I have a new bible. I have it because of my stroke. Apparently I now need larger letters. And it has something else too, it has two of the bookmark thingamajigs. When I was able to read again, I started reading one chapter a day in my Bible. After doing that for a while, picking and choosing what I wanted to read, I decided to be more deliberate and read a book of the bible, and I chose to read Revelation. Then I decided to read Genesis. The last book and first book. and just like that, I had someplace to mark. One bookmark at the finish of Revelation, and another at the beginning of Genesis. Not only bookmarks but also bookends.
I don’t know why, but I thought it was cool. So here is what is going on. The plan is to meet in the middle. After finishing Genesis, I read Jude which was the second to the last book. Penultimate, if you like big words. And now I am half though Exodus, the second book of the Bible. And so it goes. Next will be 2 John, and then Leviticus. Until the bookmarks meet.
There are 1189 chapters in the Bible, takeout 22 chapters in Revelation, 50 chapters in Genesis, 1 chapter in Jude, 14 chapters read so far in Exodus, equals 1102 chapters to go. 3 years and 7 days until they meet. So that’s the plan. And I might keep going. Let the bookmarks continue on their journey until the one that began in Genesis ends up in Revelation and the one that began in Revelation ends up in Genesis. 6 years and 126 days (counting leap years) until they are bookends again. Check my math.
Typically Bibles are read chronologically, starting “in the beginning” and ending with “amen”. There is some overlap because of the way the bible is sectioned – history, prophets, poetry, but basically it is written chronologically. The other way it is typically read is in pieces, picking what verses or chapters or books you want to read. I have read the Bible using both of these ways. I have never read the bible, starting from the end and ending at the beginning. But now I am.
Maybe it is a gimmick, reading the Bible in a reverse direction, or maybe it is not. I have been amazed how much insight I have gotten by reading the Bible one word at a time. It made me realize how my preconceived ideas hinder what the Bible has to tell. Maybe reading that Bible in a new way will bring insight, word at a time backwards. I hope it doesn’t sound too irreverent. I will let you know, in 6 years and 126 days.
As I had said, I have been reading my Bible word at a time. I don’t know if that will ever improve. Some of my therapy has been almost miraculous. But my ability to read hasn’t changed much, but I am working on it. Regardless, I am grateful that I can read. It is actually the best part of my day, sitting on my porch early in the morning, reading the Bible, drinking my coffee, and welcoming a new day.
