Exodus 17:8-18 (as in all of chapter 18)
Well, the people face their first big hurdle. The Amalekites came on over to fight the Israelites. Joshua (hmmm, that name sounds familiar :) led the Israelites in the battle.
Moses had to have his arms raised. As long as they were raised, walking stick in hand, the Israelites would "win". However, the times he became weary and let his arms fall, the Amalekites took the lead. Soon, Aaron and Hur were there with a plan. Moses had a nice comfy rock to sit upon, and Aaron and Hur helped hold Moses' arms up until victory was declared.
There are so many correlations to life here. And if it weren't midnight, I might try to share some (feel free to share your own). But to me, one of the biggest ones is that we are not fighting alone. We live in an evil world. We look to our God to help us. But He doesn't expect us to do it alone. We have help. We have support. We have someone holding us up. Yes, family and friends do that, but even more, that is the role of the Holy Spirit. He holds our hands up when we think we are too tired to carry on. He sits us down on that comfy rock when our legs are weary. And HE will ultimately win the battle.
The next chapter, 18, was a neat one. Moses meets up with Jethro, his father in law. They obviously have a close relationship. They embraced. They sat and chatted. And Moses got to share everything that had been going on. And Jethro was obviously moved by how God had moved in such a powerful way in Egypt and through Moses.
One part I really like that I had forgotten about was that Moses spent all day dealing with issues of the Israelites...disagreements that are sure to come about with that many people. The people lined up as Moses dealt with each one.
And he did so without complaining. Or at least without any records of complaints.
But this is the part I liked.
Jethro, his father in law, told Moses to delegate. Moses did NOT need to be the one and only one doing this. He could choose capable men to handle the simple arguments, while taking on only the bigger ones.
I love to see business principles at work this many years ago.
Just shows me that we may think we are doing something new.
But really, these ideas have been around for years. (And have withstood the tests of time...)
Reba
Not sure on tomorrow's reading...it is too dark for me to see. I guess it will be a surprise! :)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Week 6 Day 3 Eat, Drink, and Be...
Grouchy?
I decided I could get one more in before I head to bed.
Exodus 15:22-17:7
Now the Egyptians are out of the way.
So things should be good. Right?
Well, at least until the people get thirsty.
One child who will remain nameless is extremely demanding. And when he is thirsty, he tells me about every five seconds. I don't even have time to respond and say, "I am getting it." He thinks he is dying of thirst. Right there. (Of course, he takes a tiny sip once I get it for him then goes off to play...)
That is what I think of with the Israelites. They act like they are dying of thirst. Poor Moses. Don't you know, he is thinking, "Don't kill the messenger..." Like he has ANY control of any of this.
So poor Moses goes to God and pleads for help For relief. For peace.
God gives him a plan.
So things are good, right?
Oh, wait. Now the people are hungry. Like wolves circling. They want to eat.
Once again, Moses pleads to God.
And once again, God provides. Meat and bread. Meat at night. Bread in the morning.
So now I am sure God has proven Himself. Right?
Well, at least until the people are thirsty again.
At this point, Moses is asking God, "What do I do with these people???"
How frustrated he must have been.
Even with all of the grumbling reaching His ears, God listens. And once again, He takes care of His people.
Grumble, complain, whine.
He listens anyway.
I am glad that is the God I serve, aren't you?
Reba
Next reading:
Exodus 17:8-18
I decided I could get one more in before I head to bed.
Exodus 15:22-17:7
Now the Egyptians are out of the way.
So things should be good. Right?
Well, at least until the people get thirsty.
One child who will remain nameless is extremely demanding. And when he is thirsty, he tells me about every five seconds. I don't even have time to respond and say, "I am getting it." He thinks he is dying of thirst. Right there. (Of course, he takes a tiny sip once I get it for him then goes off to play...)
That is what I think of with the Israelites. They act like they are dying of thirst. Poor Moses. Don't you know, he is thinking, "Don't kill the messenger..." Like he has ANY control of any of this.
So poor Moses goes to God and pleads for help For relief. For peace.
God gives him a plan.
So things are good, right?
Oh, wait. Now the people are hungry. Like wolves circling. They want to eat.
Once again, Moses pleads to God.
And once again, God provides. Meat and bread. Meat at night. Bread in the morning.
So now I am sure God has proven Himself. Right?
Well, at least until the people are thirsty again.
At this point, Moses is asking God, "What do I do with these people???"
How frustrated he must have been.
Even with all of the grumbling reaching His ears, God listens. And once again, He takes care of His people.
Grumble, complain, whine.
He listens anyway.
I am glad that is the God I serve, aren't you?
Reba
Next reading:
Exodus 17:8-18
Week 6 Day 2 Clouds and Fire
Yes, I realize I am now TWO days behind. I will get caught up by Monday. I will. I don't know what happened; it has just been a really long and busy week. I am not saying it will happen tonight but soon. :)
Exodus 13-15:21
Finally the people are out of Egypt.
Finally.
And here they have God right there with them. During the day, His presence is a pillar of clouds. At night, a pillar of fire.
What a comfort that would be! A tangible piece of evidence that God was with them.
Yet, they still doubted.
They are heading out on their journey when the king of Egypt notices, "Hey, all of our slaves are gone...we need to get them."
So Pharaoh and his men hop into their chariots and head to the Red Sea.
Even with a head start, the Egyptians catch up with God's people.
Now you would think after ALL that God had done, God's people would have thought, "This situation is not bigger than God. At all."
Instead, the people start whining right off. "Why did you bring us here? We could have died in Egypt just as easily? What will happen?" Blah. Blah. Blah.
I just think Moses had to get weary at some point of the complaining. Don't you think? I would have been. I would have been saying, "Um, God, I did NOT sign up for this!"
Thankfully, Moses was a better guy than me. He just listened to God. Raised his staff by the water. And the waters opened up.
The Israelites walked across the Sea on dry land.
The Egyptians tried. But at that point, the water that had been held back was released.
And that was the end of that. Or rather them.
Next reading: Exodus 15:22-Exodus 17:7
Exodus 13-15:21
Finally the people are out of Egypt.
Finally.
And here they have God right there with them. During the day, His presence is a pillar of clouds. At night, a pillar of fire.
What a comfort that would be! A tangible piece of evidence that God was with them.
Yet, they still doubted.
They are heading out on their journey when the king of Egypt notices, "Hey, all of our slaves are gone...we need to get them."
So Pharaoh and his men hop into their chariots and head to the Red Sea.
Even with a head start, the Egyptians catch up with God's people.
Now you would think after ALL that God had done, God's people would have thought, "This situation is not bigger than God. At all."
Instead, the people start whining right off. "Why did you bring us here? We could have died in Egypt just as easily? What will happen?" Blah. Blah. Blah.
I just think Moses had to get weary at some point of the complaining. Don't you think? I would have been. I would have been saying, "Um, God, I did NOT sign up for this!"
Thankfully, Moses was a better guy than me. He just listened to God. Raised his staff by the water. And the waters opened up.
The Israelites walked across the Sea on dry land.
The Egyptians tried. But at that point, the water that had been held back was released.
And that was the end of that. Or rather them.
Next reading: Exodus 15:22-Exodus 17:7
Monday, March 28, 2011
Week 6 Day 1 Passover
Exodus 11 and 12
One last time, God has a message for the king of Egypt. He (God) will be passing through the land the next day, killing the firstborn of every family, whether human or animal.
He also had a message for the people of Israel. He had very strict instructions on what they needed to do to prepare for this "passover" so that He would pass over their homes, not harming their children.
I am a little bit of a worrier, so I found myself intrigued with these directions. I think the whole time I would have been checking my list and checking it again to make sure I got it right!
Sure enough, at midnight, just as God had said, the firstborns of any child in a home not protected by the blood of an innocent lamb died. Even the king's son.
And there was a loud wail across the land.
Now he listens. The king listens. He orders Moses and his people to hightail it out of town.
And the people of Egypt who have come to respect the Israelites AND Moses agree.
In fact, they not only encourage the Israelites to leave but to take their gold and silver.
So the people of Israel leave.
430 years later.
And now a whole new set of adventures begin!
Tomorrow's reading: Exodus 13-15:21
One last time, God has a message for the king of Egypt. He (God) will be passing through the land the next day, killing the firstborn of every family, whether human or animal.
He also had a message for the people of Israel. He had very strict instructions on what they needed to do to prepare for this "passover" so that He would pass over their homes, not harming their children.
I am a little bit of a worrier, so I found myself intrigued with these directions. I think the whole time I would have been checking my list and checking it again to make sure I got it right!
Sure enough, at midnight, just as God had said, the firstborns of any child in a home not protected by the blood of an innocent lamb died. Even the king's son.
And there was a loud wail across the land.
Now he listens. The king listens. He orders Moses and his people to hightail it out of town.
And the people of Egypt who have come to respect the Israelites AND Moses agree.
In fact, they not only encourage the Israelites to leave but to take their gold and silver.
So the people of Israel leave.
430 years later.
And now a whole new set of adventures begin!
Tomorrow's reading: Exodus 13-15:21
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Week 5 Day 7 A Storm is a a Coming!
Okay, okay, I am going to be a day behind. At least until I catch up with myself. :)
Okay, Exodus 9-10
The Plagues continue...
Next on the list: Disease on farm animals. The Egyptians farm animals fell over dead from disease. The Israelite's animals...clean as a whistle. Don't you think the king of Egypt should be seeing a pattern here? I guess he probably did but his heart was hardened. So the plagues continue.
Next: Boils. Moses threw ashes into the air in front of the king, and the people of the land had boils all over their bodies. Even the magicians couldn't even come before the king because of the boils. I am such a baby. One little blister does me in. Can you imagine having boils all over your body? I think I would be calling for the head of the king at this point. Don't you know the people are wanting to say, "King, leave us out of your power games!"
Up to bat: Hail. Moses warned them. He told the people, "Get your people and your animals inside...a storm is a coming." Okay, he didn't say it exactly like that, but that is basically what he said. And some people listened. (You would think after all of this, all of the people would listen...) Some people didn't. Guess what? Moses knew what he was talking about. The next day, the storms started. BIG storms. Lots of hail. All over Egypt. Not at all in Goshen. And anything left outside was destroyed. You know, a hailstorm about does our roof in. We have had a couple of those storms where new roofs went on afterward all over town. And that is in a modern house. Can you imagine what it did to the houses back then? To the crops? To the animals? Pharaoh admitted defeat (or looked like he did...), asking Moses to make it stop. But as soon as the thunder and hail ended, guess what? Pharaoh changed his mind. Again. So the plagues continue.
Next on the list: Locusts. Moses tells the king that locusts are coming. Even the king's officers are feeling weary at this point. They urge the king to listen because anytime Moses comes around, trouble begins. So Pharaoh asks Moses who exactly will be going on this worship excursion. Moses tells him that they ALL would be going. Pharaoh says, "No, just the men." Then forces Moses and Aaron out. So guess what happens next? Swarms of locusts come in with a big gust of wind from the east. So many locusts that the land looked black? Can you fathom? Locusts are noisy. Just hearing a few of them sends shivers down my side. Finding their little skeletons (skins) hanging on the tree is a bit eerie. Can you fathom having a land covered by locusts? And of course, they eat anything green. And they did. Again, the king calls Moses back, feigning remorse. At least until the locusts blew away into the Red Sea. Then the king changed his mind yet again.
In the dark: Total darkness. Just last week we visited a cavern. When we were way back in the cave, the guide turned all of the lights off at one point so we could experience total darkness. I am glad it was only for a minute. I am claustrophobic anyway. I felt like I was suffocating. It was terrifying to me. Can you imagine three days of complete darkness? Not even a little moonlight coming through. Yet the people of Israel had light.
So the king calls Moses back. He tells Moses that he and his people can go worship the Lord but their flocks must remain. Moses calmly tells him that the animals are needed for sacrifices. The king again changes his mind and throws Moses and Aaron out, telling them the next time he sees them, they will die. Moses says, "Fine with me..." (paraphrase)
The saga continues.
Tomorrow's passage: Exodus 11-12
Reba
Okay, Exodus 9-10
The Plagues continue...
Next on the list: Disease on farm animals. The Egyptians farm animals fell over dead from disease. The Israelite's animals...clean as a whistle. Don't you think the king of Egypt should be seeing a pattern here? I guess he probably did but his heart was hardened. So the plagues continue.
Next: Boils. Moses threw ashes into the air in front of the king, and the people of the land had boils all over their bodies. Even the magicians couldn't even come before the king because of the boils. I am such a baby. One little blister does me in. Can you imagine having boils all over your body? I think I would be calling for the head of the king at this point. Don't you know the people are wanting to say, "King, leave us out of your power games!"
Up to bat: Hail. Moses warned them. He told the people, "Get your people and your animals inside...a storm is a coming." Okay, he didn't say it exactly like that, but that is basically what he said. And some people listened. (You would think after all of this, all of the people would listen...) Some people didn't. Guess what? Moses knew what he was talking about. The next day, the storms started. BIG storms. Lots of hail. All over Egypt. Not at all in Goshen. And anything left outside was destroyed. You know, a hailstorm about does our roof in. We have had a couple of those storms where new roofs went on afterward all over town. And that is in a modern house. Can you imagine what it did to the houses back then? To the crops? To the animals? Pharaoh admitted defeat (or looked like he did...), asking Moses to make it stop. But as soon as the thunder and hail ended, guess what? Pharaoh changed his mind. Again. So the plagues continue.
Next on the list: Locusts. Moses tells the king that locusts are coming. Even the king's officers are feeling weary at this point. They urge the king to listen because anytime Moses comes around, trouble begins. So Pharaoh asks Moses who exactly will be going on this worship excursion. Moses tells him that they ALL would be going. Pharaoh says, "No, just the men." Then forces Moses and Aaron out. So guess what happens next? Swarms of locusts come in with a big gust of wind from the east. So many locusts that the land looked black? Can you fathom? Locusts are noisy. Just hearing a few of them sends shivers down my side. Finding their little skeletons (skins) hanging on the tree is a bit eerie. Can you fathom having a land covered by locusts? And of course, they eat anything green. And they did. Again, the king calls Moses back, feigning remorse. At least until the locusts blew away into the Red Sea. Then the king changed his mind yet again.
In the dark: Total darkness. Just last week we visited a cavern. When we were way back in the cave, the guide turned all of the lights off at one point so we could experience total darkness. I am glad it was only for a minute. I am claustrophobic anyway. I felt like I was suffocating. It was terrifying to me. Can you imagine three days of complete darkness? Not even a little moonlight coming through. Yet the people of Israel had light.
So the king calls Moses back. He tells Moses that he and his people can go worship the Lord but their flocks must remain. Moses calmly tells him that the animals are needed for sacrifices. The king again changes his mind and throws Moses and Aaron out, telling them the next time he sees them, they will die. Moses says, "Fine with me..." (paraphrase)
The saga continues.
Tomorrow's passage: Exodus 11-12
Reba
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Confession
I haven't read today's passage. I will. Tomorrow. I am tired today and not in a deep thinking mood. I know you can't tell by the posts, but I do try to be somewhat deep thinking when I do this...
Reba
Reba
Friday, March 25, 2011
Week 5 Day 6 Shoo Fly
Exodus 6:28-8
Let the games begin!
Again, at God's urging, Moses goes to the king and asks that God's people be allowed to leave to worship their God.
And again, as will become a theme, the king says, "No way, Jose."
So now it is time to bring out some "signs of the time".
First up: Aaron throws his rod/staff to the ground where it becomes a snake in front of the king. Let me just say as a not so much snake fan, I would have been done at that point. But I wasn't there. Instead, the king just calls in his magicians and "wise men" who quickly do the same thing. The part I love? The staff/snake of Moses/Aaron ate the staff/snake of the magicians. You kind of think that would have been a sign. Guess not.
I think this is a good time to note that the magicians were able to do SOME of these "signs" too. So it isn't so improbable to me that some people can do things that should not be humanly possible. At the same time, being able to doesn't mean they should or that I should follow along...
Anyway, next in line: The water turns to blood. Ick! Can you imagine the whole Nile turning to blood? Stinky! And the kings' magicians come in and do the same thing. I was kind of puzzled how they knew it worked when they did it since Aaron/God had already turned all of the water to blood. What was left? Anyway, I feel kind of bad for the Egyptians. They can't help it if they have a hard hearted leader who is causing trouble by not listening to God.
Next up: Frogs. Frogs everywhere. I have tried to fathom this. I can't imagine opening up my pot and finding a frog in my soup. Or reaching for the shampoo in my shower and grabbing a frog by mistake. To make matters worse, the magicians try the same thing and add TO the frogs. Yet they can't make them stop. Only Moses/Aaron can do that (with God of course). Then they have dead frogs everywhere. Yuck!
Next: The Gnats. How annoying to have little gnats everywhere. This time the magicians couldn't do anything. They even told the king that it was the power of God that had done this. Nope, the king won't budge.
Next in line: Flies. Okay, I can barely handle having one or two flies in the house. They drive me crazy buzzing around, teasing me, as I chase them with my fly swatter. And this time God keeps the flies confined to the Egyptian homes. The Israelite people are fly free. Again, the king extends a plea for help in getting rid of the flies. Moses/Aaron relent and again the king's heart is hardened.
Hmmm, wonder what will happen tomorrow?
Reba
Let the games begin!
Again, at God's urging, Moses goes to the king and asks that God's people be allowed to leave to worship their God.
And again, as will become a theme, the king says, "No way, Jose."
So now it is time to bring out some "signs of the time".
First up: Aaron throws his rod/staff to the ground where it becomes a snake in front of the king. Let me just say as a not so much snake fan, I would have been done at that point. But I wasn't there. Instead, the king just calls in his magicians and "wise men" who quickly do the same thing. The part I love? The staff/snake of Moses/Aaron ate the staff/snake of the magicians. You kind of think that would have been a sign. Guess not.
I think this is a good time to note that the magicians were able to do SOME of these "signs" too. So it isn't so improbable to me that some people can do things that should not be humanly possible. At the same time, being able to doesn't mean they should or that I should follow along...
Anyway, next in line: The water turns to blood. Ick! Can you imagine the whole Nile turning to blood? Stinky! And the kings' magicians come in and do the same thing. I was kind of puzzled how they knew it worked when they did it since Aaron/God had already turned all of the water to blood. What was left? Anyway, I feel kind of bad for the Egyptians. They can't help it if they have a hard hearted leader who is causing trouble by not listening to God.
Next up: Frogs. Frogs everywhere. I have tried to fathom this. I can't imagine opening up my pot and finding a frog in my soup. Or reaching for the shampoo in my shower and grabbing a frog by mistake. To make matters worse, the magicians try the same thing and add TO the frogs. Yet they can't make them stop. Only Moses/Aaron can do that (with God of course). Then they have dead frogs everywhere. Yuck!
Next: The Gnats. How annoying to have little gnats everywhere. This time the magicians couldn't do anything. They even told the king that it was the power of God that had done this. Nope, the king won't budge.
Next in line: Flies. Okay, I can barely handle having one or two flies in the house. They drive me crazy buzzing around, teasing me, as I chase them with my fly swatter. And this time God keeps the flies confined to the Egyptian homes. The Israelite people are fly free. Again, the king extends a plea for help in getting rid of the flies. Moses/Aaron relent and again the king's heart is hardened.
Hmmm, wonder what will happen tomorrow?
Reba
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Week 5 Day 5 A Hard Day's Night
Exodus 5-6:27
Don't you know that after Moses came barging into Egypt telling the people that he was ready to help lead them to the Promised Land, the people were ready for it to happen. Like now. I know I would have been. After all, God "remembers" His promise to the people. (I think there must be something in the translation because surely God didn't truly forget...right?) So why wouldn't He rescue them right now???
Well, maybe because that wasn't His plan. And the people don't know it.
So Moses goes marching in to the king, Aaron by his side, asking the king to let the people go for a special religious celebration.
And the king laughs. He doesn't believe in this God. Why should he care?
To make matters worse, he then decided to make life harder for the people. He stopped providing straw for the bricks they made for him. So they had to gather straw while still making the same number of bricks as they made before.
As you can guess, they weren't so happy. They went to the king and asked what was going on. The king totally ratted out Moses, blaming it on his request.
Now where are we?
The people are now not so happy with Moses.
I do feel for the guy. He didn't ask for this job. And here he just wants to stay under the radar, and now the Egyptians AND the Isrealites are both mad at him...for something he didn't want to do in the first place.
(The last part of the reading section involves family/lineage kind of stuff.)
Not sure exactly what tomorrow's reading is. But I will let you know. Tomorrow. :)
Reba
Don't you know that after Moses came barging into Egypt telling the people that he was ready to help lead them to the Promised Land, the people were ready for it to happen. Like now. I know I would have been. After all, God "remembers" His promise to the people. (I think there must be something in the translation because surely God didn't truly forget...right?) So why wouldn't He rescue them right now???
Well, maybe because that wasn't His plan. And the people don't know it.
So Moses goes marching in to the king, Aaron by his side, asking the king to let the people go for a special religious celebration.
And the king laughs. He doesn't believe in this God. Why should he care?
To make matters worse, he then decided to make life harder for the people. He stopped providing straw for the bricks they made for him. So they had to gather straw while still making the same number of bricks as they made before.
As you can guess, they weren't so happy. They went to the king and asked what was going on. The king totally ratted out Moses, blaming it on his request.
Now where are we?
The people are now not so happy with Moses.
I do feel for the guy. He didn't ask for this job. And here he just wants to stay under the radar, and now the Egyptians AND the Isrealites are both mad at him...for something he didn't want to do in the first place.
(The last part of the reading section involves family/lineage kind of stuff.)
Not sure exactly what tomorrow's reading is. But I will let you know. Tomorrow. :)
Reba
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Week 5 Day 4 Fire, Fire!
Exodus 2-4
When we last stopped reading, the king had decided to control the Israelites by killing any and all baby boys. Baby girls could live.
So here in chapter 2, a Levite man marries a Levite woman. They of course end up having a baby boy.
Mom hid the baby boy for three months.
That is really impressive to me.
None of my kids have been "quiet" kids.
How did she hide him?
Anyway, after three months, she couldn't hide him anymore. So she got a basket, covered it with tar, and put the baby in the basket then into the Nile.
I can't help but think about crocodiles and alligators here.
How scary!
That must have been a step of faith.
Along comes the Princess who has her servants retrieve the baby.
Miriam, Moses' sister, offers to fetch a Hebrew nurse to help with the baby.
So for some time Moses' own mother nursed him AND was paid to do it by the Princess.
I wonder if the Princess knew who Moses' "nurse" really was?
As the child grew older, the Moses' nurse/mom took him to the Princess who then adopted the boy as her own son.
Did your read that?
It is the first adoption noted in the Bible!
Obviously that is near and dear to my heart.
As Moses grew, he visited his people (which makes me think that he knows who his people are even if he is living in the palace) and was outraged to see an Egyptian treating one of his people very poorly. Apparently Moses is a bit of a hothead. He killed the Egyptian.
It soon became apparent that it wasn't a crime done in secret. Others knew or found out (and this was in the days before Internet). The king wanted to have Moses killed.
I can't help but wonder, is is the king who has been Moses' adopted grandfather? Or is it someone else? I just don't know. Not many details are given here.
Anyway, Moses hightails it out of town for his sake.
In Midian, Moses meets some girls by the water troughs. I have noticed this is a big meeting place in the Bible. Wells, troughs, etc. Anyway, Moses helps the girls who in turn tell their daddy who in turn invites Moses to dinner, gives away one of his daughters to be Moses' wife who later delivers a son.
And all of this is in one chapter!
Chapter three: The famous burning bush.
One day as Moses is taking care of the Jethro's flock (his father in law), he notices a bush that is on fire. But it isn't burning up. Don't you know he was rubbing his eyes wondering if he was seeing it correctly? Then he does what all of us would have done. He tries to get a closer look.
God stops him. He makes him take off his shoes instead. It is holy ground after all.
Then God talks to Moses. He tells Moses that He remembers his people and sees what troubles they are facing. He hears their cries. He hasn't forgotten them (like I am sure they felt like He had). He is ready to do something. And Moses is the key.
It becomes apparent that Moses is a very human guy. He doesn't quite jump at this opportunity like Abraham did. (God said "Go", Abraham said, "Okay!") No, Moses did what most of us would do.
"God, are you sure about this?"
"God, don't you know me at all?"
"God, what do I even say?"
At first God calmly answers Moses' questions. And gave Moses all sorts of useful information such as the fact that king in Egypt would not really let God's people go.
I am sure that eased Moses' fears...NOT.
God even gave Moses a few "tricks" he could show the people. Not really tricks, but "signs".
Still, Moses questioned.
Actually, he went beyond questioning.
He just flat out told God, "Please, send someone else!"
You have to kind of feel for him. I think I have more or less said that a time or two. Or ten thousand.
At this point though, the Lord became angry.
I kind of feel for Him too. I have a couple of kids who question every decision I make. I know why I am making them and have good reason. I don't appreciate being questioned over and over and doubted over and over. I get it. I become a bit edgy myself.
Thankfully the LORD doesn't just smite him though, whatever smite means.
He just offers yet another solution to Moses' doubts.
He is sending in Moses' brother for back up.
I guess Moses ran out of excuses at that point. He went to his father in law and told him he needed to go back to his home, Egypt.
I cannot help but wonder if Moses was secretly hoping that Jethro would just say "no".
But he didn't. He said, "Go."
Probably not what Moses was wanting to hear.
But he went.
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 5-6:27
Reba
When we last stopped reading, the king had decided to control the Israelites by killing any and all baby boys. Baby girls could live.
So here in chapter 2, a Levite man marries a Levite woman. They of course end up having a baby boy.
Mom hid the baby boy for three months.
That is really impressive to me.
None of my kids have been "quiet" kids.
How did she hide him?
Anyway, after three months, she couldn't hide him anymore. So she got a basket, covered it with tar, and put the baby in the basket then into the Nile.
I can't help but think about crocodiles and alligators here.
How scary!
That must have been a step of faith.
Along comes the Princess who has her servants retrieve the baby.
Miriam, Moses' sister, offers to fetch a Hebrew nurse to help with the baby.
So for some time Moses' own mother nursed him AND was paid to do it by the Princess.
I wonder if the Princess knew who Moses' "nurse" really was?
As the child grew older, the Moses' nurse/mom took him to the Princess who then adopted the boy as her own son.
Did your read that?
It is the first adoption noted in the Bible!
Obviously that is near and dear to my heart.
As Moses grew, he visited his people (which makes me think that he knows who his people are even if he is living in the palace) and was outraged to see an Egyptian treating one of his people very poorly. Apparently Moses is a bit of a hothead. He killed the Egyptian.
It soon became apparent that it wasn't a crime done in secret. Others knew or found out (and this was in the days before Internet). The king wanted to have Moses killed.
I can't help but wonder, is is the king who has been Moses' adopted grandfather? Or is it someone else? I just don't know. Not many details are given here.
Anyway, Moses hightails it out of town for his sake.
In Midian, Moses meets some girls by the water troughs. I have noticed this is a big meeting place in the Bible. Wells, troughs, etc. Anyway, Moses helps the girls who in turn tell their daddy who in turn invites Moses to dinner, gives away one of his daughters to be Moses' wife who later delivers a son.
And all of this is in one chapter!
Chapter three: The famous burning bush.
One day as Moses is taking care of the Jethro's flock (his father in law), he notices a bush that is on fire. But it isn't burning up. Don't you know he was rubbing his eyes wondering if he was seeing it correctly? Then he does what all of us would have done. He tries to get a closer look.
God stops him. He makes him take off his shoes instead. It is holy ground after all.
Then God talks to Moses. He tells Moses that He remembers his people and sees what troubles they are facing. He hears their cries. He hasn't forgotten them (like I am sure they felt like He had). He is ready to do something. And Moses is the key.
It becomes apparent that Moses is a very human guy. He doesn't quite jump at this opportunity like Abraham did. (God said "Go", Abraham said, "Okay!") No, Moses did what most of us would do.
"God, are you sure about this?"
"God, don't you know me at all?"
"God, what do I even say?"
At first God calmly answers Moses' questions. And gave Moses all sorts of useful information such as the fact that king in Egypt would not really let God's people go.
I am sure that eased Moses' fears...NOT.
God even gave Moses a few "tricks" he could show the people. Not really tricks, but "signs".
Still, Moses questioned.
Actually, he went beyond questioning.
He just flat out told God, "Please, send someone else!"
You have to kind of feel for him. I think I have more or less said that a time or two. Or ten thousand.
At this point though, the Lord became angry.
I kind of feel for Him too. I have a couple of kids who question every decision I make. I know why I am making them and have good reason. I don't appreciate being questioned over and over and doubted over and over. I get it. I become a bit edgy myself.
Thankfully the LORD doesn't just smite him though, whatever smite means.
He just offers yet another solution to Moses' doubts.
He is sending in Moses' brother for back up.
I guess Moses ran out of excuses at that point. He went to his father in law and told him he needed to go back to his home, Egypt.
I cannot help but wonder if Moses was secretly hoping that Jethro would just say "no".
But he didn't. He said, "Go."
Probably not what Moses was wanting to hear.
But he went.
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 5-6:27
Reba
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Week 5 Days 2 and 3 Birthing Babies
I am really not as behind as you might think I am. :) The devotional Bible I am doing had yesterday for reading the introduction of Exodus and reviewing the Key Verse. Today is actually Exodus 1.
This chapter is kind of sad to me.
When I mentioned to someone that I was about to embark on Exodus 1, he immediately quoted verse 8.
"Then a new king began to rule Egypt, who did know who Joseph was."
Here Joseph had a HUGE impact on Egypt, saving the king/Pharaoh and the people from starvation during the "lean years". But now he and his brothers have been dead for a while. And he has been forgotten.
Isn't that always a fear? Will I be remembered? You hope you are leaving a legacy behind through your children, your grandchildren, your students, your friends. But in the end, after a few generations, what will I truly be remembered for?
Anyway, the new king starts to look around and realizes that there are a whole lot of Israelite people in his land. Not sure why this suddenly occurred to him, but it did. And the thought comes to mind that those Israelites could join the enemies of the Egyptians and fight them and escape their country.
Now I am not a politician, but I am kind of thinking if I don't want people to get upset and join my enemies and leave my country, then maybe, just maybe, I would be a bit nicer to them. You know, make them WANT to stay.
But then again, I am not a Pharaoh/king.
His plan was instead to make life hard for the Israelites. You know, make them slaves. Make them work. And when they keep multiplying (something they seem good at), make their lives "bitter".
Doesn't that sound like a plan?
And if that isn't enough, let's also call in the two Hebrew midwives and ask them to kill any baby boys who are born to the Israelites.
Um, okay.
Now the Hebrew nurses (Shiphrah and Puah) feared the Lord. So they let the baby boys live. When called before the king to explain why, they lied.
That has always puzzled me a bit. I have always thought God treasured honesty. And if you fear the Lord, you would be honest. But that is just me.
Anyway, their response?
The Hebrew women are strong. They birth babies quickly.
I will say, lies or not, God gave the nurses/midwives families of their own since they feared Him.
So the king's next command?
All baby boys born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile River.
Apparently this is what my youngest is learning at church. He has been telling me about the king who threw babies into the river.
And that is where we stop for today.
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 2-4
Reba
This chapter is kind of sad to me.
When I mentioned to someone that I was about to embark on Exodus 1, he immediately quoted verse 8.
"Then a new king began to rule Egypt, who did know who Joseph was."
Here Joseph had a HUGE impact on Egypt, saving the king/Pharaoh and the people from starvation during the "lean years". But now he and his brothers have been dead for a while. And he has been forgotten.
Isn't that always a fear? Will I be remembered? You hope you are leaving a legacy behind through your children, your grandchildren, your students, your friends. But in the end, after a few generations, what will I truly be remembered for?
Anyway, the new king starts to look around and realizes that there are a whole lot of Israelite people in his land. Not sure why this suddenly occurred to him, but it did. And the thought comes to mind that those Israelites could join the enemies of the Egyptians and fight them and escape their country.
Now I am not a politician, but I am kind of thinking if I don't want people to get upset and join my enemies and leave my country, then maybe, just maybe, I would be a bit nicer to them. You know, make them WANT to stay.
But then again, I am not a Pharaoh/king.
His plan was instead to make life hard for the Israelites. You know, make them slaves. Make them work. And when they keep multiplying (something they seem good at), make their lives "bitter".
Doesn't that sound like a plan?
And if that isn't enough, let's also call in the two Hebrew midwives and ask them to kill any baby boys who are born to the Israelites.
Um, okay.
Now the Hebrew nurses (Shiphrah and Puah) feared the Lord. So they let the baby boys live. When called before the king to explain why, they lied.
That has always puzzled me a bit. I have always thought God treasured honesty. And if you fear the Lord, you would be honest. But that is just me.
Anyway, their response?
The Hebrew women are strong. They birth babies quickly.
I will say, lies or not, God gave the nurses/midwives families of their own since they feared Him.
So the king's next command?
All baby boys born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile River.
Apparently this is what my youngest is learning at church. He has been telling me about the king who threw babies into the river.
And that is where we stop for today.
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 2-4
Reba
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Week 5 Day 1 Burying the Hurt
Genesis 50
I am a little sad. This is the LAST chapter of Genesis. We have covered a lot of generations with just this one book. I know Exodus is exciting too but I have really enjoyed hanging out in Genesis for a while.
Anyway...
So at the end of the last chapter, Jacob/Israel had died.
This chapter starts with Joseph's reaction. He grabbed his father in a hug, cried, and kissed him. He is heartbroken.
I can't help but wonder if he doesn't feel like he is losing him once again. He lost him once (the whole thrown in the well, sold into slavery thing), then it happens again.
My heart just hurts for him.
I think it says a lot about the character of Joseph that the king not only granted permission for Joseph to go to Canaan to bury his father but sends elders from Egypt to accompany him. In fact, they made such a wailing sound that the people in Canaan renamed a place "Sorrow of the Egyptians".
Afterward, the brothers get to thinking. Now that Daddy isn't here to protect them, what if their dear brother, the one they threw in the well and then sold into slavery AND pretended was dead, decides now is the time to bring on some revenge.
True, Joseph has been NOTHING but kind to them. He took them in at a time when he most certainly could have turned his back on them. He didn't even say "I told you so" about the dreams he had once upon a time.
But apparently the brothers are feeling some guilt. And when you feel guilty, what is it natural to do? Turn around and blame the one causing the guilt even if HE is not the one guilty.
Sounds crazy, but you know we all do it.
So they decide to lie, telling Joseph that Daddy Dear did NOT want Joseph to harm his brothers in any way. In fact, they actually say that Daddy Dear said to FORGIVE them.
Lying, I kind of get. But lying about forgiveness just seems wrong in SO many ways...
And how did this hard hearted brother respond? Oh yeah, he is so tough. He cried. So do you think he was planning a revenge?
No, me neither.
In fact, Joseph gives one of my favorite responses...one I want to remember in times of trouble.
"You meant to hurt me but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of others..."
Again, I say wow. This is why he is one of my favorite characters. I want so much to be that person. And I might be. But I don't think it would be my first response...
A true family man, Joseph took care of his family until he died at 110.
Tomorrow we begin Exodus. I am not sure how many chapters...the Bible is in the other room. Just read a couple, I am sure we will be on the same page. :)
Reba
I am a little sad. This is the LAST chapter of Genesis. We have covered a lot of generations with just this one book. I know Exodus is exciting too but I have really enjoyed hanging out in Genesis for a while.
Anyway...
So at the end of the last chapter, Jacob/Israel had died.
This chapter starts with Joseph's reaction. He grabbed his father in a hug, cried, and kissed him. He is heartbroken.
I can't help but wonder if he doesn't feel like he is losing him once again. He lost him once (the whole thrown in the well, sold into slavery thing), then it happens again.
My heart just hurts for him.
I think it says a lot about the character of Joseph that the king not only granted permission for Joseph to go to Canaan to bury his father but sends elders from Egypt to accompany him. In fact, they made such a wailing sound that the people in Canaan renamed a place "Sorrow of the Egyptians".
Afterward, the brothers get to thinking. Now that Daddy isn't here to protect them, what if their dear brother, the one they threw in the well and then sold into slavery AND pretended was dead, decides now is the time to bring on some revenge.
True, Joseph has been NOTHING but kind to them. He took them in at a time when he most certainly could have turned his back on them. He didn't even say "I told you so" about the dreams he had once upon a time.
But apparently the brothers are feeling some guilt. And when you feel guilty, what is it natural to do? Turn around and blame the one causing the guilt even if HE is not the one guilty.
Sounds crazy, but you know we all do it.
So they decide to lie, telling Joseph that Daddy Dear did NOT want Joseph to harm his brothers in any way. In fact, they actually say that Daddy Dear said to FORGIVE them.
Lying, I kind of get. But lying about forgiveness just seems wrong in SO many ways...
And how did this hard hearted brother respond? Oh yeah, he is so tough. He cried. So do you think he was planning a revenge?
No, me neither.
In fact, Joseph gives one of my favorite responses...one I want to remember in times of trouble.
"You meant to hurt me but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of others..."
Again, I say wow. This is why he is one of my favorite characters. I want so much to be that person. And I might be. But I don't think it would be my first response...
A true family man, Joseph took care of his family until he died at 110.
Tomorrow we begin Exodus. I am not sure how many chapters...the Bible is in the other room. Just read a couple, I am sure we will be on the same page. :)
Reba
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Week 4 Day 7 Wrapping It Up
Genesis 49
Jacob/Israel knew he really was at the end of his life. He called his sons together and gave them a glimpse into their future. Basically, he summed up their lives and where they were headed...
Here is a quick rundown:
Reuben...he was the strongest of the bunch. I also love the way Jacob/Israel said, "Your birth showed I could be a father." That all sounded warm and fuzzy. Then this part came. "You are uncontrolled like water..." Jacob/Israel then went on to say that he would no longer be the "head" of the bunch due to some poor errors in judgment on his part. I would think that would take a little wind out of his sails!
Simeon and Levi...brothers of violence. No warm and fuzzy here. They use violence to get what they want, they use violence just because. Jacob/Israel goes on to curse their violent ways, ending with the comment that they would be divided among the tribes of Jacob.
Judah...Judah is like a lion. He is the family warrior. His brothers will praise him, and his family will reign through a line of kings.
Zebulun...he will reside close to the sea and his shores will be a safe harbor for ships. Sounds like my kind of guy...a beach bum. :)
Isacchar...I don't know that I would be thrilled to be compared to a donkey. Still, you think it is starting off well. He is like a donkey working hard. At least until he decides to take a load off and chill for a bit. He turns his head and ends up a slave instead. Nice.
Dan...he will rule his own people. His comparison? A dangerous snake lying by the side of the road. Another nice description...
Asher...the ultimate farmer. He will grow food. Good food. Food fit for a king!
Naphtali...compared to a female deer. I am sorry. I have read this a couple times and I still don't know how to respond to this one...
Joseph...strong and powerful in spite of the trials thrown his way. God blesses Joseph. He is living in God's blessing.
Benjamin...he is like a hungry wolf. Jacob/Israel sure liked these animal comparisons!
Jacob/Israel goes on to give each of them a blessing appropriate for each one.
After all of that talking, he lays down. He puts his feet on the bed. And he takes his last breath...
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 50
More soon,
Reba
Jacob/Israel knew he really was at the end of his life. He called his sons together and gave them a glimpse into their future. Basically, he summed up their lives and where they were headed...
Here is a quick rundown:
Reuben...he was the strongest of the bunch. I also love the way Jacob/Israel said, "Your birth showed I could be a father." That all sounded warm and fuzzy. Then this part came. "You are uncontrolled like water..." Jacob/Israel then went on to say that he would no longer be the "head" of the bunch due to some poor errors in judgment on his part. I would think that would take a little wind out of his sails!
Simeon and Levi...brothers of violence. No warm and fuzzy here. They use violence to get what they want, they use violence just because. Jacob/Israel goes on to curse their violent ways, ending with the comment that they would be divided among the tribes of Jacob.
Judah...Judah is like a lion. He is the family warrior. His brothers will praise him, and his family will reign through a line of kings.
Zebulun...he will reside close to the sea and his shores will be a safe harbor for ships. Sounds like my kind of guy...a beach bum. :)
Isacchar...I don't know that I would be thrilled to be compared to a donkey. Still, you think it is starting off well. He is like a donkey working hard. At least until he decides to take a load off and chill for a bit. He turns his head and ends up a slave instead. Nice.
Dan...he will rule his own people. His comparison? A dangerous snake lying by the side of the road. Another nice description...
Asher...the ultimate farmer. He will grow food. Good food. Food fit for a king!
Naphtali...compared to a female deer. I am sorry. I have read this a couple times and I still don't know how to respond to this one...
Joseph...strong and powerful in spite of the trials thrown his way. God blesses Joseph. He is living in God's blessing.
Benjamin...he is like a hungry wolf. Jacob/Israel sure liked these animal comparisons!
Jacob/Israel goes on to give each of them a blessing appropriate for each one.
After all of that talking, he lays down. He puts his feet on the bed. And he takes his last breath...
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 50
More soon,
Reba
Friday, March 18, 2011
Week 4 Day 6 Cross My Heart...Or Maybe My Arms
Genesis 47:28-48:22
You know, when I started this blog, it was totally for accountability for me. And I have to admit, it keeps me accountable, even if it doesn't generate many comments (or readers). Just knowing that someone might read and catch me behind is enough to keep me going back. (Not that I don't love reading the Bible and learning about Him but sometimes I let other things use up my energy and time...I think it is called "priorities") Anyway, this has become one of my favorite times of day. It is good for me to work through what I have read and put it in my own terms, though I realize I am still SOOO limited in knowledge.
Anyway, Joseph's whole family is living in Goshen. In fact, they were there about 17 years when Jacob/Isaac thinks, "I am getting close to the end of this life..." After all, he is 147 at this point. So Jacob/Israel called his son Joseph to him and asked him to make a promise. You remember how they made promises? Put your hand under their leg. I still read that and wonder, "Did something get lost in translation here?" Anyway, the promise he was seeking was that Joseph would not bury him in Egypt. He wants to be buried with his ancestors.
A while later, Joseph hears that his father is sick. He takes his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim to his dad's so that he might bless them.
I thought it was interesting that Jacob/Israel counted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons. Then he proceeds to say that if Joseph has any more children, they will be counted as HIS children, and that any land that they have will be given to Ephraim and Manasseh. I don't completely understand all that (why the two sons received such privileges. I just have to guess it was a cultural thing or something I am totally missing. (If you know, feel FREE to enlighten me :)
So it is time to actually give the blessing. I love this part. Joseph specifically places the boys on certain sides so that Manasseh will get the blessing of the firstborn son. What does Jacob/Israel do? He crosses his arms and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim and starts the blessing. Joseph realizes this and actually tries to switch his father's hands, telling his dad that he is doing it wrong. But Jacob/Israel, even in his weakened state stands firm on the matter insisting that this is the blessing. Manasseh will be great and have many descendants. But Ephraim will be greater and his descendants will be enough to make a nation.
I always wonder how that makes the boys feel? Is there envy? Or do they just accept it as their fate?
I guess I won't know because nobody spelled that part out.
Anyway, at the end of the passage, Jacob/Israel pledges one more thing...he is giving the land of Shechem to Joseph that he took from the Amorite people.
And that is the end of that. Well, for today.
Tomorrow's passage: Genesis 49
Reba
You know, when I started this blog, it was totally for accountability for me. And I have to admit, it keeps me accountable, even if it doesn't generate many comments (or readers). Just knowing that someone might read and catch me behind is enough to keep me going back. (Not that I don't love reading the Bible and learning about Him but sometimes I let other things use up my energy and time...I think it is called "priorities") Anyway, this has become one of my favorite times of day. It is good for me to work through what I have read and put it in my own terms, though I realize I am still SOOO limited in knowledge.
Anyway, Joseph's whole family is living in Goshen. In fact, they were there about 17 years when Jacob/Isaac thinks, "I am getting close to the end of this life..." After all, he is 147 at this point. So Jacob/Israel called his son Joseph to him and asked him to make a promise. You remember how they made promises? Put your hand under their leg. I still read that and wonder, "Did something get lost in translation here?" Anyway, the promise he was seeking was that Joseph would not bury him in Egypt. He wants to be buried with his ancestors.
A while later, Joseph hears that his father is sick. He takes his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim to his dad's so that he might bless them.
I thought it was interesting that Jacob/Israel counted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons. Then he proceeds to say that if Joseph has any more children, they will be counted as HIS children, and that any land that they have will be given to Ephraim and Manasseh. I don't completely understand all that (why the two sons received such privileges. I just have to guess it was a cultural thing or something I am totally missing. (If you know, feel FREE to enlighten me :)
So it is time to actually give the blessing. I love this part. Joseph specifically places the boys on certain sides so that Manasseh will get the blessing of the firstborn son. What does Jacob/Israel do? He crosses his arms and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim and starts the blessing. Joseph realizes this and actually tries to switch his father's hands, telling his dad that he is doing it wrong. But Jacob/Israel, even in his weakened state stands firm on the matter insisting that this is the blessing. Manasseh will be great and have many descendants. But Ephraim will be greater and his descendants will be enough to make a nation.
I always wonder how that makes the boys feel? Is there envy? Or do they just accept it as their fate?
I guess I won't know because nobody spelled that part out.
Anyway, at the end of the passage, Jacob/Israel pledges one more thing...he is giving the land of Shechem to Joseph that he took from the Amorite people.
And that is the end of that. Well, for today.
Tomorrow's passage: Genesis 49
Reba
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Week 4 Day 5 Let the Taxes Begin...
Genesis 46-47:27
Israel/Jacob and his whole clan of people, which apparently was about 66 NOT counting spouses, headed on over to Egypt to live and of course be near the long lost brother/son Joseph.
Can't you imagine the emotion as Joseph embraced his father after so many years?
Wouldn't you have loved to witness that?
No matter how old we get, no matter how much we "grow up", we still need Mom and Dad.
Even after all the brothers put Joshua through, he was still watching out for them. He advised his family on how to speak to the king and his men so that they would get to live in Goshen, away from the Egyptians. It feels kind of weird typing that since we have a Goshen down the road...
Anyway, I am a bit nosy. I cannot help but wonder when Joseph chose 5 brothers to meet the king, which ones did he choose???
The next section of the text I read filled me with dread a bit.
I was reminded of that pesky little date I dislike. April 15.
All of this time, I thought the devil must have been responsible for taxes. Oh, no, it was Joseph.
You see, the famine persisted and the people were hungry. But they had no money left since they had bought food in previous years. So the next year they gave the king their animals in exchange for food. And then the next, they gave their land, then worked on the land that was just theirs a day or two before, and had to give the king 1/5 of whatever they grew.
And that is the first tax system.
Or at least the first in the Bible.
I do think the 1/5 sounds light compared to what we do. :)
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 47:28-48:22
Reba
Israel/Jacob and his whole clan of people, which apparently was about 66 NOT counting spouses, headed on over to Egypt to live and of course be near the long lost brother/son Joseph.
Can't you imagine the emotion as Joseph embraced his father after so many years?
Wouldn't you have loved to witness that?
No matter how old we get, no matter how much we "grow up", we still need Mom and Dad.
Even after all the brothers put Joshua through, he was still watching out for them. He advised his family on how to speak to the king and his men so that they would get to live in Goshen, away from the Egyptians. It feels kind of weird typing that since we have a Goshen down the road...
Anyway, I am a bit nosy. I cannot help but wonder when Joseph chose 5 brothers to meet the king, which ones did he choose???
The next section of the text I read filled me with dread a bit.
I was reminded of that pesky little date I dislike. April 15.
All of this time, I thought the devil must have been responsible for taxes. Oh, no, it was Joseph.
You see, the famine persisted and the people were hungry. But they had no money left since they had bought food in previous years. So the next year they gave the king their animals in exchange for food. And then the next, they gave their land, then worked on the land that was just theirs a day or two before, and had to give the king 1/5 of whatever they grew.
And that is the first tax system.
Or at least the first in the Bible.
I do think the 1/5 sounds light compared to what we do. :)
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 47:28-48:22
Reba
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Week 4 Day 4 Reunited
Genesis 44 and 45
When we left Joseph yesterday, he was hanging out with his brothers, eating dinner. Well, they were in the same place, but the brothers had to sit at another table and all. Hebrews and Egyptians didn't mix typically. At least while eating.
It was time for the brothers to leave. Can't you just feel the excitement building. Joseph needed a plan. He needed to figure out how to tell his brothers the truth without just coming out and saying it.
The brothers headed out of town, only to be stopped by some of Joseph's servants. The servants accuse the brothers of stealing from their "master".
The brothers of course protest. "Don't you remember we brought back the money that mysteriously ended up in our bags last time? Why would we teal from you now? If we did, just kill that guy and have the rest of us be slaves."
Predictably, at least for Joseph's men who knew what was going on (or at least this part of it), the servants found a cup, a silver one at that, of Joseph's in Benjamin's bag.
Poor Benjamin.
The baby brother always gets the raw end of the deal.
So back to Egypt they all go.
As soon as the brothers see Joseph, they are bowing to the ground, on their knees, begging.
Again, it sounds like a dream someone I knew had...
Joseph toys with the men. He suggests he should just keep Benjamin as a slave.
The brothers protest.
And they come clean. Well, Judah does.
Partly. They don't quite explain the whole throwing in the well thing, but they admit that their father has never quite recovered from the demise of his son, and that losing Benjamin would be too much for their father's heart. So Judah pleads for Joseph (or rather to him just the great ruler, second in command) to please, please, pretty please, keep him and not Benjamin.
This moment takes my breath away.
Joseph was SO overwhelmed with emotion, he asked his servants to leave the room. He cried. He wailed. So loudly that Pharaoh's household heard him. I wonder what they were thinking?
He told the brothers who he was. I love this. They just sat there. They were scared and didn't move a muscle. They were speechless.
Joseph says, "Come closer to me."
This time they did. And they listened.
This part just amazes me.
Joseph doesn't start spouting off angry words (which I would have been SO tempted to do). He doesn't launch into a pity party. He doesn't even say, "What the heck were you thinking?" Sorry, I do use that word sometimes...heck that is.
All he said was that the brothers did not send him to Egypt. God did. God had a plan. God knew that his own family would need to be saved one day.
This is why he is one of my favorite people in the Bible.
Wow.
I want to be like that.
I want to have a forgiving heart.
I want to know that even if I end up in a place where I don't feel like I belong, God put me there.
I am not there yet.
Hmmm. I have a few things to ponder...
Reba
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 46-47
When we left Joseph yesterday, he was hanging out with his brothers, eating dinner. Well, they were in the same place, but the brothers had to sit at another table and all. Hebrews and Egyptians didn't mix typically. At least while eating.
It was time for the brothers to leave. Can't you just feel the excitement building. Joseph needed a plan. He needed to figure out how to tell his brothers the truth without just coming out and saying it.
The brothers headed out of town, only to be stopped by some of Joseph's servants. The servants accuse the brothers of stealing from their "master".
The brothers of course protest. "Don't you remember we brought back the money that mysteriously ended up in our bags last time? Why would we teal from you now? If we did, just kill that guy and have the rest of us be slaves."
Predictably, at least for Joseph's men who knew what was going on (or at least this part of it), the servants found a cup, a silver one at that, of Joseph's in Benjamin's bag.
Poor Benjamin.
The baby brother always gets the raw end of the deal.
So back to Egypt they all go.
As soon as the brothers see Joseph, they are bowing to the ground, on their knees, begging.
Again, it sounds like a dream someone I knew had...
Joseph toys with the men. He suggests he should just keep Benjamin as a slave.
The brothers protest.
And they come clean. Well, Judah does.
Partly. They don't quite explain the whole throwing in the well thing, but they admit that their father has never quite recovered from the demise of his son, and that losing Benjamin would be too much for their father's heart. So Judah pleads for Joseph (or rather to him just the great ruler, second in command) to please, please, pretty please, keep him and not Benjamin.
This moment takes my breath away.
Joseph was SO overwhelmed with emotion, he asked his servants to leave the room. He cried. He wailed. So loudly that Pharaoh's household heard him. I wonder what they were thinking?
He told the brothers who he was. I love this. They just sat there. They were scared and didn't move a muscle. They were speechless.
Joseph says, "Come closer to me."
This time they did. And they listened.
This part just amazes me.
Joseph doesn't start spouting off angry words (which I would have been SO tempted to do). He doesn't launch into a pity party. He doesn't even say, "What the heck were you thinking?" Sorry, I do use that word sometimes...heck that is.
All he said was that the brothers did not send him to Egypt. God did. God had a plan. God knew that his own family would need to be saved one day.
This is why he is one of my favorite people in the Bible.
Wow.
I want to be like that.
I want to have a forgiving heart.
I want to know that even if I end up in a place where I don't feel like I belong, God put me there.
I am not there yet.
Hmmm. I have a few things to ponder...
Reba
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 46-47
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Week 4 Day 3 And the Oscar Goes to...
Genesis 42-43
Now we are getting to one of my favorite stories.
I just love seeing a good plan unfold, don't you? Or rather a God plan...
The famine was wide spread at this point. The people were hungry.
So thankful that Joseph had been put in charge and was passing out food to those in need. Not that I am biased at all.
Meanwhile, over in Canaan, Joseph's family was getting hungry too. Finally, Jacob/Israel decides that they brothers need to run on over to Egypt to visit and pick up some food. After all, there was no grocery store around the corner. All of the brothers head out but one...Benjamin. Jacob/Israel just can't fathom the thought of losing him too.
The brothers get to Egypt and come before Joseph. However, they don't recognize him. He however knows exactly who these guys are. Kind of reminds me of the show Undercover Boss. Anyway, I digress...
What was Joseph thinking seeing those brothers in front of him? How did he not just yell out, "I TOLD YOU SO" when they bowed down before him (not knowing who he was). Hmmm, sounds a lot like a dream Joseph once had.
I get a little satisfaction for Joseph watching him toy with his brothers. Okay, he is testing them a bit but it reminds me of a cat playing with a mouse. Joseph even used a translator so the brothers don't know he can understand them. How did he not break out laughing when the brothers started moaning that they were being punished for what they did to their brother (a.k.a. Joseph). I also love how Reuben is completely ready to throw them under the bus by saying, "I told you not to to do it. You didn't listen to me." Okay, that is a paraphrase. But you get the idea.
Finally the brothers are ready to head home. I really am impressed with Joseph's acting skills. I can imagine that he wanted to run after them and say, "Don't go, we need to catch up. Guess who I am?" But instead he lets them go with the exception of Simeon who must have drawn the short straw in the drawing. Simeon had to stay there in jail while the brothers headed back. The only way he would be released was if Benjamin came with them next time.
You have to love Jacob/Israel's reaction. He goes on a rant. He tells the brother that they are robbing him of all of his children. He also makes it clear that Benjamin is not going anywhere. Oh, how that must have sounded to Reuben. Jacob/Israel would rather keep his youngest son at home rather than send him to Egypt to hopefully bring Reuben home.
Jacob/Israel is steadfast in his decision. At least until the grain is gone. And they are still hungry.
Finally he relents.
Little sidenote: Jacob/Israel sends some gifts to Joseph, obviously not realizing it IS Joseph. He sends balm, honey, spices, almonds, etc...including my very favorite...Pistachios!
I knew there was a reason I eat them every day. They are Biblical. :)
The brothers head on back to Egypt, the baby brother (not so much a baby anymore) Benjamin bringing up the lead.
What joy Joseph felt to see his brothers, including his baby brother. In fact, he had to leave the room to hide his tears.
And yet, he kept up the facade.
Impressive.
I will stop there because this is a "To Be Continued" story. And that is what we will do. Continue it (probably tomorrow).
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 44-45
More later,
Reba
Now we are getting to one of my favorite stories.
I just love seeing a good plan unfold, don't you? Or rather a God plan...
The famine was wide spread at this point. The people were hungry.
So thankful that Joseph had been put in charge and was passing out food to those in need. Not that I am biased at all.
Meanwhile, over in Canaan, Joseph's family was getting hungry too. Finally, Jacob/Israel decides that they brothers need to run on over to Egypt to visit and pick up some food. After all, there was no grocery store around the corner. All of the brothers head out but one...Benjamin. Jacob/Israel just can't fathom the thought of losing him too.
The brothers get to Egypt and come before Joseph. However, they don't recognize him. He however knows exactly who these guys are. Kind of reminds me of the show Undercover Boss. Anyway, I digress...
What was Joseph thinking seeing those brothers in front of him? How did he not just yell out, "I TOLD YOU SO" when they bowed down before him (not knowing who he was). Hmmm, sounds a lot like a dream Joseph once had.
I get a little satisfaction for Joseph watching him toy with his brothers. Okay, he is testing them a bit but it reminds me of a cat playing with a mouse. Joseph even used a translator so the brothers don't know he can understand them. How did he not break out laughing when the brothers started moaning that they were being punished for what they did to their brother (a.k.a. Joseph). I also love how Reuben is completely ready to throw them under the bus by saying, "I told you not to to do it. You didn't listen to me." Okay, that is a paraphrase. But you get the idea.
Finally the brothers are ready to head home. I really am impressed with Joseph's acting skills. I can imagine that he wanted to run after them and say, "Don't go, we need to catch up. Guess who I am?" But instead he lets them go with the exception of Simeon who must have drawn the short straw in the drawing. Simeon had to stay there in jail while the brothers headed back. The only way he would be released was if Benjamin came with them next time.
You have to love Jacob/Israel's reaction. He goes on a rant. He tells the brother that they are robbing him of all of his children. He also makes it clear that Benjamin is not going anywhere. Oh, how that must have sounded to Reuben. Jacob/Israel would rather keep his youngest son at home rather than send him to Egypt to hopefully bring Reuben home.
Jacob/Israel is steadfast in his decision. At least until the grain is gone. And they are still hungry.
Finally he relents.
Little sidenote: Jacob/Israel sends some gifts to Joseph, obviously not realizing it IS Joseph. He sends balm, honey, spices, almonds, etc...including my very favorite...Pistachios!
I knew there was a reason I eat them every day. They are Biblical. :)
The brothers head on back to Egypt, the baby brother (not so much a baby anymore) Benjamin bringing up the lead.
What joy Joseph felt to see his brothers, including his baby brother. In fact, he had to leave the room to hide his tears.
And yet, he kept up the facade.
Impressive.
I will stop there because this is a "To Be Continued" story. And that is what we will do. Continue it (probably tomorrow).
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 44-45
More later,
Reba
Monday, March 14, 2011
Week 4 Day 2 Keep Dreaming
Genesis 41
The one thing Joseph said to Mr. Wine Guy was to please remember him when Mr. Wine Guy went free, to please tell the king about him so he can get out of prison.
You would kind of think at some point, when he was being released, Mr. Wine Guy would think, "Oh, yeah, this is just like that guy Joseph said would happen..."
But, no.
He didn't remember Joseph. He forgot all about him.
Seriously?
This passage starts two years later. Guess where Joseph is? Still in jail!
One night the king has a wild dream just full of meaning. Unfortunately he has no idea what kind of meaning it has...He asked everyone he could about it, all of the magicians and wise men of Egypt. No, no go. Nobody could explain it.
Now the king is distressed.
Suddenly, Mr. Wine Guy remembers. "Oh yeah, King, there was something I promised to do but forgot all about..." Then he tells the king about Joseph.
Two years later.
It just blows my mind that it took two years for this to happen.
Anyway, Joseph gets called up out of prison. He gets cleaned up and goes before the king.
Again, Joseph reiterates that no, he cannot interpret dreams but God will do it.
And God does.
After hearing the king's dream, Joseph explains the meaning, that there will be 7 years of prosperity in Egypt followed by 7 years of famine.
Not the best news to hear but better hearing it now then later.
Joseph offered his free consultation services, explaining how the king can prepare for the hard times.
It takes all of two minutes for the king to realize this Joseph guy is pretty with it and knows what he is talking about.
So that day Joseph went from prisoner to basically being second in command after the king.
Isn't God good?
The cool part is that God would have been good even if Joseph had remained in prison.
However, God had a plan. And that plan will be coming in tomorrow's passage I think...one of my favorite stories!
Tomorrow's reading: 42-43
Happy reading!
Reba
The one thing Joseph said to Mr. Wine Guy was to please remember him when Mr. Wine Guy went free, to please tell the king about him so he can get out of prison.
You would kind of think at some point, when he was being released, Mr. Wine Guy would think, "Oh, yeah, this is just like that guy Joseph said would happen..."
But, no.
He didn't remember Joseph. He forgot all about him.
Seriously?
This passage starts two years later. Guess where Joseph is? Still in jail!
One night the king has a wild dream just full of meaning. Unfortunately he has no idea what kind of meaning it has...He asked everyone he could about it, all of the magicians and wise men of Egypt. No, no go. Nobody could explain it.
Now the king is distressed.
Suddenly, Mr. Wine Guy remembers. "Oh yeah, King, there was something I promised to do but forgot all about..." Then he tells the king about Joseph.
Two years later.
It just blows my mind that it took two years for this to happen.
Anyway, Joseph gets called up out of prison. He gets cleaned up and goes before the king.
Again, Joseph reiterates that no, he cannot interpret dreams but God will do it.
And God does.
After hearing the king's dream, Joseph explains the meaning, that there will be 7 years of prosperity in Egypt followed by 7 years of famine.
Not the best news to hear but better hearing it now then later.
Joseph offered his free consultation services, explaining how the king can prepare for the hard times.
It takes all of two minutes for the king to realize this Joseph guy is pretty with it and knows what he is talking about.
So that day Joseph went from prisoner to basically being second in command after the king.
Isn't God good?
The cool part is that God would have been good even if Joseph had remained in prison.
However, God had a plan. And that plan will be coming in tomorrow's passage I think...one of my favorite stories!
Tomorrow's reading: 42-43
Happy reading!
Reba
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Week 4 Day 1 Dream On
Genesis 39-40
Yes, I am a day behind today or yesterday. Or some time. It was a busy night last night, and I was having some computer issues.
So yesterday's reading was about my favorite, Joseph. Here he is, the personal servant of Potiphar. That was quite an honor for a slave. Furthermore, what is impressive is that Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph. What a compliment and what an honor to God! Couldn't we all hope to have others see that?
Things are all going hunky dory until one fateful day. Potiphar's wife decided to woo Joseph. Joseph would have no part of this. He was faithful to his master. (One of the things I love about Joseph is that here he has been sold into slavery by his very own brothers and he just makes the most of the situation...no complaints.)
Anyway, on this day, Potiphar's wife made another move. And Joseph bolted. Unfortunately, when he bolted, his coat didn't. So Potiphar's wife, probably feeling a bit jilted, did what a lot of us do to save face. Lied. Lied through her teeth. She claimed it was Joseph making the moves on her.
No justice here.
None.
That irritates me.
Joseph, a mere slave, has no leg to stand on in front of Potiphar who chose to believe his wife.
Joseph gets thrown in prison.
You would think that would bring a man down. I mean, just reading it brings me down a little. Poor guy. Nothing is going his way. I sure have days like that. But he didn't let this little change of life plans get him down. No, Sirree. He ended up being chosen to take care of all of the prisoners. The Lord made him successful in everything he did.
One night two of the king's servants, also thrown into the slammer, had dreams. The next morning they were both fretting over the dreams. Joseph asked what they had dreamed about.
I love this part.
He tells the men that no one can explain the meaning of the dreams to them...only God can explain the meaning of dreams.
Makes me feel kind of silly for trying to be a dream interpreter in my young, naive days.
Oops!
Anyway, Joseph (with God's help) explained the dreams. The man who served wine to the king had a good dream. He was about to be sprung from jail. The baker though didn't have such a positive dream meaning. His time on earth was coming to an end.
Ugh. Poor Joseph. That could not have been fun news to deliver!
Three days later the king had a birthday. Guess what? Wine guy was sprung from jail while baker dude was hung.
Just as Joseph had said it would...
More in a bit,
Reba
Yes, I am a day behind today or yesterday. Or some time. It was a busy night last night, and I was having some computer issues.
So yesterday's reading was about my favorite, Joseph. Here he is, the personal servant of Potiphar. That was quite an honor for a slave. Furthermore, what is impressive is that Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph. What a compliment and what an honor to God! Couldn't we all hope to have others see that?
Things are all going hunky dory until one fateful day. Potiphar's wife decided to woo Joseph. Joseph would have no part of this. He was faithful to his master. (One of the things I love about Joseph is that here he has been sold into slavery by his very own brothers and he just makes the most of the situation...no complaints.)
Anyway, on this day, Potiphar's wife made another move. And Joseph bolted. Unfortunately, when he bolted, his coat didn't. So Potiphar's wife, probably feeling a bit jilted, did what a lot of us do to save face. Lied. Lied through her teeth. She claimed it was Joseph making the moves on her.
No justice here.
None.
That irritates me.
Joseph, a mere slave, has no leg to stand on in front of Potiphar who chose to believe his wife.
Joseph gets thrown in prison.
You would think that would bring a man down. I mean, just reading it brings me down a little. Poor guy. Nothing is going his way. I sure have days like that. But he didn't let this little change of life plans get him down. No, Sirree. He ended up being chosen to take care of all of the prisoners. The Lord made him successful in everything he did.
One night two of the king's servants, also thrown into the slammer, had dreams. The next morning they were both fretting over the dreams. Joseph asked what they had dreamed about.
I love this part.
He tells the men that no one can explain the meaning of the dreams to them...only God can explain the meaning of dreams.
Makes me feel kind of silly for trying to be a dream interpreter in my young, naive days.
Oops!
Anyway, Joseph (with God's help) explained the dreams. The man who served wine to the king had a good dream. He was about to be sprung from jail. The baker though didn't have such a positive dream meaning. His time on earth was coming to an end.
Ugh. Poor Joseph. That could not have been fun news to deliver!
Three days later the king had a birthday. Guess what? Wine guy was sprung from jail while baker dude was hung.
Just as Joseph had said it would...
More in a bit,
Reba
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Week 3 Day 7 My Three Sons
Genesis 38
Okay, this is one chapter that is really going to be hard to report on and keep this G rated. I will do my best.
Basically, in a nut shell (notice the words of procrastination), Judah gets married (I am presuming after Joseph became a slave) and has three sons. I am not sure what was going on with Judah's family but apparently two of the sons made God kind of angry. The oldest one was killed BY God...doesn't specify other than saying he was evil. Judah passes that son's wife onto son 2 who is not interested in being a part of all of this (not totally sure I blame him) and God strikes him dead too!
I am pretty sure at this point, Judah is feeling a bit antsy. He promises son 3 to Tamar (the wife of Judah's son) but then puts off the actual wedding. Meanwhile, Tamar is sent away to just wait for son 3.
Tamar decides to take matters into her own hands. I cannot imagine how her self esteem must have been at this point. I kind of feel sorry for her.
Since Tamar is obviously not getting son 3, she goes for the dad in law. That is all I will say about that.
It is interesting to me that when Judah gets word that Tamar is expecting, he is ready to have her burned to death...until she brings up a couple of personal belongings identifying the babies' father. Then he changes his tune. Great...now I have the whole Star Wars thing going on in my head. "Babies, I am your father" (said in a Darth Vader voice of course :)
In the end, Tamar delivered twins who seemed to be fighting to get out first. One was named Perez, the other Zerah.
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 39 and 40
Okay, this is one chapter that is really going to be hard to report on and keep this G rated. I will do my best.
Basically, in a nut shell (notice the words of procrastination), Judah gets married (I am presuming after Joseph became a slave) and has three sons. I am not sure what was going on with Judah's family but apparently two of the sons made God kind of angry. The oldest one was killed BY God...doesn't specify other than saying he was evil. Judah passes that son's wife onto son 2 who is not interested in being a part of all of this (not totally sure I blame him) and God strikes him dead too!
I am pretty sure at this point, Judah is feeling a bit antsy. He promises son 3 to Tamar (the wife of Judah's son) but then puts off the actual wedding. Meanwhile, Tamar is sent away to just wait for son 3.
Tamar decides to take matters into her own hands. I cannot imagine how her self esteem must have been at this point. I kind of feel sorry for her.
Since Tamar is obviously not getting son 3, she goes for the dad in law. That is all I will say about that.
It is interesting to me that when Judah gets word that Tamar is expecting, he is ready to have her burned to death...until she brings up a couple of personal belongings identifying the babies' father. Then he changes his tune. Great...now I have the whole Star Wars thing going on in my head. "Babies, I am your father" (said in a Darth Vader voice of course :)
In the end, Tamar delivered twins who seemed to be fighting to get out first. One was named Perez, the other Zerah.
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 39 and 40
Week 3 Day 6 Dreams of Grandeur
Genesis 37
I have to be upfront.
Ask me who my favorite Bible character is.
Just ask.
Okay, Jesus, of course. But behind him, who is next?
Joseph.
I just have to be upfront in case I sound biased for the next few readings...
I will explain more why at a later time.
I am sure you can't wait, dear (three or so) readers. :)
So here is Joseph. He is 17 years old. And his father loves him. Favoritism. It can be a bad thing. Israel (once known as Jacob) even gave him a colorful robe, something special. This rubbed the brothers the wrong way.
Even more disturbing to them was the dreams Joseph had. He had two distinct dreams that his family would bow down to him one day. That didn't go over so well with the brothers either. Even dear daddy questioned these thoughts. I like this line though in verse 10.
Joseph's brothers were jealous of him, but his father thought about what all these things could mean.
Though Dad was not happy about Joseph's revelations, he obviously gave some thought to them and wondered what they might mean. He of all people knew that God could speak volumes through those dreams.
One day, Israel sends his beloved son out to find the other brothers who have taken the flocks grazing. Oops, big mistake.
The brothers seized the opportunity to get rid of the object of their envy. They threw Joseph into a well. Note that the first plans were to kill him. Thankfully Reuben intervened and convinced them to throw him into the well instead. I like the reasoning...so it doesn't hurt him. Um, a dry well in the middle of the desert? Does that not sound a bit painful. It doesn't say they gracefully lowered him into the well. They threw him into the well. Gotta love brothers!
Later the brothers are eating their lunch (while Joseph is in the well), and some strangers come by. The brothers see an opportunity here. Instead of killing Joseph, they can sell him, make a little money, and then be rid of his pesky existence.
Another interesting point I saw here was that Reuben had planned to go back and rescue Joseph from the well later. Toward the end of the chapter, he returns tot he well and finds that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes to show that the was upset. I am thinking he wasn't in on the whole money making slavery scheme. Where was he? And did the other brothers share at this point? Or did they just continue to watch Reuben and then later Israel grieve for their lost son, sitting there knowing exactly what happened to him?
More in a minute,
Reba
I have to be upfront.
Ask me who my favorite Bible character is.
Just ask.
Okay, Jesus, of course. But behind him, who is next?
Joseph.
I just have to be upfront in case I sound biased for the next few readings...
I will explain more why at a later time.
I am sure you can't wait, dear (three or so) readers. :)
So here is Joseph. He is 17 years old. And his father loves him. Favoritism. It can be a bad thing. Israel (once known as Jacob) even gave him a colorful robe, something special. This rubbed the brothers the wrong way.
Even more disturbing to them was the dreams Joseph had. He had two distinct dreams that his family would bow down to him one day. That didn't go over so well with the brothers either. Even dear daddy questioned these thoughts. I like this line though in verse 10.
Joseph's brothers were jealous of him, but his father thought about what all these things could mean.
Though Dad was not happy about Joseph's revelations, he obviously gave some thought to them and wondered what they might mean. He of all people knew that God could speak volumes through those dreams.
One day, Israel sends his beloved son out to find the other brothers who have taken the flocks grazing. Oops, big mistake.
The brothers seized the opportunity to get rid of the object of their envy. They threw Joseph into a well. Note that the first plans were to kill him. Thankfully Reuben intervened and convinced them to throw him into the well instead. I like the reasoning...so it doesn't hurt him. Um, a dry well in the middle of the desert? Does that not sound a bit painful. It doesn't say they gracefully lowered him into the well. They threw him into the well. Gotta love brothers!
Later the brothers are eating their lunch (while Joseph is in the well), and some strangers come by. The brothers see an opportunity here. Instead of killing Joseph, they can sell him, make a little money, and then be rid of his pesky existence.
Another interesting point I saw here was that Reuben had planned to go back and rescue Joseph from the well later. Toward the end of the chapter, he returns tot he well and finds that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes to show that the was upset. I am thinking he wasn't in on the whole money making slavery scheme. Where was he? And did the other brothers share at this point? Or did they just continue to watch Reuben and then later Israel grieve for their lost son, sitting there knowing exactly what happened to him?
More in a minute,
Reba
Friday, March 11, 2011
Week 3 Day 5 Family Ties
Genesis 34-36
Yes, it is yesterday's post. I am just still a step behind. Maybe I will get caught up. Maybe. :)
I am trying really hard to keep this a G-rated blog as much as is possible. However, if you have ever read the Bible at all, you know that some parts are just not G rated. So I am trying to figure out how to address that.
I don't really want to say much about the beginning of this passage other than to say it sounds like if you mess with Dinah, you mess with her brothers. They were unhappy with the course of action being taken (or rather none) and became one of the first groups of vigilantes.
The other thing I have to say is I wonder a little about Jacob. I realize he had a bunch of kids. I only have four, and it can be hard to keep up with their activities. But when all of this was going on, what exactly was he doing? Obviously the brothers felt like their father hadn't stood up for his daughter. Then he isn't even mentioned until after the brothers doled out their own penalties to the enemies. That is when you suddenly hear Jacob complaining that his children have caused him big trouble. What is up with that?
The next chapter, chapter 35, had a lot of life events all in one chapter.
Jacob had to go to Bethel (God's orders) to build an altar. Rebekah's nurse died. Jacob got a new name...Israel. (Hmmm, that sounds familiar) Rachel dies giving birth to their youngest son, Benjamin (or Son of my Suffering, depending on which parent you asked...). A lot of events all in one little chapter!
The ending of the passage involved the genealogy of both Jacob's family and Esau's family. I am not going to lie. My eyes kind of glaze over when I am reading the names, especially when I feel like I have read the same names fifty times. But I know God's word is God inspired, so for whatever reason, God wants it in there. And who am I to argue with God?
Tomorrow/Today's passage: Genesis 37.
More soon,
Reba
Yes, it is yesterday's post. I am just still a step behind. Maybe I will get caught up. Maybe. :)
I am trying really hard to keep this a G-rated blog as much as is possible. However, if you have ever read the Bible at all, you know that some parts are just not G rated. So I am trying to figure out how to address that.
I don't really want to say much about the beginning of this passage other than to say it sounds like if you mess with Dinah, you mess with her brothers. They were unhappy with the course of action being taken (or rather none) and became one of the first groups of vigilantes.
The other thing I have to say is I wonder a little about Jacob. I realize he had a bunch of kids. I only have four, and it can be hard to keep up with their activities. But when all of this was going on, what exactly was he doing? Obviously the brothers felt like their father hadn't stood up for his daughter. Then he isn't even mentioned until after the brothers doled out their own penalties to the enemies. That is when you suddenly hear Jacob complaining that his children have caused him big trouble. What is up with that?
The next chapter, chapter 35, had a lot of life events all in one chapter.
Jacob had to go to Bethel (God's orders) to build an altar. Rebekah's nurse died. Jacob got a new name...Israel. (Hmmm, that sounds familiar) Rachel dies giving birth to their youngest son, Benjamin (or Son of my Suffering, depending on which parent you asked...). A lot of events all in one little chapter!
The ending of the passage involved the genealogy of both Jacob's family and Esau's family. I am not going to lie. My eyes kind of glaze over when I am reading the names, especially when I feel like I have read the same names fifty times. But I know God's word is God inspired, so for whatever reason, God wants it in there. And who am I to argue with God?
Tomorrow/Today's passage: Genesis 37.
More soon,
Reba
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Week 3 Day 4 Leaving Dodge
Genesis 31-33
I am still going to be a day behind on my posting. But I truly am caught up on my reading. I am thinking I will get caught up on Saturday when I have a bit more free time.
So this is yesterday's post written today. :)
In this passage, Jacob begins to realize that Laban and his men are becoming increasingly unhappy with Jacob's presence. He decides it is time to return to his first home. He has given his time and energy to Laban and his land, and he is getting no gratitude.
When Jacob shares his plan with his wives, they agree. They feel like their father has sold them out...literally. They get out of town.
Three days later...
Kind of curious how it took 3 days for Laban to realize that Jacob, his children, his wives, and all of the flocks that Jacob owned had left town. You would kind of think it would have been quieter around there.
Anyway, when Laban does finally come to his senses, he is on the go. Hunting them down. I am thinking that just Laban and some of his relatives moved a lot quicker than Jacob and all of those kids and the flocks because even though Jacob has a 3 day head start, Laban catches up with him.
First they go through the "niceties". You know, stuff like, "So, why are you leaving me with no warning? How come you didn't let me kiss my grandchildren first?" That kind of stuff.
But after just a few questions, Laban gets to his real concern.
Stolen idols.
He is ready to kill whoever has stolen his idols.
Wonder if he knows his sweet little Rachel was the one if his tune would change. I am not so sure it would.
Never fear though, after searching the camp, he doesn't find them. (I won't even comment on Rachel's deception using her womanly ways.)
In the end, Laban and Jacob came to an agreement. I think they basically agreed to disagree.
Laban kissed his kids. And his grandkids. Then went back home.
The next part of the story is one of my favorites. Jacob meets up with Esau. If you will remember, the last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau was planning on retaliation against Jacob. You know, the whole birthright and blessing ordeal.
So now it is time for them to meet up again.
The tension fills the air.
Jacob is anticipating bad things. He splits his camp up into two camps. That way if one is destroyed, at least there is another one safe and sound. He sends gifts ahead to hopefully "soften" his big brother up. He even wrestles with God in the middle of the night struggling with all of those feelings.
The day comes.
Can you just feel the anticipation?
So they approach. Think a Western theme here. Do you hear the music playing in the background? You know, that John Wayne type of music?
And Esau runs up to Jacob and...
hugs him.
Yes, seriously.
Not deck him. Not pull the trigger. He hugs him.
And they both cried.
Sigh.
Love this part.
Esau looks around and asks, "Who are all of these people?"
So Jacob takes a few minutes (hours) to introduce his wives, their servants, the kids, etc.
So much catching up to do!
Even better, Jacob attempts to give some of the flocks (gifts) to Esau.
I am thinking, if I were Esau, I would say, 'Thanks! That kind of makes up for the birthright and blessing you stole from me."
But Esau is a better guy than me.
He says, "No thanks. I have plenty. There is no need."
Jacob insists, and in the end Esau agrees, but not without a fight.
Jacob and his peeps hang out in that area (totally fatigued from travel) and Esau heads home.
Don't you love a good story of forgiveness?
Tomorrow's passage (which is actually today's):
Genesis 34-36
Reba
I am still going to be a day behind on my posting. But I truly am caught up on my reading. I am thinking I will get caught up on Saturday when I have a bit more free time.
So this is yesterday's post written today. :)
In this passage, Jacob begins to realize that Laban and his men are becoming increasingly unhappy with Jacob's presence. He decides it is time to return to his first home. He has given his time and energy to Laban and his land, and he is getting no gratitude.
When Jacob shares his plan with his wives, they agree. They feel like their father has sold them out...literally. They get out of town.
Three days later...
Kind of curious how it took 3 days for Laban to realize that Jacob, his children, his wives, and all of the flocks that Jacob owned had left town. You would kind of think it would have been quieter around there.
Anyway, when Laban does finally come to his senses, he is on the go. Hunting them down. I am thinking that just Laban and some of his relatives moved a lot quicker than Jacob and all of those kids and the flocks because even though Jacob has a 3 day head start, Laban catches up with him.
First they go through the "niceties". You know, stuff like, "So, why are you leaving me with no warning? How come you didn't let me kiss my grandchildren first?" That kind of stuff.
But after just a few questions, Laban gets to his real concern.
Stolen idols.
He is ready to kill whoever has stolen his idols.
Wonder if he knows his sweet little Rachel was the one if his tune would change. I am not so sure it would.
Never fear though, after searching the camp, he doesn't find them. (I won't even comment on Rachel's deception using her womanly ways.)
In the end, Laban and Jacob came to an agreement. I think they basically agreed to disagree.
Laban kissed his kids. And his grandkids. Then went back home.
The next part of the story is one of my favorites. Jacob meets up with Esau. If you will remember, the last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau was planning on retaliation against Jacob. You know, the whole birthright and blessing ordeal.
So now it is time for them to meet up again.
The tension fills the air.
Jacob is anticipating bad things. He splits his camp up into two camps. That way if one is destroyed, at least there is another one safe and sound. He sends gifts ahead to hopefully "soften" his big brother up. He even wrestles with God in the middle of the night struggling with all of those feelings.
The day comes.
Can you just feel the anticipation?
So they approach. Think a Western theme here. Do you hear the music playing in the background? You know, that John Wayne type of music?
And Esau runs up to Jacob and...
hugs him.
Yes, seriously.
Not deck him. Not pull the trigger. He hugs him.
And they both cried.
Sigh.
Love this part.
Esau looks around and asks, "Who are all of these people?"
So Jacob takes a few minutes (hours) to introduce his wives, their servants, the kids, etc.
So much catching up to do!
Even better, Jacob attempts to give some of the flocks (gifts) to Esau.
I am thinking, if I were Esau, I would say, 'Thanks! That kind of makes up for the birthright and blessing you stole from me."
But Esau is a better guy than me.
He says, "No thanks. I have plenty. There is no need."
Jacob insists, and in the end Esau agrees, but not without a fight.
Jacob and his peeps hang out in that area (totally fatigued from travel) and Esau heads home.
Don't you love a good story of forgiveness?
Tomorrow's passage (which is actually today's):
Genesis 34-36
Reba
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Week 3 Day 3 Tricky, Tricky
Genesis 28:10-30:43
Well, I am a day behind. So sorry. I am caught up on my reading, not sure I will get caught up on the posting. Not that anyone is reading...this is really for my accountability. Which I need.
So when we last saw our main character Jacob, he was going back "home" to seek a wife. And escape the wrath of Esau. That whole tricking thing.
Jacob happens to run into Rachel at the well. Those women at the well. Isn't that where we found Rebekah?
He is so overwhelmed to find someone he knows though I am guessing they had never actually met before that he kisses her. I guess it is just a family kind of kiss, but I wonder if sparks flew?
Jacob meets Laban and starts to work for him. He then asks for payment to marry Laban's daughter Rachel. Laban agrees...after 7 years.
I love how this is worded.
"So Jacob worked for Laban seven years so he could marry Rachel. But they seemed like just a few days to him because he loved Rachel very much."
All together now..."Awwww..."
Finally seven years is up. The long awaited marriage. I love that Jacob reminds Laban that the seven years is up. Surely Laban remembered such a date.
The day after the big "feast", Jacob realizes..."Oops, that is NOT Rachel. That is her big sister, the one with the weak eyes, Leah."
And he feels a bit...tricked.
Hmmm, what goes around, comes around?
Jacob talks to Laban and even asks, "Why did you trick me?"
I wonder if he felt ANY irony in uttering those words?
Laban answers that of course, the oldest daughter has to marry first. Why he didn't bring that up, say, seven years ago, is beyond me.
Jacob is told he can still marry Rachel after this wedding's ceremony has died down (about a week) in exchange for SEVEN more years of labor at the farm.
14 years of work for one woman. Wow.
He must have really loved her.
The last part of this passage involves the children. I am trying to keep this all very G rated, but we all know that the Bible is actually a soap opera of sorts. Just not made up stories.
I will just say that Jacob had a lot of children by FOUR different women.
It really makes me tired thinking about it, all of those children I mean.
I guess he is taking that whole "your seed will be multiplied on the earth" very seriously.
But it still makes me tired. I have trouble keeping up with four.
Today's passage (which I will likely blog about tomorrow): Genesis 31-33
Reba
Well, I am a day behind. So sorry. I am caught up on my reading, not sure I will get caught up on the posting. Not that anyone is reading...this is really for my accountability. Which I need.
So when we last saw our main character Jacob, he was going back "home" to seek a wife. And escape the wrath of Esau. That whole tricking thing.
Jacob happens to run into Rachel at the well. Those women at the well. Isn't that where we found Rebekah?
He is so overwhelmed to find someone he knows though I am guessing they had never actually met before that he kisses her. I guess it is just a family kind of kiss, but I wonder if sparks flew?
Jacob meets Laban and starts to work for him. He then asks for payment to marry Laban's daughter Rachel. Laban agrees...after 7 years.
I love how this is worded.
"So Jacob worked for Laban seven years so he could marry Rachel. But they seemed like just a few days to him because he loved Rachel very much."
All together now..."Awwww..."
Finally seven years is up. The long awaited marriage. I love that Jacob reminds Laban that the seven years is up. Surely Laban remembered such a date.
The day after the big "feast", Jacob realizes..."Oops, that is NOT Rachel. That is her big sister, the one with the weak eyes, Leah."
And he feels a bit...tricked.
Hmmm, what goes around, comes around?
Jacob talks to Laban and even asks, "Why did you trick me?"
I wonder if he felt ANY irony in uttering those words?
Laban answers that of course, the oldest daughter has to marry first. Why he didn't bring that up, say, seven years ago, is beyond me.
Jacob is told he can still marry Rachel after this wedding's ceremony has died down (about a week) in exchange for SEVEN more years of labor at the farm.
14 years of work for one woman. Wow.
He must have really loved her.
The last part of this passage involves the children. I am trying to keep this all very G rated, but we all know that the Bible is actually a soap opera of sorts. Just not made up stories.
I will just say that Jacob had a lot of children by FOUR different women.
It really makes me tired thinking about it, all of those children I mean.
I guess he is taking that whole "your seed will be multiplied on the earth" very seriously.
But it still makes me tired. I have trouble keeping up with four.
Today's passage (which I will likely blog about tomorrow): Genesis 31-33
Reba
Oops...
I missed yesterday. :( I am not making excuses, but it was one of those nonstop days of going, going, going, so last night the first few minutes I was still, I was gone (to sleep).
I will make it up tonight and do double duty...
I promise.
Reba
I will make it up tonight and do double duty...
I promise.
Reba
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 3 Day 2 Bless me, Bless Me
Genesis 27-28 v. 9
Oh, Rebekah. How could you mar our name like this?
Here is Isaac. He is getting old. Probably nearing death. He can't see very well.
So he talks to Esau and asks Esau to get him some food so he can give him a blessing. The blessing.
It is hard to truly grasp what that must have meant. We don't really have anything like that these days...
But Esau knew what it meant. He headed out in search of food.
Meanwhile, there is Rebekah. She overhears what is going on. She wants her son Jacob to receive the blessing.
As the mom of four, I can't quite grasp her feelings. I love all of my kids. I don't favor them (though some days I like some more than others...even that changes based on the day :). I can understand how she wants Jacob to have a blessing. I can. Who wants one of their children to be "shorted"? At the same time, I am pretty sure Esau came from her womb. So why isn't she watching out for him too? I don't get it. We share the name but not the same mindset.
Rebekah devises a plan for Jacob to receive the blessing.
Here is the part that hurts my heart.
Jacob is worried. He doesn't want to be cursed if his father discovers the deception before doling out the blessing.
And there is Mommy Dearest. She is saying she will take the curse if needed. She has a plan. Stop worrying.
I hate that she missed this opportunity to teach her son right and wrong. Not only did she not teach him but she was actually the one encouraging the deception, the sin.
And that is a shame.
You reap what you sow though. Of course, Jacob gets the blessing. And of course Esau is NOT a happy camper when he finds out. He is seeing red. And Rebekah knows that. So she has to send Jacob away for his own safety. And now her son, her constant companion in the home (or tent or whatever they lived in) cannot be there.
Oh what a tangled web we weave...
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 28 v 10 through Genesis 30
Oh, Rebekah. How could you mar our name like this?
Here is Isaac. He is getting old. Probably nearing death. He can't see very well.
So he talks to Esau and asks Esau to get him some food so he can give him a blessing. The blessing.
It is hard to truly grasp what that must have meant. We don't really have anything like that these days...
But Esau knew what it meant. He headed out in search of food.
Meanwhile, there is Rebekah. She overhears what is going on. She wants her son Jacob to receive the blessing.
As the mom of four, I can't quite grasp her feelings. I love all of my kids. I don't favor them (though some days I like some more than others...even that changes based on the day :). I can understand how she wants Jacob to have a blessing. I can. Who wants one of their children to be "shorted"? At the same time, I am pretty sure Esau came from her womb. So why isn't she watching out for him too? I don't get it. We share the name but not the same mindset.
Rebekah devises a plan for Jacob to receive the blessing.
Here is the part that hurts my heart.
Jacob is worried. He doesn't want to be cursed if his father discovers the deception before doling out the blessing.
And there is Mommy Dearest. She is saying she will take the curse if needed. She has a plan. Stop worrying.
I hate that she missed this opportunity to teach her son right and wrong. Not only did she not teach him but she was actually the one encouraging the deception, the sin.
And that is a shame.
You reap what you sow though. Of course, Jacob gets the blessing. And of course Esau is NOT a happy camper when he finds out. He is seeing red. And Rebekah knows that. So she has to send Jacob away for his own safety. And now her son, her constant companion in the home (or tent or whatever they lived in) cannot be there.
Oh what a tangled web we weave...
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 28 v 10 through Genesis 30
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week 3, Day 1 Genesis 26 Like Father, Like Son
Genesis 26
The story starts off with another famine. Hmm, kind of reminds me of another story we just read last week...about Abraham. And then here we are, same situation, but this time it is Isaac.
Isaac is thinking of heading out to some place with food. But God stops him. He reminds Isaac about his plans to give him and his descendants the land. He asks Isaac to stay put. So Isaac does.
Much like in his father's day, Isaac was scared. Here is his beautiful wife Rebekah. And Isaac is worried that he will be killed so that the people in the area will kill him in order to have her. So what does he do? Tells everyone she is his sister. Hmmm, sounds very familiar.
Like Father, Like Son.
And just like in his father's day, the king is looking out one day and sees Isaac holding his wife in a non-sisterly way. So he questions Isaac who admits (reluctantly) that yes, Rebekah is really his wife. Poor King Abimelech. He is flabbergasted, reminding Isaac that sin could have happened due to this little white lie.
Oh, these men and their lies...
The next part of the story involves the blessings bestowed upon Isaac. He becomes a wealthy man. The Philistines began to envy him and started filling up Isaac's well with dirt.
I would think it would have been a natural instinct to get a little mad about this. I would have I think.
But Isaac just left and dug more wells.
I love the names.
Argue. Because the people argued over it.
Fight. Because, well, the people fought over it.
And finally Room Enough. Because no one argued about that one, so they had made enough room for Isaac to live there.
Meanwhile, God appears to Isaac again to remind him of the promises He had made. It is almost comical that He keeps reminding him of that, but then again, the Bible is filled with stories of people who forgot God's faithfulness. So it makes perfect sense. Still a little comical though.
The other thing I noticed about these reminders God is giving is that He keeps saying, "I am the God of your father Abraham." I do think I would have been tempted to say, "Aren't you the God of me too?" :)
The end of this passage involves that King Abimelech who drops by Isaac's place. He wants to make a deal with Isaac.
I love how he says, "We were good to you and sent you away in peace."
Um, I am pretty sure his people were the one who kept filling Isaac's wells with dirt. And Isaac left in peace but by his own free will of peace.
Details, details.
Tomorrow's passage:
Genesis 27:1-28:9
The story starts off with another famine. Hmm, kind of reminds me of another story we just read last week...about Abraham. And then here we are, same situation, but this time it is Isaac.
Isaac is thinking of heading out to some place with food. But God stops him. He reminds Isaac about his plans to give him and his descendants the land. He asks Isaac to stay put. So Isaac does.
Much like in his father's day, Isaac was scared. Here is his beautiful wife Rebekah. And Isaac is worried that he will be killed so that the people in the area will kill him in order to have her. So what does he do? Tells everyone she is his sister. Hmmm, sounds very familiar.
Like Father, Like Son.
And just like in his father's day, the king is looking out one day and sees Isaac holding his wife in a non-sisterly way. So he questions Isaac who admits (reluctantly) that yes, Rebekah is really his wife. Poor King Abimelech. He is flabbergasted, reminding Isaac that sin could have happened due to this little white lie.
Oh, these men and their lies...
The next part of the story involves the blessings bestowed upon Isaac. He becomes a wealthy man. The Philistines began to envy him and started filling up Isaac's well with dirt.
I would think it would have been a natural instinct to get a little mad about this. I would have I think.
But Isaac just left and dug more wells.
I love the names.
Argue. Because the people argued over it.
Fight. Because, well, the people fought over it.
And finally Room Enough. Because no one argued about that one, so they had made enough room for Isaac to live there.
Meanwhile, God appears to Isaac again to remind him of the promises He had made. It is almost comical that He keeps reminding him of that, but then again, the Bible is filled with stories of people who forgot God's faithfulness. So it makes perfect sense. Still a little comical though.
The other thing I noticed about these reminders God is giving is that He keeps saying, "I am the God of your father Abraham." I do think I would have been tempted to say, "Aren't you the God of me too?" :)
The end of this passage involves that King Abimelech who drops by Isaac's place. He wants to make a deal with Isaac.
I love how he says, "We were good to you and sent you away in peace."
Um, I am pretty sure his people were the one who kept filling Isaac's wells with dirt. And Isaac left in peace but by his own free will of peace.
Details, details.
Tomorrow's passage:
Genesis 27:1-28:9
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Week 2 Day 7: Making the Deal
Genesis 25:19-34
A lot of story in one little section of a chapter!
When we last left Isaac, he and Rebekah had just gotten married. Isaac was 40.
Now the newlyweds are ready for a family. So, they waited. And waited. And waited.
Nothing.
Finally Isaac takes it to God and begs for his wife to be able to conceive.
I love how it is worded.
Isaac prayed to the LORD for her."
Love.
So she does conceive. God blessed her. Double blessed her.
Twins.
What an experience that must have been. Rebekah could feel the twins struggling within her! So much so that she asks why this is happening.
And God is the one to answer her.
She thought she just had two babies within her.
Oh, no.
God tells her she actually has two NATIONS within her womb. Two groups of people.
What comforting words for a young mom to be.
We don't learn much about the boys' childhood other than the fact that the boys are radically different. Esau is ALL boy. He is out there hunting. Then there is Jacob. He is hanging out at home with his mom. Dad seems to favor one, Mom the other.
Then comes the deal.
One day Esau comes in from the fields. He is starving. Or at least he thinks he is. It just so happens that Jacob is cooking a big pot of vegetable soup.
Oh, that primal urge to eat.
Esau smells that soup and feels the gnawing pain of hunger in this stomach. And he decides he must eat some right now.
Jacob is a sneaky dude. He offers Esau some soup IF and only IF Esau will give up his birthright (since he was born first, even by a few minutes).
Tricky...yes.
What does Esau do?
Agrees.
Tricky...yes.
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 26
A lot of story in one little section of a chapter!
When we last left Isaac, he and Rebekah had just gotten married. Isaac was 40.
Now the newlyweds are ready for a family. So, they waited. And waited. And waited.
Nothing.
Finally Isaac takes it to God and begs for his wife to be able to conceive.
I love how it is worded.
Isaac prayed to the LORD for her."
Love.
So she does conceive. God blessed her. Double blessed her.
Twins.
What an experience that must have been. Rebekah could feel the twins struggling within her! So much so that she asks why this is happening.
And God is the one to answer her.
She thought she just had two babies within her.
Oh, no.
God tells her she actually has two NATIONS within her womb. Two groups of people.
What comforting words for a young mom to be.
We don't learn much about the boys' childhood other than the fact that the boys are radically different. Esau is ALL boy. He is out there hunting. Then there is Jacob. He is hanging out at home with his mom. Dad seems to favor one, Mom the other.
Then comes the deal.
One day Esau comes in from the fields. He is starving. Or at least he thinks he is. It just so happens that Jacob is cooking a big pot of vegetable soup.
Oh, that primal urge to eat.
Esau smells that soup and feels the gnawing pain of hunger in this stomach. And he decides he must eat some right now.
Jacob is a sneaky dude. He offers Esau some soup IF and only IF Esau will give up his birthright (since he was born first, even by a few minutes).
Tricky...yes.
What does Esau do?
Agrees.
Tricky...yes.
Tomorrow's reading: Genesis 26
Week 2 Day 6 Love at First Sight
Genesis 24-25 v. 18
Okay, okay, I am a bit behind. I just crash on Friday nights. I guess it is all of the nights I went to bed past midnight catching up with me.
But I got it read this morning. And in a while, I will read today's verses (which are short...just the rest of chapter 25).
So we start off this passage with Abraham realizing he is not getting any younger. He is looking at his son Isaac and thinking about Isaac's future. He doesn't want Isaac to marry a local woman, he wants someone from their own country. Being "very old", Abraham enlists the help of his servant. I did chuckle a little at how Abraham asked for help. For some reason, the whole "Put your hand under my leg" promise thing just tickled me. Is that similar to our "cross your fingers" we do these days?
The servant heads out, back to the homeland. I love how he is talking to God the whole time, asking for guidance. Abraham had a good servant on his hand!
Sure enough, a little bit later, a young lady comes to the well and does exactly what Abraham's servant had asked God for...she offers to give him a drink of water as well as his camels. And the servant knew..."This is the one." Wouldn't it be nice if finding the right spouse was that easy? :)
Of course, in this day and time, it is not normal to be happy to find someone within your own family to marry, but these are different times.
I am a little partial to Rebekah. It may be the whole name thing. Other than that she has a K and I have C's instead. But I like her from the beginning, even if she is far from perfect.
I like that the servant is ready to head back with her to this foreign land. Her family begs him to let her stay just a little bit longer, but the servant is ready to go back now. The family gives the choice to Rebekah who says she is ready to go. Now.
Okay, that must not be a name thing passed down. I would be the one saying, "Give me just a few days to finish up some things around here..." Maybe if I had a "K" in my name I would be different. :)
The servant and Rebekah head back to Abraham's home. As they approach, they see Isaac walking toward them. I love Rebekah's reaction. She jumped off the camel and asked who that was approaching.
Love at first sight.
All together now..."Awwww..."
So they were married.
The last part of the passage discusses Abraham's death. Abraham died at age 175...after re-marrying and having even more children. Whew!
I was a bit surprised to see that both Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham. I had been wondering where Ishmael disappeared to. Now I know that he was still around somewhere.
The very end of this passage (part of chapter 25) indicates that Ishmael's descendants often attacked the descendants of his brother.
Sibling rivalry?
More to come,
Reba
Okay, okay, I am a bit behind. I just crash on Friday nights. I guess it is all of the nights I went to bed past midnight catching up with me.
But I got it read this morning. And in a while, I will read today's verses (which are short...just the rest of chapter 25).
So we start off this passage with Abraham realizing he is not getting any younger. He is looking at his son Isaac and thinking about Isaac's future. He doesn't want Isaac to marry a local woman, he wants someone from their own country. Being "very old", Abraham enlists the help of his servant. I did chuckle a little at how Abraham asked for help. For some reason, the whole "Put your hand under my leg" promise thing just tickled me. Is that similar to our "cross your fingers" we do these days?
The servant heads out, back to the homeland. I love how he is talking to God the whole time, asking for guidance. Abraham had a good servant on his hand!
Sure enough, a little bit later, a young lady comes to the well and does exactly what Abraham's servant had asked God for...she offers to give him a drink of water as well as his camels. And the servant knew..."This is the one." Wouldn't it be nice if finding the right spouse was that easy? :)
Of course, in this day and time, it is not normal to be happy to find someone within your own family to marry, but these are different times.
I am a little partial to Rebekah. It may be the whole name thing. Other than that she has a K and I have C's instead. But I like her from the beginning, even if she is far from perfect.
I like that the servant is ready to head back with her to this foreign land. Her family begs him to let her stay just a little bit longer, but the servant is ready to go back now. The family gives the choice to Rebekah who says she is ready to go. Now.
Okay, that must not be a name thing passed down. I would be the one saying, "Give me just a few days to finish up some things around here..." Maybe if I had a "K" in my name I would be different. :)
The servant and Rebekah head back to Abraham's home. As they approach, they see Isaac walking toward them. I love Rebekah's reaction. She jumped off the camel and asked who that was approaching.
Love at first sight.
All together now..."Awwww..."
So they were married.
The last part of the passage discusses Abraham's death. Abraham died at age 175...after re-marrying and having even more children. Whew!
I was a bit surprised to see that both Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham. I had been wondering where Ishmael disappeared to. Now I know that he was still around somewhere.
The very end of this passage (part of chapter 25) indicates that Ishmael's descendants often attacked the descendants of his brother.
Sibling rivalry?
More to come,
Reba
Thursday, March 3, 2011
fWeek 2 Day 5 Faith Tested
Genesis 21-23. So...
Guess what?
God was right.
A year later, Sarah delivered a baby boy. Just like God had said she would. She and Abraham named him Isaac.
Abraham was 100 years old.
I just have to say I have often wondered how I can keep up the energy to chase my children around at my age. How on earth did Abraham and Sarah do it at their age?
It just makes me tired to think about it.
I love how Abraham had a feast on the day Isaac was "weaned". Wonder why we don't do that anymore? :)
That is where the trouble started for Hagar and her son Ishmael.
Ishmael was making fun of Isaac, and Sarah didn't like it.
Having four kids in my house, I can say that the making fun of happens a lot in our house. We are trying to cut down on it but it can happen in a moment. Can I start ordering one of them to leave over it?
Well, that is what Sarah did. She ran to Abraham and said, "He needs to go. Send them away." Well, I paraphrased that a bit. But you get the drift.
Again, I understand what Sarah must have been dealing with. A lot of guilt would be my guess. She is the one who created this situation in the first place by not fully trusting God about the whole heir thing. So I would think any time she sees Ishmael, she has to have a stab of pain in her heart. "I did that."
So how else do you get rid of guilt? Well, there is the whole confession route. Or maybe you just get rid of the cause of the guilt...or at least the reminder.
I promise I am not being judgmental. I have NO idea what I would have done in her situation. Patience has never been a strong suit of mine. Well, in some areas of life it has but as far as wanting to know what is going to happen next, next to none. That is why I read the last chapter of a book first.
Anyway, poor Hagar. Once again, she is sent packing. To the desert. No fault of her own. I actually even felt bad for Abraham. After all, this is his son too. But God told him to listen to Sarah. Again, a bit puzzling. I want to say, "God, why didn't you tell Abraham to stand up to Sarah?" But I am not God (obviously). Either way, God was there. Even as Hagar left with her son with a little food and water, God was there. He heard her crying as they wandered through the desert. And He assured her yet again that He had a plan for them.
In the next "scene", God tells Abraham to pack up and take his son Isaac up to sacrifice him.
"Um, excuse me?"
That would have been my comment.
"God, didn't you say this was my heir, that I would have many generations spring forth from this seed? How will that happen if I kill him?"
It is so obvious that Abraham has more faith than me. He didn't even question. He did what God said. He took Isaac up to the mountain. Not your little weekend family hike here. How did Isaac feel? As his dad is tying him up and putting him on an altar to sacrifice, what was he thinking? Did he have the same faith? (I also can't help but wonder if Sarah knew about it...)
Abraham had the knife in the air. Then there was the last minute stay of execution. The angel of the Lord stopped him just in the nick of time.
Whew.
Breathe it. That sigh of relief.
Abraham's faith had been tested. And he had passed.
How would I have done?
Ugh.
The last chapter (a lot going on in this passage) dealt with Sarah's death. Sarah died (at age 127) and Abraham mourned for her.
Love. Till Death do us part.
Abraham wouldn't rest until his beloved wife had a burial ground.
RIP, Sarah, RIP.
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 24-25:18
Reba
PS Yes, I am a bit unorthodox. And I obviously have no training. This is just my way of sorting through what I read. And keeping me accountable. :)
Guess what?
God was right.
A year later, Sarah delivered a baby boy. Just like God had said she would. She and Abraham named him Isaac.
Abraham was 100 years old.
I just have to say I have often wondered how I can keep up the energy to chase my children around at my age. How on earth did Abraham and Sarah do it at their age?
It just makes me tired to think about it.
I love how Abraham had a feast on the day Isaac was "weaned". Wonder why we don't do that anymore? :)
That is where the trouble started for Hagar and her son Ishmael.
Ishmael was making fun of Isaac, and Sarah didn't like it.
Having four kids in my house, I can say that the making fun of happens a lot in our house. We are trying to cut down on it but it can happen in a moment. Can I start ordering one of them to leave over it?
Well, that is what Sarah did. She ran to Abraham and said, "He needs to go. Send them away." Well, I paraphrased that a bit. But you get the drift.
Again, I understand what Sarah must have been dealing with. A lot of guilt would be my guess. She is the one who created this situation in the first place by not fully trusting God about the whole heir thing. So I would think any time she sees Ishmael, she has to have a stab of pain in her heart. "I did that."
So how else do you get rid of guilt? Well, there is the whole confession route. Or maybe you just get rid of the cause of the guilt...or at least the reminder.
I promise I am not being judgmental. I have NO idea what I would have done in her situation. Patience has never been a strong suit of mine. Well, in some areas of life it has but as far as wanting to know what is going to happen next, next to none. That is why I read the last chapter of a book first.
Anyway, poor Hagar. Once again, she is sent packing. To the desert. No fault of her own. I actually even felt bad for Abraham. After all, this is his son too. But God told him to listen to Sarah. Again, a bit puzzling. I want to say, "God, why didn't you tell Abraham to stand up to Sarah?" But I am not God (obviously). Either way, God was there. Even as Hagar left with her son with a little food and water, God was there. He heard her crying as they wandered through the desert. And He assured her yet again that He had a plan for them.
In the next "scene", God tells Abraham to pack up and take his son Isaac up to sacrifice him.
"Um, excuse me?"
That would have been my comment.
"God, didn't you say this was my heir, that I would have many generations spring forth from this seed? How will that happen if I kill him?"
It is so obvious that Abraham has more faith than me. He didn't even question. He did what God said. He took Isaac up to the mountain. Not your little weekend family hike here. How did Isaac feel? As his dad is tying him up and putting him on an altar to sacrifice, what was he thinking? Did he have the same faith? (I also can't help but wonder if Sarah knew about it...)
Abraham had the knife in the air. Then there was the last minute stay of execution. The angel of the Lord stopped him just in the nick of time.
Whew.
Breathe it. That sigh of relief.
Abraham's faith had been tested. And he had passed.
How would I have done?
Ugh.
The last chapter (a lot going on in this passage) dealt with Sarah's death. Sarah died (at age 127) and Abraham mourned for her.
Love. Till Death do us part.
Abraham wouldn't rest until his beloved wife had a burial ground.
RIP, Sarah, RIP.
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 24-25:18
Reba
PS Yes, I am a bit unorthodox. And I obviously have no training. This is just my way of sorting through what I read. And keeping me accountable. :)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Week 2 Day 4 A Pillar of Salt
Genesis 18-20
Today's passage started off with Abraham hanging out in his tent. Visitors stopped by his tent to once again tell Abraham that he will have a son in a year. My favorite part of this is that Sarah overheard this and laughed. Wouldn't you at her age? The other part I like is that the guests ask Abraham why Sarah is laughing (even though she is not out there with them). God knows. He knows what Sarah was doing, He knows what we do. We talk about that a lot with our kids. :) Even better, Sarah denies that she was laughing. Reminds me of the child who I catch red handed telling me that they were not doing anything they weren't supposed to be. Busted!
The next part of the passage involved the famous Sodom and Gomorrah. God is looking at those cities shaking his head and saying "Evil. Evil. Evil." So He decides to destroy them. Of course, not by a flood. He promised He wouldn't do that again. Just by fire this time.
Abraham starts negotiating with God. He starts off with asking God if there are 50 righteous people in S and G whether God will not destroy it. God agrees. Then Abraham starts negotiating...down. His last "offer"? 10. Surely there are 10 righteous people. God agrees. 10 righteous people and He won't destroy them.
The next thing you know the visitors are making their way to S and G. Why? To save Lot, Abraham's nephew. Why? Because S and G is going down in flames.
Kind of sad, huh? God couldn't find 10 righteous people. 10. Not 50. Just 10.
I could say a lot about the visitors' encounter with Lot. Like how evil S and G really seemed to be. Or how Lot (in attempt to save his visitor's from the lusts of the city's men) offered up his daughters instead.
But the part I remember from this story more than any?
Lot's wife.
What happened to her?
The visitors told Lot and his family to get out of Dodge. Or rather S and G. And to NOT look back.
Really, we should do that in our lives, right?
When we decide we are going to follow Him, we need to look at Him, NOT look back.
Easier said than done.
That is why I have always had a special place in my heart for Lot's wife. Here they are running from their home which is being destroyed by fire and brimstone. And what does she do? What do we always do? You know the whole elephant in the room thing? Tell a child to not touch something. What does he/she do? That is what happened. She turned around and looked. And she turned into a pillar of salt.
I kind of feel for her.
I would hope that I would be obedient. It is my hope to be in life, to obey His commands. But I am afraid that I would be, could be Lot's wife. Well, not married to him. But the one turning around to get one last look. I might have been salt.
Lastly in the passage, there is Abraham. And he is up to to his old tricks. He is telling people that his dear wife Sarah is just his sister. And once again, a king and his people are punished for taking in Sarah wen they are the ones who have been deceived.
Still don't quite get that.
Maybe the Hebrew or the Greek versions explain this concept more.
Maybe not.
Either way, God still counted Abraham as righteous. And that gives me hope! Maybe even though I struggle with things in life, I still can be counted as a righteous daughter.
Reba
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 21-23
Today's passage started off with Abraham hanging out in his tent. Visitors stopped by his tent to once again tell Abraham that he will have a son in a year. My favorite part of this is that Sarah overheard this and laughed. Wouldn't you at her age? The other part I like is that the guests ask Abraham why Sarah is laughing (even though she is not out there with them). God knows. He knows what Sarah was doing, He knows what we do. We talk about that a lot with our kids. :) Even better, Sarah denies that she was laughing. Reminds me of the child who I catch red handed telling me that they were not doing anything they weren't supposed to be. Busted!
The next part of the passage involved the famous Sodom and Gomorrah. God is looking at those cities shaking his head and saying "Evil. Evil. Evil." So He decides to destroy them. Of course, not by a flood. He promised He wouldn't do that again. Just by fire this time.
Abraham starts negotiating with God. He starts off with asking God if there are 50 righteous people in S and G whether God will not destroy it. God agrees. Then Abraham starts negotiating...down. His last "offer"? 10. Surely there are 10 righteous people. God agrees. 10 righteous people and He won't destroy them.
The next thing you know the visitors are making their way to S and G. Why? To save Lot, Abraham's nephew. Why? Because S and G is going down in flames.
Kind of sad, huh? God couldn't find 10 righteous people. 10. Not 50. Just 10.
I could say a lot about the visitors' encounter with Lot. Like how evil S and G really seemed to be. Or how Lot (in attempt to save his visitor's from the lusts of the city's men) offered up his daughters instead.
But the part I remember from this story more than any?
Lot's wife.
What happened to her?
The visitors told Lot and his family to get out of Dodge. Or rather S and G. And to NOT look back.
Really, we should do that in our lives, right?
When we decide we are going to follow Him, we need to look at Him, NOT look back.
Easier said than done.
That is why I have always had a special place in my heart for Lot's wife. Here they are running from their home which is being destroyed by fire and brimstone. And what does she do? What do we always do? You know the whole elephant in the room thing? Tell a child to not touch something. What does he/she do? That is what happened. She turned around and looked. And she turned into a pillar of salt.
I kind of feel for her.
I would hope that I would be obedient. It is my hope to be in life, to obey His commands. But I am afraid that I would be, could be Lot's wife. Well, not married to him. But the one turning around to get one last look. I might have been salt.
Lastly in the passage, there is Abraham. And he is up to to his old tricks. He is telling people that his dear wife Sarah is just his sister. And once again, a king and his people are punished for taking in Sarah wen they are the ones who have been deceived.
Still don't quite get that.
Maybe the Hebrew or the Greek versions explain this concept more.
Maybe not.
Either way, God still counted Abraham as righteous. And that gives me hope! Maybe even though I struggle with things in life, I still can be counted as a righteous daughter.
Reba
Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 21-23
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Week 2 Day 3: Ah Ha!
Genesis 15-17
Finally. I can say it. Abraham. Sarah. Their names changed. I always thought God had a sense of humor. We went from Sarai and Abram to Sarah and Abraham. Do you see? God added an "ah" and a "ha". If that isn't a sense of humor, what is?
A couple things stick out to me in this passage.
God has promised Abraham an offspring. Abraham believed him. He didn't seem to be in any hurry. But Sarah was. That sounds a lot like me. I want things to happen now, not next week. So what does Sarah do? Takes matters into her own hands. I have to confess, I have always thought of Abraham as a bit of a wimp here. At least from what I have read in the verses, he doesn't put up a fight. He goes along with her and her plan with Hagar. No questions asked. I also can't help but wonder (as a woman)...did Sarah deep down WANT Abraham to argue with her? I know I would have.
Anyway, my heart hurts for Hagar in this story. She is the servant. She has few choices. And now she is not only pregnant, but she also is now scorned in the eyes of Sarah who was the one with the plan in the first place. So she runs away to the desert. God meets her there and basically tells her (in a nice way) to suck it up, to go back and have the baby. But here is the best part. He would be a "wild donkey" living in "hostility". Boy, aren't those inspirational words you want to hear when you are expecting! The cool part? Even after those words that seemed so unsettling to me, Hagar did go back.
The final thing that stuck out to me was Abraham's response when once again God tells him that he will have an heir. Here is Abraham's response Genesis 17:17-18...
Abraham bowed facedown on the ground and laughed. He said to himself, "Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth to a child when she is ninety?"18 Then Abraham said to God, "Please let Ishmael be the son you promised."
I just love this response. Especially the last part. You know at a 100 years old, Abraham is feeling a bit old. Heck, I feel that way at almost 40. I can totally understand why he might say, "Couldn't it be Ishmael? I am too old to be doing this, God."
Honest.
I like honest.
And I think God does too.
It isn't like he didn't realize what Abraham was thinking. I love that Abraham just felt comfortable enough in his relationship with God to say, "Okay, let's get real here..."
And the very best part?
God didn't strike him down with lightning for being honest and sharing his thoughts. Instead, he just firmly answered that Abraham was GOING to have an heir, and no, it wouldn't be Ishmael.
That is the God I am glad I serve. I can go to Him with anything, all my fears, all my worries. And He doesn't strike me down on the spot for saying such things.
So very thankful for that.
More later,
Reba
Finally. I can say it. Abraham. Sarah. Their names changed. I always thought God had a sense of humor. We went from Sarai and Abram to Sarah and Abraham. Do you see? God added an "ah" and a "ha". If that isn't a sense of humor, what is?
A couple things stick out to me in this passage.
God has promised Abraham an offspring. Abraham believed him. He didn't seem to be in any hurry. But Sarah was. That sounds a lot like me. I want things to happen now, not next week. So what does Sarah do? Takes matters into her own hands. I have to confess, I have always thought of Abraham as a bit of a wimp here. At least from what I have read in the verses, he doesn't put up a fight. He goes along with her and her plan with Hagar. No questions asked. I also can't help but wonder (as a woman)...did Sarah deep down WANT Abraham to argue with her? I know I would have.
Anyway, my heart hurts for Hagar in this story. She is the servant. She has few choices. And now she is not only pregnant, but she also is now scorned in the eyes of Sarah who was the one with the plan in the first place. So she runs away to the desert. God meets her there and basically tells her (in a nice way) to suck it up, to go back and have the baby. But here is the best part. He would be a "wild donkey" living in "hostility". Boy, aren't those inspirational words you want to hear when you are expecting! The cool part? Even after those words that seemed so unsettling to me, Hagar did go back.
The final thing that stuck out to me was Abraham's response when once again God tells him that he will have an heir. Here is Abraham's response Genesis 17:17-18...
Abraham bowed facedown on the ground and laughed. He said to himself, "Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth to a child when she is ninety?"18 Then Abraham said to God, "Please let Ishmael be the son you promised."
I just love this response. Especially the last part. You know at a 100 years old, Abraham is feeling a bit old. Heck, I feel that way at almost 40. I can totally understand why he might say, "Couldn't it be Ishmael? I am too old to be doing this, God."
Honest.
I like honest.
And I think God does too.
It isn't like he didn't realize what Abraham was thinking. I love that Abraham just felt comfortable enough in his relationship with God to say, "Okay, let's get real here..."
And the very best part?
God didn't strike him down with lightning for being honest and sharing his thoughts. Instead, he just firmly answered that Abraham was GOING to have an heir, and no, it wouldn't be Ishmael.
That is the God I am glad I serve. I can go to Him with anything, all my fears, all my worries. And He doesn't strike me down on the spot for saying such things.
So very thankful for that.
More later,
Reba
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