Navigating the Worlds of Science and Religion
Introduction to 2 Samuel: I wanted to record some information about 1 and 2 Samuel in the introduction to 1 Samuel, but I forgot. So, here are a few things I wanted to share. According to the notes in the CEB study bible, the books of samuel can be organized into seven segments:
Continue reading “10/19 Reading (2 Samuel 1-3; 2 Corinthians 4)”
1 Samuel 25: I find this chapter to be pretty interesting. First, it starts with the following statement: “Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered to mourn for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. David then left and went down to the Maon wilderness.” (CEB Study Bible, p. 459 OT; 1 Sam. 25.1) That’s it! Nothing else about Samuel, a key figure during this time of Israel. I’m kinda surprised by the lack of information about Samuel when he dies.
Continue reading “10/16 Reading (1 Samuel 25-27; 2 Corinthians 1)”
Introduction to 1 Samuel: After reading the introduction to 1 Samuel in the CEB study bible, I’m excited about reading both books of Samuel. I’m finally getting into King David. The overview of Samuel from the CEB study bible is interesting. I will actually touch on it when I get to 2 Samuel as the introduction is the same. I think one reason it is the same is because according to the notes in the CEB version and the NRSV version, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel used to be one book. The original book was split into two books “in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible and grouped together with the book of Kings (also divided in two) to form 1-4 Reigns or 1-4 Kingdoms. These divisions were later introduced into Hebrew Bibles and subsequently became standard.” (NRSV, p. 399)
Continue reading “10/6 Reading (1 Samuel 1-3; 1 Corinthians 11)”
Joshua 19: We learn about the land given to Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and finally Dan. This chapter ends by sharing that the people gave Joshua the city Timnath-serah in the highlands of Ephraim as was commanded by God.
Continue reading “9/25 Reading (Joshua 19-21; 1 Corinthians 1 & 2)”
Joshua 7: Israel loses to Ai in battle all because Achan took what belonged to God. For this, Achan, his family, and all of his possessions were killed and destroyed. WOW! Such harsh punishment. The sins of one person directly impact everyone and lead to the death of an entire family.
Continue reading “9/20 Reading (Joshua 7-9; 2 Thessalonians 1)”
It’s interesting how closely the stories in Joshua mirror the actions of Moses. The spies and crossing the Jordan river in these three chapters.
Introduction to Joshua: I don’t have a lot to say, but I do want to include a pretty interesting quote from the intro to historical books section of NRSV study bible:
Continue reading “9/18 Reading (Joshua 1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4)”
Introduction to Deuteronomy: I’m always fascinated by the introduction section to each book. Even if I don’t have much to say about what I’ve read, I still find it very interesting. The NRSV study bible provides extensive detail about each book in the introduction. Discussion of authorship, date, and historical context always intrigue me. It makes me want to read more about each book in the Bible. Just to better understand all of this stuff is really interesting to me. For example, it’s really interesting that the structure and messages in Deuteronomy match other historical documents from other cultures, such as the Vassal Treaty of Esarhaddon (672 bce) (p. 248).
Reading this introduction made me think about how much I’m writing during this process. I’m noticing that during times when I’m busy with other things I start to feel bad or guilty when I don’t write much. It becomes a burden, and it shouldn’t be that way. I will continue to write about what I read and sometimes it will be just a summary of what I read that day. But I think it will help me continue through this journey. Because this is tough stuff.
NOTE: Typically I put an introduction to a book in a separate post. Not doing that for Leviticus. I didn’t really have much to say about the introduction.
Introduction to Leviticus: Nothing really to address here. The main thing I remember ever hearing about Leviticus is how tedious and dry it can be. Clearly the person who wrote this introduction had a similar thought:
I’m looking forward to starting Exodus. As a first time reader of the Bible, what I know about Exodus comes from what others have told me, the bits and pieces I’ve read, and from movies. The cartoon, Prince of Egypt, was pretty good and the movie Exodus: Gods and Kings, was definitely entertaining. However, I can’t rely on those films as my primary source of information.