Admit it. You like reading the Psalms, the Gospels, Paul's epistles and maybe Esther and Ruth. But what about the least read Bible books -- I call them Orphan Books -- because they almost are never read. Here's a list I found. Hope you take the challenge to read an "orphan" or two this week. ------------------------------------ # Book Why read it? Difficulty 1 Obadiah A miniature study of pride, injustice, and God's judgment 🟢 Easy 2 Haggai A surprisingly relevant book about misplaced priorities 🟢 Easy 3 Philemon Paul, slavery, forgiveness, and Christian brotherhood in 25 verses 🟢 Easy 4 3 John A fascinating glimpse into early church politics and leadership 🟢 Easy 5 2 John Truth, love, hospitality—and boundaries 🟢 Easy 6 Nahum The dark counterpart to Jonah: what happens to Nineveh? 🟡 Medium 7 Zephaniah Judgment followed by one of the OT's beautiful pictures of God's joy 🟡 Medium 8 Jude Strange, intense, apocalyptic, and packed with unusual references 🟡 Medium 9 Habakkuk One of the Bible's best books for wrestling honestly with God 🟢 Easy 10 Lamentations Biblical poetry about grief, catastrophe, and hope 🟡 Medium 11 Joel Locusts, the Day of the LORD, and the famous promise about God's Spirit 🟡 Medium 12 Malachi A surprisingly sharp ending to the Old Testament 🟢 Easy 🏆 The ones I'd especially recommend If you only want to read five, I'd pick: Habakkuk — perhaps the most rewarding “orphan.” The entire book is essentially a conversation between a confused believer and God. Habakkuk starts by asking, “Why aren't you doing something about this?” and ends somewhere radically different. Haggai — extremely short but surprisingly practical. Its central question is basically: What happens when God's people become preoccupied with their own houses while neglecting God's house? Philemon — don't let its size fool you. It's an extraordinarily compressed little letter about power, status, forgiveness, reconciliation, and what the gospel does to human relationships. Nahum — read it immediately after Jonah if you can. Jonah tells you that Nineveh repented; Nahum, written later, tells you what eventually happened to Nineveh. Reading them together makes both books considerably more interesting. Lamentations — probably the most emotionally neglected book on the list. It gives you something the Bible is unusually good at: language for grief when everything has gone terribly wrong. 🕯️ And here's the really fun challenge Don't read these as if they're merely the Bible's “B-list.” Try reading one orphan book a week, with no commentary at first. Just read the entire thing in one sitting. You'll discover something interesting: some of the books that feel least important at first are actually the ones that illuminate the famous books around them. Jonah → Nahum Isaiah/Jeremiah → Lamentations Romans/Galatians → Habakkuk 1 John → 2 John → 3 John Ezra/Nehemiah → Haggai

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 6:1-2 Verse: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. Commentary: Paul encourages gentle restoration and mutual support among believers. Application: Approach others with compassion and support, fostering a caring community.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:26 Verse: Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Commentary: Paul warns against pride and division within the community. Application: Foster humility and unity, avoiding behaviors that cause discord.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:24-25 Verse: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Commentary: Believers are called to put aside sinful desires, living by the Spirit. Application: Embrace a new life in Christ, rejecting old sinful patterns.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:22-23 Verse: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Commentary: These virtues are the natural result of a life led by the Spirit. Application: Strive to develop these qualities as evidence of spiritual growth.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:19-21 Verse: The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery. Commentary: Paul lists sinful behaviors that result from living by the flesh. Application: Identify and avoid actions that separate you from God’s will.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:16-18 Verse: So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Commentary: Living by the Spirit enables believers to overcome sinful desires. Application: Cultivate a Spirit-led life to resist temptation and grow in holiness.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:13-15 Verse: You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh. Commentary: Freedom in Christ should lead to love and service, not selfishness. Application: Use your freedom to serve others in love, reflecting Christ’s nature.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:10-12 Verse: I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. Commentary: Paul expresses confidence in their ability to reject false teachings. Application: Trust in your ability to discern truth, staying aligned with the gospel.

A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 5:7-9 Verse: You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? Commentary: Paul questions what hindered their progress in faith, warning against false influences. Application: Stay focused on your spiritual journey, avoiding distractions that lead you astray.