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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 314

Nov10

     Days 314—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  THIS WEEK, the Sunday and Monday studies will be posted separately because they are lengthy.

Day 314 – Luke 22, John 13. (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Luke’s passage is similar to yesterday’s Matthew and Mark but has a few other details. Verse 3 mentions that Satan entered into Judas. Verse 8 reveals that it was Peter and John who acquired the room for the Passover meal. Verses 24-29 show that the disciples are STILL vying for the chief spots in the Kingdom. Jesus tells them they must be servants first, and that He and the Father have indeed assigned them to sit at His table and on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

John describes how Jesus illustrates how to be a servant. He removes his robe, kneels, and does the job of the lowest slave: He washes their feet.  Peter objects at first but then tells Jesus He may wash his whole body. Jesus tells the eleven they are “clean” already and just need the dust of the world removed.  Judas, however, is NOT included in this “clean” group.

John also reveals how, when Jesus says one of them will betray Him, Peter signals to John across the table to find out from Jesus who it is, as John is sitting next to Him.  Jesus tells John – and Peter, who is watching – that the next person He gives a portion to is the one. Jesus hands it to Judas. Then, Jesus dismisses the traitor from the group to “do what he must.”

Before Peter can get puffed up, Jesus tells him that HE will deny his Lord that very evening. Peter violently objects, but Jesus tells him He has prayed for Peter, but, before the rooster crows, he WILL deny Jesus THREE TIMES.

(John 14 – 17 recounts the intimate time of teaching and prayer Jesus has with the eleven in the upper room, which we’ll read tomorrow.) 

Then, the company goes to the Mount of Olives – as was Jesus’ custom – to the Garden of Gethsemane. While the disciples sleep, Jesus prays three times that “the Cup” He is meant to drink to the dregs might be removed, But three times, he acquiesces to the Father’s will.

It is Jesus’ human body that shrinks from the coming torture and bearing the sin of the world. His divine nature willingly accepts the plan of salvation that He and the Father planned before the world was created.

Afterward, while his three close disciples joined the others in a post-meal/wine nap, God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, whose sweat had become bloody with stress and agony.

Then…. it begins. The traitor, Judas, leads a pack of 600+ men/soldiers to the customary place where he knows Jesus will be.  Confirming the sign he’d planned with the Jewish leaders, Judas goes to Jesus and gives Him a welcoming kiss. Jesus calls him “friend.”

Impetuous Peter, perhaps thinking to dispel Jesus’ prediction that he will deny Him, grabs his short sword and attacks the chief priest’s servant, Malchus. He misses the man’s throat and slices off an ear.  Jesus, probably loving Peter even with his misled and violent ways, says to stop. Then He calmly replaces the ear back on Malchus’ head.

Jesus tells Peter that if He chose to, He could ask His Father for 10,000 angels to rescue Him (who could in a single night kill the entire world’s population!).  But how would all be fulfilled? (How would salvation be bought?)

Jesus, knowing what was happening, then asks the crowd WHOM they seek. He is protecting his disciples from arrest, even as they are poised to flee. He wants the mob to state clearly the only person they want. The answer comes, “We seek Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I AM He,” Jesus says, stating His Sovereign-God name. The crowd falls to the ground at its power and awesomeness.  Scrambling to their feet again, Jesus repeats that He is Jesus of Nazareth and willingly surrenders to them, stating that He had been daily in the Temple. They didn’t need to make this midnight raid to arrest Him. (He and they both know that they would NOT have arrested Him during the daylight because they feared what the crowds would do.  Cowards!!)

As they lead Jesus away, the eleven vanish into the trees. One young man (perhaps Mark) is caught by his tunic, which comes off and makes him flee away naked!  It seems John followed the mob at a distance to see what would happen to Jesus.  Peter followed him at a greater distance.  Both men observe the horrendous ordeal that begins for their Master in Caiaphas’s palace….the accusations, spitting, slapping, verbal and physical abuse to which Jesus says not a word. (Only that He IS the Son of God, which causes them to nail down the verdict — guilty of blasphemy.)

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Peter watches in horror and anguish.

“This man was also with him,” says a servant girl, pointing at Peter. “Woman, I do not know Him.”

“You also are of them,” said another a little later. “Man, I am NOT!”

“Certainly, this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean,” accused a third.  “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” (Mark tells us that Peter begins to invoke a curse on himself and to swear he isn’t a follower of this Jesus.)

AND IMMEDIATELY, WHILE PETER WAS STILL SPEAKING, THE ROOSTER CROWED.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. (Oh, what a look!!)  And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord.  And he went out and wept bitterly. 

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(We will backtrack a little tomorrow to read about Jesus’ teaching & priestly prayer before they all leave the upper room.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 154 & 155

Jun3

    Day 154 & 155—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God! Today, we are also reading in the 16th book in the Bible: Proverbs. 

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

    Day 154 – Proverbs 1 – 3 (Solomon’s proverbs, many written by him or in his style, but all perhaps “compiled” by him.)

The purpose of Proverbs: 1. To KNOW wisdom and instruction, 2. to UNDERSTAND words of insight, 3. to RECEIVE instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity, 4. to GIVE prudence to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the youth.

The theme of Proverbs is “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” (Verse 1:7, and also concluding the book in verse 31:30)  “Wisdom” is more about practical skills in living well in the fear (reverence and awe) of God in a way that honors both Him and others.

There are several speeches from a father to his son in these chapters. 

1:6. “Hear, my son, your father’s instructions, and forsake not your mother’s teaching….”

1:10. “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

2:1. “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you…”

3:1. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” 

3:11. “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of His reproof…”

3:21. “My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion and they will be life for your soul…”

In several sections, “wisdom” speaks as a person, sounding very much like God. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30).

1:23. “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

1:28-29. “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD…..”

1:22. “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

A favorite and often repeated wisdom is in 3:5-6. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

I all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

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    Day 148 – Proverbs 4 – 6 (These chapters continue with a father’s warnings and instructions to his son.)

Chapter 4.  The father urges his son to “Get wisdom; get insight…”  “Keep hold of instruction; do not let her go; guard her, for she is your life….”    “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”   “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Chapter 5.  Here, the father begins to warn and caution his son about adultery and the temptress.  “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death…..”

He advises his son to be true to his own wife. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.”   “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.”

Chapter 6. Now, the father offers practical warnings and advice about co-signing for someone, about working hard for your own needs, and not being lazy, for then, poverty will surely come. 

A list of SEVEN things that the LORD hates is given. Consider what the opposite would be: WHAT GOD LOVES.

  1. Haughty eyes — HUMILITY
  2. A lying tongue — TRUTH-TELLING
  3. Hands that shed innocent blood — COMPASSION
  4. A heart that devises wicked plans — GOODNESS
  5. feet that make haste to run to evil — EAGERNESS TO HELP
  6. a false witness who breaths out lies — HONESTY
  7. One who sows discord among brothers — UNITY.

The father again urges his son to keep his commandments and mother’s teachings. “Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. when you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”   “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light.” (See Psalm 119:105)

And, for a third time, the father warns his son about the evil woman, this time another man’s wife… and, in the end, the rightfully jealous husband.

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

Mar23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mar20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mar19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 74

Mar14

    Day 74 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 74– Deuteronomy 11 – 13 (Love, discipline, & obedience, Holy Worship, False Prophets)

Moses continues his admonitions to Israel in Chapter 11, urging them 1) to LOVE their God (who loves them) and 2) to KEEP his charge, statutes, rules, and commandments, and 3) to CONSIDER the discipline of their God for their good, and 4) to REMEMBER His care for them in the wilderness.  Oh, the blessings that will follow, if they do these!

Then Moses offers them two choices. “See, I am setting before you today a BLESSING  and a CURSE; the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today, and the curse if you do NOT obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way…and go after gods that you have not know.” Their choice.

In Chapter 12, Moses tells them God will choose a place where He will dwell and where they are to worship Him. No longer will He be in the center of their camp, but in a permanent place in the Promised Land. BUT they are still to come there to offer their burnt sacrifices, no matter how far away they live.

They are also to tear down all the alters and pagan worship places they encounter in the land, and not be tempted to worship false gods there.  God also now says they can slaughter and eat meat whenever they wish, and not first offer it to God.

Moses then gives stern warning against false prophets or “dreamers” in Chapter 13. Even if these men speak truth, and what they say comes to pass, IF THEY LEAD TO IDOL WORSHIP, they are to be stoned to death, so that “evil will be purged from Israel’s midst.”  EVEN IF their close relatives tempt them secretly to go serve other gods, they are to be killed.

LOVE the LORD only, and SERVE HIM only.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 67

Mar7

    Day 67—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, it’s 100% likely that we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE your habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 67 – Numbers 31 – 32 (War on Midian, The questionable spoil, Special request of some tribes.)

In Chapter 31, the LORD speaks to Moses to go to war against the Midianites, as an act of divine vengeance.  WHY??  You remember in previous chapters how, when he couldn’t “curse” Israel, that Balaam told the king to “conquer” Israel by deviate actions. If they sent their seductive women (with their Baal idols) into the camp, Israel would grab the women and forsake their God.

This happened, and you remember the outcome. Death and plague, and Phinehas’ bold move in killing an arrogant leader with a pagan woman.

Now, Israel was to get a taste of what they would be doing once inside the Promised Land – fighting, conquering, destroying the pagan Canaanite peoples to purify worship of the one and only true God. 12,000 soldiers (with our hero Phinehas) are sent against Midian and they kill every male, including the five kings and their chief men. AND…the false prophet, Balaam got his due as well.

BUT!!!! Another lesson needed to be taught. The now available pagan women with their idols were once again inside God’s holy nation!  NO!  Moses was angry with the commanders and ordered all of the women killed. Young male children as well. YIKES!  Only the young girls could be eventually, safely, assimilated into the nation.

WOW.  Sounds harsh, right?  But think of the invasiveness of sin. If you know some future history of Israel, you know how just a few idols could lead to massive national disobedience.  Like us, sin must be nipped in the bud.

Once the commanders obey, they take stock of the plunder. Lots of gold etc., animals and persons (16,000). The spoil was divided among the tribes (a process that continued in all their wars), and a portion set aside for the Levites, as well as that offered to God.

And in the fray, NOT A SINGLE ISRAELI SOLDIER was killed!

In Chapter 32, we see Moses angry again. (He’s probably just wanting to die and be done with these people!!)  The tribes of Reuben and Gad (farmers & ranchers at heart) see the lush hills of Gilead on the East of the Jordan/Promised Land, and want to settle their tribes there.

Moses thinks they are rebelling, just like the 10 spies 38 years previously had coerced them not to enter the Land, but to turn back.  He rants and rails on them, but they say, “No, we are not turning back. We promise that all our soldiers will go into the Promised Land and fight with our brothers until they are all settled in their areas. Just let our families and animals settle here.”

Moses finally agrees but makes them VOW before the LORD that they would do as they’d promised. If not, they would be sinning against God, and to be sure, “your sin will find you out.”  And so, Moses gave to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh the kingdoms of King Sihon and King Og and all their territories and cities as their permanent possession.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 63 & 64

Mar4

    Day 63 & 64—  We have begun the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year now! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue till the end of the year. (Note: SUNDAY’s reading is combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 63 – Numbers 21 – 22 (War begins, snakes, singing, a prophet & donkey)

Numbers 21. After mourning for Aaron a month, the people begin the Canaanite campaign. The king of Arad attacks and takes some captives. Israel prays and they completely destroy them at Hormah. (Where 40 years earlier they’d try to do it against God’s will and been soundly defeated. (14:45))

Next they began the trek AROUND Edom and get impatient. They again complain against Moses, and the desert, and no food, and no water, and they are sick of Manna. Enough! God sends fiery serpents among the people to bite and kill them. Eeek! They repent and beg Moses to pray for them.

He does. God tells him to make a representative snake out of bronze and put it on a pole. He tells Moses that if the people LOOK on (not worship) the bronze snake in faith they will be healed. Moses did, they did, and they lived. (Jesus referenced this pole in John 3:14-15, saying that HE would be lifted up on a pole like that bronze snake, and people who looked on Him in faith would have eternal life.)

(Note: later Israel did begin to worship that bronze snake and it had to be destroyed. 2 Kings 18:4)

Perhaps with the excitement of finally approaching the Promised Land and defeating enemies and surviving poisonous snakes, Israel is seen/heard singing, first about a well that God provided for them, and then a song of anticipation of defeating Heshbon and Moab, and King Og of Bashan and Sihon, king of the Amorites.

Chapter 22 begins the confusing, and sometimes humorous story of King Balak and the seer/diviner Balaam. The king offers to pay Balaam to curse the hoard of Israel that he sees coming toward his land. Balaam inquires of the LORD, who says, NO, in no uncertain terms.  They offer him more money, and he asks the LORD again, who says, Okay, you can go, but say only what I tell you.

(Why does God change his mind?  Always for His glory we know! But after a firm denial, why say, okay. Well, isn’t Balaam like us? We don’t like a “no” answer, especially if we are losing a profit, and we keep praying (pestering) God who maybe says, Okay, go ahead, but it won’t be good. Perhaps that is happening here.)

So… Balaam goes along with the kings men, but says he will only say what God tells him (Boy, won’t THAT be true??)  As Balaam is merrily riding along on his donkey, perhaps thinking of that huge monetary reward from King Balak, God’s anger is revealed. He sends what seemed like one of his mighty angels, but could be a very manifestation of God Himself to stop Balaam.

Balaam is blind to God in front of him, just as he was deaf to God’s instructions. But the DONKEY could see very well and shied away three times, making Balaam absolutely livid. (He must have looked so foolish to the kings men, not able to even control his own donkey! Tee-hee.)

He beats the donkey in anger, until God allows that animal to SPEAK!  And then, BALAAM ARGUES BACK WITH THE DONKEY!!!  (I wonder if the other men could see/hear what was going on, or if they only perceived Balaam as being totally crazy… or perhaps speaking to unseen spirits.)  Anyway, Balaam finally is able to see the fiery being with a drawn sword. He confesses he has sinned and offers to go back home. But God, perhaps observing Balaam as more compliant now, sends him on, emphasizing again that he will only (be able to) speak what God says.

Once he arrives, and after King Balak makes a bunch of sacrifices, he takes Balaam up a high hill where he could view a fraction of the hoard of Israelites  (To be continued tomorrow.)

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    Day 64 – Numbers 23 – 25 ( Balaam’s 3 curses/blessings, Baal worship, Phinehas’ zeal)

In chapter 25, we left Balaam and King Balak on a hill overlooking a portion of Israel’s camp, but before he proclaims any curses, Balaam insists on seven bull & ram sacrifices and King Balak complies. (One wonders to whom or what they are sacrificing.)  Then Balaam goes higher up the hill “to get the Word from God.” He returns and tells the King and the princes of Moab, “How can I curse what God has blessed?”

The King is understandably angry.  “WHAT??? That’s what I’m paying you for!!

They try a different view, from Mt. Pisgah and offer another seven bulls and rams. Balaam inquires of God and returns with –

“God is not a man that He should lie,

Or the son of man that He should change His mind.

Has He said, and will He not do it?

Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?

Behold, I received a COMMAND to bless

He has blessed and I cannot revoke it.” 23:19-20 

King Balak is furious. “Don’t bless. Don’t curse. Don’t speak at all!”  But….. he takes Balaam to another hill, ditto on the sacrifices, but this time Balaam just begins his “blessings” on Israel, ending with part of the Abrahamic covenant, “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” 24:9b 

Anger fills King Balak, but Balaam reminds him piously that he cannot but speak GOD’S WORDS.  Then almost as a final jab, he prophesizes about how Israel will overcome their enemies…. including Moab.  The two men part ways and return to their homes.

But Balaam, ACTS in favor of King Balak even though he cannot SPEAK curses. According to Numbers 31:16, he instructs the Moabites and Midianites how to provoke God’s anger against His own people, and they send in beautiful, seductive (idol-carrying) women to entice Israeli men. 

And in Chapter 25, they fall for it.  Sure enough, God’s anger is provoked and He instructs Moses to take all the chiefs (elders?) of the people and “hang them in the sun.” So as they were told, the judges of Israel kill those men who had yoked themselves to the idol Baal, via the women. But God also sends a plague among them.

Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, zealous for the LORD, takes a spear and goes after Zimri, the Simeonite, an arrogant man, who openly brought a Midianite woman into this tent in front of all the people in defiance to God.  Phinehas thrusts the spear through the two of them while they were in the act.

God was pleased with Phinehas’ zeal and jealousy for His holiness, and stops the plague. God also blesses Phinehas’ line with a perpetual priesthood.  

 

 












			


	



			
				


	

		
#2024 GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 19


					
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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 19 – Genesis 22 – 24 (A sacrifice, a death, a marriage)


Chapter 22 begins with God testing Abraham with the words, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go…offer him as a burnt offering…” 


That isn’t any way that I’d like my day to begin!  But Abraham’s immediate response was obedience. There are no questions, complaints, or refusals. He gets up early with the boy, the wood and the fire, and heads to the place God will show him…. to kill his only son. He builds an alter, lays the wood on it, binds and places Isaac on top (the boy is about 20 years old!), raises the knife to kill him, and is micro-seconds away from plunging it into the “son he loves,” the son of the Covenant, through whom the Messiah would come.  Yet Abe is willing to do it.


Hebrews 11:17-19 gives us the bulwark of his faith.  He believed God would raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise.  God’s promises are always YES! and AMEN!  God never changes. God later imputes “righteousness” to Abraham because of his faith.


1 Corinthians 10:13 — “No temptation (testing) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also PROVIDE the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.”


And this is what God did for His friend, Abraham. STOP!  Now I know that you fear God. (God knew this all the time of course. He’s omnicient. But now ABRAHAM knew it too.)  And Abraham immeditely saw a ram caught in the brambles. This animal became the sacrifice. And the place became know as “Tthe LORD provides.” And indeed it was on that very mount that God Almighty “provided” His only begotton Son to the world, as a sacrifice and payment for their sin. (John 3:16)


Oh my! God renews His promises and gives even more:




    

  • I will surely bless you
    • 




  • I will surely multiply your offspring (as the sand on the seashore)
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  • Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies
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  • In your Offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed
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In chapter 23, Abraham’s faithful wife of 62 years dies. He negotiates with his long-time friends near Hebron to buy a burial ground, and he buries her there. (He, Isaac & Rebekah, and Jacob & Leah will all be buried there as well. It is the first concrete piece of the Promised Land that Abraham actually OWNS.)  


Isaac is 37 when his mother dieds and Abraham thinks it’s high-time that the “boy” is married. Through the 66 verses of chapter 24 we are treated with a remarkable love story.  Abe sends his faithful servant (who HAD BEEN in the line of inheritance) back to Haran where Abraham’s brother’s family still lived to acquire a wife for Isaac. (No Canaanite wife for the Son of Promise!)  


The story shows the sovereignty and plan of God in very wonderful ways as the 85-year-old faithful steward, Eliezer, travels the long distance, and relies solely on God to choose the woman whom he will take back to his master’s son.  Read it again. It’s beautiful.


And Isaac (40 years old now) sees the beautiful Rebekah and takes her as his wife. The last words of the chapter are, “So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”


Isn’t love grand?





			


	



			
				


	

		
May 5, 2021 – #5 of 31 Days of Biblical Women


					
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Eve ~~


Genesis 2:15-25


Eden, fresh from the hand of the Creator. Beautiful beyond imagination. Self watering and weed free. Every tree bearing delicious fruit, just for the picking. Yes, there were two special trees in the very heart of the Garden. The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.


There was only one prohibition. Do not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.


They why plant it there? To see if man would choose life.


Then from His loving heart, the Creator put the man into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs and closed the flesh. Out of the rib, He made a perfectly matched and fitting together, helpmate. A woman. And the man was “wowed!”


Naked and unashamed the roamed and worked the Garden, eating fruit as they desired, learning about each other. Heaven on earth.


One day, walking together, the woman laughing and frolicking, her toes treading deep in the soft dewy grass, they came upon a magnificent tree.


“No, Eve. Let’s go on. We aren’t to eat the fruit on that tree.”


“Why not?” she asked her husband.


“The LORD God said so,” Adam told her.


“But why not?” she said again, walking toward the tree, her eyes wide with wonder.”


“He said we would surely die.”


“What does ‘die’ mean, Adam?” she said circling the trunk of the enticing tree, delight on her face.


“Why, hello there,” came a silvery voice from the heavily laden branches. “Did God actually say ‘you shall not eat of any tree in this lovely garden?”


The woman peered closer and saw a beautifully colored serpant weaving before her.  “We may eat of all the trees here except this one. He said we would ‘surely die’ if we did. We may not even touch it,” she added coyly.


“You shall not surely die,” came the sensuous, deep voice. “For God knows that when you do eat of it, you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”


He paused then continued, “Here, try one. It is sweeter than any fruit you have ever eaten.”


The woman saw that the fruit would be good for food, and wasn’t that her tummy growling?


It was a beautiful fruit as well, so shining and deeply hued. She fancied she could even smell the warm fruitiness. Her mouth began to water.


And, if eating the fruit would make her wise, well, why wouldn’t anyone want that. She reached up, touched one of the fruits, and it fell into her hand.  She put it to her mouth and took a bite. It was so sweet and juice ran down her chin. “Ohhhhhh!” she moaned in pleasure.


“Here, husband, you must have one too!”


And Adam also ate.


Instantly the eyes of their soul were opened and the knew they were naked and they were ashamed. They crept into the trees, hands and arms covering the parts of their bodies they had deemed beautiful before. The half-eaten fruit lay in the grass, already beginning to rot. Flies hovered nearby.


 


Later, in the cool of the evening when they always walked and talked with their Creator, they heard His voice. That voice that had inspired such great joy within them, now struck terror.


“Where are you, my children?”


Adam crept out from the bushes, the hastily woven leaves covering his genitals. “I… we…heard your voice and were afraid because we are naked.”


“WHO told you, you were naked?” thundered the voice of God. “Have you eaten of the tree which I commanded you not to eat?”


“The woman you gave me to be with, she gave me the fruit and I ate.” Adam answered his voice quavering.


God turned to the woman, “What have you done?”


“The…the…serpent deceived me… and… I ate,” her voice barely a whisper.


The God of the Universe turned to the serpant and roared, “You are cursed above all things. I will put enmity between you and the offspring of the woman. You shall bruise His heel.  But HE, He shall crush your head!”


“And as for you, woman, you will have pain now in childbearing. Your desire will be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”


Majesty turned then to Adam. And in a still but intense voice, He said, “Because you listened to your wife, cursed is the ground because of you. In pain you shall eat of it all your days. Prickling, painful thorns will it bring forth for you, to tear your flesh. You will sweat and toil and in the end you will return to the dust from which I made you.”


Then in saddness and anger the Creator drove the humans He’d created out from the Garden He’d made for them. He placed one of His myriads of cherubim with a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the Tree of Life.


Lest the man and woman now eat of it and live eternally in their SIN.




The picture represents Eve in shame before Mary who is carrying the promised offspring, the Son of God, who will indeed die by the serpant’s wiles, but who will rise from the dead triumphant to crush death and Satan forever.


 


 


LORD, help me to seek Your face and Your ways, and to love and obey you with my whole heart. Lead me not into temptation and deliver me from the Evil One.


Jh