Bible reading. Numbers 13: 1-3, also 13: 26 - 14:9

The Israelites arrived near Canaan, the Promised Land and send twelve men to explore the land.

The report of ten was that land was good and fruitful, but the residents of the land are too powerful and the cities are too fortified to be defeated. The other two, Joshua and Caleb, tried to convince the people that with God's help they would be successful in defeating the Canaanites. The Israelites believed the ten doubters and wanted to return to Egypt. As punishment for doubting God, he stated that only Joshua, Caleb and the children of those who had left Egypt would go into the Promised Land.   The Israelites would spend the next 40 years in the desert where the doubters would perish.

Bible reading. Exodus 32: 1-14

The episode of the Golden Calf.

Bible reading. Genesis, chapter 20.

God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai where he laid out the way the Israelites are to live in order to be his special nation. He did this by giving them the Ten Commandments. By observing these commandments the doers are blessed and also others with whom they associate.

Bible reading. Exodus 19: 1-8

The Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai. Moses went up onto the mountain and God spoke to him and said to tell the people that if they fully obeyed his covenant they would be hie treasured possession. Moses reported this to them and they said "We will do everything the Lord has said". Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

Bible reading. Exodus 16: 1-16

The Hebrews have left Egypt. God had parted the Red Sea which had allowed them to cross it. They soon came to a desert, food and water were scarce so the people began to complain to Moses. God heard their complaining and said he would supply food for them. Would they believe him? At twilight that day God sent quail in sufficient numbers to feed all the people. Next day there was a food on the ground like flakes of frost. The people were told to gather enough of the flakes for each person for a day and twice as much on the sixth day, but none on the seventh. This was to see if they would obey God's instructions. We were asked to consider what we would do if we have a "wilderness experience".

Bible reading Genesis, Chapter 37.

Joseph's dreams of his brothers bowing down to him made them hate him, so that when the opportunity arrived, they sold him to traders who then sold him to an Egyptian official.

Bible reading. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

The body is made up of many parts. All are necessary and all are important. The church also has members with a variety of gifts and abilities; all are necessary for the church to function the best it can.

Bible reading. Genesis 32: 22-32

Jacob wrestles with God. God changes Jacob's name to Israel.

Bible reading. Genesis chapter 16

God promised Abram that his offspring would be so many that they would be like the stars in number.

His faith in this promise is considered since he and Sarai his wife were old and had no children.

Bible reading. Genesis 15:1-6

See also Romans 4:1-8

Abram questions God about the promise of an heir.