2 Samuel 20 - 1 Kings 6: Bedrock, Rock-mountain, & rescuing Knight

Wow--these chapters were like a roller coaster ride filled with incredible events that took my breath away. I got a strong sense of David's intimate relationship with God, but also realized, perhaps for the first time, some of David's major flaws. That God loved him and protected him gives me hope that God loves me in spite of my flaws.

- The good-for-nothing:  The Israelites split and part followed a good-for-nothing named Sheba. But the men of Judah stayed committed to David (2 Samuel 20:2-3). David's reign was never easy--there were always revolts, most of them carried out by his own flesh and blood.
- The rescuing knight:  David was a musician and composer, and chapter 22 records the lyrics to a song he wrote and sang to God. It is achingly beautiful. In it, he uses powerful metaphorical language to describe how he feels about God. Here are some of the images he uses to describe God:

• Mountaintop refuge
• Bedrock
• The castle in which I live
• Rescuing knight
• Granite hideout
• Warrior
• Rock
• Israel's Rock-mountain
• Emanating cloud-brightness
• Hurricane anger
• Writer ("God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes" (2 Sam 22:21-25).

- Destroying angel:  This story left me quaking. God was angry at David for his pride in ordering a census to determine the number of fighting men in the country (seems innocent, but it was a sure sign that he wasn't trusting and relying on God for his strength). God sent a judgment, carried out by a destroying angel. David saw the angel, hovering between heaven and earth with sword drawn, ready to destroy Jerusalem through plague. David built an altar, sacrificed, and prayed, interceding with God. "God was moved by the prayers and that was the end of the disaster" (2 Sam 24:25). I was reminded of God's power, and also that God listens and cares. Prayer is vitally important.
- Not another one:  David was old and dying in the beginning of 1 Kings, and yet another son, the next in line behind the dead Absalom, wanted the throne from his father. HIs name was Adonijah, and he was as gorgeous as Absalom had been. The text says that David had never disciplined him as a child. However, Adonijah was not God's  chosen, even though many supported his cause, including Joab, the mighty commander of David's armies. Solomon was the chosen one to succeed David. Bathsheba and Nathan interceded with David for Solomon, and got through--David crowned Solomon king.
- Time to clean house:  After David died, King Solomon cleaned house and took care of some of David's unfinished business, including carrying out some just killings. Why didn't David do this? (1 Kings 2).
- Peace:  During Solomon's reign, "peace reigned everywhere" (1  Kings 4:24-25).
- Wisdom reigns:  Solomon was recognized as the wisest man alive, and this was a gift from God. People came from all over to listen to his wisdom.
- Temple construction began, and the stone blocks were dressed at the quarry so that the building site itself was "reverently quiet" (1 Kings 6). It took Solomon 7 years to build the temple (a significant number).
- Dazzling:  The inner sanctuary of the temple was all gold, walls, floors, everything (1 Kings 6:19-22). Two huge cherubim, 15 feet tall, filled the sanctuary. Their outstretched wings were 15 feet long, and they were covered in pure gold.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Hiram said, 'I am grateful that the Lord gave David such a wise son to be king of that great nation'" (1 Kings 5:7).

2 Samuel 7 - 19: Intrigue, battle, and family feuds

So much happened in these chapters, I don't even know where to start. Here is a smattering of events...

- A plain tent:  King David was a man after God's own heart. He loved God like a friend. "Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the chest of God sits in a plain tent," he said. He wanted to build God a temple, but God let him know that his son, Solomon, would be the one to build the temple. Not David.
- An intimate conversation with God:  David said "You know me, Master God, just as I am" (2 Samuel 7:21-29). God knows us and still loves us!
- Echoes of a friendship:  David showed kindness to Saul's family because of his past friendship with Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:1). He took in Jonathan's son, who was lame. He took him into the palace and cared for him, allowing him to eat at the king's table (2 Samuel 9).
- A walk on the roof:  David gave in to temptation and committed adultery with Bathsheba, who became pregnant. She was married to Uriah, who served in David's army. David ordered Uriah to go home and spend time with his wife--I never noticed this detail before but David was hoping that Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba and think the baby belonged to him. But Uriah stayed with his soldiers and David's plan didn't work. So he murdered him, and married Bathsheba. And guess what? "God was not at all pleased with what David had done." David's wives and children ended up causing him and the country many problems, including an attempted coup.
- Intrigue:  The rest of these chapters piles story upon story of intrigue, war, rape, and death. David was an amazing warrior and he loved God, but he wasn't always the best father. He seemed to let things happen without intervention, until it was too late to rectify.
- Soft heart:  David loved his sons. He loved Abalom, and bitterly grieved his untimely death, even though he had tried to overthrow his father. Wow--a powerful example of love with no strings attached.

Elena's verse of the day:  "God does not just sweep life away; instead he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him" (2 Samuel 14:14).

1 Samuel 25 - 2 Samuel 6: Dancing with abandon

- The good wife:  Abigail served David with great hospitality and in the process deflected his anger away from her foolish husband, Nabal. Her reward? When she became a widow, David married her. She became the wife of King David (chapter 25).

- Respect for the anointed:  David had a strong sense of justice and right vs. wrong. He refused to take advantage of the opportunities he had to slay Saul, who now hated him and was trying to chase him down and kill him. Instead, he spoke well of Saul as God's anointed, and punished others who did not show the proper respect to Saul and his family.
- Listening to the commander:  David consulted God before battle. God gave him the go-ahead and even gave him specific battle instructions (2 Samuel 5:23-24).
- Dancing with abandon:  David's wife Michal (Saul's daughter), mocked David as he danced before the Ark of the Covenant into the city. David said "I'll dance to God's glory--more recklessly even than this" (2 Samuel 6:20-22).  I remember experiencing this in some of the churches in Cuba--they dance before God with abandon. And it was so joyful!


Elena's verse of the day:  "David knew that the Lord had made him king of Israel and a powerful ruler for the good of his people" (2 Samuel 5:12).

1 Samuel 12 - 24 : The giant vs. the runt

- I'm taking this:  Samuel preached a sermon to the Israelite people and said this: "God took delight in making you into his very own people" (1 Samuel 12:22). This is for me and for you today. God takes delight in making us into his very own people!

- War & peace:  The good judges in the book of Judges brought peace to the people. Unfortunately, King Saul did not. "All through Saul's life there was war" (1 Samuel 14:52). It was a "bitter and relentless" time, says 1 Samuel. Not good.
- Disappointing God:  Saul didn't listen to God, even when God let it be known that obedience was better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22-23). "God was sorry he had ever made Saul king in the first place" (1 Samuel 15:34-35). Saul got worse as he got older and became angry, depressed, bitter, and murderous.
- The boy who would be king:  As a result of Saul turning away from God, Samuel went and anointed David, at God's direction. David was the runt of the family, out tending the sheep. An unlikely candidate for a warrior king. (1 Sam 16:11).
- A rush of wind:  On the day of his anointing, the Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, "God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life" (1 Sam 16:13).
- The giant:  David volunteered to fight Goliath. This was crazy, for many reasons.

• David was young and inexperienced
• He had no armor
• He was tiny compared to Goliath, who was ten feet tall
• No one supported his decision
• No one else was foolish enough to go up against the giant
• Everyone was watching

- He did not walk:  But none of those things mattered to David, who was filled with the Spirit and empowered by God. And of all the amazing facts on this story, this hits me the most:  David ran to the field of battle to meet Goliath (1 Sam 17:48-49). What tremendous courage and surrender to God's call. Lord, give me that kind of courage.
- Saul didn't get it:  This amazing man, David, was first appreciated by King Saul. But later, when David began to win the hearts of the people, Saul hated him and tried to kill him.



Elena's verse of the day:  "Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He wants you to obey Him" (1 Samuel 15:22).

Ruth 1 - 1 Samuel 11: An ordinary woman, a harvest romance, & a messianic prophecy

- An ordinary woman:  Ruth was not born into the faith--this woman who became the grandmother of Israel's greatest king was an outsider, an ordinary person, a widow, and poor. Yet she became the great grandmother of David, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Eugene Peterson writes that it is "extraordinary to get a tale from the point of view of two lower class women."
- A redeemer:  Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) was in the circle of "covenant redeemers" for Ruth. This meant that he was eligible to marry her and give her children to carry on the family inheritance.
- Kindness begets love:  Boaz was kind to Ruth and took special care of her. At harvest time, Naomi told Ruth: "Maybe it's time to make our move." She counseled Ruth on how to approach Boaz by sleeping at his feet, which signaled her availability for marriage. Boaz awoke in the night and saw her and they spoke in the dark and made arrangements to marry. (Romance! Love it!)
- 1 Samuel was written about 1000 BC, at the midpoint in history between Abraham and Jesus. Samuel is one book written on two scrolls because there were physical limits on how big a scroll could be--thus 1 and 2 Samuel.
- New name for God:  "The Lord of Hosts" is translated by Eugene Peterson in The Message version as "God-of-the-Angel-Armies." Love that.
- God's listening:  Hannah was barren and asked God for a baby. Immediately, "God began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked." So often this happens, but we can't see it. God is listening and making arrangements. Thank you for this, Lord.
- Baby Samuel:  When God answered and Hannah has a baby, she delivers a joyful and astonishing prophecy: "God will set things rights all over the earth, he'll give strength to his king, he'll set his anointed on top of the world." This sounds like a messianic prophecy. Is it the first in Scripture? I don't remember another prior to this.
- Kids gone wild:  Samuel was a good and godly leader who pointed the people back to God, but his sons were corrupt. Sometimes godly people have ungodly children, and it is no reflection on their parenting.
- Saul started out humble:  Samuel and Saul meet. Saul has been chosen by God to become King of Israel. Samuel says "At this moment, Israel's future is in your hands." Saul's response reminds me of Gideon's. Who, me? I'm insignificant, from a small nothing clan in the smallest tribe. Yet Saul was anointed king by Samuel. That day, Scripture says, God transformed him and made him a new person! To help bolster his faith, there were several "confirming signs." If God calls you to do something for him, he will anoint, equip, and transform you so that you can carry out the task, even if you think you are a nobody. So did Saul!

Elena's verse of the day:  "God has rescued you from your troubles and hard times. But you have rejected your God and asked for a king" (1 Samuel 10:19)

Judges 10 - 21: Terror laced with glory

- This name cracks me up:  Tola, son of Puah, son of Dodo. He was a judge for 23 years, so he must have been a man of honor and dignity and wisdom. But, still, his name cracks me up.

- Sacrifice horror story:  Jephthah's daughter was sacrificed as a result of a hasty vow by her father before a military victory. This is a very difficult story to read and understand. I was at a retreat once where the speaker, a theology professor from UCLA, theorized that Jephthah actually dedicated his daughter to the temple and she spent the rest of her life there. I hope that is the case! (Judges 11:29-40).
- Sounds like Mary:  An angel came to Samson's mother and announced his conception. The angel also issued instructions to raise him as a Nazirite (long hair & no alcohol). When she described the angel to her husband, she described him as "terror laced with glory" (Judges 13:6-7). They made offerings on an altar, and the angel ascended in the flames of the altar. Wow! I don't remember ever hearing that story before.
- Samson fell in love with a Philistine girl, which was forbidden. But God was behind it, Scripture says, arranging an opportunity to go against the Philistines (Judges 14:4). God works in mysterious ways.
- Samson judged Israel for 20 years, so along with his amazing exploits (the lion & honey incident, the jawbone incident, the wife actually going to his best man incident, the city gate incident), he must have been a wise and just man. When he died by bringing down a large building with his bare hands, he killed 3000 Philistines at the same time.
- Chaos:  "In those days there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing" (Judges 17:6).
- Phinehas is still around?  Aaron's grandson, Phinehas, was still the priest when the Israelites began a civil war with the tribe of Benjamin, which came about as the result of a brutal rape in the town of Gibeah. (Gibeah was a Benjaminite town, but it sounded exactly like Gomorrah). As a result of the war, 25,000 Benjaminites were killed. "God routed them" (Judges 20:34-36).

Elena's verse of the day:  "In those days Israel wasn't ruled by a king, and everyone did what they thought was right" (Judges 17:6 & 21:25).

Joshua 22 - Judges 9: The left-handed warrior & the runt warrior

- Come back, Joshua:  I'm already missing Joshua. The people were more tuned into God, then. Joshua was a strong leader and kept the people on the right track. Judges? It's a shock. A dark and dangerous time, with just a few bright spots. "Then another generation grew up that didn't know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel" (Judges 2:10).
- The people were "stubborn as mules"  (Judges 2:18-19) and engaged in evil practices. They didn't clear out all of the land's occupants, as they were instructed, and the remaining peoples led them back into Baal and Ashtoreth worship. God's anger blazed.

- Where did my knife go?  Ehud was a left-handed Benjaminite warrior who decided to take down Eglon, a fat king who was oppressing the Israelites. He crafted a short, two-edged sword and strapped it to his thigh under his clothes. He asked for a private meeting with Eglon, then said "I have a word of God for you." He plunged his knife into Eglon's belly, hilt and all. Eglon died and the people were released. Interesting note: the current Israeli defense minister is named Ehud Barak.
- Woman warrior:  Deborah was a wife, mother, prophet, and judge over Israel. She went into battle with her general, Barak. "Isn't God marching before you?" she told Barak (Judges 4). He was, and they routed the enemy.
- Jael, a wild mountain goat of a woman, was also an assassin and took out the enemy general, Sisera, with a tent peg. Deborah's song said this: "Most blessed of all women is Jael" (Judges 5:24-27).
- A lovely blessing after a war:  "Thus may all God's enemies perish, while his lovers be like the unclouded sun" (Judges 5:31).
- A runt saves Israel:  Gideon was commissioned by God to save Israel. He couldn't believe it. "I'm the runt of the litter from the weakest clan, and you want me to do what????" (Judges 6:15). But he did. The Angel who delivered the message started with this: "God is with you, O mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12).

Elena's verse of the day:  "The next generation did not know the Lord or any of the things he had done for Israel" (Judges 2:10).

Joshua 9 - 21: Woodcutters & water carriers, giant hailstones, and happily ever after

- Woodcutters & water carriers:  Joshua and the people of Israel were outwitted by some locals in hobo outfits. They were tricked into signing a covenant. When the ruse was discovered, Joshua sentenced the tricksters to work as woodcutters and water carriers. Interesting story, that.

- Chapters and chapters of Joshua's conquests. One key battle included a day the sun stood still, along with God flinging giant hailstones from the sky. The Israelites won.
- Balaam, the old sorcerer with the talking donkey, was finally killed by Israel in battle. Notice his name, an homage to the pagan god Baal (Joshua 3:15-22).
- Happily ever after (at least for a while):  "God gave Israel the entire land that he had solemnly vowed to give to their ancestors. They took possession of it and made themselves at home in it....everything came out right" (Joshua 21:43-45). Lord, I want that for my life. Please make everything come out right.

Elena's verse of the day:  "When the priest, Joshua, and leaders of the families met to divide up the land, the Lord showed them how to do it" (Joshua 14:5).

Deuteronomy 30 - Joshua 8: A harlot, a warrior angel, and life & good

- "Choose life," began one of Moses' last admonitions to the people before he died. Just before, God said this through Moses:

"Look at what I've done for you today: I've placed in front of you Life and Good [or] Death and Evil....Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

- An amazing promise to hang on to today: "God, your God, will cross the river ahead of you..." (Deut 31:3)

- When things look terrible and you are scared out of your wits:  "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them [your enemies] a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you" (Deut 31:6)
- Historical note:  The Israelite people had been "landless" for 500 years and these words of admonition by God through Moses are directed to them just as they are about to claim the Promised Land. The land was "an unremarkable stretch of territory sandwiched between two massive and already ancient civilizations," explains Eugene Peterson. Those two civilizations were Egypt and Mesopotamia. But that piece of land, promised to Abraham and his descendants, was about to become very important through God's plan for his people.
- Angelic armies afoot:  Joshua encounters the commander of God's army--an angel, who looked like a man, holding a drawn sword (Joshua 5:13-15).
- The harlot:  Rahab, a harlot in Jericho, housed and protected two Israelite spies. As a result she was saved from destruction, along with all of her family (Joshua 2, 6). She later married an Israelite man named Salmon, and she is listed in the New Testament genealogies as one of Jesus' ancestors. Ancient literature rarely names women as they were not considered very important, but here we have the name of a common woman with great faith, courage, and wisdom. Love this story!

Elena's verse of the day:  "I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God" (Joshua 1:9).

Deuteronomy 15 - 29: Business, honeymoons, & the ultimate consequence

- Taking care of business:  Lots of practical guidelines here for the people of Israel. We take these things for granted, but God gave much needed words of guidance and advice in a time of evil and lawlessness. Areas he covers include:

• setting up a legal system, including laws, judges, and procedures (Deut 16, 19). For example, prosecutors had to have more than one witness, and judgment could be handed down only after a thorough investigation. No twisting of the law or bribery, ever.
• checks & balances for a future monarchy (Deut 17:14-17)
• military advice (Deut 20)
• liability issues (Deut 22:6-7)
• farming (Deut 22)
• issues surrounding rape and guidelines to protect women (Deut 22)
• sanitation (Deut 23:12-14)
• a long honeymoon! Newlywed men got a year off: "He gets one year off simply to be at home making his wife happy" (Deut 24:5).
• financial matters & interest (Deut 24)
• charity (Deut 24)
• fair business practices and employment rules (Deut 24-25)
• and much more....

- All together now:  At the end of this setting out of guidelines, Moses had the people do a group verbal recitation of the rules (Deut 27).
- The ultimate consequence:  Moses warned the people that if they didn't follow God's ways, that "God will ship you back to Egypt by a road I promised you'd never see again. There you'll offer yourselves for sale, both men and women, as slaves to your enemies. And not a buyer to be found" (Deut 28:68).
- Not to worry:  If the people followed God's rules and took care of their responsibilities, Moses promised that "God will take care of the hidden things" (Deut 29:29).

Elena's verse of the day:  "The Lord must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard" (Deuteronomy 29:4).

Deuteronomy 2 - 14: Rules to live by, holy destruction, and God's cherished personal treasure (You!)

- The God who listens:  "What other great nation has gods that are intimate with them the way God, our God, is with us, always ready to listen to us?" (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). God knows your name, he loves you, and he hears you.
- Rules to live by:  Practical guidelines from chapter 4 of Deuteronomy, in a sermon given by Moses to the people:

• Stay alert
• Keep close watch over yourselves
• Don't forget anything of what you've seen
• Don't let your heart wander off
• Stay vigilant as long as you live
• Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren

- Holy destruction:  what seems like brutality to us, as God instructed the Israelites to wipe out towns and clans, was actually God getting rid of vile and wicked nations. His actions were justice for their wicked behavior. One of the most vile things they did was burn their children in idol worship. God abhorred this.
- God the gardener:  God personally tended Israel, the Promised Land. "He's the Gardener" (Deut 11:10-12). The gardeners I know are gentle but firm as they tend their plants. They study their garden and know it intimately. They protect it and guard it from anything that would want to damage it. They water and feed it. They prune it. And they look forward to the harvest. Is it any surprise that God hated the vile things going on in his personal garden? And why he wanted to uproot the people doing those things and replace them with his own chosen people?
- You are chosen:  "God chose you out of all the people on earth as his cherished personal treasure" (Deut 14:1-2). Moses said this to the people of Israel, but this verse is for us, too. Through the redemptive work of Christ, we are grafted into the tribe of Israel, adopted as part of God's chosen people. So the promises to Israel are promises to us, as well. Hold that verse close--you are chosen as God's cherished personal treasure.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Be very careful not to forget things you have seen God do...keep reminding yourselves and tell your children and grandchildren" (Deuteronomy 4:9).

Numbers 26 - Deuteronomy 1: Women's rights, revenge, & idol destruction

- Women's rights:  Women were pretty much treated like property in Old Testament times, so I loved the fact that God granted women the right to inherit sections of the Promised Land, even though their father was dead (Numbers 27).

- Balaam was not a good guy: The Israelites exacted revenge on Midian for the whole Baal/orgy event we read about in yesterday's reading. Phinehas (the same priest who speared the Israelite who flaunted the Midianite woman and defiantly took her into his tent in front of everyone) was the priest of the 12,000-strong army which marched on Midian and killed every man, including Balaam (this blows my theory in yesterday's post that Balaam was a godly man because he blessed Israel instead of cursing them. In fact, Numbers 31:13-18 reports that the Baal orgy at Peor was under Balaam's direction, and the women were seducing the people of Israel away from God).
- Why so much killing? Numbers 32 explains that God is cleaning his enemies out of the land via the Israelites. As they advanced into the Promised Land, they were to destroy the idols, level the worship mounds, and divide up the land for the Israelite clans.
- Sermon on the plains of Moab:  Deuteronomy is a sermon by Moses to review God's plan for Israel. Can't wait to read more!

Elena's verse of the day: "The Lord has taken care of us the whole time....in the desert, just as you might carry one of your children" (Deuteronomy 1:31).

Numbers 14 - 25: A talking donkey, ripe almonds, & the gathering

This morning I set out to do my reading and I was distracted by the newspapers lying on the table. For some reason, the newspapers beckoned and I had a hard time concentrating. This was my first day of being really tempted to break my vow of reading my Bible first and leaving the papers until the end of the day, if I have time. I did not give in to temptation! But it was a struggle.

The reading today was extremely intense. Lots of death and disobedience. I got a real sense of the struggle against sin and the difficulty of living a holy life in those times.

- Back to slavery?  The Israelites were in an uproar when the scouting party returned with their report after surveying the Promised Land. Rumors abounded regarding the power of the land's occupants. The Israelites lost their nerve and wanted a new leader. "Let's head back to Egypt," they said (Numbers 14:4). This shocked me. Head back into their oppressive slavery under a brutal pharoah?
- Voices of courage:  But Joshua and Caleb, two of the scouts, spoke up and vouched for God's plan. They believed the Israelites could take the land from the occupants: "They have no protection and God is on our side," they said. "Don't be afraid of them!" (Num 14:6-9).

- Cycles of disobedience:  I could not believe how, time after time, the Israelites forgot God's supremacy and decided to go their own way. Each time, God's anger flared and Moses had to intercede for them. Some of the results of their disobedience: the current generation of adults would not get to enter the land, they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and at one point the earth opened up and swallowed a group of insurgents, along with their families. God also used lightning to destroy 250 men who were part of a conspiracy to get rid of Moses. (Numbers 16).
- Almonds from a staff:  God caused Aaron's staff to sprout buds, blossoms, and ripe almonds as a demonstration that he was God's chosen priest. A beautiful story of life coming from something quite dead (Numbers 17).
- The gathering:  When the time came for Aaron's death, God directed him to ascend Mount Hor, explaining that "Aaron will be gathered there." What a great way to describe a godly person's death (Numbers 20:26).
- Talking donkey:  Love, love, love the story of Balaam and the talking donkey (Numbers 22). It also appeared that Balaam was a godly man chosen and used as a prophet, even though he was not an Israelite (Num 23:26). Balaam blessed Israel and said this about God: "Only what he speaks, I speak."
- Wow:  I don't know what else to say about the story of Phinehas. It's in chapter 25, and I don't remember ever reading it before. Suffice it to say that you could not make this story up. It really came alive in the Message version.

Elena's Verse of the day:  "Show us your great power, Lord. You promised that you love to show mercy and kindness" (Numbers 14:17-8 CEV)

Numbers 3 - 13: Strange fire, sacrifice, & God's loyalty

- Strange fire:  The "strange fire" that resulted in the deaths of two of Aaron's sons is explained here in Numbers 3:2-4 as "unauthorized sacrifice." No one is exactly sure what "strange fire" means, but it offended God and violated his specific rules for the sacrificial system, so he responded with his own fire.
- The need for sacrifice:  When you commit a sin, you "break trust with God," according to Num 5:5-10. Thus the need for sacrifice to restore the relationship.

- Grumbling & a firestorm:  The peple "fell to grumbling over their hard life. God heard." His anger flared and fire burned up to the edge of the camp. But Moses, ever faithful and and courageous, prayed to God and the fire died down.
- Kill me:  Moses experienced burnout, though. It got to the point where he'd had enough with the people. The burden of their grumbling and immaturity was just too great: "If this is how you intend to treat me," he cried out to God, "do me a favor and kill me....let me out of here" (Num 11:11-15). God responded by creating a team to help lead the people and take some pressure off of Moses.
- God is loyal:  God got angry when Aaron and Miriam spoke against his servant, Moses. God was loyal and protective of his chosen leader. I think we need to be mindful of how we speak about our leaders. It's all too easy to grumble.

Elena's Verse of the day:  "The Lord answered, 'I can do anything! Watch and you'll see my words come true'" (Numbers 11:23).

I'm sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

Leviticus 20 - Numbers 2: Holiness, slavery, and Jubilee

Yesterday was, by far, the hardest day so far for my Bible Boot Camp reading. Lots of heavy duty laws and punishments outlined in this part of Scripture. It was hard reading. A few thoughts:

-  The key to holiness:  Holiness means being different from the sinful behavior going on around you. To help the Israelite people remember that they were to be holy like God, they kept a holy calendar which included feasts, Sabbath (which was for the people, the land, and the animals, too), and a Jubilee Year every 50th year. Jubilee meant family reunions, no harvest work, and release of obligations.   
- Slavery?  I'm wondering why God permitted slavery? In Lev 25:44-46, the Israelites were allowed to purchase slaves from surrounding tribes, but Israelites themselves were not to be kept as slaves. Perhaps, this gave other peoples access to the Israelite way of life and a chance to get to know God?
- God at the center:  The Tabernacle was the center of the Israelite world. The people were to set up camp around the Tabernacle, facing it. It was the center, as God was to be the center.

- On another note regarding slavery and gender, Vickie wondered why, in Leviticus, women slaves were worth only half what men were worth. This is a great question. Jonalyn Fincher, an author and apologist, wrote an article on this topic called "Is God Playing Favorites in Leviticus 27:1-8?" The articles are here on her blog: Part I and Part II.

 Elena's Verse of the day:  "I am the Lord your God...I have set you free; now walk with your heads held high" (Lev 26:13).

I'm sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own! 

Leviticus 7 - 19: Blood, laws, & the goat in the wildnerness

- Offerings galore:  More offerings described, including the votive-offering, freewill-offering, fire-gifts, contribution-offering, wave-offering, and ordination-offering. This is a whole study in itself.
- Blood:  So much blood used in annointing and purifying. This seems so foreign to us. In our culture we rarely see blood.

- Laws:  God gave very specific dietary laws (no eating rock badgers because the chew their cud but don't have a split hoof) to help set his people apart from the surrounding peoples. These laws helped to keep the Israelites healthy, too.
- Hygiene:  Interesting laws instructed the people on how to deal with poisonous mildew and fungus--something we still deal with, such as killer molds.
- Medical care:  God also gave basic but detailed instructions about how to spot and contain diseases.
- The goat in the wilderness:  Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was to put all of the people's sins on a goat's head. Then it was sent into the wildnerness (Lev 16:20-22). The people were to fast and refrain from work. "In the presence of GOD, you will be made clean of all your sins. It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths" (Lev 16:29-31). A beautiful and vivid picture of Christ's redemptive work, still far in the future.
- Precious blood:  The people are forbidden to consume blood, on pain of death and banishment. Why? "The life of the animal is in the blood. I have provided the blood for you to make atonement for your lives on the Altar; it is the blood, the life, that makes atonement" (Lev 17:10-12). Blood = life, and it is precious.  
- Do not conform:  God tells the Israelites straight out not to live like the Eypgtians or the Canaanites. "Don't do what they do" (Lev 18:1-5).
- Sex laws:  It seems strange that God had to spell out all of these forbidden sexual practices in such detail, but these things must have been happening or God wouldn't need to make such laws. The worst? Child sacrifice. Almost unthinkable, but it was going on regularly around them.
- Strong words:  "Dabbling in the occult pollutes your soul" (Lev 19:31).
- A good reminder:  "Show respect to the aged" (Lev 19:32). This was a good nudge for me. My mom lives with me and sometimes drive me crazy :/
- This says it all:  "Be holy because I, God, your God, am holy" (Lev 19:1).

Elena's Verse of the Day: "The Lord appeared to the people in all his glory...they shouted and fell to their knees to worship the Lord" (Leviticus 9:23-24)

I'm sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

Exodus 34 - Leviticus 6: Glowing, gold, and blood

- What glowing skin:  Love how Moses' face glowed after he talked to God. He had to wear a veil. I'm wondering--do we glow when we spend lots of time with God?

- Ton of gold:  Amazed at the craftsmanship that went into the tabernacle and its furnishings. For example, the lampstands were made of pure gold and formed into a stem, branches, calyxes, and blossoms. 1900 pounds of gold went into the construction of the sanctuary--almost a ton of pure gold. Wow.

- They did it all:  When the Israelites were good, they were very very good. "The did what God had commanded to Moses. They did it all" (Ex 39:32). Do I always do all of what God asks?
- Overwhelming:  The sacrifices were bloody. They were instructed to make an offering of blood by splashing it against the sides of the altar. I can only imagine the sight, the sounds, and the smells (Lev 1:3-9). It must have been overwhelming and unforgettable.
- Pure and perfect:  The animals used for sacrifice were to be without defect. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice, Christ, and his sinlessness (Lev 3:1).
- Offerings:  Many different types of offerings described in Leviticus include absolution (atonement) offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings, grain-offerings, and compensation-offerings.

Verse of the Day: "I am the Lord God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love and can be trusted." (Ex 34:6 CEV) --from Elena Santos Scharnhorst

I'm sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

Exodus 21-33: Pomegranates, craftsmanship, and when God changed his mind

- He'll be there:  Love this verse from yesterday's reading: "Every place where I cause my name to be honored in your worship, I'll be there myself and bless you" (Exodus 20:22-26). I wonder if this is why I always feel lighter and happier coming out of church? It's so simple--God is there and he blesses me.
- Intent:  I notice that God takes a person's "intent" into consideration when determining punishment for breaking the law. God is fair.
- Slurs against our leaders:  "Don't curse God and don't damn your leaders" (Exodus 22:28). It's tempting to damn leaders from the other political party. Don't.
- Get ready:  God tells the Israelites to get themselves ready for where God is taking them. Am I ready for where God is taking me? Are you?
- Pomegranate:  God designed Aaron's priestly clothing with pomegranate trim (Exodus 32:9-13). I wonder what the significance of the promegranate is? Research says: "The pomegranate, from the abundance of its seeds, was regarding in ancient times as an emblem of fruitfulness."
- Mysterious book:  What is the "book of the Covenant"? (Exodus 24:7). Apparently it's the second set of laws/codes given to Moses on Mt Sinai (the first was the 10 Commandments).
- Called & equipped:  God designed the tabernacle and everything in it, then he filled the craftsmen with the Holy Spirit so they could do the work. He gifted them with the skill, the know-how, and the expertise (Exodus 31:1-4).Please, Lord, do that for me!
- Chutzpah:  Moses pleaded with God and God changed his mind. Wow! (Exodus 32:2-4)

Verse of the day:  "I know you by name" (God speaking to Moses in Exodus 33:17)

Sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

From a BBC'er

Happy Friday BBC'ers!  

I am a little behind in the readings but will catch up this weekend.

I took my time reveling in the words, "and God said..."  and then whatever needed to happen, just happened.  Light was created. Stars formed. Land masses emerged. Plant and animal life ensued. He breathed life into man.  No, big show.  No massive blueprints sprawled out like a architect building a skyscraper. No "song and dance".  God just "spoke" effortlessly.  The next time I think my problems are too big, I will remember our Father is infinitely and indescribably bigger!

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend everyone!
 
~Portia

Exodus 8-20: Frog invasion, God the healer, & a kingdom of priests

Sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

- Frog invasion: The plagues God sent on the Egyptians--I had forgotten there were so many, and how horrible they were. Frogs in the beds, pots and pans, and on the people? Yuck! On a trip to Cuba we had a frog in the shower. Just one frog. That was enough.
- God on guard:  I was struck by how present God was in the exodus from Egypt. I love this verse: as the Israelites left Egypt, "God kept watch all night." I love that. God keeps watch over us.
- Celebrate good times:  I was amazed by the detailed instructions on how to celebrate the Passover. I also was reminded of how much God likes celebrations. Do you celebrate often? It's a godly thing to do and commemorates important events. God instructs the people to tell their children "This is what God did for me."
- Enshrouded in darkness:  God took on the form of a pillar of clouds by day and a pillar of fire by night. He told his people that he would fight the battle for them. Then, when he was ready to part the Red Sea, the pillar of clouds moved and blocked the Egyptians from seeing what was happening. He enshrouded them in darkness, while the Israelite camp was bathed in light. I want my camp to be bathed in light. How about you?
- The Healer:  "I am God your healer." (Ex 15:26)
- God hears our complaints (Ex 16:9)
- Teambuilding:  Moses was burned out from administrating and judging, so he took some advice from his father-in-law Jethro, and built a team of people to help share the load. Jethro told him this was so "you have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you." Do you have a team of people to help you? Do you help others carry out God's will?
- You are a priest:  Israel was a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:3-6). They were special and set apart. Love this. We are grafted in to the nation of Israel through Jesus, so this description applies to us, as well. Did you know you are holy, set apart, and a priest?

Genesis 44 - Exodus 7: Sobbing, righteous disobedience, & snakes

Sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

Notes: If you do Twitter, Elena is tweeting on Bible Boot Camp at www.twitter.com/casmarele. Also, I'm doing Friday's reading early because I'll be gone all day tomorrow.

- Violent sobbing:  Joseph was de facto ruler of Egypt, yet he had a tender heart. When he finally identified himself to his brothers, he dismissed all of the Egyptians so they could have some privacy. But he wept so loudly that everyone heard anyway (the MSG version called it "violent sobbing.")
- Forgiveness:  I'm stunned at Joseph's authentic forgiveness for his brothers, who sold him into slavery and told his father that he'd been killed by wild animals. He kissed each one and wept over them. Could I have done this? I don't know.
- Deliverance:  God turned evildoing into deliverance and a blessing. "Don't you see, you planned evil against me," said Joseph. "But God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now--life for many people" (Exodus 50:19-21).
- Righteous Disobedience:  There is such a thing as righteous disobedience. The Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah defied the Egyptian Pharoah and refused to let the Hebrew babies die (the Pharoah was trying to reduce the Hebrew population through infanticide). God blessed them.
- God cared about the Egyptians, too:  The signs and wonders, the mighty acts of judgment such as the staff turning into a snake, and the water of the Nile turning into blood, were for the Egyptians: "The Egyptians will realize that I am God when I step in and take the Israelites out of their country."

Genesis 31-43: Wrestling, tattling, and selling out your brother

Sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

- Family meeting:  Love how Jacob consulted with his wives, Rachel and Leah, before decided to pack up and move. Only when they agreed did he make his decision. And this is back when women were considered possessions!

- Wrestling with God:  Jacob wrestled with God, who was in the form of a man. This is how Jacob got his name Israel, or "God Wrestler." Wondering if the man who wrestled with him was Jesus, pre-incarnate. Also, didn't Jacob and Esau wrestle in Rebekah's womb?
- Love is in the air:  Esau married Canaanite women. His twin brother Jacob married Hebrew women. Significant? Yes. Esau's descendants were ungodly and destructive.
- Tattletale:  Joseph was his father's favorite and tattled on his brothers. As a result, they sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites headed for Egypt. Those merchants were descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son who was the father of the Arab tribes. Never noticed that connection before.
- The plot thickens:  The story of Joseph and his brothers is full of intricate detail and timing is everything. The idea of Providence, God working his plan out in the details of history, is so evident here.

Genesis 19-30: Angels, stew, & a stairway to heaven

Sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

- Depravity:  I don't quite know what to think about Lot offering his daughters to the men of Gomorrah. Lot was supposedly a godly man. Sigh....Perhaps it's an illustration of how deep the depravity was at this soon-to-be-destroyed city. I don't know, but to me it's one of the most horrific events in Scripture.

- God hears:  The angels tell Lot that "the outcries of victims here to God are deafening!" (Gen 19:12-13). I love this--it shows that God listens.
- Stuck:  Lot did not want to leave Gomorrah, even though the angels told him to his face what was going to happen. They had to drag him out to safety.  Am I this way? Do I have to be dragged from sin at times? Do we need to be dragging others away from sin? Hmmm.
- Laughter:  Sarah says that laughter is a blessing. Can you picture God laughing? I bet he laughs at me a lot!
- Crying:  God heard Ishmael crying in the wildnerness. Again, God listening. Love this.
- Tribes:  Ishmael had 12 sons who were the founders of 12 tribes. This mirrors Jacob's 12 sons and 12 tribes, coming up in our readings.
 - Hungry Jack:  Esau's stomach led him astray when he traded his birthright for some stew.
- Naming:  You can see the significance of names in the Scriptures, with special notice given to names of people, places, cities, and even wells. The meaning of the name is often noted and tied to a significant event.
- Tithing starts here in Genesis, with Jacob vowing to give God 10% after he sees the entrance to heaven in his dream at Bethel.
- Rolling away the stone:  I don't ever remember reading this story before, but Jacob rolled away the stone from the well, singlehandedly, after he saw the gorgeous Rachel. The other shepherds had said "It takes all of us to roll the stone away from the well." Quite an adrenaline rush! (Gen 29:9-13)
 - Jacob was tricked by Laban, just as Jacob had tricked his father, Isaac.
- Misery:  Again, God listens and noticed Leah's misery. He cares!

Genesis 1-18: Evil, rainbows & circumcision

I'll share a few notes from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!

- Did you notice that God made the light (Day 1) before he made the sun (Day 4). Where did the light come from? Perhaps from God himself?

- Another murder: Five generations after Cain, another murder was committed by one of his descendants, named Lamech. Revenge was the motive. But interesting how sin seemed to run in that side of the family.

- Evil: "Human evil was out of control" is how the Message Bible puts it. But Noah was different. (Gen 6) I'm glad I didn't live in those times.

- The earth is on God's timetable. The seasons, days, and climates will not stop "for as long as the earth lasts." That gives me a lot of hope in times when the environment seems beyond our control. (Gen 8:22)

- "Live Bountifully!" is God's blessing to Noah after the flood. This earth is not our home, but we can still live bountifully and enjoy life here (Gen 9:7).

- Convenants: Already, in just this first day of reading, God has made two covenants with men. 1) With Noah & his descendants, that never again will there be a flood that destroys the earth. Symbol: Rainbow. 2) With Abram, that the Promised Land belongs to him and his descendants forever. Symbol: Circumcision.

Now, I'm about to dig back into Genesis for today's reading. Can't wait!

What a Privilege....

I'm getting ready to do my second day of reading and thinking about what a privilege it is to read the Scriptures in safety and in freedom. But it was not always so. Our ancestors were beaten, burned, and imprisoned for trying to do the same.

Here are two quick stories of men who gave all so that we can read the Bible ourselves. First is John Wycliffe. He was an Oxford professor who translated the Bible from Latin so that anyone could read it. The Pope was so infuriated by his teachings and his translation of the Bible into English, that 44 years after Wycliffe had died, he ordered the bones to be dug-up, crushed, and scattered in the river!

One of Wycliffe’s followers, John Hus, actively promoted Wycliffe’s ideas: that people should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language, and they should oppose the tyranny of the Roman church that threatened anyone possessing a non-Latin Bible with execution. Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, with Wycliffe’s manuscript Bibles used as kindling for the fire. The last words of John Hus were that, “in 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed.” That man was Martin Luther.

If you're interested in these heroes of the faith who fought and died so that we can have access to God's word, click here for a great website on the history of the English Bible.

Schedule for Summer, 2010

JUNE

8 ....Genesis 1-18
9 ....Genesis 19-30
10 ..Genesis 31-43
11 ..Genesis 44-Exodus 7
12 ..Exodus 8-20
13 ..Exodus 21-33
14 ..Exodus 34-Leviticus 6
15 ..Leviticus 7-19
16 ..Leviticus 20-Numbers 2
17 ..Numbers 3-13
18 ..Numbers 14-25
19 ..Numbers 26-Deuteronomy 1
20 ..Deuteronomy 2-14
21 ..Deuteronomy 15-29
22 ..Deuteronomy 30-Joshua 8
23 ..Joshua 9-21
24 ..Joshua 22-Judges 9
25 ..Judges 10-21
26 ..Ruth 1 - 1 Samuel 11
27 ..1 Samuel 12-24
28 ..1 Samuel 25 - 2 Samuel 6
29 ..2 Samuel 7-19
30 ..2 Samuel 20-1 Kings 6

JULY

1 ....1 Kings 7-15
2 ....1 Kings 16-2 Kings 3
3 ....2 Kings 4-15
4 ....2 Kings 16-1 Chronicles 1
5 ....1 Chronicles 2-15
6 ....1 Chronicles 16-2 Chronicles 1
7 ....2 Chronicles 2-18
8 ....2 Chronicles 19-32
9 ....2 Chronicles 33-Ezra 8
10 ..Ezra 9-Nehemiah 11
11 ..Nehemiah 12-Esther-Job 5
12 ..Job 6-27
13 ..Job 28-Psalm 6
14 ..Psalm 7-35
15 ..Psalm 36-65
16 ..Psalm 66-88
17 ..Psalm 89-112
18 ..Psalm 113-143
19 ..Psalm 144-Proverbs 14
20 ..Proverbs 15-29
21 ..Prov. 30-Ecclesiastes-Song of Solomon 4
22 ..Song of Solomon 5-Isaiah 12
23 ..Isaiah 13-29
24 ..Isaiah 30-44
25 ..Isaiah 45-Isaiah 59
26 ..Isaiah 60-Jeremiah 6
27 ..Jeremiah 7-19
28 ..Jeremiah 20-31
29 ..Jeremiah 32-46
30 ..Jeremiah 47-Lamentations 2
31 ..Lamentations 3-Ezekiel 13

AUGUST

1 ....Ezekiel 14-24
2 ....Ezekiel 25-37
3 ....Ezekiel 38-Daniel 1
4 ....Daniel 2-11
5 ....Daniel 12-Hosea-Joel
6 ....Amos-Obadiah-Jonah-Micah 4
7 ....Micah 5-Nahum-Habakkuk-
Zephaniah-Haggai-Zechariah 1
8 ....Zechariah 2-Malachi
9 ....Matthew 1-12
10 ..Matthew 13-25
11 ..Matthew 26-Mark 6
12 ..Mark 7-16
13 ..Luke 1-8
14 ..Luke 9-18
15 ..Luke 19-John 3
16 ..John 4-13
17 ..John 14-Acts 4
18 ..Acts 5-15
19 ..Acts 16-27
20 ..Acts 28-Romans 14
21 ..Romans 15-1 Corinthians 15
22 ..1 Cor 16-2 Cor-Galatians 4
23 ..Galatians 5-Ephesians-Philippians-
Colossians-1 Thessalonians 1
24 ..1 Thess 2-2 Thess-1 Timothy-
2 Timothy-Titus-Philemon-Hebrews 1
25 ..Hebrews 2-James
26 ..1 Peter-2 Peter-1 John-2 John-3 John
27 ..Revelation 1-11
28 ..Revelation 12-22
29 ..Catch up
30 ..Celebration/Potluck

Welcome letter (with tips)

Greetings....

Bible Boot Camp is almost here, and we want to welcome you to the group, as well as share with you a few ideas to help you prepare.

As you know, we will be reading through the entire Bible over the summer, from Genesis to Revelation. That’s about 12-15 pages a day and will take you anywhere from 30-90 minutes to read.

Bible Boot Camp will happen throughout the summer here on this blog. Our official start is June 7, 2010, and we finish on August 30.

A few thoughts:

• Consider using a different translation for Bible Boot Camp. To get a fresh look at Scripture, it helps to use a translation different that you’re used to. For example, Susy usually reads the Bible in New King James, but she’ll be doing the readings in a version called The Message. Jim usually reads the Bible in NASB but will be using the New International Version (NIV).
• Available: The Bible in 90 Days (NIV). Consider purchasing a copy of The Bible in 90 Days, a NIV Bible specially set up for reading over a 3-month period. It’s available for $14 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/031093351X/?tag=business0561-20
• What will you give up? Jim and Susy have been thinking and praying about what they are going to give up in order to carve out the time to read the Bible over the summer. How about you?
• Nervous? We are, too. If you’re nervous and wondering if you can actually do this, that is normal and we feel the same way! It’s a challenge, no doubt. But it is very doable and lots of other people have done it. If you’d like to get some extra pre-Bible Boot Camp info and encouragement, you can go to this website: http://www.biblein90days.org/ We’re not following this exact program, but there are lots of good resources and answers on this website. Check it out!
• What about vacation? Don’t worry. Summer is a great time to take a vacation. And the great thing about Bible Boot Camp is that your Bible is portable and can go on vacation with you! If you have to miss a meeting or two, don’t worry. You’ll have a copy of the schedule and you can stay on track.
• Journal. We highly recommend you start a journal or notebook during Bible Boot Camp. In it you can record your thoughts, ideas, responses, and questions connected to your reading. You can bring your journal with you to the Monday meetings to help spark sharing and discussion. And that brings us to the weekly meetings…
• Facebook group interaction. The format is simple. Each week, share one thing that impressed them from the week’s reading. This can be something that surprises, inspires, convicts, or encourages you.
• Running a marathon…together. Reading the Bible in 90 days is a challenge, sort of like running a marathon. That’s why we’re going to do it as a group, to encourage and spur each other on. And when we’re done, we’re going to celebrate! On Monday, August 30, you will receive a graduation certificate for making it through Bible Boot Camp!

Blessings, and see you back here!

Susy Flory and Jim Sweetman

P.S. If you have a friend or family member who might like to join us for Bible Boot Camp, feel free to send this note to them as an invitation. All are welcome!


Questions?
Leave a comment and we'll get back to you within a day.

The BIBLE BOOT CAMP challenge

Have you ever wanted to read through the entire Bible, start to finish?

Have you started a Bible reading plan, gotten discouraged or off track, & quit?

Then take the BIBLE BOOT CAMP challenge....

If a 12 year old can read a big ol’ Harry Potter book in a couple weeks, then you can read the Bible, with a group of friends, in just 12 weeks!

HOW IT WORKS
• Over a 12 week period, Bible Boot Camp participants will read the entire Bible. In a 1200 page Bible, that would mean reading about 100 pages a week, or about 15 pages a day (this will take the average reader about 45-60 minutes).
• We will meet once a week on Mondays, starting June 7. Each person will share just one thing that God impressed on them from the week’s reading.
We’ll end with a time of encouragement and prayer.
• Group leaders: Jim Sweetman and Susy Flory, meeting in Castro Valley. For more info, email Jim at jim@laphamcompany.com or Susy at susyflory@gmail.com.
• Cost: FREE!

THE REWARDS
• A strong sense of satisfaction when you finish reading all of God’s Word
• A better understanding of God’s plan for us, woven throughout the entire Bible
• The opportunity to draw closer to God by getting to know him better
• The probability that God will speak with power & clarity through his Word
• A graduation certificate