Tag Archive

Jeremiah had a prophetic ministry that involved bringing the people of Judah back to the Lord.  He warns them of the impending exile at the hands of the Babylonians.  The people didn’t want to listen to Jeremiah, and surely didn’t believe that God would punish them by allowing their temple and land to be destroyed.  They continued living in their old ways, and didn’t really allow God into their daily lives.  God called Jeremiah to be over the nations and kingdoms, to UPROOT, TEAR DOWN, DESTROY, OVERTHROW, BUILD, and PLANT.  It was a big task, and it made Jeremiah weary when they didn’t hear his message. 

God’s patience wore out, and everything that Jeremiah had prophesied came true.  Jerusalem was overwhelmed and the temple destroyed. 

Jeremiah also offers hope.  Hope that an ideal leader will rise up from David’s line.  We know he’s speaking of Jesus.  The only hope we have for salvation. 

“The time is coming…when I will make a new covenant…I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”  Jeremiah 31:31-33

I just wanted to quickly update and say that I did read the bible in 90 days.  I have so much to say about the topic, but that’s for another post.  Yay!!! to all the people who did this with me!!!

Isaiah was a prophet and one of God’s greatest messengers.  He tried to tell the people to focus on God, He is the one true thing, and He will never leave us.  The prophecies cover before, during, and after the exile.  The Kings who trusted God experienced peace, but the kings who didn’t experienced disaster.  God revealed His plans and asked everyone to follow them.  The book of Isaiah demonstrates that God is trustworthy.  Will  you follow Him? 

Is. 1:16-20  Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

Is. 55:6-7Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

I have to admit, this was a hard one for me.  I really wanted to go to my regular bible and read the notes so I could understand.  It was hard for me to follow the love poems without a little explanation.  The underlying tone is all about love and sex, how powerful and important they are in our lives, and that’s how God made us.  It’s not a bad thing!  We are to be disciplined in keeping it in our marriage.  The sanctity of the marriage is where God created it to be.  A few key verses-Song of Songs 2:7 “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”  SOS-8:6-7 “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, it’s jealousy unyielding as the grave.  It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.  7Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” 

The search for the meaning of life.  The king of Israel thought happiness came from success.  He found success, but not happiness.  Success was meaningless, and not permanent.  Neither is money, wealth, pleasure or fame.  It all sounds like things we strive for, doesn’t it?  We strive for, because we focus on ourselves.  I think what Ecclesiastes is teaching us, is how to live a God centered life.  Focus on the fact that everything that we have is a gift from God.  Our troubles also come from the hand of God, but for those we should give thanks too.  He never promised a trouble free life.  We need to adjust our expectations if we’re always falling short of the goal, and that makes us unhappy.  We can learn lessons from the adversity that is dealt to us.  Make the best of it and go on.  Focus on what’s ahead of you.  Enjoy life, and enjoy what you have.  It’s a great gift from God. 

Proverbs is a book about wisdom.  God is wise, and He wants us to be wise too.  He will direct the path of those who trust and seek Him, and walk in faithful obedience.  Reading through it, you might find one verse that seemingly contradicts another.  In reality, it applies to different situations that you might encounter.  An example is Proverbs 26:4-5.  v4:  “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.”  v5:  “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”  Don’t, then Do?  Well, the wise person knows what to do in which situation.  How do we get wise?  STAY IN HIS WORD!!  I’ve noticed His presence so much since I’ve been doing this 90 day reading.  He will speak to You!~  Try it.

In Psalms we find praise, varying emotions, lamentations, and gratitude.  There’s a dash of hope mixed in as well.  God will not abandon you.  His love endures forever!

The book of Psalms covers many different emotions and prayers over a thousand year period.  God is worthy of praise and the wise will trust Him.  Some key verses include.. Ps. 8:1  “how majestic is your name in all the earth!”  Ps. 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  and one that most people know is Ps. 23:1-6  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Nehemiah follows along closely with Ezra in the restoration of the temple, community, Jerusalem, and the covenant.  It shows the many ways that God was at work to restore the people of Israel to their land.  Allegiance was made to God, and the Jews were restored.  God never forsakes, and nothing is impossible for Him. 

Esther was a Jew who heard of the plan of Haman, the chief administrator to the Persian King, which was to kill the Jews.  She approached the king and told him of the plan, hiding the fact that she herself was a Jew.  The king listened to her, and Haman was put to death.  Esther was very brave for approaching the king.  God used her to save His people.

Job is a great read when you’re feeling down and out.  Job suffered the loss of everything at the hand of satan, but he never rebuked God.  Satan took everything but his life, and Job maintained his innocence to his 3 friends who came to comfort him.  They didn’t believe that Job was innocent.  Why would God take it all away?  Just confess your sins and repent!  But Job stayed firm and steadfast, even questioning God as to why he was suffering so much.  God answered him in a roundabout way, showing him all He’d created, and the greatness of it all.  Job demonstrated his righteousness and God heaped His blessings upon him for the rest of his life. 

Ezra begins where 2 Chronicles left off, the exiles return.  They started rebuilding the temple and found opposition from the enemies of Judah.  A letter was written against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, and he ordered the rebuilding to stop.  That lasted until King Darius was petitioned to search for documentation that King Cyrus had issued a decree that the temple be rebuilt, and that documentation was found, and a decree made for construction to begin. 

Chapter 7 tells us that Ezra was well versed in the Laws of God, and a teacher.  7:10 says”for Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. ”  Ezra travels from Babylon with a large number to Jerusalem under the allowance of king Artaxerxes. 

Chapter 9 discussed the disgrace that Ezra felt when he heard of the intermarriages.  It says he tore his cloak, pulled hair from his head and beard, then fell on his knees with his hands spread out and prayed. v6 - “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. “  A large crowd gathered around Ezra while he prayed, and they cried and confessed their sins.  Those found guilty pledged to put away their wives, and they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering. 

The author of 1 and 2 Chronicles is thought to be Ezra by many bible scholars.  1 Chronicles was written for the Jewish exiles so they could relate to their ancestry.  It covers the history roughly the same as 1 & 2 Samuel, but it leaves out David’s sin and consequences of it, and it stresses in great detail the building of the temple and establishing worship for God.  It also lists the most comprehensive of genealogies.  The importance for the Jews to preserve their racial and spiritual heritage is stressed, as well as the importance of the law, and the temple and priesthoods ongoing relationship with God.  That was more important than a relationship with an earthly king! 

2 Chronicles covers the same time period of 1 & 2 Kings, but it focuses more on Judah’s history, worship, revival and reform.  A thought—focus on the temple.  There seems to be lots of focus on the temple.  So if we think about the temple, and the importance of it, then how does it relate to the New Testament?  What is the temple?  Doesn’t Jesus refer to His body as the temple in the New Testament?  Is the temple destroyed and raised again in 3 days?  Do God and the Lamb replace the temple?  YES!!  I can see the relationship between the OT and the NT by reading it like this.  I’m not saying that the OT is always a truly enjoyable read with all the geneaologies, but it helps me put things together relationally.  Tomorrow we start and finish Ezra. 

1 Kings 2:3-4  David is talking to Solomon.  “I am about to go the way of all the earth, so be strong, show yourself a man and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me:  ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

When David died, his son Solomon became king.  Solomon prayed for wisdom and discernment, and he was given that by the Lord.  You may recall the story of the two mothers, and one of their children had died.  The mother of the child who died had tried to trick the other mother into believing it was her child who was dead, and they took their plea to Solomon.  Solomon said the baby should be cut in half, and the woman whose son it was said No, don’t kill him.  That is how Solomon knew she was the real mother.  Solomon was wiser than any other man from all the nations because he asked God for wisdom!  He built a beautiful temple for the Lord in Jerusalem, and brought the box of the covenant to the temple. 

Solomon angered the Lord when he had many wives who had many different idols that they worshipped, and sometimes Solomon would join in with the offerings to the idols.  The people saw Solomon doing these things, and thought it was OK, so they became interested in the idols too.  Solomon died and Rehoboam took over as king.  He was nothing like Solomon, and the Israelites separated into two kingdoms.  The ten tribes to the north of Jerusalem made their own king and made sacrifices to idols in Bethel and Dan.  The prophet named Elijah felt as though he was the only true worshipper of the Lord left.  He was told by God to stay with the widow at Zarephath, and she provided for him what she didn’t have to provide.  Then her son became ill and died, but Elijah took him and prayed for his life to return and it did.  The widow knew that he was a man of God.  Elijah then went on to prove that Baal was not the real God, but still had to run for his life because king Ahab’s wife wanted to kill him.  Elisha was called to succeed Elijah. 

In 2 Kings, Elijah is walking and talking to Elisha, when a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the men, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.  Elisha was a faithful servant, and went wherever God needed him to go.  He was helpful to all peoples.  On the other hand, the kings of the two kingdoms seemed to thrive on personal fame and success, and not on God.  Kings Hezekiah and Josiah wanted the people to be loyal to God, but in the end even they succumbed to the evil ways of the people.  The Babylonian army attacked them while under the reign of king Zedekiah, and they destroyed the temple.  The descendents of David were led into exile by King Nebuchadnezzars army.  The people were slaves, but God was still with them.  Little by little, things improved for them, and the king Jehoiachin was released. 

I think we are caught up now, and I so apologize for falling off the blog!  Life took over, or satan thought he could get a stronghold on me, and I’m now saying NO WAY!  I will follow Jesus Christ, He is my Lord and Savior!  Bless you all. 

SAMUEL- THE KINGMAKER  What would make me think the Israelites would be happy once they arrived in the Promised Land, and obey God?  Naive, I guess.  They didn’t listen to the judges, and went back to doing whatever they wanted to do.  But again, God had a plan.  He helped the childless Hannah become pregnant, and she gave birth to Samuel.  She promised to give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and she did just that.  Samuel was a very special boy, and he grew up to be a priest and prophet who led the people through many difficult times.  Again, the Israelites were not happy, and complained they wanted a king,  just like the other nations.  So Saul became king of the land.  At first, everything went well, then power went to Saul’s head and he turned his back on God.  That led to God turning against Saul, and the end of his kingship.  He did realize too late what was happening, and confessed his sins to Samuel and God.  David is then chosen as king by the Lord.  The irony is that Saul was chosen by the people’s standards, and David by God’s.  Which was more successful?  David! 

David had worked in Saul’s service for a while.  He had played the harp when Saul was tormented by an evil spirit because he had turned from the Lord.  David went on to defeat Goliath, and then run from Saul because he was trying to kill him.  He had many accomplishments that showed his faithfulness to God.  Saul ended up taking his own life, and David is annointed King in 2 Samuel.  David was a good king, who made his kingdom stronger and stronger for a long time.  Until Bathsheba came along.  David saw her and wanted her, even though she was married.  She became pregnant, and then David had her husband sent out to the front lines and killed.  David sinned, and confessed, and God forgave him, but turmoil came upon him and his home because of the sin.  Bathsheba lost the baby she was carrying, and David’s daughter Tamar wasraped by her half brother Amnon.  Tamar’s brother Absalom killed Amnon and then fled for his life.  Absalom then planned to kill David, and was killed himself by David’s soldiers. 

I’m doing the single parenting thing this week as my husband is out of town on business.  It happens to be a particularly busy week with dance, and the first performance coming up this weekend.  There’s also a few other things going on too, so it’s about all I can do to finish my readings daily (which I am!).  I just can’t seem to summarize it all to blog form!  I hope to get my routine going again, but feel free to chime in with your reading input if you’d like. 

We have finished Joshua, Judges and Ruth, and will start with 1 Samuel tomorrow.  The weekend began with my birthday on Friday, and boy did I feel older!  It was so bitterly cold here that I just wanted to pull the blanket over my head and hibernate!  We had a chocolate cake with the whipped icing that I love, and it had chocolate bars on top.  Too bad it’s all gone, or I’d have a piece right now.  Saturday my mom and dad came up and we all had lunch.  It was really good, and I really didn’t do much else after that.  My dad called after they got home, and he had received word that his cousin had died suddenly that morning.  He was in his early 50’s, married with three kids.  It was a big shock, and I ask for prayers for his family to feel the healing love of Christ throughout the next few months. 

This week is going to be busy finishing costumes and getting ready for the first dance performance of the year.  I am not a sewing mom, so these costumes are kicking me!  Luckily I only have one major one to finish, everything else fit really well this time.  Also on the list for the week, clip coupons, work on the budget, shampoo the carpets, catch up on laundry, organize the towel closet, and a few other things that I can’t think of right now. 

DEUTERONOMY 30-34

Yesterday we finished Deuteronomy with a very short read.  God knew the Israelites would fall short again and turn from Him.  He also told Moses that they would turn away, but that when they decided to obey Him with all their heart, He would bring them back to the promised land and bless them with more.  Moses told them the offer of life or death was in their reach.  Chapter 30, verse 15 says ” See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.  16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”  Moses blesses the tribes and then dies, leaving Joshua to take over andlead the people to the promised land. 

32:1-43 is the song that Moses taught to the people per God’s command, so that when they sang it, it was a witness for God against them.  I would love to record that here for you, but I know you already read it.  It’s really amazing!

DEUTERONOMY 17-29

“Purge the evil.”  That seems to be the resounding theme in the beginning.  I counted it 9 times.  The Israelites were commanded to remain clean and pure by purging the ungodly from among them.  Moses says in 18:15 ” The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own borthers.  You must listen to him.”  Everyone knows who that prophet is, but do we always honor Him?  Jesus was the ultimate prophet, and He’s already been compared to Moses in our previous readings. 

In chapter 20, he tells them to not be afraid when they go to battle because God will be with them.  v4 “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

23:12-13  Thank you for indoor plumbing and privacy.

Chapter 27- Moses tells the people to keep all the commands he’s given when they get into the promised land, set up an altar with stones covered in plaster, and write all the words of this law on the stones.  I would hate to be in charge of all that writing on plaster covered stones.

Chapter 28-The Lord will bless you richly if you fully obey his commands. 
Chapter 29- The Israelites enter into the covenant that the Lord will seal with an oath, made for his people, so that He will be their God.

When I went to my study Bible to review the laws, this is what I found that helps explain the breakdown. 

There were 16 major ethical concerns in the Covenant

1.  Personhood- everyone’s person is to be secure

2.  False Accusation-everyone is to be secure against slander and false accusation

3.  Woman-No woman is to be taken advantage of within her subordinate status in society

4.  Punishment-punishment for wrongdoing shall not be excessive so that the culprit is dehumanized

5.  Dignity-every Israelite’s dignity and right to be God’s freedman and servant are to be honored and safeguarded

6.  Inheritance-every Israelite’s inheritance in the promised land is to be secure

7.  Property-everyone’s property is to be secure

8.  Fruit of Labor-everyoned is to receive the fruit of his labors

9.  Fruit of the Ground-everyone is to share the fruit of the ground

10.  Rest on Sabbath-everyone, down to the humblest servant and the resident alien, is to share in the weekly rest of God’s sabbath

11.  Marriage-the marriage relationship is to be kept inviolate

12.  Exploitation-no one, however disabled, impoverishe or powerless, is to be oppressed or exploited

13.  Fair Trial- everyone is to have free access to the courts and is to be afforded a fair trial

14.  Social Order-every person’s God-given place in the social order is to be honored

15.  Law-no one shall be above the law, not evne the king

16.  Animals-Concern for the welfare of other creatures is to be extended to the animal world.

That came from my Zondervan study bible. 

Tomorrow is a short reading of Deuteronomy 30-34.  Any questions?

I knew it would be easier when the kids were home and on Christmas vacation, but I am pathetic.  I’m doing my readings, but can’t squeeze out more time to blog about it in depth.  So here’s another overview…

NUMBERS 27 - DEUTERONOMY 16

Continues with laws and offerings in which Joshua will have to see to it the Israelites follow, since Moses is going to be “gathered to his people.”  I liked all of the sacred assemblies, festivals, and doing no regular work.  That’s something I’d be OK with keeping from the OT. 

They killed all of the men in the Midianite tribe with the help of the Lord, and brought the women, children and animals back to Moses.  Moses ordered them to kill all the boys, and women who have slept with a man.  They divided what was brought back.  Boundaries were set for the land of Canaan, with a place for the Levites, where 6 of the cities were designated at Cities of Refuge.  It talks about the act of murder, and if it is intentional, then that person shall be put to death.  That could spark some heated debates, so I’m not touching it!

In Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people what God has shared with him.  He also recants some of the happenings along the journey.  How the Israelites were grumbling, and rebellious too.  Moses reviews the laws and commandments.  Deuteronomy 6:5  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  God promises in Chapter 11, verse 14 to send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.  Chapter 14 talks about tithes, and setting aside a tenth of all that the fields produced each year.  I really like Chapter 15 also.  It says that at the end of every 7 years, all debts must be cancelled.  No more house payment would be pretty nice! 

I hope you’ve done your readings, and can follow what I shared.  Tomorrow is Deuteronomy 17-29.  Happy reading, and God Bless You.

The title of this post really hurts.  I’ve been away since Thursday night, so no synopsis of the readings.  I have done the readings, just haven’t had the time to sit with the computer. 

What have we missed?  LEVITICUS 15 - NUMBERS 26

Can I sum it up in a few sentences?  More OT rules and regulations passed on to the Israelites.  Moses continues to lead them with Aaron.  The Israelites are a bunch of cry babies, constantly complaining to Moses about what God hasn’t done for them.  Moses prays to God to feed, water, forgive them….and God carries out His will. 

Yep, I guess I can make it short and sweet :)  The readings were definitely not sweet though.  God rescued them out of slavery in Egypt, but they could only forsake Him.  Reading this has shown me, encouraged me to be more thankful for His promises to me, and handle the daily junk with a different attitude.  I just want to be a faithful believer, and follow Christ.  The Israelites wandered around for 40 years yes, but they were free, and no longer prisoners or slaves.  Nor am I.  I have every creature comfort I could ever need or want, but that doesn’t matter.  What matters is that God is with me, and the Holy Spirit is in me, and Jesus died for me.  God promises me eternal life, if I abide in Him. 

Thank You Lord, for the snow that fell today, and for the moon in the sky tonight.  It reminds me of Your presence, and that brings me great comfort.  Sometimes we tend to skip over the truly Big things, and focus on ourselves.  When we have self focus, there’s no room for You.  Lord, forgive me for the times that I have done this, and forsaken You.  Help me to keep my eyes on You, to always bring You honor and glorify Your name.  Thank You for Your protection, goodness and love.  Without You I cannot endure the trials, but with You, I can survive and defeat the enemy.  Thank You for Your Word Lord, that You are revealing new truths to me everyday, and fortifying my armor for You.  I ask that You would continue to nourish my soul with Your Word, and fill me with a desire to know Your wisdom so that I may lead others to You.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Tomorrow we will read Numbers 27 - Deuteronomy 3.  It will be Day 12 of our journey.  He’s only asking us for 90 days, not 40 years!  Let’s not let Him down, and make His Word a priority. 

LEVITICUS 2 - 14

We left off with the burnt offering (gift that was brought near to God in order to enjoy his fellowship and blessing) which was the first offering of 5.  The entire offering was to be burned up, or sent up to God, as an act of worship, and to bring forgiveness.   Chapter 2 begins with the grain offering.  The grain was to be offered as an act of worship also.  It symbolized God’s dedication to the fruit of a person’s labor.  All work should be done for the Lord, and He should receive our thanks for the food that we have.  The specifications were for absolutely no yeast or honey in the offering or at the altar.  Yeast and honey were used in fermentation, and that involves change or decomposition, which often symbolized evil. 

Chapter 3-The fellowship offering is to be made before the Lord with an animal without defect.  It is to be brought in order to give thanks to God, or to fellowship with Him.  Here also is where the lasting ordinance was made to not eat any fat or any blood, because they are vital to live, and life belongs to God.  This was sometimes called the Peace offering too. 

Chapter 4-The sin offering was a requirement for those that sinned in weakness or unintentionally.  Those that sinned on purpose were to be put to death, unless full restitution could be made.  The person must confess their sin, and ask forgiveness.  The blood that is shed in the sin offering should remind us of the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross.   I said the other day how thankful I am that we no longer have to do animal sacrifices, but just let me say it again.  If I have to do this every time I sin in weakness or unintentionally, we might have run out of animals for food.  Do you feel like that?  Sometimes, no matter how hard I think I’m trying, satan is just pulling me down.  I forget to give it to God, and I try to handle everything.  Well, He doesn’t want me to do that, He wants to hear from me when I’m angry or hurting, so He can comfort me, and bless me with whatever I need at that moment.  If I would do that, then I wouldn’t have those moments of weakness so much.  But Oh My Goodness, Thank You Jesus for atoning my sins.  You didn’t have to, You did it willingly, for me, a sinner.  Please forgive me, and guide me with your wisdom.  Help me to give you the honor and glory that You so richly deserve.  I praise You, and I ask that you bring many blessings on all the people who are doing this 90 day journey through Your Word with me.  I ask that hearts and lives will be touched forever, through the reading of Your Word Lord!  In Jesus Name, Amen

 Chapter 5- The guilt offering.  This offering could be made when you intentionally committed a sin, but restitution could be made, or when someone disregarded property rights of another person.  The person was guilty even if he didn’t know he had sinned. 

The fellowship offering could be made with yeast because it did not have to be presented at the altar.  In chapter 8, Aaron and his sons were ordinated into priests, to serve as a mediator between God and the people.  This was a 7 day process. 

Chapter 10 shows what happened to Nadab and Abihu when they rebelled against laws.  As priests, they offered unauthorized fire, and God struck them down.  Verse 2- “So fire came out from the presence of te Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.”

Chapter 11 talks about clean and unclean food.  Without going into detail, because I’m sure you’ve read it, I’ll just share my daughters thoughts.  As we were reading, I said Good News!  God says we could have any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper to eat.  She found no humor in that! 

Chapter 12 discusses childbirth and purification of the woman after.  The “discharges” associated with childbirth had to be treated as unclean, and we have to go back to Adam and Eve for that explanation.  I’m not sure why the length of time is so different for the uncleanliness between a son and a daughter, so if anyone knows, please share that with me.  I can only hypothesize that’s because the son would have more status in society, not exactly what I want to say, but I can’t think right now. 

We close out today with discussion of regulations regarding infectious diseases.  rather descriptive for the priest to know if isolation was needed, or what to do with the person. 

I remember getting to Leviticus many times before in my yearly reading plan, and giving up.  I’m not doing that now.  This time I’m gonna go on until I finish the entire BOOK.  I’m already seeing God’s touch in my life, and I hope you are too.  See you tomorrow! 

EXODUS 29 - LEVITICUS 1

I have to start out by being honest with you.  Today I just did the readings, and didn’t take notes like the previous days.  I’m trying to get back into the school routine, so I got up 30 minutes before I had to wake up my daughter to read.  By the time I sat down with my cereal, (must eat breakfast within 30 minutes of getting up to rev metabolism up) I had around 20 minutes.  You might be thrilled with the prospect of no notes.  I will need to study more later.  So, here’s what I took away from this morning. 

Moses and the Lord had many discussions over a 40 day period where Moses was on Mount Sinai.  Moses sort of challenges God by saying “go with us, why should these people believe me, follow me, if you don’t show you’re pleased with me.”  Moses goes on to say” Show me Your Glory.”  Whoa… maybe if I could sing like MercyMe, but I can’t imagine saying that otherwise!  But God says Yes!  I will show you my glory, but if you see my face you will die.  This reminds me that I forgot something, had to look it up and it’s before this, so I’m going back to chapter 32.  The Israelites cast an idol because they grew tired of waiting for Moses to come down.  God was angry and wanted to be left alone in His anger so that it would “burn against them and destroy them.”  But Moses questioned the Lord as to why He would want to harm them, whom their descendents He had promised the land.  Moses got guts!!!  I take Fear the Lord more literally than Moses did. 

The rest of Exodus pretty much goes into the descriptions and details of the Tabernacle and offerings.  Let me just say here that I am so glad we don’t have to do animal sacrifices anymore.  Thank You God! 

EXODUS 16-28

The people of Israel complained, Moses intervened and spoke to God, and God provided.  He defeated the Amelekites while Moses stood with his arms and staff raised to Heaven.  In my study bible, I read that showed his dependence, trust and faith in God.  Whenever Moses’ intercession weaned, so did the flow of God’s power on behalf of His people.  This divine principle  continues to operate under the new covenant.  If we fail to call on God daily in prayer, then the divine life, protection, blessing and grace will begin to stop flowing to us.  Our only hope for VICTORY lies in continually approaching the throne of grace through Christ. 

In chapter 18, Moses father in law, Jethro, counsels him on how to delegate officials to help him serve as judges. 

Chapter 19-  God’s covenant is established with the people of Israel on Mound Sinai.  Chapter 20-  The Ten Commandments are recorded here.  God wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to Moses. 

Moral Law-Exodus 20:1-17  God’s standards for holy living

Civil Law-Exodus 21:1-23:33  Israel’s legal and social life regulations as a nation

Ceremonial law-the form and ritual of Israel’s worship and sacrifice

The OT laws were never complete, nor were they intended to be.  They were temporary until Jesus came, and then they were replaced with the new covenant.  Our plan of salvation is through Jesus Christ.  God allowed certain evils, slavery is one, for a time, because the people’s hearts were so hardened.  Know that those were changed in the NT, and we cannot receive God’s blessings and live a sinful life at the same time. 

Chapter 24-The covenant is confirmed through the blood.  The blood of the OT sacrifice, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.  The blood stood for cleansing and sacrifice, as it still does today. 

Chapter 25-  The offerings for the Tabernacle.  It is overwhelming when you think about the ornate details and fine jewels, gold, silver, and linens used to describe the making of the Tabernacle, altar, courtyard, and robes.  I had a “God Stop” (Beth Moore) moment while reading.  I’ve recently finished a study on Revelation, so I was pleased to see the Lampstand description.  The Lamps represent God’s light or presence!  Let there be light..

See you tomorrow for Exodus 29 - Lev. 1

EXODUS 3 - 15

We start with Moses, seeing the burning bush as he’s tending flock.  God called to Moses from the bush and said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”  He tells Moses to go to Pharoah and request that his people be freed from slavery, so they can go to the land of milk and honey.  Moses wasn’t sure of himself, so God told him to use Aaron as well, and to perform 3 signs.  (Turn his staff to a snake, turn his hand leprous and back again, and turn the water in the Nile to blood)

Pharoah would not let the Israelites go, and even made the work of the men more difficult by having them go gather their own straw to make bricks.  The Israelites became angered at Moses and Aaron for bringing this upon them.  Pharoah didn’t believe the signs were of God because his sorcerers could perform them too.  So God sent ten plagues upon the land of Egypt.  1.  All the water turned to blood  2.  Frogs covered the land  3.  the dust became Gnats  4.  Flies were everywhere but Goshen, covering people and land  5.  All of Pharoah’s livestock died, but not the Israelites  6.  Boils covered the men and animals  7.  Egypt experienced the worst hailstorm ever, that killed all livestock and people out in it  8.  Locusts covered everything, and killed the plants and trees of the earth left unharmed by the hail  9.  Darkness for 3 days except for the Israelites  10.  Every Firstborn son of Egypt will die. 

Passover instructions were given out and followed, and the Exodus began.  Moses took Joseph’s bones, so he could bury him in his homeland.  God led them with a pillar of cloud during the day, and a pillar of fire at night.  When Pharoah changed his mind and went after the Israelites with his army, the pillar moved from in front, to the back and in between the Egyptians.  When they came to the Red Sea, Moses stretched out his staff and the waters parted.  The Israelites walked across on dry land, with water to their left and right.  When the Egyptians tried to cross, the waters swept over them and killed them.  Moses led the Israelites from the Red Sea into the desert, where they traveled for 3 days without finding good water.  Moses cried out to God, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood.  Moses picked up the wood and threw it into the water and it turned sweet.  Our God is a God who heals.  He took no pleasure in the diseases on the Egyptians, and he promises not to afflict us with them if we just listen and obey.  How hard that is to do sometimes, when we’re unsure which fork in the road to take. 

I counted three times, I think, where “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” in chapter 3 alone.  When Moses asks who shall I tell them has sent me, God answers in verse 14 of chapter 3.  “I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM” has sent me to you.”  Yahweh is derived from this, and it indicates action.  God is present and active in our lives, just as He was for Israel. 

GENESIS 40 - EXODUS 2

I have to cut this one short, as hubby isn’t happy I’m on the computer. 

Joseph was let out of prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, which turned out to be 7 great years of harvest, followed by 7 years of famine.  Pharaoh gave high regard to Joseph, and made him governor of Egypt.  Joseph was in charge of storing all the excess grain up for the famine years. 

Jacob heard about the grain in Egypt, and sent his sons to get some for the family.  Benjamin, Joseph’s true brother from his mom, stayed at home.  The brothers bowed to Joseph, and did not recognize their brother that they had sold into slavery.  Joseph recognized them, and questioned them, saying they were spies.  He requested they bring back the other brother, but Jacob would not allow it.  When they ran out of food again, Judah promised his father that they could go get food only if Benjamin was with them, and that would also release Simeon from prison.  He told him that Benjamin would return home to his father, or he would take the blame.  After some turbulent times, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, and sent them to bring back his father and the rest of the family to live in Goshen, where he could easily provide for them.  Jacob lived in egypt for 17 years before he died.  When Jacob knew his time was short, he asked Joseph to bury him in his family burial place, and not in Egypt.  Jacob hadn’t seen God’s promise yet, but he had faith that it would come, and that God would lead the people back to Canaan.  Joseph took his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to see his father.  Jacob blessed the boys, whom he considered like his own, and he put Ephraim before Manasseh.  Manasseh was the firstborn, but Jacob said that the younger brother would be greater than Manasseh.  It strikes me now that I’ve seen that before.  Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, Joseph instead of reuben, and Ephraim instead of Manasseh.  And think of little David.  His brothers were in an army that was scared of Goliath, but God chose David to defeat him.  God has a plan, and it’s not always going to make sense to us.  We just need to listen and follow. 

Soon after, Jacob dies.  Joseph wept, and threw himself over Jacob and kissed him.  Jacob was embalmed, which took 40 days, and then the Egyptians mourned him for 70 days.  On the way to the burial site, Joseph observed another 7 day time of mourning.  I guess what has me in awe here is the difference in the times today.  My hubby’s grandpa passed away in June, and there was a viewing one evening, and the funeral service the next day.  I’ve been to my share of these things, and they’re NEVER easy.  The close family greeting everyone, standing by the casket of their loved one, rehashing over and over about the last days.  The more of them that I’ve been to, the more people I’ve heard say ” I don’t want you to do that, just have a quick funeral and be done with it.”  The end of the funeral does not signal the end of the mourning, but as hard as it may be, I took some comfort in seeing Grandpa in his earthy body two more times.  He was at peace because he’s no longer suffering.  Sorry… I’m rambling and forgot the point I was trying to make…  I guess just that Joseph had around 4 months of mourning, and that was a deep time.  We often think because we’re Christians that we shouldn’t be sad or cry when we lose another Christian, because we know where they’re going. But the bible tells us it’s OK to cry and mourn, and be sad.  Don’t try to rush it. 

In Exodus, the new king felt there were too many Israelites, so he oppressed them with forced labor.  When they continued to multiply, he told the midwives to kill all the baby boys, but to let the girls live.  The midwives couldn’t do this, and God blessed them.  Moses was born in that period, and when he was 3 months old,  his mother was unable to hide him anymore.  She placed him in a basket beside the Nile, where Pharaoh’s daughter found him.  Moses sister was watching, and asked if she would like her to find a Hebrew woman to nurse him, and then she took Moses to his mother.  When he grew older, his mother took him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who raised him as her son.  When Moses was grown, he saw Hebrew being beaten by an egyptian, and Moses killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.  He then fled to Midian where he lived with a priest and married his daughter. 

So much for making that short!  God’s protection and promises are faithful, we must remember that.  I’ll see you tomorrow when we discuss Exodus 3-15. 

I have created a separate page with the 90 day reading schedule.  Just click on the link at the top right which says “read the bible in 90 days”, and it will take you there.  That saves you from having to scroll down to find it.  Hope that helps. 

GENESIS 27-39

Today’s reading depicts alot of deceit, jealousy and bitterness.  We start off reading about Esau and Isaac.  Isaac told Esau to go out and hunt for game, then prepare his favorite meal for him, so that he could give him his blessing.  Rebekah overheard, and told Jacob how to deceive his father.  Isaac mistakenly gave Jacob the blessing.  Esau was very angered and vowed to take Jacob’s life, so Rebekah and Isaac sent Jacob away.  Now if you remember, God had already told Isaac that the older child Esau would serve the younger, Jacob.  So Isaac was taking action to bless Esau, and going against God.  Also, Jacob deceived his family twice to get what he wanted, and what he was going to rightfully get in good time.  In the end, he had to leave his home, and he would never see his mother again.  He would also never obtain spiritual success.  It makes me really want to be patient, and wait for God’s timing.  Jacob got what he wanted, but it turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing without God on his side. 

When Jacob left Beersheba to travel to Haran, he stopped to rest at night.  The angels of God came to him in a dream, and after them came the Lord.  God promised to be with him as his guide and to protect him always.  Jacob found his uncle Laban, and eventually married his 2 daughters.  Between his wives and their maidservants, Jacob had 12 sons, whose descendants would later become the 12 tribes of Israel.  Jacob and his family fled from Laban, and he traveled home to meet Esau.  Esau greeted him with a hug and tears, so after many years of separation, God’s grace brought them back together.  Jacob again lies to his brother about where he is going, and travels to Shechem.  God had told Jacob to go to the home of his father Isaac, but he didn’t listen.  Now I struggle with God sometimes, with things like forgiveness and anger, and try to take things into my own hands, but I don’t think if God came to me as a manifestation that I could do that.  I guess that he’s always with me though, and sees how ugly I can be with built up unforgiveness, and that should be my motivation.  But I think about what it will be like in Heaven, to be able to have a face to face conversation with God!  How Awesome that will be!! 

As I now type, it is a new day…stay with me.

Jacob failed to listen to God and live where He told him to, and instead chose to live by a pagan city.  His daughter Dinah was violated from Shechem.  This immorality reminds me of Lot and his daughters.  Makes me want to move somewhere very very rural with my kids and shelter them.  I pray that they get what they need from me, and not wander away from God seeking something else. 

Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, killed the men of the city.  Jacob’s sons did not bring him glory from their actions.  God told Jacob to go build an altar at Bethel, and this time he listened.  He found a renewed faith in God, and instructed his family to giet rid of the foreign gods they had and to purify themselves.  Because of this, God again gave him protection, blessing, and the land gave to Abraham and Isaac, and changed his name from Jacob to Israel.  Jacob singles out Joseph by giving him an ornate robe, thus causing great jealousy to the other brothers.  They sold him as a slave, and told Jacob that animals must have attacked him.  God used this to work out his plan for Joseph’s life.  Joseph was faithful to God, even in trials, and God remained with him, showing him such love and mercy.  Joseph was different from his brothers, and I think that’s why God chose him to protect. 

Judah, Jacob’s 4th son from Leah, also possessed loose morals.  He slept with his daughter in law, thinking she was a prostitute, and she bore twins, Perez and Zerah. 

Joseph’s master saw that he was blessed to have him as a servant, and trusted him with everything he owned.  His masters wife tried to seduce Joseph on occasions, but he refused her.  One day she kept his cloak and claimed that he had tried to seduce her, so Joseph was thrown into prison.  Even then, God was with him.  Does it strike you in any way, how completely faithful Joseph was?  He struggled and had a difficult life, but did not quit believing that God would bring him through.  Joseph faced 3 tests for God while in Egypt.  He faced the test of sexual sin, or purity, and he did not fail.  He faced an opportunity for revenge, and he did not fail.  Lastly, he faced death.  Why did Joseph overcome?  Because he had a deep trust in God, and he ran from sin.  He claimed victory over sin, and was obedient to God, therefore he was blessed abundantly.  I want to profess that kind of FAITH!!!  Thank You God, for giving me many second chances, and allowing me to confess and repent of my sins to You, to ask You for forgiveness, and know that you will grant it.  Bless me with wisdom and discernment, just like Joseph had, so that I may be victorious in this battle too.  Thank You for Your infinite love, and the gift of Jesus. 

The Reading for Sunday is Genesis 40 - Exodus 2

GENESIS 14-26  

Brief outline:  Abram rescues Lot from the four kings after he was taken captive in Sodom.  The kings of Sodom and Salem blessed Abram, but Abram wouln’t accept anything belonging to them so he wouldn’t break the oath he’d made with God.  The Lord made a covenant with Abram that he would have an heir, from his own body, and his descendents would inherit the land.  He would be the father of many nations.   Ishmael was born from the maidservant Hagar. 

In chapter 17  Abram becomes Abraham-father of many nations.  Sarai becomes Sarah-mother of many nations. 

Chapter 18 tells of three visitors to Abraham.  The Lord tells him that next year, Sarah will bear him a son.  God tells Abraham about the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham pleads with God, “will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”After study, I read that one of the men was most likely a manifestation of God in human form, and the other two were angels appearing as men.  Abraham may not have immediately recognized that from his reaction to them.

In chapter 19,  the two men, now called angels escorted Lot and his family out of Sodom before it is destroyed.  Lot’s wife looks back at Sodom after being told not to, and turns into a pillar of salt.  Lot’s daughters deceived him, and bore children from him.  I didn’t catch the warning not to look back, and questioned why the “pillar of salt.”  They were told in verse 17 to “Flee and don’t look back…or you will be swept away.”  Do you think Lot’s daughters were immoral because they were exposed to immorality in Sodom? 

Chapter 20- Abraham lies to Abimelech, saying that Sarah is his sister, having little faith that God would protect them in the new land.  Abraham again has a faith failure, but God intervenes with Abimelech in a dream. 

Chapter 21brings the birth of Isaac, and Hagar and Ishmael are sent away.  God told Abraham that He would make Ishmael into a nation also. 

Abraham is tested again in chapter 22.  God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac, and he was going to do it.  He is again told that his descendants will possess all nations and be blessed.  I found a few good things in this.  Abraham tells his servants to wait, and he and Isaac will be back.  He was already showing his faith, that God would not allow him to sacrifice his own son.  He then tells Isaac that “God will provide the lamb” when Isaac asked where the offering was.   Also, it says that Isaac was a boy, and he carried the wood for the offering.  He had to be an adolescent by then, or young adult.  Isaac let his father bind him and lay him on the altar, and probably watched as his father drew out a knife, before and angel stopped Abraham.  Why would Isaac not resist or fight Abraham?  He surely could have overtaken him.  But he didn’t.  He was obeying his father, just like Jesus did.

Sarah dies in chapter 23, at age 127.  Abraham pays Ephron for property to bury her in a cave.  That is the only piece of land in Canaan that Abraham ever owned. 

Chapter 24, Rebekah is chosen for Isaac and they marry. 

Chapter 25, Abraham dies at age 175, and is buried with Sarah.  Ishmaels family lived near the border of Egypt after he died, and they lived in hostility toward all their borthers.  Isaac and Rebekah have twins- Esau and Jacob.  God told Rebekah that two nations will be born from her, and that they will be separated, the older serving the younger.  When they were born, Esau was red and hairy, and Jacob was holding onto Esau’s heel.  Isaac loved Esau who was a hunter, and Rebekah loved Jacob, who liked to stay among the tents.  Jacob eventually  gets Esau to sell him his birthright. 

Chapter 26, There’s a famine, and Isaac goes to Abimelech, and deceives him that Rebekah is his sister.  Isaac planted crops and was blessed greatly.  Abimelech sends them away, then later comes to him to make a treaty that they wouldn’t harm the other.   The chapter ends with Esau marrying two wives, and says he was a source of grief. 

BOOKS OF LAW

1.  Genesis ch. 1-13

2.  Genesis 14-26

3. Genesis 27-39

4.  Gen. 40-Exodus 2

5.  Ex. 3-15

6.  Ex. 16-28

7.  Ex. 29-Lev.  1

8.  Lev. 2-14

9.  Lev. 15-27

10.  Num. 1-13

11.  Num. 14-26

12.  Num.  27-Deut 3

13.  Deut. 4-16

14.  Deut. 17-29

15.  Deut. 30-34

BOOKS OF HISTORY

16.  Joshua 1-13

17.  Josh.  14-24

18.  Judges 1-13

19.  Judges 14-Ruth 4

20.  1 Samuel 1-13

21.  1 Samuel 14-26

22.  1 Samuel 27- 2 Samuel 8

23.  2 Samuel 9-21

24.  2 Samuel 22- 1 Kings 10

25.  1 Kings 11-22

26.  2 Kings 1-13

27.  2 Kings 14-25

28.  I Chronicles 1-13

29.  I Chronicles 14-26

That will get us through January, and we’ll be 1/3 of the way through our journey through the bible. 

Someone asked me what bible I’m using, so I’ll pass that along.  It’s not recommended that you use your study bible for this, so I have a smaller NIV printed by Zondervan that will fit easily into my purse.  The print is small, but OK to read, and today’s was only around 10 pages.  I can’t remember if I said this already, but you’re not supposed to take notes or highlight in your “reading” bible.  I kept a pencil handy and made a small mark beside anything that jumped out at me.  That way I can go back and highlight that in my study bible, or go back and study it at a later time.  I hope that helps answer your question.   

Wow!  I am so pleased that this is generating such an interest.  There have been a few skeptics, and that is OK too.  Mainly the concern is with how much retention there will be by reading such a large amount in a short period of time.  I had that question as well, but after researching some more, found that the testimonials of those who have completed the reading are so encouraging.  I don’t expect to remember all that I read, or major in theology.  My expectations are to have a deeper awareness of the foundation of the bible, or the framework, and that God will lead me in remembering what He wants me to bring out of this.  I’ll make connections and see themes that I might not see if I were reading both from the OT and the NT daily.  I do realize this is in no way a study of the bible.  That will follow this reading in 90 days.  By then, I pray to have a greater understanding of the Word, to aid in my study. 

My 11 year old daughter is doing this with me, and we have completed today’s reading of Genesis 1-13.  It is a very easy read, I’d say 30 to 40 minutes tops.  Don’t get bogged down with the genealogy, but don’t skip it either.  Read it all.  I’m contemplating doing tomorrow’s reading today as well, because I’m a day behind another blogger friend, and don’t have any interest in an accountability partner yet…. :(       That reading will be Genesis 14 -26.  It’s more difficult, on this first day, to stop reading and not want to go on.  Hopefully that attitude will remain. 

The book of Genesis focuses on the creation and maintenance of the kingdom.  Genesis shows us that God wants to have a relationship with us, and is truly disappointed when we fall short and sin.  I noticed that with the advance of sin on the earth, the average age of death was lowering.  A few other key bits from today’s reading were about the sin of Adam and Eve that alienated God from mankind, the flood  which was God’s judgement on the world due to the extreme sinful nature of man, and the advance of violence and corruption, and finally the Tower of Babel.  The building of the tower offended God, so he scattered the people all over the earth, and confused the language.   Up until then everyone spoke the same language.  Oh, I can’t forget Cain and Abel.  The first instance of jealousy, where Cain kills Abel.  And we’re just starting to learn about Abraham.   My next post will be the reading plan for January.  If you want the entire plan, just let me know and I’ll put it up. 

Sound like a heavy load or a lofty task?  Well… let me challenge you to get on board and let God move in your life.  I first heard about this last month, and tried to get signed up with a group of people on the web, but the group was full.  I’ve been researching it and found some great information for you.  For some basic info, please visit The Bible in 90 days.   You’ll find testimonials and FAQs there.  Here I’ll reiterate the mission and some key info to get you started, but first I want to explain why I’m doing this.  First, it’s been a long, long time since I’ve read the entire bible.  When I did read it through, it wasn’t read as a single book, but as a few chapters Old Testament, and a few chapters of the New Testament.  So why for me now?  Because God commands it, and I want to grow in His Word.  Deuteronomy 17:18 - 20 tells the story of a king who needs “the Book”.  “It shall be With him”…always. ”  ”he shall Read therein all the days of his life.”  I say why not?  I don’t want satan to have any strongholds on me, so I plan on putting on my armor. 

The plan is to read it through from beginning to end, and gain a perspective of God’s plan for salvation through the generations.  The mission is “To read ATTENTIVELY every word of the Bible in 90 days.” 

Why 90 days instead of a year?  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had that as my goal, and gotten bogged down in Leviticus, never to return again.  It’s a short term commitment, where lots can be learned.  People have found that reading large chunks over a short period of time helps you make connections and see themes you might not otherwise see.  This is in no way an in depth Bible study, and that should come later.  In this 90 days, you’ll get the meaning of the Bible, and of God’s plan and purpose. 

It is recommended that you not use your regular study Bible, and not to mark your reading Bible up a lot.  You may just want to have a pencil ready to mark a verse, and later go to your study Bible to highlight it.  There will also be times that God will speak to you as you read, so do keep a notepad handy. 

The specific plan calls for a specific Bible that is already in daily sections for you and averages to 12 pages per day.  I don’t have that,  but I found in my research that it averages 13 to 16 chapters daily, and has two days built in as free days.  The reading time is between 45 to 60 minutes per day.  I also have a guide of daily readings that I will post later today, the first one being Genesis 1-13.  As I said earlier, this is a serious commitment, for EVERY DAY reading.  Things are going to come up between now and the end of March to disrupt your plans, but you have to be ready for that and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on schedule. 

I want us to be accountable for this.  I need someone to ask me about my reading, and if you sign on to do this with me, be sure to know I will be asking you about yours!  I want to post along the way about God moments and what we learn, so keep me updated along the journey as to how He’s reaching out to you. 

In the words of Philip Green, let me encourage you.  “  Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Any child of God endeavoring to acquire more faith must spend time in the words of the living God.  For we are commanded to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  (1 Timothy 4:13) 

Let’s start today and finish up on April 1st.  I can’t wait to start this journey!  I have so much to say about this, but I know how lengthy this is already.  I’ll post the schedule later on this morning, after I sleep a bit!