Week 16 Days 4 and 5 Slow Fade

Introduction and Judges 1-2:5

I apologize for the time lapse in posts. I will not lie. This part of the OT is just not my favorite part. I know it is God inspired. It is important to read. But it is not easy for me. Wars. Taking over cities. Ick. Still makes my stomach turn.

However, it wasn't the many battles that caught my attention in today's reading.

It was the disobedience.

I guess I can relate.

God was very clear with the Israelites.

They were to go in, take over the land (their Promised Land), and told to NOT make agreements with the people in those lands.

I know it sounds harsh.

But I think we all know.

Compromise.

It can be a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing.

And this case, it was the bad thing.

One of my favorite Christian contemporary songs is "Slow Fade".



Ignore the advertisement at the beginning.

Anyway, that is how so much sin is.

We don't get up each morning thinking, "Let's sin today".

Instead we compromise.

We give in just a little.

The next day a little more.

And the next thing we know we are sinning. Completely.

Kind of reminds me of that analogy of boiling a frog.

You put a frog in a pot of water and turn the temperature up just a little bit at a time. It will get used to it, so you do it some more. Before long, you have a boiled frog. I don't know why you would want a boiled frog but it is one of the things I remember from youth group MANY years ago.

Anyway, this all is related to the Israelites.

I doubt they thought, "Let's sin today."

I think they thought, "Let's compromise. We can let these people live here too. We don't have to completely rid the land of this group...it is just a few people."

Whether or not we understand, it was against what God commanded. And there would be consequences for that.

It was a slow fade.

They gave their heart away.

Black and white turned to gray.

It was a slow fade.

Tomorrow's reading: Judges 2:6-3:6

Reba

Week 16 Day 3 Famous Last Words

Joshua 23-24

110.

That is how old Joshua is now.

110.

That is a lot of years lived. A lot of ups and downs. A lot of adventures. A lot of heartbreaks.

And now the end is near.

He knows it.

We don't know how he does, but he does.

He brings the elders, the heads of families, the judges, the officers of Israel together.

He reminds them. He reminds them of God's faithfulness. He reminds them that God keeps his promises. He also reminds them that they have to do their part. They have to love Him and keep His commands. No ifs, ands, or buts.

And the people agreed.

One of my favorite verses is in this passage.

He is talking about serving God. He reminds the people that they need to serve God. If they don't, they need to decide who they will serve.

Then he utters, "As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."

Not long after, Joshua died.

And though he no longer remained, his words have. For years.

I find myself thinking the same thing.

As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.

'Nuff said.

Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 1-2:5

Reba

Week 16 Day 2 Altar Call

Joshua 22

I have finally settled one of my reasons I haven't posted much. My Bible has a schedule in it that I follow. But when I actually read, I usually read that version (New Century Version) on a computer Bible page. That page doesn't have the schedule. Most of the time when I post, it is late at night and the lights are off. Then I can't see the schedule in the Bible. So I just do other things. Lame, I know. But I am trying to fix it. I have put a two week schedule ON MY COMPUTER. So I have no excuses. At least for two weeks. :)

More than you ever wanted to know...

Anyway, today's reading.

It is about the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and East Manasseh.

They were ready to go home. Their home. The land they had been given by Moses years before.

It was time.

So Joshua gave them their blessing, reminded them to obey God's commands.

So those tribes went home.

And once they were settled in, they built a beautiful altar.

Which made the other Israelites angry. Angry enough to be ready to fight them.

Before things came to blows, Phineas (I cannot help but think of the cartoon Phineas and Ferb or however it is spelled) was sent to talk to the "wayward" tribes. An ambassador of sorts.

You see, the other Israelites felt like the altar was built for false gods. That the 3 tribes had already turned against God.

Phineas asked the 3 tribes to explain themselves.

They were surprised. I guess it never occurred to them that their actions would be misconstrued. They explained that it was an altar for God and God alone.

Phineas was satisfied, and in the end, the other Israelites were satisfied too

I wish life were like this.

That we had ambassadors who would find out the perspective of others before we (in the general sense "we") declared "war".

Because sometimes it is a misunderstanding.

Sometimes, most of the times, we need to listen before we act.

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 23 and 24

Peace on Earth Week 16 Day 1

Joshua 20-21

I know, I know. I am like on the 3 or 4 or maybe even 5 year plan.

It isn't that I don't enjoy reading the Bible.

I do.

It is just that I am not particularly enjoying THIS part of it.

Just because it is a lot of city names I cannot pronounce.

That and I am pretty sure nobody reads this so I have nobody prompting me with "Are you keeping up with your reading?" But I need to do it anyway. I need to dig in every day. And when I don't, I need to just pick myself up and do it again rather than give up.

Both chapters today involved cities/twons. One was about the "safe cities" where the Israelites could go for safety if they accidentally killed someone. As long as it was truly an accident, the family of the victim could not seek retaliation.

The other is about the Levites' request for towns with pastures in which to live since they had no designated "land".

That is when a long list of towns I cannot pronounce began.

My favorite part of this passage was the end. No, not because it was the end. Because it was just another example of God keeping His promises. The Israelites lived in peace. Peace all around them.

I yearn for peace in our not peaceful world.

It won't happen again for a while.

But God does keep His promises.

It will.

What a glorious day that will be!

Reba

Week 15 Day 7 Home Sweet Home

Joshua 18 and 19

Seven tribes of Israel still had not selected their land. So Joshua sent representatives out to scope out the cities and take notes. They then brought their notes back and then cast lots for the land, Each tribe received land based upon the lots.

Most of the chapters consisted of city names I cannot pronounce.

One thing I did think about was how exciting this must have been. After wandering for so long, I bet the people were beyond thrilled to find out which "land" was their land. Finally, the people had a home.

Home sweet home.

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 20-21

Reba

Week 15 Day 6 A Land Divided

Joshua 13-17

I really didn't abandon this blog last night. I had every intention of writing in here. But I fell asleep early. Didn't update one of the blogs. Ask my school 'team"...it has been a really busy week!

Okay, these were not the most exciting chapters. It basically talked about how God (through Joshua) divided the Promised Land among the tribes. So it used a LOT of words and places and names that I cannot pronounce and really have NO idea where or who they are.

But my favorite part was actually in Joshua 13.

If you ever have a chance, read Joshua 13:21.

See if you can figure out why I like it so much. :)

The other part I loved was in Joshua 14. The last verse.

"After this there was peace in the land."

You know how I feel about war and conflict. What a complete dream it would be to have peace.

That is all I want for Christmas.

Peace.

Peace among my children. Among my students. In my town. In my state. In our country. In our world.

One day.

One day the Prince of Peace will bring that to us.

I can hardly wait!

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 18 and 19.

Reba

Week 15 Day 5 Grains of Sand

Joshua 11 and 12

I don't know why I am having such a hard time staying with this. I started off so well. Then life got busy. (I am not sure why this would make a difference but I have noticed that since bringing the puppy home, I am more sporadic than ever!)

I want to.

I really do.

I want to dig into the Word every single day. I want to find a nugget of what God is sharing with me. I want to be committed.

I am not sure if it is where I am.

Wars.

That is what these chapters are about.

God's kingdom was being established through the Israelites.

But that involved a whole lot of wars. And killing. And other things that truly do turn my stomach over.

I am not a war person.

I am more of a peace person.

I don't like conflict.

One of my favorite things in Washington DC were the rocks at the FDR Memorial that had the words "I Hate War" on them.

Not that I don't support our troops and soldiers.

I do.

I know that war has been a part of human history for years.

And sometimes (like the Civil War), it is a necessity.

But it still makes my stomach turn.

Today's reading was no exception because guess what both chapters were about?

War.

Several kings and nations started getting nervous about the Israelites.

So they gathered together.

When they did, they numbered "more than the grains of sand on the seashore".

I LOVE going to the beach. I love stepping into the warm sand with my bare feet.

Though I have only been to a few beaches in my life, I have to say, there is a LOT of sand on the beach.

So to have that many people gathered together to defeat the Israelites...that just hurts my head thinking about it.

Yet again, God proves victorious.

All those people, all those "grains of sand", were defeated.

That is about all I have to say about that.

I do plan on coming back. Hopefully tomorrow night. :)

Reba

Week 15 Day 4 Say It Isn't So, Jo

Joshua 9 and 10
So the Gibeonites know that their time is coming. The Israelites would attack at some point and they would be defeated.

They decide to trick Joshua and the people.

All it took was some worn out clothes and some crusty bread.

Some of the leaders came to Joshua and tricked him, pretending to be from a faraway land and asking for peace.

As I am reading this, I am think, "No, no, say it isn't so!" I cannot believe the people fell for this.

But in those verses, there is a key phrase.

They did not ask the Lord what to do.

And that is what got them.

Even though the people made an error here, I liked the outcome. The Israelites kept their promise. They did not kill the Gibeonites. But they did use them for work for years to come. And the Gibeonites accepted this.

The second chapter in today's reading was war, war, war. More war.

The interesting thing in this chapter is that at one point, God made the sun stand still.

It didn't move for a whole day.

And of course, He was behind every Israelite victory.

In fact, everything the people did, God was behind them.

Isn't that a God you want on your side?

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 11 and 12

Reba

Week 15 Day 3 Divide and Conquer

Joshua 8

Sorry I missed a couple of days. I have been struggling to stay awake once the kids are in bed.

Anywho. I don't know if I can comment a lot on this chapter. I am so not a violence person. I don't watch it, I can't read about it, etc. It makes my stomach turn.

And that is what this chapter was about.

The Israelites continued their move into the Promised Land. And that involved defeating Ai. I have no idea how to say that.

It is times like this, as I read, that I wonder how this was part of God's plan. I mean, did the people of Ai do anything other than be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Yet the Israelites were told to divide, surround the city, then ambush it, killing everyone there. They even got to keep any riches for themselves this time.

After reading it, I still don't understand. And in my human mind, I probably never will.

Just have to trust that God had a plan.

And His ways are not my ways.

The one neat thing was at the end of this chapter, Joshua wrote down the teachings of Moses then stood and read them to the people.

At least it ended on a good note. :)

Tomorrow's reading:
Joshua 9 and 10

Reba

Week 15 Day 2 Thieves Among Us

Joshua 7
Ugh.

I don't like this story.

Not that it doesn't have good meaning.

But it still turns my stomach.

So the Israelites head over to Ai, thinking a victory is in the bag. After all, there are few people in Ai.

But then the people of Ai send the Israelites running in battle.

And Joshua is left on his face before the Lord asking, "God, what happened? Why did you bring us here for this?"

That is when God reveals the truth.

There is a thief among them.

Someone from the Israelites kept things for himself after destroying the city of Jericho.

One person.

All of those people who did it right and it was one person doing it wrong that caused hardship.

Interestingly, it says that the Israelites had done wrong.

The Israelites.

One person broke God's command and the whole group is characterized as sinners.

That is tough.

One person.

That is all it takes.

One.

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 8

Week 15 Day 1 Keep Walking

Joshua 6

Oops, read too far yesterday. I was only supposed to read part of 5 then read the rest today with 6.

Oh well.

Today is an exciting part.

It involves the walk.

For six days, the Israelites carried the Ark of the Covenant around the city of Jericho. Seven priests walked in front of the Ark with trumpets made from the horns of male sheep. Armed men surrounded the Ark. The people followed. They walked one time each day around the city. While the priests blew the trumpets, the people remained silent. (I a very curious as to the distance around the city!)

On the 7th day, the priests would make one long blast of their trumpets. Then the people would shout as loud as they could.

All I can think of is this song from Veggietales "Josh and the Big Wall".

"Keep Walking, but you won't knock down these walls. Keep walking, but it isn't going to fall!"

Can you imagine what the people of Jericho thought about this whole spectacle. People just walking around their city with trumpets?

I imagine they thought the Israelites were crazy.

At least until the 7th day, when just as God had said, the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and the walls came tumbling down.

The only people saved were Rahab and her family.

Just like God had promised.

God always keeps His promises.

Always.

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 7

Reba

Week 14 Day 7 Walkng on Dry Ground

Joshua 3-5

After the spies returned to Joshua with the news about the land they were entering, God spoke to Joshua and told him it was time to be on the move.

There was a plan.

The priests would be in the front, holding the Ark. The people would walk behind (not too closely).

That was it. That was the plan. Well, there may have been more of a plan but that is the one that God shared with the people.

So the next day, they did exactly what God said.

The priests started walking with the Ark, and the people followed.

When the priests arrived at the banks of the Jordan, they stepped into the flowing water. And the water stopped.

Just like their ancestors before them (with the Red Sea), the people walked across the river on dry ground.

To always remember that day, a member of each tribe was asked to pick up a rock to carry to remind the people about God's provision. Yet again.

The day the people crossed, God made Joshua respected in their eyes. For the rest of his life. Just like Moses had been respected. I had to giggle a little about that...it seemed like the people were always complaining about and to Moses.

Anyway, once the people crossed the river, they camped out at Gilgal.

Then God gave one more command while the people camped.

Circumcision.

All of the men.

I won't speak further on that.

I will just say that the people continued to camp out until healing was complete.

Wonder what will happen tomorrow?

Joshua 6-7 (I think)

Reba

Week 14 Day 6 Spies Like Us

Joshua 2

I know, I know. I am doing a terrible job reading and reporting. Not that I have many readers but that isn't who my true audience should be anyway. And I can feel it. I feel it in my heart, in my thoughts, in my mind. I could give a list of excuses (like the fact I fall asleep each night sitting in the chair in the living room, warm dog curled up on my lap) but there isn't a true excuse other than I need to prioritize better.

Anyway, Joshua 2. A well known story.

Joshua sent spies into Jericho to check it out.

While there, the spies happen upon a prostitute...yes, a prostitute...named Rahab.

Rahab lets the spies hide out in her home, on the roof to be exact. It is a good thing the typical roof at that time was flat.

Meanwhile, all the King's Men and all the King's Horses were on the search for these spies.

Rahab does lie. She tells the king's men that the spies headed on out of town, sending them on a wild goose chase. Or rather wild spy chase.

And I struggle a bit with the whole lying thing. Does the means justify the end? Is lying okay if it is for the good of the people?

I don't know.

God doesn't say one way or another in this particular passage.

I do believe that even if Rahab had told the truth, God was bigger than those king's men. And He would have protected them regardless. Or is it irregardless?

I do like what Rahab tells the spies. She lets them know her people are afraid of their people. They know that God is on their (the Israelites) side. What is even more interesting is why her people know that. It is the things God has done, like drying up the Red Sea when the people left Egypt.

What I find ironic about that is that Rahab's people, unbelievers, could tell that God was God by what He had done while the Israelites seemed to forget. Yet those things had happened TO them and FOR them.

What is even more ironic is that it is easy for me to sit here in disgust that the people have forgotten over and over what God did for them, yet I do the same thing.

Anyway, the spies finally escape with a promise to Rahab that since she saved their lives, they will save hers (and that of her family).

Which leads to tomorrow's reading.

Joshua 3-5.

And I really do hope to make it TOMORROW.

Reba

Week 14 Day 5 and 6 Are We There Yet?

Joshua 1

Just to get caught up...

Moses had died.

The people are just hanging out.

And there is a new leader in charge.

Joshua.

God comes to Joshua and tells him it is time.

Time to enter the land.

The promised land.

After years of wandering. Years of heartache. Years of rules and laws.

They get to enter.

Amazing.

Absolutely amazing.

More soon!
Reba

Week 14 Day 4 A Glimpse at the Future

Deuteronomy 33-34

I have started this and stopped it several times. Maybe I didn't really want Deuteronomy to end. I don't know. But I have had trouble ending it.

In these last two chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses gives a final blessing to the tribes of Israel.

Then he dies.

He was 120 years old.

His eyes were weak but his body was strong.

Something I never realized...God buried Moses. People still don' t know exactly where he was buried.

I have a feeling God had a reason for that.

If people knew, they would have made Moses' grave a shrine.

Even though the people didn't always like what Moses had to say (a downfall of being a prophet), they knew he was different.

He saw God face to face. He knew God. He performed signs and miracles. There was never another prophet just like him.

And now an era has ended.

Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 1

Reba

Week 14 Day 3 Rock Solid

Deuteronomy 32

I am fighting to stay awake (long day) but am DETERMINED to get back on track with this.

As I am reading, I am thinking to myself, "This looks like a song." And sure enough, several verses into it, I realize it is a song.

It is a song that Moses and Joshua spoke to the people.

And the song itself is just a wrap up of the history the Israelites had had.

So nothing new, even for those of us who have been away for a while.

But one thing I did enjoy in this passage is how many times God referred to himself as "the Rock".

Several.

And the part that really made me think...

At the end of the chapter, Moses is told he can go look down over the Promised Land that he will not enter because of his sin against "the rock".

Kind of ironic, huh?

Tomorrow's reading
Deuteronomy 33 and 34

Tomorrow, Tomorrow...

There's always tomorrow.

Well, not always.

That isn't promised in the Bible.

Even though I have done a poor job reading and writing, I do remember a few things.

But God-willing, if there is a tomorrow, I will be blogging on here again.

Really.

The hiatus is over.

Life is just as crazy, but maybe I need it more than ever.

See ya then!

Reba

Apologies, Apologies

You would think in the summer time, I would post more with all of the "free time" I have on hand. But alas, it doesn't happen. Life gets crazy. I am going several different directions at once. Etc. Etc.

All that to say, I hope to return regularly...tomorrow.

Reba

Week 14 Day 2 Fairy Tale Ending

Deuteronomy 31

I can't help but feel for Moses. He is now 120 years old. He is tired. He has been on a VERY long journey, leading a very difficult group of people. He is doing a job he never asked to do. He is weary.

And then, because of one mistake (or one big mistake according to God), he is not even allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Now it is nearly the end of his time.

He knows it. God knows it. Joshua, next in line for the job, knows it.

Yet even at the end, Moses is faithful. He writes down God's words for the people to read. He reminds them of who God is. And he listens to his God.

As if this journey hasn't been difficult enough, Moses has to listen to the bad news.

After all of this, all he has been through, he hears that the people will soon forget about God, turning to other Gods. And God will turn His back on them.

I am just thinking that would be a bit of a disappointment after all he has been through.

I am pretty sure I would stand up and say, "Are you serious, God? You had me do all of this, travel all of this way, only to have it end like this? I don't want this. I want the fairy tale ending. Happily Ever After."

Thankfully, Moses is not me. He takes it all in stride. He delivers the appropriate messages. And he accepts what God says, no questions asked.

In some ways, there is no fairy tale ending.

But perhaps there is.

Eternity with a Heavenly Father.

This was just one part of the journey.

Reba

Week 14 Day 1 Choose Life!

Deuteronomy 29 and 30

Again, God is reminding the people about following His commands, remembering their history, and what the blessings and the curses will be if they don't. His biggest command is to STAY away from idols. But no matter what, God makes it clear.

He is offering them life or death. Blessings or curses.

And He follows up with "Choose life!"

Choosing life isn't about breathing, eating, sleeping. It is loving God, obeying Him, and staying close to Him.

So...

What do you choose today?

Life or death? Blessings or curses?

Tomorrow: Deuteronomy 31

Reba

Week 13 Day 7 Written in Stone

Deuteronomy 27 and 28

I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to write this post. Have I mentioned we have a new puppy? We are quite busy these days. :)

Whew. This passage was tough to read.

Blessings and curses.

Moses tells the people what kinds of blessings to expect if they follow God's commands. It is a nice little paragraph. Then he begins to list the curses that will occur if they don't. And just reading them made my toes curl. Not pleasant. Not pleasant at all.

But the part that really stuck out to me was that the people were told to write God's words in stone. Not only would it be a physical reminder that they would see in their land but just think about what happens when you write out word for word these many commands of the Lord. They begin to stick in your mind. Kind of like in college when we could have a "cheat sheet" for a test. We would write everything we needed to know in tiny little letters to fit it all on an index card, then we wouldn't need them because by then the words were etched in our brains.

Maybe I need to be writing out the Bible rather than just reading and commenting on it!

Reba

Week 13 Day 6 Whole Being

Deuteronomy 26

Two things stood out in this not very long passage.

One: The people were supposed to give some of the fruits of their labor from their first harvest as an offering to God. Then every third year, they were told to use a tenth of their harvest to give to the Levites (priests), widows, orphans, and foreigners.

One small command, one big punch.

When Mark and I first got married, he and I had a few discussions about tithing. I have to admit; I hadn't been a faithful tither prior to that. I was teaching in private schools and not making very much money. I felt like I had "tithed" already; I hadn't learned the whole act of faith. All I could see was the bottom line. I tithed and there wouldn't be much money left when I was already having difficulty making ends meet.

Too bad I hadn't taken time to truly read this verse and understand. We should give to God first. Not at the end of the month when we look to see what is leftover...we give Him the FIRST fruits.

I am still thankful for a husband who showed me that.

I also appreciate the giving to the priests, the widows, the orphans, and the foreigners. I think it is easy for us to get wrapped up in our own lives. I also think as Americans, we tend to forget there is a whole world out there. People in our own cities need help. And yes, there are "foreigners" who need help too. Not long ago, there was a "status update" on Facebook that people were copying and posting. It basically shamed Americans for wanting to help "foreigners", saying we should take care of our "own" first. I do agree we should take care of those around us. Look around...there are a lot of needs in our own community. But I have yet to find a place in the Bible that says we can only support our own people. In fact, in these books, God repeatedly asks us, no...rather commands us, to take care of "foreigners". That would be people who are not "our people".

The other thought that stuck out to me was to obey God's rules and laws with our whole being. One thing I learned while teaching in private schools and still use today is that we should obey "completely, immediately, and from the heart". That would be with our whole being. Okay, my kids are still working on that, and honestly, some days I am too!

I think tomorrow's reading is Deuteronomy 26 and 27.

Reba

Week 13 Day 5 Very Interesting...

Deuteronomy 23-25

You have to say that title with an accent or it isn't nearly as fun.

Okay, this passage was full of interesting tidbits and warnings.

Some I would blush to even type.

But some kind of tickled me. I never noticed before that there could be a Family of the Unsandaled.

I have been reading the Bible for a LONG time and have never once noticed that.

Or that if a slave escaped came to an Israelite, they were NOT to return him to his master but to let him live where he wanted.

Or to not cover an ox's mouth while it was helping harvest grain.

But my favorite one is that when a man married a woman, he was NOT to go to war for a year or have another duty. He needed to stay home and make his new wife happy.

I love that!

Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Deuteronomy 26

Reba

Week 13 Day 4 Speechless

Deuteronomy 21-22

I honestly don't even know what to say about these chapters.

They address murder, disobedient sons (who are to be stoned), marriage issues (and some others I won't mention on here), farming tips, and even rules about what men and women can wear.

And much of it made me queasy. A whole lot of stoning going on.

So what do I take away from this?

Well, one obvious thing is that I am SOOO thankful Jesus came to the cross and I don't have to witness stonings or bodies hanging from trees.

Blech.

The other thing is that the main point of many of these rules is to get the evil out of their people. If there was evil, they had to get rid of it. Otherwise it would take over their nation.

That is true, not necessarily in our nation. But I can apply that to my life.

Things that are evil, I need to shun or rid my life out.

Otherwise it spreads like wildfire.

I am just glad no stoning has to occur...

Tomorrow's reading: Deuteronomy 23-25

Reba

Week 13 Day 3 Going Green

Deuteronomy 19-20

This passage deals with a few topics like safe cities (which is where an Israelite could run if they accidentally killed someone to escape the wrath of the family), witnesses (one witness for a crime was NOT enough; there had to be two or more), and laws for war.

A couple things stood out from these two chapters.

God (via Moses) told the people to go out to war and not worry if they saw chariots and horses and an army bigger than them; he was with them. That makes sense.

I did get a bit tickled though in the next few verses because the officers were then to ask if anyone had a new home or was engaged or was afraid...if so, they had permission to leave the battle and go home. I don't know why, but that whole thing seemed full of irony to me.

The other part I thought was interesting was that the people were commanded to NOT cut down the fruit trees around cities they were attacking. They could eat the fruit but NOT cut the trees down. After all, their (the Israelite's) beef was with the people, not the trees. However, non-fruit trees could be cut down to make devices to attack the city walls.

I can't really say why that stuck out to me but it was just something new I hadn't read...and it did make me giggle a little. :)

Tomorrow's reading:
Deuteronomy 21-22

Reba

Week 13 Day 2 Excuses, Excuses

Deuteronomy 16-18
I don't know why I am having a hard time keeping up with my reading this summer. I think part of the reason is Deuteronomy (thus far) is just so much repetition. God is having Moses remind the people of many of the things He has already shared with them. And not that it isn't "good stuff". I think if I were just reading it, I could do it. It is the attempt to blog on something I have already blogged on that I am having a tough time with! The other reason is that I have a hard time finding my routine in the summer. You would think this would be the ideal time to study the Word but our schedule is all over the place with trips out of town, day outings, camps, etc.

I know.

Excuses, excuses.

Today's reading which I actually started a week or so ago is a review of the feasts (when, where, why). It also talks a lot about getting rid of evil in their land. Interestingly evil does not refer to things like theft and murders, though there are consequences for that. The "evil" refers to the worshiping of things other than God, like the sun and the moon. I also found it interesting that God told the people to respect the judge's decisions in cases like murder, theft, etc. It is kind of ironic reading that after the HUGE outcry I saw on the news and on FB regarding a decision made yesterday in a high profile case.

But what really stuck out to me in this passage involved the king that the people would choose one day. God gave some qualifications for the king, such as that he had to be from among the people (not a foreigner), couldn't own too many horse, and couldn't have too many wives (so he could keep his focus on his job at hand). Another requirement? The king had to write out (himself) the commands of the Lord from a copy taken from the priests. He was to keep it with him at all times and read it daily. Why? To learn to respect the Lord and to keep His commands. Wow. That is a huge job but what an impact that would make, not only for the king but for the people he leads!

Tomorrow's reading (and I am really going to try to stay on track the rest of this week): Deuteronomy 19 and 20.

Reba

Week 13 Day 1

Deuteronomy 14 and 15

I started this yesterday and just never finished. I am having a harder time with these chapters. Not that it isn't good, interesting stuff. It is just that so much of it is a repeat of what God told Moses to share with the people once upon a time. (Yes, I know the rule about hearing something 7 times to truly remember it :)

These chapters had to do with what foods were allowed (owls by the way were off limits!), how to tithe (10 percent), the special 7th year where debts were forgiven (for fellow Israelites), the freeing of slaves (also that seventh year), and rules about firstborn animals.

That about sums up today's reading!

I will try to be more "in depth" tomorrow. Try. :)
Reba

Week 12 Day 7 Give Me Liberty or Give Me...

Deuteronomy 12 and 13

Rest.

The main focus of this reading is where to worship, how to worship (more killing of animals, ugh), dealing with false prophets, and facing evil in cities as the Israelites move in.

But the part that caught my attention?

In chapter 12, Moses tells the people that they will soon cross the Jordan River to live in the land God has given them. There they will find rest from their enemies.

Rest.

That seems like a foreign concept to me.

It has been so busy, so hectic, and there are no signs of slowing down.

Rest.

I will have what they are having, God!

Reba

Week 12 Day 6 Those Who Do Not Learn History...

Deuteronomy 10 and 11

are Doomed to Repeat It.

The passages I have been reading are all good but I have to admit, they are kind of hard to blog about. Most of it is like a review for a test. It has all been said before. Lots of times said twice...That means I have blogged about it before.

The one part that really stood out to me is when Moses, still talking to the people and reminding them of God's commands, reminded the people that their children did not know all of what they had been through, nor did they know God's correction in their lives over the course of the last several years. Their children did not know these things. But they did.

They needed to obey God's commands.

Even more, they need to make sure their children obey God's commands so history does not repeat itself.

Hmmm, any practical applications today?

Do we ever see cases of history repeating itself?

Tomorrow's reading:
Deuteronomy 12 and 13

Reba

Week 12 Day 5 Man Does Not Live By...

Deuteronomy 8 and 9

bread alone.

How many times have we quoted this in life? Ever knew where it came from?

Deuteronomy 8.

It is actually "Man does not live ON bread alone..."

The other part not mentioned as often is "...But by everything the Lord says."

Again, Moses is talking to the people, reminding them of who God is, what God commands, who He wants them to be. In this case, he is referring to manna.

There are so many good points in these two chapters, I don't eve know where to start.

One thing I never noticed was that God reminds the people that while they were wandering in the wilderness, for forty years, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet swell. Isn't it neat how God attended to the people even though they failed Him over and over again?

The next part I really enjoyed reading was about the land that God was bringing the people too. He described springs, rivers, pools of water. That seems so real to me since just today, we (as a family) went out in the middle of nowhere to a beautiful waterfall and a big pool of water where the kids swam and jumped to their heart's content. Another thing about this passage is that God is detailing the good foods that the people will find in the new land, foods like wheat, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey. It seems like any time I pick up a newspaper or magazine, I find articles about these foods and how good they are for our bodies. Again, God is in the details!

In chapter 9, God assured the people that He would go ahead of them and destroy the nations already living in the land they are to move into. I love what He reminds the people though. He tells them to not think He is destroying the other people because they (the Israelites) are so very special. Instead it is because the people in the other lands are evil (or doing evil things) that He will destroy them. There is a piece of humble pie for you!

I could go on and on but I need to finish up some things and go to bed. So I will stop with the thoughts.

Tomorrow's reading:
Deuteronomy 10 and 11

Happy reading!
Reba

Week 12 Day 4 Blessed Beyond Measure

Deuteronomy 6 and 7
I started this post a couple of days ago and just never finished it. It is a very convicting reading to me as a parent which may be behind my reluctance to type it out. After all, by typing it, I am acknowledging it for what it is...God's commands to me as a parent that I should be following daily. Ouch.

In these two chapters, Moses was reviewing for the people what God had told him. He reminded the people that when they came into the Promised Land, God would help drive the others who lived there away. However, the Israelites were under strict orders to NOT mix/mingle with these people. And really, the reasons he gives are the same things we tell our children. If you start hanging out with the wrong people or people who don't believe like you do (not in regular life as much as on a daily basis), you will slowly mix your worlds and your morals.

Three parts that stood out to me.

One, God told the Israelites they weren't "chosen" because they were such a large group of people. He chose them because He loved them and He wanted to keep His promises to their ancestors.

Another part that really got my heart was that God told the Israelites that if they would obey His commands, He would bless them. How? With children for one thing. He even went as far as to say EVERY husband and wife would have children. I joke on occasion about how difficult parenthood is. And it honestly is at times. But I needed that reminder about what a blessing children are even on those tough days I am pulling my hair out. God told the Israelites He would bless their obedience with land and herds and children. Children are a blessing.

But the part that convicts me the most? Knowing God's commands and sharing them with my children. I am supposed to teach them when I am out, when we are home, from morning to night. We should know them so well, they are part of who we are. I do talk about God and many of God's commands as things come up. But I don't feel like I have been diligent enough about sharing His word with my kids. Something I need to work on.

Okay, I really hope to get back into the swing of things tomorrow and get back on track!

Reba

Week 12 Day 3 If Wishes Were Fishes...

Deuteronomy 4:44-5:33

Sorry for the absence. The last two weeks of school are difficult. I wish I could explain why. You just almost have to live them to understand. SOOOO many things to do. Not nearly enough time to do it.

But now I am back. And I am ready to get back to my reading.

Ironically, my oldest son doesn't know that I do this since it is after he is asleep, but he has just finished reading the Bible all the way through and is reading it a second time to take notes. Maybe he should be the one blogging!

Today's passage is basically a recap of the 10 Commandments. As I am reading them, I am thinking, "Why are we hearing this again?" Then I remember...it is because we are people. We have to hear things over and over and over again...

One of my favorite parts is when Moses is recapping his experience on the mountain and how the people were so scared to actually hear God. They were afraid they would die, so they asked Moses to be the messenger for them.

God's response? He heard what the people said to Moses and it was good. (Of course, He hears all, doesn't He?) Then He wishes their hearts would always respect Him and that they would always obey His commands so that things would go well for them and their children forever.

Something about that just touches my heart.

He is God. He knows all. And He knows His people. He loves them though He knows them. And He WISHES that they would always respect Him. But to me that implies that He knows they won't. He longs for it. He desires it. But He knows the truth.

And yet He loves them. In spite of themselves.

I love the God I serve.
Reba
Tomorrow's reading: Deuteronomy 6 and 7

Coming Back Soon

For all three readers out there, I am coming back soon. I am swamped right now. Not an excuse to not be in the Word. Just where I am. But Wednesday that should be done. And then I can take the time I need to with my Bible reading...

Week 12 Day 2 Know and Remember

Deuteronomy 4:1-43
Moses continued talking to the people before they entered the Promised Land. He reiterated the many things God had shared with them such as remembering God, avoiding idols, avoiding evil, and knowing what a special people they were.

My favorite verses though?

³⁹ Know and believe today that the Lord is God. He is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other god! ⁴⁰ Obey his laws and commands that I am giving you today so that things will go well for you and your children. Then you will live a long time in the land that the Lord your God is giving to you forever.

Don't we all need that reminder? Know HE is God. He is in heaven and on earth, one God. There is NO other God.

We say those words (or at least I do) but do I live like I truly believe them?

Hmmm...

More soon,
Reba

Week 11 Day 7 and Week 12 Day 1 Remember when...?

Introduction/ Deuteronomy 1-3

A new book! We have moved out of Numbers and finally reached Deuteronomy, also written by Moses

In these chapters, Moses recaps the journey the Israelites have taken, He reminds them of the good and the bad. He recalls the many times the people refused to listen to God and what the consequences were. But he also reminded them of the things they did do, the times they listened.

One of the things that stuck out to me was that while the Israelites were "God's people", that didn't mean that God wasn't taking care of others. Over the course of 40 years, He had twice directed the people to pass through a land without hurting the people of the land. Why? Because He had promised that land to Esau and to Lot.

No matter what, He is a God of promises.

He makes them. He keeps them.

Enough said...for tonight. :)
Reba
Tomorrow's reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-43

Week 11 Day 6 On the Road Again...and Again...and Again

Numbers 33-36

I really am trying to stay on track with my reading. But this time of year, my nights are hit and miss. And having storms every night with tornado potential doesn't help!

Let's see...four chapters tonight.

Chapter 33
This chapter is mainly a recap of the many places the Israelites had camped since leaving Egypt.

A lot.

They were a very mobile people.

The thought of moving that much, even with tents and fewer personal items, makes me tired. I don't like moving. I like staying in one place. I can kind of see why those people grumbled so much. I would to if I kept moving like that.

The end of the chapter is the most sobering. Basically God tells Moses to tell the people that when they move into Canaan, they are to force out all of the people living there and get rid of ALL idols and places of worship. If not, they (the Israelites) will be punished in the same way the other people would have been.

Ouch.

Chapter 34
In this chapter, God tells the Moses to tell the people what the borders of their new land would be. He also chooses the leaders who will choose lots to divide up the land among the tribes.

Chapter 35
This chapter has two parts. The first part is about land that belongs to the Levites, including making "safety cities". I had never noticed that before. That relates to the second part which is about murderers. Intentional murderers were to be put to death where accidental murderers were to stay in the cities of safety until the priest died. A little confusing, I confess. And not as much fun to read. But it was part of establishing rules and guidelines for the new land.

Chapter 36
This chapter was dedicated to the daughters of Zelophehad who were to inherit some land. The tribe wanted to make sure the land stayed in the tribe if they were to marry. So God said they could marry BUT they would have to marry within their own tribe so the land would stay within the tribe rather than be given to other tribes. A bit interesting again, but I suppose it made sense to the people!

Tomorrow's reading: Deuteronomy!

Reba

Week 11 Day 5 Bridge Over Troubled Water

Numbers 32
The Reuben and Gad tribes had lots and lots of animals. As they camped out, they looked around and noticed that the land was a prime animal flock kind of land. So the leaders approached Moses about staying in this land rather than crossing the Jordan.

Moses was not a happy camper. He went off on a tangent. He reminded them all about the people's doubts when the spies visited the Promised Land and returned with negative reports. The consequence? Those people would not be entering the Promised Land. And they didn't.

Now Moses asks the tribes if they are repeating the history of their ancestors.

However, the people of Reuben and Gad strongly deny such accusations.

They instead make promises.

They want to build walls. They want their wives, their animals, their children to remain in the walled cities. But they (the men) would go fight with the other Israelites. However, they personally wanted to reside right where they were...no crossing the Jordan to find a different land to live.

Moses reluctantly agrees.

Hmmmm...what do you think? Will they follow through?

Tomorrow's reading: Numbers 33-36

Week 11 Day 4 Paybacks

Numbers 31

I have to admit. I am a Christian. I believe in God. I believe He is a God of justice and of love...yes, He can be both (even when I can't). I believe the Bible is true. But I won't lie, there are parts of it I just don't understand.

This chapter is one of those times.

It starts off with the Lord telling Moses that it was time for the Israelites to pay back the Midianites for what they had done to the Israelites...with war.

It is hard for me to reconcile this part of God with the God who tells us to turn the other cheek.

I have no answers. This is one time I am walking by faith and just believing that God is God and I am not. I do not understand and am not made to understand...

I won't go into details about all of it. Have I ever mentioned I don't watch most movies dealing with violence? It makes me sick to my stomach.

I will say, on a much lighter note, my name (or rather nickname) is IN this chapter! Unfortunately, it was one of the Midianite kings who didn't fare so well. But still, kind of cool to see in print. :)

I will also say that even though God made it clear that Moses time was coming to an end, Moses continued God's work. He didn't question God. He just did what God said.

That is what I need to do a lot more often...

I think tomorrow's reading is chapter 32 or maybe 32 and 33...the lights are off and I can't see the book. :)

Reba

Week 11 Day 3 Pinkie Promise

Numbers 28-30
Okay, the first two chapters of tonight's reading are reviews of the many different offerings the Israelites had to make each yer at certain times, with certain animals, and all of the other offerings (drink, grain, fellowship, etc). Thankfully the whole sacrifice thing wasn't too detailed...

The last chapter was kind of an odd fit after reading about sacrifices. It was about women making promises or pledges. If a woman made a pledge, she had to follow through UNLESS her husband or her father denied it. It was just a funny little chapter after reading about all of the bulls losing their lives over offerings...

Tomorrow's reading:
Numbers 31

Week 11 Day 2 Girl Power

Numbers 26-27

Sorry I have been MIA. I have been knee deep in tulip bulbs. Long story but they have consumed my life for a couple of days. :)

So in Numbers 26, it is Census time again. Time to count the people. Makes me think of the commercials of the tired guy, "Time to make the donuts".

Anyway, Moses was told to count the people again (right after the sickness that was all over the camp). It is interesting to note that at this point, the people he is counting are not the same people he counted in the last census.

As I was reading this chapter, I noticed something I hadn't seen before in previous census counts. Women. Usually women are not mentioned in this manner. Yet in this list, one man's daughters are listed (there were no brothers) and another woman is mentioned. I was kind of surprised.

Even more, in chapter 27, Moses is told to dive the land according to the tribe's numbers. The man I mentioned in the previous chapter had died earlier. His daughters came to Moses and requested that they get his fair share of the land. Moses took it before God who agreed that was right.

I think we often think that God is partial to men.

But to me, these chapters say otherwise...

Oh, the end of chapter 27...Joshua becomes leader of the people. It is time for Moses to pass on the baton.

Not sure on the next reading. I guess I will look tomorrow. :)

Reba

Week 11 Day 1 Cursed

Numbers 22-25

Three out of four chapters here deal with two men...Balak and Balaam. Balak was the king of Moab. He was a bit worried about the large group of Israelites camping nearby. So he sent messengers to a man named Balaam who lived down the road...or rather the river. The Euphrates to be exact. He offered big bucks if Balaam would put a curse rather than a blessing on the Israelites.

So Balak's leaders approached Balaam. They offered him money. Balaam tells them he needs to find out what God wants. (It looks so nice on the surface but some commentary I read says that Balaam was not really that tight with God and probably didn't intend to talk to Him at all...instead God approached him.) God tells Balaam to send the messengers home. So he did.

Well, Balak didn't take that news well. He sends MORE messengers and is ready to offer more money.

Again, Balaam insists he needs to hear what God says on the matter.

This time, God tells Balaam to go but to only say what He tells him to say.

This is the point I got a bit confused. The next day Balaam hopped on his donkey and headed down the road. God was not happy. He send a messenger to stand in front of the donkey. The donkey went off the road so it wouldn't run into the messenger. Balaam kept striking the donkey to get him to go. The donkey finally SPEAKS to Balaam. Can you imagine that scene?

I will admit. I was a bit confused about why God would tell Balaam to go then be angry when he does. I honestly don't know the answer. I just have to trust God had His reasons. I don't know if He was irritated that Balaam insisted on listening to the messengers though he had already been told no. Or whether we are missing some information. Either way, it all worked out.

Balaam did talk to Balak who kept taking him to different areas of his country to "curse" the Israelites. Each time, God gave Balaam the words to say, all a blessing for His children. Each time, Balak doesn't like the answer and takes Balaam to a different spot in hopes of a curse. None comes. Balak is irritated beyond words. The whole thing is kind of comical.

One part I particularly loved was that Balaam, speaking for God, told Balak that He found no wrong with His people, no fault. In some ways, I am scratching my head. These people were always doing dumb stuff. Lots of wrong stuff. But that isn't how God saw them, in spite of their grumbling and whining. It gives me hope for a very imperfect me. :)

The last chapter is just your typical "The Israelites forget about God for a while, do their own thing, and suffer the consequences" kind of chapter. I would elaborate but I must go to bed...

More later,
Reba

Tomorrow's reading: Numbers 26-27

week 10 Day 7

Numbers 19-21

Just when I thought the sacrifices were over, there they are again. Ick. Again.

There was also some war/fighting stuff.

And Moses lost two siblings during this period.

But the part of the reading today that really struck out to me...

The people were complaining again. Again, they called out, asking Moses why he brought them from Egypt where life was so good. Oh, how quickly they forget.

So God gave Moses a command. He told Moses to talk to a rock and it would bring forth water.

A rock?

I still don't exactly know what went wrong. But Moses chastised the people (I can't say I blame him for that one :). Then he struck the rock with a stick TWICE. And it did bring forth water.

But somewhere along the way, Moses disrespected God.

I don't know if it was the chastisement of the people which God never technically told him to do. Or the fact that he decided to strike the rock rather than talk to it. Moses technically did not follow God's directions.

Either way, God was displeased. Unhappy. Cross.

Because of this mistake, Moses and Aaron would die rather than enter the Promised Land. Not die right there but they wouldn't live long enough to enter the Promised Land.

Wow. Seems kind of harsh after all Moses had done.

But like I say often, I am not God and I don't understand all He does.

I just know He had a reason.

He is God.

I don't have my Bible in front of me so I can't tell you the next reading...

I guess I will let you know tomorrow. :)

Reba

Week 10 Day 6 Continued

Oops...apparently Week 10 Day 6 (this is the only way I can keep up with it in my Bible) was Numbers 16-18. I somehow missed those last two chapters. So I will finish that up before starting a new day...

Chapter 17
A very short chapter. I kept looking to make sure I hadn't missed any verses. I couldn't find any. It is just short.

As you recall, the people were grumbling in the last chapter. So God had a solution. He had Moses collect a walking stick from each of the leaders of each tribe. Moses had to write their names on the sticks. He had to put them in the Meeting Tent in front of the Ark of the Agreement so God could choose one man whose walking stick would grow leaves.

The next day, one stick was not only growing leaves but also growing almonds!

Whose stick?

Aaron's...for the family of Levi.

God had spoken.

God then told Moses to put the stick in front of the Ark of the Agreement to remind the people that if they didn't stop complaining, they would surely die.

Sounds easy enough, right? :)

Ha.

We know those Israelites better than that...

Why? Because we are just like that.

Numbers 18
Chapter 18 is mainly about the role of the Levites as priests. They were a separate people, the only people who could go near the Holy Place or the altar. They would never own land but instead would have the Lord. The Levites would be responsible for the Holy Place and any sins against it. They would be able to partake of the offerings, whatever was not burnt. And the ten percent the Israelites tithed would go to the Levites as payment for their work. But even then the Levites would tithe 10 percent also.

That is about it in a nutshell. :)

Next Reading:
Numbers 19-21

Week 10 Day 6 Don't Kill the Messenger

Numbers 16

You just kind of have to feel for Moses. Here he was living this quiet life, keeping to himself, when a burning bush sent him to Egypt to repeatedly ask Pharaoh to let God's people go. And then he got to hear "NO" over and over, sometimes in some not so nice ways. Finally, they get the go-ahead to leave. Then the poor man is left wandering with bunches and bunches of Israelites. And the Israelites are not happy people. They complain about everything. Anything. ALL things. And their messenger? Poor Moses. He gets messages from God then shares them with the people who in turn get really angry with Moses when they don't like what they hear (which is often).

So in this chapter, four men come before Moses with an army of 250 people behind them (Really? 250. Out of thousands and thousands, you found 250 to back you?)

Now I am just thinking, God has shown Himself over and over to these people. He has also shown Moses' favor with Him. I mean, He took Moses up on the mountain and showed Himself to Moses, so much that Moses' face was radiant when he came down.

Wouldn't you think that the people would kind of know where Moses and God stand with each other?

Hmmm...

Guess not.

These four men come to Moses and tell Moses that ALL of the people are holy (aren't these the same people who crafted a golden cow when Moses was on the mountain TALKING to God???). They want to know why Moses think he is better than they are.

I have to say, I would have been tempted, had I been Moses, to call out to God, "God, strike these people down."

Alas, Moses is a better man than I. Of course, I am not a man or anything...

Anyway, Moses tells the people to come back the next day.

I think they should have been shaking in their boots.

Instead, they met Moses at the Meeting Tent.

As expected, God was unhappy. REALLY unhappy. So unhappy that he had the ground swallow up the men and their families and anyone else who didn't vacate the premises. Swallow them up! Then fire burned up the army of 250.

God had spoken.

So the people knew what happened. Don't you think there would have been a little fear there? Um, guess not.

The next day the people started grumbling against Moses and Aaron again. They actually tell Moses that HE is responsible for the death of the people the day before.

I know, I know. It is hard not to shake my head a thousand times.

Really?

All that comes to mind right now is the old saying, "Here's Your Sign..."

Oh, the consequences for that? Sickness that killed several thousand. A sickness that only stopped when Aaron (one they had complained against) prayed for the people and asked God to stop...

Sigh.

Shake of the head.

What are these people thinking?

Tomorrow's reading? Numbers 17 (I think)

Reba

Week 10 Day 5 Seeing Blue

Numbers 15

Just when I thought I was done reading about sacrifices, there is Numbers, Chapter 15. And a good first part of the chapter is all about...sacrifice. At least it doesn't go into too much detail. But still...

Ironically, this morning in our Bible Fellowship, we referred to some of the verses in this very chapter!

One of the main things we talked about was the "sins". The unintentional sins were still called sins. And they still required a sacrifice. But even more, the intentional sins? There was no sacrifice for it. That person just had to be cut off. Turned out. Removed from the group. Ow! I wonder if that made the people think at all before they did anything?

The other thing I found interesting in this chapter is that the Israelites were asked to tie several pieces of thread together on the corner of their clothes. There had to be a blue thread among the threads. Why? To always remind the people of God's commands. Every time they saw it, they would remember.

I wonder if I sewed something like this together and gave it to my children if it would remind them at all what God's commands (which are also our commands) are.

Hmmm, something to try. :)

Next reading: Numbers 16

Reba

Week 10 Day 4 Spies Among Us

Numbers 13-14

I would apologize for not posting last night but will just say I was wiped out and couldn't do another thing. I have come to the conclusion that I am always going to attempt to post on here each day and read my verses each day but at the same time, I am not going to beat myself up if I can't. Or don't. I don't want to find myself so overwhelmed with "catching up" that I miss the whole point of what I am doing...digging into His word!

In these chapters, Moses sent out a leader from each tribe to check out the "Promised Land". Basically, they were going to spy on the land and the people there and report back upon their return.

They visited the land. Interestingly, the actual description of the visit is very positive (in my mind). They found some fruit (grapes) to take back and carried it with them.

So they finally get back to camp. The Israelites eagerly await their report.

Suddenly things went wrong. Very wrong.

10 of the 12 "spies" reported back everything they saw that was wrong. They admitted it was a great land but that they talked about the "giants" who lived there. They said that the Israelites were mere grasshoppers in their eyes.

Joshua, dear Joshua, tried to explain that with God on their side, who could ever be against them. But in life, it is the negatives that stay with us, not the positives. And that is what happened here...

As tends to happen, bad news travels fast. Suddenly that mob mentality took control. Panic broke out. The people started weeping. They started wailing. They started complaining again about the fact that they had ever left Egypt and slavery.

Joshua and Caleb tried to calm them down.

The people wanted to stone them.

Sigh.

I wish I could say this is a thing of the past but this is human nature. I think we have seen this kind of situation happen way too many times...

Finally God stepped in. He was not a happy camper.

After much discussion with his servant Moses, God rendered his verdict.

The people, other than the two spies who saw things through God's eyes, would die in the desert. No Promised Land for them.

So sad.

Next reading: Numbers 15

Week 10 Day 3 A Piece of Humble Pie

Numbers 12

Yes, two posts in one day. Two. I am still not caught up. But I am more caught up than before. :)

Oh, siblings. You gotta love them. Most of the time.

In this chapter, Moses' siblings begin talking behind his back about the woman he married. They even asked OUT LOUD if God only spoke to Moses. Weren't they there too?

I love the statement in ( ). Moses. He was humble. He was the least proud person on earth at this time. How cool is that???

Anyway, God calls out to Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. He tells them to meet at the Tent. NOW.

I am thinking it would be like when sitting in the office waiting to talk to the principal. Were they nervous at all? If not, they should have been!

God spoke. And He made His point clear. He would talk to others how He wanted to, whether in visions or in dreams. But Moses. Moses was different. He would speak to Moses face to face with him. End of story. Then He ended with this statement that should have had them shaking in their shoes. Or sandals. Or whatever they wore.

"You should be afraid to speak against my servant Moses."

When the cloud lifted, Miriam was white. REALLY white. Like skin disease white.

Aaron, alarmed, called out to Moses. Yes, the same Moses they had been ya ya-ing about. Moses asked God to fix it. And He did. After 7 days.

Still not sure why Aaron didn't get it.

But that is for God to know. And me to wonder about.

Reba
Next reading:
Numbers 13-14 (I think)

Week 10 Day 2 Woe is Me...

Numbers 11

So the people had been doing pretty good up to this point, moving out like the Lord had told them to do, you know they can't stay that way. Sure enough, after a little time, they started crying, whining, complaining. And God got mad. Really mad. Burning mad. (Literally. A fire burned among the people at the edge of the camp.) The fire didn't stop until the people ran to Moses who prayed to God. Good old Moses.

Speaking of Moses, I love His talk with God in this chapter.

The people were still eating a whole lot of manna. But like most people I know, that choice wasn't enough. They wanted more. We always want more, don't we? They started grumbling and complaining. They wanted meat. Really wanted meat. So much so, it says every family stood at the doorway of their tent crying. Is that a sad scene or what???

Moses, who to me has been a fairly patient man up until this point, finally lost it. He started ranting and raving. He asked God why God brought all this trouble on him. (I can't say I blame him for feeling this way!) He reminded God that he was NOT their father or their mother. He even goes so far as to tell God that if He is going to continue to "do this to him" (Love that phrasing), just kill him now. I would say Moses is at the end of his rope.

Of course, God could have struck Moses down at that point. But He didn't.

He instead had Moses gather 70 elders to help him. Then he told the people to cleanse themselves. They wanted meat. They would get meat.

I have to admit, when I first read this, I thought, "God? You are just giving in? That is so not how I parent." But I hadn't read far enough.

God tells Moses that He will give the people meat. And they will eat it. For a month. Not like optional, but WILL do eat it for a month. They will eat it until it comes out of their nose. That is a lot of meat. In fact, God told Moses that the people would end up hating the meat.

God did what He said. He shared His Spirit with the 70 elders. And they prophesied for that time. (Even a couple who weren't at the Tent at the time)

Then God brought in the meat. Quails.

Lots of quails.

Then the people were happy. They gathered up bushels and bushels of it.

And they eagerly ate it.

And they got sick. Terribly sick. While the meat was in their mouth.

Uh oh.

Next reading:
Numbers 12

Week 10 Day 1 Numbers 10 Deserted

Oops! I was supposed to read part of Numbers 9 and all of Numbers 10. Except I did all of Numbers 9 in the last post. Well, I guess the good news is that I may catch up on a missing day tomorrow. Maybe...

So...

Numbers 10
The first part of this chapter was about the silver trumpets God told Moses to make. He told him what to make and how to use them. I like that the trumpets were to not only be used for "bad" reasons (like being under attack) but also for good reasons, like happy times or feasts. Since there was no Twitter, I am thinking the trumpets were the only way to spread some news among all of these Israelite people!

Oh, I like that people could just call on the trumpet and God would hear them. of course, I would guess God, being all knowing and all, would already know they were about to call...

The next part of the chapter talks about the order the Israelites are to move out of their camp when God tells them to. They had a plan to follow.

Sure enough, the day came that God moved the cloud meaning the people needed to move too.

Here is a great thing.

They followed directions! They did it just as God had asked.

It gives me hope for the four children I have living at my house. Surely if that many people wandering in the desert can do this, my kids can too. Right?

One last thing I found interesting: The people were moved from one desert to another. I wonder if the people were a little disappointed? They kept hearing about this Promised Land. Instead they ended up in the desert (a new one at that) again...

Tomorrow's Reading:
Numbers 11

Week 9 Day 7 Follow that Cloud

Numbers 7-9

Chapter 7
The Holy Tent
Moses finished setting up the Holy Tent. Then he poured olive oil over it. (Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE olive oil???)

Then it was time to present each tribe to the altar.

The tribes brought needed materials like the oxen and the carts that would be needed to move the Holy Tent by the Levites.

They also brought forth sacrifices. Each day, a leader from one of the 12 tribes brought forth a sacrifice to the altar. Yes, there is that "sacrifice" word...did you hear my stomach turn?

The neatest part of this chapter though was in the last two verses. Moses went to the Meeting Tent to talk to God, and he heard God talking to instead! The voice was coming from over the winged creatures above the lid on the Ark of the Agreement. How cool would that be? To hear God? An audible God?

Chapter 8:
It was finally time for the Levites to being their tasks in the Holy Tent. But first...they had to be clean. So they had to have the cleansing waters sprinkled on them, shave themselves (it doesn't just faces...but bodies!), then wash their clothes (which makes me think clothes watching didn't happy regularly). Then there would of course be more sacrifice involved. Ugh. I can't escape the sacrifice.

One thing that stuck out to me in this chapter was again, the Bible mentions that while the firstborns of Egypt were taken by God, He set apart the firstborn of Israel for Himself. A substitution...reminds me of one who hung on the cross once upon a time. And then there is a further "substitution" when the Levites, separated from the other tribes in their service.

The other interesting detail was the job requirement for the Levite males. They had to be at least 25 years old but at age 50 were required to retire.

Chapter 9
The first part of this chapter was about celebrating Passover.

The second part of this chapter was about the cloud above the tent. In the daylight, it was a cloud. By night, it looked like fire. When the Lord was ready for the Israelites to move on to a new location, the cloud moved. When He wanted them to stay for a while, the cloud stayed

In some ways, I wish life still worked like that. When God wants me to move on, the "cloud" could move. And when I was in the right place, God would let me now that too...

Wouldn't it be nice?
Reba

Week 9 Day 6 Bless You

Numbers 6

The first part of the chapter is about a special group of people called the Nazirites. This was a group of people who promised themselves to God in a special way. It didn't matter if it was male or female. The promise was what set them apart. If they chose to do that, then there were specific rules to follow as far as what they ate/drank (nothing from a vine, not even a raisin!) and wore their hair (uncut).

But it is the second part of the chapter that caught my attention. It was a blessing that the priests would bless the Israelites with in verses 24-26

"May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord show you his kindness
and have mercy on you.
May the Lord watch over you
and give you peace."

What a beautiful blessing.

Hope you have a blessed day!

Next reading:
Number 7-9

Reba

Week 9 Day 5 To Do List

Numbers 3-5

Numbers 3
This chapter explains the tribe of Levi and their connection to the priesthood. I have to admit, I was a little confused knowing Aaron was the head priest. I kept trying to figure out what he had to do with Levi's tribe. But this chapter cleared it all up.

God appointed Levi's tribe to be His servants through the priesthood. They were responsible for the Holy Tent, moving all of the supplies, etc.

It was interesting to note that while all of the other tribes only recorded their males 20 years and older, the Levites counted all firstborn sons ages one month and older.

It was also interesting to note that God "claimed" the Levites. "The Levites are mine. I am the LORD." He "took" the firstborn of the Levites rather than the firstborn of the other Israelites, and even their firstborn animas became "His". I had never noticed that before. A substitution. Reminds me of a story I read later in the New Testament...

Chapter 4
In this chapter, God lays out specific roles for different families of the Levites.

The Kohathites were responsible for the most holy things in the Holy Tent. However, only Aaron's family could actually look upon these things and tend to them. Once they had done that, the Kohathites transported these things. Carefully. If they touched the most holy things, they would die. Talk about job stress!

The Gershonites had a job at the Meeting Tent...they had to carry the curtains. LOTS of curtains which sounded really heavy. I am guessing that is why they only used the men between the ages of 30 and 50.

The Merarite family also had a big job. Their job was carrying the frames, the crossbars, the posts, etc. What a workout that must have been!

I am beginning to see why this book is called numbers. There are a lot of them in there...

Chapter 5
We are reviewing some of the rules in chapter 5 like about cleanliness and paying back those we have wronged.

One of the things that stuck out to me in this chapter was that God said when we wrong another person, we are actually sinning against God. I think we forget that sometimes. We are quick (well, sometimes) to tell others sorry but do we do the same for God? We sinned against Him with our treatment of the other person...

The chapter ends with some statements about a jealous husband and what he should do if he suspects his wife is having an affair. Very interesting. For some reason, I don't think I have ever read these verses before tonight. And even after reading them tonight, I am not sure what to think...

Things that make you go hmmm...

More tomorrow (as in Sunday since I am finishing this Saturday night). I know, I know, I am a day behind. I have been out of pocket.

Reba

Week 9 Days 3 and 4 Count on It

Introduction (in my Devotional Bible) and Numbers 1-2

According to the introduction, this chapter is about the Israelites wandering in the desert. What I had forgotten was that if the Israelites had walked straight to the Promised Land from Egypt, it would have taken only 11 days. Instead, problems arose. Mistakes were made. Ears did not listen. And for 38 years, the Israelites wandered. Aimlessly.

Chapter 1-
No sacrificed animals mentioned. Lots of numbers though. The family of each tribe of Israel was recorded. Males, ages 20 and above (wonder why ours is 18?) were recorded for military purposes.

I won't repeat all of the numbers since you can easily look them up yourself (if there is even anyone out there?). I did note that the tribe of Judah had the most listed at 76,500 while the tribe of Manasseh totaled only 32, 200 men. (I am a bit curious if they round up/down to the nearest fifty.) The total number of men for all of the tribes together? 603,550. That doesn't even include the women and children. No wonder they needed so many rules. That could easily be mass chaos with that many people!

I also learned that the tribe of Levi was not included in this count because their jobs involved the setting up, transport, and taking down of the Holy Tent.

Chapter 2-
This was basically the "map" of how the tribes would be situated in the camp, as well as the order they would head out when it was time to move on. Again, I won't reiterate all of the information. I did notice there were five "divisions" with the tribe of Levi (the priests) in the middle of the pack.

Oh, and the families had their own flags, so the people had to stay with their group.

I would love to spend one day to see what life was like for them. Did the families intermingle at all? What did the kids do all day? How about the women? The men?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Tomorrow's reading: Number 3-5

Week 9 Day 2 The Pros and the Cons...

Leviticus 26-27

I have to confess...I am a little excited that Leviticus is almost over. I am ready to not talk about slaughtering animals. At the same time, I know it is important to read these things and remember the whole point of Jesus' death on the cross. I also know that Numbers isn't always fun to read either. But either way, I must read.

Having said that, chapter 26 may be one of my favorites yet.

And not just because there are not details about killing animals.

I just love the way it reads. So many cool word pictures. Very clear language on what the people should do. My kind of verses...

First of all, I love how God compares what will happen to the people if they LISTEN to him and follow His (many) rules versus not listening and obeying.

Let's think about this:
Obey= good rains, abundant crops, safety and peace, many children, and kindness from God

Disobey/turn away= disease, defeat by their enemies, wild animals, crops not growing, hunger

Which would you choose?

Some of my favorite word pictures:
One of the punishments that God will dole out for disobedience is that He will make the sky like iron and the land like bronze...meaning no rain will fall nor will anything grow.

Those who turn away from God will lose courage in the land of their enemies. He said that even the people would be "frightened by the sound of a leaf being blown by the wind..."

Aren't those neat? Precise?

My favorite part is the end of 26. God tells Moses that if the people who turned away confessed their sins and took their punishment, He would remember the land, remember the people, and remember the promises He made.

Hope.

I cling to it, don't you?

Chapter 27
More rules, specifically about gifts and values of animals, land, etc.

The part that stuck out most from this chapter is that this is where the whole tithing thing began. 10 percent.

That is about all I can do tonight. I am wiped out.

I am betting tomorrow is the first 2 or 3 chapters of Numbers.

I guess we will see!

Reba

Week 9 Day 1 An Eye for an Eye

Leviticus 23-25

Yes, I realize I am behind.

I have no excuses other than I was really tired last night. I am pretty tired tonight too but determined to do this.

So...

Chapter 23
This chapter lists all of the festivals appointed by God. I would love to have a calendar where this is all spelled out for me. I am so visual. I do know there were several.

The Sabbath
The Passover
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
The First of the Harvest
The Feast of Weeks
The Feast of Trumpets
The Day of Cleansing
The Feast of Shelters

Chapter 24
The title of this "An Eye for an Eye" is one of the more often quoted verses from the Bible, especially when referring to crime or retaliation.

And it all stemmed from the story of a man who cursed God during an argument with another man.

The people held him until they heard what God's plans were for this man (it wasn't a good outcome for him).

This is when God delivers the "Eye for an Eye" speech.

It is one of those things I don't completely understand. Honestly, reading this chapter made me a bit nauseated. I am not big on violence. Ask my husband. I am VERY limited in what I will watch on tv or in movies. So I cannot fully understand. It is just one of those times I have to believe He is God. And that is all I need to know.

Chapter 25
This chapter sums up a few topics.

The Year of Rest for the Land (every seventh year, letting the land rest

The Year of Jubilee (every 50th year)- a year of freedom

Property Laws and Rules for Slave Owners

I am fading fast (fatigued) so I better end for now. Tomorrow I finish up Leviticus!

Reba

Week 8 Day 7 Holy, Holy, Holy

Leviticus 21-22
Most of this reading selection was about the expectations for a priest. Wow. There are a lot. The guidelines list their appearance expectations, requirements for marrying, strict rules for family, even the mourning process. The priests were a people set apart. Their lives had to look much different than the lives of the common people. Why? Because God is holy. He is a holy God. Since the priests are the ones who are communicating with God, they must be as holy as they can be.

The last part of the selection was about the animal sacrifices.

I have to admit, I am eagerly awaiting a selection without animal sacrifices.

Ugh.

More soon!

Next: Leviticus 23-25

Week 8 Day 6 Can You Hear Me Now?

Leviticus 18-20

Guess what these chapters are about?

More rules/laws.

Yes, they keep on coming.

This makes me think the Israelites had to have it all spelled out for them.

You know when you look at your blowdryer and it tells you not to use it in the bathtub. Or the warning on the refrigerator advises to not carry it on your back? You know why those are there? Because somebody did it. Scary huh?

That is what I find myself thinking as I read these chapters.

These laws had to be written because someone had obviously done those things.

Scary but true...

Chapter 18
This whole chapter other than one verse about not sacrificing children all has to do with...well...um...marital relations with people they aren't married to (mainly family). I won't go into much detail. I just noticed that there were a lot of "Not _____(this person) in your family" or "Not ________(that person) in your family" which again tells me that there had probably already been problems and this had to be clarified.

Chapter 19
This chapter has a lot of laws on many different subjects. Several are repeated such as not eating anything with blood in it.

The one part that really stuck out to me in this chapter was in verses 33-34a.

"Do not mistreat foreigners living in your country, but treat them just as you treat your own citizens. Love foreigners as you love yourselves, because you were foreigners one time in Egypt..."

While I know that our need for the law was erased, wiped clean, with the blood of Jesus, I am not so sure these words have to be thrown out completely.

I just think about our country.

We (the "settlers") were and are foreigners in a land that belonged to others. Yet we just came in and took over. Even worse, the whole foreigner thing is one of the most debated topics in our country. Don't believe me? Read the Letters to the Editor sometime. It makes my stomach churn about as much as the sacrifice descriptions do.

I just think we need reminders even today...we need to love others. Does it really matter where they come from?

Chapter 20
More sin talk except this time consequences are laid out.

The one thing repeated in this chapter is to be holy. Be a holy people. Why? Because He is God. He has made them holy.

Even as they entered new lands, the people were to be set apart. They weren't to do as the Romans did, but they were to follow God's laws.

'Nuff said.

Reba
Tomorrow's reading:
Leviticus 21-22

Week 8 Day 5 Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Leviticus 16-17

Leviticus 16
Oh, wow. I am not sure I would have made it as a priest. If you know me at all, you know how stressed I get. I worry a lot about whether I am doing the right thing, what if I am forgetting a step in a process, what if I say something wrong, etc. I am just thinking, if I had been Aaron, I would have been in a state of stress all of the time.

Those priests had SO many rules, so many procedures. And they had to be done just the right way.

Doing them the wrong way could result in death.

It really does make me tired thinking about it.

The one thing I was most intrigued about in this chapter was the statement made in verse 29. The people were supposed to have a day of rest (NO work) on the tenth day of the seventh month. This was the day the priest would make them clean so they could belong to the LORD. What confuses me a bit is that it says in verse 31 that this law will continue forever.

That forever is throwing me off a bit.

I have always thought (based on what I have read in the Bible) that the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ took away the need for the law.

And for that I am thankful.

But that isn't what this chapter says about THIS law.

Forever.

So are we still supposed to be doing this?

We don't need priests anymore to make us clean.

Hmmm, things that make you go "hmmmm".

(I really need to befriend a Bible scholar to explain this stuff to me...)

Chapter 17
More dead animals. There are a lot of those in this book.

Have I mentioned how much dead animals make my stomach churn? I can kill a fly but that is about as much as I am capable of. I don't kill spiders (they help us) or even mice as much as they make me scream. I would have been in trouble had I lived in the wilderness with the Israelites.

The people in the camps had a lot of rules regarding just the killing (and later disposal) of the animals.

Doing anything different would make a person clean or unclean.

Ugh.

My stomach is turning.

The one part I found interesting (and yet stomach turning all at the same time) was the whole section on the blood.

I have found myself wondering a time or two why the shedding of blood was used to cleanse the people. I mean, I think about blood, I think about a mess. Ever have a child get a cut on their forehead? Red everywhere. How is that cleansing? I think of cleansing as pure and white.

Well, my answer to "Why blood?" is found in this chapter.

Blood=Life.

Blood removes sins because it is life.

There you have it!

More soon,
Reba

Week 8 Day 4 To Eat or Not to Eat...

Leviticus 11-15

I want to be excited to read the Bible. I do. And I have been. But I have to admit, Leviticus gives me a bit of a headache. SOOOO many rules. So many "If...then..." statements. I am only a few chapters into it and I find myself ready for the Savior so we can get rid of all of these rules. I know that they were necessary for the whole bunch of people wandering the wilderness. I mean, we have a few rules (few hundred) at our own house. I can't imagine multiplying that by...bunches. But I will admit that reading it gets a bit tedious. Yet I will persist because I know there is more coming. And eventually I will get to the BEST story of all. Eventually.

Chapter 11
This chapter was about clean and unclean food. I will admit, reading it, I began to think it might have been easier if they had just listed what the people COULD eat. I was a bit relieved to see a few things on the "no" list: camels, the black vulture, about any kind of owl, the weasel, the rat, the skink, and a lot of insects.

One part that confused me was that the people could not eat insects that walked on all "four" legs. I know a thing or two about insects, and they have SIX legs. Don't quite get that one. I am sure there is an explanation. Feel free to share it with me. :)

Chapter 12
This chapter deals with rules for new mothers. I won't go into a lot of it other than to say that apparently having a boy made you less unclean than having a girl. Again, there is probably a reason for that but I don't truly get that. I need a Biblical scholar who can explain this all to me in language I can understand (also read: simple). The only other thing I can say is that I am SO thankful we are not under these rules and regulations any more, that now we live for the Savior and are saved by Him.

Chapter 13
I had NO idea there could be so many rules about skin diseases. There are. A lot. You name it, it is there. Open sores. Baldness. Burns. Boils.

I also didn't fully realize the role of the priest. The people didn't go see a doctor for these things. They went to the priest. The priest would determine if it was something temporary or a skin disease that required being separated from the rest of the people.

There were also rules about mildew and fabric. Again, the priest was the determining factor on this one...

Chapter 14
Now that we have read about the skin diseases and the possibilities associated with them, this chapter explains the rules for cleansing people from their skin diseases.

The next part of the chapter deals with cleansing from molds. As in molds in houses. I find this interesting because today, we still deal with these issues. I have friends who have had mold in their houses...harmful molds. Enough they had to move out. And to get someone to come clean them out, it can cost an enormous amount of money. But back then, there were no mold removal people to call. Guess who you called instead? The priest, of course. That priest guy is a Jack of all trades!

Chapter 15
I really don't care to elaborate much on chapter 15. It all has to do with bodily fluids and being unclean. Again, all I will say is I am SO thankful that THIS was not God's final plan for us. That He had a Savior planned that wiped all of the rules and laws away once we knew that we could not in any way fulfill the law. The law only served to show us how unworthy we really are of His love. But He gives it anyway...

Tomorrow's Reading: Leviticus 16-17

More later,
Reba