I did not have a good weekend reading strategy in place and need to rethink this for next weekend. And this particular weekend started Friday, apparently.
On to Exodus.
I had never read Exodus closely enough to see the "but the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh." So the Lord is just a big puppetmaster here? I mean, it really is the only possible explanation because, jeez, the bugs and the frogs and all...yecch.
And also: interesting how many old, old stereotypes of Jews are set. They took the gold and silver, they spoke to Moses saying, What, there weren't enough graves in Egypt so we had to die here? That's a comment that would get an "oh, SNAP!" today and clearly got the equivalent then or it wouldn't have been recorded. But that's exactly the kind of verbal pattern comedians like Billy Crystal and many of my own Jewish friends use, which is kind of amazing longevity for a pattern of speech.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Day 4
Which feels like Day 3, since I got off track. Sigh.
Wondering if there were daughters and just not recorded, which is odd, since Judaism is matrilineal.
Oh, the Jacob/brothers mindgames!
I would think that Joseph, being NOT THE OLDEST himself, would be ok with bucking the primogeniture system. But nooooo.
I have the sense that the story of Joseph is only going to be the first example of God making lemonade out of lemons and bringing forth excellence from bad choices and tragedy. Must Remember. God is good. All the time. And he makes things like this so.
WOOT! One book down!
So I started Exodus--and how is it that they do not know Joseph anymore when he was second only the Pharaoh?
Wondering if there were daughters and just not recorded, which is odd, since Judaism is matrilineal.
Oh, the Jacob/brothers mindgames!
I would think that Joseph, being NOT THE OLDEST himself, would be ok with bucking the primogeniture system. But nooooo.
I have the sense that the story of Joseph is only going to be the first example of God making lemonade out of lemons and bringing forth excellence from bad choices and tragedy. Must Remember. God is good. All the time. And he makes things like this so.
WOOT! One book down!
So I started Exodus--and how is it that they do not know Joseph anymore when he was second only the Pharaoh?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Day 3
Good thing I read ahead as yesterday just plain got away from me. Back to Isaac.
How did Abraham know/why would he have thought that Isaac was to be the sacrifice if no one actually said it?
Sending away Hagar and Ishmael turned out to have some bad repercussions. My heart aches for her and I love that God took care of her.
Can't believe how much space the negotiation of price for Sarah's tomb takes up.
This makes me want to read The Red Tent again.
I wonder if Sarah figured out that the whole "descendants as numerous as the stars" thing would involve other women and how that felt. Was that normal at the time?
What is a birthright, and why would you sell it for some lentil soup?
Amazing that the blessings on Jacob were held to Jacob despite being obtained by trickery (though it sets the stage for current malfeasance to "do the Lord's work" I suppose). And of course it's instigated by a woman...
Does Leah's not story teach generations of us "you cannot make someone love you"?
And really, the whole thing with the Shechemites is totally depressing.
Having trouble finishing. Am on p. 32, ch. 36. Think I can finish later.
How did Abraham know/why would he have thought that Isaac was to be the sacrifice if no one actually said it?
Sending away Hagar and Ishmael turned out to have some bad repercussions. My heart aches for her and I love that God took care of her.
Can't believe how much space the negotiation of price for Sarah's tomb takes up.
This makes me want to read The Red Tent again.
I wonder if Sarah figured out that the whole "descendants as numerous as the stars" thing would involve other women and how that felt. Was that normal at the time?
What is a birthright, and why would you sell it for some lentil soup?
Amazing that the blessings on Jacob were held to Jacob despite being obtained by trickery (though it sets the stage for current malfeasance to "do the Lord's work" I suppose). And of course it's instigated by a woman...
Does Leah's not story teach generations of us "you cannot make someone love you"?
And really, the whole thing with the Shechemites is totally depressing.
Having trouble finishing. Am on p. 32, ch. 36. Think I can finish later.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Random Thoughts Day 1
I'm dozing off on p. 5. This can't be good.
Nimrod. Heh heh.
Still bothered by the whole No problem, Pharaoh, take my wife, please! thing. Eeuw.
Is there any good explanation of the "living 900 years" thing?
If God demands an accounting of each animal, we as a culture are screwed.
A map would help me a lot. I'll bet there's one online if I'd stop.
Still get chills at "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be." Amazing.
And really, did Sarai not thing that things were going to go very, very badly wrong with Hagar? This story does not add up in this particular telling.
I keep thinking of my Jewish "bridesmaid" who, when we were talking about our Pre-Cana and how marriage is a covenant, tried to tell us it's a contract. "You don't want a covenant," he said. We laughed, nervously, because we did and we do and we live it but wow, contracts are easier.
And SO much enmity between brothers! Here I thought that was just my house. (Reading ahead a bit while I have uninterrupted time.)
Um, Gen 19:5: seriously??? That's the text??? And again19:8?????
And geez, I should have known that the Bible was even the start of Daddy issues. I'm a little grossed out here. Not proud starts to some tribes.
I think I need a Bible study, not just a Bible read. I'm sure "creeped out" is not the reaction I am supposed to have. Stopping now on p. 16. I'm tempted to look up how many to go but I think it would deter rather than encourage.
Nimrod. Heh heh.
Still bothered by the whole No problem, Pharaoh, take my wife, please! thing. Eeuw.
Is there any good explanation of the "living 900 years" thing?
If God demands an accounting of each animal, we as a culture are screwed.
A map would help me a lot. I'll bet there's one online if I'd stop.
Still get chills at "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be." Amazing.
And really, did Sarai not thing that things were going to go very, very badly wrong with Hagar? This story does not add up in this particular telling.
I keep thinking of my Jewish "bridesmaid" who, when we were talking about our Pre-Cana and how marriage is a covenant, tried to tell us it's a contract. "You don't want a covenant," he said. We laughed, nervously, because we did and we do and we live it but wow, contracts are easier.
And SO much enmity between brothers! Here I thought that was just my house. (Reading ahead a bit while I have uninterrupted time.)
Um, Gen 19:5: seriously??? That's the text??? And again19:8?????
And geez, I should have known that the Bible was even the start of Daddy issues. I'm a little grossed out here. Not proud starts to some tribes.
I think I need a Bible study, not just a Bible read. I'm sure "creeped out" is not the reaction I am supposed to have. Stopping now on p. 16. I'm tempted to look up how many to go but I think it would deter rather than encourage.
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