Who is God, and why does he do the things he does?
Not an easy question. My suspicion is that a lot of the problems we have in reading the Old Testament come from not really having a clear idea about what sort of texts we are reading or why it is there.
Take a fairly complex example from Numbers 23
1 The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward 2 and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. 4 Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD, 6 and the LORD said to him, 7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.
8 “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to have the force of law for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
If anyone is reading this primarily for spiritual nourishment, then probably they will feel a bit disappointed.
If anyone is looking for instructions to apply to your personal spiritual life, then again this does not seem to have too much to say. Seeking doctrine? That looks like a bit of a dead end too.
The best way I can think of to describe this passage is legislative history. A case came up that the Law did not cover already, so an additional command was made.
My preferred way of reading the whole Bible (but especially the Old Testament) is as a record of God's dealing with people. In all the incidents of the Old Testament God's personality, character and plans are revealed.
The Old Testament is not a systematic theology, or a doctrinal text with real life illustrations. Instead it is an inspired account of who God is and how he relates us humans. Part of his character is revealed when his people come across situations that touch on issues of law, economics, family relations, women's empowerment and power.
I have grown to love the Old Testament. The key for me was to begin my daily Bible study readings by meditating on eight verses of Psalm 119 at a time. It is a eulogy to the Law. I began by asking myself how someone could take so much delight in something so dry and lifeless. Gradually, though, it began to sparkle.
