The Covenaent is Broken and Then Renewed

You know I went back and read ysterdays entry. Wow, was I in lala land or what. You see what a reall bad, almost migrain headache can do to you. Anyway, my head is on right today and I have my thoughts put together much better.

Israel seems very desperate or in need for some sort of priestly leader. It is well shown when they convince Aaron to make an idol for them. What strike me as really funny is that Aaron denies making it. He says he threw the gold into the fire and a calf appeared. Wow, how sin can harm even the best intentioned person.

When God told Moses he was going to kill everyone, Moses prays to God as asked to forgive them. Did God relent? Did Moses persuade Him to change His mind? I think not. I think it was more of a test for Moses he wanted to see if he cared more for God's honor and God's people then the prospect of personal gain. You see when our motives in our prayer life are right then our prayers will be powerful. When we pray for a change in the other person, do you think that is right. No! We need to ask for a change in us in dealing with that person. Remember that next time you pray for someone.

There are 2 types of anger. Justified and unjustified. There is the anger of pride. This is usually a reaction to a personal sin of some sort. A justified anger would be one like Moses. He gets angry at the people because of the things that made God angry. How they re-acted against God. Either way we do have to be careful of anger. Even justified ones can get out of hand.

When Moses had the Levites kill all those people I was saddened that God allowed that somewhat of an evil act. But I have to remember that God does not do evil in the sense of a moral evil. God allows evil things or does a punishment to evildoers. You have to remember that the wages for sin is death!

The last thing I really really liked was the fact that God allowed Moses to see Him. Not His face, but his back side and that Moses face was radiant. Can you just imagine just catching a glimpse of God? Oh my, how glorious it would be. I am getting all teary just thinking about it. This radiance was a proof for the Israelite that God was real It showed the transformation that takes place in a believer when the presence of God is with them.

Instructions for the Tabernacle

In this story we have God's instructions to build the Tabernacle. The Lord instructs Moses to invite the Israelites to contribute materials for the Tabernacle and it's furnishings. God states that these things are to be made EXACTLY like He wants them to. As Moses did, we are always to follow God's instructions EXACTLY! When God instructs Moses about the burnt offerings that will be done here it clearly relates to the fact that Christ is the reality in which these symbolic things of the tabernacle point to.

He then goes on to explain Aaron and what He is to do and what he is to wear etc..
Side note...Remember in the other days reading how God tells Moses not to build an altar with steps as to not disgrace himself. Today there are instructions for undergarment. My son says to me...It's about time they start wearing underwear.

Another thing that popped out to me was there is the lengthy consecration ceremony God ordained for dedicating Aaron's family to priesthood. This is a symbol to remind us that nothing and no one is set apart from God without being cleansed by the blood. Only the cleansing work of God can fit a human to approach Him or even to serve Him. That is why we need Jesus. that is why He brought Jesus to us. That is why He allowed Jesus to die.

Everything was to be made with Gold. The Ark was made of pure Gold. I sure do wish we would find the ark so as to prove the Bible is true for those un-believing people out there. It would so wonderful to see the 10 commandments carved by the hand of God or be able to see the only God made bread ever in existence. I sometimes wonder why God does not just put it in someones hand. But that is his decision and for a reason we will find out someday.

I have to admit, I had to go back and re-read this days reading. When I first read it to my son, I read it just like it reads. A long book of instructions. Yada Yada Yada. But when I re-read it I saw the things that God was trying to tell us. The main thing I picked up on is that if we are going to do it (follow Gods instructions) we better darn well do it right.

10 Commandments

After a 3 month journey the Israelites camp in front of Mt. Sinai. there God offers to make a covenant with the people which off a lot of benefits, however, it means that the people must obey God. The people agree rather hastily so preparations are made for the appearance of God at Siana. When the day comes God comes down on the top of the mountain in fire with thunder and lighting and an earthquake. Here God give Moses his law in the form of the 10 Commandments.

You see God really wants us all to obey him. He revealed His moral standards to us here and still as of today we are unable to live up to it all. Is that a bad thing? No, cause He clearly states we are an imperfect people. There is only on that is perfect. that is Jesus Christ. However, if we are consistently violating any one of the commandments, then it tells you that you are not living in fellowship with God. If you are constantly using God's name in vain, then how can you say you are in fellowship with Him. That is the 3rd commandment. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Look, it is very simple, but oh so hard. Do Not treat God lightly. he is Holy and all Powerful to do as He pleases. If He can make a mountain shake imagine what He can do in your life if you just try to obey the best you can!

Journey to Sinai

Complain, Complain, Complain. As I was reading this I was reminded at how much my children complain about everything. Too much school, not enough TV, I don't like that, Where's my..., Do I have to? These people were led away from slavery and yet they complain that they were given food there in Egypte and they have none here in the desert. Did they forget how they were beaten daily and mistreated and did I mention beaten? Do we do this in our own lives? Maybe with our spouse or with our children. We complain about everything they do or do not do and forget about all the things they do do. (LOL)

In this chapter we learn about the wonderful gift of food and water that God provides for His people miraculously. Manna, Quail and Water. Wow, what a God, yet still there is grumbling. Grumble Grumble! This attitude towards God was not just bitter complaining but hostility towards Him. He must really care for his children to not have just wiped them out right then and there. I think they were failing to remember that God is ultimately in control. When we loose sight of that we tend to become more negative in our attitude. I know that is true for me. When we trust God to work in our lives we then are filled with optimism and hope. Don;t you think?Come on we need to trust God and stop testing Him. A mature faith in God responds gladly to Him. I am still learning that but have come Oh such a long long way over the past 5 years or so.

God makes it very clear about his rest on the 7th day. He give specific instructions for food preparation so that no one is working on the sabbath day. Hmmm, I wonder, do I really obey this law? I go to church, teach the choir, go to lunch and then spend the day at the park. Hmmm, yea I think so! I do. Or would He consider all that work? Well, I do still make breakfast and dinner. There is a little work involved, but I usually do not do housework or laundry etc. I really try to make Sunday our day of Sabbath.

The one last thing that was started here is the whole judicial system. The appointment of the judges for tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands gives us the basic principle of the Old Testament legal justice system. Elders were responsible to serve as judges and dish out God's Law fairly. This sharing of responsibility means that all the people had access to justice and everyone could be heard. Much like we have today. Funny, I think our system was built on Biblical laws even though many people today would like to tell us otherwise!

Pharaoh's Had Enough And The Jews Get To Go!

The month God strikes the firstborn of Egypt is established as the Hebrew religious year. Moses tells everyone to get a 1 year old lamb on the 10th of the month and take good care of it until the 14th. Then they are to kill it and sprinkle the blood on the door frame.

This is a very important annual festival that will passed down to each generation. It is to commemorate God's grace in sparing the firstborn of the Jews. Each household was given specific orders as to what to cook and how to eat and even where to eat. The one thing that he also mentions is that they are not to break the legs of the lamb. Does this ring a bell further down the line in the New Testament? When men were hung on the cross their legs were usually broken. However, Jesus' legs were not. Not a bone was broken in his body. This whole passover is a symbolism of what is to come with Jesus Christ being the Passover Lamb who was sacrificed for our sins.

Once all the firstborn are dead among the Egyptians, Pharaoh has had enough. Finally! Dude, come on, what does it take to get through to you? How hard hearted and headed can you be? Oh yea, I guess I can be that hard headed too. As I look through my life of past there have been many times God has knocked on my door, but I have not listened and been hard of heart just like Pharaoh. I am sure as I write this, you have too! It took 430 years after the Israelites entered Egypt to finally get out. Yea! Long time, but all in God's time. remember those things that God wants for us we sometimes must wait vs. those things we want for us!

Lets not forget to tell our children who God is on a daily basis and remind them of what God has done for all of us. He has done so much and asks for so little. Lets keep reminding our children of that!

Last Five Plagues and Death of First Born

Now the Lord unleashes even more havoc on Egypt.
6. Plague on Egyptians with dead animals
7. Plague of Boils
8. Plague of Hail
9. Plague of Locust
10.Plague of darkness
Finally: First born to die

Pharaoh pledges to release the Jews but goes back on his word time after time even though his advisers are getting scared and warning him to let the Jews go. But no, Pharaoh is determined to fight God. Raise your hand if that sounds familiar in your own life. My hand is raised. We do this all the time. We are always asking God to show us a sign, but when he does we don't believe it is a sign so we fight.

God's protection on Goshen from all these horrible plagues hit home the truth about God. He really does treat His own differently. Even when you have a believer and a dis-believer that have the same tragedy, the purpose for this tragedy for the believer is much different then that of the dis-believer. Think about it. At any time God could have just wiped out the Egyptians, but he did not. Why? I think it was for two reasons....
1. To show Pharaoh God's almighty strength, but more so to show his grace on the Israelites.
2. To allow the Egyptians to get a closer look at God and all He is capable of. To make sure they can see God's handy work and remember it when they leave Egypt and are in the desert for soooo very long.

You might also be asking why did God rein down his wrath on the innocent Egyptians. That's not fair, they had nothing to do with Pharaoh's stupidity! No it was not unjust of God. Every single Egyptian had an opportunity to stand up against the Pharaoh. They had a chance to treat the Israelites nicely. They each had a chance to help the Israelites. But did they? No! It goes to show you that there is such a thing as corporate responsibility. And this story show it Oh so well. This is one reason we need to safe guard our children. We put them in social situations, school or even with some family members every day and hope and pray that they will follow Gods will but there comes that corporate decision making and peer pressure. The only way to safeguard them is to show them. Use our actions, as an example to them. Live the life God wants you to live and stop fighting Him. Show your children what that looks like! Just like Pharaoh did with his people.

This story really show the hardness of the human heart. It shows how fickle we really are. So many times we ask for help and promise so many things in return. When that help comes do we uphold our end of the bargain? NO, not usually. God is a just God and He will act for us and help us and will be glorified if we let Him. If we follow. If we open our hearts and minds. If we give up our will to His will. Easier said then done I know, but just try it one time on one thing and see if the results aren't fantastic!

First 5 Plagues

Here we now start the plagues today we are dealing with the first five.
1. Staff into snake
2. Nile into blood
3. Plague the country with frogs
4. Turn dust into gnats
5. Swarms of flies

Now I can understand how it would be hard to believe these things. But even harder for the Pharaoh to believe when the Israelites did not believe or trust in God to deliver them. And the fact that the Pharaoh's magicians duplicated some of the plagues. The circumstances in which these people were in was just so hard that they just could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even Moses hesitates and complains about his lack of eloquent speech to God once again. I know for myself I have been there many times in my life. As a matter of fact I have been there for past several months, as of lately. But you know what is different about this time compared to some of the other horrific things that have happened to me in the past? The fact that this time I did not rely on myself. This time I looked at the situation and asked God what He was trying to help me to learn from it. This time, I was calm (most of the time) through my situation. This time I kept my eyes on the Lord and knew, not just in my head, but in my heart that He was there and He would delivery my family and me out of this bondaged that we are currently in. And you know what, He is rising my family and me out of the sinking sand!

When I read the text "I did not make Myself known" I wondered what that meant. After thinking about it for a while and doing a bit of research, I think God was saying that even though Abraham and those knew God they did not really know His character. His true character was revealed through the acts of power by which God intervened to free Israel from Egypt. He even mention that he will outstretch His arms. Again this is a way of Him showing His ability to act all powerful here in our physical world vs. his supernatural world.

Now I have to say I was really set back by the fact that the first three plagues were duplicated by the Pharaoh's magicians. So I figure it's like magic. If a magician today can make the statue of Liberty disappear, then why can't the Pharaoh's magicians duplicate a few of the plagues. But what about getting a bunch of Frogs to come on command. The other possibility is the fact that they were powered by demons. We see that through out the Bible. But I think the plagues get to hard for those demons to duplicate and they realize how powerful God really is. So they decide to back down and let God take control!

Look, God does not forget His commitment to any of us. He always remembers what He has promised. He tells us He will never allow us to have any more then He knows we can handle. Notice the word He knows, not I know, but HE! It never fails. When I think I have had enough and can not handle anymore He is there to rescue me. He is there to rescue you too and free you from your bondage. What bondage are you in right now? Today sit down and look at all the things that have us bound. TV, Food, Money, power, fame, prestige etc. And make it your goal to give them each up to God and have him deliver us from those things. I am going to start my list now.

Moses born and Exiled

Here we have a change of scene. We go a few hundred years after Joseph dies and start to learn about the birth, rise, exile and power of Moses and the bondage of the Israelites. I find it very interesting that these midwives decided to save all the baby boys when Pharaoh instructed them to kill all baby boys. That was a huge risk on their part. But with their faith in God they prevailed. Just imagine what would have become of the Israelites if these ladies did not trust in God. With the Israelites in bondage and the slaughtering of baby boys, now the Pharaoh takes in and Israelite as his own son. I still wonder why he would take in an Israelites baby into his household and raise him to be his own. I know it was all God ordained. But I wonder if he would have known that Moses would kill and Egyptian and go back to his God, would he have still taken the risk?

I feel sorry for the Pharaoh. He was himself in bondage to the things of the world. He was in bandage to power, possessions etc. Just like us. What are you in bondage to?

I am going to skip forward a bit past the talk of how the Israelites got into bondage and more closely about Moses on Mt. Sinai.

Moses was given a chance to see God face to face through the burning bush. When God calls Moses Moses, he answered Yes, it is me. Wow, I think I would have gone screaming away from there. I wish God would still talk to us like he use to. I know he does in a different way, but it sure would be nice to see him face to burning bush once in a while. When God gives Moses the instructions to go to the Pharaoh and set the Israelite free, what is his answer? I can't. You know Moses' I can't is as foolish as all the I cant's we give out on a daily basis. Just think about how many times you said to yourself I can't just today!

God said He would help him speak, but still Moses is fearful of making a mistake or a fool out of himself. I do this all the time. God says go and I say I can't. God says yes you can and I say I can't. With God's help we can do anything. We just have to trust. It's like homeschooling. I am fearful that I will forget to teach something or someone will decide to make trouble for me or whatever. I worry about these things. Who am I putting my trust in when I worry about it? ME! But the times I put my faith in God and not myself I find a peace in my heart.

I think if we all take a look at the beginning of Moses' adulthood here out of Egypt we can really see how God's truth prevails. How God comes through no matter what. And how to rely on God's truth! How many times today or yesterday did you rely on your own strength instead of God's?

God concedes to Moses and allows his brother Aaron to help him even after Moses makes God angry, but making sure that Moses knows that he is the man in charge. Isn't it wonderful that when we provoke God to anger at us that He does not strike out like we would in our angry fits, but provides grace so that we will eventually obey His will.

Jacob Dies

Today I am sick, but I still read my Bible. But my brain just did not work to well. So this one will be short and sweet.

Jacob gathers his sons to bless them just before he dies. this blessing is prophetic in that it predicts what will happen in the following years. Now with Dad gone, all the brothers worry about Joesph being mad still and taking revenge on them. But no way. Joseph looks at everything in his life as a blessing from God.

God will surely come to your aid. This is repeated 2 times in Gen 24-25. Joseph died with confidence that God would bring his people back to the promised land, Cannan that he promised to give Abraham and is offspring. You know, God sometime may take his sweet slow time, but we always know that he will keep his promise to us.

Joseph Stores Up and Reveals Himself to His Brothers

I missed my Bible study yesterday because I was at a field trip for the kids. We learned all about cheese making. We went to a Dairy/Cheese making farm. Oooh, it was so worth the 1 1/2 hour drive out there. The cheese was absolutely fantastic. The best I have ever tasted. So anyway, I am incorporating yesterday and today's reading into one study!

Joseph could probably not see the purpose God had in mind when He allowed all this misfortunes to take place in his life. But this story helps me to remember that our God sees the whole picture from beginning to the end. We have to trust God even when there is pain involved.

I see the games Joseph played with his brothers and I wonder why would a man of God play such games. I think if we look at his character overall I figure that this game he played with his brothers was not exactly a vindictive game but rather more of a game to have his brothers re-examine their hearts and to admit their sin against their brother. Maybe even to reveal the change in their own hearts not just to Joseph but to themselves. And with this reveal I think that if Joseph had any leftover hostility to his brothers it must have just melted away.

You see if we have to reconcile with another person not only we have to confess our misconduct to the person who was hurt, but the person hurt must be willing to Forgive! Without both, the reconciliation is only one-sided. Joseph and his brothers had a two sided reconciliation.

I often wonder, and maybe I missed it, but did Jacob/Israel ever find out what his sons did? Would he have been as forgiving as Joseph? I am glad that Joesph remained confident that God was at work in every experience in his life, even the painful ones.

Joseph the Egyptian Ruler

This story is so interesting. Here you had Judah and the other brothers who have no idea how to make the best of any situation and use bruit force to gain what they want. Then you have Joseph who is so calm and cool and makes the best of each situation he is in. I guess it helps that he has God on his side.

The thing I really like about Joseph is he gives 100% credit to God for his interpretation of dreams. I would love to see more people put aside the fortune telling and the 900 physic hot line and horoscopes. They are all from Satan. If we would just rely on God a bit more we might be able to interpret our own dreams without all the demonic helps.

When Joseph is continually asked and begged to sleep with the Pharaoh's wife he continues to refuse. The contrast between Judah in Genesis 39: 15-16 and Joseph here is powerful. Both were tempted sexually. However Joseph refuses and Judah seeks out to indulge his lustful drive. So here is a one proof that our sex drive does not make us sin but our choice does. Our sexual preference does not make us sin, but our choice does! If we continue to look to God He will give us the guidance to say no. All we have to do is stop relying ourselves. Easier said then done.

Look, God acts for us no matter where we are; Prison, Church, Home, School. All we have to do is prove that faithfulness in even the smallest of ways. Stop, pray, listen and then do as He commands. Once again, easier said then done. But the more we actually try the easier it will get. I for one have not been great at this, but I continually try and over the years it has gotten easier and easier! I can not wait till all my actions are done in 100% faith! I guess that will be the day I am in heaven.

Joseph's Early Years

I look at Joseph and I am amazed that he never figured out that his brothers hated him so much or that they were plotting to murder him. I mean there was an obvious favoritism between Jacob (his father) and himself. Plus the prophetic revelation from God in the form of dreams he told his brother. Their reaction should have sparked some sort of awareness about their hatred towards him. Jealousy can sure stimulate so many evil things in us. Even murder or the sale of a sibling. Joseph's silence as his brothers debate his fate in Genesis 37: 12-35 goes hand in hand with the silence of Christ before the Judges. Don't you think?

I like how Ruben tried to save Joseph. I understand why he may not have been a bit more vocal. He was probably scared. I mean if they are all willing to murder one brother why not two?! I do wish that he would have gone back to his father Jacob and told him about the evil plan of his brothers. However, he later showed just how much he cared for his brother by tearing his clothes as his father did.

It seems there is once again this running evilness that runs through this lineage. We now have Er who is killed by God because he is evil (it is not stated why) as well as Onan who refuses to be a servant by fathering a son in his brothers name. I realize that back then that would be a huge sacrifice, but the selfishness of Onan is later rewarded with death (I say with sarcasm).

Then Judah makes some miserable choices. He fails to keep his word to Tamar and give her his youngest son to father a child for Er. Unfortunately she won't hear of this and tricks him into having sex with her under the disguise of a prostitute. Now, why is a man of God seeking out a prostitute? I know his wife is dead, but please come on!

The most important thing about this story I think comes about a bit later on in time. The descendants of Judah (through Perez, Tamar's son through Judah) will become God's messenger to all mankind-the Messiah. And with that we learn that it is better to suffer innocently (Joseph, Christ etc) then as a consequence of wrong and foolish choices (Omar, Judah etc).

Esau's Relatives

In this chapter I realize how badly I need a interpreter. I have such a hard time reading these type of names. However it has inspired me to search out a online translator. We'll see if I can find one.

Anyhow, the thing I find sad that also translates into my own life is the fact that now Jacob and Esau will be eternally divided. There will no longer be any brotherly love between them or their offspring. There will only be fighting and quarreling. This all too well represents a situation in my own life. It is so sad that forgiveness here is not an option. However, in this case it was all somhow arranged by God.

I am sorry to say that after 2 weeks of reading and gaining so much insight, I am at a lost here. I know it is important to know the lineage of these historical figures, but the application, well, I am at a lost for how this would apply. Other then, once again, that our children are what we are and what we portray to them. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a better insight into my reading!

Dinah and Jacobs Continued Journey

Jacob bowed down and asked for forgiveness to his brother Esau by calling himself "Your Servant" as well as begs God to help him with the situation with his brother. When Esau and Jacob finally meet up once again Esau forgives Jacob for his wrong doing. What a brother! We all have to remember this one. When we want to counter our fear all we have to do is to remember God's wonderful grace.

How I feel so sorry for Dinah. Here is this beautiful girl and she gets violated by this man. I can not imagine how Jacob must have felt about the situation and his daughter. But no matter what he felt inside, he remained calm and collected. We need to take a lesson here from Jacobs words and mannerisms. He was so calm about it and instead of flying off the handle and doing something rash that he would later on regret he calmly rationalizes and makes a deal with the perpetrator and his family. Unfortunately her brothers did just the opposite by killing all the Canaanite and Perizzite men. How unfortunate for their rash decisions that later they will regret!

Right before Rachel dies she gives Jacob just one more son. Now Jacob has his 12 tribes complete. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah. Issachar. Zebulum, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Maphtali, Gad and Asher. Whew, what a family. Plus lets not forget the girls he also has. Now with the 12 tribes in place God changes Jacobs name to reflect this new nation that will now be grown and known.

You can plainly see that our own experiences and our own actions can surely influence our family and others. As I have pointed out over and over again about how much this family lies. Each one learning from their father. We need to remember that this still applies today. Our children look at us daily. Even more so for those of us who homeschool. We influence our children even more because we are around them 24 hours a day. For those who go to school, the influence changes more towards peers, but our influence is still there. How we react towards situations and how we may tell those little white lies... the kids pick up on it. Next time you are yelling at your kids for something they did or their attitude, you have to ask yourself where they learned that action or response etc. School or more likely you?

The one thing this family really has understood is that knowing God gives your life a sense of meaning, a senses of peace and sense of calmness no matter what the circumstances are. Even if that means the experiences in life are tragic.

Jacob Leaves Laban

Jacob I think finally realizes that he needs to go, but not without a dispute. You see Laban does not like the idea that Jacob has become so wealthy since he started working for him, however I think Laban fails to remember that he has lied to Jacob over and over again. God was with Jacob and no matter what Laban's demands were with the livestock, Jacob always came out ahead. Laban did not like that. This is so very close to the jealousy we all have towards one-another. I don't think anyone wants to see another person completely fall on their face, but we all want to be better then the next and dislike it when we are less. I like the fact that Laban realizes in the end that not only is Jacob blessed by God, but he needs to just let go.

Later on Jacob wrestles with God all night long. This I find very interesting. I think this metaphor is very symbolic of our own lives. We all have a lapse in our moral character. We all lie and use some sort of trickery for some sort of gain. I think this wrestling is a symbol of what we all should be doing within ourselves when we act upon this sinful nature of lies. We should have a hard time sleeping and wrestle with the Lord until we ask for complete forgiveness. We may not actually see God face to face right now, but our conscience of what we know to be right and wrong along with the word of God, should be enough.

I try desperately to teach my children to be happy for other peoples fortunes and to help or pray for those who are in miss-fortune. I know there is a lot more behind this Jacob and Laban thing, but the jealousy really stood out to me.

Jacob Marrys and has Lots of Children

Jacob gets lied to. Jacobs does as his mom states and leaves to go to where her family is so that he will not be killed by his brother. He meets up with Laban, strikes a deal to marry his love, Rachel and ends up Laban gives him Leah. Strikes another deal for Rachel and finally gets to marry her. But not without many many years of payment. Laban's deception must have reminded Jacob of his own deception with his brother and father with forced him to leave towards Haran. Then there still is not harmony in this poor family. Now Rachel and Leah are battling for babies. Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilha all give him 12 children. And thus starts the 12 tribes of Jacob.

We need to remember that when other people are against us and try to victimize us, we have to trust in God. If our spouses abuse us, if creditors harass us, if friends spread rumors of us, if we feel the whole world is down on us, it does not matter. We must always turn to God. He is the One and only that is there through the thick and thin of it. Family and friends are there too, but sometimes they can be the cause of the stresses. But God will NEVER let us down. Sometimes we may even need to leave, but NEVER leave God.

I see this family doing that over and over and over again! No matter how hard and stressed and down they get they NEVER turn away from the One who made them and made the covenant with them. As we should do the same.

Jacob Steals Blessing

Well, poor old Isaac is tricked into believing that his son Jacob is his other son Esau. I am still not quit sure how a father would not know the difference between goat hair and his sons hair, however it was more probable that is was a divine thing anyway. God knew all along that Jacob was to continue the covenant between Himself and Abraham.


Once Esau finds out about the deception, he sees red and is ready to kill his brother. I do not think that is the avenue he should have taken, but given his future according to God, that was to be expected. Maybe that is one of the reasons why he lost it all to his brother. First he gives his birthright up for food, then he is tricked out of the blessing. Poor, poor Esau. I guess he just needs to keep trust in the Lord even when life takes unexpected turns.


You know I have really learned something valuable so far. I have noticed that these people that God calls righteous are not perfect. Have you noticed that? Noah, Abraham. Sarah, Isaac, Esau, Rebekah. They all sinned over and over again. They all were imperfect people. However, God found favor in all of them. He blessed them all. Tells me that you do not need to be perfect to be rightous!

I get so hard on myself when I mess up and do things that are so far from righteous. Yesterday at church one of the Pastors talked about the sower of seed and how the seed falls on the different soils. It was perfect to go along with what I have been picking up here. I am sooooo very imperfect, but I love God, I try daily to be as close to Him as possible, I bear fruit that is noticeable and I am a sower of the word. I can not tell you how greatly appreciative I am that God has shown me all these answers that I have known for years, but just came to my eyes for the first time!

You know over the years I have tried and tried again to read through the Bible in a year. But I have never made it all the way through. I think the reason may be because of immaturity. In the past I was not a sower. The fruit was there but never matured to a nice ripened fruit. Now that the fruit has been grown, matured, picked and grown again, it was time for me to learn more about Gods word! I am so thankful for that!

Ishmael, Isaac, Esau and Jacob

After Abraham dies Ishmael and Isaac make amends for a bit to be able to bury their father. it seems to me that even though there is animosity between them they still feel somewhat of a tie due to the fact that a marriage takes place between the two families later on.

What I find funny is later after Isaac has Esau and Jacob he does exactly what his father Abraham did earlier with the King. He Lies about Rebekah being his sister and not his wife. When the King finds out he makes a law that nobody is to hurt them. Sound familiar? And then the Kings send them on their way. Wow, like father like son.

Then the family lies continue on into Esau and Jacob. Jacob cons Esau out of his birthright for food. OK, so Esau was not so smart and probably a little glutton to think of food being more important then his birthright. I guess you could say that he could not see beyond the moment into the future. How many times do we do that. Think about the mindless spending we all do. That is a great example of the very same thing Esau did.

I guess the one thing I really picked up on today's lesson is the fact that it is NOT necessary to lie or cheat to obtain the blessings that God promises to us. We just need to be patient and WAIT! He will ALWAYS come through for us!

Well, I am off to church.

Abraham Arranges a Wife for Issac

Gen 24 This chapter reminds me so much of the sacred history they use to have to continue their lineage. Today we do not feel that drive like we use to. We take marriage so casually. It was so important to marry within the same religious group that your family was in. Today we have mixed religious marriages (not equally yoked) and wonder why the marriage is suffering. Then, we had children to carry on our their name and the family heritage. Today we get abortions because we can not afford or want the burden of having a child. What a difference.

This chapter also reminds me of how important it is to ask God for guidance. We go along in life and get complacent and forget that we are not doing this all on our own. Yes, we have choice, but God is there directing us and guiding our circumstances if only we take a moment and ask and listen.

Abraham knew that after his wife's death that his time was coming soon to be with the Lord. He wanted to make sure that his son got a wife from his religious background so he sent his servant to go back home and find a wife for his son. You see not only did Abraham pray about finding a wife for his son, but also his servant prayed. He is unnamed which I find ironic since he plays such a pinnacle role in this part of Abraham and Issac's life. He carries out a mission that calls for selfless service to his master. He bows down to God in asking for help and then bows down even deeper to Thank God for the help He has given him. And Rebekah goes with this servant not really knowing what lies ahead for her, but goes in faith that God knows what's best for her and her family.

My prayer is that I can in all circumstances do that same as this servant and Rebekah.

Abraham's Ultimate Test

Now, I really do not get why God would ask Abraham to sacrifice the son that is suppose to build a great nation, but we cannot always tell why with Gods ways. I know the text says Gen 22:1-2 that God was testing him. But you know God already knew how Abraham felt. So could it be that maybe Abraham was getting too cocky about Isaac? Could it be that God wanted Abraham to prove to himself how much he really trusted God. I don't know.

My second thing I saw was the fact that God mentions Isaac in the text as Abraham's only son three times.
Gen 22:2 Take your son, your only son...
Gen 22:12 ...you have not withheld from me your son, your only son...
Gen 22:15 ...you have not withheld from me your son, your only son....
I really do not get this one. Remember Abraham has Ishmael too. What is the significance of God specifically mentioning your only son?

The one thing that strikes me on both these matters of why is the fact that God has a son that will be sacrificed hundreds of year later and God had only one son, Jesus Christ. So maybe this is not so much about why, but more about fulfilling the prophecy and for us to see how it all connects.

In with Isaac out with Ishmael

It took God 25 years to fulfil the promise He made to Abraham and Sarah. 25 years they waited, but not very patiently. There were times they believed with their full heart and other times when they were filled with doubt or disbelief.

I find that is me. Oh, don't get me wrong, I never doubt or disbelieve the existence of God and His way is the only way. But there are time I doubt that the situations I am in. I doubt that there will be an end and that I (of course) need to do something fast to fix the situation. Or patience. Yea, isn't that a virtue or something? Oh come on, you cannot sit there and tell me you are always patient with God. Gods way is the slow and steady gets you where you want to go. Our way is to hurry up, hurry up, Now, Now, Now!

This is very similar to Abraham and Sarah. First they lie about her being his sister (even though she is 1/2 sis) then Abraham and Sarah decide to use Hagar as a surrogate to fulfill the promise, and now Abraham and Sarah lie once again about her being his sister to yet another King. Praise God that God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him not to take Sarah as his wife, to confront Abraham and to spare him.

And then there is poor Ishmael. First he and Hagar are thrown out when he is probably about 17 years old and still he's a mama's boy. He relies on his mom to go get the water, the shelter and the wife. Yet he is to be a leader of a nation. It is no wonder that Ishmael and his offspring, later on, have so much hostility against thier brothers.

Overall, this reading was a great look at the character of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael and myself. We need to realized that we need to wait on God. Not the other way around!

Sodom and Gomorrah

So God decides to either go to Abraham in human form or he send two angels. The way Abraham as well as Lot later on reacts to these men, it seems to me that He might have manifested himself in human form.

Gen 18 9-15 First Sarah laughs when she hears that she will have a baby in her old age and thinks God (messengers) can not hear her. She then lies about laughing when she is asked, until she realized she really is caught. This reminds me of our own life. How many times do we lie per day, per week, per whatever? We all do it. Most of us call it White Lies. A little lie about our weight, our age, the amount of $$ we make etc. God calls this sin. We do this thinking first that we will not get caught then secondly because we think no one will get hurt. Well, I am here to tell you...God catches every single lie and He gets hurt by this sin.

Gen 18:22-33 Second Abraham bargains with God not once, not twice but 6 times. But did you notice how he buttered God up prior to this? "....far be it from you! Will not the Judge of earth do right?" Wow, what guts to know you are speaking to God and still try to patronize Him. However, don't we do this same thing? We call it bargaining. God pleeeeease do this for me and if you do I will read the bible daily or whatever.

Third, Gen 19: 1-3 Lot realizes that these two men are God (messengers) and I love the fact that he wants to save them from the bad men of Sodom, but again, its God we are talking about! The messengers did not need saving especially at the price of handing his betrothed virgin daughters over to the men of Sodom. And then later he commits incest with his daughters. Oh I know what you are thinking, he was drunk and did not know what they did to him. It was his daughters fault. I say he had the choice to say yes or no the the alcohol. He chose to drink in abundance and get drunk. So he is just as much to blame as his daughters.

The last thing I find sad and really close to home is the fact that Abraham has no idea whether Lot was righteous enough to have survived the fall of Sodom. I have family members as well as friends in the same situation. I am just not sure if they will go to heaven. This is a perfect example of why we need to talk to our friends and family. Not hound them or shove the word of God in their face, but live it and proudly and profess it out loud. We want to know that our family and friends will go to heaven when they die.

God Convenant with Abram

Gen 15:1-3 "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Wow to me those are strong words. I am your shield and reward. Isn't that so true even still today? When you are in deep need all we have to do is pull up the word of God in our brains and it can shield us form the worst of enemies. Just when you think all is despair, God comes through and pulls you out of the pit. He also rewards us for the things we do. Think about it. Isn't it a reward that you have food on your table right now. How about that computer you are working on. What about the ability to see. These are all things we never think of as a rewards, but I think they are. In a short time we will be going over Job and you will see just how much of a reward these things are.

This is true today as it was back then with Sarai and Abram. God made His covenant with Abram and they made their agreement by cutting the heifer, goat and ram in half (as they did in those days each party would walk in-between the cut pieces as to say this will be done to my herd if this covenant is to be broken). But God told Abram to keep his covenant with Him by being circumcised at 99 years old (ouch) as well as every male in his family and servants etc. And he does it. He promised that Abram would have many descendants yet still Abram and Sarai thought they had to take it into their hands to fulfill the covenant. Even though God said He would take care of it.

because of their lack of trust you now have Hagar who is showing off to everyone and making Sarai feel bad. However, God intervenes once again and talks to Hagar through His angels. God came through again as promised and gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age and shielded them from what could have been a potentially bad situation with Hagar and Ishmael by rewarding them with the son Isaac.

He is our shield and our reward!

The Call of Abram

Abram was a very special man. He started out as a man who wandered around more settled people in search of food and water and ended up the father of all nations.

His life was an example to all of us how faith in God should be. Think about it. Gen 12:2-5 The Lord said to Abram "leave your country, people and father's household and go to the land I show you". And what was Abram response...So Abram left as the Lord told him. Wow, can I say I would do that? I am not 100% sure. I would love to sit here and say "oh for sure I would", but when it came down to it would any of us? It makes me think of missionaries. They, to me, feel like Abram. They leave everything behind just to follow Gods word and do his work.

Then there is the fact that he allowed Lot to choose which country side to inhabit. Even though that meant that he would have the lesser of the two lands. So un-selfish!

Or even when he departs from the King he gives him a tenth of EVERYTHING he owns. WOW! And some of us find it hard to give $50.00 a week. Imagine giving a tenth of everything we own? This is a man who really has faith that God will watch over him and provide for him and his family no matter what. The King did not need that tenth, but Abram was willing to do that to show his faith. So cool!

However, we see later that he is still a man and sin still crouches at his door just like everyone else. This happens when he lies to the king about his wife Sari and tells him that she is his sister, which is half true. But what does the king do when he finds out...he shows mercy on him and lets him go. I think Abram, even though he lost sight of the fact God will take care of him realized at that moment when the king could have taken his life, that God was watching over him. How many times do we feel like we are all alone until after the event in which we realize God was there all along walking beside us watching over us and keeping us safe?!

Today's lesson was fantastic. A lesson in faith. A lesson in trust. A lesson in un-selfishness.


By the way, now that school has started again and vacation time is done, I probably will not be posting until about 2:00pm or so, CA time. We read in the am, but school comes right after then my notes posted here. Just FYI!

Begining of Nations

When God divided everyone up, it was not because he wanted to make us all have to take language classes at night. No it was because of our own sinful nature to always rebel against and be defiant to God. It goes to show you that nothing has changed. We still rebel against God.

Now God/US (the Trinity) Gen 11:7 decides to confuse the language and spread the people over the earth Gen 11: 8 because of this rebellion. This now begins the division of people into nations. This may even be when God divided us into the different races. It does not say that, but this seems to be the likely place for that. Would you agree? This is also the spot where we learn about the birth of the father of the Hebrews, Abraham and where he comes from, which we know how important a figure he is in Biblical History.

Now did you notice the age declining? Remember the other day I mentioned that once the animals were given to us as food, that I thought this would be the exact time when how long we live will start to decrease. And it happened just as fast as I thought it might. We go from living an average of 800 years to an average of 200 years. We go from having babies at 150 years old to having them in our mid 30's. I find this rather interesting. Why the decline? Is it because of meat eating, is it because He separated us into nations so we became more dependant on ourselves rather then huge amounts of family and people, loneliness, what? What are your thoughts?

OK, let me say I have no idea how to pronounce those names. My kids were actually giggling at me because I was stumbling over the names so badly. I want to ask, does anyone know of a web site that allows you to type in a word and have it speak it back to you. I was searching for that, but just could not find it. If you do, post it here please. Numbers is coming up and I think I will really need it for that book.

Family Fun

OK, I know this has nothing to do with a Bible Study, but please take a moment and check it out. I think you will have a good laugh.
http://nutbugs.blogspot.com/2009/01/family-video.html

Noah and the flood

I got a few things revealed to me today that I have read before, but just never picked up on. Some of you may say...duh, but I just got it so don't laugh. My Mom and some of my friends who are on the fence about the whole creation and Noah thing have been asking me some of the following questions for years and I have never really been able to give them a good enough answer. Now I think I have it.

QUESTION: How on earth did Noah ever go around in 120 days and get all the animals on the earth to go with him and not get eaten?
ANSWER: Gen 6:20 Every kind of living Creature WILL COME TO YOU to be kept alive. Oh my gosh plain as day and I have read that so many times and never caught it. Noah did not go get the animals, God brought everyone of them to him.

QUESTION: How did Noah fit all those animals on that ark?
ANSWER: I believe that instead of having adult animals coming to the ark that God had babies come to the ark. This would help keep down over population on the ark (like all the adults having babies during that year) and save room especially for the larger animals. I also think it might be possible that for the larger dinosaurs that Noah may have had eggs instead of the actual hatched animal. By the way you know most of the dinosaurs that roamed the earth were small. There are really only a few handfuls of those humongous beasts.

QUESTION: How was it we were able to walk with animals with out being torn apart like what would happen today?
ANSWER: Gen 9:1-4 God plainly states here that ALL animals, big small, flying, fish and crawling will be fearful of man. He also says that Just as He gave us the plants he NOW gives us everything that moves along the ground as food. Back in the creation account He stated that Adam was to rule over the animals and He gave them green plants to eat. He also states later that there was not a Help Meet suitable for Adam. That tells me that God may have put the animals as company for Adam originally. So I was right all along. We were vegetarians to begin with. Not just us, but the whole earth of animals were vegetarians. It was after the fall and the flood that we no longer could be friends with the animals and we started to eat them. And I bet this is also when the start of 800 year life spans started to decrease. As we read on we'll find out about that later remark.

OK now I also found some other things I just want to mention. Did you notice in Gen 8:21 that he says that mans inclination of his heart is evil from childhood? For those of you who have children you know this to be true. That is why it is sooooooooo very important to train our children's character at a very young age. Do not start at age 4 or 5, but right from day one. And for us to protect our children from other children's sinful nature that can be rubbed off onto our children. You know not everyone teaches character to their children. Some leave it to the schools to do. This is one of the greatest reason I homeschool. They are so young, sinful and ready for any and all to show them what to do. Even if it means to learn from another 5 year old sinful child.

You know this event (so many people do not believe in) is a "symbol of how destructive sin can be and the grace of God in saving those who would act in faith through righteousness". So once again we are taught that all we have to do is "The Right Thing" and that sin is crouching at our doors. It strikes me as funny that it would take 3 simple sentences in the Bible to reveal so much to me.

And as far as those who do not believe in creation or the flood. The creation institute has so many wonderful books I have read that PROVE there once was a flood and that intelegant design is how we were made. Not by some haphazard chance.

See you all tomorrow!

Adams Geneology

Today I got a late start on my Bible study. We took down all our Christmas decorations today! The house is back to normal. By the way, my kids told me today that they like me reading the Bible to them. YEA!!! Anyway, here are my notes for today.

So now we have the first murder. So I wonder, where is Cain? Heaven or Hell? I assume heaven, but I honestly am not sure. What do you think and why? Now Cain was Sooo very angry that his face was downcast. I know I have done things before that after I said or did them, I became very angry and downcast. And I know exactly why he was so angry...GUILT! He knew what he did was wrong, but there was no way to turn back and change what he did. He knew that His heavenly father would be very disappointed as well as his earthly parents. Therefore instead of acting remorseful, he acted angry. Have you ever done that? Yea, me too! I think we all have at one point or another in our lives. I think it might be called being defensiveness.

I love what God said to him in Gen. 4:7 about sin crouching at our doors and all we need to do is do the right thing. Ha, Oh, yea, that is sooo easy. Lets see, we have food addictions, evil thoughts about someone, looking at the opposite sex in a lustful way, billboard tempting us in lustful thoughts of people, places and things, and then all the actions we take on the above etc. And guess what, we all do these type of things.

Genesis is also about populating the earth. I find it funny how we can question Gods ways sometimes. He decided to take 2 people and have them and their off spring populate the earth. And what do we do...we say that can not be possible because that would be incest. But who are we to condemn Gods ways. He also made people to live 100's of years too. So why not just 2 people to start with? Remember I take the Bible literally not figuratively! So when He says 2 people He means 2 people.

Speaking of 100's of year, I am not sure if I would want to live that long or not. But I certainly would like to be healthy enough to do so. The one thing I know is that if we were to eat the way they did back then, and not have all the pollutions of the air we have now from cars and factories etc, we just might have a longer life with less disease. Maybe, I don't know, but that is my thought on it. Well, I guess they certainly did not have a fast food drive through back then either. I can just see them pulling up on their camels to the drive through window to order an apple or something like that. OK, I'm giggling at my own thoughts. I know silly me.

Anyway, see you all tomorrow. Hey and thank you to those who have decided to join me on this year long trip. Once again, I will try to write my thoughts daily, but if I miss I expect everyone to shoot me an email to remind me of my 2009 goal of reading the Bible everyday for 1 year! See you tomorrow!

Creation

So today I read about creation. I know the stories, I have read them hundreds of times to the kids, but there was three key things I picked up on this time around. Yes I already knew these things, but it makes it concrete what I have been teaching my children all along. Man walked with the dinosaurs and had no fear of the beasts. That the world was created in 7 days not 7 million years and that we were created to be vegetarians not carnivorous beings.

1. Gen 1:20-25 God says that He created EVERY living thing in the water as well as EVERY living things on the land. He did NOT say that He created most of it and then hundreds or millions of years earlier created other creatures. He created EVERY LIVING THING on day 5 and 6.

2.Gen 1:30 that He gave every beast green plants for food. He Never stated that we are to eat meat. We were originally created to be vegetarians. Therefore when Man walked with the beasts the beasts would have no reason to eat man since they were vegetarians. hence we would have had no fear of beasts!

3. Gen 3:6-7 says that Adam was standing next to Eve when she took the first bite. So why didn't he try to stop her and why did he blame her when he was there and could have stopped her. This tells me that when we are in a group of people the power of persuasion is powerful!