The idea of the Ark of the Covenant is so different for us as New Testament Christians. To think that God's dwelling was identified and confined to a place is so weird. Either way it must have been tragic when the ark was captured. To think that your source of God's presence and your enemies stole it.
It makes me think of revival high school stealing a mascot, but the reality is that this is much more serious. So serious that it killed Eli. In 4:14 Eli asked what all the noise was about. The messenger told him what had happened and Eli fell backwards, broke his neck, and died. Crazy stuff!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Judges 15:13-1 Samuel 2:29
For some reason Blogger was unavailable for a a little while for both Emily and me. I could see my blog, but it wouldn't allow me to log in. Not to fear though I've kept on my reading, and will now catch up on my posting.
This day's reading seemed to cover lots of ground. Samson and Delilah - Samson just seems like a stud, and Delilah...well I always think of the current radio version. Weird, I know. Ruth seems like that small book that was ALWAYS highlighted at women's conferences that I would have to attend. Ugh! Hated those. Then we start to hear about Samuel.
All along it seems that idols had become a big problem. I know I kinda mentioned this earlier but in a way I have a hard time understanding the idols of the Biblical era - wooden statues...really? I know we have idolatry now. We look toward things to save us, make us better, smarter, healthier, richer, wiser...and the list goes on, but wooden things...really?
Then again are we any better off by worshiping culture, celebrities, technology...etc. God help our worship to be pure and to only be reserved for you!
This day's reading seemed to cover lots of ground. Samson and Delilah - Samson just seems like a stud, and Delilah...well I always think of the current radio version. Weird, I know. Ruth seems like that small book that was ALWAYS highlighted at women's conferences that I would have to attend. Ugh! Hated those. Then we start to hear about Samuel.
All along it seems that idols had become a big problem. I know I kinda mentioned this earlier but in a way I have a hard time understanding the idols of the Biblical era - wooden statues...really? I know we have idolatry now. We look toward things to save us, make us better, smarter, healthier, richer, wiser...and the list goes on, but wooden things...really?
Then again are we any better off by worshiping culture, celebrities, technology...etc. God help our worship to be pure and to only be reserved for you!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Judges 3:28 - 15:12
Tomorrow at South Side Scott (our interim preacher) is going to speak about how loving God is often articulated by our obedience to him. In our relationships we often show love through words, gifts, and actions, but Scripture (at least in the Old Testament) often points to those who obey God as those who love him.
I think this can have a significant impact on our worship services. Often times it's easy to program them from an emotional standpoint, but what if we just encourage people to obey God. Would we know how to do it? Could we identify where we're disobedient. I'm eager to hear what God says through Scott tomorrow morning.
I think this can have a significant impact on our worship services. Often times it's easy to program them from an emotional standpoint, but what if we just encourage people to obey God. Would we know how to do it? Could we identify where we're disobedient. I'm eager to hear what God says through Scott tomorrow morning.
Joshua 14 - Judges 3:27
Yesterday was the first day so far I didn't stay on track. I had the time to do it. It was my day after all. I was just busy doing other things. I came home about 11:15 and decided to catch up tomorrow. So here I am on Saturday with lots of reading to do. It really does pile up quickly.
At the beginning of Judges we begin to see the downward spiral that Israel is in for a long time. Several times the text says that after one generation the people had given to idols. It makes me thankful to my parents and to Emily's parents for raising us to know the Lord. Now as a parent I hope I as well set an example that will help Audrey to maintain that same love for God.
At the beginning of Judges we begin to see the downward spiral that Israel is in for a long time. Several times the text says that after one generation the people had given to idols. It makes me thankful to my parents and to Emily's parents for raising us to know the Lord. Now as a parent I hope I as well set an example that will help Audrey to maintain that same love for God.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Joshua 1-13
Wow. Lots of killing. Really Joshua's all about murder, stoning and such. Sometimes it's just hard to reconcile the same God of grace and love with this God who orders so much bloodshed. I had a friend in high school that really struggled with this aspect. I'm beginning to see more of his point I think.
Aside from all the killing there was one section where Joshua reminded the people of their covenant of God. I really like the picture that is painted with this picture. In worship ministry we often talk about worship space and environment. How's this for awesome:
Then all the Israelites - foreigners and native-born alike - along with the elders, officers, and judges were divided into two groups. One group stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between them stood the Levitical priest carrying the Ark of the Lord's Covenant. This was all done according to the commands that Moses, the servant of the Lord, had previously given for blessing the people of Israel. Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.
Aside from all the killing there was one section where Joshua reminded the people of their covenant of God. I really like the picture that is painted with this picture. In worship ministry we often talk about worship space and environment. How's this for awesome:
Then all the Israelites - foreigners and native-born alike - along with the elders, officers, and judges were divided into two groups. One group stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between them stood the Levitical priest carrying the Ark of the Lord's Covenant. This was all done according to the commands that Moses, the servant of the Lord, had previously given for blessing the people of Israel. Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Deuteronomy 23:12 - 34
It's crazy to think that I just read in 15 days what I spent an entire semester's 4-hour class studying. The Pentateuch is complete and I really enjoyed one aspect of Moses' closing (and very long) speech.
He wrote down all these instructions and gave them to the Levites to be stored and transported with the Arch of the Covenant. I'd have to guess (and was probably taught at one point) that these "instructions" eventually became the first five books of the Bible. I'm not sure if we can be completely positive, but it does make sense.
Assuming that he is speaking of what eventually became Scripture, God has established a connection between worship - the Arch and the Temple, with Scripture - "these instructions."
Yeah it is kinda simplistic, but it is very foundational. To know that Scripture and worship go hand in hand. Thank you Lord for your Word and it's blessings, instructions, and insights.
He wrote down all these instructions and gave them to the Levites to be stored and transported with the Arch of the Covenant. I'd have to guess (and was probably taught at one point) that these "instructions" eventually became the first five books of the Bible. I'm not sure if we can be completely positive, but it does make sense.
Assuming that he is speaking of what eventually became Scripture, God has established a connection between worship - the Arch and the Temple, with Scripture - "these instructions."
Yeah it is kinda simplistic, but it is very foundational. To know that Scripture and worship go hand in hand. Thank you Lord for your Word and it's blessings, instructions, and insights.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Deuteronomy 8 - 23:11
It's late so I don't have anything really long to discuss tonight. One thing that was really instigated in this passage was the bringing of the tithes/first fruits/etc.
I've recently been wrestling with how that whole aspect of worship fits into the liturgy of the church. As our culture moves more and more towards a paperless currency exactly what will offering look like in 10/20 years? Will it always be automatically withdrawn? If so will we bring anything to church to "offer" during offering?
Any thoughts on this?
I've recently been wrestling with how that whole aspect of worship fits into the liturgy of the church. As our culture moves more and more towards a paperless currency exactly what will offering look like in 10/20 years? Will it always be automatically withdrawn? If so will we bring anything to church to "offer" during offering?
Any thoughts on this?
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