Song of Songs

This is truly a sensual book, containing nothing but love and endearment between the bride and the bridegroom. His love for her is undeniable and you get the picture that there is no mountain too high or ocean too deep to keep these 2 people apart. I like to think about this concerning the love I have for my wife, but it goes deeper than that. The ultimate expression of this love is between Christ and the church. How can I claim that this is a higher love than that of a couple? The love of Christ is eternal, whereas the love I have for my wife is only temporal, and confined to this present earth.

He knows all about her. Every detail of her body is recorded down to the finest of details. He knows all about her, and she knows all about him. Not only is this a good example for me and my wife, but it shows how much Christ is taken up with his church. God knows all about us, and he still receives us as his own.

Ecclesiastes

There's an old Beatle's song that has the words of Ecclesiastes as its focus. Truly the has made everything beautiful in his time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end (3:11).

What an amazing thought that God has set eternity in our hearts. At the very core of our being, the Lord has placed eternity. The very thing that we have been searching for (purpose) has already been placed in our lives. Eternity isn't so much about the golden streets and the crowns of rejoicing. The central focus of eternity is Christ. His life, his ways, his thoughts, his actions and his ideas. And yet, we are so frail and feeble that we cannot grasp it. We jump and try to grasp that which is ungraspable in the natural. Only by faith do we see the eternal. We need a new set of lenses, spiritual ones, to recognize the work that God has performed. It's so measureless and unfathomable. The natural man has no grasp on the eternal. Only the spiritual man can assertain what is from God. May God grant us the ability to see his hand in our lives.

Proverbs

This book is simply written for me. I know countless people that have taken refuge in these words, but there is definitely a focus on young men learning wisdom and keeping himself pure. 9:9 tells us to "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will ad to his learning." I want to be wise. I want to be simple. I want to simply walk with God. I don't want to be pulled and tugged by every wind of doctrine. I want to be steadfast in my walk with him. I don't want to falter and fail. I want to learn to learn to walk with him on a daily basis. I want to learn to throw all of my cares and concerns on him. I want to be able to stand against the temptations of this life. I don't want to walk down the way of the harlot. I don't want to have my vision clouded or allow my defenses to be broken down. Lord, help me be aware of my surroundings. I don't want to fret. I want to walk by faith and not by sight. Proverbs communicates all of these thoughts to his people, to instruct them in the way everlasting.

Psalms

Psalms is becoming more and more my favorite book in God's word. We read of the trials and tribulations that the Psalmist goes through (most notably David) and then we read of his testimony and triumph that ensues. David has a unique ability to sing and to play. To worship the Lord in word and music. I believe that the book is a perfect compliment to the ways of the law and sacrifices that promotes religion rather than relationship. God is not happy with the shedding of blood for sacrifices. He is happy with the free and full worship that erupts out of his people. One verse that sticks out to me is "My soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation." (35:9) We ultimately praise him eternally for his salvation. He has saved us from the valley of the shadow of death...I will fear no evil. When we see his hand that provides, we are encouraged and we're able to rest in him. He takes care of his own, and punishes those that fall away. To God be the glory.

Job

We are all very acquainted with the life and times of Job. The oldest book in the bible certainly has a definite message: continue to trust in God and do not question his authority.

It seems like Job in the beginning of the book could not have a worse thing happen to him. Literally everything is taken from him, eventually even his health. The enemy is out to test Job's faith. Will he curse the Lord (like his wife suggests)? Or will he press on? He and his friends have a long debate on the attributes and actions of God. There is foolishness communicated and there is wisdom. In the end though, Job finds himself broken and contrite before God. We know the end of the story: God returns to Job all that he had taken, multiple times over again. The Lord, in his infinite wisdom knows what's best for us. Do we have the audacity to complain or question his authority in our lives?

Esther

Esther is a beautiful woman, queen of the land. However, her true beauty was not on the outside, but on the inside. She was a woman of character, depth and wisdom. God used her in an amazing way to accomplish his work. She is able to have access granted to the king, and he asks her what her petition is. Her response is for "her life to be saved, and for her people to be freed from slavery, destruction and annihilation." (7:3-4)

The king is well pleased with her request and asks who is the man that is causing all of these issues? Her response is "this vile Haman." Haman is then hung. I"m reminded that we too have access to the king and he hears our cry of help. He takes care of our enemies as he declares, "vengeance is mine" thus sayeth the Lord. We need not be fearful of what can destroy our body, only the one who is able to destroy our soul.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah, in part is a book about rebuilding. He has the vision to see that when something is in disarray, God uses his people to help rebuild something that is broken down. The wall around Jerusalem is broken down to the point that it was a "disgrace." (2:17). He knows that God is "gracious" and that God is the one that can provide the success on this project.

Nehemiah 4:3 "what they are building - if even a fax climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones." And then we read after the rebuilding project that (12:31) "the leaders of Jerusalem got up on top of the wall."

What God mends and what he fixes is always better afterwards. We can claim this for our own lives if we sense that there is a wall broken down, and we've let down our guard. When he mends, it's a perfect work. God is good.

Ezra

The temple, or the house of the Lord needs rebuilding in the book of Ezra. Sometimes the temple in our hearts where God dwells gets broken down, and the walls need to be rebuilt.

When the foundation was laid, a great shout of praise arises from the hearts of God's people. With praise and thanksgiving, they sang to the Lord, "He is good, his love to Israel endures forever." (chapter 3:11). This should be a natural expression when a new foundation is laid in our hearts, that of worship, praise and adoration to our God.

Once the temple is dedicated, 6:16 tells us that the people of Israel celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

Do we rejoice when a new foundation is laid? It should be a common occurrence in our lives...

II Chronicles

We read in II Chronicles again of kings and their kingdoms rising and falling. One king that especially stuck out to me was Manasseh, King of Judah. He started reigning when he was 12 years old. I think I could tie my shoes when I was 12, forget about leading a kingdom. He ended up reigning for 55 years.

Manasseh did evil in the site of the Lord. It says that he performed detestable practices. He erected altars to Ball. He worshiped the stars, He built altars inside the temple. He sacrificed his sons in the fire, he practiced withcraft, consulted mediums and spirits. Verse 6 says that he did much evil in the eyes of God, provoking him to anger. Manasseh lead the kingdom astray so that did horrible evil things. God spoke and he ignored him.

The Lord allowed Manasseh to be taken into captivity. In his distress, verse 12 tells us, he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. The Lord heard his prayer and was moved.

This reminds me that there is no evil that God cannot forgive. I am not out of the grasp, or the reach of the mercy and grace of our God. I can always return to his favor. I can regain his audience. I never leave his love, but I can return to his favor. Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy in my life!

I Chronicles

In I Chronicles, we start to read a repeat of what occurs in I Kings, but from a different perspective. David continues to be an amazing warrior for God. We read of David's prayer of worship in I Chronicles 29. David asks a purposeful question in V14, "But who am I, and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have gien you only what comes from your hand."

We are blessed. We are all a very blessed people. I'm thankful for how God has blessed me and my family. But who am I? I'm but a fraile, fragile individual. I am nothing compared to the greatness of God. We give generously because God has given generously.

God is an awesome God. We aren't only talking about financial giving, but we talk of giving of the best of our talents, our time, our resources. We give back to him, because without him, we truly are nothing.

II Kings

There are many things that occur in II Kings that I found interesting. We see many kings and their kingdoms raised up and destroyed, but there's a little golden nugget found in II Kings 6. Some of the prophets surrounding Elisha decide to make a dwelling. They go to the Jordan and start to cut down some trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, his axhead comes off and lands in the water. His exclamation was that it was borrowed.

Elisha finds out where the axhead lands, he throws in a stick and the iron floats. What an amazing spectacle! The impossible is possible when the hand of the Lord is involved.

This is such a small section of Scripture, but it speaks to me in such a profound way. Elisha was a man of God. God uses him in the lives of those around to increase their faith. That same iron floating power if available to us today. Won't we believe that what he has done in years gone by, he can continue to do that work today. Will we believe him?

I Kings

I really enjoyed reading the book of I Kings. I especially found the section on Solomon's kingdom to be intriguing. We read of its dimensions and the incredible amount of gold (measured in tons, not ounces) used to overlay many portions of it. We read of the intricacies on the wood work and the fixtures. We read of the ornate touches that made this one of the most amazing properties that this temporal earth has ever seen. Oh, and the estimated cost to build Solomon's first temple is about $56 billion. Yup. Not million, billion.

How did a man become this powerful and this wealthy? It wasn't because he asked for it. It's because he DIDN'T ask for it. In I Kings 3, we read that God comes to Solomon in a dream and asks him what he would like. Solomon's response what that he would be granted a discerning heart to be able to judge God's people and to distinguish what is good and bad. This pleased the Father, and he says because you didn't ask for long life, or riches or for the death of your enemies, he would do for Solomon what he asked and what he didn't ask for. He gave him a wise and understanding heart and in v13 we read he gives him both riches and honor.

The Lord sees the cry of our heart. He sees where we are honest and pure before Him and he takes care of his own children. What a great God we have.

2 Samuel

We read in 2 Samuel about how God works through his servant, David. He is moved of God and used of God. The Lord speaks to David through Nathan the prophet in chapter 7. He says in verse 10 that "I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more." What a blessing. God's people historically had been a transitory group. Finally, it seems like the kingdom set apart for his people is beginning to be established. In fact, later on we read in v.16 that "Thine house and they kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: they throne shall be established for ever." In a greater sense, this speaks to the foundational aspect of the work of Christ. His kingdom will be forever. If we are in His kingdom, we shall never be moved, we shall never be defeated, for with Him is the victory.

I Samuel

We read in this book of Samuel, also one of my favorite Old Testament characters. He was a prophet that had a keen sense of the leading of the Heavenly Father. We read in 3:19, "And Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and did let none of his words fall to the ground." Samuel was a wise child. His words had power and strength. He didn't say things that were worthless. A truly good example to us today.

The people of Israel desire that a king would be raised up. When Samuel asks the Lord what to do, the Lord anoints Saul to be the King. A tall handsome fellow, he had opportunity for greatness, but jealousy ran rampant through his veins. When David slew Goliath, the people of the land sang a song that "Saul has slaughtered his thousands and David has slaughtered his tens of thousands (29:5)." This song elevated the amount of jealousy in Saul's heart. He began to chase David and to hate him, ultimately he determined to kill him. God was with David and gave him favor. Saul finally kills himself, leaving David to relax.

Unfortunately, David learns at the same time of Saul's death that Jonathan his beloved friend was also killed at the hands of the Philistines. The story of the friendship of Jonathan and David has survived the passage of time. Two boys, growing up, learning from one another, enjoying one another. These types of friendships are godly and come from him. We all need an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on.

Ruth

Ruth is one of my favorite books. I love the love story of Ruth and Boaz. He is a type of Christ. It says in 4:15, "He shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life and a nourisher of thine old age." Boaz restored her, a true example of Christ. He redeems Ruth, and takes her as his wife. It says that she is a virtuous woman (3:11). She is also a servant, "All that thou sayest unto me I will do (3:5). When God leads, amazing things can happen. Simply put, if you look at Boaz' genealogy, Obed had a son, Jesse who had a son, David. King David! Directly in the line of Christ.

Both Boaz and Ruth were lead of God in various ways. They listened to God, and now they can say they were part of the lineage of Christ.

Judges

Much of Judges is centered around leadership in the land. We read of Gideon, who tested God, and yet was a coward, a very reluctant hero. We read of Samson and his demise. He had the strength of an army, and yet gave in to temptation. The price of his haircut was costly. He lost his vision. He lost his productivity. He lost his anointing. He lost his ability to discern. Ultimately, he lost his life. His strength returned when his hair did...but the loss was already evident.

The key verse that sums up Judges is the last verse of the book, 21:25, "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." When there is no vision, where there is no leadership, the people perish. True in biblical times, and it is still true today. There needs to be a standard, a measuring stick to compare what is right and wrong. If there is no king in our lives, we are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. I thank God for my mighty King that leads in me through the valleys, over the mountains and across the deserts. I don't want to do what is right in my eyes...they are often blinded by the sin that so easily entangles me. Jesus is able to lead though...lead me to the everlasting Kingdom by the train of his triumph!

Joshua

I found it interesting how many battles and lands were fought for in the book of Joshua. Every chapter was about how Joshua lead the children of Israel up against all these kings and their kingdoms, and ultimately prevailed. When they crossed the Jordan River (a picture of the cross and the humility therein found), they entered into the land promised to their forefathers. They circled Jericho and with a great Shout, the walls came tumbling down. God is able to do the impossible in our life, and there is no obstacle that is too big for Him. What a blessing to be given something that was bequeathed so long ago. What I see in this book that God was setting up a kingdom for his people. He was removing the idolators, the evil and the sinful from the land. His desire is for a pure land, a pure people, where he can receive all the honor and glory.

The Isrealites were given opportunity to serve whatever God that they wanted, but in a very famous portion of scripture, Joshua proclaims, “Choose you this day who you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This is the anthem that he is wanting from his children: devotion. Devotion to love him, serve him and cherish him. He has a land flowing with milk and honey for our taking if we will just choose him and put him before ourselves in all that we say, do and think.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is all about the law. The law given from God to Moses, who then, as God’s ambassador, communicates this law to man. I found it interesting that God tells us in 7:9 that “He is a faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations.” Even though we see the law being communicated, it’s not just a set of guidelines for man, it’s a covenant, a promise, of God’s faithfulness. What does the law prove? That we are unfaithful, we are unable to keep the law perfectly. We fail. We sin, and ultimately we disappoint God. I thank God that he is a God of second chances.

He leaves the choice up to us. It’s not as though we are not given opportunity to do what we want to do. We still have freedom of choice, and it’s this freedom that he wants to gain the victory in. We read in 30:15, “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” We are to choose him. Seek out his will. He is perfect and divine. He is not a dictator but a lover. He wants us to love him, and in doing so, we find great blessing in his presence.

Numbers

Numbers is a book of movement. The children of Israel wander in the desert for years, until all men over the age of 20 die. Only those under this age, Joshua and Caleb have been allowed to enter the promised land of Canaan. We once again see the demise of man's heart when it falls back on the natural. Sin abounds when man's heart is king. Through it all, we still see the mercy of God to those that are broken. We need a heart transplant. God's heart is so tender, so compassionate, and yet he dwells in a consuming fire. Woe to those at odds with Him.

God also is a provider. He loves his people. A people that are His own. His called. His chosen. One of the things that spoke to me from Numbers is that he is also the God of impossible. The amazing. Take note in Numbers 20 that He provides water from a rock. It's seemingly impossible, there is no way for water to flow from the rock, but he was proving that he was God. In order for water to flow, there must be a source. The Israelites were given a glimpse that He is the source of their nurishment and He is their source of provision. Granted, God did this because his people were quarreling and there were ultimately consequences for their actions, but we still see His strength.

Genesis!

Ok, I'm not really as far behind as this looks. I've just been really procrastinating on blogging about each book that I've read so far. I have a little bit more of a time trying to articulate my thoughts onto "paper" when it comes to things like this. Sometimes I get discouraged because Mark can write exactly what he's thinking and it makes sense and looks good. But, I've resolved myself to the fact that we're going to write different and I am just going to accept that. My posts make sense to me even if they don't make sense to you...

I'm more of a detailed oriented person so sometimes I miss the "big picture" on different things. I read through the Bible and try to take in every person, place, and event and then find myself overwhelmed at all the different information. This is why I've tried to read the Bible from front cover to back cover so many times and failed. This time is a little different. While I'm still trying to take in as much as I can, I am continually asking the Lord to point things out to me... So instead of my synopsis being the "big picture" of what I take in about each book, it'll probably be more of a bullet type and explain to you what the Lord has pointed out to me.... With that being said, let's move on to GENESIS!!!!

I've read this book a ga-zillion times but it felt like when I read it this time, I really read it and soaked it all in. It was exciting to read all of the big and bold stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to learn of their faith. I think one of the things that stuck out to me the most in Genesis was the life and story of Abraham. He was a friend of God. I was encouraged by his faith. Do I have the kind of faith that he did? Would I be willing to give up someone I love? WOW! My faith has been enriched after reading about Abraham. I'm encouraged. I'm excited. Abraham didn't understand what was going on but that didn't stop him from obeying God. He trusted in Him!

And then Joseph... What a life he lived also. But he stood strong in his faith in the Lord through all kinds of trials and temptations. He was obedient to the Lord even when he was thrown in prison for something he did not do. I'd like to think my faith would still be as strong if that happened to me. I can't imagine what Joseph was going through. All I do know is that I can only grow closer to the Lord and desire Him more every day!

Reading through Genesis, I was reminded that faith is so important! Even though times may get weary or hard, I have a God who loves me and who knows what is best for me no matter what I think is right. He knows the situation and the outcome better than I do and I must trust in Him. I must obey his callings ans listen to His voice. I must have faith!

Leviticus

Leviticus is a great book. One of the great themes of this book is on the cleansing of sin and uncleanliness. Moses goes into great detail regarding how the Isrealites were to purify themselves in the event that they touched something unclean or committed a grievous sin.

I think God looks at us today in the same light. He sees the things that we have done as a direct rebellion to Him, and we bring upon ourselves separation from Him. The good news is that a greater Moses has come, and with Him, he brings a perfect cleansing. No longer is needed the sacrifice of bulls and goats or other atoning sacrifices, but Christ came and died once for all. The key verse for me in the book of Leviticus is found in 22:32 "Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Isarealites. I am the Lord, who MAKES you holy and who brought you out o Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord."

I was reminded very clearly that in order for the purification process to take place or for the breaking of bondage to occur, it is God's doing. He is the one that makes me holy. He is the one that breaks the iron chains. He is the bondage breaker (whatever that bondage might be). I cannot do anything on my own. He is Lord, it is His doing. I must remember that.

Exodus

Exodus is a book on movement. I saw lots of movement throughout the book. I saw the physical movement of God's people out of the Egyptian bondage. I saw the movement of Moses as he walked with God. I saw the movement of the Israelites towards God spiritually, and then spontaneously moving away from God. I saw the movement of God. The cloud by day, the pillar of fire by night. He meets with Moses on the mountain top and returns to the throne room. I also saw how God wants to move freely in my life. He wants me to be lead of him. He doesn't want me to be in bondage, he is the great bondage breaker. He wants me to be free, to serve him, to not be a stiff-necked individual, void of judgment and discernment. He wants to use me to serve His people and to be a blessing wherever I go. Where he leads, I am to follow. He has a plan for my life and I don't want to waste years in a desert place wandering aimlessly...I want to live a bountiful, productive life.

Genesis

I was reminded of some interesting themes throughout the book of Genesis. I saw that there has always been an ever present desire for status in the heart of man. From man wanting to be leader, to man wanting to own land, to man wanting to have more possessions, it's not something new. Man has always wanted to have domain, to shown domination. He shows it towards other men and with God. I also saw the reoccurring theme of sexual impurity and fornication. This theme wasn't just visible, it was rampant. Men sleeping with any woman, men sleeping with other men. Even the flood was greatly due to sexual impurity that was prevalent throughout the land. My favorite old testament character is Joseph. I've often found that I can relate to him a lot in my life. He is tempted beyond comprehension, and then unjustly thrown in prison for something that he didn't do. I would have hit the roof. He stood fast, knowing the will of God, and the Lord richly blessed him. God reminded me that even through the cloud of sin, the light of God can still shine through. Whether it's Melchizedek, Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or Joseph, God's representation will always continue. He is victor, and he will prevail.