Aren’t the first thirty-nine (39) books of the Bible some of your most favorite reads of all time? Aren’t they just so thrilling and surprising and shocking and intriguing and can’t-put-them-til-you’re-done good? Aren’t they the impelling ones you curl up in your recliner, next to the fire, with a hot chocolate in hand, to savor those juicy stories of battles and mystery and skullduggery? No? Really? Well, OK, I think I understand. But wait! I have news for you! A group of translators noticed the dust gathering between the first 1400 pages of my NIV and they’ve come to my rescue. (It could be yours, too.) Now, this is likely the wildest thing I’ve done in all my ramblings to you, but I am so grateful for this breakthrough development (better even than the COVID vaccine, IMHO!) that I want not only to share my excitement, but to encourage you to discover for yourself what I’m discovering – so we can be on the same page. (sorry, I just had to). What I’ve recently run across is a one-of-a-kind translation of the entire Bible. It’s unique in that it isn’t just newer, fresher language, although that is amazing in itself. This one has God’s Word read like a story, with dialogue between the characters and insightful notes to help clarify what is often confusing or the main point that can sometimes get muddied in the muchness of the text. So, have I piqued your interest? (I promise I’m not getting any kickback for this advertising moment.) I’m animatedly referring to: the voice BIBLE: Step into the Story of Scripture translated (for me) by Ecclesia Bible Society in 2012 and published the same year by Thomas Nelson, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4016-7849-4. Here’s a sample of the kind of notes they’ve added:In the friendship between Jonathan and David, Jonathan stands to lose everything he has if David becomes king, yet he betrays family and ambition by befriending him. These two young men make a pact to protect and love each other in life, and if something should happen to Jonathan, David agrees to honor Jonathan’s descendants out of the love he bears for Jonathan . . . Love knocks down barriers and makes us set aside our selfish concerns. This friendship has long been counted as a model for how two people might love and serve each other. (page 341, 1 Sam. 19)
There endeth the commercial break. Tomorrow, we’ll look at a few snippets of the story of David’s hearing the Song and I’ll read you some delectable passages from the above-mentioned tome. Looking forward to seeing you all in the morning in SPRUNG FORWARD time, 10 AM EDT, 14:00 UK, 15H00 FR, 18H00 AE-DU. You can bring your mug of hot chocolate (and marshmallows) with you. PD
