Song of Songs

Summary

This book is a beautiful picture of love. But,it's about the love restricted within the category of the marital relationship. And, mostly it's a love song on the physical side.

In this book, a bride and her bridegroom are singing the beauty of their spouse's hair,cheeks,lips,arms,body,legs,posture,mouth,teeth, and smile(5:10~16, 6:5~7). Even he sings of her navel like as"Your navel is perfectly formed like a goblet filled with mixed wine.(7:2)"

And, we can find several amazing expressions about the love. "My lover is mine, and I am his(2:16)."
"Place me like a seal over your heart,
   like a seal on your arm.
 For love is as strong as death,
   its jealousy as enduring as grave.
 Love flashes like fire,
   the brightest kind of flame.
 Many waters cannot quench love,
   nor can rivers drown it.(8:6~7)

So, we can use this book as a marriage handbook and find a treasure of marital delights in it.
  -end-

Ecclesiastes

Summary

The author of this book,Solomon says he discovered conclusion after looking at the matter from every possible angle(7:27). And, the conclusion is Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless(1:2).

He tried,experienced and observed all the things he could do.
He cheered himself with wine(2:3),tried to find meaning by building huge homes for himself(2:4)-(this is still one of biggest dream of people at present), he took anything he wanted(2:10), observed time,love,hate,war,peace,happy,enjoying and even all the oppression.(ch.3,4).
He found a serious problem of hoarding riches harms the saver(5:13), and a serious tragedy which weighs heavily on humanity(6:1).  And, he shoot through the human's greed and said as "All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough(6:7)".

Consequently he reached to his final conclusion. And he taught as "Everything is completely meaningless(12:8)",so don't waste time for seeking a meaning or wisdom of life, instead, "Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad(12:13~14).
  -end-

Proverbs

Summary

The purpose of this book[Proverbs] is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.(Pro 1:2)
This book teaches us how to live wisely and successfully in the fear of the Lord.
And, it also provides some instructions concerning;
  -. Seven things the Lord hates (6:16~19)
 -. A wise child and a foolish child (10:1)
 -. Hatred and love (10:12)
 -. Work hard and be lazy (12:24)
 -. Godliness and dishonest (16:8)
 -. Peace and conflict (17:1), and so on.

The conclusion of this book is that "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge (1:7)"
    -end-

Psalms

I. My own Psalm

Nothing was I before You created me.
Though I didn't do anything knowing nothing,
There was You who created and loved me first.
What in the beginning was Your plan of my life?
How could this wretch call You my Father?
It was You who waited over time to save me.
I didn't do anything but piled sins before I believe.

Nothing is mine without Your permission.
Though I'm misunderstanding I am having my life.
There is Your mercy on me,so I'm still alive.
What is my plan, my hope, my desire on earth?
How can I make my dreams come true?
It is You who makes a plan and achieve it.
I am nothing but a piece of tool of God.

Nothing will not be my life 'cause I'm with You.
Though will I mistake again and again, I'll never forget You.
There will be joy always when I go with Your words.
What will be the outcome of my life at the last moment?
How will You greet me and be pleased with my earthly life?
It will be a story of happy ending and joyful beginning.
I will be a song of praise and a joy of God for ever.

II. Re-Writing Psalm23

The LORD is my provider;
   It comes from Him All that I need
 He raises me up from heartless world;
   He leads me into His heartful love
   He redeems my sin everyday,
He waits me on the crossroad
   Watching me, guides me to the right paths
Even when I committed
   the most terrible sin,
I will not give up my hope
   for You are ready to forgive me.
Your words and Your presence
   give me strength and joy
You prepare a triumph for me 
   in this our bloody cruel world
You wait me by enduring long
   My soul, my body recovered with blessings.
Surely You are always good and merciful
   and protect me all my life time,
and I will praise You everywhere every time
   forevermore.

III. Personal application

In the first Chapter of Book of Psalms, I can find all the things how I have to live in my life. I believe that God created the world to let us live joyfully. And, when we live joyfully, it makes God be pleased. But, this idea is incomplete and even very risky because the concept of 'joy' can be conflicted according to the peoples' viewpoints or their benefits.

But, concerning this matter, fortunately we have got a wisdom from the Book of Psalms.
This book teaches us very briefly and clearly like that the people of joys are who delight in the law of the Lord, mediating on it day and night(Psalms Ch1:1~2).  

Indeed! We can be joyful people when we keep God's commands delightedly and keep company with the God's words at all time. And it's the way we can please God.
Father God, please help me to delight in Your law, read the bible and mediate on Your words constantly.  -end-

Samuel

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

According to the book of SOURCVIEW, the author is anonymous. Who the author was cannot be known since the book itself gives no indication of his identity. 
Nevertheless, we can find a clue from 1Chronicle29:29;"All the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer.

Whoever he was, he had recorded the life and times of Samuel, Saul and David. And, the original readers could be the Israelites who lived under the reign of Kings Saul,David and Solomon.

And, in the book of Samuel, we meet many kinds of rebellions of Israelites. For example, in the rebellion of David's son Asalom, we can find another rebellion of David's friend Hushai.
"Is this the way you treat your friend David?" Absalom asked him. "Why aren't you with him?" "I'm here because I work for the man who is chosen by the LORD and by Israel," Hushai replied(2 Samuel Ch.16:17-18). Through this verses we can understand the character of Israelites at that time. 

They all insisted they were doing it by the LORD's command while they were doing it for themselves according to their own thoughts and decisions.  They were very similar to the pharisee in the era of Jesus.

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

According to the book of SOURCVIEW, the prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad all kept records, which later may have been combined to form 1 and 2 Samuel. Some think official court historians may have chroincled these events(2Samuel8:16-17;1Kings4:3)

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

2Samuel Ch.22:24~26 says "I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right, because of my innocence in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity."
And, 2Samuel Ch.23:1~3 says "These are the last words of David: David, the son of Jesse, speaks - David, the man to whom God gave such wonderful success, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. The Spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: 'The person who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God"
Through these verses we can find that the Kingship was given from God to David who feared God and kept His words-covenant.  
So, I regard the theme of this book is Kingship and Covenant.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

According to the book of SOURCVIEW, this book traces the history of Israel from the death of Saul to the end of David's reigh- approximately 1010-970BC. It vividly shows the consequences of both faithfulness and disbedience.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

In the Hannah's prayer of praise, we can find one of God's character. "The LORD brings both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes one poor and another rich; he brings one down and lifts another up."(1Samuel Ch.2:6~7) Here, we can find God's absoluteness of authority over our Human life.
While, In the David's song of praise, we can find that one more God's character that he is merciful to the humble people only.(2Samuel Ch.22:28 "You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.) 

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In 2Samuel Ch8:6, it was described as "~So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went." I think this verse prophesies that God's redemptive plan for mankind is not depends on our human's act, but it's like a gift which God gives us free according to His plan.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

In the book of Samuel, the most impressive part for me was David's faithfulness risking his life. Every time Saul pursued David to kill him in spite of his innocence(1Samuel24:11), David didn't make a counterattack. On the contrary, not only David did not kill Saul whenever he got the chances to kill him, but also he promised he will never kill Saul and his family(1Samuel24:22). Even though he knew if he spare Saul's life then Saul will try to kill him again, David didn't kill him. What's the reason? It was because Saul was the Lord's anointed one(1Samuel24:10).  
Like this, David didn't make a judgement in his point of view, instead he decided his act in a view of God even though it's to risk his life.
Then how about me? Can I risk my life on God's commands? Can I find any one who risk his life on God's commands? Yes, I see many missionaries are living that kind of life.  By the way, what make me think that their lives are far from mine? 
How can I learn from them and be resemble them? 
Perhaps it can be a first step to make acquaintances with missionaries in the campus and listen to their stories. Lord, help me not to pass by or pretend ignorance when I see the missionaries and let me have relationship with them.

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I want to help nonbelievers to know and believe in God. Meanwhile, if I cannot convince whether I can risk my life on God or not, how can I make them believe that our God is the only truth and faith is the most precious one in this world?  I have to have much more time to have intimate relationship with God.   -end-

Ruth

I. Timeless Truth

Naomi's two daughters-in-law were Moabites, and they were all dutiful to their mother-in-law. So, when Naomi was going to leave to Judah, they wanted to go with her. It means they willingly wanted to endure the Israelites' oppression. Like this, they were equally good daughters-in-law to Naomi.

But, their lives show us extremely different endings. What made this difference? When Orpah was finally persuaded and went back to her people and to her gods(Ch.1:15), her life story was buried with her people, Moabites.On the contrary, Ruth didn't go back and followed to Naomi saying as "I will go wherever you go and live wherever you
live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God"(Ch.1:16). 

What made Ruth be blessed even though she didn't obey her mother-in-law? Was it because she served well for her mother-in-law more than Orpah?
No, there is no evidence for that. On the contrary, we can say that Orpah was the daughther-in-law who obeyed well her mother-in-law more than Ruth.
Like this, we cannot conclude who was better daughter-in-law for Naomi. Because our viewpoints are very changeable according to the time and place.

Ruth was blessed because she chose Naomi's God as her God. She did choose the timeless truth.The only timeless truth is God who created the world.  To Israelites,to Moabites and to any other tribes, only our God is only timeless truth.

II. Application

 -Personal application:

How many times I have doubted God with the point of view of humanism!  How much I was stubborn holding my fragile and changeable humanism!  Nothing is timeless truth,but God!! What do I obey still now?  Who should I obey only from now on?

 -Point of Passion Assignment

I want to be an evidence of living God to unbelievers. For this, I have to make them know how the human ideas are changeable and fragile.  I have to make them know only our God is the timeless truth in the world.  -end-

Judges

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

Concerning the authorship of this book"Judges", the book of Nelson's Bible Maps and Charts says as "It's likely that Samuel or one of his contemporaries complied this book from oral and written sources". It means that the original reader was Samuel's contemporaries.
But, in the last verse of this book(Ch.21:25), we can find a little different clue. It's written as "In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." This verse concludes the meaning that the original readers have a king,so they are living in different way from their prior generation. So, we can guess that the original reader was the Israelites who lived after Samuel's death under the King's reign-Saul or David around 1000 BC. 
They should have been heard about their ancestors' pattern of rebellion,punishment,repentance,deliverance,and rebellion again after the judge's death. So, they must be very loyal and follow to their king well.

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

As upper said, the author probably can be Samuel or one of his contemporaries, or in my opinion-one of Saul or David's contemporaries.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

The Israelites did not show a strong and lasting loyalty to the Lord. The book describes how the behavior of the people of Israel followed a pattern: The people disobeyed the Lord and worshiped other god=> the Lord allowed Israel's enemies to punish them=> the people cried out to the Lord=> the Lord chooses a judge to lead the people in battle against their enemies=> and when a judge die, the cycle begins again(Ch.2:10~19).
So, the main theme is that the people so easily and repeatedly forget the Lord and disobey Him, but the Lord is always ready to hear their prayer and forgive them.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

According to the book of SOURCVIEW, it's to the people of Israel, to recount the stories of Israel's heroes(Judges) and to give the nation's history prior to the time it became a kingdom.
While, I regard that this book was written to educate the people not to disobey the Lord and obey their king.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

We can find God's character of tolerance and mercy.
Even though they often abandoned the Lord, the Lord did not give up on them. And saved them as the Ch.3:7~9 "The Israelites did evil in the Lord's sight.~But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them."

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

During the period of the Judges, the Israelites showed how the human being is frail in faith. And, through these stories, we can understand why the temporary deliverers couldn't save the people perfectly, and it reveals that eternal Savior is needed for a perfect redemption.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

I know I am not different from the Israelites during the time of the Judges. Whenever I am headed with difficulties, I repent and cry out to the Lord to have mercy on me and help me. But, as soon as the difficulties go away, so easily I forget the Lord and return to the old life style. So as not to repeat this stupidity, I have to keep going to read the Bible everyday without exception.

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I want to be an evidence of living God to unbelievers. For this, I have to show them my stable faith in any situations. So as to be solid like a trees planted along the river, I have to dip my head into the bible,God's words at all the time and in anywhere.    -end-

Joshua

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The original readers were probably the Israelites who lived in the same time as Joshua. Because we can find that the narrator speaks as if he had participated in the events by using the word 'us'."~For they had disobeyed the LORD, and the LORD vowed he would not let them enter the land he had sworn to give us -- a land flowing with milk and honey.(Ch.5:1)
By the way,it seems that they obeyed Joshua(Ch.1:16~18) and served the Lord well(Ch.24:19~24).

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

The author of this book is Joshua. The books of [SOURCE VIEW] and [NELSON'S BIBLE MAPS AND CHARTS] say that. Meanwhile, the final section about Jushua's funeral may have been written by some elder who outlived him.
Joshua was God's chosen servant (Ch.24:29), and brought Moses' work to completion and establish Israel in the promised land(Ch.21:43~45).  As the leader of God's army, he led the battles for Canaan into triumph. And as the God's spokesman, he led the Israelites to serve the Lord(Ch.24:20~21) and made a covenant with the people(Ch.24:25)

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

In the Ch.1:6,10, God Spoke to Josua to "be strong and courageous". Not only in this chapter,but also in other many chapters God told Josua this command before the battles. God told him that He promises him what He promised Moses(Ch.1:3) and He will be with him(Ch.1:5). 
So, I regard the main idea of this book is that God keeps His promise to His people and He is always with us, so we can & have to be strong and courageous in any situations.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

The Israelites were lived surrounded with many pagans, so they could be affected by them. So, it's regarded that the author intended to prevent the Israelites from affecting the pagans' idols and cultures.(Ch.24:14~16)

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

Joshua told people that the Lord is a holy and jealous God, and because He is Righteous God, he will not forgive their rebellion and sins.(Ch.24:19)

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

(Ch.24:13)"I gave you land you had not worked for, and I gave you cities you did not build - the cities in which you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them." - Through this verse we can know that the God's redemption is like a present which is being given us free of charge. And, nowadays we know Jesus is that present. 

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

The Israrelites' triumph stories were not touching to me. Instead, two commands which were repeated several times awakened and touched me. The first command is-"So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly"(Ch.24:14). And, the second command is "Be strong and courageous!"(Ch.1:9).
Very simple and easy to hear or understand, but they are very difficult to practice and very easily forgettable. So as to keep in mind it at any time, I will make a memo and read it in my spare time.

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I want to be an evidence of living God.  It regarded that when I practice the command of Ch.1:9 "This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.", I could be an evidence of living God.    -end-

Deuteronomy

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

Though the Ch.1:1-3, we can find that the Israelites were made up with the new generation because it's already passed 40 years after they rescued from Egypt. And because they traveled 40 years in the wilderness which normally takes only eleven days to travel, they should be very well trained in this region.

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?
Moses wrote it around 1406 BC. Deuteronomy locates Moses and the Israelites in the territory of Moab in the area where the Jordan flows into the Dead Sea (Ch.1:5). As his final act at this important time of transferring leadership to Joshua, Moses delivered his farewell addresses to prepare the people for their entrance into Canaan. In them, Moses emphasized the laws that were especially needed at such a time, and he presented them in a way appropriate to the situation. In contrast to the matter-of-fact narratives of Leviticus and Numbers, here the words of Moses come to us from his heart as this servant of the Lord presses God's claims on his people Israel.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

Many times he required to the Israelites to obey the God's commands.
(Ch.4:1) And now, Israel, listen carefully to these laws and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.
(Ch.5:32)So Moses told the people, "You must obey all the commands of the LORD your God, following his instructions in every detail.
(Ch.13:18) The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

Deuteronomy's purpose was to prepare the new generation of the Lord's chosen people to be his kingdom representatives in the land he had unconditionally promised them in the Abrahamic covenant. 
And,Deuteronomy locates Moses and the Israelites in the territory of Moab in the area where the Jordan flows into the Dead Sea (Ch.1:5). As his final act at this important time of transferring leadership to Joshua, Moses delivered his farewell addresses to prepare the people for their entrance into Canaan. In them, Moses emphasized the laws that were especially needed at such a time, and he presented them in a way appropriate to the situation. In contrast to the matter-of-fact narratives of Leviticus and Numbers, here the words of Moses come to us from his heart as this servant of the Lord presses God's claims on his people Israel.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

We can find God's thoroughly love, concern and counterplan for His people.
Ch.31:19-22("Now write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Teach them to sing it, so it may serve as a witness against them. For I will bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors -- a land flowing with milk and honey. There they will become prosperous; they will eat all the food they want and become well nourished. Then they will begin to worship other gods; they will despise me and break my covenant. Then great disasters will come down on them, and this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know what these people are like, even before they have entered the land I swore to give them."  So that very day Moses wrote down the words of the song and taught it to the Israelites.)

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

The love relationship of the Lord to his people, and that of the people to the Lord as their sovereign God, pervade the whole book. And, through Ch.31:20-22 we can understand how it is difficult to reach to the redemption through our own efforts, and why we need Jesus for the redemption. ("For I will bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors - a land flowing with milk and honey. There they will become prosperous; they will eat all the food they want and become well nourished. Then they will begin to worship other gods; they will despise me and break my covenant. Then great disasters will come down on them~)

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

When I think about Moses' death, I feel some sorrow because he was not allowed to enter the Canaan even though he was the mostly struggled person in the wilderness for 40 years as the leader. But Moses was not complained about it, instead he always obeyed to God.  I regard I have to remember that my thinking is always shorter than God's one. Instead of my judgement, I have to obey God's words.

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I believe that God's word is the only truth in this world.  So, I have to obey God's word and think it's most important one I have to keep. But, many times I find I give priority to the other ordinary things. I have to put the first priority to God's word, and have to do my best to know it and to make people know it. -end-

Numbers

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

 The book tells of the murmuring and rebellion of God's people and of their subsequent judgment. Those whom God had redeemed from slavery in Egypt and with whom he had made a covenant at Mount Sinai responded not with faith, gratitude and obedience but with unbelief, ingratitude and repeated acts of rebellion, which came to extreme expression in their refusal to undertake the conquest of Canaan (Ch.14).

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Moses was so humble and merciful man. Even though some Israellites assaulted him and a woman got disease because of her rebellion, he begged God to heal the woman. (Ch.12:1-13)

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

In this book, we can find so many times "The Murmur Cycle".
: people complain=>God sets angry=>There is judgement =>Moses intercedes=>There is relief=>people complain again.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

Numbers presents the chastening wrath of God against his disobedient people. This book presents we can be blessed just when we obey him.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

Through the Ch.15:41(I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the Lord your God!), we can find that God wants His people knows about Him and how we cares for His people.

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

During the Israellites' life in the desert, God showed the miracles to protect them and to give them the redemption.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

I was and still am a very rebellious against the authorities. Nevertheless I cannot change this character, I have to obey to God, and never be rebellious to God's authority.

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I hope to make unbelievers know about God, and believe in God.  For this I have to show them how I obey to God. I have to train not to have rebellion against the authorities.
  -end-

Leviticus

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The Israelites were the original reader as we can see the Ch.49:34(These are the commands that the Lord gave through Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites.).  
And through the Ch.9:5(So the people presented all these things at the entrance of the Tabernacle, just as Moses had commanded.) and Ch.9:9(Fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.), 
we can find that the Israelites experienced God's presence and were afraid of God.
By the way, we can suppose that this fear made them willingly show their faith to others.  And it grew from bad to worse. And, later Jesus scold them as "You hypocrites! Isaiah was prophesying about you when he said, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings.' "(Mark 7:6-7) and "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites!"(Matthew 23:13).

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Moses wrote it around 1440BC. In this book, it was described as "Then the Lord said to Moses"(Ch.4:1) many times. So, we can know he had a very intimate relationship with God.  And, according to the Ch.24:23(After Moses gave all these instructions to the Israelites, they led the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him to death, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.), we can find that the Israelites listened to Moses instructions well.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

Leviticus explains how they are to be his holy people and to worship him in a holy manner. Holiness in this sense means to be separated from sin and set apart exclusively to the Lord for his purpose and for his glory. So the key thought of the book is holiness. We can find it in the Ch.10:3 "Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when he said, 'I will show myself holy among those who are near me. I will be glorified before all the people.'" And Aaron was silent.", and Ch.11:45 " I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God. You must therefore be holy because I am holy.".

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

Leviticus is a manual of regulations enabling the holy King to set up his earthly throne among the people of his kingdom. In Leviticus spiritual holiness is symbolized by physical perfection. Therefore the book demands perfect animals for its many sacrifices (Ch.1-7) and requires priests without deformity (Ch.8-10). A woman's hemorrhaging after giving birth (Ch.12); sores, burns or baldness (Ch.13-14); a man's bodily discharge (Ch.15:1-18); specific activities during a woman's monthly period (15:19-33) - all may be signs of blemish (a lack of perfection) and may symbolize human spiritual defects, which break spiritual wholeness. The person with visible skin disease must be banished from the camp, the place of God's special presence. Before they can reenter the camp, however, they must offer the prescribed, perfect sacrifices.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

This book shows God is perfectly Holy and He wants us to be holy as him.  (Ch.11:45) "~ You must therefore be holy because I am holy."

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

As said in 1.4), The person with visible skin disease must be banished from the camp, the place of God's special presence, just as Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. Such people can return to the camp (and therefore to God's presence) when they are pronounced whole again by the examining priests. Before they can reenter the camp, however, they must offer the prescribed, perfect sacrifices. And, it is symbolizing the perfect, whole sacrifice of Christ for the redemption of imperfect human being.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

Most of all, it was very shocking that the Aaron's two sons were burned up and died because they burned the wrong fire in the ceremony of their sin offering. It was shocking not because of their death, but because of my sins which are much more bigger than the Aaron's sons. 
It make me remind that even though I could got the redemption through Jesus, I have to be holy because God is Holy and it's God's commandment. 
And, it's very shocking that I have not any pure thing to sacrifice for my sins offering. I'm so defiled and impure that I cannot go to God.  But, because of Jesus I can call God as "my Father in Heaven". How precious and graceful privilege I have!! Thanks God,Thanks Jesus!!!

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I want to be an evidence of existence of God. For this,I have to reveal God's perfection to the people I meet. Should I don't do anything because I am not perfect? Or should I do try to resemble Jesus's perfection?    -end-

Seven questions that determine a worldview

I have interviewed this afternoon
- a lady YWAMer in the campus. (age:20s) / believer
= a young man on the street. (age:20s) / nonbeliever

(1)What is really real?
- The living process is one of the most real things. The life is always in progress in this world.
= Friendship.

(2)What is the nature of the universe?
- Something God expressed himself with a certain law and purpose.
= Something growing and expanding.

(3)What is a human being?
- We are God's reflection.
= Something very delicate and fine, but easily destroyable at the same time.

(4)What happens after death?
- We will stand before God, and be judged.
= Human life will be recycled to the other life.

(5)How do you know right from wrong?
- God's words are right. Holy Spirit helps us to know that.
= We know it by experience.

(6)How can you know anything at all?
- By experience, observation, discovery...
= By exploring.

(7)What is the purpose of history?
- We can learn from history how we can make our world better.
= When we forget it, we repeat the mistake. Not to repeat it, it's needed.

-end-

Exodus

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The book begins by tracing the growth of Jacob's family in Egypt. As a nation, Israel suffers oppression from Pharaoh ( 1:8-10 ). Despite the terrible conditions, the nation continues to grow ( 1:12 ), a hint that God is blessing them. New measures are taken to stop their population explosion, but the midwives become instruments of salvation rather than death because they "feared God" ( 1:17 ). The text states that God blesses them for their actions in preserving life ( 1:20-21 ).


1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Moses wrote it around 1440 BC.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

The name "Yahweh" occurs in God's speech of reassurance to Moses in 6:2-9. After Moses' initial attempts at deliverance from Pharaoh fail, Yahweh puts the scene into theological perspective. The paragraph revolves on the self-identification formula, "I am Yahweh" ( Exodus 6:2, 6:6, 6:8 ). In the past, the patriarchs knew God as God Almighty. They did not understand the full capacity of the name "Yahweh." This limitation will now change. Continuity with the past rests in the covenant made with their forefathers ( 6:4-5 ), but full revelation of the name will involve liberation from the slavery of Egypt, redemption by God's own mighty deeds, election as his people, relational knowledge of Yahweh as their God, and the completion of the promises involving the inheritance of a land ( 6:6-8 ). Although the people are not impressed with this report, the book records the fulfillment of the speech and thus the revelation of the full capacity of this deity, Yahweh.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

The Exodus was written to remind the Israelites how God had rescued them from oppression.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

In the ch.14:19, God let the angel of God who had been leading the people of Israel to protect the Israelites with the pillar of cloud and fire. We can see how God is good and merciful to his people.  While in the ch.20:5, we can find one of God's character is jealous. God said that he is a jealous God who will not tolerate our affection for any other gods.

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

God acts to save Israel from their plight. Salvation has a tangible side, namely, deliverance from Egypt. God initiates his salvation by observing Israel's groanings ( 3:7 ). He then takes steps to realize change, first by choosing a deliverer (ch.3) and then by bringing out the children of Israel from Egypt ( 15:13 ). Redemption leads to a permanent relationship with the deity who worked for Israel.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

Pharaoh's heart was stubborn and refused God's command. Then, God made Pharaoh's heart more stubborn instead of flexing it. Sometimes I am also feel that my heart is so stubborn. Whenever I feel it again, I should remind of this Pharaoh.

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

There are lots of unbelievers who have stubborn hearts like this Pharaoh. They think they are having more rational,logical and scientific way of thinking. So, they say the Bible is nonsense. I have to equip a weapon to break their stubborn hearts.   -end-

Genesis

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

If we admit that Moses wrote the Genesis, the original readers of this book were the Israelites who arrived in Egypt and grew into a nation. Their ancestors are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The genealogy of Adam's descendants are listed in Genesis 5, and the descendants of Jacob are listed in 46:8-27.

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Moses wrote it around 1446-1406 BC. He relied on revelation from God and, perhaps, earlier oral or written records.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

In Genesis 17, God makes a covenant with Abraham and said that you and your descendants must keep.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

Through this book the Israelites learned that they were heirs of a covenant between Yahweh and Abraham. They also learned the importance of faith and obedience to Yahweh. And, they learned the promise that they would one day inherit the land of Canaan.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

Through the Ch.6:3, we can find God's authority, which changed our humans' lifetime from hundreds to no more than 120 years. And through the conversations with Noah(Ch.6:13~9:17)and Abraham(Ch.12:1~18:32), we can find God is so relational and merciful.

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In the Genesis 12:1-9 Abraham receives the command to abandon his homeland with the promise that his offspring will be a great nation. He obeys, goes to Canaan, and there builds altars to Yahweh his God. After then in 15:1-21 God makes a covenant with Abraham. God identifies himself, then rejects the suggestion that Eliezer of Damascus might be Abraham's heir, and promises Abraham many descendants and the land of Canaan. Abraham believes, offers a sacrifice, and hears a prophecy concerning his offspring of dark days of slavery followed by the possession of the promised land. And in 17:1-27 introduces circumcision as the sign of the covenant. God again identifies himself to Abraham and again promises many offspring and the possession of Canaan. He rejects the suggestion that Ishmael may be the heir, and demands that Abraham and all his male descendants undergo circumcision as the sign of the covenant. Abraham obeys. In 22:1-19, like the first, begins with God commanding Abraham to leave his home, only this time it is to take his son up a mountain and sacrifice him to God. Abraham obeys, only he is prevented from carrying out the sacrifice by the angel of the Lord and sacrifices a ram instead. Having passed this greatest of tests, he is again promised the land and many offspring. Through these commands we can understand how he completely prepare for the redemption of mankind.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

Like as Abraham obeyed to God and showed his faith, I have to train myself to obey to God's words( in the bible or through the Holy Spirit).

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

Even though they are not believe in God, many people recognize that there is some mighty power in the universe. How can I understand them that this mighty power is our God? There are so many people who pursue the human relations to avoid loneliness, but hurt by it. How can I let them know only Jesus can make us free and give us relief? I want to be a stepping-stone between the God's words(Bible) and unbelievers. -end-