Bible in a Year January 31: Exodus 40:17-38; Leviticus 1-4

 

January 31: Exodus 40:17-38; Leviticus 1-4

Whether or not it was perfect, "the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." I can just hear the sigh of relief and awe. This cloud, which became full of fire by night, was their constant reminder that God was with them. When He wanted them to move on to another location, the cloud (or the fire) lifted, and they would set out. The cloud by day and fire by night was "in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels." (Exodus 40:34-38, NIV).

Sometimes I long for such a visible sign to tell me what God wants me to do. I imagine the signs are probably there if I know where to look, but frequently I desire the answer in MY heart, not God's, so I most likely look the other way. Even if we don't see His glory, we can know that God is always with us and will never leave or forsake us. Our faith in Him will help us through the toughest deserts we will ever travel.

Leviticus Overview

DON’T FREAK OUT – Leviticus is one of three reasons most people stop reading the Bible in a year! I’m going to do everything I can to make this interesting (for my own sake).

Leviticus is full of the laws and regulations for service in the Tabernacle. The key theme is holiness, and how it is symbolized by physical perfection. If nothing else, this book will remind you of how lucky we are that Jesus stands before us when God questions our holiness – God will see only Jesus and HIS holiness instead of our sinfulness.

While we as Christians are not required to abide by these laws, it is important for us to understand the purpose and need for fulfillment of them by the Israelites. This is the first time God is outlining what it means to be holy and without sin. The Israelites have grown up for generations in a pagan world and they really have never been taught the expectations of the God they worshipped.

The key verse is Leviticus 20:26 “You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.”

We are only in Leviticus for 10 days! We can make it through. These offerings were rather intense. Did you notice that the person who is bringing the offering is the one who has to kill and cut up the animal? And they had to place one hand on the animals head at the time it was slaughtered as an acknowledgement that the animal was being sacrificed in his place. After such an ordeal I know I’d be really careful not to sin again in the future.

All of these offerings are for unintentional sin. What if someone sinned on purpose? Maybe we’ll find out more later. I can’t imagine how many animals were killed on a daily basis. A burnt offering was made every morning and every evening. Double offerings were made on the Sabbath and during festivals. In addition, people could bring offerings whenever they wanted to express special devotion to the Lord.

How will you best express your devotion to the Lord today?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Leviticus 5 – 7

Bible in a Year January 30: Exodus 38:1 – 40:16

 

January 30: Exodus 38:1 – 40:16

So, after many chapters of details about the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, the altar, the courtyard, and the garments of the priests, the Israelites have finally completed their work. Moses carefully examined every item to ensure it met the requirements of God, and they set up the structures.

I can't imagine the trepidation they must have felt as they put things together. I imagine they were very proud of the amazing things they had made (many of the workers weren't craftsmen in Egypt; God gave them the abilities needed to create his masterpiece), yet they were probably uncertain about God's reaction.

Did they do everything correctly? Had they missed one small detail that was vital to God? Would he smite them down with fire for their mistakes?

We’ll find out tomorrow!

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Exodus 40:17-38; Leviticus 1-4

Bible in a Year January 29: Exodus 35:30 – 37:29

 

January 29: Exodus 35:30 – 37:29

I want to back up just a little bit and look at a verse from yesterday that is echoed a bit today. Ex 35:21a “and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting…”

In today’s reading, check out 36:2, “Then Moses summoned Bezalal and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.”

I have to wonder how many people WEREN’T willing! Was it the same percentage that we often see in churches today when about 20% of the folks do 80% of the work*? Did God actually gift people with the skills needed to create his tabernacle knowing they wouldn’t use them for this project?

What excuses did they make? Were they too busy collecting the day’s manna or dusting sand off the top of their tents? I’m sure there were plenty of valid excuses – momma’s who had to entertain a multitude of children and keep them out of trouble, men who had to shepherd the sheep or watch over the cattle, or older folks who were just too tired to work some days. What are our excuses when God calls us to use our talents and we don’t really want to?

There were obviously many who WERE willing to contribute to the effort because more than enough materials were collected. It’s a good thing they had asked all their Egyptian neighbors for plunder (Ex 12:36).

What is God asking you to do today?

 

*this isn’t a researched statistic – it’s an estimate created by a guy named Pareto in a theory about percentages of workers in general.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 38:1 – 40:16

Bible in a Year Day 28: Exodus 33:1 – 35:29

 

Day 28: Exodus 33:1 – 35:29

I can hardly imagine the amazing relationship Moses had with God. And to be Joshua, who was a regular witness to the discussions they had! In the tent of meeting, it says God talked to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend”. And all the people stood and worshipped while the discussions were going on!

It was a bit confusing to me that the above text came before Moses asked to see the glory of God and God replied that no one could see his face and live. How do you reconcile these two verses?

Moses might have been hesitant to talk to Pharaoh, but goodness he was brave in front of God! I love to see the way he argued with God to ensure God went along with them on their journey, and he was pretty gutsy to ask God to show his glory!

These verses show us that it’s ok to talk with God as a friend, and even to ask for big things. Of course God gets the final say in what he grants, but he seems to enjoy this type of relationship. What is the biggest thing you have ever asked of God? Have you argued or disagreed with him directly? What verses give you courage to confront him?

I giggled a little when, after he stated big lofty rules, God says not to cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. I have to wonder how that fits in with important guidance on the Sabbath, celebrations, and sacrifices. Surely that was a bigger deal in the context of that culture than I can comprehend.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 35:30 – 37:29

Bible in a Year January 27: Exodus 30 – 32

 

January 27: Exodus 30 – 32

God concludes his conversation with Moses by discussing items that represent holiness – incense, cleanliness, anointing oil, and Sabbath observation. And at the same time the Israelites are discouraged that Moses hasn’t returned so they seek an idol to lead them forward. Oh, how quickly we fall. Sure, it’s easy to judge them for their lack of faith, but don’t we do the same thing?

How easy is it to feel anxious, depressed, or simply hopeless when you watch the news or read of yet another senseless killing? Everywhere we turn there are robberies, political scandals, and controversial medical or educational mandates. Some days it makes me want to bury my head in my pillow and not get out of bed. It’s easy to forget that God is in control and he knows intimately everything that is going on in our world – globally, locally, and in our own homes. He knows the issues you have with family members who go astray, with illness, with finances, with job stress, and with daily frustrations. Yet he’s promised not to leave or forsake us. Amen for that!

One section of today’s reading is especially encouraging to me. Did you notice that God gave Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen the “skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts” necessary to build the tabernacle? If God can do that, he will surely give us the skills, abilities, and knowledge necessary to do what he calls us to!

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 33:1 – 35:29

Bible in a Year January 26: Exodus 28 – 29

 January 26: Exodus 28 – 29

God knew what was going on down in the camp either at this time or soon (don’t want to give a spoiler alert, but remember the golden calf?), yet he still calls Aaron and his sons to be the priests. And he knows how some of Aaron’s sons will mess up, yet he still calls them to serve.

Did you note verse 28:38? Aaron, as high priest, would symbolically bear the blame and the punishment for failure to obey the laws of the rituals and sacrifices! Remember, Jesus is our high priest as he is identified multiple times in the book of Hebrews, and he ACTUALLY bore the blame for all time.

The ordination process was quite intense – it was to last for seven days and each day three animals would be killed and offered to God. On the first day it was to be a bull and two rams, and there after it was to be a bull and two lambs. These included a sin offering for atonement, a burnt offering, and a wave offering. In addition, a grain offering was included.

Go back and reread the last verse of today’s text – Exodus 29:46. This explains why God brought the Israelites out of Egypt! Incredible.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 30 – 32

Bible in a Year January 25: Exodus 25:10 – 27:21

 

January 25: Exodus 25:10 – 27:21

Don’t worry if you’ve fallen behind – jump right back in where we are!

There are lots of detailed instructions in today’s reading, and I wonder how Moses documented the requirements from God. Did he take notes on rolls of parchment? Did he make sketches in the dirt for God to approve? We know God carved the commandment on tablets of stone, but there was so much more information to remember!

There are entire books and Bible studies related to the tabernacle, so there’s no way I can do justice to these verses today. Here are just a few pieces of information that might help your understanding.

Acacia wood, used in many of the areas of the tabernacle, came from a large, thorny tree that grew in the area of the desert where the Israelites camped. It is a hard grained wood that tends to repel insects. It would have been easy for the craftsmen to find and would hold up well for their time in the desert.

Linen was commonly used for garments, and fine linen was worn by kings and priests. It allows for free air flow, so it would help people keep cool in the desert. It was made from the flax plant. The Hebrew word meaning ‘whiteness” also represented linen, because it was usually bleached white. White portrayed purity, righteousness, and joy.

Blue, purple, and scarlet were the colors used in yarn decorations. Blue and purple dyes were made from shellfish and were extremely expensive to purchase. Scarlet was created by crushing the bodies of bugs! Purple is the color of royalty, blue was used frequently by the rich and often represented the sky, and red (the color of blood) often symbolized life.

Resources used: Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary and the IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 28 – 29

Bible in a Year January 24: Exodus 21:22 – 25:9

 

January 24: Exodus 21:22 – 25:9

Lots more rules today – many of them seem to make good sense even in today’s culture. I noticed that one rule was mentioned twice: don’t take advantage of widows and orphans (reiterated by Jesus’ brother James in Ja 1:27).

Did you realize that Moses was on the mountain to meet God for SIX DAYS before God spoke to him?  And Joshua was apparently with him according to verse 24:13. They were up on the mountain only part way and they waited until God called them to go further. They entered the cloud, but those at the base of the mountain thought it looked like a consuming fire. Did they think Moses had been burned? What would you have thought?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 25:10 – 27:21

Bible in a Year

 

January 23: Exodus 18:1 – 21:21

We are starting on a journey with some pretty interesting and often harsh rules God hands down to Moses. Over the next few days we’ll discuss some of them, but I don’t want to miss the lesson in the first section of our reading today.

Jethro sees what Moses is doing and offers some constructive criticism and advice. Moses listens and acts upon it, realizing he is taking too much on his shoulders. How often do we do the same – taking on responsibilities that are too much for us AND taking away the chance for others to learn and grow? What are you doing in your home, your church, or your community that has become a prideful activity – one that you don’t think anyone else can do as well? How can you teach someone else to do it or even allow them to do it their own way?

The second major element of reading today is the ten commandments. Oh how far we’ve fallen from the level of respect and obedience these deserve! We should each read these carefully and examine our own behavior. True, we are not under the law in the sense the Israelites were, but these commandments are given that our lives will be more meaningful and effective. I bet if we are honest we have broken most of these at least in our minds and attitudes. Thankfully Jesus covers our sins, but we are expected to confess and repent. I know I need to spend some time on my knees after reading today’s text.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 21:22 – 25:9

Bible in a Year January 22: Exodus 14:21 – 17:16

 

January 22: Exodus 14:21 – 17:16

Many people look at the Israelites as constant complainers with little faith. But imagine you are travelling with about a million of your closest friends for 45 days in a desert. You are drinking warm water, perhaps a couple of days old already and you have no idea when you’ll find a source to refill your water jar. You’ve eaten all the unleavened bread you brought and have used up the ingredients you carefully packed – there is no more to feed your children. Your animals have been slaughtered and you are desperate to create a good meal for your family. You are tired, sore, dirty, and hungry.

I know that I would whine and complain, I’ll admit it. Yes, it wasn’t long ago that God did incredible miracles, but things were starting to get ‘real’ in the desert. Is there much difference between asking Moses what they should do and complaining that there was no food or water? I guess it’s all in the attitude.

How long do we go in our desperate situations these days without complaint? How many days of cold (or hot or wet or dry) weather do we endure before we wish for a reprieve? How about more serious things – illness, job loss, or issues in our society?

Do we complain to God or ask for his will to be done? How often do we look for lessons to be learned instead of relief from discomfort? What if God knows we need some ‘desert time’ to fully rely on him? I know I’ve got some ‘sand in my shoes’ that I need to turn over to Him. I want to walk with Him, wherever he might take me, and trust that He knows the way. God, help me to trust you more.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 18:1 – 21:21

Bible in a Year January 21: Exodus 12:1 – 14:20

 January 21: Exodus 12:1 – 14:20

There is a lot of information today on the celebration of Passover and the subsequent week. I wonder if there were any Israelite families who ignored the advice and didn’t paint lamb blood on their thresholds? And did some of the Israelites share the advice with their Egyptian friends who might have feared God and painted theirs?

Verse 12:37 tells us they travelled from Rameses to Succoth, approximately 110 miles! 600,000 men plus women, children and others, along with livestock and all their earthly belongings could probably only travel about 10 miles per day. Can you imagine the noise and the mess? The Bible says the people went boldly – not in fear or despair. Oh, what a celebration it must have been! Yet I can’t help but wonder how many people fretted about their destination – what would the land be like? How would they find places to live? What would they do to keep the children happy on the journey? Did they bring enough food? And what ‘treasures’ were left behind that people now regretted not packing? How many were asking ‘are we there yet?’

But God kept vigil over them (v12:42), and traveled before them in a pillar of fire at night and cloud by day which never left its place in front of the people until the Egyptians came. I bet it must have been easy to follow the path of all those people! Yet when they came upon the Israelite camp God moved behind his chosen people and blocked them from view and protecting them all night long as they continued their journey.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 14:21 – 17:16

Bible in a Year January 20: Exodus 8:16 – 11:10

 January 20: Exodus 8:16 – 11:10

Did you notice that Moses kept the flies around one extra day? Since the Israelites were no longer hit with the plagues beginning with this one, perhaps he wanted to rub it in a bit.

God said he hardened Pharaoh’s heart and that of the officials so he could perform miraculous signs (v 10:1-2). Do you think he hardens hearts today? Pharaoh would admit to his sin, but then quickly turned around and changed his mind.

How often do we as Christians do the same thing? We ask for forgiveness and intend to change, but as soon as we are tempted (by food, power, drink, juicy gossip, a great shopping deal) we give into our desires and sin yet again.

While I pray that my heart isn’t hardened and that I can turn to God more than my weaknesses, I want to remember that God used Pharaoh’s hardened heart to perform great miracles for the Israelites. We see a lot of people with hardened hearts in our society today – perhaps it would help to watch for the miraculous things God will perform as a result. Let’s pray it is a wonderful revival that turns those hearts to Him.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 12:1 – 14:20

Bible in a Year January 19: Exodus 5:10 – 8:15

 

January 19: Exodus 5:10 – 8:15

Imagine you are an Israelite slave. You work long hours in the sun making bricks for Egyptian buildings. It’s a hot, dirty, backbreaking job. While the foremen are also Israelites, they are under immense pressure to perform and were probably selected for their overbearing personalities.

But hope arrives in the form of Moses and Aaron, who say they have been sent by God to free the slaves. Hallelujah! I imagine all of Israel prayed for their meeting with Pharaoh and the women started packing.

Yet the only results they see is additional work – not only do they make the bricks, they have to collect the straw that makes them stronger. With no relief in the daily quota! Surely they had doubts about Moses and Aaron, and most likely Moses and Aaron had doubts, too.

God reminds the two men who he is and that he will keep his promises. But the pain keeps coming for the Israelites. Just like the Egyptians, all the water they had access to turned to blood. In addition to work, they had to dig wells for water to drink and perhaps even to use for their bricks for at least a week. Then the frogs…they awoke in the morning to frogs on their beds, covering the floors, in their pots and pans, in their food. Everywhere they looked there were frogs.

A promise was made, but life just got harder. Some days it is really hard to understand what God is up to – back then and today.

By the way – did you see what Pharaoh said when they asked when he would like to get rid of the frogs? TOMORROW! One more day with those smelly, jumping creatures? What was he thinking? But hmmm, how many times have I said, “Tomorrow” when I had the opportunity to make life better today – to start exercising, eat healthier food, or do something that would impact me and my family for the long term? What ‘frogs’ are you putting up with for one more day?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 8:16 – 11:10

Bible in a Year - January 18: Exodus 2:1 – 5:9

 

January 18:  Exodus 2:1 – 5:9

Today’s text covers more than 80 years of time and I have tons of questions about it.

Most likely you have heard many sermons about these verses. From the birth and adoption of Moses to his experiences with the burning bush, these are some of the most famous stories told to adults and children, both Christian and Jewish. I long to know about Moses’ childhood. How often did he get to meet with his mother after he was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter? After having decreed that the Jewish boys should be killed at birth, how well did Pharaoh accept Moses? Did his daughter continue to hide the child, or did they all just pretend he wasn’t really Jewish? For how many years did they continue to try to kill the Jewish boys? And why the boys? It would have reduced the population much faster if they had killed the girls.

As an adult, Moses knew his heritage and was aware of the enslavement of his people. Was the Pharaoh who wanted to kill him after he killed an Egyptian slave driver the same Pharaoh he considered his grandfather? Was his adoptive mother still alive? If so, did she ensure he had provisions for his trip?

Once again the community well is the location of meetings that result in romance. This time Moses does the watering for the residents (in contrast to Rebekah providing water for a stranger). The next forty years are covered in just a couple of verses. Don’t you want to know how Moses and Zipporah got along in the early years and how Moses adjusted to being a shepherd (a job that was looked down upon by the Egyptians)?

Instead Moses, as the author of Exodus, jumps ahead to one of the pivotal moments of his life. I so appreciate how he takes the time to show us his hesitance, disbelief, and insecurities in the face of God. Many in this situation might have a tendency to portray themselves as more brave. I wonder why God allowed him to ask so many questions and beg off the task when He wasn’t so patient with others in the Bible.

Then there are just a few verses, 4:24-26, God seems to change his mind about the whole thing and is about to kill Moses because he hasn’t circumcised his sons! We don’t know if God had reminded Moses about this before or how Zipporah knew what needed to be done, but it seems like a hard text in the midst of a salvation story. How old was the ‘boy’? Moses had been married for up to 40 years. Was it  just  one son, or was it both?

How well did Moses know his brother Aaron? Had they been able to grow up together after Moses was weaned? Was Aaron jealous of the wealthy upbringing of his brother? Can you imagine being an elder of the Israelites who met with the brothers to learn that the Lord had finally responded to years of prayers? They might have been looking forward to this day in the same way we look forward to Jesus’ return!

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Exodus 5:10 – 8:15

Bible in a Year January 17: Gen 48:8 – Exodus 1:22

 

Exodus Overview:

With the turn of a page we will time travel more than 400 years! Tradition states that Moses wrote this book, and all evidence seems to agree that he is the author. Many believe that the Exodus took place around 1446 BC, while others believe it was closer to 1290BC. According to my NIV introduction to Exodus, this book lays the foundation for critical theology because God reveals his name, his attributes, his redemption, his law, and how he is to be worshipped.

In this book God raises up a mediator, Moses, who liberates God’s people from bondage, initiates the earthly kingdom for God’s chosen people, and establishes the royal home where God lives among them.

The key verse is probably Exodus 29:45 "They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God."

 January 17: Gen 48:8 – Exodus 1:22

What do you think the various sons of Jacob thought as he blessed them? Not many of those blessings were positive. According to the Baker Commentary on the Bible, this chapter is especially hard to translate. Reuben is denied his traditional inheritance as the oldest son because of his transgressions with Bilhah. Simeon and Levi are left out because of their killing rampage in Shechem. But despite Judah’s immorality (sleeping with Tamar, who he thought was a prostitute), he is not denied. He and his descendants are named as royalty, and there is a clear description of Jesus as the eternal king. Joseph received the greatest blessings, and I was surprised to see Benjamin’s blessing wasn’t very positive.

Blessings were given by the patriarch of the family and usually related to fertility, wealth, and relationships with family and community. These were not presumed to be prophetic messages from God, but they were taken very seriously and could not be revoked. Often they were self-fulfilling.

Jacob seemed to know that death was imminent. Perhaps he had been preparing these blessings for weeks and was waiting for the right time. I wonder if he was thinking of the blessings he had received from his father, those that were meant for his brother, Esau?

Do you wish you had a chance to receive a blessing that told you of your future? Or is it better not to know?

Today’s text jumps ahead perhaps hundreds of years to the enslavement of the Israelites in Exodus. Lots more about that tomorrow!

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Exodus 2:1 – 5:9

Bible in a Year January 16: Gen 45:16 – 48:7

 January 16: Gen 45:16 – 48:7

In these passages Jacob and his family leave Canaan and relocate to Egypt. It is interesting that the patriarch of the family is alternately called Jacob and Israel. I don’t know the significance of the back and forth references to him, but I did notice that God called him Jacob (verse 46:2) after he had renamed him back in verse 32:28.

Jacob/Israel had decided to make the move, and when he reached Beersheba (about 30 miles away from home) he offered sacrifices to God (verse 46:1). God spoke to him here in a vision at night and, after telling him not to be afraid, he confirmed that this trip to Egypt was what he should do. Don’t you wish God you come to you in a vision and tell you the path you are on was the right one?

The place of Beersheba sounded familiar to me so I went back to see why. It turns out this is a significant place! We first hear of it when Hagar and Ishmael are near death in the desert after Abraham sent them away for good. (Gen 21:14). Here God tells Hagar not to be afraid, states that he will make Ishmael into a great nation, and he creates a well of water to sustain and refresh them.

Later in the same chapter we see that Abraham makes a treaty with Abimelech here at Beersheba and he plants a tamarisk tree. He calls on the name of the Lord and refers to him as ‘the Eternal God.’ He stays in the area for a long time. (verses 32 – 34)

Then later in verses 26:23 – 33 Isaac relocates to the area of Beersheba, where God appears to hem and says “Do not be afraid, for I am with you,” and again reminds him of the promise of the future. Isaac built an altar there and creates a new treaty with Abimelech (probably the son of the one who made a treaty with his father).That same day his servants dig a well and find water.

So once more God meets his people in this place, Jacob this time, and again reminds them not to be afraid and confirms the future. Don’t you wonder if Jacob drank from the well his father had built?

Today Beersheba (also called Beersheva) is one of the largest cities in the Negev desert of South Israel. We shall hear more about it as we go through the Bible, but I’m curious to know if this place continues to be a holy place to meet God.

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Gen 48:8 – Exodus 1:22

Bible in a Year January 15: Gen 42:29 – 45:15

 January 15: Gen 42:29 – 45:15

How long was Simeon in jail? Did Jacob not care about that son enough to send the men back? How was he treated while he was in jail? Simeon was one of two who to enact revenge on the rape of Dinah. Did he think he would ever get out?

According to one source I read, Egypt is more than 5000 miles from Canaan and it would take four months at a minimum to travel that distance in Bible times. In Verse 43:10, Judah says they could have gone and come back two times if not delayed – that’s more than a year! He may have been exaggerating a bit, and that would have indicated that Joseph gave them a LOT of grain to sustain such a large family for a year.

Both Reuben and Judah took offered to take responsibility for Benjamin. Throughout the text they refer to him as a boy, but he had to have been a man. Joseph was 17 when he was sold by his brothers and 30 when he entered the service of Pharaoh.  There have been 7 years of feast and 2 years of famine by this time. We don’t know how much older Joseph was than his brother, but even if he was 15 years older, Benjamin would have been 22. I wonder if he was frustrated by being considered just a boy when I’m sure he felt fully grown? Had he been pampered all his life and overprotected by his brothers and his father?

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Gen 45:16 – 48:7

Bible in a Year January 14: Gen 40:9 – 42:28

 

January 14: Gen 40:9 – 42:28

Verse 41:46 tells us that Joseph was 30 years old when he became Pharaoh’s second in command. We don’t know how many of those years he spent in jail (at least 3), but it’s been 13 years since his brothers sold him to the passing caravan.

Obviously his brothers are still feeling terrible guilt over what they had done to believe God was punishing them for their sin when they went to Egypt. Their father had suffered greatly over the loss, and it seems Benjamin might have been overprotected as a result. I wonder if every difficulty they had faced over those years had reminded them of their deeds, causing them to think God was punishing them. It sounds like they had done a lot of self-punishment over their regret.

I have to wonder why they didn’t return the money back to Joseph when they realized it was in their sacks.

How had Joseph gotten over his anger and distress? Genesis 42:21 says he had pleaded for his life when his brothers threw him in the well, and probably again when they sold him into slavery. How long that journey to Egypt must have been – as a 17 year old he was dragged away from everything he knew toward an unknown future. But at some point he either stuffed down his pain or let it go to accept his lot and do the best job possible in each situation. And he obviously held on to his relationship with God. I can only presume his faith grew as he aged, despite being surrounded by a culture that had no time for the true God.

One fun sentence I noticed – verse 40:20 is the first time in the Bible that tells of a birthday party!

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Gen 42:29 – 45:15

Bible in a Year January 13: Gen 37:25 – 40:8

 

January 13: Gen 37:25 – 40:8

It never ceases to amaze me how God, who demanded such perfection from the Israelites, graciously included broken and sinful people in the lineage of Christ.

Judah was responsible for selling his brother to the Ishmaelites and then lied to his father, saying Joseph had been killed by wild animals. Fast forward several years, and Judah marries, has at least three boys, and finds a wife for his oldest, Er, a woman named Tamar.

Now it’s hard to imagine the life of a widow in the time of Genesis – how difficult would it be to have to marry your brother-in-law once your husband died. Apparently Er was so wicked that the LORD put him to death, so I imagine her life wasn’t easy to start with. Her brother-in-law Onan most likely already had a wife and children, and she would not only be an additional burden on the household, her child (if she were ‘lucky’ enough to become pregnant) would be reducing the inheritance her nephews would receive.

But since Er was the oldest son, his children would inherit the majority of Judah’s estate, so it was important for Tamar to bear a child. She waited a very long time (long enough for Onan to die and the young son Shelah to ‘grow up’). Desperate to get out of her father’s house and to bear a child, she does the only thing she can think – trick her father-in-law to sleep with her. But she was smart enough to take evidence of his transgression, and he believed her.

Tamar has twins, and the officially first born, Perez, is mentioned in the lineage of Christ. We never hear any more about her. Did Judah take her in? Did he raise the twins as his own?

And a random thought – did God keep Tamar barren while she was married to Er so his evil influences could not affect the line of Jesus?

More questions to ask in Heaven when we get there!

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Gen 40:9 – 42:28

Bible in a Year January 12: Gen 35:1-37:24

 

January 12: Gen 35:1-37:24

While the end of our reading today is pretty familiar, the beginning and middle seem rather random. I found a few interesting tidbits:

1. When Jacob requested that everyone get rid of their foreign gods, they also had to get rid of the rings in their ears! Did you know these ear rings were a pagan religious custom?

2. Were you surprised to learn that Isaac was still alive and lived to 180? When we last saw him he was bedridden and basically blind, and that was over 30 years earlier.

3. I know genealogical lists can be boring, but there are always a few interesting facts to be learned if you read them carefully. For instance, the wives of Esau are also acknowledged as grandmothers – we don’t see this often in such lists. Also, did you see the reference to the man who discovered hot springs in the desert when he was feeding his dad’s donkeys? (Gen 36:24). And only one wife of an Edomite king is recognized – Mehetabel, who may have had famous relatives (Gen 36:39).

4. Did you notice that Joseph was only 17 when he was sent by his father to find his brothers (who subsequently threw him in a well)? He had to go from the Hebron Valley to Shechem (yes, the same town where Simeon and Levi killed all the men), approximately 89 miles via roads today. Then he had to travel on to Dothan, another 13 miles further. I can’t imagine sending a teenage boy on such a journey alone these days!

What other things did you find that were surprising/interesting today?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 37:25 – 40:8

Bible in a Year January 11: Gen 31:43 -- 34:31

 January 11: Gen 31:43 -- 34:31

Oh, the woes of favoritism run strong in the early days of God’s chosen people! Jacob and Esau were estranged because their parents each loved one more than the other. And favoritism is seen again in the way Jacob organized his family as they prepared to meet up with Esau (and his 400 men – that must have been a bit intimidating!).

Jacob put the maid servants, Bilhah and Zilpah, and their children (Dan/Naphtali and Gad/Asher respectively) in the position of most danger, then Leah and her children (Reuben/Simeon/Levi/Judah/Issachar/Zebulun/Dinah) came next. The beloved Rachel and Joseph were safest in the rear. I can only imagine that caused even more resentment of Rachel and Joseph than already existed.

Once the danger from Esau was passed (and Jacob lied about where they were headed) we find the horrible story of the rape of Dinah. To add insult to her violation, her attacker wanted to marry her! We find that her brothers, Levi and Simeon, take revenge on all men of the city. The other boys come along and raid the town, taking all the wealth and all the women and children as plunder.

This reaction to the crime seems overzealous. Why didn’t they just kill Shechem and move on? As a result of the violent response, we’ll see that Simeon’s and Levi’s descendants would be scattered far and wide (Gen 49:5-7). We never hear what happened to Dinah – was she able to marry and have children, or was she forever to be alone because of what had been done to her?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 35:1-37:24

Bible in a Year January 10: Gen 30:1 – 31:42

 

January 10: Gen 30:1 – 31:42

One section of the text jumped out at me this morning that I don’t remember seeing before. In chapter 31 Jacob is telling his wives about God’s instructions to move on, and it seems like he’s asking for their support instead of just telling them what to do (which seems pretty amazing for what I know about marital relations back then).

Then, in verses 14 – 17 the women state their true feelings for their father. They feel shunned, as if they were foreigners, and what is worse they believe their father sold them to Jacob! Not knowing what was behind the exchange of Leah for Rachel at the first wedding, perhaps Rachel is angry that she had to wait seven years (and apparently one week) before she was able to marry Jacob.

After twenty years of living as outcasts on their own estates, the women are more than happy to sneak off in the middle of the night and head toward another land without even saying goodbye.

One theme I’m starting to notice is one of barrenness. Sarai, Rebecca, and now Rachel were all barren, and through God’s grace and intervention they are able to bear children later in life who become key players in the story. These are all strong-willed women, and I wonder if God did this so they would realize that HE is in control, not them.

What has God given (or taken away) in your life that helps you remember that we do all things through his strength, not our own?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 31:43 -- 34:31

Bible in a Year January 9: Gen 27 – 29

 

January 9: Gen 27 – 29

These chapters hurt my heart! It’s hard for us to understand the depths of Esau’s pain over Rebecca and Jacob’s deception, but it’s pretty easy to comprehend the way Leah must have felt. All of her life she was the lesser when compared with her beautiful sister. We don’t know how she felt about the deception when marrying Jacob instead of Leah. Did she love Jacob silently up to this point? Was she forced into the marriage by her father who convinced her she would be an old maid otherwise? Or was she a willing participant (like Jacob was when deceiving Esau)?

Regardless of the circumstances of the wedding, I can’t imagine the pain she must have felt when less than one week later her new husband took Rachel, whom he loved, as his second wife. We know that Jacob and Leah continued to have relations since she bore four sons in relative succession. Did she feel used?  How did the relationship between the sisters change as a result of this new situation? Oh, as usual so many questions and very few answers.

I really enjoyed Liz Curtis Higgs book, Thorn in My Heart, which is a fictional novel about this story. She sets it in the Scottish Highlands, but it offers a potential glimpse into the possible emotions of the players.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 30:1 – 31:42

Bible in A Year January 8: Gen 24:28 -26:35

 

January 8: Gen 24:28 -26:35

Sometimes it makes me crazy that there are so few details in scripture. Don’t you want to know what was going on in Rebecca’s head as she rode away from all she knew toward a surprise future? She only had one days’ notice, yet she apparently went willingly (kudos to her mom and brother for asking her opinion).

We don’t know much about Rebecca at this point in her life. She’s a kind person, willing to go beyond the drink requested by a stranger to water his ten camels (who, when thirsty can drink 30 gallons of water in less than 15 minutes). She is apparently from a hospitable household since she offered to let the servant and his entourage stay without checking with her elders. And she seems to be easily swayed by pretty jewelry.

Later we see that she is beautiful and she was unable to have children for the first 20 years of her marriage. We see that she plays favorites and loved Jacob more than Esau.

Once again we see a treaty between God’s people and the Philistines. This Abimilech is probably a son or grandson of the one who had a treaty with Abraham. Something about God’s people is intimidating to the Philistines, causing them to want to ensure peace for the future. Did you notice the text about all the wells that had been filled in by the local people? For some reason they wanted Isaac/Jacob and their families to move on. And these were filled despite an earlier treaty that said they would be protected.

What would cause people living in a desert to fill in a well instead of utilizing it?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 27 – 29

Bible in a Year Jan 7: Gen 21:22 – 24:27

 

Jan 7: Gen 21:22 – 24:27

Again today’s text covers a lot of different stories, some seem rather random within the context. Most of us are pretty familiar with the story where God tests Abraham (tests, not tempts…an important distinction) and the story of how a wife was found for Isaac (more on that tomorrow).

But two of the lesser known stories here are important for understanding things that happen later in the book.

First is the treaty between Abimilech (remember, he was the second one who was fooled about Sarah’s true identity) and Abraham. Abimilech is apparently concerned about the power Abraham is beginning to wield in the area and wants to ensure peace. In the process they talk about a well that was forcibly taken by Abimilech’s servants. A well in the desert was obviously an important source of life. Remember this story because we’ll see the well again later in Genesis.

Another story that shows up and seems to take more words than necessary is when Abraham buys a cave so he can bury Sarah. There are lots of legal issues that show up here from the time period that we don’t need to go into, but the key point of this story is to show that Abraham now actually owns a piece of the Holy Land, and he has established a burial place which creates a more permanent foundation for generations to come.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 24:28 -26:35

Bible in a year - Jan 6: Gen 18:9 – 21:21

 

Jan 6: Gen 18:9 – 21:21

Wow, there are so many disturbing stories in today’s text. What was most shocking to you?

• -       Lying to God
• -       Persistent questioning of God
• -       Violent homosexuality
• -       Offering daughters to evil men
• -       Total destruction by the Lord
• -       Permanent consequence for looking back
• -       Incest
• -       Abraham again offering Sarah as a concubine
• -       Abraham telling Sarah this was the way to show her love
• -       Abraham sending his first son away

The text ends with God showing love once again to Hagar, so at least there’s a happier ending.

Why would it be important for these stories to be part of the Bible?

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 21:22 – 24:27

Bible in a Year - Jan 5 Gen 14:14 – 18:8

 

Jan 5: Gen 14:14 – 18:8

This passage contains one of my favorite stories, that of Hagar the servant of Sarah. Her story both horrifies and delights me. I can’t imagine being a servant, perhaps a slave that must potentially bear children for the boss. While I could go on for a long time about her life, the part of the story that I love the most comes when she runs away from an abusive Sarah.

Hagar is in the desert, probably trying to run home to Egypt where some say she may have been a servant in Pharaoh’s house. She is devastated, pregnant, at least emotionally beaten down if not physically, and most likely would like to just curl up and die. But God sees her and sends an angel to provide encouragement and guidance. And the angel CALLS HER BY NAME!

We don’t know if Hagar worshipped the one true God, given her background she most likely did not. But now she’d met his angel and realized that even if she didn’t know God, he knew her and cared about her. She provides the first of many names of God, El Roi, translated as ‘the God who sees me.’

And this same God sees you today, too.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 18:9 – 21:21

Bible in a Year - Gen 11:10 – 14:13

 

Day 4: Gen 11:10 – 14:13

I wonder what God saw in Abram that led him to choose him as the father of the Jewish nation? These few chapters tell us that he was 75 years old when he left his fathers’ house (Gen 12:4). He was married to Sarai, and he apparently had a good relationship with his nephew, Lot (whom, according to Gen 11:28 was fatherless).

He apparently highly respected the Lord because he left his home and built altars along the way. He cared for the health of his large family because he rerouted his trip to go to Egypt for food during a severe famine (Gen 13:10, as his descendants do later!).

He apparently valued his life over the virtue of his wife, and he lied to the Pharaoh, which caused Sarai to be taken as Pharaoh’s wife – what a scandal that would cause today! Interesting that God punished Pharaoh and his household for this indiscretion, not Abram (Gen12:10 – 19). He was rich (Gen 13:2), he didn’t like strife within his family (Gen 13:8), and he was willing to let Lot choose the better land.

These chapters also contain the first visible appearance of God since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden. Gen 12:7 shows that God appeared to Abram AFTER he left Haran and verified the promises he had made in verses 2 and 3.

Did you hate the place where the text ended today? What a cliff-hanger!

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 14:14 – 18:8

Bible in a Year Genesis 8:1 - 11:9

 

Day 3: Gen 8:1 – 11:9

Noah and his family spent seven months on the ark – reminds me so much of our quarantined time during COVID. Thankfully we had the ability to at least talk to others, go to the store (or have delivery), and hear the news of the world. Can you imagine being locked up in a boat with seven other people and a ton of animals? Not seeing the sun or having fresh food, and knowing you were the only ones alive? I imagine there was a period of mourning as they realized the severity of the situation. While the rest of the world was deemed not worthy to be saved, I’m sure they had some friends and acquaintances that they missed. And the animals – oh my. I guess you would get used to the smell and the noise, but I’m sure it was difficult. There was enough work to keep them all busy feeding, watering, and cleaning stalls.

TOMORROW’S TEXT: Gen 11:10 – 14:13

Bible in a Year - Gen 4-7

 

Day 2: Gen 4 – 7

I can’t help but compare our current world to that of Noah’s time. So much violence, evil, debauchery…I’m sure God occasionally regrets saying he’d never flood the earth again! This verse chills me to the bone:

“The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Gen 6:6, NIV)  As violent and evil as our world can be, can you imagine that God was only able to find one person, or perhaps one family, that found favor in his eyes? That doesn’t mean Noah was perfect, but only that he revered and obeyed God. When the world seems overwhelming, I know I can turn to my Christian friends and know that we aren’t alone. What are some GOOD things you see happening in the world today?

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Gen 8:1 – 11:9

Bible in a Year - Gen 1-3

Day 1: Gen 1 – 3

 

These passages are so familiar to most of us that sometimes it’s hard to read them and find something new. When I read it today, God’s grace hit me most powerfully.

Adam and Eve had sinned. They knew it and their eyes were opened. We know they were frightened because they hid from God. Based on God’s warning, they expected to die (but I’m not sure they really knew what that meant). It is apparently early morning when they hear God’s footsteps, so they run behind some trees. As I watched my grandchildren play hide and seek, I could only imagine God, seeing a random arm or leg behind a tree, calling out “Where are you?”, knowing perfectly well where they were and what they had done.

But God sought them out in the garden. Of course he knew what they had done, but he gave them a chance to confess and explain before he told them the consequences. God wants a relationship with us, too. He doesn’t just smite us when we do wrong. Yes, we will still face consequences, but God loved his creation enough not to wipe it off the earth completely. And like a good father, he loves us enough to give us a chance, too.

In His grace, he proclaims the first reference to the Messiah (Gen 2:15) and instantly provides hope for the future. Then he performs the first sacrifice (Gen 2:21) and provides clothing to hide their nakedness. I have to wonder if the skin clothing God made for them was still warm from the life it previously held? How terrifying it must have been to watch God kill and skin an animal that Adam had recently named.

This passage reminds me of Lamentations 3:22-23,

²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. (NIV)

Have you ever tried to hide from God? Would be glorious or terrifying to hear his steps drawing near to you? No matter what we do, his compassion (some versions say ‘mercy’) is new each morning and it never fails.

TOMORROW’S TEXT:  Gen 4 - 7