Confessions ...

I confess that I have not always been diligent in my reading and that at times it has become heavy and redundant. Wanting to take a break from the depressing situation if the Israelites I decided to take refuge in the New Testament ... only while there, I was hit upside the head with my own reality. You see, I live in a place where the scriptures are all too real. Our holidays revolve around the history of the Israelites and the New Testament scoldings of Paul to the believers of HIS time are actually OUR everyday task. So, with convictions I returned to the Torah and am plugging away alongside you once more ....

As I was reading about the temple I decided to post some pictures of the Tabernacle that we run here in the Land. I hope you will enjoy them and gain some insight to what the Israelites carried through the desert.

Picture of the Tabernacle in the Negev Desert.

Tablets in the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant

Before entering the Holy of Holies

Outer Court

What?!?

Today's readings have some stuff in them that I have wondered about for years. If anybody has some insight, please share.
Ch. 19- So much evil! But, why would Lot offer his daughters to be raped by the men of the city? Why did the daughters later rape him? Why didn't they ask him to help them find husbands somewhere? Surely, Abraham would've helped. So horrible and twisted!
Ch. 20- Why is Abraham scared again, and letting another man have at his wife to save his own skin? I praise God that He intervened and rescued Sarah, and made sure her reputation was protected. I'm glad also that God was merciful to the king who'd sinned unknowingly, and forgave him. But, why did Abraham have to pray for him to be forgiven? Abraham was wrong! I guess God knew he was afraid and had mercy on him. I don't know. Women sure didn't seem to have much say in things back then did they? Thank You God for taking care of us women. :)
Ch. 21- God kept His promise, and Sarah gives birth to Isaac- "laughter." How sweet, she knows people will laugh with her over them having a baby at such an old age. However, laughing at her son would not be tolerated and Hagar and Ishmael are sent away. Hmm. But, again, God sees them and takes care of them. Lord Jesus, please keep taking care of all abandoned women and children. Then, Abraham and Abimilech make a treaty, Abraham gets his well back, and Abraham plants a tree and worships God. He worshipped the Lord, the Eternal God. Maybe He is now realizing the greatness and power of God, and His love and care for him. Maybe this is a whole new level of trust for him. So he lived there, trusting God, as a foreigner for a long time.
You know, our world is pretty evil. And we are foreigners here. May we simply trust God. Lord, there is so much I don't understand. I'm glad I don't have to. I'm glad I can trust You. Thank You for loving me so faithfully and picking me up every time I fall. Thank You for having mercy and compassion on me when I've acted foolishly out of fear. There is no love like Yours. Hallelujah! I know all things are in Your hands and You will take care of me and my friends. You are the Lord, the Eternal God, and I worship You. Amen.