Oxford, 531-32; 2 Kings 4-5; 22-23; 24:1-25:11

4: This miracle makes me think of the one when a woman was told to make bread for a man of God and the man blessed her and told her she would never run out of food for her or her son.  Obviously, I cannot remember the names, but I am sure you know who I am talking about.  The miracle could also be seen as similar to the water into wine, filling the vessels. 
What does the woman's answer in verse 13 mean, "I live among my own people?"  Women are always surprised and doubtful when people tell them they are to have a child.  The text shows little time passage through verse 16 to 17, whereas with previous couples, they had to wait a bit before the child arrived.  I wonder why the woman did  not tell her husband.  My guess is that she knew he would get angry and harm Elisha, when the wife had faith that Elisha could heal the boy.  I find it so interesting the woman's calm demeanour until she reaches Elisha, but then she is still composed when she confronts him about what he has promised.  I question the actions and commands of Elisha when he says do not talk or answer to anyone.  Of course, Elisha knew that Gehazi's presence would not heal the child and  makes Elisha's presence more meaningful. 
In class some people mentioned the question about where does the child's soul go when he was dead.  I do not think about that stuff because it really doesn't matter to our lives now.  We know that Jesus has died so we have a pathway to Heaven.  I am not worried about my soul being trapped or what not because God is in control of that, not me, thankfully.  I believe souls are not of this world and that their part in our lives does not come until death.
I have always said that sharing a meal with someone is almost the most intimate thing you could do to get to know someone.  Anytime I want to know someone better or further a relationship I invite them to eat with me.  There are two food stories side by side and I think that it is significantly important.  We get to know the character of Elisha and how the people react to him.  Again one of his stories parallels to Jesus; he is able to feed hundreds from a small meal.

5: I find it good that the young girl was devoted to her king after being taken captive.  Though her life might have been better, she showed no contempt in her words that were recorded.  I don't understand why the Israeli king thinks the Aramean king wants war.  He overreacts and Elisha has to calm him down.  Apparently the Jordan was not the cleanest river and that's why Naaman was so appalled.  I like that it was his servants, however, that talked him into completing the task.  It is as though Elisha knew Naaman wanted a scene, so instead he gave him the simple task of washing to prove that God does not have to work in grandeur ways.  I think it was very smart of Naaman to mention that his job requires him to bow to other gods.  If I had just been healed, I do not know if my job would be the first thing I would think about. 
The last line of this chapter makes me think of a saying "washing me white as snow."  It's kind of nasty now to see that they compare leprousy to snow...  One of the questions in class was if followers of God should be wealthy.  I believe it is a personal question because of how people deal with the wealth.  Gehazi wanted the wealth only for himself.  Elisha uses this to show how that kind of attitude will only lead to destruction.  Wealth can be inticing and if we fall into its trap then we will be made unclean. 

22: Josiah was the greatest because he did what the other kings could not do, and destroyed the high places.  When it says that he was 8 years old, did he truly reign or was it the high officials until he was competent.  How did Josiah turn out so well?  Being a psychology person I would look to his up-bringing, and the events around his childhood.  Are there stories in the Bible or other texts that share that information? The footnotes say that the book found might have been Deuteronomy because of the clothes tearing and his realization that they were doing wrong, but that part is a little confusing.  When Josiah says that their ancestors did not obey the law, is he realizing the source of their misfortune?
Here again we have a woman prophetess who delivers the word of the Lord. Also, a description of a merciful and just God.  Because Josiah was ignorant but also penitent God spared him and his people, but would continue the judgement on later generations.  That is a long time. Makes me wonder how long it took God to avenge the wrong that the Israelites did years ago.

23: I love the opening imagery with all the people gathered around their king worshiping their true King.  After gathering he destroys all the temptations of the people from the high places. I bet a lot of people were grateful - the sons and daughters of Topheth - and angry at the same time, especially since these idols had been around for centuries.  All this defiling and progress makes me think a little of FDR's 100 days.  He got so much done and helped so many people, though it was reconstruction and not deconstruction it was still helpful.  It is so cool to read that this one man changed the path of the people that had been going on for generations.  By keeping the passover, he radically altered these people's lives.  He was a great king.
heehee teraphim...under the saddle.
This is the first time I have seen a name for the Pharaoh in Egypt.  The one who kills Josiah should be known since Josiah was such a great man.
How could his son be so terrible?  Was Josiah neglectful?   The footnotes mention that no religious faults are stated, only poor treatment of the people.  I wonder why that is, normally the authors blame bad things on the gods.  It is sad to read the lines "just as his ancestors had done" because it is as thought the sin will never stop, which it won't.  Makes me wonder if my biography would say that...

24: I am not a history person because I can never remember; therefore, most of these chapters are the history of why things happened and how the land got to be as it is.  It's hard for me to stay focused on the religious aspect with the frequent change in power.  I think about all the bad times during this era and how the people must have felt.  Here in America, our change in power is some-what smooth without war or revolution, but all of these kings and different laws must have been exhausting.

25:  It is ironic, as the footnotes state, that Israel's first victory - Jericho - will become a place of their defeat. I would not want to be taken by a guy whose name means "chief of the butchers..."
All in all, a lot of change in hands and killings and revolts have taken place.  I think there will be a turn of events soon because God doesn't let things go on too long and the authors don't either.

Oxford 485-87; I Kings 1:1-2:12; 3; 9:1-9; 11-12; 18; 19; 21; 22:29--40

1: The first thing that is done in this chapter is that David's servants search for a young, beautiful virgin to keep the king "warm."  One question is why could they not use one of his already many wives?  As seen in the last section on how political power was determined from your women, so too is your political power determined by your sexual abilities.  David was too old to have sex, so he was seen as too weak to rule a nation.  That presents some questions as to who put David's servants up to this challenge.

I think it was kind for Nathan to save Bathsheba and her son, even if he had alternative motives.  He could have plotted to kill Adonijah, but chose to save someone instead.  There is no proof that the swear Nathan is talking about exists, but David does not know because he is old.  

I wonder what Adonijah and his followers felt when they heard the trumpet during their feast.  I'd be embarrassed and angry.  I bet Adonijah is regretting not inviting Nathan or Solomon to his little get together, as the saying goes: keep your friends close and your enemies closer.  

I think Solomon's response to Adonijah is appropriate.  Solomon does not want trouble and knows that Adonijah is sneaky, taking things without asking, so to be a worthy man should keep him in line.  However, I can see the contempt building up in Adonijah's eyes.  

2: Here, David is indirectly telling Solomon of all the people that have done David wrong, and Solomon should "know what [he] ought to do to them."  Whether or not David actually reigned 40 years is probably not true, but is symbolic for a "perfect reign."  After reading this last chapter of David's life, I do not think he was a very good king, but I think he was a worldly one.  He did a lot of things that were right in the sight of the community but not in the sight of the Lord.  His last words to Solomon had little to do with how God will help him and more on seeking revenge for the king.  

3: Dr. Pigott always says if you are an "astute" reader than you will notice things that Solomon is doing wrong.  Unfortunately, I am not an astute reader so most of what I will point out here is things I was told.  I still believe that Solomon was granted wisdom from the Lord, even if most things seem coincidental or on the verge of wrong-doing.  

First, Solomon takes a foreign wife.  Next, he does not get rid of the high places.  These are places where the towns people could worship, but most worshiped false idols.  God comes to Solomon in a dream, and many find this suspicious because dreams were not always true.  I agree that God, himself does not normally appear in dreams.  I do find it wise that Solomon acknowledges his own weakness of inexperience and asks God for help.  The phrasing in vs. 15 is deceiving because it makes it sound like it didn't really happen.  Then there is the baby trial; the footnotes tell us the name Solomon is not mentioned, so this could have been an independent story that the author used to show Solomon's new wisdom.  

9: I am assuming that Solomon has now built the temple.  God again reiterates that Solomon must continue to walk with the Lord and keep His ordinances in order to remain favorable.  I see all of this repetition as foreshadowing of a downfall.  Solomon tries to do what he sees as right because he feels he has God's wisdom, but as we all know our own agendas can get in the way.  God realizes this and follows up with a threat.  

11: Solomon has a big problem with foreign women.  I think the juxtaposition in vs. 2 is funny; Gods decree and then Solomon's blatant disobedience.   The women have manipulating powers and God knows this.  He tried to protect the people, but Solomon was turned away from God by his women.  What power we have.  I find it really strange that God does good in the name of David.  Is that the author providing justification or do we really know that God saw favor in David thought he did wrong things?  Here we have a perfect number three for the enemies against Solomon.  The rest of chapter 11 tells us what happens with these enemies.  

Solomon caused God to split the kingdom and leave only Jerusalem for the ancestry of David.  
I don't know a lot of history so these enemies do not make sense to me.  I wonder what these people did to Solomon's reign.  I know they made trouble for him, rebelling and such.  I find it interesting that God gives the other ten tribes to Jeroboam.  What did he do that God chose him, except for being "able."

12: Rehoboam has taken the kingship and the people are wanting mercy fro Solomon.  The answer that Rehoboam's friends give him in comparison to the elder's advice is ridiculous.  Why he listens to them makes no sense.  I haven't read anything previously about Rehoboam but I feel he was catered to by his father and that when the elders try to tell him to change those ways, he is reluctant.  I could see his fall coming because it would have been too good to be true if he had chosen the right answer.  However, how many times do we ask the advice of others and then turn out backs knowing it is the right thing to do.
I would agree with the people and rebel against the king's house because he has not listened to the people.  Jeroboam was biding his time until the people were disgruntled enough to accept him.
I just think it is so funny how the author portrays chain of events.  They are about to fight, but God says to Shemaiah "tell them to go home," and they all go home.  I wonder how much time passes between the events.  How does traveling affect what is told and the timing of things?  It seems so simple in the text but I'm sure it wasn't during that time.
Jeroboam was doing so well until the golden calves and the festivals.  Dr. Pigott told us why this was significant to his reign.  The placement of the calves was to prevent his followers from making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  He did not want them seeing other nations and leaving him.

18: Personally, I have always looked at Elijah with greatness.  He seemed to know what to do and to be there when needed.  I'm interested to see how well that belief sticks out.  Or if these chapters show any characteristic of Elijah.
It's really funny the big long speech that Obadiah gives to Elijah.  He does not want to be killed, but does not give Elijah a chance to comfort him.  Then as soon as Elijah says everything will be fine, Obadiah shuts up and complies.  He wasted all that time begging for nothing, showing his lack of confidence in the judgement of the Lord.  Were all the followers of the Lord this scared of offending God?
Ahab and Jezabel are a bad couple.  Neither of them are any good.
Elijah presents a challenge to the people to prove their idols are false.  I think this is really clever and bet God and Elijah got a kick out of watching the people squirm trying to call upon their false idols.  The people's revelation and killing of the false prophets brings rain to the people.  I love that Elijah runs in front of the chariot.  I remember that part and have loved it ever since.  When I was young my favorite animal was a cheeta and I wanted super speed as my power, so the running always stood out.

19: Elijah was scared of Jezebel's threat of death... why? what power did she have, was she skilled in hunting down people?  Again the power of women.
I think it is great that God prepares Elijah for his journey.  It is support that even in Hebrew times they knew God provided for those faithful to Him.  Vs.11 - 13 are well known in describing the characteristic of God.  I like that He comes in the whisper because it shows control because Elijah already knows His power.  If I were Elijah I would fear the people, too and want to die then, feeling my role in the world had been completed.  Imagine if you were living under Aram and had the choice to serve Baal.  God saved only those that refused.  Would we refuse?

21: I would be horrified if I were Naboth!  But I am surprised that Naboth did not see his peril after refusing the husband of Jezebel.  Did she not have a reputation of killing, or did she clean her hands of it? I am surprised that Ahab was able to turn God's heart, but I still appreciate God continuing the destruction on to Ahab's house.  Ahab was pitiful and only did what was in his best interest.  I wonder if he even believed in what he humbled himself for, he must have if God believed him.  I don't believe Jezebel got what she deserved.  I know I am not one to judge, but she was the instigator of all things bad and killed a lot of people and all that happens is that dogs eat her.  I know that was terrible for the times, but I expected a little worse.

22: Where in the earlier chapter did it say that the prostitutes were going to bath in the blood? The footnotes say that the prostitutes add obscenity to Elijah's original word making Ahab's death more infamous.  I want to know why they want to "celebrate" these bad kings? I would want to look down upon his death, saying he deserved it, but I feel that is not how the people see it.

These chapters added to the prophet's history.  I just got my classes ready for next year and I really hope I will be able to remember this stuff for New Testament.  

Oxford, 445-46; 2 Sam. 5:1-16; 6; 7; 11; 12; 13; 15; 18; 24

5: I am a little confused about verse 6 and 8 involving the lame and blind.  Why were they mentioned as the obstacle David would have to go through.  Then, it says "Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates."  What is the water shaft? and why does David hate these people if he already took the land?
In Sunday school we see David as "A man after God's own heart," but the Bible does not exactly depict him this way.  Taking concubines and multiple wives was directly against what God wanted.
Pigott shared information during class about the city that David took.  The city was neutral; therefore, David showed no favoritism over the land and was able to being the tribes together under one king.  He ends the Philistine problem and is hopeful for peace.

6: First, the ark was suppose to be carried on poles, not a cart.  In verse 7, Uzzah is struck down after touching the ark. I find this not to be unreasonable.  If the Lord said that you will be struck down if you touch the ark, then He must follow His word.  Uzzah might have been doing a good thing, steadying the ark, but if he survived, others would try and venture out to touch the ark.  It was suppose to be a sacred thing; therefore, no exceptions.  David, I feel, over reacts a little.  I think he's scared to be in the presence of God when he knows he did not follow protocol about the ark. In class we talked about guilt.  Ironically, the house David places the ark in was blessed.  Pigott told us that the Hebrew translation of verse 13 could be read as though every six steps he made an offering.  This would support that he really really did not want to mess this up.  Verse 14 and 16 lead to some controversy because many interpret David's dancing and clothing to be risque and showing of his private parts.  This isn't true because the word "girded" in the Hebrew is uniform.
Michal had some reason to be upset with David.  She did not feel he was being king-like, so she confronted him about it.  Unfortunately, David got mad and the argument resulted in Michal having no children.  This is significant because it represents the end of Saul's line.

7: The imagery God uses to describe David and the plans He has for David is really moving: the shepherd and his flock, seeds being planted, prince and king, father and son, the continuation of generations.  I wonder why God went through Nathan and did not say this to David directly.  God promises that even if David does injustice, He will never take away His love from David's heart.
I wonder why the people praise God with so many questions instead of declarative statements.  Why is it significant that God build David a house? Does this represent generations or power?
In class Dr. Pigott said that God refused David's offer of a temple, but in verse 13 it states, "He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.  Oh, but reading below, it is David's son Solomon who will build the temple.

11: I did not have any previous thoughts about Bathsheba, so this story set the record straight on what others had previously thought.  David was suppose to be in battle but stayed in Jerusalem.  When David learns that the woman is married and related to two of his best men, he does not care.  Many blame Bathsheba for lying with David, but if the king summoned you, you would answer his call, too.  David tries to "clean up" what he had done by telling Bathsheba's husband to "wash his feet." And from past learning "feet" really means sex.  David is not nice.  He tries everything to cover his tracks and finally has to get rid of Uriah by sending Uriah off with his own death sentence! knowing Uriah is trustworthy and would never read the letter.  David is down right dirty. Instead of mourning his loss, David is happy Uriah is dead and tells Joab to continue the siege.     I feel bad for Bathsheba and do not think it is her fault that David fell for her.  It does not say he loved her but only thought she was beautiful.  She mourned greatly for her husband but had to go to David since she was pregnant with his son.

12: God is really mad, and He should be.  David deserves God's wrath.  Dr. Pigott shared with us that the more wives a man had, the greater his political power.  Therefore, David only used Bathsheba for power.  I think it's funny the parable God uses and how angry David gets when it is him God is talking about.  I can understand how the child born to David dying is bad for him because his line will not continue, but I think it is sad for the mother, too.  In honors we just wrote about suffering and I never thought about how one person's suffering could be just as bad in a different way to another person.  Symbolism again that the child died on the seventh day. Was it on the eighth day that they were to be circumcised?
I wonder if David had had faith after the boy's death if God would have brought him back from the dead.  God does miracles based on a person's faith, so if David had had enough faith to believe God could do anything, even raise the dead, I bet God would have done it.
So Solomon is actually Jedidiah?  In the footnotes, his name has many significant meanings.  I love when names have great meanings because alot of times in the bible, the baby names are out of situations instead of foreshadowing.  I like the foreshadowing one s because it is a constant reminder to the father.
Does the Deuteronomy laws still apply?  If so, shouldn't David have killed all of the Rabbah's and the people of the Ammonites instead of putting them to work for him?

13: This story is really sick.  A brother should not fall in love with this sister and a brother should support his sister in any situation.  Jonadab wasn't even in the family and he pokes his nose into their business.  Tamar pleads with Amnon to ask king David, but Amnon refuses and rapes her.  This is my worst fear and I could never imagine someone in my own family doing this. I wonder if it was a regular thing among commoners during this time to rape their women.  Tamar was the pure one.
Verse 20 seems to suggest that Absalom knew of this terrible thing and did nothing to comfort Tamar.  Verse 23- 29 is very unclear.  What were Absalom's intentions?  Why did the other sons flee?  The text provides evidence that some stories were mistranslated during travel because Absalom did not kill ALL the sons only Amnon.  I find it strange that David weeps for Amnon but then yearned for his killer, Absalom when he fled the city.  All the motives are unclear because Dr. Pigott said the word yearn in the Hebrew text really means anger or exhaustion.  The subtext tells us this is why he is so reluctant to let Absalom back in.

15: Though Absalom was trying to build followers, David still had loyal servants.  His demeanor must have been great because of Ittai following him after only such a short while. I don't find cowardice in David fleeing the city because he is waiting to see how God reacts to Absalom's coming.  David does not threaten Absalom's rule but sets in place spies to keep tabs on the new ruler.
I don't really have much to say about this chapter.

18: I think that is interesting yet humble that David takes the advice of his commanders.  I feel he is overwhelmed and wants to stick with this followers, but they know better than to let him fight.  Though David was tired of Absalom's reign, he still asks the commanders to treat him lightly.  There is great skill by having the fight in the forest; David wants to protect his men.
All that happens to Absalom is symbolic.  It makes me wonder how true all that happens to people really is since the writers are trying to emphasize a point.  Poor Absalom only had a pillar to remember his name.
It is very peculiar that David weeps so much for Absalom.  But I could see how Absalom only wanted acceptance and David caused this fighting because he did not accept Absalom, so he feels it is his fault.

24: The last chapter in 2 Samuel.  A census is taken.  This had to be for David's benefit, or to show him a lesson because I believe God already knew how many people there were.  Why does David see this as a sin if God coaxed him to do so?  God give him three choices to repent.
I never knew that there was an actual angel killing the people and that God had to stop him from destroying Jerusalem.  What were the Hebrews thinking when they saw this?  Was the angel an actual man? or was the killing so great that you could actually see the angel moving.

1 Samuel 9:1-2; 10; 13; 15; 16:14-23; 18; 28:3-25

9: Saul was really handsome.

10: If I were Saul and Samuel was telling me all the things I had to do, I'd me overwhelmed.  Luckily, Samuel gives him a little break by saying God is with him.  That would give me a little confidence.  I wonder what all of this traveling and meeting people means.  I would be so self-conscious that I would do the wrong thing.  Verse 9 says God gave Saul a new heart.  In Hebrew, heart is the conscious.  In class, Tess brought up a good point that this might mean opening Saul's mind to bigger possibilities in the world.  Things he did not think God could do are now possible.  

What does it mean "it became a proverb?"  

The people threw lots to choose Saul so that it would be "from the Lord."  I still find this so funny.  Then, Saul hides! This made some people not like him.  If I had been thrown to govern the people I had lived with, knowing their mannerisms, I would be scared too.  

13: Whoa! That is the first verse I've seen that actually left something out.  Most of the time someone has narrowed it down to a date.  It would happen, that as soon as Saul finished the offering Samuel appears.  We discussed in class the motives behind Samuel's actions.  I do believe that he was a jealous of Saul's authority and that at this point in time his decree from verse 13-14 is not true, that it is springing from contempt.  Samuel is trying to keep his grasp on a relationship with the Lord, but Saul is slowly taking his place.  The end about the weapons is interesting, as is most everything I read.  The Philistines tried to prevent the Israelites from having weapons but in the end they have them anyway...

15: I wonder how Samuel felt when he was telling Saul all of the orders from God.  Was he willing, or did he say them because he knew the wrath of God if he didn't?  Why did he take the king? He was suppose to destroy everything and the one thing he didn't was the king and the best of all the livestock.  Then when Samuel hears of Saul's disobedience he is angry probably because he thought he could have done better.  I wonder though if Saul thought he was doing the right thing by keeping the best spoils to offer them before the Lord.  There is no sly diction to suggest that Saul had other motives.  We can read into it what we want, but there is little evidence, only that God stated what Saul did was wrong.  Then Samuel deals with the subject of obedience vs. sacrifice.  

It is very prideful for Saul to continue to want to be honored after God dismissed him.  God was sorry He made Saul king.  I find this really sad.  God believed in Saul but he let Him down.  Saul was unable to keep his head without Samuel there to speak to God.  Did it ever say that the Spirit was with Saul?  

16:  Question answered.  It had to have been because it just now departed.  The Hebrews did not believe in an all good God; therefore, the evil in Saul was from the Lord.  David was already known as being good-nature.  I wonder what psychological condition Saul had that they felt was an evil spirit from God, or if the text is true and it really was an evil spirit possessing him. There is foreshadowing here, too, as David comes to Saul's aid when Saul is weak.  David will soon replace Saul.

18:   I think it is so sweet the relationship of Jonathan and David.  In Sunday school, we learn that they are inseparable like brothers, and reading it again reiterates that relationship.  Saul is so fickle.  He sent David to kill these people and then is angry that David had killed more than he.  Saul is super jealous of David and tries to send him into battle to get killed.  Fortunately, David wins all the battles because of the Spirit of the Lord.  I must keep reminding myself that it is not the Holy Spirit because that didn't exist yet.  I think it is much greater than that back then because it was almost like God's physical spirit inside of them.  This foreskin stuff is getting out of hand.  I'm pretty sure Saul did not intend for David to actually bring them back.  David, however, is happy to be able to be one step closer to the thrown by marrying Saul's daughter.

28: I love that Saul turns to a woman.  After just completing the sacred assembly on "what pharaoh should have feared," women have a greater role in many of the little stories that it is hard to believe people continue to think them inferior to men in the sight of the Lord.  Did this really happen?  The intro said that the Samuels were stories, but this is ghostly.  I think it's funny how Samuel speaks to Saul, as though the answer is obvious and Saul is seeing nothing.  The women here also acts as a counselor.  Saul seems so pathetic, it is sad.   

Sacred Assembly

6.  Genesis 3.  Discuss the roles of the serpent, woman, and man in Genesis 3, noting especially how tradition departs from the text (cite specific texts and differences).  In the remainder of your essay, discuss the consequences which resulted from the humans’ sin in terms of their relationship with God, with each other, and with creation (as evidenced in the text).  Finally, take each judgment in turn and explain your interpretation of their meaning.  In what way does Christ’s coming impact these judgments?   (30 pts)

Traditionally, we think of the serpent as Satan, the symbol of evil.  However, in Genesis 3 there is no connection to evil or sin.  In fact, what the serpent tells Eve is all true; he never lies.  When he tells Eve “you will not die (4),” he speaks truth.  He does deceive her, but the deceit has no motives.  This concludes that the serpent was simply an animal of God’s kingdom that was much more “crafty,” as the Bible says, than all the rest of the animals.  We have modernized the role of the serpent in this passage by adding that he wanted Eve to eat of the fruit as revenge on God, but there is no support for that claim. 

In the same way, we have blown out of proportion the role of the woman, or Eve as she is later named.  Many Christians today will say that Eve manipulated Adam into eating the fruit.  This claim is very wrong.  The text states, “She took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband (6).”  There is no persuasion or deceit in her actions.  Eve saw sense in what the serpent had to say.  Yes, she blatantly ignored what God commanded and we are unable to know her thought process, but by the account the author gave us we can only conclude that she ate the fruit and handed it off to her husband; no words of coaxing.

However, we do not chastise Adam enough for his lack of action.  Adam “was with her” when Eve took of the fruit.  He was watching and did nothing, said nothing! People today blame the fall from God on Eve because she had weak faith, but they disregard the evidence that supports Adam was a part of this lack of faith as well.  Traditionally, Adam is seen as innocent, but the text says otherwise.  There is a modern law about negligence that states if you do nothing to stop the crime you are equally responsible for the consequences.  Adam falls into this category of negligence.  To go further, Adam throws Eve under the bus and blames God for giving him the unfaithful companion.  “The woman whom you gave to be with me (12),” is how Adam tries to persuade God that he is not at fault.  God is just and turns to Eve to get her side of the story.  Eve’s reaction of blaming the serpent is luckily accurate in today’s teachings. 

The discrepancies between text and Sunday school teachings are startling to me.  A lot of the responsibility is pinned on Eve, when she is not the only one at fault.  Similarly, too much credit is given to Satan for tricking them into eating the fruit.  The serpent should not be categorized as Satan because the Hebrews did not believe in Satan, yet. 
            On the subject of consequences, God gives equal punishment to the man and the woman.  He takes away the equality man and woman: “your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you (16).”  I believe that God did this, not as a punishment for Eve, but as a standard so that she cannot be blamed again for inaction of her husband.  The husband is not the official carrier of the family.  Eve receives increased childbirth pangs.  These pangs are not necessarily pain but can mean that along with toil and multiplication of seed.  I see this punishment as a reminder.  Every timel a woman has a child, it is a potential separation from God.  To disobey might result in punishment for that child; it is a warning for the mother.  Eve is separated from her husband but is expected to be the “mother of all living (20),” as Adam names her.  God does not place a specific separation between Him and Eve, but I think that the rift between man and woman creates a wider rift between God and woman.  For Adam, God takes things more physically when talking about provision.  The man must provide for his family, but it is now going to be full of toil and strife.  Man will work the ground until he “returns to the ground, for out of it you were taken (19).”  This is a separation of God and humanity.  God will no longer provide easy access to His creations; Man must work for it.  I believe this punishment also serves as a reminder.  Man will look at the earth and know that God once gave freely until human greed broke the intimacy. 

            At the very end, God “sent forth” Man from the Garden of Eden so that they would be unable to reach the tree of life – the only thing keeping them from becoming equal to God.  This is a direct separation from God.  He is taking away the intimate relationship that they shared while in the garden.  For this reason, some Christians characterize this as the “fall of humanity.”  Fortunately, this is not the fall of humanity because sin has not come to be defined.  A separation from God is a more accurate interpretation.  

12. The ones the Pharaoh should’ve feared.  Discuss the role women play in the first two chapters of Exodus in thwarting Pharaoh’s plans.  Be sure to explain the objectives of the plans, how and why the women thwarted those plans, and the consequences of the women’s actions.  Point out elements of irony and humor in the stories.  Why do you think women play such a prominent role in these chapters?  (20 pts)

You need women to multiply the population; that is a fact.  The women were thwarting Pharaoh’s plans before he even realized it.  The women are what make the nations great, both in size and in morals.  When they were being oppressed is when more babies were being made.  This is the first irony to surround the women of the Israelites.  Why Pharaoh would ask Hebrew women, women of their own nation, to kill off their own nation’s babies, and actually think they would comply is beyond me.  But, he does so anyway.  Shiphrah and Puah use the Egyptian’s grudge against the Israelites to their advantage when asked to kill the babies.  They claim, “the Hebrew women are vigorous” signaling barbarity towards Hebrew women.  This is in favor of the Egyptian’s views, so it successfully tricks them and the midwives do not have to kill a single child.  Hebrew tradition finds humor when the underdog can pull the wool over the superior’s eyes and get away with it.  Because these women risked being revealed as liars and ultimately death to save God’s chosen people, God grants them families.  They are rewarded for doing what was right. 

I think the movie depicts the scene in chapter two quite accurately.  The Hebrew mother might not have manipulated the placement of the basket, but I think she did.  The sister was cunning when she spoke up to fetch a nurse for the child, knowing Pharaoh’s daughter would need one.  The irony begins when we learn it is Pharaoh’s daughter who finds the child; the daughter of the man trying to rid his land of Hebrew male children.  Moses’s real mother was able to rear him without controversy. 

God knows that women’s roles in Bible times are minimal.  He knows that they are the last on the totem pole, and I think that is why He allows them to save the day over and over again.  Because of their status, women are less likely to take pride in their actions, and instead give the glory to God.  God is about to do the miracle that will be remembered for generations and He needs the women’s help to make sure the men do not get carried away.  Women play an important role in the beginnings of the plan because if the women are with God then the men will follow suit.  

Additional Offering: Book

Jacobs, A. J. The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007. Print.

The Year of Living Biblically is a chronological journal that depicts A.J. Jacobs through, just as the title states, a full year of living biblically.  For Jacobs, living biblically was following the traditional Old Testament laws set out mainly by Leviticus, but also by any other law that is found in the Old Testament.  The list of laws came to be over 100!  For anyone, especially me, remembering 100 new laws every day for an entire year is a feat; therefore, Jacobs chooses to take the laws by priority. He began by observing the easiest law to follow, resolving not to shave for an entire year. He neglects most of the animal sacrifices because in the city of New York many of the killings would be illegal, but laws average people avoid, such as stoning adulterers, he completes.  The tenacity with which he completes the year, and his experiences and revelations from it, have taught me to be more self-conscious about what I believe in as a Christian. 

Jacobs grew up agnostic, so to take on this challenge was to take on a new perspective of life. For Christians today, living biblically might mean adding a few rituals or changing their diet, but for Jacobs, that meant creating an entirely new lifestyle.  He had never prayed before nor had he observed any religious customs.  As a writer for Esquire magazine, he was used to focusing on the secular side of life, not having to take into consideration how his actions or stories were affecting his life.  One reason Jacobs took on this challenge was because of his son Jasper and hopeful children of the future.  He did not want his children ending up as his bi-polar family did, having strict conservative aunts to agnostic parents to crazy hippie uncles.  Throughout the book, he contemplates situations that arise in order to give Jasper a broader outlook on life, to provide him with religious stability if Jasper ever wanted to pursue that way of life. 

I really enjoyed reading about Jacob’s journey through the year because many of his situations dealt with chapters I had just covered in my Old Testament Survey class.  Dr. Pigott, of course, rocks my mind about everything, but Jacobs puts the stories and laws into a new perspective when he actually lives them out on the streets of New York City.  When I read the Old Testament, my mind is hundreds of years away.  I do not imagine the people in the Bible stories living in the modern world we do now, but Jacobs has put that image into my mind, while also demonstrating the possibility for that event to occur.  I laughed every time he tried to recreate what the people of the Old Testament had to carry out: stoning, killing chickens, no lust.  He has created a second conscious within my mind.  If I were to react biblically, what would that look like?  What in my life is impure?  In Old Testament, we just completed the “week” of living biblically.  I failed the first day, and was not half involved as Jacobs was. 

Throughout the journey, Jacobs met men that were content with their traditional lives.  Amish, Jews, and atheists each had the same level of passion for their beliefs as all the rest.  They were not living biblically for a year – that is their life!  Jacobs was constantly aware of what others were thinking, from their glances at his beard and the pranks his coworkers played on him, testing his determination.  However, he persevered, knowing it would all be over in a year.  That got me thinking about the Christian way of life and what Jesus lived through being here on earth, and how much courage it takes to stand up for your beliefs.  It challenged me to want to live out my faith more, to be confident in what I believe.

The end of the book is bittersweet because Jacobs shaves his beard.  After a year of no shaving and no trimming, the whole thing is gone.  He states that he is returning to his old self, the biblical “Jacob” is no more.  He finally ends with a scene of him breaking law after law trying to ease his way back into his pre-biblical life.  This was the only part I disagreed with.  The entire time, he is trying to incorporate the Bible into his everyday life, but when the day is done nothing about him is changed.  The guilty feelings no longer have an effect on his actions. 

Dr. George Knight

Voluntary Offering # 4

The Knight Lectures Attendance

Oct. 23, 2010 * 9:30 a.m. * Behrens Chapel

10 pts.

After attending the lecture you must write a brief (one paragraph) typewritten summary of the lecture, including one significant quote by the speaker and why that quote was significant to you.

It is crazy because in class we were just talking about clean and unclean and Dr. Garland used the story of the unclean woman touching Jesus' cloak.  Dr. Garland points out that Jesus causes a commotion when He heals the woman.  He wants the audience to see her faith and the fear she had to overcome.  Dr. Garland also uses the example of Jirus' daughter dying.  Jesus tells him to continue to have faith even in the face of death.  Dr. Garland wanted to prove that Jesus teaches the same values in widely different scenarios stating, "Mark wants us to hear the intertwined stories - polar opposite people but very similar faiths."  Dr. Garland shares the differences in the stories and ties it together with the simple phrase, "In God's kingdom, the nobodies become somebodies."  I loved this quote because he is saying that everyone is equal in the sight of the Lord.  No matter their experience or situation, Jesus expects them to have faith.  My faith can be just as great as a homeless person or a millionaire's.   

Judges 11:29-40; 14; 16; 19-21 Oxford 399-400; 1Samuel 1; 3; 4:1-11; 5-6;I 8

11:29-40:  I think it is interesting that many people of the Bible make deals with God.  In today's world, we cannot simply say, "hey God, if I do this will you do this for me?"  It is so strange to see the people treat God as though He will do as they say if they offer something to Him.  It is probably the culture and the fact that most of the stories were written in hindsight, but it is still strange.  There is a psychological phenomenon that states we always remember the past better than it actually happened.  I wonder if that is what happened here.  Jephthah's daughter seemed to be very calm when she heard what her father had done.  It shows the courage of the women again.  Though she "bewailed" her virginity, the text does not describe deep sorrow.  It simply states that she asked, departed, and the deed was done.  The virginity was special because it signified the end of Jephthah's line.  The daughter was unable to continue her father's legacy.  I like the Israelite custom of praising the daughter because she showed great courage in obeying the Lord's vow.  I bet if she had complained, the father would have followed her and not the Lord.  This brings up the question of why Jephthah would make such a vow.  Who was he expecting?

14: So, does verse 4 mean that God planned the failure of Samson?  I feel sorry for Samson.  God put in his heart the love for this woman.  Samson, I feel, only wanted some fun with the riddle.  The wife was very manipulative.  Samson was trying to be fair and not tell anyone the answer, but she used her womanly ways to get him to tell her.  Samson did nothing wrong except for be the man God wanted him to be, so that He could complete his act against the Philistines.  The spirit of the Lord was with him when he killed all those men.  Does this mean God allowed for Samson to take the garments?  Previously in the story about the lion, I had not realized until class that when Samson touched the dead lion he was breaking the laws of Leviticus, never touch a dead animal.

16: What does the taking of the door posts symbolize?  That he owns the place?  Yes, I agree that Samson is a playa, but so were lots of other "dignified" followers of God.  I think it's funny that Delilah does not try to hide her motives.  She asks him straight out for his weakness.  How does Samson know the true source of his power?  How can he not recognize that Delilah has tried everything he has told her. I think he does not know the true source and that when he tells her to cut his hair, he does not realize this is the true source of power.  Verse 20 confirms this saying "he did not know the Lord had left him." That is sad.  I also didn't know that Samson was brought out as entertainment.  I thought he was imprisoned between the pillars.  I have been to Rome and the Coliseum and this makes me remember all the "rooms" they kept the animals in.

19: Why did the girl's father want to keep the man so long?  I would guess it would be so he could keep his daughter longer, but it says he greeted the man with joy so that doesn't quite fit.  Maybe he knew that the man would get caught on his way home and tried to wait out the bad guys.  The author really wants you to know that the people of Gibeah were Benjaminites; he repeats it a lot.  The way the master talks to the old man suggests he is a sly man.  He says things to make himself look good. Verse 23-24 are vulgar because of the contrast between the men and the women.  The old man did not want harm to his visitor, a man he did not know, but was willing to give up his daughter to these pigs of men.  I find that appalling and wonder if it is just that certain culture because in previous stories fathers have more respect for their daughters.  The following verses until the end are horrible.  The very end, the twelve pieces, symbolizes the twelve tribes and a call to battle against this cruelty.  I can not even imagine delivering or receiving such a package.  It makes me sick.

20: The people are mad about this crime, but wasn't it the old man who offered her up in the first place.  It is unclear to me on what they are trying to take revenge.  Is it good to be left-handed? I am glad they decide to ask God how to fight instead of jumping into battle.  And, when it says the Lord answered, does this mean through the lots or actual voice?  Verse 22-23 is unique to the previous Israelite actions.  They did not waiver in faith.  They simply asked God what to do and they did it.  I think this is because they took revenge very seriously; there was a direct purpose behind the battle.  This wave on wave battle style is parallel to probably how the concubine was raped.  It is the perfect pay back because it lets the Benjaminites feel the horror of seeing another wave of Israelites coming near.  God allowed for this to happen.  His symbolism is powerful.  Also, the Israelites actually destroy everything as the herem states, which is a first.  I think it's interesting that the author added in verse 44 that all the Benjaminites that died were courageous fighters.  They are setting apart that cruel group from the rest of the nation, trying to say that even though it was only a group, all must die.

21: The Israelites are trying to keep the twelve tribes but refuse to marry Benjamin, so they fins a tribe that did not fight.  I think it's ridiculous that they kill off Jabesh-gilead people to repay Benjamin.  It is so wrong.  Then, it's even worse that they try to cheat the system and tell the father's that it's actually their fault for not giving up their daughters.  The Israelite's logic is really skewed and I think the only reason people went along with it is because they didn't know what else to do.  Verse 25 sums it all up saying that the people "did what was tight in their own eyes."  They did not take consideration of God or ask for a leader.

We skip Ruth because it is not originally in the Hebrew Bible.

1Samuel: literary masterpiece with some genuine history; David presented as victim.
1: I feel bad for Hannah being bullied for something that is not her fault, but this story should bring strength to those who feel God is unfair.  God always uses suffering for good.  Hannah will be a light to others.  However, I do find it good that Hannah's husband was genuine to both women and did not discriminate as most men did during this time.  I know Eli is getting old, and Pigott described his blindness as both spiritual and physical representing the corrupt priesthood. It is interesting though that the prayers were not normally silent.  Now days, most everyone prays silently to themselves.  We would all be mistaken for drunk!  There are so many references to sex in these chapters that without the annotation I would misinterpret most everything.  I don't understand all the puns either, only that most of them have to do with Saul.

3: The word of the Lord was rare signaling again the decline in priesthood.  Why did Samuel not know the Lord at that age?  He was practically living in the church.  Eli is slacking?  Verse 10 says the Lord stood there.  Does this mean Samuel saw him, if so did he know he should die after seeing the face of the Lord?  I think it's interesting that Samuel ends his recount of the dream with, leave God alone He knows what is good.  Samuel is an innocent boy but knows the ways of Eli and is hoping to sway his actions.  Because of his trust in the Lord, Samuel was known and listened to throughout the land.  Pigott told us that Samuel is the only Judge to receive a call from God.  This makes him special to me and I think it is because he was so young.  The young always trust authority and do not question motives.

4: The Israelites have come to think the arc is what saves them.  They have forgotten that God is behind the arc.  I wonder what it was like when "the earth resounded."  How would the writer describe such an outcry? It is so interesting that the main thing all the tribes remember is Egypt.  That one episode is what scares entire nations. When the Philistines capture the arc, they feel they have defeated the god of the Israelites. I think God allowed for this to happen to teach the Israelites that they don't need the arc to trust in the Lord.

5-6: The first image the Philistines see is their god face flat in front of God.  That just makes me laugh.  I bet they were all freaked out and those that might have started believing in God were laughing, too.  There is a cycle of plague that God sends with the Arc wherever it goes.  Is that not nasty that the priests tell them to include five gold tumors similar to the ones God plagued them with?  Why not gold earrings like everyone else asks for.  Makes me think it is a back-handed gift, made of gold but in the shape of a tumor and mice - their plagues.    I think it's great that the people always do tests to determine if it is God or chance.  In today's world, even if we set the standards, we would still rationalize the outcome against God.
The act of setting the untrained cows loose makes me think of new Christians that we expect to do good or to know their way.  Only God can guide the blind.

8: Samuel continues the trend of good fathers, bad sons. I feel as though God is tries to make Samuel feel better about the complaints of the people when He says the people have turned from the Lord and not him because I do not think it is true.  God gives the people what they want, but warns them that they are making the wrong decision.  This is mercy.  God tries to give them a second chance but the people are consumed in their own thoughts.  If I were part of the people I would be second guessing myself if it was that easy to get what we wanted.  Nothing is ever that easy.
Pigott told us the three reasons why the people wanted a new king: Samuel was getting old, other nations have kings (the Israelites did not understand that God was their king), and they wanted a Warrior to lead them into battle. This is the beginning of kingship.  Even after warnings they still refuse.  God is a just God and gives them what will exactly happen.
I feel as though we do this.  We think we need something so badly that we rationalize in our heads "how could God turn me down," when in reality God is saying no.

Oxford, 313-20; Josh. 2; 5; 6; 7; Oxford, 355-56; Judg. 4; 6; 7

"Historical books" Influence of Deuteronomy Theology
Joshua: conquest and allotment of the Promise land

2: This is Rahab's story.  I never thought about the two men being such bad spies.  How long it took the king to know there were spies in his land, I do not know, but they were not trying very hard to be sneaky.  An interesting fact that is mentioned in the story but not emphasized is that Rahab owns her own house.  For a woman to have property during Bible times was almost unheard of.  Her reaction to the spies was very smooth.  She feared the Lord, so she made a pact with the two men to spare her family.  The way I remember it was that the two men offered to save her family because she helped them, but reading it again that is not true.  Rahab was looking out for herself.  She took advantage of these, not so smart, men to protect her family.  I have a feeling she did this quite often because of her status.  In class, we talked about how this story is viewed both positively and negatively.  Number one, the men stayed with a prostitute. Number two, by not destroying Rahab and her family the Joshua was breaking the covenant and the herem.  However, we see those point through modern eyes.  Their culture stated that if a sin was done for the greater good, then it was not sin.

5: The imagery of the people's hearts melting for the Lord is a good image.  I like that it is contrasted to hearts of stone or cold because to melt it must be warm.  However, the image here is taking life away.  Is the image suppose to be positive or negative?  Are the fearing the Lord only because He can destroy them or are they creating faith?  Verse 2 brings up some questions about circumcising twice...  It could be translated figuratively, which is probably preferred, or literally, which is interesting to think about.  The verses following the second circumcision clear up the confusion.  The new covenant is a clean slate for the second generation Israelites.  They have had to suffer in the wilderness because of their parents, so now it is their chance to make things right with the Lord.  Instantly, when the Israelites completed the covenant, the Lord blessed them with real crops and not just manna.
I love reading about holy ground because I am a firm believer in no shoes during church or any place that God is being called to join with us.

6: When I first read this, I am remembering Sunday school, but knowing more about rhetoric I see the circling as intimidation.  Even if the people of Jericho thought the Israelites were crazy, the thought of past events are in their minds and they have a little fear.  One week is not long enough to believe that they will not still attack, especially without the invention of time.  Verse 17 would have once been startling to me, but after reading about the culture and herem a "city devoted to the Lord for destruction" does not seem so harsh. At least they knew it was coming.  It does bother me that God could not have already killed the people.  The sword is a major image when dealing with the ways of the Lord.
I think it is interesting that the author continues to latch prostitute onto Rahab's name.  Though she rescued the men, I feel as though she was still looked down upon in their society.  She knew this, too and that is why she was so direct with the men when she made them promise her safety.
Joshua's oath creates a sense of foreshadow.

7: The people's hearts melted even further this time, into water.  This supports the claim that that phrase means to fear, not admire.  The plea and argument Joshua tries to make does not phase God, unlike previous pleas.  God is just.  He knew the Israelites sinned against Him, and He will uphold what He promised.  Verse 12 is great.  Because the Israelites have weak actions, there is no possible way they would be able to come up against their enemies.  The verse makes me think about my life and how I am living.  Would I be able to stand up against my enemies?
God already knows who took the items, but I believe He has Joshua judge the tribes methodically to prove that He is calm and patient.  He will wait until the wrong-doer has been revealed. God carried out the punishment for sinning against Him.  Achan was stoned to death and everything that was connected to him was burnt.  Though it seems harsh to burn everything that was connected to Achan, I have to view it as a purge.  The people must rid themselves of everything that has the ability to tempt them.  This episode could be seen as a warning for the people about obedience.

Judges: When I was younger I thought the book of Judges depicted episodes when God judged the people.  Though this is partially true, I know now that it centers on certain humans that will lead, both good and bad.  Why is the book not ordered chronologically?

4: Deborah-she is a prophetess.  I think it is neat that she is the wife of Lappidoth which means "woman of fire." People are very touchy about women's roles in the church, and I don't understand why when there are many stories in the Bible that depict women saving the day or trusting God more than the men.  Barak obviously understands that the people need her guidance if he is unwilling to go to battle without her.  The image of her sitting under the palm tree makes me think of a book Siddhartha.  He contemplated a lot under trees.  I find it interesting that against nine hundred chariots, the word of a woman is not challenged.  Previously, Israel will question man's judgement against huge armies, but when Deborah says "go" there is no question that she speaks from the Lord, and the people are not afraid.
What does "turn aside" mean?  Pigott told us that the translation in verse 21 is wrong.  Sisera was not sleeping.  This is supported in chapter 5:25-27, the song of Jael's victory.  The women in this story seem to be secure in their knowledge of what the Lord wants.  There is little description of them praying or asking God for guidance like Moses or Joshua did.  They knew full well their actions would be in the interest of God.  I admire this security and think that is why they are never questioned.  In honors, we talked about leadership.  I think Deborah and Jael are perfect examples of how if you are a servant to God you will become a leader in the world.

6: The cycle of disobedience begins again.  In class, I got the impression that Gideon was being a coward because he was using the wine press, but it was because he was hiding from the Midianites.  This is not cowardice.  If he had not hid, his family might not have had food.  I can understand Gideon's plea with the Angel.  If you have been the underdog and suddenly God wants you to be a warrior, I would have some questions, too.  I love how God consumes the offering in fire.  I think that is the coolest thing.  It is a definite sign of acceptance from the Lord.  If I were Gideon, I would have smiled at my efforts to please the Lord and Him accepting.  Gideon's father was very clever when he spoke against the people.  This gives a little insight into why God might have chosen Gideon; his background was deeply rooted.  Verse 25 begins the give and take that Gideon and God will go through.  When Gideon asks for a sign, God will also ask something from Gideon in return.  I do not know why exactly or what this represents.

7: Why is his name suddenly Jerubbaal?  I wonder, during the drinking sifting, how the men felt that knelt to drink.  Were they disappointed that they did not get to fight?  Was fighting not an honor?  I think God chose the men who were humble.  Pigott was trying to tell us something about the men that lapped like a dog were chosen, when, as a child, I thought the men who knelt down and used their hands were chosen.  Apparently the translation switches them, but both could be supported with reasons why they were chosen.  I do not like that translation looses so much originality.  It is starting to worry me that what I read could be seriously wrong...makes me want to learn Hebrew.
God recognizes that the men might have some doubt, so He gives them an opportunity for courage.  I think this is very kind.  God is does not expect perfection, He knows we are human and that doubt is part of our nature.  Only when the facts are presented and His people still do not believe does He get mad.  It is interesting that Gideon includes his own name in the battle cry.  This could be taken as pride, but I think it is a symbol for the Midianites to know who has overcome them.  I like that God turns the Midianites against themselves and does not make Gideon and his followers actually kill them.  It shows much more power instead of force.