Jeremiah 20 - 31: The roaring lion

- Boldness:  Jeremiah stood up to Pashur, the chief priest of the temple (Jer 20:1). For his boldness and courage, Jeremiah was thrown into the stocks, beaten, and publicly humiliated.
- Wingman:  "But God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side" (Jer 20:11). At a low point, this truth comforted Jeremiah. I'm going to hang onto this one too for when I next need it.
- Are you kidding me?  Pashur, the chief priest who publicly punished Jeremiah, came back to ask Jeremiah for help against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jeremiah couldn't help him; it was too late.
- Can't claim ignorance:  Israel could never say they hadn't been warned. Multiple prophets explained in detail the coming judgment. How could the people ignore this?
- Don't be a know-it-all:  "Don't pretend that you know all the answers yourselves and talk like you know it all" (Jer 28:37-38). Ouch.
- The Lion:  When angry, "God roars like a lion from high heaven" (Jer 25:30). At the SF Zoo, the lions are in a Lion House with marble floors, and when it's feeding time, their roars echo and resonate throughout the zoo. It's an incredible sound and makes your heart pound. There's a vibration in the air that's hard to describe.
- More boldness:  Jeremiah stood up to a false prophet named Hananiah (Jer 28) who was giving the people false hope. The people were not happy.
- Faithful:  God told his people, "I've never quit loving you and never will" (Jer 31:2-6).
- The Master Gardener:  Jer 31:27 says that God plants people and animals in their place & time like a farmer plants seeds.

Elena's verse of the day:  "I am everywhere--both near and far, in heaven and on earth. There are no secret places where you can hide from me" (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

Jeremiah 7 - 19: Rotten shorts & the shattered pot

Lots of judgment and emotion unleashed in these chapters!
- A strong caution against "performance religion." God defines this as religion "whose life is all outsdie but no insdie" (Jeremiah 9:25-26).
- Rotten shorts:  God created an interesting illustration with a pair of linen shorts. He ordered Jeremiah to get some linen shorts, wear them, then bury them under a rock. Much later, he told Jeremiah to go and get the shorts. Of course they were rotten from the exposure and no longer good for anything. God told Jeremiah that the people were rotten, just like the shorts (Jer 13).
- The burden of ministry:  Jeremiah got personally involved as he experienced God's feelings due to the closer relationship and job as a prophet. In Chap 13:15-17, Jeremiah weeps bitter tears over the people's stubborn arrogance. I've seen pastors do this over their people, too.
- No hiding:  God searches our hearts and examines our minds (Jer 17:9-10).
- Don't forget the Sabbath:  God reminds the people to keep the Sabbath holy and not go about our "self-important" business. It's important to God, so this principle should be important to us (Jer 17:24-26).
- The shattered pot:  God uses another visual illustration when he instructs Jeremiah to take a clay pot and shatter it in front of the people to show them the coming judgment, and how hard it will be to put the pot back together.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Lord All-Powerful, you always do what is right, and yo know every thought. So I trust you to help me..." (Jeremiah 11:20).

Isaiah 60 - Jeremiah 6: The bridegroom in mourning

Extravagant love:  God loves his people like a bridegroom with a new bride (Isaiah 62:1-5).
- The waiting thing again:  "Since before time began no one has ever imagined, No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him" (Isaiah 64:1-7).
- Isaiah is done, and on to Jeremiah (his nickname is The Weeping Prophet). Eugene Peterson writes that the prophet Jeremiah led a troubled life. These were "disruptive times," including the decades before the fall of Jerusalem, the Fall in 587 BC, and the subsequent exile in Babylon. "What happens when everything you believe in and live by is smashed to bits by circumstances?" That's the subject of Jeremiah. Peterson calls Jeremiah a "true, honest, and God-revealing companion for the worst of times."
- A picture is worth a thousand words:  God used visual images in chapter  1 to help communicate his message to Jeremiah (including a walking stick and a boiling pot).
- The bridegroom mourns:  The people traded God for cheap imitations. God felt like a bridegroom whose beloved bride walked out on him (Jeremiah 2:12-13).
- No more Ark:  The days of the Ark of the Covenant were over. "Jerusalem will be the new Ark," writes Jeremiah. Jerusalem will be "God's throne" (Jeremiah 3:17).
- God's Decree:  What does that mean? It appears over and over in this book. I checked a few sources. Here are the results: God's decree is "his purpose or determination in respect to future things." Another says God's decree is "his eternal purpose." A third says: God's decree is "the unfolding of circumstances and events that reveal God's will." Jeremiah was not just sharing God's thoughts or feelings or wishes, but what was going to happen. And God was gracious in sharing his feelings and explaining to the people why judgment was coming.

Elena's verse of the day:  I am God! I can be trusted. Your past troubles are gone; I no longer think of them...I alone am God who can be trusted" (Isaiah 65:16.

Isaiah 45 - 59: Black sheep & papooses

Isaiah is a loooonnnggg book! At this point, it seems to be veering away from pronouncements of judgment and instead there is a focus on Messianic prophecy and God's goodness.
- Not always obvious:  It's not always clear what God is doing. Sometimes we'll only understand years down the line. "You are a God who works behind the scenes" (Isaiah 45:15).
- Did you know you're a little papoose?  God said, through Isaiah, "I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born" (Is. 46:3-4).
- Why was Israel chosen?  "I'm setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global" (Is 49:6). God's plan is for all people, not just the nation of Israel.
- A promise:  "The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard" (NKJV, Is 52:12).
- Love this:  God compared to a nursing mother in Is 49:15-16. A tender image.
- The man of sorrows: Chapter 53 is probably the most well known and powerful of the OT prophecies about the Messiah. In it, Jesus is called "The Servant."
- Black sheep:  Jesus loves sinners. "He took up the cause of all the black sheep" (Is. 53:12).
- Another promise:  "Salvation is just around the corner!" (Is 56)
- For all people:  "My house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people" (Is 56:6-8). Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is a beautiful Episcopal church and this verse in inscribed in the doorway.
- What matters to God? Is 58:6-9 spells it out.
- The armor of God:  This idea was not unique to the apostle Paul. Isaiah uses this image here, with Jesus donning the armor (Is 59:15-19). "He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a suit of armor, with Salvation on his head like a helmet, put on Judgment like an overcoat, and threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders."

Isaiah 30 - 44: Hovering eagle & shepherd with his lambs

More than anything else, Isaiah has impressed on me that God loves his people, and not only loves us, but longs for us.
- Wait, wait, wait:  "God takes the time to do everything right" (Isaiah 30:18). I've always heard that God's timing is best, and this verse helps to explain why. He waits and works and prepares so things are done right. The verse goes on to say that those who wait on him are "the lucky ones."
- Is anybody up there?  Sometimes we question God, especially when bad things are happening. Isaiah 31:1-3 calls him "a most wise God who knows what he's doing." Sometimes we need to be reminded that we don't always know why things are happening in a certain way or order or time frame, but God does. He knows what he's doing.
- Eagle hovering:  Love this image: "Like a huge eagle hovering in the sky, God-of-the-angel-Armies protects Jerusalem" (Is. 31:4-5). We are under his wings. He is hovering over us like a huge eagle. Love it!
- Big mistake:  King Hezekiah became boastful and proudly showed off all of his precious possession to the messengers for the king of Babylon. Big mistake. They later returned and plundered everything. Moral? Don't be a showoff.
- The shepherd:  Love the image of God gathering his lambs up in his arms (Is 40:9-11). What a gentle, tender image.
- Intelligent design:  God personally forms and makes each one of us (Is 43:5-7).

Elena's verse of the day:  "Please Lord be kind! We depend on you. Make us strong each morning...you are the foundation on which we stand today" (Isaiah 33:2,6)

Isaiah 13 - 29: Deadly ambition

 - Deadly ambition:  Isaiah offers a string of prophecies against evil nations, but Babylon is by far the worst, with the strongest prophecy against it. It's doomed, says chapter 13. The king of Babylon, who is censured here, is aligned with Lucifer/Satan, and sometimes this passage is read as being about Lucifer and his anti-God agenda.
- Satanic characteristics:

• Selfish ambition: "I'll climb to heaven"
• Thirst for power: "I'll set my throne over the stars of God"
• Defiance of God's authority: "I'll take over as king of the universe"
• Plan to take over God's job: "I'll run the assembly of angels"

- Results of this ungodly plan?  Oblivion, lack of honor or legacy, death, humiliation. "Flat on your face in the underworld mud, you, famous for flattening nations" (Isaiah 14:12).
- Current events:  An interesting note on Babylon today--it is associated with modern day Iraq. In fact, Saddam Hussein rebuilt a portion of the city of Babylon and held some festivals and ceremonies there.
- Peace:  I don't ever remember reading this before, but Isaiah 19 promises that on the Day of the Lord, that parts of Egypt and Assyria will turn to God and worship alongside Israel. God will love and accept them. Finally, long sought peace in the Middle East.

 
Elena's verse of the day:  "The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock" (Isaiah 26:3-4).

Song of Solomon 5 - Isaiah 12: Romance & a secret garden

- This is romantic:  The Shulammite woman talking about her lover: "His words are kisses, his kisses words" (Song of Solomon 5:16).
- On to the prophets. Eugene Peterson notes that there were 16 writing prophets, and they have two main messages for Israel (and for us):

1. Accept judgment (it's from God, and it's for the best)
2. Open up to hope (a better Day is coming)

- Warning:  Peterson also warns us against accepting the ways of the world, because "it's assumptions, its values, its methods of going about its work--are never on the side of God. Never." The prophets are there to keep us straight.
- Outcasts:  The prophets were not popular, easygoing, or reasonable. They were not celebrities, they didn't fit into the dominant way of life, and they were not always easy to understand.
- A promise:  Someday God will assume "his full stature on the earth" (Isaiah 2).
- The secret garden:  Isaiah 5 describes Israel as God's private garden or vineyard that he tends carefully.
- A peek....inside God's throne room in Isaiah 6. This chapter always blows me away and fills me with awe, and some fear.
- Messianic prophecies:  In Isaiah 7, 9, and 11.
- Isaiah's wife...was a prophetess (chap 8). You go, Girl!
- Out of control fire:  The wicked were leading lives that raged like an out-of-control fire, turning "the people into consuming fires, consuming one another in their lusts" (Isaiah 9:18-21). What a horrendous image.
- I want that water!  On the Day of the Lord, "joyfully you'll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation" (Is 12:3-4). Love it!

Elena's verse of the day: "Love cannot be drowned by oceans or floods, it cannot be bought, no matter what is offered" (Song of Solomon 8:7)

Proverb 30 - Ecclesiastes - Song of Solomon 4: Two simple instructions

- She's a hard act to follow:  The Proverbs 31 woman is amazing. One thing I noticed today is that she is not insecure or stressed or guilt-ridden, like so many women. She knows who she is, why she does what she does, and she exudes confidence and quiet self-assurance. "She senses the worth of her work" (Proverbs 31:31).
- Futility:  Eugene Peterson notes that the book of Ecclesiastes, probably written by Solomon, doesn't say much about God. Instead, the writer's task "is to expose our total incapacity to find the meaning and completion of our lives on our own." And this was from the man who was the wisest, smartest, and richest man in the world.
- Profound:  "We work to feed our appetites; meanwhile our souls go hungry" (Ecclesiastes 6:7).
- God's work compared to a pregnancy:  "Just as you'll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, so you'll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does" (Ecc. 11:5). Some things are not meant to be understood. God's work? That's one of them.
- Two simple instructions from the wisest man who ever lived:

1. Fear God
2. Do what he tells you

- For every woman reading this:  "You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless" (Song of Solomon 4:6-7).

Elena's verse of the day:  "A very little food eaten in peace is better than twice as much earned from overwork and chasing the wind" (Eccl 4:6).

Proverbs 15 - 29: Silver hair an award?

- Simple but profound:  "A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches" (Proverb 15:16).
- A word for the hotheaded:  "Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace" (Proverb 15:33).
- School of wisdom:  Notice the order! "First you learn humility, then you experience glory" (Proverb 15:33). And it all comes from the fear of God.
- How to be successful:  "Put God in charge of your work then what you've planned will take place" (Proverb 16:3).
- Silver strands:  I love this verse. Since chemo, I've had to contend with gray hair because I'm not supposed to color it for awhile. I think I'm starting to like it, and this verse helps. "Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life" (Proveb 16:31). I've never thought of gray hair as an award. I like it.
- The power of words:  "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit--you choose" (Proverb 18:21).

Elena's verse of the day:  "We humans make plans but the Lord has the final word. Share your plans with the Lord and you will succeed" (Proverb 16:1,3)

Psalm 144 - Proverb 14: Flourishing tree or dead stump?

- Encouragement:  "God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit" (Psalm 145:14).
- Shepherd of the stars:  "He counts the stars and assigns each a name" (Psalm 147:26).
- Do animals know there's a God?  Love this one: "let every living, breathing creature praise God!" (Psalm 150:6).
- I'm ready for wisdom.  Eugene Peterson writes that "wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whwatever actual conditions we find ourselves." Writers of the Proverbs include Solomon, Hezekiah, Agur (an Arab), and Lemuel (another non-Israelite). I love that God's love and wisdom were already reaching out beyond Israel. God's plan for his people includes the Gentiles, too, and that's so clear from early on.
- Want wisdom?  "Those who look for me find me" (Proverb 8:12-21).
- Tree or stump?  "A God-shaped life is a flourishing tree...a life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump" (Proverb 11:28).
- Teach me:  "Fools are headstrong and do what they life; wise people take advice" (Proverb 12:15).
- A last promise:  "The homes of good people hold together" (Proverb 12:7).

Psalm 113 - 143: A free and full life

- Giving back:  A psalmist wrote, "What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me?"

• "Lift high the cup of salvation--a toast to God"
• "I'll pray in the name of God"
• "I'll complete what I promised God I'd do"...AND
• "I'll do it together with his people" (Psalm 116:9-11)

- Small but mighty.  Loved Psalm 117. It was only 5 lines!
- "A free and full life" -- it only comes from living God's way, but I want it (Psalm 118:21-25).
- The race:  "I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how" (Psalm 119:32)
- Workin' your fingers to the bone?  "God enjoys giving reset to those he loves" (Psalm 127:1-2)
- The blessing:  "Children are God's best gift" (Psalm 127:3). Thank you, God, for two of them.
- My goal:  "My life a prayer" (Psalm 130:3)
- You are precious:  We are God's "prized possession" (Psalm 135:4). The Psalmist describes Israel this way, but through Christ we are adopted into God's family and we can enjoy the promises he made to his beloved people of Israel.
- Remember this next time you pray:  "Angels listen as I sing my thanks" (Psalm 138:1-3).
- Why David was a man after God's heart:  "I only have eyes for you," David wrote to God (Psalm 141:8). Pure and simple, David was in love with God.


Elena's verse of the day:  "You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path" (Psalm 143:10).

Halfway there

Tomorrow we are half done! It's all downhill from here, my friends. See you at the bottom!!!!

Psalm 89 - 112: Mud people & Mountain biking

Reading through the Psalms this quickly is like a mountain bike ride. We sweated through the hard hill climb over the rocks and ditches in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Now we're on the downhill portion--it's exhilarating and like going to some crazy turbo-filled multi-day worship service. Loving it!
- Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day:  Have you ever had a day like this? Psalm 102 has this title in the Message version: "A Prayer of One Whose Life is falling to Pieces, and Who Lets God Know Just How Bad It Is."
- Mud people:  God as a parent:  "As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keep in mind that we're made of mud" (Psalm 103:6-18). I don't know if you've ever read anything by Tosca Lee, but she's a historical novelist and her books are amazing. Her novel Demon: A Memoir, is the story of Clayton, "an editor who has just been hired to author a memoir for Lucian, a demon with an extraordinary story to share. The fallen angel chronicles a life of heavenly bliss and rebellion, human creation and salvation, and God's relentless pursuit of mankind" (from the Amazon.com description). Lucian calls humans "mud people." Her book came to mind when I read this passage in Psalm 103 today. (Note: She has another great book about Eve called Havah, and she's at work on a book about Judas. Can't wait for that one!)
- The secret to a good life:  "The Good Life begins in the fear of God" (Psalm 111).

Elena's verse of the day:  "With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all I am I praise his holy name! I will never forget how kind he has been" (Psalm 103:1-2).

Psalms 66 - 88: Cloud-Rider and Granite Fortress

- Talking trees:  The Psalms portray the earth as actively worshipping God, along with all of Creation, including animals and trees. "You heavens, praise him, praise him, earth; Also ocean and all things that swim in it" (Psalm 69:34). Passages like this remind me of Narnia, CS Lewis' imaginary land where the animals talked and the forests were alive. Perhaps this is what God intended before the Fall?
- Freedom:  "He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out, he restore the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture--when they bleed, he bleeds" (Psalm 72:9-14).
- God-images:  Not all of the Psalms are by David, but I am finding that the most powerful and unique God-images are David's. Here are some more of his creative and poetic names/metaphors for God (in The Message version):

• Cloud-Rider
• Father of Orphans
• Champion of Widows
• Sky-Rider
• A Guest Room Where I Can Retreat
• My Vast, Granite Fortress
• My Bedrock
• Holy One of Israel
• My Home

Elena's verse of the day:  "We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen" (Psalm 72:19).

Psalms 36 - 65: Earth-Tamer and Ocean-Pourer

The Psalms cover the gamut of human emotion, from joy and happiness to fear, death, and despair. Part of the message of the Psalms is that we can be honest with God and tell him everything we think and feel. Nothing is off limits!
- A hiding place:  "God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him" (Psalm 46:1).
- Don't neglect to share your story:  "Tell the next generation detail by detail the story of God" (Psalm 48:12-14).
- Sorry, Donald Trump:  "Don't be impressed by those who get rich and pile up fame and fortune--They can't take it with them; fame and fortune all get left behind" (Psalm 49:16-19).
- You hear me when I cry:  "Ever tear entered in your ledger" (Psalm 56:8)
- First love:  "God the one and only--I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him" (Psalm 62:1-2).
- David comes up with poetic names for God:

• Earth-Tamer
• Ocean-Pourer
• Mount-Maker
• Hill-Dresser
• Muzzler of Sea Storm and Wave Crash

Elena's verse of the day:  "Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety" (Psalm 62:8).

Psalm 7 - 35: Better than red, ripe strawberries

Like a cool and calm oasis in the middle of a dry and deadly desert, the Psalms are so refreshing and energizing. While the saga of King David's life in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings revealed many of his shortcomings (he was guilty of adultery, murder, and negligent parenting), the Psalms reveal a man who was unabashedly in love with God.
- Hope for the hopeless:  "I dare to believe that the luckless will get luck someday in you. You won't let them down: orphans won't be orphans forever" (Psalm 10:14).
- More:  "God takes the side of victims" (Psalm 14:5-6).
- Love song:  "My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice" (Psalm 16:5-6).
- Rewrites allowed:  "God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes" (Psalm 18:24).
- The road:  "What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him makes it" (Psalm 18:30). This is a great question for each day: Am I running toward God? Or away from him?
- Mouthwatering:  "God's Word is better than red, ripe strawberries" (Psalm 19:10). I had a few sweet Trader Joe's strawberries for breakfast. They were delicious. And so was God's Word.
- David's relationship to God he summed up like this:  "God-friendship" (Psalm 25:14).
- About to burst:  "I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can't thank you enough" (Psalm 30:12).
- True religion:  "I hate all this silly religion, but you, God, I trust" (Psalm 31:6).


Elena's verse of the day:  "What the Lord has planned will stand forever. His thoughts never change" (Psalm 33:11).

Job 28 - Psalm 6: You chew on Scripture day & night

When God finally answers Job, his words are stunning--strong, powerful, beautiful. The imagery of the horse, the leviathan (a huge sea creature that belches fire), the stockpiles of hail and snow, the boundaries set for the seas, the herds of stars--wow, just wow. Stunning.
- Shut up and listen:  Job responded in two ways, first by deciding to shut up and listen (Job 40:3-5), and next by acknowledging God's sovereignty and his own weakness and limitations (Job 42:1-6). I have a lot to learn from Job about listening to God. I do think God honored Job's honesty and his questions by giving Job an audience and by responding personally.
- Job taking a stand:  When God restored Job's health, family, and possessions (two-fold), I noticed that the passage notes that Job treated his daughters (named Dove, Cinnamon, and Darkeyes) the same as his sons and gave them the same inheritance (Job 42:12-15). In a time where women were treated as property, this godly man took a stand and showed that men and women are equally valuable in God's eyes. Love this.
On to the Psalms!
- Love songs:  Like a fresh breeze come the Psalms. After eons of battles, sin, evil, and judgment come love songs and poetry written to God. Last night Jim Sweetman mentioned that the book of Psalms encompasses over 1000 years. Here are a couple of passages from the Psalms that stood out to me today:

• "You thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom" (Psalm 1:2-3).
• "But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, You lift my head high" (Psalm 3:3-4).

Elena's verse of the day:  "I heard about your from others; now I have seen you with my own eyes" (Job 42:5).

Why isn't the Bible in chronological order?

I started wondering why the books of the Bible are not in chronological order (ordered according to the date of the events in each book took place) when I realized that the events of Esther took place before Ezra and Nehemiah. Why didn't the compilers of the canon put the book of Esther first? I found this answer on a website called Got Questions.org.

The books of the Bible are primarily divided by the type of literature. For example, Genesis through Esther are primarily historical, Job through Song of Solomon are poetry, Isaiah through Malachi are prophecy. Similarly, Matthew through Acts are historical, Romans through Jude are letters to churches or individuals, Revelation is prophecy. Within the type of literature, the books of the Bible are in basic chronological order. For example, Isaiah's prophecies occurred before Jeremiah's prophesies.

It can be confusing. That is why chronological Bibles can come in so handy. A chronological Bible actually puts the content of the Bible in chronological order. As an example, Isaiah ministered during the times of the kings. So, a chronological Bible puts Isaiah’s prophecies in the appropriate place in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. A chronological Bible also takes the four Gospels and attempts to put all of the events in order.

(from http://www.gotquestions.org/chronological-Bible.html)

Job 6 - 27: Is it okay to question God?

Out of order:  Job was a wealthy desert sheikh who lived during the times of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Not sure why the book of Job appears in this spot, when chronologically it belongs further back. Same with Esther--which belongs before Ezra & Nehemiah chronologically. I'll see if I can find an answer to this.)

Testing, testing:  Job underwent two divine tests: 1) His possessions, wealth, and children were taken away from him. 2) His health was destroyed. Everyone pretty much abandoned him, even his own servants who found him disgusting (he had weeping boils from head to toe). However, several friends came to visit. At first they seem sympathetic, but before long they accuse him of everything under the sun and even begin to mock him.
Questioning God:  Job decides to lay everything out on the table before God (Job 7). He makes several requests of God and begins to ask him questions (Job 14). I can relate to Job. Can you? Do you ever wonder these things or make these requests to God? Job was honest, painfully honest.

• Lay off the afflictions...they are too much for me.
• Address me directly. I need answers! 
• What are my sins (that you would punish me so)?
• If we humans die, will we live again? Will there be a Resurrection? 
• Why do the wicked prosper? Why do good people suffer? (Job 21)

Elena's verse of the day:  "You, the source of my life, showered me with kindness and watched over me. You have not explained all of your mysteries" (Job 10:12-13).

Nehemiah 12 - Esther - Job 5: Queen of Persia

- Righteous reforms:  Nehemiah seemed to have an amazing knack for leadership and administration. He instituted all sorts of reforms in Israel after he finished rebuilding the wall and the temple, including reforms in worship, sacrifices, Sabbath practices, tithes, and more. He was organized and a great record keeper, and as a leader he seemed to inspire loyalty and a spirit of teamwork among the Israelites and the Levites, including Ezra the scholar.
- Queen of Persia:  The book of Esther is my favorite book in the Bible. The way the story plays out, the timing and the details, reveal a God who works in the large and the small events of history (aka Providence). One interesting historical note:  The events of Esther took place a few decades before the events of Ezra and Nehemiah, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
- It's cool to be a Jew:  Esther tells the story of evil Haman and his plot to exterminate the entire Israelite race. His plan to destroy the Jews backfired in so many ways, including one I never noticed before--it became cool to be a Jew. "Many non-Jews became Jews--not it was dangerous not to be a Jew" (Esther 8:15-17). When Mordecai, Esther's cousin, was honored and promoted to second in command of Persia, there was great celebration and laughter. In a breathtaking turn of events, Mordecai was given Haman's position, estate, and wealth. Mordecai was brilliant and wise, Scripture says.
- Esther's heroism still celebrated today:  The Jews still celebrate Purim in honor of the events of Esther.It's called the Feast of Esther or the Festival of Lots.Purim this year was held Feb 28 - March 1. I decided to do some research--here's how Purim is currently celebrated, according to a website called "BeingJewish.com":

• The night of Purim we read the Book of Esther in the synagogue immediately after the nighttime prayers. Each time the name of Haman (the bad guy) is mentioned, we make noises, stomp, yell, that sort of thing. We call this practice Klopping Haman -- "Hitting Haman." It is done to remember the commandment of "You shall blot out the name of Amalek." (Haman was an Amalekite, and that was his real motive for hating Jews. It was an "inherited" racism.)
• Afterwards, we go home and eat a festive meal. The custom today is to visit one's Rabbis or anyone who has taught you Judaism lessons. In many places people (often students in a yeshivah) put on plays, usually funny plays, but not always. In general, the theme is fun and happiness. A lot of singing and dancing goes on, but it is forbidden to act wild or dangerous. This happiness is a requirement by Law, except for people who are, G-d forbid, in mourning.
• The next morning, after the morning prayers, we read the Book of Esther again, doing the same thing at the evil Haman's name. Afterwards, we eat a festive breakfast meal, and begin the day's other observances. The day's obligatory services constitute a number of things, including the giving of charity to at least two poor people. This is called Matanos lo'evyonim. It is a requirement and an obligation, and one of the Commandments we are required to fulfill on the day of Purim.
• The Law, however, is that we should give to anyone who asks, and we pray that G-d do likewise to us, to give us whatever we ask just for asking. It is known that Purim is the best day for raising charity, because everyone gives what they can and often more.
• Also among the day's obligatory services is the requirement to give at least one friend two food items that are already prepared and are ready to be eaten. This is called Shalach Manos (though to be grammatically correct it should be called Mishlo'ach Manos, but few people bother with grammar these days, so never mind).
• You can read about these in the Megillah, the Book of Esther, Chapter 9, verse 22: "...as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and the month which had been transformed for them from one of sorrow to gladness, and from mourning to festivity. They were to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and for sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to poor people."
• We celebrate by having joy and happiness. That's why we make plays, that's why we spend the day in never-ending singing and dancing, going around giving our friends and relatives baskets of goodies and sweets, dressing in costumes, cracking jokes, getting tipsy, giving charity, things like that.
• The primary Festive Purim Meal is eaten in the late afternoon on Purim, after Minchah (the afternoon prayer). One must eat bread (washing as Jewish Law dictates), at least one cooked food, and drink at least one cup of wine. We call this the Purim Seudah.
• The drinking of wine is significant, because many of the events of Purim happened through wine. Ahasueraus got drunk and killed Vashti, paving the way for Esther to be made queen. Esther gave wine to King Ahasueraus and lowered his defenses, which resulted in his killing Haman. Thus the Megillah tells us that we should celebrate by "feasting." The Hebrew words for "feasting" means bread, cooked food, and drinking wine. The Talmud therefore tells us to drink on Purim "more wine than we usually do."
• During this meal, it is customary to begin the study of the Laws of Passover, which is just one month away.
• The day before Purim, the Fast of Esther, we do not eat from morning until after hearing the Megillah at night, because of the fast that Esther ordained.
• At the afternoon service before Purim it is customary to give three coins (preferably silver, and preferably coins with the number ½ on them) to charity in memory of the three "half-shekels" given to the Temple. In many synagogues the coins are provided as loans. We donate one-and-a-half dollars to the synagogue, to purchase the coins. We then pick up the silver coins so that we can take possession of them, and then donate them back to the synagogue. This is called Mach'tzis Hashekel, The "Half-Shekel."
• It is correct not to engage in business or go to work on Purim, if this is possible.
• Before and during Purim we wish each other "ah fraylechin Purim" -- a joyful Purim.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Remember the time when our sorrow was turned to joy and celebration took the place of crying...." (Esther 9:22).

Ezra 9 – Nehemiah 11: A hammer in one hand & a spear in the other

I loved this passage. Finally, Israel seems to have turned a corner from their ungodly ways and is pursuing the godly path. In the books of Kings and Chronicles, I was overwhelmed with the account of their evil ways, especially setting up idols in the temple and allowing religious prostitution in, as well. Every once in a while, a godly king set out to clean up and reform the nation. But as soon as he died, his son reverted back to the old pagan ways with the nation following. After the seemingly endless cycles of sin and judgment, Ezra and Nehemiah are like a breath of fresh air!

- A moment to remember:  Ezra was a Bible scholar and teacher. He worked together with Nehemiah to bring the holy city of Jerusalem back to life and health.  Part of the work involved rebuilding the temple. At the temple rededication, Ezra was overcome with sadness at Israel’s past rebellion and sinfulness. He wept, prostrate in front of the temple. As he prayed and confessed, huge numbers of men, women, and children joined him, weeping as if their hearts would break.

- Making things right:  After this powerful moment of repentance, Ezra and the people mourned and fasted. They also divorced their foreign spouses; God had forbidden intermarriage with pagan tribes because the people seemed to be too easily swayed into idol worship (Ezra 10:1ff).

- Let’s get to work:  Nehemiah is a book of action. Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. He seemed to have a strong relationship with the king. He asked for the king’s permission, and the king’s help, to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and begin the rebuilding of the city. The king granted his request.

- Golden Age of Greece:  Some historical context. The events in the book of Nehemiah took place from 446-433 BC, a time when Athens was booming. Pericles was building the Parthenon (a temple to the goddess Athena) on the Acropolis. The philosopher Socrates was a young man.

- Fast tracking:  The wall around Jerusalem was a group effort by Israelites newly returned from exile. Rebuilding the wall took just 52 days. In construction, expediting building projects is called “fast tracking.” Especially impressive given that the workers had to work with a tool in one hand and a spear in the other to ward off attackers.

- Celebration:  When the wall was completed, a celebration began, featuring repentance, worship, confession, and readings from Moses’ writings. A powerful sermon reflected back on Israel’s history, especially the cycles of sin, judgment, and repentance. This verse struck me: “As soon as they had it easy again, they were right back at it—more evil” (Ezra 9:26-31). The Israelites had a hard time staying on the straight and narrow.

Elena’s verse of the day:  "Our God, you are powerful, fearsome, and faithful, always true to your word" (Nehemiah 9:32).

2 Chronicles 33 - Ezra 8: Tragedy, then a new beginning

Bad news, good news:  Manasseh was one of the most evil kings Israel ever had. He even set up an Asherah idol in the temple itself. But 2 Chronicles adds some detail that was not included in 2 Kings--Manasseh repented! After he was captured, removed from the throne and carted off to Babylon in chains, he repented. "Total repentance," according to 2 Chronicles 33. God responded by restoring him to his throne in Jerusalem. He recognized that God had done it, and he followed God the rest of his life, removed the pagan paraphernalia from the temple and the city, and undid some of the damage he'd done earlier in his life. I like this story--there's hope even for someone as evil as Manasseh.
- Solomon's work undone:  God judged Israel via Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed and burned the temple. He knocked down the Jerusalem wall, then took the Jews off to Babylon to live in exile.There's not much detail here, but it's heartbreaking just the same.
- A new beginning:  The book of Ezra tells the story of a wise biblical scholar named Ezra, a descendant of the wonderful Phinehas and his grandfather, Aaron. Ezra was put in charge of leading the Israelites back to repopulate Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple. Through God's miraculous workings, the King of Persia commanded the temple to be rebuilt and helped to pay for it. Ezra was a remarkable man--he committed himself to:

• studying God's Word
• living it, and
• teaching Israel to live its truth and ways (Ezra 7:8-10).

Elena's verse of the day:  "Many wept bitterly because they remembered seeing the first temple years before. Others were so happy they celebrated with joyful shouts" (Ezra 3:12).

2 Chronicles 19 - 32: Clasp that outstretched hand

- Secret strength:  King Jotham had a secret source of strength--it "was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God" (2 Chronicles 27:6). I want that for my life!

- Hang on:  When King Hezekiah called the people of Israel back to repentance, he exhorted them wtih this: "Clasp God's outstretched hand....Your God is gracious and kind and won't snub you--come back and he'll welcome you with open arms" (2 Chron 30:6-9). This reminds me of a scene in my favorite movie, Man From Snowy River, when a woman falls over the edge of a cliff in a storm. She ends up stranded on a ledge. The next day, she is found and her rescuer holds his whip over the edge. All she has to do is clasp it.
- God listened:  Hezekiah was a godly man and repaired the decrepit temple. They had a big festival of dedication including sacrifice and worship. The result? "And God listened, listened as the ascending sound of their prayers entered his holy heaven" (2 Chron 30:27). I picture the prayers as birds, gliding, climbing on a spiraling column of warm air into the heavens where God opens the window to his throne room and lets them in, embracing them with open arms.


Elena's verse of the day:  "The priests and Levites asked God to bless the people, and from his home in heaven, he did" (2 Chron 20:27).

2 Chronicles 2 - 18: Don't forget the foreigner

- Don't forget the foreigner:  Solomon seemed to have a vision for the Kingdom of God when he prayed at the temple dedication. After he prayed for the people of Israel, he said this: "Don't forget the foreigner....so that people all over the world will know who you are and what you're like (2 Chronicles 6:32-33).

- Fire & clouds:  After the prayers of dedication, God sent a lightning bolt down to the altar. Then a cloud of his glory filled the temple. Sounds like God was happy.
- Solomon's throne:  What an amazing visual. Solomon's throne was ivory covered in gold. It had 6 steps leading up to it, and 12 gold lions lining the steps.
- Wild child:  Solomon loved God, but his son Rehoboam did not. 2 Chronicles 12:14 said this: "God was not important to him." Simple, but clear. I hope this will never be said about me.
- Shout it out:  Although the people strayed repeatedly, they did repent at times. In 2 Chron 15:14, the people repented and returned to God. They "shouted out" their promise to God with blasts from trumpets and rams' horns."
- Totally devoted:  God is "constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him" (2 Chron 16:9). He censured King Asa for going to a foreign king (King of Aram) for help. "You were foolish to go for human help when you could've had God's help." How often this describes me! Not only did Asa go to a foreign king, he took silver and gold from the temple treasuries and gave it to the King of Aram to buy his favor. How sad.

Elena's verse of the day:  "The Lord is good and his love never ends" (2 Chronicles 5:13 & 7:3).

1 Chronicles 16 - 2 Chronicles 1: Silver & gold as common as rocks

"He's on His way to set things right! Give thanks to God--He is good and His love never quits" (1 Chronicles 16:33-34).

- Facts and figures:  Much of this passage is a roster of names and administrative details for the running of a country and the building of a temple.

- Before he died, David stockpiled construction materials for the temple his son Solomon would be building. He set Solomon up for success. He also gave Solmon detailed blueprints and specs. In addition, the people donated large quantities of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious jewels (1 Chron 28:10). The result? "The people were full of a sense of celebration--all that giving!" (1 Chron 29:9).
- Now that's a worship band:  There were 4,000 Levitical priests assigned to the orchestra alone to carry out "the work of worship" (1 Chron 25:6).
- Level playing field:  The Levitical priests were directed to draw names out of a hat for their particular work assignment. "Nobody, whether young or old, teacher or student, was given preference or advantage over another" (1 Chron 25:8). This must be a very important point, as it's repeated. I do know this principle goes so against human nature--we're always looking for the advantage, the short cut, or the fast pass so we don't have to stand in line like everyone else.
- Organized to a tee:  This passage spells out a highly organized administrative system including orders for a vast security force, army, government of tribes, storage and supply, farming, wine growing, ranching and herding, and childcare (of the king's sons).
- God never judges a book by its cover:  "God examines every heart and sees through every motive" (1 Chron 28:9).
- David prays:  "Everything comes from You--all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand" (1 Chron 29:14).
- A parent's prayer:  David prayed this about Solomon:  Give Solomon "an uncluttered and focused heart so he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel," and carry out your plan (1 Chron 29:19). Lord, I pray this for my children today.

- This is how rich Solomon was:  "The king made silver and gold as common as rocks" (2 Chron 1:15).

Elena's verse of the day:  "Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The Lord my God will help you" (1 Chronicles 28:20)

1 Chronicles 2 - 15: Drummer boy

- Lots of repetition from 1 and 2 Samuel, although there are occasional interesting new details. Much of this reading incorporated detailed genealogies and details on land occupation (1 Chronicles 1-9).
- He ignored God:  Saul died in disobedience, according to 1 Chronicles 10:13. "He didn't go to God for help," so God turned the kingdom over to David.
- My drummer boy:  My son, Ethan Flory, is a born percussionist. He started out on piano, then began playing drums in 6th grade and has taken percussion lessons and played in bands ever since. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the biblical Ethan was a musician as well. He played "bronze cymbals" in the worship band that accompanied the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:19). Go Ethan!

Elena's verse of the day:  "Everyone in Israel was listed in the official family records included in the history of Israel's kings" (1 Chronicles 9:1).

2 Kings 16 - 1 Chronicles 1: Good king, bad king

- Finally, a good king:  King Hezekiah held fast to God, and God held fast to him. He prayed an amazing prayer in 2 Kings 19:14-34, along with a prophecy by Isaiah. God promised to shield the royal city of Jerusalem from the arrogant and bloodthirsty Assyrian king. That night, an angel of God came and killed 185,000 Assyrians. The Assyrian king (Sennacherib) went home to Nineveh and was later murdered by his own sons in their temple.
- God listens:  Hezekiah prayed and asked God for physical healing. 2 Kings 20:4 says that God listened to his prayer and heard his tears and....God changed his mind. Wow. I should be praying more.
- Then more bad kings:  Manasseh set up pagan idols in the temple and sacrificed his own son to pagan gods. These passages report that this evil king set new records in evil and this type of sin led to the destruction of Jerusalem. The accounts of these evil kings and the consequences for Israel were heartbreaking and very, very difficult for me to read (2 Kings 21).
- Back to the book: Finally, along came another godly king named Josiah. He rediscovered the Word of God and read it to the people. They had forgotten what the Scriptures had to say, but Josiah's leadership led them to repentance. "The world would never again see a king like Josiah" (2 Kings 23:5).


Elena's verse of the day:  "This festival had not been celebrated in this way since the time that tribal leaders ruled Israel. But in Josiah's 18th year as king, everyone came to Jerusalem to celebrate

 year as king, everyone came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover" (2 Kings 23:22-23).

2 Kings 4 - 15: Fresh baked bread!

- Multiplicity:  Precursors to Jesus' loaves and fishes miracle include Elijah's miracle providing oil and flour to the widow; Elisha providing the poor woman with oil to sell; and, Elisha providing fresh-baked harvest bread and apples to 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44).

- Open his eyes:  Elisha's servant was afraid of losing a battle to the ferocious Arameans, so Elisha prayed, "God, open his eyes and let him see" (2 Kings 6:17). All at once, the servant saw horses and chariots of fire surrounding them. Apparently they were angelic beings, part of an army sent by God. What a wonderful thing to know that the God who created the universe is the same God who fights our battles. Next time you feel attacked, think about those horses and chariots of fire.
- A good egg:  So many evil kings. But one, Jehu, loved God enough to clean house and exterminate evil Ahab's line, including his wicked wife Jezebel, their sons, and the Baal priests (2 Kings 10).

Elena's verse of the day:  "The Lord was kind to the Israelites and showed them mercy because of his solemn agreement with their ancestors" (2 Kings 13:23).

1 Kings 16 - 2 Kings 3: Running man, chariot of fire, & heavenly bread

- Sin's growth:  Each king of Israel grew worse than the one before (1 Kings 16). It seems that sin multiplied over generations. Sin is active and alive; it grows unless stopped by something stronger.

- Exponential sinfulness:  Ahab was worse than all of the kings before him, put together (chap 16). Unlike Solomon, who built a beautiful temple for God, Ahab built a temple for Baal and a shrine for Asherah (the whore goddess, the Message version calls her). God was angry.
- Running man:  After the amazing, fiery display of God's power on Mount Carmel and the destruction of the Baal priests, Elijah hitched up his robe and ran in front of Ahab's chariot. What an image--he was a shaggy man with a big belt. Must have been sort of like Charlie Daniels running in front of Saddam Hussein.
- Heavenly meal:  God cared about Elijah's hunger and had an angel bake him a fresh loaf of bread. He also provided him with a jug of water. Just think, God cares about your needs, large and small. He even cares when you're hungry!
- A chip off the old block:  Ahab's son, Ahaziah, was worse than his father in terms of evil. Hard to believe (1 Kings 22:51-53).
- Chariot of fire:  Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot and horses of fire, with Elisha watching (2 Kings 2:11-14). Truly the most unique death scene in the Bible, I think.
- Baldy and the bears:  An amazing story about God's judgment on some wild kids (probably teens)who mocked Elisha (2 Kings 2:11-14).

Elena's verse of the day:  "A strong wind shook the mountain & shattered rocks..next an earthquake..then a fire..but the Lord was not in [these]...Finally, there was a gentle breeze, & when Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his coat." (1 Kings 19:11-13)

1 Kings 7-15: 14 day party, golden calves, & relentless love

- Relentless God:  Solomon finished the temple and held a dedication ceremony where he blessed the people, then prayed: "O God, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and relentlessly loves them...." (1 Kings 8:20-21). I love that--God is relentless in his love for us.
- A shepherd's heart:  Like his father David, Solomon had a shepherd's heart and interceded for his people with God: "Forgive your people who have sinned against you....They are, after all, your people and your precious inheritancae whom you rescued..." (1 Kings 8:50-51).
- Seven day party times two:  The temple celebration was incredible, with 22,000 cattle sacrificed. It's beyond imagination. Oh yeah, and 120,000 sheep! They started out to celebrate for seven days, then went another seven for two solid weeks of celebration.
- Obsessed with women:  The Message version I'm reading says that Solomon was obsessed with women. His pagan wives and concubines led him into worship of the pagan false gods and he openly defied God. How could the wisest man in the world be so foolish? A good, cautionary tale for us not to relax our pursuit of a holy life and to follow God our entire lives so we end well. Solomon loved God but lost momentum and allowed himself to be enticed away from his first love.
- Not the golden calves again:  Jeroboam made two golden calves for the people to worship, just as they'd done back in Moses' time. It's interesting how sin seems to run in cycles and come back around again.


Elena's verse of the day:  "There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, Lord God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple?" (1 Kings 8:27).

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).