Through The Bible: The Great Escape


I have always enjoyed reading the Bible with a group of people because of the different perspectives that can be brought up and enjoyed. I believe that is one of the reasons Paul instructed the Corinthian church to involve all who gather:

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. (I Cor. 14:26-30)

That is why I was so glad to hear from Tiney on my previous “Through the Bible” post. I was discussing the value of building altars in our lives much like our spiritual fathers did all through Genesis and she made this interesting point:

“The thing that always struck me about Biblical altars was their importance for future generations. An altar wasn’t just so you would have a reminder about what God did for you, but so you could point to it and tell your children about God’s faithfulness for Generations…

Please take a minute to see her entire comment on the post “Through The Bible: the Middle of the Beginning” That is why I want to hear from those of you who read this blog you can point out things I miss that are truly great.

This week we finish off the story of Israel, Jacob, and turn to the story of Moses, a great example of God’s grace and mercy. Firstly, I would like to point out a small piece of interest regarding one of my favorite Biblical stories. Simeon and Levi are condemned by their father for their act of vengeance against the man, and his people, who raped their sister. So, their glorious mission of revenge is not condoned by their father, and their anger has lost them a great deal. However, if I am remembering them correctly from the last time I read the Bible it is the Levites willingness to fight that earns them another reward in the future. We will have to see when we get there.

We then turn to the story of Moses; he is miraculously and divinely chosen and saved out of the Israelites to fulfill God’s purpose in Egypt. From the time he was born we can see the Lord’s hand upon him. I particularly enjoy watching Moses attempt to get away from God’s call on his life, he like many of us has a cornucopia of excuses why God should not use him, however God has declared that he will use the foolish things to confound the wise. Aaron may have been the ‘better’ choice of the two brothers, he was the oldest, he was a better speaker but God choose Moses.

I also see a parallel in the life of Moses when compared to the life of disciples; things get worse before they get better. How often it seems we come “Just as I am” to the throne of God assuming everything will instantly be so much better, only to be slapped in the face with a reality check as we go home. Moses assumed that the power of God would make everything instantly better despite the fact that God told him otherwise.


3 responses to “Through The Bible: The Great Escape”

  1. Concerning the alter comment. I remember that once I had read that the same word – “witnesses” as in “you shall be my witnesses”, refers back to the same connotation or if I am remembering correctly the actually wording that is used in the old testiment about the altars being a “testimony” to where God had met people. This really breathed new life into my concept of what it means to “witness”. I am that guidepost.

  2. Anyone finding it powerful that the Bible reading has us in Exodus during the deliverence/redemption story of Israel during the Easter Season? It has made me dig out a previously read book. Leading the Passover Journey written by a Rabbi. This is written from a “jewish” perspective. Powerful!He refers to the “narrative of redemption”. It is more than perplexing to me how he gets it when it comes to the understanding the Redemption of Israel through the Exodus story and still can not see Jesus as the Redeemer.

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