Fridays In The Desert 1Kings
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 5:00AM Remember that weight I lost last year? It's back. All of it. And I enjoyed every single bite, but now it's time to repent and lose it again because I bought some really cute clothes last spring and I want to be able to wear them when it warms up again.
Giving up treats and taking up exercise this week has been just as unpleasant as it sounds and is really making me wonder if I can get through my plan of 40 days of deprivation. This is when blogging is good, because an audience is giving me accountability and I need it. Big time.
So this week, according to plan, I read 1Kings. It's a long one but mostly interesting and it has the story of Elijah which I love. Here are my completely uneducated observations.
- Solomon started out as a really impressive guy. I liked him.
- The building of the Temple would have made a fabulous series on HGTV. I would like to see all that gold, sandalwood and bronze work up close.
- While it would make a good TV series, it's kind of boring to read about.
- If, when you watch the first Indiana Jones movie, you're at all confused about the Ark of the Covenant, this is the book for you.
- I really like Solomon until I got to the part about his 700 wives and 300 concubines. Not shocking that he turned away from the Lord with that kind of a distraction going on.
- 700 wives? 300 concubines? That's a whole different kind of reality series.
- Politicians, even those appointed by God himself and receiving direct, audible instructions are incapable of honesty or loyalty.
- The best part of being a prophet? Knowing who is coming to your house before they get there! But then I would use that knowledge to hide instead of delivering the intended message so I'm probably not going to be blessed with prophetic powers.
- The chapters in the teens are mostly boring and bloody.
- Right up until 18 which starts the story of Elijah!
I love Chapter 19. It's so poetic and eloquent. Elijah had reached such a low point in his life and his ministry, he was lying all alone in a desert asking to die. Instead, God gives him food and water and has him walk for 40 days and 40 nights to meet with God at Mt. Sinai. What follows is one of the best passages in the Old Testament.
10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
-New Living Translation.
I love that visual of looking for God in all the mighty and powerful displays, but finding Him in the quietest and gentlest of breaths. It reminds me of nights holding my babies while they slept. Looking at their sweet bald heads, feeling their insistent heartbeats and pressing my ear close to hear their quiet breathing . . . God was there without a doubt. I've never been able to hold a baby and doubt that God is a creator.
Goodness, I'm sitting here getting teary.
After that chapter, things get bloody again and I'll admit that I skimmed my way through to the end. I've never been fond of battles in literature or movies.
One final takeaway from 1Kings?
Jezebel is a terrible name choice for a daughter.
Next week - Jonah. Only 4 chapters! Woo-hoo!
Reader Comments (11)
oh man, I'm with you on that one. I haven't gained my weight back, but I STILL haven't lost the extra 20 pounds of baby weight that I'm still carrying around. And my son turns two next month. No excuse I tell ya!
I needed this.
I'm going to 1 Kings right away.
(I also needed the laughter you gave me. Mindee, THANK YOU.)
Everyone needs accountability- Im hoping your exercise/eating right journey will motivate me- lol .
I think your Bible reading is awesome- I believe God is going to speak to you in many new ways throughout this adventure! I especially LOVE the part about the storms and the fire and that "God was not in that"- a great reminder when we blame God for circumstances in our lives. :)
Tabitha - it's okay. I'm sure everyone is looking at your handsome boy, not your 20 pounds. :)
MJ - You're welcome.
Angela - ooooh. I like that interpretation.
Congratulations on your reading of the Bible, quite an endeavor. And
best of luck getting back in shape. You've done it before and in a
healthy way. Keep up the good work - you have good genes!
You are making me want to pull out my Bible. I've been wanting to become one the those people who can pull out a bible verse that make senses in a situation, but I always need to google them instead.
Good luck on the excerise/diet. I need to work on the food side of my life. I am exercising like a good girl and getting ready to train for The Bolder Boulder - maybe that's what you should do, train for a race, or something, then you'll have a goal.
Mom - yes I do. Thank you.
Krista - I'm a googler too. :) GOOD JOB! on you Bolder Boulder training. No matter how many times I've tried, I can not get the hang of running so I'm extra impressed!
I forgot to read! I need some Adderall. Or sleep? I did start Revelation last night. I need to be reminded about the victory part!! :P
Way to go on your stuff. It is so hard, I'm realizing, to make changes. (Realizing? As if I didn't know it already. What a doofus.)
Just a dumb question. I admire what you are doing, but are you getting a head start on it? Lent does not start until Ash Wednesday which is February 22nd I believe. You may get quite a bit more done that you were planning on.
Christina - Revelation always makes my head spin. Good for you.
JM - not a dumb question, but kind of a long answer. :)
1) I'm not Catholic so I'm using the idea of Lent but not really following the teachings of that church.
2) My real adventure is going to start on Ash Wednesday (you can read about that plan here: http://www.ourfrontdoor.us/notepad/2012/1/3/so-crazy-it-might-work-or-not.html ) This reading is just a warm up to try and get my heart and head in the right place before I jump in.
3) My goal is to spend 40 days creating a "desert" for myself. I'm using the season leading up to Easter for that, but really you could do this any old time at all.
Gotcha. But the season of Lent starting at Ash Wednesday is not just a catholic teaching. I should know because I am not catholic either