Day 31...(Exodus 11,12; Psalm 31)..."Seder Traditions"

Today's reading gives us the origin of passover. One of the most meaningful services I have experienced the last decade has been the Christian Seder Service. In this service much of Exodus chapter 12 is recalled. On Maundy Thursday, Seder can also be linked to Holy Communion. The last nine years I had the opportunity to lead a Seder Service and an Upper Room drama which led to Holy Communion. What a night to connect the Old and New Testaments! I could not help but think of these wonderful services, as I read today. Bread link us to Moses and Israel and Jesus and His disciples.

Day 30...(Exodus 9,10; Psalm 30)...."Joy Comes in the Morning"

There are more plagues and Pharaoh hardens his heart each time. Livestock, boils, hail, darkness, and locust all come and the result is the same. Tomorrow will be the clincher.

In the 30th Psalm we read a very good passage to memorize for those going through sorrowful moments..."For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." What a great passage! Amen!

Day 29...(Exodus 7,8; Psalms 29)..."Snakes, Blood, Frogs, and Gnats"

You would think Pharaoh would get message about complying with Moses message from God. A series of a snake, blood, frogs, and gnats did not sway him as each time his heart hardened. Did he have a choice with his hard heart? Was he like Judas? As I see it Pharaoh and Judas both had a difficult fate to give theological explanation. Did they have a choice? Did God harden their hearts. These questions perplex me. How do we explain the fate of Pharaoh and Judas?

Day 28...(Exodus 5,6; Psalm 28)..."The Straw that Broke the Hebrews Back"

The Hebrew people were slaves in Egypt and they were placed under impossible demands. When Pharaoh ordered them make bricks and gather their own straw you might say it was..." the straw that broke the Hebrews back." Here is the encounter..."That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." Pharaoh did not have a clue of the power He was encountering! Stay tuned.

Day 27...(Exodus 3,4; Psalm 27)..."Please let someone else do it!"

We think of Moses as strong and courageous but he actually said to the Lord..."O Lord, please send someone else to do it." This a far cry from the visionary leader who delivered his people. This reluctance should be good news for us in our reluctance to do what God calls us to do. Moses models the right spirit in responding to the Lord..."When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." He would live the vision of "here I am Lord."

I remember also Dr. Bill Mallard teaching Moses models worship. 1) coming close to God 2) staying back on holy ground. Here is the encounter...

"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Day 26...(Exodus 1,2; Psalm 26)..."The Three Movements of Moses"

We begin Exodus today. Genesis sure went fast. Next year, I am thinking about a reading plan will go slower through Genesis and maybe call it Genesis in 50 days. Well on to Exodus. If you read chapter 50 of Genesis and Exodus 1 together you bridge the history. Obviously, God's promise to Abraham was becoming true..."a nation as numerous as the stars." This was a great threat to Egypt.

Moses had three key movement early. 1) Spared in a basket to Egypt. 2) Fleeing Egypt after killing an Egyptian. 3) Back to Egypt after the burning bush. Of course, he will spend time with a final movement the Exodus itself!

My family has had a lot of changes. I am especially looking forward to reading Exodus. My connection will be the new ways God is calling me this year.

Day 25 (Genesis 49,50; Psalm 25) "Schemer's, Dreamers, and a Redeemer"

eph obviously was redeemed in "pits to glory" story. What about his brothers? Did they ever level with their father about their transgressions. After Jacob's death, they quickly reverted back to their conspiring behavior..."When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." How quickly they moved to deceive!

Joseph moved quickly to forgive. In fact, he seemed to forgive in spite of his brothers. Did he know their deceit? Overlook? Or just plain forgive in advance?

Here is Joseph's response..."When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." Were the brothers ever redeemed? Or where they just fortunate to have a brother like Joseph and a father like Jacob? Is this still not our human condition today? Some "get" God's redemption of people and circumstances and others move quickly to the next "scheme"?

The story of Joseph could be summed up like this..."there are schemers, dreamers, and a Redeemer. Is this not our human condition today?

Day 24 (Genesis 47,48; Psalm 24)..."Preparing to Live and Die"

Israel (Jacob) upon discovering Joseph is alive and well says..."My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die." In this time of exuberance, Jacob has his death on his mind.

As it turns out, Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years. Here is the account..."Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." "I will do as you say," he said. "Swear to me," he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

I am intrigued in how the people of faith lived in preparation to die and at the strong demands of where to be buried. Jacob and Isaac both prepared to die years before their actual death. What does this tell us? Is there a fuller life in knowing you are prepared to die?

Day 23...(Genesis 45,46; Psalm 23) "A Grand Reunion"

I mentioned several blogs back that a "prodigal son like" reunion was coming with Joseph and we find it in today's reading. Joseph is one of my favorite leaders in the Bible for his strength to reconcile with his brothers. He understood God's higher purposes were accomplished in spite of the consequences of being sold into slavery. In our application of this reading we can ask ourselves the following... 1) when events go against us do we become bitter? 2) or do we seek God's higher purposes in all events? Does life make us bitter? Or do we seek God's higher purposes? Are we willing to forgive those who wrong us?

How fitting that 23rd Psalm accompanies this reading today and speaks of "restoring our soul." Are not the "still waters" and "green pastures" the result of trusting God in all events?

Day 22...(Genesis 43,44; Psalm 22) "The Psalm JesusQuotes"

In today's passage, from Psalms 22, we read the very words Jesus quoted from the cross..."My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?" I believe Jesus quoted the Psalms as much as any Old Testament Book. The Psalms do express the deepest of emotions. A feeling of being forsaken is perhaps the deepest emotion felt toward others. In my conversation with people, about the Psalms, I find two camps. Some love the Psalms and others find reading them difficult. It is helpful to know the Psalms were hymns and prayers. The Psalms are also redundant and often used intensification to reinforce a point to "take away." I find myself loving the short and crisp Psalms and struggling with the long ones. Any thoughts on how you like reading the Psalms?

In today's Genesis account, Joseph and his brothers continue to go back and forth about the youngest brother.

Day 21 (Genesis 41,42; Psalm 21)..."The Wheels Begin to Come Off"

In reading the story of Joseph unfold, the brothers do journey to Egypt and stand humbly before him powerless. The story is captivating as Joseph conceals his identity and they do not recognize their "sold into slavery" brother. You get a sense the guilt for shipping Joseph to Egypt was becoming debilitating for them. If nothing else they had to lie constantly and the "cover up" was beginning to unravel. I sense as their plot is also goofy and they appear before Joseph "three stoogesnesque" as they stumbling all over each other with guilt. Add a good dose of fear in there and you have plenty to squirm about. Nevertheless, Joseph is having a little fun at their expense. These brothers were clueless and living the nightmare of Joseph's dream. Below is the account of hungry men with their wheels beginning to come off!

But they replied, "Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more." Joseph said to them, "It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!" And he put them all in custody for three days. On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die." This they proceeded to do. They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us."

Day 20...(Genesis 39,40; Psalm 20)..."Another Pitfall"

We are not ready yet to realize the glory of God in Joseph's life. As he begins to rebuild a life as chief of staff for Potiphar. Joseph is a great executive and finds favor until Potiphar's wife wrongfully accuses him of making a an advancement toward her. He is thrown into prison and uses his "dream" gift for his "get out of prison card." In chapter 40, we find a third pitfall for Joseph. After he correctly gives interpretation to dreams, the cupbearer forgot Joseph. In Joseph's story so far we have three pitfalls.

1) Joseph is thrown into a pit and sold into slavery 2) wrongfully accused 3) forgotten

...the road to God's glory has many pitfalls for Joseph. Is this reassuring for any setbacks that come our way? Pitfalls do not have to be "the pits."

Day 19... (Genesis 37,38: Psalm 19) "Going through the Pits on the way to Glory"

In chapter 37, the Book of Genesis introduces the wonderful story of Joseph that will take us to the end of the Book. The story reveals a "sibling rivalry" of brothers of jealousy that goes bad. Joseph is a dreamer but his dreams become more like a nightmare! Where do the dreams of Joseph lead him? Not yet to God's glory! In fact, he begins in the "pit." What does Joseph being cast in the pit teach us? We may have to go through "the pits" before we experience God's glory. What do you think?

Day 18 (Genesis 35,36; Psalm 18)..."The Bible and Health Care"

Health care is a great debate these days. In today's reading, we encounter some health issues. Isaac died at the age of 180 years according to Genesis 35:38. In the story of Jacob stealing Esau's blessing, the scene is very dramatic (as if Isaac will not live much longer) as Isaac must go by touch and sound instead of sight. He obviously was in poor health. How many years did his health decline? How much time passed between the blessing scene and his death? We know after Jacob leaves, he works for Laban fourteen years. Isaac's death happens after all these years plus some other transitions. At any rate...he lived a long time in declining health.

How is the meaning of life revealed through a father's health, blessing, and death? Obviously, in Genesis these passages are paramount in the meaning of life. We are so life consious we could learn a great deal from these passages recorded in Genesis.

Did you feel anything when Rachel died from complications of childbirth? How sad that death at childbirth was so common that only only two verses described the event..."And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for you have another son." As she breathed her last-- for she was dying she named her son Ben-Oni But his father named him Benjamin." How interesting in these times that the blessing of a son overshadowed a tragic death.

Day 17 (Genesis 33,34: Psalm 34)..."Much to do About Nothing"

Jacob spends the better part of 20 years of his life in fear of Esau. He knows one day he will have to face up to him. When the suspenseful moment comes a "Prodigal Son" type celebration reunion takes place. Jacob prepares gifts and Essau is quick to embrace. Jacob's fear of Esau is "much to do about nothing." Is this not true of so much in our lives? We live in fear of facing people, situations, and find the "fear" is worse than the moment. Joseph is at the back of the line in this story. In the coming chapters, he will be live out yet another story of "grand reunion." This will be yet another theme of Genesis reconciliation/reunion. Isn't this just like God to be creator, the giver of relationships, and offers the grace for grand reunions!

Day 16 (Genesis 31, 32; Psalm 16)..."Some Blessings are Not the Ones We Have in MInd and Come Through Struggle"

Jacob had to wrestle through the night for a blessing he did not have in mind. Bishop James Swanson says Jacob had another blessing in mind other than a dislocated hip socket. Here is the account. " Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

How many of our blessing come through struggle and are not initially what we have in mind? Yet...God knows best and His blessings are ineffable! Great is His Faithfulness indeed!

Day 15 (Genesis 29,30; Psalm 15)..."Persistence!"

Jesus teaches about a widow that got what she wanted through persistence. (Luke 18:1-8) Today, we read about Jacob's persistence for Rachel. He worked seven years for Laban and was deceived into thinking he would receive Rachel's hand. Instead he received Leah. He was not defeated as he signed off on another seven years for Rachel. Another story of persistence concerns Rachel who waited painfully as Leah and other servants gave birth. Finally, Rachel's persistence paid off with the birth of Joseph. There are numerous themes in Genesis such as creation, sin, covenant, consequences and faith. I never noticed this obvious theme of persistence. I like it! Fulfilling God's purposes comes through persistence. Let's keep our eyes open to other stories ahead and this theme of persistence.

Day 14 (Genesis 27, 28; Psalm 14)..."Deceit and the Bible"

Jacob stole Esau's blessing. Deceit is used in the Bible by God's leaders. Who does not feel pity for Esau in the story... "When Esau heard his father's words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, "Bless me—me too, my father!" But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." Esau said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob ? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!" Then he asked, "Haven't you reserved any blessing for me?" Even Rebeka is involved in the deceit! How do we explain God's people and deceit? (1) Is this just the human condition to be deceitful? 2) Or a testimony of God redeeming the deceitful? (3) Or a matter of God navigating His redemption story in spite of the human condition? I choose the third. What do you think?

Day 13. (Genesis 25, 26; Psalm 13) ..."Oh Well!"

There are geographic movements in the Bible that happen over disputes. One of those disputes is recorded in chapter 26 in what I call the "Oh Well!" dispute..." Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land." Quarrels are a part of the shaping the biblical story. We will see this again in Acts and the early church. Quarrels can be redeemed for higher purposes if God redeems them.

Day 12 (Genesis 23, 24; Psalm 12) "God is an orderly God and Genesis is an Orderly Book"

God is an orderly God. Genesis is an orderly book. How so? I noticed a detail in the story of Isaac and Rebeka that I missed in my previous reading of the Bible. There is great detail about Sarah's death and burial in chapter 23. What follows in chapter 24? The story of Isaac and Rebecca's marriage. Where there is a void for a nation? God fills. Notice how chapter 24 ends..."Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. An orderly succession and an acknowledgment of grief and life for the Hebrews moves forward!

Day 11 (Genesis 21,22; Psalm 11) ..."The Most Dramatic Moment in The Bible"

God blesses Abraham and Sarah with a son at a laughable moment...both advanced toward 100 years old. What follows is perhaps the most intense moment in the Bible. Is God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son? The events leading to the sacrificial altar are perplexing and "heart wrenching." As the drama peaks, an angel speaks..."Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Whew!!! Is there a moment of greater in the Bible? While the message on the way to the altar is confounding there is a clear message afterward...God blesses obedience with provision. The "ram in the thicket" is a symbol of God's provision. In these confusing economic times what a great message for today..."God will provide as we are obedient." Is there a ram in our thicket today?

Day 10 (Genesis 19,20; Psalm 10)..."More Troubling Than Lot's Wife Turning to Salt"

You could rate Genesis 19 not only"X" but also "T" for troubling. Chapter 19 gives us an insight of how wicked Sodom and Gomorrah had become. The scene is graphic and implies the barbaric atmosphere of "gang rape." How could Lot offer his daughters instead of the men? This has to be one of the most disturbing bibical passages in the entire Bible. The image of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt for looking back has long been used to inspire..."keep your eyes on the Lord." This image is also present in Jesus' teaching of not taking your eye off the plow in the New Testament. (Luke 9:62)

Day 9 (Genesis 17,18; Psalm 9) ..."Name Changes, Laughing in the Bible, Miraculous Births"

Today's reading includes the name changes of Abram and Sarai becoming Abraham and Sarah. Abraham name change is associated with "father of many nations" and Sarah the "blessed to be mother of many nations." One of the most notable name changes in the Bible is Saul becoming Paul. Jesus also gave Simon, son of Judah, the name Peter which carries significance with "the rock" in the formation of the Church. Most Biblical names are not accidental and open doors to greater understanding of the message. One of my greateast treasures is a Bible Dictionary (given by my parents) that gives meaning and pronunciation of most every biblical name.

Who says the Bible has no humor? Today, we read of the laughter of Abraham and Sarah when they hear the absurd. They are going to have a child pushing 100 years old! Miraculous births are yet another theme of the Bible. More later.

Day 8...(Genesis 15,16; Psalm 8) "Reaching for the stars!"

I remember an inspiring night following Hurricane Ivan when in the dark and powerless streets of Pensacola and I gazed at beauty of the stars. How majestic are the stars when nothing else is seen! As a metaphor, how inspiring to reach for them and trust God for the future! Abram hears of being the father of a nation more numerous than the stars. The Psalmist says..."How majestic is your name" including the phrase "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars." How awesome is God's Word that two passages refer to the stars and both with lofty meaning. How long has it been since we have gazed at the stars and reached for the stars trusting God with the future?

Day 7...(Genesis 14,15; Psalm 7) "You go Right and I will go Left"

The Bible speaks in practical terms in today's reading. As Abram and Lot (both with abundant livestock and possessions) try to co-exist on limited space it does not work out. Abram says..."you go left and I will go right." Abram comes to the rescue of Lot after he is captured. After the successful liberation we find the origin of tithing..." And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything." The Bible is difficult to understand in some readings but not today. 1) finding your own space 2) going left and right 3) loyalty and bravery for family 4) tithing.

Day 6...(Genesis 12,13; Psalm 6) "Another Creation...A Nation"

In the Tower of Babel, we have another story of consequences for disobedience. The sin of pride has been called the father of all sin by Dr. Maxie Dunnam. As "in the garden" humanity was not content but wanted to be as God and in this instance were foolish enough to begin a tower to reach Heaven.

Another creation story emerges...this time the birth of a nation more "numerous in the stars." Is this already the fourth creation story in Genesis? Let's keep tabs in the Book of Genesis.

Day 5...(Genesis 10,11; Psalm 5) "A Rainbow! And then a curse!"

How reassuring is the covenant of God expressed in the rainbow! A rainbow is one of the marvels of all creation. I saw an awesome one the other day. How can you not think about God when a rainbow appears?

After the awesome rainbow, a curse emerges. I do not know what to make of the family issues following the flood. We do not know exactly why his son was cursed. As with Cain, another theme of "blessing" and "curse" emerges and this will be common throughout the Bible. Also, every creation story has promise and loss of promise. Is this not also a prevalent theme throughout the Bible?

Let's look for the many occasions of blessing and curse and promise and loss of promise in future reading.

Day 4...(Genesis 8,9; Psalm 4) "Creation Continues"

Gabriel Fackre stated "God continues to create" even today. There are no limitations to what God can do through us. New possibilities are always boundless. Genesis is a Book of "creation" or "origin" stories. Creation stories continue throughout the Bible and not just Genesis. Already we have read through three creation stories. The first creation is a view from "30,000 feet above" in the orderly seven day account. A second look up close and personal reveals both the favor and fall of Adam and Eve. A third creation story involves Noah. This story is one of starting over again or recreation. Is this not a common theme of the Bible? Starting again or starting over? The reading through the Bible is a potential creation story. God is able to create new thoughts, attitudes, and behavior in us as we read His Word.

Day 3...(Genesis 5, 6; Psalm 3) "Average Life Span...Older than Dirt!"

According to Genesis, Noah's great grandfather Enoch lived to be 365 years old. He was taken up to Heaven without dying because he walked with God. (The only other person living without dying was Elijah) Methususelah, Noah's grandfather, lived to be 969. (oldest person in the Bible) Lamech was Methususelah's son and lived to be 777. Noah lived to be 950 years old. If you total those four generations together you get...3061 years or a life span of 765. If you take Enoch out of the mix you get a 898 year life span. Even if the years were calculated different from our years this is still older than dirt! Considering we are only four chapters from the creation of the earth the saying "older than dirt" is almost true!

I did notice how the Lord decided to dramatically shorten the human life span with "the flood." Is this not another consequence for disobedience? Like labor pains at child birth and being cast out of paradise in the garden? And Cain's banishment? If I am counting right this would be the fourth consequence of disobedience. In these stories, we read of the beginning of sin and consequences.

Day 2...(Genesis 3, 4; Psalm 2) "Is it the Problem of Sin or the Problems of Sin?"

Does Genesis chapters 3 and 4 introduce the problem of sin or is it the problems of sin? Notice how rapidly Adam and Eve's first act of disobience and Cain's first act of violence open the door to all kinds of sin. Here is a beginning list of the problems these these sins caused as the door to disobeying God was opened.
1. Disobedience
2. Hiddeness from God and the truth
3. Weakness
4. Living short of God's intention
5. Consequences that are passed on to others
6. Guilt
7. Shame
8. Blame
9. Lack of responsibilty
10. Murder
11. Hatred
12. Anger
13. Jealousy
14. Envy
15. Pride
16. Greed
17. Violence
18. Lack of Self-control
19. Fear

Question for today. Is it the problem of sin? Or the problems of sin?

Day 1...(Genesis 1, 2; Psalm 1) "The Superlatives of Creation"

Genesis 1 and 2 bask in the glory and wonder God! The glory of "And God said" and creation happened out of chaos. The wonder of day, night, stars, seas, creatures, and humankind! In the words of one of the grandest hymns ever "How Great Thou Art" by Stuart Hines we capture only a glimpse of the wonder..."O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universerse displayed." How profound that only five words describe the creation of the stars..."He also made the stars." What an awesome thought that God is more than the keeper of the stars as in Tracy Byrds song ..."Tip my hat to the keeper of the stars," He is the Creator of the stars. According to scientists there are more than 100 thousand million stars in the Milky Way alone. Awesome! How amazing that God knows the intricate detail of hairs on head and sees every sparrow that falls. God is both all powerful and knows us as the Psalmist says...we are "wonderfully and fearfully made." The superlatives of creation are endless.

Is the creation described in Genesis a science story or faith story? Rev. Adam Hamilton teaches that if Genesis had been a science story the detail of creation would have been the emphasis and would have required volumes and volumes. Instead...obviously Genesis is a "faith story" unfolding which reveals our purpose in being created. I remember Dr. Greg Clapper teaching... Genesis means "beginnings." Our readings will focus on God's beginnings with humankind the next days. Speaking of beginnings...what a joy to begin reading the Bible through with you today! May God lead all who are taking this journey to a deep encounter with His Word!