I continued in 2 Samuel today...
Abner=Commander in Saul's Army
Ish-Bosheth=Saul's son; king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Benjamin, Ephraim, and all of Israel; 40 years old; ruled 2 years.
Abner set out w/ soldiers to Gibeon. Joab (David's side) set out with men as well. The men challenged each other, 12 from each side. Each man grabbed the opponents heads and stabbed them with daggers. All fell dead. They named the spot Slaughter Park. Don't you just loves these fun little facts?
Abner's men were beat to a pulp. However, Asahel (David's side) chased after Abner relentlessly. Abner stabbed his spear into Asahel's abdomen so hard it came out his back. The war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on and on but David's army was the only group who grew stronger.
David's Family (Born in Hebron)
1st born: Amnon born to Ahinoam
2nd: Kileab born to Abigail
3rd: Absolam born to Maacah
4th: Adonijah born to Haggith
5th: Shephatiah born to Abital
6th: Ithream born to Eglah
Abner wanted to make a deal with David and give him the whole country of Israel. David accepted but wanted Michal back as part of the deal. Thinking Abner was trying to pull a fast one on David, Joab told David to send messengers after Abner. They caught Abner at Sirah and brought him back without telling David. Joab killed him in cold blood to avenge the death of Asahel. When David heard this, he told Joab his entire family would be under a curse forever. They would fall victim to disease, violence, and famine. David and his people wept over Abner's death.
At this point in the story, I was a little confused by Eugene mentioning Jonathon's son, Mephibosheth (Saul's grandson).
"He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled."
-2 Samuel 4:4 NLT
Ish-Bosheth had 2 captains of raiding bands named Baanah and Recab. They headed to Ish's house, slipping past the sleeping maid guarding his room, and killed him. They cut off his head and presented it as a trophy to David. David wasn't pleased and didn't believe their story that Ish-Bosheth was after him in the first place. He ordered his soldiers to kill them both. Their hands and feet were cut off and their corpses were hung at the pool in Hebron.
David was anointed king of Israel at age 30 and ruled until he was 70. David and his men set out for Jerusalem and captured the fortress of Zion known ever since as the City of David. He then moved there and made it his home.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Day 12
Saul sent men to Ramah a couple of times to capture David but the spirit of God came over each of them and they prophesied with Samuel. Fed up, Saul went himself and ended up in a babbling trance the whole way there. He lay naked babbling before Samuel day and night. Talk about humiliation!!
Saul exploded with anger towards Jonathan at the New Moon Festival when he learned where David was. He was so angry he threw a spear towards his own son.
When David went to Nob to speak with the priest, Doeg the Edomite was there. He was one of Saul's men who was there honoring an obligation. When Saul learned the priest gave David bread, Goliath's sword, and prayed for guidance for him, he ordered Doeg to kill the priests of od. Eighty five men died. Women, children, and even animals were killed in Nob, the city of priests. Only one priest, Abiather, escaped and told David what was going on and vowed to protect him. David and his followers went to Keilah because God promised him he would hand the Philistines over to him. Saul got wind of this and wanted to battle David so they kept on moving. Saul along with 3 companies of soldiers to En Gedi to find David. He met up with David and admitted he was wrong.
Nabal, whose name means fool, was a prosperous Calebite but he was very brutish and mean. His wife, Abigail, was beautiful and intelligent. Ten young men were sent by David to visit Nabal and they asked if they could feast with him. Nabal was nasty to them and refused. One of his servants went to Abigail and said, "David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed insults at them. These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them. Nothing was stolen from us the whole time they were with us. In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep. You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!” With this knowledge, Abigail took 200 loaves of bread, 2 wine skins, 500 sheep ready for cooking, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 raisin cakes, and 20 fig cakes with her servants and met David. He accepted her gift and sent her home. When she returned, her husband was plastered at a banquet. When he sobered up, Abigail told him of her encounter with David. Nabal then had a heart attack and was in a coma for 10 days before God finished him off. David thanked God for keeping him out of harms way and sent for Abigail to be his wife. Ahinoam also became a wife of David's. Saul gave Michal to someone else.
Once again Saul came after David in battle. Abishai aided David in his entry to Saul's camp. When Abishai suggested David end Saul's life right then and there, he refused. David to took a spear and a water jug by Saul. I wonder what the significance of this was. None of the men in the tent woke up because God put them in a deep sleep. When Abishai and David were a safe distance away, David shouted to Abner. Recognizing David's voice, Saul once again admitted to sinning against God. They went on their separate ways and David lived in Philistine country for a year and 4 months, raiding several cities.
Saul was scared to death that the Philistines were forming troops and camping in Shunem. He prayed to God but God didn't answer him. Saul then got the bright idea to see a witch with two of his men. They went at night and dressed in disguises so no one would recognize them. Apparently Saul swept the country of mediums but assured this particular one she wouldn't get in trouble. He told her he wanted her to consult a ghost for him and call the person up by name. The person he wanted was Samuel. The medium saw Samuel and knew it was Saul asking. She stated, "I see a spirit ascending from the underground...an old man like a priest." Saul knew it was Samuel so he fell down and worshipped. Samuel asked why Saul disturbed him. His reason was that the Philistines were making war against him and God had deserted him. Samuel stated God had turned away from Saul and that was exactly what He told him he would do through Samuel thus ripping the kingdom from Saul's hands and giving it to his neighbor. Samuel also said God was handing Israel over to the Philistines.
The Philistine warlords approached Achish (David's Philistine ally) about David switching sides of the war. David took his men and set out for Ziklag. When they got there, they learned the Amelekites had raided it and burnt it down so they wept. David's wives were imprisoned along with the rest of the women. God told David to go after the raiders so he did just that. He took 600 men but some of them dropped out. Out of 400 men, 200 stayed in Brook Besor because of fatigue. An Egyptian slave led David along with his existing 200 men to the raiders and they fought. David's side won and they rescued the prisoners.
The Philistines went to war with Israel and killed Saul's sons. Saul killed himself on Mount Gilboa by falling on his weapon bearers sword. His weapon bearer saw that Saul was dead and fell on his sword. The Philistines cut off Saul's head, stripped him of his armor, and nailed his body to the wall at Beth Shan. The men of Jabesh Gilead took Saul's body and his son's bodies back their town and burned off their flesh. They buried their bones under a tamarisk tree (http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/tamarisk5.jpg).
2 Samuel
Saul exploded with anger towards Jonathan at the New Moon Festival when he learned where David was. He was so angry he threw a spear towards his own son.
When David went to Nob to speak with the priest, Doeg the Edomite was there. He was one of Saul's men who was there honoring an obligation. When Saul learned the priest gave David bread, Goliath's sword, and prayed for guidance for him, he ordered Doeg to kill the priests of od. Eighty five men died. Women, children, and even animals were killed in Nob, the city of priests. Only one priest, Abiather, escaped and told David what was going on and vowed to protect him. David and his followers went to Keilah because God promised him he would hand the Philistines over to him. Saul got wind of this and wanted to battle David so they kept on moving. Saul along with 3 companies of soldiers to En Gedi to find David. He met up with David and admitted he was wrong.
Nabal, whose name means fool, was a prosperous Calebite but he was very brutish and mean. His wife, Abigail, was beautiful and intelligent. Ten young men were sent by David to visit Nabal and they asked if they could feast with him. Nabal was nasty to them and refused. One of his servants went to Abigail and said, "David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed insults at them. These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them. Nothing was stolen from us the whole time they were with us. In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep. You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!” With this knowledge, Abigail took 200 loaves of bread, 2 wine skins, 500 sheep ready for cooking, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 raisin cakes, and 20 fig cakes with her servants and met David. He accepted her gift and sent her home. When she returned, her husband was plastered at a banquet. When he sobered up, Abigail told him of her encounter with David. Nabal then had a heart attack and was in a coma for 10 days before God finished him off. David thanked God for keeping him out of harms way and sent for Abigail to be his wife. Ahinoam also became a wife of David's. Saul gave Michal to someone else.
Once again Saul came after David in battle. Abishai aided David in his entry to Saul's camp. When Abishai suggested David end Saul's life right then and there, he refused. David to took a spear and a water jug by Saul. I wonder what the significance of this was. None of the men in the tent woke up because God put them in a deep sleep. When Abishai and David were a safe distance away, David shouted to Abner. Recognizing David's voice, Saul once again admitted to sinning against God. They went on their separate ways and David lived in Philistine country for a year and 4 months, raiding several cities.
Saul was scared to death that the Philistines were forming troops and camping in Shunem. He prayed to God but God didn't answer him. Saul then got the bright idea to see a witch with two of his men. They went at night and dressed in disguises so no one would recognize them. Apparently Saul swept the country of mediums but assured this particular one she wouldn't get in trouble. He told her he wanted her to consult a ghost for him and call the person up by name. The person he wanted was Samuel. The medium saw Samuel and knew it was Saul asking. She stated, "I see a spirit ascending from the underground...an old man like a priest." Saul knew it was Samuel so he fell down and worshipped. Samuel asked why Saul disturbed him. His reason was that the Philistines were making war against him and God had deserted him. Samuel stated God had turned away from Saul and that was exactly what He told him he would do through Samuel thus ripping the kingdom from Saul's hands and giving it to his neighbor. Samuel also said God was handing Israel over to the Philistines.
The Philistine warlords approached Achish (David's Philistine ally) about David switching sides of the war. David took his men and set out for Ziklag. When they got there, they learned the Amelekites had raided it and burnt it down so they wept. David's wives were imprisoned along with the rest of the women. God told David to go after the raiders so he did just that. He took 600 men but some of them dropped out. Out of 400 men, 200 stayed in Brook Besor because of fatigue. An Egyptian slave led David along with his existing 200 men to the raiders and they fought. David's side won and they rescued the prisoners.
The Philistines went to war with Israel and killed Saul's sons. Saul killed himself on Mount Gilboa by falling on his weapon bearers sword. His weapon bearer saw that Saul was dead and fell on his sword. The Philistines cut off Saul's head, stripped him of his armor, and nailed his body to the wall at Beth Shan. The men of Jabesh Gilead took Saul's body and his son's bodies back their town and burned off their flesh. They buried their bones under a tamarisk tree (http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/tamarisk5.jpg).
2 Samuel
A man from Saul's camp told David the Israelites had fled the battlefield, leaving a lot of their dead comrades behind. He also said, "I just happened to be on Mount Gilboa and came on Saul badly wounded and learning on his spear, with enemy chariots and horsemen bearing down hard on him." When Saul asked who he was, the man said he was an Amalekite and asked him to kill him because he was dying a slow death. Saul's royal headband and bracelet were brought to David. David and his men tore their clothes, weeping and then fasting because of these certain deaths. One of David's men was instructed to strike the Amalekite dead for not being afraid to kill God's anointed king. God told David to move to Hebron. He ruled as king over the Judah clans for 7.5 yrs.
Day 11
God's spirit left Saul and He put a black mood on him. Saul's advisors suggested music played by David, a talented musician, to calm him down. Meanwhile, Goliath, a Philistine, taunted the Israelites for 40 days each morning and evening. He was 10 foot tall, wore 126 lbs of armor, and carried a 15 lb spear. David's father sent him to the battlefield with food for 3 of his brothers and he heard Goliath's challenge. Saul wrote David off when he volunteered to fight Goliath because he was young and experienced. David plead his case but refused to wear the armor provided to him. Instead, he took 5 smooth stones, a sling shot, and approached Goliath. He launched a single stone and hit Goliath in the forehead. He stumbled to the ground, landed face down, and David beheaded him with his own sword. Because of this, Saul put David in charge of military operations.
Unfortunately, this was short lived because Saul became very jealous, especially when women sang about how wonderful David was for killing 10,000 men and Saul only killing 1,ooo. God put a bad mood on Saul again and he tried to kill David with a spear. Saul became fearful of David so he made him an officer knowing he would be in battle often. If the Philistines killed him, Saul would be in the clear. David was offered Merab, Saul's eldest daughter, to be his wife but Saul changed his mind and gave her to Adriel the Meholathite instead. Apparently Saul lost his mind at this point. If he's jealous and fearful of David and wanted him killed in battle, why in the heck would he want him to be his son in law? Saul asked David to go out and kill 100 Philistines because he had nothing to bring to the marriage. He was successful and took Michael, another daughter of Saul, as his wife. Jonathon, Saul's son, was kindred spirits with David so he warned him about the plot his father had to kill him. Saul hurled a spear at David again while he was playing his harp for him. After this attempt, he sent men to kill him. Thankfully Michal put a wig on a dummy god, put it in David's bed, and told the men he was sick. David escaped to Ramah.
Unfortunately, this was short lived because Saul became very jealous, especially when women sang about how wonderful David was for killing 10,000 men and Saul only killing 1,ooo. God put a bad mood on Saul again and he tried to kill David with a spear. Saul became fearful of David so he made him an officer knowing he would be in battle often. If the Philistines killed him, Saul would be in the clear. David was offered Merab, Saul's eldest daughter, to be his wife but Saul changed his mind and gave her to Adriel the Meholathite instead. Apparently Saul lost his mind at this point. If he's jealous and fearful of David and wanted him killed in battle, why in the heck would he want him to be his son in law? Saul asked David to go out and kill 100 Philistines because he had nothing to bring to the marriage. He was successful and took Michael, another daughter of Saul, as his wife. Jonathon, Saul's son, was kindred spirits with David so he warned him about the plot his father had to kill him. Saul hurled a spear at David again while he was playing his harp for him. After this attempt, he sent men to kill him. Thankfully Michal put a wig on a dummy god, put it in David's bed, and told the men he was sick. David escaped to Ramah.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day 10
I only allowed myself a little bit of time to read today and regret it...
Saul had many victories and grew very arrogant. He thought he was doing God's will but he didn't follow instructions exactly. He held back some animals from Amalek. Samuel was furious and confronted him and told him God rejected him as king of Israel.
God sent Samuel to Bethleham to find Jesse because he spotted the next king. Jesse gave him several choices but none of them were the chosen one. Jesse then called David, the runt. He's the one God had chosen. Samuel anointed him and God entered David like a rush of wind. God vitally empowered him for the rest of his life.
Saul had many victories and grew very arrogant. He thought he was doing God's will but he didn't follow instructions exactly. He held back some animals from Amalek. Samuel was furious and confronted him and told him God rejected him as king of Israel.
God sent Samuel to Bethleham to find Jesse because he spotted the next king. Jesse gave him several choices but none of them were the chosen one. Jesse then called David, the runt. He's the one God had chosen. Samuel anointed him and God entered David like a rush of wind. God vitally empowered him for the rest of his life.
Day 9
"If we want a life other than mere biology, we must deal with God. There is no alternate way....The biblical way is to tell a story and invite us, "Live into this, this is what it looks like to be human, this is what is involved in entering and maturing as human beings." We do violence to the biblical revelation when we "use " it for what we can get out of it or what we think will provide color and spice to our otherwise bland lives. That results in a kind of "boutique spirituality"-God as decoration, God as enhancement."
-Eugene Peterson
I started 1st Samuel today. Samuel's parents were Hannah and Elkanah. Hannah was barren for so long and when she had Samuel, she dedicated him to God. He stayed with Eli, the priest at Shiloh. Hannah and Elkanah went on to have 3 more sons and 2 daughters. Meanwhile, Eli's own sons were doing terrible things and not honoring God. A holy man was sent by God to Eli warning him of his family demise. Samuel was anointed as priest and God appeared to him.
The Israelites tried defeating the Philistines but lost terribly. Eli's sons, Hophi and Phinehas, had the bright idea to take the Chest of the Covenant of God into camp thinking it would help them in battle. Big mistake! The chest was taken from the Israelites, Eli's sons were killed along with 30,000 more Israelites. When Eli, who was old and fat, heard this news, fell off his stool, broke his neck and died. So once again God is carrying out His word and Phinehas' wife dies after childbirth. Her son was named Ichabod (Glory's Gone).
The Philistines mocked God by putting the Chest of the Covenant next to their idol of Dagon (the fish god). The next morning Dagon was face down in front of the chest. The morning after that, the Philistines found him the same way but his head was broken off along with his arms. God hit the town of Ashdod as well as surrounding cities with tumors. He also released rats on the people. The Philistines moved the chest to Gath, but God came down on them as well. The chest went to Ekron, but the people protested because they heard what was going on. The chest was in the Philistines possession for 7 months. Religious professionals, priests, and experts on the supernatural (phonies go way back) suggested taking the chest back to Israel and also making five gold tumor and rat replicas as compensation. They hitched a cart to cows and sent them to Beth Shemesh and their route wasn't diverted. The people of Beth Shemesh made a sacrifice to God and the Levites took back the possession of the chest. Unfortunately, 7 people were curious about the chest and looked inside...God killed them. Samuel addressed the people of Israel and they came clean with God. They sacrificed and fasted.
Samuel's sons didn't follow in his footsteps. Their names were Joel and Abijah. Elders gathered and asked Samuel for a king...not acknowledging God as their king. They rejected Him once again. God told Samuel to warn the people the havoc a king would bring but they were in denial. Saul, a Benjaminite, was made prince over the people.
Saul waited 7 days for Samuel at Gilgal but he got impatient. Many of Saul's soldiers left so Saul made a burnt peace offering. Samuel showed up and asked what was happening. Saul learned from Samuel that if he would've kept the appt God commanded, God would've set a firm foundation under Saul's rule in Israel, but he was now going to be replaced.
Pastor Mark addressed divine appts in this week of 5 Lies of the Devil. Coincidence? I don't think so :) God has divine appts w/ people planned out for us ahead of time, we just need to be sensitive and listen to the holy spirit.
-Eugene Peterson
I started 1st Samuel today. Samuel's parents were Hannah and Elkanah. Hannah was barren for so long and when she had Samuel, she dedicated him to God. He stayed with Eli, the priest at Shiloh. Hannah and Elkanah went on to have 3 more sons and 2 daughters. Meanwhile, Eli's own sons were doing terrible things and not honoring God. A holy man was sent by God to Eli warning him of his family demise. Samuel was anointed as priest and God appeared to him.
The Israelites tried defeating the Philistines but lost terribly. Eli's sons, Hophi and Phinehas, had the bright idea to take the Chest of the Covenant of God into camp thinking it would help them in battle. Big mistake! The chest was taken from the Israelites, Eli's sons were killed along with 30,000 more Israelites. When Eli, who was old and fat, heard this news, fell off his stool, broke his neck and died. So once again God is carrying out His word and Phinehas' wife dies after childbirth. Her son was named Ichabod (Glory's Gone).
The Philistines mocked God by putting the Chest of the Covenant next to their idol of Dagon (the fish god). The next morning Dagon was face down in front of the chest. The morning after that, the Philistines found him the same way but his head was broken off along with his arms. God hit the town of Ashdod as well as surrounding cities with tumors. He also released rats on the people. The Philistines moved the chest to Gath, but God came down on them as well. The chest went to Ekron, but the people protested because they heard what was going on. The chest was in the Philistines possession for 7 months. Religious professionals, priests, and experts on the supernatural (phonies go way back) suggested taking the chest back to Israel and also making five gold tumor and rat replicas as compensation. They hitched a cart to cows and sent them to Beth Shemesh and their route wasn't diverted. The people of Beth Shemesh made a sacrifice to God and the Levites took back the possession of the chest. Unfortunately, 7 people were curious about the chest and looked inside...God killed them. Samuel addressed the people of Israel and they came clean with God. They sacrificed and fasted.
Samuel's sons didn't follow in his footsteps. Their names were Joel and Abijah. Elders gathered and asked Samuel for a king...not acknowledging God as their king. They rejected Him once again. God told Samuel to warn the people the havoc a king would bring but they were in denial. Saul, a Benjaminite, was made prince over the people.
Saul waited 7 days for Samuel at Gilgal but he got impatient. Many of Saul's soldiers left so Saul made a burnt peace offering. Samuel showed up and asked what was happening. Saul learned from Samuel that if he would've kept the appt God commanded, God would've set a firm foundation under Saul's rule in Israel, but he was now going to be replaced.
Pastor Mark addressed divine appts in this week of 5 Lies of the Devil. Coincidence? I don't think so :) God has divine appts w/ people planned out for us ahead of time, we just need to be sensitive and listen to the holy spirit.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Day 8
Nothing like a good rape story to start out my reading today. A Levite man chose a concubine but she left him after arguing and went to live w/ her father. After 4 months, he went to Bethleham to win her back. They traveled to Gibeah after several days and a nice old man took them in for the night so they didn't have to sleep in the town square. Meanwhile a group of men from the town wanted to have sex with the Levite. After refusing, the old man offered his virgin daughter or the concubine. Let me just say I would HATE to have been born in this time period!! Anyhow, the men gang raped the concubine all night. She came back to the doorstep of the old man's house and died. The Levite realized this after she didn't respond to his statement about going home. As if this wasn't bad enough, he cut her up into 12 pieces and sent her throughout the country of Israel. Was he acting out in grief? How long did it take to get there let alone no refrigeration. The message he sent out was asking the people of Israel if anything like this had happened since Egypt. The Levite wanted the tribes to think about it and get off their butts. Because of this grand gesture, the people of Israel gathered together at Mizpah and the Levite man explained what happened. As a while, Israel went to avenge the death of the concubine. However, the tribe of Benjamin was rebellious and wouldn't listen. They raised their own army including Gibeah to fight Israel. Judah went first and was creamed but they pressed on. Each night they talked with God and made offerings. God promised on the 3rd day He'd give them victory. The Israelites took an oath that whoever provides wives to the tribe of Benjamin would be cursed. They killed everyone in Jabesh Gilead but kept 400 virgins alive. They felt badly there weren't enough so they suggested the tribe of Benjamin steal girls from Shiloh. The people of Israelites did whatever they wanted.
I had plenty of reading time today so I started Ruth. Naomi had two daughters in law: Orpah and Ruth. After her husband and their husbands died, she suggested they go back to their homelands so they could marry again. Orpah left but Ruth insisted on traveling to Bethleham with Naomi. Ruth went out to work in the barley fields and Boaz noticed her and grew fond of her. When Naomi heard this, she suggested Ruth bathe and put on perfume before going to the threshing floor. She instructed Ruth to make sure Boaz had plenty to eat and drink, then lay at his feet and let him know she was available for marriage. Some translations say she should uncover his feet. Boaz accepted her request and met with 10 town elders. He stated property of Naomi's was being sold. One man spoke up but realized Ruth was part of the deal that it would be his responsibility to have children, he declined. In this time period, inheritances or property negotiations were sealed by one man removing a shoe and giving it to the other. Ruth became Boaz's wife and conceived a son they named Obed. Obed had Jesse and Jesse was David's father. This again driving home the fact that God can use anyone and everyone for his will.
I had plenty of reading time today so I started Ruth. Naomi had two daughters in law: Orpah and Ruth. After her husband and their husbands died, she suggested they go back to their homelands so they could marry again. Orpah left but Ruth insisted on traveling to Bethleham with Naomi. Ruth went out to work in the barley fields and Boaz noticed her and grew fond of her. When Naomi heard this, she suggested Ruth bathe and put on perfume before going to the threshing floor. She instructed Ruth to make sure Boaz had plenty to eat and drink, then lay at his feet and let him know she was available for marriage. Some translations say she should uncover his feet. Boaz accepted her request and met with 10 town elders. He stated property of Naomi's was being sold. One man spoke up but realized Ruth was part of the deal that it would be his responsibility to have children, he declined. In this time period, inheritances or property negotiations were sealed by one man removing a shoe and giving it to the other. Ruth became Boaz's wife and conceived a son they named Obed. Obed had Jesse and Jesse was David's father. This again driving home the fact that God can use anyone and everyone for his will.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 7
"God it turns out, does not require good people in order to do good work. He can and does work with us in whatever moral and spiritual condition he finds us. God, we are learning, does some of His best work using the most unlikely people."
-Eugene Peterson
I finished up Joshua and moved to Judges today, where I read Gideon's story. He was called by God to defeat the Midianites. Turns out he had 70 sons! One son, Abimelech, killed all the other sons but Jotham with one stone. Abimelech was then Israel's king for 3 years.
The next story I came across was Samson's. An angel of God came down and spoke to Manoah's wife. She learned she was pregnant with a son and he would be God's nazirite from his birth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazirite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascetic
God's power came over Samson at a young age. In the vineyards of Timnah, he ripped a young lion (I'm assuming bigger than Simba) open with his bare hands, but he didn't tell his parents of this occurrence. Samson returned to the scene of the crime and bees swarmed the carcass and honey was there. Mmm bee vomit inside a carcass...is there a metaphor here? He must've been the Andrew Zimmern of his time.
Samson thought a Philistine woman was "the one" so his father made arrangements with the woman, while Samson prepared a feast. Young men did that in those days and because the people were cautious, they arranged for thirty friends to mingle with him. Samson has a riddle for them. and suggests that if they can figure it out during the seven days of the feast, he'll give them thirty linen garments and thirty changes of fine clothes. But if they can't figure it out then they'll give him thirty linen garments and thirty changes of fine clothes.
-Eugene Peterson
I finished up Joshua and moved to Judges today, where I read Gideon's story. He was called by God to defeat the Midianites. Turns out he had 70 sons! One son, Abimelech, killed all the other sons but Jotham with one stone. Abimelech was then Israel's king for 3 years.
The next story I came across was Samson's. An angel of God came down and spoke to Manoah's wife. She learned she was pregnant with a son and he would be God's nazirite from his birth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazirite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascetic
God's power came over Samson at a young age. In the vineyards of Timnah, he ripped a young lion (I'm assuming bigger than Simba) open with his bare hands, but he didn't tell his parents of this occurrence. Samson returned to the scene of the crime and bees swarmed the carcass and honey was there. Mmm bee vomit inside a carcass...is there a metaphor here? He must've been the Andrew Zimmern of his time.
Samson thought a Philistine woman was "the one" so his father made arrangements with the woman, while Samson prepared a feast. Young men did that in those days and because the people were cautious, they arranged for thirty friends to mingle with him. Samson has a riddle for them. and suggests that if they can figure it out during the seven days of the feast, he'll give them thirty linen garments and thirty changes of fine clothes. But if they can't figure it out then they'll give him thirty linen garments and thirty changes of fine clothes.
Here's the riddle: From the eater came something to eat, from the strong came something sweet.
No one would figure out the riddle so Samson's bride to be turned on the water works and nagged him to tell her the answer. On the 7th day, the men asked for the answer to which Samson replied, "If you hadn't plowed with my heifer, you would've have found out my riddle." Substitute wife for heifer. Samson received God's power and took out 30 Ashkelon men and gave their clothing to the riddle solvers. His bride became his best man's wife, which apparently, he wasn't aware of. In retaliation, he took 30 jackals (similar to coyote), lashed the tails together, and tied a torch to each pair. They were let loose in the Philistine vineyard. Samson's bride and her father were then burned death...that seems fair :p
Samson meets Delilah. Delilah gets bribed by tyrants to find out Samson's secret strength, which are his long flowing locks. Delilah nags endlessly and Samson caves. The Philistines gouge out his eyes and imprison him all the while boasting their god Dagon gave them Samson. Three thousand people see Samson on display. God gives him strength one last time and he pulls in on the pillars he's chained to and kills everyone, including himself.
Day 6
"God's great love and purposes for us are worked out in the messes, storms, and sins, blue skies, daily work, and dreams of our common lives, working with us as we are and not as we should be."
-Eugene Peterson
So I finished up the great sermon by Moses today. In a way I felt bad for Moses because he knew he was going to die so he plead with Israel to keep God's command. Pleading with them to honor and obey their God who paved a way for them. When God met Moses and Joshua in the Tent of Meeting, He told them what Israel was going to do. He already knew they were going to disobey. I wonder how Joshua felt at that moment...
The books starting w/ Joshua and ending with Esther are called the history books. Learn something new every day haha.
Peterson sets the tone for Joshua in the introduction. The people of Israel will finally inhabit land after 500 years! Peterson also identifies with the modern day reader who may be a little appalled at the term "holy war". He uses "holy curse" in referring to the Israelites killing everyone in the conquered cities. We're encouraged to put ourselves back in the thirteenth century BC. Imagine living in a culture where children were sacrificed, there was sacred prostitution, and practices were devoted to using vulnerable members of society all for their gods and goddesses.
-Eugene Peterson
So I finished up the great sermon by Moses today. In a way I felt bad for Moses because he knew he was going to die so he plead with Israel to keep God's command. Pleading with them to honor and obey their God who paved a way for them. When God met Moses and Joshua in the Tent of Meeting, He told them what Israel was going to do. He already knew they were going to disobey. I wonder how Joshua felt at that moment...
The books starting w/ Joshua and ending with Esther are called the history books. Learn something new every day haha.
Peterson sets the tone for Joshua in the introduction. The people of Israel will finally inhabit land after 500 years! Peterson also identifies with the modern day reader who may be a little appalled at the term "holy war". He uses "holy curse" in referring to the Israelites killing everyone in the conquered cities. We're encouraged to put ourselves back in the thirteenth century BC. Imagine living in a culture where children were sacrificed, there was sacred prostitution, and practices were devoted to using vulnerable members of society all for their gods and goddesses.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Day 5
I finished up Numbers today and started Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy (Deuteronomion, "second law) is Moses' last sermon to the people of Israel because he knows he won't enter into Caanan. He basically gives a history lesson that covers the last 40 years in the wilderness.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Day 4
Since I started the MY Challenge, I've been talking about what I've read with Jason each night. One of my favorite comments from him was, "I don't remember ever reading that in the bible." It's really opened up the door and I'm thrilled! Our small group season usually runs Sept though May and we usually do a recap on the way home of what we've talked about but that's as far as it goes. I'm excited to see what else has in store to teach us. With that said, here's my journal entry....
"One of the stubbornly enduring habits of the human race is to insist on domesticating God. We are determined to tame him. We figure out ways to harness God to our projects. We try to reduce God to a size that conveniently fits out plans and ambitions and tastes. But our scriptures are even more stubborn in telling us that we can't do it. God cannot be fit into our plans, we must fit into his. We can't use God-God is not a tool or appliance or credit card."
-Eugene Peterson
I started reading Leviticus today. It takes the holiness to an entirely different level. This time it's in regards to offerings. There are so many different types of offerings with different animals and different things done to the animal. God also states what foods are acceptable. I want to look into this more by the way. In the process he says katydids (http://canalphotos.org/7-23_canal_katydid_3_PS_rz.jpg) are ok but skinks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue-toungued_skink444.jpg) aren't. I don't think I've read any other passage of scripture where the words "fat" or "unclean" are used so much. In case there's any question, God moves on to childbirth, infections, bodily discharges, and even sex. The devil isn't in the details, God is!! I knew that a woman was unclean if she was on her period, but I find the rules for childbirth bizarre. If a woman has a boy, she is unclean for 7 days. If she has a girl, she's unclean for 14 days. Then they have to wait a month or 2 months (if it's a girl) and go make an offering to God.
Numbers 22 makes me think of Shrek. Balaam kept trying to disobey God so his donkey kept him from traveling because she saw the angel in the road. Each time she was beaten. After the third beating, God gave the donkey a voice and she confronted him. Only God!
I'm amazed by how many times God wanted to completely wipe out all the people of Israel for disobeying him. Heck when Moses was on the mount for 40 days and nights, his own brother had people make a golden calf idol! Miriam was Moses' sister and God gave her leprosy when she was talking with Aaron about Moses behind his back. Like MY said in his blog "the lie of the devil is to follow your heart." What can we learn from the Israelites when they followed their heart at this point in their story? When you blatantly disobey God and whine about being better off in Egypt, He makes the earth separate and swallow you and your entire family into Sheol. He sends the plague to kill you. He has Phinehas, a zealous follower, drive a spear through an Israelite man and a Midianite woman's genitals for disobeying. Ouchy!!
"One of the stubbornly enduring habits of the human race is to insist on domesticating God. We are determined to tame him. We figure out ways to harness God to our projects. We try to reduce God to a size that conveniently fits out plans and ambitions and tastes. But our scriptures are even more stubborn in telling us that we can't do it. God cannot be fit into our plans, we must fit into his. We can't use God-God is not a tool or appliance or credit card."
-Eugene Peterson
I started reading Leviticus today. It takes the holiness to an entirely different level. This time it's in regards to offerings. There are so many different types of offerings with different animals and different things done to the animal. God also states what foods are acceptable. I want to look into this more by the way. In the process he says katydids (http://canalphotos.org/7-23_canal_katydid_3_PS_rz.jpg) are ok but skinks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue-toungued_skink444.jpg) aren't. I don't think I've read any other passage of scripture where the words "fat" or "unclean" are used so much. In case there's any question, God moves on to childbirth, infections, bodily discharges, and even sex. The devil isn't in the details, God is!! I knew that a woman was unclean if she was on her period, but I find the rules for childbirth bizarre. If a woman has a boy, she is unclean for 7 days. If she has a girl, she's unclean for 14 days. Then they have to wait a month or 2 months (if it's a girl) and go make an offering to God.
Numbers 22 makes me think of Shrek. Balaam kept trying to disobey God so his donkey kept him from traveling because she saw the angel in the road. Each time she was beaten. After the third beating, God gave the donkey a voice and she confronted him. Only God!
I'm amazed by how many times God wanted to completely wipe out all the people of Israel for disobeying him. Heck when Moses was on the mount for 40 days and nights, his own brother had people make a golden calf idol! Miriam was Moses' sister and God gave her leprosy when she was talking with Aaron about Moses behind his back. Like MY said in his blog "the lie of the devil is to follow your heart." What can we learn from the Israelites when they followed their heart at this point in their story? When you blatantly disobey God and whine about being better off in Egypt, He makes the earth separate and swallow you and your entire family into Sheol. He sends the plague to kill you. He has Phinehas, a zealous follower, drive a spear through an Israelite man and a Midianite woman's genitals for disobeying. Ouchy!!
Day 3
I'm reading in Exodus today and I'm really amazed at God's detail in ALL things. It seems like salvation is so much easier now. Thank you Jesus! :) I can't imagine sacrificing animals the way the Israelites had to. Chapter 29 talks about the ceremony Aaron and his sons had to go through to become priests. Do you think any of them were freaked out? It never says how old they were....maybe they just though it was cool. With that said, I never want ram blood anywhere near me! Their right ear lobe, right thumb, and right big toe touched with ram blood. This is one of those traditions I'm going to have to research.
Day 2
I continued reading familiar stories in Genesis today, but wanted to include a quote from Eugene in the introduction. He states, "God is foundational for living. If we don't have a sense of the primacy of God, we will never get it right, get life right, get our lives right. Not God at the margins; not God as an option; not God on the weekends. God at center and circumference; God first and last; God, God, God."
I was pretty much raised in church. We went to Wed night services, Sunday morning services, Sunday night services, and VBS. If I really sifted though all the cobwebs and files in my brain, I remember becoming a Christian around the age of 7. I participated in Olympians, I quoted the scripture, I did the quiet times but I just grew up doing those things. I found my niche in this whole Christianity thing when I went to IWU for 4 yrs. Don't get me wrong, I struggled A LOT! I made a ton of mistakes and got side tracked in things I deemed more important but I realized it was up to me if I wanted to go to church. My parents were mandating it. After I got married, I searched for a church but never found one that was a good fit. I don't think we went to church for almost 3 years. Thankfully I was working for a Christian organization at the time. God saw the bigger picture and got my undivided attention in March 2007. I found myself in a situation where God was the only thing I could cling to for survival. All of those years before, my relationship with God was never consistent. I was the one who walked away. I got burned out on devotions and didn't stick with it. My marriage counselor constantly invited us to her church. Jason declined the invite and I was petrified to go by myself. It's actually kind of a funny story how we ended up going on Nov 4, 2007. Our therapist decided to schedule a session after the church service because we had to reschedule so many times that week. If I remember it right, we got there and didn't see her in the auditorium. At the end of the service, she notified us and said she had an emergency and couldn't make it. It didn't matter because at that point we were hooked on Oakbrook. I was in awe of what God did that day. I couldn't even talk to my husband about God, Jesus, or church but here we were. Jason and I realized that although Christian counseling was helpful, we needed God at the center if things were going to work out. God has proven that time and time again.
Some other things that stood out to me in Genesis are the unique rituals or commemorating significant events with altars. Besides that, I think it's so neat that Abraham had conversations with God. I wonder what that would be like.
I was pretty much raised in church. We went to Wed night services, Sunday morning services, Sunday night services, and VBS. If I really sifted though all the cobwebs and files in my brain, I remember becoming a Christian around the age of 7. I participated in Olympians, I quoted the scripture, I did the quiet times but I just grew up doing those things. I found my niche in this whole Christianity thing when I went to IWU for 4 yrs. Don't get me wrong, I struggled A LOT! I made a ton of mistakes and got side tracked in things I deemed more important but I realized it was up to me if I wanted to go to church. My parents were mandating it. After I got married, I searched for a church but never found one that was a good fit. I don't think we went to church for almost 3 years. Thankfully I was working for a Christian organization at the time. God saw the bigger picture and got my undivided attention in March 2007. I found myself in a situation where God was the only thing I could cling to for survival. All of those years before, my relationship with God was never consistent. I was the one who walked away. I got burned out on devotions and didn't stick with it. My marriage counselor constantly invited us to her church. Jason declined the invite and I was petrified to go by myself. It's actually kind of a funny story how we ended up going on Nov 4, 2007. Our therapist decided to schedule a session after the church service because we had to reschedule so many times that week. If I remember it right, we got there and didn't see her in the auditorium. At the end of the service, she notified us and said she had an emergency and couldn't make it. It didn't matter because at that point we were hooked on Oakbrook. I was in awe of what God did that day. I couldn't even talk to my husband about God, Jesus, or church but here we were. Jason and I realized that although Christian counseling was helpful, we needed God at the center if things were going to work out. God has proven that time and time again.
Some other things that stood out to me in Genesis are the unique rituals or commemorating significant events with altars. Besides that, I think it's so neat that Abraham had conversations with God. I wonder what that would be like.
7/13/10-Day 1 of the MY Challenge
I've thought about writing a blog for awhile now so here it goes....
Oakbrook church was used by God in my life today! I'm at SAHM and don't have to put up w/ office politics or that certain employee who gets under your skin anymore. As of now, I understand what is required to be a wife and mother. However, my chats with God have lead me to examine how I can be a Godly wife and a Godly mother simultaneously. I may have missed seeing Morgan Young (MY) speak the first week of 5 Lies of the Devil, but I read his blog. Paraphrasing, why do we spend hours of our time on Facebook and not reading the bible? Talk about hitting me right between the eyes!! I've been trying to figure out time management while chasing after a very busy 14 month old boy. It's a very delicate balance to give Jack enough one on one attention AND still complete what needs to be done around the house. I decided that instead of catching up on DVR, playing on Facebook, or trying to obtain more "me time" during Jack's nap, that I was actually going to open my bible. I dusted off my hard cover Message bible and started at the very beginning. My goal is to read straight through. Might seem like a daunting task, some days may make it complicated, may be hard to stick to...that I understand. But how will I know how to be a Godly mother and wife if I don't do research? Only God is powerful enough to speak things into existence! I want God can speak to me about it because His word is 100% truth. Another challenging statement Morgan made in his blog was if the devil can quote scripture, why can't we? Eugene Peterson was candid in his preface, which is appreciated. He encouraged me to simply read the bible. He says, "As we read we enter a new world of words and find ourselves in on a conversation in which God has the first and last words. We soon realize that we are included in the conversation." How many times do people not even open the bible because they're intimidated or overwhelmed? The Message bible helped me see the bible in a whole new light. Reading it makes me excited to read more. I literally can't get enough of it right now! I started reading at 1:45p. I looked up an hour later, and before I knew it, I heard Jack chattering and it was almost 4p! So the moral of my rambling is I'm excited, I'm confident God is going to use this in my life, and I know I definitely want to read more!
Oakbrook church was used by God in my life today! I'm at SAHM and don't have to put up w/ office politics or that certain employee who gets under your skin anymore. As of now, I understand what is required to be a wife and mother. However, my chats with God have lead me to examine how I can be a Godly wife and a Godly mother simultaneously. I may have missed seeing Morgan Young (MY) speak the first week of 5 Lies of the Devil, but I read his blog. Paraphrasing, why do we spend hours of our time on Facebook and not reading the bible? Talk about hitting me right between the eyes!! I've been trying to figure out time management while chasing after a very busy 14 month old boy. It's a very delicate balance to give Jack enough one on one attention AND still complete what needs to be done around the house. I decided that instead of catching up on DVR, playing on Facebook, or trying to obtain more "me time" during Jack's nap, that I was actually going to open my bible. I dusted off my hard cover Message bible and started at the very beginning. My goal is to read straight through. Might seem like a daunting task, some days may make it complicated, may be hard to stick to...that I understand. But how will I know how to be a Godly mother and wife if I don't do research? Only God is powerful enough to speak things into existence! I want God can speak to me about it because His word is 100% truth. Another challenging statement Morgan made in his blog was if the devil can quote scripture, why can't we? Eugene Peterson was candid in his preface, which is appreciated. He encouraged me to simply read the bible. He says, "As we read we enter a new world of words and find ourselves in on a conversation in which God has the first and last words. We soon realize that we are included in the conversation." How many times do people not even open the bible because they're intimidated or overwhelmed? The Message bible helped me see the bible in a whole new light. Reading it makes me excited to read more. I literally can't get enough of it right now! I started reading at 1:45p. I looked up an hour later, and before I knew it, I heard Jack chattering and it was almost 4p! So the moral of my rambling is I'm excited, I'm confident God is going to use this in my life, and I know I definitely want to read more!
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