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#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 101

Apr10

    Day 101 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for over a quarter of the year. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 101 – 1 Samuel 13 – 14 (Saul, Samuel, Jonathon)

Chapter 13  reveals the first years of Saul’s reign and “leading Israel into battle” (as they wanted of a king). Both the king and his son Jonathan were successful against the Philistines. But the mighty Philistines refused to take that for very long and mustered a hoard against Israel, including 30K iron chariots.

Freaking out at the sight, the men of Israel ran for cover, into caves, holes, rocks, tombs, and cisterns. Some fled across the Jordan River. Saul waited seven days for Samuel to come (which he had said), but then panicked. The king called for the burnt offering and did it himself. (A big no-no in God’s law.)  It was his big, history-altering mistake, for it caused the end of his dynasty. When Samuel arrived, the smoke of the offering was still in the air, and he told Saul that his kingdom was doomed and that the LORD had chosen another, a “man after His own heart,” to be a prince.

Saul still led the armies, but that proclamation would dwell on his mind until he was crazy.

Meanwhile, in Chapter 14, Prince Jonathan and his armor-bearer took on a pack of Philistines themselves, after asking God for a sign. His victory and bravery inspired Israel and they followed suit. “And the LORD saved Israel that day.”

However, unbeknownst to Jonathan, Saul foolishly vowed that no man should eat until the battle was done. Stupid, for they would have been stronger if they’d eaten, and they also would not have slaughtered the spoil right there on the battlefield out of desperate hunger, and eaten raw meat with the blood.  A really big breach of God’s law. (Leviticus 17:10-14) Also, Jonathan found a bit of honey and ate it, which invigorated him immediately.

When Jonathan heard of his father’s vow, he was ready to die, but the people resisted and ransomed him.

There continued to be hard fighting against the Philistines throughout Saul’s reign, and Saul found and gathered any strong or valiant men into his personal force. (David would become one of these.)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 98 & 99

Apr8

    Day 98 & 99 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year, and today, we begin the tenth book. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?  (Note: SUNDAY’s readings are combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 98 – 1 Samuel 1 – 3 (Hannah, Samuel’s birth & call)

In Chapters 1 & 2, Hannah, the much-loved but barren wife of a Levite named Elkanah, prays for a son, promising to give him back to God all the days of his life. God hears and answers her prayer and Samuel is born. Like Samson, he is born under the Nazarite vow. But that is the only similarity.

After Hannah weans him, she takes the very young Samuel to the Tabernacle and gives him under the care of Eli, the priest. Every year, she visits him to bring new clothes. After fulfilling her promise, God gives Hannah five more children.

Samuel grew and ministered before the LORD in the presence of the old, fat, lazy priest, Eli, and his worthless, wicked sons. Hophni and Phinehas treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt and were very great sinners in His eyes. Eli mildly scolded them, but they continued in their sin, so God rejected the house of Eli.

In Chapter 3, the LORD calls Samuel. It seemed like Eli was calling the boy, so in obedience, he went to the old man three times. Finally, Eli realized God was calling him and told Samuel to answer, “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.” And indeed, the LORD speaks to Samuel, prophesying the judgment on the house of Eli for his sons’ blasphemous behavior and his not correcting them.  Samuel is afraid to tell Eli the word of the LORD, but the old man insists, and after hearing the judgement, acquiesces.

After that, Samuel grew, and all the words God spoke to/through him came to pass. Everyone – from Dan to Beersheba – knew he was established as a prophet of the LORD.

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Day 99 – 1 Samuel 4 – 8 (Philistines, the ARK, Eli, Samuel,)

In Chapter 4, Israel goes to battle against the Philistines and they lose. The elders ask why, but before God can answer, they bring out “the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim” from Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was set up. When the people see it, all of Israel gives a thunderous shout so loud the Philistines are afraid.  They think the ARK is a god, like their carved images, instead of the earthly “throne” or dwelling place of Almighty God. They pump themselves up with “Take courage and be men and fight!”

They do, Israel loses, and the Ark of God is captured. Eli’s two sons are killed in battle. When Eli hears the news, he faints backward, breaks his neck, and dies. Phinehas’s wife goes into labor and also dies. The baby is named Ichabod, meaning, “The Glory has departed” from Israel.

In Chapter 5, the Philistines discover that having the Ark of the God of Israel is not such a great thing.  First, the statue of their god, Dagon, falls before the Ark in a pose of worship. Then it is completely decapitated. Then, the men of the five cities of Philistia begin dying of a weird, horrendous disease as they pass the Ark from one town to another. Eek! Get rid of the thing, they cry.

In Chapter 6, they devise a plan to send it back to Israel, making it a test to see if “God” really is causing all their problems. They load it on a cart pulled by two milk cows who have young calves. No mama cow will leave her crying babies and pull a cart miles away, but they do, so Philistia knows that it is Israel’s God who is afflicting them. They also send some golden tumors and mice (???) to appease Israel’s God.

Chapter 7 describes how the Ark is kept in Abinadab’s house. His son Eleazar is consecrated (as a priest) to be in charge of it. And it remains there—twenty years!!  NOTE: The Ark of the Covenant is there until King David brings it to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6. 

Samuel chastises them and tells them to put away foreign gods, return to the LORD, and serve only Him. Samuel prays for them as they begin to repent. Suddenly, the Philistines come up against them, and they panic. But Samuel goes before the Lord and intercedes, and the LORD roars against the Philistines, who fled away. In memorial to this miracle, Samuel sets up a stone named Ebenezer, which means “Till now the LORD has helped us.” Peace comes to Israel, and Samuel judges them for all the days of his life.

Chapter 8 tells how Samuel gets old (60) and makes his sons, Joel and Abijah Judges over Israel.  But they, like Eli’s sons, do not walk in the ways of the LORD but begin to take bribes and pervert justice.  The elders see this and cry out for a king to judge them.  Feeling rejected, Samuel prays to God, who tells him that Israel hasn’t rejected Samuel but they have rejected the LORD Himself.  God tells Samuel to give them what they want…but to warn them how a king will reign over them.

Samuel warns them with a long list of how an earthly king will not be the same as their righteous King of Kings has been.  He will conscript their sons for his army and take their daughters for his cooks and bakers. He will take the best of their crops, servants, and animals. And they will become his “slaves,”

Israel does not heed Samuel’s warnings but cries out, “No, there SHALL be a king over us that we may be like all the nations. Our king will judge us, go before us, and fight out battles.”

And God says, “Give them a king.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 96

Apr5

    Day 96 —  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 96 – Judges 19 – 21 (A very bad incident, civil war, and kidnap)

Wow, can it get any worse? Today’s reading, the last in Judges, shows how morally low people can get without the knowledge of God.

Chapter 19 tells a story about a Levite that parallels the story of Sodom in Genesis 19. A Levite’s concubine runs away to her father and he goes after her. After several days, the father allows him to take her away. On the way home, they stop in a town of the tribe of Benjamin. An old man advises him to spend the night INDOORS!  The reason is that the town is full of craving homosexual men! Like at Lot’s door in Sodom, these men demand that the old man send the Levite out so they can “have their way with him.” The Levite sends out his concubine instead and they ravish her all night so that she dies at his doorstep. (Can you believe it??)

He loads her body on his donkey and goes home, where he cuts it in pieces and sends one to each of Israel’s tribes. (Gag!)  In Chapter 20, the tribes muster soldiers to go after Benjamin to destroy them all. After two costly defeats, they use an ambush technique we saw Joshua do against Ai, and nearly wipe out all the Benjaminites – only 600 left. 

Remorse then hits the other eleven tribes, and in Chapter 21, they devise a plan to give these 600 min, wives to carry on the line. They notice that one city in Israel did not send soldiers to fight. So they go and kill all the men and married women, and steal 400 virgins for the men of Benjamin.  But, alas, there are still 200 wifeless men! What to do??

They hear of a festival in Shiloh. They wait in ambush (a different kind) for the young women to come into the vineyards dancing… and grab 200 of them.  With these new wives, the 600 of Benjamin return, rebuild their towns, and live in them.

The last verse in Judges says it all. “In those days there was no king in Israel (and) everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”  

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 95

Apr4
    Day 95 —  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 95 – Judges 16 – 18 (Samson, Delilah, His sacrifice, Levite, & Dan)

These chapters show the spiraling down of Israel’s morality caused by their lack of knowledge of God and His ways.

In Chapter 16, Samson lusts after two Philistine prostitutes, used for the most part to try to capture Samson, who has been plaguing their nation. It’s not until Delilah beguiles him four times that he gives up the source of his strength.  (Did this mean he did not actually “look” strong?) When Samson finally tells the truth that his strength is in his never-cut hair as part of the Nazirite status, God gives him over to the Philistines, who gouge out his eyes, mock him with women’s work, torment and imprison him.

But in prison, Samson’s hair began to grow. On a festive occasion, the Philistines were honoring and sacrificing to their god, Dagon, claiming that “it” gave Samson into their hands. They brought Samson out as entertainment. Perhaps they mocked him, tormented him, or just looked at his pitiable form and felt very brave.  Samson, who had been humbled, was about to be “lifted up” by God. It would mean his life.

He asked a young boy to lead him to the center columns of the temple, where Philistines were involved in pagan worship below and in the gallery above.  Then Samson “looked” up to God instead of himself and asked just once more to have strength.  For vengeance, yes, but also to do what God had called him to – defeat the Philistines. God answered. Samson pushed on the massive columns, and the entire temple fell, killing thousands of Philistine worshipers… and Samson.

In his lustful, self-centered ways, Samson squandered God’s calling and gifts. In a night, he lost his hair, his strength, his eyes, and the presence of the Spirit of God.

I wonder how I am using God’s giftedness to me. Is it for my own pleasure, to glorify myself, cause others to look at and praise me, instead of God? Am I taking my calling (intelligence, ability to teach and write) for granted?  How can I jump to the “end” of Samson’s example and be willing to give my life in God’s service if HE, and not me, will be magnified?

Chapters 17 and 18 tell a sad story of Israel’s further decline into sin. 17:6b  says, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  First, there is Micah, from the tribe of Ephraim, who stole silver from his mother. When he confessed, she forgave him and took some of the returned silver to make a carved metal image to worship (as the LORD). Micah added an ephod and other household gods and “ordained” his son to be a priest. When a discontented, traveling Levite from Judah passed by, Micah bribed, then “ordained” him as a “real” priest in his house.

Then, five able men from the tribe of Dan came by Micah’s house. (They were not content in the land God had assigned to their tribe and were “spying out” a better place. This faux priest told them their mission would be successful, and off they went.) Sure enough, way up north near Sidon (Lebanon), they found a very nice city and its surroundings.  After reporting it to their tribe, an army was sent, and they conquered it, naming the new place, Dan. (This was not an area originally designated by God for them to conquer.)

Grateful to Micah’s “priest,” for the favorable words, they returned, bribed him, threatened Micah, and took the “priest” as their own to Dan. Later, they ordained a line of priests from their own tribe, who served until the day of captivity.

Hint: things get worse!

#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, days 91 & 92

Apr1

    Day 91 & 92—  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year. Praise God! What have you learned about God?  About yourself?  (Note: SUNDAY’s readings are combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 91 – Joshua 6 – 7  (Midian & Gideon)

In Chapter 6, the “cycle of sin” repeats.  After 40 years of “rest” under Deborah, “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.”  And Israel was brought very low because of Midian.

When the people cried out to the LORD, He heard and sent a prophet to admonish them. 

Then “the angel of the LORD” visited the fearful, doubtful Gideon and called him a “mighty man of valor.”  This story shows the immense patience that God will show towards one of His chosen servants, as first Gideon, whines and complains, then doubts the presence and words of the LORD.

First, Gideon had to pull down his father’s idols and sacrifice to the LORD. Then God was patient with the man through the two nights of fleece laying out, testing God which Israel was never to do., On top of that, in Chapter 7, God won the victory as Gideon obeyed. The Midian army took flight and even started killing each other! Gideon called back the men he’d sent home to chase the enemy across the river and kill the two princes of Midian. Hooray! But wait. So high did Gideon go, and so low would he, Gideon had to reduce the size of his army from 32,000 to 300 men, and he had to go against the huge Midianite army with NO SWORDS, only pots and torches. AND… the powerful Name of the LORD.

Of course, God won the victory, as Gideon obeyed. The Midian army took flight and even started killing each other! Gideon called back the men he’d sent home to chase the enemy across the river and kill the two princes of Midian. Hooray! But wait. So high did Gideon go, and so low will he sink in tomorrow’s reading.

Happy Resurrection Day! Jesus has RISEN!

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    Day 92 – Joshua 8 – 9  (Gideon & Abimelech)

Chapter 8 tells more about Gideon, and it’s not good. He tries to mop up after the Midianite victory, but his fellow Israelites won’t even help him by giving his exhausted men bread to eat. He swears to get even after he catches the enemy kings, and he does.

But power and glory go to Gideon’s head, and when Israel wants him to “rule over us,” he first denies their request, saying, “The LORD will rule over you.” The Next thing we know, however, is that he’s collecting golden earrings from them and making an ephod. (NOTE: This was supposed to be ONLY for the High Priest of Israel.) Soon, the Israelites were worshiping it. (Sheesh!!) But God was gracious and allowed forty years of peace in the days of Gideon.

After Gideon dies, the people turn wholeheartedly again to worshiping false gods.

In Chapter 9, Abimelech, one of Gideon’s 70 sons proclaimed himself their ruler and proceeded to kill all of Gideon’s many sons (except Jotham, the youngest one, who escaped). He killed them all on a single stone, so perhaps this was an “offering” to a false god. Jotham called out against Abimelech, predicting his downfall by fire.

And it happened just as the boy predicted; after Abimelech warred against many cities, killing thousands, he came to Thebez. The people there fled to the tower, but he set it afire. A woman threw out a millstone, which crushed Abimelech’s skull. He ordered his armor-bearer to kill him so it wouldn’t be known that a woman had done the deed. But, alas, the Bible said A WOMAN did it. And so the curse of Jotham came to pass.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 89

Mar29

    Day 89 —  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!  TODAY, we begin the eighth book in our Bible reading!

   Day 89 – Judges 1 – 2 (Mopping up, but failing. idol worship and judgment, pleas and rescue)

Chapter 1 begins where Joshua left off, although it is written by a different author. The large tribe of Judah wants to obey God and drive out all the Canaanites in their land. They enlist the tribe of Simeon—living in the middle of Judah territory—and go to war. God gives them victory, even in Jerusalem (but they soon lose that city again). Then, the Judahites help Simeon fight the Canaanites still in their section of land.

All the other tribes fight the pagans in their areas, but every time (except for Issachar), they put the enemy to “forced labor” but are unable to drive them out ultimately.

Because of this, in Chapter 2, God tells them He will not continue to drive out their enemies. Instead, the people they allowed to remain will become “thorns in your sides,” and they will go further beyond toleration to actually serve them.” These useless gods will become “snares” to them.

There is a brief review of the end of Joshua’s life. and the sad proclamation that a new generation rose up “who did not know the LORD or the work He had done for Israel.”  This shows that fathers in the families disobeyed God at the very core of their lives, for they were instructed to teach their children the law of their God, speaking about it when they rose up, went out, ate, and slept. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

But Israel went farther, beyond toleration, to actually serving those idols. They abandoned the LORD their God and went after other gods. And the LORD was angry and let them be plundered by surrounding enemies to the point that they could no longer stand.

Then, out of mercy, God raised up “military leaders” (judges) who temporarily saved them out of the hands of the plunderers.  Safe again, Israel went right back to their old sinful ways. God let their enemies afflict them until they cried out to him again.

The book of Judges records SEVEN such cycles of sin.

#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.)