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We humbly bow before you our Lord and Savior! We, indeed are unworthy of your gift of grace in our lives to even have the opportunity to share with one another from your word. Forgive us for our lack of faith and revive us with your Spirit as we share our thoughts and words. May they bring honor to your name.
Response to Leviticus 24:1-25:46
Leviticus 24:1-9 gives us a vivid picture as we stand within the tabernacle in front of the altar of incense and the blue and gold curtain separates us from the Holy of Holies. We know that the Heavenly Mercy seat of God, where He dwells with the angels, is represented right behind the curtain between the angels wings covering the Ark of the Testimony. Here, where we stand, we can look to our left and see the 7 candles of the golden lampstand representing the completeness of God and to our right, the golden table with 12 loaves of bread repesenting the people He has called to be Holy and through whom He will carry out His Kingdom plan. We have also visited this room in Proverbs 9:1-6 and might understand the symbolism from Revelation 2:1-3:22 how our High Priest, Jesus Christ now cares for His Kingdom on earth day and night. The oil, the wine of His Holy Spirit of which we can now partake, building us up daily into eternal life.
From time to time in Leviticus, we break out of the Law and hear a story, Leviticus 24:10-23 is one of those times. I feel the story here, where the entire community must participate in the stoning of the boy who blasphemed the name of God, was again, as much to affect the heart of the community as it was to punish the boy. One might also consider the symbolism of unleavened bread reflected in this story as the sin must not be allowed in the camp. As I do not believe the death of an individual changes that individual's relationship with God, I believe He can use the death of one individual to affect the lives of the living. Although one boy died, a community was changed into a people who would have a strength and faith within a generation to defeat giants!
The stronger message, I believe, reflects a Messianic theme. The Mother of the boy comes from Israel and the Father does not (Jesus was conceived of the virgin Mary, by the Holy Spirit of the God of all man (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35)). Jesus was condemned and put to death by the Jewish community for blaspheming God (Matthew 26:64-66, Mark 14:61-64, Luke 22:69-71) - all according to plan mind you, they knew not what they were doing.
He moves on from the story to the laws regarding punishments for killing or damaging man or beast, but the message remains clear: "I am the Lord your God who makes you Holy. I chose you out of all nations to be my representatives on earth and you must be holy. Sin shall not be found within your midst. Unfortunately, this section of scripture requiring honor often leaves people feeling afraid or angry of what they percieve as a God of wrath. However, if honoring God in all areas of our lives generally tends to be beneficial, His requiring of it is an act of Love. If we will humble ourselves through giving unconditional honor, our hope rests in unfathomable Love.
Leviticus 25:1-7 speaks of leaving a field fallow every 7 years. Not only does this have agriculture value as it allows nutrients to build back into the soil and improve the topsoil, but it also symbolically turned the people's hearts toward God. God knew His creation well enough to not only help the land, but to use the superstitions of the community to make these people holy and blessed.
As our economy worldwide has taken a turn for the worse, I am hearing more and more people say we should just cancel all the debts and redistribute the land and property and start over. Obviously, a lot of religious folk don't like this idea at all as there would be a cost for them. They have worked too hard for their stuff. The same goes for healthcare. Those who 'have' really don't care for those who don't when it comes right down to it. I can help as long as I can afford it out of my excess. Biblically, given Leviticus 25:8-24, I can't argue with cancelling all the debts and redistributing land and property and honoring one another in the process. The problem would be in getting such a thing done on a worldwide scale without a bunch of people and nations blowing a circuit. In the Lord's prayer, we pray forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. We would rather not think this is what it meant, but given the nature of our financial condition, we are running out of options. It's time to help the poor and needy and follow Jesus teaching ""Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:22 (see also Matthew 19:21) We'll look at this a bit more in the study of Mark 10:17-21.
As I live in the United States of America, some will say this is socialism, but I am not talking about the Government being in control of everything and giving handouts to the poor and needy. I'm asking for a year of Jubilee and a new start. We could wipe out Government handouts and set up faith based care centers in the process! Families and communities would be forced to take care of their poor and needy. Honor and human dignity would be rebuilt. Understand that I can am just blogging through the Bible and that's what I hear it saying. It's teachings are tough! But, they are given in Love for all man from a Creator who knows what works. Greed doesn't. Allowing the Spiritual teachings to have financial applications allows undue affluence while the poor and needy starve. We must have faith that God's plan can redeem all of creation and we must operate within that will if we truly believe. If we took such drastic action, giving the glory and honor to God, I have complete faith He would bless our efforts. He promises in Leviticus 25:21 "I will command my blessing upon you" If you are still upset, please share your thoughts and scripture references.
I believe the year of Jubilee symbolizes the life of Christ. Remember that the blood represents life - the soul and spirit of man and of Christ - our ideologies if you will. Listen to Isaiah 63:3-5 "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
*Isaiah 61:1-3; "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
Luke 4:17-19 how Jesus went to worship at the Synagogue. He was asked to get up and read, and *Isaiah 61:1-3 (see above) is what He read. Then in Luke 4:19-21, Jesus closed the book and gave it back to the attendant, sat down and proclaimed "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Leviticus 25:25-55 consists of other specific laws regarding the treatment of teachers, family, and the poor and needy. Some of these laws were used elsewhere in the Bible such as the book of Ruth. Many of these laws showed partiality between God's people and the people of foreign lands. Always, the foreigner, although he may be a slave, was required to be treated with honor, in line with widows and orphans. However, as redemption opened access to God beyond the High Priest, beyond the Levitical tribe, beyond the Jewish nation, to all nations and people, perhaps we can put to rest rules about slavery as we are all members of one family under God.
Response to Mark 10:13-31
Jesus has just answered the Pharisee's question about marriage before parent's began bringing their children to Jesus. Mark 10:13-16 resembles the same story told in Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17. Luke refers to the children as "even infants!" This sounds like an election season in the USA. It sounds to me like the people were bringing the babies for just that purpose, for His touch in their lives and his blessing. Perhaps this was not unlike a parent's desire with infant baptism even today. Often, the purity of the child is a thing of imagination. Any of us who have been a child knows that evil has already begun. How else can we enter the Kingdom of God, though? If we come in like "know it all's", we will lose interest. However, if we enter the Kingdom with the excitement and seeking the Love of the Father, the treasure hunt will fill our lives with adventure for a lifetime.
We move right from the scene of the children to an accomplished man who wants to enter the Kingdom as an expert in worldly things. He has religion figured out as well as government and finances. Perhaps, he is exactly the opposite of the children Jesus had just referred to. This story of the rich young ruler from Mark 10:17-31 is also portrayed in Luke 18:18-30 and Matthew 19:16-30. This man honored Jesus by humbling himself on his knee. He referred to Jesus as 'good teacher' to which Jesus again gave the glory to God and reminded the man that God is the one whom we should serve. After reciting the commandments, all of which the young man followed religiously, Jesus looked on him with love - perhaps knowing the man still felt an emptiness inside that there was something more. "One thing you lack," Jesus said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." You can almost hear the man mutter under his breath in frustration as he walked away, "I knew it!"
What a great story to have read right after my blog about the year of Jubilee! How difficult it is to separate a man from his faith in wealth worth. How hard we try to deny we suffer from such an attachment. What personal self worth we gain from the power it offers. Truly, who do you know that has more faith in God than in finances? Be honest, were you about ready to give up on this blog when we discussed Jubilee? Through the conversation that followed the young man's departure, even the disciples questioned their own salvation. "Who then can be saved?" (vs. 26)
Jesus answers the question in all of our hearts in Mark 10:27 "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." That brings to my mind our verse from Leviticus yesterday. "I am the Lord who makes you Holy!" (Leviticus 22:32 NIV). Peter tries again; "But, we've left everything to follow you!" "Yes," Jesus replies, "and you shall get your reward" but don't forget it has nothing to do with what you have done and your life on earth will remain tough." (paraphrased). As I understand this, if it has nothing to do with my works, I do not have enough information to be telling any man they are going to hell. If so, I would be telling my friends they were going to hell because they have placed too much faith in riches and I would be worried all the time about something I had no control with in the first place! Hell is none of my business. I have been commissioned to spread the good news of what God has done. As they pursue Him and respond, He will make them Holy. He has all of us kids right where He wants us.
Response to Psalm 44:9-26
From my knowledge of Bible history, I could not reference a time in David's life that he would have written this Pslam. I checked a few commentaries and found no help - but did find the same confusion as to who wrote the Psalm and when. Many of the Psalms were written throughout the Israelites history by the hired musicians to be sung in the Temple. Obviously, this was during a time of righteousness for the Kingdom when they were struggling to defeat an enemy.
The Psalmist however reflects the same attitude of Peter in Mark 10:28 by reflecting on all the good things the people had done. He asks the question of so many children of God in hard times. "Why?" It is in those times that try men's souls that we are brought down on our knees. Regardless of our righteousness, we must remain humbled before our God who has provided the environment that we can be rightous in the first place. If you are a Christian, imagine how hard it would be to claim your faith under Sharia Law! It is God who has allowed you to be Christian, it was not of your own doing. In times such as Psalm 44, we must confess that we are still sinners before a Holy God and return to righteousness. It is ok to ask God why, but at the same time, we need to be asking ourselves why God appears to be hiding from us.
This Psalm is a reminder that spirituality does not offer immunity. Life can still be hard and confusing.
Response to Proverbs 10:20-21
Righteousness, honor, and love go hand in hand. If one will speak through the gifts available through God's Holy Spirit, how can they go wrong.
Until tomorrow
Rick.
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