Day 46
Exodus 17:1-18:27
(17 | 18)
Despite the fact that the LORD had already demonstrated his faithfulness to the people of Israel through the provision of manna, the Israelites get in an argument with Moses, again about the lack of water available to drink. Again, the Israelites blame Moses for the fact their lives are lacking something.
Moses tries playing the whole "you're questioning God not me" card again, but there's nothing doing. If anything, the Israelites get even more irate, and question whether God is really with them at all. Moses cries out to God who instructs Moses to strike a rock with his staff. When he does, water flows out of it, and the Israelites are able to drink.
The Israelites are then attacked by the Amalekites. The Israelites emerge victorious, and God tells Moses to record the event on a scroll as he is going to wipe the nation of Amalek completely from memory. God instructs Moses to make sure Joshua also hears the story - this seems to be an early indication of his status as heir apparent to Moses as leader of the Israelites. Unless this is a different Joshua.
At some point after their arrival in Egypt from Midian, Moses sends his wife and sons back to his father-in-law, a man named Jethro. When Jethro hears about what God has done for Moses and Israel, he decides to take his daughter and grandsons out to Moses.
When they meet, Moses brings Jethro up to date with everything that happened to him and Israel. Jethro rejoices and makes a burnt offering to the LORD. Moses spends the whole of the next day acting as a judge for the Israelites in all their disputes. Jethro sees this, and suggests this is bad for him and Israel, as this endeavour will eventually wear him out. He suggests that Moses elect God-fearing people to act as judges to Israel. These judges would officiate over groups of tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands. By establishing this hierarchy, only the most difficult cases would need to reach Moses. Moses likes and implements the plan, and sends Jethro home. This reads like Moses is annoyed with Jethro, but I don't think it's meant to; I imagine it was probably a friendly send-off like we've read before.
Mark 1:1-28
(1:1-28)
Mark's gospel completely skips over the birth of Jesus and starts with John the Baptist. John is named as the messenger Isaiah prophesied would be sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. John tells the crowds that he is baptising them in water, but that another will come who will baptise them in the Holy Spirit. He is, of course, referring to Jesus.
As we read before, Jesus comes to be baptised by John. After this, he heads off to the desert for forty days, and is tempted by the devil. This whole passage in Jesus' life is told in verses 9-13. Verses 14-20 detail Jesus' calling of the first disciples - Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew, and James and John (the sons of Zebedee).
Jesus then moves on to Capernaum where he teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He then casts an evil spirit out of a man. The people are amazed at his teaching and the fact he has the authority to cast out spirits.
Psalm 22:1-11
(22:1-11)
The psalmist is in trouble, and he's crying out to the LORD for help; more specifically, he's crying out because no help has been forthcoming. He says that he has been crying out to the LORD every day, but nothing has happened. As a result of this, people are mocking him for his faith and trust in the LORD. The psalmist knows that the LORD has come through for the people of Israel in the past, and wants him to do the same again.
Exodus 17:1-18:27
(17 | 18)
Despite the fact that the LORD had already demonstrated his faithfulness to the people of Israel through the provision of manna, the Israelites get in an argument with Moses, again about the lack of water available to drink. Again, the Israelites blame Moses for the fact their lives are lacking something.
Moses tries playing the whole "you're questioning God not me" card again, but there's nothing doing. If anything, the Israelites get even more irate, and question whether God is really with them at all. Moses cries out to God who instructs Moses to strike a rock with his staff. When he does, water flows out of it, and the Israelites are able to drink.
The Israelites are then attacked by the Amalekites. The Israelites emerge victorious, and God tells Moses to record the event on a scroll as he is going to wipe the nation of Amalek completely from memory. God instructs Moses to make sure Joshua also hears the story - this seems to be an early indication of his status as heir apparent to Moses as leader of the Israelites. Unless this is a different Joshua.
At some point after their arrival in Egypt from Midian, Moses sends his wife and sons back to his father-in-law, a man named Jethro. When Jethro hears about what God has done for Moses and Israel, he decides to take his daughter and grandsons out to Moses.
When they meet, Moses brings Jethro up to date with everything that happened to him and Israel. Jethro rejoices and makes a burnt offering to the LORD. Moses spends the whole of the next day acting as a judge for the Israelites in all their disputes. Jethro sees this, and suggests this is bad for him and Israel, as this endeavour will eventually wear him out. He suggests that Moses elect God-fearing people to act as judges to Israel. These judges would officiate over groups of tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands. By establishing this hierarchy, only the most difficult cases would need to reach Moses. Moses likes and implements the plan, and sends Jethro home. This reads like Moses is annoyed with Jethro, but I don't think it's meant to; I imagine it was probably a friendly send-off like we've read before.
Mark 1:1-28
(1:1-28)
Mark's gospel completely skips over the birth of Jesus and starts with John the Baptist. John is named as the messenger Isaiah prophesied would be sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. John tells the crowds that he is baptising them in water, but that another will come who will baptise them in the Holy Spirit. He is, of course, referring to Jesus.
As we read before, Jesus comes to be baptised by John. After this, he heads off to the desert for forty days, and is tempted by the devil. This whole passage in Jesus' life is told in verses 9-13. Verses 14-20 detail Jesus' calling of the first disciples - Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew, and James and John (the sons of Zebedee).
Jesus then moves on to Capernaum where he teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He then casts an evil spirit out of a man. The people are amazed at his teaching and the fact he has the authority to cast out spirits.
Psalm 22:1-11
(22:1-11)
The psalmist is in trouble, and he's crying out to the LORD for help; more specifically, he's crying out because no help has been forthcoming. He says that he has been crying out to the LORD every day, but nothing has happened. As a result of this, people are mocking him for his faith and trust in the LORD. The psalmist knows that the LORD has come through for the people of Israel in the past, and wants him to do the same again.
No comments:
Post a Comment