesus Christ. 

According to the Jewish rabbis there are codes hidden all throughout the Hebrew text which serve as signposts, proving this is one unique book that can ONLY be Divinely inspired!

It is also full of stories about heroes of old, incredible adventures and way better drama than any Hollywood production! 

(Page from "the Bible Code," by Michael Drosnin.)

 

 

It also demonstrates that our Abba is not only a God of order but even that order of things is a message, like a hidden code!  For example:  
There are 39 books in the Old Testament.  The 5 in the very center are the books of poetry that show forth GOD'S HEART OF LOVE.  They are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.

39 - 5 = 34.  On either side of these 5 are 17 books, counting from Genesis to Esther, and 17 books on the other side from Isaiah to Malachi.  So we have 17 + 5 + 17 =39.

Let's divide it up even further.  On the Genesis-to-Esther side are the 5 Books of Moses:  Genesis, Exodus, Levitucus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, followed by 12 historical books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.  5 Books of Law, 12 Books of History.  5 + 12 = 17


 

 

On the other side are 5 Major Prophets:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel, followed by the 12 Minor Prophets.  They are not minor in terms of their importance, mind you, but in terms of the length of their writings:  Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habbakuk, Zaphania, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.  17 in all.  5 Major, 12 Minor.  5 + 12 = 17.

In our Bible, the poetry books are in the very center.  But in the Hebrew Bible, "Thilim: Psalms," is at the very end suggesting that the Jewish people did not have a warm relationship with God.  They didn't view Him as loving but as fearsome, angry and distant. 

Under the Old Covenant, it was a frightening thing to approach God!  It was based on the blood of bulls and goats, a flawed priesthood and imperfect people. The more you came, the greater your chances of dying!
Today, we have a better Covenant based on better promises and better blood:  The Perfect, sinless blood of The Lamb of God:  Jesus Christ Himself!  It's a "new and living way:"  The more you come, THE MORE YOU LIVE!

(God SO LOVED the world.)

 

A person can have a lot of knowledge "about God," have graduated from seminary, even have earned a PhD in Divinity and know all "ABOUT" what the Bible says OF God without really "knowing His heart."  The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter, however, instructs us to "grow in the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ" FIRST..... THEN in "the knowledge of Him."

Knowledge is SECONDARY to understanding Grace: Knowing his heart. 

The Church often has it backwards.  We study "ABOUT GOD," in order to "KNOW GOD."  It has the effect of making Him seem far away when, in fact, He is head-over-heels in love with you!  

Church, He isn't angry with you.  He isn't even mildly disappointed!  In fact, HE IS WELL PLEASED!  How could He be otherwise when tou stand in the perfection of His Son, our Great High Priest and His FINISHED WORK!?  As the High Priest goes, so goes the nation.  As He: Jesus, is, SO ARE WE!

(For more on this topic, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/08/as-high-priest-goes-so-goes-nation.html)

So if you feel that God is angry with you or very far away, be assured of this:  HIS HEART IS FOR YOU!  

Don't get stuck in an Old Covenent mentality.  God's book, set up in Divine order, plainly says that GOD IS IN LOVE WITH YOU!   

And that, Church, is the message of the Divisions of the Old Testament!