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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 140 & 141

May20

    Day 140 & 141—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 140 – Psalms 5. 38. 41. 42. – (Psalms of David in a tumultuous time)

Psalm 5. “Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth…”     

“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, and those who love your name may exult in you. FOR YOU BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS, O LORD; You cover him with favor as with a shield.”

Psalm 38. “I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.”     “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully.”    “Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.”

Psalm 41. “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble, the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; You do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness, you restore him to full health.”     “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.”

Psalm 42. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? HOPE IN GOD, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.  My soul is cast down within me; therefore, I remember you…”     “By day, the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night, His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” 

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    Day 141 – 2 Samuel 22 – 23, Psalm57 – (Songs of David & a recount of all his mighty men)

2 Samuel 22 is a song of David praising God for deliverance. Notice all the nouns he uses.

“The LORD is my ROCK and my FORTRESS and my DELIVERER, my GOD, my rock in whom I take refuge, my SHIELD, and the HORN of my salvation, my STRONGHOLD and my REFUGE, my SAVIOR, you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised.”

“In my distress, I called upon the LORD; to my God, I called. From His temple, HEARD my voice, and my cry came to His ears.”     “He SENT from on high, He TOOK me; He DREW me out of many waters. He RESCUED me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too  mighty for me.”   “He BROUGHT me out into a broad place; He RESCUED me because He DELIGHTED in me.”

“This God–His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your GENTLENESS made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip…”     “You delivered me from strife with my people; You kept me as the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me.”

“The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation.”    “Great salvation he brings to His king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.”

2 Samuel 23 opens with these words: “Now these are the last words of David; the oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel.”  The following words (praise to God for choosing him and these people) are not David’s final oral speech but his final literary legacy to Israel.

The last part of this chapter is a repeat recalling of David’s mighty men and some of their actions of greatness. The last one mentioned is “Uriah the Hittite…”

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 138

May17

    Day 138—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 138 – Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, 64. – (Psalms of David during and after the calamity with Absalom)

Psalm 26. “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.”

Psalm 40. “I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”

“For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!”    “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.”

Psalm 58. David proclaims judgment on the wicked but contrasts the righteous. “Mankind will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges the earth!”

Psalm 61.  “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”

Psalm 62. “For God ALONE, my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He ONLY is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken.     “For God ALONE, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”     “Trust in Him at ALL times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Psalm 64.  “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers…”     “Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him! Let all the upright in heart exult!,,”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 132

May11

    Day 132—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 132 – Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69. 70. – (Psalms of God’s glory and awesomeness, and of humility and confession)

Read Psalms 65-67 in one swoop!  I’ll highlight phrases and verses. 

Psalm 65. “Praise is due to you, O God in Zion.:”   “O you, who hear prayer..”  “…You atone for our transgressions.”

“Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!”    “By awesome deeds, you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation.”   “You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.” (Sunrise & sunset)

Psalm 66.  “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name, give to Him glorious praise!  Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.”    “Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.”

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.”    “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”    “Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!”

Psalm 67. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us.”    “Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.”    “,,,let all the ends of the earth fear Him.”

Confess, lament your sin, and plead for God to help. But then praise Him. He is GREAT.

Psalm 69. “Save me, O God!”    “O God, You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.  Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who see You be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”

“Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.  Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me….”

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. ”    “For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise His own people …”    “Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion…..”

Psalm 70. “Make haste, O God to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!” “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!”

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Hey, it’s okay to ask God to act quickly! Don’t panic, but pray!

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 114

Apr23

    Day 114—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 114 – Psalms 43, 44, 45, 49, 84, 85, 87. (Psalms of David, prayers for help and praises.)

Psalm 43 – “Why are you cast down, O  my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God!”

Psalm 44 – “You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through You we push down our foes; through Your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But You have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us! In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.”

Psalm 45 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness, You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.”

Psalm 49 – “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”    “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.”

Psalm 84 – “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”    “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”    “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

Psalm 85 – “You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; and turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!”

Psalm 87 – “On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.  Among those who know me, I mention RAHAB and BABYLON; behold, PHILISTIA and TYRE, with CUSH — ‘This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her;’ for the Most High himself will establish her.  The LORD records as He registers the PEOPLES, ‘This one was born there.’

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 93

Apr2

    Day 93 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year and have begun a new month. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 93 – Judges 10 – 12 (8 more “bad” judges, Jephthah’s vow)

I know it’s been only a few weeks since we witnessed Moses leading Israel on the East side of the Jordan, and conquering the kings/nations that opposed them there, but did you realize it’s been 300 years??? (11:26)

Chapter 10 tells of two more Judges that arose to “save” Israel from their enemies (which they were supposed to have driven out)!  Tola, a grandson of Dodo, from the tribe of Issachar, and Jair from the Trans-Jordan tribes.

After these two died, “Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia.” They left God and God’s anger flamed against them. He allowed these people to oppress and crush Israel for 18 years. The severely distressed people of Israel cried out to the LORD, admitting their sin. This time, God told them to go to the gods they worshiped and ask THEM for help.  But Israel persisted in their confession and repentance, pleading to be delivered.  And God pitied their misery.

Chapter 11. This is when Jephthah, a mighty warrior, rose to lead Israel to war against their enemies. (God did not appoint him but allowed it.) Jephthah led a successful military campaign. Israel re-took the land they’d lost to the intruders. HOWEVER, before going to war, Jephthah made a very terrible vow. He vowed that if the LORD would cause him to be victorious, the first thing that came out of his house on his return would become a sacrifice. He, of course, expected it to be an animal. (In his house? Yes, some were kept in a barn-like area beneath the living quarters.)

When he returned victoriously, his only child, a daughter, came out of his house to celebrate his wonderful victory, and Jephthah was horrified.

LET’S STOP HERE.

First, the LORD in no way allowed human sacrifice. Deuteronomy 18:10.

Second, Leviticus 5:4-6 allows a person to escape a “rash” vow, that would cause him to sin. He can confess his sin and bring a lamb or goat to the priest for a sin offering. The priest will make atonement for him…..and he is released from the vow.

Obviously, Israel was so far from knowing The Law given to them through Moses, that Jephthah felt he HAD to go through with his vow.  He gave his daughter a two-month reprieve to grieve her loss of the opportunity to marry. When she returned, he “did with her according to his vow that he had made.”

Chapter 12 continues with Jephthah’s brief “rule” as judge, foolishly warring against the Israelites of another tribe. After six years he died.

Next, Ibzan judged Israel for seven years and died.

Elon judged Israel for ten years and died.

Abdon judged Israel for eight years and died.

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The first verse in the next chapter says, “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.”  Little did they know that they were about to get their WORST Judge of all.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 83

Mar23

    Day 83—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 83 – Joshua 5 – 8  (Circumcision & Passover, Jericho, Achan, Ai, Sin)

Joshua 5 tells of the beginnings of the conquest of Canaan. But first first things, first. There were a few steps of preparation.  Not sharpening of swords, but of HEARTS.

God first puts fear into the hearts of the kings of Canaan because of Israel. Then He commands all of Israel to renew their Covenant with Him by circumcising all the males. (It seems that during the wilderness wanderings, that had not been done. Why?  Maybe the “old guard” who knew they would not be entering the Promised Land rebelled and didn’t circumcise their baby boys.  Who knows?)

Next, Israel celebrated the Passover, the first in the new Land.  And they ate of the produce of the land… so the Manna stopped. Lots of changes, lots of preparation.  Even Joshua’s heart had to be prepared, so God met him in much the same way as Moses before he began his work in Egypt. God, claiming to be the “Commander of the army of the LORD,” accepted Joshua’s worship, and reminded him to take off his sandals for he was on “holy ground.”

Thus prepared, Chapter 6 tells of the unusual conquest of Jericho.  Around the city, the Ark, the priests, and the army would walk once, silent except for the blowing of ram’s horns for six days, then seven times around on the seventh day. Then at their SHOUT as the LORD commanded, the walls all fell down. The army went in and completely destroyed the city and all in it – EXCEPT for Rahab and her household, whom the two spies took to safety outside their camp. ALL was destroyed accept for the silver, gold, bronze and iron vessels. Those would go into Israel’s treasury.

And Joshua curses the rebuilding of Jericho forever. (see later in 1 Kings 16:34, when the curse happened.)

Chapter 7 tells of the victorious Israel going on to the next city, Ai. (NOT Artificial Intelligence! haha). A small town, easily won, and yet Israel is soundly defeated and runs with their tails between their legs!  What’s up???  What has happened to the mighty Israeli army led by their mighty Commander?

Sin.  That’s what happened. When Joshua falls before the LORD, virtually blaming HIM for not helping them, God tells him to stand up, for there is SIN IN THE CAMP.  By process of elimination, the finger of God points to Achan of the tribe of Judah.  He coveted some of the wealth he saw in Jericho, stole it (from God’s destruction), hid it in his tent (with his family’s knowledge) and told no one.  But God saw and knew.

Achan and his family (after his confession of sin) were stoned to death, and all he had and stole were burned with fire.  And so Israel was cleansed… and learned an important lesson.

In Chapter 8, in their second attempt, the now cleansed Israel soundly defeated Ai, killed the inhabitants and took much loot (if only Achan would have waited!). Had they learned their lesson. One hopes.

And afterwards, Joshua built an alter to the LORD of uncut stones and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. And all the people stood on opposite sides of the Ark carried by the Levitical Priests, half on Mt. Ebal and half on Mt Gerizim while Joshua read the blessings and curses of obedience to the Law of the LORD. In fact, he read ALL the law to them, men, women, and little ones.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 81

Mar21

    Day 81—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 81 – Deuteronomy 32 – 34, Psalm 91  Song of Moses, Moses’s final blessing on each tribe, Moses death, Israel’s refuge)

God commanded Moses to write a song that would be taught to all Israel, so whenever they sang it, they would REMEMBER. It would be a witness for God.

In 43 verses and 10 stanzas of Chapter 32, Moses wrote the song of Israel’s glorious past, their hopeful present on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, and the disastrous future when they turn from God to worship other gods, who are not gods at all. And a glimpse of His everlasting love for them and restoration when the turn again.

“Rejoice with Him, O heavens;
bow down to Him, all gods,
for He avenges the blood of His children
and takes vengeance on His adversaries.
He repays those who hate him, 
and cleanses His people’s land.”

Deuteronomy 32:43

In Chapter 33, in the mode of Jacob when he blessed his sons, Moses now gives a “blessing” to the tribes of Israel, beginning with Reuben, and covering, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh), Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, and Asher.

Only Simeon is missing. Why? Because later, Simeon is assimilated into the tribe of Judah. (See Joshua 19:9 – “The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.”)

(It might be interesting to compare Moses’ blessing on the tribes with Jacob’s blessings on his sons in Genesis 49.)

Chapter 34, tells of the death of Moses, written perhaps by Joshua.  Moses ascends Mt. Nebo and the LORD shows him the Promised Land. And there “the servant of the LORD died, and He (God) buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, but no one knows to place of his burial to this day.

Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed and his vigor unabated. And Israel mourned for him for thirty days.” 

And then… Joshua, the son of Nun (full of the spirit of wisdom) took over. And the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt…. and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”

 

(Alas, Moses DID get to enter the promised land, in the day when Jesus (“the prophet like himself”) was “transfigured.” Both he and Elijah stood with Jesus and encouraged the Savior about His upcoming death.  Luke 9 28-31.)

Psalm 91 is a glorious hymn, beginning with the familiar “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

It goes on to encourage its readers (Israel) that HE is their protection against all the ever-present dangers and terrors that surround them.

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come year you.”

 

(A wonderful Psalm for any believer to read, why not go there now, and hold to the promises of God to those who love Him.)

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 80

Mar20

    Day 80 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 80 – Deuteronomy 30 – 31 (Repentance & hope, Choose life, Joshua commissioned, Command to read, a song written)

Moses’s life is winding down. He’s “mopping up” his leadership and readying himself and Joshua to pass the baton. Moses has been with these millions of people for over 40 years. He’s all the leader that some of them have ever know. What will it be like without him?

At 120 years old, Moses is ready to brush his hands of this people and “go home.”

In chapter 30, he tells the people he knows they will fail in all the commands and love toward God. He knows they will experience the really hard discipline of God, but  if/when they repent, return to the LORD, and obey his voice with all their heart and soul…. the gracious, long-suffering, and merciful LORD their God will have compassion on them and restore them.  And at that time, He will “circumcise their HEARTS so they will love him with heart and soul and LIVE.

Moses challenges them, saying, “But the word is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart so you CAN do it!”  Moses sets before them life and death, blessing and curse. “Choose life, that you and your offspring may LIVE, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice, and holding fast to him…..for He IS your life.”

In Chapter 31, Moses calls aside Joshua and encourages him, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of THEM, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake you.” He then sets Joshua before the people and says the same thing.  This is your leader now. God will go before you and be with you and not forsake you.  Before all the people Moses officially commissions Joshua with the job, and the LORD, in a pillar of cloud, affirms it.

Moses finishes writing the words of the law in a book “to the very end.”  He commands that the Levites put it by the side of the ark of the covenant, and read the whole thing to the people every SEVEN YEARS, in the “year of release” when they all gather in the fall for the Festival of Booths/Harvest.

Then Moses (at God’s word) writes a song to teach to Israel, as a witness for God.  He wrote it in one day and taught it to the people of Israel.

(The song will be in tomorrow’s reading.)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 79

Mar19

    Day 79 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 79 – Deuteronomy 28 – 29 (Blessings, More curses, God’s glorious Name, Admonitions, Willful sin, Secret things.)

What a joy it is to read the “Blessings” God will shower on faithful people in Chapter 28.  “If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.” 

(Yes, he is speaking of Israel, but it sounds a little like what America was in the beginning. Why have we forsaken the God of our forefathers?)

  • God promised Israel fruitfulness of the womb, in the fields, vineyards, and barns.
  • He promised to bless all their goings and comings, their fights against enemies, and in all they would undertake.
  • He promised He would establish them as a people, holy (separated) unto Himself. 
  • All nations would see this, and fear them.
  • They would abound in prosperity. 
  • They would get good rain in season, and have such an abundance that they would lend to other nations and never have to borrow.  WOW!

If only they would obey Him and not go after other gods to serve them.

BUT…..if they would NOT obey Him and keep His commands…. then all these horrific and terrible curses would assail them.

  • They would experience the plagues of Egypt that they had earlier escaped. 
  • There would be drought and their soil would turn to iron and powdery dust.
  • Their enemies would easily defeat them and their dead bodies would become the food of the birds and beasts of the earth. 
  • They would experience deadly, despicable, and painful, physical disease.
  • They would become captives, their children taken as slaves, and they’d be driven mad by the things their eyes would see happen.
  • They would eat their own children out of intense hunger, even the most refined and tender men and women would do this.
  • Extraordinary, severe, grievous and lasting diseases would cling to them and not be cured. 
  • Trembling hearts, failing eyes, languishing souls. Day and night they will be in dread of their life.

All because they were not careful to 1) do all the words of God’s law, and 2) they did not fear this glorious and awesome name, the “LORD your God.” (28:58) 

In Chapter 29, Moses reviewed the covenant the that LORD made with them at Mt. Sinai, and how He miraculously took care of them.  He reminded them that Israel was standing that day on the brink of their destiny, on the edge of the Promised Land, and that ALL the people of Israel were to join into this Covenant with their God.

“Beware,” he warned, “lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, on the one, when he hears good words of the sworn covenant, that he… “blesses himself in his heart saying, ‘“I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.”   

Oh, this is presuming on Almighty God, and even today we do this! Beware…. “the LORD will not be willing to forgive him… but will blot out his name before heaven.“

29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law. “

Could those “secret things” that God will carry out in the future be the completion of His so great a salvation for sinners in the work of salvation through Jesus, the Messiah?

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 77 & 78

Mar18

    Day 77 & 78—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!  (Note: SUNDAY’s reading is combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 77 – Deuteronomy 21 – 23 (Unsolved murders, Captives, Firstborns, Rebellious sons, Hangings, Neighborliness, Exclusions, Andy Gump,  )

Wow! Moses gives a list of eclectic rules and laws for community life in Israel in the Promised land (like tying up loose ends). Chapter 21 tells how to atone for an unsolved murder, the kindnesses required in marrying captive women, the undeniable birthright (double portion) of the firstborn son, no matter from loved or unloved wives, and then how to deal (very harshly) with a rebellious, unrepentant son – by stoning.

Lastly in this chapter, Moses mentions putting a criminal to death and then hanging him on a tree as a public display of the consequences of sin. Hanging on a tree is considered “a curse” by God, and their body cannot stay there over night.   Paul mentions this in regard to the death of Jesus in Galatians 3:13. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a cruse for us, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”

Chapter 22, list the sorts of things that are “neighborly” – helping someone out, finding a animal or possession and returning or keeping it safe for a neighbor, building a parapet around your roof so no one falls off.  He also mentions unequally yoked animals together (ox & donkey) for they would just go round in circles, with the ox pulling hardest.  Paul, in 2 Corinthians 6:14 urges believers in Jesus, “do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship has light with darkness.”

Chapter 23 looks at some hard things, such as the exclusion from gathering before the presence of the Lord to worship Him, and participation in the religious rites at the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They were to exclude those with crushed testicles or cut off male organs, any man born of a forbidden union, no Ammonite or Moabite. Why?  Often frenzied pagan worship rituals would involve male mutilations. And Moses explained that these two nations did not help Israel, but instead hired Balaam to CURSE them.

And finally, he told Israel that the LORD “walked in the midst of their camp to deliver them,” so the camp must be holy and “decent.”  Therefore they were to go outside the camp, take a trowel, and dig a hole for their “poop” and cover it up when they were done. God is so practical!

 

Day 78 – Deuteronomy 24 -27  (More miscellaneous laws, Levite marriage, offerings, and the curses from Mt. Ebal)

In Chapter 24, Moses gives more eclectic laws that show the goodness and kindness of God and also His holiness and  justice. There is protection for a woman divorced, leniency for a newlywed man, mercy for poor debtors, and safety for the parents of a murderous son. God, through Moses’ words, promotes generosity for the “sojourner, the fatherless and the widow, and even a prodding ox.

In Chapter 25, he lays out the special rules for marriage among the Levites, the rightness of fair weights, and a sworn duty to annihilate the Amalekites.

In Chapter 26, Moses reviews the required offerings and tithes, and ends with a glorious promise for Israel if they will be faithful. “And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for His treasured possession, as He has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, and that He will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that He has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God as he promised.”

Chapter 27 begins the explanation and command of the dual pledge of God and Israel together once they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. He names half of the Twelve tribes that are to go up on Mt. Ebal and then names the other half that will go up on Mt. Gerizim, with the Levites standing between and calling out curses and blessings.  All the tribes, first on the North, then those on the South are to respond with “AMEN” (so be it).  In this chapter, Moses lists TWELVE curses that are to be called out.  TWELVE “Amens” are to be the answers.