Members phkrause Posted June 12, 2010 Author Members Posted June 12, 2010 Genesis 15:1-21 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Genesis 15:1-21: In today's passage, God promises Abraham that he will have many descendants. They will live as slaves in Egypt, but after four generations, they will receive their own land in which to settle. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 15:6 Abram put his trust in the LORD, and because of this the LORD was pleased with him and accepted him. Today’s Reading 1After this, Abram had a vision and heard the LORD say to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I will shield you from danger and give you a great reward.” 2But Abram answered, “Sovereign LORD, what good will your reward do me, since I have no children? My only heir is Eliezer of Damascus. 3You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property. ” 4Then he heard the LORD speaking to him again: “This slave Eliezer will not inherit your property; your own son will be your heir.” 5The LORD took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and try to count the stars; you will have as many descendants as that.” 6Abram put his trust in the LORD, and because of this the LORD was pleased with him and accepted him. 7Then the LORD said to him, “I am the LORD, who led you out of Ur in Babylonia, to give you this land as your own. ” 8But Abram asked, “Sovereign LORD, how can I know that it will be mine? ” 9He answered, “Bring me a cow, a goat, and a ram, each of them three years old, and a dove and a pigeon.” 10Abram brought the animals to God, cut them in half, and placed the halves opposite each other in two rows; but he did not cut up the birds. 11Vultures came down on the bodies, but Abram drove them off. 12When the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and fear and terror came over him. 13The LORD said to him, “Your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land; they will be slaves there and will be treated cruelly for four hundred years. 14But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and when they leave that foreign land, they will take great wealth with them. 15You yourself will live to a ripe old age, die in peace, and be buried. 16It will be four generations before your descendants come back here, because I will not drive out the Amorites until they become so wicked that they must be punished. ” 17When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch suddenly appeared and passed between the pieces of the animals. 18Then and there the LORD made a covenant with Abram. He said, “I promise to give your descendants all this land from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates River, 19including the lands of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. ” Reflect Reread 15:8-10. These verses describe an ancient ceremony showing that an agreement was being made. Animals were cut in two, and the persons making the agreement walked between these parts. How do people show they are making an agreement today? How do you go about making a promise to God? Pray Holy God, you have promised to remain with your people always, regardless of the hardships they face. Make me mindful of your promise and your presence, that I may trust you and serve you always. Amen. Prayer Concern Diplomats Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 13, 2010 Author Members Posted June 13, 2010 Exodus 19:1-25 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Exodus 19:1-25: In today's reading, The Israelites set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai. Through Moses, God reminds the people of their liberation from Egypt and promises that if they obey, they will become God's people. After three days of preparation and purification, God comes down in a flaming fire. Today’s Scripture: Exodus 19:5, 6 "Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests." Today’s Reading 1-2The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the first day of the third month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai, 3and Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants: 4“You saw what I, the LORD, did to the Egyptians and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to me. 5Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, 6a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests. ” 7So Moses went down and called the leaders of the people together and told them everything that the LORD had commanded him. 8Then all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has said, ” and Moses reported this to the LORD. 9The LORD said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will believe you from now on.” Moses told the LORD what the people had answered, 10and the LORD said to him, “Go to the people and tell them to spend today and tomorrow purifying themselves for worship. They must wash their clothes 11and be ready the day after tomorrow. On that day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see me. 12Mark a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even get near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; 13you must either be stoned or shot with arrows, without anyone touching you. This applies to both people and animals; they must be put to death. But when the trumpet is blown, then the people are to go up to the mountain. ” 14Then Moses came down the mountain and told the people to get ready for worship. So they washed their clothes, 15and Moses told them, “Be ready by the day after tomorrow and don't have sexual intercourse in the meantime.” 16On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud appeared on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast was heard. All the people in the camp trembled with fear. 17Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD had come down on it in fire. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and all the people trembled violently. 19The sound of the trumpet became louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder. 20The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. Moses went up 21and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to cross the boundary to come and look at me; if they do, many of them will die. 22Even the priests who come near me must purify themselves, or I will punish them. ” 23Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up, because you commanded us to consider the mountain sacred and to mark a boundary around it.” 24The LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron back with you. But the priests and the people must not cross the boundary to come up to me, or I will punish them.” 25Moses then went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said. Reflect In this passage, God comes down the mountain in thunder, lightening, smoke and fire. Fire and smoke often signal the presence of God in the Bible. Have you ever had an experience of sensing the presence of God in the natural world? What words describe that experience? Pray God of creation, you are made known to us through fire and smoke, thunder and rain, soft breezes and sunshine, and creatures great and small. Open my eyes and ears to your presence all around me. Amen. Prayer Concern The oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 14, 2010 Author Members Posted June 14, 2010 Exodus 20:1-21 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Exodus 20:1-21: Moses meets the LORD on Mount Sinai and receives the Ten Commandments along with many other laws that form the basis of a covenant between the LORD and the people of Israel. The Israelites are afraid when they hear the thunder and trumpet and see the lightening and smoke coming from the mountain. Today’s Scripture: Exodus 20:2, 3 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. Worship no god but me." Today’s Reading 1God spoke, and these were his words: 2“I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. 3Worship no god but me. 4Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. 5Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. 6But I show my love to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my laws. 7Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the LORD your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name. 8Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. 9You have six days in which to do your work, 10but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me. On that day no one is to work—neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor the foreigners who live in your country. 11In six days I, the LORD, made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That is why I, the LORD, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy. 12Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you. 13Do not commit murder. 14Do not commit adultery. 15Do not steal. 16Do not accuse anyone falsely. 17“Do not desire another man's house; do not desire his wife, his slaves, his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that he owns.” 18When the people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast and saw the lightning and the smoking mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off. 19They said to Moses, “If you speak to us, we will listen; but we are afraid that if God speaks to us, we will die.” 20Moses replied, “Don't be afraid; God has only come to test you and make you keep on obeying him, so that you will not sin.” 21But the people continued to stand a long way off, and only Moses went near the dark cloud where God was. Reflect The Ten Commandments are based on an ancient form of treaty between a ruler and his people. In such a treaty, the ruler identifies himself and refers to acts done on behalf of the people. Then the ruler gives the laws that the people are to live by in order to keep their part of the treaty. The ruler promises to protect and help the people, who promise in return to be loyal and obedient to the ruler alone. Reread today's passage. How does the story follow this model? Pray Living God, from ancient days you have given your people guidance on how to live in your love. Impress your commandments upon my heart, that I may honor my covenant with you. Amen. Prayer Concern Mayors Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 15, 2010 Author Members Posted June 15, 2010 Exodus 23:20-33 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Exodus 23:20-33: In today's passage, God gives instructions to the Israelites. They include guidelines for ensuring equal justice for all, laws for the Sabbath, and guidelines for celebrating three festivals annually. Then God promises to protect the people and lead them into the land of Canaan. Today’s Scripture: Exodus 23:20 "I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel and to bring you to the place which I have prepared." Today’s Reading 20I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. 21Pay attention to him and obey him. Do not rebel against him, for I have sent him, and he will not pardon such rebellion. 22But if you obey him and do everything I command, I will fight against all your enemies. 23My angel will go ahead of you and take you into the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I will destroy them. 24Do not bow down to their gods or worship them, and do not adopt their religious practices. Destroy their gods and break down their sacred stone pillars. 25If you worship me, the LORD your God, I will bless you with food and water and take away all your sicknesses. 26In your land no woman will have a miscarriage or be without children. I will give you long lives. 27I will make the people who oppose you afraid of me; I will bring confusion among the people against whom you fight, and I will make all your enemies turn and run from you. 28I will throw your enemies into panic; I will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites as you advance. 29I will not drive them out within a year's time; if I did, the land would become deserted, and the wild animals would be too many for you. 30Instead, I will drive them out little by little, until there are enough of you to take possession of the land. 31I will make the borders of your land extend from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Mediterranean Sea and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give you power over the inhabitants of the land, and you will drive them out as you advance. 32Do not make any agreement with them or with their gods. 33Do not let those people live in your country; if you do, they will make you sin against me. If you worship their gods, it will be a fatal trap for you. ” Reflect Reread 23:1-9. God's concern for justice toward all people, especially the poor, is clear in the Law of Moses and in the writings of Israel's prophets (Amos 5:21-24; Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 1:10-17). How can people of faith work for justice on behalf of society's most vulnerable people? Pray God of justice, you call us to work on behalf of those most in need: the poor, the alien and the outcast. Fill my heart with the knowledge of your justice and the will to enact it. Amen. Prayer Concern Immigrants Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 16, 2010 Author Members Posted June 16, 2010 Exodus 24:1-18 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Exodus 24:1-18: God tells Moses to come to the mountain. Moses builds and altar and arranges for sacrifices. Then he reads God's commands to the people, and they agree to obey. God asks Moses to come up on the mountain and receive stone tablets containing the commandments. Moses stays in the glory of God's presence for forty days and forty nights. Today’s Scripture: Exodus 24:3b ...all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the LORD has said." Today’s Reading 1The LORD said to Moses, “Come up the mountain to me, you and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel; and while you are still some distance away, bow down in worship. 2You alone, and none of the others, are to come near me. The people are not even to come up the mountain. ” 3Moses went and told the people all the LORD's commands and all the ordinances, and all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has said. ” 4Moses wrote down all the LORD's commands. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stones, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5Then he sent young men, and they burned sacrifices to the LORD and sacrificed some cattle as fellowship offerings. 6Moses took half of the blood of the animals and put it in bowls; and the other half he threw against the altar. 7Then he took the book of the Covenant, in which the LORD's commands were written, and read it aloud to the people. They said, “We will obey the LORD and do everything that he has commanded. ” 8Then Moses took the blood in the bowls and threw it on the people. He said, “This is the blood that seals the covenant which the LORD made with you when he gave all these commands. ” 9Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain 10and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was what looked like a pavement of sapphire, as blue as the sky. 11God did not harm these leading men of Israel; they saw God, and then they ate and drank together. 12The LORD said to Moses, “Come up the mountain to me, and while you are here, I will give you two stone tablets which contain all the laws that I have written for the instruction of the people.” 13Moses and his helper Joshua got ready, and Moses began to go up the holy mountain. 14Moses said to the leaders, “Wait here in the camp for us until we come back. Aaron and Hur are here with you; and so whoever has a dispute to settle can go to them.” 15Moses went up Mount Sinai, and a cloud covered it. 16-17The dazzling light of the LORD's presence came down on the mountain. To the Israelites the light looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain. The cloud covered the mountain for six days, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from the cloud. 18Moses went on up the mountain into the cloud. There he stayed for forty days and nights. Reflect Reread 24:11. Moses had been warned not to let the people come close enough to see God because this could cause death (19:20-22). Only those selected to represent the people could come into the presence of God. What does coming into God's presence mean to you? Pray Gracious God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you actively invite all people into your presence. Thank you for the ways in which you are present to me today. Amen. Prayer Concern New churches Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 18, 2010 Author Members Posted June 18, 2010 Deuteronomy 29:1-29 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Deuteronomy 29:1-29: Today we begin reading from Deuteronomy. Moses reminds the people how God delivered them from the Egyptians and led them through the wilderness. He says that the LORD God has promised to be their God, so they should show that they are the LORD'S people by keeping the agreement God made with them. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:9 Obey faithfully all the terms of this covenant, so that you will be successful in everything you do. Today’s Reading 1These are the terms of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab; all this was in addition to the covenant which the LORD had made with them at Mount Sinai. 2Moses called together all the people of Israel and said to them, “You saw for yourselves what the LORD did to the king of Egypt, to his officials, and to his entire country. 3You saw the terrible plagues, the miracles, and the great wonders that the LORD performed. 4But to this very day he has not let you understand what you have experienced. 5For forty years the LORD led you through the desert, and your clothes and sandals never wore out. 6You did not have bread to eat or wine or beer to drink, but the LORD provided for your needs in order to teach you that he is your God. 7And when we came to this place, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out to fight against us. But we defeated them, 8took their land, and divided it among the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. 9Obey faithfully all the terms of this covenant, so that you will be successful in everything you do. 10Today you are standing in the presence of the LORD your God, all of you—your leaders and officials, your men, 11women, and children, and the foreigners who live among you and cut wood and carry water for you. 12You are here today to enter into this covenant that the LORD your God is making with you and to accept its obligations, 13so that the LORD may now confirm you as his people and be your God, as he promised you and your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 14You are not the only ones with whom the LORD is making this covenant with its obligations. 15He is making it with all of us who stand here in his presence today and also with our descendants who are not yet born. 16You remember what life was like in Egypt and what it was like to travel through the territory of other nations. 17You saw their disgusting idols made of wood, stone, silver, and gold. 18Make sure that no man, woman, family, or tribe standing here today turns from the LORD our God to worship the gods of other nations. This would be like a root that grows to be a bitter and poisonous plant. 19Make sure that there is no one here today who hears these solemn demands and yet convinces himself that all will be well with him, even if he stubbornly goes his own way. That would destroy all of you, good and evil alike. 20The LORD will not forgive such a man. Instead, the LORD's burning anger will flame up against him, and all the disasters written in this book will fall on him until the LORD has destroyed him completely. 21The LORD will make an example of him before all the tribes of Israel and will bring disaster on him in accordance with all the curses listed in the covenant that is written in this book of the LORD's teachings. 22In future generations your descendants and foreigners from distant lands will see the disasters and sufferings that the LORD has brought on your land. 23The fields will be a barren waste, covered with sulfur and salt; nothing will be planted, and not even weeds will grow there. Your land will be like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD destroyed when he was furiously angry. 24Then the whole world will ask, ‘Why did the LORD do this to their land? What was the reason for his fierce anger?’ 25And the answer will be, ‘It is because the LORD's people broke the covenant they had made with him, the God of their ancestors, when he brought them out of Egypt. 26They served other gods that they had never worshiped before, gods that the LORD had forbidden them to worship. 27And so the LORD became angry with his people and brought on their land all the disasters written in this book. 28The LORD became furiously angry, and in his great anger he uprooted them from their land and threw them into a foreign land, and there they are today.’ 29There are some things that the LORD our God has kept secret; but he has revealed his Law, and we and our descendants are to obey it forever. Reflect Reread 29:17-18. Idol worship is described as being like a poisonous plant in the community. Explain what this means. What "idols" are worshiped in modern culture? How does worship of idols "poison" our communities? Pray Holy One, forgive me for the times when I am drawn to false idols and fail to walk in your way. Make me ever mindful that true love, joy, abundance and fulfillment are found through you alone. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who are worried about money Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 19, 2010 Author Members Posted June 19, 2010 Deuteronomy 30:1-20 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Deuteronomy 30:1-20: In today's passage, Moses tells the Israelites that if they are unfaithful, they will be scattered to the countries of their enemies. However, if they are faithful, they will live a long time in the land the LORD promised to give their ancestors. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:20 "Love the LORD your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that he promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Today’s Reading 1I have now given you a choice between a blessing and a curse. When all these things have happened to you, and you are living among the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you, you will remember the choice I gave you. 2If you and your descendants will turn back to the LORD and with all your heart obey his commands that I am giving you today, 3then the LORD your God will have mercy on you. He will bring you back from the nations where he has scattered you, and he will make you prosperous again. 4Even if you are scattered to the farthest corners of the earth, the LORD your God will gather you together and bring you back, 5so that you may again take possession of the land where your ancestors once lived. And he will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your ancestors ever were. 6The LORD your God will give you and your descendants obedient hearts, so that you will love him with all your heart, and you will continue to live in that land. 7He will turn all these curses against your enemies, who hated you and oppressed you, 8and you will again obey him and keep all his commands that I am giving you today. 9The LORD will make you prosperous in all that you do; you will have many children and a lot of livestock, and your fields will produce abundant crops. He will be as glad to make you prosperous as he was to make your ancestors prosperous, 10but you will have to obey him and keep all his laws that are written in this book of his teachings. You will have to turn to him with all your heart. 11The command that I am giving you today is not too difficult or beyond your reach. 12It is not up in the sky. You do not have to ask, “Who will go up and bring it down for us, so that we can hear it and obey it?” 13Nor is it on the other side of the ocean. You do not have to ask, “Who will go across the ocean and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?” 14No, it is here with you. You know it and can quote it, so now obey it. 15Today I am giving you a choice between good and evil, between life and death. 16If you obey the commands of the LORD your God, which I give you today, if you love him, obey him, and keep all his laws, then you will prosper and become a nation of many people. The LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are about to occupy. 17But if you disobey and refuse to listen, and are led away to worship other gods, 18you will be destroyed—I warn you here and now. You will not live long in that land across the Jordan that you are about to occupy. 19I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God's blessing and God's curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. 20Love the LORD your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that he promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Reflect Reread 30:15-20. The challenge to choose life or death is described clearly in the words of Moses. Why did the Israelites have difficulty choosing life? What makes it difficult for us to choose life? Pray Gracious God, you call me into a life of blessing and abundance. But too often, I am drawn toward death. Empower my spirit to love you, obey you and be faithful to you that I may live in you. Amen. Prayer Concern Delinquent youth Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 19, 2010 Author Members Posted June 19, 2010 Deuteronomy 31:1-29 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Deuteronomy 31:1-29: Just before he dies, Moses makes a number of arrangements for Israel's future. In today's passage, God promises to continue to be with Israel after Moses dies, even though the people will betray God. Joshua is named as the new leader of the Israelites, and God promises to empower him. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid." Today’s Reading 1Moses continued speaking to the people of Israel, 2and said, “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and am no longer able to be your leader. And besides this, the LORD has told me that I will not cross the Jordan. 3The LORD your God himself will go before you and destroy the nations living there, so that you can occupy their land; and Joshua will be your leader, as the LORD has said. 4The LORD will destroy those people, just as he defeated Sihon and Og, kings of the Amorites, and destroyed their country. 5The LORD will give you victory over them, and you are to treat them exactly as I have told you. 6Be determined and confident. Do not be afraid of them. Your God, the LORD himself, will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.” 7Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the presence of all the people of Israel, “Be determined and confident; you are the one who will lead these people to occupy the land that the LORD promised to their ancestors. 8The LORD himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.” 9So Moses wrote down God's Law and gave it to the levitical priests, who were in charge of the LORD's Covenant Box, and to the leaders of Israel. 10He commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, when the year that debts are canceled comes around, read this aloud at the Festival of Shelters. 11Read it to the people of Israel when they come to worship the LORD your God at the one place of worship. 12Call together all the men, women, and children, and the foreigners who live in your towns, so that everyone may hear it and learn to honor the LORD your God and to obey his teachings faithfully. 13In this way your descendants who have never heard the Law of the LORD your God will hear it. And so they will learn to obey him as long as they live in the land that you are about to occupy across the Jordan.” 14Then the LORD said to Moses, “You do not have much longer to live. Call Joshua and bring him to the Tent, so that I may give him his instructions.” Moses and Joshua went to the Tent, 15and the LORD appeared to them there in a pillar of cloud that stood by the door of the Tent. 16The LORD said to Moses, “You will soon die, and after your death the people will become unfaithful to me and break the covenant that I made with them. They will abandon me and worship the pagan gods of the land they are about to enter. 17When that happens, I will become angry with them; I will abandon them, and they will be destroyed. Many terrible disasters will come upon them, and then they will realize that these things are happening to them because I, their God, am no longer with them. 18And I will refuse to help them then, because they have done evil and worshiped other gods. 19Now, write down this song. Teach it to the people of Israel, so that it will stand as evidence against them. 20I will take them into this rich and fertile land, as I promised their ancestors. There they will have all the food they want, and they will live comfortably. But they will turn away and worship other gods. They will reject me and break my covenant, 21and many terrible disasters will come on them. But this song will still be sung, and it will stand as evidence against them. Even now, before I take them into the land that I promised to give them, I know what they are thinking.” 22That same day Moses wrote down the song and taught it to the people of Israel. 23Then the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun and told him, “Be confident and determined. You will lead the people of Israel into the land that I promised them, and I will be with you.” 24Moses wrote God's Law in a book, taking care not to leave out anything. 25When he finished, he said to the levitical priests, who were in charge of the LORD's Covenant Box, 26“Take this book of God's Law and place it beside the Covenant Box of the LORD your God, so that it will remain there as a witness against his people. 27I know how stubborn and rebellious they are. They have rebelled against the LORD during my lifetime, and they will rebel even more after I am dead. 28Assemble all your tribal leaders and officials before me, so that I can tell them these things; I will call heaven and earth to be my witnesses against them. 29I know that after my death the people will become wicked and reject what I have taught them. And in time to come they will meet with disaster, because they will have made the LORD angry by doing what he has forbidden.” Reflect Reread verse 31:19-21. The words of this song are given in 32:1-43. The song will not be forgotten and will stand as proof that the Israelites know God's laws and have no excuse for breaking them. How can music help you understand and remember God's promises? Pray Wonderful God, thank you for the gift of song and for the many ways in which music blesses my life. May music lift the spirits of all your people, that they may remember your promises and know your presence. Amen. Prayer Concern School music programs Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 21, 2010 Author Members Posted June 21, 2010 Deuteronomy 31:30-32:18 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Deuteronomy 31:30-32:18: Moses' "song" is presented in the form of a lawsuit. Today we will read the first half of the song, in which God charges Israel with being unfaithful to their agreement. Despite God's past blessings, Israel has rebelled. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4 "The LORD is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair." Today’s Reading 30Then Moses recited the entire song while all the people of Israel listened. 1“Earth and sky, hear my words, listen closely to what I say. 2My teaching will fall like drops of rain and form on the earth like dew. My words will fall like showers on young plants, like gentle rain on tender grass. 3I will praise the name of the LORD, and his people will tell of his greatness. 4The LORD is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair. 5But you are unfaithful, unworthy to be his people, a sinful and deceitful nation. 6Is this the way you should treat the LORD, you foolish, senseless people? He is your father, your Creator, he made you into a nation. 7Think of the past, of the time long ago; ask your parents to tell you what happened, ask the old people to tell of the past. 8The Most High assigned nations their lands; he determined where peoples should live. He assigned to each nation a heavenly being, 9but Jacob's descendants he chose for himself. 10He found them wandering through the desert, a desolate, wind-swept wilderness. He protected them and cared for them, as he would protect himself. 11Like an eagle teaching its young to fly, catching them safely on its spreading wings, the LORD kept Israel from falling. 12The LORD alone led his people without the help of a foreign god. 13He let them rule the highlands, and they ate what grew in the fields. They found wild honey among the rocks; their olive trees flourished in stony ground. 14Their cows and goats gave plenty of milk; they had the best sheep, goats, and cattle, the finest wheat, and the choicest wine. 15The LORD's people grew rich, but rebellious; they were fat and stuffed with food. They abandoned God their Creator and rejected their mighty savior. 16Their idolatry made the LORD jealous; the evil they did made him angry. 17They sacrificed to gods that are not real, new gods their ancestors had never known, gods that Israel had never obeyed. 18They forgot their God, their mighty savior, the one who had given them life. Reflect Reread verse 32:4. Some texts translate the word "defender" as "rock." In Hebrew poetry the LORD is sometimes compared to a mountain where people can run for protection from their enemies (Psalm 18:2; Isaiah 17:10; Habakkuk 1:12). How is God like a rock in your life? Does this image resonate with you? Why or why not? Pray God Most High, you defend and protect me. You are perfect and just in all your ways, even when I make mistakes. Equip me to be faithful and true to you, even in the face of temptation. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who seek refuge in God Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 21, 2010 Author Members Posted June 21, 2010 Deuteronomy 32:19-44 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Deuteronomy 32:19-44: Today's passage is the second half of Moses' "song." The story says that God was forced to punish Israel because the people rebelled. But God promises to overthrow the nations that oppose Israel. In this way, Israel will be cleansed and restored to a faithful relationship with God. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:36 The LORD will rescue his people when he sees that their strength is gone. He will have mercy on those who serve him, when he sees how helpless they are. Today’s Reading 19When the LORD saw this, he was angry and rejected his sons and daughters. 20“I will no longer help them,” he said; ‘then I will see what happens to them, those stubborn, unfaithful people. 21With their idols they have made me angry, jealous with their so-called gods, gods that are really not gods. So I will use a so-called nation to make them angry; I will make them jealous with a nation of fools. 22My anger will flame up like fire and burn everything on earth. It will reach to the world below and consume the roots of the mountains. 23I will bring on them endless disasters and use all my arrows against them. 24They will die from hunger and fever; they will die from terrible diseases. I will send wild animals to attack them, and poisonous snakes to bite them. 25War will bring death in the streets; terrors will strike in the homes. Young men and young women will die; neither babies nor old people will be spared. 26I would have destroyed them completely, so that no one would remember them. 27But I could not let their enemies boast that they had defeated my people, when it was I myself who had crushed them.’ 28Israel is a nation without sense; they have no wisdom at all. 29They fail to see why they were defeated; they cannot understand what happened. 30Why were a thousand defeated by one, and ten thousand by only two? The LORD, their God, had abandoned them; their mighty God had given them up. 31Their enemies know that their own gods are weak, not mighty like Israel's God. 32Their enemies, corrupt as Sodom and Gomorrah, are like vines that bear bitter and poisonous grapes, 33like wine made from the venom of snakes. 34The LORD remembers what their enemies have done; he waits for the right time to punish them. 35The LORD will take revenge and punish them; the time will come when they will fall; the day of their doom is near. 36The LORD will rescue his people when he sees that their strength is gone. He will have mercy on those who serve him, when he sees how helpless they are. 37Then the LORD will ask his people, ‘Where are those mighty gods you trusted? 38You fed them the fat of your sacrifices and offered them wine to drink. Let them come and help you now; let them run to your rescue. 39I, and I alone, am God; no other god is real. I kill and I give life, I wound and I heal, and no one can oppose what I do. 40As surely as I am the living God, I raise my hand and I vow 41that I will sharpen my flashing sword and see that justice is done. I will take revenge on my enemies and punish those who hate me. 42My arrows will drip with their blood, and my sword will kill all who oppose me. I will spare no one who fights against me; even the wounded and prisoners will die.’ 43Nations, you must praise the LORD's people— he punishes all who kill them. He takes revenge on his enemies and forgives the sins of his people.” 44Moses and Joshua son of Nun recited this song, so that the people of Israel could hear it. Reflect Reread verse 32:22. In ancient Hebrew thought, the "world below" was a deep underground pit that lay beneath a great underground sea. The Hebrew name for the underground world was Sheol, described in the Bible as a totally silent place where no one knows or feels anything (Job 10:21-22; Psalm 88:12; 94:17). What do these images represent in your mind? Pray Lord Jesus, you promise that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. May all who feel numb and lifeless be awakened by the power of the Holy Spirit. Give all people glimpses of your grace today. Amen. Prayer Concern Those in hospice care Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 22, 2010 Author Members Posted June 22, 2010 Deuteronomy 32:45-33:5 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Deuteronomy 32:45-33:5: Moses encourages the Israelites to remember what he has taught them and to teach it to their children. He reminds them of the power of God's covenant to guide them into the Promised Land. God promises Moses he will see the Promised Land even though he will not enter it. Then Moses blesses the tribes of Israel. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:46 "Be sure to obey all these commands that I have given you today. Repeat them to your children, so that they may faithfully obey all of God's teachings." Today’s Reading 45When Moses had finished giving God's teachings to the people, 46he said, “Be sure to obey all these commands that I have given you today. Repeat them to your children, so that they may faithfully obey all of God's teachings. 47These teachings are not empty words; they are your very life. Obey them and you will live long in that land across the Jordan that you are about to occupy.” 48That same day the LORD said to Moses, 49“Go to the Abarim Mountains in the land of Moab opposite the city of Jericho; climb Mount Nebo and look at the land of Canaan that I am about to give the people of Israel. 50You will die on that mountain as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor, 51because both of you were unfaithful to me in the presence of the people of Israel. When you were at the waters of Meribah, near the town of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, you dishonored me in the presence of the people. 52You will look at the land from a distance, but you will not enter the land that I am giving the people of Israel.” 1These are the blessings that Moses, the man of God, pronounced on the people of Israel before he died. 2The LORD came from Mount Sinai; he rose like the sun over Edom and shone on his people from Mount Paran. Ten thousand angels were with him, a flaming fire at his right hand. 3The LORD loves his people and protects those who belong to him. So we bow at his feet and obey his commands. 4We obey the Law that Moses gave us, our nation's most treasured possession. 5The LORD became king of his people Israel when their tribes and leaders were gathered together. Reflect God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land because he was disobedient and he dishonored God in the presence of the people of Israel. Can you think of an example of a time when you wanted to do something, but your disobedience held you back? What do you need to do to respond to God's call? Pray Lord God, you equip your people to serve as catalysts for transformative love, peace and justice in the world. Help us get past our individual desires that we may come together to serve your kingdom. Amen. Prayer Concern Churches working for justice Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 24, 2010 Author Members Posted June 24, 2010 Joshua 1:1-18 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Joshua 1:1-18: Today we begin reading from the book of Joshua. The story begins after Moses' death. The Israelites are ready to end their forty years of wandering in the desert. The LORD orders Joshua to lead Israel into Canaan and promises to be with Joshua and the people wherever they go. Even though the land they will settle is already secure, the men of the two and a half eastern tribes are ordered to lead the attack on Canaan. Today’s Scripture: Joshua 1:8 "Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Today’s Reading 1After the death of the LORD's servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Moses' helper, Joshua son of Nun. 2He said, “My servant Moses is dead. Get ready now, you and all the people of Israel, and cross the Jordan River into the land that I am giving them. 3As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land that you will be marching over. 4Your borders will reach from the desert in the south to the Lebanon Mountains in the north; from the great Euphrates River in the east, through the Hittite country, to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you. 6Be determined and confident, for you will be the leader of these people as they occupy this land which I promised their ancestors. 7Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go. 8Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the LORD your God, am with you wherever you go.” 10Then Joshua ordered the leaders to 11go through the camp and say to the people, “Get some food ready, because in three days you are going to cross the Jordan River to occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” 12Joshua said to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to half the tribe of Manasseh, 13“Remember how the LORD's servant Moses told you that the LORD your God would give you this land on the east side of the Jordan as your home. 14Your wives, your children, and your livestock will stay here, but your soldiers, armed for battle, will cross over ahead of the other Israelites in order to help them 15until they have occupied the land west of the Jordan that the LORD your God has given them. When he has given safety to all the tribes of Israel, then you may come back and settle here in your own land east of the Jordan, which Moses, the LORD's servant, gave to you.” 16They answered Joshua, “We will do everything you have told us and will go anywhere you send us. 17We will obey you, just as we always obeyed Moses, and may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses! 18Whoever questions your authority or disobeys any of your orders will be put to death. Be determined and confident!” Reflect A key theme of the book of Joshua is that the land belongs to the LORD, and the Israelites must be loyal to God in order to enjoy it. If the land belongs to God, how can we demonstrate our faith through our relationship with the land? What does it mean to be a steward of God's creation? Pray Creator God, as you led the Israelites to Canaan, so you share the gifts of your creation with us. May we respect and care for the earth in the hope and confidence that your precious gifts will be sustained for future generations. Amen. Prayer Concern Farmers Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 25, 2010 Author Members Posted June 25, 2010 Joshua 2:1-24 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Joshua 2:1-24: Joshua sends two spies to learn all they can about Jericho. They encounter a woman named Rahab who lives in the walls of the city, and get backed into a corner when the king of Jericho sends orders to turn over the spies. Rahab confesses her faith in the God of the Israelites and promises not to turn the spies in if they agree to spare her family when they take Jericho. Today’s Scripture: Joshua 2:24 "We are sure that the LORD has given us the whole country. All the people there are terrified of us." Today’s Reading 1Then Joshua sent two spies from the camp at Acacia with orders to go and secretly explore the land of Canaan, especially the city of Jericho. When they came to the city, they went to spend the night in the house of a prostitute named Rahab. 2The king of Jericho heard that some Israelites had come that night to spy out the country, 3so he sent word to Rahab: “The men in your house have come to spy out the whole country! Bring them out!” 4-6“Some men did come to my house,” she answered, “but I don't know where they were from. They left at sundown before the city gate was closed. I didn't find out where they were going, but if you start after them quickly, you can catch them.” (Now Rahab had taken the two spies up on the roof and hidden them under some stalks of flax that she had put there.) 7The king's men left the city, and then the gate was shut. They went looking for the Israelite spies as far as the place where the road crosses the Jordan. 8Before the spies settled down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof 9and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land. Everyone in the country is terrified of you. 10We have heard how the LORD dried up the Red Sea in front of you when you were leaving Egypt. We have also heard how you killed Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan. 11We were afraid as soon as we heard about it; we have all lost our courage because of you. The LORD your God is God in heaven above and here on earth. 12Now swear by him that you will treat my family as kindly as I have treated you, and give me some sign that I can trust you. 13Promise me that you will save my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families! Don't let us be killed! ” 14The men said to her, “May God take our lives if we don't do as we say! If you do not tell anyone what we have been doing, we promise you that when the LORD gives us this land, we will treat you well. ” 15Rahab lived in a house built into the city wall, so she let the men down from the window by a rope. 16“Go into the hill country,” she said, “or the king's men will find you. Hide there for three days until they come back. After that, you can go on your way.” 17The men said to her, “We will keep the promise that you have made us give. 18This is what you must do. When we invade your land, tie this red cord to the window you let us down from. Get your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's family together in your house. 19If anyone goes out of the house, his death will be his own fault, and we will not be responsible; but if anyone in the house with you is harmed, then we will be responsible. 20However, if you tell anyone what we have been doing, then we will not have to keep our promise which you have made us give you. ” 21She agreed and sent them away. When they had gone, she tied the red cord to the window. 22The spies went into the hills and hid. The king's men looked for them all over the countryside for three days, but they did not find them, so they returned to Jericho. 23Then the two spies came down from the hills, crossed the river, and went back to Joshua. They told him everything that had happened, 24and then said, “We are sure that the LORD has given us the whole country. All the people there are terrified of us. ” Reflect In today's passage, an unlikely relationship forms between two Israelite spies and a Canaanite woman who share a common faith in God. How can faith bring people together? Are there people in your life with whom you would not be in relationship were it not for your common faith? Pray God of community, thank you for the ways in which friendships are formed through faith in you. May these relationships flourish, reaching beyond the walls of the church and into your world. Amen. Prayer Concern Friendships Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 26, 2010 Author Members Posted June 26, 2010 Joshua 3:1-17 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Joshua 3:1-17: In today's passage, the Israelites cross the Jordan River. Joshua tells the people to follow the Covenant Box across the river. God promises to show the people that Joshua is their leader. When it is time to cross and the priests enter the water, the river stops flowing, and the people cross the dry riverbed. Today’s Scripture: Joshua 3:10b, 11 "You will know that the living God is among you when the Covenant Box of the LORD of all the earth crosses the Jordan ahead of you." Today’s Reading 1The next morning Joshua and all the people of Israel got up early, left the camp at Acacia, and went to the Jordan, where they camped while waiting to cross it. 2Three days later the leaders went through the camp 3and told the people, “When you see the priests carrying the Covenant Box of the LORD your God, break camp and follow them. 4You have never been here before, so they will show you the way to go. But do not get near the Covenant Box; stay about half a mile behind it. ” 5Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, because tomorrow the LORD will perform miracles among you. ” 6Then he told the priests to take the Covenant Box and go with it ahead of the people. They did as he said. 7The LORD said to Joshua, “What I do today will make all the people of Israel begin to honor you as a great man, and they will realize that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8Tell the priests carrying the Covenant Box that when they reach the river, they must wade in and stand near the bank. ” 9Then Joshua said to the people, “Come here and listen to what the LORD your God has to say. 10As you advance, he will surely drive out the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. You will know that the living God is among you 11when the Covenant Box of the Lord of all the earth crosses the Jordan ahead of you. 12Now choose twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel. 13When the priests who carry the Covenant Box of the LORD of all the earth put their feet in the water, the Jordan will stop flowing, and the water coming downstream will pile up in one place. ” 14-15It was harvest time, and the river was in flood. When the people left the camp to cross the Jordan, the priests went ahead of them, carrying the Covenant Box. As soon as the priests stepped into the river, 16the water stopped flowing and piled up, far upstream at Adam, the city beside Zarethan. The flow downstream to the Dead Sea was completely cut off, and the people were able to cross over near Jericho. 17While the people walked across on dry ground, the priests carrying the LORD's Covenant Box stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan until all the people had crossed over. Reflect Compare the crossing of the Jordan River with the crossing of the Red Sea under Moses (Exodus 14). How are the situations similar? How are they different? Reread 3:10. What purpose was this miracle crossing meant to serve? Pray Lord God, thank you for the ways in which you are present in the face of challenges. Guide me through those tasks that feel impossible, and remind me always of the strength I have in you. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who are traveling Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 26, 2010 Author Members Posted June 26, 2010 Joshua 4:1-24 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Joshua 4:1-24: After the Israelites cross the Jordan, God tells Joshua to have men from each of the twelve tribes collect twelve rocks for a monument to the river crossing. The people travel east of Jericho and set up camp at Gilgal. The men build the monument as God commands. Today’s Scripture: Joshua 4:24 "Because of this everyone on earth will know how great the LORD'S power is, and you will honor the LORD your God forever." Today’s Reading 1When the whole nation had crossed the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2“Choose twelve men, one from each tribe, 3and command them to take twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests were standing. Tell them to carry these stones with them and to put them down where you camp tonight. ” 4Then Joshua called the twelve men he had chosen, 5and he told them, “Go into the Jordan ahead of the Covenant Box of the LORD your God. Each one of you take a stone on your shoulder, one for each of the tribes of Israel. 6These stones will remind the people of what the LORD has done. In the future, when your children ask what these stones mean to you, 7you will tell them that the water of the Jordan stopped flowing when the LORD's Covenant Box crossed the river. These stones will always remind the people of Israel of what happened here. ” 8The men followed Joshua's orders. As the LORD had commanded Joshua, they took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each of the tribes of Israel, carried them to the camping place, and put them down there. 9Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, where the priests carrying the Covenant Box had stood. (Those stones are still there.) 10The priests stood in the middle of the Jordan until everything had been done that the LORD ordered Joshua to tell the people to do. This is what Moses had commanded. The people hurried across the river. 11When they were all on the other side, the priests with the LORD's Covenant Box went on ahead of the people. 12The men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and of half the tribe of Manasseh, ready for battle, crossed ahead of the rest of the people, as Moses had told them to do. 13In the presence of the LORD about forty thousand men ready for war crossed over to the plain near Jericho. 14What the LORD did that day made the people of Israel consider Joshua a great man. They honored him all his life, just as they had honored Moses. 15Then the LORD told Joshua 16to command the priests carrying the Covenant Box to come up out of the Jordan. 17Joshua did so, 18and when the priests reached the riverbank, the river began flowing once more and flooded its banks again. 19The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month and camped at Gilgal, east of Jericho. 20There Joshua set up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan. 21And he said to the people of Israel, “In the future, when your children ask you what these stones mean, 22you will tell them about the time when Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground. 23Tell them that the LORD your God dried up the water of the Jordan for you until you had crossed, just as he dried up the Red Sea for us. 24Because of this everyone on earth will know how great the LORD's power is, and you will honor the LORD your God forever. ” Reflect Reread 4:14-18. Joshua's role as leader is demonstrated by this crossing, as promised by the LORD in Joshua 1:5, 17, 18; 3:7. When Moses died his leadership was honored, but many stories in Exodus and Numbers show how the Israelites had questioned Moses' leadership. Is it right for people to question religious leaders? Why or why not? Pray Lord God, guide the leaders of your church with wisdom and truth. Empower those they serve to recognize their leadership and provide constructive criticism when needed. Amen. Prayer Concern Church leaders Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 28, 2010 Author Members Posted June 28, 2010 Joshua 23:1-16 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Joshua 23:1-16: Joshua has successfully led the tribes into Israel, dividing up the land and creating order for the people. It is time for him to say goodbye, and he urges the people to remain faithful to the LORD. Today’s Scripture: Joshua 23:14 "Every one of you knows in his heart and soul that the LORD your God has given you all the good things that he promised. Every promise he made has been kept; not one has failed." Today’s Reading 1Much later the LORD gave Israel security from their enemies around them. By that time Joshua was very old, 2so he called all Israel, the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of the people, and said, “I am very old now. 3You have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you. The LORD your God has been fighting for you. 4I have assigned as the possession of your tribes the land of the nations that are still left, as well as of all the nations that I have already conquered, from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5The LORD your God will make them retreat from you, and he will drive them away as you advance. You shall have their land, as the LORD your God has promised you. 6So be careful to obey and do everything that is written in the book of the Law of Moses. Do not neglect any part of it, 7and then you will not associate with these peoples left among you or speak the names of their gods or use those names in taking vows or worship those gods or bow down to them. 8Instead, be faithful to the LORD, as you have been till now. 9The LORD has driven great and powerful nations out as you advanced, and no one has ever been able to stand against you. 10Any one of you can make a thousand men run away, because the LORD your God is fighting for you, just as he promised. 11Be careful, then, to love the LORD your God. 12If you are disloyal and join with the nations that are still left among you and intermarry with them, 13you may be sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive these nations out as you advance. Rather, they will be as dangerous for you as a trap or a pit and as painful as a whip on your back or thorns in your eyes. And this will last until none of you are left in this good land which the LORD your God has given you. 14Now my time has come to die. Every one of you knows in his heart and soul that the LORD your God has given you all the good things that he promised. Every promise he made has been kept; not one has failed. 15But just as he kept every promise that he made to you, so he will carry out every threat. 16If you do not keep the covenant which the LORD your God commanded you to keep and if you serve and worship other gods, then in his anger he will punish you, and soon none of you will be left in this good land that he has given you. ” Reflect What were the key points of Joshua's farewell speech? What were his instructions concerning how the Israelites were to live in relationship to the other people in the land? Would Joshua's advice work in today's world? Why or why not? Pray Lord of faithfulness, just as you kept your promise to the Israelites to bring them into a good land, so you keep your promises to sustain your people today. Empower me to do your will in reaching out to those in need of food, shelter, and clothing. Amen. Prayer Concern Homeless people and refugees Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 29, 2010 Author Members Posted June 29, 2010 2 Samuel 7:1-17 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction 2 Samuel 7:1-17: With Israel at peace, God makes a promise to David. The LORD tells David that one of his descendants will always be king and that David's son, not David, will be the one to build a temple for the LORD. Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:8, 9 "I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world." Today’s Reading 1King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD kept him safe from all his enemies. 2Then the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but God's Covenant Box is kept in a tent!” 3Nathan answered, “Do whatever you have in mind, because the LORD is with you. ” 4But that night the LORD said to Nathan, 5“Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, ‘You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. 6From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple; I have traveled around living in a tent. 7In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar. ’ 8So tell my servant David that I, the LORD Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel. 9I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world. 10-11I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land, they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to keep you safe from all your enemies and to give you descendants. 12When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. 13He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever. 14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son. 15But I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king. 16You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end. ’ ” 17Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him. Reflect Reread 7:5-16. In the Hebrew text, God's promise to David plays on different meanings of the word "house," which could mean temple or descendants (family). In effect, God is saying, "Do not build a house (a temple) for me (verses 5-7), but I will build a house (provide descendants) for you (verse 11), and one of your sons will build a house (a temple) for me (verses 12-13). How might David have responded to this promise from God? Pray Lord God, you have entered into human history to demonstrate your love and care for your people over and over again. Make me mindful of your work in the world today that I may point others toward your presence in our world. Amen. Prayer Concern Parents Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 29, 2010 Author Members Posted June 29, 2010 2 Samuel 7:18-29 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction 2 Samuel 7:18-29: In today's passage, David gives thanks for God's promises. He praises God and celebrates the success of Israel. Then he asks God to fulfill his promises so that all will recognize the LORD as the one true God. Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:22 How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God. Today’s Reading 18Then King David went into the Tent of the LORD's presence, sat down and prayed, “Sovereign LORD, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, nor is my family. 19Yet now you are doing even more, Sovereign LORD; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come. And you let a man see this, Sovereign LORD! 20What more can I say to you! You know me, your servant. 21It was your will and purpose to do this; you have done all these great things in order to instruct me. 22How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God. 23There is no other nation on earth like Israel, whom you rescued from slavery to make them your own people. The great and wonderful things you did for them have spread your fame throughout the world. You drove out other nations and their gods as your people advanced, the people whom you set free from Egypt to be your own. 24You have made Israel your own people forever, and you, LORD, have become their God. 25And now, LORD God, fulfill for all time the promise you made about me and my descendants, and do what you said you would. 26Your fame will be great, and people will forever say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel. ’ And you will preserve my dynasty for all time. 27LORD Almighty, God of Israel! I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings. 28And now, Sovereign LORD, you are God; you always keep your promises, and you have made this wonderful promise to me. 29I ask you to bless my descendants so that they will continue to enjoy your favor. You, Sovereign LORD, have promised this, and your blessing will rest on my descendants forever. ” Reflect Reread 7:22-28: David's prayer of thanks recalls other promises that the LORD had made and kept with Israel. He asked the LORD to keep this promise, too. But David recognized that he and his descendants would have to continue to serve the LORD if they were to be the chosen kings. Notice how many times the words "promise" and "forever" occur in today's passage. What do these words mean to you? Pray Sovereign Lord, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me. How great you are! There is none like you, and you alone are God. Thank you for your many promises and blessings. Amen. Prayer Concern Those in need of courage Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 30, 2010 Author Members Posted June 30, 2010 Psalm 89:1-37 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Trusting in God's Promises Introduction Psalm 89:1-37: Today's reading is a psalm of thanksgiving for God's special relationship with David. It speaks of God's promise to David that he and his descendants will rule forever. Yet the fall of Jerusalem puts an end to that promise until years later. Because Jesus was from the family of David, Christians claim that the agreement with David continues through Jesus, the Messiah. Today’s Scripture: Psalm 89:14 Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness are shown in all you do. Today’s Reading 1O LORD, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness forever. 2I know that your love will last for all time, that your faithfulness is as permanent as the sky. 3You said, “I have made a covenant with the man I chose; I have promised my servant David, 4‘A descendant of yours will always be king; I will preserve your dynasty forever.’” 5The heavens sing of the wonderful things you do; the holy ones sing of your faithfulness, LORD. 6No one in heaven is like you, LORD; none of the heavenly beings is your equal. 7You are feared in the council of the holy ones; they all stand in awe of you. 8LORD God Almighty, none is as mighty as you; in all things you are faithful, O LORD. 9You rule over the powerful sea; you calm its angry waves. 10You crushed the monster Rahab and killed it; with your mighty strength you defeated your enemies. 11Heaven is yours, the earth also; you made the world and everything in it. 12You created the north and the south; Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon sing to you for joy. 13How powerful you are! How great is your strength! 14Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness are shown in all you do. 15How happy are the people who worship you with songs, who live in the light of your kindness! 16Because of you they rejoice all day long, and they praise you for your goodness. 17You give us great victories; in your love you make us triumphant. 18You, O LORD, chose our protector; you, the Holy God of Israel, gave us our king. 19In a vision long ago you said to your faithful servants, “I have given help to a famous soldier; I have given the throne to one I chose from the people. 20I have made my servant David king by anointing him with holy oil. 21My strength will always be with him, my power will make him strong. 22His enemies will never succeed against him; the wicked will not defeat him. 23I will crush his foes and kill everyone who hates him. 24I will love him and be loyal to him; I will make him always victorious. 25I will extend his kingdom from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates River. 26He will say to me, ‘You are my father and my God; you are my protector and savior.’ 27I will make him my first-born son, the greatest of all kings. 28I will always keep my promise to him, and my covenant with him will last forever. 29His dynasty will be as permanent as the sky; a descendant of his will always be king. 30But if his descendants disobey my law and do not live according to my commands, 31if they disregard my instructions and do not keep my commandments, 32then I will punish them for their sins; I will make them suffer for their wrongs. 33But I will not stop loving David or fail to keep my promise to him. 34I will not break my covenant with him or take back even one promise I made him. 35Once and for all I have promised by my holy name: I will never lie to David. 36He will always have descendants, and I will watch over his kingdom as long as the sun shines. 37It will be as permanent as the moon, that faithful witness in the sky.” Reflect God promises that David and his descendants will rule forever, yet David's family lost power for a time with the fall of Jerusalem. Have you ever experienced a time when God's promises for you turned out differently than you expected? What new thing happened instead? Pray O Lord, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness forever. I know that your love will last for all time, and that your faithfulness is as permanent as the sky. Thank you for your promises. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who feel lost Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 1, 2010 Author Members Posted July 1, 2010 Genesis 13:1-18 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Telling of God's Kindness and Mercy Introduction Genesis 13:1-18: Abram, Sarai and Abram's nephew, Lot, move to the southern desert. Abram and Lot have so many animals that they need to move apart from one another in order to have enough pasture land. Lot moves east of the Jordan River to the Jordan Valley, while Abram stays west of the Jordan River in Canaan. God shows Abram the whole land of Canaan, and he moves to live near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 13:16 "I am going to give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them all; it would be as easy to count all the specks of dust on earth!" Today’s Reading 1Abram went north out of Egypt to the southern part of Canaan with his wife and everything he owned, and Lot went with him. 2Abram was a very rich man, with sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as silver and gold. 3Then he left there and moved from place to place, going toward Bethel. He reached the place between Bethel and Ai where he had camped before 4and had built an altar. There he worshiped the LORD. 5Lot also had sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as his own family and servants. 6And so there was not enough pasture land for the two of them to stay together, because they had too many animals. 7So quarrels broke out between the men who took care of Abram's animals and those who took care of Lot's animals. (At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were still living in the land.) 8Then Abram said to Lot, “We are relatives, and your men and my men shouldn't be quarreling. 9So let's separate. Choose any part of the land you want. You go one way, and I'll go the other. ” 10Lot looked around and saw that the whole Jordan Valley, all the way to Zoar, had plenty of water, like the Garden of the LORD or like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11So Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley for himself and moved away toward the east. That is how the two men parted. 12Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled among the cities in the valley and camped near Sodom, 13whose people were wicked and sinned against the LORD. 14After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram, “From where you are, look carefully in all directions. 15I am going to give you and your descendants all the land that you see, and it will be yours forever. 16I am going to give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them all; it would be as easy to count all the specks of dust on earth! 17Now, go and look over the whole land, because I am going to give it all to you. ” 18So Abram moved his camp and settled near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Reflect Mamre, a town named after one of Abram's Amorite friends, was near Hebron, located about twenty miles south of Jerusalem. The sacred trees may have denoted a place where the Canaanites worshiped Asherah, the goddess of fertility. Why might Abram have chosen to build an altar to God there? Pray Gracious God, too often I get caught up in the busyness of my days. Help me find ways to create sacred space for you in my life, that I may know your constant presence. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Those seeking to create space for God Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 2, 2010 Author Members Posted July 2, 2010 Genesis 18:16-33 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Telling of God's Kindness and Mercy Introduction Genesis 18:16-33: God brings about a change in the name of Abram and Sarai and calls them Abraham and Sarah. God promises Abraham many descendants, and the couple receives three visitors who tell them that they will have a son. In today's reading, Abraham prays for Sodom, asking God not to destroy the city if there are a few good people to be found there. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 18:19 "I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised." Today’s Reading 16Then the men left and went to a place where they could look down at Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on their way. 17And the LORD said to himself, “I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do. 18His descendants will become a great and mighty nation, and through him I will bless all the nations. 19I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised. ” 20Then the LORD said to Abraham, “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. 21I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true. ” 22Then the two men left and went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. 23Abraham approached the LORD and asked, “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? 24If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty? 25Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly. ” 26The LORD answered, “If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake.” 27Abraham spoke again: “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything. 28But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few? ” The LORD answered, “I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people.” 29Abraham spoke again: “Perhaps there will be only forty.” He replied, “I will not destroy it if there are forty.” 30Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, but I must speak again. What if there are only thirty?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty.” 31Abraham said, “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. Suppose that only twenty are found?” He said, “I will not destroy the city if I find twenty.” 32Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak only once more. What if only ten are found?” He said, “I will not destroy it if there are ten.” 33After he had finished speaking with Abraham, the LORD went away, and Abraham returned home. Reflect The ancient Israelites believed that the evil done by one or a few could spoil a whole community. But here Abraham argues the opposite: that a few good people could help save a whole community that was mostly evil. How does Abraham change God's mind in this passage? What does this passage tell you about God? Pray Lord, even when it seems that there is more bad than good in the world, your Word reminds us that we have reason to be hopeful. Help me bring your hope to others. Amen. Prayer Concern Corrupt governments Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 3, 2010 Author Members Posted July 3, 2010 Genesis 22:1-19 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Telling of God's Kindness and Mercy Introduction Genesis 22:1-19: God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. As Abraham ties Isaac up and prepares to kill him, an angel tells him not to harm the boy. Abraham sees a ram caught in the bushes, and offers the ram instead of his son. Abraham's obedience was pleasing to the LORD, and the angel confirms God's promise to bless Abraham with a large and prosperous family that will bless all nations. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 22:16a "I make a vow by my own name - the LORD is speaking - that I will richly bless you." Today’s Reading 1Some time later God tested Abraham; he called to him, “Abraham!” And Abraham answered, “Yes, here I am!” 2“Take your son,” God said, “your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. There on a mountain that I will show you, offer him as a sacrifice to me.” 3Early the next morning Abraham cut some wood for the sacrifice, loaded his donkey, and took Isaac and two servants with him. They started out for the place that God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham saw the place in the distance. 5Then he said to the servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice, and he himself carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, 7Isaac spoke up, “Father!” He answered, “Yes, my son?” Isaac asked, “I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” 8Abraham answered, “God himself will provide one.” And the two of them walked on together. 9When they came to the place which God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then he picked up the knife to kill him. 11But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” He answered, “Yes, here I am.” 12“Don't hurt the boy or do anything to him,” he said. “Now I know that you honor and obey God, because you have not kept back your only son from him.” 13Abraham looked around and saw a ram caught in a bush by its horns. He went and got it and offered it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14Abraham named that place “The LORD Provides. ” And even today people say, “On the LORD's mountain he provides. ” 15The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time, 16“I make a vow by my own name—the LORD is speaking—that I will richly bless you. Because you did this and did not keep back your only son from me, 17I promise that I will give you as many descendants as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the seashore. Your descendants will conquer their enemies. 18All the nations will ask me to bless them as I have blessed your descendants—all because you obeyed my command. ” 19Abraham went back to his servants, and they went together to Beersheba, where Abraham settled. Reflect In ancient times, offering burnt sacrifices was a way to worship God, and to maintain, restore, or celebrate the relationship between the giver and God. In this story, Abraham was prepared to offer his son, the child of God's promise. Yet the death of Isaac would have been a direct threat to the agreement God had made with Abraham and Sarah. Why do you think God tested Abraham in this way? What might it have been like for Abraham to face this test? Pray Almighty One, when my faith in you is tested, strengthen my spirit. Embolden me to step out in trust, knowing that you will provide. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who feel their faith is being tested Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 5, 2010 Author Members Posted July 5, 2010 Genesis 32:1-21 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Telling of God's Kindness and Mercy Introduction Genesis 32:1-21: In today's passage, Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau after years of estrangement. Jacob sends sheep, goats, cattle and camels as gifts ahead of him in the hope that they will appease Esau. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 32:9 "God of my grandfather Abraham and God of my father Isaac, hear me! You told me, LORD, to go back to my land and to my relatives, and you would make everything go well for me." Today’s Reading 1As Jacob went on his way, some angels met him. 2When he saw them, he said, “This is God's camp”; so he named the place Mahanaim. 3Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the country of Edom. 4He instructed them to say: “I, Jacob, your obedient servant, report to my master Esau that I have been staying with Laban and that I have delayed my return until now. 5I own cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and slaves. I am sending you word, sir, in the hope of gaining your favor. ” 6When the messengers came back to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you. He has four hundred men with him.” 7Jacob was frightened and worried. He divided into two groups the people who were with him, and also his sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. 8He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks the first group, the other may be able to escape.” 9Then Jacob prayed, “God of my grandfather Abraham and God of my father Isaac, hear me! You told me, LORD, to go back to my land and to my relatives, and you would make everything go well for me. 10I am not worth all the kindness and faithfulness that you have shown me, your servant. I crossed the Jordan with nothing but a walking stick, and now I have come back with these two groups. 11Save me, I pray, from my brother Esau. I am afraid—afraid that he is coming to attack us and destroy us all, even the women and children. 12Remember that you promised to make everything go well for me and to give me more descendants than anyone could count, as many as the grains of sand along the seashore. ” 13-15After spending the night there, Jacob chose from his livestock as a present for his brother Esau: 200 female goats and 20 males, 200 female sheep and 20 males, 30 milk camels with their young, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 males. 16He divided them into herds and put one of his servants in charge of each herd. He said to them, “Go ahead of me, and leave a space between each herd and the one behind it.” 17He ordered the first servant, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, “Who is your master? Where are you going? Who owns these animals in front of you?” 18you must answer, “They belong to your servant Jacob. He sends them as a present to his master Esau. Jacob himself is right behind us.” ” 19He gave the same order to the second, the third, and to all the others who were in charge of the herds: “This is what you must say to Esau when you meet him. 20You must say, “Yes, your servant Jacob is right behind us.” ” Jacob was thinking, “I will win him over with the gifts, and when I meet him, perhaps he will forgive me.” 21He sent the gifts on ahead of him and spent that night in camp. Reflect From the time they were in their mother's womb, Jacob and Esau were rivals, so much that Jacob even stole Esau's blessing from Isaac their father. Now Jacob wants to make amends. How do you respond when someone who has wronged you wants to make amends? How does God respond when we seek forgiveness? Pray Lord, forgive me for the times when I have failed to repair my broken relationships. Strengthen my heart that I may open it to those with whom I am in conflict. Amen. Prayer Concern Broken relationships Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 5, 2010 Author Members Posted July 5, 2010 Genesis 33:1-20 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Telling of God's Kindness and Mercy Introduction Genesis 33:1-20: Jacob meets Esau for a joyful reunion. He insists that Esau accept the gifts he has sent. Esau proposes that they travel to Edom together, but Jacob says that he prefers to remain back with his children and flocks. Esau goes on to Edom, while Jacob stops in Succoth and later in Shechem. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 33:11 "Please accept this gift which I have brought for you; God has been kind to me and given me everything I need." Today’s Reading 1Jacob saw Esau coming with his four hundred men, so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two concubines. 2He put the concubines and their children first, then Leah and her children, and finally Rachel and Joseph at the rear. 3Jacob went ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They were both crying. 5When Esau looked around and saw the women and the children, he asked, “Who are these people with you?” “These, sir, are the children whom God has been good enough to give me,” Jacob answered. 6Then the concubines came up with their children and bowed down; 7then Leah and her children came, and last of all Joseph and Rachel came and bowed down. 8Esau asked, “What about that other group I met? What did that mean?” Jacob answered, “It was to gain your favor.” 9But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have.” 10Jacob said, “No, please, if I have gained your favor, accept my gift. To see your face is for me like seeing the face of God, now that you have been so friendly to me. 11Please accept this gift which I have brought for you; God has been kind to me and given me everything I need. ” Jacob kept on urging him until he accepted. 12Esau said, “Let's get ready and leave. I will go ahead of you.” 13Jacob answered, “You know that the children are weak, and I must think of the sheep and livestock with their young. If they are driven hard for even one day, the whole herd will die. 14Please go on ahead of me, and I will follow slowly, going as fast as I can with the livestock and the children until I catch up with you in Edom. ” 15Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.” But Jacob answered, “There is no need for that for I only want to gain your favor.” 16So that day Esau started on his way back to Edom. 17But Jacob went to Sukkoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Sukkoth. 18On his return from Mesopotamia Jacob arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan and set up his camp in a field near the city. 19He bought that part of the field from the descendants of Hamor father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver. 20He put up an altar there and named it for El, the God of Israel. Reflect Reread 33:11. In Hebrew, the word for "gift" can also mean "blessing." This may be Jacob's attempt to return at least a part of the blessing he stole from his brother (27:1-40). Why do you think it took so long for Esau to accept the gifts? How do you respond when you are given a gift? Pray Lord, even in relationships filled with conflict, you have the power to bring healing, hope and renewal. Be present in my relationships, that they may embody your love. Amen. Prayer Concern Families Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 7, 2010 Author Members Posted July 7, 2010 Exodus 13:3-22 (Good News Translation) Embodying Hope and Telling of God's Kindness and Mercy Introduction Exodus 13:3-22: Moses tells the Israelites to celebrate the Passover feast each year to honor God and share the story of God's power and faithfulness with future generations. God leads the Israelites around the desert and toward the Red Sea, traveling with them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and in a pillar of fire to give them light. Today’s Scripture: Exodus 13:3 "Remember this day - the day on which you left Egypt, the place where you were slaves. This is the day the LORD brought you out by his great power." Today’s Reading 3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day—the day on which you left Egypt, the place where you were slaves. This is the day the LORD brought you out by his great power. No leavened bread is to be eaten. 4You are leaving Egypt on this day in the first month, the month of Abib. 5The LORD solemnly promised your ancestors to give you the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. When he brings you into that rich and fertile land, you must celebrate this festival in the first month of every year. 6For seven days you must eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to honor the LORD. 7For seven days you must not eat any bread made with yeast; there must be no yeast or leavened bread anywhere in your land. 8When the festival begins, explain to your sons that you do all this because of what the LORD did for you when you left Egypt. 9This observance will be a reminder, like something tied on your hand or on your forehead; it will remind you to continue to recite and study the Law of the LORD, because the LORD brought you out of Egypt by his great power. 10Celebrate this festival at the appointed time each year. 11The LORD will bring you into the land of the Canaanites, which he solemnly promised to you and your ancestors. When he gives it to you, 12you must offer every first-born male to the LORD. Every first-born male of your animals belongs to the LORD, 13but you must buy back from him every first-born male donkey by offering a lamb in its place. If you do not want to buy back the donkey, break its neck. You must buy back every first-born male child of yours. 14In the future, when your son asks what this observance means, you will answer him, ‘By using great power the LORD brought us out of Egypt, the place where we were slaves. 15When the king of Egypt was stubborn and refused to let us go, the LORD killed every first-born male in the land of Egypt, both human and animal. That is why we sacrifice every first-born male animal to the LORD, but buy back our first-born sons. 16This observance will be a reminder, like something tied on our hands or on our foreheads; it will remind us that the LORD brought us out of Egypt by his great power. ’ ” 17When the king of Egypt let the people go, God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, although it was the shortest way. God thought, “I do not want the people to change their minds and return to Egypt when they see that they are going to have to fight.” 18Instead, he led them in a roundabout way through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were armed for battle. 19Moses took the body of Joseph with him, as Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly promise to do. Joseph had said, “When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place.” 20The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21During the day the LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night he went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel night and day. 22The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night. Reflect This passage talks extensively about the importance of sharing the story of the exodus with future generations. What faith stories were shared with you when you were a child? How did those stories help to form your faith? What faith stories are important for you to share with future generations? Pray God of every generation, create opportunities for me to share stories of faith with young people-both stories found in the scriptures and my own faith story. Open my ears so that I can hear their stories as well, that we may learn and grow in faith together. Amen. Prayer Concern Mentors of young people Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
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