Psalms 13 starts out with a plea--a desperate cry--for help, with questions such as:
How much longer will you forget me?
How long much I endure trouble?
Then, the speaker of the psalm gradually turns towards God and His constant love, knowing he will be rescured by Him.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
What is the book of Deuteronomy about?
The book of Deuteronomy contains 34 chapters, starting with Moses recalling the trip the Israelites took from Egypt to their homeland in Moab, east of the Jordan River, which is now called Israel.
This book is important--aren't they all though?--because Moses also introduces the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the first one: worshipping the One and Only God, and not worshipping any false gods.
The final chapter deals with the death of Moses, ending a reign that started back in the book of Exodus.
This book is important--aren't they all though?--because Moses also introduces the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the first one: worshipping the One and Only God, and not worshipping any false gods.
The final chapter deals with the death of Moses, ending a reign that started back in the book of Exodus.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Summarizing the trip from Egypt, and the finale
In chapter 33, in the book of Numbers, there is a summarized account of the Israelites' trip from Egypt to the Land God promised them.
All total, it took roughly 40 years for this to happen, as they wandered around and around the desert.
The rest of the book, chapters 34-36, talks specifically about cities to be used for refuge and also about the inheritance of land amongst women.
This is the end of the book of Numbers.
Next . . . Deuteronomy.
All total, it took roughly 40 years for this to happen, as they wandered around and around the desert.
The rest of the book, chapters 34-36, talks specifically about cities to be used for refuge and also about the inheritance of land amongst women.
This is the end of the book of Numbers.
Next . . . Deuteronomy.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The promise of Reuben's and Gad's tribes
Chapter 32 in Numbers is another account, in this long epic tale, of a story within a story.
It is about the story of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. They were in possession of so much livestock, they did not want to cross the Jordan River, for the lands to the east of the river were suitable enough for them.
Moses became angry at this, and told them that they were abandoning the Lord and sinning against Him just like their ancestors. The tribes then told Moses that they were to build stone enclosures to house their livestock, and after that they would fight, only if it was promises that the eastern lands could be theirs.
This exchange went back and forth three times to make sure everyone understood the terms of the agreement--communication was very clear in this regard, which is a lesson that can be taken into many negotiations today.
In the end, the tribes of Reuben and Gad fought with the other Israelites, and when the fighting was over they returned to the land they requested.
It is about the story of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. They were in possession of so much livestock, they did not want to cross the Jordan River, for the lands to the east of the river were suitable enough for them.
Moses became angry at this, and told them that they were abandoning the Lord and sinning against Him just like their ancestors. The tribes then told Moses that they were to build stone enclosures to house their livestock, and after that they would fight, only if it was promises that the eastern lands could be theirs.
This exchange went back and forth three times to make sure everyone understood the terms of the agreement--communication was very clear in this regard, which is a lesson that can be taken into many negotiations today.
In the end, the tribes of Reuben and Gad fought with the other Israelites, and when the fighting was over they returned to the land they requested.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Psalms 12 - The Helping Prayer
Psalms 12 starts with the line: "Help us, Lord!"
It is a short psalm, only eight verses total (much like the seven verses in Psalms 11).
It goes on to say there are no more honest men, and that all lie and decieve one another. Then, in verse five, the Lord steps in and promises security for the needy, and that it is a promise more genuine than the purest silver.
It is a short psalm, only eight verses total (much like the seven verses in Psalms 11).
It goes on to say there are no more honest men, and that all lie and decieve one another. Then, in verse five, the Lord steps in and promises security for the needy, and that it is a promise more genuine than the purest silver.
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