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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 60

Mar1
Day 60.  Reading Numbers 14 – 15 and Psalm 90. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 14.

Yesterday’s reading ended with a showdown. Two against ten.

Two spies (Joshua & Caleb) said the land of Canaan was ripe with food, and ready for picking. The inhabitants were big, but no problem for the children of God. Let’s go in and conquer!

Ten spies agreed that the land of Canaan was ripe with food, but bemoaned the giant cities with tall walls, and the giant people that made them look (in their own eyes) like grasshoppers.  NO WAY can we conquer!

And the rest of the two million people?  They were swayed by the TEN, and cried with a loud voice and wailed and wept. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They bemoaned (get this, for God will answer this prayer), “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in the wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sward? Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the people.

Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and cried, “PEOPLE OF ISRAEL! The land is exceedingly good.  If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us… Only DO NOT REBEL AGAINST THE LORD! Do not fear the people – they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them. THE LORD IS WITH US. Do not fear them!

As the masses were picking up stones to stone the two, the GLORY OF THE LORD appeared.

“MOSES, how long will this people despise me? How long will they not BELIEVE IN ME, in spite of all the signs I have done among them.  I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of YOU a nation greater and mightier than they!”

And once again, Moses interceded for the righteousness of the LORD’s name and honor (“If you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, It is because the Lord was not able to bring them to the land as He swore.”).

And Moses pleaded for those horrible rebellious people too. He claimed and clung to God’s promises of love and mercy and forgiveness. (Please pardon the iniquity of the people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now!”)

Oh, for such an intercessor today!

And the LORD heard Moses’ prayer. “I have pardoned according to your word. BUT…..truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, NONE of the men who have seen my glory and my signs… and yet have put me to the test…and not obeyed my voice… shall see the land I swore to give to their fathers.  NONE who despised me shall see it.  And so, TURN BACK TOMORROW AND SET OUT FOR THE WILDERNESS.”

And to the people, God said, “As I live, what you have said, I will do. Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and all those listed in the census, 20 years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, SHALL NOT ONE COME INTO THE LAND, except Caleb and Joshua.  Your little ones – whom you said would fall prey – THOSE I will bring into the land.

“Your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness FORTY YEARS, and shall suffer for YOUR faithlessness UNTIL THE LAST OF YOUR DEAD BODIES LIES IN THE WILDERNESS. I the LORD have spoken.”

And immediately those ten unfaithful spies died of a plague.  ZAAPP!!!

After hearing that horrible 40 year sentence of death, the people changed their minds.  “Here we are!  We will go up into the land that the LORD promised us!”

Moses: “No! Now you are being more rebellious. The LORD is not with you!!!”

People:  “But we WILL go up into the country and fight them!”

But  neither the Ark of the Covenant, nor Moses left the camp. And the Amalekites and Canaanites came down and defeated them.  (And so, the first of those thousands of fit-for-battle rebels died.)

  • O LORD, I confess that I am so often like the people of Israel. Please keep me from walking in my own sinful rebellious ways. Grant me faith to believe ALL You promise, and courage to obey. And Father, please keep me from presumptuous sins!  Give me a humble, loving heart as Moses had.

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Numbers 15.

Even though God had pronounced the “death penalty” on the older generation of Israelites, he still had in mind to give Israel (eventually) the land of Canaan.  And He still required the sacrifices and offerings to continue as the roamed the desert. Both unintentional and intentional (knowingly and deliberately done) sins are next covered. 

Unintentional sins require and offering. A Person who sins intentionally “with a high hand” despising the word of the LORD, shall be put to death.  The example of a man who deliberately went out to gather firewood on the Sabbath, was stoned to death.

God then gave a way for Israel to always remember His commands.  They (the men) were to make tassels for the corner of their garments (shirts), each with a blue thread on it. These would be visible to themselves and to each other.

When they looked at them, they were to remember “all the commandments of the LORD, to DO them, not to follow after their own heart and their own eyes, which they were inclined to whore after. They were to remember to DO all His commandments, and be holy to their God. ‘I am the LORD your God.'”

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Psalm 90.  “A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God”  

(Here Moses seems to be asking God to have mercy on sinful humans living in a sin-cursed world. It seems to have  been written to the older generation of Israelites who were dying off in the wilderness.)

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.”  ” …from everlasting to everlasting YOU are God.”   “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.”

“You return man to dust.”  “You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning…in the evening it fades and withers.”

“For all our days pass away under Your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone and we fly away.”

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

 

 

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 59

Feb28
Day 59.  Reading Numbers 11 – 13. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Numbers 11.

Complaints by the PEOPLE and by MOSES

With the Tabernacle finished, the priests consecrated and dedicated, and the camp organized, it was finally time to set out for the Promised Land.  It’s been over a year, but the slaves have become a nation with organization, a law system, an army, and priestly, godly leaders.  So, the Ark, carried by the Kohathites starts out.

  • 1) There should be singing – “We are bound for the promised land.” – but instead the people “complain in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortune.”  Say, what??  What misfortune?

God heard it and was angered.  He sent some of His fire among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.  “Moses! Moses! HELP!”  cried the people.  Moses prayed and the fire died down.

  • 2) THEN, the “rabble among them” had a strong craving.  (Remember those non-Jewish slaves who came out of Egypt with Israel? Exodus 12:38)  THEY complained, which caused Israel to weep too.  “Oh that we had MEAT to eat!  Remember the free fish we ate in Egypt? And the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and the garlic? OH! The garlic!!  But now our strength is dried up, and there is NOTHING AT ALL BUT THIS MANNA to look at!!!”  And each one stood at the door of his tent and wept out loud.

The Lord was angered and Moses was displeased (and complained to God).

  • 3) “Why have You dealt ill with Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You lay the burden of all this people on Me? DID I CONCEIVE ALL THE PEOPLE? DID I GIVE THEM BIRTH THAT YOU SHOULD SAY TO ME, “Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child?  WHERE AM I TO GET MEAT TO GIVE TO ALL THIS PEOPLE?  I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.  If You will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in Your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.“

Whoa, Moses!  Are you frustrated or what? 

Notice that God FIRST addresses the heart of His servant Moses.  He tells him to gather the 70 elders of the people and bring them to the Tabernacle. God will put some of His Spirit on them, so they can bear the burden of the people with Moses. 

Then God addresses the complaints of the people. They are to consecrate themselves, for THEY WILL EAT MEAT the next day.  In fact they will eat meat for 30 days, so much that they will get sick of it.

It’s interesting that Moses asks God HOW He will do it. (Boy, Moses really is shaken.)  He asks God if all the flocks and herds are to be slaughtered, and would that be enough for them all to eat meat for a month?  

  • (This makes me wonder why SOME of the animals are not killed for food along with the manna.  Certainly a lot were sacrificed, and some of that meat was for the priests to eat. Hmmm.)  Perhaps the people – like me – just like to complain.

Moses obeyed and the seventy elders received a bit of the Spirit God had put on Moses.

And God sent a quail-carrying wind from the sea. The birds flew in at 3-feet off the ground. The people caught them all day, all night, and all the next day. The LEAST amount of birds gathered per person was 60-70 BUSHELS (small laundry baskets!).  They spread them out for themselves around the camp. (To count or to dry?) 

And they began eating, and eating, and while the meat was still between their teeth, the LORD “struct down the people with a very great plague.”  

And there they buried all those dead people. Then they moved out from that “Graves of Craving” place.

Numbers 12.

Complaints by MIRIAM and AARON

Okay, this seems strange. Moses married a Cushite woman. Wasn’t he married to Zipporah, a Midianite woman?  The term “Cushite” COULD HAVE referred to Zipporah, but it’s most likely Moses remarried after Zipporah died. Cush is a section of southern Egypt. She might have been among the “mixed multitude” in the camp.  

Regardless of where she came from, Moses’ older siblings (Miriam and Aaron) didn’t like it.  Could they have become (as Levites) “purists” or “racists?”  Miriam, the oldest, probably got Aaron to agree and they went to Moses, questioning – not his marriage – but his special relationship with God. 

  • 4) “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses?  Hasn’t He not spoken through US as well?”

Moses – ” meeker than all the people on earth” (Really, Moses???) – did not answer them.  BUT the LORD heard what the two siblings said, and called all three of them to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where He appeared in a pillar of cloud.

“You, Aaron and Miriam, step forward.” (They did.) “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision: I speak with him in a dream. NOT SO WITH MY SERVANT MOSES. He is faithful in all my house. WITH HIM I SPEAK MOUTH TO MOUTH, CLEARLY, AND NOT IN RIDDLES, AND HE BEHOLDS THE FORM OF THE LORD. Why then were YOU not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

And the LORD was angry.  When the pillar lifted, OH NO! Miriam was leprous like snow!

Aaron saw her and cried out to Moses, “Oh, please do not punish us, because we have done foolishly and have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away!”  Yikes!!

And Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her! PLEASE!

“Nope,” God said. “Should she not be ASHAMED?  Let her be shut outside the camp seven days. After that she may be brought in again.“

So, THE ENTIRE CAMP paused their journey to wait for Miriam. After seven days and she was okayed to come back, they set out and camped in the Desert of Paran. (Just south of Canaan)

Numbers 13.

Complaints by the SPIES.

God told Moses to send out 12 men to “spy out the land of Canaan,” hopefully to bring back a report of what an amazing land they were to inherit. Lush with food, a land of “milk and honey.”  (That spoke of green pastures full of cows (milk) and orchards of fruits pollinized by bees, producing honey.)

Moses obeyed and sent out a man from each tribe.  The two we know, are Caleb from the tribe of Judah, and Joshua from the tribe of Ephraim (1/2 of Joseph).  He charged them to —

  • “Go up into the Negev (south) and the Hill Country, and see what the land is, 
  • whether the people are strong or weak,
  • whether they are few or many, 
  • whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, 
  • whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds,
  • whether the land is rich or poor, 
  • whether there are trees in it or not.
  • Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.”

Forty long days later, the twelve spies returned.  There were two very different reports.

  • “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. (a huge cluster of grapes that it took two men to carry)
  • However … the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large, and besides, WE SAW ANAK THERE (Giants).  The Amalekites dwell there. The Hittites and Jebusites and Amorites, and Canaanites!!
  • No matter, Let us go up at once and occupy it for we are well able to overcome it!”
  • 5) No, We are NOT able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we. The land, through which we have gone to spy is a land that devours its in habitants, and all the people that we saw are of great height. They are GIANTS, and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers!”

So, which will it be?

Will Israel go in to conquer this good land, like Joshua and Caleb reported?

Or … will Israel turn back out of fear for the pagan peoples and especially the giants, like the other ten spies said?

WE WILL SEE IN TOMORROW’S STUDY.

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  • O, LORD, I confess I have a cranky, complaining heart. Please forgive and cleanse me. Let me see and acknowledge the wonderful love and care you show me every day! I do not need to be afraid for my strength is in YOU, in your joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 53

Feb22
Day 53.  Reading Leviticus 26 – 27. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 26.

IF-THEN declarations from the LORD to Israel, for blessing and cursing.

IF you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, THEN …

  • I will give you rain in their season
  • the land shall yield its increase
  • the trees, grain, and grapes shall yield their fruit
  • you shall eat bread to the full
  • you shall dwell in the land securely
  • I will give peace in the land
  • I will remove harmful beasts
  • the sword shall not go through your land
  • your enemies will flee from you
  • I will make YOU fruitful and multiply you
  • I will make my dwelling place among you
  • I will walk among you and be your God. I am the LORD your God.

BUT IF you will not listen to me and not do my commandments, and if your soul abhors my rules and you break my covenant, THEN….

  • I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consumes the eyes and makes the heart ache
  • you shall sow seed in vain for your enemies will eat it
  • those who hate you will rule over you and pursue you
  • I will discipline you sevenfold for your sin
  • I will break the pride of your power
  • I will make the heavens like iron and the earth like bronze
  • your land will not yield its increase nor the trees their fruit
  • I will let lose wild beasts against you that will bereave you of your children and livestock
  • I will bring the sword on you and execute vengeance and send pestilence
  • I will break your supply of bread and you will eat the flesh of your children
  • I will destroy your high places and altars and cast YOUR dead bodies on the dead bodies of your idols
  • I will abhor you.
  • I will lay your cities waste and devastate the land
  • I will scatter you among the nations

“Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies’ hand; then the land shall rest, and enjoy its Sabbaths. It will have the rest that it did not have on your Sabbaths when you were dwelling in it.”

BUT IF they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in the treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me…. AND IF their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, THEN… 

  • I will remember my covenant with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham
  • I will remember the land
  • When they are in the land of the enemies … I will not spurn them 
  • I will not abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them
  • I will for their sake remember the covenant with their forefathers.

Leviticus 27 (the last chapter)

Here are lists of how to value “special vow” offerings and also tithes pledged or given to the LORD (people of different ages for service, and animals and land for support of the Levites.)

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Tomorrow we begin Numbers. (You mathematicians will love this book!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 52

Feb21
Day 52.  Reading Leviticus 24 – 25. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 24.

Oil & Bread in the Tabernacle.

The priests must replenish the Tabernacle Lampstand oil and the Table bread regularly.  Pure oil from beaten olives is used to light the lamps before the LORD every morning. The Shewbread is to be made of fine flour, twelve loaves, put into two piles of six on the Table in the Holy Place each Sabbath. Pure frankincense is to be put with each pile of six.

An incident of Blasphemy, what to do?

Two men fought in the camp. One of them (whose father was an Egyptian) blasphemed God’s Name.  The shocked people brought him to Moses who held him in custody until he could inquire of God. The LORD’s instructions were to…

  • bring the man outside the camp
  • gather all who had heard him blaspheme as witnesses;
  • have them lay their hands on his head
  • then let the congregation stone him to death.

“Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the Name of the Lord shall surely be put to death.”

An eye for an eye – just retribution.

Whoever murders a person must also be killed. If anyone injures a neighbor, as HE has done to that one, so it shall be done to HIM. (Not more and not less)  An eye for an eye, fracture for fracture, tooth for tooth. If anyone kills a neighbor’s animal, he must make equal compensation. 

Leviticus 25.

Sabbath and Jubilee (50th) years.

As the people and animals rested every seventh day through the year, they AND the land were to rest every seventh year.  No crops were to be sown or vines pruned. The crops produced were left to fall to the ground (and/or for the poor).  

The same for the 50th year.  Of course that meant two years in a row (49th – 7×7 – and 50th) there would be no harvest.  God promised them if they would be faithful to let the land have its Sabbath rest, that HE would make a huge bumper crop on the 6th and 48th years. They would have enough to last until the harvest of the 8th and 51st year.  

“Would they trust God?  It turns out no.  Did they become greedy?  Yes.  And when God finally sent them off into captivity for 70 years, one reason He gave was to give the land its Sabbath rest, which they had neglected. “The land is MINE,” said the LORD.  If you don’t let it rest, it will be taken from you. 

NOTE: agriculturally, it was good for the land. Needed nutrients would be replenished in the resting years.

Jubilee Year was also a time to reset indebtedness.  Land that had been sold to get one out of debt, was returned to the original owner that year. (Remember each tribe was allotted certain land in Canaan.)  If a person had sold himself into servitude because of debt, he would be freed that year.  The price of the land or servant would be calculated according to how many years were left before Jubilee.  All’s fair.

Because the Levites had the job of Tabernacle and Temple upkeep and service, they were not given a portion of land in Canaan.  However they were given cities to live in with small fields around them for veggies & fruit to eat. 

An Israelite that is sold to a “sojourner or foreigner” because of debt, may been redeemed (bought back) by a wealthy relative in Israel.  (Think of Boaz with Naomi and Ruth.)  All are released on Jubilee year.

“For it is to me,” says the LORD, “that the people of Israel are servants.  They are MY servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 49

Feb18
Day 49.  Reading Leviticus 16 – 18. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 16.

The Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur.

From the way this chapter begins, it’s possible that the horrendous sin that caused the death of Aaron’s two oldest sons by the LORD, was their attempting to come into the Most Holy Place.  Perhaps they had tried to bring “unauthorized fire” (which would be ANY fire/incense other than what the High Priests, brough once per year).

God set up VERY strict laws about anyone coming into the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was, which represented God’s throne on earth.

  • Once per year on the tenth day of the seventh month.
  • The High Priest clothed in special all-linen “holy” garments.
  • Bringing a burning censer with holy incense which made a cloud obscuring the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat. 
  • Also bringing the blood of the sacrificial bull (for the High Priest’s atonement) and then the sacrificial goat (atonement for the people). 
  • Sprinkling the bull’s blood, then the goat’s blood on and in front of the Mercy Seat seven times.

Outside the Tent, the High Priest would sprinkle the bull’s and goat’s blood on the Bronze Alter.  Then he would take the second, live, goat and lay his hands on its head. After confessing ALL the people’s iniquities, transgressions, and sins, he would send the goat away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who was waiting to do it.  This was the “scapegoat.”  It pictured the total removing of sin from the camp.

All this would be done once per year, a statute forever for Israel. 

Besides the Passover Lamb and all that belonged to that ceremony, the Day of Atonement with the one-time entrance through the veil into the Holy of Holies, AND the Scapegoat, represented the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ for our sins.  God looked on Him on the cross – bearing all the sin of any who would believe in Him – and “passed over” that person for the death they deserved.  He accepted Jesus’ blood and death INSTEAD of the sinners’.

Meanwhile, for the people, the Day of Atonement would be a “Sabbath Day” of solemn rest. They would do no work, and would fast the entire day, mourning and confessing their sin. 

Leviticus 17.

Strictly forbidden is sacrificing any animal outside the camp and not bringing its blood to the entrance of the Tabernacle as a gift for the LORD.  Otherwise it would be “pagan worship” and bring bloodguilt on the person.  Blood and fat are always to be burned on the Bronze Altar.

They shall no more make sacrifices to goat demons (Azazel), after whom they “whored.”

God reminded the people again that they were NOT TO EAT BLOOD. The blood of a creature contains its LIFE, and it is ONLY for atonement to the LORD on the altar.  If one is out hunting in the field and kills an animal to eat it, the blood shall be drained out and covered with earth. 

Leviticus 18.

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them,

  • “I am the LORD your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt where you lived,
  • and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you.
  • You shall not walk in their statutes.
  • You shall follow My rules and keep My statutes and walk in them.
  • I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.
  • You shall therefore keep My statutes and My rules;
  • if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.”

The LORD then gives Moses a long list of how the people will keep morally and sexually pure, taking for their spouses only ONE woman or ONE man, as God created them in the beginning. 

Incest, bigamy, bestiality, and homosexuality were strictly forbidden.  

“For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people.  So keep My charge NEVER to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.”

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 46

Feb15
Day 46.  Reading Leviticus 8 – 10. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Leviticus 8.

God told Moses (and us) about the offerings, the glorious garments of the priests, and the ordination ceremony. Now, Moses called the whole congregation to the Tabernacle to witness (or at least be present at) the ordination of Aaron and his four sons.

Moses then did it all, according to what God had said, washing them at the Bronze Basin, dressing them in the garments, anointing each on their right ears, thumbs, and toes, and on Aaron’s head.  Moses brought the prescribed bull for a sin offering, and after all five had laid their hands on its head, he killed it. Moses took the blood and all the parts of the bull and did as the Lord had commanded.

Aaron and his four sons remained inside the court of the Tabernacle for seven days, performing what the LORD charged them as part of the ordination. 

Leviticus 9.

After the seven days, Moses called Aaron, his sons, and the elders of the people. Aaron then performed the sin offering in minute detail for himself and his sons. He then took the offered specific animals and offered them for the people for sin, burnt, and peace offerings. 

After the offerings/sacrifices, Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.

Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of the Tabernacle, and when they came out, again blessed the people.

“And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.  And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar.

And when the people saw it, they SHOUTED and FELL ON THEIR FACES.”

Leviticus 10.

A hard lesson is learned.

After all the pomp and glory of the ordination ceremony and the majesty of the LORD’s glory appearing, a dark thing happened that (I’m sure) shocked Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation to their very core.

Aaron’s two older sons, Nadab and Abihu (perhaps drunk from celebrating and the fantastic realization of their high position in the community of Israel) took their censers, put incense in them, and offered “unauthorized” fire before the LORD.  (Remembered God had given Moses, Aaron, and sons the EXACT, God-authorized way to perform holy worship towards Him. In pride or drunkenness, these two men sinned grossly.

And God responded.

Holy fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.

“Among those who are near me, I will be sanctified, and before all the people, I will be glorified,” said the LORD God Almighty.  (God had clearly shown them the details of worshiping Him and they had ignored them.)

Moses told Aaron’s uncle Uzziel’s two sons to come in and carry the bodies outside the camp. These Levites obeyed, carrying the bodies in their coats.

Grief and terror must have mingled in Aaron’s heart. His two oldest sons, newly ordained to serve God and the people in the Tabernacle, had been annihilated before their eyes…by the God he served. 

And God told Aaron and his remaining two sons, “Do not grieve for them, lest you die and wrath come on all the congregation.”

Aaron obeyed.  (God did allow the rest of the family and congregation to grieve.)

God then spoke directly to Aaron and his remaining sons. “Drink NO WINE OR STRONG DRINK, you or your sons, when you go into the Tabernacle, lest you die. You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach Israel all the statutes the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.”

Then Moses told Aaron and his sons to get on with the offerings. Eleazar and Ithamar made a mistake in offering the sin offering. They had brought the sacrificial blood to the wrong place and had not eaten what they should have. Moses was angry. 

Aaron confessed his and his son’s faults before Moses and alluded to the stress and conviction of losing the two other sons. When Moses heard that, he realized their grief-prompted mistake and relented. 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 40 & 41

Feb10

Days 40 & 41.  Reading Exodus 30 – 32 and Exodus 33 – 35. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Exodus 30.

Today, we learn about the two other pieces of Tabernacle furniture, one inside the tent and the other outside. We will also learn about the very special single-usage anointing oil and incense.

Inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, along with the Table for Bread and the Golden Lampstand, the small Altar of Incense would be placed just in front of the veil separating the two rooms.  This is where Aaron (the high priest) will burn holy, sweet-smelling incense before the LORD every morning and evening when he dresses the lamps.

The Holy Incense (not to be used elsewhere) was made of equal parts sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, with a sprinkle of pure, holy salt. These are to be ground and combined carefully, as by a perfumer. They were not to make any of this recipe for personal use or be cut off from Israel.

Just outside the door of the Tabernacle the Bronze Basin (or Laver) would be placed. This is where the priests would wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle and before they burned food offerings to the LORD.

All the furniture inside and outside the Tabernacle would have rings attached at the lower corners and poles going through the rings. The Levites would carry the holy items, by the poles, never touching the furniture itself. 

The sacred Anointing Oil was to be made of the finest spices: liquid myrrh,  sweet-smelling cinnamon, aromatic cane, cassia, and olive oil. These were be mixed by a perfumer in the correct portions. This anointing oil would consecrate the Tabernacle, all its furniture and utensils, and Aaron and his sons (and any future priests).  It was never to be poured on the body of any other person. No one was to make a similar composition. or else be cut off from Israel.

Taxes. (Of course!)

Besides the contributions for making all the items involved with the Tabernacle, the people were to give a half shekel each for its upkeep annually. This was a “census tax,” meaning everyone twenty years old and above would give this offering, rich or poor, the same.  (Called the Temple Tax later)

Exodus 31.

The LORD called two men (Bezalel of Judah and Oholiab of Dan) to oversee the building of the Tabernacle and all its parts. God filled them with the Spirit of God, with the ability, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship.

  • to devise artistic designs
  • to work in gold, silver, and bronze
  • in cutting stones for setting
  • in carving wood,
  • to work in every craft. 

God also gave “all able men” the ability to make everything (the Tent, furniture, garments, oil, and incense.

And lest they get carried away with all this construction and craft, Moses was to remind the people that “Above all, you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD sanctify you. Keep the Sabbath because it is holy for you. Anyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Six days your work will be done, and the seventh is a day of solemn rest, holy to the LORD.”

Then God gave Moses the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments engraved by “the finger of God.”

Exodus 32.

But, while glorious things were happening in the presence of the LORD on Mt. Sinai, below, the people sank into darkest sin.

For forty days, Moses was gone.  Had he died on that fire-engulfed mountaintop? Was he ever coming back?  No, he was NEVER coming back!  What are we to do? We HAVE TO go back to Egypt!  We need gods to lead us back through this desert! Aaron!  Make us gods to lead us!!!!

So Aaron (Israel’s future holy High Priest) collected gold earrings from the people and crafted a golden calf (a prime god of Egypt) for them to worship. 

They did just that, with singing, dancing, sacrifices, and an orgy.

The LORD to Moses:  “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned aside from the Way I commanded them. They have made a golden calf to worship and sacrifice to, saying, “THESE are our gods.”  My wrath burns hot against them. I may consume them to make a great nation of YOU, Moses.”

Moses to the LORD:  “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against Your people, whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?  The Egyptians will say You brought them out to kill them. Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against Your people. REMEMBER Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Your own self to multiply their offspring, and give them the promised land to inherit it forever!”

(The LORD heard Moses’ intercession for His glory and relented from His plans to annihilate the people.)

But Moses’s anger burned for the LORD’s sake.

He met Joshua, who had been waiting halfway down the mountain. Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted.  “There is a noise of WAR in the camp!”

“It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” growled Moses.

As they neared the camp, they SAW the golden calf. 

Moses’ anger burned HOT. He threw down the stone tablets (with God’s laws) and broke them at the foot of the mountain. He took that golden image and burned it with fire. He ground it to powder and scattered it on the water. Then he made the people drink it.

To Aaron, his brother, the future High Priest, Moses growled. “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great SIN upon them?”

Aaron answered with… a lie. “Don’t be angry. You know the people, that they are set on evil. They told me to make them gods to lead them back to Egypt because they didn’t know what happened to you. So they gave me their earrings, and I threw them into the fire … and out came this calf.”

Meanwhile, the people were “breaking loose” in craven, pagan frenzy. 

Moses stood at the gate of the camp and called, “WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE. COME TO ME.”  And all the Levites gathered around him. Moses sent them on a horrific mission of holy wrath. They were to go throughout the camp and kill all who had been crazy worshiping the calf.   They did.  They killed 3,000 men.

And in showing such loyalty to Moses and to God, Moses proclaimed, “Today you have been ORDAINED FOR THE SERVICE OF THE LORD for what you have done.” 

And so the Levites were in charge of the Tabernacle and everything involving the worship of the LORD God of Israel.

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Day 41, Exodus 33.

Moses, with a love for the Jewish people like Paul’s (Romans 9:1-5), intercedes for Israel because of their idolatry. “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin–but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”  

And after a plague swept through the camp, God announced that He would not go up to the promised land with Israel “lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people. So now take off your ornaments so know what to do with you.” 

And the people stripped themselves of their ornaments from that day on. 

Moses pleaded with God to accompany them with His Presence and not simply send an angel to guide them. “If your Presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people?  Is it not in Your going in with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on earth?”

And God listened to Moses’ plea.

Then … throwing caution to the wind, Moses asked to SEE GOD’S GLORY.   Whoa!

I can see God smiling at His chosen leader but shaking His head. “I will show you my GOODNESS and proclaim my Name before you. But you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”  Then God told him how He would do that. But first, Moses was to cut new stone tablets (which he broke) for God to write the Ten Commandments on, and come up into Mt. Sinai.

Exodus 34.

After Moses made them and ascended the mountain, the LORD descended in a cloud.  He put Moses in a rock cleft, covered him with His hand, and passed by so that Moses could only see the “backside” of God’s glory. And Moses heard the “goodness” of the LORD. 

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands (of generations), forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by NO MEANS clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to three or four generations.”

And Moses fell to his face and worshiped God.

Then, God renewed His covenant with Israel. He said He WILL go with them to the Promised Land and drive out the pagans there. But THEY are to tear down the altars, idols, and pillars and break them into pieces. “You shall worship no other god, for the LORD whose name is “Jealous,” is a jealous God. And you shall NOT make for yourself ANY GODS OF CAST METAL.”

God reminded Moses of the feast days to be kept, the importance of the Sabbath, how to offer sacrifices and other offerings. Then God wrote the Ten Commandments again on the new stone tablets.

Exodus 35.

Moses returned to a more subdued people and repeated what the LORD commanded them.

THEN, Moses told them about the glorious Tabernacle they were to construct for the LORD so His presence would dwell “among” them in their camp.  He asked them for the contribution items and the gifted craftsmen to come forward.

All the people departed …

And then they returned. Everyone whose heart had been stirred and whose spirit had been moved came. They brought jewelry, cloth and yarns, animal skins, silver and bronze items, and acacia wood.   Every skillful woman spun with their hands the goat’s hair and wool. Men brought precious stones to be set, spices, oil, and fragrant incense.  Everyone donated items and time as “a free-will offering to the LORD.”

Bezalel, the architect and general construction manager, presented himself, got the plans, and began teaching others the skills of the trades and design. Oholiab also came and taught the skills of engraving and embroidery.  Both men had been called by God for the work, filled with the Spirit of God, and given skill, intelligence, and knowledge in all areas of craftmanship. 

(Perhaps this amazing, exacting project would keep the people’s hearts and minds away from idolatry and grumbling.)  It would take them almost one year.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 32

Feb1

Day 32. Reading Exodus 7 – 9.  (February)

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Exodus 7.

“Let the “plagues” begin!” 

God renews His commission to Moses to tell Pharaoh to “Let the people of Israel go out of his land.”  He warns Moses that Pharaoh will NOT allow it, but so that the Egyptians will know that He is the LORD, He will perform “great acts of judgment.” When Pharaoh asks Moses to perform a miracle, Moses is to tell Aaron to throw down his staff in front of the king so it will become a serpent.

(Aaron will speak for Moses. Aaron is much more at ease with the Egyptian language than Moses, who has been away for 40 years.)

It goes just like God said, except Pharaoh’s sorcerers were able to make their staffs become snakes as well.  Did that surprise/worry Moses?  However, the “rod of God” swallows their “serpents” before Aaron picks it up.

Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

Next, God tells Moses to meet Pharaoh by the Nile River as he goes out to get water. Moses is to repeat the request (“Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.”)  To show that the LORD is God (and not their pagan river god), Moses will tell Aaron to strike the water with his staff. When he does, ALL the water in Egypt will turn to blood. Pharaoh ignores the warning, so Aaron hits the water.

All the water in the Nile turned to blood, the fish died, and the river stunk. All the connecting canals, ponds, and pools became blood, and all the pots, buckets, and pitchers of water also became blood. (Egyptians had to dig in the sand along the river to get fresh water, or they would have died of thirst.)

And Pharaoh’s sorcerers did the same. Huh? How? And why not REVERSE the plague instead of making it worse. They couldn’t.

Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.

Exodus 8.

A whole week later, Moses goes to Pharaoh and repeats the request. “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” If he doesn’t respond, Moses (though Aaron with the staff) will call up frogs from the River. Millions of frogs will swarm over the land and into their houses, bedrooms, beds, cooking pots, ovens, and kneading bowls.  YUCK!! 

(BTW, frogs were considered sacred to Egyptians, so they wouldn’t try to kill them.)

Pharaoh does not respond, so Aaron stretches the “rod of God” over the waters, and Voila! Up come those masses of amphibians.  And guess what!  The sorcerers made MORE frogs.  Seriously?? 

“Moses, Moses! Plead with the LORD to take away these frogs!” says the Pharaoh, now stepping on and throwing off the creatures. “And…. I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.”  Whoa! Really??

(I love this.) “Be pleased to command me WHEN I am to plead for you and our servants and your people that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile,” Moses (or Aaron) says. 

“TOMORROW!”   (Huh?  Why not this minute?)

“Okay, so you will know that there is no one like the LORD our God… tomorrow it is.“

Moses leaves and prays. God hears and answers. The frogs die and are gathered into piles. They stink, but they are no longer hopping into houses.

When Pharaoh saw there was a respite, he hardened his heart.

Then, without warning, Moses tells Aaron to strike the dust with his staff. He does, and the dust becomes gnats. (Think “no-see-ums,” you folks in the South.)  They swarmed and buzzed and landed on and bit man and beast. 

Ho, ho, ho! The sorcerers could NOT duplicate this one. “Pharaoh, this is the finger of God!” they cried.

But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

Next, Moses is told to meet Pharaoh again when he goes out to get water. “The LORD says, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else…flies will swarm everywhere! EXCEPT in Goshen where My people live.” And the next day, it happened. No “rod of God” this time. 

“Moses! Go, sacrifice to your God within the land!” Pharaoh cries, swatting at the awful insects.

“Nope. The offerings we shall sacrifice to the LORD are an abomination to the Egyptians. (They worshiped cattle.)  “We must go a three-day journey into the wilderness.”

“Okay, okay,” says the fly-covered Pharaoh. “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD in the wilderness, but you must not go very far away. PLEAD FOR ME!” 

“Okay, the flies will be gone tomorrow, but YOU’D BETTER NOT CHEAT AGAIN!”

And so, the LORD removed the flies so that not one remained.

But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also.

Genesis 9.

The LORD sends Moses again to Pharaoh. “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me.'” 

This time, it would be a very severe plague on the livestock in the field. Horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks will die.  BUT NOT IN GOSHEN. The animals belonging to the people of Israel would be safe.

The next day, it happened as the LORD said, and the animals of Egypt died. (Pharaoh even sent to check in Goshen and found the Israelite animals well and chomping grass in the fields.)

But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened.

Next, God told Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of soot from the kiln and let MOSES throw it in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. It will turn to fine dust, spread over Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast, says the LORD.  EEEK! 

So they did it before Pharaoh.  His sorcerers could not even stand on their feet because of the boils, as was true for all of Egypt.

But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh.

Next, Moses was to go before Pharaoh in the morning and say, “The LORD the God of the Hebrews says ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me.”  Furthermore, He said, “This time I will send all my plagues on YOU, YOURSELF, and the people, so that you may know that there is NONE LIKE ME in all the earth.“

God then explains why He continues to plague (and harden his heart). “For this purpose, I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that My Name may be proclaimed in all the earth. 

Then, through Moses, God proclaimed that the next day would bring hail like they had never seen, VERY HEAVY HAIL.  But, the merciful God warned all in Egypt who would listen to “Send and get any livestock you have in the field into a safe shelter. Every man and beast in the field will die when the hail falls on them.”

(Whoever feared the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into houses.)  Well done, you!

Moses then stretched out his hand toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth (lightning?). There was fire flashing continually in the hail, very heavy hail, not seen since Egypt became a nation.  And all in the fields; man, beast, plant, and tree were stuck down or broken.

But not in Goshen. 

Pharaoh sent for Moses. “This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. PLEAD with Him, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”  REALLY… Pharaoh?

“I’ll do it, O Pharaoh, but you do not yet fear the LORD God.”

And Moses was correct. As soon as the rain, hail, and thunder stopped, the king sinned again.

The heart of Pharaoh was hardened.

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Mass destruction and the final blow will come tomorrow for Pharaoh and Egypt. But deliverance for Israel, as God promised.

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 24

Jan24

Day 24. Reading in Genesis 35 – 37. 

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and meditate on it. What stood out to you in today’s reading?

 

Genesis 35.

After that huge faux pas by Simeon and Levi in Shechem, Jacob feared for his life.  God – in His kindness – spoke to Jacob and told him to go south to Bethel (House of God), where he first encountered God when he ran away. So Jacob had everyone give him their idols and gold earrings, and he buried them under a tree. Then he made them all cleanse themselves before they journeyed away.  And GOD caused a supernatural terror to fall on all the people and towns they passed as a wall of protection. When they arrived at Bethel, Jacob-Israel built an altar and worshiped God.

  • So, where did all those foreign idols Jacob collected come from? Rachel stole her father’s “household idols,” which caused a curse on her (Genesis 31:32), but these seem like different ones.  Then I remembered that when Simeon & Levi killed all the men of Shechem and plundered the town, they brought away all the wives of the men as their servants (and possible spouses).  These had brought their Canaanite gods along.  
  • Are there things I hold like idols too dear to my heart? Lord, help me to identify and “bury” them away from me. “Cleanse me, O Lord, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

Rachel, pregnant again (Wow!), goes into labor. She has a hard time and dies as the baby boy is born. She breathes out his name with her last breath, Benoni, “Son of my sorrow.”  But Jacob names him Benjamin, “Son of my right hand.” 

  • They bury Rachel along the road near Bethlehem and set up a gravestone. (Remember after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem how Herod killed all the baby boys, trying to get ride of the “new king.” Matthew 2:18 speaks about “weeping and lamentations… Rachel weeping for her children…”)

Jacob-Israel and all those with him finally make it to Hebron, where he spends just a little time with his father before Isaac dies. Esau returns, and together, they bury Isaac in the tomb where their mother and grandparents are buried.  And so now Jacob inhabits the promised land (and the blessings) of Abraham and Isaac. God has renewed his promises through Israel.

Genesis 36.

This chapter gives the lineage of Isaac and Rebekah’s first son, Esau. He became the nation of Edom and lived in Seif, south and east of the Dead Sea, in the high hill country. It’s interesting that the Amalekites (who will become Israel’s deadly enemies) were Esau’s descendants, and possibly also the Midianites.

Genesis 37.

The next generation begins. Jacob-Israel now has twelve sons. His favorite is the one he considers the “birthright son” because Joseph was the firstborn son of Rachel, whom Jacob considers his first wife. He lavishes attention and gifts on the young man, including one gorgeous coat that signifies Joseph as Jacob’s birthright heir. Of course, this causes a lot of jealousy and bad feelings toward the teenager. 

Also, Joseph has a series of dreams that (I think) God gave to him to keep to himself as a hope for those long days of slavery that were coming to him in Egypt. But the cherished boy openly shares his dreams with his brothers and parents. The dreams show him as chief among them, and the others bowing to him. (You can see how annoying this would be.)

So one day, when Joseph was on an errand for his father – wearing that fabulous coat – his brothers plot to get rid of him. Most of them want to kill him outright, but Rueben and Judah’s conscience (or perhaps concern for their father) keeps them from outright killing Joseph.  Reuben said to put him into a pit to die, but he planned later to rescue him and restore the boy to his father.

While Reuben is away, Judah suggests they sell Joseph to some passing Ishmaelites and get rid of the boy that way. His blood wouldn’t be on their hands, but they’d never see him again. (ho-ho, Judah! don’t you wish)  Plus, they’d get some money. 

This plan pleases the men, and they sell Joseph to the merchants, although he cries and pleads for them not to. “Ahhhhh. Sweet revenge!” they think.   Of course, Rueben is beside himself when he sees Joseph gone. (Maybe as the firstborn he feels some responsibility towards him or his father.)

They devise a cruel, wicked plan to deceive Jacob. This plan will get revenge on THEIR FATHER for his preferential treatment of Joseph. They take that despised coat that shows Joseph is better than them, tear it, smear it with goat’s blood, stomp it in the dirt, and…. present it to their father.  With false concern on their faces, they say, “Is this our brother’s coat?  It looks like a wild animal may have killed him.” 

AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!  Jacob wails. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  His beloved wife Rachel is gone, and now their beloved, highly-favored, and adored first son is gone. OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHAAAAAA!  He can’t bear it. He wants to die.  He is NOT consoled even when his whole family tries to comfort him.  He weeps and cannot eat. Joseph, his beloved Joseph, is DEAD!

Down in Egypt, the boy is re-sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

 

  • “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”  This truth came to mind as I thought about Jacob – that old deceiver – now experiencing MORE deception. And it’s still not over yet.
  • Lord, I know what James says is true in James 1:14-15. We are tempted by our OWN desires, and when desire has conceived, it gives birth to SIN, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.  Thank You, Father, that I know the end of the story, and after Jacob and all his sons experience the just rewards for their deceptions and they confess, your kindness will be revealed. 
  • Psalm 130:3-4. “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You, there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.”

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 21

Jan21

Day 21. Reading in Genesis 27 – 29. 

What stood out to you in today’s reading? (See my own confession at the end.)

 

Genesis 27.

Jacob has already tricked the (double portion) “birthright” from his brother. Today, he tricks his father into giving him the blessing as well.

The “blessing” is more of a spiritual grace. It’s like passing down the promises God gave to Abraham about dominance, descendants, land, and the Promised One to come.

When Rebekah was carrying the boys in her womb, God had prophesied that the older of the twins would serve the younger. Still, Jacob had tricked his brother into giving him the birthright. And today, he and his mother will trick Isaac into giving him the blessing.  THERE WAS NO NEED TO TRICK!  It was God’s plan.

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Isaac was also deceptive, trying to sneak around his wife by telling Esau to bring him a delicious wild-caught feast. But he was not only blind, he must have been hard of hearing too. His whispered request to Esau was louder than he realized. Rebekah heard his plans and made some of her own, convincing her favorite son it was necessary to deceive his father. They got to work killing, skinning, cooking, and sewing. 

I can understand their deceiving Isaac with the food (older folks lose some of their sense of taste. Add some more wild herbs, and you’re good.) The same goes for smelling the scent of the outdoors on clothes, but his sense of touch?  Surely, the thick hairs on Esau’s arms and neck were softer than a kid goat’s would be!!!

Nevertheless, even with Isaac’s doubt and questions, his growling stomach won.  The mother-son duo did the deed. Later, satisfied and perhaps feeling sleepy, Isaac gave the paternal blessing to Jacob, his second son, the deceiving grabber. 

Almost like a melodrama, Esau arrives and cooks up a rabbit or deer in his own tent.  “Here, Dad, is the hearty, meaty, chunky herby stew you wanted.

Huh?  Who are you?

Esau, your son, with your food.

I already ate it!

What???  GRRRRrrrr. THAT CHEATING BROTHER OF MINE STOLE MY BLESSING!

“Yes,” said Isaac softly. “And he shall be blessed.” Did Dad, at that moment, realize the truth he spoke. That God HAD CHOSEN Jacob to carry the family blessing?  In pity, he gave Esau a watered-down blessing of leanness, violence, servitude, and eventual freedom. 

Fists clenched and gritting his teeth, Esau vowed to kill Jacob as soon as his father died.

Again, Rebekah overheard this vow, and fearing for Jacob’s life, she contrived to send him away to “get a wife from my family.”  Defeated and tricked again, blind and hard of hearing, Isaac agreed.  (Perhaps he soothed himself remembering the beautiful young wife he had gotten from there years before.)

Jacob is sent away. Rebekah never again sees her favorite son but has to deal with Esau and his horrible wives for the rest of her life. She dies before Jacob returns.

Genesis 28.

God is gracious to Jacob, meeting him along the way, giving him a vision of a ladder to heaven, and personally giving Jacob the Abrahamic covenant.

“I am the LORD, the God of Abraham, your father, and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, east, north, and south, and IN YOU and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And I am with you and will keep you and bring you back to this land.”

Despite all the unnecessary deception and conniving, God blessed Jacob….as He had prophesied.

Jacob doesn’t quite get the magnitude of this.  “Okay,” he says. “IF God will be with me, and keep me, and give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, and bring me back here… THEN the LORD shall be my God.” And as a sort of “PS” he says, “And of all that you give me, I will give You a full tenth.”

Genesis 29.

Oh boy, does Jacob get a taste of the deception he’s played on Esau and their father! Yes, he arrives at his family’s land. Yes, he meets the gorgeous Rachel at the well (like Rebekah, his mother), and yes, he falls madly in love with her at first sight.  Yes, her even wilier brother, Laban, agrees that he can marry the her IF he’ll work for him for …. oh, say, seven years.

All’s good. Right? After all, he doesn’t have camel-loads of a dowery.

But the deceiver is deceived. (How does it feel?) He works hard and doesn’t mind. He’s in love. His wedding night comes, but instead of Rachel, her older sister is substituted.  (In the dark – like Isaac had been – Leah probably felt and smelled the same as Rachel. He enjoyed her like he dreamed.)  Then the dawn comes – like it did with Isaac when Esau came with his stew. This was NOT who Jacob thought!!!

He’s furious but stuck. (Like Isaac was with giving the blessing to another son.)  He fulfills a week of nuptial duty with Leah and then gets Rachel.  But…. he has to work ANOTHER SEVEN YEARS.

(Oh, but it’s not over yet, Jacob, my boy!)

Jacob doesn’t know it now (and perhaps never), but God has chosen Leah for the line of the Promised One to come.  Her fourth son, Judah, is the son of promise, through whom the Lion of Judah will come. 

  • How I see myself in these chapters. After all, my name is the female version of Jacob, the grabber, the deceiver. I’ve connived to get what I wanted by despicable means. I’ve hurt others in the process. I’ve thought that “I” needed to get what I wanted SOONER that it came. I’ve gone ahead of God’s will and way.  AND YET, STILL, God has blessed me, taken care of me, and given me what He promised.  
  • I hope that, UNLIKE Jacob, I’ve learned my lesson and can pray Proverbs 3:5-7. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do NOT lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Be not wise in your own eyes; but fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.”
  • And Psalm 37:4-7. “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.”

 

 

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