Good morning,
Our Church Council Chair Rick Martin challenged us on Sunday to read through the whole Bible in 2016. We were a little bit behind, so we are to read Genesis 1-26 and the first nine chapters of Matthew. Normally we should read about three chapters from the Old Testament and one chapter from the New Testament every day.
What did you see (or hear if you read out loud)? Both sets of chapters are stories, so I find them easier to read. In both Genesis and Matthew there are genealogies, lists of family. As you read them did you stop to think about who they were in the sacred story? In Matthew, the writer mentions Rahab, Ruth, Tamar and Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. It is out of the ordinary that women would find their names in a history of Israel.
What did you see? There are two stories of the creation of male and female, both in Genesis 2. We can find other interesting things that the Bible says and does not say. But, what does it do for your spirit and soul to read such stories? When you open the Bible to the Psalms, to the prophets and to the words of Jesus, what are you looking for, for your soul?
We need to read the Book because it is fundamental for our faith. We need to be able to argue about it. We need to be honest about what we do not understand. Blessings to all of us, as we read the Book together in 2016.
Shalom and strength for the journey of faith and life,
Fred