Why does it always take me so long to finish one book? I think it’s because I get through one or two chapters and fall asleep.

This book was helpful. As a retelling of Exodus, I got to think a little more about the meanings and messages. Here are some take-aways:

It’s the first time I noticed that in speaking to Moses and through Moses to the people, God mentions other gods. Saying “you shall have no other god before me” and sort of mentioning other people’s gods. I always thought that Jews believed there is only one god. But really, the Bible is saying that there are other gods, but this God is ours.

It’s kind of strange. This is the book that reiterates how important it is not to kill, not to steal etc. Yet throughout the book God tells the Jews to attack other villages and peoples, kill them, steal their land and property, rape and take slaves. Totally going against the commandments he lays out. IF this is what Jews were like throughout the centuries, no wonder that other people wanted to destroy them. I mean, I can see where the anti-semetism comes in if the Jews are constantly warring with others. I know there is more to it, historically, but of today’s Christians only see this as a historical perspective of Jews, it’s bad.

I giggled a bit. In chapter 16 verse 13 (or is it 13:16? It says if anyone tries to convert you to another religion or god, we are supposed to kill them. Does Jehovah count as another God? That would be great to use on the next Jehovah’s Witness that comes to my door. Since they are always quoting the Bible, I can send it right back to them. “Well, sir, I’m Jewish. And according to Deuteronomy 13:16, I’m supposed to kill you now. So I think you might want to run now.” Take that!

Onto Joshua!