Caution: Low Mercy Meter

DAY 21
1 Samuel 16:1 – 28:19

As we read about the rise of David, we also see the fall of Saul. It’s an interesting contrast. A contrast between jealousy and mercy.

God changed Saul’s heart, but Saul habitually disobeyed God’s command. The end result being that Saul lost God’s favor. Instead of being humbled before the Lord because of his sin, Saul was continually unfaithful and became fearful and jealous of David.

David was humble before the Lord and considered his anointing in the proper perspective. He was gracious and showed respect to Saul, David consistently gave God the glory for everything that happened.

The first time David spared Saul’s life, Saul makes the following statement:

1 Sam 24:17 “You are more righteous than I, he said, you have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.”

In this exchange righteousness corresponds to how we treat other people. And the only righteousness we have is that which is given to us by Jesus.

If we live in disobedience to God, we become jealous and fearful of those around us. We become incapable of showing mercy because we are not in a perfect relationship with God. And when were not in fellowship with God, our sinful nature takes over. We become Saul, trying to protect what we think is ours.

If we live in obedience to God, we allow God to handle the situations in our life, even those that cause us great pain and distress. Our intimate fellowship with God constantly reminds us of His righteousness and mercy. The mercy shown to us through Jesus, and the righteousness given to those that believe because of His sacrifice. And when we our faithful in our relationship with God, mercy naturally flows from our spirit. We become David, showing mercy to those around us.

Caution: When our mercy meter gets low, something is wrong in our relationship with Jesus.
Solution: Have daily scheduled maintenance
Result: Mercy overflows!

Changed Hearts

DAY 20
1 Samuel 2:30-15:35


In 1 Samuel 10:9 there was a phrase in the middle of the verse that caught my attention.

"God changed Saul's heart"

I can't think of a better description of what God and the gospel of Jesus does. It changes hearts.

God changes a heart of stone into a heart of flesh!
God changes a heart of hate into a heart of love!
God changes a heart of selfishness into a heart of service!
God changes a heart of wickedness into a heart of holiness!
God changes a heart of despair into a heart of hope!
God changes a heart of loneliness into a heart of fellowship!
God changes hearts!

Once God changes a heart, it comes with instructions because it can be affected by sin.

"Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He had done for you."

With a new heart, you and I should faithfully serve the Lord. One of the ways we do this is to remember what He has done for us. As we talked about previously, it helps to pick up stones from the rivers that God carries you through. It reminds us of how faithful He is.

In 1 Samuel 15 we see how Saul grieved God because he turned away from the Lord and disobeyed His commands. And God purposes to remove the kingdom from Saul's hands.

If we fail to serve God with all our heart and forget to remember How he cares for us; our hearts can be changed by sin. We can fall into disobedience and our fellowship with Him is affected. And the way to return to fellowhip is the confession of our sin.

"To obey is better than sacrifice."

Be careful to obey God.
And never forget that you can cry out to the Lord when you sin.
For a confessed heart is clean and changed again.
Because God changes hearts!

External Links:
The Loss of the Ark
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/047.htm

The Kingdom of Saul
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/049.htm

The Buffet of Life

DAY 19
Judges 15:13 - 1 Samuel 2:29

Judges 17:6 & 21:25

"Everyone did as he saw fit" (NIV)
"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (NASB)

An accurate, but sad commentary on the status of this world.

We treat life like a buffet line at a Chinese Restaurant or Golden Corral. I'll take a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Unfortunately, the reason there is so little difference in lifestyles between believers and unbelievers is that we make the same choices in the Buffet of Life. We have similar divorce rates. We max out our credit cards. We watch the same immoral TV shows and movies. We use the same language. No wonder people aren't knocking on the door to come in and join.

What is wrong with the world today can be summed up in the fact that everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

"I'll do what I please."

Scripture has a commentary on that, too.

Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."

Unfortunately, gourging at the Buffet of Life can make one sick. The ways that we have chosen lead to death and destruction. But God gives us Jesus as a Deliverer (Judges), a kinsman-redeemer (Ruth), and a High Priest (1 Samuel).

John 14:6
"I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

Once we enter through the door, we enter into our rest with God. We have peace with God and access to His guidance. This should make our lives different because instead of "everything I please" it's "all for the glory of God." Instead of serving myself, I am serving God first and then others.

Deuteronomy 12:8-9 (NLT)
"Today you are doing whatever you please, but that is not how it will be when you arrive in the place of rest the Lord your God is giving you.

As believers there should be only one way: God's way. My prayer is for your endurance during these 90 days. Because by the end, What to choose at the Buffet of Life will become a lot simpler and clear. (notice I did not say easy)

As for me, I think I'll step away from the buffet.
I've heard of a place to eat down the street that serves the same meal every day. From what I hear, you will never be hungry again.

God Always Delivers

DAY 18
Judges 3:38 - 15:12

For some reason, reading Judges reminds me of a boomerang and a yo-yo. With each successive generation of Israelites the knowledge of God, His laws, and His deliverance of them out of Egypt becomes more distant. As this happens, the cycle of disobedience and deliverance that has been shown in the Bible from Genesis through Joshua becomes more prevalent.

Israel Serves The Lord
· “The people served the Lord (2:7)

Israel Falls into Sin and Idolatry
· “A generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done in Israel” (2:10)
· “They quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the Lord’s commands.” (2:17, 2:19)
· “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God served the Baals and Asherahs.” (3:7.

Israel is Enslaved
· “The Lord sold them (gave them)” (3:8, 4:12, 4:2, 6:1, 10:7, 13:1)

Israel Cries to the Lord
· ”The cried out to the Lord” (3:9, 3:15, 4:3, 6:6, 10:10)

The Lord has Compassion and Raises a Judge (Deliverer) and Israel is Delivered
· “The Lord had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. (2:18b)
· “Then the Lord raised up judges (deliverers) who save them out of the hands of these raiders.” (2:16,)
· Othniel (3:9)
· Ehud (3:15
· Shamgar (3:31)
· Deborah (4:4)
· Gideon (6:11)
· Abimelech (9:1)
· Tola (10:1)
· Jair (10:3)
· Jephthah (11:29)
· Ibzan (12:8)
· Elon (12:11)
· Abdon (12:13)
· Samson (14:19)


As God’s creation, we have sinned and fallen into the idol worship of other gods. However, the names of the gods have changed. Instead of Baal and Ashtoreth; we worship at the altars of pleasure, greed, materialism, astrology, TV, corporate ladders, or whatever diverts your attention and energy away from being obedient to God. Once we begin our devotion to these idols, we become enslaved to them. Our desires are no longer for the Creator, but for the things He has created. And then we have finally reached the bottom and are broken.

No one begins the process of deliverance until they are broken and poor in spirit.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5:3).

At that point, we cry out to God for deliverance
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt 5:4)

We humble ourselves into the hands of God and He has provided the last deliverer.

Heb 1:1-3 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Jesus, took on the form of humanity delivered all those who believe from the curse of spiritual death. He authored the way of salvation, He overcame Satan, He sanctifies those that believe, He sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, and He promises aid in the midst of our temptation.
Now that is a Deliverer!

External Link: PDF paper on Judges
http://media.hhbc.com/pdfs/oneyearbible/judges.pdf#search=%22Judges%20of%20Israel%22

The Judges of Israel
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/041.htm

One Generation Away

DAY 17
Joshua 15:1 - Judges 3:27

The Lost Generation
The G.I. Generation
The Silent Generation
The Greatest Generation
The Baby Boomers
The Baby Busters
Generation X
Generation Y

The names used to describe the American Generations of the 20th Century give an indication of the events that ocurred and affected the people that lived during those times. "In my day", "Back in the good ole days", and "Your generation just doesn't understand my generation." Familiar Words. There are differences between generations.

The largest change from one generation to another can be seen in Joshua 24 and Judges 2.
We have the familiar passage in Joshua 24:15 where he states "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" ...."But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Then the Israelites make a choice.
"We too will serve the Lord, because He is our God." (18)
"We will serve the Lord" (21)
"We will serve the Lord our God and obey Him" (24)

Now flip a page over and look at Judges 2:10-11 and see what happens after Joshua's death. "After the whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals."

In one generation, the Israelites went from serving God to serving Baal. Now, I am sure you could blame both generations. How did the younger generation grow up not knowing what the Lord had done for their people?

Did the older generation not tell them?
Did the younger generation not listen?
What about the offerings and the feasts?
What about the stones from the river?
What about the Shema?
"Impress them upon children"
"Talk about them when you sit at home"
"Talk about them when you walk along the road"
"Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up"
"Tie them as symbols on your hands"
"Bind them on your foreheads"
"Write them on your doorframes and on your gates"

And when that generation forsook God, the consequences were that God gave them over to their evil ways and they were subjected to other nations.

Judges 3 continues the story of God's compassion that started at the garden of Eden. He raises up judges to deliver His people from their bondage.

The truth is that every generation turns away from the Lord because each generation fails to meditate day and night on the Word of God, to trust Him, and to walk in His ways. Every generation requires a deliverer.

John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

Jesus is our deliverer! Amen!

External Link: The Allotment of Land to Israel, The Levite Cities, and the Cities of Refuge
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/040.htm

River Stones

DAY 16
Joshua 1:1-14:15

"What do these stones mean?"

"Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground. For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. ... He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."

As believers we have the habit of picking up the wrong things. We carry guilt from past actions; pack in worry over future events; throw in fear of the unknown, and add some stress from things we can't control. It's time we start picking up some river stones.

Most evenings I talk a walk with my kids. The kids act like they are explorers on a new adventure. Every day we walk past this rock bed where the kids pick up a stone. They come running back to show mom and dad their "treasure." Our faith should be like those children who pick stones along their journey to keep as treasure.

Crossing the Jordan symbolizes Israel's final obstacle from obtaining the Promised Land. It also symbolizes God's power and provision over the Jordan and the inhabitants of the Canaan. God told Joshua to have twelve men pick up stones from the middle of the river for a memorial to the people as a reminder of God's power.

All of us have Jordan Rivers in our lives. Something we must pass through on the way to God's promises. We may have placed ourselves by the river, God may have placed us in the river, or the world may have placed you at the river. Regardless of how we got to the river, God walks us through. It's time we start picking up some river stones and keep them as treasure; as a reminder that God is powerful and provides the way through!

When a child is born pick up a stone.
When one of God's children goes home pick up a stone
When the cancer goes into remission pick up a stone.
When the addict is sober pick up a stone.
When a job appears out of nowhere pick up a stone.
When the sick get well pick up a stone.
When the storm subsides and joy returns in the morning pick up a stone.
When the captive is set free and goes from condemnation to life pick up a stone.

When your in the middle of the river pick up a stone. So when you are on the other side you might remember that the Lord your God is powerful and provides. And when the next river comes, the stone will remind you that your are not alone. That your Heavenly Father is there to walk you through the river to the other side.

Share your stone. Someone might be on a journey today, looking for some treasure.

External Link: Joshua's Central and Southern Canaan Campaign
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/036.htm

Joshua's Northern Canaan Campaign
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/037.htm

Choose Life or Death!

DAY 15
Deuteronomy 23:12-34:12

As God's revelation continues to unfold, we see that the same choice He gave Adam and Eve in the garden, He gave to the Israelites, and He gives the same choice to all of mankind. The choice has always been the same: Submit to God or Serve Yourself.

• Adam and Eve had a choice between submitting to God or submitting to their desires. They chose to serve themselves and brought sin into the world
• Cain had a choice between submitting to God's guidance or submitting to his anger. He chose to serve his anger and killed Abel.
• Enoch chose to walk with God and was taken away.
• Noah chose to submit to God and built the ark.
• Abraham chose to submit to God and God established an everlasting covenant with him.
• Lot's wife had a choice between submitting to God or looking back. She chose to serve herself and became a pillar of salt.
• Joseph chose to submit to God; God used him to save two nations.
• Moses chose to submit to God; God used him to deliver His people out of Egypt.
• Korah had a choice between submitting to God or to rebel against Moses. He chose to rebel and was swallowed up into the earth.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 illustrates that choice.

11 "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach"
14 "No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it."
15 "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction"
19a "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses."

The Israelites had a choice: Life or Death?

16 "For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
19b-20a " Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life."

Jesus offers the same today. Life or Death?

John 1:4 "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men."

Mark 8:35 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

John 3:36 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Life is a test. Life is not a fill-in-the-blank. Life is a multiple choice test with only two choices. The choice has always been the same. The choice is in your heart and has been set before you.

• Submission or Selfishness.
• Obedience or Disobedience.
• Faith or Fear.
• Trust or Distrust.
• His way or My way.
• Life or Death

TEAR DOWN THE IDOLS IN THE HIGH PLACES!

DAY 14
Deuteronomy 8:1 – 23:11

As God prepares the Israelites to possess the Promised Land; He commands them several times to destroy or tear down the high places of the people who live in Canaan. Specifically, he mentions tearing down the high places in Exodus 23:24; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5; and Deuteronomy 12:2-3.

In today’s reading in 12:2-3 it states “Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains and on the hills and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from their places.”

Unfortunately, as we will see in Joshua, Judges, and Kings; the Israelites fail to destroy the high places. Eventually due to their disobedience to God and the idol worship of other gods, their nation will be torn in two and later taken away in captivity again to Assyria and Babylon.

As we mentioned yesterday, God’s Covenant of Love involves warnings that are for our protection. One of these is to Tear Down our High Places! If we don’t destroy those idols in our lives, then eventually they will take over the high place that is only reserved for God.

We all have high places with our own idols. Some are things that God actually provides for us: Work, family, hobbies, interests, and church. Others are addictions that our sinful natures and Satan encourage: Alcoholism, Hedonism, Sexual perversion, Greed, etc.

But God is still warning you and I to destroy the idols on the high places. Only God deserves to be there.

I’ll let you borrow my hammer when I’m done.

The Shema and His Covenant of Love

DAY 13
Numbers 32:20-Deuteronomy 7:26

This day's reading is rich with prophecies, promises, warnings, and covenants from God.

As most people know Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41 make up the Shema, a Jewish prayer performed once in the morning and once in the evening. Even though we have continual access to the Father, it might be a practice worth adopting. Remember that our prayers are a way for us to align with God's will.

6:4-7 "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

External Link: The Shema in Hebrew, Transliteration, and English.
http://www.jewfaq.org/prayer/shema.htm

There was another passage that I impressed upon me about the continuity of God's Plan of Redemption and His character.

It was Deuteronomy 7:9-11. Specifically, verse 9: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands."

We hear are lot about judgment, the holiness of God, and the covenant of the Law in the Old Testatment. And those are all part of God's character. But the way that God deals with His creation has been the same since the very beginning. It is first and foremost a covenant of love. A covenant of relational love between God and those who keep His commands. A covenant of love that disciplines disobedience and blesses obedience. Maybe that's another verse we should remember in our prayers.

He is always faithful to keep His covenant of love with you. Now that's a promise to hold on to.

Balaam, Balak, and a Donkey

DAY 12
Numbers 21:8-32:19

Yesterday, we talked about how the journey sometimes ends up in places the we didn't expect. Today is a similar theme. A stark contrast between what God wants and what we want.

First, Balaam wants to go his own way. But, the Angel of the Lord is in his path. Balaam's donkey can see the angel and continues to avoid the Angel to protect Balaam. Balaam is furious at the donkey and beats him for not going his way. Eventually Balaam sees the Angel and talks to the donkey. Balaam realizes that he was being protected the whole time. Then, Balaam submits to the will of God. I wonder what would happen if someone tried to tell that story today.

Next, Balak tries to get Balaam to curse the Israelites three times. Balak wants to go his own way, which is contrary to God's plan. Each time Balaam (who has obviously learned his lesson about obeying the Lord) blesses them according to God's guidance. Balak is angry, but never submits to God's plan. Eventually Balak goes His own way despite knowing where God blessings and promises lie.

Both times when Balaam or Balak were not getting their way, they became angry and upset. Once God's plan was revealed to each one, they had choice. Balaam chose one way, Balak the other. But God's promises and plan are being fulfilled either way. Sometimes we can't see God's plan or life's events take turns that are not in our plans. It's those times that require the most faith to rely on what God has already promised; to submit to God's plan of redeeming creation.

Num 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?"

Every day, we have the opportunity to know and follow God's plan or go our own way. We can be Balaam or Balak. Or better yet, be the donkey who was the only one who followed God's plan from the beginning.

P.S. If you have talked to any donkeys lately, let me know.

External Link: Possible Route from Kadesh to Moab
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/032.htm

The Journey to the Bronze Serpent

DAY 11
Numbers 8:15-21:7 (21:9)

The journey doesn't always go the way we think it should. Isn't that one of the biggest struggles in our faith. We have these pictures of great and might acts that we would like to do for the faith. A Battle with Satan, snatching people out of the fires of hell. A missionary to a culture that has never heard of Jesus. (Which for some of us may actually be our work) Teaching or preaching to a multitude.

While some are called to those tasks, God's journey for you and me involves: crossing the street to the neighbor, walking around the cubicle at work, working in the nursery, teaching a SS class, and serving our families. And when you come to think of it, those are the mighty acts of faith God calls us to.

In our reading today, Israel goes on a journey from Sinai to Kadesh headed for the Promised Land. But, the journey doesn't go quite exactly as they planned.

They get tired of the manna and God brings them some quail. Aaron and Miriam get in a disagreement with Moses and Miriam gets leprosy.

Twelve spies go on a 40 day journey of the Promised land and ten spread a bad report to the assembly. So they rebel against God and refuse to go in to the Promised Land. For their disobedience, God punishes them so that they will have to wander the desert for 40 years. The whole assembly rebels and wants to stone Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb.

Korah starts a rebellion and God opens up the earth and swallows them. Miriam dies, they couldn't find any water, Edom won't play nice, and then Aaron dies.

Not exactly the journey to the promised land that they expected. Most of the problems brought on by their own disobedience and lack of faith. But were not done yet.

Num 21:4-9 The people start grumbling again.
"Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"

Evey parent has heard that from their child. "I don't want to go! I don't want that for dinner! I don't like it! Sounds way too familiar. At some point, we discipline our kids for whining and grumbling, and disobedience. And so does God, except this time he sent a bunch of venomous snakes. He provides the consequences because of His holiness, but He also provided the remedy because of His love and mercy.

"Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."

God says to the Israelites: Follow through on this one rule, just look at the snake and you will live. Just have faith in Me, and you will live.

And the message is the shadow of what is to come for all of us.
John 3:14-15 "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."

The journey doesn't always go the way we think it should go, but the destination doesn't have to be a mystery. Jesus has been lifted up, and God has asked you and I to look up, have faith, and believe.

External Links:
From Sinai to Kadesh
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/029.htm
Around Kadesh
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/030.htm
The Twelve Spies Journey
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/031.htm

The Camp of Israel

DAY 10
Leviticus 26:27 - Numbers 8:14
No deep thoughts today. Just a few observations.

Numbers Chapter 2 describes in detail the layout of the Camp of Israel around the Tabernacle. As we have mentioned before, there are many parts of the OT that are types or foreshadows of Jesus and the Cross. The picture is the "numerical" layout of the camp. You will notice that a Cross is formed with the foot facing the rising of the sun.

Here is an external link to a PDF file that has more detail concerning the Camp of Israel, its layout, and the Tabernacle. It is an excellent summary.
http://media.hhbc.com/pdfs/oneyearbible/israel-camp.pdf

The second is the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26.

"The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace."

We like the Israelites continue to go astray and fail to listent to God's voice. But, the Lord has been gracious to His creation by providing a substitute and a deliverer for our disobedience. And those that accept Him will be give peace.

AZAZEL - The Scapegoat

DAY 9
Leviticus 14:33 - 26:26



On the Day of Atonement, the nation of Israel was represented by two goats. Lots were cast and one goat was used as a sin offering and the other for the scapegoat.

The Hebrew Azazel literally means the "go away goat" or the "goat of departure"; which is where we get our word scapegoat. The word does not appear anywhere else except in relation to the day of atonement. This led to all types of theories about what the scapegoat represents. Many Jewish traditions translate that "azazel" was demon or Satan. Many Christian theologians have continued that thought concerning the scapegoat as a type of Satan, placing the guilt of sin back on its originator and leading it out to the desert.

Another thought finds its basis in Lev 16:10: "But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat"

This thought states that both goats are a foreshadow of Christ but in different aspects concerning the atonement. Both goats were without blemish which symbolizes perfection and without sin. Only Jesus could be considered without sin. The first goat was the sin offering where there had to be the shedding of blood for the remission of sins.

In verse 21 of the same passage the High Priest lays hands on the second goat, the scapegoat, and transfers the sins of the Israelites (guilty party) onto the spotless goat (the innocent party.) This is a direct picture of what happened on the cross.

1 John3:5 "But you know that He (Jesus) appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin."

Verse 21-22 also states that the goat was to be sent away to the desert (a literal translation meaning to separate to an uninhabitated place - to be cut off.) At the crucifixion, Jesus was cut off from the Father when the sins of the world were place on Him: "My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?"

Every year there was a Day of Atonement for Israel. For believers, the Day of Atonement took place over two thousand years ago where Jesus was not only our sin offering, but also our scapegoat.

The Brazen Altar and the Five Offerings

DAY 8
Leviticus 1:1 - 14:32

In the middle of all the offerings, priestly garments, infectious diseases, and mildew; there was a verse that you could pass over rather quickly and miss its point.

Lev 5:17 "If a person sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though he does not know it, he is guilty and will be held responsible."

Man is guilty; even if he doesn't know it. The image of God inside us speaks to the conscience of mankind. The creation of God outside of us calls us to rembrance of the Almighty. The Word of God made flesh reveals to us His glory. Yet mankind still runs away, ignores, or defies the truth of God.

The Brazen Altar represents Jesus as the Sacrifice; the Offering to God. John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”

The Five Offerings

The Burnt Offering represents Jesus sacrifce to make us right with God. The offeror had to place their hands on the sacrificial animal and identify with the sacrifice. In the same way, we identify ourselves in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection through baptism and our daily walk. Iit symbolizes the covenant between God and man; that if the blood of the sacrifice (Jesus Christ) is applied to you, then you your sins have been atoned for.

The Grain Offering represents our dependence on God for the physical and spiritual necessities of life. A continual offering of thanks and praise to God reminds us of our dependence upon Him.

The Fellowship (Peace) Offering represents that not only is Jesus our atonement, but also the means by which we have peace with God and therefore can fellowship with Him. Ephesians Chapter 2 is a good picture of how we were once in enmity with God, but Jesus is our peace and has reconciled us to the Father.

The Sin Offering was made for specific sins and was made to remind people that sin is costly and the only solution for sin is blood atonement. Not only has Jesus atoned for our sins, but he also provides the capability for forgiveness of sins after salvation if we are faithful to confess them.

The Guilt Offering represents our legal and emotional guilt before the God. Jesus takes away that guilt for those that are sanctified. Heb 10:17 "and their sins and their lawless deed I will remember no more."

The reason for all the detail in the sacrifices is that God is particular in how we approach Him. We can only come to God His way: empty-handed through Jesus. So many sacrfices and so much blood; until Jesus came. Then it only required one.

Heb 10:10 "By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

The Golden Calf

DAY 7
Exodus 29:1-40:39

About four months. That's all it took for the Hebrews to modify God's plan. You would think that:

Seeing all the plagues in Egypt;
Being delivered from bondage;
The Pillar of Cloud by day;
The Pillar of Fire by night;
Watching the Red Sea part;
Seeing Pharaoh's army destroyed;
Being provided manna and quail;
Watching water come out from a rock;
Defeating the Amalekites;
And observing the cloud with thunder and lightning settling on Mount Sinai;

Would be enough to gain your allegiance, your trust, and your faith. But it wasn't enough. So they added something to God's plan, not to mention broke the commandment given to them in Chapter 20 about making an idol and worshipping it.

Now, the meaning of worship is to show honor, respect, or devotion. What we honor in our lives is shown through our priorities. Our priorities can usually be determined by what comes first, where we spend our money, and how we spend our time.

Read Chapter 32 very carefully. The Israelites got impatient waiting on God's guidance through Moses. So, they built the golden calf and the next day had a festival to the Lord. They needed something else besides God. God wasn't enough.

Now before we get too judgmental on the Israelites. We have all sorts of golden calves in our lives when we get impatient waiting for God's guidance. And for the most part their very subtle. We don't replace God with them, we just add them to God's plan in our lives.

Materialism is a very subtle idol. Did you know that 21 percent of the world's population in 2001 lived on less than $1 a day, which convicts me about that Dr. Pepper I had today. Is our faith in God and our 401K to provide for our needs? The point is not about how much we have, but do we put our trust in it. If it was gone tomorrow, would it change your devotion to God.

Leisure time is another very subtle idol. How much do we watch TV versus ministering to those that are in need. How much time do I actually spend at the mall? in movies? on the computer? Again, the point is about the balance of how we spend our time. Are we redeeming the time we are given for God's purpose.

We even have spiritual idols, the things that we add to the gospel of Jesus Christ that "good" Christians must believe or do. One of the greatest hindrances to our relationship with Jesus are all the idols that we make Him share our faith with.

Just like the Israelites, I am prone to forget how God has delivered me from bondage and provided for my life. Which reminds me, I have a fire going out back so I can burn my idols, then I have to grind them to powder, scatter them in a water bottle, and force myself to drink it. (32:20) And then take some Alka-Seltzer.

The Tabernacle

DAY 6
EXODUS 15:19 – 28:43

God continues to reveal His plan of redemption even in the details of His tabernacle. In today's reading in Chapters 25-31 and tomorrow's readings in Chapters 35-40.

Ex 25:8-9 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.”

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.”

The tabernacle is a type of Christ. It consists of the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.

Salvation

Everything in the Outer Court is connected to salvation and the cleansing of sins. There is a single gate for its entrance, an altar for sacrifices, and a laver for washing.

The Outer Courtyard Entrance (not pictured) –The Way
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through me”
John 10:9 “I am the door (gate), whoever enters through me will be saved.”

The Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering – The Sacrifice
John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”

The Laver – The Forgiveness
John 13:8 “Unless, I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Sanctification

As we leave the courtyard and enter the Holy Place (we enter into a relationship with Jesus.) We can see a table, a lampstand, an altar, and a veil.

Table of Showbread –
John 6:35 “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The Lampstand -
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Altar of Incense – The High Priest
John 17:9 “I pray for them.”
John 17:20 “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message

The Veil – The Blood and the Body
Hebrews 10:19-20 “ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain (veil), that is, His body.”

Glorification

As we pass throught the veil and enter the Holy of Holies (we have access with God, the Father) and we behold the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat.

Ark of the Covenant

Golden Jar of Manna
John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”

Aaron’s budded Rod
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Tablets of the Covenant
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

All I can say is AMEN!

External Link: Possible Routes of the Exodus
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/029.htm

External Link #2: An amazing site that lets you build the tabernacle in 3D. Explore and have fun. http://www3.telus.net/public/kstam/en/tabernacle/details/setup_tabernacle.htm

When I see the blood, I will pass over you!

DAY 5
Ex 1:1 - 15:18

In the first half of Exodus, God continues to reveal Himself and His plan of redemption.

Specifically, the name God wants to be remembered by from generation to generation. In Hebrew it is " אהיה " which is pronounced "Ehyeh." and means "to exist." Our translation in the Bible is "I am" or "I will be." To avoid its pronunciation, the Hebrew text used the form "YHWH" which evolved in our bible as "YaHWeH" or "JeHoWaH."

More importantly, the name of God represents who He is, the answer to our greatest need. This is symbolized in the Passover deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt. This picture represents God's deliverance of mankind from its bondage to sin, death, and Satan. It also shows God's continued guidance after our rescue until His chosen people arrive into the promised land.

However, there is a condition to the story. In Ex 8:23 God announces to Pharoah through Moses that, "I will make a distinction between my people and your people" and later in 12:13 "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." If the blood of a lamb covers the doorposts of the home, then the destroyer was not permitted to enter the house.

While we may not totally understand God's plan of redemption, we do know its requirements. He still makes distinctions between His people and those of the prince of this world. That distinction is found in the blood of Jesus Christ.

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 14:6 "Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."

How amazing is the "I AM" who never changes, who provides the Lamb, and accepts those that have applied it to their lives as His people.

External Link: Pictures and article on Goshen, Succoth, and the possible location of the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) http://www.totheends.com/crossing.html

Am I in the Place of God?

DAY 4
Gen 40:12 - 50:26
The Life of Joseph







The phrase at the end of Gen 50:19 caught me off guard.

"Am I in the place of God?"

I know Joseph meant it as a rhetorical question to his brothers. But it makes you wonder how many times he may have asked the question to God. Did he ask it when he was sitting in the pit, or on the way down to Egypt with the Midian traders. Did he ask that question when Potiphar's wife lied about him, or when he was in jail. Or maybe he asked that question when he had all the wealth and power anyone could imagine, but without his family.

Due to our own choices, the choices of others, and/or the providence of God we find ourselves in circumstances and places where we ask ourselves the same question, but in different ways.

Lord, what is your will for my life?
Lord, where do you want me to serve?
God, do you really want me working at this job with these people?
God, why did this have to happen to me?
Lord, how long do I have to wait for the answer to my prayer?

Notice, that all the questions we ask typically have to do with "me." We start with ourselves and our circumstance and then look to God for the answer. But the answer we get from scripture takes the opposite perspective; one that's from God's view of His creation.

20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Don't pass over the last five words too quickly.

God's plan is to redeem and reconcile His creation, then restore it to its original purpose. Maybe Joseph had the right perspective. Despite what his brothers intended and all the trials he went through; God used it to save many lives.

We first must answer that question for ourselves. Am I in the place of God? You are if your found in Christ.

Then let's not miss the opportunity of being a part of God's plan by viewing our circumstances from the wrong perspective. Let's take the view from eternity and allow God to work through where we are to accomplish the saving of many lives.

External Link: Joseph's Travel http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/023.htm

As the World Turns with All My Children

DAY 3

Gen 28:20 through 40:11

I have a confession. I have actually watched an episode of As the World Turns. Growing up in Texas, I also watched several episodes of Dallas. One aspect that characterizes all these shows and grabs our attention are all the plots, schemes, twists, and turns that take place in every episode. I have got some news for you; those scheming plot lines didn't begin with TV or radio you can find them in Genesis.

It all starts with Rebekah and Jacob scheming against Isaac and Esau. Then Esau plots to kill Jacob. Jacob flees to Haran and the twists and turns continue. Laban plots against Jacob; then Jacob against Laban. Leah vs. Rachel; Shechem with Simeon & Levi; Joseph and His brothers; Judah and Tamar; and Potiphar's wife against Joseph. It's hard to keep track of all the schemes.

But, in the midst of all this turmoil there is another plan at work that cannot be altered: it's God's plan of redemption. God continues to influence and guide the lives of His creation. Even though Laban schemed against Jacob to marry Leah; God used it to produce Judah. In the midst of Judah and Tamar plotting against each other; God used it to produce Perez. Now if we go look at Matt 1:2-3 and Luke 3:33 we can see a portion God's Plan:

Abraham the father of Isaac
Isaac the father of Jacob
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar
Which eventually brings us to Jesus: the author of our salvation

In our world today, there is scheming and plotting between nations, between businesses, between coworkers, and even amongst some of God's own people. There are twists and turns in our lives and we don't know what the eventual outcome will be. But take hope from God's story: His grace is sufficient; His provision is perfect; His guidance is timely; and His plan is done.

External Link: Map of Jacob's Travels http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/022.htm

All Nations and People Will Be Blessed

DAY 2

Genesis 17:1 through 28:19: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

From a small region in the Middle East and from one man (Abraham) who was obedient; the entire world and its inhabitants are blessed. It's the power of the One True God working through the faithfulness of one believer.

In Gen 22:18, 26:4-5, and 28:14-15; God promises and affirms a covenant between Himself and Abraham (and his descendants). "through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

It's the same promise He makes to each father and each mother; your faithfulness will bless your family.

It's the same promise He makes to each believer; your faithfulness will bless the body of Christ.

It's the same promise He makes each church; your faithfulness will bless the community, the nation, and the world.

There is power in one person's faith because of the promise of God. "I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Gen 28:15b)

External Link: A map of the travels of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/abrajrfl.html