I’ve often thought that people who say the Bible is boring haven’t read it, especially the Old Testament. It contains intrigue, mystery, deception, lying, stealing, immorality, and coveting—every kind of human activity you can dream up. Thankfully, redemption and rescue are also woven throughout the stories of our ancestors.

Several stories found in the past few days of reading remind me that humans haven’t evolved very much. This is also a great comfort because, despite their failures, the descendants of Abraham are still God’s chosen people. We have hope! God loves us and sees value in redeeming us, His highest creation. We observe this repeatedly in the Bible.

 We can’t hide who we are, what we need, or who we were meant to be. God made us to know Him, and we find our greatest fulfillment in worshipping and obeying Him. Our human tendencies reveal this in every story arc in the Bible and, I believe, every story written since we were created, both fictional and nonfictional.

Think about the books you read. The elements of redemption and rescue, a search for purpose, or a mission to “set things right” are almost always part of the story. Why is this?

Because we were made to be redeemed.

Because we all need rescuing.

Because we all know there is a greater purpose to be found.

Because we know innately some things are right, and others are wrong.

Because left to ourselves, we always degenerate towards selfishness and self-preservation.

Because we want a better ending to our stories.

In Genesis 34, Jacob’s daughter Dinah is raped by a Hivite man named Shechem. Shechem tries to justify his actions by declaring his deep love for Dinah and pleading with Jacob for permission to marry her. Jacob’s sons agree to intermarry under one condition: all the men must be circumcised. Shechem convinces his people to comply with his own ulterior motive. He proposes that Jacob’s wealth will become theirs as their daughters marry into Jacob’s family.

Jacob’s sons, especially Simeon and Levi, have a different plan in mind. While the Hivite men are weakened and still suffering from the circumcision, they strike and kill every male, plundering the women, children, household possessions, and flocks.

In Genesis 37, Joseph’s well-known story begins. We see a father’s misguided favoritism that breeds hatred and jealousy among siblings. Initially, ten brothers plan to kill Joseph, but instead, they sell him into slavery and fake his death. They then “comfort” their grieving father, showing no remorse or any sign of regret or desire to confess.

In Genesis 38, Judah marries and has three sons. He gives the first to a woman named Tamar, but God takes that son’s life because of his wicked behavior. Judah requires his second son to marry Tamar and raise children in his brother’s name, following the Levirate marriage tradition of their people. However, that son refuses to fulfill his duty, and God also takes his life. Judah promises Tamar his third son when he grows up but breaks that promise out of fear that he, too, will die.

Tamar sets out to seek retribution and justice for herself. She pretends to be a prostitute, catching Judah (yes, her father-in-law) at just the right moment, and becomes pregnant. When it’s revealed that she’s expecting, Judah declares she should be burned, but upon learning that it’s his child she carries, he acknowledges his own role in the events.

Human nature hasn’t changed. We deceive and harm one another. We devise our own methods of justice. We plot, plan, and connive to arrange the outcome of our lives, seeking meaning, purpose, and validation. We attempt to write our own stories of rescue and redemption, and all the while, God is working behind the scenes to produce the Master Story that will finally set all things right.

What a great God we have! Our imperfect, fallen nature reveals over and over that the Bible is true and that we are created for something more—someone more. The New Testament tells us His name and reveals the culmination of all our stories: Jesus.

What’s your story?

How have you failed?

What are you trying to “set right?”

Do you desire justice, or are you trying to justify your actions?

Entrust your fallible human efforts to God. Stop trying to find purpose and meaning through your own limitations. You’re only human, and it’s not possible. Instead, let the Author of our salvation do His work in His way. Then you’ll really have a story to tell.