Hmmm...

So I had a little catching up to do again today: Fri, Sat, and today's sections. But I enjoyed sitting down and reading them this morning, and I really do like hearing about all these stories. Here's a couple of observations:

1. So God sent Moses off to do this job but was going to kill him. Kill him. That doesn't make sense to me. I know the God of the OT was vengeful and easy to anger but still - if Moses was supposed to do this job, I don't get it, not at all.

2. Did anyone else think Psalm 22 sounded like Jesus speaking even though it was the song of David? Especially at the end, with the crucifixion references, the casting lots for clothing, etc. To look at it as literature, it's definitely foreshadowing but I wonder if God meant us to make the connection to Jesus, and then if so, why was it a song of David? Hmmm....

3. God gave Moses ways to prove his godliness. Do you think that ever happens today, that God gives people ways to prove their faith. He says He is the one who controls the deaf, the mute, etc. So is He causing much of what happens in our world to make people believe? Just something I was thinking about.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Sunday! I love you all.
~Sarah

Jacob or Israel????

During our reading last week Jacob's name was changed to Israel. As we have seen this happens a lot in the Bible. During our reading the last few days Jacob/Israel has been called by both names in the same sentence several times. I don't remember this happening before. When the name was changed the person is from then on referred by their new name or "formally known as" . This happens often with the disciples. Do any of you have any insight on this? Jeff and I thought we had it figured out but we proven wrong later in the passage.

Why are the shepherds detestable to the Egyptians? I am going to have to look that one up. If you can help me out that would be great. I sure wish I had Chuck to ask. I may give him a call tomorrow. Of course Jeff and I had a bit of a giggle about Jesus feeding the 5,000 men "besides the women and children". I am so glad that God decided to bring me into this day and age. I can't even imagine what women and children went through at that time.

Julia

What we think

So I have figured out how to post but not how to comment. Oh well. Jeff and I were discussing Sarah's questions about Jacob and Herodias.

We believe that when Joseph went to Egypt he adopted their language. When his brothers came to him for help to hide his identity he used the interpreter so they would not put 2 and 2 together and so they would talk freely around him.

As for Herodias, Herod was sleeping with her and she was his brothers wife. John the Baptist told Herod "It is not lawful for you to have her" and Herodias didn't like that so when Herod gave Heordias's daughter anything she asked for after she had danced for Herod her mother " Herodias" told her to ask for John the Baptist's "head on a platter" So Herod was able to get rid of John like he had wanted to because he was upholding a promise. I hope this makes sense.

We are still plugging along. Jacobs story is one of my favorites. I couldn't stop reading. Jeff and Christy told me they had enough and I had to wait until tomorrow to finish. Hope you all are having as good a time as we are.

Julia

Does anyone know?

As I was reading I came across several things that didn't make sense to me today - maybe some of you can help me to understand...

1. When Joseph's brothers were in Egypt they were talking to each other and it says "They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter." - At this point did they all speak different languages? Because he'd been talking to them before just fine. Also, I am still finding it hard to believe they didn't recognize their own brother!!!

2. Who exactly is the daughter of Herodias and why did she even want the head of John the Baptist? I feel like I should know this but I don't...And why did she take it to her mother? Not something I'd be proud to show off.

If anyone has any insight, please let me know:-)
~ Sarah

I'm intrigued

So I was a little behind when I picked up my Bible this morning - 2 days behind to be exact. Friday night came and went and I fell asleep early. Yesterday I was just being lazy. But I thought Sunday morning was the perfect time to catch up. And catch up I did. I have to say I am really into the Old Testament right now. I am liking the Joseph story, rereading it and wondering what will happen next.

At first I was like poor Joseph. He was sold by his brothers and then imprisoned but wait - he's now in a position of power next to the Pharaoh! And now he's being a jerk to his brothers, imprisoning them. I can't wait to see what happens. But I am pretty sure he's following that OT law that says "An eye for an eye" and I am glad I'm reading the New Testament too, to be reminded that that's not how things are any more. Jesus doesn't preach that. In fact, Jesus is the opposite. Jesus is love. And I like how the Psalms and the Proverbs are in between the two - telling us about God's vengeance but also his love and protection and caring.

I think part of the reason I really enjoyed my reading today is that I took the time, I was relaxed and it wasn't 10pm after a 17 hour day. I'm going to work on reading earlier in the day from now on.

~ Sarah

Already?????

Oh my.....confession time. I have already fallen off the wagon. A week of sick kids and a sick momma has rendered me useless in the evenings, and most of the day time, too. I have missed several readings this week. Nyquil will do that ot a girl. AND it messed up my dreams something fierce!

Just wanted to 'fess up.

I am going to jump back in tonight. Not try to catch up, but get back into it.

Thought you should know-

~jamee

Are we not finished?

In yesterday's reading Matthew 10:23, it says "you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes" What does this mean to you? Are we still making our way through Israel? Are we " the new disciples" still in the process of spreading the news while we wait for the Son of Man to return for us? Just wondering what this passage means to you. The other great part of yesterday's reading was that wisdom is refered to as feminine. That does not happen often in the Bible. Look at how many sons Jacob's wives bore him before there was a mention of a daughter.

Our reading is a day behind but we are doing pretty well. We are reading at the table when we finish dinner. I read out loud and then we have a discussion on the reading. I can see some doubling in the future with the schedule we keep, but that is fine with us. I love all the comments keep it up guys.

Thanks Sarah for helping me get to the right spot.

Julia