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#2024 GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 18

Jan18

Won’t you read the Bible with me this year?   It only takes a few minutes.  (You can also listen to an audio recording.)

   Day 18  Genesis 19 – 21

We ended yesterday with Abraham’s interceeding with God to spare the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah for the sake of a bare minimum of 10 righteous people living there.  God agrees, but the cities are doomed by their sin and because there is only ONE righteous man in the whole area.

Chapter 19 is God’s grace at work. The two angels go into Sodom with the purpose of rescuing Abe’s nephew Lot and his family. They are lewdly accosted by the crazed men of the city, but they incapacitate them with blindness. Forceably grabbing Lot, his wife, and two daughters, the angels flee the city just minutes before the LORD rains down sulfer and fire out of heaven and burns up the cities, all the valley, all the inhabitants, and even what grew on the ground.

Talk about narrowly escaping “by the skin of your teeth!”

To show that only Lot is righteous in this family, his wife turns back and hesitates, looking longingly at all her “things.”  And the backflash of sulfer immediately coats her and turns her into a statue of salt. (A mini Hiroshima!)  Then the broken – but righteous man – flees to live in a cave (remember he had been a very important man – a judge – in the city), and is twice made drunk and seduced by his own daughters. They both have sons by him, who later turn out to be enemies of Israel – the Moabites and Ammonites on the east side of the Jordan.

Back to the man of the hour in chapter 20, when Abraham leaves the area (the sight & stench of the burned cities?) and roams into the Negev (south of Gaza).

And then —- can you believe it? —- he tells the local Philistine king that Sarah is his sister!!!  WHAT?  At this point Sarah as about to conceive – or maybe already has conceived – the promised son, Isaac! Abimelech takes her into his household, and God immediately closes the wombs of all the women in his house. (I’m thinking that God maybe causes great impotence among the men of the house, for that would be sooner evident.) If this hadn’t happened, perhaps Abimelech “might” have claimed Isaac as HIS offspring. YIKES!

God appears to the king in a dream with, “YOU ARE A DEAD MAN because the woman you took is a man’s wife.”

Abimelech cries out that he is innocent, a man of integrity of heart. God agrees and tells him that He, Himself, had KEPT HIM FROM SINNING.  Sarah (she must really be tired of this) is returned to Abraham, who prays for the king, and God “opens the wombs of the women.”  But the king DOES indignantly accuse Abe for bringing that trouble on him, although he sends him away with more loot. (and a thousand pieces of silver to prove Sarah’s innocence.)

And FINALLY, after 25 years of waiting, the promised son, “He laughs” is born. Abe is 100, Sarah is 90, and Ishmael is about 14.  A couple years later when Sarah weans Isaac, she notices Ishmael mocking (teasing, tormenting) the toddler.  She says (again) that Hagar and Ishmael MUST GO AWAY.  This time God agrees with her and tells Abe to do just that.

With regret and sorrow (but with God’s promise of blessing) Abraham sends the Egyptian maid and her son away. In the wilderness, the gracious God meets her again, refreshes and encourages her, reminds her of His blessing on her son and “points her to the south-east.”  Later, she takes an EGYPTIAN wife for her son.

At the end of chapter 21, there is a skirmish between Abraham and Abimelech (possibly another king in the line) about some wells that Abe dug.  It’s settled and the king and his men go back to Philistia. The place is named Be’er Sheva (Beersheba) meaning “seven wells.”

And ALL is at peace…..

#2024 GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 17

Jan17

Won’t you read the Bible with me this year?   It only takes a few minutes.  (You can also listen to an audio recording.)

   Day 17  Genesis 16 – 18

After seeing God’s generous list of promises to Abraham yesterday despite the man’s flaws, we will see God’s continued faithfulness to him in these chapters, in and through yet another instance of Abraham “trusting his own understanding” instead of God’s.  (Consider Proverbs 3:5-6.)

In chapter 16, Abraham and Sarai/Sarah lose patience with God’s long-range, ultimate plan and decide to “provide an heir for Abe” by their own machinations. According to custom in those days, Sarah offers her maid (part of the “stuff” they got on that wayward trip to Egypt) as a surrogate provider.

Of course it happens and Hagar gets pregnant. She stupidly acts superior to the 80’s-year-old Sarah, and Sarah starts fuming. With Abe’s “okay,” she sends Hagar away – into the wilderness (presumably to die!). Wow.

But the God “who sees everything, even our grossest of sins” sees Hagar’s plight, encourages her, and sends her back to her owner. None of the three realize just HOW MUCH of an error has been made, for Hagar’s son, Ishmael, becomes the “father” of Islam, the perpetual enemy of the Jews through the ages, even until today.

Ah well, I am SO like these seniors – foolish in my “old age.”

Hagar’s son is born to Abe when he is 86.  God seems to be silent for 13 years until the surrogate son (whom Abraham has come to love very much) “becomes a man.”  And then the LORD comes to Abraham with MORE promises!! (Chap. 17)

God commands Abe to “walk before me” and “be blameless.”  He identifies Himself to Abraham as “God Almighty” (El Shaddai) (capable of doing anything). He promises to multiply Abe greatly (more than dust and stars??) He also tells and shows the 99-year-old Abraham another, binding Covenant, renaming Abram, Abraham “Father of a multitude of nations.” Besides being greatly multiplied, KINGS will come from his progeny.

This covenant will be “everlasting” though ALL generations of his offspring (the Jews), and the “sign” of it will be in ALL the males: circumcision.

God Almighty promises again for the land of Canaan to be their EVERLASTING possession. And He promises to be THEIR GOD. (Are you keeping track of all these promises?)

THEN…. to Abe’s amazing and somewhat uncomfortable enlightenment, God promises that Sarah, Abe’s one and only WIFE, will bear him a son, THE son of the Covenant.  What??  Sarah???  A mother of nations and kings????

Abraham falls on his face before God (in worship?) and laughs.  “You’re kidding,” he exlaims, “a 90-year-old woman will bear a child?”  Hahahaha, yeah right!  or Hahahaha, REALLY???  Curbing his laughter, Abe remembers his “other” surrogate son. “Oh, that Ishmael might live before you (be the covenant son).”

“Nope,” says God.  “Not him, but (for your sake) I will bless him too.  But, NO….I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH THE SON YOU AND SARAH SHALL BEAR. Period.” “Oh, and BTW,” says God, “you will call him “he laughs’ (Isaac).”   Fitting, right?

After God leaves, immediately Abraham circumcises himself, Ishmael, and all the men in his household. Now, THAT’S obedience!

Soon afterwards, in chapter 18, the LORD (Yahwey) appears again to Abraham, along with two “men” (angels).  Abe is wowed, runs to them in welcome, washes their feet and invites them to stay for lunch (bread, veal, millk and cheese).

Then the LORD gives Abraham a certain timeline (finally!). He tells him (and Sarah, listening in the tent) that in one year, she will bear that promised son.  This time Sarah laughs, although she denies it when God calls her on it and asks her if ANYTHING is too hard for THE LORD.

And after that meal and amazing revelation of joy, God reveals His horrendous plans for the cities in the valley (where Lot lives).  He doesn’t hide it from Abraham because:

  •      Abraham is to become a great and mighty nation
  •      All nations on earth will be blessed in him
  •      He is chosen by God
  •      He  will command his children and household to keep the ways of the LORD and do righteousness & justice.

God tells Abraham of Sodom and Gomorrah’s “grave sin” and that the “outcry” against them is great, and that God plans to utterly destroy them.  YIKES! How would you like to get THAT news?

Abraham immeditely thinks of his nephew (and his family, by then), and begins humbly, meekly, bargaining with the LORD to reconsider.  And in the process, the LORD says He will reconsider… IF THERE ARE 10 RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE living there.

(Turns out, there is ONLY ONE, so their doom is fixed. See 2 Peter 2:6-9)

#2024 GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 14 & 15

Jan15

         Day 14 & 15 — (I combine Sunday and Monday reads.)  Won’t you read the Bible with me this year?   It only takes a few minutes.  (You can also listen to an audio recording.)

   Day 14 – Job 38-39  (God answers Job)

   “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said; “WHO is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you; and you make it known to me.” (38:1-2)

Whoa!  Imagine a whirlwind (a dark glowering tornado) looming and speaking those words!!! I would definitely sit up (no, stand up) and listen!  

Notice how God is identified here. It is by His name, LORD (all in caps). This is God’s personal name. The one He identified Himself as to Moses out of the burning bush that was not consumed (and told him to take off his sandles for he was standing on holy ground). This is the “I AM WHO I AM.” Jehovah. Yahwey. 

The the LORD God pounds Job (and his friends) with question after question, leaving all of them speechless. Where they there at creation?

         Were you there when I laid the foundation of the earth? Where is the way to the dwelling of light?

         Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you see the storehouses of the hail? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds that a flood of water may cover you? 

Um, no. 

This section reminded me of John 1:1-3 — “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.”

And, Colossians 1:16-17 — “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisable, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things HOLD TOGETHER.”

And, Hebrews 1:2, 3b — “But in the last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the World. “….and He UPHOLDS the universe by the word of His power.”

       Day 15 – Job 40-41. 

Then the LORD turns to Job and asks, “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Job: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.” (smart move!)

Then in 40:7-14, God ‘dresses down’ Job, comparing the measley man to Jehovah God Himself!  Yikes! I would be wishing to fall through the earth about now!

To finish chapter 40 and 41, an AMAZING jaw-dropping section, God speaks of creating two magnificent and terrifying creatures – Behemoth and Leviathan – surely a giant dinosaur and fire-breathing sea monster, IMO. 

Behemoth (the foremost & biggest of God’s works) – his tail is like a cedar, his bones are tubes & bars of bronze and iron, and it’s not afraid of raging water. But he eats grass like an ox and stays in the marsh. (Reminds me of a Brontesaurus!)

Leviathan – his back is made of rows of shields, shut up closely as with a seal, one so near to another that no air can come between them. His sneezings flash for light… Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth… Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes…. His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes for from his mouth.  Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail, nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin. He counts iron as straw. He makes the deep boil like a pot…  “On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear.”

I don’t know if these creatures were known to Job and his contemporaries, if they lived on the earth at the same time, but their descriptions surely were terrifying.

I loved that God showed these puny men His eternal existance and power. Wow.  

Chapter 42 wraps up the book of Job. Job confesses and repents. His glorius words could fare well with us as well. “I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You; therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

God then rebukes Job’s merciless, pontificating friends, and tells them to make a sacrifice for their sin. He tells them that AFTER JOB PRAYS FOR THEM, He will accept the prayer and not deal with them according to their folly! YAY!!!

Then………. the LORD restores Job’s fortunes, with twice as much as he had before, and more children (but the same wife – bearing 10 more children should compensate for her, “Curse God and die,” statement).

And did you see, THEN, Job’s brothers and sisters and all who had known him before came and ate bread with him. Huh!

Job lived (I’m assuming boil free) for another 140 years! He saw sons, grandsons, great, great-great, and great-great-great grandsons. WOW. The LORD is ‘compassionate and merciful’. He tests His children with suffering, sometimes (often) without their ever knowing why.

Did you know that Job is acclaimed in the book of James? James 5:11 – “You have heard of the steadfastness (patience) of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. “

#2024 GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 3

Jan3

Day 3.  Won’t you read the Bible with me this year?  It only takes a few minutes.

Genesis 8-11
Did you realize that Noah and his family and all the representative animals stayed INSIDE THE ARK for a year AFTER the 40 days of rain??? Wow.
Did they doubt they would ever see dry land again and stop that bobbing in the water? Did they fear that God had abandoned them?  Do I sometimes fear that too?
Well, He hadn’t, and in fact He gave them a fresh new world to live in and populate. And all living creatures could now be food! Yum, fried chicken, bbq spare ribs, grilled steak, and sauteed grasshoppers! And oh, wow, they would now see RAINBOWS (the natural kind) and so remember God’s faithfulness every time it rained.
Of course they blew it too (like I do every day).
Also, there are more genealogies and hard-to-pronounce names to read. (Don’t give up.)  Did you notice names like:
—Tarshish, Egypt, Caanan, Sheba?
—Shinar, Nineveh, Babel?
—Gaza, Sodom & Gomorrah, Philistines?
—Eber (beginning of the Hebrews), Nahor, Terah, Abram & Sarai? Lot?
All these will come up as we go through the Bible. Can you think of stories already that are set in these places and with these people?
—And Uz. Did you notice Uz?
Beginning tomorrow and the following 11 days, Uz is where we will be in our reading.
HUH? you say. How’s that?  Well Uz is where Job lived, and he lived about this time in Bible history, so we will visit him, his woes, his wife, his friends(??), his epiphanies, and his (and our) God.
Please don’t say “ugh” to Uz.  Stay with me! I know we will learn some truths from the book of Job. And then we’ll return to the Patriarchs on January 16.
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Patronesses Phoebe and Susanna: Two named women in the Bible

May23

I love this post on the Patronesses in the Bible. Who knew this was an actual job, and one that I can be doing today.

elizabethprata's avatar

By Elizabeth Prata

Susanna and Phoebe are both mentioned as women who believed in Jesus and supported his ministry. In Romans 16:2 Phoebe is named as a benefactor, and Susanna was giving out of her means. (Luke 8:2).

A woman is depicted at prayer in an early Christian mosaic seen in the Vatican’s Pio Cristiano Museum. (Wikimedia Commons/Miguel Hermoso Cuesta)

Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a benefactor of many, and of myself as well. (Romans 16:1-2).

And it happened that soon afterward He was going around from one city and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good…

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