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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 105

Apr15
Day 105.  Reading Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52.
 

Read today’s scripture.

How do you love in these Psalms?

Psalm 7.

David has been anointed as the future king, but he’s a fugitive with a band of misfit soldiers who love him. King Saul in his madness desperately searches for David to kill him.  The Sweet Psalmist of Israel takes comfort in his relationship with and trust in the LORD God.

  • O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me.  
  • O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.
  • My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
  • I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the Name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 27.

  • The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
  • The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
  • Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
  • Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
  • You have said, “Seek my face,” My heart says to You, Your face, LORD do I seek. Hide not your face from me.
  • Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
  • Wait for the LORD: be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.

I love how David “preaches” to himself in the psalm.

Psalm 31.

  • In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!
  • Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily!
  • Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
  • You ARE my rock and my fortress; and for Your Name’s sake You lead me and guide me; You take me out of the net they have hidden for me; for You are my refuge.
  • I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the distress of my soul, and You have not delivered me into the hand of my enemy: You have set my feet in a broad place.
  • I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” 
  • My times are in Your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
  • Blessed be the LORD, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I said in my alarm, “I am cut off from Your sight,” But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help.
  • Love the LORD, all you His saints!
  • Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Psalm 34.

  • I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear of and be glad.
  • O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together! 
  • I sought the LORD and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
  • The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
  • Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
  • Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
  • The LORD redeems the life of His servants; NONE of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Psalm 52.

This psalm was written when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul “David has come to the house of Abimelech.”

  • Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
  • Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
  • You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right.
  • You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
  • But God will break you down forever; He will snatch and tear you from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living!
  • The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him saying, “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches.”

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****FATHER, may I learn from these psalms of David to take refuge in You in all situations, to trust in You for deliverance, and to rejoice in You in whatever situation I am in.  YOU will make all things RIGHT in Your time.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 98

Apr8
Day 98.  Reading 1 Samuel 1 – 3
 

Read today’s scripture.

How was God faithful to Israel in these chapters?

1 Samuel 1.

A sweet and sad love story. 

Hannah was deeply loved by her husband Elkanah (a member of the Kohathite clan of the tribe of Levi), but she had no children. He married a second wife, Peninnah, to produce an inheritance, but he loved Hannah and treated her very well. 

Each year they would go to Shiloh where the Tabernacle was, to worship God as all men were required to. (This was probably the Feast of Tabernacles.)  This year, Hannah went to the gate of the Tabernacle and silently poured out her heart to the LORD. She promised that if God would give her a son, she would give him back to the LORD all the days of his life. 

Eli (a corrupt priest, with corrupt sons, as we shall see), thought she was drunk, and rebuked her.  Hannah said she was praying, and Eli probably felt rebuked himself and blessed her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition.”

Back at home, she conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, which means “heard of God.”

(So far, this kind of sounds like Samson’s story. Samuel would also “judge Israel” all his life, but how differently!)

For three years Hannah and baby Samuel stayed home when the others went to Shiloh. (Elkanah agreed with her vow to give the boy to the LORD. As her husband, he “could” have annulled it.)  I know that she prayed for her son and filled him with songs and truths about God as he grew, and perhaps of his destiny in the service of God.  At 3 years old, after she weaned him, she took him to Shiloh when the family went to worship.  

And she fulfilled her promise to give him to the LORD.  It must have been doubly hard because the priest, Eli was so lax in raising and disciplining his own sons. But she left Samuel there, as she had vowed.  Did her heart break???

1 Samuel 2.

Hannah’s prayer is nothing but praise to God!

  • My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD…
  • I rejoice in Your salvation.
  • There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.
  • He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.
  • The pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them, He has set the world. 

Elkanah and Hanna went back home.  And the boy, Samuel, ministered to the LORD in the presence of Eli the priest.   But the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. They stole the LORD’s portion. They extorted meat from the worshippers, treating the LORD’s offering with contempt for their own gratification.

But the boy Samuel ministered before the LORD, wearing a tiny linen ephod.  Hannah made and brought him a new robe each year when they came for the yearly sacrifice. And Eli would bless her and Elkanah.

And, indeed the LORD blessed them. Hannah conceived and bore THREE more sons and TWO daughters!!

The young man Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.

But the very old Eli did nothing to stop his own priest-sons from grossly sinning. They even had sex with the women ministering at the gate of the Tabernacle.  Eli did scold them, but they didn’t listen.

HOWEVER, the young man, Samuel, continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and man. (It truly must have been a miracle of God for him to do this, living in such corruption of the priesthood.)  

One day a prophet of God came to Eli and told him the LORD’s will. “Why do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest part of every offering of my people Israel??”  “Behold the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that there will not be an old man in your house.”  “And Hopni and Phinehas, your two sons, shall both die on the same day.”

1 Samuel 3.

Meanwhile, Samuel ministered to the LORD under Eli, whose eyesight was fading.  It seems that Samuel was sleeping in the Holy place of the Tabernacle (??) where the Golden Candlestick burned, in front of the veil which hid the Ark of the Covenant.

“Samuel!” the young man heard and ran to Eli. 

“Here I am, for you called me.”  

“I didn’t call you, go lie down.”

“Samuel!” the LORD called again. Samuel went to Eli.

“Here I am, for you called me.”

“I did not call you, my son, lie down again.”

“Samuel!” the LORD called a third time, and off Samuel went to Eli.

“Here I am, for you called me.” 

Hmm, though Eli. Could it be?  “Go, lie down, and if He calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears’.”

And God did call Samuel again. “Samuel! Samuel!”

“Speak, for your servant hears.” 

Then the LORD gave him a message that was very hard to hear. “I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of his house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

Wow. 

Samuel lay there until morning.  He was afraid to tell the vision to Eli, but the old priest said, “What was it that He told you?  Do not hide it from me.”

So Samuel told him everything.  (Like a prophet has to do, speaking the hard things of the LORD to a people who need to hear them.)

“It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him,” said Eli.

After that, the LORD was with Samuel and let none of his words “fall to the ground.”  From Dan to Beersheba, all Israel knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 26 – 27

Jan27

Days 26 – 27. Reading in Genesis 41 – 42 and 43 – 45.

Sunday and Monday’s studies are posted together on Monday. 

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and meditate on it. What stood out to you?

Genesis 41.

Today’s and tomorrow’s readings are fun, almost like reading a novel. Joseph is clever, his brothers are convicted, and Jacob is first in agony and then in ecstasy. And our promise-keeping God is sovereign over it all.

Two years after Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of the baker and butler, Pharaoh had a dream. He knew it meant something ominous, but he couldn’t figure it out and neither could all his court soothsayers and wise men. 

A light bulb flashes on in the butler’s mind! “Oh, I remember my offenses today,” he cried, two years late for Joseph but in God’s perfect time. “When I and the baker were in prison, a young Hebrew man perfectly told us the meaning of our dreams.”

“Call the young man here!” ordered Pharaoh.  

Joseph is quickly brought out of prison, bathed, shaved, dressed in new “appropriate” clothes, and brought to the king.  Immediately, Pharaoh says that he’s heard Joseph can interpret dreams.  Of course, like Daniel many years later, Joseph says it is not he, who can interpret them, but God.

Pharaoh tells his repeated dream about the seven fat cows and plump corn ears eaten by the seven skinny cows and thin ears of corn.  Easy-peasy for Joseph (and God). Pharaoh’s fat and plump sevens pictured seven years of unequaled plenty in Egypt. The ravenous, skinny, ugly sevens pictured the following seven years of unequaled famine in the entire area (Egypt and beyond). Since the dream was repeated, it meant that God would shortly do it.

Then, without permission, Joseph, who had managed Potiphar’s estate and the entire prison so well, recommended a way to mitigate the years of famine to Pharaoh. 

“Good idea!” Pharaoh cried. “And who better to do it than YOU.  What did you say your name was?”

So Joseph was given wealth, authority, and honor in Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh.  He was also given an Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife (who bore him Manasseh and Ephraim). And Joseph did what he had suggested. He managed Egypt’s years of plenty wisely, so a great abundance of grain (like the sand of the sea) was stored up for the famine years.  And when those years came, and the people cried out in hunger, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold them the grain. And, when the surrounding peoples also suffered in famine and came to Joseph, he sold grain to THEM. 

And Egypt became “filthy rich.” How proud and pleased Pharaoh must have been with his prodigy. But it was God who orchestrated it all, and His reasons were many.

Genesis 42.

Back in Canaan, the famine hit hard. Jacob-Israel learned grain was for sale in Egypt, so he sent his ten older sons with donkeys and sacks of money to buy grain for them all. Little Bennie (about 33) stayed home with Papa.

In Egypt, Joseph recognized his brothers. As they bowed before him, he remembered his long-ago dreams (oh, wow!) and knew God was in all that had happened. Quickly, he counted only ten men and feared that perhaps they had also gotten rid of his little brother. He would test them.

“SPIES!” he yelled at them through an interpreter.  “You are SPIES, coming to see Egypt’s nakedness!”

“No, my lord,” the ten cried in terror. “We are the sons of one man. We have never been spies!”

“You are SPIES!” Joseph repeated. 

The brothers explain how they were twelve sons born to one man. “One is no more (Joseph), and the youngest is with our father.”

“No, you are SPIES.”  To test the veracity of their story, he tells them they can’t leave Egypt until the youngest brother comes as proof they are innocent. Then, he puts them all into custody for three days. 

Of course, guilt over what they had done to Joseph was still heavy on their consciences twenty years afterward.  “We SAW how Joseph begged us not to kill or sell him, and we didn’t listen. That is why THIS is happening.”  Reuben pipes up, defending himself. “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy???”

They don’t know Joseph overhears them and understands what they’re saying. At one point, he has to turn away and weep. (But he did learn that Reuben had stood up for him. Perhaps that’s why he held back the second oldest brother in prison.)

Joseph keeps Simeon in prison and sends back the nine with their paid-for grain and a warning. “Don’t bother returning for more grain without your young brother.” (He also has his steward put their money sacks back into their grain bags.)

At one point, one of them opens a bag of grain to feed the donkeys on the return trip and discovers the money pouch. YIKES, he yells. They all find the same when they open the other sacks.  “What has God done to us?” they cry. (By now, they know this is a just repayment for their long-ago deeds.)

At home, they recount all that’s happened to their father, Jacob.  They show him their returned money pouches.  and Jacob goes into mourning. 

“You have bereaved me of my children. Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now, you would take BENJAMIN??  All this has come against me. My son shall NOT go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.” 

To be continued…..

 

Day 27 – Genesis 43 – 45

Genesis 43.

Another year has passed. The grain they purchased in Egypt is about gone, and Jacob asks his sons why they delayed. “Go back to Egypt and buy some grain.”

Judah speaks up. “Um, Dad, did you forget what the man said? Unless you send Benjamin with us, we won’t go.”

“Oh, why did you tell him you had another brother?”

“Because he ASKED us if we had one. We didn’t know he’d demand we brought him with us.”

Then Judah (whose idea it was 20+ years earlier to KILL Joseph) steps up and offers his own life in place of Benjamin’s.  He adds a plea for urgency. “If we hadn’t delayed, we could have been there and back two times.”

Jacob-Israel finally relents and, with a heavy heart sends ALL his remaining sons to Egypt, adding some good things from Canaan as a gift. “May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man.”  (Oh, Jacob, if you only knew!)

Joseph saw immediately that his brothers had brought Benjamin. How his heart must have swelled. He ordered a lunch at his home to be prepared.  Of course, the brothers were terrified about the returned money last time, so they approached the steward right away and assured him they’d brought double the money. 

“Nah, your God must have blessed you. I received your money before.” 

They are confused but very glad to see Simeon alive and well again. 

Joseph inquires about their father and is relieved to hear Jacob is alive.  Then he looked at Benjamin – a young teen when he left, and now a man – and his heart swelled.  He has to run to his room where he cries for joy. Afterward, he orders lunch.

After a wash-up the brothers are all seated in Joseph’s dining hall in order of their birth. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun (perhaps a space here for the “missing” Joseph), and Benjamin.  The brothers are shocked. HOW could this Egyptian lord know their birth order???

Joseph sends portions of delicacies from his own table, with five times more to Benjamin.  Was it just for the love of his full brother, or was he testing the others to see how they reacted to the preferential treatment of the youngest?

Genesis 44.

After lunch, Joseph orders all their sacks to be filled with grain, their TWO pouches of money, and, in Benjamin’s sack, Joseph’s own silver chalice.  The following morning, all eleven of Jacob’s sons left Egypt.  They are joyful to get away with all the grain and all the brothers. They are eager to return to their father with both Simeon and Benjamin.

Then, a dust cloud appears behind them. A chariot roars up and slides to a stop. The stern-faced steward gets out and accuses one of them of stealing the prized silver chalice from the Viceroy of Egypt. Immediately, the brother’s joy turns to terror. They deny it, open all their sacks, and proclaim their innocence. In whoever’s sack it’s found, that one will die, and we’ll all become your servants.

“I’ll only arrest the thief,” says the steward, “and all the rest of you will go free.”  

OF COURSE (as planned), the chalice is found in Benjamin’s sack, just where the steward put it. The brothers’ hearts stop. NOT BENJAMIN!!!  They ALL load up the donkeys and return to Egypt. Will this nightmare ever end? 

(Hey, Bros, how do you think your young brother felt being thrown into a pit, then sold to traders, taken as a slave into an Egyptian household, falsely accused, and put into prison for years??)

At Joseph’s palace, the brothers stood before the powerful man. “What is this that you have done?” 

A confession begins to tumble out. “What shall we say to my lord?  What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants. Behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the chalice was found.”

“No, no, no,” says Joseph. “ONLY the man in whose hand the chalice was found shall be my servant.  You all can return to your father in peace.”

And now Judah shines. The one who said his daughter-in-law was “more righteous than he.”  The one who pledged to his father HIS own life forfeited for Benjamin’s sake.  This broken man (whose descendant would one day step into the punishment for OUR sake.) went to Joseph and pled for mercy for his little brother.

“My lord asked his servants if we had a father or a brother, We said our father was an old man, and we have a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him. We told you how we couldn’t bring the boy because our father would die if he lost this one. His life is bound up in the boy’s life. If he isn’t with us, our father will die. 

But you insisted and we finally convinced our father because I became a pledge of safety for him. I will bear the blame if he does not return. PLEASE, let me remain as servant, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”

Genesis 45.

At this change of heart and confession, Joseph can no longer control himself. He sends all his Egyptian staff out. and he wept aloud.

“I AM JOSEPH!” he cried in Hebrew.

They all are stunned to silence, mouths agape.

“Come near me. I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. But don’t be distressed or angry with yourselves. God sent me before you to preserve life.  There are five more years of famine. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. It was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me a father to the Pharaoh, lord over his house, and ruler over all of Egypt.

“Hurry now. Go get my father. Tell him God has made me ruler in Egypt. Come down to me.  Hurry!”

After telling them he’s prepared a place in Goshen for them all to live and reminding them that it’s him (Isn’t he speaking in Hebrew to them?), he grabs Benjamin, hugs him tight, and kisses him.  Then the other brothers too.

Later, Joseph sent their grain with them and wagons filled with provisions for the journey for ALL of Jacob-Israel’s extended family, plus his flocks and herds. He also sent many gifts to his father, new clothes to the brothers, and to Benjamin, he gave 300 silver shekels.

“Don’t quarrel on the way!” he calls after them. (Oh, how he knows his brothers!)

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Jacob-Israel sees the wagons. He counts all eleven of his sons.  Even before they stop, the brothers call out, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!”

Jacob is faint. He gasps.  “What? Joseph, still alive?  OHHHHHH GOD!!! It is enough! Joseph, my son, is still alive. I will go and see him before I die!”

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What a glorious story, but it’s not over yet. The relieved brothers now have to tell their father the truth about Joseph’s disappearance.  They have to confess their wicked sin and deception. How will he respond? 

Stay tuned.

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 17

Jan17

Day 17. Reading in Genesis 16 – 18. 

I invite you to first read the scripture for the day and meditate on it. Then, share your thoughts in the comments.

Genesis 16.

Ten years in the “promised” land, and Abram still had no offspring. Not ONE of the millions God had promised him had been born. Did he begin to doubt God’s word to him?

The Bible doesn’t say. But his wife, Sarai must have thought so. She tried to hurry things along by offering Abram a way to have that child. It wasn’t God’s way, but it was part of the culture of that day. She gave him Hagar – a slave whom she’d brought back from Egypt in that fiasco – as a surrogate for her. Any child born from Hagar would be theirs according to custom.

It worked. Hagar became pregnant. Hagar also became arrogant, looking down on her elderly mistress. “Ha! You old withered thing, I’m the one who will give the master a child.” 

Sarai complained to Abram, who told her to do what she wanted with her own slave. Hagar is sent away (probably intending that she would die).  A child by Hagar was a mistake, Sarai knew now, but you can’t “get rid of” a conceived baby that easy.

Next is the really unusual part. The two old but faithful servants of God are disobedient and harsh. At this point, Abram doesn’t care about the child he is to have with Hagar, and Sarai definitely hates her. Hagar has been arrogant and mean. (All of them have sinned.) But God intervenes in this mess. He meets Hagar, promises that her son will be fruitful (and a wild-ass of a man who will always be at war with his siblings), and sends her back to Sarai (we assume humble and obedient). Her heart has been changed because she knows God has truly “seen” her. 

Hagar then gives birth to Ishmael, the child of Abram’s fallen flesh, beloved but a thorn in his family’s side forever.

  • I’ve always hated reading this chapter in Genesis. How would I feel giving my husband to a pretty young thing because I was inadequate? (He goes quite willingly too!) And then, seeing that my plan worked, being angry about it, and wanting the results of my sin to disappear! And, on top of it all, having to see my husband love the child more every day. 
  • Yes, I wish this incident had not happened in the Bible. (And so did Sarai, I think.)  But there are lessons to be learned. Don’t run ahead of God, assuming YOU know what is best. Trust Him ALWAYS. Wait for the Lord, and HE will bring it to pass. Don’t try to hide your sin, but repent and confess it.

Genesis 17.

It’s about 13 years later, and Abram FINALLY hears from God again. “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless, that I may make a covenant with you and multiply you.”

And Abram fell on his face.  (In fear, relief, joy, worship?)

God renews His promise of fruitfulness, saying Abram will be the “Father of a multitude of NATIONS.” (That’s what the name ‘Abraham’ means.) He will be VERY fruitful. Kings will come from him. The land will belong to his offspring as an EVERLASTING POSSESSION.

Then, God describes that new covenant.  It was to be God’s covenant evident in their flesh.  Circumcision. EVERY male, 8 days and older, was always to be circumcised as an undeniable, forever sign of their belonging to God.  (Note that Abraham obeyed that very day. EVERY male (himself and Ishmael included) was circumcised.)

Before that, however, God had also said that he AND SARAH (her new name) would have a son, and nations and peoples would come from that boy.  ABRAHAM FELL ON HIS FACE AGAIN AND LAUGHED. (He was 99 then, and Sarah was 90.)

When he finished laughing, Abraham asked God that Ishmael would “walk before God” and be the promised seed. By then, the old man had come to love the young teen. (This is a problem with sinful endeavors! You love them.)

God was firm.  “NO, SARAH, YOUR WIFE will bear you a son.” (“Oh, and by the way, you’re going to call him ‘laughter'”)

I can almost hear God sigh about Abraham’s request.  “But…. I’ve heard you, and I will bless and make Ishmael fruitful. He’ll father twelve princes.  BUT!!!  I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you NEXT YEAR.”

Genesis 18.

God is so kind. Not only has He told Abraham that his wife would become a mom, He and a couple of angels appear to inform HER (among other things) that she will become pregnant at 90.

Abraham recognizes the heavenly visitors and quickly arranges a special meal for them so they will stay awhile. While they were eating, Abraham stands by as an eager butler.  Then God looks up and asks, “Where is Sarah?” (Of course, he knows very well she is just inside the tent, listening at the door.  “Do they like my biscuits? Was the veal prepared to their liking?” 

“I will surely return next year, and Sarah shall have a son,” God says, perhaps a bit louder.  This comment super tickled Sarah’s funny bone, and she laughed out loud. “Me, a woman past menopause, get pregnant?  Hahahaha.”

“Why did Sarah laugh?  Is anything too hard for the LORD? Next year, Sarah WILL have a son,” the LORD repeated.

“I didn’t laugh!” Sarah said.

“Yes, you did.” 

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Next on God’s agenda was Sodom. He’s decided to tell Abraham his plans since he was to become a great nation, and God had chosen him to keep the way of the LORD and do righteousness and justice. God tells him of his plan to destroy that wicked city.

Abraham, thinking immediately of his nephew, Lot, begins to plea-bargain.

“Suppose there are 50 righteous people in that city?”

“I won’t destroy it if there are 50 righteous people there,” God says.

“Suppose there are only 45 righteous?”

“I’ll not destroy it if there are 45.”

“Suppose only 40 are found?”

“Not if there are 40 righteous.” says our merciful God.

“30?”

“I won’t if 30 are found.”

“Um, suppose only 20 are found?”

“Not if there are 20.”

“Oh, Lord, don’t be angry. I’ll speak one last time. Suppose there are only TEN found?”

“For the sake of ten,” the LORD says, “I will not destroy the city.”

Then the Lord went His way, and Abraham returned to his tent. 

 

  • God is so forgiving and merciful. After Sarah and Abraham’s disobedience, He promised them a son of their own. And after both laughed at the idea, God remained true and, in a twist of humor Himself said they were to name the baby “Laughter.”  For Abraham’s sake, He even promised to bless the “child of their fleshly efforts,” Ishmael.   
  • Now, after Abraham’s intense “prayer” for the people of Sodom, God said he would spare the whole city if there were just TEN righteous people found in it.  (Unfortunately, there was ONLY ONE righteous person there.)

 

  • I am so grateful for God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness! I have deserved His wrath and punishment so often, and yet, for His Son’s sake, He has shown grace to me and blessed me.  He frequently even blesses my own fleshly efforts – like this blog.   
  • Like Abraham, am I willing to totally give myself to Him in whatever way He asks, even if it is painful?    And am I as concerned for my unsaved relatives as Abraham was for Lot? Have I dared to intercede for them again and again? Lord, help me.

 

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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 365 – the last day!

Dec31

   Day 365—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying THE REVELATION to John.

Day 365 – Revelation 19 – 22 (Rejoicing in Heaven, 1,000 years, Satan defeated, new Heaven/Earth, new Jerusalem, River & Tree of Life, Jesus is coming)

Revelation 19.

“Hallelujah! Salvation, and glory, and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just.”

“Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.”

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready: it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.”  Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Then John saw a white horse ridden by One called “Faithful and True.” His eyes are like a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems. He has “a name written that no one knows but Himself.”

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is “The Word of God.”  This One will defeat the nations and rule them. He will “tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”  On his robe and on his thigh, He has a name written, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

And the “armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white a pure” (the saints) were following Him on white horses.

“I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who was sitting on the horse and against His army. The beast was captured, and the false prophet, who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the Mark of the Beast and those who worshipped its image.  THESE TWO WERE THROWN ALIVE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE THAT BURNS WITH SULFER.”

Revelation 20.

Then John saw an angel holding the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer.” (Until the thousand years have ended, and he is released for a LITTLE while.)

Then John saw the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. (It’s when Israel’s promised King will reign on the actual earth from Jerusalem.  (A promise fulfilled to the Jews.)

After that, Satan will be released to try to deceive men again, and there will be a great war until fire from Heaven comes down and consumes them. THEN THE DEVIL WILL BE THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND SULFUR AND WILL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOREVER AND EVER!”

Next comes “the Great White Throne Judgment,” when all the dead will stand before God’s throne. Books will be opened and the dead will be judged by WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, as written in the books.  “If anyone’s name was not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.“. 

Revelation 21.

John then saw a NEW heaven and a NEW earth.  He saw “the Holy City” descending out of heaven from God, like a bride adorned for her husband.  GOD IS GOING TO DWELL WITH MEN, AND THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND HE THEIR GOD. 

All tears will be wiped away. There won’t be death, no mourning, no crying, and no more pain.  All things will be made new. 

Then, an angel showed John the Holy City, Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God. It was radiant like the most rare jewel, crystal clear like a diamond.  It had a high wall with twelve gates. Inscribed on each gate was the name of one of the twelve sons of Israel.  The wall had twelve foundations made of twelve precious jewels, with each of the twelve apostles’ names on them. 

The angel with John measured the city. It was a perfect 1,500-mile cube (about 2 million square miles in volume). It mirrored the configuration of the Most Holy Place in the temple.  It was made of pure gold, transparent as glass. 

There was NO TEMPLE because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were the temple.

There was NO SUN OR MOON because the glory of God and the lamp of the Lamb gave it light.

There was NOTHING UNCLEAN, ONLY those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are allowed to enter the city.

Revelation 22.

The angel then showed John the pure, crystal-clear river of the Water of Life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  It flowed through the middle of the street of the city. Growing on either side was the Tree of Life with twelve kinds of fruits, one for each month.

The servants of God and the Lamb will worship  Him.  And they will SEE HIS FACE. (see 1 John 3:2)

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John then signs his name. “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.”   

The angel told John, “Do NOT seal up the words of the prophecy of this book (like the prophet Daniel was told to do in Daniel 8:26, 12:4-10), “for the time is near.”

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, COME!

Let the one who hears (reads) say, COME!

He who testifies to these things (Jesus) says, SURELY I AM COMING SOON.

John says, AMEN. COME, LORD JESUS!

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We did it. What a glorious trip through the Word of Almighty God, from pure beginning to purity restored.  Glory, hallelujah!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 362

Dec28

   Day 362—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying THE REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST to John.

Day 362 – Revelation 1 – 5 (Meeting the reigning Jesus, His messages to 7 churches, into the throne room.)

John, an old man, and the last surviving apostle, is in exile on the prison island of Patmos (think Alcatraz) for his faithful preaching of the gospel. The churches he wrote to before are feeling the persecution and have begun to decline. This is a message of hope.

Revelation promises a blessing for reading it and ends with a warning about tampering with it.

1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”

22:18-19 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

Revelation 1.

A glorious introduction reveals the author and the recipient of the “revelation” letter.  It describes the Eternal triune God who was, is, and is to come. It depicts Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler of kings on earth, the One who LOVES us, has FREED us from our sins, and MADE us a kingdom and priests.  TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER!  And He is coming soon, in the clouds, as he left.

John explains he was “in the Spirit” when he received this revelation and ascended to heaven.

(It makes me think of Paul’s experience in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, except Paul was NOT allowed to speak of what he saw.)

In John’s experience, Jesus told him to ‘write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches.” 

Then John attempts to describe the glorified Jesus Christ.  I saw “One like a son of man, clothed with a long robe with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.”

WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS THOUGH DEAD.

And what were Jesus’ first words to His beloved disciple?  “Fear not. I am the living one. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” He tells John what to write: “The things that you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place after this.”

Then, Jesus begins his messages to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor, listed in the route the “book” would be circulated, beginning with Ephesus (John’s church).

Revelation 2 – 3.

There is a pattern to the messages. First, Jesus identifies Himself in a certain way. Then, He lists the good things (if any) that are found in that church. Next, He raises a concern – what has gone wrong in that church, either with their own hearts or with the entrance of some false doctrine. Lastly, Jesus promises them a reward if they “conquer” (overcome the sin/threat and persevere to the end).

He does this with Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  Smyrna is a church under deep persecution and poverty, and Jesus states nothing wrong with them, while He says nothing good about Laodicea, giving only a warning to change while there is still time. 

Revelation 4.

John dutifully writes every word he hears, and then he looks up and sees an open door into heaven! (WOW!) He hears a voice saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place.” 

IMMEDIATELY, John, in the Spirit, was IN THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD!  And oh, what a sight that was.  He tries to describe the One seated on the throne and the throne in terms of radiant jewels – jasper, carnelian, emerald.

He describes 24 elders (maybe representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles) clothed in white with golden crowns.  He tries to describe the sounds and sights – flashes of lightning, peels of thunder, torches of fire, and in front, a reflecting pavement of crystal-clear glass.  There were “strange-looking living creatures” around the thrown who never stopped singing, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME!”

Everyone falls on their faces and worships Him, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 5.

Then John saw that the One on the throne was holding a scroll.  And angel shouted, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?”

No one was found in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, and John began to weep loudly.  But one of the elders said, “Weep no more; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that HE can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

But instead of a Lion, John saw a Lamb with a bloody throat as if it had been killed.  It was Jesus, and HE took the scroll.  When that happened, all the creatures and elders sang a new song.

“Worthy are YOU to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood, You ransomed people for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

At that, all around the throne and in heaven, myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands of angels broke into praise and worship.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory and blessing.”   “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 

And all fell down and worshiped.

(Can you imagine being John??)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 356-357

Dec23

   Day 356-357—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE: Sunday’s and Monday’s studies will be posted on MONDAY,

Day 356 – Hebrews 7 – 10 (Melchizedek, Better Covenant, Redemption, Sacrifice, Faith)

Read a quick review of Melchizedek and Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20.

Hebrews 7.

The author discusses Melchizedek, king of Salem (peace), king of righteousness (zedek) and a priest of the Most High God. He tells how Abraham, coming home from rescuing his nephew Lot from an invading army, gave this priestly/kingly man a tithe (10th) of the loot. And Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

This was WAY before Israel’s priesthood was set up on Mt. Sinai, with Aaron, the Levite, as High Priest.  In a way (the author of Hebrews says), Aaron, the High Priest, paid tribute to Melchizedek, “being still in Abraham’s loins.” (He had no children at that point.)

Melchizedek is also said to have had “no beginning of days nor end of life” as a priest forever. He was a priest not based on the law (like Aaron) but on the power of an “indestructible” life. The author compares Jesus to this mysterious man, without beginning or end of days, but HIS ministry is much more excellent.  

The first covenant of law could make nothing perfect, so a new one was needed, allowing us to draw near to God. “Consequently, Jesus can save to the uttermost, those who draw near to God through HIM since He always lives to make intercession for them. 

Jesus is a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  HE HAS NO NEED TO OFFER SACRIFICES DAILY like other priests, first for their own sins, then the people.  Jesus did this ONCE FOR ALL when he offered up HIMSELF.

Hebrews 8.

Jesus, as High Priest, is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a more excellent ministry than the old one.  He can mediate better because the new covenant has better promises and is faultless. In this new covenant, God says He will put His Law on their hearts and minds, not stone tablets, and His people will know Him.

He will be merciful toward their iniquities and will remember their sins no more!

Hebrews 9.

The author then reminds readers how the old covenant worked, with the Holy and Most Holy places in the “tent of worship.”  Behind the second curtain was the ark of the covenant and God’s presence.  No one could go into this place except for the High Priest, and that only once per year… carrying the blood of the sacrifice. 

But Christ, as high priest, entered ONCE FOR ALL into the most holy place through HIS OWN BLOOD. Doing this, he obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.  He appeared ONCE FOR ALL to put away sin by sacrificing himself. 

Hebrews 10.

Under the old covenant, the sacrifices were a reminder of sins every year. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Now, we have been sanctified (made clean, holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.

When Christ had offered FOR ALL TIME A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He sat down at the right hand of God. “For by A SINGLE OFFERING, He has perfected FOR ALL TIME, those who are being sanctified.”

Jesus. the perfect, sinless High Priest, offered Himself a spotless sacrifice and opened the new and living way for us through the curtain so that we can now “draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” 

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Day 357 – Hebrews 11 – 13 (the FAITH chapter & heroes of the faith, witnesses for us to endure too, discipline as sons, acceptable worship, final instructions)

Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11 is called the “Faith Chapter” or the “Saint’s Hall of Fame.” In it, the author defines faith and how it’s to be used. He lists heroes of faith from the Old Testament, sixteen by name (including women), and many others by deeds or means of death. These all have served and glorified God.

DEFINITION: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (verse 1)

WHAT IT INVOLVES: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (verse 6)

From righteous Abel to the prophet Samuel, men and women have lived and died for God, loved and obeyed Him, trusted and spoke for Him without shame or fear, and many paid for it with their lives. 

These heroes “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong through weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to fight, and some women received back their dead by resurrection!! 

(I can think of some names that come to mind here, can you?”

Others were tortured for their faith, suffered mocking and flogging, even chains and imprisonments, stoning, beheading (killed by the sword), and even being sawn in two!  They were destitute, afflicted, mistreated, and lived in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves.  OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY!

And YET, they did not “see” the promised Messiah they spoke about and waited for like WE HAVE!  (How totally blessed we are!)

Hebrews 12.

“Therefore, SINCE we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those heroes listed above), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith.  He, for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated now at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus, as God’s Son, endured much hostility against Him. And so we, as God’s children, must endure “discipline” too.  God disciplines us (through suffering/persecution) for OUR GOOD, so we may share His holiness.  It doesn’t seem pleasant at the moment, but later, it “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” to those trained by it. 

So…. lift your drooping hands….strengthen your weak knees….and make straight paths for your feet.   And “let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (by persecution or death), and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 13.

The author encourages readers to continue in brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, and prayer and support for those imprisoned for their faith.  They are to be faithful in marriage, not love money but be content with what they have.

They are to “remember their leaders (in prayer and financially), the ones who first spoke the Word of God to them.”  They are to consider the fruit of those men’s ministry and imitate their faith.  They are to pray and support their leaders and also to submit to and obey them (for THOSE MEN will have to give an account one day).

He ends with a doxology. ‘Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant….equip you with everything good, that you may do His will.

To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 339

Dec5

   Day 339—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 339 – 2 Corinthians 5 – 9 (Warnings, servants of God, repentance, the grace of giving, cheerful giving)

2 Corinthians 5.

As a tentmaker, Paul compares his earthly body to a tent, but his eternal body with Christ, as a house made without hands that God has prepared for those who believe.

He cautions that all of us will appear before Christ to receive what is due us for what we’ve done in the body, whether good or evil. And so, we should persuade others to be reconciled to Christ. In fact, believers are ambassadors for Him, imploring others to be reconciled to God through Christ.  “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 6.

Paul claims truthfully that he “puts no obstacle in anyone’s way. ‘Behold NOW is the favorable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation!”

Paul commends himself and his fellow workers as SERVANTS of God and lists the ways.

  • by great endurance in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
  • beatings, imprisonments, riots,
  • labors, sleepless nights, hunger,
  • by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,
  • by truthful speech and the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left,
  • through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise,
  • treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown, yet are well known; as dying and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed, as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 7.

Paul tells the people of the church in Corinth that “we are the temple of the living God” and to NOT be connected with anyone who is not also a believer – in marriage, business, worship, or leadership.

He and they are to “cleanse themselves from every defilement of body, and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

He also tenderly rejoices to hear of their godly grieving, which led to their repentance. It gives him comfort and joy.

2 Corinthians 8.

Paul again encourages them to prepare an offering for the poor in Jerusalem.  He’d mentioned it almost a year before, but all that palaver took place and sidetracked this grace. Now, he was coming with two other brothers to collect what they’d set aside.  He’s bragged to the Macedonians (Philippi, etc.) about them and now doesn’t want them to be embarrassed when he arrives.  He tells them how the Macedonians, even in extreme poverty, have given generously.  They gave not according to the means but BEYOND THEIR MEANS.

The Corinthians had excelled in everything – faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness –  “see that you excel in this act of grace also.”  He encourages them to imitate Christ, who was rich but, for their sakes, became poor to enrich them.  They are to give “according to what they HAVE, not what they don’t have.”

“So GIVE PROOF before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you.”

2 Corinthians 9.

Paul continues about the Corinthian’s offering to the poor. He wants it to be “a willing gift.”

“Whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, NOT reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. The ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”

Then Paul concludes this section on generous giving by praising God for His surpassing GRACe in giving His son for their salvation.  “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 266 & 267

Sep23

    Days 266 & 267—We are in the NINETH month of Bible reading, with more of Israel’s history in ESTHER.

NOTE: Sunday and Monday studies are posted on Monday. These two days’ posts will be longer than usual. 

    Day 266 – Esther 1 – 5 (A fascinating story of God’s providence for His chosen people, the Jews. A plot is hatched to destroy them.) 

Esther 1. Background. King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes, in Greek) is king of Persia, and his winter capital is Susa. He reigns from India to Ethiopia!! He was so rich that he gave a feast for all his servants and officials, governors and nobles, and the army of Persia and Media FOR 180 DAYS!! (6 months)

He added a special feast at the end for ALL the citizens of Susa. And any man could drink as much or as little as they liked.  On the seventh day, probably drunk, he called for his Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown (nothing else??), to show her beauty to the people and princes. 

She refused.

What an uproar this caused. The king has been affronted.  All the men in the kingdom are now afraid THEIR wives will refuse to obey them.  Stamp out this trend RIGHT NOW!  The king listens. He fires Vashti and sends out notices of his decision (so all those wives and women will take note and give honor to their husbands.)  But then, the King got lonely for her.

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Esther 2.  But never fear. The king’s young men come up with a new plan.  Call for all the beautiful young virgins from all 127 of your providences to “audition” for Vashti’s place. This pleased the king, and he did so.

Now….. There was a Jew in Susa, a Benjaminite, descended from King Saul’s line, named Mordecai. He had been brought as a captive to Babylon in Nebuchadnezzar’s second wave of captives, along with King Jeconiah (Jehoiachin).  His uncle was taken, too. When his uncle and aunt died, Mordecai raised their young daughter Hadassah/Esther as his own.  And this beautiful young (12-14 year old) girl was taken in the “beauty contest” of Ahasuerus.

The head eunuch, Hegai, liked Esther and quickly gave her all the cosmetics, treatments, foods, etc., that she would need to “win.”   And sure enough, when it was her time to “go into the king,” he delighted in her and chose Esther as his new queen. Big celebration.

Now….. It just so happened that one day, Mordecai was sitting by the king’s gate when he overheard two guards trash-talking the king and planning to assassinate him.  He told that to Queen Esther who told the king about it in the name of Mordecai.  The guards were investigated and hanged, and the incident was recorded in the book of the chronicles of the king. 

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Esther 3. Now….. There was another man in Susa, whom the king promoted above all the other officials.  All the king’s servants bowed down and paid homage to him…. except Mordecai. This infuriated Haman.

(A little history here:  Haman was an Agagite, a descendent of King Agag, the Amalekite, whom King Saul (Mordecai’s ancestor) was supposed to have killed. Ages before, God had decreed that all the Amalekites should be annihilated for their harsh treatment of their distant kinsmen (the Jews) as they wandered in the wilderness.  Amalek was the grandson of Esau, the twin brother to Jacob/Israel.  They had attacked the unprepared Israelites from behind.) 

Because of this history, Haman had a deep hatred of the Jews, personified in Mordecai. (Esther had not made her heritage known as Mordecai had instructed.)

Passing by Mordecai’s indifference every day infuriated Haman so much that he asked King Ahasuerus (in a roundabout manner) to write an edict that all the Jews in his kingdom be killed on a specific day. They were, after all, troublemakers who disobeyed the king’s laws.  “Okay, sure, do as you wish, Haman.”  Pandemonium broke out in the capital and spread throughout the kingdom.  (Haman was like modern-day Hitler & Hamas)

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Esther 4.  When Mordecai heard about the edict, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of deep mourning, as did the whole city and land. Weeping and lamenting could be heard everywhere.  Esther heard about it and sent a message to her “cousin/uncle” to learn the reason. Then, using Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to her, she and Mordecai had this conversation.

“Esther, Haman is planning to destroy all the Jews. Here is the letter he sent out.  Go to the king and plead on behalf of your people.”

“Mordecai, everyone knows that any man or woman who goes to the king without being summoned and he doesn’t hold out his golden scepter to… will be killed!  The king has not called for me in 30 days!!”

“Esther, do not think you will escape in the king’s palace. For if you keep silent at this time, deliverance WILL COME for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.  And… who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

“Okay, Mordecai.  Go gather all the Jews to be found in Susa and hold a fast on my behalf for three days. My maids and I will do the same. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

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Esther 5. On the third day, Esther puts on her royal robes and stands at the King’s throne room entrance. He is in there.  He sees his queen…. and smiles.  He holds out the golden scepter that is in his hand. 

“Ah, Queen Esther, What is your request? To half of my kingdom, I will give you.”  WOW!!!

Esther sweetly requests his (and Haman’s) presence at a banquet she is preparing.  He accepts, and the top two men in Persia come to dine in her palace.  Again, the king asks what her request is – to half his kingdom.  

Esther demurs again, saying she will tell him at another banquet for them the following night. Well-fed and maybe a little tipsy, they leave.

Haman is on top of the world, having feasted and been invited to feast again with the King and Queen.  That is, until he sees Mordecai at the gate, neither bowing nor trembling before him.  At home, he rants and raves and tells his wife and relatives about his hatred.  They say, “Build a gallows, tell the king to hang the man, then go joyfully to your banquet.”

The idea pleased Haman and he had the gallows made. He’ll see the king in the morning.

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    Day 267 – Esther 6 – 10 (The conclusion of the story, a new holiday, Mordecai’s rise to power)

Esther 6. Maybe Esther’s banquet was a bit too rich for the King. Or perhaps he just over-indulged. Regardless, he couldn’t sleep and called for some bedtime reading. They “just happen” to bring him the Book of Memorable Deeds, the chronicles, and read about how Mordecai saved his life in the incident of the two guards planning his assassination. 

“Has this man ever been rewarded for this?” he asks.

“No, nothing has been done for him,” they answer.

“Who is in the court right now?” he asks.

And, it just so happens that Haman is coming to the king right then to ask that Mordecai be hanged.”  OOPS!

“Hey, Haman, what should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” says Ahasuerus. 

“It’s me! It’s ME!!” Haman thinks to himself. “Well… let your royal robes be brought, the horse the king rides, and a crown the king has worn. Dress him in these and let one of the court’s most noble officials lead him around the city, proclaiming that THIS is the one the king wants to honor.”

“Great idea, Haman.” says the king. “Hurry, take the robes and the horse as you have said, and do so to Mordecai, the Jew, who sits at my gate. Leave nothing out that you have mentioned.”

Could Haman even move??  

Yes, and he obeyed the king, mortified!  And afterward, he went home with his head covered, mourning.  This time, his wife and relatives said,  “Well, if Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” 

And while they were speaking, the king’s eunuch arrived to take him to Esther’s banquet.

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Esther 7.  So the two men feast and drink wine at Esther’s table, and the king again asks her what she would like – even to half of his kingdom.  Then, she discloses the plot against HERSELF and HER PEOPLE to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated (words of Haman’s edict).  

“Who? WHO would dare to do this??” the king screams.

“A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!!” she cries. 

The king is so upset that he gets up and goes out to the terrace. 

Haman, however, stays to plead his case.  He means to fall at her feet to beg but is drunk and lands on top of her instead.  Just then, the king returns and sees what he thinks is Haman assaulting his Queen in his presence, in his own house! 

A eunuch in attendance says calmly,  “Haman has also prepared gallows to hang Mordecai, whom the king has honored for saving his life.  It’s standing at his house, 75 feet tall……”  Just saying.

“HANG HIM ON THAT!” the king commands.

They do. Haman is “hoisted upon his own petard,” and the king’s wrath subsides.

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Esther 8.  Mordecai is honored and elevated to Haman’s place. But the queen’s work is not done.  The edict to kill all the Jews on Adar 13. (end of February) still stands. Esther again attempts an audience with the king, and he agrees. At her request, he okays a second letter to be sent to all his provinces from India to Ethiopia, telling the Jews that they can fight back and plunder all the goods of their enemies on Adar 13. It is signed, sealed, and delivered to the 50 million people under his rule.

Then, the Jews had “light and gladness and joy and honor,” a feast, and a holiday.

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Esther 9. So, on that fateful day, the Jews in his kingdom gathered and gained mastery over those who hated them. They killed any who sought to harm them. Everyone was afraid of them!  The governors and royal agents even HELPED them for fear of Mordecai. In the melee in Susa, all 10 of Haman’s sons were killed.  The king even granted another day (Adar 14) to “clean up the enemies” of the Jews in Susa.

But the Jews did not plunder their enemies.

Curious.  Why didn’t they?  The king gave them permission.

(Go back to Deut. 25:17-19 — “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary and cut off those who were lagging and did not fear God.  Therefore, when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you in the land…you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.) 

(Later, King Saul was instructed to kill ALL the Amalekites and take no plunder. But he disobeyed God and kept the prize sheep and King Agag alive. Samuel had to kill the king for him. See 1 Samuel 15:3, 9.  Because of this, Haman, the Agagite, hated the Jews. And because of God’s instructions to the disobedient Saul, the people did as he was supposed to do and TOOK NO PLUNDER.)

Afterward, Mordecai recorded the numbers and sent letters to the Jews in all the provinces.  From then on, they were to keep the 14th day of Adar every year as a day of rest and remembrance of when they got relief from their enemies, turning it from a day of sorrow to a day of gladness and holiday.  There should be feasting and sending gifts to one another and the poor.

The day would be called Purim (lots or dice) because Haman had cast lots for the day of the holocaust. Queen Esther’s command confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing. 

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Esther 10. The last chapter confirms King Ahasuerus elevating Mordecai to second-in-command in the land.  It also states that Mordecai was popular among the Jews for “he sought the welfare of all his people and spoke peace to all his people.”   

A good old man, that Mordecai. And “Bravo!” Queen Esther.

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 258

Sep14

    Day 258—We are in the NINETH month of Bible reading, with more of Israel’s history and future visions in DANIEL’S prophecy.

    Day 258 – Daniel 7 – 9 (Beginning of Daniel’s visions)

Daniel 7. Daniel has interpreted dreams for the kings of Babylon. Now, God sends him dreams of his own, which he finds much harder to interpret (as do we). In these dreams, animals usually represent kingdoms, and the animal’s horns represent leaders in those kingdoms.

Daniel talks about two dreams/visions he had in the first three years of Belshazzar’s 20-year reign. First, he saw the great sea (usually representing Gentile nations) being stirred by the four winds. Out of that swirling mass came four fantastic beasts (like those represented in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream.

They were a lion with eagle’s wings that became like a man (Babylon), a bear with three ribs in its mouth (Medo-Persia), a leopard with four wings and four heads (Greece), and finally, the fourth beast (Roman Empire), which was more terrifying than all three with huge lion’s teeth and ten “horns.” Three horns were prominent, but one small horn was the most powerful. It had eyes and a mouth like a man and spoke blasphemous words (against God & His dwelling place – Rev. 13:5-6) (the antichrist).

Then Daniel saw a vision of the Ancient of Days (God) with myriads of angels serving Him.  He sat in judgment, and the books were opened. The beasts were seen, destroyed, and burned with fire.  Then another appeared like the Son of Man (Christ). He was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom in which all the peoples, nations, and languages would serve him forever. 

Daniel was so overwhelmed and confused that he asked one of the beings standing there for an interpretation. The being explained the beasts and, particularly, the fourth one, and his defeat by the Ancient of Days. Daniel heard details but he mostly didn’t understand…. except that God and His people “win” in the end.

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Daniel 8.  Two years later, Daniel is given another vision. (Belshazzar is still the Babylonian king.)  He saw himself in the Medio-Persian capital of Susa, about 250 miles from Babylon.  He saw there a ram with two horns (the second one, the more powerful. (Medes & Persians). It charged (conquered) west, north, and south.

As Daniel watched, a male goat with a conspicuous horn (Alexander the Great of Greece) came from the west, struck, killed, and trampled the ram.  The goat became exceedingly “great,” but at the peak of his power, his horn was broken, and four horns (his four generals) replaced him.

Of the four, a little one became great and moved toward “the glorious land” (Israel). This little but massively powerful one (Antiochus Epiphanes, and later the Antichrist, as in chapter 11) took over the sanctuary and made burnt offerings, including one that defiled it. His “reign of terror” is 2,300 days, or 6 1/3  years – the rule of Antiochus until he dies. (After this, Judas Maccabeus led the people to clean the temple. Hanukkah.)

Again, Daniel asks for the interpretation, and another being – Gabriel, this time – explains. “The vision is for the time of the end.” He explains the Medes & Persians, Greece and Alexander, his four generals, and the great one “of boldface who understands riddles.”  (??)  In the dual understanding, Antiochus and Antichrist are combined, the latter even rising against the saints and the Prince of princes.  And he will be killed – but not by human hands. 

Then Gabriel tells Daniel that the number of days is true, but he is to “seal up the vision” because it takes place “many days from now” (still future to us). This all was so awful that Daniel was sick in bed for “some days” (he is an old man by now). Then he got up and did his job, but the vision “appalled him.”

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Daniel 9.  After the Medes take the kingdom of Babylon from King Belshazzar, Daniel realizes (from reading Jeremiah) that the end of Israel’s 70 years of “captivity” is near.  This inspired Daniel to pray. (And it is a great model of prayer for anyone.)  

He worships God first. “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keep covenant (promises) and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.”

He confesses their sin (himself included). “We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To YOU, O, Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us, open shame….because of the treachery they have committed against you. To us, O, LORD, belongs open shame: to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 

We have rebelled…. not obeyed the voice of the LORD…. transgressed Your law, refusing to obey… we have sinned against him…. bringing upon us a great calamity.  Yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. We have sinned; we have done wickedly.”

(When is the last time I confessed my sin before the Lord like that?)

Then, Daniel requests three things from the LORD.  “Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for YOUR OWN SAKE, O Lord, make your face to shine upon (1) Your sanctuary, which is desolate. 

O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and (2) the city that is called by your name.  For we do not present our pleas before you because of OUR righteousness, but because of YOUR great mercy.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and (3) your people are called by your name.

And while he was praying…Gabriel came to him in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice (3:00 p.m.). Gabriel tells him that God heard him “at the beginning of his pleas for mercy,” and God wanted Daniel to know “You are greatly loved.” WOW!

Then Gabriel gives Daniel some very specific times and periods of time “….to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity.

“”Seventy weeks (of years)….. From the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem (very soon) to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks (of years)… then 62 weeks when the anointed One will be cut off…. Then the city and sanctuary will be destroyed again….. Then, the desolation…. One week, divided into two parts…..

Scholars have figured this all out: the rebuilding of the temple, the long time before the Messiah comes and is “cut off,” an extended period (the times of the Gentiles, as Jesus said in Luke 21:24?), then 7 years of tribulation, and the final end and triumph of the Prince.

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(Whew!) More of Daniel’s prophesies tomorrow!