7 Reasons You Should Read the Entire Bible

With 2020 just around the corner, there is lots of talk about starting fresh with Bible reading goals. One of the most popular goals is reading through the entire Bible in a year. 

Reading through the Bible in a year is a fantastic goal to have. All throughout my years at home, my parents read through the Bible every year. They then encouraged me to work towards accomplishing that goal myself, even when I was quite young. The discipline of having to stick with a schedule in order to finish within the prescribed time-frame was instrumental in helping me develop a habit of reading the Bible every day. 

So what are some reasons for why we should read the entire Bible? Why not just stick to the parts that make us get all warm and fuzzy inside? Or the parts that are "fun" to read? Or the exciting stories about heroes? 

Why should we continue reading, even if we feel lethargic as we read through the endless genealogies, Levitical procedures, graphic murder scenes, and prophetic passages that sound like they're written in a secret code?  

As I plan for my own Bible reading goals for 2020, I've asked myself these very questions. Here are seven reasons I came up with for why we should read all of Scripture--from Genesis to Revelation.

Note: As you read the following reasons, please keep in mind that I am not saying that a cover-to-cover reading of the Bible is the only way to read the Bible; I simply want to remind our hearts that it is important to read the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament. There is definitely a place for a more concentrated and dedicated study of specific books or passages of Scripture.

1. It reveals the Big Picture of Scripture. 

Reading from Genesis to Revelation gives us the narrative of God's Big Picture, from eternity past to eternity future. We learn of creation, the fall of man, the promised Redeemer, the redemption of mankind, and the restoration-yet-to-come of all things. These themes shape the entire layout of Scripture.

2. It reveals the story of mankind. 

Reading from Genesis to Revelation reveals who we are as humans. We learn about who we were, who we are now, and who we are yet to become. 

In Genesis, we learn that God made man in His image. But then man rebelled against God and was eternally marked by a sin nature. After that fateful day in the garden, all humans are under sin's curse. As we read the Old Testament, we see sinful people rebelling against God; we also see the thread of hope woven throughout the narrative.

The Old Testament saints confidently anticipated the Redeemer that God promised to Adam and Eve, way back in the Garden of Eden. The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of this promise with Christ's birth, life on earth, and death on the cross. Because Christ the Redeemer paid the price of our redemption, we are no longer under sin's curse. One day, every saint will be made into Christ's likeness.

This is who we were and who we can become through Christ. 

3. It presents a literal narrative of history. 

Scripture addresses questions about literal, historical events: Where did the world come from? Where did man come from? How come there are so many languages? Who is Israel? What about the church--how did that come to be? And what about the future--does anyone know what is going to happen?

We find answers to all these questions by reading the entire Bible--the Old Testament as well as the New.

4. It reveals God's character. 

Apart from Christ coming in the flesh, the Bible is God's primary way of revealing specific details about Himself to mankind. The Old Testament brings out aspects of God's character in a way that is unique from the New Testament. A partial reading of Scripture is going to give us a partial revelation of God's character. 

For example: In Genesis, we see God as Creator, Just, and Holy. In Leviticus, we see God's holiness revealed in a way unlike any other book of the Bible. In Judges, we see God's faithfulness towards the Israelites. In Job, we see how great and awesome God is. In the Psalms, we see picture after picture of God's personal care for those who trust in Him. In the Major and Minor Prophets, we see specific ways that God has dealt with the nations.

Yes, we must read all of Scripture to gain a comprehensive understanding of God's character. 

5. It allows God to reveal Himself on His terms. 

When we read the whole of Scripture instead of picking and choosing the books or passages that we think are "good" or "applicable" to us, we read the entirety of what God has revealed about Himself.  

6. Jesus put a lot of weight on the Old Testament writings. 

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus frequently referred back to the Old Testament. In Matthew 12:40, Jesus likens Himself to Jonah spending three days in the belly of the whale; in John 3:14, Jesus refers back to Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. On the famous trip to Emmaus after His death, Jesus goes back to Moses and all the prophets to "interpret to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:17).

If Jesus put so much weight on the teachings of the Old Testament and how they point towards Himself, should we not also do the same? 

7. New Testament authors also emphasized Old Testament writings. 

Under divine inspiration, New Testament authors repeatedly refer back to portions of Old Testament writings. 

For example, Matthew gives us details about how King Herod's scribes figured out where the Messiah was to be born: they went to the prophetic writings (Matthew 2:6).

While pregnant with the Son of God, Mary fills her song of praise to the Lord with quotes from the Old Testament (Luke 1:46-55).

In Acts, the believers quote from the Psalms as they pray for boldness (Acts 4:25-26).

In Stephen's famous last sermon, he refers to both the prophets and the Psalms (Acts 7:42-43, 49-50). 

The Apostle Paul constantly refers back to the Old Testament in his teachings and writings.

In Acts 13, Paul recounts Israel's history and the prophecy and fulfillment of Christ's first coming as the Messiah.

In Romans 3, he utilizes the Psalms to highlight man's utter sinfulness.

In 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, he quotes Old Testament writings to illustrate the significance of the believer's body being the dwelling place of God. 

The book of Hebrews is riddled with references to the Old Testament and the sacrificial system.

First Peter 2:6-8 draws on Old Testament language to visualize the beautiful privileges of the believer.

And finally, in Revelation, we gain a better understanding of future events because of how it cross-references back to the Major and Minor Prophets.

So do you want to grow to know God better?

Do you want to understand His ways more clearly? 

Do you want to love Him more? 

If so, read the Bible. All of it. He will teach you through it! 

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