Friday, January 29, 2010

Week 5: Exodus 36 to Leviticus 15

Here is this week's reading plan:

*  Weekend:  Exodus 36-40
*  Monday:  Leviticus 1-3
*  Tuesday:  Leviticus 4-6
*  Wednesday:  Leviticus 7-9
*  Thursday:  Leviticus 10-12
*  Friday:  Leviticus 13-15

In the New Testament, John 14:15 quotes Jesus:  "If you love me, obey my commandmants."

God expects obedience, and He expects us to pay attention to the details of His commands.

As we read together this week, think about how our laws and application of our laws today compares and contrasts to the laws passed down to the Hebrews in these books.

Looking very much forward to some great discussions this week!!!

God Bless,

Mike

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Week 4: Exodus 16 - 35

The reading plan continues in the book of Exodus:
  • Weekend:   Exodus 16 - 18
  • Monday:    Exodus 19 - 21
  • Tuesday:   Exodus 22 - 24
  • Wednesday: Exodus 25 - 27
  • Thursday:  Exodus 28 - 31
  • Friday:    Exodus 32 - 35
This week's reading is full of exciting passages. Last week ended with the destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea and the deliverance of Israel. Exodus 14:14 says: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  And that is how the Lord continues to protect His people during their journey in the dessert. He gives them water in the dessert multiple times. He provides food for them from heaven: manna & quail. He fights for them against the Amalekites. After the battle with the Amalekites, Moses appropriately calls the Lord: Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my Banner.

In Exodus 18, we also see the first MBA class taught by Jethro, Moses' father in law. He tells him: if you want this business to succeed, you better introduce some organizational structure, cause you can't run this enterprise - comprising over 1 million people - all by yourself!

It is obvious that God wants to be involved in the lives of His people. But He does expect something in return, and that is obedience. Under the old covenant, the people of Israel did not have the Holy Spirit poured out on every individual like we who live under the new covenant. So God gives them some 'simple' rules to live by. Like a Father who wants to protect His children, He tells them what they can do and what they can't by giving them the 10 commandments and the accompanying rules and regulations. He tells them in Exodus 19:6: "Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

The people are excited, and in verse 8 they all respond together: "We will do everything the Lord has said." Well, will their actions follow their words as they proclaimed? That's a question that is relevant for our everyday lives as well. Read on to find out how the people of Israel did.

Dick

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Week 3: Genesis 48 - Exodus 15

The reading plan for week 3 is:

* Weekend: Genesis 48-50
* Monday: Exodus 1-3
* Tuesday: Exodus 4-6
* Wednesday: Exodus 7-9
* Thursday: Exodus 10-12
* Friday: Exodus 13-15

This week's reading encompasses some of the most important historical and theological matter in Scripture. From the concluding chapters of the Joseph story in Genesis to the unfolding of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery under the leadership of Moses, this section of God's Word underscores God's faithfulness and deliverance.

No matter the dire circumstances we encounter in life or the evil designs of people who intend to do us harm, God will never leave us or forsake us. Joseph's observation in the final chapter of Genesis fittingly highlights the truth that even if the enemy of our souls prevails in the short term, God's will for our lives will never be unraveled: "You intended to harm me," said Joseph, "But God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen. 50:20).

The book of Exodus opens by highlighting the fulfillment of two truths that God announced to Abraham more than 400 years prior: namely, that Abraham's descendents would become a great nation and that this nation would be subject to slavery in a foreign land (see Gen. 12:2 and 15:12-14).

The Egyptian king that had shown favor to Joseph and his relatives was long gone, and a new monarchy was now in place...a monarchy that had no memory of Joseph and Jacob...no memory of the promises that had been made to the Hebrews. The Israelites found themselves in the crucible of oppression and heartache.

The word Exodus means deliverance. And that's exactly what the book is about! From Moses' retreat to Midian (chapter 2) to his burning-bush encounter with God (chapter 3) to all that follows in the vanquishing of Israel's enemy (chapters 5-15), the message of God's faithfulness and deliverance is front and center.

Enjoy!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Week 2: Genesis 25-47

The reading plan for Week 2 is:

* Weekend: Genesis 25-28
* Monday: Genesis 29-32
* Tuesday: Genesis 33-36
* Wednesday: Genesis 37-40
* Thursday: Genesis 41-43
* Friday: Genesis 44-47

Chapter 25 leads with the death of Abraham and the story of Jacob & Esau. As we continue to read we will experience the trials of Jacob in the service of his Father-in-Law and his wrestling match with God. Chapter 37 is the beginning of the story of Joseph, the man known for his coat of many colors and ability to interpret dreams. God uses Joseph in many ways, one of which is to guide the family of Israel to Egypt in Chapter 47. It is in Egypt that Israel will become a nation, and will learn who God really is...

Friday, January 1, 2010

Week 1: Genesis 1-24

Genesis 1 through 24 is on the reading menu for this 1st week in January:
  • Weekend: Genesis 1-3
  • Monday: Genesis 4-9
  • Tuesday: Genesis 10-12
  • Wednesday: Genesis 13-16
  • Thursday: Genesis 17-20
  • Friday: Genesis 21-24
Genesis is an exciting book as it contains the account of creation, the beginning of this world, as well as the account of the beginning of a nation, Israel. Whether or not you believe that the account of creation is literal or more symbolical, it is hard to deny the historicity of the story of Abraham and the birth of the nation of Israel, as three major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) all acknowledge Abraham as a main (historical) figure in the founding of their faith. After the stories of creation, Noah and Babylon, Genesis 12 picks up with the story of Abraham (Abram at that time). We read about his calling, his stepping out in faith, and his journey to the land of Canaan. And the birth of his two sons, Ishmael (who became the father of the Arab nations), and Isaac, who became the father of Jacob (Israel), and grandfather of the 12 tribes of Israel. Chapter 24 continues the story with Isaac and the selection of his wife Rebekah.

Enjoy the reading as we embark together on this 1 year journey through the Bible!