I have always had a fascination for words and try to keep my mind alert each day by trying to complete a crossword or two.
The level of difficulty changes each day with these crosswords as different compliers are involved. As most of these crosswords are cryptic new words are often discovered. It's then an interesting exercise to find out the origin of such words as well as familiar words and phrases. For instance top dog and underdog come from the timber industry and relate to the person sawing wood either from above so top dog or underneath hence underdog. My wife some years ago gave me a book that explained the background to a number of every day sayings many of which are located in one source.
It's always interesting to have a conversation with someone and hear ourselves quoting these every day sayings and yet not realising their source. Sayings such as a drop in the bucket; as old as the hills; a scapegoat; by the skin of your teeth and the powers that be frequently enter our conversations to describe an event or its' outcome. Yet all these sayings and many more come from a source that is unfairly much maligned. That source of course is the Bible.
In recent days articles have appeared in different publications that suggested that the Gospels should not be taken as a historical record but an allegory. Over the centuries many have sought to destroy the Bible or try to restrict its' circulation. Others have tried to say that the Bible has no significance in our modern age or that it is full of inconsistencies and so is not reliable as a guide for life. Yet the Bible remains the most published book in the world. Even in our digital age the Bible or extracts from it are downloaded in astonishing numbers and stored in many an electronic device.
The Bible of course does not just contain a number of everyday sayings nor is amongst other things a history book. It is primarily a book that reveals God and His love for every person and that is relevant for every generation. That I believe is the best reason for each of us to read it.