Boring Parts of the Bible

Anyone who has ever determined to read the Bible straight through from beginning to end has quickly come across passages - in fact, chapters on end - that seemed exceedingly boring. Genealogies, extensive lists of Jewish laws, detailed instructions for rituals, minute plans for buildings - these dry passages have thwarted the success of many previously enthusiastic readers.

Should these passages be skipped over, discarded as useless? Should they be skimmed quickly just to get through them? Can readers allow their estimation of the worthlessness of such passages to negatively influence their view of the Bible or the God who inspired it?

The "big" answer is in recognizing that different sections of Scripture fill different roles. None of the Bible is useless. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).

Some sections of Scripture record the necessary history of Israel (and related religious practices) so that the redemptive plan can be more fully understood. The concept is similar to that found in epic novels like A Tale of Two Cities or Les Miserables. Someone could read those novels, skipping over the less compelling background and history in order to focus on the exciting story line, but such an abridged reading necessarily hampers the reader's appreciation of the novel.

Another function of all Scripture, including the boring passages, is to reveal the character of God. These less-than-compelling passages effectively display God's holiness, design, thoroughness, omniscience, and other qualities. An overall evaluation of these passages enhances the reader's understanding of the Author of the book, which will aid him not only in understanding the rest of the Bible better, but will also help him to know his God better.

These first two objectives can be achieved even by occasional reading of the less exciting sections of the Bible. A third component, however, will primarily happen only for readers who regularly and seriously read those sections. Very often God has worked wonderful truths and insights into those passages. Those truths emerge over time and with repetition, as the reader's understanding of the rest of the Bible grows also. With enough exposure and experience, finally the understanding is opened and new truth is revealed.

For example, Exodus 25-30 gives very precise directions for the building of the tabernacle, the construction of its furnishings, the dress and consecration of the priests, and related topics. Finally, the reader pushes through all that detail. He gets to a few exciting chapters about the golden calf, the replacing of the tablets of the law, and the collection of materials for the tabernacle construction. Then Exodus 36-40 plunges the reader back into very precise descriptions of the actual construction.

The reading seems monotonous, often almost identical to chapters 25-30. Once again the reader plows through length and width of curtains, numbers of loops made on the edges of those curtains, numbers of fasteners to connect those curtains. He reads again about bells and pomegranates, about the different facets of the priestly garments, and about the ingredients of the incense. Following the account of the preparation comes the record of how the various components of the tabernacle were actually put together, how the furnishings were arranged, and how the dedication of the priests was carried out. More repetition.

The repetition is the key. One clause shows up more than any other: "just as the LORD had commanded Moses." This clause (or synonymous wording) occurs eighteen times in chapters 39 and 40. God wanted to make it very clear that Moses followed out His instructions precisely. If a reader wants proof, all he has to do is compare the wording of chapters 25-30 with that of chapters 36-40. Moses did what God wanted down to the smallest detail: the right size of curtain, the right number of loops, the right width of boards, the right molding of components of the candlestick, the right procedure in dressing the priests. His obedience was thorough and precise.

Still, the repetitive description can seem like overkill. Why is it necessary to detail Moses' obedience with such precision? The answer is found in Hebrews 3. The reader's attention is drawn to one particular aspect of Jesus: His faithfulness. In demonstrating Jesus' faithfulness, the Bible provides a human comparison.

"[Jesus] was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house - whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end" (Hebrews 3:2-6).

Every detail of Moses' faithful and careful obedience in the construction of the tabernacle is important, because the precise and detailed faithfulness of Moses was intended by God to serve as a comparison for the precise and detailed faithfulness of Jesus. Just like Moses was completely obedient down to the most mundane detail, so Jesus is unfailingly obedient in everything the Father asks Him to do.

The specific context is the house of God, the body of believers. Jesus is faithful to do for His followers exactly and precisely what they need. No substitutions. No cutting corners. No inferior materials. Only what is right and best. Jesus said repeatedly that He came to do the Father's will. Anyone who wants to see how precisely Jesus did that can go back and rehearse the detailed obedience of Moses. Yes, Jesus cares for His church right down to each board, curtain, clasp, bell, and pomegranate. Everything is exactly the right color and size. No shortcuts. No omissions. No errors. Just right.