Week 36. Minor Prophets?

We have entered our last month of reading the Old Testament!

The section we are reading during the month of September is commonly referred to as "The Minor Prophets".
Have  you noticed that all the scripture we have been reading since July have been a mixture of history and prophecy, and not necessarily in chronological order?  It can get confusing.  I did a little reading about these books that make up the end of the Old Testament.  They are divided into the books of "Major Prophets" and the books of "Minor Prophets".

The books of Major Prophets are

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The “major” prophets are so called not because the “minor” prophets are unimportant, but because the books of the Major Prophets are lengthier and cast a correspondingly longer shadow on Old Testament history and theology.  

The 12 books of Minor Prophets are:

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. They’re described as “minor” because they’re shorter in length. Together, their indictments of Israel’s drift away from God set the stage for the New Covenant that will be ushered in with the person of Jesus Christ.

These are  not the most popular books of the Bible, or easy ones to read.  So, for the next few weeks, let's look for the verses that tell of  God’s holiness, grace, and mercy.  It's like mining for gold.  

And, something else to look for: Have you noticed that at the  beginning of each new book in our "Daily Walk Bible", there is a key verse for the book?  

CHALLENGE:  Have you told somebody that you are reading through the Bible this year?  Have you invited somebody to join you in reading the New Testament this Fall?  

Keep on reading!  Audrey 

Week 35. Dare to be a Daniel!

We finished the book of Daniel in just a few days.  I found it to be a refreshing break from all the messages of impending doom that we have been reading from the books of prophecy.  The tales of Daniel’s life reminded me of the stories I learned in Sunday School when I was a little girl.  Do you remember the song "Dare to be a Daniel ?"

We can read the book of Daniel several ways:  as history or prophecy, but another way to read Daniel is as a book full of examples of Spiritual Disciplines.  Daniel lived a life of integrity and dedication to God in a culture that did not make it easy.  And he found strength in quiet obedience.  No matter the outcomes, he maintained his confidence in God. 

I was reminded that it is important to maintain my faith in God during the events of my own life.  No matter what happens, I can keep my confidence in God. 

The Rose Book had a couple good charts that explain the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar:

We will be finished with the Old Testament by the end of September.  Can you believe that we will read the entire New Testament in 3 months: October, November, and December?  

HERE'S A CHALLENGE TO YOU:  It is a good time to invite somebody to begin reading with you.  I am planning to invite all my family to read the New Testament with me.  Think of somebody you can invite.  

Thanks for reading the Old Testament with me this year. Please send me an email so I know if you are still reading.  I would love to hear from you.  You can email me directly at: PinPeddlers@gmail.com.

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey Brendel

Week 33 and 34. (August 9 – 22) Oy Vey!

In the last 2 weeks, we finished reading Jeremiah, Lamentations, and most of Ezekiel.

If you are like me, you are getting bogged down with all the daily messages of doom and gloom.  Makes me want to throw up my hands in comic relief and say “Oy Vey!  Woe is me!  Enough already! “ 

But I looked ahead, and the good news is that we will finish the Old Testament in September.  So, hang in there, and let’s pat ourselves on the back!  We are almost ready to start the NEW TESTAMENT! 

To keep it interesting, we are still listening to the scripture on our phone app as we read along in our Daily Walk Bible, because it enables us to hear scripture in a fresh way.  If I were not listening to it, I am not sure I would still be reading.    

To keep it hopeful, I am underlining and highlighting the messages of redemption in the middle of all the destruction. 

_______________________

Over and over I see “then you will know that I am the Lord”

Today, it is unpopular to think of God as a punisher, destroyer, or avenger.  It helps me to think of Him as a parent who will do whatever it takes to discipline and train and keep his children safe, because the parent is wiser and wants the child to grow to be a healthy, well-rounded and productive adult.   When I don’t like it, I still have confidence that God is sovereign and has the final say.  (Who is the clay to argue with the potter ?)

It also helped me to look at the Temple again to remember what the Babylonians destroyed.  This was the first temple, the beautiful one that Solomon built.  It was completed in 960 and had been part of the Jewish life for almost 400 years.   It was destroyed in 586 BC.  Solomon's Temple (the First Temple) is the one we are reading about now.  Here is an image of it:

The Jews were in exile for almost 70 years, and then some of them returned to Jerusalem and began to rebuild a new temple.  It was never as magnificent as the first one.  The second temple is the one that Herod enlarged and the one we read about in the New Testament.   It is also the one that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.    Muslims built the 2 mosques on the site of the second Jewish temple that are still there today.  

If you want to read more, I found very interesting articles on the First and Second Temples on this website:

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/secondtemple.html

Over and over again, I keep reading about how much God really hated idol worship and how important Sabbath was to Him.   Jeremiah Chapter 39 and 52 both describe the Fall of Jerusalem.  The people were trapped and starving for 2 years.  We have all seen enough movies and watched enough of the nightly news to imagine the horrors of war.  Lamentations was just plaid sad, except for that shining star of the beautifully comforting  verses in 

Lamentations 3:21-25

21 Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;

Ezekiel Chapter 11 verses 17 – 20 are beautiful promises:

17 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’

18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

___

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 31 and 32. OK, we have been warned!

I am combining week 31 and 32 because I got behind again.   But I also got “caught up”.

I finished reading Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.  So I am up to date with my readings.  That was a good feeling. 

So, we have been reading Jeremiah lately.  Not one of my favorite books.  But I see again and again (and again) God warning His people that judgement was coming.  And I see that He really hated idols and false worship.  I loved verse 5 in chapter 10, where God described the idols like scarecrows in a cucumber field.  (They have to be carried because they cannot walk) 

It’s a comical image that we can all understand... 

And though God warns the people over and over, they did not want to listen or believe it.

I wonder if we are paying attention today.   We certainly can’t say He didn’t warn us.

What I see over and over is the promise that if we trust and obey, we will be OK. If we don’t, we will be sorry.

Jeremiah 17:7-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”
   

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. 

Who can understand it? 

¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, 

to reward each person according to their conduct,

according to what their deeds deserve."

We need to pay attention.  We've certainly had lots of warning. 

So, keep reading, till next week... 

Audrey 

Week 30. Don't be afraid

We were traveling in Scotland for the last couple weeks.  I took the Daily Walk Bible with me but I confess that I got behind on the daily reading in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. I do pledge to catch up those books.  Now, I have resumed reading in Isaiah.

I loved these verses in Chapter 32:
"The Lord's justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field, 
the fruit of that righteousness will be peace, its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.  

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.  

Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free."

There is much that I do not understand about what I am reading in Isaiah.  I think some of it was prophecy that has been fulfilled, and some of it has not been fulfilled yet.  But what I do understand is that no matter what happens, God will take care of His people and we can have peace, quietness and confidence in Him.

Chapter 40 of Isaiah contains many of the scriptures used in Handel's "Messiah".  Did you recognize them?

One little side note: the word "islands" was used 7 times in Isaiah Chapter 40 - 42.   I wonder why.  I guess I noticed it because we visited the Orkney Islands last week in Scotland.  I was aware of God's presence there, in those remote locations.  His presence fills the earth.

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40: 28)


...So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am  your God.  
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...
for I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41: 10, 13.) 

Here is a beautiful daily prayer in Isaiah 33: 2:
Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.

So, we will keep reading, till next week,
Deep Peace of Christ to you,
Audrey 

Week 27, 28, 29. Half Way Through the Bible!

We are traveling in Scotland for a couple weeks so I am combining week 27, 28, and 29.

On June 30, we were at the half way point through the Bible!  We can do this!
We have finished Psalms.  There were many familiar ones and I discovered some new ones.
I especially liked Psalms 145.
verse 13:  "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations."  What a wonderful meditation!

and Psalms 148 is a great song of praise.  All creation praises God.

Proverbs has been interesting.  Again, we are listening to it it in the Message version.  
...Lots of practical wisdom.  It is interesting to think of wise King Solomon (who we read about previously) writing down all these insights because God gave him such wisdom.  We should all use our minds  more and live better.  Common sense would prevent so much heartache and so many mistakes.

While we are in Scotland, we will be reading Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs and Isaiah.  We will take our "Daily Walk" Bible with us and will try to stay on schedule to read each day.

No matter where we travel on this earth, we are never away from God.

Psalms 145:13   "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations."


Keep reading, and  till next time,  here is a Scottish blessing:

Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.

Week 26. Cultivating a Quiet Heart…

We almost finished the Psalms during week 26.   

 We are still listening to the “Message” version of Psalms on our phone app as we read along in our Daily Walk Bible, and will probably  continue with the “Message” version for Proverbs, too, because it is contemporary and enables us to listen in a fresh way. 

There are so many verses in the Psalms that I have underlined and highlighted.

Here is a treasure in the NIV:  PS 119, verse 18: 

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

And I love the verses about meditating.  As we fill our minds with thoughts of God’s power and majesty and love, we find ourselves worrying less, and feeling more peaceful, no matter what challenges each day brings. His love endures forever. 

I discovered Psalm 131 during week 26….  A Psalm of Contentment…Here it is from the Message version:

God, I’m not trying to rule the roost,
    I don’t want to be king of the mountain.
I haven’t meddled where I have no business
    or fantasized grandiose plans.

 I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
    I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother’s arms,
    my soul is a baby content.

Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
    Hope now; hope always!

and here is Psalms 131, beautifully interpreted  in the Good News Translation...

  

 What a beautiful image of quiet trust.  

In these days of worldwide unrest, we can cultivate a quiet heart. 

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 25. The LORD is robed in majesty.

Week 25’s readings through Psalm 73 – 106 included many beautiful verses about nature.   Psalm 93 reminded me especially of the ocean.  

Here are some of my ocean photos with Psalm 93:

“The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;

The LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;

Indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

Your throne was established long ago;

You are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, LORD,

The seas have lifted up their voice;

The seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

Mightier than the breakers of the sea-

The LORD on high is mighty.

Your statues, LORD, stand firm;

Holiness adorns your house

For endless days.

Nature reminds us of God’s awesome power.  And we are also reminded of God’s faithfulness, because no matter what is happening, the sun rises and the sun sets…the tide rises and the tide falls…and the seasons continue year after year. 

“Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! “

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 24. Step out of the traffic

Week 24:  We finished reading BOOK ONE of the Psalms, and we also discovered a refreshing way to hear the Psalms:  through “The Message” version, on our Bible phone app.

We tried it one day and wow, it makes the Psalms come alive in a fresh and surprising way.  The reader is young and the language is contemporary.  So the familiar verses are heard in a new way.  We have decided to use The Message version on the phone app for the remainder of Psalms, to LISTEN daily as we read along in our Daily Walk Bible.

Example:  Psalm 46: 10 in the NIV says: “Be still and know that I am God…,” but in The Message, it says: “Step out of the traffic, and take a long loving look at me…” 

I have thought of that several times in the past week.  I am grateful that I can enter the mystery of God’s calming presence at any time, and at any place, and in any circumstance. 

Psalms 70 in The Message: “God!  Please hurry to my rescue!  God, come quickly to my side!” 

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 23. June 7. The LORD is our refuge.

We finally arrived at the book of Psalms!  It is a refreshing pause and feels good to me to read this book during these sunny summer days.  

I think the Introduction on page 593 is interesting…that the psalms compiled into this book were written by at least 7 authors and span about 1,000 years, and compiled into 5 books. 

So this was the temple hymnbook…I wonder what the music sounded like when they were sung long ago. 

We all have favorite verses.  They bring us joy, comfort and peace.  But one thing that has always disturbed me a little bit about the Psalms is how you are reading a pleasant Psalm and then, right in the middle of it; the psalmist is hating his enemies and asking God to destroy the wicked.  Psalm 11 verse 5 & 6 is a good example:

“The LORD examines the righteous, but he wicked, those who hate love violence, he hates with a passion.  On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burring sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.”

Wow!…

I have never really had any enemies in my life, so I could never identify with this before.  But as I started reading through Psalms last week, I thought of the world’s new enemy, “ISIS” , every time I  read about the “wicked” or “enemies” and it made so much more sense.  So, when I am afraid of terrorist attacks, when I feel a sense of doom,  & when I despair over all the bad news in the world, I now think of the Psalms and  remember that my security is from God.   Seeing things from this perspective changes everything.

Psalm 4: verse 8:   “In peace I will l lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. “ Psalm 9: 9, 10.

May true peace fill our hearts and minds as we keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 22, Well, shut my mouth!

May 31.  We have finished reading the book of Job this week.

I found chapter 28 interesting as it described mining.  I imagine that in ancient times, people would discover an underground vein of gold or precious stones and minerals from tracing a stream into an underground cavern.  (verse 10)  And the analogy is: wisdom is like that, you can find it, but you don't create it.  It is there for the discovering because it already exists in God.  And it is precious.

I found chapter 29 to be depressing.  It seems to describe a dying person who is struggling with depression.  Chapter 30 describes the pain and utter sadness of dying.   "And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.  Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest. ...I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me." (v. 16, 17, 20)
One thing is for sure, all humans suffer at some time or another and if we can remember to see people that way, it changes everything.

Then, we finally came to Chapter 38 when the Lord speaks.  Everything changes.  

Job's response is "well, shut my mouth" (my translation)  There is nothing more to say.  God is God.  who are we to argue with Him or even to try to figure out what He is doing?  All we can do is say "OK, yes."

So what can we take from Job: God is sovereign over the Earth and no matter what happens to us in this life, we know that our Redeemer lives.  I have had that on my mind all week.  There are several versions under the title " I know that my Redeemer lives" 

Here are the words to the hymn by Samuel Medly.  It is still as true today as it was when written in the 1700's, and as it was centuries before Christ was born, when Job declared it:  

"I Know that My Redeemer Lives"
by Samuel Medley, 1738-1799

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Now we get to move into the Psalms.  YEAH!  
Till next week, keep  reading.......

 

Week 21. Job, Misery Loves Company.

We spend  2 weeks reading Job.  It really helps to remember that Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible, and the books of the Bible are not in Chronological  order.  Job is grouped with the books of poetry (Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.)

 I find this very interesting:

I'll have to admit; Job is not my favorite book.  After all, who wants to read about the pit of depression and slew of despair?  And the scriptures are not really favorite ones to hide in your heart.  But smack-dab right there in all that primitive thinking is s shining star:

You have to wonder: how did Job know that?    God simply revealed himself to Job, and Job recognized God as his redeemer.  And Job knew about eternal life.  Wow. 

And in the midst of despair and dark days, Job knew that God was in control of everything that was happening.  Knowing that can give us hope during our dark times, too.  And it kinda puts everything into a different perspective.  

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 20 Esther, the Beautiful Queen

Week 20 Esther, the Beautiful Queen

I found the book of Esther to be a refreshing pause in our reading last week.  As I read, it seemed like a novel, or a screenplay for a movie.  Esther had a lot of courage.  She was someone we would admire because she was beautiful on the inside as well as her external beauty.  God always looks at our heart.  

  Of course, at the end, there was the impaling of Haman and then the horrifying mass murder.  

The feast pf Purim is interesting.  It seems to me that Purim has evolved into a holiday that looks a lot like Mardi Gras and it is about the same time of year.  This year’s Bible readings have helped me understand  the Jewish history and celebrations better. 

It is helpful to remember that God’s sovereignty continues as it always has throughout history...people who pay attention to what is happening and honor God with their choices are always blessed.  Sometimes in this life, sometimes in the future. 

...And we continue our reading this week in the ancient book of Job. 

Week 19

I am late this week.  This one will be brief.  Last week, we finished reading Ezra and Nehemiah.  I really liked reading all the references in Nehemiah 11, 12, & 13 to music and musicians.  I wonder what the music sounded like.  Again, I see references to Sabbath. 

I still look forward to reading every day.  But I am really looking forward to reading The Psalms soon. 

Keep reading ….Audrey 

Week 18. May 3. Good King, Bad King…

This week we finished reading 2 Chronicles.  Wow, what a series of Good Kings and Bad Kings, Good Kings and Bad Kings…

One of those “bad kings” Jehoram, died “to no one’s regret” and wasn't even honored in his death with the usual funeral custom or buried with the other kings.  He must have been extra bad. (chapter 21, verse 20.)

The story of Joash, the boy king was interesting.  I wonder how you hide a little boy for 6 or 7 years… 

I liked reading about King Uzziah. He started good but ended badly.  I understood how he “loved the soil” (chapter 26, verse 10) because I do, too.  I liked that “as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. “ (verse 5) But “after he became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.”  (verse 16)

I enjoyed Chapter 29; reading about how they cleaned up and repaired and purified the temple. Verse 34 was interesting when they brought so many animals for offerings that there were not enough priests to skin them all (verse 34) so they had to go get their relatives to help them.   I cannot imagine what was like. 

Again, we read about the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 36.  And in the midst of the fire and destruction of the beautiful temple and the people becoming servants, there is the interesting verse 21 about the land enjoying its Sabbath rest for 70 years… Another reminder that Sabbath is very important to God. 

And now as we begin Ezra, we get to see the temple being rebuilt.  It was built with such “large stones” that people were still commenting about them 500 years later (Mark 13:1).

When the new foundation was laid, some people shouted for joy and some wept, but it was really loud.

I was at “The Cove” (the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, NC) this week visiting a friend and had a few minutes to stop by the Chatlos Chapel there.  I loved this inscription on this stone at the entrance.

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 17. April 26. Honest Intent.

Week 17.  April 26

This past week, we read about the grand temple that Solomon built.  It must have been a beautiful building, and everything was covered with gold.  

I love the fact that David had been given all the instructions and the design for the temple by God.  (1 Chronicles chapter 28, especially verse 19.)  Even though he didn't get to build it, or live to see it, David must have spent many hours thinking about it, and drawing the blueprints and drawing models and planning.  And it was amazing to read about all the preparations and ordering all the materials: the cedar logs and the metals, & hiring all the craftsmen and artisans who did the work… and he also planned carefully for the administration of all the money and property, and the organization of the perpetual work of the temple.  

Did you catch that the priests were divided into groups who served in the temple for 2 weeks a year. This plan was still being used when Jesus was living; see Luke chapter 1, verses 5 and 8-10.    (by the way, in the middle of that long list of priests names on page 453, I liked the name “Happizzez” (verse 15)  (it’s a happy name)

The insight in the section we read on April 20 was interesting to me.  Sounds like the temple was re-built or re-modeled several times over history.  And how interesting it is, that the site of Solomon’s temple was the same place where Abraham and Isaac went to make the sacrifice when God provided the lamb (instead of Isaac).  Our scriptures this week called the site the threshing floor of Araunah, which is the same as Mt Moriah.  (Reference Genesis 22:2, 1 Chronicles 21: 18, and 2 Chronicles 3:1.)  

In Chronicles we finally got to see the psalms being used in worship.  I wonder what the music sounded like then, with all the musicians and all the instruments. 

David was not a perfect man, but he had a close relationship with God.  David is the one who said: “The Lord searches every heart and understands every thought and every desire.”  (1 Chronicles 28: 9)  

And “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.”   And he said he had handed everything over to Solomon willingly and with “honest intent” 

Honest intent…  Since God knows our heart, He also knows the intent of our heart.  That is a lot to ponder.

Keep reading, till next week….Audrey 

Week 16. April 21. The remnant remains strong.

Week 16.   I’m a few days behind in writing.  We have just finished 2 Kings and read the book of 1 Chronicles in the past week. 

I must say that the end of 2 Kings was very interesting.  And also very sad to read about how everything fell apart.  God kept telling them not to worship other gods, but they slowly drifted away… 

I had a surprise at 2 Kings 1:5 when King Hezekiah broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses had made because the Israelites had been burning incense to it.   Wow, I don’t remember ever knowing that fact before.  Amazing, isn't it, to think that they had been carrying it around for about 800 years!  (You could write an entire book about it)

Another verse that kinda stuck in my mind was 2 Kings 19:4.  “…pray for the remnant that still remains.”   It makes me think of the little pockets of common people here and there who were still faithful and who had a relationship with the living God, in the midst of a culture that had forgotten.  Life was terrible all around them, but God knew who they were, and where they were.  After reading chapter 23 of 2 Kings, I wondered how we are gradually accepting false gods and practices today in our modern culture.  And maybe we don’t even realize it.  And Chapter 25 is a very sad chapter.  Almost made me cry.  The Babylonians destroyed the beautiful temple that Solomon built.  ‘’’so Judah went into captivity, away from her land.”

But now, we get to read new books: Chronicles.  It’s a re-telling of the same history again, but written 500 years later.  It’s amazing how much some of the stories are identical down to the little details.  

Did you notice right there in the middle of all the names and names and names, there was that verse about the prayer of Jabez: (I Chronicles 4: 9,10.) 

I like reading about King David…David’s mighty warriors must have been really amazing, and I love the references to “The Three”.  Wonder what they were like.  And then David decides to bring the ark to Jerusalem…what a fascinating story…and such joy and happiness when it finally arrived.  

“For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise, he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place”. (1 Chronicles 16: 25 – 27.)

Did you notice that King David’s gold crown weighed about 75 pounds?  Wow.

I have always love architecture and design, so I really like to read the chapters that describe the temple and all the materials that were used for the building and all the craftsmen and artisans that worked on the building.  Here is a  wonderful image from the Rose Book of Solomon's temple.   It would have been breathtaking, with all the gold.  wow.  

We will keep reading till next week….Audrey 

Week 15. April 12. Undivided Heart or Divided Heart?

Week 15.  Wow, it’s hard to believe that we have been reading for more than 100 days this year! I still look forward to reading and listening each morning.  But honestly, I have not enjoyed this past week of reading in 1st and 2^nd Kings.  It’s awful to read about the killing, beheading, killing pregnant women, sacrificing children, dogs eating bodies, etc, etc, etc. And it seems to go on and on.  If it were any book other than the Holy Bible, I would have stopped this week. 

I know the main point is that the Lord God wants our obedience and total allegiance… an undivided heart.  That is still our challenge today. 

One thing that I thought of several times this week was that there are some expressions in 1 and 2 Kings that sound contemporary.  It was obviously written by a different author than the previous book.  I noticed that 1 and 2 Samuel were written about 1000 - 930 BC.  But 1 and 2 Kings were written in the 500’s BC.   Reading several chapters daily, and in order, helps me to grasp the Old Testament in a new way. 

We recently purchased the “Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines. 

It’s helpful.  We look at it almost every day as we read to help us understand the timeline of History.  It is really full of great information.   It helps me to remember that what we are reading about right now took place during the Iron Age.  

We get to start reading 1 Chronicles this week and it will be better.  Back to good ol’ David. 

Hang in there, well get through these difficult chapter and we get to read the Psalms in June.  Something to look forward to.  And we keep reading…

Week 14. April 5, Easter Sunday.

To celebrate Easter, I am posting this prayer by Peter Marshall instead of the usual comments.
Peter Marshall was the Chaplain of the US Senate for several years until he died suddenly in 1949 from a heart attack at age 46.

EASTER 
by Peter Marshall

"We thank Thee for the beauty of this day, 

for the glorious message that all nature proclaims: 

the Easter Lilies with their waxen throats eloquently singing the good news; 

the birds, so early this morning, impatient to begin their song; 

every flowering tree, shrub, and flaming bush, a living proclamation from Thee.  

O open our hearts that we may hear it, too!

Lead us, we pray Thee, to the grave that is empty, 

into the garden of the Resurrection where we may meet our risen Lord.  

May we never again live as if Thou were dead!

In thy presence restore our faith, our hope, our joy. 

Grant to our spirits refreshment, rest, and peace.  

Maintain within our hearts an unruffled calm, 

an unbroken serenity that no storms of life shall ever be able to take from us.

From this moment, O living Christ, we ask Thee to go with us wherever we go; 

be our Companion in all that we do.  

And for this greatest of all gifts, we offer Thee our sacrifices of thanksgiving.  

Amen."

...Reading the Old Testament this  year is giving me a new appreciation for what God did for us through Jesus.  We are free!  And we have a beautiful future to look forward to no matter what is going on in our lives right now.  And we have His companionship right now. 

Happy Easter!  

Audrey

and we are walking...