Old Testament Reading Plan

35. Hiatus

Joel Moody — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 18:15:58 +0000

Because of some life changes, I'm taking an indefinite hiatus from the podcast. I hope to return sometime next year, but work and family need more of my time at the moment. Thanks for going on this journey with me so far!

34. 1 Samuel 11–16

Joel Moody — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 18:26:21 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on 1 Samuel 11–16, Joel offers some thoughts about speaking on God's behalf, and how we compromise that ability when God always tends to agree with us.

RESOURCES:

The Bible Project looks at Saul's kingship here: https://bibleproject.com/blog/saul-tale-self-deception/

An Anglican take on Saul as tragic hero: https://anglicancompass.com/discover-israel-king-saul-tragic-leader/

An interesting look at the difference between Saul and Jonathan as leaders: https://theabigailproject.org/sauls-blame-shifting-tactics/

Saul's rash vow: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/saul-troubles-the-land

READING PLAN LINKS:

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33. 1 Samuel 5–10

Joel Moody — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:20:31 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on 1 Samuel 5–10, Joel offers some thoughts about power, authority, and their effects on human beings who possess or are exposed to them.

RESOURCES:

An article about Dagon's bowing before the Ark: https://www.cardus.ca/comment/article/what-made-dagon-bow/

Regarding the plague that his the Philistines: http://www.talmudology.com/jeremybrownmdgmailcom/2019/8/22/keritot-5b-hemorrhoids-plague-and-the-ark-of-god

The sons of Samuel and Eli: https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Sons-of-Eli-and-Samuel-Children-of-Priest-Prophet-and-Judge

From the Orthodox Church, about Samuel's sorrows: http://dce.oca.org/assets/templates/bulletin.cfm?mode=html&id=96

More thoughts on Samuel's sons: https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011/02/12/personal-profile-joel-and-abijah/

Samuel's historical influence in Israel: https://www.jewishhistory.org/samuel-and-the-seeds-of-monarchy/

A devotional about Saul's anointing: https://shereadstruth.com/saul-anointed-as-king/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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32. Ruth 3–4, 1 Samuel 1–4

Joel Moody — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 16:52:29 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Ruth 3–4 and 1 Samuel 1–4, Joel offers some thoughts about blind spots and how important it is to try and be aware of our own blind spots.

RESOURCES:

Here are two of Rachel Held Evans' articles about Ruth and the Proverbs 31 woman:

https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/3-things-you-might-not-know-about-proverbs-31

https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/mutuality-women-roles

Here's some thoughts about the kinsman-redeemer and redemption: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2014/05/redemption-and-goel.html

An article about Levirate marriage: https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/people/related-articles/levirate-marriage

A reflection about Peninnah's bullying of Hannah: https://www.atthewellproject.com/blog//woman-on-woman-bullying-in-the-story-of-hannah

A Jewish midrash about Hannah and Peninnah: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/peninnah-midrash-and-aggadah

Two articles with thoughts about Samuel and Eli's relationship: https://thealternatepath.org/tag/eli-and-samuel/

A short article with reflection questions about Hophni and Phineas: https://redeemedmind.com/2018/07/27/hophni-phineas-samuel-1-samuel-212-321/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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31. Judges 18–21, Ruth 1–2

Joel Moody — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 13:33:35 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Judges 18–21 and Ruth 1–2, Joel offers some thoughts about how ethics are not linked to ethnicity, and how evil can come even from God's people.

RESOURCES:

There are several excellent articles on the Levite and his concubine. The story is terrifying, and these articles take pains to address the horror in the story:

https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/concubine-of-levite-bible

https://www.womeninthebible.net/women-bible-old-new-testaments/levites-concubine/

https://theopolisinstitute.com/the-levite-the-concubine-and-israels-story/

https://meetinggodinthemargin.com/2017/06/28/first-reading-of-judges-19-the-levites-concubine/

Setting the horror of the end of Judges in context: https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/joshua-judges-and-work/chaos-judges-1-21/israel-falls-apart-judges-17-21/human-depravity-and-the-complicity-of-religious-authorities-unveiled-judges

Here's a good primer on the book of Ruth: https://bibleproject.com/learn/ruth/

Ruth's faithfulness analyzed: http://www.thefellowship.site/archives/2016/3/26/resolutely-faithful-ruth-16-18

READING PLAN LINKS:

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30. Judges 12–17

Joel Moody — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 15:22:17 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Judges 12–17, Joel offers some thoughts about "following your heart," passion, and the importance of having boundaries on passions.

RESOURCES:

We have shibboleths in our culture today, as this article shows: https://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wc/you-say-to-mah-to-everyday-shibboleths/

A Jewish take on Samson's story: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/samson/

One pastor's thoughts on Samson eating honey from a lion carcass: https://pastortravislv.com/2016/05/10/honey-from-a-carcass-judges-142-3-8-9/

Disregarding the Bible, even when it's difficult, can lead to disaster: http://hereadstruth.com/2018/08/20/micahs-priest/

A summary of the Micah story, including some from next week's reading: https://ralspaugh.wordpress.com/2017/06/12/old-testament-adventures-micah-and-the-levite-judges-17-18/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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29. Judges 6–11

Joel Moody — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 18:15:34 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Judges 6–11, Joel offers some thoughts about the difference between charisma and character and how God uses both.

RESOURCES:

A thoughtful meditation on asking God for a sign: https://www.growingchristians.org/devotions/faith-and-fleeces/

A devotional about Gideon and the ephod: https://sneakingoffwithgod.com/2013/09/07/gideons-ephod-and-the-benefit-of-wise-counsel/

One way of approaching the stories of Abimelech and Jephthah for children: https://marilynnross.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/teaching-the-book-of-judges-to-children-abimelech-and-jephthah/

Here's some Jewish thought about Jephthah's vow: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jephthahs-daughter-midrash-and-aggadah

READING PLAN LINKS:

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28. Joshua 24, Judges 1–5

Joel Moody — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 14:21:31 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Joshua 24, Judges 1–5, Joel offers some thoughts about how God uses broken people both through and in spite of their brokenness.

RESOURCES:

Book of Judges timeline: There have been several attempts to put a timeline together for Judges:

1) This author has dedicated a ton of research to the Exodus route and timeline, and builds his Judges timeline from that: https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-date-chronology-of-judges.htm

2) Bible Hub offers many free resources, including this timeline: https://biblehub.com/timeline/judges/1.htm

3) This offers some thoughts behind how someone might puzzle out the Judges timeline: http://www.thebiblicaltimeline.org/the-judges/

An overview of the book of Judges: https://overviewbible.com/judges-of-israel/

A post about what the book of Judges is doing--and not doing: https://bibleproject.com/blog/judges-messianic-hope/

Some thoughts on Deborah as a judge: https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/joshua-judges-and-work/chaos-judges-1-21/the-judges-judges-3-16/deborah-judges-4-5

An analysis of Deborah from a Jewish perspective: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/deborah-the-prophetess/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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27. Joshua 18–23

Joel Moody — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:18:45 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Joshua 18–23, Joel offers some thoughts about the surety of God's promises.

RESOURCES:

Maps: There are three maps below, each of which offers a slightly different understanding of the tribal boundaries.

1) This shows Simeon fully within Judah, and Dan has both a region in the west and the north: https://www.bible-history.com/biblemaps/wp-content/uploads/25-twelve-tribes-color-1.gif

2) Simeon is nowhere to be found here, and the eastern Manasseh tribe has been swallowed up by Dan: http://www.pray4zion.org/images/graphics/twelvetribesmap1.jpg

3) Simeon is fully within Judah, and Dan is strictly in the west here: https://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/tribes_map_new.pdf

Here's one article about the cities of refuges, go'el, and Jesus: https://www.theaquilareport.com/a-refuge-for-the-guilty-soul/

This is a devotional about God's faithfulness based on Joshua 21: https://www.learnreligions.com/gods-word-never-fails-joshua-2145-701680

This is a good devotional based on the confrontation in chapter 22: https://ifiwalkedwithjesus.com/joshua-2210-34-a-witness/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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26. Joshua 12–17

Joel Moody — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 13:43:25 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Joshua 12–17, Joel offers some thoughts about the importance of maintaining purity and welcoming the imperfect or sinful.

RESOURCES:

There's some ambiguity about where Caleb settled, as we can see here: https://www.thetorah.com/article/what-was-caleb-the-kenizzites-connection-to-hebron

Interpreting the Achsah story is challenging. Here's a geographic interpretation: https://womenfromthebook.com/2013/05/06/achsah-the-daughter-who-asked-for-more-part-3/

Here's an interpretation that's a bit more metaphorical: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/achsah-midrash-and-aggadah

READING PLAN LINKS:

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25. Joshua 6–11

Joel Moody — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 00:51:46 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Joshua 6–11, Joel offers some thoughts about the importance of opposing that which opposes God.

RESOURCES:

Here's an example of two Christians disagreeing about how to interpret the Jericho story: https://spokanefavs.com/joshua-and-the-battle-of-jericho-did-it-happen-as-the-bible-records/

How seriously do we take sin? One pastor wrestles with sin and the stoning of Achan: https://www.breadforbeggars.com/2019/03/the-stoning-of-achan/

Another reflection on Achan's sin: https://derrickjohnphillips.blog/2020/02/12/achan-and-ai/

There is good news in the Gibeonite story, especially when juxtaposed with Rahab: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/good-news-in-the-gibeonite-deception

A Jewish perspective on how to interpret Joshua: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/conquering-canaan/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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24. Deuteronomy 34, Joshua 1–5

Joel Moody — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:28:20 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Deuteronomy 34 and Joshua 1–5, Joel offers some thoughts about the cyclical nature of history and how to read Joshua.

RESOURCES:

There are several articles describing how we might read Joshua:

-Mostly accessible: https://bibleproject.com/blog/why-did-god-command-the-invasion-of-canaan-in-the-book-of-joshua/

-Readably academic: https://authentictheology.com/2017/08/18/7-interesting-things-about-the-book-of-joshua-why-most-scholars-think-it-is-not-an-accurate-historical-description/

-Highly academic: https://preachingsource.com/journal/reading-the-book-of-joshua/

-Academic, and in opposition to the position I take: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2019/violence-against-the-canaanites-in-deuteronomy-and-joshua-reconsidered

Some thoughts about Rahab: https://www.workingtolive.com/story-rahab-faith-action-can-transform/

A devotional on the Commander of the Lord's Army: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/commander-lords-army/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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23. Deuteronomy 28–33

Joel Moody — Sat, 29 May 2021 21:09:21 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Deuteronomy 28–33, Joel offers some thoughts about the importance of covenants to God.

RESOURCES:

Why do we remember negative experiences more than positive ones? The New York Times suggests some reasons here: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/your-money/why-people-remember-negative-events-more-than-positive-ones.html

There are several thoughts about the blessings of Moses and Jacob in the Torah: https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-two-blessings-of-the-twelve-tribes-varying-perspectives-similar-function

Thoughts on blessings and the end of Moses' life: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-final-blessing/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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22. Deuteronomy 8–11, 26–27

Joel Moody — Sat, 22 May 2021 12:35:27 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Deuteronomy 8–11, 26–27, Joel offers some thoughts about God's eyes being on the Israelites and on us.

RESOURCES:

One way of understanding Deuteronomy 8 is that we need discomfort to grow: https://westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/old-testament/deuteronomy/why-we-need-the-wilderness.html

How do we cure our stiff-necked-ness? https://mtorah.com/2012/08/09/eikev-covered-heart-stiff-neck/

Immigration and caring for the sojourner: https://orthodoxephrem.wordpress.com/2018/07/08/immigration-identity-gods-character/

How do we come up with a tithe being over 20% of a person's wages or produce? Here's one concise explanation: https://theosophical.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/tithing-cost-israelites-more-than-10-under-the-mosaic-covenant/

Here's a pastor's reflection on giving of the first fruits: https://comesundaydoc.org/2019/03/05/first-fruits-of-liberation-lectionary-reflection-for-lent-1c-deuteronomy-26/

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal were very different: https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3035740/jewish/Blessings-Curses-Mount-Grizim-vs-Mount-Ebal.htm

READING PLAN LINKS:

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21. Deuteronomy 2-7

Joel Moody — Sat, 15 May 2021 12:08:58 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Deuteronomy 2-7, Joel offers some thoughts about God's covenant love for us.

RESOURCES:

Who or what was Og? This article gets at some of the ideas: https://www.thetorah.com/article/og-king-of-bashan-underworld-ruler-or-ancient-giant

Why two versions of the Ten Commandments? Here's one explanation: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4455092/jewish/Why-Two-Versions-of-the-Ten-Commandments.htm

The Bible Project has several videos on the Shema, which you can find here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/category/shema-series/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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20. Numbers 32-36; Deuteronomy 1

Joel Moody — Sat, 08 May 2021 14:02:15 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Numbers 32-36 and Deuteronomy 1, Joel offers some thoughts about long-range visioning and planning.

RESOURCES:

William James Jennings' book, "The Christian Imagination," can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Imagination-Theology-Origins-Race/dp/0300171366/

Here's one map of the divisions of the Promised Land: https://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/tribes_map_new.png

The Bible Project offers a helpful assessment of the Israelite invasion of Canaan: https://bibleproject.com/blog/judgement-cruelty-conquering-promised-land/

The Jewish Women's Archive shares some ideas around the daughters of Zelophehad: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/daughters-of-zelophehad-midrash-and-aggadah

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers some helpful (and concise) orientation to Deuteronomy: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/0

READING PLAN LINKS:

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19. Numbers 26-31

Joel Moody — Sat, 01 May 2021 12:16:19 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Numbers 26-31, Joel offers some thoughts about the purity, righteousness, and justice God's people are called to pursue.

RESOURCES:

An interesting mathematical assessment of the censuses in Numbers: https://www.math.umd.edu/~jmr/numbers.html

One possibility for dealing with the massive numbers of Israelites: https://www.thetorah.com/article/recounting-the-census-a-military-force-of-5500

One meditation on God's justice in the midst of genocide: https://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/did-god-order-genocide

A Jewish writer wrestles with the disturbing parts of Torah: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/coping-with-complexity/

Another writer who lays the blame for the slaughter at Moses' feet: https://cyberpenance.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/did-god-command-genocide-and-virgin-capture-in-numbers-3115-18/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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18. Numbers 20-25

Joel Moody — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 13:04:59 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Numbers 20-25, Joel offers some thoughts about the potential and reality of God's people.

RESOURCES:

One possible map of Israel's journey through the wilderness: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/25/30/bc/2530bcc7fd76c16a1cf81a44e4bc9bae.jpg

How do we deal with death? This is a helpful take on Miriam and Aaron's deaths: https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/torah-commentary/death-miriam-death-aaron-death-moses-death-me

A thoughtful reflection about the bronze serpent, Moses, and Jesus: https://shereadstruth.com/moses-and-the-bronze-serpent/

A Jewish take on the Balaam and Balak story, anchored in Jewish midrash: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3715894/jewish/Balaam-and-Balak-The-Full-Story.htm

One Christian's reflection on Balaam: http://wordshalfheard.blogspot.com/2014/01/balaams-oracle-magis-star.html

Here are some Jewish traditions about the priest Phinehas: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4071544/jewish/Phinehas-The-Zealot-of-the-Bible.htm

READING PLAN LINKS:

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17. Numbers 14-19

Joel Moody — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 13:19:56 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Numbers 14-19, Joel offers some thoughts about actions and consequences.

RESOURCES:

A Seventh-Day Adventist reflects on Sabbath-breaking: https://spectrummagazine.org/article/2018/08/16/why-don%25E2%2580%2599t-we-stone-sabbath-breakers-anymore

Jewish midrash (commentaries on the Hebrew Bible) offers fascinating hypotheses about Dathan and Abiram: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4423161/jewish/Who-Were-Dathan-and-Abiram.htm

More midrashic thoughts, this time on Korah: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246641/jewish/Korah-The-Rebel-of-the-Bible.htm

This thoughtful paper discusses the budding staff of Aaron as a non-violent solution to a violent rebellion: https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ajet/29-2_123.pdf

Daniel Greenwood, a Jewish law professor, describes the importance of the Red Heifer law: https://sites.hofstra.edu/daniel-greenwood/parashat-hukat-numbers-19-i-the-puzzle-of-the-red-heifer/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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16. Leviticus 24; Numbers 6, 10-13

Joel Moody — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 17:11:33 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Leviticus 24 and Numbers 6, 10-13, Joel offers some thoughts about power, trust, and our responsibilities.

RESOURCES:

This is a brief article about "HaShem": https://www.aish.com/sp/ph/69739762.html

Want to know more about the Nazirite vow? This is a helpful article: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/287358/jewish/The-Nazir-and-the-Nazirite-Vow.htm

If you want to go down the rabbit hole of the identity of Moses' father-in-law, this is a helpful article: https://abundantsprings.church/blog/who-is-moses-father-in-law-reuel-jethro-or-hobab

A scholar writes some thoughts about the quail miracle here: https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/1999-3_195.pdf

Miriam and Aaron might have had reason to challenge Moses, but didn't follow the appropriate process: https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/numbers-and-work/the-challenge-to-moses-authority-numbers-12

Here's some thought about the Nephilim: https://knowingscripture.com/articles/giants-in-the-land-a-biblical-theology-of-the-nephilim-anakim-rephaim-and-goliath

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

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15. Exodus 34, 40; Leviticus 8-10, 16

Joel Moody — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 12:18:10 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Exodus 34, 40, and Leviticus 8-10, 16, Joel offers some thoughts about God's holiness and its danger to sinful human beings.

NOTE: please forgive the ringing phone at the end of the recording!

RESOURCES:

Here's the video about God's self-revelation from the Bible Project I mentioned: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/character-of-god-exodus/

This article offers some general thoughts on the book of Leviticus: https://www.christschurchblog.com/christs-church-blog/2018/10/9/purity-and-leviticus

Another article, walking through the requirements for Aaron's ordination and installation: http://www.thefellowship.site/archives/priests-like-aaron

Judaism has some fascinating traditions around Nadab and Abihu. You can find some thoughts here: https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/4321414/jewish/The-Mysterious-Life-and-Death-of-Nadab-and-Abihu-Sons-of-Aaron.htm

Christianity Today discusses the scapegoat as part of the Day of Atonement: https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/april/atonement-and-scapegoat-leviticus-16-by-dr-kenneth-mathews.html

READING PLAN LINKS:

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Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

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14. Exodus 19-20, 24, 31-33

Joel Moody — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 21:53:10 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Exodus 19-20, 24, 31-33, Joel offers some thoughts about covenants, the God who makes them, and the people who break them.

RESOURCES:

Thoughts about God bearing us up on eagles' wings: https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/daily-reflection/eagles-wings

Here's one interpretation of the eagles' wings passage: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/on-eagles-wings-can-troubles-really-teach-you-to-fly-11529884.html

I reflect on the second commandment in this sermon: http://iym.ptsem.edu/satisfying-jealous-god/

What is meant by "telling the truth"? Dietrich Bonhoeffer shares some thoughts here: https://www.spucc.org/sites/default/files/Bonhoeffer%20What%20is%20Meant%20by%20Telling%20the%20Truth%20copy%202.pdf

Here's a mnemonic for remembering the Ten Commandments: https://youtu.be/2Z_XXuY-JhY

This is how one branch of Judaism understands the elders seeing God: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/under-gods-feet/

Some thoughts about Bezalel, Oholiab, and art: https://mattsbibleblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/the-importance-of-art-the-story-of-bezalel-exodus-311-10/

Additional thoughts about art and evangelism: https://evangelicalfocus.com/faithful-under-pressure/4929/bezalel-and-oholiab-artists-and-craftsmen

This article connects how Moses punishes the people with the test for adultery in Numbers 5: https://acts242study.com/an-unfaithful-wife/

READING PLAN LINKS:

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Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

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13. Exodus 13-18

Joel Moody — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 00:52:19 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Exodus 13-18, Joel offers some thoughts about the identity of God's people as they flee Egypt.

RESOURCES:

This is one possible path the Hebrews took with resources in support of it. While the website isn't very pretty, there's interesting information: https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route.htm

Here's one rendition of the Song of the Sea in Exodus 15 by My Soul Among Lions: https://youtu.be/-KSmTAMhk24

One (dubious) explanation for the appearance of manna is here: https://momentmag.com/manna-is-real-and-not-so-heavenly/

Moses and Jethro model a healthy "in-law" relationship, as this article points out well: https://www.sheleadsdaily.com/blog/2018/7/30/a-lesson-from-moses-father-in-law

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

12. Exodus 7-12

Joel Moody — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 18:09:45 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Exodus 7-12, Joel offers some thoughts about the power of God.

RESOURCES:

Many have argued the plagues could have been natural events, like this article suggests: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/ten-plagues-environmental-disasters-or-religious-interference

This longer article shows how the plagues could have been against the gods of Egypt. It also deals with Pharaoh's hardened heart: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/what-the-bible-tells-us-about-the-10-plagues-of-egypt

Interested in more about Pharaoh's heart hardening? Check out this article from The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/blog/pharaohs-heart-grew-harder/

Jesus was the perfect Passover lamb. You can read more about that here: https://engediresourcecenter.com/2019/06/12/jesus-the-true-lamb-of-passover/

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

11. Exodus 1-6

Joel Moody — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 15:55:05 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Exodus 1-6, Joel offers some thoughts about the nature of this God we worship.

RESOURCES:

Exodus follows the "metanarrative" of Scripture very well, and you can read about "metanarrative" here: http://iym.ptsem.edu/curriculum-think-big/

What's the "bridegroom of blood" story about? Here are some thoughts from a Jewish Rabbi: https://library.yctorah.org/2013/12/a-bridegroom-of-blood/

Another article about the "bridegroom of blood": https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/moses-zipporah-strangest-circumcision-story-exodus/

a slightly more academic take on the "bridegroom of blood": https://drmsh.com/thoughts-on-the-bridegroom-of-blood/

What's the deal about bricks without straw? This article was helpful: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287786412_With_without_straw_How_Israelite_slaves_made_bricks

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

10. Genesis 45-50

Joel Moody — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 13:46:02 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 45-50, Joel offers some thoughts about God's providence.

RESOURCES:

Some interesting observations about Jacob's blessing, particularly of Judah and Joseph: https://craigkeener.com/jacob-blesses-his-sons-some-observations-genesis-49/

A Rabbi thinks through Joseph's weeping here: https://reformjudaism.org/blog/joseph-cries-lot-and-should-matter-us

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

9. Genesis 39-44

Joel Moody — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 17:59:04 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 39-44, Joel offers some thoughts about the importance of recognizing and remembering.

RESOURCES:

One Rabbi's take on Joseph and Potiphar's wife: https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/torah-commentary/joseph-and-potiphars-wife-study-moral-ambivalence

There are several ways of thinking about Joseph's treatment of his brothers. Here's one: https://www.weswhite.net/2018/07/why-did-joseph-test-his-brothers/

Here's another: https://cryingoutforjustice.blog/2021/02/20/the-second-test-joseph-gave-his-brothers/

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

8. Genesis 33-38

Joel Moody — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 13:31:56 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 33-38, Joel offers some thoughts about people and objects, and what happens when we objectify people.

RESOURCES:

Regarding Jacob and Esau, this is a helpful article. I went with "Option 2" as I parsed this story: https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-jacob-and-esau-reconcile

The story of Dinah is horrifying to modern readers. Here's a survey of how Hebrew Rabbis have responded to it: https://www.thetorah.com/article/who-is-the-victim-in-the-dinah-story

Another analysis of the story of Dinah: https://www.womeninthebible.net/women-bible-old-new-testaments/bible-women-dinah/

A devotional written based on the story of Judah and Tamar: https://www.growingchristians.org/devotions/the-story-of-judah-and-tamar

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

7. Genesis 27-32

Joel Moody — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 17:29:46 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 27-32, Joel offers some thoughts about how deception impacts our souls.

RESOURCES:

Here's where you can read Edgar Allen Poe's "The Telltale Heart": http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper/POE/telltale.html

Want to think more about Jacob and God wrestling? Here's a helpful study guide: https://kinsmenlutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LtW-Small-Group-Guide-2-3-09-27-2015.pdf

Here's a shorter article about Jacob admitting his deceptive nature to God: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/jacob-israel/

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

6. Genesis 21-26

Joel Moody — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:23:02 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 21-26, Joel offers some thoughts about the ways God's people can threaten God's covenant.

RESOURCES:

How do we deal with "texts of terror" like Sarah heartlessly exiling Hagar? This little article offers some thoughts: https://www.ctsnet.edu/texts-terror/

Here's a reflection about Hagar and Mary from Mary Davenport Davis: https://www.trinitychurchboston.org/blog/the-opposite-of-cruelty-mary-hagar-and-the-annunciation

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

5. Genesis 15-20

Joel Moody — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 13:09:39 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 15-20, Joel offers some thoughts about God's desire to build covenants with human beings.

RESOURCES:

Here's a great article about God walking through the animals alone: https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/margin-notes/the-god-who-walks-alone

Interested in reading more about the sin of Sodom? This article gets into more detail: https://reformationproject.org/case/sodom-and-gomorrah/

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Y57KVY

Find this podcast on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/OTPlanGoog

Find this podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/OTPlanSpot

4. Genesis 9-14

Joel Moody — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 19:01:31 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 9-14, Joel offers some thoughts about God's desire to build covenants with human beings.

RESOURCES:
Here's an article about Ham, Noah, and Canaan: http://www.scotthahn.com/resources-1/2016/1/15/noahs-nakedness-and-the-curse-on-canaan-genesis-920-27
Want to learn more about "genetic entropy"? Check this article out: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a704d4_f63118a62a1a4866a5b27a62ef32f4ee.pdf
Interested in number systems and symbols? Read this article: https://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/2003/PSCF12-03Hill.pdf

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan
Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

3. Genesis 3-8

Joel Moody — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 14:27:58 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 3-8, Joel offers some thoughts about the metanarrative of Scripture and the problem of sin.

RESOURCES:
Here's an article about metanarrative: http://iym.ptsem.edu/curriculum-think-big/
Here's the Bible Project dealing with spiritual beings: https://bibleproject.com/learn/spiritual-beings/
Another podcast, Almost Heretical, deals much more comprehensively with the Nephilim. Some of my ideas were inspired by their conversation. You can find it here: https://almostheretical.com/episodes/eve-and-a-war-for-power

READING PLAN LINKS:

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan
Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

2. Genesis 1-2

Joel Moody — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 15:34:02 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this episode on Genesis 1-2, Joel gives some context as to why there are two creation stories, as well as what to expect from the book of Genesis.

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT

1. Intro

Joel Moody — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 22:43:13 +0000

Interested in reading the Bible? Me too! Welcome to the Old Testament Reading Plan weekly podcast.

In this intro episode, Joel shares some reasons for why the reading plan looks the way it does.

Download the reading plan at https://bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Have a question? Submit it at https://bit.ly/Ask-OT