These are the scriptures that, God willing, I plan to read in April 2015.

4/1       Judges 1:1-3:6; Judges 17:1-13

4/2       Judges 18:1-31; Judges 3:7-4:24

4/3       Judges 5:1-7:25

4/4       Judges 8:1-9:57

4/5       Judges 10:1-13:25

4/6       Judges 19:1-20:48

4/7       Judges 21:1-25; 1 Chronicles 6:4b-15; Ruth 1:1-2:23

4/8       Ruth 3:1-4:22; 1 Chronicles 2:3-16; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:28

4/9       1 Samuel 2:1-10; Psalm 113:1-9; 1 Samuel 2:11-21; Judges 14:1-16:22

4/10     Judges 16:23-31; 1 Samuel 2:22-5:12

4/11     1 Samuel 6:1-7:17; 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27

4/12     1 Samuel 10:1-13:22

4/13     1 Samuel 13:23-14:52; 1 Chronicles 5:7-10

4/14     1 Chronicles 9:35-44; 1 Chronicles 5:7-10; 1 Chronicles 5:18-22; 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23

4/15     1 Samuel 17:1-58; Psalm 144:1-15

4/16     1 Samuel 18:1-20:42

4/17     Psalm 5:1-12; Psalm 59:1-17; Psalm 133:1-3; 1 Samuel 21:1-15; Psalm 34:1-22; 1 Samuel 22:1-5; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18

4/18     1 Samuel 22:6-23; Psalm 52:1-9; Psalm 109:1-31; 1 Samuel 23:1-29

4/19     Psalm 13:1-6; Psalm 17:1-15; Psalm 22:1-31; Psalm 54: 1-7; 1 Samuel 24:1-22

4/20     Psalm 7:1-17; Psalm 35: 1-28; Psalm 57:1-11; Psalm 142:1-7

4/21     1 Samuel 25:1-44; Psalm 18:1-50

4/22     2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalm 14:1-7; Psalm 53:1-6; 1 Samuel 26:1-25

4/23     Psalm 31:1-24; 1 Samuel 27:1-12; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7; Psalm 56:1-13; 1 Samuel 28:1-2; 1 Samuel 29:1-11; 1 Chronicles 12:19-22; Psalm 40:1-17

4/24     Psalm 69:1-36; Psalm 86:1-17; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Samuel 28:3-25

4/25     1 Samuel 30:1-31:13; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 1:1-27

4/26     2 Samuel2:1-3:5; 1 Chronicles 3:1-4a; 2 Samuel 3:6-4:3; 2Samuel 4:5-5:5; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3

4/27     1 Chronicles12:23-40; Psalm 2:1-12; Psalm 78:1-72

4/28     Psalm 16:1-11; 2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9; 2 Samuel 5:17-21; 1 Chronicles 14:8-12; 2 Samuel 23:13-17; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19; 2 Samuel 5:22-25; 1 Chronicles14:13-17; 2 Samuel 5:11-12; 1 Chronicles 14:1-2; 1 Chronicles 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:1-11; Psalm 101:1-8

4/29     2 Samuel 6:12-23; 1 Chronicles15:1-16:43; Psalm 15:1-5

4/30     Psalm 24:1-10; Psalm 65:1-13; Psalm 68:1-35; Psalm 110:1-7; Psalm 19:1-14; 2 Samuel 8:1; 1 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Samuel 21:15-18; 1 Chronicles 20:4 

Joshua 22:1-24:33

With the tribes of Israel living in the lands allotted to them and with the deaths of Joshua, second generation leader, and Eleazar, second generation leading priest, the patriarchs’ story comes to an end (Joshua 24:29-33). As a sign of that completion Joseph’s skeletal remains are buried at Shechem in a tract of land that Jacob had bought more than 400 years beforehand. Even the bones of the ancestors are at rest.

Joshua 19:32-21:42; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81; Joshua 21:43-45

This reading describes the designation of cities of refuge and towns given to the tribe of Levi, according to the plans previously stated. A key feature of the Bible’s book of Joshua seems to be that of showing how the Lord’s promises through Moses came to pass. For example, Joshua 21:43-45: So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

In other words God is faithful.

But will Israel become faithful?

And will I become faithful?

Joshua 16:-19:9; 1 Chronicles 4:24-33; Joshua 19:10-31

One major theme running through the Bible’s book of Joshua is that Joshua allocates the land just as Moses had instructed and that Moses had given instruction according to the information given to him by the Lord. However, dissenting subthemes are emerging. For example, at Joshua 16:10 the tribe of Ephraim is criticized:  They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.

Two observations concerning Joshua 16:10:

1. After repeatedly receiving instructions to drive the Canaanites out completely the tribe of Ephraim either could not or would not do so.
2. All Israeli tribes, including the tribe of Ephraim, had been required to do forced labor during the 400 years or so that they had lived in Egypt. By God’s power and Moses’ leadership the Israeli tribes threw off the shackles of slavery and oppression in Egypt and marched in freedom to this land. It seems ironic, if not wrong altogether, for the tribe of Ephraim now to subject the Canaanite people to forced labor.

Joshua 13:1-15:63

Joshua divides the land among the various Israeli tribes according to the plan handed to him by Moses. It seems a long period of time has passed, since Joshua is old and advanced in years (Joshua 13:1).

If memory serves accurately, then Israel is to drive all inhabitants out of the land, yet they did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah (Joshua 13:13a). Will this omission have consequences for the Israelis?

I wonder how much of this allocation of land is preserved for the specific purpose of settling disputes about ownership at a later date.

Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah. (Joshua15:63) I wonder why Judah cannot dislodge the Jebusites.  I wonder at what date the statement is made: “...to this day the Jebusites live there...” Is it the date when the Bible’s book of Joshua is committed to writing? Is the statement true today, or to put it another way, is the statement prophetic?  Are “Jebusites” always living in Jerusalem?

Joshua 10:1-12:24

Leaders of the people living in the land set out to destroy the Israelis. They join forces together with one another in the hope of defeating Israel. Joshua and his men respond by fighting, defeating, and utterly destroying their opponents. Joshua’s obedience to Moses and Moses’ obedience to the Lord is exalted in the biblical text.

It is as if Israel’s enemies can’t help themselves. For example, “For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:20)

But God helps Israel.  Hailstones fall on the enemy (Joshua 10:11); and the sun stands still (Joshua 10:13). This is all out war until “Then the land had rest from war.” (Joshua 11:23b)

How are these events to be reconciled with God who is love?

Joshua 7:1-9:27

"The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord." (Joshua 9:14)

The Gibeonites are sly. To avoid defeat at the hands of the Israelis they make up a story. They claim to be representatives of a distant nation, seeking a treaty, a non-aggression pact, with Israel. They submit evidence in the form of their worn shoes, patched clothing, and moldy provisions of food.

The men of Israel are not so cunning, as the verse of scripture above discloses. They view the worn shoes, the patched clothing, and the mold provisions of food, BUT they do not inquire of the Lord. 

Jesus' words come to mind, "...for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light." (Luke 16:8b)

The Israelis trusted their own judgment instead of submitting the matter to divine discernment.

God, help me to exercise patience and to seek your wisdom always.

Joshua 3:1-6:27

Catching up today.

Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12; Joshua 1:1-2:24

Moses blesses the tribes one by one.  

I wonder what would happen if I blessed others one by one.

The Lord shows Moses the whole land--more than the human eye can see. (Deuteronomy 34:1) Perhaps God gives Moses a vision of how the land is to be ideally settled. I like to think it is enough for Moses to see that ideal vision and to be spared all of the difficulties and heartaches of the people as they actually settle into the land.  

When Joshua sends spies into the land they find a sympathetic person in Rahab. (Joshua 2) 

God's provision comes in strange ways.

Psalm 90:1-17; Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52

Catching up...

Deuteronomy 29:1-31:29

Catching up...

Deuteronomy 27:1-28:68

Obey and be blessed, or disobey and be cursed. Moses puts the people under blessings and curses.

Deuteronomy 23:1-26:19

OK, God, what are You telling me? What do You want me to know? What would You have me do in response to the rules put before ancient Israel?

When the Pharisees heard that he [Jesus] had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:34-40)

God, I have difficulty seeing love of God and love for neighbor in the text of Deuteronomy. I wait for You to show me more.

Deuteronomy 19:1-22:30

Catching up today...

Deuteronomy 15:1-18:22

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)

The Israelis are to cancel all debts among fellow Israelis every seventh year, yet there will always be poor people. They are to give to the needy--generously and not grudgingly. (Deuteronomy 15:10)

Lord, help me to view everyone in need with compassion. Help me to become a generous, joyful debt canceller, not a grudging, bitter debt holder.

Every citizen, Israel's kings included, are to observe the same laws. (Deuteronomy 17:18-20)

I like the scriptures' "wait and see" attitude with regard to the question of a supposed prophet's authenticity. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)

Deuteronomy 12:1-14:29

Catching up...

Deuteronomy 9:1-11:32

"Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people." (Deuteronomy 9:6) This is a warning. There will be a temptation to become proud. When the Anakites fall defeated before the Israelis the Israelis will be tempted with a sense of self-importance. But they are only a stiff-necked people.

Let me be warned. Let me be prepared. Let me be humbled. I am only Your servant, God, and often a reluctant one at that.

"And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?" (Deuteronomy 10:12)

Respect, walk, love, serve, and observe...

Deuteronomy 6:1-8:20

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9b)

A thousand generations is a long time and a lot of people. I'm encouraged by God's faithfulness in this.

God, I don't get it. Reveal to me, if and when you want, the mystery of the order given in scripture to completely destroy the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (Deuteronomy 7:1) Maybe all of them hate You. (Deuteronomy 7:10) And perhaps You are employing the Israelis as agents of Your retribution for their hatred.

I don't want to be used that way--to deliver punishment or destruction on behalf of God. That would be very hard to do.

Deuteronomy 3:12-5:33

"It was not with our fathers that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today." (Deuteronomy 5:3)

At times it seems easy to consign God's greatness to a bygone epoch. Then it feels natural to look upon God's actions and God's promises as finished works, like ornately-framed portraits hanging in an art museum.

As Moses reminds the Israeli people of God's covenant with "all of us who are alive here today," his words encourage me, too. God is God of the living covenant. God is God of works in progress. God is God of continually fulfilling promises.

How may you and I see God's aliveness today?

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:12

It is the ancient Israelis' understanding that God authorizes total destruction of the people now inhabiting the land and complete takeover of the land itself. But what is our understanding of God's design for the land, for the Israelis, and for their enemies? And what is God's desire, irrespective of various human understandings?

Numbers 34:1-36:13

Catching up...

Numbers 32:1-33:56

Which is it? "I will drive your enemies out before you," (Re: Exodus 23:27-29) or "YOU must drive out the inhabitants of the land?" (Re: Numbers 33:55) Is it neither, or is it both?

Multiple understandings of God's purpose run throughout the text. Take Numbers 33:56 for example: "And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them." This sentence implies that the native inhabitants have wronged God and that the Israelis' conquest represents both God's judgment and God's punishment of the native inhabitants. It also implies a stern warning for the Israelis: If they fail to live according to God's plan, then God will summon other nations to deliver judgment and punishment against them, too.

If Joseph's brothers hadn't sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28), then perhaps the Israelis would have stayed in the land first promised to Abraham. Maybe they would not have become enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. They would have no need to fight their way back into the land--possibly.

Lord, teach me the gravity of the decisions I make today. 

Numbers 30:1-31:54

Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said." (Numbers 30:1-2)

[Jesus says,] "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by earth, for it is his footstool, of by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one."

"Have you allowed all the women to live?" he [Moses] asked them. "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the Lord in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the Lord's people. Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man." (Numbers 31:15-18)

[Jesus says,] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45)

Numbers 27:1-29:40

A chink appears in the armor of paternalism: Women may inherit property, IF there is no male heir.  But the daughters of Zelophehad have to bring their case before the Lord. They must display courage, and they do, appearing as they do at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Thank God for the moxie of Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah! 

There are to be daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices for the people. There are to be annual Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Trumpets celebrations with sacrifices included. Extravagant worship is required of Moses' people. 

Numbers 25:1-26:34

God, please show me how to hold these scriptures together:

• Numbers 25:4 ~ "The Lord said to Moses, 'Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord's fierce anger may turn away from Israel."
• Matthew 5:43-45 ~  [Jesus says,] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Numbers 22:1-24:25

Catching up...

One of my favorites for the humbling of us preachers--Numbers 22:28a ~ "Then the Lord opened the donkey's mouth..." 

Don't boast that you are something special, Roger Short, because God gives you a message, for God also opened the mouth of Balaam's ass! 

Numbers 19:1-21:35

Moses strikes the rock (Numbers 20:11) instead of speaking to the rock, as God had commanded (Numbers 20:8). Water comes out of the rock; so the people can drink. But God's judgment against Moses (Numbers 20:122) is that Moses lacked trust and that Moses did not honor God as holy. As a consequence Moses will not lead the people into the land God gives.

To this point in the reading everyone in the community has proved to be willful and disobedient somehow. Now Moses fails to follow the specific instructions given to him. So all of the people, I suppose, are flawed.

I am flawed, too.

Numbers 16:1-18:32

The ground opens and swallows some Levites who rebel against Moses' and Aaron's leadership. Even so, the very next day some of the assembly grumbles against Moses and Aaron. A plague breaks out among the grumblers. Aaron quickly makes atonement for the grumblers--an offering of incense--and the plague is halted.

Another sign is given: Aaron's staff buds in the Tent of Testimony, flowers, and produces almonds. None of the other tribes' leaders' staffs buds. And a fear of dying comes over the people.

Levi's tribe is charged with caring for the Tent of Meeting and for all of its operations. They do not receive any promise of land. Instead they receive a promise of tithes from the land. Will they be satisified? They have yet to enter that land...

Numbers 14:1-15:41

People are emboldened to complain against Moses' leadership, to reject God's vision, and now even to plan a return route to Egypt. Moses and Aaron fall face down in front of the Israelite assembly. Strange leadership by today's standards, but demonstrating humility.

Rebels suffer consequences, but the faithful follow what they perceive as God's plan. The Israelis receive orders for yet another sacrifice -- this one for when they begin to live in the land they are destined to inhabit. Does the order inspire hope?

What sacrifice does God command of me later--when I have followed God's plan to the best of my ability?

Numbers 11:1-13:

While God is providing bread every day the people desire meat. Moses despairs of leadership. 

God provides the people with tons of quail. 

Miriam and Aaron talk against Moses. Do they sense Moses' wavering leadership?  Miriam suffers from leprosy, but is restored after Moses prays for healing. 

Moses sends explorers ahead to scout the land, its resources, and its people. Of the twelve spies only one has the courage to advise moving the people forward into the land. The eleven remaining spread negative reports concerning the land and its people.

God can do anything. Why surrender to fear?

Numbers 8:1-10:35

Today, as I read, I see a parallel between the death angel's claiming all of Egypt's firstborn beings on the occasion instituting Passover (Exodus 12:29-30) and the Lord's claiming the Levites in place of all of Israel's firstborn beings (Numbers 8:17-18). God makes claims on earth's peoples.

And how interesting: "So they set out from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three days to find them a place of rest. (Numbers 10:33) The ark is a guide, a compass, and a "resting-place finder."

O that Your guidance, Your direction-finding, and Your rest-giving will be made as clearly to all of humanity!

Numbers 7:1-89

Offerings for the Tabernacle

For the tabernacle:

6 covered carts

12 oxen

For the dedication of the altar:

12 silver plates

12 silver sprinkling bowls

12 gold dishes, each filled with incense

For the burnt offering:

12 young bulls

12 yearling rams

12 yearling male lambs

12 male goats

For the fellowship offering:

24 oxen

60 rams

60 male goats

60 yearling male lambs

...not an insignificant amount of wealth expended in order to launch the tabernacle and the sacrificial systems associated with it! 

"When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him." (Numbers 7:89)

God's presence and God's voice are at the very center of the tabernacle, the people's labors, their worship, and their living.

What would I give? Dear God, how much would I spend in order to sense Your presence and to hear Your voice?