Bible Read Thread

[Goodbook]

According to wiki...Havilah meaning 'circular' in Hebrew is somewhere in Saudi Arabia, possibly the Hijaz mountains, also another name 'cradle of Gold' district between Mecca and Medina.

The way it is described in the bible makes me think of one of those four leaf clover highways or maybe even a shape of a cross? Can a river part four ways? It seemed like it was all going eastward...what, if anything was to the west? It seems there is no more Pishon river..

 

[SarahsKnight]

This actually reminded me to look into the different "heavens" there are listed in the Bible.

I had always heard it (at least in the last few years when I started getting serious about developing my faith through more theological study instead of just hearing one pastor's words on a subject and being done with it) that there are three kinds of heavens indicated in Scripture, one being the sky over planet Earth, the second being the vastness of space, and the third being the traditional way we think of Heaven - God's coming heavenly kingdom where those who have believed in Christ will live forever. I don't really remember any Scriptural comparisons though to give an example of which heaven is meant in what verse. But I think it's pretty obvious here - especially since I personally am using the NASB version for the first time ever for this - in Genesis that when God created the heavens and earth, heavens was meant to be the cosmos beyond earth. Now if someone disagrees with me please do tell me what you think, but to me it doesn't seem logical to be talking about Heaven as God's eternal kingdom in this part of the Bible we have just read through.

In any event, I am grateful to see this much discussion going on already. In all seriousness, ladies (and gentlemen, should any of the men decide to join us at any point), please pray that I will be faithful to keeping this up. It's one of very few "serious" - for lack of a better term - things I have done in my life as a believer thus far when it comes to doing anything in leading others in God's word, other than, to my memory, the one time I led a ten-minute-or-so sermon on a particular Bible subject for a men's gathering one morning at my home church, several years ago back when I was in college. So I really want to be dutiful here in this and not give up and let it go for any reason, or miss too many days in discussing what we have read or failing to put up the reading in the first place. Honestly, outside of church I have not been in God's word at all personally since about this time last year, so this is particularly important for me. I hope you all will remain eager to continue this, as well.

 

[Swan7]

in Genesis that when God created the heavens and earth, heavens was meant to be the cosmos beyond earth. Now if someone disagrees with me please do tell me what you think, but to me it doesn't seem logical to be talking about Heaven as God's eternal kingdom in this part of the Bible we have just read through.

Genesis 1:6-8

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

This quote is during the creation of the Second Day. So yes, sky means heaven And like you said about the other two, I think Pastor Anderson (can find him on Youtube) said something about that in one of his sermons, but said that he would cover that in another sermon. I have yet to come across it myself.

Honestly, outside of church I have not been in God's word at all personally since about this time last year, so this is particularly important for me. I hope you all will remain eager to continue this, as well.

I've been there. Actually it was about a year and a half ago. I had to end a friendship because it was hurting me severely spiritually and mentally. I knew I was on the right path and it certainly seemed like God was waiting for me - to decide all or nothing. I didn't even know about blind faith until I asked God for every truth He could supply me. He showed me the lies I believed and didn't know I had believed. It's strange. It's as if He knew just how much to give me and when to slow things down so my head could get wrapped around it! It's certainly a new way of life for me, and I'm trying so hard to kick habits that don't please Him. It's difficult, but I know He still loves me

just please don't take away my games!

 

[SarahsKnight]

just please don't take away my games!

I don't imagine He will unless for a time like He once did with me, and if so it would surely be for the purpose of strengthening you rather than it being a matter of salvation. (I am not hardcore OSAS in the sense of the Calvinists' TULIP principle, but I do not believe salvation is easily lost either, if it can be at all. And I think OSAS honors God and the precious victory Christ gained for us at the cross more than believing in having to "remain good" enough to keep salvation, but that is just my personal way of looking at it, if you do not mind my saying so.)

It was actually for seven years that I swore off playing any Resident Evil games because I simply felt God was telling me I had used up too much time on them, and to show my sincerity in asking Him in prayer at that time to help someone I knew and was friends with to come to Him in Christ (she was agnostic, I think), perhaps also to gain some maturity, I believed He had requested of me to give up this one lousy and certainly relatively trivial amusement of mine for an indeterminate time, to show that at the very least I hold gaining a sister in Christ - most of all for Him - more important than a video game series I am fond of. And I did so.

(Of course I know that eternal life for Samantha - the agnostic friend I mentioned - does not hang in the balance of whether I choose to disobey God or not on such a thing as giving up a personal hobby, but you know what I mean; it was simply a matter of my wanting to concentrate on what is clearly more important.)

 

[Goodbook]

In terms of giving up stuff, I recall giving up a lot of things I had idolised as a child when I became a christian. It wasn't easy but once I made the decision and settled it, I didn't look back. 1 Corinthians 13 helped me, 'give up childish things'.

I mean, think about Adam and Eve, they didn't take cuttings from the forbidden tree after they tasted of it did they. Ok so they were barred from the tree of life, but they soon learned not to go where they were tempted again.

 

[SarahsKnight]

All right, then, as it is Tuesday we will be reading from books on history.

Today begins with Joshua chapters 1 through 5.

 

[Swan7]

Taking my Bible with me to work this time. Not that I don't read from my phone, it's just... I dunno. Something about the physicality of the book.

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

I will read this when I get home

 

[SarahsKnight]

I have a few observations, although Joshua is one of perhaps twenty or so books in the Bible I have not read often at all throughout my life. Only a few times.

Of all the things included in Joshua, I am most familiar with the story of Rahab the prostitute in Jericho, in chapter 2. And she is most inspiring with her display of faith here, proving that God sees value in even those members of society that may be viewed with general scorn by their human peers. God finds value in all His creations, and it turns out that when Rahab meets and shelters the spies Joshua sent to scope out the land for future taking, she gives glory to the Lord and even acknowledges him as not just "Israel's God", but the God of heaven and the earth below, saying her people had heard how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt by way of parting the Red Sea for them and also enabled them to subdue the tribes who stood before them on their journey to the land God promised them (she mentions the "two kings of the Amorites whom you have utterly destroyed", but I would assume Rahab also refers to really any city or clan of people in general who opposed the Israelites and were subdued, to drive home the point that so long as God is with Israel, they are undefeatable.

In Joshua 4:14, I have noticed a specific instance in which the NASB indicates the term "revered" (in reference to how the Israelites viewed their new leader and commander Joshua as he prepared them for battle against Jericho) as synonymous with "feared". I am of the opinion that to "fear the Lord" as it is written a few times times in Scripture is to revere Him - not this actual, loathing fear like you would fear a tyrant king who oppresses and bullies his own - due to verses such as this. The Israelites no doubt adored Joshua here and were inspired and ready to fight alongside him.

 

[Goodbook]

Im reading from KJV.

Some things.

1. Great story! Joshua is the brave, courageous one. Also, Joshua is really the Hebrew name of Jesus. And his character is just like Jesus, i find so many similarities. Like Jesus, he was a leader, shepherding his flock. He made friends with a prostitute! Rahab is like mary magdalene. Jesus was baptised in this very Jordan river they crossed. Joshua always looked on the bright side, like Jesus.

2. Their hearts melted, as it says in KJV. I like the word picture of a melting heart.

3. The twelve memorial stones at gilgal remind me of Jesus saying we are living stones of the church.

4. If they are not brave, or hearken to the Lord, he will put them to death. i think God really put to the israelites to get their act together if they wanted to possesss the promised land.

5. From bread (manna) to fruit, after the manna ceased, they go to taste the juicy fruits of caanaan. It is like how we christians eat the bread of life, and then go on to dessert..or drunk the fruit of the vine and also cultivating the fruits of the holy spirit.

 

[LadyOfMystery]

Post late my two cents on yesterdays reading:

Genesis chapters 1-3 really talks a lot about the Holy Spirit, moving across the waters and land. Just even in first chapters He talks already about the 2/3rds of the Trinity. So God the Father is overseeing all He is working on while the Holy Spirit is building what we see today.

Not to get too far off topic, but it really makes me take a second glance at the outside world, when I see the ocean, trees, even grass.. knowing God and the Holy Spirit made these things, touched them in some way, is a bit breath taking.

Then later in 1:26 it talks about how God made man in "our" image and "our" likeness. I really love this because it again, sneaks in the Trinity, where God doesn't say "my" He says "our" as in Him, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus yet to come. It to me speaks future, speaks hope for humanity when He says "our", because there is more to come from Him.

Also I like how God differentiates between an "image" and "likeness". We are an image of Him, we aren't the same, but we are like a replica. We are also in the "likeness" of Him...also a sign of hope from Him. He wanted us already to be in the likeness of Jesus before He even came. But He made us with this purpose from day 1, to be in the likeness of Him, to be like Jesus.

 

[LadyOfMystery]

Will post about Joshua chapters in a few. Also all my commentary is from KJV.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Im reading from KJV.

Some things.

1. Great story! Joshua is the brave, courageous one. Also, Joshua is really the Hebrew name of Jesus. And his character is just like Jesus, i find so many similarities. Like Jesus, he was a leader, shepherding his flock. He made friends with a prostitute! Rahab is like mary magdalene. Jesus was baptised in this very Jordan river they crossed. Joshua always looked on the bright side, like Jesus.

That's a very good point, Miss Book. I never even noticed the similarity until you brought it up.

 

[Swan7]

That's a very good point, Miss Book. I never even noticed the similarity until you brought it up.

I second this. It was like I walked into a wall of Epiphany

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

I am reading from the NIV but will switch and I read from my iPad with a voice dude which is cool.


I really enjoyed Joshua, I try and picture myself being there in the wildness, everyone from the beginning are all now gone, still trust and waiting on God.

I think we have wildness periods were we wander in a season that feels like were is this going etc

We have a inheritance from God, if it was given to them, it is given to all of us but also the points are made we need to stick to God plan, don't go left or right, if we do then it won't come to pass.

We have battles a ahead of us as well, and God is sending a army before us before we can enter.

I love Rehab, especially how gods uses her and she is part of Jesus blood line, Can you imagine that her blood is there in Jesus wow amazing, she really did her promise from God, she must have been so scared but something struck her too have faith and protect these men.

It shows that God hands us people to help us.


It also shows that people fear our God because he is the God of the heaven and the skies.


I thought that there was a link up with the scarlet cord (red in colour) I think this is a symbol of protection she puts it on her window to show that they are too be put safe, it is like the Passover, also it is like Jesus his blood is over our "window" showing us to be safe inside. It also talks about blood that it would not be on their hands if they stay in doors but they can't be responsible for the blood outside the protection, it shows to me when we step out of God - he can't protect us especially people who turn away from him. Once we come under that he will give us everything, like he did too rehab.


It also uses the word covenant, I am with you , LISTEN to the words of the Lord.

Do we understand we are in a covenant with him, do we realise he is with us. And do we LISTEN to the words of the Lord, like really listen.


I loved Joshua stones and the twelve tribes and how that all interconnects.


The Lord is powerful if he can dry the river Jordan he will dry up over overflowing rivers so we can walk on, but we need to listen and listen"

The commander of the Lord army really interested me as well.


Also when searching about the 12 stones I picked up this point.

The 12 stones under the waters of the Jordan are picture of the people who reject the salvation of the Lord, that God offers. They haven't been delivered or crossed over the river and they won't be counted when entering the promise land"


I just feel that if I listen too God, know him, trust him etc then I will see the other 12 stones that God had Joshua set up to remind the people what God did. We need to let God dry up our river first too get to the other side too see, they are their to be seen because we have faith and believe, imagine that feeling upon seeing them.


I hope I make sense :-/

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

Im reading from KJV.

Some things.

1. Great story! Joshua is the brave, courageous one. Also, Joshua is really the Hebrew name of Jesus. And his character is just like Jesus, i find so many similarities. Like Jesus, he was a leader, shepherding his flock. He made friends with a prostitute! Rahab is like mary magdalene. Jesus was baptised in this very Jordan river they crossed. Joshua always looked on the bright side, like Jesus.

Mary Magdalene has the reputation in Western Christianity as being a repentant prostitute or loose woman; however, these claims are not supported by the canonical gospels. The identity of Mary Magdalene is believed to have been merged with the identity of the unnamed sinner who anoints Jesus' feet in Luke 7:36-50.

Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute


The short answer is that Mary Magdalene has been confused with several other women in the Bible, most significantly-- and ultimately problematically-with the unnamed sinner in Chapter 7 of Luke. In that story, a woman bathes Jesus' feet with her tears, anoints them with ointment from her alabaster jar, and dries them with her hair. When the Pharisees object, noting that she is a known sinner, Jesus admonishes them and forgives her "because she has shown great love" (Luke 7:47). Nowhere does it say that this woman was a prostitute, and nowhere is she identified as Mary of Magdala.

The confusion may have come from the proximity of that passage to the one that identifies Mary of Magdala by name as a follower of Jesus who had had seven demons cast out of her (Luke 8:2). Although previously interpreted as referring to sexual sin, the mention of seven demons is now believed to mean illness, most likely mental illness.

The waters get even muddier when this unnamed sinner gets lumped in with another Mary-Mary of Bethany, Martha and Lazarus' sister-who also anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair, as described in Chapter 12 of John's gospel. An earlier version of this story in Matthew refrains from naming this woman. In Matthew this woman is a close friend of Jesus-- not a stranger with a reputation as a sinner.

Some believe the conflation of Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdala results not just from their shared name but also from the presence of the alabaster jar of perfumed oil. It's easy to see why the sinful woman who anoints Jesus' feet is confused with Mary of Bethany, who does the same. It's possible that the shared symbols of incense and tears have historically united these women with Mary of Magdala, who was among the women who brought jars of perfumed oil to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body.

- See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/200806/who-framed-mary-magdalene-27585#.dpuf

 

[Swan7]

What an excellent story of morale! A time to be strong and courageous as God reassured them that He was with Joshua, and prepared for battle! I can see this as being a test of obedience and to fear the One that can create and destroy.
The 12 stones stood out for me as it is described in Revelation as well.

Sorry for keeping this short, I'm just so tired after working.

 

[SarahsKnight]

As Wednesdays involve only the Psalms, the reading will be rather short. But seeing as Psalms often give personal praise to the Lord, we can likely find much to say about them after reading.

So today we have Psalms 1 through 2.

 

[SarahsKnight]

So, here in Psalms 1 we appear to have just a very generic contrast between doing good and doing evil. For those that do good, they will be blessed. For those who persist in evil, they will be driven out eventually and altogether destroyed because in judgment they are not able to stand at all (1:5). Even the very way of wickedness will be no more one day, no matter what it may seem like sometimes (for example, ISIS's barbaric deeds) on Earth as of the present (1:6).

Psalms 2 seems to indicate that Christ will one day come and crush evil and ultimately be King over all. In Psalms 2:2-4, so sure of this is God that He - perhaps very literally - scoffs at those who take no heed or wrongfully think of Christ's reign (His influence today even as He is not physically here right now, maybe?) as a shackle, a burden, and think to displace Him. But no, it is settled; God has decreed that Christ is King of Kings, and it will be done. And what reason is there not to rejoice over that? Christ is entirely good, and if only all humans on Earth could simply see that, then they too would want no other king but Jesus.

And finally here towards the end, Psalms 2:10-12, the Lord has an admonishment for even the humans who lead others on the Earth ("kings" and "judges") to take heed and come to Christ and give Him due homage.

 

[LadyOfMystery]

Posting shortly about yesterdays and todays chapters, since I didn't get around to posting.
I am keeping up with the reading, it is awfully fun! I just need to get better about posting