Texts:
Job 31 and 32
2 Thessalonians 2
December 1, 2009
Texts:
Ezra 1 and 2
Acts 22
Acts:
Membership has its privilege, they say. And Paul is a Roman citizen, which afforded him privileges that others did not have in Roman society.
What privileges come with membership in our church or in our community that aren't afforded to others?
Ezra:
Under the reign of Cyrus, "king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four corners of the world", peoples who had been taken into exile were allowed a measure of self determination. His philosophy of rule was that people who were allowed to go about their own lives made better subjects.
Here is a map of his empire. He lived from 600 to 530 BCE.
Notice how it stretches from Western Turkey all the way to Kazakhstan and the Indus River in the East.
Ezra 1 and 2
Acts 22
Acts:
Membership has its privilege, they say. And Paul is a Roman citizen, which afforded him privileges that others did not have in Roman society.
What privileges come with membership in our church or in our community that aren't afforded to others?
Ezra:
Under the reign of Cyrus, "king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four corners of the world", peoples who had been taken into exile were allowed a measure of self determination. His philosophy of rule was that people who were allowed to go about their own lives made better subjects.
Here is a map of his empire. He lived from 600 to 530 BCE.
Notice how it stretches from Western Turkey all the way to Kazakhstan and the Indus River in the East.
November 30, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 35 and 36
Acts 21
Acts:
Notice the idea of martyrdom. Paul's people want him to stay away from Jerusalem so that he won't be killed. Paul, on the other hand, seems almost eager to die a martyr's death. There's no easy answer for me in all of this. Yes, I do hope I would be willing to die for the gospel. But I do not hope to die for the gospel. I hope to live long enough to be able to proclaim the gospel.
The gospel does take us into dangerous places. Or it should.
2 Chronicles 35 and 36
Acts 21
Acts:
Notice the idea of martyrdom. Paul's people want him to stay away from Jerusalem so that he won't be killed. Paul, on the other hand, seems almost eager to die a martyr's death. There's no easy answer for me in all of this. Yes, I do hope I would be willing to die for the gospel. But I do not hope to die for the gospel. I hope to live long enough to be able to proclaim the gospel.
The gospel does take us into dangerous places. Or it should.
November 26, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 26-28
Acts 18
Acts:
The narrative has been building to this--Paul leaving behind the Jewish community to head out to minister to the Gentiles.
But notice Priscilla and Aquilla at the end of this chapter. They are a married couple who follow Jesus and who help correct someone's understanding of the faith. The writer of Acts seemed to have no problem with women teaching men.
2 Chronicles 26-28
Acts 18
Acts:
The narrative has been building to this--Paul leaving behind the Jewish community to head out to minister to the Gentiles.
But notice Priscilla and Aquilla at the end of this chapter. They are a married couple who follow Jesus and who help correct someone's understanding of the faith. The writer of Acts seemed to have no problem with women teaching men.
November 25, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 24-25
Psalm 74
Psalm:
This psalm is a "maskil". The word seems to be a musical term, attributed to David. Meaning seems unclear or disputed. It might describe how the psalm is to be sung.
2 Chronicles 24-25
Psalm 74
Psalm:
This psalm is a "maskil". The word seems to be a musical term, attributed to David. Meaning seems unclear or disputed. It might describe how the psalm is to be sung.
November 24, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 21-23
Acts 17
Chronicles:
When the Bible talks about 'high places', it is usually a reference to a temple to an idol or false god.
Acts:
Paul is arguing with everyone here. It seems to convince some people, but most of them seem to just get angry.
St Francis said, "preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." I love that quote because it reminds me that it isn't just what I say (or argue) that will proclaim the gospel. I am of the opinion that the living of our lives says more about what we believe than just our words do. But Paul clearly approaches the gospel task differently. While his life does reflect what he believes, he's not going to sit around and wait for you to observe him. He's going to walk right into your synagogue and let you know what he thinks.
What do you think we Presbyterians can learn from Paul here?
2 Chronicles 21-23
Acts 17
Chronicles:
When the Bible talks about 'high places', it is usually a reference to a temple to an idol or false god.
Acts:
Paul is arguing with everyone here. It seems to convince some people, but most of them seem to just get angry.
St Francis said, "preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." I love that quote because it reminds me that it isn't just what I say (or argue) that will proclaim the gospel. I am of the opinion that the living of our lives says more about what we believe than just our words do. But Paul clearly approaches the gospel task differently. While his life does reflect what he believes, he's not going to sit around and wait for you to observe him. He's going to walk right into your synagogue and let you know what he thinks.
What do you think we Presbyterians can learn from Paul here?
November 21, 2009
Texts:
Psalm 73
2 Chronicles 13-15
Psalm:
This psalm is a reminder of the problems that come with comfort. Where do you see yourself in this psalm?
Chronicles:
Hey, look! Another good king! Let's hear it for King Asa!
Psalm 73
2 Chronicles 13-15
Psalm:
This psalm is a reminder of the problems that come with comfort. Where do you see yourself in this psalm?
Chronicles:
Hey, look! Another good king! Let's hear it for King Asa!
November 20, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 10-12
Acts 14
Chronicles:
Moral of today's text--listen to the advice of your elders! Let's make guesses about which generation wrote this text, shall we.
And this text is also another reminder that marriage being defined as between one man and one woman is not the only biblical standard. Polygamy was practiced and supported, at least by the kings of Israel and Judah.
Acts:
Paul is stoned by his own people for his work for the gospel. Their preaching and healing leads people to call them Gods and it seems that no words from Paul will change their mind. Who do we insist to be gods, even after they remind us that they are human?
2 Chronicles 10-12
Acts 14
Chronicles:
Moral of today's text--listen to the advice of your elders! Let's make guesses about which generation wrote this text, shall we.
And this text is also another reminder that marriage being defined as between one man and one woman is not the only biblical standard. Polygamy was practiced and supported, at least by the kings of Israel and Judah.
Acts:
Paul is stoned by his own people for his work for the gospel. Their preaching and healing leads people to call them Gods and it seems that no words from Paul will change their mind. Who do we insist to be gods, even after they remind us that they are human?
November 19, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 8 and 9
Acts 13
Chronicles:
Solomon's wisdom and success are writ large in this text, but it is hard for me to read about his golden shields, etc, and not think, "I bet we could have made some better decisions with our money, Solomon." I recognize that I could make better decisions with my money too, but how do we discern when the gold we're spending glorifies God or when it glorifies our own egos?
Acts:
The Bar-Jesus story is a little confusing. His name means "son of Jesus". Presumably not son of our Jesus, but of some other guy named Jesus. The confusion is in saying the translation of his name is Elymas. Because it isn't. Not sure what's up with the text here.
But I digress.
What do you think of their tactics to bring joy to the Gentiles while angering the establishment? What would be a modern equivalent?
2 Chronicles 8 and 9
Acts 13
Chronicles:
Solomon's wisdom and success are writ large in this text, but it is hard for me to read about his golden shields, etc, and not think, "I bet we could have made some better decisions with our money, Solomon." I recognize that I could make better decisions with my money too, but how do we discern when the gold we're spending glorifies God or when it glorifies our own egos?
Acts:
The Bar-Jesus story is a little confusing. His name means "son of Jesus". Presumably not son of our Jesus, but of some other guy named Jesus. The confusion is in saying the translation of his name is Elymas. Because it isn't. Not sure what's up with the text here.
But I digress.
What do you think of their tactics to bring joy to the Gentiles while angering the establishment? What would be a modern equivalent?
November 18, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 6 and 7
Psalm 72
Chronicles:
It is interesting, as we prepare for Advent and the coming of Immanuel, "God with us", to read this prayer from Solomon:
‘But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you. 20May your eyes be open day and night towards this house, the place where you promised to set your name, and may you heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. 21And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray towards this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling-place; hear and forgive.'
What does it mean for God to reside with mortals on earth?
2 Chronicles 6 and 7
Psalm 72
Chronicles:
It is interesting, as we prepare for Advent and the coming of Immanuel, "God with us", to read this prayer from Solomon:
‘But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you. 20May your eyes be open day and night towards this house, the place where you promised to set your name, and may you heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. 21And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray towards this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling-place; hear and forgive.'
What does it mean for God to reside with mortals on earth?
November 17, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 3-5
Acts 12
Chronicles:
There are lots of websites that will tell you exactly what the temple looked like, but the archaeological record is not as clear. They have found evidence of human activity at the site from the time, but the remains of the temple are gone.
One thing that was different in Solomon's temple than in any of the other temples of its day, is that it didn't house an idol. There wasn't a statue of God. It housed the ark, but not an image of God. It was pretty counter cultural to have a god you couldn't "see".
Acts:
While this chapter is usually known for Peter's release from prison, I noticed the death of Herod at the end. It says that the people, after he addressed them, were saying he had the voice of God and not a mortal. And since he hadn't given glory to God, he was struck down, eaten by worms, and died.
Interestingly, the contemporary (but non-Christian) historian Josephus records his death in a similar manner.
"After Passover in 44, Agrippa went to Caesarea, where he had games performed in honor of Claudius. In the midst of his elation Agrippa saw an owl perched over his head. During his imprisonment by Tiberius a similar omen had been interpreted as portending his speedy release, with the warning that should he behold the same sight again, he would die within five days. He was immediately smitten with violent pains, scolded his friends for flattering him and accepted his imminent death. He experienced heart pains and a pain in his abdomen, and died after five days." (Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae xix. 345-350 (Chapter 8 para 2))
2 Chronicles 3-5
Acts 12
Chronicles:
There are lots of websites that will tell you exactly what the temple looked like, but the archaeological record is not as clear. They have found evidence of human activity at the site from the time, but the remains of the temple are gone.
One thing that was different in Solomon's temple than in any of the other temples of its day, is that it didn't house an idol. There wasn't a statue of God. It housed the ark, but not an image of God. It was pretty counter cultural to have a god you couldn't "see".
Acts:
While this chapter is usually known for Peter's release from prison, I noticed the death of Herod at the end. It says that the people, after he addressed them, were saying he had the voice of God and not a mortal. And since he hadn't given glory to God, he was struck down, eaten by worms, and died.
Interestingly, the contemporary (but non-Christian) historian Josephus records his death in a similar manner.
"After Passover in 44, Agrippa went to Caesarea, where he had games performed in honor of Claudius. In the midst of his elation Agrippa saw an owl perched over his head. During his imprisonment by Tiberius a similar omen had been interpreted as portending his speedy release, with the warning that should he behold the same sight again, he would die within five days. He was immediately smitten with violent pains, scolded his friends for flattering him and accepted his imminent death. He experienced heart pains and a pain in his abdomen, and died after five days." (Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae xix. 345-350 (Chapter 8 para 2))
November 16, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 1 and 2
Acts 11
Chronicles:
The wisdom of Solomon is told in much less detail here. Why do you think that is?
Acts:
Peter, now convinced, has to make the case to the rest of the early leaders about how people can join the covenant without being circumcised and following the law.
This chapter also makes reference to the first use of the term "Christian".
What does it mean to you to be called "Christian"?
2 Chronicles 1 and 2
Acts 11
Chronicles:
The wisdom of Solomon is told in much less detail here. Why do you think that is?
Acts:
Peter, now convinced, has to make the case to the rest of the early leaders about how people can join the covenant without being circumcised and following the law.
This chapter also makes reference to the first use of the term "Christian".
What does it mean to you to be called "Christian"?
November 15, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 28 and 29
Psalms 70 and 71
Chronicles:
Here is more Chronicler "remembering" of history that has yet to be reported--namely that David didn't just choose Solomon to be king and set aside materials for the building of the temple, but that he also drew up the blueprints, hired all of the staff, and worked with the interior designer.
I'm not arguing it didn't happen this way, but it is certainly not the same story told in Kings. As Dire Straits once said, "if two men say they're Jesus, one of them must be wrong."
Psalms:
Sometime, when reading the psalms, I wonder if the people who wrote them (the person who wrote them?) expected people to be reading them as scripture years down the road. They feel too personal, somehow. More like something you would find in someone's diary or journal. Especially when they say things like "don't let my enemies succeed." "Let my accusers be put to shame".
1 Chronicles 28 and 29
Psalms 70 and 71
Chronicles:
Here is more Chronicler "remembering" of history that has yet to be reported--namely that David didn't just choose Solomon to be king and set aside materials for the building of the temple, but that he also drew up the blueprints, hired all of the staff, and worked with the interior designer.
I'm not arguing it didn't happen this way, but it is certainly not the same story told in Kings. As Dire Straits once said, "if two men say they're Jesus, one of them must be wrong."
Psalms:
Sometime, when reading the psalms, I wonder if the people who wrote them (the person who wrote them?) expected people to be reading them as scripture years down the road. They feel too personal, somehow. More like something you would find in someone's diary or journal. Especially when they say things like "don't let my enemies succeed." "Let my accusers be put to shame".
November 14, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 24-27
Acts 10
Acts:
Cornelius was a "God fearer". This means he worshipped God, but had not yet converted to Judaism and been circumcised.
This passage is an important one. Don't underestimate the difficulty the early church had in figuring out how to balance the tension of obeying the laws they had received from Moses so many generations ago, and how to obey Jesus' commands to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. How were these new converts going to "fit" with the traditional Jewish followers of Jesus?
1 Chronicles 24-27
Acts 10
Acts:
Cornelius was a "God fearer". This means he worshipped God, but had not yet converted to Judaism and been circumcised.
This passage is an important one. Don't underestimate the difficulty the early church had in figuring out how to balance the tension of obeying the laws they had received from Moses so many generations ago, and how to obey Jesus' commands to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. How were these new converts going to "fit" with the traditional Jewish followers of Jesus?
November 13, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 22-23
Acts 9
Chronicles:
Boy, was that a different succession narrative than I remember reading earlier in Kings....
The chronicler, it seems, believed that David was such an important figure in Israel's history that his blessing on Solomon was important to highlight and his support of Solomon's building project needed to be mentioned.
Acts:
Remember, this story of Saul/Paul's conversion is not exactly as Paul tells it.
How would you feel if you had been persecuted by Saul, if you had fled your home so you would not be arrested by him, and then he shows up and starts preaching the good news of Jesus? Would you trust him? What would it take for Saul to be trusted?
The whole arc of his ministry seems to be toward building that trust so he can proclaim the gospel.
1 Chronicles 22-23
Acts 9
Chronicles:
Boy, was that a different succession narrative than I remember reading earlier in Kings....
The chronicler, it seems, believed that David was such an important figure in Israel's history that his blessing on Solomon was important to highlight and his support of Solomon's building project needed to be mentioned.
Acts:
Remember, this story of Saul/Paul's conversion is not exactly as Paul tells it.
How would you feel if you had been persecuted by Saul, if you had fled your home so you would not be arrested by him, and then he shows up and starts preaching the good news of Jesus? Would you trust him? What would it take for Saul to be trusted?
The whole arc of his ministry seems to be toward building that trust so he can proclaim the gospel.
November 12, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 19-21
Psalm 69
Psalm:
My prayer for the day from verse 6:
Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me,
O Lord God of hosts;
do not let those who seek you be dishonoured because of me,
O God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 19-21
Psalm 69
Psalm:
My prayer for the day from verse 6:
Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me,
O Lord God of hosts;
do not let those who seek you be dishonoured because of me,
O God of Israel.
November 11, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 17 and 18
Acts 8
Chronicles:
The story of David is complicated, but this chapter (other than all of the military conquests) shows David at his best. Humble, thankful, and praising God. What is the story of you at your best?
Acts:
What does the story of the Ethiopian eunuch say to you about the church's call in the world?
1 Chronicles 17 and 18
Acts 8
Chronicles:
The story of David is complicated, but this chapter (other than all of the military conquests) shows David at his best. Humble, thankful, and praising God. What is the story of you at your best?
Acts:
What does the story of the Ethiopian eunuch say to you about the church's call in the world?
November 10, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 15 and 16
Acts 7
Chronicles:
In 16:23-27, David sings this:
23Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
What do you think this says about the job of the church?
Acts:
How do you think Stephen does summing up the tradition?
1 Chronicles 15 and 16
Acts 7
Chronicles:
In 16:23-27, David sings this:
23Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
What do you think this says about the job of the church?
Acts:
How do you think Stephen does summing up the tradition?
November 9, 2009
Texts:
1 Chronicles 11 to 14
Acts 6
Chronicles:
At the end of chapter 13 is an interesting story about the ark of the covenant. It tells us that a man named Uzzah put out his hand to stabilize the ark because the oxen had shaken it. God's anger was kindled against Uzzah for touching the ark, and he died right there. This story is also told in 2 Sam 6:6-8.
David is annoyed with God (and who wouldn't be?--the guy was trying to be helpful, right?) and names the spot PerezUzzah or "breach of Uzzah". And then David refuses to take the ark with him. If God kills Uzzah, then how much trouble is it worth to travel with it? You can see David's point. But the family who was willing to take care of the ark is blessed.
A few things occur to me about this.
1. We can't understand God.
2. Being around God is dangerous.
3. Being around God is also a source of blessing.
Acts:
The early church was messy, just like ours. That is always comforting to me, somehow. The Hebrew Christians and the Greek Christians had a tough time coming together, but they did. In a culture that tries to keep us apart, I read this passage and say a cheer.
My prayer today is that the church will truly seek to hear the complaints of the "others" (whoever they may be) and listen to the people with whom we disagree. Let's leave our stereotypes at the door and trust that in the presence of the Holy Spirit, our conversations may lead us to places we've yet to reach on our own. Amen.
1 Chronicles 11 to 14
Acts 6
Chronicles:
At the end of chapter 13 is an interesting story about the ark of the covenant. It tells us that a man named Uzzah put out his hand to stabilize the ark because the oxen had shaken it. God's anger was kindled against Uzzah for touching the ark, and he died right there. This story is also told in 2 Sam 6:6-8.
David is annoyed with God (and who wouldn't be?--the guy was trying to be helpful, right?) and names the spot PerezUzzah or "breach of Uzzah". And then David refuses to take the ark with him. If God kills Uzzah, then how much trouble is it worth to travel with it? You can see David's point. But the family who was willing to take care of the ark is blessed.
A few things occur to me about this.
1. We can't understand God.
2. Being around God is dangerous.
3. Being around God is also a source of blessing.
Acts:
The early church was messy, just like ours. That is always comforting to me, somehow. The Hebrew Christians and the Greek Christians had a tough time coming together, but they did. In a culture that tries to keep us apart, I read this passage and say a cheer.
My prayer today is that the church will truly seek to hear the complaints of the "others" (whoever they may be) and listen to the people with whom we disagree. Let's leave our stereotypes at the door and trust that in the presence of the Holy Spirit, our conversations may lead us to places we've yet to reach on our own. Amen.
October 30, 2009
Texts:
2 Kings 10 to 12
Ephesians 5
Kings:
Boy am I glad I'm not a son of Ahab. Jehu embarks on a serious cleansing program--killing any descendants of Ahab and murdering all of the prophets of Ba'al.
And in the other half of the country, a seven year old takes the throne. This passage would be a bad stewardship text. The priests are given money for repairs, but don't make the repairs.
Ephesians:
In this whole "wives be subject to your husbands" text, people who want to keep women "in their place" only quote the first half of the argument. The writer of Ephesians writes a very balanced argument. Yes, wives should be subject to their husbands, but husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies. This was a very counter-cultural message at the time it was written.
2 Kings 10 to 12
Ephesians 5
Kings:
Boy am I glad I'm not a son of Ahab. Jehu embarks on a serious cleansing program--killing any descendants of Ahab and murdering all of the prophets of Ba'al.
And in the other half of the country, a seven year old takes the throne. This passage would be a bad stewardship text. The priests are given money for repairs, but don't make the repairs.
Ephesians:
In this whole "wives be subject to your husbands" text, people who want to keep women "in their place" only quote the first half of the argument. The writer of Ephesians writes a very balanced argument. Yes, wives should be subject to their husbands, but husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies. This was a very counter-cultural message at the time it was written.
October 29, 2009
Texts:
2 Kings 8 and 9
Psalms 62 and 63
This passage from Kings might be easier to read with a map open. Remember that this book is telling the stories of the Kings of Israel (northern kingdom) and the Kings of Judah (southern kingdom). There is overlap between them at times. Aram is today in Syria. Edom is today in Jordan.
And the death of Jezebel is yet another reminder of the dangers of consorting with foreign women. I would love to hear Jezebel's story told by her own people. It is too bad we only have her story preserved by her enemies because she clearly was politically astute--she was on the scene long after Ahab is dead and gone.
2 Kings 8 and 9
Psalms 62 and 63
This passage from Kings might be easier to read with a map open. Remember that this book is telling the stories of the Kings of Israel (northern kingdom) and the Kings of Judah (southern kingdom). There is overlap between them at times. Aram is today in Syria. Edom is today in Jordan.
And the death of Jezebel is yet another reminder of the dangers of consorting with foreign women. I would love to hear Jezebel's story told by her own people. It is too bad we only have her story preserved by her enemies because she clearly was politically astute--she was on the scene long after Ahab is dead and gone.
October 28, 2009
Texts:
2 Kings 6 and 7
Ephesians 4
Kings:
In a very "Obi Wan Kenobi" moment, Elisha sends the Arameans off--"this is not the droid, I mean city, you seek". I had never noticed that before. But I love the clarity of vision Elisha seeks for his servant, allowing him to see the surrounding host of angels protecting them from the army. Have there been times when that veil has lifted and you have seen the Divine presence more clearly?
But then the story gets dark. The Arameans surround Samaria until the people run out of food and are killing children to eat. The King of Israel decides to kill Elisha (since the messenger seems to be easier to punish than God is). Deliverance comes, but not for the King. This passage seems to be about patience to me. And I'm too impatient to appreciate that.
Ephesians:
At least this text isn't about patience. But it is about being kind, and not being snarky and mean spirited. Alas. And it has gorgeous language for the life to which we are to aspire. Which verse in this chapter really speaks to you today?
2 Kings 6 and 7
Ephesians 4
Kings:
In a very "Obi Wan Kenobi" moment, Elisha sends the Arameans off--"this is not the droid, I mean city, you seek". I had never noticed that before. But I love the clarity of vision Elisha seeks for his servant, allowing him to see the surrounding host of angels protecting them from the army. Have there been times when that veil has lifted and you have seen the Divine presence more clearly?
But then the story gets dark. The Arameans surround Samaria until the people run out of food and are killing children to eat. The King of Israel decides to kill Elisha (since the messenger seems to be easier to punish than God is). Deliverance comes, but not for the King. This passage seems to be about patience to me. And I'm too impatient to appreciate that.
Ephesians:
At least this text isn't about patience. But it is about being kind, and not being snarky and mean spirited. Alas. And it has gorgeous language for the life to which we are to aspire. Which verse in this chapter really speaks to you today?
October 27, 2009
Texts:
2 Kings 4 and 5
Ephesians 3
Kings:
Do you see similarities between the stories of Elijah and Elisha? If so, why do you think that is?
This passage also has the story of Naaman. He's a commander of Syria. He has leprosy. And he listens to a Hebrew slave girl and seeks a cure from Elisha. The question the slave girl asks Naaman, when he complains that his cure is too simple, is a question for us as well.
"Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, “Wash, and be clean”?’
What are the simple things we could be doing, but aren't?
2 Kings 4 and 5
Ephesians 3
Kings:
Do you see similarities between the stories of Elijah and Elisha? If so, why do you think that is?
This passage also has the story of Naaman. He's a commander of Syria. He has leprosy. And he listens to a Hebrew slave girl and seeks a cure from Elisha. The question the slave girl asks Naaman, when he complains that his cure is too simple, is a question for us as well.
"Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, “Wash, and be clean”?’
What are the simple things we could be doing, but aren't?
October 26, 2009
Texts:
2 Kings 1 to 3
Ephesians 2
Kings:
If you needed more reminders about why not to worship false Gods, here's another one. Let this be a reminder to us as well. If the Kings of Israel couldn't keep that command straight, how arrogant are we to think we can?
The King then decides to use might and Elijah calls down consuming fire to meet all of his armies.
Elisha inherits, literally and metaphorically, the mantle of Elijah. What are the mantles you have inherited? How heavy are they on your shoulders?
And this is one of my favorite passages concerning youth ministry. Elisha is walking down the road and a bunch of teenagers start making rude comments "go away baldhead". So, when you have unruly teenagers, just quote scripture to them:
"When he turned round and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. 25From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and then returned to Samaria." (2 Kings 2:24 and 25)
Ephesians:
Remember Ephesians is exalted worship language. All of this "lifted up to the high places" language is slightly different than Paul's other letters. It seems to reflect a later development of the church's understanding of worship.
2 Kings 1 to 3
Ephesians 2
Kings:
If you needed more reminders about why not to worship false Gods, here's another one. Let this be a reminder to us as well. If the Kings of Israel couldn't keep that command straight, how arrogant are we to think we can?
The King then decides to use might and Elijah calls down consuming fire to meet all of his armies.
Elisha inherits, literally and metaphorically, the mantle of Elijah. What are the mantles you have inherited? How heavy are they on your shoulders?
And this is one of my favorite passages concerning youth ministry. Elisha is walking down the road and a bunch of teenagers start making rude comments "go away baldhead". So, when you have unruly teenagers, just quote scripture to them:
"When he turned round and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. 25From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and then returned to Samaria." (2 Kings 2:24 and 25)
Ephesians:
Remember Ephesians is exalted worship language. All of this "lifted up to the high places" language is slightly different than Paul's other letters. It seems to reflect a later development of the church's understanding of worship.
October 25, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 22
Psalms 60 and 61
Kings:
This is a great text. Micaiah, son of Imlah, is a prophet who won't give the king the answer they want. It brings up the idea of God putting lies in the mouths of the prophets to get the will of God accomplished. What do you think of this?
1 Kings 22
Psalms 60 and 61
Kings:
This is a great text. Micaiah, son of Imlah, is a prophet who won't give the king the answer they want. It brings up the idea of God putting lies in the mouths of the prophets to get the will of God accomplished. What do you think of this?
October 24, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 20 and 21
Ephesians 1
Kings:
Notice the contrast between the first 34 verses of chapter 20 and the end of it. You can see the sources being mixed together--both pro-Ahab and anti-Ahab writing.
To appreciate chapter 21, you have to look back to earlier readings and remember how important the ancestral lands were. Your family, within your clan inherited a particular piece of real estate. And Ahab wants to take Naboth's vineyard. Ahab and Jezebel just don't seem to understand why Naboth doesn't want to sell. Their violation of Naboth's life and property is worthy of a prophetic intervention!
Ephesians:
While this letter is in Paul's name, and clearly seems to be written by someone familiar with Paul's theology, many scholars do not feel Paul wrote this letter. Here are a few reasons why.
1. The Greek vocabulary is different, or the words are the same but used differently than Paul's other letters.
2. This letter seems to be about worship, about how the church behaves. It seems to reflect a later development of the church than Paul's time (when "church" still meant groups of people meeting in houses).
3. Baptismal imagery is different as well. See if you can notice the difference between Galatians/Romans and Ephesians.
1 Kings 20 and 21
Ephesians 1
Kings:
Notice the contrast between the first 34 verses of chapter 20 and the end of it. You can see the sources being mixed together--both pro-Ahab and anti-Ahab writing.
To appreciate chapter 21, you have to look back to earlier readings and remember how important the ancestral lands were. Your family, within your clan inherited a particular piece of real estate. And Ahab wants to take Naboth's vineyard. Ahab and Jezebel just don't seem to understand why Naboth doesn't want to sell. Their violation of Naboth's life and property is worthy of a prophetic intervention!
Ephesians:
While this letter is in Paul's name, and clearly seems to be written by someone familiar with Paul's theology, many scholars do not feel Paul wrote this letter. Here are a few reasons why.
1. The Greek vocabulary is different, or the words are the same but used differently than Paul's other letters.
2. This letter seems to be about worship, about how the church behaves. It seems to reflect a later development of the church than Paul's time (when "church" still meant groups of people meeting in houses).
3. Baptismal imagery is different as well. See if you can notice the difference between Galatians/Romans and Ephesians.
October 23, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 18 and 19
Galatians 6
Kings:
These are some of the best stories in the entire Bible. Seriously.
How can you not love Elijah? He does a complete smackdown on the prophets of Ba'al. He hears God in the silence. Love him.
He's also mildly grouchy and cantankerous.
Awesome.
Galatians:
And Paul is in rare form as well. Right up to the end of this rather bruising letter, he is speaking with every ounce of his passion to a church he loves and cares for and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which he has given his life. How can we live our lives with as much passion?
1 Kings 18 and 19
Galatians 6
Kings:
These are some of the best stories in the entire Bible. Seriously.
How can you not love Elijah? He does a complete smackdown on the prophets of Ba'al. He hears God in the silence. Love him.
He's also mildly grouchy and cantankerous.
Awesome.
Galatians:
And Paul is in rare form as well. Right up to the end of this rather bruising letter, he is speaking with every ounce of his passion to a church he loves and cares for and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which he has given his life. How can we live our lives with as much passion?
October 22, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 16 and 17
Psalms 58 and 59
Kings:
Have you picked up yet on the pattern? "So and so became King, he led the people into sin, God removed him...."
What do you think the authors of Kings want you to understand about the Kings of Israel and Judah?
1 Kings 16 and 17
Psalms 58 and 59
Kings:
Have you picked up yet on the pattern? "So and so became King, he led the people into sin, God removed him...."
What do you think the authors of Kings want you to understand about the Kings of Israel and Judah?
October 21, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 14 and 15
Galatians 5
Sorry about the typo in the booklet. Today's reading is Galatians 5.
1 Kings 14 and 15
Galatians 5
Sorry about the typo in the booklet. Today's reading is Galatians 5.
October 18, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 8 and 9
Psalms 56 and 57
Kings:
It is hard for us to imagine, I think, the celebration involved in bringing the ark of the covenant "home at last". After hundreds of years of traveling as the people traveled, God finally has a home. The significance of Jerusalem as God's HQ can not be underestimated, I don't think. And, again, notice that David's name is still being used to establish legitimacy in Solomon's reign.
What do you make of 8:27? "But will God, indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built!"
Most scholars see this as an indication that by the time this history is being written down, Solomon's temple has already been destroyed.
There are a number of instructions for God to "hear in heaven and act" and then "hear in heaven and forgive".
By 8:46, you can hear indications of exile. "so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near, yet if they come to their senses in the land to which they have been taken...."
And Solomon is given clear warning, as well, in 9:6-9 about what will happen if he sins.
1 Kings 8 and 9
Psalms 56 and 57
Kings:
It is hard for us to imagine, I think, the celebration involved in bringing the ark of the covenant "home at last". After hundreds of years of traveling as the people traveled, God finally has a home. The significance of Jerusalem as God's HQ can not be underestimated, I don't think. And, again, notice that David's name is still being used to establish legitimacy in Solomon's reign.
What do you make of 8:27? "But will God, indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built!"
Most scholars see this as an indication that by the time this history is being written down, Solomon's temple has already been destroyed.
There are a number of instructions for God to "hear in heaven and act" and then "hear in heaven and forgive".
By 8:46, you can hear indications of exile. "so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near, yet if they come to their senses in the land to which they have been taken...."
And Solomon is given clear warning, as well, in 9:6-9 about what will happen if he sins.
October 17, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 6-7
Galatians 2
Kings:
If the dates are right, the temple would have been started in 960 BCE. The question with the dates is that scholars don't really think the Exodus would have taken place as early as 480 years earlier than that 960 date. Remember the Egyptian courts are better documented, historically, than most Israelite history.
The temple would have been 90 feet by 30 feet, and 50 feet tall.
The palace took almost twice as long to build and nearly twice as big.
Discuss.
Notice, again, the conditional language of God's relationship. "IF you will walk in my statutes....THEN I will establish my promise...."
What does that mean to you?
Galatians:
Paul is building his case to justify his authority to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Galatians shouldn't be fooled by people who say they're speaking for Jerusalem, because Jerusalm authorized Paul to preach!
This section also makes clear that the story Paul tells of his own life is different than the story told about his life in Acts. In Acts, he and Peter get along just fine. Here, "I opposed him to his face" (2:11).
The other fun fact in this chapter is in the translation of verse 2:16. NRSV has it as "Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ..." That translation is fine, but here is a slightly different translation, just as legitimate as far as the Greek is concerned, but see if it changes the reading for you: "Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith of Jesus Christ..."
This preposition can just as easily be translated either way. Which one do you prefer? Why?
1 Kings 6-7
Galatians 2
Kings:
If the dates are right, the temple would have been started in 960 BCE. The question with the dates is that scholars don't really think the Exodus would have taken place as early as 480 years earlier than that 960 date. Remember the Egyptian courts are better documented, historically, than most Israelite history.
The temple would have been 90 feet by 30 feet, and 50 feet tall.
The palace took almost twice as long to build and nearly twice as big.
Discuss.
Notice, again, the conditional language of God's relationship. "IF you will walk in my statutes....THEN I will establish my promise...."
What does that mean to you?
Galatians:
Paul is building his case to justify his authority to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Galatians shouldn't be fooled by people who say they're speaking for Jerusalem, because Jerusalm authorized Paul to preach!
This section also makes clear that the story Paul tells of his own life is different than the story told about his life in Acts. In Acts, he and Peter get along just fine. Here, "I opposed him to his face" (2:11).
The other fun fact in this chapter is in the translation of verse 2:16. NRSV has it as "Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ..." That translation is fine, but here is a slightly different translation, just as legitimate as far as the Greek is concerned, but see if it changes the reading for you: "Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith of Jesus Christ..."
This preposition can just as easily be translated either way. Which one do you prefer? Why?
October 16, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 3-5
Galatians 1
Kings:
The message from Samuel--that neither God's steadfast love nor the sword would never depart from David's house continued to play out in Kings. But by chapter 3, Solomon is king. What do you think of the portrait being painted here of Solomon by the Deuteronomistic Historian? Why do you think he talks about Solomon this way?
Galatians:
I love this letter! Paul is annoyed over many things and you get a sense of that in this letter. People have come along after him and are preaching a "different gospel". Paul is annoyed by these people who are trying to undo his work in Galatia. Paul had preached a message of radical grace, acceptance, and love, and these guys come in and say, "yes, what Paul said is nice, but you still have to be circumcised and follow the laws of Judaism".
Paul is also annoyed with the Galatians for seeming to fall for these "circumcisers". And, as we've seen before, Paul makes clear from just where, his authority and the gospel he preaches come from. And it is NOT from the church in Jerusalem. It is from God himself.
Have you ever had to write a letter to someone you love and yet with whom you were very angry? How do you think Paul does here?
1 Kings 3-5
Galatians 1
Kings:
The message from Samuel--that neither God's steadfast love nor the sword would never depart from David's house continued to play out in Kings. But by chapter 3, Solomon is king. What do you think of the portrait being painted here of Solomon by the Deuteronomistic Historian? Why do you think he talks about Solomon this way?
Galatians:
I love this letter! Paul is annoyed over many things and you get a sense of that in this letter. People have come along after him and are preaching a "different gospel". Paul is annoyed by these people who are trying to undo his work in Galatia. Paul had preached a message of radical grace, acceptance, and love, and these guys come in and say, "yes, what Paul said is nice, but you still have to be circumcised and follow the laws of Judaism".
Paul is also annoyed with the Galatians for seeming to fall for these "circumcisers". And, as we've seen before, Paul makes clear from just where, his authority and the gospel he preaches come from. And it is NOT from the church in Jerusalem. It is from God himself.
Have you ever had to write a letter to someone you love and yet with whom you were very angry? How do you think Paul does here?
October 15, 2009
Texts:
1 Kings 1-2
Psalm 55
Welcome to First Kings! Originally, 1st and 2nd Kings were one text, as was 1st and 2nd Samuel.
In any case, they are compilations of many sources over time to tell the story of Israel, and to tell that story with a particular emphasis--how did the moral and religious failure of the leaders of Israel lead to a loss of national unity (and the division into Israel and Judah), autonomy, and identity.
These books come from the tradition of the Deuteronomistic writers.
Psalms:
The psalms are often easier for me to appreciate if I imagine the scenario in the life of the Psalmist that led to the writing of each psalm.
What was going on in his life that he said these things?
What is the psalm I would write based on what is going on in my life right now?
Is there a time when this psalm described a situation in my life?
1 Kings 1-2
Psalm 55
Welcome to First Kings! Originally, 1st and 2nd Kings were one text, as was 1st and 2nd Samuel.
In any case, they are compilations of many sources over time to tell the story of Israel, and to tell that story with a particular emphasis--how did the moral and religious failure of the leaders of Israel lead to a loss of national unity (and the division into Israel and Judah), autonomy, and identity.
These books come from the tradition of the Deuteronomistic writers.
Psalms:
The psalms are often easier for me to appreciate if I imagine the scenario in the life of the Psalmist that led to the writing of each psalm.
What was going on in his life that he said these things?
What is the psalm I would write based on what is going on in my life right now?
Is there a time when this psalm described a situation in my life?
October 13, 2009
Texts:
2 Samuel 21-22
2 Corinthians 12
Samuel:
David is not a 21st Century Protestant. Drought is on the land because of the sins of the now dead Saul. To appease God and bring the rains, David agrees to kill seven of Saul's grandchildren. While this makes no sense to us today in our context, it is connected to a world view that is still in effect in parts of the Middle East. The concepts of "honor" and "shame" are mutually exclusive. You either bring honor upon your entire family, or you bring shame. Have you read about "honor killings" in the Middle East?
Can you think of any examples of similar behavior in our own country?
In chapter 22, there is a reprint of Psalm 18. Compare the two. David was both a psalmist and a military strategist.
Corinthians:
Note that Paul is not a 21st Century Protestant either. He is a 1st Century Jewish Mystic. This chapter is not a metaphor. It is his world view and describes his experience. In verse 2, when he says "I know a person in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven..." he is talking about himself.
His near constant theme of strength through weakness and wisdom through foolishness is evident here as well. And the Cross event is the paradigm for our lives.
2 Samuel 21-22
2 Corinthians 12
Samuel:
David is not a 21st Century Protestant. Drought is on the land because of the sins of the now dead Saul. To appease God and bring the rains, David agrees to kill seven of Saul's grandchildren. While this makes no sense to us today in our context, it is connected to a world view that is still in effect in parts of the Middle East. The concepts of "honor" and "shame" are mutually exclusive. You either bring honor upon your entire family, or you bring shame. Have you read about "honor killings" in the Middle East?
Can you think of any examples of similar behavior in our own country?
In chapter 22, there is a reprint of Psalm 18. Compare the two. David was both a psalmist and a military strategist.
Corinthians:
Note that Paul is not a 21st Century Protestant either. He is a 1st Century Jewish Mystic. This chapter is not a metaphor. It is his world view and describes his experience. In verse 2, when he says "I know a person in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven..." he is talking about himself.
His near constant theme of strength through weakness and wisdom through foolishness is evident here as well. And the Cross event is the paradigm for our lives.
October 12, 2009
Texts:
2 Samuel 19-20
2 Corinthians 11
Samuel:
Chapter 19 makes clear that grief is a luxury that kings can't afford. And this section also makes it clear that re-establishing authority for David was a crucial and a difficult task.
Corinthians:
The "super apostles" seem to be back. The leaders who followed after Paul and apparently preached "a different gospel" drive Paul absolutely nuts! He even acknowledges that he "is talking like a madman" (v 23)
He has nothing nice to say about them. And he'll use any rhetorical trick he can come up with to make his point.
Who are the "super apostles" today that drive you nuts?
2 Samuel 19-20
2 Corinthians 11
Samuel:
Chapter 19 makes clear that grief is a luxury that kings can't afford. And this section also makes it clear that re-establishing authority for David was a crucial and a difficult task.
Corinthians:
The "super apostles" seem to be back. The leaders who followed after Paul and apparently preached "a different gospel" drive Paul absolutely nuts! He even acknowledges that he "is talking like a madman" (v 23)
He has nothing nice to say about them. And he'll use any rhetorical trick he can come up with to make his point.
Who are the "super apostles" today that drive you nuts?
October 11, 2009
Texts:
2 Samuel 17-18
Psalms 52, 53, 54
Samuel:
In the continuing battle of David vs. Pretenders for the Throne, note that David is also not responsible for the death of Absalom. He wasn't responsible for the death of Saul either (see the end of 1 Sam).
Psalms:
Note the similarities of Psalm 53 with Psalm 14. And does it sound like Job or what?
2 Samuel 17-18
Psalms 52, 53, 54
Samuel:
In the continuing battle of David vs. Pretenders for the Throne, note that David is also not responsible for the death of Absalom. He wasn't responsible for the death of Saul either (see the end of 1 Sam).
Psalms:
Note the similarities of Psalm 53 with Psalm 14. And does it sound like Job or what?
September 30, 2009
Texts:
1 Samuel 23-24
2 Corinthians 3
Samuel:
How much more likely would you be to set out on a new adventure if you knew, ahead of time, that God wanted you to do it?
It is interesting that David seeks God's counsel (approval? direction?) before any and every military campaign.
How do we seek God's counsel today?
In chapter 24, Saul finally comes to understand that David will be king. Saul rarely seems to get much compassion, but I feel for him here.
Corinthians:
This is a tough chapter. In "selling" the new life, the new covenant, Paul makes the "old" covenant seem out of date. Not to accuse Paul of being a salesman, but if you have a washing machine, you aren't going to buy a new one unless someone convinces you that you need it.
How does Paul compare the "new" and the "old" covenants here?
1 Samuel 23-24
2 Corinthians 3
Samuel:
How much more likely would you be to set out on a new adventure if you knew, ahead of time, that God wanted you to do it?
It is interesting that David seeks God's counsel (approval? direction?) before any and every military campaign.
How do we seek God's counsel today?
In chapter 24, Saul finally comes to understand that David will be king. Saul rarely seems to get much compassion, but I feel for him here.
Corinthians:
This is a tough chapter. In "selling" the new life, the new covenant, Paul makes the "old" covenant seem out of date. Not to accuse Paul of being a salesman, but if you have a washing machine, you aren't going to buy a new one unless someone convinces you that you need it.
How does Paul compare the "new" and the "old" covenants here?
September 29, 2009
Texts:
1 Samuel 20-22
2 Corinthians 2
Samuel:
Chapter 20 seems to be at odds with much of chapter 19--in terms of how David and Saul came to such disagreement. Jonathan's knowledge of his father's feelings seems different here too.
Some people want to read into David and Jonathan's relationship. Quite frankly, it doesn't really add up. While there was homosexual behavior in those days, there was not the same sense of sexual identity as we have it today. Shouldn't men be able to be close friends without making it about sex? People do the same thing with Frodo and Sam in the Lord of the Rings. I don't see it.
When Saul yells at Jonathan in vs 30, I think it is more about the fact that Saul knows that if David is alive, his son Jonathan will never be king.
Chapter 21 is difficult. It is a good illustration of how faithful people get in the way of political scheming. The priest Ahimelech didn't know that David had fled from Saul. How could he have known? And Saul's soldiers seem to agree with him when they refuse Saul's order to kill him. Even today, innocent people suffer because of political wars.
The violence in Honduras comes to mind....
Corinthians:
In v 3, he talks about writing this tearful letter to them. Is this a letter we have? Is it chapters 10-13? Is it part of 1 Cor?
V 14-17 seem to have a different tone than the first half of the chapter, to my ears at least. What do you think?
And compare vv 16 and 17 with the opening lines of chapter 3. What do you notice?
1 Samuel 20-22
2 Corinthians 2
Samuel:
Chapter 20 seems to be at odds with much of chapter 19--in terms of how David and Saul came to such disagreement. Jonathan's knowledge of his father's feelings seems different here too.
Some people want to read into David and Jonathan's relationship. Quite frankly, it doesn't really add up. While there was homosexual behavior in those days, there was not the same sense of sexual identity as we have it today. Shouldn't men be able to be close friends without making it about sex? People do the same thing with Frodo and Sam in the Lord of the Rings. I don't see it.
When Saul yells at Jonathan in vs 30, I think it is more about the fact that Saul knows that if David is alive, his son Jonathan will never be king.
Chapter 21 is difficult. It is a good illustration of how faithful people get in the way of political scheming. The priest Ahimelech didn't know that David had fled from Saul. How could he have known? And Saul's soldiers seem to agree with him when they refuse Saul's order to kill him. Even today, innocent people suffer because of political wars.
The violence in Honduras comes to mind....
Corinthians:
In v 3, he talks about writing this tearful letter to them. Is this a letter we have? Is it chapters 10-13? Is it part of 1 Cor?
V 14-17 seem to have a different tone than the first half of the chapter, to my ears at least. What do you think?
And compare vv 16 and 17 with the opening lines of chapter 3. What do you notice?
September 28, 2009
Texts:
1 Samuel 18-19
2 Corinthians 1
Samuel:
The story of David just gets better and better.
Poor Saul. His son loves David. His daughter loves David. The people love David. Even God loves David.
Corinthians:
Welcome to Second Corinthians. As you may have heard me say in Sunday School last week, many scholars believe that this is a compilation of at least 2 letters by Paul to the church in Corinth. It is also possible that this letter (or parts of it) pre-date the one we know as "First Corinthians". In any case, chapters 10-13 seem to have a different tone than the earlier chapters. Think about these possibilities as you read this letter.
One interesting note at the end of chapter 1 is verses 17-22 is this idea of saying "yes" and "no". Paul points out here that Jesus is in the "yes" business. Another way of saying that is that in Jesus Christ, God's word to us is always YES! What does that say to you?
1 Samuel 18-19
2 Corinthians 1
Samuel:
The story of David just gets better and better.
Poor Saul. His son loves David. His daughter loves David. The people love David. Even God loves David.
Corinthians:
Welcome to Second Corinthians. As you may have heard me say in Sunday School last week, many scholars believe that this is a compilation of at least 2 letters by Paul to the church in Corinth. It is also possible that this letter (or parts of it) pre-date the one we know as "First Corinthians". In any case, chapters 10-13 seem to have a different tone than the earlier chapters. Think about these possibilities as you read this letter.
One interesting note at the end of chapter 1 is verses 17-22 is this idea of saying "yes" and "no". Paul points out here that Jesus is in the "yes" business. Another way of saying that is that in Jesus Christ, God's word to us is always YES! What does that say to you?
September 23, 2009
Texts
1 Samuel 7-9
1 Corinthians 14
Corinthians:
The people who advocate speaking in tongues as a spiritual practice would be wise to read all of this chapter and not just the beginning of it. Because Paul makes clear that if you are speaking a language that nobody else understands, you are just making noise. "Let all things be done for building up" (v26). And what, again, does Paul want to see built up? The BODY OF CHRIST.
Many scholars believe that vs 34-36 were later additions. It contradicts his instructions in chapter 11, for example. And in other places, Paul refers to women as apostles. Also, notice how vs 35 leads straight into v 37, continuing the argument.
And, v 40 is the favorite verse of all presbyterians--"but all things should be done decently and in order".
1 Samuel 7-9
1 Corinthians 14
Corinthians:
The people who advocate speaking in tongues as a spiritual practice would be wise to read all of this chapter and not just the beginning of it. Because Paul makes clear that if you are speaking a language that nobody else understands, you are just making noise. "Let all things be done for building up" (v26). And what, again, does Paul want to see built up? The BODY OF CHRIST.
Many scholars believe that vs 34-36 were later additions. It contradicts his instructions in chapter 11, for example. And in other places, Paul refers to women as apostles. Also, notice how vs 35 leads straight into v 37, continuing the argument.
And, v 40 is the favorite verse of all presbyterians--"but all things should be done decently and in order".
September 10, 2009
Texts:
Judges 5 and 6
Psalms 40 and 41
Judges:
The Song of Deborah (ch 5) is likely one of the earliest examples of Hebrew poetry in the Bible. Notice how it functions in a culture of storytelling. The key names and stories that need to be remembered are included here.
And notice again the cycle of "Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord." How does that speak to you? Is it comforting to know that we aren't the only ones who repeatedly make mistakes? Does it depress you that people never seem to learn?
Judges 5 and 6
Psalms 40 and 41
Judges:
The Song of Deborah (ch 5) is likely one of the earliest examples of Hebrew poetry in the Bible. Notice how it functions in a culture of storytelling. The key names and stories that need to be remembered are included here.
And notice again the cycle of "Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord." How does that speak to you? Is it comforting to know that we aren't the only ones who repeatedly make mistakes? Does it depress you that people never seem to learn?
September 9, 2009
Texts:
Judges 3-4
I Corinthians 4
Judges
Are you again noticing the different perspective of Judges, as compared to Joshua?
In 3:2, war is explained as being necessary so that people who had no experience of war would learn about it, ostensibly so they could then have a chance to obey God in the midst of war. Perhaps I'm reading this wrong. What do you think?
I'll be preaching about these two chapters on Sunday, so I'll save most of my comments for then.
I Corinthians:
Have you noticed the parental imagery in this letter? In chapter 3, Paul "fed you with milk", which is a maternal/nursing sort of image. In chapter 4, he calls them his children and refers to himself as their Father. What does this family language mean for you?
Judges 3-4
I Corinthians 4
Judges
Are you again noticing the different perspective of Judges, as compared to Joshua?
In 3:2, war is explained as being necessary so that people who had no experience of war would learn about it, ostensibly so they could then have a chance to obey God in the midst of war. Perhaps I'm reading this wrong. What do you think?
I'll be preaching about these two chapters on Sunday, so I'll save most of my comments for then.
I Corinthians:
Have you noticed the parental imagery in this letter? In chapter 3, Paul "fed you with milk", which is a maternal/nursing sort of image. In chapter 4, he calls them his children and refers to himself as their Father. What does this family language mean for you?
September 8, 2009
Texts:
Judges 1-2
I Corinthians 3
Judges:
Did you notice how Judah and Simeon are referred to here? They are referred to as brothers, and in the singular, as if it is actually telling the story of these two men. Of course, this is hundreds of years after these brothers had died, so Judah and Simeon should be read as the Tribes of Judah and Simeon.
In verse 7, the conquered king, Adoni-bezek (which means "Lord of Bezek") has his thumbs and big toes cut off as punishment. He says, "seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has paid me back". What I noticed in that is how horribly everyone (not just the conquering Israelites) treats their prisoners. What did you notice?
Corinthians:
Paul uses the word "flesh" in different ways than we do. Usually, it is a word for our earthly life and existence, in contrast to "spirit". Are we children of the Spirit? Or are we children of the flesh?
Because once you understand the gift of new life in Christ, you should be living differently than you were before. So here, when he says, "Even now you still are not ready for you are still of the flesh", it means that you have not really internalized the Good News of Jesus Christ. Because if you had, he implies, you would not be fighting over this nonsense and you'd be listening to Paul!
Judges 1-2
I Corinthians 3
Judges:
Did you notice how Judah and Simeon are referred to here? They are referred to as brothers, and in the singular, as if it is actually telling the story of these two men. Of course, this is hundreds of years after these brothers had died, so Judah and Simeon should be read as the Tribes of Judah and Simeon.
In verse 7, the conquered king, Adoni-bezek (which means "Lord of Bezek") has his thumbs and big toes cut off as punishment. He says, "seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has paid me back". What I noticed in that is how horribly everyone (not just the conquering Israelites) treats their prisoners. What did you notice?
Corinthians:
Paul uses the word "flesh" in different ways than we do. Usually, it is a word for our earthly life and existence, in contrast to "spirit". Are we children of the Spirit? Or are we children of the flesh?
Because once you understand the gift of new life in Christ, you should be living differently than you were before. So here, when he says, "Even now you still are not ready for you are still of the flesh", it means that you have not really internalized the Good News of Jesus Christ. Because if you had, he implies, you would not be fighting over this nonsense and you'd be listening to Paul!
Aug 29, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 33 and 34
Luke 20
Kay Hamilton showed me this cartoon. It seems a fitting way to end the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 33 and 34
Luke 20
Kay Hamilton showed me this cartoon. It seems a fitting way to end the book of Deuteronomy.
Aug 28, 2009
Texts: Deuteronomy 31 and 32 Luke 19 Deuteronomy:
The story of Moses is coming to a close. What do you think of the song that Moses sings to the people in chapter 32? What I noticed was the connection between being comfortable and serving false gods. God predicts that the people who are following God now, in the wilderness, will turn away once they grow fat from living in comfort. See any connections, 21st century America?
This picture is looking over the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo in modern day Jordan. The closest Moses got to the Promised Land.
Luke:
I love the Zacheus story, but I confess I'm never comfortable with the parable of the mean man and his money. Especially Luke's version of it.
And by the end of this chapter, we are entering Holy Week.
The story of Moses is coming to a close. What do you think of the song that Moses sings to the people in chapter 32? What I noticed was the connection between being comfortable and serving false gods. God predicts that the people who are following God now, in the wilderness, will turn away once they grow fat from living in comfort. See any connections, 21st century America?
This picture is looking over the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo in modern day Jordan. The closest Moses got to the Promised Land.Luke:
I love the Zacheus story, but I confess I'm never comfortable with the parable of the mean man and his money. Especially Luke's version of it.
And by the end of this chapter, we are entering Holy Week.
Aug 27, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 29 and 30
Psalm 36
Deuteronomy:
We likely hear these chapters and notice the "bad news". There is plenty of it--promises of curses and all sorts of "blotting out" if people do not obey the commands of God and live into the Covenant. But hear the good news as well.
When this story was written down, the people were in exile. They'd lost whatever they'd had, including their home land. How would these verses seem to you in that context?
30:4 "Even if you are exiled to the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back."
And remember how back in Leviticus, I preached about how Leviticus and Deuteronomy have very different understandings of holiness? You can see it in 30:11-14. Leviticus had the "trickle down" model of holiness. Deuteronomy, on the other hand, has holiness connected with the covenant. So you have all you need to be holy if you obey the commandments and keep the Covenant. "No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe." (30:14).
Psalm:
The psalms can give me whiplash sometimes. Verses 1-4 are a "wisdom" type psalm, talking about the wicked and their behavior. But at verse 5, it shifts to being a psalm in praise of God.
I do like the imagery in this psalm. How often do you think about "taking refuge in the shadow of God's wings"? (verse 7) Is that a visual image for you, or only a metaphoric one?
Deuteronomy 29 and 30
Psalm 36
Deuteronomy:
We likely hear these chapters and notice the "bad news". There is plenty of it--promises of curses and all sorts of "blotting out" if people do not obey the commands of God and live into the Covenant. But hear the good news as well.
When this story was written down, the people were in exile. They'd lost whatever they'd had, including their home land. How would these verses seem to you in that context?
30:4 "Even if you are exiled to the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back."
And remember how back in Leviticus, I preached about how Leviticus and Deuteronomy have very different understandings of holiness? You can see it in 30:11-14. Leviticus had the "trickle down" model of holiness. Deuteronomy, on the other hand, has holiness connected with the covenant. So you have all you need to be holy if you obey the commandments and keep the Covenant. "No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe." (30:14).
Psalm:
The psalms can give me whiplash sometimes. Verses 1-4 are a "wisdom" type psalm, talking about the wicked and their behavior. But at verse 5, it shifts to being a psalm in praise of God.
I do like the imagery in this psalm. How often do you think about "taking refuge in the shadow of God's wings"? (verse 7) Is that a visual image for you, or only a metaphoric one?
Aug 26, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 27 and 28
Luke 18
Deuteronomy:
Well, wow. What an interesting section. This passage is considered to be very old material--Levi is still counted as a tribe and the house of Joseph has not yet been divided--and it has parallels in Leviticus and in other ancient cultures. A public listing of curses and blessings would have been common when agreements (or covenants) were sealed. Scholars aren't sure what happened to the list of blessings.
The covenant ceremony was to take place in Schechem, the city between Mt Ebal and Mt Gerazim. The location of Schechem today would be the city of Nablus.
Luke:
I love the parable in which Jesus compares our constant praying to an annoying woman who won't leave the judge alone. If an unjust judge answers her concern just to shut her up, won't God grant justice to those who cry to him? I love it that we are given permission to ask, again and again and again, for our prayers to be answered.
There are a lot of stewardship issues in this chapter. Any thoughts?
Deuteronomy 27 and 28
Luke 18
Deuteronomy:
Well, wow. What an interesting section. This passage is considered to be very old material--Levi is still counted as a tribe and the house of Joseph has not yet been divided--and it has parallels in Leviticus and in other ancient cultures. A public listing of curses and blessings would have been common when agreements (or covenants) were sealed. Scholars aren't sure what happened to the list of blessings.
The covenant ceremony was to take place in Schechem, the city between Mt Ebal and Mt Gerazim. The location of Schechem today would be the city of Nablus.
Luke:
I love the parable in which Jesus compares our constant praying to an annoying woman who won't leave the judge alone. If an unjust judge answers her concern just to shut her up, won't God grant justice to those who cry to him? I love it that we are given permission to ask, again and again and again, for our prayers to be answered.
There are a lot of stewardship issues in this chapter. Any thoughts?
Aug 25, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 25 and 26
Luke 17
Deuteronomy:
Whenever people tell me they take the Bible literally, I wonder if they obey Deut 25. Are you really going to marry your sister in law when your brother dies?
In chapter 26, "a wandering Aramean" is a code for Jacob. And notice, again and again, how they are reminded of the exodus when being directed. The exodus is the narrative of the Hebrew people.
Luke:
What does faith the size of a mustard seed mean to you? Mustard seeds are very small. Grow into big plants. So, on one level, I do hear Jesus saying that with even a little faith, you can do great things. But reading the request the disciples made of him, "Increase our faith!", makes me wonder if Jesus was saying, "you're asking me the wrong question." Maybe we shouldn't be asking for our faith to be increased. Perhaps we should just get busy with the faith we already have, and quit waiting around for the "perfect" amount of faith.
And compare Luke's "Son of Man" discourse with that in Matthew 24. What do you notice?
Deuteronomy 25 and 26
Luke 17
Deuteronomy:
Whenever people tell me they take the Bible literally, I wonder if they obey Deut 25. Are you really going to marry your sister in law when your brother dies?
In chapter 26, "a wandering Aramean" is a code for Jacob. And notice, again and again, how they are reminded of the exodus when being directed. The exodus is the narrative of the Hebrew people.
Luke:
What does faith the size of a mustard seed mean to you? Mustard seeds are very small. Grow into big plants. So, on one level, I do hear Jesus saying that with even a little faith, you can do great things. But reading the request the disciples made of him, "Increase our faith!", makes me wonder if Jesus was saying, "you're asking me the wrong question." Maybe we shouldn't be asking for our faith to be increased. Perhaps we should just get busy with the faith we already have, and quit waiting around for the "perfect" amount of faith.
And compare Luke's "Son of Man" discourse with that in Matthew 24. What do you notice?
Aug 21, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 17 and 18
Luke 14
Deuteronomy:
Do you ever wonder if the line between "soothsaying" (which is forbidden) and "prophesying" (which is not) was a fine line? The Old Testament prophets were not fortune tellers like Nostradamus, making predictions about the future. They were speaking about the events of the day and casting the consequences of those events into the future. But I wonder, if for the average person in Jericho, if it was difficult to discern between the two sometimes.
Luke:
Does the wedding dinner story in Luke 14 bother anyone else? Does Jesus tell people to sit in the lowest seat so they may be invited "up" and given public honor? I know honor and shame were much bigger parts of his culture than they are in mine, but really? Couldn't he have said, "sit at the lowest seats so that you can sith with people you wouldn't otherwise meet?" Luke's stories don't always sit right with me.
Deuteronomy 17 and 18
Luke 14
Deuteronomy:
Do you ever wonder if the line between "soothsaying" (which is forbidden) and "prophesying" (which is not) was a fine line? The Old Testament prophets were not fortune tellers like Nostradamus, making predictions about the future. They were speaking about the events of the day and casting the consequences of those events into the future. But I wonder, if for the average person in Jericho, if it was difficult to discern between the two sometimes.
Luke:
Does the wedding dinner story in Luke 14 bother anyone else? Does Jesus tell people to sit in the lowest seat so they may be invited "up" and given public honor? I know honor and shame were much bigger parts of his culture than they are in mine, but really? Couldn't he have said, "sit at the lowest seats so that you can sith with people you wouldn't otherwise meet?" Luke's stories don't always sit right with me.
Aug 19, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 12-14
Luke 13
Deuteronomy:
Roman temple ruins near the Ommayad Mosque in Damascus.
The Israelites are commanded to tear down the holy places of the gods of the lands they are occupying. But when I was in the Holy Land in 2006, what was apparent to me was that the holy places stayed the same. Archaeologists would find a mosque, over a byzantine church, over a synagogue, over a temple to Jupiter, over a temple to Ba'al. The "owners" of the sites changed, but the holiness of the place stayed the same.
This picture above shows that Roman ruins at Ba'albek in Lebanon were re-fashioned for Islamic construction.
And the Dome of the Rock (Muslim) is built on top of the ruins of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is perhaps the clearest illustration of holy places remaining holy, today with disastrous results.
Do we have "holy" places that remain holy in our lives?
And the penalty for people who try to lure you into worshipping false gods is.....drum roll please....DEATH BY STONING!!! Perhaps we are our brothers keepers after all. Worshipping false gods is bad. Leading others to do it is worse. Discuss.
14:19--I am glad to hear that winged insects are unclean and that I shouldn't eat them. What a relief!
Luke:
Which of the "kingdom" comparisons in this passage to you like the most? The least?
Deuteronomy 12-14
Luke 13
Deuteronomy:
Roman temple ruins near the Ommayad Mosque in Damascus.The Israelites are commanded to tear down the holy places of the gods of the lands they are occupying. But when I was in the Holy Land in 2006, what was apparent to me was that the holy places stayed the same. Archaeologists would find a mosque, over a byzantine church, over a synagogue, over a temple to Jupiter, over a temple to Ba'al. The "owners" of the sites changed, but the holiness of the place stayed the same.
This picture above shows that Roman ruins at Ba'albek in Lebanon were re-fashioned for Islamic construction.
And the Dome of the Rock (Muslim) is built on top of the ruins of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is perhaps the clearest illustration of holy places remaining holy, today with disastrous results.
Do we have "holy" places that remain holy in our lives?
And the penalty for people who try to lure you into worshipping false gods is.....drum roll please....DEATH BY STONING!!! Perhaps we are our brothers keepers after all. Worshipping false gods is bad. Leading others to do it is worse. Discuss.
14:19--I am glad to hear that winged insects are unclean and that I shouldn't eat them. What a relief!
Luke:
Which of the "kingdom" comparisons in this passage to you like the most? The least?
Aug 18, 2009
Texts:
Deuteronomy 10 and 11
Luke 12
Deuteronomy:
How do you compare Micah 6:8 with Deut 10:12? In both verses, the author asks the people, "what does the Lord require of you?" How different do you see the answers?
And in 11:18, they restate the instructions about teaching the commandments to the children and writing them on the doorposts of the houses. How could you better participate in teaching the children? Either at church or in your family?
Luke:
There is something "true" in this chapter. The crowd tramples on one another, which must have been the reality anytime thousands of people started following Jesus around. And then Jesus' words. They aren't very, well, polished and politically correct. This is Jesus on a bit of a rant. He barely takes a breath. Like he's running out of time and perhaps, patience.
I'm sort of wondering what the people were thinking when they interrupted him to ask their questions. In v 13, someone asks Jesus to take sides in an inheritance dispute. And then in v 41, Peter asks him what he's talking about, or to whom is he speaking. I can almost see the look in Jesus' eyes at both of those questions. "Really? You want to ask me this right now? Really?"
In verse 35, Jesus tells the parable of the bridesmaids and the lamps in a way that suggests it is a story that the crowd would already have known. Do you see that too?
Deuteronomy 10 and 11
Luke 12
Deuteronomy:
How do you compare Micah 6:8 with Deut 10:12? In both verses, the author asks the people, "what does the Lord require of you?" How different do you see the answers?
And in 11:18, they restate the instructions about teaching the commandments to the children and writing them on the doorposts of the houses. How could you better participate in teaching the children? Either at church or in your family?
Luke:
There is something "true" in this chapter. The crowd tramples on one another, which must have been the reality anytime thousands of people started following Jesus around. And then Jesus' words. They aren't very, well, polished and politically correct. This is Jesus on a bit of a rant. He barely takes a breath. Like he's running out of time and perhaps, patience.
I'm sort of wondering what the people were thinking when they interrupted him to ask their questions. In v 13, someone asks Jesus to take sides in an inheritance dispute. And then in v 41, Peter asks him what he's talking about, or to whom is he speaking. I can almost see the look in Jesus' eyes at both of those questions. "Really? You want to ask me this right now? Really?"
In verse 35, Jesus tells the parable of the bridesmaids and the lamps in a way that suggests it is a story that the crowd would already have known. Do you see that too?
Aug 13, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 36
Deuteronomy 1
Psalm 32
Numbers ends with a clarification about inheritance. Personally, it seems to be an odd ending for a story. In any case, while daughters can inherit their father's lands (in the absence of brothers to inherit), they cannot marry outside of their clans. This keeps the land from leaving the tribe and being given to another tribe.
Deuteronomy:
In some ways it looks as if Deuteronomy begins right where Numbers leaves off. But this book is written by a later voice. The Deuteronomist is not just restating things. He reinterprets them, using addresses by Moses to the people.
"Deuteronomy" comes from the Latin for "second law", which is unfortunately a bad rendering of a Hebrew phrase. In the Hebrew Scriptures, this book is called "Devarim" (the words) and that title comes from the opening lines, "These are the words that Moses spoke....".
Psalms:
Use this psalm as a prayer. Which line of this psalm speaks to you today?
Numbers 36
Deuteronomy 1
Psalm 32
Numbers ends with a clarification about inheritance. Personally, it seems to be an odd ending for a story. In any case, while daughters can inherit their father's lands (in the absence of brothers to inherit), they cannot marry outside of their clans. This keeps the land from leaving the tribe and being given to another tribe.
Deuteronomy:
In some ways it looks as if Deuteronomy begins right where Numbers leaves off. But this book is written by a later voice. The Deuteronomist is not just restating things. He reinterprets them, using addresses by Moses to the people.
"Deuteronomy" comes from the Latin for "second law", which is unfortunately a bad rendering of a Hebrew phrase. In the Hebrew Scriptures, this book is called "Devarim" (the words) and that title comes from the opening lines, "These are the words that Moses spoke....".
Psalms:
Use this psalm as a prayer. Which line of this psalm speaks to you today?
Aug 12, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 34 and 35
Luke 8
Numbers:
See the map from yesterday's post if you want to know more about the borders of the Promised Land that Moses sets out in chapter 34.
But what did you think of the "cities of refuge" idea? If someone kills someone unintentionally, they may flee to one of the cities of refuge, where the congregation will decide whether or not the death penalty applies. We'll see it in slightly different form when the Deuteronomist tells about it.
Think about the word "sanctuary". In addition to being a place of worship, "sanctuary" also can mean providing someone safety. We see it even today, in movies, at least, where people will flee into churches to escape bad guys. But we see it today, in real life, when churches provide sanctuary from deportation to people who are undocumented and in this country.
Luke:
Once again, Jesus is busy!
Notice that women are specifically named as people traveling with Jesus.
And note the parallels between the healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the hemorrhages. Why are these stories tied together so closely, do you think?
Numbers 34 and 35
Luke 8
Numbers:
See the map from yesterday's post if you want to know more about the borders of the Promised Land that Moses sets out in chapter 34.
But what did you think of the "cities of refuge" idea? If someone kills someone unintentionally, they may flee to one of the cities of refuge, where the congregation will decide whether or not the death penalty applies. We'll see it in slightly different form when the Deuteronomist tells about it.
Think about the word "sanctuary". In addition to being a place of worship, "sanctuary" also can mean providing someone safety. We see it even today, in movies, at least, where people will flee into churches to escape bad guys. But we see it today, in real life, when churches provide sanctuary from deportation to people who are undocumented and in this country.
Luke:
Once again, Jesus is busy!
Notice that women are specifically named as people traveling with Jesus.
And note the parallels between the healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the hemorrhages. Why are these stories tied together so closely, do you think?
Aug 11, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 32 and 33
Luke 7
Numbers:
These chapters are more meaningful if you have some sense of the geography. (If you click on the map below, it will enlarge the map on a different page.)
Crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land was no small feat. And the Eastern side of the Jordan River is beautiful. What is today Southern Syria and Northern Jordan is beautiful land. Remembering that these were not city folks. They were rural people. Their connection to the land, their need of the land, is different than mine is.
Luke:
Chapter 7 is chock full of stories! Luke does not waste any words. Jesus is back in Capernaum. Healing a Centurion's slave (at the request of the Jewish leaders, no less), bringing a widow's son back from death, and addressing the questions of John the Baptist's followers.
What do you make of verse 35? "Wisdom is vindicated by all her children". Compare it to Matt 11:19.
And then there is a great story about hospitality. Yay Luke. Nice chapter.
Numbers 32 and 33
Luke 7
Numbers:
These chapters are more meaningful if you have some sense of the geography. (If you click on the map below, it will enlarge the map on a different page.)
Crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land was no small feat. And the Eastern side of the Jordan River is beautiful. What is today Southern Syria and Northern Jordan is beautiful land. Remembering that these were not city folks. They were rural people. Their connection to the land, their need of the land, is different than mine is.
Luke:
Chapter 7 is chock full of stories! Luke does not waste any words. Jesus is back in Capernaum. Healing a Centurion's slave (at the request of the Jewish leaders, no less), bringing a widow's son back from death, and addressing the questions of John the Baptist's followers.
What do you make of verse 35? "Wisdom is vindicated by all her children". Compare it to Matt 11:19.
And then there is a great story about hospitality. Yay Luke. Nice chapter.
Aug 10, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 30 and 31
Luke 6
Numbers:
Boy was it a mistake to read the Bible before I ate breakfast.
In chapter 30, even though the restrictions against women seem harsh to our 21st century ears, do note that women were given the right to make oaths and vows. Yes, their fathers or husbands could invalidate them at the time they were given, but still. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
But chapter 31, where Moses commands the Israelites to demolish the midianites, I just want to close the book. People have used texts like these to justify all sorts of subsequent wars--for a recent example: Defense Secretary Rumsfeld 'decorated' the plans for the Iraq invasion with biblical texts--but you will not hear that from me.
Luke:
Listen in this text for just how angry Jesus makes the officials. And compare Luke's "sermon on the mount" with the one in Matthew. Which one do you prefer?
Numbers 30 and 31
Luke 6
Numbers:
Boy was it a mistake to read the Bible before I ate breakfast.
In chapter 30, even though the restrictions against women seem harsh to our 21st century ears, do note that women were given the right to make oaths and vows. Yes, their fathers or husbands could invalidate them at the time they were given, but still. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
But chapter 31, where Moses commands the Israelites to demolish the midianites, I just want to close the book. People have used texts like these to justify all sorts of subsequent wars--for a recent example: Defense Secretary Rumsfeld 'decorated' the plans for the Iraq invasion with biblical texts--but you will not hear that from me.
Luke:
Listen in this text for just how angry Jesus makes the officials. And compare Luke's "sermon on the mount" with the one in Matthew. Which one do you prefer?
Aug 9, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 28 and 29
Psalm 31
I confess. I'm having some weariness. Or perhaps it is thankfulness. I'm weary of reading of burnt offerings. And I'm thankful that my religious practices don't have to include them.
Psalms:
I'm still enjoying a peaceful and joyful feeling that I got in worship today. Cassie's piano solo was beautiful and humbling. And Mark's arrangement of Psalm 139 that he wrote because I love that psalm, humbled me and brought joy to my soul. Randy,Mark, and Jill did such a great job on that psalm. I'm not sure I'll ever look at a psalm the same way again. I loved the music he put with it. It really brought out new things for me.
Numbers 28 and 29
Psalm 31
I confess. I'm having some weariness. Or perhaps it is thankfulness. I'm weary of reading of burnt offerings. And I'm thankful that my religious practices don't have to include them.
Psalms:
I'm still enjoying a peaceful and joyful feeling that I got in worship today. Cassie's piano solo was beautiful and humbling. And Mark's arrangement of Psalm 139 that he wrote because I love that psalm, humbled me and brought joy to my soul. Randy,Mark, and Jill did such a great job on that psalm. I'm not sure I'll ever look at a psalm the same way again. I loved the music he put with it. It really brought out new things for me.
Aug 8, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 26 and 27
Luke 5
Numbers:
Here's another census. 600,000 Israelites. That would be like taking the entire Treasure Valley on a march across the desert wilderness. Notice that Korah, the person who argued for the "priesthood of all believers" unsuccessfully a few chapters ago is mentioned again. Just in case anyone was getting ideas about interpreting holiness differently.
Chapter 27 is interesting. Don't let it get lost in the midst of the lists. Some daughters come to Moses, arguing that just because their father died, and had no sons, his name shouldn't be lost. So Moses takes their case before God and God sets down some rules to allow for inheritance if you don't have sons. This is a pretty radical set of guidelines for their day.
In a world where women most definitely did NOT inherit, and had no voice in any part of their lives, women were set to inherit their father's lands ahead of the brothers or other male members of the father's extended family. One small step for women's rights!
Luke:
Chapter 5 opens up on Lake Gennesaret, which is another name for the Sea of Galilee.
Notice how much Luke mentions Jesus' ministry of healing. And notice the connection between healing and "your sins are forgiven". Do we separate illness from sin today?
Numbers 26 and 27
Luke 5
Numbers:
Here's another census. 600,000 Israelites. That would be like taking the entire Treasure Valley on a march across the desert wilderness. Notice that Korah, the person who argued for the "priesthood of all believers" unsuccessfully a few chapters ago is mentioned again. Just in case anyone was getting ideas about interpreting holiness differently.
Chapter 27 is interesting. Don't let it get lost in the midst of the lists. Some daughters come to Moses, arguing that just because their father died, and had no sons, his name shouldn't be lost. So Moses takes their case before God and God sets down some rules to allow for inheritance if you don't have sons. This is a pretty radical set of guidelines for their day.
In a world where women most definitely did NOT inherit, and had no voice in any part of their lives, women were set to inherit their father's lands ahead of the brothers or other male members of the father's extended family. One small step for women's rights!
Luke:
Chapter 5 opens up on Lake Gennesaret, which is another name for the Sea of Galilee.
Notice how much Luke mentions Jesus' ministry of healing. And notice the connection between healing and "your sins are forgiven". Do we separate illness from sin today?
Aug 7, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 24 and 25
Luke 4
Numbers:
Chapter 24 concludes the Balaam narrative, reminding us that it is fruitless to seek to curse people God has blessed. Does the church today still try to do that?
In chapter 25, the people start "mingling" with the neighbors. Worse than the sexual behavior is the fact that they start worshiping the neighbor's gods too. What do you think of this gruesome story?
Luke 4 should serve as a reminder to those who want to argue that the Gospel promises us either prosperity or an easy life. Because as soon as Jesus is baptized, God's own son in whom God is well pleased, he is tempted by the devil. There is no correlation between baptism and an easy life.
He then goes on a preaching tour and is praised by everyone. Even in Nazareth, his hometown. Until he mentions that he's not coming to bring good things just to his hometown. It reminds me of a member of congress telling their constituents that they are voting for a lot of programs for every community but theirs.
When Jesus discloses the radical nature of the inclusion of people into God's grace, that's when they want to throw him off the cliff. So he leaves Nazareth and walks down the hill to Capernaum. Capernaum is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The picture below is the ruins of what has traditionally been called Peter's House. There is a church built over the ruins. Whether or not it was Peter's house, it is the ruins of a house from that era. You can also see the ruins of the synagogue from Jesus' day.
In Capernaum, they were amazed at his teaching, at his authority, and at his ability to heal and cast out demons. What amazes us today?
Numbers 24 and 25
Luke 4
Numbers:
Chapter 24 concludes the Balaam narrative, reminding us that it is fruitless to seek to curse people God has blessed. Does the church today still try to do that?
In chapter 25, the people start "mingling" with the neighbors. Worse than the sexual behavior is the fact that they start worshiping the neighbor's gods too. What do you think of this gruesome story?
Luke 4 should serve as a reminder to those who want to argue that the Gospel promises us either prosperity or an easy life. Because as soon as Jesus is baptized, God's own son in whom God is well pleased, he is tempted by the devil. There is no correlation between baptism and an easy life.
He then goes on a preaching tour and is praised by everyone. Even in Nazareth, his hometown. Until he mentions that he's not coming to bring good things just to his hometown. It reminds me of a member of congress telling their constituents that they are voting for a lot of programs for every community but theirs.
When Jesus discloses the radical nature of the inclusion of people into God's grace, that's when they want to throw him off the cliff. So he leaves Nazareth and walks down the hill to Capernaum. Capernaum is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The picture below is the ruins of what has traditionally been called Peter's House. There is a church built over the ruins. Whether or not it was Peter's house, it is the ruins of a house from that era. You can also see the ruins of the synagogue from Jesus' day.
In Capernaum, they were amazed at his teaching, at his authority, and at his ability to heal and cast out demons. What amazes us today?
Aug 6, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 22 and 23
Psalm 30
In Numbers, the Israelites are now camped in a gorgeous spot in Moab, which is modern day Jordan.
Isn't it beautiful? So, they are on the Eastern side of the Jordan River. But the Moabites aren't thrilled about having the Hebrew people on their side of the river, especially after what they just did to Bashan. So the king of Moab tells Balaam to go an curse them.
Balaam says he'll only do what God tells him to do. And again, and again, and again, the King of Moab keeps trying to find a way to curse the Israelites.
Make sure your kids read this chapter. Where else will they see a talking donkey? What did you get out of the story of Balaam and his talking donkey?
Psalm:
Are the words of this psalm comforting or discomforting for you?
Numbers 22 and 23
Psalm 30
In Numbers, the Israelites are now camped in a gorgeous spot in Moab, which is modern day Jordan.
Isn't it beautiful? So, they are on the Eastern side of the Jordan River. But the Moabites aren't thrilled about having the Hebrew people on their side of the river, especially after what they just did to Bashan. So the king of Moab tells Balaam to go an curse them.Balaam says he'll only do what God tells him to do. And again, and again, and again, the King of Moab keeps trying to find a way to curse the Israelites.
Make sure your kids read this chapter. Where else will they see a talking donkey? What did you get out of the story of Balaam and his talking donkey?
Psalm:
Are the words of this psalm comforting or discomforting for you?
Aug 5, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 20-21
Luke 3
Numbers:
The Israelites are still complaining (which should give us hope, really). This time it is about a lack of water. So God commands Aaron and Moses to take their staff, hit a rock, and command the rock to yield its water.
How obvious does God have to be for us to see God's presence?
Apparently even the sight of water flowing from a rock wasn't enough, because they complain in the next chapter as well. And God sends serpents and a number of the Israelites die.
Luke:
The text returns to John, son of Zechariah, preaching in the wilderness. Read the story of John as if he were the pastor of a church. Do you think people would still flock to a church today in which a preacher preached the message he preached? Has the church sought to be popular at the expense of the message?
And what do you think about the description of Jesus' genealogy in Luke?
Numbers 20-21
Luke 3
Numbers:
The Israelites are still complaining (which should give us hope, really). This time it is about a lack of water. So God commands Aaron and Moses to take their staff, hit a rock, and command the rock to yield its water.
How obvious does God have to be for us to see God's presence?
Apparently even the sight of water flowing from a rock wasn't enough, because they complain in the next chapter as well. And God sends serpents and a number of the Israelites die.
Luke:
The text returns to John, son of Zechariah, preaching in the wilderness. Read the story of John as if he were the pastor of a church. Do you think people would still flock to a church today in which a preacher preached the message he preached? Has the church sought to be popular at the expense of the message?
And what do you think about the description of Jesus' genealogy in Luke?
Aug. 4, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 17-19
Luke 2
Numbers:
Chapter 19 describes the sacrifice of the red heifer. The requirements for this animal are so restrictive as to make it a very rare event. Jewish traditions say that this sacrifice was successfully carried out only 8 or 9 times from the time of Moses to the destruction of the second temple.
There is a reference to a red heifer in Daniel as well. And some ancient texts that didn't make the canon of scripture refer to Jesus as the red heifer and associate its sacrifice with his second coming.
Today, there is a movement within Judaism to locate a red heifer in order to bring about a new temple in Jerusalem. And, in an odd confluence, some fundamentalist Christians are actively trying to breed red heifers so that the sacrifice can happen in Jerusalem, thus bringing about Christ's second coming.
For more information, there is an article at wikipedia about the red heifer. This article is more trustworthy than some other websites about the red heifer.
Luke:
This is the text we hear in worship on Christmas Eve. What did you hear differently when reading it in August?
Numbers 17-19
Luke 2
Numbers:
Chapter 19 describes the sacrifice of the red heifer. The requirements for this animal are so restrictive as to make it a very rare event. Jewish traditions say that this sacrifice was successfully carried out only 8 or 9 times from the time of Moses to the destruction of the second temple.
There is a reference to a red heifer in Daniel as well. And some ancient texts that didn't make the canon of scripture refer to Jesus as the red heifer and associate its sacrifice with his second coming.
Today, there is a movement within Judaism to locate a red heifer in order to bring about a new temple in Jerusalem. And, in an odd confluence, some fundamentalist Christians are actively trying to breed red heifers so that the sacrifice can happen in Jerusalem, thus bringing about Christ's second coming.
For more information, there is an article at wikipedia about the red heifer. This article is more trustworthy than some other websites about the red heifer.
Luke:
This is the text we hear in worship on Christmas Eve. What did you hear differently when reading it in August?
Aug 3, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 15 and 16
Luke 1:39-80
Numbers:
Did anyone notice in 15:15 when the Lord said, "you and the alien shall be alike before the Lord"?
On one hand, it suggests that people living among the Hebrew people should follow their customs and practices. On the other hand, however, it suggests that all people are alike in God's eyes. The implications of expecting people to follow your rules are that they then receive the same 'benefits' from God that you do.
Do we really want people to do as we do? Do we really want to share our blessings?
Then in vs. 32, there's a story of a man who was violating the Sabbath by collecting sticks. And he was stoned to DEATH. Perhaps we should all consider our Sabbath observance a little more closely.
Chapter 16 is an important one. Remember when I talked about different views of holiness in the Hebrew scriptures? Leviticus was all about "trickle down" holiness--God is holy, then the priests, and then we get our holiness from the priests. The story of Korah is perhaps the earliest "reformation" attempt in the church. He argued that everyone was holy and that the priests weren't so special. Judging by what happens to Korah and his followers, you can tell that the author of Numbers agrees with Leviticus about Korah's understanding of holiness. There's no "priesthood of all believers" in Numbers or Leviticus!
Luke
This continuation of the story of John the baptist gives us the story of his father Zechariah. When Zechariah had not believed the angel Gabriel, he was struck mute. But after John's birth, he names the child John, as directed by the angel, and gets his voice back. Immediately he prophesies.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt silenced, either literally or metaphorically? When you got your voice back, how did it feel?
Numbers 15 and 16
Luke 1:39-80
Numbers:
Did anyone notice in 15:15 when the Lord said, "you and the alien shall be alike before the Lord"?
On one hand, it suggests that people living among the Hebrew people should follow their customs and practices. On the other hand, however, it suggests that all people are alike in God's eyes. The implications of expecting people to follow your rules are that they then receive the same 'benefits' from God that you do.
Do we really want people to do as we do? Do we really want to share our blessings?
Then in vs. 32, there's a story of a man who was violating the Sabbath by collecting sticks. And he was stoned to DEATH. Perhaps we should all consider our Sabbath observance a little more closely.
Chapter 16 is an important one. Remember when I talked about different views of holiness in the Hebrew scriptures? Leviticus was all about "trickle down" holiness--God is holy, then the priests, and then we get our holiness from the priests. The story of Korah is perhaps the earliest "reformation" attempt in the church. He argued that everyone was holy and that the priests weren't so special. Judging by what happens to Korah and his followers, you can tell that the author of Numbers agrees with Leviticus about Korah's understanding of holiness. There's no "priesthood of all believers" in Numbers or Leviticus!
Luke
This continuation of the story of John the baptist gives us the story of his father Zechariah. When Zechariah had not believed the angel Gabriel, he was struck mute. But after John's birth, he names the child John, as directed by the angel, and gets his voice back. Immediately he prophesies.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt silenced, either literally or metaphorically? When you got your voice back, how did it feel?
Aug 1, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 10 and 11
Luke 1:1-38
Pastor Marci is away. Julie is filling in.
Numbers 10- 11: Now we get to the meat of Numbers, literally. They are leaving Sinai and starting their trek through the desert. The people complain that they have no meat to eat. (As a side note, I found this odd since we just read 9 chapters about animal sacrifice. Surely, they had some meat if they had livestock to offer to God. Maybe Marci wants to help me out here?)
Anyway, the people complain about Moses and he has a great whine session with God where he tells the Lord he does not want to be all these peoples nurse maid (It really sounded like something I would say). And God sends quail for the people to eat. It seems like a nice gesture but appears to be a bit of a trap because they all got sick. It says "While the meat was still between their teeth the Lord burned with anger against them and caused a plague."
My footnotes suggest that only those who complained about the type of meat God sent were sick because they were ungrateful.
Luke 1:1-38: The beginning of Luke foretells the birth of John the Baptist. John is described as being a path cutter for a greater good. Luke wants to be very clear that John was only meant to pave the way for the Messiah later on, and that he is in no way the actual Messiah.
Way back when I was in Bible college we studied John the Baptist and discussed why Luke emphasises so much that he was only "preparing the way". At the time the Gospels were written there may have been some disagreement among people as to who was actually the Messiah, John or Jesus. Luke very clearly tells us that it is Jesus who is the son of God and was in his mother's womb (see tomorrows reading for more on this.)
Numbers 10 and 11
Luke 1:1-38
Pastor Marci is away. Julie is filling in.
Numbers 10- 11: Now we get to the meat of Numbers, literally. They are leaving Sinai and starting their trek through the desert. The people complain that they have no meat to eat. (As a side note, I found this odd since we just read 9 chapters about animal sacrifice. Surely, they had some meat if they had livestock to offer to God. Maybe Marci wants to help me out here?)
Anyway, the people complain about Moses and he has a great whine session with God where he tells the Lord he does not want to be all these peoples nurse maid (It really sounded like something I would say). And God sends quail for the people to eat. It seems like a nice gesture but appears to be a bit of a trap because they all got sick. It says "While the meat was still between their teeth the Lord burned with anger against them and caused a plague."
My footnotes suggest that only those who complained about the type of meat God sent were sick because they were ungrateful.
Luke 1:1-38: The beginning of Luke foretells the birth of John the Baptist. John is described as being a path cutter for a greater good. Luke wants to be very clear that John was only meant to pave the way for the Messiah later on, and that he is in no way the actual Messiah.
Way back when I was in Bible college we studied John the Baptist and discussed why Luke emphasises so much that he was only "preparing the way". At the time the Gospels were written there may have been some disagreement among people as to who was actually the Messiah, John or Jesus. Luke very clearly tells us that it is Jesus who is the son of God and was in his mother's womb (see tomorrows reading for more on this.)
July 30, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 6 and 7
Psalm 26 and 27
Pastor Marci is away. Julie has Hi-jacked her blog.
Numbers 6: The Nazirites were a group of people involved in separation or consecration for a specific period of special devotion to God, and sometimes for life. Being a Nazirite meant total devotion to God, above and beyond the other Israelites.
Numbers 7: Not much to say except 12 long days of sacrifices. A representative of each of the 12 tribes presents their offering to the Lord.
Psalm 26: David's prayer for mercy to save him from the death of the wicked.
Psalm 27: David's triumphantly confident prayer to deliver him from those who conspire against him.
Numbers 6 and 7
Psalm 26 and 27
Pastor Marci is away. Julie has Hi-jacked her blog.
Numbers 6: The Nazirites were a group of people involved in separation or consecration for a specific period of special devotion to God, and sometimes for life. Being a Nazirite meant total devotion to God, above and beyond the other Israelites.
Numbers 7: Not much to say except 12 long days of sacrifices. A representative of each of the 12 tribes presents their offering to the Lord.
Psalm 26: David's prayer for mercy to save him from the death of the wicked.
Psalm 27: David's triumphantly confident prayer to deliver him from those who conspire against him.
July 29, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 4 and 5
Romans 15
Pastor Marci is away. Julie hi-jacked her blog.
Numbers 4: Is more census taking and counting males. The reading is dry until chapter 5, and then it gets interesting. There is a rather barbaric ritual, described in detail, of how a jealous husband can deal with a wife he suspects, but can't prove, has been unfaithful. I wanted more information on this particular practice so I looked it up on Wikipedia and didn't find much.
I was specifically looking for what this "bitter water" was that the Priest would have the woman drink, but I did not find it.
Romans 15: Is all about being in a community. Paul understood that it takes different talents and strengths for a community to strive and he is encouraging the early church to embrace differences rather than judge. He is putting out the call for service and unity.
Numbers 4 and 5
Romans 15
Pastor Marci is away. Julie hi-jacked her blog.
Numbers 4: Is more census taking and counting males. The reading is dry until chapter 5, and then it gets interesting. There is a rather barbaric ritual, described in detail, of how a jealous husband can deal with a wife he suspects, but can't prove, has been unfaithful. I wanted more information on this particular practice so I looked it up on Wikipedia and didn't find much.
I was specifically looking for what this "bitter water" was that the Priest would have the woman drink, but I did not find it.
Romans 15: Is all about being in a community. Paul understood that it takes different talents and strengths for a community to strive and he is encouraging the early church to embrace differences rather than judge. He is putting out the call for service and unity.
July 28, 2009
Texts:
Numbers 2 and 3
Romans 14
Numbers 2 and 3
Romans 14
Pastor Marci is away. Julie has hijacked her blog again.
So our reward for finishing the long and, at times, painful book of Leviticus is that we now get to read the 2nd most boring book of the Bible. NUMBERS!
The English name of the book comes from the Greek translation and is based on the census list in chapter 1. The Hebrew title of the book "Bemidbar" means, "In the desert", which is more accurate of it's contents than Numbers is.
Chapters 2&3 take us through the red tape and organizing of the tribes. It can be a bit dry, but hang in there, it gets better.
Romans 14: What a great chapter! Paul is urging members of the church not to judge each other. He is speaking on their dietary differences (remember the Jews had food restrictions that the gentiles did not) but it works for us in this day and age too. I am going to type verse 3 and 4. The words I leave out are "eat" and "abstain" but I want you to put your own words in there, what ever pops into your mind.
"Those who __ must not despise those who ___, and those who ___ must not pass judgment on those who ___; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another?"
Does anyone want to share their words they filled in with, or thoughts it provoked?
July 25, 2009
Texts:
Leviticus 23 and 24
Romans 12
Leviticus:
I keep noticing that Sabbath gets worked into a lot of instructions in these passages. Sabbath, the idea of taking one day a week, set aside from work and labor, is still something we talk about. But when was the last time you took a sabbath? When was the last time you didn't check your email? When was the last time you didn't do laundry on your day off? How often do we really rest?
Romans:
This chapter is another reminder that Paul was familiar with these Levitical holiness codes. "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."(12:1)
By joining into the family of God, we become sanctified, or holy. This doesn't mean we stop being human beings who make mistakes. It does mean, however, that we should look at our lives differently. For Paul, our lives are "new creations". We are transformed. And this chapter is a manual of how transformed people live and get along with each other.
What do you notice in this chapter that you like and think we should emphasize more? Or what do you have problems with?
Leviticus 23 and 24
Romans 12
Leviticus:
I keep noticing that Sabbath gets worked into a lot of instructions in these passages. Sabbath, the idea of taking one day a week, set aside from work and labor, is still something we talk about. But when was the last time you took a sabbath? When was the last time you didn't check your email? When was the last time you didn't do laundry on your day off? How often do we really rest?
Romans:
This chapter is another reminder that Paul was familiar with these Levitical holiness codes. "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."(12:1)
By joining into the family of God, we become sanctified, or holy. This doesn't mean we stop being human beings who make mistakes. It does mean, however, that we should look at our lives differently. For Paul, our lives are "new creations". We are transformed. And this chapter is a manual of how transformed people live and get along with each other.
What do you notice in this chapter that you like and think we should emphasize more? Or what do you have problems with?
July 24, 2009
Texts:
Leviticus 21 and 22
Romans 11
Leviticus:
This chapter should serve as a reminder that even though Leviticus is Scripture, it reflects cultural norms of the time it was written, and its understandings of people who are physically disabled should NOT be supported today.
The ancient understanding of holiness, and the sense that only "perfect" people could approach the altar as priests is different than we understand it to be today.
Romans:
Paul has been used throughout history to justify anti-semitism. And, if you don't follow his argument carefully, you could see how that could happen.
But Paul's argument is really saying that we should all have humility in our relationship with God. That we should not think more highly of ourselves or less highly of others. That the Law is the root to which we have been grafted into the family of God.
Leviticus 21 and 22
Romans 11
Leviticus:
This chapter should serve as a reminder that even though Leviticus is Scripture, it reflects cultural norms of the time it was written, and its understandings of people who are physically disabled should NOT be supported today.
The ancient understanding of holiness, and the sense that only "perfect" people could approach the altar as priests is different than we understand it to be today.
Romans:
Paul has been used throughout history to justify anti-semitism. And, if you don't follow his argument carefully, you could see how that could happen.
But Paul's argument is really saying that we should all have humility in our relationship with God. That we should not think more highly of ourselves or less highly of others. That the Law is the root to which we have been grafted into the family of God.
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