Day THIRTEEN: There is no other!

Numbers 33 -  Deut 7

Through this sprint through the Bible, I have been asking God to show himself to me. So, I was delighted to read this: You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. Deut 4:36

Day TWELVE: Numbers 21 - 21

I can't say enough good things about YouVersion.com. I was thinking over the weekend that if my computer only had this one function - to access YouVersion; keep track of my reading plan; and keep me motivated and excited to read through the Bible in 3 months - it would be worth the cost of the computer! And more. I have prayed for years to get the motivation and discipline to read the Bible consistently. I have tried lots of different plans and devotional books. But, this time, I can see God's hand in it. I am excited and hungry for his word! I anticipate the next day's reading; I delight in reading familiar "flannelgraph" passages in context.

Today's flannelgraph story was about Balaam and the donkey. I had forgotten what Balaam was begin asked to do; and that God was speaking directly to Balaam until finally God used the donkey to send the message. It was a totally different read in context of the physical and spiritual journey of the Israelites. But, I still saw the donkey as a flannelgraph guy, bouncing across a light blue board! I have sweet Bible Class memories from childhood.

DAY ELEVEN: Whining in the dessert

Today's reading: Numbers 9 - 21
I got a bit behind - I read but didn't post on Thursday, and then skipped reading at all on Friday. One nice thing about the YouVersion online Bible reading plans is that you can catch yourself up without doing a double portion.

I've been overwhelmed with life the past few days - getting down about Dan's job search - it's stretching on and on forever as companies are taking their sweet time in making a decision. It's frustrating to wait and wait and wait with no end in sight. And then it occurred to me - I've been reading for the past few days about the Israelites traveling endlessly through the dessert - with the promise of Canaan before them - but not knowing when and how they would enter and conquer that land. I whine and moan about this situation we are in - not knowing how long our money will last - and if we are going to get to stay in this area or move somewhere else. But, God will take care of us. I am also learning from these reading sessions in Numbers that God can get angry at whiners who keep forgetting how He will take care of them. These passages are hard for me to read - when God opens the ground up to swallow people or burns everything down or sends a plague to wipe out 14,000 people who have become impatient with Him. But, I don't question it - just note it.

God forgive me for my lack of of trust in you! I know you will take care of us.

Day NINE - I knew I was in trouble when the heading read "Bodily Discharges"

Leviticus 15 - 26.

Some more unpleasant medical specifics. . . And I found it hard to read more about slaves - I am not the first one to ask "Why did God allow slavery and seem to condone it?"

But, I won't try to answer that one just yet. Again, I am just getting an overview on this sprint through the Bible. I find it exciting to think I am going to move all the way through - and am anticipating the thrill of arriving at Jesus' birth and ministry.

But for now, I am imagining the Israelites and their dependence on the priests and Moses to remind them of God's laws - they are numerous and specific. In a recent reading, I noted there was an explanation of what to do if you broke a law accidentally. Now I understand how easy that was to do - there are so many. But they do seem to follow a pattern - regarding things that make a person clean and unclean, etc.

Day EIGHT - Priestly duties and gross biological descriptions. . .

I read Leviticus 1 - 14. It is very hard to keep my mind from wandering while reading what seems like an instruction manual. I keep reminding myself that these are the words of my Holy God. I am trying very hard to pay attention!

What strikes me again are the very detailed instructions for everything. No wonder they needed an instruction manual! I have heard that the labels of clean and unclean for food and sick people follow closely with medical advice on staying healthy. However, I am trying not to have preconceived ideas while reading this. But, it was interesting to note that the priests had some medical duties - there are very specific instructions on examining and diagnosing blemishes and skin issues. (And, it's somewhat gross to read - there are details about the way sores look and the color of the skin growing out them. Erg.) I am sure that these instructions helped Israel stay healthy and kept epidemics at bay.

Day SEVEN - Moses and the Mountain

I did read yesterday (Exodus 15 - 28) but was so busy with Sunday stuff that I didn't get here to journal. Today I read about God's plans for the Tabernacle, and the priest garments; as well as a bunch of laws and rules, including the Ten Commandments: Exodus 29 - 40.

There was so much detail in all of this - I tried not to get lost in all the specifics, and was amazed at all the requirements. What I find interesting in this is the contrast with the lack on instruction on these things for Christian worship. Where is our priestly garment? Where are our detailed tapestries? I am not saying that I think we should have them; just putting a mental bookmark here to pay attention to the things that Jesus will say in the New Testament about worship and our outward expression of our faith. Why did God change what he wants so drastically? Did he?

Another thing that struck me was God's wrath on the Israelites after Aaron created the golden calf. But, it does seem that they did have a chance to repent, as Moses asked, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." But, I had forgotten that part of this story - that a bunch of people were killed right there, after they had worshipped the gold idol. It's shocking.

Daily Inventory:

I had another good walk and talk with my friend and accountability partner today.

I had a good day of work, and enjoyed my students. I didn't have everything as prepared as I would like; I hope to do better on Friday. I was extremely tired from a packed Sunday and had a hard time getting awake this morning. In fact, my body is terribly fatigued now: I need to get it in bed!

I am not doing any appointment prayer time - I need to add that in. The reading takes so long - I am just thrilled after I've done it. Perhaps I'll schedule my prayer time at a different point in the day, to break it up.

Day Five - Out of Egypt

I read Exodus 1 - 15. I let the day get away from me, and have let it get too late for journaling much here.

But, I am blessed by my Bible reading! I read aloud, which helps my mind to stay on track. But, I'm pretty sure it takes longer. Today I was amazed to read about Moses, and be reminded about the circumstances of his life. As a young man, he was a murderer. And, he didn't lead his people until he was in his 80s! Even then, he argued with God about whether or not he could truly do what God had readied him to do. So, it's not just me who says, "really God? Are you sure I'm the one you want to do this?" Moses did that too. And, I don't know what it means to me specifically, but God let Moses use Aaron, even though, of course, Moses could have done it himself, with God's power.

Something I had not noticed before, that I found very touching, was that even in the midst of all of the danger and rush to get out of Egypt, Moses took Joseph's bones with him. Moses honored Joseph's request long ago to be taken with his people.