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?