Listen— I mean READ with Me!

Since our last Read with Me check-in, I have finished Joshua, Judges and half of Ruth. Ruth is short, so I fully plan to knock her out before the end of today. It sounds like I’ve done nothing, but read my Bible this week, but I must admit I’ve listened to much of it (a la The Bible Experience) while cleaning, unpacking, folding clothes and ripping down wallpaper. I have a few notes.

First, I do not like the voice they put to Naomi. I don’t know exactly why; I just don’t.

I also did not like the productions interpretation of Ruth’s speech. Where’s the passion, people? Ruth – widowed, 10 years barren, bankrupted and alone — is clinging to her last thread of hope and yet the actress played her with such serenity and calm. I don’t think so. Were I in Ruth’s shoes, I would have been sobbing, clutching the legs of dear Naomi, throwing dust on my head and begging for any respite from the pain. Anything. This lady (the actress playing Ruth) obviously did not understand the context of the story.

That’s all about the CD version I have and really has nothing to do with the actual Scripture. Let me try to get some meatier notes here.

I have no idea why Samson is a childhood hero. Did you see anything redemptive in his story? (I know most of you are way ahead of me. Humor my very tardy discussion.) I mean, he bossed his parents around; he married outside God’s chosen people; he repeatedly lied to the woman he “loved” and foolishly trusted her after her repeated attempts on his life. He doesn’t seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer and the dude has a serious problem with anger management! Sure, he was strong and, yes, his parents responded beautifully to God’s instructions, but I’m still confused. What was honorable about this man?

To be honest, most of Judges reminded me of children. People fighting over stuff, throwing tantrums, acting irresponsibly … everyone did what was right in their own eyes. They did not have a king. In such a state, they were left to their own depravity. The whole thing is quite despicable.

The thought of which makes me rejoice that we DO have a king. And when we do what is right in His eyes, rather than our own, we can be protected from the depravity that lurks within us. Oh, and thank you, Jesus, for grace!! Only by His grace can we be saved and only by His salvation may we garner the strength to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

You’re turn. Talk to me! How are you doing with your reading? Any notes you’d like to share?