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?