Thoughts from Exodus and the Chronological Bible Reading Plan

*The timing of Aaron building a golden calf for the Israelites to worship was happening at the very same moment as Moses receiving instructions for Aaron's robe and consecration as priest. Yet, God made Aaron the first priest, the beginning of " a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come."
God's grace was unthinkable, even when the law was being carved in stone.

*God talked to Moses "as a man speaks to a friend".
Does that stir up your longings like it does mine?!

*As Moses's young aide, Joshua never left the tent of meetings, even when Moses did.
Is that one of the 7 habits of highly effective people?

*Some men where filled with the Spirit and given gifts of skill and ability in order to craft the tabernacle. Some of the gifts included carpentery, weaving and embroider and overlaying gold.
What a reason to embrace and flourish in the me that God made.

Last year, I used the Bible reading plan where you read a whole book of the Bible each day for a month. I mostly stuck to the epistles and even at that, I often read just a few chapters a day and continued that reading for a second month. I loved, loved that approach and relished the immersion and depth that it offered. Without a doubt, it is a plan that I will return to at some point.

This year I'm using a chronological plan. I haven't done this since college, when it was assigned. After almost two months of using the chronological Bible reading plan, I'm really loving the consistency and overview the I can see. Time has been necessary to settle into the broadness and speed at which each chapter and book is covered. At first I felt challenged (!) as though I was missing the important stuff. After all there was no time to delve deeper into much of anything, because the next day was on to the next chapter. After some frustration with Job, Rick recommended that I look through Phillip Yancy's The Bible that Jesus Read. This book has been a great companion. The book only covers a few books, but I'll pull it out again when I come to Deuteronomy.

I've just now finished Leviticus, and again, I haven't had time to work through some of my thoughts. God writes a strange and wonderful book. Leviticus has had me furrowing my brow and taking note of the seriousness of God.

What are you currently studying? Do you like the plan or do you prefer something different?

*Also, Emma and I are studying the ancient people of the world using, Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World, volume 1. Although my degree is History, which covers Biblical History, I've really loved this volume because when we are in the middle of Egyptian history, we discuss the Israelites in that historical/cultural context.