January 4 & 5

Jan 4

 Daniel 10-12

These bits are about Daniel and his visions. I find it very weird because I quite enjoyed his visions and the thought processes that God put on him. I also like how God showed different empires come and go, rise in power, and then fell apart. So I don't get why does Daniel feel afraid or downcast by it. I also don't get why does he go into mourning for 3 weeks nonetheless. 

But what really catches my eye also is the last chapter, I think that one is in reference to Jesus coming in person to talk to him. At first Gabriel was the one communicating with him, but later, I realised the 2nd character, was given no name, and his role is also to make known knowledge to Daniel, but more importantly is Daniel's posture of worship before him, thus I think that character is Yeshua, the word. 

Jan 5

Hosea 1 - 3

The story of Hosea puzzles me a lot. probably it is one of the most puzzling bible chapters of them all. I get that God wanna use him to illustrate a point, but of all things why wanna use marriage? Then the word of God came to me, and I understood that marriage is the most sacred of all relationships and covenants. it's the highest, and longest most enduring form of contract, and it is not just made between men and women, but God and men. My wife asked me before we got married, what is the purpose of marriage? and to be honest, till now I still cannot answer her. But I feel like I am coming close to getting an idea. It is the concept of establishing relationships of long term to go beyond just sexuality and partnership. it is the innate human nature to find bonds that will last them for eternity or a lifetime, for God said it is not good to be alone. Also, I think marriage is the closest way God can use to symbolize his relationship with men, thus using marriage in a lot of his illustrations. 

and then using it to illustrate the faithlessness that Israel has towards God, and God's long term faithfulness towards Israel. It is here I think I get the general misconception that God is an angry God. many Christians try and rebut this by saying God is not an angry God, but here I will differ and say if one is married to a spouse who does betrayal the way it is described here, it is not possible to remain unangered. Not just the betrayal, but the injustice and failed-ness in it all. it is one thing where spouses already hurt each other bad, but in this case, one party has done everything right, while the other failed. it is in this situation where I think anger is not just justified, but necessary to denote justice.