February 2: “Parable of the Talents” by Eric Reynolds

2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show yourself approved...”

Are you a reader? When I have time to read it is likely to be a biography or an autobiography. My wife is the opposite. She can be found most nights with a novel in her hand. Make-believe stories paint vivid pictures of places, lives lived, and cultures that either no longer exist, or never did.

Those are examples of genres in literature. Genres are simply styles of writing, and just like there are multiple types of genres in every library (or on Kindle e-readers for you younger folks) so are there multiple genres contained within the Bible.

Much of the Old Testament is a Historic Narrative, which is a collection of the people of God telling stories of what God did throughout history. There are so many stories in the Bible it has been described as a story of stories.

Law is a genre of dos, don’ts, shalls and shall nots. Some are timeless, while others were bound to a specific place and time, such as the description of the sacrifices to be brought to the temple.

Poetry is found throughout the Bible, with almost one-third of the entire being written as poems. Hebrew writers loved using parallel poetry, where a second line is repeated or reinforces the first line. Poetry is used to evoke strong feelings and often uses figurative language.

Wisdom literature is found in books such as Proverbs, which tends to be practical advice for particular situations, Job which explores why good people suffer, and Ecclesiastes which addresses why life seems futile sometimes.

Prophecy is messages from God through humans to other humans. One writer states, “Prophecy was given to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

The Gospels are the 4 biographies of the life of Jesus. Many of the accounts are given to the final week of Jesus’ life climaxing in His death and resurrection. The gospels contain Jesus’ parables which are best described an earthly story with heavenly meaning. They are a genre unto themselves.

Letters (or epistles) were written by early church leaders such as Paul, John, James, and Peter. Most were written to help Jesus’ followers navigate questions or concerns within the early local churches.

Apocalyptic literature describes cataclysmic events using vast symbolism. The word means to uncover or reveal (as in Revelation). The OT book of Daniel is written in apocalyptic style.

Understanding what genre you are reading will aid as you seek to apply Scripture within your life. Un- derstanding symbols will keep you from thinking God is a large, feathered fowl (Psalm 91:4) and under-standing Laws written for a specific time and function will keep you from bringing that same bird to church on Sunday to sacrifice as a burnt offering. How can recognizing genre assist your Bible reading?

God of the universe, draw me near to understanding in order to live the life to which You have called me. Show me the beauty of Your Word. Amen.