Author: Dave Dishman (Page 391 of 475)

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

psalm 145:8&9

Today’s psalm reading pulls us back from the abyss of God’s anger that I commented on yesterday, and places us on the solid ground of his compassion.

Slow to anger – rich in love – trustworthy – faithful – near to all who call on him and watches over all who love him.

Words to keep close to heart.

You won’t read the phrase “God hates…” often in scripture, despite popular misconceptions.

But I came across one of those passages this morning in my daily reading, a warning from ancient days: the wicked, those who love violence, God hates with a passion (Psalm 11:5).

Amazingly, credit for this psalm goes to David, a leader who swam in violence, living in a world of almost constant warfare. David understood the difference between those who dealt with violence, and those who loved it, who lived for it, who exalted in its cruelty and power.

I doubt if any readers of this blog are lovers of violence, or seek to propagate such behavior. I do know such people exist in our world today. And, with reflection, I realize that such tendencies exist in the recesses of my heart. So, I heed the warning.

Week three of reading the Bible cover to cover.

Admittedly, page after page of the Bible reveals something I do not understand. In Genesis 28, Jacob fled from his home and his angry brother, Esau. On the journey, he rested for the night, where God revealed himself to Jacob through a dream featuring a stairway to heaven.

In the midst of this fascinating story I got stuck on Jacob’s choice for a pillow – a stone. Why choose a stone to place under his head? Why not an extra blanket or robe? Apparently, head-resting objects of metal, from that era, have been unearthed in Egypt. So, Jacob rested as was normal in his day – on the ground with a hard object to cradle his head. Who knew?

In the broader picture, the stone under Jacob’s head became an alter, the place Jacob slept became a shrine, and Jacob himself transformed from fugitive to pilgrim – God in his grace revealed himself to Jacob.*

* Thank you to Allen P. Ross for this insight, found in his wonderful commentary on Genesis, Creation & Blessing.

Week three of reading the Bible cover to cover.

Today marks the end of the second week of reading the Bible cover to cover in 2021. You made it!

We watched the worlds form and followed the adventures of Abraham. Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt and Jesus brought a little girl back to life – our first dive into the unlimited depth of the scriptures.

So much, so soon, and we’ve only started.

Week two of reading the Bible cover to cover.