Reading the Bible Through

Deuteronomy 3 - 5   In many ways, this seems to be a summary of the previous books. Still, there is some new information added. I note that the Israelites stated that they could not continue to hear God speaking from the mountain, so Moses acted as intermediary. Before, God told them not to come near to the mountain he was speaking from. The fact that the Israelites did hear some of God speaking on the mountain makes the golden calf harder to understand in some ways. 

Exodus 34 - 36   What's this punishing the children of those who sin to the 3rd and 4th generation? What does that even mean?  In verse 9, Moses implores God to take the Israelites as God's inheritance. How can God have an inheritance? No being comes before God. I wonder if this word 'inheritance' is translated differently in other versions. No, I didn't look just now.  Today, when I read  " Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles" it reminds me of the New Testament parable in which Jesus says if you hand causes you to sin cut it off, if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out.  Why no yeast? Does it symbolize something? Bezalel and Oholiab demonstrate the need for the arts: artistic crafts it says here. Sometimes, I wonder if I am a tabernacle: beautifully made, but easily taken down. 

Exodus 20 - 24   I'm getting a late start today. I usually try to stay a day ahead in the blog of reading the Bible through. However, that's not what happened today. Still, better late than never. Or maybe right on time on the correct day. This does tell me that I would benefit from being more than 1 day ahead for those times when life happens. As I sit typing this, it also underscores for me that reading the Bible through in 1 year is not an easy task! Ah, the 10 commandments! Good rules to live by. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord. I was taught that this was saying "Oh, god" or such in a casual way. Today, I find myself thinking that it more likely refers the unspellable, unpronounceable NAME of God.  The Sabbath. Why, oh why, do we constantly think we need to be doing something? Even God rested.  You shall not covet. As far as I can tell, the basis of American culture is based on coveting. Keeping up with the Joneses. Advertisements tell us that we've ...