|
|
|
||||||||
|
Weekly Bible Reading
September 11- September 17, 2006
|
||||
|
Monday, “Our Pledge to God” Ps 119:33-40
33 Teach me, O LORD,
to follow every one of your principles.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your law;
I will put it into practice with all my heart.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your decrees;
do not inflict me with love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.
38 Reassure me of your promise,
which is for those who honor you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways;
your laws are all I want in life.
40 I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness. (NLT)
Tuesday, “Moses Chooses Judges” Ex 18:13-27
13 The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening. 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help." 15 Moses replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance. 16 When an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions." 17 "This is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed. 18 "You're going to wear yourself out — and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided. 20 You should tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 22 These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace." 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions. 25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people. They were put in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 26 These men were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but they judged the smaller matters themselves. 27 Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land. (NLT)
“Being Mutually Responsible”
PURPOSE: To explore the making of the Mosaic covenant to help us understand our responsibility in God’s covenant with us
Wednesday, “Moses Goes Up to God” Ex 19:1-9a
“The Israelites Encamped at Mount Sinai”
1 The Israelites arrived in the wilderness of Sinai exactly two months after they left Egypt. 2 After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the base of Mount Sinai and set up camp there.
“The Lord’s Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt”
3 Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called out to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel: 4'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings.
“The Israelites’ Commitment to the Lord”
5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' Give this message to the Israelites."
7 Moses returned from the mountain and called together the leaders of the people and told them what the LORD had said. 8 They all responded together, "We will certainly do everything the LORD asks of us." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the LORD.
9 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a thick cloud so the people themselves can hear me as I speak to you. Then they will always have confidence in you." (NLT)
Thursday, “Preparing for God’s Covenant” Ex 19:9b-15
Moses told the LORD what the people had said. 10 Then the LORD told Moses, "Go down and prepare the people for my visit. Purify them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for I will come down upon Mount Sinai as all the people watch. 12 Set boundary lines that the people may not pass. Warn them, 'Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Those who do will certainly die! 13 Any people or animals that cross the boundary must be stoned to death or shot with arrows. They must not be touched by human hands.' The people must stay away from the mountain until they hear one long blast from the ram's horn. Then they must gather at the foot of the mountain."
14 So Moses went down to the people. He purified them for worship and had them wash their clothing. 15 He told them, "Get ready for an important event two days from now. And until then, abstain from having sexual intercourse." (NLT)
Friday, “God Gives the Commands” Ex 20:1-17
1 Then God instructed the people as follows:
2 "I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt.
3 "Do not worship any other gods besides me.
4 "Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. 5 You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. 6 But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.
7 "Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, 10 but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then he rested on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you.
13 "Do not murder.
14 "Do not commit adultery.
15 "Do not steal.
16 "Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 "Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns." (NLT)
Saturday, “The People Vow Loyalty” Ex 24:3-8
“The Pledge of the Israelites”
3 When Moses had announced to the people all the teachings and regulations the LORD had given him, they answered in unison, "We will do everything the LORD has told us to do."
“The Sacrifices Made on the Altar”
4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD's instructions. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars around the altar, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent some of the young men to sacrifice young bulls as burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
“The Formal Initiation Ritual”
6 Moses took half the blood from these animals and drew it off into basins. The other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They all responded again, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey." 8 Then Moses sprinkled the blood from the basins over the people and said, "This blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these laws." (NLT)
Sunday, “Moses Enters God’s Presence” Ex 24:12-18
12 And the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there while I give you the tablets of stone that I have inscribed with my instructions and commands. Then you will teach the people from them." 13 So Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed up the mountain of God.
14 Moses told the other leaders, "Stay here and wait for us until we come back. If there are any problems while I am gone, consult with Aaron and Hur, who are here with you."
15 Then Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. 16 And the glorious presence of the LORD rested upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from the cloud. 17 The Israelites at the foot of the mountain saw an awesome sight. The awesome glory of the LORD on the mountaintop looked like a devouring fire. 18 Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. (NLT)
Nine Components to a Covenant
There are nine (9) components of covenants, although not every covenant contains every component.
1. Covenants often begin with a preamble or introductory part in which the parties involved are identified. This identification may include names, titles, and some indications of the status of those involved.
2. A historical prologue or preface, of varying length and detail, may follow. In this preamble is a description of the previous actions of at least one of the parties. This section provides the basis for the covenant in terms of past events relevant to it.
3. Covenants almost always have a list or description of the stipulations involved. Here the obligations of the parties to each other are articulated. The length of the section varies greatly, from an overall statement of responsibilities to a detailed delineation.
4. There may be specification as to if and how the covenant will be publicly announced and where the treaty documents are to be deposited.
5. Frequency and procedure for renewal of the covenant may be included.
6. Many covenants are sealed with an oath, which may be either a verbal statement or a symbolic action, or both (I do, I swear, -shaking hands, bowing).
7. A symbolic action or object may be designated as the sign of the covenant.
8. A list of witnesses to the oath may follow. In ancient treaties, this was often a naming of various gods who would be the divine guarantors or enforcers of the covenant.
9. Covenants often concluded with a section of blessings and curses. These include blessings to be anticipated if the covenant is faithfully kept and calamities to be feared if the terms are violated.
esources, so giving should expand as well. God can give you the desire and enable you to increase your capacity to give. Don't miss this opportunity for growth.
(from The Life Application Commentary Series copyright (C) 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 by the Livingstone Corporation. Produced with permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.)
|
||||
| page created with Easy Designer |