BR-09 Chronological Bible Read (February 26-March 4)

Hi, Chronos!
I hope you are doing well. We're a sixth of the way through!! (Wow. That got here fast.). The difficulty of these early weeks are why a lot of people don't read through the Bible in a year. If you've fallen behind (I have a couple times), just pick yourself up and join in on the current date. Don't let a few missed days keep you away.

March is a big transition month for us daily readers. We slog through the last of the repetition of all the laws, festivals, holy days, etc. Then, we're back on the actual history. We see the death of Moses (and why he died before entering the Promised Land), the selection of Joshua as Leader, the crossing of the Jordan (finally!) into the Land, the attack on Jericho, our first psalm, and we begin the period of the Judges. WHEW!

So, buckle up.

A month from now, we'll be deep into the history of Jacobs's descendants as they settle in to the Promised Land ... and, of course, muck it up.

Blessings,
Steve

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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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THIS WEEK
1. The Book of Numbers is named that because it records when the Israelites were counted. Each census counted a different group for a different purpose. Except for two pages, this whole week of reading is in Numbers.

2. Purity is a key lesson God wants the Israelites to learn. Worth a quick re-read. (Numbers chapter 5; Feb 28)

3. The Nazarite Vow was a special way of setting oneself apart for The Lord. Parts of this become important to us when we get to the story of Samson in early April (Numbers chapter 6; March 1) and, much later, John the Baptist.

4. “Be careful what you ask for” is clearly on display in Numbers chapter 11; March 2. Blessedly, we have a different relationship with God than this fledgling nation. (X-ref Psalm 58)

5. Twelve scouts are sent into the Promised Land. Only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, recommend entering the Land (Remember these two men, more coming about them). One of my favorite Bible verses is in this week's reading (March 3rd, Numbers 14:9). In my current version Joshua and Caleb say, "... don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us!" But in the original language, the second sentence reads (say it fiercely), "They will be our bread!" In other words, "We're gonna eat them for lunch!"

6. Korah's rebellion and the budding of Aaron's staff are important because these two events settle, for all time, that Aaron's descendants will be the Priesthood, the ones who may enter the Holy of Holies. (Numbers chapters 16 & 17; March 4)

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q: The question I received is about the blood on the garments of the priests. How did l they washed them since blood is difficult to clean?! The animals were killed very often and the blood was heavy. Is this not literal?

A: Being clean is a key practice God wants the Israelites to adopt. No doubt people had already learned that blood could be washed out with cool water if addressed soon enough. Certainly, the Egyptians knew this. No reason to believe the Israelites would not know.

Still, hygiene and ritual cleansing are new to them, so the commands are repeated often. Below is a link to some related scriptures. I think that’s the best I can do for you. Unfortunately, I don’t see anything about what cleansing agents were used ... Hyssop, maybe? Write in if you have any insights on this. I’ll share it with the group.

In Leviticus 6:27, we see a direct reference to the need to clean the priestly garments. Also Exodus 40:30-32. For a selection of verses on this topic, link to here: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Ritual-Washing

BR-08 Chronological Bible Read (February 19-25)

Hey Chronos!

Well, unless you’re an anthropologist (or a theologian), you may find much of this week’s reading a bit dull. Lots of instructions about priests, punishments, offerings, hygiene, and festivals.

THE GOOD NEWS: I think I’ve identified the key thoughts! 😇

These passages from Leviticus are all about being holy, pure, and distinct. God is telling HIS people to be different from other people, especially from the people currently occupying the Promised Land. He establishes the boundaries of this by setting standards for treatment of each other, sexual relations, which foods can be eaten, and festivals to celebrate various aspects of their relationship with God.

The "clincher" comes in Lev 18:24 "Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for the people I am driving out before you have defiled themselves in all these ways." God wanted His people to be the exact opposite of the people currently occupying the land. To get a sense of the wickedness of these people, read the lists in the Feb 22 reading. Now imagine a people who did ALL of those things.

Blessings,
Steve

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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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This week:
1. The famous line is in Lev 19:18 (Feb 22): "...love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus was quoting Leviticus when he identified it as the second most important commandment.

2. Gleaning is again brought up; the practice of leaving some of the harvest for the poor and needy. In a sense, we still practice this with acts of charity; by setting aside some of our money for those in need ("the poor and the foreigners living among you.")

3. Another big deal, this week, is the Sabbath Year and Jubilee. Every 7th year, the land must be allowed to lie fallow (not be planted with crops; allowed to have a sabbath). Every 50th year, the land must be allowed to lie fallow, again. All "sales" of land are only temporary. Pricing must be calculated on how long the buyer will have use of the land before having to return it to the original owner during the year of Jubilee. This way, the land stayed in the tribes to whom God had allocated it. On top of this, the seller may buy the land back at any time.

4. Redemption of the needy and enslaved: Israelites must treat a fellow Israelite who falls into poverty with respect, must not charge them interest on loans, and must treat them like a member of their family. Any Israelite who sells himself (and his family) into slavery must be freed in the Jubilee Year, even if a relative has to pay the price of their release!! This is the model of the ransom Christ paid for us. He paid the price for our release.


Questions Answered!

Yeast of Eden
Great question came in: Why does God exclude yeast from so many areas of worship and the Passover celebration (xref Exodus 12:18-20)? Also, why in Leviticus 7:13 is it (suddenly) OK to use bread with yeast? This latter question is easier to answer: the offering mentioned here includes leavened bread because it is not being offered ON THE ALTER; its just going straight to the priest for his consumption. We'll see more of this later in Leviticus.

Regarding the exclusion of yeast: I found a useful website that you may wish to reference for the longer, more detailed explanation: https://www.therefinersfire.org/yeast_or_leaven.htm

My short answer: the word "yeast" is an inadequate, modern translation of the Hebrew word "chametz." If your translation has the word, "leaven," it's closer to the original meaning. A modern equivalent of chametz would be sourdough starter. Chametz is a word that means, roughly, the stuff we use to make bread rise. Yeast is everywhere; its in the very air we breath. It's not practical that any person could remove all the yeast from a home. You take in yeast every time you breath. God's commands are about removing leavening agents from the home and for making breads, cakes, etc., without those agents. The key to all of this is the "rising" of the bread dough, not the yeast, per se.

BR-07 Chronological Bible Read (February 12-18)

Well, Chronos, this week is a bit of a slog: The Book of Exodus; Sabbath instructions, the Tabernacle (in considerable detail), offerings, the Second Passover, ordaining the priests.

So, let me just state the main idea:
The purpose of reading this is to help us understand just how important sacrifice is in the relationship between people and God. It is so important because when Jesus dies on the cross, he embodies ALL of these sacrifices: the purification offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering ... See how that works? Everything else is secondary.

Below are some things I found interesting.

Blessings,
Steve

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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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Some key thoughts from this week's readings:

1. Day 2/12: Moses communicates to the people God's requirements for the Tabernacle. After God says, "Let those with generous hearts" present the materials to the Lord, there is a remarkable series of statements.
A. Only those "whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved" brought materials needed for the Tabernacle.
B. Some others "willingly brought" thread, cloth, etc.
C. All the women "who were willing" employed their yarn skills
D. Just those who were "eager to help" brought their gifts

2. Day 2/12: God specifically endowed two people with the skills to construct the Tabernacle and craft all its contents. And then they we're told, He had given both "the ability to teach their skills to others." God never intended for just two people to do all that work. He set two in leadership positions, which included a requirement to teach others how to do the work!

3. Day 2/13: We come across the word, "Holy," quite a bit, and particularly in this reading with reference to the engraving on Aaron's turban medallion ("HOLY TO THE LORD"). Over time, there have been a lot of derivative meanings that have come to be associated with the word. Just to clarify, when you see “holy” in the Bible, that word means, "to be utterly apart, completely separate." When the Israelites are commanded "to keep the Sabbath holy," they understand that God means for it to be completely different from every other day; separate, apart, not like any other day. It is a gift from God to humans and must be treated with the true respect one should accord to a gift from God.

4. Day 2/14: If it wasn't clear before, it becomes abundantly so in Exodus 40 and Numbers 9: the pillar of fire/cloud is the "Glory of the Lord" and represents God's presence among the people. The cloud covers the Tabernacle to indicate God's presence there. When it lifts, the people pack up and follow it to the next location. “This continued throughout all their journeys.” = 40 years!

5. Day 2/15: Each tribal leader brought exactly the same gifts to the Tabernacle. Makes me wonder if they planned this in advance or if after the first day, each one decided to match the one that went the day before.

6. Day 2/16: (Numbers 9:1-14) — it is here that God doubles down on His instruction to celebrate the Passover every year. He makes it clear: it is a requirement of being one of God’s people. Either do it or leave. How does that impact our thinking about Jesus saying, “When you do this, do it in remembrance of me.”??

7. Day 2/16: I thought it was interesting that the Levites couldn't start serving in the Tabernacle until age 25 and had to retire at age 50. We might not burn out so many preachers/pastors if we followed this rubric in our churches. After 50, like the Levites, they can stay on staff part-time and help out, but are no longer allowed to "officiate." That sounds nice.

8. Day 2/16: I believe the Leviticus passage, here, is the first time God spells out that a person may lay his hands on the animal's head and God "will accept its death in your place, to purify you, making you right with Him." Substitutionary death. Foreshadowing of the Cross.

9. Day 2/16: "All the fat belongs to the Lord."

BR-06 Chronological Bible Read (February 5-11)

About now, people start thinking, “I can’t keep doing this daily Bible reading thing.” The reasons are as individual as the people thinking them.

One of the main reasons people quit: they fall behind.

So, here’s a pro tip: unless you have tons of time on your hands, just pick up with the current week. Don’t worry about what you missed. It’s not like you can’t go back and pick it up some other time. But that’s not even the point. Give yourself the year to read the Bible. It’s about spending the year in scripture, not any given day or week.

Pro Tip #2: if you’re too busy or just can’t get to it (for any reason), use my notes to guide you to key matters. That’s the fast way to make sure you don’t miss the important stuff while moving on to the next week’s reading.

Blessings,
Steve

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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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THIS WEEK: I am continually surprised at how much "ground" we cover in one short week! Look at this list:
1. Pharaoh finally expels the Israelites from Egypt
2. Israelites cross through the Red Sea on dry ground
3. Pharaoh's army drowned
4. Quail and Manna feed Israelites in the Wilderness
5. Water from the rock Moses struck
6. Jethro's advice on setting up a layered judicial system
7. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
8. The plans for the Tabernacle, the Priesthood, and sacrifices
9. Sabbath Instructions
10. The golden calf worshipped while Moses is on the mountain with God
11. Moses convinces God not to destroy the entire Israelite nation (more than once!)

WHEW! That's a lot! Let me know if you have any questions.

Some thoughts for this week’s reading:
1. Fans of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning will note the first appearance of "bells and pomegranates" in this week's reading (As long as Aaron wore them on his priestly robe while in God's presence, he would not die!).

2. Dull as it is to read them, the Tabernacle instructions were VERY important: God promised that He would live among the Israelites if they followed his Tabernacle instructions.

3. Over and over, God tells Moses He (God) will send an Angel ahead of them to clear the way through the Promised Land; to drive out the people who live there.

4. Aaron lied to Moses about the golden calf, claiming he just threw the gold into the fire "and out came this calf!"

5. Moses was so angered by the people worshipping the golden calf that he threw God's hand-written tablets down, breaking them on the ground. God later replaced them.

BR-05 Chronological Bible Read (January 29-February 4)

I hope your week is going well and I hope you've been blessed by your daily reading. A lot is happening this week in the Bible; wrapping up the Book of Job and starting the long, nation-building trek of Jacob’s Children.

“When we open the Bible and begin to read slowly and listen for God, the Spirit illumines our mind and gives us a direct word from God.”
—THE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL GOD (James Bryan Smith)

WALK [away] LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
We start the Exodus this week with lots of plagues and hard-heartedness. I say, "start,” because there is a lot more Exodus-ing to go.

Most important part of this week's Exodus reading: Passover. This event sets the theological stage for Jesus to become the final Passover lamb for the sins of the world and the end of death. Stay tuned.

Received a question about Elihu.
I took a stab at answering it, below.

Write me if you want to discuss any of this. Questions and comments always welcome.

Blessings,
Steve

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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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The Question: Who is Elihu?
The 3 friends were introduced early on, then reprimanded by God at the end of the book, but nothing is said about Elihu. Is he someone of importance?

My Answer:
Eliihu is introduced as the son of Barakel from the Land of Buz, a neighboring country to Uz. Interestingly, Elihu means “My God is He” and Barakel means “God Blesses.” We have no idea how many people have been observing the exchanges between Job and his “comforters.” But we do know at least one other, Elihu, has heard every word. He is a younger man who, though stirred to anger by what he has been hearing, has remained patient and respectful of Job and his “comforters,” all older men.

Elihu is allotted five straight chapters to speak his peace. That, in itself, is significant. It is also significant that God does not include Elihu in His condemnation of Job’s three “comforters.” In fact, a careful review of Elihu’s message reveals it goes hand-in-glove with what God eventually says.

And that’s most likely why Elihu is there: to deliver, as informed by the Spirit, God’s wisdom. Job makes a spiritual journey over the course of his afflictions (see journey milestones listed below). Elihu’s message then affirms Job’s improved understanding of God and encourages Job to embrace that new understanding. It is no stretch to say that Elihu was the “warm-up” for when God confronts Job at the end of the book.

Job’s spiritual journey: a growing understanding of God
1. First 8 chapters: Job is afflicted by Satan (& his so-called friends, his ”comforters”).
2. Chapter 9: “If only there were someone to arbitrate between us.”
3. Chapter 16: “Even now my witness is in Heaven; my advocate is on high.”
4. Chapter 19: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the Earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.”
5. Chapter 23: “But He [God] knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

I hope this helps illuminate the person and purpose of Elihu in the Book of Job. Please let me know if you would like more.

This week’s notes:
1. What do you think of Elihu’s attempt to “defend God” in Job chapters 35, 36, and 37? ... does God need defending? And if so, is a human the best choice for an advocate?

2. Why is Job in the Bible?
That's the question I often hear from folk who read the book of Job and come away scratching their heads. I could give you a long and complex answer, but the essence is this: It's there so we can learn how we should and should not think about God. Job, himself, starts out speaking of God correctly. He complains of his situation, but does not blame God for it. As he continues to suffer, he eventually comes to blame God. For this he is called to account by God.

3. Each of Job's three "friends," in turn, get it wrong. If you want to understand how NOT to think about how God interacts with humans, just go back and read what Job's friends had to say. God condemned those “friends” for their faulty thinking and only forgave them when Job interceded for them. Sadly, you hear a lot of people, today, who say the same kinds of things.

4. Eventually, we get to the final chapters where God asserts His sovereigny: the right of God to do as He pleases, without explanation, because all of this belongs to Him already.

I think Job chapters 38, 39, and 40 are stunning, thought-provoking, even mind-bending ... and, perhaps, the most revealing chapters in the Bible when it comes to helping us understand God. Absolutely worth reading through two or three times.

5. In Exodus (and later) don’t get hung up on the long lists of genealogies. I will work at tipping you to important names that crop up. Some are obvious and don’t need pointing out, while a few others are truly worth pausing to consider.

BR-04 Chronological Bible Read (January 22-28)

Well, Chronos, we are deep into the Book of Job, this week. We pick up at Chapter 12 and continue through Chapter 34 (almost to the end; we’re saving the big finale for next week).

Are you starting to see why just quoting the Bible is not necessarily a dependable enterprise? What if someone quotes one of Job’s “friends” to support their point? Food for thought.

Want to read more about Job?
I recommend Ray C. Stedman’s excellent little book, LET GOD BE GOD. If you just want a quick dip, then I recommend his chapters 1, 12, and 13.

Blessings,
Steve
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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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A lot of words have been flying back and forth in Job!

1. January 22nd through 27th - Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar (Job’s so-called “friends”) have similar messages for Job. My summarization: "You must have done something wrong! God only treats people the way He has treated you because they have done something bad. What bad thing did you do?!!"

What do you think? Is Job justified in his complaints? Do you agree with Job or with the three “friends?”

2. KEY VERSE: On January 24th, (Job 19:25), Job declares “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the Earth at last.” This is in reference to the Messiah (Jesus). Perhaps you’ve sung this in a hymn?

3. January 28th: Job 32 - And what about Elihu? He has been silently biding his time until the “old folk” have had their say. It has been suggested that he waited out of respect for his seniors. Perhaps. He certainly has a somewhat different take on the events. (A) Does God need Elihu to defend Him? (B) Does God appreciate someone defending Him? (There’s more of Elihu next week.)

How's it going for you in Job?
I would love to hear from you on Job. The book is fascinating to contemplate. We finish Job on January 31st.

Coming up - Egypt!!
We slip back into the timestream, next week, picking up after the deaths of Jacob and Joseph. We get a peek into how Jacob’s descendants fare in the Land of Goshen.

BR-03 Chronological Bible Read (January 15-21)

More history, Chrononauts, as we continue to time-travel along the lifelines of one particular family. Next, a side trip into one of the most fascinating books in the Bible: Job

Blessings,
Steve
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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf

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Endings and beginnings
This week, we end our story of Jacob and Joseph and extended family (for now).

1. January 15th: Genesis 41 (verse 45) - Despite what the NLT footnote says, The Complete Jewish Study Bible says Pharaoh’s new name for Joseph was “Code Breaker!” (Reflecting his ability to interpret dreams).

2. January 17th: Genesis 47 - Pharaoh tells Joseph to have his father and brothers settle “...the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen.” Remember this when we revisit them in the time of Moses.

3. January 18th: Genesis 50 - I thought it was interesting the great respect shown Jacob by the Egyptian officials at his burial ... a stunning endorsement of the value they all placed on Joseph.

We'll be back to follow this family in February.
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January 19-21: Job, Chapters 1 through 11 - As for now, we begin the story of Job. I find this book fascinating!

1. January 19th: Job Chapters 1 and 2 - Interesting take on Satan, hmmm? He is presented as a malevolent prosecutor; not just an accuser, but always an accuser of humans.

2. As you have noticed, except for the brief introductory section and the heavenly interludes (all at the beginning), this book is composed of alternating speeches. It helps to think of it as a stage play: Job complains. One of his friends shoots Job down. ... Rinse. Repeat. ... Rinse. Repeat.

This goes on for a few days of our reading.

3. Eventually (next week), God will weigh in. I recommend you pay attention to who says what ... because God certainly did, and then tailored His responses to what each person said.

That's it for this week. Email me any questions or comments.