Day 119 & 120—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.  What have you learned about God? About yourself?

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

1 Chronicles 7 – 10 (Genealogies of Benjamin [2] others, duties of Levites, Death of Saul & sons)

This is the last of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles. Remember they were important to the returning Jews from exile to claim their portions of land, assure the messianic line of David, and place Levites in temple management. (This book was probably written by Ezra about 500 years after the time of Saul and David when the Jews returned to the land.

Chapter 7 lists the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali (only one verse), Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.

Chapter 8 Lists the genealogy of Benjamin again, centering on King Saul.  It also foretells a possible “mini-split” in the tribe, after the time of David.

Chapter 9 summarizes why Israel was taken captive in Babylon – “because of their breach of faith.”  And since the Levites were the “first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities, they and their duties are listed again. Some of their duties were as 1) gatekeepers, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, and keepers of the entrance. (David and Samuel had established these in their duties). Others 2) had charge of the service utensils, to count them; some were appointed over the furniture; 3) some were over the flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices; 4) some prepared the mixing of spices and the baking of the showbread. There were 5) singers, free from other services, day and night.

Saul’s genealogy is also repeated; in chapter 10, the story of his death is repeated: how he was mortally wounded, his armor bearer refused to finish him off, and how he “fell on his sword.”

Verses 13-14 are his final, sad epitaph.  “So Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. There, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse.”

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Day 120 – Psalms 102 – 104 – (A psalm of complaint, and two psalms of praise)

I’m so thankful that both types of prayers/songs are listed in the Bible. I can praise and worship God, and I can also pour out my troubles and depression. He heals all of them.

Psalm 102 is a song by someone depressed and in despair about what is happening to him and his people. He begs God to hear and answer him. He feels that his enemies and God Himself are too harsh with him.

“My days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.”   “My days are like an evening shadow; I wither like grass.” 

But still, the writer acknowledges God’s supremacy and begs him to regard his people and act on their behalf. “But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.”  He asks God to look down from heaven and help his people, “so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.”

David writes Psalm 103 and blesses the Lord in scores of ways. Many have memorized it as a way to praise God:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”    

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”    “For He knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust.”   “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

Psalm 104 is 35 verses of praise to God for His glory in CREATION.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O Lord my God you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.”

“He set the earth on its foundations so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment.”

“You cause the grass to grow for livestock and plants for man to cultivate that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

“He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”

“O LORS, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.