For daily articles during December's reading, join us at bcc.org/31day -- From Bethlehem to Calvary.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Road Trip.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Weekly Reading. Joshua 9-14.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Habakkuk 3.
Words for the week from our reading:
"So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the Lord." - Joshua 9:14 (NLT)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Weekly Reading. Numbers 33-36, Joshua 1-2.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Deuteronomy 34.
Moses' life and leadership draw to a close, and Joshua is given the task of leading God's people into the promised land. I encourage you to read the supplemental reading this week, perhaps reading it between the end of Numbers and the beginning of Joshua.
This is still a blog, and you're still invited to write comments about the reading. Maybe I will too!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Weekly Reading. Numbers 27-32.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 49.
Looks like we're back into the ritual. Don't grow faint yet. Paul said in his letter to Timothy that all Scripture is God-breathed. So here's a thought. For each day's reading, try to take away one thought from the reading. We can compare on Sunday. Or ... you could make a comment here.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Weekly Reading. Numbers 21-26.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 37.
and the soul of the people was short.
In the NIV, the last part of Numbers 21:4 is translated, "But the people grew impatient along the way." How much more poetic is the Hebrew, "and the soul of the people was short." A fitting summary for so much of the story in the book of Numbers.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Weekly Reading. Numbers 14-20.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Deuteronomy 8.
This is a backdated post mainly to make sure the supplemental reading is captured. There's still time for a comment or two, however.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Weekly Reading. Numbers 8-13.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Proverbs 3:1-12.
Breaking Camp.
The people have been rescued. They've rebelled. They've received the regulations to help them live pure lives, no longer in rebellion. They have been numbered and organized. Now it's time to head for the land God has promised them.
As you read this section of Numbers, try to put each piece of the narrative into the whole story. Ask this: "what is the purpose of this section?" (e.g. 8:5-26) Or this: "is this similar or in contrast to something else I've read?" (e.g. 11:1-3) Or this: "how does this section fit into the overall flow?" (e.g. 12:1-16 after chapter 11)
As always, any comment you want to make on the reading is more than welcome.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Who says counting is boring? Numbers 2.
These are the Israelites, numbered according to their families. All those numbered in the camps, by their divisions, are 603,550.
(Numbers 2:32 NET)
Six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty wonderful people.
AH AH AH
Weekly Reading. Numbers 2 - 7.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Leviticus 16.
Let the counting begin. Even though we officially started this book last week, the counting is in earnest this week. These first few chapters in Numbers can be ones that challenge a reading plan. They're long. They're full of details that seem so removed from us. There are hard to pronounce names in them. They're long.
Here are some tips that may be of help in reading this section.
- Try reading out loud. Get into it. Imagine you're reading on stage and that you have to hold the audience's attention.
- Listen to someone else read the passage as you read along.
- Use a different translation from the one you ordinarily use.
- Draw a diagram of the encampment. (Or find a picture.)
- Make a genealogical chart, with extra details from the reading.
- Watch for unusual details.
- Ask God to reveal something in the reading for the day that would apply to your life.
- Thank God we're not under the law any longer.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Favorite Bible Movies.
This post is a place where you can leave comments about your favorite Bible movie(s). Be sure and vote in the poll!
Read more...Monday, March 31, 2008
Weekly Reading. Exodus 31-35.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 99.
More details than you might ever want to know about the tabernacle. But also one of the lamest excuses of all time. Enjoy.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Weekly Reading. Exodus 24-30.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Ezekiel 44.
This week's reading centers on the tabernacle. Before describing how the tabernacle was to be constructed, however, the covenant between Yahweh and the people of Israel is spelled out, and sealed with blood (Exodus 24:1-8). Most of your Bibles should have cross references to Jesus' words in describing Himself as the new covenant. Take a look at them.
As to the tabernacle, what an amazing set of detailed instructions. Some things I noticed:
- The materials are to come from the people as an offering, given only by those who desire to give.
- The list of materials is then distributed throughout the making of the tabernacle, and the clothing for Aaron.
- There are a few unusual words used. What are all these things, including a tabernacle? Where do you go to find out what an ephod is?
- A visual person, especially someone who can draw, might have fun trying to sketch out what these instructions would look like in real life. Unfortunately, that's not me, so I went looking for a picture on the web. This one, from the 19th century, was particularly appealing. (And here's the high priest's uniform.)
A final question to consider: is there any significance to the placement in the narrative, of the giving of these instructions for building the tabernacle?
What do you think?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Weekly Reading. Exodus 18-23.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Hebrews 12:14-29.
It's the law. The big law. The 10. Step on a crack, break your mother's back.
Moses comes down from the mountain, the people too afraid to hear from God directly. God begins with the reminder: "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt". That's the context for the laying down of the law.
I love how the New Living Translation describes this process: "Then God instructed the people as follows: ..." (Ex 20:1 NLT)
What do you notice during this week's reading?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Weekly Reading. Exodus 12-17.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 105:26-45.
Passed Over.
Let the year begin with the reminder that destruction has passed over you.
Testing. Failing.
At every turn, the Hebrews faith is found wanting. Instead of expectantly asking, "Moses, what happens next? How will God rescue us?", it's "You should have left us alone, things continue to go from bad to worse."
Take some moments this week, and ponder your own passover, which we will celebrate on Easter.
And take some moments to think about your own relationship to God. Are there areas of your life where you're a grumbler? Be honest about this. Dig deep.
Any comments welcome.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Not the Pharaoh.
Try imagining these words NOT being spoken by the movie Pharaoh:
"Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labors!"
Weekly Reading. Exodus 5 - 11.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 103.
Plague city.Two Three things you can look for or comment on this week:
- Note the pattern of interchange between God, Moses, and Pharaoh.
- Is there a relationship between the different plagues?
- What's the deal with Pharaoh's heart hardening?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 49 - Exodus 4.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 105:1-25.
Joseph's life comes to an end this week, and the Exodus narrative begins. This is your place for general comments on the reading. I may have a post or two this week. Stay tuned.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 43-48.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 67.
Last week's reading began (in the NIV), "This is the account of Jacob." (Gen 37:2a) But the story was primarily about Joseph and his brothers, with the brief incident of Judah and Tamar. And this week's reading continues with the focus on Joseph and his dealings with his brothers, although Jacob is affected by what takes place and has the ultimate decision-making authority. How do you account for this?
Last week's reading was about how Joseph ended up in Egypt and what happened to him there. This week's reading is how the rest of the family ends up in Egypt and what happens to them. Joseph has a clear understanding of how all this happened, as he explains in chapter 45. It was God's plan. Where do you see God's hand at work in the events and actions that take place in chapters 37 - 48?
What else do you notice in this week's reading? Does any of what takes place matter in your life today?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 37-42.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Daniel 5.
The last chapters of Genesis are about Joseph and set the stage for the birth of the nation of Israel. Here are a couple of questions to consider this week.
- What do you think of Joseph initially? Who is he within the family, and how do you react to what he says and does, what is said and done to him?
- Do you see any changes in Joseph as the story progresses?
- Are you curious to continue reading beyond chapter 42 to see how everything comes out? Why or why not?
- What part does the story of Judah and Tamar play in the narrative? Why do you think it's there?
- What do you think about Joseph's dreams? Do they have any relevance to us in the 21st century?
Poll Post - Favorites in Genesis.
If you'd like to say more about your choices in the poll on favorite characters, events, and stories in Genesis, then add a comment to this post.
Read more...Monday, February 4, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 31-36.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 39.
Continuing the thoughts from our discussion on Sunday, the personal stories of the patriarchs are intimately connected to the nation of Israel's understanding of itself and its God, Yahweh. Jacob is Israel. In chapter 32 that philosophical concept becomes reality.
Spend some time reflecting on the story contained in Genesis 32:22-32. What is that story all about? Does it give meaning to the stories of Abram and Sarai, Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob? As you read this week, what do you learn about these individuals? Do you also learn about Israel? Humanity? About faith and Yahweh? About yourself?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! What are the supplements?
This post will stay at the top for the week. Look for newer posts just below it.
What is the supplemental reading each week?
This reading plan leaves Sundays free for your personal choice. It's a day when you can reflect on the previous week's reading, go back and re-read something that caught your attention the first time through, catch up on your reading, or simply spend your quiet time in some other way.
Reading a Sunday supplement is another option for you. They have been carefully selected to amplify the reading for the week, or to provide more of the Old Testament story. The Old Testament is big. A lot of it is left out of the Creation to the Cross plan so that each day's reading is brief. Sunday supplements are way to add to the coverage of the Old Testament for those who are interested and have the time.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 25-30.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 98.
Family lines and brothers. Separation. Barren wives. The "she's my sister" ploy. There are surely a number of common threads running through the lives of the patriarchs. Here are a few ideas for observation this week. You may want to review some of the earlier sections of Genesis.
- Using a concordance, find the occurrences of the words separate, separated, divided, and set apart. (The Hebrew words and Strong's #s are: parad, #6504; and badal, #914.) Is there a theme in their usage?
- Note the similarities in the account of Abram and Isaac. Again, do you see a theme or purpose or understanding in the similarities?
- What do you think the barrenness of both Sarai and Rebekah signifies? Are there other incidents that demonstrate the same principle?
- Once you've completed all the readings for the week, reflect on the entire story of Jacob and Esau. It's very much rooted in the culture of the ancient Near East. What do you make of it? How do you respond to it?
Remember, this is a place where extended discussion "can" take place. But only if you start it.
Read more...Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Shocked! Genesis. 19.
This has to be one of the most shocking passages in all of Scripture. What do you make of it? I'll have some comments "below the fold", but first, would anyone like to share their thoughts?
... more comments soon.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 19-24.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 14.
The narrative of Abraham is interrupted by a story thread of egregious sin and eventual judgment. Isn't this remarkable? Not only are the first truths of God revealed in the narrative of Genesis, but they're revealed through excellent storytelling.
At the same time, there are elements in the events in our reading this week that sound strange to our 21st Century American ears. One way to move through the reading is to make a note of these items, and then reflect on them for a while. Is there a truth hiding in the circumstances? Is there a promise to claim or a warning to heed? What do you learn about God? About humanity? About yourself?
And if it still seems strange, this is the place to talk about it. Add a comment to this post.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Weekly Reading - Abram to Abraham. Genesis 12-18.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 47.
Abram is the one called out by God to enter into the most important covenant for the people who would become Israel. Here are a few questions to consider as you read.
1. What was Abram's knowledge of Yahweh at the beginning of his story? What are the implications of this knowledge/relationship and Abram's actions?
2. What is a covenant? (Use a Bible dictionary, such as Vine's.)
3. How would you describe the covenant between God and Abram in your own words?
4. One way to look at the account given in these chapters and the ones from next week's reading, is to view it as a series of obstacles to the fulfillment of the covenant, and how they're overcome. What obstacles do you see? How were they overcome?
5. Do you consider yourself a descendant of Abraham?
Remember, you can comment on the reading (or anything else) here at the blog. What do you want to say?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
"Noah!" Genesis 6.
"And Noah did all that God commanded him – he did indeed."
(Gen. 6:22 NET)
Bill Cosby released his first comedy album in 1963, and it contained 3 short skits about Noah. If you've never heard them, or it's been a while, enjoy this video, and then take a look at some thoughts below the video for you to comment on.
Bill Cosby was able to have some fun with the story of Noah, because the biblical account tells us nothing about Noah's experience in building the ark and getting it ready for the flood, beyond one very remarkable statement, "Noah did all that the Lord commanded ..."
Why are these skits so funny? (I'll assume you find them so.) Well, naturally one reason is that they say the unexpected. But it's the unexpected that should be expected. Why? Because we're a lot like the Noah Cosby portrays. Even when we're acting righteously and "doing what the Lord commanded."
If you've ever had a rough patch in life, you probably had moments of doubt, uncertainty, weariness, pain, perhaps even momentary rebellion, even if in the large picture, you remained faithful to what God wanted you to be and do. And whenever, in the end, you have kept on, remained loyal, regained your trust and certainty as you pushed past any moments of uncertainty (like Thomas following Jesus to Bethany), then you have done what the Lord commanded.
Cosby gives us a look at a human Noah, someone who accomplished the task, but surely had to deal with all kinds of problems, including the ridicule of his neighbors and the wearying length of his task. Perhaps he knew God so well, that he didn't suffer any moments of uncertainty. That seems unlikely, given all the other stories of people in the Old Testament, like Moses, and David, who did, but we have to allow for the possibility, given the silence on this matter. (We do know that Noah at least made mistakes, as related in his getting drunk from the wine of his vineyard after the flood.) And whether Noah experienced any moments of uncertainty, I know I would have, and so Cosby's skits are terrifically funny to me.
If you haven't listened to the skits yet, go ahead and do so, because I want to finish this post with some comments on how accurate Cosby is to portions of the biblical account. Here we go.
Noah hears God speaking to him. While still doubtful, "Right," he says to God, "Whadda ya want? I've been good." -- Sure enough, Gen. 6:9 says, "Noah was a godly man; he was blameless among his contemporaries."
"What's an ark?" -- What Noah was to build would be all new to him, although the idea of an ark as a box or container would be known.
"Who is this really? What's goin' on?" -- Is it really God talking to us? How is our life about to change?
Cosby says we should imagine the effect on the average neighbor ... -- And the response too. You're doing what? God told you? Are you kidding? And with that, dismissal.
"two mosquitoes ..." -- Now this is something to think about. God's goal is to effect justice on the unrighteous, and begin anew. Noah's task is to preserve the other living creatures. Does that mean that every animal would have to be on board? A seagull, for instance? The likely answer is that only the creatures that couldn't survive the flood were required. Mosquitoes? What do you think?
"You change one of 'em (the two male hippos)!" -- Fed up, tired, almost done, yet one more task remains. Why does God not usually work this way, just fixing stuff up miraculously so we don't have to do the work? (And notice how this is the temptation that Satan presented to Jesus.) And man, who would want to go back and herd another hippo?
(About God) "... you know all and see all ..." "... who's gonna clean up this mess?" -- The climax of Noah's rant ... 'nuff said.
(Sounds of thunder in the background.) "OK, Lord, me and you" -- "And Noah did all that God commanded him – he did indeed."
Monday, January 7, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 6-11.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 8.
Noah is one of the "heroes of the faith" listed in chapter 11 of the letter to the Hebrews. This week, the events of his life are the major portion of our reading. Here are a few questions to consider as you read.
1. Who are the "sons of God" and "daughters of men"?
2. How many animals do you think Noah took on board?
3. How did Noah demonstrate his faith? What can you imagine about his life that isn't described in the account?
4. What "first acts" happen after the flood waters subside?
5. What do you think is the purpose of the genealogies before the account of Noah (Gen. 5), and after (Gen. 10)?
Remember, you can comment on the reading (or anything else) here at the blog. What do you want to say?
Cain and Abel - God rejects produce? Genesis 4.
A question came up yesterday, during discussion of the story of Cain and Abel: why did God reject Cain's offering? Was God just being arbitrary, and isn't it unfair that just because Cain "worked the soil" that his offering wasn't good enough? Perhaps the chief difficulty in understanding this passage is that it's so brief and spare. But we can make the following observations: Abel was the elder son. Abel was the shepherd, Cain the farmer. Cain's offering was "some of the fruit..." The offering was made at the designated time. Abel's offering was "firstborn and "fattest". And the distinction between the two offerings is made with the connecting word "but".
This is a great question, because it provides an opportunity to look at how to determine the answer. The first step is to observe the text carefully. More often than not, questions we have about a passage in the Bible are answered by a very careful reading of the text and its context. Here's the core passage:Then she [Eve] gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock – even the fattest of them. And the Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. (Gen. 4:2-5a NET)
The word "but" really stands out. Is the writer making a distinction between the two individuals, Cain and Abel? Or is it a distinction between a "produce" offering and a "meat" offering? Or is it a distinction between the quality of the offerings? Or, finally, should the emphasis really be placed on "but"? Unless you can read the original language, it's a good idea to confirm your observations by looking at other translations of the account. One nice feature at the NET Bible site, http://net.bible.org/home.php, is that by clicking on a verse you get to see several translations on a single web page. The set of translations isn't as complete as those at other sites like the Bible Gateway, but will be sufficient for checking on the use of "but". Clicking on verse 4:4, it appears that "but" is the choice in the majority of the translations, but several use "also" as the connector. This isn't conclusive, so it's best to leave open the question of whether there's a contrast between the two offerings, or if this is just a way to say Cain brought an offering and so did Abel. (The translators' notes at the NET Bible tend to confirm that the contrast is between the quality of the gifts, but let's ignore that for the moment.)
However, these translations are all consistent in pointing out that Abel's offering was special -- firstborn and fat, while looking back at the description of Cain's offering there is nothing descriptive about what Cain has offered. In other words, this may have been only what was required at "the designated time." Knowing what we know of God, this is almost sufficient to answer the initial question in this way: "Cain's offering was perfunctory (at best), while Abel's was enthusiastic and "choice."
Certainly the behavior of Cain following rejection of his offering indicates that he had some sort of anger problem. But let's be as cautious as possible in understanding this passage. What else can we do to confirm our likely answer, short of reading what someone else has to say about it? I should point out here, that one of the reasons we may even think that this was an arbitrary choice on God's part, is because we have heard it taught that way.
Returning to our observations, is there anything in the passage that indicates that fruits of the field are inferior to an animal sacrifice? I have two thoughts in answer to that question. First, there is nothing pejorative in the passage that would indicate that. Second, in this sparse account, mention is made that Cain is the farmer, Abel the flock herder. Their offerings, therefore, are appropriate to their trade. This pretty much leaves us with two choices: God acted arbitrarily or Cain's offering was inferior in some way. And as hard a truth as this might be to take, God has every right to accept or reject the offerings as He sees fit.
One way of confirming the tentative conclusion we've reached through observation only, is to consult other portions of the Bible, letting it comment on itself. In Leviticus there are a lot of rules related to sacrifices, and what we can say from those rules is that: 1) sacrifices aren't always acceptable; and 2) grain is one of the sacrifices available under the law. This is confirmation that our two choices are correct: either God has arbitrarily rejected Cain's sacrifice, or it's inferior (and not because it isn't an animal).
At this point, in fact before this point, I would normally be content with my conclusion that Cain's sacrifice was inferior, that his heart wasn't right in making it and that he didn't bring the best fruits of his labor. A quick search for Cain at the NET Bible site, confirms this conclusion. The writer of Hebrews says in verse 11:4 -- "By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead."
It's good to have such clear confirmation of what we've learned through careful observation.
I have one final thought that I offer up for you to consider and respond to. God says to Cain in Genesis 4:6, "Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine?" What does this tell us about the role our offerings to God play in our own life, and in our relationship to Him?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
A choice. Genesis 3.
This thread of dialog continues through several scenes, then dies out, only to resurface near the end of the movie. Eventually, Spock deduces who was involved in the plot to kill the Klingon ambassador Sarek, and the conspirator on the Enterprise is none other than Lt. Valeris. And here's the dialog I was thinking of in conjunction with Genesis 3.
Before too long, if you didn't read the 5x5x5 blog (here) and don't yet know it, you'll learn that I'm a Star Trek fan. Well, fan isn't quite right, but I've watched most of its incarnations, except ST:DSN, and I have an attic full of references to occurrences in the TV show and movies. And as I re-read Genesis 1-5 today, this one popped into my head.
In the movie, Star Trek VI, a Vulcan woman, Lt. Valeris, is serving on the Enterprise, presumably to one day replace Spock. There's a wonderful thread of dialog that runs through several scenes between Spock and Lt. Valeris. It centers on Spock's need to keep the Enterprise from responding to orders so that he can investigate what happened earlier that implicated Kirk and the ship in the killing of the Klingon ambassador, Sarek. (Whew, that's a lot of setup. Bear with me.) The problem is that Vulcans have a rigid adherence to the truth, which creates a dilemna. Valeris is trying to understand how Spock can participate in deception. For example,UHURA: ... Starfleet is screaming for us to return to port.
SPOCK: Mr. Scott, any progress on repairing our warp drive?
SCOTTY: There's nothing wrong with the bloody -
SPOCK: (coughs hard.)
SCOTTY: (continuing) - could take weeks, sir.
SPOCK: Thank you, Mr. Scott. If we were to return to spacedock, the killers would surely manage to dispose of their incriminating footwear.
LT. VALERIS: A lie?
SPOCK: An error.KIRK: NAMES, Lieutenant....!
UHURA: I can send a message to Starfleet Command.
LT. VALERIS: Unlikely. Enterprise has disobeyed orders and harbors two escaped convicts. All your subspace transmissions will be jammed.
KIRK: NAMES!!
LT. VALERIS: I do not remember.
SPOCK: A lie, Valeris?
LT. VALERIS: A choice. (turns her back to the crew)
This is actually a pretty cool moment in the movie, which makes it memorable. And so it came to mind in thinking about the choice that Eve, and then Adam, made in the garden. What exactly was their choice? In reading today, the answer that came to mind is that they chose disobedience. While that's not particularly profound, the enormity of that choice is remarkable. Their Creator has given them every good thing they have -- a world, responsibility, food, each other, an idyllic place to live -- life itself and His companionship. And all He desired was that they demonstrate the value of all of that (its "worth") by obeying what He commanded. This would have been their act of worship. Paul put it this way in Romans 12:1: "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." (NLT)
And they chose to disobey. To "not worship." Before they ever ate that fruit, they had decided that they were gods. That they were what mattered, not God -- "The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit." (Gen 3:6 CEV)
When God returns, they're hiding because they now know they're naked. He asks Adam how he knows that he's naked. "Did you eat ...?" "Yes." "Disobedience, Adam?" "A choice."
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Weekly Reading. Genesis 1 - 5.
Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 1.
As you read through this first week, pay special attention to the relationship God establishes with Adam and Eve, and what you learn about Him, about people, and what big principles are established in these chapters.
How do you relate to what you're reading?
