Living in The Story

We complete our reading of Deuteronomy this week. Take time to consider the As You Read resource and the blog for these chapters to help you understand some of this ancient text.

And always be alert to refrains from the Hebrew Scriptures that show up again centuries later in the Scriptures written by Christian theologians. Remember how central this story of Israel was to the New Testament writers as they re-read their own Bible and re-interpreted it in light of the Christ event.

For example, do you recognize some of these words from Deuteronomy 30?

Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?” No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe...

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…

(Hint: Paul referred to this passage when he was discussing the role of Israel in God’s continuing covenant. Read Romans 10 to see the context.)

You are doing great. Keep it up!

 

Deuteronomy 17-35

Psalm 95

Psalm 109

Psalm 144

Luke 11-13

2 John

3 John

As You Read resource: Deuteronomy

https://livinginthestory.com/2017/04/as-you-read-weeks-18-and-19/

Living in The Story blog for Week 19

https://livinginthestory.com/2015/03/warnings-and-blessings/

 

We begin the fifth and final book of the Five Books: the Pentateuch. The book of Deuteronomy is set on the edge of the River Jordan as the people of Israel stand poised to entered the Promised Land. Moses will not enter with them; he sees the promise from afar. But he rises before his beloved and stubborn people as the father, leader, mentor and commander offering his final warnings, wisdom and words of encouragement.

As you read Luke this week, you will meet Moses again at the Mountain of Transfiguration. Moses’ significance to the people of Israel has continued to this day. Faithful Jews still pray the Shema as a cornerstone of their confession of faith:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 1-16

Psalm 96

Psalm 146

Luke 8-10

1 John

As You Read resource: Deuteronomy

https://livinginthestory.com/2017/04/as-you-read-weeks-18-and-19/

Living in The Story blog for Week 18

https://livinginthestory.com/2015/03/loving-god-loving-neighbor/

Still more numbers in this Book of Numbers, but also some intriguing stories about life in ancient, tribal Israel.

When you read through these chapters in Luke this week, notice Jesus’ sermon. Compare and contrast Matthew‘s “sermon on the mount” with Luke‘s “sermon on the plain.”

Charlotte’s blog this week ponders connections between the story of Israel as told by the Hebrew writers and the story of the church as described by the New Testament theologians.

It’s alright to read quickly and get the highlights. Just hang in there and keep reading.

Numbers 17-36

Psalm 49

Psalm 71

Psalm 97

Luke 5-7

1 Peter

2 Peter

As You Read resource for Weeks 16 and 17: The Book of Numbers

https://livinginthestory.com/2017/04/as-you-read-weeks-16-and-17/

Living in The Story blog for Week 17 from 1 Peter

https://livinginthestory.com/2015/03/gods-own-people/

This week we get to read the powerful story of Queen Esther. Please carve out an hour to sit and enjoy these eight chapters and the larger than life characters.

We will soon be approaching Palm Sunday, so these readings from Esther and Matthew are especially timely as we consider the courage and trust it takes to live faithfully as God’s covenant people.

Even if you have missed some of the Living in The Story readings, I encourage you to spend time with Esther this week.

Esther

Psalm 8

Psalm 118

Matthew 21-25

2 Corinthians 6-11

“As You Read” resource for Week 12: Esther and Jonah

https://livinginthestory.com/2016/04/as-you-read-weeks-12-and-13-esther-and-jonah/

Living in The Story blog: If I Perish, I Perish

https://livinginthestory.com/2015/03/if-i-perish-i-perish/

The Exodus Tabernacle creates a foundational image that weaves its way throughout the rest of Scripture. Here is the meeting place between heaven and earth. Here is where Creator once again “walks in the garden” with the people, leading them on their journey toward their promised inheritance. Here is where the glory of God comes to the mercy seat above the ark of the testimony and the voice of God speaks the divine will.

Consider how the Tabernacle is an icon for the whole world. Here is the model, the image of the Holy One’s desire to be in relationship with this beautiful and ordered creation compressed into this single image of Tabernacle. Consider how the glory of God filling the Tabernacle points to the final reconciliation when “God’s reign comes on earth as it is in heaven.” When Creator’s glory will once again fill all creation.

As you read this week, notice how both Matthew and Paul weave these Old Testament images of dwelling and glory into their New Testament writings. This week’s texts give us excellent examples of how meaning and interpretation evolved over the centuries, but then especially in light of the Christ Event.

Exodus 35-40

Psalm 27

Psalm 84

Matthew 14-20

2 Corinthians 1-5

As You Read resource for Week 11

https://livinginthestory.com/2016/03/as-you-read-week-11-tabernacle/

Charlotte’s Living in The Story blog: When Hearts are Stirred

https://livinginthestory.com/2015/02/when-hearts-are-stirred/

“Covenant” is not a word we use much these days. Again this week, we will be reading across the centuries, trying to grasp some of the complexity of meaning from God’s people of ancient Israel to God’s-people-in-Christ within the first century as Matthew and Paul continue telling The Story of God’s unconditional love. The Story of the God who is ever and ever: “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin to the thousandth generation…”

Some fascinating reading this week. Hang in there. You’re doing great.

Exodus 25-34

Psalm 81

Psalm 106

Psalm 114

Matthew 8-13

1 Corinthians 10-16

As You Read resource for Week 10

https://livinginthestory.com/2016/03/as-you-read-week-ten-covenant/

Charlotte’s Living in The Story blog: Covenant

https://livinginthestory.com/2015/02/covenant/