2 Kings 16 - 2 Kings 25
There is so much in these books - so many lives in each chapter - that it's hard for me to absorb it and really pay attention. But I did get the sense of king after king who led the people farther away from God.
The stand-out story in today's reading is of King Josiah, starting in 2 Kings 22. He sends a secretary on an errand to the Temple, to take care of business. At the Temple, the High Priest reports to the secretary that he has just found a book: God's Revelation! This is so fascinating to me - and shows how far from God the priests and people had become - the book was "found" and everything in it seemed to be new to the readers. How could they have let such a precious, vital object become forgotten?
King Josiah took God's Revelation to heart - and made drastic changes even beyond his own kingdom, eliminating and pulverizing idols and other buildings and objects used to worship anyone but the God of Abraham. Josiah literally mourned the evil ways of his people and ancestors - he tore his clothes.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Day Twenty-Seven: My Cup Overflows
I apologize to my reader(s) (Hi Jodie!) for taking so much time off. I am letting stress and busy-ness confuse my priorities. But, I am back.
Today's reading: 2 Kings 5 - 2 Kings 15
The very first chapter has an account of Elisha providing food for a crowd during a famine. A man brought 20 loaves of bread and a few apples. Elisha told him to pass it to the people (100 men) to eat. As He did later in the stories of Jesus in the New Testament, God turned that small amount into enough for everyone to eat. But, it struck me this morning, that God, who knew exactly how many men there were, and how much each would consume, provided MORE THAN ENOUGH: there were leftovers! He also did this in the "loaves and fishes" stories in the New Testament (Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 15:32-39).
Here's what jumps out at me from these passages:
1. God can make food out of nothing, but Elisha and Jesus started with the food that was brought (bread and apples; bread and fish); and
2. In all of these stories, God provided MORE than what was needed. This reminds me of the image of an overflowing cup in Psalm 23 .
Today's reading: 2 Kings 5 - 2 Kings 15
The very first chapter has an account of Elisha providing food for a crowd during a famine. A man brought 20 loaves of bread and a few apples. Elisha told him to pass it to the people (100 men) to eat. As He did later in the stories of Jesus in the New Testament, God turned that small amount into enough for everyone to eat. But, it struck me this morning, that God, who knew exactly how many men there were, and how much each would consume, provided MORE THAN ENOUGH: there were leftovers! He also did this in the "loaves and fishes" stories in the New Testament (Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 15:32-39).
Here's what jumps out at me from these passages:
1. God can make food out of nothing, but Elisha and Jesus started with the food that was brought (bread and apples; bread and fish); and
2. In all of these stories, God provided MORE than what was needed. This reminds me of the image of an overflowing cup in Psalm 23 .
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Day TWENTY-SIX - I Kings 16 - 2 Kings 4
Day 23: 2 Samuel 13 - 2 Samuel 21
Day 24: 2 Samuel 22 - 1 Kings 7
Day 25 : 1 Kings 8 - 1 Kings 15I have gotten behind, but am trying to keep going. I skipped some days - and adjusted the plan. This week, I am back on track.
We had an interesting discussion regarding "original sin" in a Bible Class recently. We were discussing John 9, and the blind man Jesus healed in that passage. The Pharisees were questioning the man who could now see, and they assumed he had been a sinner since birth, because he had been born blind. In my class, it seemed like the majority thought that the Pharisees were inexplicably superstitious. However, in my reading of the Old Testament, I can understand why followers of the Law would assume a physical ailment was the consequence of sin and rejection of God's law. God gave physical consequences over and over when His people turned from Him. And, in the case of Solomon and Ahab, if a man turned back to God in the final years of his life, God pushed the consequence forward to the children. In this way, the children were born into the sin of their fathers.
This is hard for me to swallow, but I trust God, and as I mention in almost every post: I am looking forward to and longing for scripture about Jesus!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Day TWENTY-TWO: I Samuel 28 - 1 Samuel 12
I read a passage today that I remember hearing about in a sermon on a Sunday evening when I was in college (in the very same church where I worship today, although I've been across the world and back in the meantime). The sermon was about Uzziah and Ahio, who were guiding a cart loaded with the ark of God. An ox pulling the cart stumbled; Uzziah reached out his hand and took hold of the ark, presumably to keep it from falling. We were told that God burned in anger from this act of irreverence and killed Uzziah on the spot.
The reason I remember this sermon is that it upset my friend. I remember asking him what was wrong, and he said that he was disappointed in God - that God would punish Uzziah for something that didn't seem to come from any ill motive. Uzziah may have thought he was giving reverence to God by making sure the ark didn't touch the ground. My friend was so angry about this, it was difficult for him to speak. I was puzzled that someone could find himself disappointed with God. Some of this comes from the fact that I had a peaceful, happy upbringing. I was blessed, young and naive and thankfully hadn't had life experiences that might cause me to question God. And I didn't dwell on passages like this one in 1 Samuel. I didn't understand it. But I didn't let it bother me.
Although I still don't understand stories like this, I do take note of them. I try not to gloss over it - while also refraining from drawing too many conclusions just yet. This was a different time, a different law; but the very same God I worship today. One thing I'm learning in this read through the Bible is to shy away from taking verses out of context and apply them directly to my own life. I can use the stories, and see more of who God is - that's enough for me right now.
But, let me go back to Uzziah and my friend: I admired his ability to question God's decisions. I wasn't spiritually mature enough, or maybe weathered enough to ask the same kind of questions - and had probably forgotten the story by the time the invitation song was over. My friend's sorrow over this picture of God reminds me of Job, and the kinds of sorrowful questioning he brought before God. But, I'm getting ahead of myself: I won't read about Job for another couple of weeks.
The reason I remember this sermon is that it upset my friend. I remember asking him what was wrong, and he said that he was disappointed in God - that God would punish Uzziah for something that didn't seem to come from any ill motive. Uzziah may have thought he was giving reverence to God by making sure the ark didn't touch the ground. My friend was so angry about this, it was difficult for him to speak. I was puzzled that someone could find himself disappointed with God. Some of this comes from the fact that I had a peaceful, happy upbringing. I was blessed, young and naive and thankfully hadn't had life experiences that might cause me to question God. And I didn't dwell on passages like this one in 1 Samuel. I didn't understand it. But I didn't let it bother me.
Although I still don't understand stories like this, I do take note of them. I try not to gloss over it - while also refraining from drawing too many conclusions just yet. This was a different time, a different law; but the very same God I worship today. One thing I'm learning in this read through the Bible is to shy away from taking verses out of context and apply them directly to my own life. I can use the stories, and see more of who God is - that's enough for me right now.
But, let me go back to Uzziah and my friend: I admired his ability to question God's decisions. I wasn't spiritually mature enough, or maybe weathered enough to ask the same kind of questions - and had probably forgotten the story by the time the invitation song was over. My friend's sorrow over this picture of God reminds me of Job, and the kinds of sorrowful questioning he brought before God. But, I'm getting ahead of myself: I won't read about Job for another couple of weeks.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Day TWENTY-ONE - My favorite Bible character: Abigail
Day NINETEEN: Judges 16 - 1 Samuel 2
Day TWENTY: 1 Samuel 3 - 15
Today: 1 Samuel 16 - 28
There was some rough reading this week; and we've had a rough personal week. I read that some Biblical scholars actually suggest that readers skip Judges 19: It tells a disturbing story about a Levite and his concubine. Although the scripture doesn't seem to comment on the behavior of the Levite, and his host, I was horrified at the lack of protection these men provided for this poor women. The passage reads like a history book, though, and stays away from commentary. The Israelites rose up against the actions of the Benjamites, but didn't seem offended by the men in the concubine's party. Maybe the Israelites weren't told the whole story. Or, maybe we weren't.
Today's reading included an introduction to Abigail, the savviest woman in the Bible. It was refreshing, after the bloodshed and rebellion I've been reading through, to arrive at this passage today. Abigail protected her interests, erased the bumbling of her husband Nabal (which means "fool") and after her husband died, became David's wife.
Day TWENTY: 1 Samuel 3 - 15
Today: 1 Samuel 16 - 28
There was some rough reading this week; and we've had a rough personal week. I read that some Biblical scholars actually suggest that readers skip Judges 19: It tells a disturbing story about a Levite and his concubine. Although the scripture doesn't seem to comment on the behavior of the Levite, and his host, I was horrified at the lack of protection these men provided for this poor women. The passage reads like a history book, though, and stays away from commentary. The Israelites rose up against the actions of the Benjamites, but didn't seem offended by the men in the concubine's party. Maybe the Israelites weren't told the whole story. Or, maybe we weren't.
Today's reading included an introduction to Abigail, the savviest woman in the Bible. It was refreshing, after the bloodshed and rebellion I've been reading through, to arrive at this passage today. Abigail protected her interests, erased the bumbling of her husband Nabal (which means "fool") and after her husband died, became David's wife.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day Eighteen: Judges 3 - 15
(Day Seventeen was Joshua 15 - Judges 2. I was reminded of another "not for flannelgraph" story: about fat king Eglon and how he met his demise.)
There were so many amazing stories and references that struck me in today's reading.
1. Shamgar, wielder of a cattle-prod: He killed 600 Phillistines single-handed, using said implement. This giant, bizarre story just gets a small mention in one verse: Judges 3: 31.
2. Jael and the tent peg incident: Judges 4:21- 27 . Even though she was a hero about whom Deborah and Barak sang, it should be noted that nobody I know has a daughter named "Jael."
3. Gideon (hero and star of flannelgraph) and the golden ephod: Judges 8:27. Gideon seems to have made the ephod, a sacred garment, out of the gold from enemies' plunder as a monument to what God had done. But then, Israel "prostituted itself" at the ephod display. We read "Gideon and his family were seduced" by this ephod. It became an idol. What a sad end to a hero's life and legacy!
4. Jephthat's daughter and a fatal vow to God: Judges 11:29-40. This is such a sad contrast to what happened when Abraham started to sacrifice Isaac. It's such a strange thing that Jephthat promised to God; I wonder who/what he expected to come out of his house to greet him, if not his daughter.
5. The perils of mis-pronunciation: Judges 12:5-6. As an ESL teacher, this amused me (in a dark humor kind of way).
6. The beginning of Samson's life: Judges 13 - 15
There were so many amazing stories and references that struck me in today's reading.
1. Shamgar, wielder of a cattle-prod: He killed 600 Phillistines single-handed, using said implement. This giant, bizarre story just gets a small mention in one verse: Judges 3: 31.
2. Jael and the tent peg incident: Judges 4:21- 27 . Even though she was a hero about whom Deborah and Barak sang, it should be noted that nobody I know has a daughter named "Jael."
3. Gideon (hero and star of flannelgraph) and the golden ephod: Judges 8:27. Gideon seems to have made the ephod, a sacred garment, out of the gold from enemies' plunder as a monument to what God had done. But then, Israel "prostituted itself" at the ephod display. We read "Gideon and his family were seduced" by this ephod. It became an idol. What a sad end to a hero's life and legacy!
4. Jephthat's daughter and a fatal vow to God: Judges 11:29-40. This is such a sad contrast to what happened when Abraham started to sacrifice Isaac. It's such a strange thing that Jephthat promised to God; I wonder who/what he expected to come out of his house to greet him, if not his daughter.
5. The perils of mis-pronunciation: Judges 12:5-6. As an ESL teacher, this amused me (in a dark humor kind of way).
6. The beginning of Samson's life: Judges 13 - 15
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 16: Maybe it was all about Jesus from the very start
I have neglected to post for a few days - but thankfully was able to complete my reading each day.
Day 14: Deut 8 - 22
Day 15: Deut 23 - 34
Today: Joshua 1 - 14
A passage that stood out for me this week is a promise from God about my commitment to reading his Word:
During yesterday's reading, I was pondering the differences between the Old Law and what I have in my head about Christianity. (In other words, I did not study this - just was pondering what was in my head - which is probably flawed and incomplete.)
I had this thought: maybe it was all about Jesus, from the very beginning. Maybe Israel was God's chosen people because they were going to introduce his son to humanity. Maybe all of the Law was to sanctify Jesus' people and ancestors.
Maybe this is some common thought, and I have it in the back of my head from hearing it. But, it felt like a big, new idea for me. I am no theologian. In fact, I have a hard time discussing things like this in Bible Class. I forget what I know, and get lost. And that's OK. In fact, it's probably an excellent check on my pride.
While I am reading through the rest of the Old Testament, I am going to look out for this idea - and see if there's anything to back it up. What do you think?
Day 14: Deut 8 - 22
Day 15: Deut 23 - 34
Today: Joshua 1 - 14
A passage that stood out for me this week is a promise from God about my commitment to reading his Word:
11 This commandment that I'm commanding you today isn't too much for you, it's not out of your reach.12 It's not on a high mountain-you don't have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down to your level and explain it before you can live it.13 And it's not across the ocean-you don't have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then explain it before you can live it.14 No. The word is right here and now-as near as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest. Just do it!
Deut 30: 11 - 14 The MessageDuring yesterday's reading, I was pondering the differences between the Old Law and what I have in my head about Christianity. (In other words, I did not study this - just was pondering what was in my head - which is probably flawed and incomplete.)
I had this thought: maybe it was all about Jesus, from the very beginning. Maybe Israel was God's chosen people because they were going to introduce his son to humanity. Maybe all of the Law was to sanctify Jesus' people and ancestors.
Maybe this is some common thought, and I have it in the back of my head from hearing it. But, it felt like a big, new idea for me. I am no theologian. In fact, I have a hard time discussing things like this in Bible Class. I forget what I know, and get lost. And that's OK. In fact, it's probably an excellent check on my pride.
While I am reading through the rest of the Old Testament, I am going to look out for this idea - and see if there's anything to back it up. What do you think?
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