The Bible in 90 Days plan has had me flying through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and the first 7 chapters of Deuteronomy.  It’s been quite a feat- and it’s the first time I’ve ever read Leviticus ALL THE WAY THROUGH. While the message is God-breathed and holy, the words got a little dry.

It’s impossible to summarize all the points I’d like to remember (I started jotting notes one time, then scrapped that idea in favor of just getting through the sheer volume of WORDS), so I’m just going to tell you what I love MOST about the first 5 books of the Bible:  Jesus.

That’s right- I love how Jesus is ALL OVER the Old Testament.  There’s the LAW to remind us how deep and wide and DARK the chasm is between all sinners and The Most High.  There are so many rules and regulations that I can’t imagine having to keep all of them straight in order to achieve holiness.  It makes me even more thankful for the grace of God given to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus!

In Dt. 7, Moses reminds the Israelites that they were not chosen to be in covenant with the Lord because they were the largest or strongest people group.  It was because the Lord LOVED them.  He redeemed the people out of slavery and into the promised land because of his great love for them.

In the same way, Jesus redeemed his people not because we are strong or wise or numerous, but because he LOVES us.  We were brought out of spiritual darkness into the light of Jesus Christ because of his unconditional love.

I know there are more examples, but my eyes are starting to cross.

Yes, I love the Jesus in the Old Testament as much as the Jesus in the New Testament.  Because there is no mistaking him in either place.

As I read, although I don’t have time for thorough word studies, I’m finding that I’m taking more notice of similar threads that run through the stories- universal truths and themes that carry over throughout His word.

One main theme I’ve observed in reading the last 24 (!!!) chapters, is the serious fear of God that was manifested in the people- all people.

When God said, “Do this, or else,” people took it seriously.  When His people said, “God told me fill-in-the-blank and you should obey, or else,” people followed through.

God said that he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and that Lot and his family better escape, or else.  And it was so.

When Abimelech took Sarah from Abraham, he received a warning from God that he should return Sarah, or else.  So Abimelech did so.

Later (Ch. 26), Isaac uses the same “She’s my sister,” excuse with Rebekah to Abimelech that Abraham tried with Sarah, but Abimelech was sharper the 2nd time around.  He gives Isaac a piece of his mind because he truly feared the consequences of someone defiling Rebekah the way he almost had with Sarah. He believed what God warned was truth and he took immediate action.

In Ch. 35, as Jacob prepares to leave Shechem, it says that  “terror” fell on the cities so that Jacob and his family could travel safely. God was serious in his anger and in his covenant.  Holy and just.  Loving and powerful.

I think believers should be alarmed at the flippant way we often regard God as our “little buddy,” as though we can continue in our sin without consequences.

I know that we have forgiveness through Jesus and that God is love, but he is equally just and righteous and jealous of our affections.   A holy fear of him is not only appropriate, but also deserved.

In other news, staying on-track with the reading plan tonight is going to be the first real test of my commitment to following through.  I have a few things on my “really-really-really-need-to-do” list.  And at the top of my “want-to-do” list is watch the premiere of the 57th season of The Bachelor. Plus, the #B90Days tweet-up starts at 8:00 CST.

It may be a very late night.  I’m just sayin’.

I just finished my reading for today. Only an hour and a half under the clock. I probably should have just kept reading to get a head start on tomorrow, but I wanted to jot down a few things to help me get my thoughts in order before I go to sleep.  Because I’m pretty sure that any swirling thoughts I have right now will fall out onto my pillow and disintegrate as I sleep.

Firstly, my prayer for myself as I’m going through this is that I would see God’s word in a fresh way. If I have any criticism of this method of reading through the Bible, it’s that I can see how someone [ME] can get so focused on simply getting through that the same someone [ME again] can forget that it’s a word from the LORD.

My prayer for myself and the other participants is that our minds would be guarded against this trap and that we would gain a more robust picture of God’s story through lengthier-than-usual daily readings of his word.

Secondly, a disclaimer: I’m not a Biblical scholar. I do not know Greek (beyond the alphabet, which I can’t even say in order) or Hebrew. I leave the really philosophical questions/answers for my seminarian husband to ponder.

I am a believer, a wife, and a mom. As I post, please know that I’m posting questions/thoughts/insights that I’d possibly like to study further. I have NO IDEA if I’m right, wrong, on-track, or otherwise misguided.

I’m simply posting THOUGHTS.

For the journey.

It’s a conversation, not a sermon.

And the length of the readings coupled with my other life responsibilities (the other people around here want some attention once in awhile) inherently prohibit me from doing any deep study AT THIS TIME.

Now that I got that off my chest…I’m jumping in…

For the Most Random Thought of the Day Award, I want to point out that I think Adam and Eve, along with all the people who came after them up until Noah might have been vegetarian.  I’m serious (although I have no idea what that has to do with Jesus, God, or the gospel.  I warned you- RANDOM).

In Genesis 1:26, 28, GOd gives Adam “dominion” over the animals, but I don’t think dominion means that Adam was to eat them. Jason and I have dominion over our children and dogs, but I have no plans to roast them up anytime soon.

In Gen. 1:29, God tells Adam that he has given him plants and seeds to have as food.  And the animals had the plants as food also.  Of course, this was before the fall, so the animals and beasts lived in peace with one another. After the fall of man, in Gen. 3:18-19, God still speaks of man eating plants and bread.

Skip over to Gen. 9.  When God makes his covenant with Noah, God says, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.  And as I gave you the plants, I give you everything (v. 3).”  In the last part of that verse, it sounds like God is implying that previously he had only given plants for food, and only now he is allowing Noah and Noah’s descendants to eat of all living things.

I’m not making any kind of statement for or against vegetarianism.  Whether you choose to be a herbivore or an omnivore is completely up to you- I don’t see either practice prohibited in scripture.  Like I said- just (random) THOUGHTS.

I also wondered tonight, for the first time, why Abram was so impatient with the Lord regarding Sarai’s barrenness and the Lord’s promise.  We talk about it today saying, “Sarai was SO OLD.  She was 90!  Abram was positively ancient!” as if that justifies some of their impatience.

But they were living in a time when people has lifespans of HUNDREDS of years.  People were alive for centuries (PLURAL).  They had babies at 428 years of age.  90 was nothing.

So I don’t think their respective ages justify anything.  Abram and Sarai were impatient for the fulfillment of God’s promise because they were sinners.  They even thought they could take matters into their own hands because they were sinners.  Yet the Lord kept his covenant with them.

What a wondrous truth that the Lord shows his grace and faithfulness to sinners! Impatient imperfect sinners.  Sinners without excuse, without justification.  Only he justifies!

Thank you, Lord, for your justification of our sins.

(Finally, who’s going to help me bring back the saying, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter for the Lord,” (Gen. 10:9)?  I think we can do it.  It will be more popular than “BOO-YAH” or “So’s your face.” I think we can totally do it!”

And scared.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started a yearly Bible reading plan and then gotten sidetracked.  Really.  I can’t tell you because, sadly, the occasions are too many to recall.

So even though this will be a huge daily time commitment, I’m really looking forward to the challenge.  It’s not a goal that’s in some far off and nebulous distance.  365 days…. that seems so far away.  I just got my Christmas decorations down and rang in the new year.  It’s hard to forecast all the way to this time 2011.  But 90 days… definitely feels within reach.

Not to mention, there are many fabulous bloggers who are also taking up the challenge and there will be tons of bloggy community support.

I’ve started this blog to document my journey through the Bible in 90 days.  After that 90 days, who knows?  Maybe I really will start that food blog I’ve been dreaming about.  Because today’s menu consists of donuts and kolaches from Daylight and the Kraft Mac and Cheese for lunch, which is practically gourmet and totally blog-able.

Or not.

I have no idea how often I will be able to update here because the time commitment of the reading alone is a bit overwhelming to me right now, but I hope to jot down a few thoughts a couple of times a week.

Specific and measurable goals- I’ve got them!

If you are interested in joining me, please leave me a comment and let me know you’re out there!

You can download the reading plan and find out about other resources and support here.

And be sure to check out the official Bible in 90 Days website for other great information!

Ready, set, GO!