When the Bible Slows Down — and Finally Starts Explaining Itself

Whenever people read through the Bible, they usually reach a point where it suddenly feels boring.

At the beginning, the story moves fast. Genesis is full of life — creation, families, journeys, conflict, movement. You can retell it around a fire and everyone listens. Then Exodus becomes almost an action movie: a clash between God and the gods of Egypt, plagues, rescue, the sea opening, a nation escaping slavery. It is dramatic and memorable.

But then we reach Leviticus… Numbers… and Deuteronomy, many readers slow down or even stop. The reason is not that the Bible has become less meaningful. The reason is that the genre has changed. The speed drops because God is no longer just showing power — He is explaining purpose.

As I have been reading, I began to notice a pattern in the Pentateuch;

In Genesis, God introduces Himself.

In Exodus, God introduces His strategy of salvation.

In Leviticus, God communicates His expectations for the people He has called.

In Numbers, God divides those who trust Him from those who do not.

In Deuteronomy, God explains His law — the way His people are to live.

Once you see this, the “boring” sections stop being boring. They become the explanation of the story. The purpose behind the power.

Leviticus — Expectations.

Leviticus focuses on the Levitical family, but it is bigger than one tribe. It gives a picture of what God expects from those who belong to Him and especially those who serve Him. Think of the apostles: prophets, teachers, evangelists and pastors. Think of elders and deacons. Think of overseers. It's all about Holiness, cleanliness, acceptable and unacceptable worship, conduct and leadership. Without that understanding, it feels like a master class on how to neat  fabrics, make tents, and do rituals. With the understanding, it becomes a manual of relationship. God is saying: If I live among you, this is how you must live around me.

Numbers — Separation.

Numbers often feels like wandering, but it is actually division. Two censuses appear in the book. One generation is counted and later dies in the wilderness. Another generation is counted and enters the promise. The forty years are not because God was lost — they are because God was separating belief from unbelief.

The Bible later uses the same images: wheat and chaff, sheep and goats. Numbers is a picture of that process happening in history. The same God who was patient for 40years until the unbelievers were done with is the same God who will one day separate the believers from unbelievers through judgement.

Deuteronomy — The Law.

Then comes Deuteronomy, the explanation of God’s law. It is not really the laws of God in the sense of random rules, and it is not Moses’ personal ideas. It is one law expressed at different versions. Deuteronomy captures the details of the law. The sections, subsections, acts, chapters et al.

First, the lawyer version: love God and love your neighbor. This we see in the writing of Luke and also in Deuteronomy 6.

Second, the log version: this we see in the 10 commandments found in Exodus and Deuteronomy 5. The first 4 show love for God, the last 6 show love for people. 

Third, the long version — this is what we read in details in Deuteronomy. Hundreds of instructions explaining how love actually works in daily life. Here we see things like; Put a fence around your roof, do not move boundary markers, how to handle waste, protecting your neighbor’s safety, etcetera.

All of them are practical pictures of love. Deuteronomy is not a book of restrictions — it is a book teaching what love looks like when lived out.

The Larger Story.

So the Pentateuch is not merely Israel’s history. It is God telling His story.

Genesis — Who He is.

Exodus — How He rescues.

Leviticus — How the rescued live.

Numbers — Who truly belongs to Him.

Deuteronomy — How His people walk daily with Him.

Seen this way, the Old Testament is not outdated material while we wait for the New Testament. It is the foundation of the message. In fact, if you understand the Pentateuch, you already understand the gospel. The New Testament does not replace it — it reveals the person who fulfills it. The witnesses of Jesus were careful to say they saw Him, touched Him, lived with Him. Later believers did not see Him physically; they believe the testimony of those who saw Him.

That means the Bible is not moving from irrelevant to relevant — it is moving from shadow to clarity. Think of the Old Testament as a parable. We're reading an earthly story but it's a picture of another kingdom outside this realm.

So the next time the reading slows down, do not assume the story has stopped. It is simply God explaining what the story means.