2020 Bible Vision

Stephanie Whalen

3.14.2020

Ruth

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:  

Right off the bat, a man named Elimelek and his wife Naomi and their two sons leave Bethlehem and go to live in Moab to escape the devastation of famine. Elimelek ends up dying, leaving Naomi and her two sons. The two sons, Mahlon and Kilion marry Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. After about ten years, Both Mahlon and Kilion die also. This leaves Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth. Life as a widow was extremely rough… on top of having lost their husbands, these women were now considered some of the lowest of the low in the eyes of society. Naomi, hoping to give them a chance at remarrying and having a better life, releases Orpah and Ruth to go back to their people in Moab. Orpah leaves to return to the Moabites, but Ruth refuses to leave her mother-in-law. Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem once the famine is declared over. Once in Bethlehem, Naomi realizes that her late husband has a relative in the area, a well-off bachelor named “Boaz”. Ruth meets Boaz, and through humility and tactful persistence, she gains favor in his eyes. Boaz is considered the guardian-redeemer to the land that Naomi is selling on behalf of her late husband (since widows were not permitted to own land. Boaz gains the land and takes Ruth to be his wife, and becomes like a son to Naomi. 

What is one key verse?

Ruth 1:16

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.

How does what you read change your vision of God?

Even as Naomi and Ruth were left as widows (not an ideal position in society at the time), God provided Ruth with the opportunity to pull them up to a more secure situation by marrying Boaz. God allows us to face tough situations so that we may see how weak we are without Him, and learn to depend on Him not only for how he blesses us in life, but even just by the hope that He gives us on a daily basis.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

I always read this book and am convicted by Ruth’s steadfast loyalty to Naomi, and her willingness to stay by her side through the rough road ahead of them. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to be willing to stand by each other through the muddy times in life, even if it means sitting right next to them in the mud so they don’t feel so alone.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I’ve started this habit where when I catch myself complaining, I think of three things that I’m grateful for. I think I can twist this to view silver linings in seemingly-bad situations. If a situation isn’t ideal, I can stop and think of three different ways that God can work through that situation, to either bless me or others through it.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

Boaz was the guardian-redeemer for Naomi and Ruth. He stepped up and claimed the land, and basically rescued Ruth and Naomi from further ruin. Jesus did basically the same thing for is on the cross. We were slaves to sin, but then our mighty Guardian-redeemer stepped up for us and claimed us for Himself by dying on the cross for us. Now we are destined for a happier ending because of His love.

Corey Wahr

3.13.2020

Judes 17-21

So this is the end of Judges and it ends in an action packed and kind of crazy story. It starts as a son returns silver that he stole from his own mother. This man then made household gods and made his sons preists. He then meets a Levite that is traveling and convinces him to become a preist as well. Things escalated and the people of Dan came and took the gods and the levite and they then created a city. The story kind of shifts to another Levite who is staying at a persons house while traveling and the people of Gibeah end up horribly murdering his concubine. This started a war between Benjamin and the rest of Israel. Which ended in Benjamin losing but israel had mercy on them and continued having twelve tribes.

Key verse:

“Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.”

Judges 20:26 ESV

I chose this verse as my Key verse because it is an awesome story of perseverance. But they weren’t just persevering in their own strength but in God. This was after losing two big battles with Benjamin after God called them to go up and fight. These people were so confident in God that they did not leave God, but came even closer and embraced him even more. Later on they win the war, but this example of humility and perseverance is a reminder to me that when I don’t see God’s plan and why things are happening to me, i should be confident in whatever it may be and trust that in the end God has an amazing plan for me. He has that plan for each of us.

Franco Vosloo

3.12.2020

Judges 13-16

These chapters chronicle the birth, life and death of Samson – who was the promised son of a barren mother, set apart for God’s holy purposes as a Nazarite to God, and of whom it was foretold that he would begin to save Israel. The choices he made during his life, however, showcase Samson’s straying from his Nazarite vows to pursue worldly things that ultimately lead him to a point of having the Spirit of God leave him completely. In his final moments he demonstrates a return to faith as he prays to be used by God to accomplish more in his final breaths than he did with his whole life as far as saving Israel in the way God intended. 

The various stories of Samson’s feats and follies (and blatant sins) are among the more famous Bible stories. As I was reading these chapters what stood out most to me, though, was the faith demonstrated by his parents. 

The Angel of the Lord appears to Samson’s mother who had been a barren woman likely for many years and tells her “you will bear a son” – which is an amazing promise from God! But there’s more, he will be a Nazarite. This special baby will lead a set-apart life for God’s purposes and the Angel of the Lord tells her that this baby will begin to save Israel. 

I see so much faith and humility demonstrated by Samson’s parents that they don’t doubt God one bit, only offering up a simple prayer “come teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born”

This invites opportunity for further dialogue with the Angel of the Lord and in Judges 13:12 Samson’s father asks:

“Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?” 

The clarity here is amazing. If we could all live our lives with the clarity that Samson’s father displays in this verse we would be so blessed. Our coworkers, friends, family, even random strangers that cross our path would be blessed. 

First, the utter faith in God’s promise. I struggle all the time with believing in God’s promises. There’s a lot of doubt and a lot of sin that comes with that. Samson’s father didn’t doubt. He didn’t say “if your words come true”. He said ‘when’. What brings the most doubt sometimes is not knowing the ‘when’ and then losing faith in God’s timing not lining up with mine. The conviction the first part of that scripture brings! 

But there’s more. Samson’s father wants to know “what is to be the child’s manner of life”? Since he was told his son would be set apart for God’s holy purposes, he’s concerned with making sure Samson lives up to God’s standard, and him in raising this child. To do that he needs to know what God’s standard is, teach that to his son and then follow through on living it out. I find that I quickly forget my manner of life ought to be drastically different from what I see lived out by the worldly people in my life. God is calling the members of his family higher – to return blessing for insult and injury, to live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on us. To be holy in a world that definitely isn’t, because the world shouldn’t be what we consider ‘home’. Again, the clarity in this verse is so nourishing! 

We need to read God’s Word. For the clarity, nourishment and reminder. I think that’s why it’s so important to God that we read the Word everyday – because we will forget. In the last part of that verse, Samson’s father asks the Angel of the Lord “what is his mission?” He knew that someone set apart for God’s holy purposes would absolutely have a mission. I read that and was cut by so much conviction as I realized the extent to which I live a life disconnected from the mission Jesus Commissioned. Almost like I’ve forgotten. We need to enquire of the Lord “what is my mission?” Just like Samson’s father did. It’s just the barest basics of our faith, but healthy rhythms of prayer and the reading of God’s Word coupled with doing life alongside people who are also on mission will help us not forget and lose clarity in this crazy world.

As I’m reading these verses about the Angel of the Lord coming to tell Samson’s parents about their special baby, I can’t help but notice how it mirrors the story of Jesus’ birth. The promise of a special baby, set apart for God’s holy purposes who would save His people. But then far from straying from the Spirit of God, Jesus walked in step all the days of His life. And as He takes His final breaths, He accomplishes more miracles than He did during a lifetime of miracles – even now. Me writing these words is a miracle, even as you reading them are a miracle. The salvation from the consequences of our sin through Jesus’ death on the cross on our behalf, that we should be under curse but instead are blessed to have the Holy Spirit in our lives is an absolute miracle! 

If you’re still reading at this point, I charge you today to not doubt God, but trust Him. Conduct your life in a manner worthy of your calling, and don’t forget your mission!

Go with God, and help me do the same!

Sean Tinkle

3.11.20

Judges 9-12

Abimelech, son of Gideon, goes to his hometown of Shechem and convinces his mom’s family that he ought to be king of Israel.  The only people standing in his way are his 70 brothers. He gathers campaign contributions from the men of Shechem and hires “worthless and reckless, which followed him” (9:4).  Abimelech goes to his father’s house and massacres his 70 brothers, but one brother escapes! Jotham, the youngest, hides himself and avoids the slaughter. With his brothers out of the picture, Abimelech is made king of Israel.  When Jotham hears about this, he goes and stands atop a mountain, where the men of Shechem can hear him. He tells them a story (9:8-15), and then gives the interpretation of his story: You men of Shechem have destroyed Gideon’s family, even after all he did for you. Abimelech is not the rightful king, and a fire will come out from him to destroy you (9:16-20).  After several years (and a few interesting twists and turns) Jotham’s prediction comes to pass as Abimelech destroys Shechem and all of its people. Abimelech then attacks the neighboring city of Thebez. The survivors shut themselves in a tall tower. As Abimelech prepares to burn the tower, a woman drops a heavy stone onto his head, and his skull is crushed. He knows he is about to die, but he can’t bear the embarrassment of being killed by a woman, so he has his servant stab him.  Chapter 11 has the story of Jephthah and how he sacrificed his daughter in response to a vow that he made to God. I’m out of space, so got to go.   

Key verse:

Judges 9:54 (ESV)

Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Here Abimelech had this stone dropped on his head, crushing his skull, and he had seen that a woman was the one who had dropped it.  When he found himself ready to breathe his last breath, nothing troubled him more than it would be said that a woman had killed him. There was no concern about what might now happen to his precious soul in eternity.  There was no prayer to God for his mercy. The man was dying, but his pride was alive and strong. Wow! How strong is the pride of mankind!  

These chapters clearly show that God is a God of Justice.  God works out His justice according to His plan and His timing.  It may have taken some time, but ultimately God punished the wickedness of Abimelech, and of the men of Shechem (for making him king and ignoring the slaughter of his brothers).  This was a good reminder for me that though wickedness may prosper awhile, it will not prosper always.  

This reading has given me a better perspective on seeking justice.  Jotham had every right (at least in my worldly eyes) to seek vengeance/justice for the wrongful killing of his brothers.  Instead, he delivers a prophetic message to the people of Shechem and then fades away, letting God bring justice in His own time.  While I do believe that God has used, and uses people of faith to seek justice (righting wrongs within our society), I need to do so according to His will and not my own.  Too often our views of justice, and our reasons for seeking it, are distorted by our own experiences and our own worldly ambitions. I need to put my full faith in God and make sure that I am humbly following His plan and direction for my life.

I am so grateful for God’s plan of justice in this world.  It allows a prideful sinner like me, who often has as much blackness in my heart as the worst sinner, to receive His forgiveness and His grace.  His justice, which requires blood for blood, is available to me and to all of humanity through the shed blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The only action that I have to take is to humble myself under his Lordship each day and authentically follow the Way of Christ.  

Lindsay Thorn

3.10.2020

Judges 6-8

The story of Gideon and his army.

Key Verse: Judges 6:13-16

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

What impacted me most was how I can often feel so small when trying to do hard things for God and how God has promised us over and over throughout the Bible that he is with us always.

I also loved where he says “have I not sent you?”, as it reminds me that He has faith in ME to do HIS work. Which is pretty amazing if you ask me!

I will remember this verse and the impact it had on me when sharing my faith with others and that I’m not alone and remembering to pray that God can work through me to make an impact on others.

Allan Katch

3.9.2020

Judges 1-5

Starting Judges today, we continue to follow Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. The book starts off with the death of Joshua (a grim start), which quickly leads to Israel being led astray by the surrounding nations. Fortunately, God begins raising up judges (or leaders) in order to get the Israelites back on the right track. This seems to be a temporary fix, though, because whenever a judge dies, Israel seems to slip right back into sin. 

Judges 2:18 “Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them.”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

 God is someone who uses people to do his work. On top of that, his patience with the Israelites is incomprehensible. I am so glad that I serve a God who is willing to send people into my life to help me even when I’m being a knucklehead.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

​It’s amazing that God chooses to use people to guide other people. He could easily just MAKE us do the right thing by force, but he chooses instead to guide us with mentors, disciplers, and even friends. This scripture helps me to see my fellow disciples as people who guide me toward Godliness and righteousness.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I know I don’t enjoy when I receive rebukes, or even am told I’m not doing things right. I think that Judges 1-5 is an excellent example of how we need to seek out discipleship in our lives and not shy away from correction. That said, it is also important not to shy away from giving that correction. I want to be someone who God can use to effect change in people’s lives, and I can’t do that if avoid all confrontation.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

​Just like the Israelites, it is so easy to stray from God and the life He wants us to live. Even though we constantly mess up, we can always find redemption through Jesus. The parallel between Jesus and the judges God appointed in Israel is truly remarkable; whenever we have Jesus (and, by extension, Godly people) in our lives, we are righteous in God’s eyes, and whenever we don’t, we easily fall into sin.

Lisa Streng

3.7.2020

Joshua 22-24    

Summarize the day’s reading in one paragraph. Chapter 22 speaks of the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh returning to the lands God had given them through Moses.  Joshua blesses them and sends them on their way with all the riches they had acquired. In Chapter 23, Joshua, now a very old man, gives a farewell speech in which he again warns the Israelites not to become like the people around them worshiping other gods. He also reminds them that everyone of God’s promises has come true, and that they need to love and obey the Lord. Joshua renews the covenant with Israel in Chapter 24 and says to the Israelites that they must choose whether to serve God or not. They choose to serve God and Joshua dies at the age of 110.  

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Why? I chose this verse because “choosing whom you will serve”, seems to be a big issue in our day and age.  People like to dabble in God, dabble in the world and dabble in other religions and call it being spiritual, but Scripture makes it very clear that living that way is actually detestable to God.

How does what you read change your vision of God? It reminds me that He is Holy and demands to be honored as such.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others? It impresses on me that I need to be better about honoring God as Holy. I think a lot about God’s Love and Forgiveness, but His Holiness has often taken the back burner.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? I will think more about how I can bring God honor and glory in the way that I pray, think and act.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? I was reminded that even Jesus had a choice, and He chose to be obedient to God’s plan…to death, even death on a cross.  

Jeff Streng

3.6.2020

Joshua 18 – 21

Summarizing Joshua 18 – 21 we see God fulfilling his promise to Abraham as the Israelites take possession of the promised land, with each tribe’s final destination (e.g., Judah in the south and Joseph in the north) being an important detail not to be overlooked.

Joshua 21: 43 – 45:

⁴³ So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. ⁴⁴ The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. ⁴⁵ Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

This passage of scripture is very encouraging to me and bolsters my faith since it reinforces the notion that God is faithful and will deliver on His promises.  Looking back through scripture I marvel at the many twists and turns that occurred as the promise plays itself out, and the many times when it seemed doomed to failure only to be rescued by God – I’m so thankful that He’s in control and WILL ALWAYS deliver on His promises.  The possession of the promised land is but a step in fulfilling the ultimate promise to Abraham of becoming the ‘father of many nations’ which was fulfilled through Christ and His invitation to all (and the reason I’m now part of the body of Christ). This ultimately reminds me of the great commission and I’m challenged to consider how I’m playing my role in that commission.

Kim LeBrane-Sober

3.5.2020

Joshua 13-17

Summarize what you read in one paragraph: 

In Joshua 13-17, the nine remaining tribes (starting with Judah and Ephraim) and one half of the tribe of Manasseh finally begin to get their land allotments west of the Jordan (The tribes of Reuben and Gad along with the other half-tribe of Manasseh had already been given land on the east side of the Jordan) and everyone, for the time being, gets a break from war. Caleb requests and is granted the hill country he had explored forty-five years earlier because he had wholeheartedly followed the LORD and had brought back an honest report. The daughters of Zelophehad (of the tribe of Manasseh) also request and are granted land along with the men of their tribe. However, there is still a large portion of land yet to be conquered, most notably the regions of the Philistines and Caananites. There are also pockets of people in the land already conquered that the Israelites were unable to drive out, like the people of Geshur and Maacah east of the Jordan and the Jebusites and Canaanites west of the Jordan.

What is one key verse?

Joshua 13:33 (NLT)

“But Moses gave no allotment of land to the tribe of Levi, for the LORD the God of Israel, had promised that he himself would be their allotment”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

Seeing the Israelites receive their promised inheritance despite all their rebelliousness in the desert is a great reminder that God is faithful even when we are not. Also, in the same way that God did not drive out the nations completely from the Promised Land but continued to protect the Israelites in battle, He does not take us out of the world completely but protects us in our spiritual battles.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

It was inspiring to see that Caleb was just as fired up to conquer the Promised Land at 85 as he had been at 40 and just as faithful that God would keep His promise to help drive out the Anakites. It’s easy for me to assume that growing older physically and spiritually is a valid excuse for not maintaining the same level of faith and zeal as when I was baptized 25 years ago. But Caleb proves that is a choice and not the natural or inevitable course of events.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

As someone who has experienced a lot of broken promises from important people in my life, I can struggle to trust that God will be faithful to the promises He makes in the Scriptures. There is a lot of repetition in this passage of the kings and kingdoms God gave the Israelites victory over during the conquering of the Promise Land, presumably to give them faith for the lands yet to be conquered. In the same way, I feel that reminding myself of the promises God has fulfilled in the past will help me to have more faith regarding those that have yet to be fulfilled.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

The key verse reminds me that just like the Levites, who under the old covenant mediated by Moses were not given land but instead received God himself as their allotment, God is also my portion. Under the new covenant mediated by Jesus, made possible through His death, burial and resurrection, I have become a co-heir to an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade.

Joel Nagel

3.4.2020

Joshua 9-12

In these chapters we learn how the people of Gibeon deceived Israel by pretending to be from far away. They seem to have preyed on Israel’s growing confidence (pride).  Israel signs a treaty with them and then discovers that they are actually one of the Canaanite city states that they should have conquered. This treaty is immediately put to the test as Gibeon is attacked and asks Israel to honor their word and help.  God blesses Israel in the battle against a host of kings and more enemies are killed by hail than by the soldiers. Joshua boldly prays for the sun to stand still so the army can finish off the opposing kings and God answers his prayer with one of the bible’s greatest miracles.  Next Israel defeats an alliance of southern kings and an alliance of northern kings, gaining a strong foothold in the Promised Land by the power of God.

Key Verse:

Joshua 10:12-13:

“At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”

And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.”

The thing that amazes me about this miracle (besides the amazingness of the miracle itself) is the timing.  Joshua and Israel have just messed up. They were tricked and disobeyed God by entering into a treaty with a city state they should have conquered.  I’m impressed that Joshua wasn’t afraid to ask God for such a big thing even after a mistake, and I’m impressed with God’s forgiveness and willingness to bless even after sin and in the midst of a battle that was the consequence of sin.

This makes me want to be more bold in my prayers.  I should pray big prayers not based on how I’m feeling or how righteous I perceive myself to be in the moment.  I should pray big prayers because I serve a big God. My God can make the sun stand still because he created it and he can do it no matter how possible it seems or whether or not I feel like I deserve such a display of his glory.  It’s all about him and he wants to show the world his power.

When I run and I go uphill I try to maintain my pace.  I want to go with God by having the same prayer mindset and praying bold prayers when things are going well and when I feel like I’m facing an uphill battle.

Jesus always prayed big prayers asking for his Father to glorify himself no matter what the circumstances were.  Even on the cross, his prayers were bold and real. Joshua and Jesus are the same name in Hebrew. They mean ‘God saves’.  Through Joshua’s bold leadership and prayer God saved Israel from desert wandering and brought them into the Promised Land.  Through Jesus, God brought salvation to all nations and will bring us into the promise that will never fade.