Reading Plans: Hebrew OT Order

Close to the second B120 starting on 1st of September one new reading plan has just been released in two different versions. It is a changed version of the 180X and 240X plans but with the OT in the original Hebrew order. 

Now what's the point of reading the Old Testament this way? Because Jesus and the apostles and the entire church who had the complete OT read it that way. It was only later changed to a different order. Is that a big problem? Not massively because it is very easy to find the original order on the internet and everyone can decide for themselves in what order he or she reads through the OT. Unfortunately not many know that there is a different order to the OT. And there are indeed advantages in reading it this way. 

Some things only really make sense when you read it the Hebrew order. For example the books of Chronicles close the canon of the OT for the Hebrew reader. That means you don't read first Kings and then straight after almost the same again in Chronicles. Instead you first go through all other writings of poetry and prophets until you get again confronted with the history of Israel. Chronicles serves as a summary of the entire Bible up to that point and through it's genealogies is focusing on the lines of Judah and Levi, the royal line and the priestly line. And as the expectations for the future Messiah are finding their climax we find both lines coming together in Jesus, the King-Priest who fulfills both in himself. 

And not only does Chronicles belong at the end of the OT, it was also written last. That can be seen that 2 Chronicles 36 makes mention of the return of the exiles who were now in need to be reminded of their identity since the entire generation grew up in exile, far away from their home land. And it explains the prophetic insights that it includes and which we don't find in 1 & 2 Kings. And the kings of Israel don't even appear in the story line, as they do in the book of the Kings, because they have nothing to do with the line of Jesus, which is rooted in Judah. 

So if you would like to have a look at the OT from the angle of Jesus and the apostles, feel free to download the reading plans below. 

B180X Hebrew Order

B240X Hebrew Order

First B120 Completed!

Hi everyone,
the first Bible in 120 days read-through has been completed on the 12th of August. But quite a few people (including myself) have finished a little later or are still in the final lines of the reading plan. That is perfectly ok since the the schedule is only an orientation and to keep synced with the other readers.

Now the question is who people found this reading experience. Those testimonies would be useful for those who are intrigued about the value of reading through the Bible 3x faster than average. Does it really make a difference to read bigger chunks daily? Was it like rushing through the Bible? How long did people take to read their daily passages? Would you do it again?

Especially the last question is answered in that some who have heard about B120 half way through would like to do it for the first time now. Since 120 days fit into a year 3 times, the next B120 will start on 1st of September. At the same time there can be a parallel B90 reading stream starting on 1st of October. That would result in the following starting dates through every year.

B120:  1st of Jan, 1st of May, 1st of September
B90:    1st of Jan, 1st of April, 1st of July, 1st of October

And again their is complete flexibility as well. For example doing a B90 only on 1st of Jan and July and then leaving the two in between for catching up or unstructured Bible reading.

Would it not be amazing if in a not to distant future there would be enough people committed to this reading pace that there are always some people doing one of the following reading times so that one is never alone? Unthinkable? But surely; whoever has tasted the goodness of the Word of God by eating a little more honey everyday, why would you go back

New Reading Plan (B240X & B180X)

It's week six of B120 and I hope people are keeping up with the reading. If not then still keep it up as you can and as time permits. Trying to catch up can be a real slave master and that's not what it is about.

Meanwhile the feedback of the last months has led to the creation of a new reading plan. It's quite different than what I've seen so far so hopefully it will fill those gaps that keep people from reading and gets them into the Word. However I couldn't come up with a fitting name for it because it's so flexible. I just called it Bible X because X stands for

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Another reading tip for B120

Today week three of B120 will finish and we are heading straight into the fourth week. I hope you all got safe through most of Leviticus. It should be easier reading through it quickly rather than wondering what each of these strange law is all about. It will come together over time, I'm sure.

I was naughty and stuck my nose into judges a bit already (no, I'm not ahead) and noticed something: "Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat." Jdg 14:5-6
Samson - a judge of Israel - young lion!!! Very interesting! "There was a certain man of

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Discipline and Bible reading

Reading through the Bible in 120 days can be quite a challenge for some and so they need to be disciplined that they make the time during the day to read the set text. But there is a fine line between grace-inspired discipline and self-imposed, legalistic 'trying-harder'ism.

Here are two - helpfully - helpful articles if you want to be clear where you stand on this issue and to make sure you enjoy this reading adventure.

Ron Frost - Discipline and the Disciplines 

Glen Scrivener - Disciplines 

Ron Frost on Bible Reading

Today I went to a few seminars run by CorDeo called "Delighted by God". In the break I had the chance to chat Ron Frost about Bible reading and he told me about how he got into the habit of reading through the Bible 2-3 times a year by simply setting aside about 40 minutes every day.

read his thoughts here on his website:
A Spreading Goodness - Bible Read Throughs

if you prefer listening to some of it there is an interview of him with Mike Reeves at theologynetwork.org
God's heart and ours (from minute 51:30) The earlier stuff is great, too!

Jabber from Hux

I bit late but still: Here is a blog that Paul started for the B120 reading. Feel free to click in. 

Jabber From Hux

This blog is a sort of braindump for things that I think. It's speculative, and not deeply thought through. I'm going through Bible120 and will post as and when I feel like it.