Feb 1, Ex 35:4-39:1

Two depictions of the Mercy Seat (called Atonement Cover in the version we are reading). Study both and see if you realize what is going on in the second picture before you read further.You can click on it to see it larger. A Beth Moore Bible study first cued me into this forshadowing. Check out John 20:12.

The first picture had to be repeated every year.  The priest would have to spinkle blood on the Mercy Seat to atone for the peoples sins. In the second picture, it's once for all finished!

Remember that when Christ died the veil (which was then in the temple, not the temporary tabernacle) in front of the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat was ripped from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). The veil was multiple layers thick and reportedly could not have been pulled apart by a team of oxen. The tearing signified that we now have direct access to God. No longer was man limited to once a year access through the High Priest. Our own High Priest, Jesus, was on the new and final Mercy Seat- guarded in the tomb by angels until His ressurection. I just thought this was so beautiful.

I also read something interesting about the ark of the covantent being symbolic of Christ. It was made of wood and covered inside and out with gold. The wood represents Christ's humanity and the gold respresents His divinity.

Picking up on a theme from a couple days ago that these furnishings are copies of what is heaven: Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple. And there were flashes of lightning, roaring, crashes of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

You may or may not know that the tabernacle was eventually replaced by 2 temples. One was destroyed and then another one built. The last one was destroyed in 70AD by the Romans (prophesied by Christ in Matt 24) that not one stone would be left on the other- and now all that is left is the edge of one far wall, popularly called the 'Wailing Wall'.) Where the temple stood is now under Muslim control and the Dome of the Rock is built on it. But the Orthodox Jews now reportedly have everything ready to go for a 3rd Temple-all the furnishings etc except the Ark of the Covenant which has never been found. They are training priests and waiting for the day that they can rebuild the temple and start sacrifices again.  (tragically they don't realize there is no need) Very interesting since the book of Daniel (Daniel 11:31) says that the AntiChrist will put an end to sacrifices (which there are none currently to put an end to) and Jesus says to His disciples in Matt. 24 when they ask what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age He tells them :“when you see the abomination of desolation spoken about by Daniel the prophet – standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)." There is no Holy Place right now......so could this be getting ready to happen? I don't know. All I know is that we all need to be ready to meet Him whenever He comes.

(techie note: Yeah! My hyperlinked Bible verses work! Put your curser over the verse to see it pop up. I have NO idea how I did it)

Jan 31 Ex 32-34

(The path leading up to modern day Mt. Sinai)

The first thing that struck me in today's reading is that God tells Moses that "Your people" are up to no good. If you are married with children, haven't you often said to your husband or wife, "YOUR son/daughter did such and such". And can't you just FEEL how angry God is? Just leave me alone and let me steam! I'll make a new nation for you. But amazingly Moses intercedes for them.

I had not noticed before about Moses grinding up the calf and making the Israelites drink it. I couldn't find any real information on this but the best I can tell the idea is what we would think of "you made your bed, now lie in it". One guy said the idol was no better or worse coming out the 'other end' than it was in the first place :)  I did just have a thought though...maybe because it (the gold) had been defiled in making an idol, maybe Moses wanted to make sure that it was not used for any other purpose such as making the furniture in the tabernacle. They must have had a LOT of gold with them!!

It is also interesting to me that Aaron is not punished. He went on to be the High Priest. I assume, although we are not told, that Moses probably especially interceded for him. Or perhaps he was one of the first ones in line when Moses asked "who is for the Lord". I assume that he totally repented since, like I said, he went on to become High Priest. I guess that's encouraging to those us (all) who mess up. He certainly did not admit his mistake in the begining when Moses confronted him! I just threw the gold in the fire and this is what popped out!! Sounds logical......

There a some really beautiful parts to this story. God talking to Moses like a friend. Joshua lingering in the tent of meeting (keep your eye on him, he will become great) and Moses begging God to go with them or forget the whole thing. Our life would not be worth going forward with if God did not go with us.

A chapel on the top of Mt Sinia where they believe that God gave Moses the 10 Commandments and in the back of the chapel is where they believe the 'cleft of the rock' is where God hid Moses and let His glory pass by him.

http://labs.bible.org/api/?passage=Exodus+34:6-8

This is not how I wanted the above verses to appear, but I'm working on it :) This tiny bit of "programming" I had to do to get that far convinced me (not that I needed convincing) that I could never be a computer programer! Headache!!

Jan 30 Ex.29-31

God certainly is into details!! Because He is so Holy everything had to be 'just perfect' to approach Him. Thank goodness the price has been paid through Jesus for us to have fellowship with Him at any time.....any where.......in any circumstance!

Like I said yesterday, it is amazing (though admittedly boring) that we have all these details. If they unearthed some 3000 year old document that told down to the last fringe what people wore, how they worshiped etc. historians would be all over it. But since it's 'the Bible' it is largely ignored by secular historians.

Of course redemption and ransom are a frequent theme in the OT. I was smiling to myself thinking what an uproar it would be if in the upcoming census the census taker would come to the door and hold out his hand and ask for ransom money.  In shock you say "What?" (thinking' I didn't see anything on CNN about this!!'). "Yes" the census taker grunts (he's said it 1000 times and is getting annoyed), "God gave you life, your life is His, you have to buy it back". Wait a minute you're thinking....I must have missed that in the fine print. I know I skimmed it...but who reads that stuff? The census taker shifts impatiently. "Come on, half a shekel, I got more houses to go to!!". You scramble for your wallet or purse totally up in your head what you've already given (..a half an ephah of this, a half a hin of that, one of my first born lambs.....) When does it end?!! Happily, it has at Calvary! Paid in full! I love it!

Jan 28 Ex 25-28

I am just facsinated by the Tabernacle. I love to study about all the different items..how each one has meaning and is a picture or symbolism for something. My sister however- it puts her in coma!

So I'll try to share a few thoughts that might interest those of you like my sister how are nearly comatose by now. And for the rest of you weirdo's like me, I put on link to more study our facebook page. Even for me, the contruction details were a little boring but just think how amazing it is that there are such detailed instructions that we can today re-contruct with incredible detail that is almost 3000 years old!!

The most facsinating thing for me is that it seems to be an earthy picture of something that is actually in heaven. Hebrews 9 tells us that these are all COPIES of what is in heaven and that Christ as our new high priest went into the Holy of Holies in heaven and placed His blood there for the forgiveness of sins once and for all on our behalf.
The whole chapter is beautiful (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=9&v=1&t=NIV#top)
but I especially like these verses
Hbr 9:10 They (the sacrifices etc) are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
Hbr 9:11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here,  he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.
Hbr 9:12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hbr 9:23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Hbr 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence

I won't spend time right now on the priest garments, but here is a website that gives all the details.

http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm

Jan 28 Ex 19-20,23:20- 24:18

Up until today, except for the commentaries, this Bible has not read much different than any other Bible. Today is where I really start loving it! In the actual Bible, the long list of Laws are given fully at least twice and parts of them are reviewed many times. I'm sure that wandering in the Wilderness they needed to hear them over and over (especially since it was 40 years), but what a stroke of brilliance on L. Smiths part to put them all together, catagorize them and just have to read it once. There are things we can learn from the laws and it's important to have them there to refer to so we can understand the NT better, but since many of them don't really apply to us this is where many people reading through the Bible start to lose it. But we are going to hang in there!!

The verses I mentioned before- Ex. 23:20-21 (I am sending an angel ahead....do not rebel against him, he will not forgive your rebellion) has come up already. I said I would tackle that when I got there....but boy it's a tough one. I couldn't find any helpful commentaries or interpretations. This is the best I can figure out, if someone else has more insight, jump in. One translation says 'he won't bear with them', giving the idea not of unforgiveness, but "I'm not putting up with that". Also in a list of 'related verses', it mentions ones about not letting them go into the promised land because of their rebellion. So I am guessing that this has to do more with 'he won't let their sins go unpunished' rather than refusing to forgive them. As always, we have to take scripture as whole and we know that God will forgive us when we are repentant. In reading these related scriptures I noted that we will see more of this 'angel of the Lord' and there is now little doubt in my mind that it is a Christophany (preincarnate Jesus). Remember that the word translated angel actually means messenger and doesn't always mean the being created to serve God in heaven.

It always bothered me that when they finally take over the Promised Land that there has to be so much blood shed. Then I heard a message one time that used this passage to show that was not God's original intent. Here in Ex 23:23-33 (with the 'original' Israelites not the next generation who actually do go into the Promised Land) He tells them He will drive out the inhabitants little by little and he will send 'the hornet' ahead of them. One source I read said that this is a metaphore for 'ills and calamaties". At any rate by the time they finally get there, they have disobeyed so many times that they have to fight for the land. But I'm jumping ahead a little.

Back to the scene at hand- it is interesting that Moses sprinkles them with blood. I had not noticed that before. And they seem so eager to obey, twice the saw 'We will do everything the the Lord has said, we will obey". Hmm......we'll see......

Nabad and Abihu, by the way are Aaron's sons. They will won't be obeying for very long (preview of coming attractions.....)

And what must it have been like to see God's glory?? Wow. The closest we get now is His majestic creation.

• When have you been aware of the Lord’s presence while observing nature?
• Close your eyes and place yourself on Mount Sinai with Moses and friends. Meditate on God’s beauty as he stands on the blue sapphire pavement.
• Now bask in the cool peace of God’s beauty.

Jan 27 Ex 15:22-18:27

And so starts the complaining! Complain, complain, complain. I know I'm guilty too but boy when you read about other people doing it, it's a great reminder to knock it off!

They sound like a bunch of kids! I can almost imagine: "Are we there yet?!" "I'm hungry." " This water tastes icky!" "I'm thirsty!" "Moses- he looked at me!" "Well, he looked at me first" "Nuh uh" For the most part we can see how their complaining is pretty 'normal' and 'human'. But to say they would have been better off having died in Egypt? Now that's pretty drastic. But isn't that just how we are? Especially when we think of Egypt as being reprentative of sin. As soon as it gets hard, we think of our old ways.....and think, "Well it really wasn't that bad".

But despite everything, God supplies all their needs. And they still try to manipulate it so they can save some.

With all that complaining and not following instructions, Moses must have had an awful lot of opportunities to get offended. They were constantly grumbling against him. He would have been tempted many times to get angry, bitter and resentful. Luckily, most of the time he took his complaints to the Lord and stayed on task. I just watched Joyce Meyer this morning and I loved what she said, "Offense is the bait of Satan". It actually comes from the greek word (scandelon) used for the bait hung above a trap. When we get offended we fall into his trap, get bitter and angry and it affects our relationship with the Lord and with others. So we have to remember (I'm talking to myself too!) to take our complaints to the Lord and stay on task and refuse to get offended.

The other great lesson was from Jethro. Moses' father in law. He told Moses he can't do everything, so it's OK to delegate. Like everything, this is all about balance. Some people try to do everything and can't delegate anything and others delegate everything possible. In delegating the things that didn't require his attention he was able to focus on the unique job called him to do. He didn't sit around eating bon-bon's, he still judged the difficult cases and did everything else God called him to do.

Jan 26 Exodus 13:17- 15:21

The Original "I've Got Your Back"

We've read about or seen in movies the parting of the Red Sea for years.

What really interested me was the angel with them. I've always known about 'the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night' but I hadn't really noticed the 'angel of God' was with them. Both the angel and the cloud had been ahead of the Israelites and both went behind them when they crossed the Red Sea(Ex 14:19-20). I got to wondering if this is another ('Where's Waldo') preconfiguration of Christ and therefore the trinity. I'm thinking it is as later in Exodus 23: 20 it says 'my Name is in him' and 'he will not forgive your rebellion'. Only God (Jesus) can forgive sins (not sure why he would not forgive something.....we'll have to tackle that when we get there)

Talk about God's got your back!! "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still" (Ex 14:14)

Jan 25 Exodus 12-13

Egypt is a word picture for us of sin......and our bondage to it. Remember that the Israelites went voluntarily...things were good for while and then came bondage and oppression.

Many of the plagues were selective- they afflicted the Egyptians and not the Hebrews. But the plague of death (the price for sin) affected everyone's firstborn. HOWEVER, salvation was available in the form of a substitute- a perfect lamb. The blood of a perfect lamb on the wooden cross posts of the door of their home and the Angel of Death would pass by. Only once the blood was applied and price for sin paid could they begin their new journey to the Promised Land. Just like the blood of Jesus saves us and we embark on a new life.

It's just amazing that 3000 years later, the Passover is still celebrated. I would assume that it has to be the longest running traditional celebration in history. In record numbers, our blessed Jewish friends are begining to realize that Jesus is indeed their Messiah, their salvation as well as ours. And the Passover is one the most absolutely beautiful pictures of it.

I could never do this topic justice, but I did find this great video that I hope you will watch. It is very well done and shows us Jesus as the Passover Lamb. A Jewish believer in Jesus explains:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5272606142394767394#

Jan 24

Oops, I included all of the reading for Jan 24 on Jan 23. I guess I wanted to keep all the plagues together. That's ok, it gives me one more day to prepare for and think about one of my favorite subjects- Passover. I remember when our former associate Pastor (who I used to tease about being a Baptist Jew who liked to watch the Catholic channel) held a Sedar (passover) dinner for us. It was shortly before that the lightbulb went off in my brain: Jesus and His disciples were celebrated more than the famed "Last Supper" they were celebrating Passover! There is SO much info on symbolism of Passover and how it represents Christ that I won't be able to do it justice. I will probably end up posting some links to check out if you are interested and post what I feels speaks to me.

I'm never sure when I sit down at the computer how these blogs are going to turn out. They just kind of happen. Hopefully, it is the Spririt leading me. I've had good feedback (you all keep me going more than you know!) and so I'll keep plugging away. I'm not a theologian, I've not been to Bible school, but I just LOVE God's word. And I love to share my love it :)

I've been thinking about what kind of little gift from the Holy Land I can get for people if they finish out the whole year with reading through the Bible. Maybe a little coin or something.

Jan 23 Exodus 5-11

Panic and Discouragement:

Haven't you often said," I wish God would just tell me what He is going to do." Or as a friend recently said, "Where is the neon sign telling me what to do?". Well God told Moses ahead of time EXACTLY what He was going to do. He even told him that Pharoh would not let the people go until He had to kill Pharoh's firstborn son. (Ex 4:21-23). When Moses and Aaron told the elders of Israel what God had said and that He was concerned about them and had seen their misery they believed and worshiped. (Ex. 4:29-31). But as soon as the going got tough, Moses ran to God in a panic (Ex. 5:22-6:1) and the elders were ready to give up.

God reassured Moses by telling him four times I am the LORD (Ex. 6: 2-9) and reaffirming these great truths:

• I have established My coventant with you and have remembered it
• I will free you from the yoke of bondage
• I will make you My people and be your God
• I will give you a possession or heritage

Moses must have been very encouraged after this talk with God but then, "He reported all he heard to the Isrealites and they did not listen because of their discouragement".

So to sum it up: they had the plan, the neon sign as it were, and even signs, wonders and miracles but they did not listen because they were discouraged. Maybe you are discouraged today. Remind yourself of God's promises, He never fails. (all these promises hold true for us today Galatians 3:6-16)

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The Plagues:

We are all pretty familiar with these, if not from reading through the Bible, at least from the Charlton Heston version of the 10 Suggestions....I mean Commandments. But one thing I noticed that I had never seen before. The plagues begin and end with blood. First the Nile turns to blood and then the firstborn is killed. It's the blood that saves us from all the stuff 'in between'.

As a side note, if you want some entertaining reading, search the web about the plauges and read some of the things 'science' has come up with to explain them. You know, of course, that battles at Sea were very common in that era, and there could have been a horrible battle on the Nile causing it to turn to blood. And the reason that only the firstborn died was that after the plague of darkness (caused by an eclipse) the Egyptians hurried to feed their firstborn (who had a prefered spot in the family) and fed them food that had toxic mold. The Israelists, however took their time and did not have the same preference for firstborn (since when?) Okie, Dokie- that's the best ya got??

Jan 22.Exodus 1-5

There is so much in today's passage but the most important thing that struck me was God telling Moses "I am that I am"

Today in the local newspaper there was an article in the religion section about a person of the Bahai faith who said Jesus was "One of his favorite spiritual messangers". Well, 'one of the favorites' is not an option. Either Jesus is God or He is a blasphamous lunatic. Jesus said "Before Abraham was, I am"(John 8:58). And they knew what He meant by that! They knew EXACTLY who I am was! And it was such a Holy name it was very rarely ever spoken. They were so upset at Him claiming to be God that they picked up stones to stone Him but He slipped away.

If you are interested in reading more about God's personal/sacred name (I am/Jehovah/Yahweh/YHVH etc) here's a great website- it all gets a little complicated, but I find it fascinating. http://www.hebrew4christians.net/Names_of_G-d/YHVH/yhvh.htm

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Other details that sent me looking on the web for these answers:

• The Medianites are descendants of Abraham's later wife, Keturah.
• Mt Horab, Mt Sinai and the 'mountain of God' can be used pretty much interchangably.

What was the whole God tried to kill Moses thing about? I have researched it before but have run out of time for tonight. I do remember it's easily available on the web and has to do with the fact (obviously) that Moses did not circumsise his sons.

Jan 21

It is indeed hard to understand why Jacob blessed his sons in the manner he did. So of course, that got me researching. I found a variety of opinions, but I'll share some that really rang true to me. Of course, the true reasons only Jacob and God know, but I really enjoyed these thoughts.

First Jacob blessed Manasseh and Ephriam. (Remember that Jacob is fully aware of what getting blessed first means-having stole the blessing from his brother!!) Jacob adopts the boys into his own family, gives them his name, and gives them full rights as sons and heirs (even though they are 1/2 Egyptian). This is done because of the beloved son Joseph. It is a beautiful picture of how we are adopted as sons and given positions as full heirs through God's beloved son Jesus.


Gen 48: 15-16 Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
the Angel who has delivered me from all harm --may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth."

Next Jacob blesses the rest of his sons. Rueben as the oldest, has lost his birthright blessing because of sleeping with Bilhah, his fathers concubine (Gen 49:4, 1 Chr 5:1-2). Simeon and Levi were passed over because of their violence against the inhabitants of Shechem. So the postion linked with the birthright of the firstborn goes to Judah.

Judah's blessing tells that his brothers will bow down to him and praise him and that the sceptor will not depart from him until he to whom it belongs comes (also translated "Shiloh" or the one who gives peace/rest). Of course, if you have studied much bible history, you know that Jesus, the Messiah, eventually comes from Judah's line. He is often called the "Lion of Judah" and "Prince of Peace". Judah was refered to as a 'crouching lion' which in Egypt was symbolic of the right to rulership.

One author pointed out that the order of the blessings (which did not excactly follow the birth order) outlined the history of the world, of Israel and of the church. Starting off natural, sinful and carnal (the first three sons), then at peace (during Solomon's reign for Israel, and after accepting Christ for Christians), then the tendancy to roam away but eventually come back. Interesting!

Jan 20. Genesis 45:16-47:28

My very favorite part of today's reading: Joseph says to his brothers "Don't quarrel along the way"!!! He says this after he loads them up with gifts. It's a great reminder of how God blesses us and then we just 'quarrel with each other along the way'. I don't know what you think of Joel Osteen. I personally like him. I would not want him to be the only teaching I ever listen to but he's a great pick me up. But if you read online, there are people (presumably Christians) that make it their full time job (it seems) to pick him apart line by line. Don't they have anything better to do? Don't quarrel along the way!! Sometimes we do have to point out error but it should be only as much as needed to correct or impact the situation. I love it...Joseph sounds like a mother hen. Don't quarrel along the way.

The other thing that struck me was that Benjamin was given blessings 5 times the other brothers. The other brothers were forgiven, loved and blessed. But how much better to have not gotten tangled up in sin in the first place! I know he was Joseph's full brother, but I just couldn't help but think of that.

Jan 19 Gen 42:6-45:15

A few thoughts about todays reading. This whole idea that they didn't recognize Joseph puts me in mind of the disciples walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and they didn't recognize him. I'm also wondering if this whole idea that their money kept being returned to them is a picture for us that salvation cannot be bought or earned. Even 'double the amount of silver' and all the best gifts of the land was not needed to buy 'salvation'.

One also has to believe that Joseph had already previously made up his mind to forgive his brothers. If he had let it fester and been plagued with thoughts of what he would do them if he ever saw them again, he would have had a much different reaction.

Judah comes to his sense and acts as a 'type of Christ' himself, offering his own life in exchange for that of his younger brother.

Joseph's reaction of telling his brothers not to be distressed and not to be angry with themselves for selling him and 'come close to him' reminds me of Jesus saying "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Jan 18, Gen 39-41

Joseph's Character and Temptation:

I spent some time today wondering how it was that Joseph, after all he had been through, could be so righteous. The thought that came to me was that as Jacob's favored son perhaps Jacob really spent time with him and taught him the ways of the Lord. Maybe he was his favorite son (besides being of his favorite wife) because he saw a spirit and character in him him that Jacob should have been himself. Or perhaps he realized after seeing the behaviour of his older boys that he better invest some serious time teaching Joseph. At any rate, Joseph is the first character mentioned in the Bible that there is no major sin mentioned. (The second being Daniel- makes a great name for son- Daniel Joseph-I know 2 of them. However, please note how Joseph is spelled-post delivery drugs will mess you up!!) Even in Egypt away from his family and any possible Godly influences, he is always consious of the fact that if he sinned it would be against the Lord. Of course many sermons have been preached on this point: he didn't even CONSIDER going to bed with Potipher's wife. He didn't even let it enter his thought process (which is where all sin starts). "He refused to go to bed with her or even be with her". You always hear the excuses: 'we didn't mean it to happen" "we didn't plan it" "it just happened". Joseph didn't give it chance to 'just happen'. He removed himself from even the possibility. Good advice.

Joseph as Type of Christ

I used to think that when pastors talked about a "type of Christ" in the OT that it was some deep theological thing........well it is, but it's not hard to understand. Think of a "prototype" and you'll get the idea. It's a forerunner of what's to come. Or in the bible, it's a foreshadowing or word picture of the One to come. Joseph is probably the best example in all the Bible of a Type of Christ. In googling it, I came up with a bunch I had never thought of. Can you add any?

Report :Joseph gave a bad report of his brothers to his father. (Genesis 37:2)
Jesus condemned the practices of the Chief priests, Sadducees, Pharisees and scribes. (Matthew 23)
Hatred :Joseph was hated and envied by his brothers. (Genesis 37:4)
Jesus was hated and envied by the Chief Priests, Pharisees and scribes. (Matthew 27:18)
Pictured as ruling over his brothers:Joseph told his brothers and family of his dream picturing him ruling over them. (Genesis 37:5-11)
Jesus informed the High Priest he would see the “Son of Man” coming in glory and power. (Matthew 26;64-66)
Rejected his dominion :Joseph brothers rejected Joseph ruling over them. (Genesis 37:8)
The Chief Priest rejected Jesus ruling over them. (Matthew 26:66-68)
Was sent by the father and traveled a long distance to check on the welfare of his brothers: Joseph is sent by his father to find his brothers (Genesis 37:12-17) Jesus was sent by the Father

Plot of death :Joseph is sent to his brothers, who see him in the distance and plot his death. (Genesis 37:19)
The Chief Priest, and rulers plot the death of Jesus. (Matthew 26:14)
Suffering :Joseph upon coming to his brothers is stripped, mocked and put in a pit. (Genesis 37:23-24)
Jesus after being rejected by the High Priest, is stripped, beaten and mocked (Matthew 27:28-30) (I remember a Kay Arthur video series, originally on TV, in which she taught through the book of Matthew from the Holy Land (at all the places in Matthew). She described a pit where they held Jesus before his trial (I think in the praetorium of Herod?) and I think she even showed pictures of it. (I did find some pictures of what they think to be the "Holy Pit" but the website points out that there were very common in homes for cisterns and storage. )
Sold by Judah :Judah betrays his brother, by selling him to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of Silver. (Genesis 37:27-28)
Judah (i.e. 'the Jews'), the remaining tribe after the Babylonian and Assyrian captivities turns Jesus over to the Romans.
Sold for silver :Judah sells Joseph for 20 pieces of silver. (Genesis 37:28)
Judas sells Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 26;15)
Rejected by a brother :Judah was Joseph’s brother, one of the 12 brothers.
Judas was one of the 12 disciples who spent three years with Jesus, like a brother.
Brothers used Goat’s blood in his place :In place of Joseph, the sons of Jacob dipped his coat in the blood of a goat, representing the blood as Joseph’s (Genesis 37:31)
The tribes of Jacob, were instructed to sacrifice the blood of animals for their sins. This was until Messiah came, who was pictured in sacrifice.
Suffered from false accusations and slander :Joseph as a slave, in Egypt was falsely accused and slandered by the Egyptians. (Genesis 39:17-19)
Jesus was falsely accused by the High-Priest and others. (Matthew 26:59-61)
Exalted to become savior of Egypt :Joseph was elevated by Pharaoh to be the savior of Egypt. (Genesis 41)
Jesus rejected by the Jews, was accepted by the Gentiles as savior.
Honored but unknown to his brothers:As Joseph was honored by the Egyptians/Gentiles he was unknown to his brothers, being considered as dead.
(Genesis 42:7-8)
Jesus is honored by the Gentiles, but virtually unknown to the Jews his brothers, being considered dead.
Concealed :Joseph’s brothers did not recognize Joseph the first time they saw him, being about age 30(Genesis 42:7-8)
Jesus was not recognized by the Jews at his first coming, being about age 30.
Revealed :Joseph revealed himself to his brothers the when they were alone. (Genesis 45:7)
Jesus revealed himself to his brothers and followers after the ressurection and will be fully revealed at His second coming

Jan 17, Gen 37-38

Well, the story gets interesting again. We are introduced to Joseph, the favored son. He doesn't have enough sense not to tattle on his brothers and tell them about his dreams in which he rules over them, not once but twice. (Same brothers that slaughtered a whole village- I think I might stay out their way). But, God's fingerprints (as always) are all over the story and serving His purpose. We will be seeing a lot more of Joseph shortly so we'll leave him here and concentrate on the bizzare story of Tamar and Judah.

Because I know that the line of Christ will eventually come from Judah, I was really puzzled about this story. Then I realized that Judah had married a Cananite wife. The resulting offspring were so evil that God killed two of them (glad He doesn't do that now days!!) It does note that Judah 'got a wife for Er' (Tamar). It doesn't say he 'took a wife' which one would presume it would say if he married a 'local' girl and it does not make a point of saying that she was a Cananite like it notes of Judah's wife. In previous generations it seems 'got a wife' indicates that it was 'in the family' not of the locals and that she was indeed a Hebrew. Upon googling this theory, it seems that there are those who agree and they indicate that Tamar is indeed a Hebrew name (later the daughter of David the king). So in the midst of this whole bizzare and even sinful plot, God preserves the family line and accomplishes His purposes.

Another look at Geneologies (this is interesting)

Always learning something new! As you read through lists of ((boring)) geneologies keep this in mind: there are NO wasted words in the Bible.

You may have noticed that in the Bible it is often noted that the names have meaning. Such as Isaac means laughter. But ALL the names have meaning in Hebrew and if you take them in order, you often learn something amazing. There are reportedly many of these through the Bible. I will post them as I learn them.

If you take the meaning of the names of the generations from Adam to Noah, it is the gospel message: (there are more than one meaning for some of the names, so the 'important' one is highlighted)

• Adam- man/red earth
• Seth-appointed/replacement
• Enosh-mortal
• Kenan- possession/sorrow
• Mahalel-Blessed God
• Jared-shall come down
• Encoch-teaching
• Methuselah-his death shall bring
• Lamech- dispairing
• Noah-rest

Put it together in a sentence and add a couple small words:

Man is appointed mortal sorrow. Our blessed God shall come down, teaching and his death will bring dispairing, then rest.

And as I sit and edit on my word processor and correct my spelling for the third time- I am again and still in awe (I know I just mentioned this....) of the men who copied the Bible by hand. They had such attention to detail that if they were ONE letter off they threw away the entire page, no matter where they were.

Jan 16 Gen 36

Ok, I have to admit it. Today's reading was a skimmer. I skimmed so quickly that I accidently read Jan 17. But even though the Bible is begining to concentrate more and more on Jacob (Israel) through whom the promised Messiah will come, God continues to acknowlege and even prosper the lines of other decendants. He even includes the names of some of the wives and daughter in laws. In a time and culture when women were considered little more than property, God takes note of them.

As I mentioned on the main page and others have mentioned, concubines/handmaidens had little to no social standing and no legal rights. But, God mentions them all by name and even appears to Hagar, the first recorded theophany. I'm still in awe of the job of the scribes, copying over the text by hand year after year. They must have been tempted to 'editorialize' or leave a few seemingly unimportant details out. But, God miraculously preserved the exact history He wanted recorded in His word.

Jan 15, Gen 34-36

Wow, Dinah must have been one hot chick for all these men to agree to this!! Now it's one thing for the man who was in love with her (bad enough) but for the rest of town to agree to it?? More significantly, Jacob seems to be maturing at bit and though he is very unhappy with what his sons have done, he finally makes everyone get rid of the foreign gods they have.

I found it intersesting that Jacob and Esau buried their father together. There was not further mention of any relationship between them since Jacob went a different way after meeting Esau.

They buried him in Hebron and this town is still in existance. Those of you from Cornerstone, may remember the Pastor telling us that it is the second Holiest place in Israel and is completely off limits to tourists. It is under Arab control and is heavily gaurded. When I googled Hebron, I found this interesting site:

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/hebron.html

A most interesting statement: Hebron, located south of Jerusalem in the Judean hills — is home to approximately 130,000 Arabs, 530 Jews, and three Christians.

((Do you ever feel outnumbered? Think of the 3 Christians living in Hebron!!))

Jan 14 Gen 31-33

Well, these are not your 'flannel graph, Sunday School' Bible stories and it's about to get worse!

My sister says it's worse than a Soap Opera. Indeed! The world in need of a Savior!

To me the most significant thing today was the name change from Jacob (meaning the deceiver) to Israel (God fights). It put me in mind of how when we are saved, we have a 'new nature' but the 'old nature' ('deceiver') is not dead and buried, it raises it's ugly head all the time and it doesn't take Jacob long to be deceiving his brother and taking a route other than what he said he was going to.

Jan 13 Gen 29-30

The common understanding is that Genesis is written by Moses. He hasn't even been born yet. So we have to assume that this was all given over and over again by oral history. So as the story is told over and over about Ishmael being born of a handmaiden....wouldn't you think, "Hmm....I don't think that giving my husband a handmaiden is such a good idea". It must have been sooooooo common in that culture that they didn't even give it a thought.

One thing I noticed, and I'm not sure of it's significance, is that when Abraham's servant went to get a wife for Isaac, he came in what I assume would be the customary way: bearing a lot of gifts as dowry. There is no mention of the this when Jacob goes to get a wife. And he does 'call upon the name of the Lord' and say that if he was given success that then the Lord would be his God and he would give would give God a tenth (28: 18-22)but he does not pray for success as Abrahams servant did. IF the Lord gives me success then I'll serve Him?? Laban always gets a bad rap for 'bait and switch' and changing the wages but perhaps some of this is all Jacob's fault-maybe it was really God who made him work that hard for a family.

I think we are like that sometimes too, we see something that has been successful before and charge ahead with it thinking it must be right. We don't seek the Lord because it worked well the last time.

Jan 12 Gen 26:34- Gen 28

Blessings. I'm sure you've said to people before, "God bless you". But what does this really mean? Starting with Abraham, it seem that the "blessing" was truly a prophesy. And once spoken, it is somehow irrevocable. In that culture, the 'best blessing' was 'supposed' to go to the oldest. It is somewhat understandable that Isaac being the youngest was blessed, because he was the son of Sarah, not a handmaiden. But now we have twins- can't get much more 'equal' than that except that one is born first. God has chosen the younger however, and through him the line of the messiah will come. Interesting that these people believed every word of blessing made by a human, but they didn't always believe God. Jacob would not have had to steal the birthright or the blessing. They were his! I wonder if this is a picture of us 'working' for our salvation?

This is a little off subject, but I heard a TV program yesterday where they talked about the angels that encircle the throne in heaven. They continually cry "Holy, Holy, Holy". The speaker explained that it is not that they are just repeating it over and over it's that they are continually discovering new things about God and they are continually seeing a new revelation of His holiness which makes them cry, continually, Holy, Holy, Holy.

Jan 11, Gen 25:1-Gen 26:33

I was struck today that Esau sold his birthright. The same thing is happening today. We are all God's children and He offers us all the same inheratance of eternal life but we get get distracted by the here and now and reject things of eternal significance for things that can not possibly last. Esau was stuck with his decision forever. Luckily today, because of Jesus and His sacrifice for us, as long as we are alive it's never too late to make things right with God.

Of course, I can't help but comment that Isaac did the same stupid thing with the same king!! For heaven's sake!! Yet, the King was perceptive enough to notice that the "Lord was with him". Luckily, Isaac copied the good things that Abraham had done also. He built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord.

The Mayan Calander

Nothing new under the sun...Jan 10 check the other blog

And the more I look the more I realize that there really is nothing new under the sun.... there are more Daily Bible blogs than one would think. This is all new to me, but I think I'm catching on to the fact there is a whole world of bloggers out there. I remember when my daughter had to do a blog for class and I said WHAT"S THAT? Anyway, this latest link, the 2009 one, has a great commentary for today's reading. Better than anything I could have come up with!! Check it out

New blog on the list

I happened upon a blog of a group that did the same thing we are doing but they did in 08. They have set it up pretty much the same- the thoughts are listed by day (and include the scripture reference which I will now do- good idea). It gives one more perspective.

Start a Blog!!

Start a blog and we'll link it together!! We'll put it on the right, there where it says My Blog List. You don't even have to use your real name if you prefer not to! Get a gmail account if you don't have one and start it up!

Jan 9 thoughts

Of course this is the most dramatic story yet. Not much I can add to it but some things did strike me-
- I never really noticed that 'salvation' was the same as it was for Hagar and Ishmael as it was for Abraham and Issaac, they looked up and it was there. Presumably, it had to have been there before, but they had not seen it.
-I have heard that under the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is the very rock where they believe this took place. Of course they believe that the son of the 'almost sacrifice' was Ishmael and I'm sure we will not see it ourselves. As a matter of fact, I think a pic I saw on the internet said "a rare look at the stone". I'll try to research before or while I'm there if it truley is the stone or if it is legund.
-God had already made all these promises to Abraham, he didn't 'need' to do this to obtain God's promises but he acted in humble obedience and thus gave us a beautiful foreshadowing of God giving HIS own son.
-Interesting that right after the sacrifice is talk about the cave/tomb. Of course it's not Issaac's but it struck me.

Jan 8 thoughts

I am not an expert on Islam but one thing that strikes me is that the LORD provided for Hagar and Ishmael. This does not sound like the description you hear of Ala. He is impersonal. I have heard there is a sense of fatalism associated with Ala- "Whatever Ala wills, he wills" This is a very personal God who saves them. One who was persauded to not destroy Sodom if he found 10 righteous people. This is a God who reveals Himself and wants relationship with humankind. This is NOT Ala!!

I absolutely loved hearing a former Muslim (now Christian professor) telling about the difference between God and Ala on a John Ankerberg show. I also remember him telling that this story of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away and then 'saved' is a picture of all gentiles. They were not originally part of God's family because of the need to have the Messiah's line in a people 'set apart' for God. But God found them, as He does us and saved them! (I mentioned this before on the site but put it here in case I ever want to find it using the search feature)

Jan 8 Thoughts

-SLOW learners we/they are!!
-Abraham lies again!
-We are told in this passage that it's not 'really' a lie. I've tried to teach my kids that definition of a lie is the INTENT to deceive
-And what about Lot and his daughters! Talk about being saved by the skin of your teeth and then falling right back in sin! And hasn't this getting drunk right after a big 'save' been done before (Noah)?! At least Noah remembered the Lord and built an altar and made a sacrifice first
-I still don't get why he bargained for the city of Zoar and then was too afraid to live there.
-The author points out that Abraham does not find out what happens to Lot. I find that hard to believe, as someone has to preserve the oral history until it is written down and WE do know what happened.

Jan 7 thoughts

Just random thoughts that impress me-

-Three visitors, 'the LORD' talk with Abram under the great tree(which I presume to be a picture of the Trinity
-THEY take off to Sodom and there is only 2 angels in Sodom
-The Lord destroyed the entire plain, which Lot had selfishly picked for himself.
-The Lord remembered, ABRAHAM, and brough Lot out of castastrophy!

Jan 6 thoughts

I'm always seeing something new! As God confirmed His covenant with Abram, and Abram asks when he will take possession of the land, God tells him that the 'sin of Amorites has not reached it's full measure". I had to really think about (and google) that for a while. Apparently, the Israelites taking possession of the Promised Land is not only a fullfillment of their promise, but a punishment of Amorites (those people living in the land). It was always a little difficult to understand that God would have them kill all the inhabitants of land as they possessed it (I'm jumping ahead of reading, but I think most of us know what's coming up). Just as God was patient with the people before the flood and held off his judgment, he was patient with the people living in the Promised Land also. But His paitence doesn't last forever.

More thoughts on Jan 5 reading- 7 Fold Blessing of Abram

God's promises to Abram

-I will make you into a great nation
-and I will bless you
-I will make you name great
-and you will be a blessing
-I will bless those who bless you
-and whoever curses you, I will curse
-and all the people on earth will be blessed through you

God's promises never fail. He has miraculously brought the nation of Israel back together in 1947. What he promises, He will do.

Tagging along or 'calling on the name of the Lord"

Just a few thoughts from today's reading. Alot of these thoughts come from the book I'm reading called Magnificent Obsession by Anne Graham Lotz.

Lot was a tag along. God didn't tell Abram to take him. We never find him 'calling on the name of the Lord' or seeking righteousness. He caused Abram nothing but headaches yet Abram cared for him and even gave him pick of the land and rescued him from captivity.

So, are you tagging along or following God and seeking Him? Build your own alter, so to speak, and call on the name of the Lord.

He promises that if you seek Him you will find Him.

Obedience

If you are like me, your life is filled with 'buts'. I want to obey God completely.....but.......

The last couple days readings had me reflecting on this. Noah built the ark just as instructed. Even though some experts say it has never rained yet, that the earth was waters by springs and vapor canopy. And as one of our members pointed out...he built it with just one door, like he was told. I'm sure he had no way of knowing that would be a word picture of salvation by Jesus alone for us for generations to come.

And I just had to wonder what those seven days were like BEFORE it started raining and they were shut up in the ark. Was Mrs. Noah saying.....it's NOT raining..I told you this was a stupid idea. Were the kids complaining about having left behind their friends? Were people outside mocking and laughing?

And Abram pulled up his tent stakes and followed God to a land that he would show him. No map, no GPS. No IM or Facebook or even pony express to keep in touch with the folks back home.

These great men also had great screw ups. Huge ones. But they are heros for their believing and following. So when you screw up, like I do, dust yourself off and start believing and following again (after asking forgiveness and turning around in the right direction of course).

I love how 'human' the Bible is. If man were to make it up he would have painted himself in a much better light. It makes it so much more believable.

It broke God's heart

The main thing that struck me about todays reading is that when God looked at the wickedness of man that His heart was filled with pain. Wow....

Posting to this Blog

I figured out that if you want to post other than a comment to this website that I have to add you as an author, which if you are part of my FB reading group, I'd be happy to do. It requires a gmail account. Let me know!

Death and rebellion

Death! Adam and Eve had never experienced it that we know of when God told them that in the day that they eat of the fruit they will surely die. After sin, they experienced it in two horrible ways. First, one (or more) of the animals they knew 'personally' in the garden and maybe even talked with had to die to cover their sins. And then they experienced and even more unthinkable thing, which would be worse than even their own death: the death of a son! By murder! And not just by any murderer- by one of their own! I think this also forshadows Christ death, the death of His Son at the hands of His children!! His blood is on OUR hands but thank God that same blood washes us clean. WOW!