Summary: Israel captures Jerusalem. Israel rebels and the Lord rebukes them. Othniel takes over Cushan-rishtathaim. The Lord calls Ehud to deliver the Israelites. The Israelites rebel again. Deborah, the prophetess leads Barak to Sisera. Jael kills Sisera.
Response: My overall reaction to this passage what a state of disgust. Adoni-bezek got his toes and thumbs cut off, Ehud stabbed a fat king in the name of the Lord, and Jael nailed a man's head to the ground. It is hard to interpret these stories into some kind of application. In chapter 2, the Lord allowed the Israelites to suffer, but He was only doing that to teach them something. He was still merciful and watched over them. It was hard for me to understand this passage because all the grotesque violence and hatred.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Joshua 1-2, 6-9, 23-24
Summary: (1-2) The Lord commands Joshua to lead the people into the land. Joshua sends two spies to Jericho, where Rahab hides them from king of Jericho. (6-9) The Israelites marched around Jericho and the overtook and destroyed it. The Israelites run from the men of Ai and turn their backs on the Lord. Through the Lord, Joshua picks out those who have coveted and the people stoned them. The Israelites tricked Ai and burned their city and killed everyone of them. Joshua is tricked into a covenant with the inhabitants of Gibeon. (23-24) Joshua encourages and commands the people to be obedient and stay faithful to the Lord. Joshua goes over Israel's history and commands the people to serve the Lord only.
Response: In Chapter 1, one reoccurring phrase is "Be strong and courageous". I don't think that the Lord would have repeated this if things were going to be easy. It is also cool that the Lord is saying that no matter what, the people can find strength and courage in the Lord. I have always been fond of the women in the Old Testament. The story of Rahab is comforting to read because the Lord used a harlot for his purposes. Here, the Lord uses the bad for the good. In 2:11, the power and glory of the Lord is displayed. The people's hearts melted and Rahab could not deny that the Lord was the almighty God above all things. It is hard to read and understand the destruction that the Lord commands. But what is so cool, is that among this destruction and anger, there is grace. God saved Rahab, a sinful woman. She recognized the glory and the power of the Lord. Chapter 7 is crazy! I was not expecting an end like that. In today's world we are so grace minded that it is hard to wrap my head around the will of God being for them to be stoned by the people. Chapter 8 is similar to chapter 7 in that the people seem ruthless. Violence and hate seem to run through these chapters. Chapter 23 is very encouraging and instills a good fear. Joshua reminds the people that God has been faithful and to not turn away from Him because He will punish them accordingly.
Response: In Chapter 1, one reoccurring phrase is "Be strong and courageous". I don't think that the Lord would have repeated this if things were going to be easy. It is also cool that the Lord is saying that no matter what, the people can find strength and courage in the Lord. I have always been fond of the women in the Old Testament. The story of Rahab is comforting to read because the Lord used a harlot for his purposes. Here, the Lord uses the bad for the good. In 2:11, the power and glory of the Lord is displayed. The people's hearts melted and Rahab could not deny that the Lord was the almighty God above all things. It is hard to read and understand the destruction that the Lord commands. But what is so cool, is that among this destruction and anger, there is grace. God saved Rahab, a sinful woman. She recognized the glory and the power of the Lord. Chapter 7 is crazy! I was not expecting an end like that. In today's world we are so grace minded that it is hard to wrap my head around the will of God being for them to be stoned by the people. Chapter 8 is similar to chapter 7 in that the people seem ruthless. Violence and hate seem to run through these chapters. Chapter 23 is very encouraging and instills a good fear. Joshua reminds the people that God has been faithful and to not turn away from Him because He will punish them accordingly.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Numbers 10-14, 20
Summary: The Lord tells Moses to make the two trumpets. The Israelites are led out of Sinai. The fire of the Lord came down. The Spirit came down onto the elders. The Lord spoke to Moses, Aaron and Miriam. God sends men to explore Canaan and they report back.
Response: One small observation in the beginning of this passage is the use of music. It is cool to think that they already had instruments thousands and thousands of years ago. I also love the cloud of the the Lord. I wish I had a cloud of the Lord over me to lead me everywhere! In Chapter 11, God listen to Moses' cry and lightened his burden. He was faithful to Moses and did not let him bear anything he could not handle. When the people begged for meat, it did not really satisfy them. This is evidence that nothing can truly satisfy but God. What the Lord says to Moses, Aaron and Miriam is so cool to me. He says that he will not speak to Moses in mysterious ways, but speak to him clearly. How cool to have such a communication with God! All of chapter 14 is evidence that God honors those who fear them. He is also forgiving and sovereign at the same time. He rewards those who are faithful. Chapter 20 can be hard to read because of God's punishment. Although He does punish, He does not stray away from his covenant with Moses and the Israelites.
Response: One small observation in the beginning of this passage is the use of music. It is cool to think that they already had instruments thousands and thousands of years ago. I also love the cloud of the the Lord. I wish I had a cloud of the Lord over me to lead me everywhere! In Chapter 11, God listen to Moses' cry and lightened his burden. He was faithful to Moses and did not let him bear anything he could not handle. When the people begged for meat, it did not really satisfy them. This is evidence that nothing can truly satisfy but God. What the Lord says to Moses, Aaron and Miriam is so cool to me. He says that he will not speak to Moses in mysterious ways, but speak to him clearly. How cool to have such a communication with God! All of chapter 14 is evidence that God honors those who fear them. He is also forgiving and sovereign at the same time. He rewards those who are faithful. Chapter 20 can be hard to read because of God's punishment. Although He does punish, He does not stray away from his covenant with Moses and the Israelites.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Lev. 16, 19, 25-26
Summary: The Lord commands the Day of Atonement. In chapter 19, God commands various laws. The Lord commands the Sabbath, the year of Jubilee, and the obedience reward.
Response: The holiness of the Lord shines in chapter 16. My favorite part of chapter 16 is the scapegoat. Through this God removed the guilt of the people. I also looked up scapegoat in the dictionary and its definition is a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place. This is the perfect picture of Jesus and what he did for humanity. While all the various laws in chapter 19 are hard to comprehend and digest, there are hints of forgiveness and fairness throughout them. In verse 15, the Lord commands the people to treat everyone equally. This means treating your rich, wealthy neighbor the same and your poor lowsome neighbor. Verse 23 is a perfect example of how the Lord teaches us to be patient. You have to wait for God's timing to bear the good fruit. Verse 33 and 34 are so cool to me! I love people for other countries and getting to know people different than me. In these verses, the Lord commands that we welcome in strangers and "love him as yourself". Throughout chapter 16 and 25-26, God's authority and sovereignty is clear. He doesn't have to explain himself or the laws, he just commands and that is the way it is.
Response: The holiness of the Lord shines in chapter 16. My favorite part of chapter 16 is the scapegoat. Through this God removed the guilt of the people. I also looked up scapegoat in the dictionary and its definition is a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place. This is the perfect picture of Jesus and what he did for humanity. While all the various laws in chapter 19 are hard to comprehend and digest, there are hints of forgiveness and fairness throughout them. In verse 15, the Lord commands the people to treat everyone equally. This means treating your rich, wealthy neighbor the same and your poor lowsome neighbor. Verse 23 is a perfect example of how the Lord teaches us to be patient. You have to wait for God's timing to bear the good fruit. Verse 33 and 34 are so cool to me! I love people for other countries and getting to know people different than me. In these verses, the Lord commands that we welcome in strangers and "love him as yourself". Throughout chapter 16 and 25-26, God's authority and sovereignty is clear. He doesn't have to explain himself or the laws, he just commands and that is the way it is.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Exodus 25-37,40
Summary: God gives instruction for the ark, table, lampstand, tabernacle, altar, and the courtyard for the tabernacle. God then describes the garments for Aaron and other priests. He then commands the consecration of priests. God describes the altar incense, atonement money, basin for washing, anointing oil, and incense.
Response: Throughout all of God's commands and description, He is so detailed. I think this is cool. Instead of just saying build an ark with gold on it, He goes into the precise measures, types of material and use for it. God continues being this detailed throughout everything.
Response: Throughout all of God's commands and description, He is so detailed. I think this is cool. Instead of just saying build an ark with gold on it, He goes into the precise measures, types of material and use for it. God continues being this detailed throughout everything.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Exodus 16-24
Summary: God provides the manna and Sabbath. God provides water from the rock. Joshua fought Amalek. Moses returns to Jethro, his father-in-law, who consoles him. Moses comes to Mount Sinai and the Lord presents the Ten Commandments. Then God presents all of the ordinances and for the people and the land. God then tells of the angel that will prepare the way. God confirms the covenant with Moses.
Response: I love how people in the Old Testament rejoiced when God worked in other peoples lives. We see this in Jethro when he worships God for what He did in Moses' life. I think in today's world we forget to do this because we are so caught up with ourselves. I also think it is awesome how God provided a father figure in Moses life after his father died. Even though Moses was called by God, he still needed a fatherly figure to disciple and encourage him. Jethro did this for Moses. I also found the reference to the third day in chapter 19 very interesting. The Lord came on the third day, just as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Also, what an experience it must have been to be at Mount Sinai in chapter 19. To witness how great and mighty God is would have blown me away. After this experience, there are so many rules! I caught myself ask God "Why so many rules?" It is hard to view this from a before Christ mindset. Chapter 20, verses 20-end is the coolest part of this section of reading. Here, we already see Christ, the angel God sends in front of the Israelites, leading and redeeming the people. I love how Christ is so present in the Old Testament. The image of God we get in Chapter 24 is really cool also. It says that he was standing on "pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky".
Response: I love how people in the Old Testament rejoiced when God worked in other peoples lives. We see this in Jethro when he worships God for what He did in Moses' life. I think in today's world we forget to do this because we are so caught up with ourselves. I also think it is awesome how God provided a father figure in Moses life after his father died. Even though Moses was called by God, he still needed a fatherly figure to disciple and encourage him. Jethro did this for Moses. I also found the reference to the third day in chapter 19 very interesting. The Lord came on the third day, just as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Also, what an experience it must have been to be at Mount Sinai in chapter 19. To witness how great and mighty God is would have blown me away. After this experience, there are so many rules! I caught myself ask God "Why so many rules?" It is hard to view this from a before Christ mindset. Chapter 20, verses 20-end is the coolest part of this section of reading. Here, we already see Christ, the angel God sends in front of the Israelites, leading and redeeming the people. I love how Christ is so present in the Old Testament. The image of God we get in Chapter 24 is really cool also. It says that he was standing on "pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky".
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