Read Scripture - January 08 (@joinbibleproj)

It's been quite some time and it is no excuse for me to delay such an important date with the Lord. I've been so busy with work and I have to say, I literally took my rest above the Lord and neglected Him. Ashamed, so ashamed.

That being said, I have experienced 2 miracles in my life after reading the Bible. And it all happens on this very day. Day 08! I don't know where to begin but surely I'll get into more details right after this.

Genesis 25-28

Abraham took another wife named Keturah. It wasn't stated clearly whether or not she was taken in during Sarah was still around or after Sarah's death. They, too have descendants of their own. As Abraham sends all his kids away because all he wanted to do is to leave everything to Isaac. That being said, Abraham give gifts to his kids too. Abraham died at the age of 175 and both Isaac and Ishmael buried him.

Side track on Ishmael's side, he has 12 tribes of his own living near the borders of Egypt, however all 12 tribes were very hostile among each other.

Rebekah was barren. I was unaware the struggles that Isaac has to go through, and he prayed on behalf of Rebekah where she was completely healed. Both of them gave birth to twins named Esau and Jacob. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew!

(Bro Joseph Chean of YWAM Singapore illustrated why God would hate Esau more than Jacob even though Jacob was all the bad things anyone could mention. Esau sold his birthright, which was an eternal gift, for just a bowl of Lentil Stew (Dal), which was only a temporary hunger satisfaction. Men always forgo what God has to offer for something that is ONLY temporary on the face of this earth! -- 17th January 2016)

Esau marries both a Hittite and a Canaanite. Both Isaac and Rebekah were very upset and never to make the same mistake on Jacob ever again. Remember how Abraham ask his servant to swore to to allow Isaac to marry both the Hittite or a Canaanite.

Jacob deceived Isaac to get Esau's blessings. Now, Esau lost both his birthright and blessings, he was furious! Hence, Jacob flees to Laban (brother of Rebekah). By his action of fleeing to Laban because Rebekah felt disgusted in living with a Hittite. He was advised to marry anyone from Paddan Aram. When Esau came to terms that Isaac and Rebekah wasn't pleased with his marriages to both the Hittite and Canaanite, he goes to marries one of Ishmael's daughter for an addition.

Jacob had a dream at Bethel. The Lord promise him this land, where his descendants would be like the dust of the earth. Jacob named that placed Bethel and will promised to give tenth of what he has if the Lord has promised him all that has been declared.

Psalms 8

It is so beautiful of how God loves man no matter how wicked they are, He still put man as a dominion over all that the Lord has created. Yes, indeed how majestic is the Lord's name in all the earth!

Videos to watch:
Genesis: Read Scripture: Genesis Ch. 12-50
Psalms: Read Scripture Series: Psalms

Disclaimer: Picture Illustration taken from "The Bible Project"'s video.

Read Scripture - January 07 (@joinbibleproj)

As interesting as this might sound, there are moments of happiness and there are moments of sorrow. Somehow, this time, it kinda got me wondering whether God cries when He sees his creation has to go through death.

Genesis 22-24

Here we are, reading the iconic story of how Abraham was tested to sacrifice his son as told by God. Many references and metaphorical where Isaac serves as the Lamb of God, as to how Jesus is the representation of all mankind. No matter how much Abraham loves Isaac, Abraham will still obeys God's request. Is this how mankind should be in the first place? To obey God and to live in His name for all eternity!

A sadder tone where Sarah has passed away at the age of 127. Even when Abraham is trying to buy a cave from the Hittites, they were so kind and gracious to Abraham where Ephron was trying to give away that plot of land which contains the cave for Sarah's burial. However, Abraham did not take for granted and paid what the exact amount that Ephron has told Abraham.

I think I would leave this part for yourself to read on how Abraham is asking his chief servant to search for a wife for Isaac. The story is so beautifully written in the Bible, I rather you read it instead typing it out here which defeats the purpose. Trust me, God is involve this mysterious ways which made it even more romantic.

Psalms 7

David's confidence on the Lord whom will save him from agony of pain and fear even though he is praying/speaking to the supporter of King Saul -- Cush, in which he was fearful how King Saul is going to tear him apart.

Videos to watch:
Genesis: Read Scripture: Genesis Ch. 12-50
Psalms: Read Scripture Series: Psalms

Disclaimer: Picture Illustration taken from "The Bible Project"'s video.  

Read Scripture - January 06 (@joinbibleproj)

Now, the story of Abraham is gradually building. I cannot imagine that the Bible can be this dramatic. I don't mean this in a bad way, but more like a "How-come-I-didn't-know-about-it-all-this-time!" kinda way. Let's dive.

Genesis 19-21

I didn't realized how bad Sodom was until and even the people of Sodom would want to have sex with the angels, the situation was so bad that I was shocked of how sinful it is. After the event of how the Lord destroy Sodom, Lot has offspring with his daughters, in which I noticed that this was before the law. Was it acceptable even if it was before the law? Why then the daughters need Lot to be drunk in order to lay with him?

Now, remember in Chapter 12:10-19, when Pharoah realised that Sarai was the wife of Abraham? This might be an example of how the Lord appeared to Pharaoh in Chapter 12. Also, in the midst of how the Lord appeared Abiemelech's dreams/vision, the Lord has officially declared that Abraham is a prophet. Moreover, Abraham prays for forgiveness on Abimelech's behalf for the things he might have done, so that Abimelech will have descendants of his own.

In Chapter 21, the birth of Isaac. Then the Lord assured Hagar that a great nation from Ishmael's descendants will come. This is the third time the Lord promised in the Bible. There is a treaty made between Abraham & Abimelech.

Psalms 6

This is the first prayer I've read with healing in it. You can feel that the prayer is very childlike, that God is only for himself and not for those who did not seek Him. How nice it is to pray such prayers like how David does.

Psalm 6:1-2

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

Videos to watch:
Genesis: Read Scripture: Genesis Ch. 12-50
Psalms: Read Scripture Series: Psalms

Disclaimer: Picture Illustration taken from "The Bible Project"'s video. 

Read Scripture - January 05 (@joinbibleproj)

We're still in the development of Abraham's story. There are so many fundamentals and basis to discover and learn from, which made it a core foundation of reading the Bible, I must say. Let's see.

Genesis 16-18

I was even more surprise that an Angel visited Hagar and told her that her descendants will be a a nation too great to count. However, in Chapter 16:12, there's this implication of a nation that seems to be very obvious in today's context. Then again, let's not jump into conclusion and assume what was told back then is a direct fulfillment of what's happening right now. It isn't fair to discuss it that way.

Here is it, the official changing of names for both Abraham and Sarah. Both names have their significance, that's why the Lord changes their name so that to signify what it really means. Back to the subject of Ishmael, the Lord confirms a second time with an assurance that his descendants will have a great nation too.

There were 3 men visited Abraham, 2 of which are angels of the Lord and 1 is the Lord Himself. Their visitation are in a form of men, it's not a metaphor and it's not a sign. This is a straight up visitation in a form of men. Abraham recognizes them in an instant, does this mean that most of how Abraham built the altar for the Lord, the Lord comes in this manner to speak to him?

For the Lord assured to Abraham that Sarah will be conceived even at the old age. Surprisingly, Sarah laugh it off and thought to herself that how can that be? The Lord reprimanded Sarah, and just because she was afraid, she lied once in front of the Lord that she did no such thing. The Lord once again assured to Sarah that she lied. Now this was intense! I didn't know reading the Bible can be so dramatic. This is what I'm talking about man!

Yes, the Lord wanted to wipe Sodom out. Abraham here pleads with the Lord numerous time, and God is so patient with Abraham, He listens to men when they plead, you can literally feel how God feels because He loves His people so so much!

Psalms 5

Now, when I read this, it has a total different feeling towards this prayer or song. The prayer of asking the Lord for attention. Listen to me, hear my voice... etc, to name a few. And then, the prayer goes on by seeking the Lord's protection and path because of the enemies King David is facing. At the very end, it's like a prayer of behalf for those who take refuge in the Lord. 

Still a very good reminder that sins cannot dwell in the Lord's presence. This is to reassure that the perfect goodness of our God.

Psalms 5:11-12

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; 

let them ever sing for joy. 

Spread your protection over them, 

that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Videos to watch:
Genesis: Read Scripture: Genesis Ch. 12-50
Psalms: Read Scripture Series: Psalms

Disclaimer: Picture Illustration taken from "The Bible Project"'s video.

Read Scripture - January 04 (@joinbibleproj)

Basically, the video did mention that immediately after Noah's story, we are being brought into Abraham's part of the story.  I guess it has it's significance, but I'm still searching for it. Let's see:

Genesis 12-15

In fact, when the God is speaking directly to Abram, I was kinda envious in order to know what was it like to speak to God directly before everything when downhill from the beginning of creation. Oh, how I love the promises that God has given to Abram by bringing him out of a place to make Abram the Father of all nation. -- “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” -- How assuring these words that the Lord would speak directly to you.

Side-track, remember the curse of Ham towards Canaan, the grandson of Noah, in which has been scattered towards the African continent, the curse of slavery was actually by Noah. Now, the cycle of curse is getting more and more reflective when you're really reading the Bible. It's so scary and interesting at the same time.

Then towards verse 10 to 19, I have a few questions about the arrival of Egypt:-
1) Is it a cultural known fact during those days that Abram is able to know the Egyptians will kill a husband for a beautiful wife?
2) How would Pharaoh come to know that Sarai was the wife of Abram?

What puzzled me was during Abram's dream from God and He said to Abram that he "would go back to Ancestors". I've read a bunch of commentaries on this, and I still don't get how death works til today in the context of the Bible besides how it was explained in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Psalms 4

Splendidly beautifully written psalm for the Lord. It felt like a total surrender and trust towards the Lord while we are sleeping peacefully under His care.

Psalms 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. 

Videos to watch:
Genesis: Read Scripture: Genesis Ch. 12-50
Psalms: Read Scripture Series: Psalms

Disclaimer: Picture Illustration taken from "The Bible Project"'s video.