Well I do believe God is finally fed up with these idol worshiping people (as I am with American Idol worshiping people). But he does give them one last chance. Come out come out, wherever you are, beg for your salvation. He wants no more offerings of any kind, just BE GOOD.
He's done, I think. You know when you look at something that is causing you more harm than good. You try and try to make it right and finally you just say "I'm done". And walk away... He wants to say.
He wants to send locust, be he decides against it. Wants to send fire, but decides against it. And finally, he closes the door of mercy!
Amos told them all of this, but they didn't want to listen. They just wanted him to leave.
So God gives Amos a fruit basket, to cheer him perhaps? And He tells him that he is indeed done. And then it gets really dark and gloomy.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Is. 5-8 and Amos 1-2
God is angry that his vineyard has produced wild grapes. He has plowed it, planted it, tended it, cared for it, fed it , watered it.....and now, wild grapes. He is not a happy camper, or farmer. (yes I realize this is a metaphor....)
More talk of all the bad people in Jerusalem, including the "men of strength in mixing alcoholic drinks". As a person married to a former bartender, I get this one.
He's decided that he shall stop watering his vineyard. Uh oh, this doesn't sound too good to me.
Isaiah has a vision that God comes to him and tells him to go and make the people of Jerusalem not see or hear what they should? And fatten their hearts, do this, He says until all of the city is gone. Is He cleaning out? Out with the old, in with the new?
Is meets with Ahaz, telling him to ask God for a sign. "Go ahead, ask Him!" Ahaz doesn't seem so keen on the idea, but Is insists. He goes ahead and tells him the sign that shall come. Here I'm pretty sure he blows the whole Jesus surprise.
Is's wife has a baby and God wants to name it, great....right?! RIGHT!? God naming your baby, personally...it has to be good thing. He decides the baby shall be named Maher-shalal- hash- baz. Imagine this little guy in preschool bc. I bet they call him Charlie.
Then more, "straighten up", talk.
Amos:
Amos has some visions and some direct orders and punishment for some of these guys. First Damascus, they shall have fire. Then Gaza, also a fire. They get it for being slave traders. Next up, Tyre for not helping people....they get FIRE! Edom...fire. Ammon, for ripping women to shreds, you also get F-I-R-E. Moab get fire, for having fire, and burning the bones of a king. Judah gets fire for just flat out disobeying. Israel...oh Israel, you get fire for buying a new pair of shoes......and so, so, so,so, so much more...
More talk of all the bad people in Jerusalem, including the "men of strength in mixing alcoholic drinks". As a person married to a former bartender, I get this one.
He's decided that he shall stop watering his vineyard. Uh oh, this doesn't sound too good to me.
Isaiah has a vision that God comes to him and tells him to go and make the people of Jerusalem not see or hear what they should? And fatten their hearts, do this, He says until all of the city is gone. Is He cleaning out? Out with the old, in with the new?
Is meets with Ahaz, telling him to ask God for a sign. "Go ahead, ask Him!" Ahaz doesn't seem so keen on the idea, but Is insists. He goes ahead and tells him the sign that shall come. Here I'm pretty sure he blows the whole Jesus surprise.
Is's wife has a baby and God wants to name it, great....right?! RIGHT!? God naming your baby, personally...it has to be good thing. He decides the baby shall be named Maher-shalal- hash- baz. Imagine this little guy in preschool bc. I bet they call him Charlie.
Then more, "straighten up", talk.
Amos:
Amos has some visions and some direct orders and punishment for some of these guys. First Damascus, they shall have fire. Then Gaza, also a fire. They get it for being slave traders. Next up, Tyre for not helping people....they get FIRE! Edom...fire. Ammon, for ripping women to shreds, you also get F-I-R-E. Moab get fire, for having fire, and burning the bones of a king. Judah gets fire for just flat out disobeying. Israel...oh Israel, you get fire for buying a new pair of shoes......and so, so, so,so, so much more...
Isaiah 1-4, 2 Kings 15, 2 Chron 26
Isaiah is a prophet with bad news to share. God is fed up with the bad behavior of his people. Not just the idol worship, but all of it. He compares Jerusalem to Sodom. He talks about the false offerings. As Jimmy Buffet says "there's a fine line between Saturday night and Sunday morning" These peeps seem to be doing what ever they want and then burning rams. God's sick of it. He actually says, its whats in your heart that matters....not the offerings. At this point He seems really frustrated, he seems to be saying "enough is enough, for goodness sake people, just DO GOOD, BE GOOD"
He actually does say "Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead the widow." I really love this because I think it says it all, just do what is right! JUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT! How hard is that? Personal right I feel like is harder...this stuff, the injustice, helping people out who need it....this stuff is easy. Just do it.
The chapters go on to continue to say more of the same. Straighten up, people.
In Kings and Chron. kings are getting killed and replaced left, right, up and down. If I counted correctly in this one chapter there are stories of 10 different kings, all but a couple were murdered and replaced by the murdered. Things are not looking good.....*see Isaiah 1-4
He actually does say "Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead the widow." I really love this because I think it says it all, just do what is right! JUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT! How hard is that? Personal right I feel like is harder...this stuff, the injustice, helping people out who need it....this stuff is easy. Just do it.
The chapters go on to continue to say more of the same. Straighten up, people.
In Kings and Chron. kings are getting killed and replaced left, right, up and down. If I counted correctly in this one chapter there are stories of 10 different kings, all but a couple were murdered and replaced by the murdered. Things are not looking good.....*see Isaiah 1-4
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Jonah and 2 kings 14, 2 chron 25
Ah Jonah and the whale.....I mean fish. Why do Christians seem so peeved when people say whale? So Jonah is given an assignment from God, and assignment that he doesn't want. So he tries to hide....from God....for real. He joins a carnival or boards a ship or something.
Guess what happens? God finds him. He finds him and I think maybe he's a bit peeved because he sends a mighty storm that rocks the ship. The guys on the ship are all praying like crazy to their various gods to no avail. "IS everyone praying their hardest??" wait someone is missing....wheres Jonah, hes not praying.
They go and get him and he admits that indeed it is his God that is causing all of this craziness. He tells them that he tried to hide and asks that they throw him overboard to save themselves. AHHH at last, God will never find him at the bottom of the ocean....but a mighty FISH will. I mighty FISH sent by God to swallow him up and keep him alive for days and days.
As crazy as this seems its no crazier than anything else we've read. It you believe all the other stuff to be true, this is just another miracle. After a few days the fish vomits Jo and he relents and goes to do Gods work.
He heads to the town of Nineveh to deliver a message that in 40 days, really?, God shall lay the smack down on these people. Guess what happens? They totally freak out and repent. That never happens. God even seems shocked by it and decided not to smite or smote or even slew anybody. WOW.
Jo is not to happy about this though. He's got a lot of nerve doesn't he? After all of his hiding? So God decides to treat him a weird lesson thought the use of a gourd. As Jo is sitting in the desert feeling sorry for himself, God grows a giant gourd to shade him. Then he kills it and Jo is all sad and pittiful over the loss of this gourd. God says, "you are soooo sad for the death of a gourd you have only known for a day, but you would have me kill this huge giant city full of people??"
I think Jonah and the gourd is a better lesson than the whale? (sorry, fish)
Kings and Chron:
War and bad guys....war and bad guys....war and bad guys.....
Guess what happens? God finds him. He finds him and I think maybe he's a bit peeved because he sends a mighty storm that rocks the ship. The guys on the ship are all praying like crazy to their various gods to no avail. "IS everyone praying their hardest??" wait someone is missing....wheres Jonah, hes not praying.
They go and get him and he admits that indeed it is his God that is causing all of this craziness. He tells them that he tried to hide and asks that they throw him overboard to save themselves. AHHH at last, God will never find him at the bottom of the ocean....but a mighty FISH will. I mighty FISH sent by God to swallow him up and keep him alive for days and days.
As crazy as this seems its no crazier than anything else we've read. It you believe all the other stuff to be true, this is just another miracle. After a few days the fish vomits Jo and he relents and goes to do Gods work.
He heads to the town of Nineveh to deliver a message that in 40 days, really?, God shall lay the smack down on these people. Guess what happens? They totally freak out and repent. That never happens. God even seems shocked by it and decided not to smite or smote or even slew anybody. WOW.
Jo is not to happy about this though. He's got a lot of nerve doesn't he? After all of his hiding? So God decides to treat him a weird lesson thought the use of a gourd. As Jo is sitting in the desert feeling sorry for himself, God grows a giant gourd to shade him. Then he kills it and Jo is all sad and pittiful over the loss of this gourd. God says, "you are soooo sad for the death of a gourd you have only known for a day, but you would have me kill this huge giant city full of people??"
I think Jonah and the gourd is a better lesson than the whale? (sorry, fish)
Kings and Chron:
War and bad guys....war and bad guys....war and bad guys.....
Saturday, September 26, 2009
2 Kings 12-13 2Chron 24
The Lords house is in disrepair. So the king wants to raise some funds in order to fix it. They collect money but the work doesn't get done. So the king takes matters into his own hands. He puts a box with a lid on it, and a hole in the lid in the front of the church. People can put money in and the money goes directly to the repairs. This is going to be such a conversation started next time I find myself in a church. I'm going to stand by the box by the door and find out how many people know who's idea that was.
Remember the 7 yr old kid king, hes a good guy, but his servants kill him.
A couple of more bad kings...and Elisha dies. His death is very hum drum, no flaming chariots. BUT, when another dead guy is put in Elisha grave (?), he awakes from the dead. Soooo that's strange.
Remember the 7 yr old kid king, hes a good guy, but his servants kill him.
A couple of more bad kings...and Elisha dies. His death is very hum drum, no flaming chariots. BUT, when another dead guy is put in Elisha grave (?), he awakes from the dead. Soooo that's strange.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
2 Kings 9-11
Elisha goes and secretly anoints a new king of Israel. Jehu, who is a captain. O captain, My captain? He pours some sugar...I mean oil on him and tells him that God has chosen him to be king. He is to overthrow Joram and take the lead, and in the mean time also kill Jezebel and not bury her, but instead allow the dog to eat her.......dddddang.
Jehu does as he is told and kills Joram with an arrow that goes through his back and pierces his heart. But the real story lies with Jezebel. She hears of his coming so she dolls herself all up. When he arrives she calls down to him from an upper window, and he has some eunuchs that happen to be standing around, throw her down. She splatters everywhere and then Jehu runs over her with his chariot for good measure. He goes in for a bite to eat. When he orders her to be buried, men say there is nothing left of her......the dogs
"The corpse of Jezebel shall be like dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they may not say, This is Jezebel" MAN, that is rough.
Jehu is quite a violent fellow. After Jezebel he has all of Joram's sons beheaded and their heads piled up out side the city. Then he slews and slays everyone and anyone connected with the house of Ahab. Even people coming to visit them get slewed.
Jehu tells everyone that he is a great follower of Baal and wants to offer up a spectacular sacrifice.. Come One, Come All to the BBQ for Baal....read the invite. Every Baal worshipper in the tri village area was to show up.....and then he had them all killed, pre-tty clever. God was super stoked about the wiping out of all Baal worshippers. The Jehu knows how to get stuff done.
We now return to a story already in progress....remember when Ahaziah's mom found out he was dead and decided to kill all of his descendants? and his half sis took one baby and hid him away....well we are back to that story. The little boy is now seven, and he is made king. Athaliah, the murdering grandma is not happy to hear this news. She is so p o-ed in fact that she rips her clothes. Now, I wonder...when exactly did people stop ripping their clothes when they were very angry, when did this fall outta fashion?
Jehu does as he is told and kills Joram with an arrow that goes through his back and pierces his heart. But the real story lies with Jezebel. She hears of his coming so she dolls herself all up. When he arrives she calls down to him from an upper window, and he has some eunuchs that happen to be standing around, throw her down. She splatters everywhere and then Jehu runs over her with his chariot for good measure. He goes in for a bite to eat. When he orders her to be buried, men say there is nothing left of her......the dogs
"The corpse of Jezebel shall be like dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they may not say, This is Jezebel" MAN, that is rough.
Jehu is quite a violent fellow. After Jezebel he has all of Joram's sons beheaded and their heads piled up out side the city. Then he slews and slays everyone and anyone connected with the house of Ahab. Even people coming to visit them get slewed.
Jehu tells everyone that he is a great follower of Baal and wants to offer up a spectacular sacrifice.. Come One, Come All to the BBQ for Baal....read the invite. Every Baal worshipper in the tri village area was to show up.....and then he had them all killed, pre-tty clever. God was super stoked about the wiping out of all Baal worshippers. The Jehu knows how to get stuff done.
We now return to a story already in progress....remember when Ahaziah's mom found out he was dead and decided to kill all of his descendants? and his half sis took one baby and hid him away....well we are back to that story. The little boy is now seven, and he is made king. Athaliah, the murdering grandma is not happy to hear this news. She is so p o-ed in fact that she rips her clothes. Now, I wonder...when exactly did people stop ripping their clothes when they were very angry, when did this fall outta fashion?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
2 Kings 5-8
The king commander of Syria is a leper. His wife has a maid that tells him of a prophet in Israel who can heal him. So the king sends a messenger to ask if he may borrow this prophet in order that he may be healed. Well, let me tell you the king of Israel (why won't they use his name? I have no idea who's king at this point. Lastly was Jorah, I think?) was NONE to pleased to get this letter. He was so angry he tore is clothes? Really buddy? Are we that mad? Even Elisha asks "what up with ripping your clothes? Tell em to send the guy and I'll heal him, no big whoop....chillax my brotha" I think that the king thought this was some sorta set up.
the Syrian commander comes and is told to go and bath in the Jordon and he'll be all better. He was less than impressed. I think he was expecting a magic wand of some sort. He baths, he's healed.
The Syrian is a changed man, he is now a follower of God. He asked though that when he goes into the house of the king of Syrias god and pretends to bow down with the king, that God pardon him. That's a big deal I think.
Then there's some business with Elisha's little minion taking money and being cursed as a snow white leper.
.....a floating axe and and MORE chariots of fire (I sure hope that song is playing in every one's head as they read that). Then a bizzaro story of cannibalism. There is a famine in Samaria and at least two woman have taken to boiling up their sons for supper. Well actually only one son, the second lady hid hers after eating the first lady's kid. And its all Elisha's fault.
Another story of lepers who plunder, and people who trample. The Syrian king is sick, he sends Hazael to ask Elisha if he shall recover. I sorta feel like Elisha's being used and abused. Elisha looks at Hazael and begins to cry, saying that the king will recover but he shall die. Elisha tells him that he will reign over Syria and do terrible terrible things, such as ripping up kids and pregnant ladies. Hazael doesn't buy it. But Elisha says God has shown it to him.
So Hazael goes back, tells the king that he will indeed get better then promptly kills him and reigns in his place.....huh.
Same ol same ol over in Judah. New bad king but for David's sake God shan't punish. Then another comes along, Ahaziah also not a good guy.
the Syrian commander comes and is told to go and bath in the Jordon and he'll be all better. He was less than impressed. I think he was expecting a magic wand of some sort. He baths, he's healed.
The Syrian is a changed man, he is now a follower of God. He asked though that when he goes into the house of the king of Syrias god and pretends to bow down with the king, that God pardon him. That's a big deal I think.
Then there's some business with Elisha's little minion taking money and being cursed as a snow white leper.
.....a floating axe and and MORE chariots of fire (I sure hope that song is playing in every one's head as they read that). Then a bizzaro story of cannibalism. There is a famine in Samaria and at least two woman have taken to boiling up their sons for supper. Well actually only one son, the second lady hid hers after eating the first lady's kid. And its all Elisha's fault.
Another story of lepers who plunder, and people who trample. The Syrian king is sick, he sends Hazael to ask Elisha if he shall recover. I sorta feel like Elisha's being used and abused. Elisha looks at Hazael and begins to cry, saying that the king will recover but he shall die. Elisha tells him that he will reign over Syria and do terrible terrible things, such as ripping up kids and pregnant ladies. Hazael doesn't buy it. But Elisha says God has shown it to him.
So Hazael goes back, tells the king that he will indeed get better then promptly kills him and reigns in his place.....huh.
Same ol same ol over in Judah. New bad king but for David's sake God shan't punish. Then another comes along, Ahaziah also not a good guy.
2 Kings 1-4
More tales of Eli. The first chapter we find out that the king of Israel, Ahaziah has fallen and he can't get up. He sends for a messenger to ask Baal, if he shall be better soon. God sends Eli to intercept the messenger and tell him that it it because there is no God in Israel that they must send for Baal. AND because he sent for Baal, he will lay there and die. (So God is there? He has to be there if he is able to control when he will die, right?....or maybe he just won't help him to live....)
Ahaziah doesn't like this one little bit and he asks the messenger to describe this bearer of bad news. "he's a hairy fella, wearing a girdle of leather around his loins"......."ELIJAH" (said like newman)
The king sends a captain and 50 men to bring him in. They find him calmly sitting on a hill. I love the visual of this entire scene. They tell him that they are there to bring him in. He says "if I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you" and it does....all but the captain.
The king sends a captain and 50 more....same thing.
The king sends a captain and 50 more....this time the captain ain't no dummy, he falls to his knees and asks that the lives of his men be saved, and they are. BUT there's a fire, a fire that consumes the other two captains.
Eli once a gain tells of the impending doom of their king. When it finally happens, Ahaziah's bro Joram takes over.
Chapter 2 has many strange things happening. First of all Eli is dying, and in his death march, he parts the Jericho, such a tired trick now, why did Moses get ALL the glory? Then when he dies a Chariot of FIRE comes down from heaven and takes him?! WHAT?! No one else has gotten this kind of treatment? Moses died in the desert? And has there ever been any mention of the dead going to heaven until now? I've been watching for it and I don't think there has...maybe I'm wrong though?
Elisha takes Eli's mantel and is now the prophet. His first couple of orders of business:
A. make the drinking water clean....check
B. take out some guys who are making fun of his bald head, by bear mauling.....check
Joram is leading Israel and is another bad guy, but he doesn't worship Baal. At least that's something. He goes to war with the Mobites. The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom all band together, but they need a prophet. They send for Elisha, he sends for a minstrel. He apparently needs a little calming music to feel Gods wishes.
God sends his orders. They attack, the Moab king freaks out and offers his young son up for a burnt offering?! This thus freaks out the 3 kings and they get outta there.
Elisha pulls the "never ending jar of oil" trick, in order to help a woman out of debt. So, that's nice I think. Then he copies the "laying on the child and bringing him back to life" trick, which A GAIN is good, I just wish he could be a tad more original. Here's what strange about this story though. The kid becomes warm....sneezes seven times and then wakes up. Randomly oddddd.
Ahaziah doesn't like this one little bit and he asks the messenger to describe this bearer of bad news. "he's a hairy fella, wearing a girdle of leather around his loins"......."ELIJAH" (said like newman)
The king sends a captain and 50 men to bring him in. They find him calmly sitting on a hill. I love the visual of this entire scene. They tell him that they are there to bring him in. He says "if I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you" and it does....all but the captain.
The king sends a captain and 50 more....same thing.
The king sends a captain and 50 more....this time the captain ain't no dummy, he falls to his knees and asks that the lives of his men be saved, and they are. BUT there's a fire, a fire that consumes the other two captains.
Eli once a gain tells of the impending doom of their king. When it finally happens, Ahaziah's bro Joram takes over.
Chapter 2 has many strange things happening. First of all Eli is dying, and in his death march, he parts the Jericho, such a tired trick now, why did Moses get ALL the glory? Then when he dies a Chariot of FIRE comes down from heaven and takes him?! WHAT?! No one else has gotten this kind of treatment? Moses died in the desert? And has there ever been any mention of the dead going to heaven until now? I've been watching for it and I don't think there has...maybe I'm wrong though?
Elisha takes Eli's mantel and is now the prophet. His first couple of orders of business:
A. make the drinking water clean....check
B. take out some guys who are making fun of his bald head, by bear mauling.....check
Joram is leading Israel and is another bad guy, but he doesn't worship Baal. At least that's something. He goes to war with the Mobites. The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom all band together, but they need a prophet. They send for Elisha, he sends for a minstrel. He apparently needs a little calming music to feel Gods wishes.
God sends his orders. They attack, the Moab king freaks out and offers his young son up for a burnt offering?! This thus freaks out the 3 kings and they get outta there.
Elisha pulls the "never ending jar of oil" trick, in order to help a woman out of debt. So, that's nice I think. Then he copies the "laying on the child and bringing him back to life" trick, which A GAIN is good, I just wish he could be a tad more original. Here's what strange about this story though. The kid becomes warm....sneezes seven times and then wakes up. Randomly oddddd.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Obadiah and Ps. 82-83
Obadiah is a tiny little book. The people who live in Edom where the descendants of Esau brother of Jacob founder of Israel. Remember that story? The hairy verse the slick? Yeah well they are still hashing that one out apparently.
Edom isn't helping Israel in their time of need and shall pay the price.....oh yes, they shall pay. It is not going to be pretty folks.
Psalm82: Only God can judge man.
Psalm83: A call to God, that the e vail people are ready to fight, tis time to wake up and take a stand.
Monday, September 21, 2009
2 Chron 19-22
Lots of slewing, some slaying but, I may be wrong here, no smotting.
These kings are a piece of work. We have Jehoshaphat, son of Asa. He's good, he seeks God with his whole entire soul. He does not however take all the idols away from the people. Even after the bull bbq, they still aren't 100% committed? But all in all, he's a good guy.
After he kicks it, his son Jehoram takes the helm. He's a bad guy. Love the line "he debauched spiritually the inhabitants of Jerusalem". Eli shows up with a letter. The letter says that because of his debauchery the Lord with smite (there is smitting, but as of yet no smotting) his people, but he shant kill him. Oh no, God has something much more sinister up his Godly robes. Jehoram shall die a slow gross death. His bowels will eventually fall out of his body?! I'm sure this means a bad case of disentary, but I like to imagine they literally fall out.
He dies and his younger bro, Ahaziah, takes over. Seeing how great his dad and gdad were and how their lives were blessed; and seeing his brothers horrible life and subsequent death, he will choose..... Yes! Door number 2, the horrible life and subsequent death. Which happens rather swiftly. His mom doesn't take it lightly. When hearing of his death, she decides to kill the rest of the family. Ahaziah's sister manages to get him infant son out and hides him for six years, whilst Athaliah, the murdering mother, reigns.
These kings are a piece of work. We have Jehoshaphat, son of Asa. He's good, he seeks God with his whole entire soul. He does not however take all the idols away from the people. Even after the bull bbq, they still aren't 100% committed? But all in all, he's a good guy.
After he kicks it, his son Jehoram takes the helm. He's a bad guy. Love the line "he debauched spiritually the inhabitants of Jerusalem". Eli shows up with a letter. The letter says that because of his debauchery the Lord with smite (there is smitting, but as of yet no smotting) his people, but he shant kill him. Oh no, God has something much more sinister up his Godly robes. Jehoram shall die a slow gross death. His bowels will eventually fall out of his body?! I'm sure this means a bad case of disentary, but I like to imagine they literally fall out.
He dies and his younger bro, Ahaziah, takes over. Seeing how great his dad and gdad were and how their lives were blessed; and seeing his brothers horrible life and subsequent death, he will choose..... Yes! Door number 2, the horrible life and subsequent death. Which happens rather swiftly. His mom doesn't take it lightly. When hearing of his death, she decides to kill the rest of the family. Ahaziah's sister manages to get him infant son out and hides him for six years, whilst Athaliah, the murdering mother, reigns.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
1 King 20-21 2 Chron.18
I actually read 21 first because I scanned for Jezebels name. Her story continues in this chapter. Ahab finds a garden he takes a liking to. He asks Naboth to give it to him and Naboth tells him, no. He says that God told him not to give Ahab anything.
Ahab goes home and pouts, refusing to eat and everything. Really? Men can be such babies.
Jezebel tells him to get up for goodness sakes, he's the king after all! Ahhh the voice of reason......kidding, calm down.
Jezebel takes matters into her own hands and writes a letter in Ahabs hand to the town elders. She tells them to have two guys say that they heard Naboth renounce God and the king. Then have them stone him to death. Isn't she just trying to help her husband get the vineyard he;s always wanted. Going about it in COMPLETELY the wrong way, but was her heart in the right place?
She comes home happy as a lark to tell her husband that he may have his vineyard now, for poor Naboth is dead. I think he's really excited. But not for long. God is super dooper angry. He tells Ahab that where the dogs licked up Naboths blood, so shall they lick up his....that's hella gross.
Ahab totally freaks out and strips down and covers himself with sack cloths...humbling himself before the Lord.....it works. God decides not to punish him right now, but instead to punish his son's. Isn't that worse??
ok so now back to 20.. Here's what I loved about 20: The visual of the kings drinking in booths. THEY even prefer a booth. This chapter had a lot going on and I had trouble following it all. I read through it a couple of times trying to figure out who was fighting whom. What I also liked was how the Syrians kept thinking that God was only the God of hills, or mountains, or valleys. Therefore they tried to fight them were God could not help them....but alas, God is everywhere.
In 2 Chron.18 Ahab has died in battle as a strange prophet predicted.
Ahab goes home and pouts, refusing to eat and everything. Really? Men can be such babies.
Jezebel tells him to get up for goodness sakes, he's the king after all! Ahhh the voice of reason......kidding, calm down.
Jezebel takes matters into her own hands and writes a letter in Ahabs hand to the town elders. She tells them to have two guys say that they heard Naboth renounce God and the king. Then have them stone him to death. Isn't she just trying to help her husband get the vineyard he;s always wanted. Going about it in COMPLETELY the wrong way, but was her heart in the right place?
She comes home happy as a lark to tell her husband that he may have his vineyard now, for poor Naboth is dead. I think he's really excited. But not for long. God is super dooper angry. He tells Ahab that where the dogs licked up Naboths blood, so shall they lick up his....that's hella gross.
Ahab totally freaks out and strips down and covers himself with sack cloths...humbling himself before the Lord.....it works. God decides not to punish him right now, but instead to punish his son's. Isn't that worse??
ok so now back to 20.. Here's what I loved about 20: The visual of the kings drinking in booths. THEY even prefer a booth. This chapter had a lot going on and I had trouble following it all. I read through it a couple of times trying to figure out who was fighting whom. What I also liked was how the Syrians kept thinking that God was only the God of hills, or mountains, or valleys. Therefore they tried to fight them were God could not help them....but alas, God is everywhere.
In 2 Chron.18 Ahab has died in battle as a strange prophet predicted.
1 King 17-19
We start with Elijah. God tells Eli to go hang out by a stream and drink the water, as for food.....raven will bring him some flesh every morning and every night....yumm. He stays there until the stream dries up. A drought has overtaken the land, you see. God says that he has spoken to a widow women in a nearby city who will feed him.
Eli heads to the city and low and behold there's a widow gathering sticks. ELi asks that she bring him water and food. She tells him that she doesn't really have enough. She has basically enough for one last meal for her and her son and then they're dead meat. Eli assures her that God has made sure she'll have enough.....and she does. Her meal and oil do not empty. After a few days her son dies and she blames dear Eli. So He goes up and lays on the kid and prays that he allow the soul to reenter the body....and he does
God tells Eli to go and see Ahab and he will end the drought. He finds him after he speaks with Obadiah (this WILL be my next animals name, I absolutely love the way it feels to say it). Obie has hidden priests in caves .
Eli and Ahab meet and each one blames the other for the current trouble in Israel. Eli tells Ahab to gather all the peeps at Mt. Carmel, the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah. They all show up and Eli says "what up with the teeter tottering betwixt the 2 gods, If the Lord is God follow him and if Baal is god then follow him, but for goodness sake MAKE up yo mind!"
So he devices a test to with everyone agrees. Lets get two bulls, cut em up and ask our gods to burn em up. Whose ever sends down fire is the winner. He also mentions that he is but one prophet, while they are 450. So he's technically already at a disadvantage (in there eyes, I'm sure).
Then it gets all ghetto. By noon the Baalites are all whooping and hollerin and Eli's all "yea, try yelling louder! maybe hes taken a vacation, maybe hes asleep"
At nightfall he had had enough. He tells them to all gather around and cuts up his bull, and drowns it with water, so there can be no doubt that it is Divine intervention apparently? He asks God to make his presence known and in no time the bull is well done. Everyone falls on the faces and praises God. ELi then lassos up all the prophets and slews them.
Then the skies open up and rain starts a fallin.
Ahab heads home and tells Jezebel all about the dead prophets and the bull bbq. She sends a message to Eli saying I'm gonna get you sucka. Eli heads to the wilderness and asks God to take him. An angel comes has Eli eat, telling him he must make a journey. He travels for 40 (really?) days on that one meal. He enters a cave and here I get crazy confused. God asks Eli why he is there, Eli says that he feels he is the only one left that still loves him. And because of that, they want to kill him. God tells him to go outside. He heads out and there is a strong wind....but that's not Him. Then an earthquake.....that's not Him. Then a fire........that's not him either. Then a soft whisper.....that's Him. Then they have the whole conversation again....verbatim. Could God not hear him in the cave? I'm going to step outside, I'm having a hard time getting a signal.
God then gives him some instructions about the new leadership. Hazael shall be king of Syria, and Jehu shall be king of Israel, and Elisha (name of the girl who slapped me at prom when I was a soph. because I went with her ex boyfriend), shall be the next prophet in Eli's place.
Whats happened to Jezebel??
Eli heads to the city and low and behold there's a widow gathering sticks. ELi asks that she bring him water and food. She tells him that she doesn't really have enough. She has basically enough for one last meal for her and her son and then they're dead meat. Eli assures her that God has made sure she'll have enough.....and she does. Her meal and oil do not empty. After a few days her son dies and she blames dear Eli. So He goes up and lays on the kid and prays that he allow the soul to reenter the body....and he does
God tells Eli to go and see Ahab and he will end the drought. He finds him after he speaks with Obadiah (this WILL be my next animals name, I absolutely love the way it feels to say it). Obie has hidden priests in caves .
Eli and Ahab meet and each one blames the other for the current trouble in Israel. Eli tells Ahab to gather all the peeps at Mt. Carmel, the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah. They all show up and Eli says "what up with the teeter tottering betwixt the 2 gods, If the Lord is God follow him and if Baal is god then follow him, but for goodness sake MAKE up yo mind!"
So he devices a test to with everyone agrees. Lets get two bulls, cut em up and ask our gods to burn em up. Whose ever sends down fire is the winner. He also mentions that he is but one prophet, while they are 450. So he's technically already at a disadvantage (in there eyes, I'm sure).
Then it gets all ghetto. By noon the Baalites are all whooping and hollerin and Eli's all "yea, try yelling louder! maybe hes taken a vacation, maybe hes asleep"
At nightfall he had had enough. He tells them to all gather around and cuts up his bull, and drowns it with water, so there can be no doubt that it is Divine intervention apparently? He asks God to make his presence known and in no time the bull is well done. Everyone falls on the faces and praises God. ELi then lassos up all the prophets and slews them.
Then the skies open up and rain starts a fallin.
Ahab heads home and tells Jezebel all about the dead prophets and the bull bbq. She sends a message to Eli saying I'm gonna get you sucka. Eli heads to the wilderness and asks God to take him. An angel comes has Eli eat, telling him he must make a journey. He travels for 40 (really?) days on that one meal. He enters a cave and here I get crazy confused. God asks Eli why he is there, Eli says that he feels he is the only one left that still loves him. And because of that, they want to kill him. God tells him to go outside. He heads out and there is a strong wind....but that's not Him. Then an earthquake.....that's not Him. Then a fire........that's not him either. Then a soft whisper.....that's Him. Then they have the whole conversation again....verbatim. Could God not hear him in the cave? I'm going to step outside, I'm having a hard time getting a signal.
God then gives him some instructions about the new leadership. Hazael shall be king of Syria, and Jehu shall be king of Israel, and Elisha (name of the girl who slapped me at prom when I was a soph. because I went with her ex boyfriend), shall be the next prophet in Eli's place.
Whats happened to Jezebel??
Saturday, September 19, 2009
1King 15-16 2 Chron 13-17
I had to bust out a chart again....too many names. God is still trying to give David's family a chance. Rehoboam's son Abijam gives it a go, but apparently he didn't have much to give as we only get a couple verses and he's dead. His son Asa takes a go at it (Asa is my husband's middle name and my step son's name as well as a distance relative of my husbands.....I didn't know twas a Biblical name)
Glad to know that Asa did well. He ran out all the prostitutes and tore down the idols. He even took away his moms title because she had an idol made. He dies and his son takes over. This is all happening in Judah. Israel has a whole other line of men. At one point the land of Israel, is divided in two. Half following Tibni and half followed Omri. Omri is a bad guy, as his his son who leads after he is dead, Ahab.
Ahab marries Jezabel, never a good sign and worships Baal. He actually does more to anger God than anyone else......wowzers!
2 Chron goes into more detail about these fellas
Thursday, September 17, 2009
1 King 12-13
Solomons son in now king. Some of his people come to him and ask that the heavy burden of forced labor that was placed on them by Solomon, be lightened. If Rehoboam would lighten the load then they would serve him faithfully forever.
Rehoboam told them to come back in three days. He first consulted with the elders whom served under his father. They said "YES" lighten the burden and you will have a faithful army of followers. He didn't really dig that answer, so he consulted with Turtle, E and Drama....wait this isn't Entourage, sorry. He consulted the guys he grew up, they were like "NO WAY, you tell them that your "loins" are wayyyy bigger than your dads and that you are instead going to make the load heaver"
good choice genius!
So the slaves stoned the foreman to death. The king gets in his chariot and high tails it outta there.
The people elect to have Jeroboam to be their king all except the tribe of Judah whom follows Re. Jeroboam seemed like he was going to be alright. However he started to worry that his peeps were going to head to Jerusalem to worship at Solomons temple. So he decided to build a temple and put 2 giant golden calves in it. He apparently thought it was the simple ACT of worshiping that was important to these people. God doesn't seem all that bothered by it. 
Re tried to round up an army to go and take his thrown back, but God steps in and tells everyone to go home.....the shows over.....
Then we get a bizzaro story about this poor guy who comes and talks to Jero, telling him of signs that God has sent. Jero offer him food and drink and he says, no thanks that God has commanded him not to eat or drink. The guy goes on his way. Then this busy body hears the story and seeks the man out. He tells him to come and eat and drink at his house. A gain the guy says thanks, but I have bean told not too. The busy body says that he too is a man of God and that an angel has come and told him that he is to tell the man that God now WANTS him to eat and drink......
So they go to BB house. The man begins to eat and as he is eating BB says ooooooo, you broke your promise to God and now you will not be buried with your people. The guy is very sad.
What is with that? Was he just making it up?
So the guy leaves and I "BLEEP" you not, he gets killed by a lion on his way out. The busy body feels bad and has the man buried in his graveyard. He also tells his sons that when he dies he wants to be buried in the very same grave?
Strange indeed.
In 2Chon 10-12 we get some of the same stories but more detail about what Rehoboam was doing, and none of it was good.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ecc 8-12, Pro 30-31, 1Kings 10-11, 2Chr.9
In Ecc 8 the argument is made that it is frustrating that the good guys don't always win. However, we know that they don't. I guess the argument will be made that of course they win, they win because they go to heaven. But, I'm talking about here, under the sun. If you have nothing else, not God, not happiness, then for goodness sake eat, drink and be merry.
Everyone dies....everyone. No one is exempt from this one. A live dog is better than a dead lion. When we go, everything goes with us...the good, the bad and the ugly. Do good things while here, whatever you choose to do, do it with gusto. You don't get to finish that painting after you're dead.
I think this book is all about carpe diem. Live fully and enjoy the life God has given you.
Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba? So Sol gets a visit from the Queen because she has heard that he is very wise. She wants to ask him a few questions. We don't get the questions however, why didn't anyone write down the questions?!
After a very uneventful trip, she leaves. We are told that Sol is a lover of foreign woman, he has about 8 gazillion of em. Eventually in his old age they turn him. He is burning incense and building temples to their gods. What? Really?! God is even like "I showed myself to you TWICE" We aren't even going on faith here buddy! Man oh man, anyone who says that women are the weaker sex needs to do a little reading. We apparently have the ability to bring down kings.
God says that he going to take the kingdom away, but not away from Solomon. He is going to wait and take it away from his sons. He is going to divide everyone up and in honor of David give one tribe to Solomons son. God stirs up some adversaries (love the visual of God cookin up some enemies). Drama, drama Solomon is dead.
Everyone dies....everyone. No one is exempt from this one. A live dog is better than a dead lion. When we go, everything goes with us...the good, the bad and the ugly. Do good things while here, whatever you choose to do, do it with gusto. You don't get to finish that painting after you're dead.
I think this book is all about carpe diem. Live fully and enjoy the life God has given you.
Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba? So Sol gets a visit from the Queen because she has heard that he is very wise. She wants to ask him a few questions. We don't get the questions however, why didn't anyone write down the questions?!
After a very uneventful trip, she leaves. We are told that Sol is a lover of foreign woman, he has about 8 gazillion of em. Eventually in his old age they turn him. He is burning incense and building temples to their gods. What? Really?! God is even like "I showed myself to you TWICE" We aren't even going on faith here buddy! Man oh man, anyone who says that women are the weaker sex needs to do a little reading. We apparently have the ability to bring down kings.
God says that he going to take the kingdom away, but not away from Solomon. He is going to wait and take it away from his sons. He is going to divide everyone up and in honor of David give one tribe to Solomons son. God stirs up some adversaries (love the visual of God cookin up some enemies). Drama, drama Solomon is dead.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Eccls 1-7
Also I hate to bring Ren up again but, a pop culture freak like me has a duty to bring up Footloose whenever and where ever I can.
"Ecclesiastes assures us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to laugh and a time to weep. A time to mourn and there is a time to dance. And there was a time for this law, but not anymore. See, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life. It's the way it was in the beginning. It's the way it's always been. It's the way it should be now."
Now that I got all THAT outta my system, lets get to the reading.
This book was apparently writen my Solomon in disguise, choosing the pen name The Preacher.(does that also sound Tarintinoesque? whats that a character in one of his movies or am I crazy?)
The Preacher doesn't seem to be a happy camper to me. He seems sorta gloom and doom. one generation dies the next comes, the sun rises, the sun sets, the wind blows, the oceans never fill, nor do our eyes and ears. The last I do like however. I like to think that I may never get my fill of seeing interesting things, and hearing happy sounds. I don't want to ever feel like there's no where else I want to go.
I also agree with the last line in chapter 1 "for in much human wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." I do think ignorance is bliss. Butt you have to be truly ignorant in order for there to be true bliss. I know the more I learn about any topic, the more confused I feel and the more I yearn to learn. (Rhyme not intend). Again the never full eyes....ears.....ocean....
"I said of laughter, It is mad, and of pleasure, What does it accomplish?" I can say that for me, laughter accomplishes a lot. There are times when if I didn't laugh, I could have never gotten through it. This reminds me of a quote (imagine that) from my fav book Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth is speaking with Miss Bingley "``there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. -- But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.''
Laughter...good
The writer talks of all he has done and learned. He becomes frustrated in realizing that he will die, just as a fool dies, regardless of what he has done, seen, built, created, learned. And he then hates life. He decides then, why not eat, drink and be merry.
Then we get the song.....see above
Then we get a bit more upbeat. The preacher decides that we should enjoy the fruits of our labor, now I'm not positive if this includes laughter?
3:19 is oh so Native American....so I went looking and I found this "The air is precious to the red man, for all things share the same breath ... The air shares its spirit with all the life it supports ... All things are connected like the blood that unites one family ..." and this "All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports."
these were said by Chief Seattle, chief of the Suquamis. Because they were said in the 1850s I wonder if he had read the Bible?
Being alone is not good, people need people. And as Babs put it so beautifully in song "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world" Seriously though folks, we need each. We need friends to lift us up, and cheer us on, and cry with us and laugh with us. None of that is fun by yourself. Everything means more when you share it with someone. What good is your favorite book if you can't talk about it with a friend? How funny is the funniest movie if you can't laugh with someone?
Then is gets all proverbial. 5:12 is similar to yet ANOTHER of my favorite quotes. The reason I continue to point all of this stuff out is because I am constantly amazed at how much the Bible has penetrated every area of our lives. Even though people may think of it as bologna, we sure pull from it tons.
5:12: The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,whether he eats little or much, but the fullness of a rich man wil not let him sleep"
"A well spent day brings happy sleep" DaVinci
"Ecclesiastes assures us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to laugh and a time to weep. A time to mourn and there is a time to dance. And there was a time for this law, but not anymore. See, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life. It's the way it was in the beginning. It's the way it's always been. It's the way it should be now."
Now that I got all THAT outta my system, lets get to the reading.
This book was apparently writen my Solomon in disguise, choosing the pen name The Preacher.(does that also sound Tarintinoesque? whats that a character in one of his movies or am I crazy?)
The Preacher doesn't seem to be a happy camper to me. He seems sorta gloom and doom. one generation dies the next comes, the sun rises, the sun sets, the wind blows, the oceans never fill, nor do our eyes and ears. The last I do like however. I like to think that I may never get my fill of seeing interesting things, and hearing happy sounds. I don't want to ever feel like there's no where else I want to go.
I also agree with the last line in chapter 1 "for in much human wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." I do think ignorance is bliss. Butt you have to be truly ignorant in order for there to be true bliss. I know the more I learn about any topic, the more confused I feel and the more I yearn to learn. (Rhyme not intend). Again the never full eyes....ears.....ocean....
"I said of laughter, It is mad, and of pleasure, What does it accomplish?" I can say that for me, laughter accomplishes a lot. There are times when if I didn't laugh, I could have never gotten through it. This reminds me of a quote (imagine that) from my fav book Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth is speaking with Miss Bingley "``there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. -- But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.''
Laughter...good
The writer talks of all he has done and learned. He becomes frustrated in realizing that he will die, just as a fool dies, regardless of what he has done, seen, built, created, learned. And he then hates life. He decides then, why not eat, drink and be merry.
Then we get the song.....see above
Then we get a bit more upbeat. The preacher decides that we should enjoy the fruits of our labor, now I'm not positive if this includes laughter?
3:19 is oh so Native American....so I went looking and I found this "The air is precious to the red man, for all things share the same breath ... The air shares its spirit with all the life it supports ... All things are connected like the blood that unites one family ..." and this "All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports."
these were said by Chief Seattle, chief of the Suquamis. Because they were said in the 1850s I wonder if he had read the Bible?
Being alone is not good, people need people. And as Babs put it so beautifully in song "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world" Seriously though folks, we need each. We need friends to lift us up, and cheer us on, and cry with us and laugh with us. None of that is fun by yourself. Everything means more when you share it with someone. What good is your favorite book if you can't talk about it with a friend? How funny is the funniest movie if you can't laugh with someone?
Then is gets all proverbial. 5:12 is similar to yet ANOTHER of my favorite quotes. The reason I continue to point all of this stuff out is because I am constantly amazed at how much the Bible has penetrated every area of our lives. Even though people may think of it as bologna, we sure pull from it tons.
5:12: The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,whether he eats little or much, but the fullness of a rich man wil not let him sleep"
"A well spent day brings happy sleep" DaVinci
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Ps134, 146-150, 1 Kings 9 2 Chron 8
SoOooO I watched a show this morn that made me think of the Psalms. Twas about the Dust Bowl years. These people I feel pretty confident, were reading these Psalms and wondering what in the world they had done wrong. It was awful. Worse than I had ever really known. I imagine most of these were honest God fearing people. I also imagine they were pretty sure this was the end of the world. Not only did they have these terrible hour, sometimes day long dust storms brought on by drought, that was just the tip. They also had infestations of centipedes, grasshoppers and jackrabbits. Children were dying because of the dirt in their lungs, there was no food, no money, little water...
The irony was that the very dust that was brought on by drought was itself causing the drought, yet another Petterman moment? Scientist today have found that the large amounts of dust actually cause light to be reflected back into the atmosphere, thus preventing the condensation and evaporation needed for the perception.....that friendly cycle that we all love.
Man, now THAT was a digression.
My point is that I know these people were reading about a God that controls the heavens and the Earth and makes the rain for the fields.... and I wonder how much sleep was lost trying to make it all right so that God would open his heavens and allow the rain to fall. So what was it? Was it God being angry? Was it the repeated tilling and planting of a drought plagued area? Could these people have prayed harder?
1 Kings 9/ 2 chron 8
Solomon and God are having a little rap session and God is telling him that if he walks the right path he shall have it made in thy shade. And if not, all of Israel shall suffa.
After the building of the houses Solomon gave Hiriam 20 cities, because he supplied the cedar etc... By alas, Hiriam didn't like his cities.
Solomon gets people to work. And moves the daughter of Pharaoh into her house. And observes the Sabbath.
The irony was that the very dust that was brought on by drought was itself causing the drought, yet another Petterman moment? Scientist today have found that the large amounts of dust actually cause light to be reflected back into the atmosphere, thus preventing the condensation and evaporation needed for the perception.....that friendly cycle that we all love.
Man, now THAT was a digression.
My point is that I know these people were reading about a God that controls the heavens and the Earth and makes the rain for the fields.... and I wonder how much sleep was lost trying to make it all right so that God would open his heavens and allow the rain to fall. So what was it? Was it God being angry? Was it the repeated tilling and planting of a drought plagued area? Could these people have prayed harder?
1 Kings 9/ 2 chron 8
Solomon and God are having a little rap session and God is telling him that if he walks the right path he shall have it made in thy shade. And if not, all of Israel shall suffa.
After the building of the houses Solomon gave Hiriam 20 cities, because he supplied the cedar etc... By alas, Hiriam didn't like his cities.
Solomon gets people to work. And moves the daughter of Pharaoh into her house. And observes the Sabbath.
1 Kings 8, 2 Chron 5-7, Ps136
Its moving day! The temple is done, bringeth forth the Holy tchotchkes. They get all moved in and then they sacrifice sooo many animals that they couldn't even keep count! WHAT? These are people who love numbers, love counting stuff.....that must have been a Tarantinoesque mess.
Then the Lord shows up, hes a big giant cloud. The priests can't minister over the grand opening due to the power of the cloud. So here's what I started to think....why is it that rain on your wedding day (which ISN'T ironic) is considered bad luck? If I were to ever get married again, I would now consider it lucky.....rain? or God?
Now before I get schooled and Jamie tells me that it isn't simple "cloudy, or rainy" but an actual cloud is IN the building, I know. But I would think that from that image of God's presence a, superstition isn't the right word but its all I can think to call it, would be born. Like a cloud hanging over an important day, such as a wedding would be a good thing. Know what I mean, lima bean?
Solomon gives a speech despite the cloud of the Lord. He speaks directly to Him, giving him thanks for all the Egypt stuff. I wonder if He ever wants to say "ENOUGH!, I get it....thanks for getting us out of Egypt.....thanks for the Red Sea....I know, I know" Something that really bothers me is when I am over thanked. Especially for doing something that either, simply had to be done or for doing something that was no big deal. Say "thank you" to me once and I'm good, people that go on and on about it make me uncomfortable. I may be accused of being unappreciative when I thank someone, I don't know? Because you get one, thank you, from me and that's it, I am not a gusher.
Did I digress?
In his speech Solomon asks God to please listen to the peeps when they are asking forgiveness. I was particularly interested in vs 37....the mildew. Our school has so much mold and mildew that most of the teachers stay sick. hummmmm?
Also vs 39, Solomon asks that God look at the person's heart. Saying that He alone can know whats going on, on the inside. I person's true intent. Solomon goes on to say that when His people sin, which they will because all of man does, he asks that God listen to their plea for forgiveness. Look into their heart and see if they are truly sorry for what they have done.
He finishes and then sacrifices as a peace offering 22,000 oxen, and 120,000 sheep. Ok so THAT many they can count? See what I'm saying here, bees and gees? And secondly, how long does it take to kill that many animals? I would imagine it would take days and days.
Chron 7 sorta picks up where Kings 8 ends. Its the end of the grand opening, the big giant red ribbon has bean cut and a great fire has consumed the peace offering. (that's ALL I need, God...if you could just have a great fire come down and consume a hamburger I leave on my lawn, you would have a faithful servant). God speaks to Solomon and confirms that his prayers were heard and that he will keep his end of the bargain, to listen, if they keep their end, to obey.
Ps 136 Giving thanks for all the smoting and slewing and loving kindness.
Then the Lord shows up, hes a big giant cloud. The priests can't minister over the grand opening due to the power of the cloud. So here's what I started to think....why is it that rain on your wedding day (which ISN'T ironic) is considered bad luck? If I were to ever get married again, I would now consider it lucky.....rain? or God?
Now before I get schooled and Jamie tells me that it isn't simple "cloudy, or rainy" but an actual cloud is IN the building, I know. But I would think that from that image of God's presence a, superstition isn't the right word but its all I can think to call it, would be born. Like a cloud hanging over an important day, such as a wedding would be a good thing. Know what I mean, lima bean?
Solomon gives a speech despite the cloud of the Lord. He speaks directly to Him, giving him thanks for all the Egypt stuff. I wonder if He ever wants to say "ENOUGH!, I get it....thanks for getting us out of Egypt.....thanks for the Red Sea....I know, I know" Something that really bothers me is when I am over thanked. Especially for doing something that either, simply had to be done or for doing something that was no big deal. Say "thank you" to me once and I'm good, people that go on and on about it make me uncomfortable. I may be accused of being unappreciative when I thank someone, I don't know? Because you get one, thank you, from me and that's it, I am not a gusher.
Did I digress?
In his speech Solomon asks God to please listen to the peeps when they are asking forgiveness. I was particularly interested in vs 37....the mildew. Our school has so much mold and mildew that most of the teachers stay sick. hummmmm?
Also vs 39, Solomon asks that God look at the person's heart. Saying that He alone can know whats going on, on the inside. I person's true intent. Solomon goes on to say that when His people sin, which they will because all of man does, he asks that God listen to their plea for forgiveness. Look into their heart and see if they are truly sorry for what they have done.
He finishes and then sacrifices as a peace offering 22,000 oxen, and 120,000 sheep. Ok so THAT many they can count? See what I'm saying here, bees and gees? And secondly, how long does it take to kill that many animals? I would imagine it would take days and days.
Chron 7 sorta picks up where Kings 8 ends. Its the end of the grand opening, the big giant red ribbon has bean cut and a great fire has consumed the peace offering. (that's ALL I need, God...if you could just have a great fire come down and consume a hamburger I leave on my lawn, you would have a faithful servant). God speaks to Solomon and confirms that his prayers were heard and that he will keep his end of the bargain, to listen, if they keep their end, to obey.
Ps 136 Giving thanks for all the smoting and slewing and loving kindness.
Friday, September 11, 2009
1 Kings 5-7, 2 Chron. 2-4
Hiram comes to visit Solomon because he was a fan of David. Solomon explains that now that there is some sort f peace about the land he shall get around to building that temple that God said he would build (talk about pressure).
Solomon and Hiram are going to combine forces in order to get the cedar cut. Apparently Hiram in in contact with some seriously fab lumberjacks. He'll have the timber cut and float it down the river, where Soloman will have it picked up. Solomon will fill Hiram pantry to the rim with brim.
The rest is a bunch of details about the building of the temple as well as Solomon's house.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Proverbs 19-24
I'm in love with the Proverbs. Really, just in love...it is by far my favorite book up to this point. As I've said I'm a sucker for a good quote and her is chapter after chapter of them. Its like Poor Richard's Almanac BC. Today I've just again listed some of my favorites within each chapter.
19:1, 2, 8, 15
20:11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 29
21:9, 19 (simply because of the images they conjures up)
22:10, 16
23:9, 12, 20
24:26, 29
19:1, 2, 8, 15
20:11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 29
21:9, 19 (simply because of the images they conjures up)
22:10, 16
23:9, 12, 20
24:26, 29
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Proverbs 13-18
So far 13 is my fav. So much good in this one. Guess what it calls to mind??! Yes that's right bees and gees....a quote. It's probably my all time favorite, if I was forced at gun point to choose that is...and it goes a little something like this "Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" Eric Hoffer. What the quote means and the chapter means to me is if you have "it" (it being internal strength, peace, wisdom, knowledge) theres no need to outwardly flaunt it. When you're happy with who you are, you are happy with who the world is.
Love the word folly, doesn't it just sound like a good time? I must be relating it to jolly?, a jolly folly!! If a jolly folly is wrong, I'm not 100% sure I wanna be right!
But seriously folks.....I do also love 14, for it is brimming with words of wisdom as well. vs 6, 7, 15, 17, 29, 30 are amongst my favorite
Chapter 15:5 , 13, 14, 15, 17, 22, 32, 33 are my favorites in this one
Chapter 16:22,23, 24....love these
Chapter 17: 5,9, 10, 15, 22, 27, 29.......
Chapter 18: 2,4, 8, 9, 13, 15
So, the ones I liked the most were ones I could relate to either because I see that they are my weaknesses or my strengths
Love the word folly, doesn't it just sound like a good time? I must be relating it to jolly?, a jolly folly!! If a jolly folly is wrong, I'm not 100% sure I wanna be right!
But seriously folks.....I do also love 14, for it is brimming with words of wisdom as well. vs 6, 7, 15, 17, 29, 30 are amongst my favorite
Chapter 15:5 , 13, 14, 15, 17, 22, 32, 33 are my favorites in this one
Chapter 16:22,23, 24....love these
Chapter 17: 5,9, 10, 15, 22, 27, 29.......
Chapter 18: 2,4, 8, 9, 13, 15
So, the ones I liked the most were ones I could relate to either because I see that they are my weaknesses or my strengths
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Proverbs 7-12
I am hoping that chapter 7 is a metaphor for how tempting and seductive evil, or wrongdoing can be. Otherwise I am really going to begin to wonder where, as a woman, I really stand in this here book. So I shall view it as such. Evil, sin, wrong-doing looks fun, looks sexy, even feels sexy to the young. Really, how many times should I have died whist out gallivanting with e-veal? We are just so dumb as young people. We are so easily seduced by wrong doing, she dresses up and perfumes her bed and we are putty in her hands.....ahhhhh youth.
Chapter 8 speaks of the power of wisdom. I personally love to learn, I'm one of those freaky people who loves to take a test. I really would go to college forever if it were free, but instead I just watch a lot of History channel and read a bunch of biographies of great people and I travel when I can. I do all of this because I am searching for that wisdom. The wisdom that people greater than me have found. On the flip side, I also find people who don't love to learn just as interesting. Why don't they want to learn more? There are actually people out there whom are perfectly satisfied with their current level of knowledge.....even if it isn't that great. THAT I find fascinating. If I impart nothing more in my children, I want to impart a love of learning. I want them to thirst for it the way I do. Knowledge, wisdom....these are yours. No one can take these away from you, no matter what you lose materially....what you know, what you've learned, what you've seen and experienced are inside you forever.
I spend all of my time this morning looking for this one quote on wisdom (I also happen to LOVE a good quote), I know I have it written down at school and will add it later. As I was looking, however, I found this one, by my dear Albert: ""Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it." .....sigh......he's the ultimate dreamboat.
Chapter 8 speaks of the power of wisdom. I personally love to learn, I'm one of those freaky people who loves to take a test. I really would go to college forever if it were free, but instead I just watch a lot of History channel and read a bunch of biographies of great people and I travel when I can. I do all of this because I am searching for that wisdom. The wisdom that people greater than me have found. On the flip side, I also find people who don't love to learn just as interesting. Why don't they want to learn more? There are actually people out there whom are perfectly satisfied with their current level of knowledge.....even if it isn't that great. THAT I find fascinating. If I impart nothing more in my children, I want to impart a love of learning. I want them to thirst for it the way I do. Knowledge, wisdom....these are yours. No one can take these away from you, no matter what you lose materially....what you know, what you've learned, what you've seen and experienced are inside you forever.
I spend all of my time this morning looking for this one quote on wisdom (I also happen to LOVE a good quote), I know I have it written down at school and will add it later. As I was looking, however, I found this one, by my dear Albert: ""Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it." .....sigh......he's the ultimate dreamboat.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Proverbs 1-6
We shall be schooled in moral ways. First, a lesson for gang bangers. Do not join them! They set an ambush for their own lives. I know this first one mean more broadly, don't follow sinners into sin. Stand strong, as they will get theirs in the end, but to me it really felt like it should be read to young boys threatened by gangs.
It also brought another strange thought to my head. When you exercise everyday and you eat right, you feel SO much better. But for some reason, most of us struggle everyday to get that done. EVEN though we know we will feel better, we just don't want to listen. That's what I thought of when he spoke of continually throwing knowledge and wisdom at us and us not accepting it. We know we feel better when we do right, yet sometimes even though we know what we're doing is wrong, we do it anyway.
chapter 2 says to me something I always felt to be true. If you surround yourself with upright, good, happy, honest, creative, positive people, then you too will be upright, good, happy, honest, creative and positive. Surround yourself with the opposite and you too will be as they are. Open yourself up to the good feelings and teaching and they shall come.
My favorite vs in chapter three says "Let not mercy and kindness and truth forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart." LOVE LOVE LOVE that. To me that says to always first try to see the kindness in people, seek the truth before making any judgements, and show mercy as often as possible.
I simply love that.
I work with many people who will find the bad in a situation faster than a fat kid at a cake buffet. YUCK is all I can say about those kinda people.
Chapter 4 is all about staying on the straight and narrow as Solomon learned from his dad, David. Who perhaps learned from his mistakes, from his NOT staying on the straight and narrow? But ironically had David not strayed off the path Solomon wouldn't be around to learn and subsequently to teach us these lessons. Keep you eyes on the prize is something else that I thought of when reading this chapter.
Chapter 5 is dedicated to adultery, Here I wonder though about these kings who are writing these. These guys had tons of wives and concubines. What was adultery to them, if they saw a women they wanted they need only to take her. Of course, I'm not advocating adultery, I'm just saying it had to a heck of a lot easier when theoretically you had a different woman every night. And what says God to this? This is alright to him, it says love the wife of your youth and be happy with her forever. But David didn't, and Solomon didn't. What did it mean to them?
chapter 6 is seems to first speak of hard work, not being lazy. Then is says God hates these 6 things and that 7 of them are an abomination to him? Then lists 7, so is there one that He hate but isn't an abomination? Curiouser and curiouser? Lots of loose woman talk, where there NO loose men? Did the women need never worry about men just wanting to sleep with them?
It also brought another strange thought to my head. When you exercise everyday and you eat right, you feel SO much better. But for some reason, most of us struggle everyday to get that done. EVEN though we know we will feel better, we just don't want to listen. That's what I thought of when he spoke of continually throwing knowledge and wisdom at us and us not accepting it. We know we feel better when we do right, yet sometimes even though we know what we're doing is wrong, we do it anyway.
chapter 2 says to me something I always felt to be true. If you surround yourself with upright, good, happy, honest, creative, positive people, then you too will be upright, good, happy, honest, creative and positive. Surround yourself with the opposite and you too will be as they are. Open yourself up to the good feelings and teaching and they shall come.
My favorite vs in chapter three says "Let not mercy and kindness and truth forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart." LOVE LOVE LOVE that. To me that says to always first try to see the kindness in people, seek the truth before making any judgements, and show mercy as often as possible.
I simply love that.
I work with many people who will find the bad in a situation faster than a fat kid at a cake buffet. YUCK is all I can say about those kinda people.
Chapter 4 is all about staying on the straight and narrow as Solomon learned from his dad, David. Who perhaps learned from his mistakes, from his NOT staying on the straight and narrow? But ironically had David not strayed off the path Solomon wouldn't be around to learn and subsequently to teach us these lessons. Keep you eyes on the prize is something else that I thought of when reading this chapter.
Chapter 5 is dedicated to adultery, Here I wonder though about these kings who are writing these. These guys had tons of wives and concubines. What was adultery to them, if they saw a women they wanted they need only to take her. Of course, I'm not advocating adultery, I'm just saying it had to a heck of a lot easier when theoretically you had a different woman every night. And what says God to this? This is alright to him, it says love the wife of your youth and be happy with her forever. But David didn't, and Solomon didn't. What did it mean to them?
chapter 6 is seems to first speak of hard work, not being lazy. Then is says God hates these 6 things and that 7 of them are an abomination to him? Then lists 7, so is there one that He hate but isn't an abomination? Curiouser and curiouser? Lots of loose woman talk, where there NO loose men? Did the women need never worry about men just wanting to sleep with them?
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Ps119 89-176, Song of Solomon
Now this boys and girls is a love poem.....take notes, boys....
I couldn't stop reading, at one point I noticed that I was completely slumped over in my chair with my nose about an inch from the book. I sat up and tried to act like a responsible adult reading a love poem in the Bible. I was confused on a few things, such as at the beginning she described herself as dark from working in the vineyards. Later its all about her being fair (which I realize can mean other things such as beautiful) but also ivory and marble. Perhaps she got a buttermilk bath like Mammie used to have to give Scarlett when she stayed in the sun too long.
I love that one of the super hot compliments they give to each other is, "your teeth are like a flock of ewes coming from their washing, of which all are in pairs, and not one of them is missing" sweet!
The best thing this says to me is to wait, do not force love. She says like 3 times "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem … do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!" This is a lesson that would be so super great if we could learn and believe. All things in their own time, when you are ready to meet THAT person, when the time is right.....there they shall be. Don't give yourself away to the wrong person. I don't think I can get into it on the blog, butt this does make me ponder my own situation many years ago....and I wonder.
I do of course see that at one level it is a love poem about the love between a man and a woman and at a different level between God and human. It is hard however in out sex saturated world to read deep enough to get through the muck. At every level it is beautiful, however.
119 is a whole different love story and it is not hot but incredible strange to me. This guy is soooo in love with Gods laws that he has basically become a hermit 119:139. And he would totally hate me vs113, which may be why I find it all so unsettling. This guy would be some kind of extremist nut job today, I think. Imagine him at a party.....good times.
I couldn't stop reading, at one point I noticed that I was completely slumped over in my chair with my nose about an inch from the book. I sat up and tried to act like a responsible adult reading a love poem in the Bible. I was confused on a few things, such as at the beginning she described herself as dark from working in the vineyards. Later its all about her being fair (which I realize can mean other things such as beautiful) but also ivory and marble. Perhaps she got a buttermilk bath like Mammie used to have to give Scarlett when she stayed in the sun too long.
I love that one of the super hot compliments they give to each other is, "your teeth are like a flock of ewes coming from their washing, of which all are in pairs, and not one of them is missing" sweet!
The best thing this says to me is to wait, do not force love. She says like 3 times "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem … do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!" This is a lesson that would be so super great if we could learn and believe. All things in their own time, when you are ready to meet THAT person, when the time is right.....there they shall be. Don't give yourself away to the wrong person. I don't think I can get into it on the blog, butt this does make me ponder my own situation many years ago....and I wonder.
I do of course see that at one level it is a love poem about the love between a man and a woman and at a different level between God and human. It is hard however in out sex saturated world to read deep enough to get through the muck. At every level it is beautiful, however.
119 is a whole different love story and it is not hot but incredible strange to me. This guy is soooo in love with Gods laws that he has basically become a hermit 119:139. And he would totally hate me vs113, which may be why I find it all so unsettling. This guy would be some kind of extremist nut job today, I think. Imagine him at a party.....good times.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Ps 119 1-88, 1 kings 1-2, 2 chron.1, Ps 72
So as I notice crack open my Bible and turn to Ps 119, I see why I am to only read part of it. This is one long chapter. I had to know, and yes it is the longest in the entire Bible.
It seemed to me as I was reading this that the writer really, really loves God's laws. He thinks they are super great, apparently. I must say for the most part I agree. These are the laws that most of society attempts to follow still today. The writer feels thankful that he was once afflicted, spiritually I am guessing, because out of that he learned the laws more clearly. That caused me to think about people who always seem to have a clear, easy path in life. For the most part, why would they go looking and searching for a deeper meaning? (I'm not saying everyone, I'm not making a broad generalization) I just mean, to me it seems the people who come at life with a little baggage, my look harder, or think deeper, to find the meaning to life.
In Kings Solomon talks with God and asks that he is given great wisdom. That's all he wants...wisdom and the ability to judge fairly. God is so impressed that he didn't ask for riches, long life, death of foes... that he grants his wish and then some.........or was it just a dream???? We all know of course that God does speak to people in dreams. In 2 chron it does not say it was a dream but in Kings it does. I suppose it doesn't matter because Solomon does get his wish.
His first judgement involves two unmarried women and their two (dare I say bastard sons?) fatherless sons. They live alone, one night woman A rolls over and kills her son. So she switches the boys and puts the dead son on her woman Bs bosom. Woman B wakes to find the dead child at her chest and realizes apparently after closer examination that it isn't her child.
They take their case before Solomon. He hears it and makes a great suggestion to me.....he says "why don't we cut the living baby in half and you guys can share, each having half" sounds perfect to me, you would have half the expense. Anywoo.....woman B says "no, let her have the child" only the true owner of the bike would rather not see it cut in half than own part of it.....
Pslam 72 make me feel peaceful.
It seemed to me as I was reading this that the writer really, really loves God's laws. He thinks they are super great, apparently. I must say for the most part I agree. These are the laws that most of society attempts to follow still today. The writer feels thankful that he was once afflicted, spiritually I am guessing, because out of that he learned the laws more clearly. That caused me to think about people who always seem to have a clear, easy path in life. For the most part, why would they go looking and searching for a deeper meaning? (I'm not saying everyone, I'm not making a broad generalization) I just mean, to me it seems the people who come at life with a little baggage, my look harder, or think deeper, to find the meaning to life.
In Kings Solomon talks with God and asks that he is given great wisdom. That's all he wants...wisdom and the ability to judge fairly. God is so impressed that he didn't ask for riches, long life, death of foes... that he grants his wish and then some.........or was it just a dream???? We all know of course that God does speak to people in dreams. In 2 chron it does not say it was a dream but in Kings it does. I suppose it doesn't matter because Solomon does get his wish.
His first judgement involves two unmarried women and their two (dare I say bastard sons?) fatherless sons. They live alone, one night woman A rolls over and kills her son. So she switches the boys and puts the dead son on her woman Bs bosom. Woman B wakes to find the dead child at her chest and realizes apparently after closer examination that it isn't her child.
They take their case before Solomon. He hears it and makes a great suggestion to me.....he says "why don't we cut the living baby in half and you guys can share, each having half" sounds perfect to me, you would have half the expense. Anywoo.....woman B says "no, let her have the child" only the true owner of the bike would rather not see it cut in half than own part of it.....
Pslam 72 make me feel peaceful.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Psalms 111-118 1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37, 71, 94
Kings 1-2
David is defiantly and old guy now, he's cold and can't get warm. Thermostat, I don't even know how that thing works? (it really must be true that ever instance can be related back to a Seinfeld moment.........should we invent some sort of game like Six degrees of Keven Bacon?) And then you know he's getting old because his peeps searched high and low to find the perfect virgin to keep him warm, and what does old David do? Not her.
More drama fo yo mama. Nathan tells Bathsheba that it is not Solomon that is ruling but indeed it it Adonijah. He tells her to go and say to David...
"He David, whats up? I thought Solomon was to rule?"
David: " He totally IS"
Bathsheba: "No he isn't, Adonijah is"
enter Nathan...."It is true David"
yadda yadda yadda Solomon is king (that's 2!)
David had a little heart to heart with his son. Tells him to follow Gods will and always do what is right in his eyes.....and hey, if you have time kill that basterd that threw rocks at me that one time.....remember him? I cut him some slack in the name of God, but no need for you to.
With David gone and Solomon in charge Adonijah has but one request. He want to marry the hot virgin his dad didn't or couldn't sleep with. He has Bathsheba ask Solomon for this one thing, He got the kingdom after all, whats one hot virgin? Solomon doesn't see it that was and has his bro taken out. Well, this looks like its going nowhere fast.
Joab hears the news and high tails it outta there, butt is no match for Solomon and he too is taken out. Man o man, this is not looking good atall. He also kills Shimei, but I don't remember who he is?
1 Chron. 26-29, Ps. 127
More division on the labor. David announces that he will build a final resting place for the ark. But God tells him that he is not to build it because he has shed blood.. but he has given me Solomon and said that he shall build it. God has chosen him to be the successor of his father and he in now in his highest favor.
So I just wonder if David had never bed the married Bathsheba, then they would have never had Solomon...then what? Was it written that those two would subsequently be together? Did she take a wrong turn somewhere and end up married,throwing a monkey wrench in the plan? Then God straightened it out again, not too easily, and David had to pay, but ultimately He got Solomon? Or if it had not been Solomon, would it have been someone else? I like to think through these twists and turns life takes us down. I try and imagine the what if I had gone left instead of right? Like had David not taken that walk on the roof that night.....or had Bathsheba fallen asleep before her bath.....would we be reading about someone else? It blows my mind to think that something as tiny and inconsequential as a choice to take a walk could change the entire course of history.... I know, I know God's will. So is it God that nudges us to go on that walk? I doubt it was his will that David sleep with a married woman though, so why would he have him go on that walk?
I am getting SO off subject, "the rambling of a mad women" come to mind......(please ignore the woman behind the curtain).
Back to Solomon....He is now King and the notes tell me, he isn't a good boy for long. Is power to much for man? We have seen few men who have served justly under the weight of all of that power. more times than not they have surcomed to it and abused it. Is it the ultimate test of faith? Do we, as humans, NEED to answer to other humans as well as God? It seems like when that is taken away and it is only God these men have to answer to, few can control themselves.
David dies.
Hate that it vain that I rise up early. Thats no good.
So I just wonder if David had never bed the married Bathsheba, then they would have never had Solomon...then what? Was it written that those two would subsequently be together? Did she take a wrong turn somewhere and end up married,throwing a monkey wrench in the plan? Then God straightened it out again, not too easily, and David had to pay, but ultimately He got Solomon? Or if it had not been Solomon, would it have been someone else? I like to think through these twists and turns life takes us down. I try and imagine the what if I had gone left instead of right? Like had David not taken that walk on the roof that night.....or had Bathsheba fallen asleep before her bath.....would we be reading about someone else? It blows my mind to think that something as tiny and inconsequential as a choice to take a walk could change the entire course of history.... I know, I know God's will. So is it God that nudges us to go on that walk? I doubt it was his will that David sleep with a married woman though, so why would he have him go on that walk?
I am getting SO off subject, "the rambling of a mad women" come to mind......(please ignore the woman behind the curtain).
Back to Solomon....He is now King and the notes tell me, he isn't a good boy for long. Is power to much for man? We have seen few men who have served justly under the weight of all of that power. more times than not they have surcomed to it and abused it. Is it the ultimate test of faith? Do we, as humans, NEED to answer to other humans as well as God? It seems like when that is taken away and it is only God these men have to answer to, few can control themselves.
David dies.
Hate that it vain that I rise up early. Thats no good.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
1 Chron. 23-25, Ps. 131, 138-139, 143-145
Once David had set up permanent residence in Jerusalem, he had to get organized. That's what we get here, the organization and duties of each tribe.
I like 139 because it make God seem like quite a crafter. It has him knitting, (oh how I love the knitting metaphors) and embroidering us in various colors. The image that this brings into my head is quite interesting. I may have to sketch it out. We are indeed, His Mighty craft project. (Holy Hobby Lobby, Batman!) It then mentions that the book of our lives was written out before there was a life. Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice.......
I like 139 because it make God seem like quite a crafter. It has him knitting, (oh how I love the knitting metaphors) and embroidering us in various colors. The image that this brings into my head is quite interesting. I may have to sketch it out. We are indeed, His Mighty craft project. (Holy Hobby Lobby, Batman!) It then mentions that the book of our lives was written out before there was a life. Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice.......
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2Sam 24.1Chron 21-22 Ps 30,108-110
I'm not sure what is going on here. David, I thought was dying but now he,s taking a census? An apparently sinful, wicked census? (flashback, I suppose?) God is none to pleased with this census, and David will pay....ah yes he will pay (for what is he to pay for again?)
He has 3 choices Ladies and Gentlemen....
behind door number one is: 7 GLORIOUS years of famine (applause)
behind door number two is :3 FANTASTIC months of chase from your enemies (oooooo's and ahhhhhh's)
and your final choice King David is waiting behind gilded, ornate door number three: 3 very short days of pestilence! (the crowd looks at one another, with nail biting, hair twisting nervousness)
King David weighs his options carfully............finally....(David thinking, three days? What can really happen in three short days?)
"I choose gilded, ornate, door number three!"
The crowd is on their feet and out the door, running, screaming in fear..........and eventually 70,000 are dead.
At one point David begs God to stop the dying, he asks that he take the punishment, it was he, after all who took the census. He speaks well of his people and he says that they don't deserve the punishment. They are not the guilty ones.
God speaks to David and tells him if he builds an alter, He (God) will stop the smiting, the smoting, the slewing and the slaying. Sound like a good deal to me. I wonder if David was thinking what I am thinking "THIS couldn't have been behind door number 4?!"
David builds it and the deadly pestilence comes to an end........
He has 3 choices Ladies and Gentlemen....
behind door number one is: 7 GLORIOUS years of famine (applause)
behind door number two is :3 FANTASTIC months of chase from your enemies (oooooo's and ahhhhhh's)
and your final choice King David is waiting behind gilded, ornate door number three: 3 very short days of pestilence! (the crowd looks at one another, with nail biting, hair twisting nervousness)
King David weighs his options carfully............finally....(David thinking, three days? What can really happen in three short days?)
"I choose gilded, ornate, door number three!"
The crowd is on their feet and out the door, running, screaming in fear..........and eventually 70,000 are dead.
At one point David begs God to stop the dying, he asks that he take the punishment, it was he, after all who took the census. He speaks well of his people and he says that they don't deserve the punishment. They are not the guilty ones.
God speaks to David and tells him if he builds an alter, He (God) will stop the smiting, the smoting, the slewing and the slaying. Sound like a good deal to me. I wonder if David was thinking what I am thinking "THIS couldn't have been behind door number 4?!"
David builds it and the deadly pestilence comes to an end........
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