In August of 2024, the congregations of China Methodist Church and Forest Park Methodist church started on a journey to read the Bible together over two years. To facilitate this, I have created a reading schedule and am providing some daily thoughts to help along the way.
Each day’s entry contains the assigned reading (with a link to read it online at Bible Gateway) and a contemplation on how the section relates to life or to other parts of scripture. There is also a short reading from the Wisdom writings of the Bible and a suggested prayer focus. The most important part, though, is the words of scripture themselves; they are our surest guide to life.
– Mark Fleming, pastor
Most recent reading:
- Day 102 Numbers 28:16 – Chapter 29
Thursday, Nov. 21
Numbers 28:16 – Chapter 29 Click here to read
Today’s reading doesn’t cover any new ground; it is a restatement of the feasts and holidays the people are to observe each year. It concludes with, “Moses told the Israelites all that the Lord commanded him.”
It’s easy to pass over (pun intended) a list of holidays as just an accessory to real life, but holidays and observances do a lot to shape and define a culture.
Consider the number of holidays and observances (whether legal or less official) that produce conflict or at least conversation every year even in our modern day: Columbus Day, Halloween and Juneteenth are often flash points.
Then there’s the annual hand-wringing over “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas.” Various affinity months like Black History Month, Women’s History Month and the like often prompt discussion, both positive and negative…and “pride” observances are a focal point in contemporary culture wars.
Even arguments about history curriculum and building names are really about what society wants to lift up for remembrance, because what we collectively remember shapes our collective identity.
The special days in Numbers were meant to shape the identity of God’s people as a people that God has redeemed from slavery and continues to redeem. Even if we don’t follow the same holiday calendar any more, that’s an identity to hold on to.Thursday meditation
Proverbs 13:20
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.Prayer focus
Pray to remember who you are.-Rev. Mark Fleming
Previous week’s posts
Individual posts have a comment section and respectful discussion is encouraged.
- Day 102 Numbers 28:16 – Chapter 29
A list of holidays may not sound like it has much to teach us, but what we memorialize as a society shapes who we are. This deliberate pattern of recollection was intended to keep the people aware of what God had done and commanded. - Day 101 Numbers 27:1 – 28:15
While most of Numbers has been about laws that affect the whole community, today we read of how Moses and God take seriously the concern of five sisters at risk of losing their inheritance in a male-oriented culture. - Day 100 Numbers Chapters 25 and 26
The Bible often equates adultery with unfaithfulness to God. Today we read of how relations with foreign women caused Israelites to stray into idol worship. - Day 099 Numbers Chapters 22-24
While we know Balaam best for his talking donkey, he is also an example himself of God using unexpected channels to speak his word. - 098 Numbers Chapter 21
Jesus spoke of the time that Moses lifted up a bronze snake to save his people. Today we read about that event. - 097 Numbers Chapters 19 and 20
The time in the wilderness was an in-between time, when the familiar was gone and the Promised Land was not yet visible. Those can be some of the most stressful times of life. - Day 096 Numbers Chapters 17 and 18
Much of the law reminds us of our dependence on God. Remembering that is an antidote to pride.
For the full schedule of Matthew readings, click here
For the full Genesis-Exodus reading schedule, click here