LOVING THE LAW by Nicole Byrum

On January 1, 2018, I began day #1 of the “read the Bible in a year” plan. Reading the entire Bible was something I had always wanted to do, but at that point had not yet done. I decided to set it as one of my New Year goals and by the grace of God was able to maintain the discipline of daily reading. Come December 31, 2018, I had completed the reading plan. One of my biggest takeaways from that time in the Word was the recognition of God’s sovereignty and glory in all things. I remember being surprised to see how often God acted “for the sake of His name.” As I read through the Old Testament, that phrase really stood out to me! Admittedly, I struggled with maintaining interest in some books more than others, particularly when it came to the books of the law and chapters containing genealogy.

The time between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, was filled with continued Bible study, mainly through the daily reading / teaching section of Tabletalk Magazine. I also read numerous theological books from some of history’s greatest: Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Tozer, and C. S. Lewis. I thank God for these men of faith and their ability to write so well about His Word. I’m also thankful for the wonderful Christmas gift from my parents in 2018, an ESV Reformation Study Bible. This has been an invaluable tool to aid my study of God’s Word. How I wished it had been in my possession at the beginning of 2018 as I read through the Bible that year!

On January 1, 2021, I decided I wanted to again follow my “read the Bible in a year plan” but this time with a bit of a twist. I would follow the schedule in that I would read the chapters in the assigned order, but not necessarily within the designated time frame. Instead, I have been reading a chapter or two per day (or every other day) and really taking time to read through the footnotes of my study Bible, checking the cross-references and additional footnotes. As I learn best by writing my own notes, I have kept a notebook in which I make a note or two of the main points from each chapter. While my first journey through the Bible was remarkable, this time through has been even better.

One of the biggest surprises this go-around has been how much I have enjoyed Exodus and Leviticus. The giving of the law and the instruction for the Israelite people is simply incredible. Reading through the law now, I see it through the lens of God’s holiness, our depravity, and how this covenant of law demonstrates God dwelling with his people. I also know that it was only a shadow of what was to be—that a better covenant would be coming! It has been amazing to study the footnotes, gaining a better understanding of how Jesus fulfilled all of the law and became our perfect atonement.

While there is so much more that could be expounded upon regarding those last few sentences, I wanted to return to God’s holiness. As I read the detailed instructions regarding the tabernacle construction, it drew to mind the reverence and awe with which we are to worship God. He is worthy of this type of worship because He alone is holy! Reading chapter upon chapter describing the specific offerings and sacrifices to be made on behalf of the people’s sin left me contemplating what it must have been like to be that connected to one’s own sin. To kill and sacrifice an animal as a representative of oneself is something so far removed from us because of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. Yet, it shows that an unclean, defiled people cannot have communion with a holy God without an atonement. Finally, all the laws regarding how we are to treat one another demonstrate God’s perfect love and justice. It truly is a beautiful revelation of who He is.

While Christ has perfectly fulfilled the law, thereby becoming our righteousness, the Old Covenant law is still to be loved because it shows us the character of God. It shows us that we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves, unable to stand in God’s holy presence. However, the law also shows God’s great love and provision for His people. He has made a way for sinners such as you and me to have communion with Him. The remaining books of the Bible unfold God’s marvelous historical plan leading to the New Covenant and the City of God. I am joyfully looking forward to the next few years of continued study of God’s awesome revealed Word!

Nicole Byrum

Nicole is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 14 years of experience in community mental health. She is the author of Remade: Living Free a book written for women in recovery from substance abuse and unhealthy relationships. Nicole also maintains a blog at nicolebyrum.com as well as a podcast, 5 Minute Word. Both focus on topics related to faith and relationships. She lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband and two children. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, running, or cooking.