Category: Book Overviews

Job Overview

~ Patricia ~ 5 Comments

Listen, I am going to be transparent.  I LOVE the Bible.  However, when I think about 2 weeks in a book of Poetry I am not motivated.  If there was ever a time to encourage me…this is it!  I am determined to dig deeper in this book.  

Tomorrow we jump into Job (pronounced Jobe).  Job in Hebrew is Iyyov meaning “persecuted” or “where is thy divine father?”

The only time I heard the name Job was on the Tom Cruise film: Mission Impossible.   When I was checking out churches (to fit in, un the South), I heard his name mentioned in church, and I was like “the agent on Mission Impossible??”  Well, we all started somewhere, right?

Here is your visual:

Image result for book of job timeline

On the surface, the book of Job is a simple story: Job, devoted to God, is struck down in the prime of his life.  He and his friends strive to understand the reason for his sudden trials.  God appears and he is restored.  Clearly it’s not that simple…not at all! 

Satan accused the righteous of being faithful to God only for what they could get.  Satan’s confidence that he could turn Job probably came from his small victory in Heaven when he was able to turn holy angels to rebel once.  God allows Satan to try to prove his point but fails.  True Faith is unbreakable.  I am reminded that Jesus said in John 10: 

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

I am going out on a limb but I think we have all asked ourselves “If God is a loving God, then why do good people suffer?”

We need to keep in mind that believers will suffer because of sin, for correction, for strengthening, and sometimes to reveal His comfort.  But there are times that suffering occurs for purposes that we will never be able to discern.

Job and his friends want to sit around and analyze Job’s suffering to determine the “cause” and “solution”.  Not only were their ideas wrong, but they also made matters worse for Job.  Our “fancy” word for the day is “Theodicy”.  “Theodicy is a branch of philosophy dealing with the issue of evil in light of the existence of God. If God is just and holy and good, then how do evil and misery exist? That’s the question theodicy wrestles with.  So does Lex Luther in the movie Batman vs. Superman 😂.

Here is your cheat sheet:

  • Job: patient under suffering, his Faith was allowed to be tested by God.
  • Eliphaz- friend- believed Job was suffering because of his sins.
  • Bildad- friend- believed Job had not repented of his sins (and until he does he will suffer).
  • Zophar- friend- believed Job should have been suffering more for his sin.  
  • Elihu- (the quiet one) stood up to the 3 friends- believed God was using suffering to mold Job’s character.

So Job will take us  12 days to read. Why do the righteous suffer?  This book will show the power of Satan.  Satan may be mighty, but God is ALMIGHTY.  This book will show the limit of Satan, and the Sovereignty of God.

11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.- James 5:11

 

Genesis 1-11 Overview

~ Patricia ~ Leave a comment

Our first overview.  How exciting! I think it is important to have a general overview of the books before we begin them.  Genesis is created from 11 documents written separately and then put together to be what we call the ‘BOOK OF GENESIS’.

When the books of the Bible were originally written, they did not contain chapter or verse references. The Bible was divided into chapters and verses to help us find Scriptures more quickly.  The chapter divisions commonly used today were developed by Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury. Langton put the chapter divisions into place in around A.D. 1227. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern.

The title of the books were often taken from the first word of the section.  In Hebrew, the first word is ‘Bereshit’- which means ‘The Origins’ or ‘In the beginning’.  Genesis is the foundation the other 65 books will sit on.

Genesis chapter 1 gives an “overview” of the Creation and then Genesis 2 rewinds and puts it under a microscope for detail.

Our agenda for the next 3 days is Genesis 1-11: The Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, and the Tower of Babel.  Have you read these before? (ask someone to join the read that maybe has never read them….that was me just a few years ago)

Don’t skim…read it like you have never read it before!

  • Author: God (we believe through Moses….he actually will be the author for the first 5 books)
  • Setting:  Middle East (you should have seen my face when I learned this!)

So let’s look at the map and see where it all begins (and ends).  Oh my Stars!!

Here is the schedule: 2021

~ Patricia ~ Leave a comment

I really like “visuals”.  I recommend that you keep a folder or a small binder for any handouts that will help you as we read (just print the ones you like and take notes on them).  Here is your first one: Reading Schedule Checklist.   I already pre-loaded visuals in the “Printables” section in the menu bar so you can look at them anytime.

This is a printable version if you are a “checklist” person.  In the menu, I have the schedule posted also and you just click the day you want to read.  When Bible Gateway opens you can click the little speaker if you prefer to listen to it.(pick your preferred version too)

The second handout is your first timeline.  Click here.  Timelines (and maps, charts, and genealogies) are my favorite!

We will read the Bible in historical chronological order.  There will be times we will jump out of a book and into another.  Trust me, you are going to love it.  Before we begin a new book, I will post an “overview” of the book the night before.  Do not get bogged down with the Blog-it’s not that important-Reading the Bible is.

Read ahead or be behind!  Just be in it!  If you read the Bible and timed it, it would amount to 70 hours.  In a year that equals .7% of your time.  Sounds easy?  Nope.  I highly recommend an accountability partner (Even Paul had a team to encourage him).  Last, but most important: ask questions.  If you think your question is “stupid” you are letting the enemy whisper in your ear.  I was blessed with friends when I read my first Bible in 2009-I literally asked everything.  Maybe it was easy for me because it was “new” since I was not raised in the church.  I find people raised in church have the hardest time asking questions.  This year, I am going to ask questions in the comment section for others to help me.   If you are already excited and can’t wait to start…start!

Reading the Bible in 2021

~ Patricia ~ 6 Comments

Last year a group came together to read through the Bible chronologically. I created a post to give insights on my research of the day. This year I want more quiet time, less research time. Usually when I do a “Read Through” I do not look back on past notes so that God reveals new scriptures for me to dig into. 2021 I am going to be a reader, (not a writer so much). I am going to use past posts so that I can spend more time in the Word, less time in commentaries.

If you would like to read through it with me, I would love that. I am going to be transparent: many will not finish it. You have to decide if this is going to be your commitment for 2021.

Tips if you choose to do this:

  • Set a time of day when you will read. Having a plan helps.
    • Choose to read while drinking coffee
    • Listen in the car on the way to work
    • Read on your lunch break
    • Listen while you are folding laundry
    • Read/listen on treadmill
    • Read each night before bed
  • Be aware of things in your life that can be eliminated or postponed until the reading of the day is complete.
    • Read before Social Media scrolling (ouch) Insta, Face, Tik Tok, even on-line shopping
    • Read before Netflix/Hulu watching
    • Read before you play a game on your phone
    • Read before you catch up on the news of the day
  • Do you need accountability?
    • Find someone to read with you who will shoot you a text to make sure you are on track
    • Tell a spouse or a child to ask you what the reading was about each day
  • What do you do if you get behind? (you will)
    • Find a place you will be distraction-free (the park, your car, a closet in your house maybe), and just sit and read/listen to the schedule (not the posts…skip those)
    • read during “spare time”- sitting in a parking lot waiting for practice to be over
    • read in the pick-up line at school
    • staff meetings (just kidding…sort of)
  • Be prepared to say “I am pretty far behind, I am going to jump in where everyone else is”
    • This is my 5th read through and the #1 feedback I get is “I just got too far behind, I regret not skipping and jumping back in”. I am telling you, it is worth skipping and jumping in rather than giving up and not reading at all. TRUST ME.
  • The site can be viewed on a phone, tablet, or laptop. (easiest is a laptop, but keep the icon on your phone for convenience
  • Last but not least, some books are “hard to get through”- stick with it, you will be glad you did. I promise.