Tag Archives: Story

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Numbers 1

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Prologue of Samuel Johnson's Irene' by Samuel ...
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“The People of Israel did everything that God commanded Moses. They did it all.” Numbers 1:54 (MSG)

I was listening to a critically acclaimed author being interviewed on the radio yesterday. When asked what she had learned in her experience at the University of Iowa’s famed Writer’s Workshop, she mentioned that she gained an appreciation for reading well and the importance of a prologue and an epilogue.

Many people skip the brief sections at the beginning and end of a novel. Prologues set the scene and they give you a foreshadow of what follows. Epilogues tie things together and contemplate the story at its conclusion.

As I read today’s chapter, I remembered the author’s words because I felt like I was reading the prologue to the Book of Numbers. The scene is being set. Around two million former slaves are living in tents in the wilderness of the Sinai peninsula. In two years and two months time they’ve been organized into their twelve tribes and taken a good census to know who they have and how many are present. Through Moses a rule of law has been established along with a religious system revolving around a large tent sancturary which can be torn down to travel with them.

This prologue to the book of Numbers ends with the statatement that the people had done everything God asked of them. In other words, they were off to a good start.

Starting well is not an issue for most of us. We can start most anything. Each New Year’s we can pen a prologue about the good start on our diet, exercise, weight loss, organization, debt reduction, savings, project, etc., etc., and etc. Getting off to a good start is the easy part. Most people start life with cute baby pictures tucked in sweet baby books filled with cuddly memories and loads of promise.

The real question is this: when my body is laying in a casket and the final chapter of my life story has been written, what will be said in the epilogue?

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 25

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Next David and the worship leaders selected some from the family of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for special service in preaching and music. 1 Chronicles 25:1 (MSG)

I’m currently reading a trilogy of non-fiction books. The first book was good, but there was a lot that I didn’t get. I felt like a lot was going over my head or that I wasn’t catching some things that might be important. As I got into the second book, a lot of things became clear. I began making connections with things that happened early in the story; things which had initially confused me.

One of the things I appreciate about journeying through God’s Message is the way you begin to connect the dots. The more you read it, the more things begin to connect. What casual observers and spotty readers often lament is that the Bible seems so disjointed and confusing. There is a storyline, and there are very complex connections from beginning to end, but you have to spend time journeying through the disparate parts to find the threads which connect.

In today’s chapter we learn that special worship assignments for God’s temple were given to three families. One of them, Asaph, rang a bell. Asaph was the composer of several songs in the book of Psalms. When reading Psalms you see “A Psalm of Asaph” and wonder who in the world Asaph was. You find out in the Chronicles.

Sometimes, you have to stick with a book for a while before it starts coming together for you.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and ginnerobot
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 21

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Then David prayed, “I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin—I’ve been really stupid.” 1 Chronicles 21:8 (MSG)

Chapters like today’s are difficult to understand in our present day experience. Our time, our culture, and the spiritual realities we experience 2,000 years this side of the cross on history’s timeline make it hard to grasp the circumstances of David’s day. What was the big deal with taking a census? Why was God so ticked off?

That’s when I step back and look for the big picture. What is the spiritual lesson communicated through these events? What’s the moral of the story?

I found it in David’s confession and repentent statement. By taking a census, David was “substituting statistics for trust.” No matter the times we live in, that’s a lesson we can all take to heart. Where in our current lives are we seeking assurance from jobs, bank statements, medical science, human relationships, education, or investments instead of fully placing our trust in God?

Today, I’m thinking about the places I seek assurance, and how that dilutes my trust and reliance on God for providing my every need.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 3

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"These are the sons that David had while he lived at Hebron…." 1 Chronicles 3:1 (MSG)

I'm currently reading a trilogy of novels. The first book felt a bit scattered and I struggled with parts of it. Only now, as I get into the middle of the second book, are the pieces coming together. Many of the things that confused me in the beginning are making sense, and I'm gaining an appreciation for the larger story told by the author.

In a similar way, the Old Testament can feel incredibly boring and confusing until you start connecting the dots and see how the whole of the story fits together.

When reading the Old Testament books of history, it's important to remember that David is a key figure. Not only is he key in understanding the Old Testament, but he is a key figure in the story of Jesus and beyond. God promised David that his throne would be established forever. When the Kingdom of Israel split after Solomon, the southern kindgom (referred to thereafter as the Kingdom of Judah) remained loyal to the line of David. All of their kings were descendents of David. The northern kingdom (continuing to be called the Kingdom of Israel) became a free-for-all in which the throne went to the most powerful (or treacherous) person who could ascend to the throne.

Because of God's promise to David, the prophets knew that the Messiah would be born of David's line. The family trees of Jesus listed in Matthew and Luke (one is the line through his mother and the other is through his earthly father Joseph) were critical in establishing that Jesus was descended of David through both.

The more you understand of the larger story, the more interesting the individual stories and chapters become.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Isaiah 26

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Peace & wholeness. God, order a peaceful and whole life for us because everything we've done, you've done for us. Isaiah 26:12 (MSG)

I spent a good part of my day yesterday listening to a person share their life story. I'm often astonished at what people will tell you when you simply start asking questions. I sat amazed at the tale that unfolded before me. It was tragic. You would have never guess that this person's journey included events of murder, abuse, addiction, and intense brokenness.

I walked away from the conversation with a greater appreciation of this person and all that they have endured. I also walked away with a renewed appreciation for how very blessed I am.

I know that every life is touched with tragedy and pain. My own path has included its share of brokenness. Your path has, too. I get that. Yet, more and more I understand how truly, lavishly blessed I am. As I read today's chapter in Isaiah, I identified with what Isaiah meant when he wrote that everything we've done, God has done for us. It's not about me. It's not about what I've done. It's about what God has done. His will, His order for us is peace and wholeness.

Today, I walk in gratitude for what God has done for me.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and audreyjm

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Kings 2

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It's not personal. It's strictly business. The king then gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he went out and struck Shimei dead. The kingdom was now securely in Solomon's grasp. 1 Kings 2:46 (MSG)

All great stories are a reflection of God's great story. That's what my wife consistently reminds me, and she is correct. That's why, when I read the Old Testament historical books, like Kings and Chronicles, I'm constantly reminded of stories, plays and movies that reflect the same biblical themes wrapped in the language of the present culture.

We read in today's chapter about Solomon, the youngest son, and his succession to his father's throne. We read about his "settling accounts" with the enemies of his father and the contract killings of Joab and Shimei. We read of the killing of his own brother who betrayed him. 

How could I not help but think of Michael Corleone, the youngest son, and his succession in the family business, his bloody settling of accounts, and the killing of his own brother who betrayed him?

All great stories are reflections of the Great Story.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 29

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Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Then you will slaughter the bull in the presence of God at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Take some of the bull's blood and smear it on the horns of the Altar with your finger; pour the rest of the blood on the base of the Altar. Exodus 29:11-12 (MSG)

Have you ever picked up a novel and started reading it from the middle, or started watching a movie half-way in? It's a crazy-maker, isn't it? You find yourself trying to follow threads of the story without knowing what happened before. You feel lost and confused about characters and where the story is going.

According to God's message, the history of mankind is, indeed, a story. It's His-story. It is the story of man's willful disobedience, fall from God's grace and God's work of restoring that broken relationship. Without the context of the entire story, the chapters (like today's) are difficult to understand. The sacrificial system we read about it Exodus is brutal and confusing in today's world. Yet, it is an important piece of the larger story.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, relationship was broken and the punishment was mortality and death. For that ultimate disobedience to be forgiven, the penalty price of death had to be paid. God's message tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness for sin. The consequence of our sins is brutally destructive. The price of our redemption is equally as brutal. That's why Jesus had to die, and his blood had to be shed. God's own son was the ultimate sacrifice.

The sacrifical system of Exodus is but a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice God would make for me, for you, for all mankind. The daily, bloody affair prescribed for the wandering Israelites was a constant reminder of the seriousness of our disobedience – and the hight price of our redemption.

Today, I'm thankful for God, who provided the ultimate sacrifice for me.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and the_brazilian