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.
Friday, April 29, 2011
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?
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 18, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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.
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.
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