reading exodus 1 week ago

reading up to Joseph and his color coat 2 weeks ago

Hear it, listen to it, do what it says! You won’t regret it 3 weeks ago

My bible reading came to a screeching halt over the last month. I let so many things get in the way of it. But I’ve recommitted anew to sticking with this. So read yesterday and today and read through Romans 7.

“Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life” 4 weeks ago

Ch. 15 Detailed regulations on how to present burnt offerings, how to deal with non-compliance under extenuating circumstances (i.e., the offense was unintentional), and how to deal with deliberate non-compliance (not good). Includes a short account of a man who gathered firewood on the Sabbath and was thereafter stoned, as well as a command from the Lord for the Israelites to put tassels on their cloaks to remind them to follow the Lord’s commandments.

Ch. 16 Korah, one of the Levites, starts a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, complaining about the exclusivity of the priesthood. In the end, Korah (and his closest followers, Dathan and Abiram) and their families are swallowed up when a fissure opens up in the ground. Korah’s remaining 250 followers are killed in a fire sent by the Lord. The next morning, following further agitations by the Israelites, the Lord sends an epidemic which is stopped mid-course by Aaron (after he performs the “ritual of purification”).

I must admit I don’t care for Numbers all that much. It seems mismatched with my experience of God. It feels like I’m reading “The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore”. 4 weeks ago

Ch. 13 Twelve spies are sent to explore the Promised Land. It is found to be rich and plentiful, but the spies are intimidated by the apparent strength of its inhabitants (“the people are so tall we feel like grasshoppers”). Except for Joshua and Caleb, the spies are all too afraid to invade the Promised Land.

Ch. 14 Believing the murmurings of the frightened spies, the Israelites start complaining against God, even planning to return to Egypt. God is outraged and considers killing the Israelites, but relents after hearing Moses’ pleas on their behalf. He does, however, declare that, except for Joshua and Caleb, no one belonging to the present generation of Israelites will live to enter the Promised Land. 1 month ago

I couldn’t read the bible these days because my schedule was crazy. I’ll do that again. 1 month ago

Ch. 10 Moses is suffering from burnout. God selects 70 leaders to assist Moses in his work. God also sends a flock to quails in response to the Israelites’ complaints about the lack of meat. The Israelites have an abundance of meat, but unfortunately, many of them become sick from eating it.

Ch. 11 Aaron (the high priest) and Miriam (his sister) badmouth Moses because Moses married a Midianite woman. Miriam is smitten with a skin disease as punishment. Moses prays for Miriam to be healed, and she is, but not until she has been quarantined for a week. 1 month ago

Ch. 9 Instructions for people who wished to celebrate the Passover in special circumstances, followed by a description of the cloud-like apparition by which God guided the Israelites through the desert.

Ch. 10 Detailed instructions for bugle calls and marching formations. 1 month ago

Ch. 7 Leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel bring offerings of wagons and oxen to the Lord, which are then presented to the Levites to assist them in their work of caring for the Tabernacle. The leaders also bring many offerings to celebrate the dedication of the altar, including gold, silver, and animals.

Ch. 8 For the most part, a description of the procedures for dedicating the Levites to the Lord, thus qualifying them to begin their duties. 1 month ago

Ch. 3 The census of the Levites (the tribe responsible for caring for the Tabernacle) and detailed instructions for how/where each of the three clans of Levi (Kohath, Gershon, and Merari) were to set up camp, and a brief description of the responsibilities of each.

Ch. 4 Detailed instructions for how each of the three clans of Levi were to handle the particular sacred objects/parts of the Tabernacle entrusted to their care.

Ch. 5 Instructions for quarantine of sick people, for restitution, and a detailed (and bizarre) set of instructions for a ritual through which a husband could find out whether his wife was being unfaithful or not.

Ch. 6 The rules applicable to being a Nazirite (someone who dedicated his life to God, could not drink alcohol, and could not cut his hair). 1 month ago

I decided to start with this book because I’m almost certain I’ve never read it. It’s interesting, which I didn’t expect.

Numbers ch. 1
The census of the twelve tribes of Israel (not including the Levites). I read it aloud to get the main points but I allowed myself to skip the columns of numbers by speaking “and the results were as follows”

Numbers ch. 2
Instructions for marching/camping in divisions, under designated leaders, under banners, etc. I guess God likes to be organized. 1 month ago