Back to Genesis

I am going thru a study of bad girls of the Bible and Eve is the first girl to study and while I was reading related scripture I came across Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said "The man has become like on of us, knowing good and evil. Who is us? I am really stuck on that. Any ideas?

Philistines Weren't Too Bright (1 Samuel)

After reading 1 Samuel 4 & 5 I was left thinking the Philistines were perhaps a bit mentally challenged. So they beat the Israelite army and ran off with the Ark of the Covenant and took it home. They're thinking, "Cool. Now we have two gods. Let's stick him in our temple with our other god." Then they come back to find the statue of their god bowing down in front of the Ark and eventually broken and left on the threshold of the door. Then God afflicts them with "devastation" and tumors as well. And all they come up with is: let's get rid of this ark and this god.

Did anyone stop to think, hey, this God is more real and more powerful than that statue we've been worshiping. Maybe it's time for a change. So they were willing to add him to their temple as a second-stringer, but not willing to engage with God when the hard truth became apparent. Instead they just wanted him out of there so they could go back to the status quo, back to their comfort zone. The paradigm shift of changing their beliefs was more than they could handle. So they just wanted it to go away. Not such an uncommon attitude I suppose.

Thoughts?

Judges: Jephthah

Judges 11:30-31:

And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."

Then who comes out of his door when he comes home in triumph? His daughter. Ugh! What a knucklehead! What kind of a moron makes a promise like that? I can only guess that in that time it was typical to keep animals in the house and he must have expected a goat to walk out the front door. But it was still a house. Obviously a person could just as easy be the first thing out, right? Really bizarre story.

The other interesting thing about it is that it doesn't say that God tried to stop this sacrifice in any way. I had some hope that, like in the case of Abraham and Isaac, God might step in and say, "Hang on. Don't really do it. Here's a ram instead." Or something like that.

I'm just not even sure what to do with that story. Why is it in there? The author makes no comment on the event one way or the other, which doesn't help.

The Book of Ruth

I really liked this book. I have to admit, as a fan of Fried Green Tomatoes, that when I read Ruth 1:16-17 it reminds me of the movie. I think it is a good story about staying true God. Naomi felt like God had left her empty, and I can imagine how she felt. her husband died and then her two sons died, that is just tragic. But she persevered and with a little bit of patience she was again rewarded. I think that Ruth gave her strength and with their friendship she was able to get over her past and see that the future is bright. It was almost as if Ruth was her project that kept her busy.

Side Bar

Don't know if you have seen the movie The Book of Eli with Densel Washington but if you have I have a question for you to ponder. Remember at the end when evil bad guy gets his hands on the book, realizes that it is in brail and calls his wench forward to put her hands on it. When she puts her hands on it, you see the light come into her eyes, did she actually "read" something that made her smile and if she did what do you think she "read"? I can't remeber if her fingers traveled the page but it is still one of the interesing movie puzzles that could leave you wondering.

Samson

There are a few directions I could go on Samson, first, I think this is the first time we have seen an angel of the Lord deliver a message. When Manoah asked his name the angel basically said you don't need to know is it is beyond your understanding. Interesting.

Second, Samson seems to have a few character flaws, he likes prostitutes, his picks for marriage are questionable, one was given to another by her family because they thought he didn't love her because he fooled them all with a riddle. A riddle? Then there's Delilah. She basically badgered him wanting know ways she could harm him and make him weak. It almost seemed like a cat and mouse game. Who was the cat and who was the mouse? After Delilah I wonder how smart he really was.

Third, there almost seems a message in here about talent. If you use your God given talent correctly, God can overlook some of those character flaws? Are we in charge of our own destiny? I am just questioning the fact that once Delilah cut his hair, God left him. But, Samson didn't cut his own hair, it wasn't his fault. Or do you think God thought "what a dumbass. he deserves what he gets"? I think Samson must have been a challenging person to deal with. One of those bad boys of the Bible.

Prayer

This is a side bar that was the topic of the sermon on Sunday at church. I know Mom, don't fall off your rocker...I went to church. I just wanted to put food for thought into your heads. How do you pray? When do you pray? Do you pray when you need something? or do you pray everyday? Do you pray silently in your head or do you pray out loud?

I almost feel like prayer is like reading the Bible, it should be done every day. With that said, I find on many days that I don't think about it until there is something that is upsetting me or nagging me that I feel the need for extra guidance and support. I have been thinking about this in terms of the relationship we have with God. For many relationships to be healthy you need good communication, the good and the bad. I am really trying to strengthen my relationship with God. FYI: I like to do it in the car on the way to work, I turn the radio off, and speak out loud. How about you?

G.I. Josh

I'm a little behind and just finished Joshua. What struck me most was the violence. The whole book is about an aggressive campaign to establish a territory for the national of Israel. It was an offensive, not a defensive, war. How would such a thing be viewed today? Granted it was ordained by God, and, ostensibly, these were bad people being slaughtered. But slaughtered they were. Wiped out. Men, women, children, sheep, goats... What would the SPCA or PETA say? (Just being facetious there.) Seriously though, it was very violent and much of it was without mercy. It's an odd thing to attribute to the God that we're typically taught about in Sunday school in America. The God we are taught is all about being nice to others, being peaceful, turning the other cheek, all that stuff.

The other thing that struck me was the common refrain of "be strong and courageous" that keeps coming back in Joshua. It's an inspiring word of encouragement to keep coming back to.

And I thought Judges would be boring...

Oh the drama, there seems to be several women to contend with in this book. Deborah has emerged as one of the judges of Isreal, and Jael, who drove a tent peg thru Sisera's temple. Ouch.

Deborah is interesting because she is the first woman to lead Israel. I would really like to know a back story on her. It is equally interesting that she ordered a warrior, Barak, to go at God's command and overturn the Jabin army, and Barak didn't want to do it unless she went with him. Why is that? Did he not trust her or did he feel more comfortable that she would be with him to help command? if that is the case, this is the first time in the Bible I have seen such a powerful woman emerge. She probably was a kick-butt-Angelina Jolie type of person.

I find Jael interesting because she only occupies 6 versus of chapter 4, but I wonder at her motivation and intensity to commit such a violent attack. I almost feel like it deserves more discussion.

In chapter 7 I was intrigued by the fact that Gideon gave his people the option of not going to was and 22,000 men said "o.k, I don't want to go, I am scared" That was more than half of his army. Not to worry because God said it was still too many people, but they have God on their side, what exactly are they trembling in fear from? I may be taking some of this too literally. I am assuming anyone who has God on their side shouldn't be fearful. I have to admit, I wouldn't be too thrilled to go into battle myself.

And last but not least...The end of chapter 7 verse 13 they are interpreting dreams. I think this happens alot in the Bible but I always put this in a category along with fortune telling, and horoscope, etc, and I was pretty sure God doesn't care for these means of directing lives. Discuss please.

Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan 3/11/11

With the days current events, I can't help but equate them with things that have occurred thus far in our Bible journey, Genesis thru Joshua. With the technology we have available to us these days it is so easy to dismiss most events with a simple "plug into the equation and there you have it, it was bound to happen." But, take that away and how do you explain it. Back in the days of the plagues, the exodus, everything was explained as the wrath of God. Where do the current events fall? Is this a punishment of some sort? Is this one of God's promises that all your generations will suffer if you fail me? To be perfectly honest, if I hadn't been reading thru the Bible, I might have casually thought about this event in terms of what God has to do with it, but with the current books (6 of the entire Bible) I can't help but take more of a pause to contemplate the works of God. The effects of the earthquake not only affected Japan, but potentially the U.S west coast, and don't forget the nuclear reactors that could have massive impact if their coolant completely fails. How would that impact the entire world?

Beyond all that, I have to say a prayer for all that are suffereing from this massive devistation. I really don't have words that could match anything that someone who is going thru this could say. God give them strength...

Just finished Joshua

Not too much stands out for me from this book as far as questions, I do wonder who, if anyone will replace Joshua. Or for that matter, is this considered the end of the exodus out of Egypt? I took a peek at Judges and I see they have trials and tribulations. Maybe they need a figure to stand out as their leader to help guide them. Or is that the point, they have the Book of Laws handed down from Moses, is this where we see what the people can really do on their own? ( no spoilers please )

I do find it fascinating that they would designate towns, not one, but several, to be refuge for murderers. Sounds like everyone better be watching their backs.

Deserters?

Something that just occurred to me as I was reading in Joshua, I have to wonder if people were deserting Israel and the whole promised land campaign. I can see it getting pretty tedious at times with all the rules and regulations and sacrifices etc etc. Wonder if some just decided they'd had enough and went their own way. There had to have been some of that going on, right? And then I would wonder if God would be mad at those people and kill them with an illness or snakes or something.

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Lost Books of the Bible

I just want to note that Joshua 10:13 makes the first reference to the Book of Jashar, one of the lost books of the Bible. In hebrew it means the Book of the Upright.

Joshua

I just finished chapter 10 and two things stand out. 1. This book seems really bloody with war and attacking all these cities and slashing down every last person. When I got to chapter 9 The Gibeonite Deception, I thought "haha these guys can't fool Joshua, they will get theirs" but looking back on it, they may have been very smart to form a treaty. 2. I don't know that Moses could have been as competent at commanding the armies in such a quick, and effecient turn around as Joshua. It seems like the journey has been in two parts, one before they cross the Jordan and the second after they cross the Jordan. Hmmm, two different leaders, if I ever find time it might be interesting to look at each ones strengths and weaknesses.

There also seems to be alot of alters and reminders being left that "are still there to this day". From a religious artafact stand point, are they? There were the 12 stones the priests constructed after they crossed the Jordan, the rock pile at the gates of Ai, the stone pile over Achan in the Valley of Achor, and the stones at the entrance of the cave where the 5 kings hid. It would be an interesting quest to follow.

One more thing...Chapter 5, are we back on that again? Must be very important to God.

Path Moses took out of Egypt

I took a look at a map of the route Moses took out of Egypt and I was a little disappointed that they didn't cross the Red Sea at the widest part like I imagined in my mind's eye. Regardless, still a fantastic feat. Looking at their route it also looks like the back tracked a bit on the north eastern part of their journey. I tried to copy and paste a link of the route but my "Blogging for Dummies" book is still in the mail. There are some great links out there that really helped me clarify the path.

back tracking a bit...

Anyone care to discuss the difference between migration and exodus? (reference the Book of Exodus) what was really going on?

Just Finished Deuteronomy

I just finished Deuteronomy and I thought it was a beautiful book eloquently written by Moses. He very clearly reviewed what had happened and what will happen if the people don't follow God's commands.

An item I was curious about was in chapter 29:29 when he said the secret things belong to God and the things revealed belong to us. I wonder what secret things he's talking about.

32:51...I tried to find it with no luck, I just can't remember what Moses did to break his faith before God. I aslo find it interesting that God is telling Moses that you can see the land you led the people to but you will never see it. It seems almost cruel to keep rubbing Moses's nose in it, but at the same time Moses seems very resigned, to his fate, almost like he was just, well, tired. I guess it shows just how special the relationship they had together was. I don't know if cruel is the word to use, but almost as if God is just stating in black and white the rules and consequesnces of Moses' actions. (Matt, if you read this, it reminds me of the emails from Bible Bangers this week on nice, but not nice)

33:13-17...I thought the way he described Joseph was beautiful to read. It made me want to be part of Team Joseph. That is in contrast to some of the other's described in chapter 33. They were all nice, but this was nicer.

Abraham Cursed?

Here's a head-scratcher for you:

Deuteronomy 27:22 says "Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother."

In Genesis 20:11-12 Abraham says of his wife Sarah, "...Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife."

So the great father of the Israelite people was a cursed man by God's own declaration?

Deuteronomy 20-29

Deuteronomy 20...I find it interesting that they address the idea of war and whether or not to send someone out because they have built a new house, or because they may have planted a vineyard and not yet been able to enjoy it, or become newly wed and not yet been able to enjoy marriage. Also I am taken with the word "plunder" that is used in D 20:14 God seems to say it is okay to plunder. I have always taken this word to be a bad action, but when seeing it on paper I have to question. What is the deeper meaning. Or is it simply one of those "an eye for an eye" kind of things where you have to decide for yourself whether or not the crime warranted the action?

D 21&22 Whoa! more laws, second laws for sure.
On a side note, I thought it was kinds funny that in there were so many what if contingencies...if you see your brother's sheep astray, if you have a roof build a parapet so if someone accidentally falls you will not be blamed. And...I founf it equaly interesting that in D 22:5 a woman must not wear men's clothes and a man must not wear a woman's. In retail, boy do I have stories on this.

D27:21 This isn't the first time I have seen this in the Bible and I am disturbed to think why it has to be mentioned numerous times.

D 27 The Alter on Mt Ebal...I was wondering if there was a tomb raider out there that was searching for these stones?

D 28 Whoa!. After reading that I have no question that I should follow his word. Not that I was questioning, I am just saying, it is layed it in black and white pretty much, and the consequesnces are tremedous.

Oh and 23:12-14 kinda funny. I would second that request.

The names of the books of the Bible

Growing up I remember memorizing the names of the books of the Bible but I never thought about the name itself. When you read alot of other regular books, the name of the chapter gives you a clue as to how the chapter unfolds. I was thinking about it today and as we have gone thru almost 5 books, Genisis (the begining), Exodus (the leaving Egypt), Leviticus (maybe because we are to think more of the Levites?), Numbers (the census) and Deuteronomy (the second law, rough dictionary description), it is just an interseting subject note.