Morgan's 90 Day Bible Blog

The Book Draws to a Close

2010-12-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Many of you are near the end of the Bible. Many of you have finished the Bible. As you reach the end of the Bible, what has changed? What did you find there that you did not expect? What did you find in yourself that you did not expect? Where did you encounter God in its pages?
I encountered God in the strangest, unexpected places. Isaiah's sweeping words; Jesus in the synoptic gospels; Exodus was powerful. I will always love Acts. What about you?
The Bible is God's testament or covenant with us, a living document for a living people. God's word and presence is real.

New Testament Thoughts

2010-12-02T06:06:00.000-08:00

Some Thoughts about the New Testament read quickly
1. The similarities of synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) stand out. People have noted this throughout the centuries, including John Calvin, who did not write a commentary on the individual gospels, but wrote Harmony of the Evangelists. Jesus is a consistent figure, who towers over history and creation, yet confronts humanity head-on. Three accounts written in three places are remarkably and powerfully convergent, yet unique.
2. John presents a photographic negative of the other accounts. Same Jesus, some different events, most notably the teaching. John's account is beautiful - an intimate Jesus.
3. Notice how Acts devotes much of its account to recitations of the divine history, such as Stephen's testimony. The scope of the story is the entire book, now including Jesus and the apostles themselves.

Matthew

2010-11-14T05:48:00.001-08:00

I've noticed a refrain in Matthew that I never noticed before. Jesus quotes Hosea (6.6), "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." We find God's desire there.

Daniel - Random Thoughts

2010-11-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

The book of Daniel is a great book. The story of Daniel at the beginning of the book shows a man of courage and integrity. Daniel holds firm to his beliefs in the face of persecution and difficulty. The message of Daniel should nudge us to ask: what sets us apart as Christians today? If we are not in a position to transform our culture through Christ, at what point do we stand against the customs and habits of our day.
The second half of the book is more curious. A concrete story gives way to fantastic prophetic imagery. Many have used the book of Daniel as much, if not more, than the book of Revelation to form an apocalyptic eschatology, or end of time theology. Readers should use extreme caution when comparing the events of today with the prophecy contained in Daniel; at the same time, Daniel does have an historical framework for its prophecy, anticipating the arrival and subsequent return of the Messiah in Jesus Christ - the history of the old testament is the fulfillment of the new and the anticipation of the kingdom.

Minor Prophets

2010-11-10T13:26:00.001-08:00

As the Old Testament closes with the minor prophets or the book of the twelve (or possibly "the unpronounceables"), we approach a big gap in time between the testaments. The prophets promise the return of Moses and Elijah as well as the restoration of David's throne. Despite all the thunder and lightning, judgment and destruction, we whear a great promise of restoration. Many people waited a long time for what we have received in Christ. Plunge headlong into the fulfilled and coming promises of the New Testament.

Day 60

2010-11-04T21:31:00.001-07:00

Congratulations, you've made it through two months of reading the Bible. And you're still in the Old Testament! Is God doing amazing things with you yet? I think I am amazed at how fresh the Bible remains, how I constantly find new things, while many of the threads persist and reappear. God's covenant remains; God's steadfast love endures!

Jeremiah 31

2010-11-02T20:57:00.001-07:00

Jeremiah 31 is an oasis in the midst of destruction. This chapter shows that the Old Testament contains the heart of the New Testament. God's promises began and persist in the darkest times. Write your teachings upon our hearts, O Lord.

Isaiah quote

2010-10-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

"I will set a sign among them...to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations." Isaiah 66.19

Isaiah

2010-10-27T08:26:00.001-07:00

"Come, all you who are thirsty..." Isaiah 55.1
I admit it - I looked forward to Isaiah the same way others look forward to Leviticus. But I have found so much more than I imagined or remembered.
Isaiah retells Hezekiah's story, beautifully warns against idolatry, confidently proclaims the LORD as the only God, and encourages a desolate, discouraged people. Sing songs in hopes of the Messiah. Proclaim the blessed day of return. God is good and merciful and just; holy, holy, holy - how else do you say the most holiestest.

Song of Solomon

2010-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Try this line out with your beloved: "your teeth are like a flock of sheep..." In the days of the toothbrush and dentists, I'll pass on that one.
Many have said this is divine love poetry, about how God loves us and how we love God. Or maybe it's just about love. The imagery is lovely and racy; however, the object of the poetry is obscure - we are definitely not in the Psalms here!

Ecclesiastes

2010-10-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. - Eccl. 1.9
"The Preacher/Teacher" (the translated title of this book) shares wisdom with its readers. Yet if Proverbs imagines wisdom through divine engagement, Ecclesiastes provides a seemingly cynical view of experience and wisdom. The older translations used the word "vanity" repeatedly; the NIV uses "meaningless". Ecclesiastes does believe in wisdom ("wisdom is better than weapons of war"), but downplays the stature of humanity in comparison to God. Wise indeed. "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth...."

Intro to Proverbs

2010-10-20T12:30:00.001-07:00

Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; -Proverbs 3.5
For Solomon, wisdom is an aspect of God's character. Wisdom was there when God "laid the earth's foundations" (3.19), woven into creation. Wisdom connects us to God.

Final Psalms

2010-10-20T11:57:00.001-07:00

The Psalms conclude with praise, praise, praise, praise, praise to the Lord! What soaring poetry, with a spectrum of majestic images. Should be a larger portion of our lives as well.

Psalms

2010-10-18T17:29:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow we leave the Psalms. Wouldn't you love to know the what the tunes "Lillies" and "Do Not Destroy" sounded like?
Walter Brueggemann classifies the Psalms one of three ways: songs of orientation (our place in the universe with respect to God), songs of disorientation (how we've lost our place in the universe with respect to God), and songs of reorientation (reordering our place in the universe with respect to God).
What I've noticed: the word "I" is used a lot, as it is more often in contemporary worship songs.
Some of my favorite verses/Psalms:
16.33
38
42.7
65.9
69.30-31
90.3-4
96
104
111.10
118.32
118.105
132.4-5
What are yours?

Day 42

2010-10-16T20:36:00.001-07:00

Congratulations! You've read for 42 days, nearly halfway to 90 days. Keep it up. You've finished some of the more difficult books of the Bible. The best is yet to come!

Job 2

2010-10-15T20:22:00.001-07:00

Often, readers focus on Job's sevenfold restoration. To me, Job's repentence is the more significant action in the book. Not only does Job not forsake God, Job realizes that he needs to change. All of us are like Job. We need to find humility in the presence of the whirlwind voice of God.

Job

2010-10-11T20:44:00.001-07:00

As we read Job, a key word is "theodicy" - the justice of God. Job (as a book) seeks to understand God's justice. Job, if you'd only.... Job, you should have.... Why me...? We have our ideas why things happen, which usually wind up as vague superstition or misguided dismissal. Seldom do we truly listen for God's voice.
Pay particular attention to the beginning of this book (and the end).

Day 30

2010-10-05T15:16:00.001-07:00

Congratulations! You've been reading your Bible for a month, almost finished with 1 Chronicles. Keep it up!
1 Chronicles begins a retelling of the story, from a different perspective. It would be a fun project to read Chronicles in one column and Samuel/Kings in the second column. From memory, you can probably detect a few of the differences.

Day 25

2010-09-30T20:09:00.001-07:00

The story of Rehoboam should be instructive for those seeking advice. Rather than give a soft answer, he chooses anger and wrath. Solomon, his father, was in the wrong, enslaving the people. Rehoboam could have corrected his father's mistakes and returned Israel to David's ways. By choosing harshness, he set Israel back for generations and turned 10 of the tribes away from the Lord.

Day 24

2010-09-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

The above photo depicts the story from 1 Kings 3. Threaten to cut the baby in half, find the true mother.
The story of Solomon's reign still surprises and shocks me. At first, Solomon's reign originates in the worst of power politics. Yet, he grows in Wisdom, granted by the Lord in a dream. The book of Proverbs is attributed to him, 1 Kings 4 says 3000 proverbs were written/said by him. "He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish." (1 Kings 4.33) Solomon was a biologist and a botanist, a Renaissance man. He even fulfilled David's commitment to the Temple and inaugurated worship there himself.
Over the course of the next reading, we see that even Solomon had his failings....

Day 23

2010-09-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

The latter part of David's story (and later Solomon's story) reads more like The Godfather than an episode of The Sopranos. Joab solidifies David's power through violence (and will meet his end that way as well). David's leadership shifts. Formerly he asked the Lord's will before he acted. He acted without God's blessing, leading Israel to ruin and rebellion. Only the prophet Nathan could convict David and shake him from this behavior, through the trickery of a parable. Even the greatest reign of any earthly kingdom was a time of bloodshed and disorder. King David is a shadow of the real king, as much after God's own heart as he was; the Lord should have reigned in Israel and should reign in our lives.

Day 22

2010-09-26T20:58:00.001-07:00

The struggle between Saul and David saddens. Saul is tragic (bipolar?), David heroic. If God looks on the heart, Saul and David present two distinctly different pictures. The scriptures question Saul's prophetic abilities, and confirm David's.

Day 21

2010-09-26T05:56:00.001-07:00

Congratulations! You are 21 days through the Bible. You've covered so much ground! Keep it up!

Day 19

2010-09-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of my seminary professors said that Judges is a catalogue of characters violating the law of Deuteronomy. No doubt, Chapter 17 until the end of the book recounts the darkest days of Israel, leading up to the classic line, "everyone [the Hebrew is specifically male, not the word for generic human being] did as he saw fit." A tragic end to a tragic book.

Day 18

2010-09-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

Random thoughts on the Judges:

Deborah: singing prophet, true leader; Jael: cleverness

Gideon: brief moments of sanity

"I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you." - Judges 8.23

Abimelech: [my personal theory - I cannot think of a positively named king with this recurring name - a placeholder name used whenever a king or leader has been deleted] This is Gideon's unholy son, a torment to Israel, not a judge.

Tola:?

Jair: 30 donkeys, 30 towns

Jephthah: Robinhood, foolish vow, Shibboleth

Ibzan: 30 sons, 30 daughters

Elon:?

Abdon: 40 sons, 30 gandsons; 70 donkeys

Samson: Nazirite (remember Numbers 6), lion tamer, weakness for women - biblical super-hero

Day 17

2010-09-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

The transition between Joshua and Judges is much smoother than I remembered. But the disobedience of Israel is striking. After Joshua's strong admonitions, the people still fall for the gods of the surrounding people with whom they settled. God delivers; the people forget. "...Another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." - Judges 2.10 May we always teach the next generation what the Lord has done.

Ehud (Lefty) is one of my favorite judges. His story is cinematic and treacherous. Reminds me of the story of his modern namesake, Ehud Barak. Ehud Barak's military exploits remind me so much of the judge. Once, he dressed as a woman on an undercover mission. The two Ehuds share sneaky methods and extreme courage.

Day 16 - Part 2

2010-09-20T10:40:00.001-07:00

As a senior adult with a firm conviction about the future and the goodness of the LORD, Caleb is an inspiration. "I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then" - Joshua 14.11. His optimism and belief in the power of the LORD never flagged nor faded; the LORD did not disappoint.

Day 16

2010-09-20T10:13:00.001-07:00

When Joshua sees the angel on the road, he asks whether the angel is friend or foe. The angel replies "neither." The first obstacle to understanding God's view of the world is overcome when we put aside our notions of friends or enemies when it comes to our relationship to God. "Either/or" is really "neither" with God. God does not answer to us. God is God, not someone to employ or get on our team. We must follow God's commands and seek God's will, not ask God if He is on our team.

Day 15

2010-09-20T08:49:00.001-07:00

How Moses saw his instruction to Israel: "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD!"

Day 14

2010-09-19T05:15:00.001-07:00

Today's repetitive reading is a good time to remind you that we have finished two weeks and around 10% of the Bible. Way to go!
There is a great truth in Deuteronomy. Remember, God did not chose us because of our righteousness. God's grace makes us righteous. Christ's righteousness makes us righteous.

Day 13

2010-09-18T14:12:00.001-07:00

"Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one...." These are words to remember by. Deuteronomy is the last will and testament of Moses. As they enter the Promised Land, the people will quickly forget the God who brought them there. The words of Deut 6 remind Israel to constantly remind themselves who God is. May we never forget!

Day 12

2010-09-17T06:36:00.001-07:00

When Balaam sees the angel after the donkey speaks, the angel says, "I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me." If your donkey stops, you need to look for the angel in the road.

Day 11

2010-09-15T19:40:00.001-07:00

The report of the spies shows that two groups of people can look at the same challenge and see things differently based on their outlook. Caleb and Joshua believe that the Lord is leading them into the promised land. The promised land is filled with goodness - bees and cows. Taking possession of the land is a cinch. We can do it!

The other spies present a defeatist picture. The fallen giants (nephilim) who inhabit the land will destroy us. The task ahead is huge; we are small. Let's quit!

By Numbers 14, they want new leaders who will take them back to Egypt, who will revisit the past. Rather than claim the great future God has for them, they would exchange it for a past of slavery, all to be rid of the inconvenience of the wilderness.

May we follow the Lord into the promised land, even if we spend some time in the wilderness! May we trust in God's plan for the future.

Day 10

2010-09-14T20:13:00.001-07:00

The Hebrew title for Numbers is "In the wilderness...." The people's struggle with God and one another describes our own lives today - the temptation to trade our future for the past. Lots of counting and repetition at the beginning. In between the breaks, the story is great. Bring on the talking animals!

Day 9

2010-09-13T20:50:00.001-07:00

I am glad I do not have to do mold inspection. And, as a Mississippi boy, I could not do without catfish.
The scapegoat is fascinating. Aside from the symbolism prefiguring the NT, it is healthy for people to have a way to let things go. In Christ, we should let stuff go.

Day 8

2010-09-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

The books of Leviticus and Exodus raise a translation issue. The NIV translates "shalom offering" as "fellowship offering". Shalom means peace or wholeness. To me, wholeness better translates the intent of shalom than fellowship.
Leviticus gives medical and dietary information. What seems exhaustive and tedious would have reminded the people that everything they did was for the Lord, even skincare and menus.

Day 7

2010-09-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Today is the day for the golden calf. How quickly things devolve. The people trust the Lord enough to walk through the middle of the sea. Within months, they cannot even remember who God is or how God was using Moses to lead them.
The price for this disobedience is great - no promised land for the current generation. In our impatience, we trade objects for God, we substitute stuff for true being and wisdom. God is giving Moses everything the people need; the people develop amnesia for God and Moses.
"If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." -Moses, Exodus 33.15 Great prayer.

Day 6

2010-09-10T10:59:00.001-07:00

Jethro gives Moses great advice. Moses cannot decide every case after the people cross into the wilderness. He needed time to spend with the Lord, not in small claims court. He could not hear every case. No one person can or should do it all.
Ten commandments today. Still one of the most important sections of scripture. Four commandments concerning God, six concerning human relations, according to John Calvin.
Anyone want to build an ark or tabernacle? Where are my umim and thumim?

Day 5

2010-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

God hardens Pharaoh's heart. One of the more difficult concepts in the scriptures to understand. God drags out the plagues for His greater glory. God works in history, even on a leader who begins to relent.

"This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover." - Exodus 12.11

The Lord puts us in motion. To eat the passover meal, you've got to be ready to leave. To follow God and be delivered, you need your shoes on. We get comfortable where we are. Do we have our shoes on? Are we ready to move on God's mission?
Moses parts the Red Sea

Day 4

2010-09-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

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. -Joseph, Genesis 50.19-20
The story of Joseph is a touching story of triumph and forgiveness. Joseph had reached the heights of world power. He chooses generosity for his brothers, who had so mistreated him. When others mistreat us, do we have the faith to see how God can use their actions?

Day 3 - part 2

2010-09-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. - Jacob, Genesis 33.10
I just love what Jacob says when he sees his brother after so many years - seeing God in the face of our enemy/brother! Just love this verse.

Day 3

2010-09-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

"Do not interpretations belong to God." - Gen 40.8
We all have dreams, both our aspirations for the future and unconscious visions in our sleep. This is my favorite part of day 3. The meaning for our lives rests in God. God gives us dreams and visions, if we will listen. Following them is an act of faith; understanding them is an act of prayer.
May we know and follow God's dreams!

Day 2

2010-09-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

"As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations." - Gen 17.4
The story of Genesis is our story - the world's story. History and the journey really begin here. Abraham steps out on faith. A nomad becomes the father of faith.

"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it...How awesome is this place!" - Jacob, Genesis 28.16

I'll never forget moving to Switzerland, when my son wondered out loud if God came with us on the plane. After a big hug and a reassurance, I told him God was already here(there). Whether you're sleeping on a rock, or in some "awesome" place, look for God!

Day 1

2010-09-05T05:21:00.001-07:00

Imagine beginning life with the crusades, seeing the Reformation at mid-life, and then dying just after seeing humanity reach the moon. Such was the lifespan of the thousand-year men of Genesis.
The vast expanse of time passes in the blink of an eye to God. Most of the history of the universe and much of human history occurs on Day 1 of our reading. God is amazing. I am feeble and humbled.
Morgan

90 Days through the Bible

2010-09-01T05:46:00.000-07:00

Forest Presbyterian is reading the Bible in 90 days, beginning Sept 5. We hope you will join us in the adventure. Check in here to read my daily reflections on this process.