January 5: Job 6-9

Job responds to Eliphaz in chapter 6.  If his grief could be weighed, it would outweigh the sands of the sea.  The sands of the sea is used as a metaphor for vastness or something that cannot be measured.  Job feels that he is under attack from God.  He asks a rhetorical question that implies a negative answer.  Eliphaz’s words did nothing to encourage Job. Instead, it was like feeding contaminated food to Job’s malnourished soul.  

Job complains about the plight of humanity, stating that our days are like that of a hired hand, indicating that God treats us like a harsh master.  He is so upset that he refuses to keep silent.  He has reached his breaking point.  He will complain in the bitterness of his soul.  

Bildad begins his speech.  He acts like God’s defense attorney, accusing Job of spouting hot air.  He too gives rhetorical questions that expects a negative answer.  God does not pervert justice.  He does not pervert what is right.  That is true.  The problem here though is that Bildad is essentially accusing Job of sin in his life and that is what is causing his condition.  None of these guys have the facts on what is really taking place here.  Bildad sees this suffering and thinks “well, you must have done something to make this happen.”  In those days when ailments hit, it was assumed that people fell ill because of sin in their lives.  Jesus answers questions from the disciples about whose sin made a man born blind, the sins of the parents or the sins of the man.  Job is suffering, but it is not as punishment from sin he committed.  

Job tries to present his case for innocence as if in a judicial setting.  He accurately identifies that humans cannot be justified before God.  God is mighty and made many wonderful things.  Job has no ability to answer Him or make arguments against Him even if he is right.  He could only beg for mercy.  Job is innocent and wants to know why God is oppressing him like this.  He closes this speech begging God to be compassionate on him and stop the persecution so that he can enjoy the few remaining years of his life.  

January 6: Job 10-13

Job tries to present his case for innocence as if in a judicial setting.  He accurately identifies that humans cannot be justified before God.  God is mighty and made many wonderful things.  Job has no ability to answer Him or make arguments against Him even if he is right.  He could only beg for mercy.  Job is innocent and wants to know why God is oppressing him like this.  He closes this speech begging God to be compassionate on him and stop the persecution so that he can enjoy the few remaining years of his life.  

Zophar begins attacking Job’s answers as if he was a prosecuting attorney.  His rhetorical questions imply a negative answer.  He accuses Job of being a talker.  Zophar misrepresents Job’s position.  Job has not once claimed that his answers are perfect.  Further, he did not claim that he was sinless.  Zophar makes it seem as if Job was claiming that he was better than everyone else and had it all figured out.  That is NOT what he had been doing.  

Job responds with sarcasm, accusing his friends of being condescending.  They claimed to have deep knowledge, but based on how they are responding to his affliction, they are clearly not as smart as they think they are.  Job rightly identifies that God has all understanding and knowledge.  Out of everyone assembled to sit with Job, God is the only One that knows the source of Job’s suffering.  

Job again reminds his friends that he is just as smart as they are, he is not inferior.  He also states that he would rather make his argument before God Almighty.  These friends cover the truth with lies.  He tells them to be quiet.  He will plead his case to God, even if it means he loses his life.  Job’s hope is in God alone.  

January 7:  Job 14-16

Job speaks of the fleeting nature of life.  Our days are short and full of trouble.  We wither like the blossoms of a flower.  Job asks why God would spend His time scrutinizing and evaluating humans since they are not permanent.  Job describes the permanence of death.  When a tree is cut down, there is still hope since it can sprout again.  When a person takes his or her last breath, they will not rise again.  Job is in a depressed state.  He is focused on God’s oppressive might, his painful future, and subsequent death.  Sometimes we can get so bogged down with the weight of worldly pressures we can lose sight of how good God is to us.  When that happens, I suggest we count our blessings to remind ourselves of how good God is.  

Eliphaz responds by going on the attack.  He is accusing Job of being full of hot air, not responding as a truly wise person would.  Instead, he surmises Job’s answers are empty and self-serving.  He accuses Job of not having the proper reverence for God.  Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Eliphaz opines that Job must not have wisdom since he is not showing God the proper respect.  Eliphaz then launches the claim that wicked people spend their years in pain and agony.  I think that many of us would disagree with his statement.  We see wicked people all around us that seem to be without agony or pain.  

Job replies to Eliphaz’s speech by informing his friends that they are terrible comforters.  They have done nothing to help him in his state.  In fact, they have only made things worse.  Job reminds them that if he was in their place and they were in his, he could easily speak like they are.  When someone else is going through a tough time, we do not know exactly what the person is going through.  It is best to keep from giving advice to the suffering individual.  That is one of the biggest issues with Job’s friends.  They assume that they know the source of Job’s suffering.  I find that in life it is best to not assume! 

January 8: Job 17-20

Job continues putting his hope in the Lord.  He asks God to “put up security” for him.  He is asking that God be responsible for any debts Job might have defaulted on.  Even in his hope, though, Job identifies that he is an object of scorn.  His eyes are dim from grief and his body is a shadow.  

Bildad responds.  He asks how long “until you stop talking?”.  The “you” in the original text is plural, not singular.  Since Bildad is speaking to Job, this plural form is a mark of politeness.  The politeness seems to end shortly after this question since he then accuses Job of thinking his friends are a bunch of unthinking animals.  He then tells Job that his problem is not an angry God that is tearing at him.  Instead, it is Job’s anger at God that is the problem.  Bildad then explains how the days of the wicked are numbered and the suffering that they endure.  

Job replies to Bildad by asking him a similar question to Bildad’s opening line.  “How long?”  The words of Job’s friends have not helped him at all.  In fact, they have added to his grief.  He pleads for their mercy. 

Zophar responds by indicating that he still believed he offered valuable insight into Job’s plight.  Zophar explains more of the wicked person and the struggles they have.  They conceal evil under the tongue, even though it tastes sweet in the mouth.  He will not enjoy the fruits of his labor and the appetite of the wicked is never satisfied.  One day, the wicked person’s possessions will be taken away and they will face God’s anger. 

January 9: Job 21-23

Job responds to Zophar asking that they listen to him before they continue their mocking.  Job is not lodging a complaint against man, but instead the complaint is to God.  He is frustrated at this point because he feels as if God is not listening or paying attention to him.  Sometimes we are going to go through some dark times, and it feels like God is not with us.  However, during those times of supposed silence, we can know that He is there with us.  Does a teacher talk while the students are taking a test? 

There are more complaints about the prosperity of the wicked.  Job rightly proclaims that everyone eventually perishes.  Whether a person is in peak physical health or poor health, one day he or she will draw a last breath.  

Eliphaz begins his speech with an interesting question.  “Can a man be of any use to God?” This rhetorical question seeks a negative answer.  It does not matter how righteous Job is because God is perfect.  God created mankind; He is not reliant upon them.  Instead, we are reliant on Him.  We cannot fill up any deficiencies in Him because He has no deficiencies.  God continues to exist whether we acknowledge Him or not.  He does not need us to continue being God, He will always be.

Job responds by trying to justify his poor attitude.  From his vantage, God is oppressing him.  He has been searching for God everywhere, but he has not found Him.  There is some hope in this speech when Job states that he will be like gold when the test is over.  Just like dross is removed from gold in the crucible, Job’s blemishes will be removed.  He has endured a lot, is terrified, and faint of heart, but he has not been destroyed. 

January 10: Job 24-28

Job continues his speech.  Many of the things he says in chapter 24 are similar to Proverbs.  There are timeless truths in what he says.  He speaks of the futility of trying to hide sin.  The adulterer waits for twilight thinking that no one will see him.  Though he may not be caught by humans, the Almighty knows what he has done.  

Bildad offers more rhetorical questioning.  He is essentially saying “it is what it is”.  That was a saying we used a lot in the Navy.  Things are the way that they are.  Job is in his situation, and it is what it is.  However, that knowledge does nothing to help Job out.  Bildad’s “comforting questions” provide no comfort at all.  Job explains that he will not speak unjustly, and his tongue will not utter deceit.  These are two characteristics of an upright person.  

Job sings a hymn to wisdom in chapter 28.  Wisdom is better than anything else that the world has to offer.  Wisdom is better than gold, onyx, or sapphire.  It is so valuable, that we will never really know its true value.  We are living in an age where information is constantly coming at us.  However, there is a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom.  When it comes to the Bible, we can have all the knowledge of what it contains.  However, that knowledge is not wisdom if it is not applied in our lives. 

January 11: Job 29-31

Job yearns for a time when God blessed him and he had no worries.  There has been an attitude shift in him since he told his wife that they should accept both good and bad things from The LORD.  He wants to return to that time where he had no worries, stress, or sickness about him.  God’s friendship rested on his tent.  Though he cannot see it, God is still with Job.  It is hard to see it, though, because he is mocked by people younger than him now.  He has no youthful vigor anymore.  Job has become an object of scorn despite the fact that he was renowned and respected prior to his troubles.  

Throughout the entire exchange, Job maintains his innocence.  He has kept the law and has no reason for the pain he has endured.  He has not looked at young women inappropriately.  He has not left his wife for another.  Job has walked in truth and not deceit.  He has clothed the needy and supported the orphan.  Job has done what God has instructed His people to do, but Job still suffers.  

January 12: Job 32-34

Elihu responds in anger.  Elihu means “He is my God” and Barachel means “God has blessed”.  Elihu is mad because he perceives that Job has argued for his own righteousness.  This implied that God was unjust.  Further, he is mad because Job’s friends condemned Job before they knew the facts of the case.  Elihu is young, so he has been shy about telling them what he thinks until now.  

He begins addressing Job.  He informs Job that he is wrong in his assessment that he is upright, pure, and without transgression.  Job is wrong because God is greater than man.  Elihu speaks of God’s deliverance from the Pit and restoration of righteousness.  He tells Job that if he has something to say, then he should say it.  Otherwise, he needs to keep quiet and listen to his instruction.

Elihu then addresses the “wise” friends of Job.  He then proceeds to give the attributes of God.  God is just and almighty.  He is powerful and can cause the world to stop at any moment.  The Almighty cannot be condemned.  He is righteous and holy.  God is the One that watches over His creation.  God sees the missteps of the people and the injustice they do.  He asks a good question.  When someone says to God that they have endured their punishment and promise to walk righteously, should God repay them on their terms? 

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January 12: Job 32-34

Elihu responds in anger.  Elihu means “He is my God” and Barachel means “God has blessed”.  Elihu is mad because he perceives that Job has argued for his own righteousness.  This implied that God was unjust.  Further, he is mad because Job’s friends condemned Job before they knew the facts of the case.  Elihu is young, so he has been shy about telling them what he thinks until now.  

He begins addressing Job.  He informs Job that he is wrong in his assessment that he is upright, pure, and without transgression.  Job is wrong because God is greater than man.  Elihu speaks of God’s deliverance from the Pit and restoration of righteousness.  He tells Job that if he has something to say, then he should say it.  Otherwise, he needs to keep quiet and listen to his instruction.

Elihu then addresses the “wise” friends of Job.  He then proceeds to give the attributes of God.  God is just and almighty.  He is powerful and can cause the world to stop at any moment.  The Almighty cannot be condemned.  He is righteous and holy.  God is the One that watches over His creation.  God sees the missteps of the people and the injustice they do.  He asks a good question.  When someone says to God that they have endured their punishment and promise to walk righteously, should God repay them on their terms? 

January 13: Job 35-37

Elihu continues his speech in defense of The LORD.  Based on Job’s complaints, it seems as if Job is trying to make himself righteous apart from God.  Elihu calls him out on this issue and reminds him that the oppressed often fail to consider the person and work of God.  Rather than understand that they could be receiving punishment for their sin, they focus on their present situation.  Elihu closes chapter 35 accusing Job of speaking empty words.  

As Elihu’s discourse continues, he asks that the me be patient with him a little longer.  He has not fully justified God in his eyes.  He explains that sometimes God puts constraints on His people so that they will not completely fall into sin.  He opens their ears to correction and insists they repent of their sinfulness.  However, some of those that are bound will respond to their constraints with hatred in their heart.  

God is everywhere.  He is powerful and mighty.  Elihu senses God in the thunderstorm.  He sends snow and torrential rain.  He is the source of all weather.  God is dazzling and amazing, we cannot look upon Him.  Elihu uses the sun as a comparison.  We cannot gaze at the sun for too long because of its radiance.  God is even more radiant.  He is just and righteous, we cannot reach Him.  God does not oppress justice. 

January 14: Job 38 and 39

Now God speaks from the whirlwind to address Job’s complaints. God demands to know who obscures His counsel.  God, of course, already knows the answer.  He then proceeds to demand Job answer His questions about how the earth was established, its dimensions, and its foundation.  He also asks who it was that contained the sea and developed its boundaries.  After God asks a series of questions about the things of the world, He then asks Job if he can contain the constellations and send clouds and lightning.  We all know that answer to that.  Job cannot do any of these things.  Neither can we.  

In chapter 39, God asks questions regarding the animals and their birth cycles.  He also wants to know who set the wild donkey free.  God is implying that He has placed every animal in a suitable environment.  He gives strength to the horse.  He protects the offspring of the ostrich.  God is God and Job is not.  God is God and we are not.  

January 15: Job 40-42

Job is understandably shaken by God’s questioning.  He confesses that he is insignificant and places his hand over his mouth.  God continues asking questions.  He brings up Behemoth and Leviathan, two large beasts that were created by God Almighty.  Job cannot pull Leviathan in with a hook, but God can.

Job replies that he knows God can do anything and none of His plans will be thwarted.  Job takes back all the things he said and repents in dust and ashes.  God tells Job’s friends to make a burnt offering for themselves.  He is displeased with them because they did not speak about Him truthfully like Job did.  He tells them that Job will pray for them since He will not listen to their prayers.  God promises mercy to them, explaining that He will not punish them for their folly.  

God then doubles all of Job’s possessions.  He also gives Job the same number of sons and daughters as he had before he lost them all.  Job has been restored to his place of prominence.  One thing that always throws me off about this narrative is that Job is never given an explanation on why he suffered the way that he did.  

We are going to go through some rough times and God will see us through.  However, He will not always explain to us why we went through the tough times.  The challenge is to remain faithful to Him in good times and bad. 

January 16: Genesis 12-15

         God calls Abraham telling him to leave his father's house and go to the land that He will show him. Abraham is faithful and leaves the land he knows at the age of 75. If we were in Abraham's position, would we be obedient?

         Abraham makes it to the site of Shechem at the oak of Moreh. At the time, the land is owned by the Canaanites. God promises this land to Abraham. Abraham responds by building an altar to the LORD. Famine strikes the land, so to ensure his survival, Abraham and his wife head to Egypt. Since Sarai is so beautiful, Abraham worries that Pharaoh will kill him to marry Sarai. Believe it or not, back in those days, even in pagan societies, adultery was a high offense and carried the death penalty. Abraham convinces her to tell Pharaoh that she is his sister. Pharaoh is confronted by God about his potential sin. Pharaoh then confronts Abraham about the lie and sends them away.

         Abraham heads out with Sarai, Lot, and all his possessions to the Negev. When they get there, Abraham gives Lot his choice of the land. Lot sees the lush green of the Jordan valley decides to head that way. After Lot and Abraham separate, Abraham goes back to live near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron.

         The land Lot occupies is eventually taken over. Abraham launches an attack to defend Lot and his family. When they are brought back, God establishes His covenant with Abraham. Abraham is not happy about the covenant because he does not have any offspring to give the inheritance to. Instead of his flesh and blood, his wealth will go to Eliezer, his servant. God promises that Abraham will have a son. God eventually delivers on that promise. When God promises something, we can know that He will make it happen in His time. We must remember that God's timing is always best.

January 17: Genesis 16-18

         Having been promised that a son is headed his way, Abraham approaches his wife with the good news. His wife says she is too old to give him a son, so she gives her concubine over to

Abraham. While some would argue this is a lack of faith on Sarai's part, the fact is that it is a

lack of faith on Abraham's part. He should have said something to the effect of, "No, our son will

come from the two of us." However, he was all too willing to take the concubine Hagar to give

him a son. We have to wonder how history would be different if Abraham had just trusted God to give him a son with Sarah. 

         Hagar becomes pregnant with Ishmael. Now Sarai has disdain for Hagar because she is carrying Abraham's child. Hagar is given back over to Sarai to do as she wants. She abuses the poor woman and she flees. Hagar makes it to a spring in the wilderness where she is approached by The Angel of The LORD. The Angel tells her to go back to her mistress. The child she is

carrying will be a great nation.

         When Abraham is 99 years old, he is given the instruction to observe covenant circumcision. All males in his camp must be circumcised. All male boys that are born must be circumcised when they are eight days old. Vitamin k helps stop bleeding and is at its highest level on the eighth day after birth, so this is the best day to perform this ceremony. I doubt that Abraham had this knowledge. God does, though, and I am positive that is why He commands the covenant be performed on the eighth day. 

         The LORD appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at his tent and approached the three men, imploring them to dine with him. As they are dining, they ask where Sarah is. The LORD says that He will return in one year and she will be pregnant. Sarah laughs at this news. When she is asked why she laughed, she denies it. But He replies, "No, you did laugh". As His people, we must make no mistake in thinking that we can hide things from God.

         The visitors announce that they are going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wicked

ways. Abraham makes a plea for them, but the only ones that will be spared are Lot and his

family.

January 18: Genesis 19-21

         Only two of Abraham’s visitors go to Sodom and Gomorrah. Two angels enter Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was sitting at Sodom's gate. His location indicates that he had worked his way up to be a leader within Sodom. Lot bows his face to the ground and asks that they would come to his house. He feeds them, but the spread is not nearly as nice as the one that Abraham had laid out for them earlier. The angels warn of the impending doom. Lot tries to warn his sons in law and others about what is getting ready to happen. Unfortunately, they all think he is joking and disregard what he is saying. Lot is holding out, hoping that they will come, but then the angels tell him to get out of there.  They flee, but as they are moving along Lot’s wife turns around to see the destruction and she turns to salt.  Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed.  Lot and his daughters are spared. 

         Abraham travels to the Negev where he settles between Kadesh and Shur. He again claims that Sarah is his sister. He clearly did not learn his lesson the first time! Abimelech takes Sarah and is then warned in a dream that she is married. Destruction is headed his way.

         The LORD appears to Sarah just as He said He would. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to Isaac. When he was eight days old, Isaac was circumcised just as God had commanded.

Unfortunately, there is sibling rivalry. This results in Ishmael and Hagar being sent away.

January 19: Genesis 22-24

         The LORD approaches Abraham and tells him to take Isaac and sacrifice him. Abraham gets up early, takes his son, and two of his young men with him. When they get to Moriah, Abraham tells the two men to stay behind and takes Isaac with him. Isaac asks his father where the lamb is that they will sacrifice. Abraham explains that God will provide the sacrifice. Abraham makes up the altar, lays Isaac down on it, and is ready to plunge the knife into his son, when he is stopped by God. Abraham has shown that he loves God more than anything else and will not withhold anything from The LORD.

         Sarah lives to the ripe old age of 127 and then passes away. She is buried in the cave of

Machpelah. Though the landowner offered to give the cave to Abraham to bury Sarah, Abraham

is adamant about paying for the cave. This detail is important.  If the landowner had given the cave to Abraham, he would still have ownership rights over the cave. Since Abraham is purchasing this land, he finally has full ownership of a piece of the land God had promised him.

         Abraham is getting on in years and decides to find a wife for Isaac. He sends a servant to select a suitable wife from his land, not the land of the Canaanites. As the servant goes to find a wife for Isaac, he prays that God will identify who the woman should be. Before the servant even finishes praying, Rebekah approaches him and offers to draw water for his camels. The servant

approaches Rebekah's father about marrying Isaac. The father allows it and Rebekah goes back

immediately. This was counter to the marriage customs at the time. This shows that Rebekah had great trust in God and His provision. Are we willing to go against cultural norms to follow God and His commands? 

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January 19: Genesis 22-24

         The LORD approaches Abraham and tells him to take Isaac and sacrifice him. Abraham gets up early, takes his son, and two of his young men with him. When they get to Moriah, Abraham tells the two men to stay behind and takes Isaac with him. Isaac asks his father where the lamb is that they will sacrifice. Abraham explains that God will provide the sacrifice. Abraham makes up the altar, lays Isaac down on it, and is ready to plunge the knife into his son, when he is stopped by God. Abraham has shown that he loves God more than anything else and will not withhold anything from The LORD.

         Sarah lives to the ripe old age of 127 and then passes away. She is buried in the cave of

Machpelah. Though the landowner offered to give the cave to Abraham to bury Sarah, Abraham

is adamant about paying for the cave. This detail is important.  If the landowner had given the cave to Abraham, he would still have ownership rights over the cave. Since Abraham is purchasing this land, he finally has full ownership of a piece of the land God had promised him.

         Abraham is getting on in years and decides to find a wife for Isaac. He sends a servant to select a suitable wife from his land, not the land of the Canaanites. As the servant goes to find a wife for Isaac, he prays that God will identify who the woman should be. Before the servant even finishes praying, Rebekah approaches him and offers to draw water for his camels. The servant

approaches Rebekah's father about marrying Isaac. The father allows it and Rebekah goes back

immediately. This was counter to the marriage customs at the time. This shows that Rebekah had great trust in God and His provision. Are we willing to go against cultural norms to follow God and His commands? 

January 20:  Genesis 25-26

         Abraham takes another wife, Keturah, and they have some children together. These children do not have the same inheritance as Isaac. At the tender age of 175, Abraham takes his last breath. Isaac is a dutiful son and buries his father in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre with Sarah.

         We read an account of Ishmael's descendants. One thing is for sure, God delivered on His

promise that Abraham would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Islam,

Judaism, and Christianity, three of the largest religions in the world, trace their lineage to Abraham. God keeps His promises! It might take longer than we expect it, but God’s timing is always right! 

         Isaac's wife Rebekah has trouble conceiving. Isaac prays to The LORD on her behalf. God

promises to give Rebekah twins. However, their struggle with one another will begin in the

womb. When it came time for birth, Esau comes out first, but Jacob emerges right after, grasping

Esau's heel.

         Later in life, Esau gives his birthright to Jacob for something to eat. Esau stood to inherit the most out of Isaac's offspring, but he gave it up because he was hungry. He was not looking to the future but looking at his immediate need. That led him to make a terrible decision. My hope and prayer is that we do not make decisions just based on the immediate. Instead, I hope we see how a simple decision will affect the future. A famine breaks out in the land. Isaac takes his family to Gerar where he falls into the same trap as his father. Because he is concerned about losing his life on account of Rebekah's beauty, he tells the men of Gerar that she is his sister. After their stay in Gerar, Isaac and his family go to Beer-sheba. God appears to him there and promises to bless him and multiply his offspring. Isaac builds an altar to The LORD.

January 21: Genesis 27-29

         Isaac is getting on in years. He calls for Esau to give him his blessing. Rebekah knows what is about to happen, so she schemes with Jacob to steal Esau's blessing. Isaac liked the taste of game, so he sends Esau out to kill something for him. Rebekah takes some goats and makes them into a delicious meal. She has Jacob wear Esau's clothing and makes coverings of hair for his arms, hands, and neck (since Esau was a hairy man).

         Jacob enters Isaac's tent, pretending to be his brother. Isaac does not believe it at first. He had weak eyes at this point, but he identifies the voice he hears as Jacob's not Esau's. However, Jacob smelled like Esau since he was wearing his brother's clothes. This was good enough for Isaac and he proceeds to give the blessing to Jacob. Esau returns and finds that his blessing has been stolen. To preserve his life, Isaac and Rebekah send Jacob away to Paddan- Aram to Rebekah's father. Jacob is instructed to find a wife from there.

         Jacob meets Rachel and falls madly in love with her. Jacob and Laban, Rachel's father, come to an agreement. If he works for seven years for Laban, he can have Rachel as a wife. Jacob dutifully works the seven years, and they pass quickly because he is so smitten with Rachel. On the wedding night, Jacob is shocked to find that he had not been given Rachel as a bride, but instead, he got her older sister Leah. (This seems odd in our modern context, but it was feasible since women wore veils back then. Leah’s face would have been covered during the entire wedding). Jacob uncovers the deceit, but Laban excuses it away. He makes another promise that Isaac can have Rachel if he works another seven years.  I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time believing Laban after the first lie he told!  Jacob is undaunted by Laban’s deceit and works another seven years. 

January 22: Genesis 30-31

         Rachel is Jacob's favored wife. That is really of no surprise considering he worked for 14 years just to earn her hand in marriage.  Unfortunately, Rachel is unable to have children. She becomes envious of Leah, even though she is the favored wife.  In those days, a barren woman was considered cursed. Leah has already given Jacob several sons. Rachel demands children from Jacob, but he is quick to tell her that he is not in God's place. God is the One that has shut her womb, not him.

         Rachel gives her slave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife, expecting to have children through her. (This was a relatively common practice in these days). Bilhah conceives and gives birth to Dan and Naphtali.

         Leah sees that she is no longer having children, so she gives her slave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. Zilpah gives birth to Gad and Asher. Leah begins having children again and gives birth to

Issachar, Zebulun, and a daughter named Dinah. Poor Rachel! But God remembers her and she conceives Joseph. In the Hebrew, this name is actually a prayer. His name is a request that God would give her another son. 

         Jacob works with Laban's flocks. We read an interesting case of animal husbandry with the speckled and spotted sheep. There is no scientific explanation behind it. Jacob's flocks multiplied

because God was doing the work. Do not get me wrong, Jacob a fair amount of work, but God

blessed the work. God does not expect us to be lazy. We can't just pray for a hole in the ground

and then lean on the shovel.

         Jacob leaves Laban's land and begins to head home. Laban chases after Jacob and his family. Laban is upset that Jacob was deceitful in his departure. The two make a covenant and set up a stone as a marker. They took stones and made a mound around the stone and called the mound Jegar-sahadutha.

January 23: Genesis 32-34

         Jacob continues on his way. However, since he has left the protection of his father-in-law, he will have to deal with his brother Esau. Remember that the last time he had any dealings with Esau, Esau was ready to kill him. Jacob is smart and sends a messenger ahead of him to Seir. He has the messenger explain that Jacob has been delayed, he has many possessions and has sent the messenger to seek Esau's favor. The messenger comes back with news that seems horrifying upon first hearing it. Esau is on his way with 400 of his men to meet Jacob.

         To assuage Esau's anger, Jacob divides his wealth to give some to his brother as a peace offering. He sends his servant ahead of him with a bunch of livestock for Esau. Jacob and his family cross the Jabbok River. That night, he is by himself when he wrestles a man. The man sees that He cannot defeat Jacob, so He strikes Jacob's hip socket and dislocates it. Jacob refuses to let Him go until he is blessed. Jacob receives a new name. He is no longer going to be Jacob, instead he is now Israel because he has struggled with God and with men and has prevailed.

Esau and Jacob meet. Esau holds no ill will toward Jacob. He too has been blessed tremendously by The LORD. Jacob travels on to Shechem where his daughter goes out to see some of the young women in the area. Odds are that since she was one daughter out of so many brothers, she was looking for female friends! Unfortunately, the son of Hamor sees her, becomes infatuated with her, and assaults her. He demands that his father get Dinah for him as a wife.

         Hamor approaches Jacob about giving Dinah to his son as a wife. Jacob's sons had heard about what happened, so they agreed to allow Dinah to be given in marriage. However, all the men of Shechem had to be circumcised. The men of the land go through the procedure and while they were still sore, Simeon and Levi slaughter every male in the city. Jacob is distraught with his sons, and he admonishes them. They ask whether their sister should have been treated like that. The answer, of course, is no.

January 24: Genesis 35-37

         God tells Jacob to return to Bethel and build an altar to God there. Jacob tells his family to get rid of their foreign gods. They are to change their clothes and purify themselves. Jacob explains that he is going to build an altar to God and that God has been with him everywhere he has gone. God again appears to Jacob and renames him Israel. He also tells him to be fruitful and multiply and that an assembly of nations will come from him.

         The family departs Bethel. Rachel had been pregnant and begins to give birth on the way. Her labor is difficult, and she dies while delivering her son. With her last breath, she names him Ben- oni which means "Son of my Sorrow." Jacob buried Rachel on the way to Ephrath and set up a marker.

         We read the records of Esau's family. Esau, though he lost his inheritance and blessing, still becomes a great nation and has many descendants.

         Jacob and his family are living in Canaan. Joseph, the first son born from his favorite wife, is clearly his favorite child. He is given a special coat that he wears in front of his older brothers.  Further, Joseph is essentially put in charge over his older brothers. Further fanning the flame of jealousy amongst the siblings, Joseph has dreams that one day his entire family will bow down to him. It was not the smartest move, but he tells his brothers about these dreams. They become so upset, they decide to kill him. However, after some thought, they decide it would be smarter to make some money by selling him into slavery. They go back to Jacob to tell him that his favorite was killed by a wild animal. Meanwhile, Joseph becomes Potiphar's slave. The brothers believe they have seen the last of Joseph, but God is working out something very different.

January 25: Genesis 38-40

         We take a detour on the Joseph narrative in Genesis 38 to learn of Judah and Tamar. Judah

settled and found a wife from among the Canaanites named Shua. She conceives and gives birth to a son named Er. She bears another son named Onan. Judah gets a wife for Er named Tamar. Er was evil in The LORD's sight and is killed because of his evil. Judah tells Onan to sleep with Er's wife so that Er will have descendants. This practice was common in the Ancient Near East. Onan protests since the descendants will not be his. He sets a course of action to ensure that he will not get Tamar pregnant. God finds his actions evil and Onan dies.

         Tamar dresses as a prostitute. She asks him what he will pay her and he promises to send her a goat from his flock. However, she will not agree unless he leaves his signet ring, cord, and staff. He gives them to her. She becomes pregnant. Judah sends the young goat, just as he promised, only to find out there is no prostitute there. He decides to not make a fuss over it and figures that he will never see his ring, cord, and staff again. He did not want to make a big deal about it or he would have brought attention to his sin. However, when Tamar starts to show that she is pregnant, he accuses her of sinfulness and demands to know who got her pregnant. She presents the ring, cord, and staff of Judah. Joseph makes a name for himself in Potiphar's house. He is so loyal that there is nothing that Potiphar withholds from him. He is a strapping young man and Potiphar's wife takes a liking to him. She tries to seduce Joseph, but he denies her advances. He asks how he can sin against his lord. In one encounter, as he tries to flee, she grabs his outer garment and accuses him of attempted rape. Joseph is thrown into jail where he interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer. The baker is executed, but the cupbearer is restored to his position.

January 26: Genesis 41-42

         Two years after the cupbearer had been released from prison, Pharaoh had odd dreams, but none of his men could interpret the dream. The cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Joseph explains that he cannot interpret the dreams, but God can. As believers, we should not be quick to take credit for God's power. God can do a lot of great things through us, but it should be for His glory, not our own.

         Seven years of good times are ahead. Egypt is going to do quite well. There will be abundance for seven years. However, after that seven-year period, things are going to be so bad for the next seven years that the people will forget the times of abundance. Joseph recommends that they take this time of excess to prepare for the famine. Pharaoh is pleased with this proposal and puts Joseph in charge of this effort. Joseph marries and begins having children. Joseph had a difficult life, but he remained faithful to God and The LORD blessed him.

         Meanwhile, Joseph's brothers are back home and starving. Israel tells his sons to go to Egypt and get them some food. All the sons departed for Egypt except for Benjamin. When Joseph sees his brothers, he treats them like strangers since they do not recognize him. Joseph would have donned the traditional Egyptian clothing and wear his hair like an Egyptian.  He begins a plot that will result in his father and the rest of his family settling in Goshen. He allows all of them to go back to Israel except for Simeon. Simeon is put in prison. Joseph promises to release him if they bring back their youngest brother. The boys take this news to their father. Israel is upset and throws a tantrum saying that "everything always happens to me!" Israel has done quite well for himself despite his deceitful acts. However, he forgets all those blessings and instead focuses on one problem. As believers, we should strive to regularly remember our blessings even in times of struggle and despair.

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January 26: Genesis 41 & 42

         Two years after the cupbearer had been released from prison, Pharaoh had odd dreams, but none of his men could interpret the dream. The cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Joseph explains that he cannot interpret the dreams, but God can. As believers, we should not be quick to take credit for God's power. God can do a lot of great things through us, but it should be for His glory, not our own.

         Seven years of good times are ahead. Egypt is going to do quite well. There will be abundance for seven years. However, after that seven-year period, things are going to be so bad for the next seven years that the people will forget the times of abundance. Joseph recommends that they take this time of excess to prepare for the famine. Pharaoh is pleased with this proposal and puts Joseph in charge of this effort. Joseph marries and begins having children. Joseph had a difficult life, but he remained faithful to God and The LORD blessed him.

         Meanwhile, Joseph's brothers are back home and starving. Israel tells his sons to go to Egypt and get them some food. All the sons departed for Egypt except for Benjamin. When Joseph sees his brothers, he treats them like strangers since they do not recognize him. Joseph would have donned the traditional Egyptian clothing and wear his hair like an Egyptian.  He begins a plot that will result in his father and the rest of his family settling in Goshen. He allows all of them to go back to Israel except for Simeon. Simeon is put in prison. Joseph promises to release him if they bring back their youngest brother. The boys take this news to their father. Israel is upset and throws a tantrum saying that "everything always happens to me!" Israel has done quite well for himself despite his deceitful acts. However, he forgets all those blessings and instead focuses on one problem. As believers, we should strive to regularly remember our blessings even in times of struggle and despair.

January 27: Genesis 43-45

         Joseph’s brothers stretch their provisions as far as they possibly can. They run out of food and finally make the decision to go back to Egypt for more. I am curious what would have been

going through Simeon’s mind. We do not know exactly how long they went back and stayed at

home, but we know for sure that they did not return immediately with Benjamin so that he would

be released!

         Judah takes responsibility and Israel finally allows Benjamin to travel back to Egypt with his brothers. They packed up gifts to take to Joseph. Upon their arrival, they were immediately taken to Joseph’s house. This caused terror to fall upon all of them. Joseph is friendly toward them, asking how their father is. They then settle in for a huge meal.

         Joseph orders that their sacks be filled with as much food as they can carry. He also has his silver cup placed into Benjamin’s bag. When the morning light came, the men set out. I am not the smartest guy, but I think that after the last incident with the money I would have checked my bags before leaving. Joseph’s brothers do not. Joseph’s steward pursues them and overtake them. They are brought back to Joseph’s house where he inspects their bags. Judah pleads for Benjamin when the silver cup is found in his bag. He offers himself up to be Joseph’s slave if he

will just allow Benjamin to return home.

         Joseph cannot take it any longer and confesses to his brothers that he is Joseph. They are all shocked. Joseph is not concerned with punishing his brothers. Instead, he is concerned with how his father is doing. 

         God had sent Joseph ahead of them to Egypt so that their lives would be preserved. The brothers certainly acted evil toward him, but God used their actions for good.

January 28: Genesis 46 & 47

         God appears to Jacob and tells him not to be afraid of going to Egypt. It seems odd that he would be worried about going to Egypt since he has learned the fantastic news of Joseph’s high position. However, I try to put myself in Jacob’s shoes and how I would have felt if I was presented such a story. He has believed his favorite son Joseph has been dead for a very long time. He had worked through that grief already, but now he finds out that his son is alive, well, and is an official in Egypt. I am sure it was a lot to take in all at once. God tells him to go and He 

will make him into a great nation. Jacob is obedient and takes his entire family with him.

         Judah had gone ahead of them to prepare for their arrival in Goshen. When Jacob (aka Israel) arrives, Joseph presents himself, throws his arms around Jacob, and weeps for a long time. Joseph tells Pharaoh that his family has arrived. He takes five of the brothers and presents them to Pharaoh. They are given the land of Goshen to live in since they were shepherds. Shepherds were detestable in the eyes of the Egyptians. Pharaoh also puts his flocks in their care.

         The years pass, the famine does not stop, nor does the need of the people. They sell their possessions and then their land to buy their food. Pharaoh winds up owning all of Egypt. Jacob lives 147 years. When the time of his death draws near, he sends for Joseph. He makes Joseph swears an oath to him that he will not be buried in Egypt, but will be taken back to the family burial place near Hebron in the cave at Machpelah.

January 29: Genesis 48-50

         Jacob has Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons, brought to him so that he can bless them. He gives the greater blessing to Ephraim, the younger son. Joseph, of course, tries to get his father to give the greater blessing to the older son Manasseh. Jacob refuses. Manasseh will still be great, but he will not be as great as his brother. It was certainly the social norm for the older son to receive the greatest portion of the blessing. However, throughout all of the Bible, we will often see the younger son grow in stature and prominence throughout Israel’s history. All that to say, God will do what He is going to do. Jacob gathers his sons and prophesies about their future. 

Upon giving them their suitable blessings, he once again reiterates that he does not want to be buried in Egypt. Instead, he wants to be buried in Hebron. With the last of the instructions given, Jacob dies. Joseph mourns. He has the physicians embalm his father for the journey to Hebron. Typically, the embalming was done by the Egyptian priests, so there is a significance in him having the physicians do it. Joseph does not follow the gods of the Egyptians; he follows the One True God. Jacob’s funeral procession consists of Pharaoh’s servants, the elders of his household, and all the elders of Egypt along with Joseph, his household, and his father’s household.

         Now that Jacob is gone, Joseph’s brothers are worried that he will mete out his retribution against them. They thought that he had only spared their lives because of their father. They send a messenger to plead for their lives. Joseph simply asks if he is in the place of God. They had meant their act for evil, but God used it for good. Joseph lives to a ripe age of 110. He is embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

         My friends, we are not in God’s place. When someone wrongs us, do we have a heart like

Joseph? Or do we let the flesh take over and seek retribution?

January 30: Exodus 1-3

         Exodus opens with the sons of Israel. We learn that the Israelites arrived in Egypt very few, but they have been fruitful and multiplied in the land of Goshen. Joseph and his brothers died, and a new Pharaoh came to power that did not know Joseph. There is a shift in how the Israelites are viewed. It is most likely that Joseph came to power when the Hyskos Pharaohs were ruling Egypt. The Hyskos invaded Egypt and took control. At the time of Exodus one, the Hyskos have been thrown out and the ruling Pharaoh is Egyptian. He uses fear tactics to get his way. He warns his advisers and the others that the Israelites might get to be so powerful that they will overthrow Egypt.

         Pharaoh orders the Hebrew midwives to kill any sons born to the Hebrew women. The females are allowed to live, most likely because they would grow up and be married to Egyptian men. The midwives disobey Pharaoh’s command since they fear God more. Pharaoh summons them and they tell him that the Hebrew women are stronger and deliver the boys before they can get to them. The midwives are blessed for their obedience to God. However, Pharaoh now orders that the Hebrew boys be thrown into the Nile.

         A Levite man marries a Levite woman. She has a son and keeps him as long as she can. When she cannot keep him hidden anymore, she makes a little ark to put the boy in and float him down the Nile. Just as God had saved humanity with Noah’s ark, He will save the Hebrew nation through this little ark. Moses is sent down the river where Pharaoh’s daughter finds him. Having grown up in the Egyptian court, but knowing his Hebrew background, Moses had a sense that he was supposed to do something for his people. Unfortunately, he does not consult The LORD and takes matters into his own hands. When he sees an Egyptian abusing an Israelite, he kills the Egyptian and hides the body. The next day he sees two Hebrews fighting and intervenes. They ask if he will kill them the way he did with the Egyptian. Moses flees because he knows

that Pharaoh will execute him when he finds out what he did.

         Moses flees to Midian where he finds a wife. He is tending to his father in law’s sheep. Moses had grown up in the royal court of Egypt and now he is tending sheep for his father-in-law. Let’s not miss the irony: Shepherds were abhorrent to the Egyptians. While he is working, Moses sees a bush burning, but it is not consumed by the fire. Moses approaches the bush where he is told by The LORD that he will return to Egypt and free the Israelites from Pharaoh’s hand. 

         When Moses asks what he should say God’s name is, He responds, “I AM WHO I AM.” God always has been and always will be. He has no beginning and no end. He is the Great I AM.

January 31: Exodus 4-6

         Moses is understandably reluctant to go back to Egypt and go up against Pharaoh. He asks what if they do not believe him. God explains that He will give him miraculous signs to show that he has been sent by God. God tells Moses to take his staff and throw it on the ground. When he does, the staff turns into a snake. However, when Moses picks it up, it returns to being a staff. God tells Moses to put his hand in his cloak. When he pulls his hand out, it is white and leprous. Despite these signs, Moses is still reluctant and asks that God would send someone else. He is concerned because he thinks he does not have the ability to speak well. God asks Moses who made the human mouth. God will equip Moses to do what He has called him to do. When God calls us to do something, God will equip us for the task! So when God tells us to go, we should obey Him and do His will. No need to fear, He will take care of us. God appoints Aaron, Moses’s brother, to go with him to be the spokesman. Moses unites with Aaron, and he goes willingly. I always find it incredible that Moses was talking with God that night and he pushed back, but when Aaron is told by his brother what God has tasked them to do, he willingly goes along with it. In this sense, Aaron shows more faith than Moses!

         Moses and Aaron go to Egypt where they gather the Israelites and explain what is about to happen. There is much rejoicing. Aaron and Moses confront Pharaoh, telling him that he must let the Israelites go so that they can worship Yahweh. Pharaoh asks who Yahweh is that he should obey Him. In those days, Pharaoh was believed to be a god himself. As far as Pharaoh is concerned, there is no one more powerful than him. He will not let the people go. Pharaoh has a problem on his hands now because the Israelites are expecting to be freed from their labor. To counter this desire for freedom, he imposes new challenges to their jobs. They must continue to make the same number of bricks, but now straw will not be provided. The Israelites do not blame Pharaoh for their new plight. Instead, they turn their ire to Moses. Moses consults The LORD about it and He once again promises that they will be freed. It’s going to happen, but there will be struggle prior to their release.

February 1: Exodus 7-9

         Moses and Aaron are commanded by God to confront Pharaoh and demand that he let the Israelites go. Pharaoh demands that Moses perform a miracle. Aaron takes his staff and throws it on the ground. It becomes a serpent. Pharaoh called his wise men and sorcerers, and they are able to turn their staffs into serpents through their occult practices. Aaron’s serpent eats all the other serpents. However, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, and he will not relent.

         The LORD sends Moses back to Pharaoh. Moses again warns him to let the people go, but he will not. So, Moses turns the Nile to blood. All the freshwater, even the water stored in containers turns to blood. However, Pharaoh calls his wise men and they are able to turn the water to blood themselves. Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. The obvious question is: Where did they get the fresh water? Exodus 7: 24 answers that question. It explains that the Egyptians dug around the Nile to get their fresh water.

         The blood in the Nile lasts for seven days. God sends Aaron and Moses back to make His demands. Again, Pharaoh refuses, so God sends frogs upon the land this time. The frogs are everywhere! The last plague did not necessarily affect Pharaoh, however, this one causes him some inconvenience since he must deal with frogs in his royal chambers. Pharaoh’s magicians can do the same thing. However, I have always been curious why Pharaoh did not have them remove the frogs. Pharaoh tells Moses and Aaron to ask God to remove the frogs. Moses asks when he wants them gone. When Pharaoh provides his answer, Moses assures him that the frogs will be removed at that time. The frogs all die and there are so many that they are in heaping piles throughout the land. With the nuisance gone, Pharaoh goes back to his old ways and will not let them go.

         God then sends gnats to the land. Pharaoh’s magicians are unable to produce gnats themselves and tell Pharaoh that this is “the finger of God”. After the gnats, God sends flies to the land. After that the Egyptian livestock all die suddenly. The Israelite livestock all remained. Despite this fact, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.

         All the Egyptians have painful boils break out all over. They are all in tremendous pain and agony. Pharaoh’s magicians cannot even stand before Moses. There are some theologians and medical folks that believe this outbreak might have been anthrax. The LORD tells Moses to go back to Pharaoh and tell him that hail is headed their way. If they want their crops and livestock to survive, they must bring them in or the hail will destroy them.

         The Egyptian livestock had been killed off earlier. Most likely this livestock was misappropriated from the Israelites. We see a shift in thinking. Some of the elders are starting to believe in God and they put their livestock away. Others are indignant and refuse to put their livestock and crops up. They have experienced all these plagues, but they still refuse to believe God.

February 2: Exodus 10-12

         Pharaoh’s heart is still hardened. Moses is sent with the message to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh again refuses and so locusts are sent to the land. All the crops that had survived the hail are now consumed by the invasion. The land is invaded with more locusts than there had ever been or would ever be. They destroy all the Egyptian crops. Pharaoh admits his sin to Moses, asks for his forgiveness, and asks that the locusts be taken away. Once the locusts have been removed, he goes back to his old ways. He paid lip service to get what he wanted, but once his needs were met, he went back to his old ways.

         After the locusts, God sends darkness on the land for three days. For three days one person could not see the other because it was so dark. To experience this kind of dark, we would have to lock ourselves in a room with absolutely no light source seeping in. Even though the Egyptians were covered in darkness, the Israelites had plenty of light. Again, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron. This time he says they can all go worship God; they just have to leave behind all of their livestock. Moses and Aaron explain that they have to take all of it with them since they do not know what they will use for a sacrifice until they get there. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened again, and he tells them to leave his presence. They will “not see” his face again.

         God tells Moses that He is going to bring the final plague on the Egyptians. After this plague, Pharaoh will let them go. At midnight, He will go through the Egyptian land and kill the

firstborn male in the land. For the firstborn Israelite males to be spared, they are to take an unblemished lamb and slaughter it at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the two doorposts and lintel of the houses. When God sees the blood, He will pass over the house and the firstborn male will be spared.

         Just as God had said He would, at about midnight all of the Egyptian firstborn males were killed. In a fit of rage, Pharaoh kicked Moses and the rest of the Israelites out of Egypt. From there, the Israelites enter the exodus. They have finally been freed. It took a while, but God delivered on His promises. When God tells us He will do something, we can know that He will make it happen in His time.

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February 2: Exodus 10-12

         Pharaoh’s heart is still hardened. Moses is sent with the message to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh again refuses and so locusts are sent to the land. All the crops that had survived the hail are now consumed by the invasion. The land is invaded with more locusts than there had ever been or would ever be. They destroy all the Egyptian crops. Pharaoh admits his sin to Moses, asks for his forgiveness, and asks that the locusts be taken away. Once the locusts have been removed, he goes back to his old ways. He paid lip service to get what he wanted, but once his needs were met, he went back to his old ways.

         After the locusts, God sends darkness on the land for three days. For three days one person could not see the other because it was so dark. To experience this kind of dark, we would have to lock ourselves in a room with absolutely no light source seeping in. Even though the Egyptians were covered in darkness, the Israelites had plenty of light. Again, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron. This time he says they can all go worship God; they just have to leave behind all of their livestock. Moses and Aaron explain that they must take all of it with them since they do not know what they will use for a sacrifice until they get there. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened again, and he tells them to leave his presence. They will “not see” his face again.

         God tells Moses that He is going to bring the final plague on the Egyptians. After this plague, Pharaoh will let them go. At midnight, He will go through the Egyptian land and kill the

firstborn male in the land. For the firstborn Israelite males to be spared, they are to take an unblemished lamb and slaughter it at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the two doorposts and lintel of the houses. When God sees the blood, He will pass over the house and the firstborn male will be spared.

         Just as God had said He would, at about midnight all of the Egyptian firstborn males were killed. In a fit of rage, Pharaoh kicked Moses and the rest of the Israelites out of Egypt. From there, the Israelites enter the exodus. They have finally been freed. It took a while, but God delivered on His promises. When God tells us He will do something, we can know that He will make it happen in His time.

February 3: Exodus 13-15

         Moses and the Israelites are kicked out of Egypt. Before they depart, they collect jewelry from the Egyptians. God commands that every first born male be consecrated to Him. God gives instructions on eating unleavened bread for seven days and have a festival to The LORD on the seventh day. They are to do this so they can remember how God brought them out of their slavery in Egypt. As we go through life, it is good to remember all of the times that God has delivered us from our problems.God does not lead the people on the direct route to get to the Promised Land. He knew that if He led them on the road by the Philistines, then the people would want to go back to Egypt rather than face war. As a result, He takes them toward the Red Sea along the “road of the wilderness”.

         The irony is that they will still complain of hardship, even though God spared them from war. Pharaoh’s heart becomes hardened again and decides to pursue the Israelites. The Egyptians chase them with all of Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army. The Israelites see this vast army coming after them. After briefly crying to God for deliverance, they turn to Moses and complain to him. As far as they can tell, it would have been better for them to stay in Egypt as slaves than to be killed in the wilderness.

         Moses tells them to stand firm and see The LORD’s salvation. The LORD tells Moses to have the Israelites break camp. Moses will take his staff, stretch his hand over the sea and divide it so that the Israelites could go through the sea on dry ground. Moses follows the command, the sea is divided, and the Israelites are delivered safely on the other side. When they were clear of the sea, God covered the path again, drowning the pursuing Egyptians. The Israelites sing a song praising God for His help. Three days later, though, they are complaining because they cannot find any water at Mara. God provides water for them. God just did this wonderful thing for them and suddenly, the blessing is forgotten. My hope and prayer is that regardless of what

storm we are facing, we will focus on the blessings!

February 4: Exodus 16-18

         The Israelites depart Elim and arrive at the Wilderness of Sin. At this point, they begin to grumble again. God provided them water, but now they are complaining about the lack of food. They bemoan the fact that they had what they needed while they were slaves in Egypt, but now they are going hungry. They would rather have died enslaved with full stomachs than free and hungry.

         God tells Moses that He is going to rain bread from heaven called manna. He gives the instructions on how they are to collect the manna. They can only collect what they need for the day. If they collect too much, then they will only have enough. If they collect too little, they will still have enough. If they try to save extra for the next day, then it will be bad. The only time they can collect more manna is the day before the Sabbath. Sure enough, those that tried to save some for the next day found that it had gone bad. Those that did not collect enough for the Sabbath the day before, went without. God is teaching them a lesson in relying on The LORD. It is no coincidence that when Christ presents the perfect prayer, He asks that God give us the “daily bread”. The Israelites were learning how to trust and rely on God for daily provision.

         They leave the Wilderness of Sin. Though God continues to provide, the people get upset again and cry about not having any water. So, God tells Moses to take his staff and strike the rock to bring forth water.

         While they are at Rephidim, the Amalekites attack and fight against Israel. Moses, Aaron, and Hur go to the top of a hill to watch the battle. When Moses raises his hand, the Israelites begin winning the battle. When he drops his hand, the Amalekites begin winning. Eventually, Moses gets tired holding his hands up. Hur and Aaron give him a stone to sit on and they prop his arms up. In our lives, we are going to run into situations where we need support. My hope and prayer is that everyone here has someone that will support them as we go through our battles.

         Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, shows up and sees all that Moses is doing. He warns Moses that he is doing too much, and he needs to appoint others to do some of the work. Otherwise, he is going to wear himself and the people out. We are NOT called to do it all on our own. There is no shame in asking for help as we go through life

February 5: Exodus 19-21

         The Israelites travel to Sinai where they set up camp. Moses goes up to the mountain to God. God gives Moses the words that he is to take back to the Israelites. This section begins the establishment of the Mosaic covenant. God promises them that they will be His possession out of all the peoples. They will be His kingdom of priests and His holy nation.

         Moses summons the elders and gives them the words of The LORD. On the third day, Mount Sinai is covered in a thick cloud. Lighting, thunder, and the sound of a trumpet is heard. All the people shudder. Moses goes up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. All the people tell Moses that they will listen to him. They request that God does not talk to them because they know if He does, they will die.

         God gives Moses additional laws about their conduct. If a Hebrew man is bought as slave, he can only be kept for six years. On the seventh year, he must be freed. God also gives instruction about personal injury. If someone strikes someone with malicious intent and the person dies, then the offender is to be put to death. However, if the person is killed by accident, then the person can flee to a sanctuary land where his life will be preserved. If a man’s ox injures another man’s ox and the ox dies, then the live ox must be sold and the profits shared. However, if the ox is known for goring animals and people, but the owner did not destroy the ox, then the owner owes full compensation to the person that lost his ox.

February 6: Exodus 22-24

         If someone steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it, he owes more than he took. Instead of giving just one ox or sheep, the guilty party must repay five cattle or four sheep. If thieves are caught stealing money or goods, he must pay back double of what he stole. They are given instruction on how to treat the foreign resident. They are not to exploit them or oppress them since they were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. The widow and orphan should not be mistreated. If they are, God will hear their cry and His anger will burn against the guilty party. It is worth noting that care for the oppressed and less fortunate were God’s expectation of His people all along.

         They cannot spread false reports. They must be honest in all that they do. Honesty is important in the life of a believer. A person will not get in trouble for telling the truth!  The people are given the command to use their fields for six years and on the seventh to give it a break. God has developed a restful period, not just for His people, but the land. As believers, it is important to take times of respite and rest.

         Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s elders are commanded to go a distance with Moses and bow before The LORD. Only Moses is to approach Him. The people affirm that they will follow all the commands that God has given them. Moses sets up an altar with 12 pillars for the 12 tribes. They offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as fellowship offerings. Moses sprinkled some of the blood on the altar and some on the people. After the covenant ceremony, Moses goes up the mountain and remains there for 40 days and 40 nights.

February 7: Exodus 25-27

         The LORD directs Moses to take an offering from anyone that is willing to give. The funds raised will go toward building the tabernacle. They need gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair. Though the tabernacle will be portable, it will also be ornate!

         God gives them directions on how to construct the ark that will house the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. On top of the ark, they are to build a mercy seat out of gold and put two cherubim facing the seat. This will be God’s throne.

         Moses is given specific instructions on how to build the tabernacle and the furnishings that are supposed to go in it. They follow them to the exact detail. When we want things to turn out right, we must follow the directions exactly. When we deviate, we can expect that something will not turn out right!

         The tabernacle will be a center for worship and making sacrifice. This does not mean that God is contained to just the temple. God does not need a place to house Him. Likewise, we must remember that God is not contained to the church building. As believers, we shouldn’t put God in a box. Instead, He should inform how we live our lives throughout the week, not just for an hour or two on a Sunday morning.

February 8: Exodus 28 & 29

         Aaron and his sons are identified as the ones that will serve as priests. He is instructed to make holy garments for them. They will have a turban or mitre, a plate of pure gold on the turban saying, “HOLY TO THE LORD”. The shoulder straps for the breastplate are capped with two onyx stones with the names of Israel’s twelve sons in order of their birth. There are to be 12 gemstones on the breastplate bearing the name of the 12 tribes.

         From there, Aaron and his sons are to be consecrated to serve God as priests. Aaron is to put all the priestly garments on. Then he and his sons are to bring a bull to the front of the tent of meeting, lay their hands on the bull’s head. Then they must slaughter the bull. What strikes me is that the priestly garments are very fancy and beautiful. Aaron and the other priests are to wear these beautiful garments while they are slaughtering the animals for sacrifice. Typically, if I am going to do any dirty work, I will put on clothes I do not mind getting messed up. I would not put on a suit to paint my house!

         Being a priest in those days was a bloody business since sacrifices had to regularly be performed to cover sin. Thankfully, Christ came to shed His blood once and for all. His blood removes the stain of sin and makes it look like it never even happened. He is the One that takes away our sins and reconciles us.

February 9: Exodus 30-32

         Moses is given instruction on how to make the incense altar. He is also directed to take a census of the Israelites and register them. God directs Moses to make a bronze basin for washing and gives directions on how to make a special anointing oil. This oil is not supposed to be used for ordinary things!

         God commands Moses to observe the Sabbath. Then He gives Moses the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile, down in the valley, the people are seeing that Moses is taking a while to get back. Rather than look to the mountain and see that God is still there, they decide that Moses must be dead. So they go to Aaron and demand that he make them a god to worship. Rather than do the right thing and tell them not to worry, that Moses is on his way, Aaron gives into the crowd. He tells them to take off their jewelry so that he can melt it down and create a god for them.

         I was reading a “deconstructionist” blog a while back in which the author argued there was no way that the Israelites would have had any jewelry with them since they were slaves in Egypt. Of course, we know that they did have jewelry and other nice things because they received precious metals and jewelry from the Egyptians before they departed Egypt. I bring this example up because on the surface, the deconstruction argument seems valid until we go back and see where they are given this jewelry in Exodus 12:35-36. As believers, we need to know what all the Bible says!

         Aaron takes the jewelry and makes a golden calf for them. The people begin worshiping this idol, giving it the credit for bringing them out of Egypt. All while Moses is just up on Mount Sinai. Moses comes back, sees the revelry being conducted because of the idol and becomes so outraged that he throws the stone tablets on the ground, shattering them. The Levites go through and kill 3,000 men that had worshipped the calf. Moses confesses the sin before The LORD and He inflicts a plague on the people for what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

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February 9: Exodus 30-32

         Moses is given instruction on how to make the incense altar. He is also directed to take a census of the Israelites and register them. God directs Moses to make a bronze basin for washing and gives directions on how to make a special anointing oil. This oil is not supposed to be used for ordinary things!

         God commands Moses to observe the Sabbath. Then He gives Moses the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile, down in the valley, the people are seeing that Moses is taking a while to get back. Rather than look to the mountain and see that God is still there, they decide that Moses must be dead. So they go to Aaron and demand that he make them a god to worship. Rather than do the right thing and tell them not to worry, that Moses is on his way, Aaron gives into the crowd. He tells them to take off their jewelry so that he can melt it down and create a god for them.

         I was reading a “deconstructionist” blog a while back in which the author argued there was no way that the Israelites would have had any jewelry with them since they were slaves in Egypt. Of course, we know that they did have jewelry and other nice things because they received precious metals and jewelry from the Egyptians before they departed Egypt. I bring this example up because on the surface, the deconstruction argument seems valid until we go back and see where they are given this jewelry in Exodus 12:35-36. As believers, we need to know what all the Bible says!

         Aaron takes the jewelry and makes a golden calf for them. The people begin worshiping this idol, giving it the credit for bringing them out of Egypt. All while Moses is just up on Mount Sinai. Moses comes back, sees the revelry being conducted because of the idol and becomes so outraged that he throws the stone tablets on the ground, shattering them. The Levites go through and kill 3,000 men that had worshipped the calf. Moses confesses the sin before The LORD and He inflicts a plague on the people for what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

February 10: Exodus 33-35

         God tells Moses for them to get up and leave. They are to go to the land that He has promised them. This was always the plan. However, because of their sin with the idol, God will not go with them. They are stubborn and stiff necked. This might seem harsh, but God was doing this to protect the people, not to put them in harm’s way. Moses sets up the tent of meeting. When someone wanted to consult The LORD, they would have to approach Moses. When Moses went into the tent, the Glory of The LORD would come down in a cloud and cover the tent. Moses has an interesting request for God. He asks that God would teach him His ways if he has truly found favor in His sight. Moses also asks that if God’s presence does not go with them, that the people not go to the land. Moses also requests to see God’s glory. God will cause His glory to pass by Moses, but He forbids Moses from seeing His face. Moses cuts two more stones out and God again gives them the Ten Commandments. There is a covenant established between God and the people. This covenant is not unconditional like the one that He established what Abraham. Instead, this covenant is conditional. There are expectations placed on the people. They are not to make treaties with the other nations nor are they to make idols and bow down to them. Moses assembles the entire nation of Israel and gives them the command to work for six days and rest on the seventh. They begin building the tabernacle. I find that interesting. If I have a big project coming up, the last thing I am thinking about doing is taking a break before it is completed. However, breaks are built into their lives even during this period of construction. It took between 7-12 months to complete the tabernacle. All that to say, it is imperative that we take breaks even when there are deadlines. These periods of rest are so important that God commands them. It’s amazing what God does when we take a break!

February 11: Exodus 36-38

         God placed wisdom to build in the hearts of some of the people. Others are bringing free will offerings for the construction project. All the craftsmen came to Moses one by one to tell him that the people are bringing more than what is needed. As a result, Moses made a proclamation for everyone to stop bringing offerings for the sanctuary. Moses could have allowed the offerings to continue and kept the proceeds for himself and his family. However, he knows that is not right. The people stop bringing the offerings and there is still more than enough to complete the project!

         The skilled craftsmen build the tabernacle. From there they build the ark that will hold the stone tablets and act as God’s mercy seat. The text goes into detail on the measurements and how the tabernacle and its furniture were put together. They are following God’s orders to the letter when it comes to the direction He gave them. Do we follow God’s commands with the same level of detail?

February 12: Exodus 39&40

         Chapter 39 details the priestly garments. They are fine and ornate. They are made the way that God commanded. These clothes are beautiful and covered with all kinds of gems and other precious material. Yet, these garments will also be worn while the sacrifices are made. The stain of sin will cover these beautiful garments, just like sin stains us. Thankfully, Christ came to atone for that sin. His sacrifice made it so that the stain of sin is taken away from us.

         In the final chapter of Exodus, the tabernacle is put together. The cloud covered the tent of meeting and God’s glory filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was gone, the Israelites would set out on their journey. If the cloud was not taken up, they would stay put. Their movement was based on God’s movement. My hope and prayer is that we will also base our movement on God’s direction. As an old friend of mine would put it, “Life’s a story, so give God the pen and let Him write!”

February 13: Leviticus 1-4

         God gives commands about the offerings. The first offering mentioned is the burnt offering. There are five regular offerings that are to be made. The first three are voluntary. The burnt offering was made for the general sinfulness of the one bringing the sacrifice. The burnt offering is also referred to as the “whole burnt offering” because the entire sacrifice was consumed at the altar.

         The grain offering was presented to acknowledge that God is the source of provision and prosperity. The one bringing the offering was to bring fine white flour for this offering. This offering typically accompanied animal offerings, but it could also be made independently.

         The three types of fellowship offerings were thanksgiving, votive (fulfilling a vow), and free will. Part of the fellowship offering is given to The LORD on the altar. The animal offered can be either male or female.

         The sin offering is mandatory offering. We could also call this offering the “purification offering” since it is meant to absolve the presenter of his sin. The sin offering addresses the consequences of sin. Sin rendered the sanctuary and its furnishings unclean. This meant that the relationship between the worshiper and God had been damaged. This offering permitted the sinner to receive God’s forgiveness and enter the sanctuary.

Sin costs us something. Sin over promises and under delivers.

February 14: Leviticus 5-7

         The sin offering must be made when someone fails to respond to a public testimony. The fact that the word “unintentional” is not used most likely means that the failure could either have been intentional or unintentional. If someone touches anything unclean, the sin offering has to be made. If someone swears rashly to do either good or evil, the person must make a sin offering. The person must confess his or her guilt and bring a lamb or goat. If the person cannot afford an animal from the flock, two turtle doves or young pigeons can be brought. If the person cannot afford the turtle doves or pigeons, then two quarts of fine flour can be brought. The last offering mentioned is the restitution offering. This offering is made when someone sins unintentionally in regard to any of The LORD’s holy things.

         God then gives instructions for how long the various offerings are to remain on the altar. The sin offering is labeled as the most holy offering and the restitution offering is labeled as especially holy.

         The Israelites are prohibited from eating the fat of an ox, sheep, or goat. Further, they are forbidden from eating an animal that dies naturally or is mauled by a wild beast. They are also told not to eat ay blood of any bird or animal. If they do this, they will be cut off from the people.

         A lot of these instructions make sense. If we came across an animal that died naturally, would we eat it? Probably not because we don’t know exactly what killed it. Later on there will be instructions on what birds can be eaten. The vulture and buzzard are on the list of unclean

animals. Which begs the question; who looks a vulture and thinks, “that looks delicious”?  We have a bunch of them in our neighborhood and they aren’t even pretty to look at, let alone appetizing.  Even if these animals did look appealing to eat, they are unclean because they feed from dead animals.

February 15: Leviticus 8-10

         Aaron and his sons are ordained to be priests in the tabernacle. The service is a public installation service for everyone to see. Aaron undergoes a ceremonial washing to show the moral purity that was required of priests. God's holiness demands the consecration of the tabernacle, the things in it, and the people that ministered before Him.

         On the eighth day Moses summons Aaron, his sons, and the elders of Israel. He gives Aaron instructions on making sacrifice to God. Aaron approaches the altar and slaughters the calf as a sin offering for his sins. From there, he slaughters the animals that his sons have brought for their sins. As we read today, the sin sacrifice was a very bloody business.

         Shortly after the ceremony, Aaron's firstborn son Nadab and his second son Abihu decided that they were going to play with fire literally. They took their firepans (a handheld censer that allowed transfer of hot coals) and incense (most likely from the altar of incense). They combined the coals and the incense and made a fire for The LORD. This fire was not authorized. God did not direct them to make this fire. As a result, He struck the both dead. This might sound harsh, but Nadab and Abihu were in a position of authority. Rather than approach that authority with solemn regard, they showed it off, going against God's mandates. If God could not trust them with the fire, then He certainly could not trust them with the other priestly duties.

What do we do with the responsibility God has given us?

February 16: Leviticus 11-13

         God now begins giving instructions on what the people can and cannot eat. He gives a list of the clean and unclean land animals. He also tells them what fish they can and cannot eat. Looking at the aquatic creatures, the unclean are all "bottom feeders". They are a clean-up crew in the waterways and there is no telling what they have ingested. It makes sense that God would forbid them from eating these things.

One thing worth noting is that in the original Hebrew tinshemet  (תֶמֶשְׁנַתּ ) is used in Leviticus 11:18 detailing the unclean birds, but it is also used in Leviticus 11:30 detailing unclean reptiles.

         The Levitical Law is important because it shows how a holy and set apart people are supposed to live and interact with Yahweh. However, it can also be viewed as a health book. A lot of these instructions are given to protect people from eating something bad. It also gives instruction on how to determine if skin diseases are temporary or permanent. All that to say, the Levitical law was not given to the Israelites as a burden. Instead, it was given to them as a blessing!

How do we view God's word and commands in our lives today? Is it a burden or a blessing?

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February 16: Leviticus 11-13

         God now begins giving instructions on what the people can and cannot eat. He gives a list of the clean and unclean land animals. He also tells them what fish they can and cannot eat. Looking at the aquatic creatures, the unclean are all "bottom feeders". They are a clean-up crew in the waterways and there is no telling what they have ingested. It makes sense that God would forbid them from eating these things.

One thing worth noting is that in the original Hebrew tinshemet  (תֶמֶשְׁנַתּ ) is used in Leviticus 11:18 detailing the unclean birds, but it is also used in Leviticus 11:30 detailing unclean reptiles.

         The Levitical Law is important because it shows how a holy and set apart people are supposed to live and interact with Yahweh. However, it can also be viewed as a health book. A lot of these instructions are given to protect people from eating something bad. It also gives instruction on how to determine if skin diseases are temporary or permanent. All that to say, the Levitical law was not given to the Israelites as a burden. Instead, it was given to them as a blessing!

How do we view God's word and commands in our lives today? Is it a burden or a blessing?

February 17: Leviticus 14 & 15

The LORD gives instructions on healing skin diseases and what the afflicted must do. From our vantage, it might seem harsh that these people afflicted with these diseases would have to stay outside the camp until they were deemed clean. Unfortunately, that imperfection threatened the sanctity of the holy site, so they were separated from the rest of the people.

These instructions did not just apply to people, but also to other objects. Instructions are given about what to do with a mildew problem in the walls of a house. After the stones have been replaced and replastered, the priest comes to inspect. If the mildew has come back, then it is considered a harmful mildew and the entire house must be torn down. These imperfections had to be taken seriously because they threatened the ceremonially cleanness of the community.

Leviticus 15: 14-18 almost seems to infer that God considers marital intercourse sinful. However, that is not the case. This law is included to prevent intercourse from becoming a part of the sanctuary rites. This is a clear contrast to other Ancient Near East religions at that time that portrayed gods and goddesses engaging in relations and their followers imitating them as part of pagan temple worship.

n the case of all these issues, offerings must be made to cover the sin. Thank The LORD for sending Christ to erase our sins!

February 18: Leviticus 16-18

God gives instructions about the Day of Atonement. God tells Moses that Aaron is not allowed to come into the holy place whenever he wants to. I am curious if things would have been different had Aaron’s sons NOT made the unauthorized fire, since the text leads with “after the death of two of Aaron’s sons”. Aaron will have to undergo a ritual cleansing before he can enter. He must bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.

After Aaron makes atonement for himself and his family, he will take two goats and place them before The LORD. He will cast lots to see which one will be slaughtered and which one will be set free in the wilderness. We come across the word “azazel” regarding the goats. There are three interpretations that have been offered for azazel: that it translates to “the one carrying away evil” where we get the term “scapegoat” from, it means “a rough and difficult place”, or it is the name of a demon that inhabited the desert. Most people agree that it means scapegoat. God forbids sacrifices to take place anywhere outside the entrance to the tent of meeting. Sacrifice was to be made in one location. The people are also forbidden to eat the blood of any animals. Further, they are not to eat anything that died naturally or was mauled by another animal or wild beast. The reasoning behind this is that they could not tell if the animal was sick or not. There was a good possibility that the meat could be tainted.

Yahweh speaks to Moses and forbids them from following the pagan practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites. The forbidden practices that follow His command to keep His statutes give us an idea of what the Egyptians and Canaanites were doing.

February 19: Leviticus 19-21

         The LORD gives Moses His command for holiness. The Israelite people are to be holy and set apart, different from the nations around them. They are to keep the Sabbath and not turn to idols. They are further instructed on charity and fairness. When they harvest their land, they are not to reap to the very edge of their fields so that the poor and foreigner can glean from the harvest. They are not to steal, lie, or act deceptively toward one another. They also cannot show favoritism to the rich or the poor when it comes to cases of law. This direction is not just directed at judges, but at the people in general.

         God condemns the worship of Molech and giving their children to him. If someone does it, then he is cut off from the people. God also condemns those that turn a blind eye to the practice. He also forbids consulting any mediums or spiritists. God has the answers that they need. They are to consult Him and Him alone, they are to rely on Him and Him alone. Rather than look to other sources of help and hope, like the neighboring nations, the Israelites are to look to God Almighty. If they turned to the other gods of the other nations, that makes them no different than their neighbors. Do we try to live lives that emulate the world around us, or the one that God has called us to?

         The LORD also gives guidance on the holiness of the priests. He is not to make himself ceremonially unclean for someone outside of his immediate family. Further, certain physical defects will prevent some of them from brining the sacrifices to God. However, God still provides for them.

February 20: Leviticus 22 & 23

The priests lead corporate worship, so they must be ceremonially pure. God gives a list of things that will defile them in order of severity. During Christ’s time the religious leaders became angry when He touched things that would render Him as unclean. However, when Jesus touched an unclean person, that person became clean. The leaders of Christ’s day could not understand that. Jesus is what makes someone clean. It does not matter how defiled or dirty we are, Jesus can (and will) make us white as snow, wiping away our sins like they never even happened.

God lists the acceptable sacrifices for the priests to bring Him. He also gives the list of the holy days. Out of the days listed, the Sabbath is the only holy day commanded in the Ten Commandments. During these holy days, they are not to do any work. Examples of work included plowing and reaping, kindling a fire, and gathering wood. As time went by, more restrictions would be placed on what constituted work, leading to the point that they could only walk 2/3 of a mile before it was considered “work”.

The tenth day of the seventh month was the Day of Atonement. On that day, they were not to do any work. They are to present a fire offering to the LORD and practice self-denial. This day was a day of celebration, but it was the only day of celebration that called for fasting. The practice of fasting was supposed to be an expression of remorse over personal and corporate sin.

February 21: Leviticus 24 & 25

         The LORD commands Moses to bring our oil from crushed olives to keep the lamp burning. Aaron is to tend to the lamp from evening until morning. The people then have to deal with a problem of blasphemy. A son of Shelomith, a daughter o Dibri from the tribe of Dan had blasphemed the name of The LORD. To blaspheme the name was just as bad as blaspheming God. His punishment is meted out.

         The LORD gives further instructions about injury and restitution. If someone harms someone permanently, then he is to be injured in the same way. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Jesus will later rescind this in Matthew 5: 38-42. God then gives instructions on the Jubilee and Sabbath years. A field can be used for farming for six years. On the seventh year, it is given rest for a year. After fifty years, they will celebrate their Jubilee. God also gives directions on how they are to engage in business during the Jubilee year. During this year, people that sold themselves into slavery are to be granted their freedom.

February 22: Leviticus 26 & 27

Leviticus 26 marks a conditional covenant God makes with the people. If they follow His statutes and faithfully observe His commands, He will give rain at the right time, ensuring that the land gives good produce. However, if they turn from God, make idols, and chase down the detestable things He has warned them against, then He will discipline them seven times for their sins. Their strength will be used up and their land will not yield any crop.

Chapter 27 deals with vows made to The LORD. People would dedicate their children to God's service with a vow. If they wanted to redeem the person they dedicated, then they would have to pay a fee. If someone dedicated their house to The LORD, they could redeem it, but there would be a fee. The firstborn could not be consecrated to The LORD because the firstborn already belonged to God. The practice may seem odd to us today. However, it does show us that they took their vows VERY seriously.

February 23: Numbers 1 & 2

         Numbers opens at Mount Sinai and ends at Mount Nebo. Nebo is 4,000 feet above the Dead Sea and gives excellent views of the surrounding areas. God commands Moses to take a census of all the males, one by one. Those that are 20 years or older are to be registered by their military divisions. Moses and Aaron are dutiful and register 603,550 fighting men from the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Judah, Isssachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. The men in the tribe of Levi are not registered for the military since their duties consist of taking care of the tabernacle. Their duties included putting it up when they settled to camp and taking it down when it was time to move.

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February 23: Numbers 1 & 2

         Numbers opens at Mount Sinai and ends at Mount Nebo. Nebo is 4,000 feet above the Dead Sea and gives excellent views of the surrounding areas. God commands Moses to take a census of all the males, one by one. Those that are 20 years or older are to be registered by their military divisions. Moses and Aaron are dutiful and register 603,550 fighting men from the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. The men in the tribe of Levi are not registered for the military since their duties consist of taking care of the tabernacle. Their duties included putting it up when they settled to camp and taking it down when it was time to move.

February 24: Numbers 3 & 4

         We are reminded about the fate of Nadab and Abihu. They had made unauthorized fire before The LORD and died, leaving behind no sons. The tribe of Levi are to care for the tabernacle and all the furnishings in the tent of meeting. God commands that Moses takes a census of the Levites. They had been left out of the earlier census. This one directed at the Levites will help determine the individual duties of each family.

         The Kohathites were given responsibility to care for the most holy items. The Gershonites ] are given transportation duties and the Merarites care the supports for the Tabernacle. All in all, there were 2,750 Levite men that were identified for service to the Tabernacle. Each had a role to play in serving The LORD and they were all reliant upon the others to do their job. We see the same thing today. It takes a lot to make a worship service happen on a Sunday morning.

February 25: Numbers 5 & 6

God instructs the Israelites to isolate the unclean from among them. This isolation was not meant to be cruel; it was meant to protect the rest of the people. A long time ago, we were transferred to England, and we had to put our dog in quarantine for six months. It was not meant to be cruel to the dog, but from my ten-year-old perspective it seemed horrible! This was done to keep any foreign diseases away from the rest of the population.

God also orders those guilty of sinning against another person to confess their sin and pay the full compensation plus one fifth of its value to the person sinned against. The Nazirite vows are explained. Aaron and his sons had been marked for service to God in the Tabernacle. However, anyone could dedicate his or her life in service to The LORD for a specific period. A Nazirite could not consume anything that derived from grapes. No wine, no raisins, or anything that came from the vine. They also were not to cut their hair. When we get to judges, we will look at one of the most famous Nazirites, Samson.

February 26: Numbers 7

This chapter explains the offerings that had to be given by leaders. Each of the 12 tribal representatives presented the given number of items for use in the Israelite celebration. There is a LOT of repetition in this chapter. This is to highlight that every tribe participated in ritual worship of The LORD, not just the Levites.

Numbers 7:84-89 marks the fulfillment of God’s promise of Exodus 25:22. The tent of meeting used to be located outside of the camp. Now, that the tabernacle is complete, it was placed by the ark of the covenant. Moses was unable to enter because of the smoke from the cloud of The LORD that descended in Exodus 40:34-38. Now that the tabernacle is dedicated, Moses can go to seek counsel from God once more.

February 27: Numbers 8-10

The lampstand, also known as the menorah, was a symbol of God’s presence and glory. The Levites are consecrated by placing their hands on the two bulls, which were sacrificed later to cover their sins.

In chapter nine, they celebrate the second Passover. They observe it in the first month of the fourteenth day at twilight while in the Wilderness of Sinai. The Israelites are being faithful in remembering what God had done for them. We learn about their movements in the wilderness. When the tabernacle is set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, and it appeared like fire from night until morning. During the day, it looked like a cloud. Whenever the cloud was lifted above the tabernacle, the Israelites knew it was time to take everything up and get moving. God still directs our steps, are we obedient?

February 28: Numbers 11-13

The people begin openly complaining about their situation. The LORD’s anger burns against them, but Moses prays on their behalf and His anger subsides. However, they do not learn their lessons and move into more complaining. Rather than look at the manna as a wonderful gift, they turn to agonizing about not having any meat. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget the blessings and decide that we do not have enough of what we want. On one of my deployments, we ran out of food, with the exception of ravioli. So, we had ravioli for all three meals for over a week. Rather than be thankful there was food, many took to complaining about it. The challenge is to be thankful for what God has given us!

Aaron and Miriam rebel as well. They criticize Moses because he married a Cushite. They are upset because Moses is God’s spokesman. Miriam and Aaron believe that God also speaks through them. They are not happy with their level of leadership. I would tend to think Aaron would be happy that he was not killed after the entire golden calf fiasco, but apparently, he felt emboldened to challenge Moses’s leadership. God confronts the two of them, asking why they have no fear of speaking poorly about His servant. Miriam is struck with a disease. The description of her skin indicates the possibility of a variety of diseases such as skin cancer, psoriasis, or leprosy. Moses intervenes on her behalf and God removes the illness. The scouts go to look at Canaan. They come back with the report that the milk is indeed flowing with milk and honey just as God had promised. However, their fear takes over because they complain about the giants in the land. All they need to do is go into Canaan and take the land that God had promised them, but their fear prevents them from going in. They had no reason to fear these people. God made a promise to them, and He always keeps His promises. Their fear kept them out of the land longer than they had to be. In life, when we come upon a giant, we do not need to worry about how big that giant is. Instead, we remember how much bigger the God we serve is. He is strong and mighty to save!

March 1: Numbers 14 & 15, Psalm 90

Israel refuses to enter Canaan because of their fear. It was not just a few of them that were afraid, but the majority of them were terrified. The fear was so great that the whole community broke into loud cries and they wept that night. They turn on Moses and Aaron and blame them for the position they find themselves in. They wish that they had died while they were in Egypt or in the wilderness. Rather than looking at how God has saved them before and putting their trust in Him, they put their trust somewhere else.

God is understandably upset. He asks how long they will despise Him and not trust Him. He then decides that they should be struck with a plague and be destroyed. Moses is dutiful and intervenes for the people. Moses argues that if God destroys the Israelites, then the Egyptians will hear about it along with all the other nations. The other nations will not see the destruction of the Israelites as their failure. Instead, they will think that God had failed. God pardons the people. I wish that we could say this would be the last moment of disobedience and doubt, but there will be more.

            Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses.  God has been their refuge throughout their existence. God is eternal and thousands of years pass by for Him as if it was yesterday.  He is not constrained by time.  Because of mankind’s sinfulness, their lives end after 70 to 80 years.  The Israelites are being punished for their disobedience.  Moses pleads that God would turn and have compassion on them. 

March 2:  Numbers 16 & 17

There is more rebellion. This time it is not from Aaron, but from Korah. Korah gathers 250 prominent Israelite men. These community leaders rebel against Moses. They accuse Moses of elevating himself above everyone else. As far as they can tell, they are holy as well, so Moses should not be above The LORD’s assembly. Korah and this group fail to realize that it is God that put this leadership role on Moses. Moses was hesitant when he was first called out to go and lead the people out of Egypt. Moses probably would have been content to live the rest of his life herding his father in law’s sheep. God thrust him into the leadership position and Moses was

obedient.

Moses, rather than intervene for these 250, goes to The LORD and asks that He not respect their offering. He has not mistreated any of them. Moses then goes to Korah and tells him that he and his people are to appear before The LORD. Each one of them is to take their fire pan. After Korah assembles the whole rebellious group in front of the tent of meeting, God tells Moses and Aaron to separate themselves so that He can consume them instantly. Moses warns the rest of the community to avoid the gathered assembly. Moses tells the people that if God has not sent him, then the followers of Korah will die natural deaths. However, if God brings about

something unprecedented and they all die, then they will know that God has sent them. As soon as he is done speaking, the ground opens up and swallows the rebellious group. To keep the rebellion to a minimum, God has all of the tribal leaders take their staffs, write their names on them and put them in the tent of meeting. The staff that sprouts will identify who is chosen to lead. Moses does as he is instructed. All the staffs are placed in the tent. The following day, Moses goes in and sees that Aaron’s staff has sprouted and has produced almonds!

The staff is put in front of the testimony to show the rebels that the Levites are chosen. This puts the rebellion to rest, but now the people are complaining to Moses and Aaron about how they are perishing and lost. They still do not trust God and what He is doing.

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March 2:  Numbers 16 & 17

There is more rebellion. This time it is not from Aaron, but from Korah. Korah gathers 250 prominent Israelite men. These community leaders rebel against Moses. They accuse Moses of elevating himself above everyone else. As far as they can tell, they are holy as well, so Moses should not be above The LORD’s assembly. Korah and this group fail to realize that it is God that put this leadership role on Moses. Moses was hesitant when he was first called out to go and lead the people out of Egypt. Moses probably would have been content to live the rest of his life herding his father in law’s sheep. God thrust him into the leadership position and Moses was

obedient.

Moses, rather than intervene for these 250, goes to The LORD and asks that He not respect their offering. He has not mistreated any of them. Moses then goes to Korah and tells him that he and his people are to appear before The LORD. Each one of them is to take their fire pan. After Korah assembles the whole rebellious group in front of the tent of meeting, God tells Moses and Aaron to separate themselves so that He can consume them instantly. Moses warns the rest of the community to avoid the gathered assembly. Moses tells the people that if God has not sent him, then the followers of Korah will die natural deaths. However, if God brings about

something unprecedented and they all die, then they will know that God has sent them. As soon as he is done speaking, the ground opens up and swallows the rebellious group. To keep the rebellion to a minimum, God has all of the tribal leaders take their staffs, write their names on them and put them in the tent of meeting. The staff that sprouts will identify who is chosen to lead. Moses does as he is instructed. All the staffs are placed in the tent. The following day, Moses goes in and sees that Aaron’s staff has sprouted and has produced almonds!

The staff is put in front of the testimony to show the rebels that the Levites are chosen. This puts the rebellion to rest, but now the people are complaining to Moses and Aaron about how they are perishing and lost. They still do not trust God and what He is doing.

March 3: Numbers 18-20

The LORD explains to Aaron that he and his sons will be responsible for sin against the

sanctuary and sin involving their priesthood. They are charged with guarding the sanctuary and

the altar so that God’s wrath does not fall on the Israelites. Moses and Aaron are commanded to

have the Israelites bring an unblemished red cow that has never been yoked. Since it had never

been yoked, the cow was most likely young and strong. The cow is to be given to Eleazar,

Aaron’s son to be slaughtered and burned in front of the tent of meeting.

The people complain about the lack of water. We read the common refrain of “if only we had stayed in Egypt” from the group. Moses and Aaron do the right thing and ask God for help. God instructs Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock while the people are assembled, and the rock will provide them water. Unfortunately, Moses gets a little too headstrong, assembles the group, calls them rebels, and asks if “we” must bring water from the rock. Moses does not talk to the rock, instead, he strikes it with his staff and water flows. This was a terrible mistake for Moses. Because of his disobedience, he will not be allowed into the promised land. The issue is that

Moses put himself on equal footing with God. Rather than do what God had instructed, he made it seem as if he was bringing water under his own power. He did not give credit to God.

Moses sends a request to the king of Edom to travel through their land. The Edomites trace their ancestry back to Esau. Even though Moses promises that they will only travel on the king’s highway and take nothing from the land, not even well water, the king still denies the request. As we read through the Bible, we will see other instances of tension between Edom and Israel. This moment in their history developed a deep-rooted dislike for Edom. The Israelites set out from Kadesh. Moses is instructed to bring Aaron and Eleazar up to Mount Hor because Aaron is going to die there. Moses brings them both up, Eleazar dons his father’s clothes, and Aaron dies on top of the mountain. The Israelites mourn for 30 days.

March 4: Numbers 21 & 22

The Canaanite king learns that the Israelites are nearby, so he wages a battle against them and takes some prisoners. The Israelites make a vow that if God delivers them, they will completely destroy the city. The LORD listened to them and they completely destroyed the city and named it Hormah which means destruction.

God delivered the people, but fresh off this rescue, they continue to complain. The common “why have you led us away from Egypt to die?” is heard. They complain about the food, they complain about everything. Then God sends poisonous snakes among them and the people that were bit died. The Israelites realize they have messed up and they go to Moses to confess their sin. Moses intervenes on their behalf. God tells Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. When the people look at the snake they will not die. One thing to note here is that God does not take away the snake bite. There is still the pain of the bite. Sin works like that in our lives. God forgives us of our sins, but the natural consequences of that sin remain.

The Israelites continue traveling. They are developing quite the reputation in the land. As they get closer to Moab, the Moabite leaders become terrified. Balak, the Moabite king, sends messengers to Balaam asking him to come and place a curse on the Israelites. God confronts Balak and tells him to go with the men that have come to summon him, but he is only to do what God commands of him.

March 5: Numbers 23-25

We read about the oracles of Balaam (we read about him and his donkey in chapter 22). In these oracles, Balaam explains that Balak asks how he can put a curse on someone that God has not cursed. If the LORD has not denounced someone then how can he denounce them? The answer is that he cannot. In Balaam’s second oracle, we see that his attempts to curse the Israelites still fail. In Balaam’s final oracle, he admits that even though Amalek was first among the nations, it is bound for destruction. He has gone from fighting against God and what He is doing to accepting that God is in charge and there is nothing he can do to defeat the Israelites.

We would think that the Israelites would be happy and throw themselves fully into worshipping God, but that is not what happens. Instead, they throw themselves into worship of Baal. God’s anger burns against those that bowed to Baal. Moses tells the judges to kill the men that aligned themselves with Baal.

An Israelite man brings a Midianite woman to his relatives and tries to present her at the tent of meeting. Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, executes them both. The man bringing the Midianite was guilty of profaning the tabernacle. He was trying to present his Midianite seductress to his family in front of the place that was reserved for the sacred presentation of offerings to God.

March 6: Numbers 26 & 27

Another census is conducted. Moses and Eleazar are to count everyone 20 year or older that can serve in the military. It has been over 38 years since the last census. This one results in 601,730 men registered for military service. That is a decrease of 1,820 warriors from the first!

The daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and the entire community with a request. Their father died in the wilderness because of his own sin. However, he had no sons to give his inheritance to. His daughters make a formal appeal to be given property among their uncles. Moses takes this case to The LORD and He agrees that they should receive the inheritance. This is contrary to the norm of that day. In those days, the inheritance of their father would go to the next male related to their father or one of his servants.

God tells Moses to go up the mountain and gaze at the land He promised. When Moses sees it, he will be “gathered to his people” a euphemism for death. Moses knows that God appoint a successor to lead the people, so they are not like lost sheep. Moses is not just concerned about his life and what is happening in the present, he is also concerned about the future. It is imperative that we do the same today!

March 7: Numbers 28- 30

Chapter 28 prescribes the daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, offerings for Passover, and offerings for the festival of weeks. Chapter 29 explains the offerings for the festival of trumpets. On this day of joyful shouting the collective offerings presented were three bulls, two rams, 16 male lambs, 1.6 bushels of fine flour, six gallons of oil, and six gallons of wine. On this day, the ram’s horn is blown, sounding a call to repentance. The offerings for the Festival of Booths are also explained in this chapter. Verses 12-28 describe the daily offerings.

We read about vows in chapter 30. When a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to put himself under an obligation, he must not break his word and must do what he has promised. When a young woman makes a vow in her youth and her father finds out about it, if he says nothing about it, she is bound to the vow. However, if the father prohibits her, then she is no longer bound to the obligation. Vows were taken seriously back then and they should be taken seriously now. As believers, our yes should be yes, and our no should be no. When we say we are going to do something, especially when we vow to do it, then we should fulfill that obligation!

March 8: Numbers 31 & 32

         Moses is instructed to execute vengeance against the Midianites. After that, he will be gathered to his people. They waged war against Midian, just as God had commanded. They have been charged with waging a holy war. The point of this was to eradicate impure elements from society. This meant that everything had to be destroyed, there would be no plunder.

         The Reubenites and Gadites had a lot of livestock. When they surveyed the lands across the

Jordan, they realized that the land would not support all their animals. They went with a request to stay on their current side of the Jordan. At first, Moses thinks they are trying to get out of fighting alongside the other tribes. However, the Reubenites and Gadites promise to go across the Jordan and fight. Their request is to return to the land they are currently in when the battle is over.

March 9: Numbers 33 & 34

Numbers 33 catalogs the movement of the Israelites from Egypt and all of their subsequent travel. They depart Ramses, camp at Succoth, then Etham. From Etham, they turn back to Pi- Hahiroth and camped at Migdol. One thing that is interesting in this list is that the wilderness of Sinai is mentioned, but Mount Sinai is not. This seems to be an exhaustive list of the places the Israelites camped on their journey through the Wilderness. This journey was forty years in the making. Of course, it would have been a LOT shorter if they had simply entered the land when God originally told them to!

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March 9: Numbers 33 & 34

Numbers 33 catalogs the movement of the Israelites from Egypt and all of their subsequent travel. They depart Ramses, camp at Succoth, then Etham. From Etham, they turn back to Pi- Hahiroth and camped at Migdol. One thing that is interesting in this list is that the wilderness of Sinai is mentioned, but Mount Sinai is not. This seems to be an exhaustive list of the places the Israelites camped on their journey through the Wilderness. This journey was forty years in the making. Of course, it would have been a LOT shorter if they had simply entered the land when God originally told them to!

March 10: Numbers 35 & 36

God makes provision for the Levites to have cities.  The other tribes are to give to them out of their hereditary property.  God also gives commands about the sanctuary cities.  These cities were developed so that people could flee to them in the event they committed manslaughter.  If someone committed murder intentionally, then the murderer was to be put to death.  However, if a person accidentally killed someone, then they would not be put to death.  However, the bereft family member might decide to take vengeance into his or her own hands.  To ensure the person would be safe, they could flee to the sanctuary city and could not be harmed.  However, if the person leaves that city, then a family member could seek revenge.  

Further instruction is also provided about the inheritance of Zelophehad’s daughters.  They had gained approval inherit their father’s land since he had no sons to give it to.  The statute is still in effect, but when (or if) a daughter marries a man from a different tribe, their inheritance would be taken away and added to that tribe.  So, the order is given that the daughters take a husband from within the tribe they belong to.  

With that, we have finished up the book of Numbers! 

March 11: Deuteronomy 1 & 2

Deuteronomy is the last gook written by Moses.  The title of this book comes from the Pentateuch, the Greek translation of the Old Testament.  The title means “repetition of the law”.  Repetition is key to learning and understanding things, so it is worth our time and effort to go through Deuteronomy and see what The LORD has to say to us! 

The first chapter recounts the Israelites’ departure from Horeb and the selection of the tribal leaders.  Their fear of conquering the land as soon as they arrived at Kadesh-Barnea.  Instead of going into the land immediately, they suggested sending men ahead of them.  However, the fear of the inhabitants terrified the Israelites and they refused to go.  This extended their journey by about 40 years! There might have been giants in the land, but God had given them victory over mighty Egypt, He surely would have delivered them from this group as well.  

It is important as believers to trust in The LORD and not lean on our own understanding.  Sometimes God is going to direct us that from our own perspective does not make sense.  This is when we can lean into Him and put our trust in Him.  God always keeps His promises.

March 12: Deuteronomy 3 & 4

Chapter three recounts their journey to Bashan where Og, the king of Bashan came to make war against them.  The LORD told Moses not to fear because He had handed them over to Moses.  From there, they took land from the two Amorite kings across the Jordan.  At this point, the Reubenites and Gadites are authorized to keep their families on the western side of the Jordan.  However, they would still have to cross the Jordan and fight for the land.  Since it is time for them to journey across, Moses appoints Joshua to take over the leadership role.  Moses begs The LORD to allow him to cross over the Jordan.  God will not allow it because of the incident where Moses put himself on the same level as God.  Moses will only be able to see the land, but he will never inhabit it.  It was a momentary lapse of judgment, but it led to detrimental consequences.  That’s the thing about life.  Some decisions we make will have consequences that last a lifetime.  My hope and prayer is that we will choose wisely!

Chapter 4 outlines the statutes and ordinances relating to their covenant with God.  They are being taught so that they can live, enter, and take possession of the land God is giving them.  They are warned against making idols.  They did not see a form when The LORD spoke out of the fire at Horeb.  They are warned not to bow down to the stars, sun, and moon like the other nations around them.  Instead, they are to bow to the One that created the heavens and the earth. 

March 13: Deuteronomy 5-7

Moses reminds them of the Ten Commandments God gave them when he went up the mountain.  He reminds the people that they were afraid of the fire.  The Ten Commandments direct the people to have no other gods, to not make idols, not take His name in vain, and to keep the Sabbath.  They are to honor their father and mother, not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not lie, and not covet.  Moses reminds them that the greatest commandment is to “love The LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.  If we love God like that then the rest of the commandments will follow. 

The Israelites are given instruction on holy war.  When they enter a land, they are to destroy everything, they are not to keep any plunder for themselves.  The enemy is to be completely destroyed.  This sounds harsh from our perspective.  However, it was meant to preserve them.  The concern was that if a treaty was made and remnants of the enemy were left, they would steer the younger Israelites away from God Almighty and turn them to idolatry.  The thought here is that it is easier to avoid idolatry by removing the idolaters.  In a similar way, we could say that it is easier to avoid sin by keeping the things that tempt us far away.   

March 14: Deuteronomy 8-10

The Israelites are called to carefully follow every command from The LORD.  These commands are given for their benefit.  They are reminded that during their 40-year journey, God provided manna for them, something they had never seen before.  Their clothes also did not wear out and their feet did not swell.  Throughout chapter 8, the Israelites are reminded that God did something to humble them, such as letting them go hungry, and then giving them what they needed.  They would not have been able to sustain themselves in the wilderness for those 40 years, God is the One that brought them through.

They are reminded that they are not being delivered because they are righteous.  There is concern that some will think that God is blessing them because they are holy, but that is not the case.  God is giving the lands over to the Israelites because of how wicked the other nations are.  The Israelites are then reminded of their rebellion in the wilderness.  While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments, the people were down below worshipping an idol they had made.  The Israelites are not righteous; they have been rebelling against The LORD.  

The people are told what God requires.  It is simple.  They are to fear The LORD by walking in all His ways, to love Him, and to worship The LORD with all their hearts and souls.  

March 15: Deuteronomy 11-13

The Israelites are directed to love The LORD and always keep His mandate, statutes, ordinances, and commands.  These people have seen the great work The LORD has done, and they are to ensure that His work is passed down to the younger generations.  They are to imprint His words on their hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on their hands, and as a symbol on their foreheads.  The practice of binding Scripture to the hand and on the forehead is still practiced today by some Israelites.  When I visited Jerusalem, I was offered the opportunity to participate in this practice when we visited the Western Wall. 

The people are told that they will worship in one specific place.  Their sacrifices will be brought to one specific place.  The other nations would set up altars to their gods anywhere and make sacrifice.  Israel is to be different.  They will bring their offerings to one place.  Prior to this, the Tabernacle was the place for making sacrifice and worshipping. Since it was mobile and they were on the move regularly, the permanence of one location was not established.  

They are warned against false prophets.  If someone promises a sign or wonder and it comes to pass and then uses this event to lead the people away from God, he or she is a false prophet.  The Israelites have to be very careful.  If we think back to the Exodus when God is delivering plagues to the Egyptians, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to replicate some of the signs and wonders God was doing. Today, we must be on the lookout for those that would draw us away from The LORD.  

March 16: Deuteronomy 14-16

            God commands that they do not act the way that other nations do.  The Israelites are commanded not to cut themselves or make a bald spot.  This was a common practice when other nations in the Ancient Near East mourned.  The Israelites should not act in such a way.  I have a bald spot that continues to grow, but it is naturally occurring, so it does not count!

They are reminded of the clean and unclean animals and birds.  I still cannot get over the fact that they had to be told not to eat the vulture.  Those things are hideous.  I have never looked at one and thought “wow, that looks appetizing”.  

After seven years, debts are to be canceled.  Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbor.  Anyone that has had a servant for six years must release him or her in the seventh year.  Further, the former servant is not to leave empty handed.  The former owner is directed to give generously from the flock and threshing floor.  If the servant particularly loves the person that owns him or her, he or she can remain on.  To symbolize this agreement to stay on, the servant is to have an awl pierce the ear into the door.  

They are directed to observe the month of Abib (meaning “ears of grain”) early in the spring.  The Passover festival would begin on the 14^th day of Abib and continue through twenty-first as the Festival of Unleavened Bread.  In addition to these celebrations, they are also to observe the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths.  

The Asherah and sacred pillar were cult objects representing the chief goddess and god (Baal).  In this text, they are forbidden from erecting these objects next to the altar of The LORD.  There have been discoveries in the Negev that confirm the LORD was worshiped along with Asherah.  Given that discovery, it makes sense that God would put this command in here. 

God alone is worthy of worship and praise.  My hope and prayer is that we will follow and serve The LORD all the days of our lives. 

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March 16: Deuteronomy 14-16

            God commands that they do not act the way that other nations do.  The Israelites are commanded not to cut themselves or make a bald spot.  This was a common practice when other nations in the Ancient Near East mourned.  The Israelites should not act in such a way.  I have a bald spot that continues to grow, but it is naturally occurring, so it does not count!

They are reminded of the clean and unclean animals and birds.  I still cannot get over the fact that they had to be told not to eat the vulture.  Those things are hideous.  I have never looked at one and thought “wow, that looks appetizing”.  

After seven years, debts are to be canceled.  Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbor.  Anyone that has had a servant for six years must release him or her in the seventh year.  Further, the former servant is not to leave empty handed.  The former owner is directed to give generously from the flock and threshing floor.  If the servant particularly loves the person that owns him or her, he or she can remain on.  To symbolize this agreement to stay on, the servant is to have an awl pierce the ear into the door.  

They are directed to observe the month of Abib (meaning “ears of grain”) early in the spring.  The Passover festival would begin on the 14^th day of Abib and continue through twenty-first as the Festival of Unleavened Bread.  In addition to these celebrations, they are also to observe the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths.  

The Asherah and sacred pillar were cult objects representing the chief goddess and god (Baal).  In this text, they are forbidden from erecting these objects next to the altar of The LORD.  There have been discoveries in the Negev that confirm the LORD was worshiped along with Asherah.  Given that discovery, it makes sense that God would put this command in here. 

God alone is worthy of worship and praise.  My hope and prayer is that we will follow and serve The LORD all the days of our lives. 

March 17: Deuteronomy 17-20

The LORD gives guidance on what must happen if someone is caught bowing down to the sun, moon, stars, or engaging in any other gods.  They are to maintain their loyalty to God and God alone.  In the event they are unable to solve the case themselves, they are directed to go to a place the LORD shows them and allow the Levitical priests and the judge that presides at the time.  They will adjudicate and whatever decision they come to must be carried out by the people. 

One thing to note is that God gives them instructions on how to appoint a king.  The first king of Israel is Saul.  We will read a lot more about that in 1 and 2 Samuel.  The reason it is noteworthy now is that later, Samuel will be upset when the people decide they want a king instead of a judge leading them.  God has given them instructions on how to appoint a king, so it begs the questions why Samuel will later be upset by their request.  God has criteria for these kings and when we get into the kings of Israel and Judah, we will see that many of the kings, even the good ones, will fall short of God’s expectations. 

The people are warned again against having their children “walk through the fire”.  This detestable act was a child sacrifice to a foreign god.  God promises that He will raise a prophet up among them.  God again reminds them of the need for refuge cities and explains the rules for war.  When they go up against an enemy, they are not to be afraid of them.   

March 18: Deuteronomy 21-23

The LORD tells them what to do in the case of an unsolved murder.  In the event there is a murder victim, but no witnesses, they are to measure the distance of the body to the surrounding towns.  The town closest to the victim is deemed the one that is harboring the criminal.  The ritual that they are to undertake in this event is not to absolve the murderer, but the town itself.  

The right of the firstborn son is explained.  In the hypothetical situation, a husband has one wife that he loves and another wife that he does not love.  If the unloved wife has a son first and the loved wife has a son second, the first-born son cannot be discriminated against.  The son from the loved wife should not have any favoritism shown to him.

In the event they see property that belongs to their neighbor, such as livestock, straying from their property, they cannot ignore it.  They are called to help their neighbor out and take the animal into their care until the neighbor comes looking for it.  “Finders keepers” is not a Biblical principle.  

Deuteronomy 23 gives a list of who should be excluded from the assembly.  It also gives guidance on fugitive slaves. If a slave is able to escape his master and they are to let him live among them and not mistreat them.  When they loan each other money, food, etc., they are not to charge interest on the loan. 

March 19: Deuteronomy 24-27

Deuteronomy 24 gives instruction on marriage and divorce laws.  When a man marries a woman, he is pardoned from military service for one year, preventing him from being deployed.  When someone makes a loan to their neighbor, they are not to enter the house to collect what the person is giving as collateral.  Instead, the person loaning must stand outside and wait for them to bring the collateral.  It makes sense to keep them outside of the house.  Otherwise, they might come into the house and decide they want something else as collateral.  

They are not to have two different weights, one heavy and one light.  God expects the people to be fair and upright, not cheating anyone.  Instructions are given on offering the firstfruits.  The people are reminded that they must follow the commands and statutes that God is giving them.  God has affirmed that they are His special people and they must act accordingly.  

Moses gives instruction on their behavior when they cross the Jordan.  He pronounces curses for poor behavior.  If a person makes an idol, they are cursed.  If a person dishonors their mother or father, they are cursed.  If they move their neighbor’s boundary marker, they are cursed.  If they lead a blind person astray on the road they are cursed.  The one who denies justice to a foreigner, a fatherless child, or a widow is cursed.  

March 20: Deuteronomy 28 & 29

Earlier, the Israelites are told what they must not do, lest they be cursed.  Deuteronomy 28 instructs them on their blessings for obedience.  If they faithfully obey The LORD, they will be placed far above the other nations.  Their blessings will overtake them.  However, there will be curses for disobedience.  There will be confusion.  They will be overtaken for their disobedience.  They will become an object of horror to the surrounding nations. 

The Levitical law was supposed to keep the people safe and in fellowship with God.  However, there was another reason behind it.  By following the Levitical law, the other nations would look at Israel and they would see how a holy and set apart people interacted with and followed the Most High God.  Their behavior was supposed to draw other nations to God, not turn them away.  No wonder God is warning them that they will be looked upon in horror by other nations if they are disobedient! My hope and prayer is that we will walk in His word regularly, remembering that we are ambassadors for Christ.  We don’t just represent ourselves; we represent Christ!  Let’s make sure we live in a way that brings Him glory. 

In chapter 29, The LORD’s covenant is renewed.  We see some frustration in Moses’s words to the people.  They have seen God’s might hand deliver them.  For the forty years they have been wandering the wilderness, but still the Israelites do not have full confidence in The LORD.  Moses implores them to ensure that they do not turn to idol worship or to stray from The LORD.  Nothing good will come from abandoning God.

March 21: Deuteronomy 30 & 31

God explains that when all of the things happen to them, whether they are blessings or curses, the people will be brought back to The LORD.  They will “come to their senses” and return to Him.  He will not banish them when they return to Him, nor will He shame them. 

Moses encourages the people to choose life.  If they will follow God and His statutes, then they will live well.  However, if they turn from Him and give their allegiance to another god, then they will perish.  

Due to his advanced age and inability to cross the Jordan into the promised land, Moses turn his leadership responsibilities over to Joshua.  Moses lived to a ripe age of 120.  Moses explains to Joshua that God will cross ahead of them and He will deal with them, just as He did with the kings of the Amorites.  Joshua is encouraged to be strong and courageous.  

God has Moses bring Joshua to the tent of meeting.  The LORD tells Moses that the people are about to rebel against Him.  Soon, they will commit adultery with the foreign gods of the land they are entering.  God commissions Joshua as the next leader and Moses delivers a warning to the people about their impending idolatry.  He knows that they will become even more corrupt after he is gone.  After all of that leadership and all of the times The LORD took care of them and brought them through disaster, there were still some that were bent on turning from God Almighty. 

March 22: Deuteronomy 32-34 and Psalm 91

We read the song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32.  Moses’s prayer is that Israel would not be hardened to God and His word.  God is righteous and true.  Nevertheless, His people have acted corruptly.  They are deceitful.  In verses 15-18 Moses looks to a future time when Israel would rebel against The LORD and break their fellowship with Him.  By their idolatry, they will provoke God to jealousy.  In verse 26, God explains that He would have wiped them out if it had not been for His reputation.  If He had done that, then an enemy could have claimed responsibility for the act.  

After Moses’s song, he gives a blessing to the Israelites.  When he is done reciting the blessings for the Israelites, Moses goes up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo to the top of the Pisgah.  Moses faced Jericho, and God showed him all the land that He was about to give the Israelites.  After seeing the land, Moses died there in Moab.  His exact burial place is unknown even today.  No prophet has arisen like Moses.  Moses was different from the other prophets we will read about in other books because God talked to him face to face.  

Psalm 91 refers to God as the Almighty to describe His roles as protectors and nurturers. The psalmist writes that even though calamity surrounds them, the one that rests in the LORD will merely witness it. Though thousands may fall around the believer, he or she is protected. 

March 23: Joshua 1-4

Joshua describes the history of the generation that crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land.  

The LORD spoke to Joshua and told him that Moses has passed and it is time for the people to enter Canaan. God is giving them wherever the soles of their feet touch.  No one will be able to stand against them because God is with him just as He was with Moses and He will not leave or forsake him.  Joshua prepares the people to cross the Jordan, giving them three days to prepare.  

Spies are sent to Jericho.  The spies came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho was told that spies had infiltrated the land and sent word to Rahab to bring the spies out.  Rahab explains that the men had come to her, but that they had escaped at nightfall just before the gate closed.  The king’s men went after the spies.  However, they had not escaped.  Instead, Rahab had hidden them on her roof.  

Before the men went to sleep, Rahab came up to the roof to talk with them.  She explains that when the people of Jericho had heard that God had dried up the Red Sea for them to walk over, they had lost heart and courage.  The irony here is that the Israelites were terrified when the initial reports came back about the people in Jericho!  That is why they spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness!  The men promise her that she and her family will be spared when the city is sieged.

Joshua begins leading them across the Jordan.  God again dries up the water as the people cross over this body of water.  When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant reached the Jordan, their feet touched the edge and the water flowing downstream stood still. The priests stood firmly on the dry ground while all of the Israelites crossed over. 

Upon crossing over, Joshua gives the command for one man from each tribe to take 12 stones from the Jordan and carry them with them until they settle for the night.  The people camped at Gilgal on the eastern limits of Jericho.  Joshua set up the stones as a memorial for all that God had done.  

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March 23: Joshua 1-4

Joshua describes the history of the generation that crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land.  

The LORD spoke to Joshua and told him that Moses has passed and it is time for the people to enter Canaan. God is giving them wherever the soles of their feet touch.  No one will be able to stand against them because God is with him just as He was with Moses and He will not leave or forsake him.  Joshua prepares the people to cross the Jordan, giving them three days to prepare.  

Spies are sent to Jericho.  The spies came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho was told that spies had infiltrated the land and sent word to Rahab to bring the spies out.  Rahab explains that the men had come to her, but that they had escaped at nightfall just before the gate closed.  The king’s men went after the spies.  However, they had not escaped.  Instead, Rahab had hidden them on her roof.  

Before the men went to sleep, Rahab came up to the roof to talk with them.  She explains that when the people of Jericho had heard that God had dried up the Red Sea for them to walk over, they had lost heart and courage.  The irony here is that the Israelites were terrified when the initial reports came back about the people in Jericho!  That is why they spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness!  The men promise her that she and her family will be spared when the city is sieged.

Joshua begins leading them across the Jordan.  God again dries up the water as the people cross over this body of water.  When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant reached the Jordan, their feet touched the edge and the water flowing downstream stood still. The priests stood firmly on the dry ground while all of the Israelites crossed over. 

Upon crossing over, Joshua gives the command for one man from each tribe to take 12 stones from the Jordan and carry them with them until they settle for the night.  The people camped at Gilgal on the eastern limits of Jericho.  Joshua set up the stones as a memorial for all that God had done.  

March 24: Joshua 5-8

Across the Jordan, the Amorites have lost heart because they have heard about what God has done.  He dried up the waters of the Jordan, just as He had the Red Sea.  The LORD commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelites again.  The covenant the God had established with Abraham was still in effect. However, due to the travel through the wilderness, there were some generations of Israelites that had not gone through the ritual.

The Israelites start eating from the produce of the land.  God stops sending the manna.  That is not to say that God has stopped blessing them, but those blessings come in a different form now.  Joshua heads toward Jericho.  He looks up and sees the commander of the LORD’s army.  Joshua asks Him if He is for the Israelites or their enemies. The angel replies that he is for neither.  As believers, first and foremost our loyalties should be with God Almighty first.

The Israelites head to the city.  They are given instructions on how to defeat Jericho.  Seven priests holding seven trumpets march in front of the ark of the covenant while marching around the city. As they march, they blow trumpets.  They march around the city once a day for six days.  I am sure this caused a lot of confusion for the people of Jericho.  On the seventh day, they march around the city, but this time when the trumpets sound, the people give a shout, and the wall collapsed.  God is true to His word and spares Rahab and her family. 

God gives the Israelites victory over Ai.  However, the Israelites do not follow God’s commands about the things “set apart for destruction.”

March 25: Joshua 9-11

Word of Joshua’s conquest is spreading throughout the land.  The Gibeonites heard what has happened and they decide to act deceptively toward the Israelites.  They gather provisions and put worn out sack cloth on their donkeys.  They approach the Israelites asking for a treaty.  The men are suspicious at first.  However, the Gibeonites/Hivites show their worn-out sack cloth and their meager provisions to “prove” they are from far away.  The Israelite men take some of the provisions, but they do not seek The LORD’s guidance.  Rather than verifying with The LORD, they rush to make a treaty.  When the deception is uncovered, the Israelites are frustrated because they made a treaty and now cannot touch them.  Since they are untouchable, Joshua makes them servants.  They become woodcutters and water carriers.

Adoni-zedek, the king of Jerusalem hears that Joshua had captured Ai.  He gathers four other kings to help him attack Gibeon.  The Gibeonites send word of this to Joshua at Gilgal asking that he not forget them.  Joshua and the entire military force head back to Gibeon to fight. Joshua catches the five kings by surprise.  The LORD throws the enemy into confusion.  After a huge loss, the enemy flees, and God throws large hailstones at them.  The five kings are gathered and executed, and the southern territories are claimed.  

Chapter 11 tells us about the conquest of the northern cities.  Then we are treated to a summary of the conquests carried out by the Israelites.  God gave these lands over to them, just as He promised.  God keeps His promises today. 

March 26: Joshua 12-15

Attention turns to the territories conquered to the east and west of the Jordan. The kings are listed by name, which is important for establishing historic accuracy.  Joshua is now old and getting on in years.  The LORD tells him that a lot more land remains to conquer.  God promises that He will drive them out before the Israelites.  Joshua is told to divide these lands for the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.  The tribes excluded from this inheritance are Reuben, Gad, and the other half of the tribe of Manasseh. These tribes received their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan.  While they were still west of the Jordan, they requested they inherit that land since it was suitable to take care of their flocks and families. 

Caleb approaches Joshua about his inheritance.  He was one of the scouts that initially went into the land during Moses’s time.  Even though his brothers were shaken with fear, Caleb remained loyal to The LORD.  This was at the tender age of 40.  Caleb is now 85 years old and just as strong as he was on the day that Moses sent him out. Joshua blesses him and gives Caleb Hebron as an inheritance. 

Judah’s inheritance is in the southernmost region, south of the Wilderness of Zin.

March 27: Joshua 16-18

We read about the inheritance of Joseph and Ephraim.  We also read in 16:10 about the Canaanites that live in Gezer.  They were not driven out like the other people.  Instead, they are forced laborers.  This practice existed before the arrival of the Israelites.  Solomon uses this practice to build the temple later in Israel’s history. 

The entire Israelite community gathers together at Shiloh. The tent of meeting is set up.  Seven tribes had still not divided up their inheritance.  They have delayed in taking possession.  So Joshua has them send three men out to survey the land and report back to him.  Benjamin receives the land between Judah’s descendants and Joseph’s descendants.  

March 28: Joshua 19-21

Simeon’s allotment has not boundaries.  Instead, it is a list of towns within the southern territory of Judah.  Simeon received this because the share of Judah’s descendants was too large for them.  Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan, and Joshua receive their inheritance. 

Again, cities of refuge are established.  These are the territories that people fled to when they were guilty of manslaughter.  The Israelites have moved into the land God had promised Abraham all the way back in Genesis.  Still, His requirements for the cities of refuge remain.  Kedesh in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba in the hill country of Judah are designated as cities of refuge.  Across the Jordan east of Jericho, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan.  

The Levites approach Eleazar about their inheritance.  They remind him of God’s direction to give the Levites cities to live in with pasturelands for livestock.  Aaron’s descendants are given Hebron, Libnah, Jatir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, and Beth Shemesh.  Benjamin’s descendants receive Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, and Almon. 

March 29: Joshua 22-24

The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh are summoned by Joshua.  He allows them to head back to the lands east of the Jordan.  They have upheld their end of the bargain.  They came in and fought alongside their brothers to conquer these lands.  Joshua tells them to “carefully obey the command and instruction that Moses the LORD’s servant gave you: to love the LORD your God, walk in all His ways, keep His command, remain faithful to Him, and serve Him with all of your heart and all your soul.”  Do we love God with all our hearts and souls?  

When the eastern tribes get there, they build an altar.  The altar is very large and on beside the Jordan, so the other ten tribes could easily see it.  When the tribes on the west of the Jordan see it, they are enraged and make ready for war!  They reject this altar because it was considered a competitor to the true altar of The LORD their God.  The eastern tribes explain that they set the altar up, not as competition with God’s true altar, but as a reminder to the western tribes that they too belonged to God Almighty.  The concern is that the western tribes will forget as generations go by that they are also God’s people because the Jordan separates them.  After hearing that they did not build the altar out of treachery, the conflict is resolved. 

God has given the Israelites rest from their enemies.  Joshua is much older now and ready to be gathered to his people.  Joshua gives the people a farewell address, reminding them to continue obeying all that is written in the law of Moses.  He reminds them that God has driven out great and powerful nations before them. They should remain in Him.  If they do not and they cling to the pagan practices of the nations surrounding them and intermarry with them, it will not bode well. God will no longer drive these nations from them. 

Joshua closes out his life with a summary of Israel’s history and the renewal of the covenant.  He tells the Israelites to choose who they are going to follow.  In life, we make choices.  Even if we make the decision not to choose, it is still a choice.  Indifference and indecisiveness is a sure path to ruin.

March 30: Judges 1 & 2

We move on to Judges!  This is an interesting period.  The Israelites do not have a man over them as king.  God is their King and leader.  The book opens after the death of Joshua, giving the impression these events happened shortly after the allotment of lands and Joshua’s subsequent passing.  The Israelites ask who will be the first to go up against the Canaanites.  God tells them that Judah will go.  Judah battles the Canaanites and gives Hebron to Caleb. 

Judah is successful, but Benjamin fails.  They did not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem.  Joseph does what is commanded of them, but the other tribes fail.  

In Chapter two vv.6-13, there is a flashback summarizing the beginning of the book of Judges.  Baal was the god of the Canaanites that controlled storms and rain.  Ashtoreth was the goddess of love and fertility, and his consort.  The Israelites begin worshiping these gods abandoning the One True God that had brought them to this land.  As a result, God’s anger burned against them and His hand was against them. The LORD raised up judges among them to save them from their enemies, but only after a time of suffering.  God is trying to get their attention, but the things of the world captivate them and they chase after them.  My hope and prayer is that the things of the world to not take our focus off of The LORD. God deserves all our attention and worship.  The things of the earth pale in comparison to Our LORD! 

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March 30: Judges 1 & 2

We move on to Judges!  This is an interesting period.  The Israelites do not have a man over them as king.  God is their King and leader.  The book opens after the death of Joshua, giving the impression these events happened shortly after the allotment of lands and Joshua’s subsequent passing.  The Israelites ask who will be the first to go up against the Canaanites.  God tells them that Judah will go.  Judah battles the Canaanites and gives Hebron to Caleb. 

Judah is successful, but Benjamin fails.  They did not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem.  Joseph does what is commanded of them, but the other tribes fail.  

In Chapter two vv.6-13, there is a flashback summarizing the beginning of the book of Judges.  Baal was the god of the Canaanites that controlled storms and rain.  Ashtoreth was the goddess of love and fertility, and his consort.  The Israelites begin worshiping these gods abandoning the One True God that had brought them to this land.  As a result, God’s anger burned against them and His hand was against them. The LORD raised up judges among them to save them from their enemies, but only after a time of suffering.  God is trying to get their attention, but the things of the world captivate them and they chase after them.  My hope and prayer is that the things of the world to not take our focus off of The LORD. God deserves all our attention and worship.  The things of the earth pale in comparison to Our LORD! 

March 31: Judges 3-5

Israel has fallen away from The LORD.  Their daughters marry into the other nations and their sons take brides from these groups.  They worship the gods of these nations, not the God that delivered them from Egypt and brought them to the promised land.  As a result, God sends punishment to them.  He delivers the Israelites to the king of Aram-naharaim. They cry out to The LORD and He delivers them through Othniel, the first judge.  There are 40 years of peace.  

Unfortunately, the Israelites go back to their old ways and bow down before the false gods.  Again, The LORD’s anger is stirred up against them and they are taken by Eglon.  The Israelites served this king for 18 years.  When the Israelites cry out to God for help, He gives them Ehud as their judge.  Ehud is left-handed, which helps explain how he was able to assassinate Eglon.  Ehud approaches the king while he is in the upstairs room, draws the sword from his right thigh, and plunges the sword into Eglon’s belly.  Eglon is so fat that the sword goes all the way into the man and Ehud cannot retrieve it.  Ehud is able to escape off the balcony since the servants believe Eglon is in the cool room desiring privacy.

Shamgar is the next judge and he delivers Israel by striking down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.  An oxgoad is a sharp stick that measured up to eight feet long.  The sharp tip may have been covered in metal.

The Israelites again do what is evil in God’s sight and Deborah rises as judge over the Israelites.  She summons Barak and asks him about God’s command for him to deploy troops.  Barak agrees to do this as long as she will go with him.  

Sisera, the commander of the opposing army, is thrown into confusion along with the rest of his troops.  He flees on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber.  She welcomes Sisera in.  He asks for water, but she goes above and beyond by giving him milk.  She seems to be taking care of him and nurturing him, until he falls asleep.  Then she takes a tent peg and drives it through his temple into the ground.  In Judges five, the people gather to sing a song about this victory. 

April 1:  Judges 6 & 7

We move onto the story of Gideon.  Things are not going well for the Israelites.  They are in hiding.  They cannot get out and thresh their wheat, otherwise the neighboring towns will come and steal it.  So, Gideon is hiding in a winepress to thresh the wheat.  While he is in there, God calls him.  Gideon’s response is interesting.  He asks, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened?”  He does not see that this has happened because they have abandoned God.  He does not receive an answer to this question.  Instead, he is told that he will be the one to deliver Israel.  Gideon asks that he be allowed to bring a gift and set it before Him.  When Gideon is assured that he is in fact receiving a call, he tears down the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole, causing quite the controversy.  

Gideon again asks for a sign, but this time it is in the form of a fleece.  From there, he goes and gathers his army.  Initially, 32,000 men gather to fight, but 22,000 of them leave when they are told they can return if they are scared.  God whittles down the remaining men from 10,000 to 300!  God does this to show that He is the One that is delivering them, not the strength of their army.  God can do a lot with a little.  Gideon thought that he was too weak and too young to lead the Israelites.  We might feel the same way when it comes to our journey through life.  When God calls us to do something, rest assured that He will equip us with what we need to accomplish it. 

April 2: Judges 8 & 9

We read more about the battle between Gideon and the Midianites.  Chapter eight opens with a complaint from the men of Ephraim.  They are upset that they had not been called to fight against the Midianites.  This is an interesting turn, considering there are other instances of having to convince other tribes to join the fight.  

Upon victory, Gideon is hailed as a hero and the people want to make him king.  Gideon refuses, explaining that God is their King.  Gideon could have used his accolades to rule over the Israelites and make a comfortable life for himself.  However, he knows that is not right and pushes them to follow God’s authority.  

The account of Abimelech is a deviation from the main storyline of Judges.  This story shows the complete Canaanization of the land during this timeframe.  Gideon had denied kingship, but Abimelech had no problem rushing in and trying to take a nonexistent throne.  To protect his claim to leadership, Abimelech has his brothers slaughtered, the only one that survives is Jotham because he hid himself.  Jotham tells the parable of the trees.  Various trees and the grapevine are offered the throne, and they deny the position because they want to continue serving God and man.  However, the trees and grapevine approach the bramble and ask it to rule over them.  The bramble had no use unlike the olive and fig tree.  Instead, it was a nuisance to farmers.  Jotham explains that if they have made Abimelech king faithfully and honestly then they have done well.  If not, he pronounces, “May fire come from Abimelech and consume the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo”.  

After three years of his reign, God sends and evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem.  From there, fighting ensues.  Abimelech has some success, but when he went to attack the tower at Thebez, a woman threw the upper portion of a millstone and hit him in the head, fracturing his skull.  Abimelech commands his servant to kill him so that no one can say a woman killed him.  His ambition led to his demise, fulfilling Jotham’s curse.

April 3: Judges 10-12

There is relative peace for a bit after Abimelech’s passing.  However, the Israelites wind up doing what is evil in God’s sight and He hands them over to their enemies.  They once again were following the Baals and Ashtoreths, not the One True God that provided for them.  The Israelites cried out in anguish, asking God to deliver them.  He answers that they should turn to the gods they have been following and get them to deliver them.  The Israelites realize that this is folly, and these gods cannot deliver them.  So, they put themselves in the hands of The LORD.  God delivers them because He becomes “weary of their misery.”

The Israelites are looking for a leader now.  Jephthah, a Gileadite is identified as a great warrior.  However, he is also a social outcast because he is the son of a prostitute.  Given his lineage, he flees from his brothers where he is joined by lawless men.  Then problems arise for the Israelites, prompting them to ask Jephthah to be fight with them.  He asks why they want him now, since they rejected him before.  They answer that he will be made leader if he comes to fight with them.  

Jephthah makes a harsh vow.  He promises that if he is given victory, that he will give whatever comes out of his house to greet him as a burnt offering.  Odds are that he had human sacrifice in mind.  Molech and Chemosh were competing deities at the time and human sacrifice to them occurred regularly.  Further, it is typical for humans to come out of the house to greet someone, not animals.  I know that my dogs would run out to greet people if they could, but they are unable to open the door.  

Sadly, Jephthah’s only daughter comes to greet him after his victory.  He is heartbroken, but she responds with faith saying that he must do what he said he would since God had delivered them victory.  God does not demand human sacrifice.  He finds it detestable and there are several instances where He instructs them not to make their children “walk through fire” a common euphemism for child sacrifice.  Jephthah did not need to make such a harsh vow.  God would have given them the victory without it. 

April 4: Judges 13-15

Again, the Israelites do evil in God’s sight, and they are handed over to the Philistines.  We come to the story of Samson, probably the most famous Nazirite in history.  Nazirite vows were typically taken for a period of time.  During this time, the individual did not eat or drink anything that came from the vine, and they did not cut their hair.  Manoah, from the family of Dan, and his wife are unable to have children.  The Angel of The LORD appears to his wife and informs her that she will give birth to a son.  The Angel further instructs that she is not to cut his hair because he will be a “Nazirite to God from birth”.  The woman tells her husband, and he prays that God would send the Angel back to give further instruction on what they are supposed to do for the boy that will be born to them.  

The Angel of The LORD comes back.  Manoah asks him what the boy’s responsibility and mission will be.  The Angel gives instructions on what his wife cannot eat or drink during the pregnancy.  She later gives birth to Samson, the last judge. 

When Samson grows up, he goes to Timnah and falls in love with a Philistine woman.  He goes back to his parents and demands that they get this woman for him as his wife.  His parents recommend that he find a wife from among the Israelites, not from the pagan nation.  However, Samson is set on this woman.  He and parents head to Timnah to see about this girl. The text informs us that this was The LORD’s doing because He was setting up an occasion for Samson to attack the Philistines. On this trip to Timnah, a young lion jumps out and Samson kills it with his bare hands.  The marriage is set.  After a while, Samson goes back to Timnah to get the woman and sees that bees are making honey in the carcass of the lion he killed earlier.  He uses this to develop a riddle for the guests at the wedding feast.  No one is able to guess the answer to the riddle.  However, Samson’s wife informs the men of the answer, which sets Samson off on a killing spree.  

Later, Samson goes to retrieve his wife, but his father-in-law has already given her to someone else since he thought Samson hated her.  To take his revenge, Samson catches 300 foxes, ties their tails together, fixes torches between their tails, lights the torches, and sets the foxes free in the grain of the Philistines.  The fire destroys the crop, the vineyard, and the olive groves. Samson is then captured and handed over to the Philistines.  He grabs the jaw of a donkey and slaughters 1,000 men with it. 

April 5: Judges 16-18

Samson is no saint.  He goes to Gaza and visits a prostitute.  When the Gazites find out he is there, they plan to murder him.  However, they are unsuccessful.  Later, Samson falls in love with Delilah.  The Philistines tell her to persuade Samson into telling her the source of his strength. 

Delilah asks him where his strength comes from.  Samson responds with a lie, telling her that if he is bound with seven fresh bowstrings, he will be as weak as anyone else.  While he sleeps, Delilah ties him up in the strings, then calls out to him that the Philistines are there.  Samson wakes up and breaks the strings.  Delilah cries because he has mocked her by lying to her.  She asks again.  This time Samson tells her that if he is tied with new ropes that have never been used before, he loses his strength.  Again, she ties him up while he sleeps and calls that the Philistines are there.  Samson gets up and breaks the rope.  Delilah cries about how she has been lied to and demands to know how to take his strength.  Samson again lies and tells her that if she weaves the seven braids of his head with the web of a loom, he will be as weak as any other man.  Unsurprising to us, she does just that and calls out that the Philistines are there.  He gets up and pulls out the pin, with the loom and web. 

I am not a smart man.  However, I do not know how Samson could have thought nothing bad was going to come of this.  I am curious why he didn’t think it was odd that she asked how to make him weak and that very night, she tried to make him weak.  The first time is understandable.  The old adage is “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.”  Samson did not get the memo.  She nags and nags until she wears him down and he informs her that the source of his strength is his hair.  While he is sleeping, she cuts his hair and cries that the Philistines are there.  

Samson gets up and tries to break free.  “But he did not know that the LORD had left him.”  In my opinion, that is one of the scariest pieces of Scripture.  The Philistines take him gouge out his eyes and bring him to Gaza where he ground grain in prison.  The Philistine leaders gathered to give worship to Dagon, another pagan entity.  During the revelry, they decide to bring Samson out to entertain them.  However, they had forgotten to trim his hair while he was in prison.  As his last act, he gets between two pillars of the temple and pushes against them, bringing the temple down. 

April 6: Judges 19-21

There is still no king in Israel.  People continue doing what they want.  A Levite living in Ephraim acquired a woman from Bethlehem.  She was unfaithful to him and she fled to her father’s house back in Bethlehem.  The husband set out to retrieve her and “speak kindly to her” after four months.  The man’s father-in-law continues to detain him, delaying their departure.  After several days, they depart and spend the night in Gibeah.  An old man approaches them and tells them not to stay in the square.  They stay the night in the man’s house, but the men of the city surrounded the house, demanding the man be sent out.  The owner of the house asked they not do this and the man’s concubine is placed outside the home where she is tortured and killed.  When the man realizes that she is dead, he takes a knife and cut her into 12 pieces.  Each tribe of Israel received one part of her body.  This was a call to arms against Benjamin, the group responsible for this heinous behavior.  

All the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba came out to fight.  The man tells the story of his killed concubine to the men assembled and they unite against Benjamin.  The battle is intense.  Benjamin kills 22,000 at Gibeah.  On the second day 18,000 are slaughtered.  The Israelite army departs to Bethel where they mourn and fast.  They think about giving up, but God tells them to go fight since He will deliver them.  The Benjaminites are summarily defeated. 

The men of Israel swear an oath that the none of their daughters would be given in marriage to a Benjaminite.  However, they begin to feel bad about this oath they have made.  So they come up with an idea on how to get wives for the Benjaminite men.  

The book of Judges closes with the ominous reminder that there was no king in Israel in those days.  Everyone did what they wanted.  As believers, God is our King and we should strive to follow Him and do His will daily.  The Israelites’ biggest problem stemmed from the fact that they did not completely surrender themselves to God Almighty and follow His law.  My hope and prayer is that we submit to Him daily and we let Him lead. 

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April 6: Judges 19-21

There is still no king in Israel. People continue doing what they want. A Levite living in Ephraim acquired a woman from Bethlehem. She was unfaithful to him and she fled to her father’s house back in Bethlehem. The husband set out to retrieve her and “speak kindly to her” after four months. The man’s father-in-law continues to detain him, delaying their departure. After several days, they depart and spend the night in Gibeah. An old man approaches them and tells them not to stay in the square. They stay the night in the man’s house, but the men of the city surrounded the house, demanding the man be sent out. The owner of the house asked they not do this, and the man’s concubine is placed outside the home where she is tortured and killed.  When the man realizes that she is dead, he takes a knife and cut her into 12 pieces. Each tribe of Israel received one part of her body. This was a call to arms against Benjamin, the group responsible for this heinous behavior.

All the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba came out to fight. The man tells the story of his killed concubine to the men assembled and they unite against Benjamin. The battle is intense. Benjamin kills 22,000 at Gibeah. On the second day 18,000 are slaughtered. The Israelite army departs to Bethel where they mourn and fast. They think about giving up, but God tells them to go fight since He will deliver them. The Benjaminites are summarily defeated.

The men of Israel swear an oath that the none of their daughters would be given in marriage to a Benjaminite. However, they begin to feel bad about this oath they have made. So they come up with an idea on how to get wives for the Benjaminite men.

The book of Judges closes with the ominous reminder that there was no king in Israel in those days. Everyone did what they wanted. As believers, God is our King and we should strive to follow Him and do His will daily. The Israelites’ biggest problem stemmed from the fact that they did not completely surrender themselves to God Almighty and follow His law. My hope and prayer is that we submit to Him daily and we let Him lead.

April 7: Ruth 1-4

Ruth is named for the main character of this book.  Ruth is a Moabite woman, an ancestor of David and Jesus.  Judges ends with a rather dark and depressing theme.  Ruth gives some relief to the reader.  This book is relatively short, but there are several examples of kindness, faith, and patience.  

The book starts with Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem that settled in Moab with his wife Naomi.  He died and their two sons married Moabite women.  Sadly, both sons died within ten years of moving to Moab.  Naomi now has no husband or sons to care for her, which was the custom of the time.  Naomi tells her daughters in law to go back and find husbands for themselves.  They are still relatively young and should find security in a new husband.  At first, both daughters in law refuse, but Naomi persists.  Eventually Orpah goes back home, but Naomi refuses to leave her mother-in-law.  They traveled to Bethlehem.  

Boaz was a prominent man from Elimelech’s (Naomi’s late husband) family.  Ruth requests permission from Naomi to glean in the fields and gather fallen grain.  Permission is granted and Ruth winds up gleaning in part of the land that Boaz owns.  Boaz arrives and pronounces a blessing on the people gleaning.  He shows interest in Ruth.  He asks that she only glean from his fields and no others.  Boaz shows great generosity toward her.  

Naomi sees this kindness from Boaz.  Since he is from Elemelech’s family, he is a qualified “family redeemer.”  The family redeemer had the responsibility to act on behalf of a relative that was in danger, trouble, or need.  By making Ruth his wife, Boaz demonstrated one of the duties of the family member.  Marrying Ruth ensured that she would be taken care of.  Boaz and Ruth have a son named Obed.  Obed is the grandfather of David, the second Israelite king.  

April 8: 1 Samuel 1-3

First and Second Samuel highlight a huge transition in the nation of Israel.  So far, we have seen them transition from a people that settle in Egypt to survive famine, then slaves to the Egyptians, from there they are given freedom and wander the wilderness.  In the time of the Judges, they lived with no king in the promised land.  Eventually, they will transition to having an earthly king. 

Samuel’s mother Hannah was unable to conceive.  Hannah made a vow to The LORD, promising that if He gives her a son, she will give the boy to The LORD all the days of his life.  After making this vow, The LORD answered her prayer, and she conceived Samuel.  Hannah responds with praise and joy in the news that she will give birth.  Do we stop to give praise and adoration when The LORD answers our prayers?  

Eli was priest at the time, but his sons had zero regard for The LORD.  The text describes them as wicked men.  They would regularly steal from The LORD’s portion of the sacrifice and treated the offerings to Him with contempt.  Meanwhile, Samuel serves in God’s presence.  Every year, his mother would make him a new Ephod and deliver it to the temple.  God sees that Hannah was faithful in her vow to Him and she conceived three sons and two daughters.  

Samuel is lying down in the tabernacle.  He hears someone calling him.  Samuel cries out, “Here I am.” He runs to Eli, but Eli says he did not call him and sends him back to lie down.  Samuel again hears someone calling him and he runs to Eli.  Eli again explains that he has not called the boy.  After the third time, Eli realizes what is going on.  He tells Samuel to lie down and if he hears it again, he is to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”  The LORD calls to Samuel again and He explains that He is about to do something in Israel that will cause anyone that hears it to shudder.  Samuel grows up and becomes a prophet.  His stature is known far and wide throughout the land. 

April 9: 1 Samuel 4-8

Israel goes to battle the Philistines.  The Philistines lined up in battle formation.  Israel is summarily defeated, losing 4,000 of their men.  They go back to gripe about the defeat and hatch a plan to take the ark of the covenant with them.  When the ark entered the camp of the Israelites, they gave quite the battle cry.  The Philistines hear the sound.  They attribute the Israelite victory over Egypt to the ark and encourage one another to have courage to fight.  The Philistines went into battle and again defeat Israel.  This time, they take the ark with them.  

The Philistines bring the ark to the temple of Dagon, one of the gods worshiped at the time.  They placed the ark next to the statue of Dagon.  When they went in the next morning, they found the statue fallen over with its face to the ground before the ark.  The set the statue back up.  When they came in the following day, they found the statue fallen over again, but this time the statue’s head and hands were broken off.  The statue was not the only thing affected.  Some of the men died because of the ark and others were afflicted with boils.

After seven months, the Philistines summon the priests and diviners and ask how they can send the ark of the covenant back to its rightful place.  The priests explain that if they send it away, an offering must accompany it.  The ark is taken to Kiriath-jearim.  After 20 years, the whole house of Israel begins to seek The LORD.  Samuel explains that if they are truly repentant, they must rid themselves of the foreign gods and dedicate themselves fully to God.  

Samuel grows old and the people decide that they want a king.  They want a king to judge them and so that they can be like the other nations around them.  Samuel warns them that if they have a king, he can go in and take their best fields and land and take ten percent of their grain and vineyards, along with their male and female servants.  The Israelites will not relent.  Samuel is upset, but he takes his concern to God.  The LORD tells him to appoint a king for them. 

April 10: 1 Samuel 9-12

Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, has an impressive son in stature.  There is no man as impressive as him in all of Israel.  He is a head taller than every other man.  This impressive man named Saul will become the first king of Israel. 

One of Kish’s donkeys wandered off and Saul was dispatched to return it.  Saul comes to the land of Zuph.  His attendant explains that there is a man of God nearby and advises that they seek out this man’s guidance.  This man might be able to tell them where they should go.  Saul asks what they will take if they go see this man.  The attendant has a piece of silver to give the man of God. 

Meanwhile, God told Samuel that He was going to send a man from the land of Benjamin to him.  This man will save the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines and will become their king.  Saul approaches Samuel asking where the seer is and Samuel explains that it is him.  Samuel anoints Saul as king.  As Saul is leaving to return, Samuel informs him that he will meet two men at Rachel’s grave.  From there, he is to go to oak of Tabor.  Three men will meet him there.  One will have three goats, another three loaves of bread, and another bringing a skin of wine.  They will ask how he is and give him two loaves of bread which he must accept. From there he will go to the Hill of God where he meets a group of prophets coming down from the high place.  The Spirit of God will transform Saul and he will be different, prophesying to these prophets.  After that, he is to wait seven days for Samuel to come to him.  When Saul leaves Samuel, his heart is changed.  

Saul is received as king by the Israelites.  The Ammonites lay siege to Jabesh-gilead.  The men of Jabesh ask that a treaty be made.  Nahash the Ammonite agrees to make a treaty on the condition that he gouges out everyone’s right eye and humiliates Israel.  The elders of Jabesh call for a truce for seven days while they send word to the surrounding territories.  Saul receives word of what is happening in Jabesh and the Spirit of God empowers him to take decisive action.  He gathers an army and slaughters the Ammonites.  Saul is finally confirmed as king and Samuel makes his final public speech. 

April 11: 1 Samuel 13 & 14

Saul is doing great as king, until he is not.  He gathers the troops of Israel at Gilgal for a fight against the Philistines.  Saul and his troops wait for seven days in the garrison.  They wait because a sacrifice must be made to God before they go into battle.  Saul’s troops are gripped with fear.  After the appointed time of waiting for Samuel, Saul decides that he will take matters into his own hands.  He tells them to bring the burnt offerings to him and he will make sacrifice.  

Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrives.  The smell of burning meat is still in the air.  Saul goes to greet him, but Samuel simply asks, “what have you done?”  Saul explains that he was scared and so was everyone else.  So he went ahead and made the sacrifice to ensure their victory.  Saul violated God’s command out of fear.  Only the priests were allowed to make sacrifice in those days.  He should have waited on Samuel.  Things would have gone much better for him if he had.  However, he loses his favor in God’s sight because of his disobedience.  In life, it is better for us to wait on The LORD rather than take matters into our own hands.  The challenge is to let God do what He is going to do in His own time and trust His results.  God has it all figured out.  We can trust that His timing is perfect.  My hope and prayer is that we will trust Him and His timeline.

Saul’s son Jonathan decided to take up arms and cross over the Philistine garrison without telling his father.  The two strike down 20 Philistines in a half-acre field.  The Philistine camp is terrified.  Saul calls for a muster to see who has fled.  The only two missing were Jonathan and his armor bearer.  Saul assembles the troops and makes an oath that whoever eats before the evening when he has his vengeance on his enemies is cursed.  They go into the forest and see that there is honey on the ground.  Unfortunately, Jonathan had not heard about the oath his father made, so he begins to eat.  He feels a renewed energy, but that fades quickly when one of the other soldiers informs him about the oath Saul made.  This begs the question of why the soldier did not stop him from eating BEFORE he put the honeycomb in his mouth.  

Saul finds out that Jonathan has disobeyed his oath and declares that Jonathan will die because of it.  This leads to another question.  Why would Saul be okay violating God’s law about sacrifice, but be willing to kill his own son for violating his oath?  Saul’s poor leadership has been on display in these two chapters.  His time as king is coming to an end!  

April 12: 1 Samuel 15-17

Samuel reports to Saul that he is to go to the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have.  This is a command from God for holy war.  One mark of holy war is that the enemy is completely wiped out including the livestock.  Saul raises his army and sets out to fight the Amalekites.  He once again disobeys God’s commands and decides to keep the best of the livestock alive.  God tells Samuel that He regrets making Saul king.  Samuel gets up early in the morning to confront Saul.  Samuel receives word instead that Saul has gone to Carmel to set up a memorial for himself.  Samuel finds him there and Saul thinks he has done nothing wrong.  Instead, he looks to Samuel and claims he has done everything the LORD commanded.  Samuel’s response is a simple, “What’s this sound of sheep and cattle?”  From there Saul justifies not following God’s command.  He asserts that he was keeping the finest animals for the flock so that he could sacrifice them to The LORD.  If God wanted Saul to take the choice animals and sacrifice them to Him, He would have given that direction.  When God gives a command, we should follow it! 

This is the final straw and Saul has lost God’s favor as king.  It is time for Samuel to find a new one.  Samuel approaches Jesse in Bethlehem.  He looks over the older brothers but does not find one suitable as king.  He asks Jesse if these are the only sons he has.  Jesse informs him that there is a younger brother.  Notice the difference between how Saul and David and how they were identified.  Saul was in high stature and taller than everyone else.  David is the youngest of his brothers, he has no stature.  Yet David, despite his faults, is a much better king than Saul. Don’t underestimate what God can do in the lives of the people He has called for a task!

David winds up playing the lyre in Saul’s court.  One day, he goes to the front line to see what is happening with the battle.  He sees Goliath taunting the Israelites and agrees to fight the uncircumcised Philistine.  David goes into battle with just his sling and five rocks.  He sinks a rock in the giant’s forehead and then cuts off Goliath’s head with his own sword.  In life, God gives us the strength to stand up to our giants.  David could not fight goliath under his own strength, he relied on God to deliver the victory.  We do not have to fight our battles alone either, God is there with us. 

April 13: 1 Samuel 18-20 and Psalms 11 & 59

After David’s victory, he no longer goes back to his father’s house.  Instead, Saul keeps him in his court.  Jonathan, Saul’s son, makes a covenant with David.  The two are like brothers.  David marches out with the army and is successful in all his endeavors.   An evil spirit comes upon Saul, and he tries to kill David.  He has no luck.

Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David, and the two marry.  Saul sends his son Jonathan to kill David.  The two hatch a plan to let David know whether he is safe from Saul or not.  David is not safe.  Saul sends agents to David’s home with the intent to kill him.  His wife Michal sends the agents away, stating that David is sick. David escapes and Saul confronts Michal over her deceit.  

David remains on the lam.  He comes to Jonathan.  He asks what he has done to deserve such treatment from Saul. Jonathan tells David that Saul always tells him when he is going to do something, so odds are he will tell him if he is going to kill David.  The two hatch a plan to let David know Saul’s intent. 

Psalm 11 recounts David’s thoughts as he stands his ground. His advisors tell him to flee like a bird. A bird is a defenseless animal that can only fly to the mountains.  David is not defenseless; he has God on his side. He does not need to fear Saul.  God will protect him.  We have nothing to fear. If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Psalm 59 was written when Saul sent his agents to David’s house to kill him. David prays for God’s protection and deliverance from the “men of blood”.  David claims his innocence.  Saul’s hatred of David is unfounded.  Despite his life being threatened, David continues to sing God’s praises.  When things go wrong is our response to curse the situation or to give God praise?  

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