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...
