The Jews are known as the “People of the Book”. Jewish society has revolved around the Hebrew Bible for more than 2,000 years as demonstrated by the finding of nearly every book of the Old Testament in the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran. The Jewish people’s extensive relationship with Scripture stretches back another millennium or more beyond that, demonstrated by the discovery of the Priestly Benediction (Num 6:24-26) on two silver amulets buried in a Jerusalem tomb from seven hundred years before Jesus.

It is the most important lesson we learn in childhood. It prevents civilization from falling into anarchy. One could argue, it is the foundation of the Bible. Psalm 34:14 commands us, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” The Hebrew word for “pursue” is typically used of warriors passionately chasing their enemies who are fleeing in the heat of battle (Lev 26:7; Josh 8:16).