I know I'm fixated on Bible reading right now. But I make no apologies for it. There is no substitute. You've got to read the Bible and you've got to let the Bible read you.
Came across a verse that has always fascinated me in Deuteronomy 17. The Lord instructed the King to "make a copy of the law" in the presence of the Levitical priests. He was told to "keep it at his side at all times." Who knows? Maybe he even slept with it. And he was told to "study it everyday."
Interesting isn't it? Studying the law was the King's primary responsibility. I have no idea how long it took to copy the law. But here's my question: why copy it? You're a king. You're busy. You have servants. Why not let someone copy it for you. Why did God insist on him copying it? Because that way it was in his own handwriting.
So he had his own personal copy of the law. And he was told to keep it at his side at all times. If we interpret that literally, then we ate with it, rode with it, slept with it, fought with it, and ruled with it.
Finally, he was told to study it everyday. No other spiritual discipline is more vital to your spiritual growth that daily Bible study. Period. It has to be a daily routine.
By the way, here is a little factoid that Braveheart fans will love. Did you know that William Wallace never went anyplace without his boyhood friend and personal chaplain, John Blair. In addition, he always carried his personal copy of the Scriptures with him.
Came across a verse that has always fascinated me in Deuteronomy 17. The Lord instructed the King to "make a copy of the law" in the presence of the Levitical priests. He was told to "keep it at his side at all times." Who knows? Maybe he even slept with it. And he was told to "study it everyday."
Interesting isn't it? Studying the law was the King's primary responsibility. I have no idea how long it took to copy the law. But here's my question: why copy it? You're a king. You're busy. You have servants. Why not let someone copy it for you. Why did God insist on him copying it? Because that way it was in his own handwriting.
So he had his own personal copy of the law. And he was told to keep it at his side at all times. If we interpret that literally, then we ate with it, rode with it, slept with it, fought with it, and ruled with it.
Finally, he was told to study it everyday. No other spiritual discipline is more vital to your spiritual growth that daily Bible study. Period. It has to be a daily routine.
By the way, here is a little factoid that Braveheart fans will love. Did you know that William Wallace never went anyplace without his boyhood friend and personal chaplain, John Blair. In addition, he always carried his personal copy of the Scriptures with him.
7 Comments:
I like your blog.I'm waiting for your new posts.
Nice, Mark.
Confirming the preeminence of the Word is always a good thing!
Grace and Peace,
Another Mark
Oh, and maybe also because it's one thing to read (or hear) something....but it becomes more a part of us when we've also written it. I have a friend who for that reason literally copies the Bible longhand, over and over, a little each day. It makes for more absorption.
Wow - great little thought from the OT. Thanks for that little nugget today. Hope you have a fantastic Easter. It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!
This was great PM. Makes me want to start a hand-written copy of the Word myself!
It was copied for the same reason I use to copy my notes when studying for an exam in college. so the words became part of me instead of just something written on a page, part of who I am.
Mark -- Thanks for the reminder. I've been working on a hand written copy of Deuteronomy for years. The process of slowing down and reading each word carefully and writing it in long hand with a fountain pen has been for me not unlike lectio divina. Even if no overt revelation occurs, nevertheless something happens in my soul that is positive and affirming and draws me closer to the heart of God.
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