Elliott's Muses

The readings today finish up Exodus, chapters 39 & 40. This section is also full of details. First the breast piece that the priests would wear, with jewelry that represents the 12 tribes. In the last section the Tabernacle is completed. As you read you'll note how the individual pieces are arranged. The Tent of meeting has two parts: The first part is the place of the table of show bread, the candlestick and the altar of incense. The curtain separates this section from the second part: The Holy of Holies which contains the Ark of the covenant. The outside has the altar for burnt offerings and the large basin of water that was used for the priests to wash in before entering the Holy place. Surrounding it all is the wall of curtains that surround the whole structure. It was the Tabernacle in the wilderness that would last until the Temple is built under Solomon some 400 years later. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's readings are from Exodus 33, 34, 35 I have to admit, chapters 33 & 34 are two of my favorites. In this first part we find the essence of life with God on earth...a plea for "knowing" God and for "living" with his presence. It is Moses' plea that reveals his heart: "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." And it is God's response that reveals his desire: The lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." I want that also...to know God deeply and to experience his presence that leads to the Sabbath rest of heart, mind, soul. But Moses is not content with that alone, as good as that would be alone. He also asks of God: "Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." How do we experience God's glory? It is in experiencing Him in his real person. For God is anxious to share his ...

Today's reading is from Exodus 30, 31, 32 The first part of this reading continues with descriptions on a few more of the elements of the tabernacle worship. sometimes it's hard to read sections like this, but there is a richness in discovery awaiting the persevering reader. An example of that is in noting that gold overlays the ordinary - probably wood in most cases. The very precious gold acts as the covering over - much like our worship which is precious takes place in the ordinariness of our humanity. All of the elements of these chapters have to do with worship, and it relays the principle that worship is not haphazard, nor made up of our own, but is deliberate, intentional and has a God honoring orientation. The last chapter tells the story of the incident of the Golden calf. Moses' long stay on the mountain with God causes some to question whether or not he'll ever return. Creating an idol for worship is not untypical for them. Note the contrast in the beg...

Today's reading is from Exodus 28 & 29. These two chapters begin a rather lengthy, and difficult to comprehend, section of the Old Testament. We start getting into the design, setting up, ritual and sacrifice section of the law...Not easy to always stick with. Many a "I'm going to read through the scripture" gets sidetracked at this point...so persevere. To the person who perseveres there are rich treasures of insight into themes of worship, the character of God and the design of serving. Today we see the consecration of Aaron and his sons into the Priesthood. The Ephod, the Breast piece, the belt and tunic and robe all were to set apart - which is what consecrate means - a group of people (Aaron's descendants) for service as priests. The reason this is all done? Exodus 29 ends with the words... "So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelit...

The readings today are from Exodus 25, 26, 27 This section needs some help. As you read the description of the tabernacle it helps to have a picture of what is being described. The tabernacle was a moveable, transportable place of worship. Everything was put together with the idea that it would be able to be picked up, packed up and moved to another location, where it would be set again. A picture of what the Ark of the Covenant might have looked like: - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's readings are in Exodus 22, 23, 24 Trying to read through the law can seem like taking a walk in a bog. It's not easy, and sometimes all you can think of is "get me out of here". Over the years I've learned to appreciate the depth of the law as it relates to the development of the nation. One cannot help but notice how much of the law has been adopted by democracies even to today. While some of it seems antiquated, it is in principle the basis for how a society of people should live. For Israel it was the development of their nation. It touched on social relationships, class differences, laws to protect property, laws for families, for education, for governing, etc... As you read the law take note of the various categories a law could be put in...it's interesting. Also note the beginning of Israel's identity as a kingdom of worshippers. The seasonal festivals and sabbath times were meant to remind them/us that life isn't about the accumu...

Today's readings are from Exodus 19, 20, 21 The children of Israel have traveled to the place God told Moses to bring them when they were delivered from Egypt. Think about this - The meeting of the children of Israel at Sinai begins the development of this, formerly "slave people", into a "Nation of the People of God". The children of Israel have lived close to 400 years as slaves (America by contrast from George Washington to President Obama are just 235 years old). They are gathered at this mountain to meet with God. Moses leads them to listen to what God has to say to them: "...you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." God's design is for a people who will be Kingdom priests...The character of the nation is not as religious people, or even holy people, but as people who understand the heart of God in relation to his Kingdom. The ten commandments that follow and t...

Today's readings are in Exodus 16, 17, 18. The children of Israel with Moses as their leader have journeyed about one month from Egypt. They are a clan of 1.5 to 2.0 million people - no small group to be camping out in the desert. They move from the north of the Sinai peninsula towards the south - using desert oasis spots for more extended stays. It doesn't take long though and they are grumbling, complaining about what they don't have - not looking at what they do have. "The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death." How easily they forgot that just a couple of months before they were being treated as slaves by the Egyptians. Even in the complaints God acts on their behalf. First a shower of quail for meat to eat, and then the miracle of the bread - manna. "The pe...

Today's reading is from Exodus 13, 14, 15. The account today is of the Exodus from Egypt, through the Red Sea - a miraculous event. The passage begins with the declaration of the Consecration of the first-born, of everything, to God. Along with that is the details of the "Feast of Unlevened Bread" that accompanies Passover. These symbols would remind the generations of Israel to follow of their identity as God's redeemed people. The rest of the chapters deal with the deliverance through the Red Sea. It has become fashionable in recent times to discount this as a myth...the sea could not divide like this, they probably walked through marshes and that's how they got out. It's pretty phenomenal that Pharaoh's army could be drowned in marshes! Why is it modern skepticism should so easily dismiss miracles? The song of Moses and Miriam, his sister, reminds us that all that God is, and does, should lead us to worship. Our reminders today of this miracle of...

Today's reading is from Exodus 10, 11, 12. This is the account of the last three plagues that God sent against Pharaoh, and more specifically the Egyptian gods. The plague of locusts, followed by the plague of darkness which last for three days - both covered the land. Each time the text says, "God hardened Pharaoh's heart". Pharaoh was unyielding in seeking to keep the Egyptians as slaves, and God was unyielding in his plans for deliverance. The text begins: "Then the lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them." All of the nine before the last one were severe in themselves; but nothing was more horrendous than the last of the plagues - the death of the firstborn of everything not under the Passover blood. "So Moses said, "This is what the lord says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will d...

Today's reading is from Genesis 7, 8, 9. Almost all of the reading today concerns the plagues that hit the Egyptians as Moses repeatedly let's Pharaoh know that he must let the Israelites go. Each of these plagues are significant and tie directly into the text when Pharaoh is said to "harden his heart", or "God hardens his heart". A couple of quick notes: 1. Each of the plagues relates back to a "god" in Egypt. In fact, Pharaoh is believed to be a god, and so each plague, in essence, becomes a contest between the gods of Egypt and Israel's God - Yahweh. Blood Frogs Gnats Flies Disease on Cattle Boils Hail 2. Pharaoh's hard heart. The text is clear, Pharaoh's heart was inclined to reject Yahweh as The God of the universe, and exalt the pantheon of gods, including himself, as the gods of the universe. The text repeatedly defines his heart as either "God hardens", or "Pharaoh hardens" his heart. Early on in chpt. 7...

The text today is from Exodus 4, 5, 6. Most of the text is to set up the environment of confrontation that is going to take place in Egypt between God and Pharaoh's gods. Moses is given a picture of the power of God that will accompany him when he goes before Pharaoh. Three "signs" were given to Moses by God to show him that it was not going to be through his own power, or eloquence, or maneuvering that deliverance would take place. Still, Moses is unsure and he begs for someone else. God grants him Aaron, his brother to be a spokesman for him. What does Moses mean when he is slow of speech? We don't know. Some have suggested he stuttered; others that he was afraid of being thrust into such a role after 40 years in the desert. We don't know what the reasons are, but the fact that God grants him Aaron's help must mean there was something he was dealing with. The next two chapters set up the confrontation we are about to read. Moses returns with Aaron, ...

Our readings shift to Exodus, today: chpts. 1, 2, 3. The opening of Exodus frames the problem and foretells the solution. Exodus 1 opens many years down the road from the ending of Genesis. "Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died..., Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt." The Israelites are no longer identified as a favored group because of Joseph, they are now a perceived threat to the Egyptians, and so they are subjected to slavery. As chapter 2 opens the story shifts to the birth of Moses. Protected by Pharaoh's daughter the story quickly shifts to when he is an adult, and he mistakenly thinks the way to help his people is to kill off the Egyptian oppression. It only leaves him fleeing to the desert of Midian...the place where he will eventually lead his nation. There he lives as a shepherd, marries, and has children. He settles down and puts his Egyptian past behind him. The book of Acts tells us (proba...

The story of Genesis ends today read chapters 48, 49, 50. We've been talking about "blessings" at church lately. The significance of blessings is never more clear than in the 48th chapter, as Jacob details the blessings to each of his sons. Notice how he does not confer headship in the clan to Reuben, and neither to Simeon or Levi, but rather goes to the fourth born, Judah. "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his." He blesses Judah's role as the head of the tribe, and behind all that he says, he prophesies the coming of the Messiah through the line of Judah. The death of Jacob leads to an elaborate honoring of his burial. That is followed quickly by the concerns among Joseph's brothers that Jacob's death may lead to Joseph's retribution...not so. Joseph's character is firmly rooted in the character of Go...

The passages today are from Genesis 46 & 47. They recount the settling of the clan of Jacob, the Israelites, in Egypt. Notice the words in 46: "All those who went to Egypt with Jacob—those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons' wives—numbered sixty-six persons. With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all." To Abraham God had promised generations of thousands upon thousands to follow. It seemed impossible to any reasonable person...but here we are two generations later. To Abraham God had promised "a land, seed, and blessing..." at this Pontiac everything has begun to appear, but there is so much more to come. We should realize the same...God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ, Paul says in Eph. 1... It's only begun. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's readings are in Genesis 43, 44, 45. The story of the brother's journey back to Egypt comes about because of the first verse in 43: "Now the famine was still severe in the land." We find out at the end of the reading that only 2 of the 7 years has passed, and yet after two years even Jacob, now Israel, is desperate enough that he allows his sons to go back, even with Benjamin accompanying. When they arrive in Egypt more surprises await. Joseph, perhaps for several reasons, after having a mysterious meal with them, sends them back with their silver in their sacks, and with his silver cup in Benjamin's sack, so that his soldiers can track them down and take Benjamin back. Why does he do it? Perhaps because he's not sure he can trust his brothers and wants to have Benjamin near. Perhaps because he knows the ultimate test of whether they have grown up and matured at all is what they'll do when Benjamin is taken from them. We don't know, the te...

Today's reading is from Genesis 41 & 42. God's purposes in Joseph's life begin to unfold. Pharaoh's dreams become the tool that opens the prison doors and moves Joseph from a prison cell to Pharaoh's Prime Minister. Dreams are a part of most people's lives, but it seems so obvious that God is the instigator of these dreams and they become the vehicle for Joseph to become known. What I love is Joseph's remark to Pharaoh, that He, Joseph, doesn't know how to interpret dreams, but God does...his character has been forged in those years of prison. Then in the next chapter the famine brings Joseph's brothers - except for Benjamin, his own brother - down to Egypt. They haven't changed that much over the years, so Joseph knows immediately who they are. Joseph has changed. He was probably a teenager when he was sold into slavery, and now he is in his 30's...and not only that but he is dressed in the garb of Egyptian royalty, so his brothers...

The readings today come from Genesis 38, 39, 40. With the first chapter's interruption, the story has shifted to Joseph in Egypt. That first interruption is a strange story...Tamar is a daughter-in-law of Judah, one of Israel's sons. He's obviously an older man when he fathers the twin boys that are named. Why does this story get included in the Genesis story? Perhaps because it bears witness to the genealogies, especially the families of tribe that might exist in the land after Moses (who of course wrote this) leads the children of Israel back to. Either way, it reminds me that scripture is a true witness, unvarnished in telling truth. The next two chapters give us the beginning story of Joseph in Egypt. He is going to spend about 14 years in prison...something he didn't deserve. He didn't deserve being sold into slavery first of all; and he doesn't deserve the punishment inflicted on him because of his character. He is a faithful person regardless of th...

The passages in today's reading come from chpts 35, 36, 37. Chpt 35 recounts the settling of Jacob's family in Bethel. Bethel means "The House of God" and it was here - some 20 years before - that Jacob had seen the staircase to Heaven (chpt 28). It was here, 20 years before, that Jacob made a vow to God, that if He would keep him safe, protect him, be with him, that he would come back and worship...and so he does! At Bethel, God confirms the name change...(vs 10), God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel." So he named him Israel. In chpt 36, Esau's generational line is recounted. From Esau would come the Edomites. Genealogies meant everything in terms of tribal succession, so while lists of names have very little appeal, remember, they are not names unknown to God. Finally, in chpt 37, we are introduced to the next and last part of the Genesis story - Joseph. The elder of the two sons b...

The Reading today is from Genesis 32, 33, 34. 32 and 33 recount the story of Jacob moving his family towards the land and the encounter he has with his brother Esau. By this time, 20 years has past, but Jacob has no idea of what he is going to encounter when he sees his brother. When they last left each other, Esau had vowed to kill him, for his deception in getting the family heritage conferred on him (Isaac's blessing). Now he returns with two wives, two servant women, and 11 children born to them. Not only that but he has hundreds of cattle, sheep, goats, and other animals such as camels...i.e., he is a wealthy man. The encounter with Esau goes above and beyond what Jacob imagined. Esau is welcoming and there is no hint of the hatred that had consumed him twenty years before. Esau's offer to accompany Jacob is met with more of Jacob's style - deception. He tells him he'll join him in Seir, a land in the south and east of Israel (as we know it); but in fact, ...

Today's reading is Genesis 30, 31. The first part of this story is the births of seven more of the 12 children of Jacob that are going to make up the 12 tribes of Israel. The story of Reuben finding the mandrakes has always raised questions among students of scripture. Mandrakes are tubular plants and in themselves are poisonous. Still they have been linked in lore with the ability to conceive. What is clear from the text is that God was the one who made it possible for Rachel to conceive. It is the birth of Joseph that is the outcome of the story. The other children born of the two maidservants are the outcome of a culture that believed in the birth of boys as necessary for the survival of the family or tribe. The second part of the story is Jacob taking his family, or by now, his tribe, back to the land of Israel. Nothing Jacob does is easy and neither is this. He "steathily" leaves Laban and after Laban realizes he goes after him. It takes seven days, but in the...

Reading - Genesis 27, 28, 29 Today's reading are about Jacob. He's a man who deceives his way into control by deceiving his father for the "blessing". What is it? The family blessing conferred rulership of all the family to the one male heir designated by the head of the family - usually the eldest son. Remember the prophecy of Jacob and Esau's birth? "the elder shall serve the younger...". Well Rebekah and Jacob don't wait around for God to make it happen, which is always a bad thing to do. In 28, Jacob's flight leads him directly to God. The picture of the stairway to heaven and the promise of God to him, cements God as the one who will make Jacob succeed, not Jacob. Finally in chpt. 29, we begin to see the family of Jacob begin. After he realizes he's met his match with Laban he begins to have the first of his twelve sons - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, are all born of Leah...and realize that they are principle in Israel's future...

Today's reading is short: Genesis 25 & 26 It's the story of Isaac and Rebekah's twins: Jacob & Esau Notice twice in chapter 25 the phrase "this is the account of...". It's that generational marker. The story shifts fairly quickly to Jacob, but there are some notable Isaac moments, such as God's word to Isaac: "That night the lord appeared to him and said, 'I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.'" - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's reading is from Genesis 22, 23, 24 The story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, the promised log-awaited Isaac, is a great picture of Jesus. Read the story and think about the parallels between this story and Jesus' death on the cross. Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. That's the Gospel. God himself has provided the sacrifice - Jesus! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's reading is a mixture of events...some strange, as they continue to tell the story of Abraham's life and journey. Read Genesis 19, 20, 21 The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is legendary. What's perhaps not clear is "why". Lots of speculations have been given, but it remains something in the justice of God that relates back to their depravity and seems to imply from the text the sexual perversion of the whole area. What perhaps is even more important in the story is the offspring of Lot that emerge at the end of the chapter. The Ammonites and Moabites were two of Israel's great enemies. The birth of Isaac - whose name means laughter - almost appears quietly in the text, surrounded by stories of Abraham's journeys through the area of the Philistines. This section along with what lies after highlights this ongoing story of the principle character of Genesis. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today's reading is a continuing of the Abraham story: Genesis 16, 17, 18 tell four main stories: 1. The story of Hagar and Ishmael is the story of the other side of Abraham's heritage - the Arab side is also children of Abraham. 2. The story of the covenant of Circumcision that accompanies the re-declaring of God's promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation... and this is when his name is changed from Abram to Abraham. 3. The story of God's visitation to Abraham at age 99, 25 years after he was originally told by God he would have a "seed", a family line, to follow him, where God announces by "this time next year" you'll have a son. 4. The final story of Abraham's plea with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, if only 10 people could be found in the city that heeded God. That story doesn't finish until tomorrow. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The story of the Bible unfolds in Genesis 12 today with the beginning of the story of Abraham. He is the central character in the unfolding drama of salvation. Read today: Genesis 12, 13, 14, 15. Note: God's promise to Abraham in early part of chpt. 12. "I will..." God says to him. The promise is of "a land, a family, a blessing". Notice Abraham's faith unfold. He's human and yet shows real faith. Good passage to meditate on as you go through the day. happy reading - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Hi friends, Today's reading is from Genesis: read chapters 8, 9, 10, 11. Notice in chapter 10... "this is the account of...". That is another of those generational markers I mentioned before. Have a great day. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The scripture reading today continues from yesterday in Genesis. As you read note the words in chpt 5.... "these are the generations, or families,". Watch for those words again and again in Genesis... It is a repetitive phrase that is used to describe the shift of emphasis in the story. Anyway read and enjoy: Genesis 4, 5, 6, & 7 - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Have you ever wanted to read the Bible the way it would have been written? Come along with me and log in as often as possible and we'll read thru scripture "HISTORICALLY". Today, we start at the beginning: Genesis 1 - 3 Here's something you might not see. Genesis 1 is a Chiastic poem...what does that mean? Day 1 matches day 4 Day 2 matches day 5 Day 3 matches day 6 Day 7 is the primary end. Read and notice how they compliment each other. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad Location: Kikkert Ct,Cambria,United States