The Bible is One Book!
Many Christians today overlook the relevance of the Old Testament, believing it only applies to the Jews and has no bearing on their faith. While ministers may reference the prophets, they often dismiss the importance of God’s words in the first five books of the Bible. However, the entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—presents a unified narrative: God’s plan of salvation for humanity, His greatest creation. It serves as the instruction manual for abundant life, guiding believers on how to live in harmony with His will. As Jesus emphasized in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
In Genesis, we find the beginning of all creation—the heavens, the earth, and everything within them. The first man and woman, the first marriage, rebellion, and even the first tragedy all originate here. These early accounts lay the foundation for understanding God’s plan and character. The wisdom revealed in Genesis is essential to grasp the depth of God’s design for life. From Genesis through Deuteronomy, God provides instructions for life, revealing His commandments, statutes, and laws to guide humanity, beginning with the creation of the Sabbath as a day of rest (Genesis 2:2-3).
In Exodus, God chooses and delivers His people, the Israelites, to be a light and example to the nations. Genesis 26:4-5 highlights the promise to Abraham that through his descendants, all nations would be blessed because of his obedience to God’s commands. In Exodus 20, we find God’s Ten Commandments, including the command to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11), which He first made holy in Genesis.
The book of Leviticus further clarifies God’s appointed times, including the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-3), and Numbers and Deuteronomy recount Israel’s journey and struggles to live by God’s instructions. They failed, not because the commands were flawed, but because they lacked the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit, which is available to God’s people today (Hebrews 8:8).
Jesus came as mediator of a new covenant as written in Hebrews 10:16-18: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their hearts, and on their minds, I will write them.” He then says, “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.“
Jesus affirmed that the Sabbath was made for all people, not just for the Jews (Mark 2:27). Yet many set aside God’s commandments for human traditions, as Jesus warned in Mark 7:6-9. He cautioned against worshiping in vain by following traditions over God’s Word.
In Revelation 14:12-13, we are reminded of the endurance of the saints who keep God’s commandments and their faith in Jesus. Those who remain faithful to God’s Word will find eternal rest and reward in Him. Let us follow the complete Word of God, not just portions, embracing His commandments and the life He has designed for us.