A few months ago I started reading the Bible from the beginning. I have done this a few times in my life time, but this time, for some reason, the stories are either making a lot more sense or creating many more questions.
Yesterday, I read about the plagues in Egypt... this left a lot of questions. I still am wrestling through some of those... an except from my journal...
"
The passover is a celebration, but is also a tragedy. Did you (God) not love the Egyptians as well? Did you not want them to know you?-- Wait! that is why you did these things-- so they would know you-- The Pharaoh was the one whose heart was hardened. Why did you do that? To show your glory? I don't know if I'm okay with that. Why show your glory at people's expense? Its all about you (God)-- I get that--- but not completely... so difficult to discern your character... I get that Jesus is the answer and the final passover lamb. I don't get your sense of timing... I'm sure your understanding is so much greater than mine, but sometimes its hard to explain to others (and even myself)... Maybe starting with Jesus and going backwards will help to see you more clearly. One day I'm gonna ask you these questions. Help me to trust you even when things don't make complete sense."
But, today was one of those days where things clicked... an "A HA" moment, a get up and cheer moment... the story of the Israelites actually celebrating the passover and how they did it. Did you know that they actually had to offer their first born son every year... but, they would always get him back... Did you know that they had to eat the entire meal in one house, with everyone unified? an except from my journal...
"Wow God! All of the first born son stuff is pretty awesome. You were preparing the Israelites to see Jesus as the fulfillment from the beginning. They were truly a chosen and unified people (millions of them). Thank you for their stories. It is very cool to see your consistency over time. I would think having them offer their son as a sacrifice each year and having him return would prepare them to see Jesus as your son, offered to take away the sins of the world, a completion of the penance and your presence among them. It surprises me that they didn't get it. But, we don't get it do we... we want things to make sense from our perspective. Thank you for showing me a glimpse of Your story today. Thank you that you are leading people to yourself through a variety of ways. Thank you for the beautiful picture of unity. I pray that we would move closer to that as a people now."
You see, reading the Bible can be very interesting stuff!
