A House within a House

Psalm 9

I had occasion recently to walk through a movie set under construction (for a Mike Myers flick called The Love Guru, I was told). Already there was what appeared to be a complete house, built inside the set. I thought of that house-within-a-house setup in reading this Psalm.

The larger set is nothing less than God’s universal plan, history, time and space, the whole thing; and God’s working through it. For much of the Psalm, the poet celebrates this ‘holy history’ (as some call it), recounting the great deeds of God (verses 4-12), in which he brings both salvation and judgment to bear upon the real circumstances of this world, from his heavenly throne (verse 7).

The house within this spectacular set is the psalmist’s life and predicament. The Psalmist experiences God entering his life and setting, in this smaller, more personal scale, in the same way in which he acts in the larger scene. His response to this experience doesn’t just praise God for that particular action, but leads him, throughout the Psalm, to praise the God who acts for others in the same way as God has acted for him, and throughout history. There is no neat delineation here; his perception of God in history makes him think of his own circumstances, and his experience of God in his life-setting leads him to the expanded view. What a vibrant faith!

Prayer:
Lord give me a sense of connectedness of my life and circumstances to your larger scene, that I may fulfill my purpose within your great story, however small my role may seem. It is significant to you, and I thank you. Through Christ. Amen.

A hole in the water

Psalm 8

I had a boss in a secular job years ago who reveled in telling us this on a regular basis:

“You want to know how important you are? Go get a bucket of water and fill it. Stick your hands in. Pull your hands out. The hole that’s left in the water is a measure of how important you are around here.”

The thing is, he was right. If you looked just at what I did, and what others around me did (as if human value were only about function), we could have dropped out of the picture one day and someone else would be doing it the same or better the next day.

How much less significant would I seem to myself in the context of the whole of creation, instead of in just one company! But what God says is, ‘Not only do I consider you to have displacement value in that bucket of water, I will lift up what seems most insignificant and give it importance.’

When we acknowledge before God that we feel insignificant in comparison to his glory, and the vastness of all he has created, he points out to us that he has made us for glory, not because of anything intrinsic in us, but because he chooses to love us and to lend us his own goodness and love to share.

Note how the psalm begins and ends: “How majestic is your name.” When, in verses 5-6, the psalm speaks of humans and the great significance we do have in the scheme of things, who is the subject?

Prayer:
Lord, atune me to see that in what seem the most insignificant events, you may be working most powerfully; and in those who feel beaten down and very small, you may be working your most powerful witness in the world. Through Christ. Amen.

Beast Slayer

Psalm 7

The psalmist takes to the Lord his plight of being wrongly accused, apparently by the leader of a group of people, given that there is mention of “my enemy” in verse 5 and “my enemies” in verse 6. The intensity and aloneness of the experience of being wrongly accused or – more often for most of us, probably, just being misunderstood – evokes the image of a beast (verse 2). There are, naturally, intense feelings in such an experience.

The beast image is a trigger to be on guard against how we allow such an experience to work inside us. This can be extremely difficult. I can’t imagine, for example, what must go on in the heart of someone who spends years in prison, wrongly accused of something, especially if there is someone on the outside who set it all up. Yet the psalmist, undergoing something like this, ends up expressing that those who are responsible for willful false accusation against him will have their evil come back on them without any doing on his part (verse 16).

The lesson in this is critical. It’s not, in what we would say, ‘so there,' but rather, ‘Even in this obvious injustice against me I must leave the judging to God.’ Or from another angle, ‘What I have responsibility for is my own feelings, and to see that this does not cause the beast in me to rise up to destroy me from within.’

Well OK, I’m doing a lot of paraphrasing. I invite you to find your own way of inserting yourself in the kind of setting the psalmist is experiencing, because we all face it, maybe even today.

Prayer:
God, when I say, ‘take charge of my life,’ let me not hold back what I relinquish to you. It’s tempting to hold on to things to hold against someone. Let me recognize that when I think that something is unfair, I am in danger of taking your role as judge for myself, and I may already have done so in thinking it. Renew me in the grace of your Son. Amen.

Surprising God

Psalm 6

A funny thing happened on the way to verse 8. There is an abrupt change in mood here. For seven verses there is deep sorrow, even on the verge of death. He even argues with God for deliverance on the basis of not being able to praise him after he is dead – a pre-Christian sentiment that involves no heavenly praising of God.

We are not told of anything happening; the psalmist shares no sudden insight of something different, nor are we told of a counselor entering his space to show him hope in some way. Evidently he just finds God in his outpouring. He has confidence – knows – that his prayers have been heard and the effects are in motion. We don’t need to see gloating in the last verse, just more confidence that the answering of his prayer will have in effect in the here and now – and that’s the encouragement we would take from his witness.

Prayer:
God, thanks for being both dependable and unpredictable. I know you will answer my prayers; I just never know when or how. Keep surprising me. Through Christ. Amen.

Investing Your Heart

Psalm 5

In order to connect with God’s heart, it seems the psalmist feels he must pour out his own, with complete honesty. That leads him to say things that aren’t very nice, particularly about others. But let’s cut him some slack. If you’re going to be completely honest with God – and there’s no point in doing anything else – you can’t edit your thoughts as you pour them out. You can do that with God; you might want to be careful what fellow humans you do that with!

Note, also, that the comments are addressed to “my King and my God,” which implies (a) that he knows God will know what to do with what he pours out to him, and (b), that the psalmist will follow whatever direction God gives him in response, knowing that the Lord will never let down those who trust in him (verse 12).

Prayer:
Lord, you are holy and awesome, and also tender toward those who trust you. Let anyone today with a heavy burden give his/her whole heart to you, trusting that you can do what no human counselor alone can: make us truly new. Through Christ. Amen.

Who can show us any good?

Psalm 4

This psalm starts out sounding like the psalmist is focused on “me” and setting out to blame others around him for his problems. But it becomes evident with the second part of verse 2 that any defensiveness here is on behalf of the Lord. This is related to the previous psalm, in that he is experiencing attack on his faith. He responds with genuine concern for the well being of the attackers. He wants them to know the Lord as he has come to know him. Verses 4-5 suggest that it is the weakness of their faith that leads them to be so critical, so the psalmist – in a way we would well emulate – focuses on the faith issue more than any personal issues (verse 5). They even ask what we would call today a “seeker” question (verse 6): “Who can show us any good?”

The psalmist does his part to show true good, and experiences great blessing (verses 7-8) as he follows where the Lord is leading.

Prayer:
Lord, as I encounter others today, let me see through anything that seems personally critical to any deeper issues behind the words, at the same time I pay attention to what I may need to hear. Through Christ. Amen.

The Bestower of Glory

Psalm 3

So you’re excited about your new-found faith or renewed faith in God. Cynicism has fallen away. A vision of life in God’s community - of lives transformed from darkness and hopelessness to light and ever deepening knowledge of the Lord and growth in Him - actually feels like a personal experience and you have hope that this will be a reality that spreads around you, even as it deepens within you.

At first you enjoy debate over this with your friends with whom you share everything but this church thing you've gone weird with. But now not only do the people you expect to mock your faith and your church revel in it, but people you love and respect point out, with uncomfortable accuracy, the serious flaws in the history of the church in general and the all-too-human character of your church friends and the church itself. “Well I know so and so from such and such and if he thinks he’s better ‘cause he’s an elder in your church well I’ve got news for you.” And so on. And, “I’ve seen that pastor talk to his kids,” or “I’ve heard the way the leaders run down the pastor,” and on and on and on. There's so much that's just negative; this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. We’ve got this slogan about lives being changed but I don’t really know what it means, and I don’t see that much of it whatever it is. Where is God in this?

The words in Psalm 3 are those of a poet-king, but they may ring all too true for some:

O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."

Well, maybe not even people foes, but just everything that seems to work against the happiness of the one who wants to do his/her part for the Lord and for people with what God has given him/her to work with. It should be simple, why is it so complicated?

I love what the turning point is for the poet-king who feels beaten down: Sleep. Months ago when this blog went through Genesis, we saw Jacob, on the run, on his way to see his wronged brother again and to face who-knows-what.

http://jameskitson.blogspot.com/2006/12/with-us.html

In the letting-go vulnerability of sleep, Jacob has a dream, a vision, of traffic between heaven and earth. I noted at the time that the most significant direction of the traffic is from above – heaven has more interest in earth than earth has in heaven. The Christian message is about God with us (Emmanuel).

We need to do whatever we need to do to let the voice of the Lord come through to us. People may fail us, organizations may falter, but the Lord will never let you down. Sabbath isn’t just a day of the week, it’s a principle.

But then the coolest thing is that the beleaguered Psalmist, refreshed by his renewed contact with the Lord, is able to bring all of this experience back into the community of faith! Think about it: what we’re reading here is the praise and worship book of Israel. So he’s been able to bring all of this experience back into the community of faith to help to strengthen others by sharing his experience, which is ultimately of renewal in the Lord, and he makes it part of the renewal of the community. We have this Psalm because he made it part of worship. It’s a praise of God working through imperfect human experience – a testimony.

What’s yours?

Prayer:
3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

Ever-Increasing Glory

Psalm 2

The Hebrew praise team leader did not shrink from writing songs for worship that used very human language for the Lord. Check out verse 4, with the one enthroned in heaven laughing and scoffing. Pretty human language. What is he laughing and scoffing at? The objects of derision are human powers who think they can challenge his authority. The backdrop is the thing that happened in those days when a big ruler died. The people of the subjugated states under his rule saw it as an opportunity to rise up. The first thing the new ruler had to do was to put down the uprisings, and it was rarely a positive experience.

The psalmist dreams of a day when a king of David’s line would have the kind of rule in the earth that would put down all opposition, not for his own sake, but as the one through whom the Lord reigned on earth. Well, that never happened. Or did it?

A song quoted in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians celebrates Jesus as the one to whom every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:9-11). It’s hard to see the reign of Christ in the outward world today, when Iran thumbs its nose at the world, a nightmare is unfolding in Myanmar, and [fill in any world tragedy here].

I’ve reflected before in these posts that I believe there is Scriptural warrant for earthly authorities to fend of the effects of evil, so there is certainly a need for police and military that is legitimately based and has peace as its goal. The reality is, however, war in its various and increasingly insidious forms is likely to increase as the world as we know it moves toward its divinely appointed end. What goes on with the Christian’s life in the face of this? I believe the focus of our hope and activity comes in this:

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

What can and needs to be also evident in the world is the increasing strength of our relationship in and with Jesus Christ. As the world goes its way, the Christ’s church will be ever stronger – and indeed the church in the world is exploding, as are local churches that truly are resolved to go where the Lord is leading. Of course we should pray earnestly for specific world situations and do whatever, individually and collectively, we can to alleviate suffering and promote peace. But our first response as Christians is to grow in our relationship with Christ, and with one another in Him. As the world goes its way, our worship together should be growing in fervour and excellence, our groups should be growing in their atmosphere of mutual caring, in ever-deepening knowledge of the Lord, and in opportunities for service and evangelism.

We are far from helpless. The kingdoms may rage and rulers plot in their vanity, but we have a purpose and destiny that leads us to grow in strength, peace and even joy.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you said that as the Father sent you, you send your followers, whom you even called your friends, because you have shared your plans with us. Let us not take that lightly. Amen.

The Way of Nourishment

Psalm 1

At the centre of this psalm is the image of the tree that is fulfilling its purpose in life, by taking in water, growing foliage and bearing fruit. Its purpose, in other words, is not just to be ‘productive’ but to be nurtured, be clothed in beauty, and bear fruit as a consequence of other aspects of its purpose. Like the tree, we will prosper in the way the Lord has in mind for us as we are rooted and clothed with him and his law – most generally understood as the design and purpose he has in mind for us.

Then we will not succumb to the progression of meaninglessness described in the opening part of the psalm: listening to the ungodly, getting caught up in their ways, and finally becoming one with the scoffers, who are really lost as the set themselves up in judgment of the Lord and those who find life in Him.

The conclusion of the psalm basically points out the obvious, but what should be underlined anyway: whatever we are rooted in now will have its inevitable consequence. Grace means, however, as we’ll discover in our journey through the Psalms, that a course can be changed.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this amazing worship book of Israel. Guide our journey through its outpourings, that we may be filled with you. In Christ. Amen.

Yet to See God

3 John

The main theme of this letter to an individual is hospitality. I suspect that hospitality was, then, not just a matter of courtesy but a matter of provision. It was an issue of providing food and shelter to those who were undertaking the work of the Lord. It also became, then, sadly, a means of showing approval or not for persons in the ministry.

This leads to an urging to imitate what is good – no matter how people treat you, we might add. But the most intriguing comment here, for me, comes next. John observes that anyone who does good is from God, but then notes that anyone who does what is evil has not seen God (verse 11). What a healthy phrase to remember when, in our perception, we see people doing evil! They are not to be written off, or assumed to be of the devil or some such thing. They just haven’t had enough experience of God!

That puts the onus back on those of us who have seen him, and who have our experience of God reinforced in talking “face to face” (verse 14), and greeting one another “by name” (verse 14).

Next in Open Journal: The Book of Psalms

Prayer:
Thank you for your servant, John, for the life of his words now, and for your living Word seeking to have your Way in and through me. Make it my concern for you to be visible to even one person in a new way through my life, and my fellowship with others. In Christ. Amen.

Useable

2 John

Useful information. Data. Intelligence. Truth you can use – I even hear that as advice to preachers concerning what they should provide people. Everybody seems to be looking for what amounts to information ammunition: What data can I gather to further my goals, put so-and-so in his/her place, advance my position, justify what I’ve done? The evil one just loves all this. This is part of the deception he works in the world through supposedly clever people.

This little letter to “the chosen lady and her children” (probably a circular letter to a number of churches) underlines the theme of truth we found through 1 John. What does it mean to be in the truth, to walk in the truth (verses 1, 4). Practically, it means truly loving one another (verse 5), but that, in turn, comes back to obeying God’s commands (verse 6).

For the Christian, truth is turned around from the direction it has in most of the world’s dealings. We don’t use truth; truth uses us. Truth shapes us. Truth determines our daily agenda and our lifetime plan. If we are in Christ and he in us, it is his truth, and the truth that he is, that shapes us and give us what used to be called character (now it’s all about personality).

Let’s get truth going in the right direction, which keeps truth true.

Prayer:
Lord, let me love, seek, do and be your truth today. In Christ. Amen.

True Knowing

1 John 5:13-21

John has been addressing people who were proud of what they considered their special knowledge of spiritual things. They were above considering the divine and human to be one in the Jesus who walked this earth. John, therefore, has emphasized the real-life knowledge that he and others with him had actually experienced of Jesus, both as he walked this earth, and in the living relationship they now had with him (at the time of writing).

Because of this certainty, the Christian can be confident in prayer; this will lead to further experience of his action and presence in ways that are best for us. The sin of willfully rejecting him is considered especially serious, and John concludes this letter with a warning against idols. Idols epitomize falseness, the opposite and enemy of the truth that is known in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Thank you, God, that in Jesus head knowledge, heart knowledge, and practical living are all one. Keep us working at this together. In Him. Amen.

Convincing Spirit

1 John 5:5-12

If you find some of this a bit confusing or obscure, you are not alone. How do water, blood and the Spirit testify together (verses 7-8)? Some clarification may come in remembering who John is addressing: people who challenged the belief that the earthly Jesus and the Son of God were one. Verse 6 emphasizes the down-to-earthness of Jesus’ life and experience, and the Spirit of truth testifies to the believer of the oneness of Jesus of Nazareth with the Father and the Spirit. Without the fullness of that belief, the world has not been overcome through His sacrifice. On the contrary, the same Spirit who testifies to the truth of Jesus works in us to make us strong in faith in the midst of the world. He states it strongly in the negative by saying that not accepting God’s own testimony concerning himself, and what he has done and now is in Jesus, is to make God out to be a liar.

The faith that is certain of victory over the world (1 John 5:4) is not some spirit of optimism or that things have a way of working out, but rather is the faith, specifically, “that Jesus is the Son of God” (verse 5).

Prayer:
Some of us long for certainty, Lord. May your Holy Spirit work in us powerfully to believe, overcome all doubt, and overwhelm any negativity that can poison the joy in believing we are meant to have together. In Christ. Amen.

overcoming the world

1 John 4:19-5:4

Somber anniversary today, and wasn’t it a Tuesday? Yesterday’s notes on being free of fear of judgment come against the hard reality of fear in the world, from one another, fueled by a personal power of evil bent on wreaking havoc in God’s creation. We walk the balance of not wanting our children to live in fear, and yet we need to warn, prepare, equip them to deal with the real dangers of the world. Moreover, Scripture provides warrant, I believe, for legitimate authority to limit the effects of evil in the world. So we have police and military to do what’s necessary to try to keep utter chaos at bay. The tricky question (that gets more political than I care to here) is “What’s necessary (without making things even worse)?”

Whatever measures are necessary on the worldly plane, Christians know the basic and ultimate answer. “Everyone born of God overcomes the world,” John says. How can this be? Because there can only be love for one another in this world because of the prior gift of God’s love. That gift can only be realized as it is believed, confessed, and shared. Love of God is realized in love for one another. True love for one another, however, is conditional upon love for God, because it comes from him in the first place. We love one another truly because we love God and those others God loves. So then our love for one another becomes part of God’s love for others.

When that is realized, it is a great victory over the ways of the world. And we can be so certain of the victory that Christ won at the cross, and that will be made plain when he comes, that we can speak of victory over the world already having been won. I know, that doesn’t help the immediate circumstances of millions of people, but without the certainty of God’s power over evil there is no hope at all. But we can state it more positively than that, because Scripture does, as here. There is immediate hope because we are so certain of God’s reality and purpose that living the faith right now has an effect that nothing else can. Our hope and love must be grounded in something other than ourselves, this world, and its circumstances – and it is, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Prayer:
Thy will done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

source of confidence

1 John 4:16-18

How often do we think of God wanting us to know his love so that we will be confident? We want our family members to be confident of our love; we want to be confident of the love of others. We think of building up ability, experience, and self-esteem as sources of confidence, but love? God’s love?

There is a specific context for this confidence: “so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment,” and then, “because in this world we are like him.” Like him in what? In his love. This is possible because we can “know and rely on the love God has for us” (verse 16). It’s because of God’s prior will for us and action toward us.

“There is no fear in love” (verse 18). What a beautiful sentence! And then there is the explanation that fear has to do with punishment. God’s perfect love means he has provided for any punishment we have coming to us by pouring it all on his own Son. The one who judges has died for us, and even intercedes for us (Romans 8:34).

Prayer:
Thank you that I can be confident of your love, Lord, not because of anything about me, but because you are love. Let this confidence translate into faithful living. In Christ. Amen.

Spirit and Love

1 John 4:13-15

I am concerned when we in the church speak as if fellowship is a condition for the work of the Spirit. Scripture indicates that our love for one another is a consequence of our receiving of the Spirit. And that means being led by the Spirit to follow the purpose and do the work God in Christ has given us. The work God has given us is belief (John 6:26-29). We can do nothing else as we are meant to do it unless and until we are first totally focused on simply reaching people for Christ, and then everything else must be specifically and clearly done as a part of that primary purpose. Authentic Christian fellowship and love comes in relentlessly pursuing that purpose, empowered by the Spirit in both energy and discernment.

We tend to seek a spirit of unity, whereas the Bible refers to unity of the Spirit (see Ephesians 4:1-6).

Prayer:
Let us continually seek life and renewal in your Spirit, Lord. Amen.

God Is

1 John 4:7-12

To say that God is love is not the same as saying that love is God. Nor is the statement that God is love an all-encompassing definition of God. God is love; he is also light. The descriptions creatively play off against one another. In other words, God’s love is characterized by light (seeing things for what they are and being equipped to act on that perception), and God’s light is characterized by love (not mere knowledge but action for the other). Any attempt to describe or characterize God can only be a matter of doxology (praise), more than philosophy or head knowledge. Theology, best understood, is a matter of testimony: How, after all, do we actually experience God? As light and as love, at least.

Prayer:
God, no words can contain you. Our language, our praise, our study, even our actions, are, at best, approximations of your stupendous reality. Have patience us as we grapple with your awesomeness, and as we allow you to infiltrate our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Testing Our Spirit

1 John 4:1-6

A spirit doesn’t just influence you; a spirit moves you, takes hold of you, infuses you, carries you. There is an increasing polarity of spiritual influence that accompanies the time approaching Christ’s return. It is critical what influences we even give attention to, because they can be instruments of the one who against Christ, and therefore also those who would be his. John gives us to understand that there are two tests of whether something is of the Spirit of God: There is acknowledgement of the person of Jesus as the Christ (anointed one) of God; and the one from whom the influence comes has a life that matches the teaching. There is, therefore, credibility, as there was in the leadership of which John was part (verse 6).

Verse 4 of this passage points to a kind of ‘spirit’ in the more general sense, which the world would then detect in those who are of God’s Spirit. It is a spirit of victory, a spirit of there being nothing that can stand in our way, a confidence that has not to do with ourselves but the one who is in us. Enough of hand wringing or glancing over the shoulder of any individual, family, or body of believers who purport to be of Christ! The victory is won! We have only to believe, live, and proclaim it. It is a mission to the world around us that is non-negotiable. It is not an add-on to a community of faith that’s OK to pursue as long as the “interests of the people” are looked after. What could those interests possibly be but to take up the mission of Christ himself who has clearly passed it on to us (John’s Gospel, 20:21 and Matthew 28:16-20)? That is our ‘interest’, our life, our source of true unity, our nourishment, and its own reward.

Prayer:
Make us bold for you, Lord. Amen.

That's Frustrating

1 John 3:11-24

A hospital chaplain I trained under years ago offered this observation: You can have a meaningful conversation with anyone, anytime, but just responding to whatever they say by saying, “That’s frustrating.” It’s not that great an exaggeration. The point, however, isn’t to have a pat response to a person’s circumstances. The point is that it is a measure of the hunger we have for anyone to respond to us and our lives and circumstances at a heart and feeling level.

God already knows our hearts, our feelings. “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (verse 20). The context of this writing is brutal persecution. The direction to lay down life for others, and to love after the pattern and command of Jesus – this was no pat response – but the beginning of the gift the Christian community would be called to bring to the world. That is to find a different way to respond to hatred than with more hatred. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a hostage in the hands of terrorists; I have no idea what it’s like to be in the midst of war; I have no idea, for that matter, the depth of frustration that may lie at the heart of the experience of someone I will meet today. But I do know – and hope to practice – that part of what my Lord calls me to do is to acknowledge that frustration as sensitively and genuinely as I can, and keep on loving when another’s frustration affects me adversely. Let’s each take a moment just to pray that it be so.

The Difference

1 John 2:28-3:10

A sign of the ‘last hour’ (2:18) is the distinction between the true ‘children of God’ (3:2) and those of the world. The difference will be clear at Christ’s coming. Meanwhile, Christians should understand that this does not make us better than others. The difference is not of nature, but of conduct, according to what John goes on to say here. The difference in nature and being is between Christ and the world, not Christians and the world. We are enabled to live and demonstrate a different way only because of Christ in us. We ourselves remain sinful, but redeemed (meaning bought out of slavery by Christ). Our life as children of God depends on having made that once-for-all decision to welcome Jesus as Lord within us, and daily renewal in him.

Prayer:
Lord, let me never think of myself as better than anyone, but let me be more like Jesus today in his way of service. In him, Amen.

Welcome to the Last Hour

1 John 2:18-27

This section reflects the belief that before the end of the world, there will be an intensification of evil forces coming to personification in a great antichrist. Leading up to that time there will be lesser antichrists, whose role it will be to lead people away from the truth of Christ. We are in that time. The “last hour” (verse 18) was kicked in with the coming of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God in personal form (John 1:14), and will end with his return.

What is the implication for us? It is to know the one who has come and is coming, through the anointing of his Spirit. We then ‘know’ him with a knowledge that includes knowing with learning and understanding, but is much deeper. It is a bond established by his grace, and our welcoming. More specific understanding comes as a result of that relationship; it is not a precondition, as those to whom this was written seem to have thought, and as much conventional church life presupposes.

The term ‘anointed’ is loaded with meaning, since ‘Christ’ is the Greek version of the Hebrew title, ‘Messiah’, which means ‘anointed one.’ Jesus is the one through whom we have life in and beyond a world that will pass. We have life by receiving the anointing of his love and grace. How? Just say, “I want to know you, Jesus; I want to love you as you love me; come into my life – be my life; take anything ugly in my past or present and transform it.” Then seek Christian friends and an outreach-oriented church with which to share your best news ever, grow in him, and never look back.

Be Strong

1 John 2:12-17

Not too much should be made of the different age groups addressed in verses 12-14. I mean, would John not want all ages – and both sexes for that matter (we’re still dealing with a patriarchal culture here) – to grasp that their sins are forgiven on account of Christ’s name (verse 12), because they know him who is from the beginning (verse 13), etc.? The points made come to a climax with writing to ‘young men’ about what real strength is. I think this gets at the stylistic role of the groups mentioned. Young men are thought to be strong. What better group to bounce off in order to point out that real strength is a matter of having the Word of God within, and, by this, overcoming the evil one (verse 14). The truth applies to everyone but the point is made all the more effectively as it addressed to those thought to be strong because of youth and physical vigor.

The style of addressing different groups is then dropped as the last point about strength is expanded in teaching about Christians and the world (verse 15-17). Those who have the Word of God in them, and do it (verse 17), have already overcome the world of false strength that is passing away. It is false in the sense that it is passing away, not in any sense that we can ‘spiritualize’ the real suffering that exercise of power – or brute force – can bring in this world (witness hundreds of people killed in truck bombings Wednesday in Iraq). It is false in comparison to the strength that will endure when it is matter of doing the Word. That is the hope for effectiveness in our daily lives, when the forces that seem to overwhelm threaten to get the better of our spirit.

Prayer:
God, let no false humility get in the way of you making me strong and effective in this world. Let your Word make us strong for your sake. Amen.

A Personal Beginning

1 John 2:1-11

At the opening of the John’s Gospel, it’s “in the beginning” (John 1:1). At the opening of this letter, it was “from the beginning” (1 John 1:1). This led to the observation that in the letter John’s point of departure was the immediacy of the experience of the risen Christ. Now in verse 7 of chapter two, it is “since the beginning.” I take this to refer to the beginning of the time of Christ being present in the individual believers John is addressing; since the beginning of their new creation. If that new creation is real, there will be a difference to life that the light will reveal. Our love, or not, for our brother/sister is a sign of whether or not we are in the light.

Prayer:
Open my eyes and my heart today, Lord, so as to see someone more as you see him/her. In Christ. Amen.

Fellowship and Self-Perception

1 John 1:5-10

We can see from our own observations and experience that truth about ourselves depends a lot on our interconnectedness with others. Social isolation can result in poor self-perception. We need social interaction to stay in touch with reality, especially about ourselves. How much more true is that of fellowship with God, which necessarily involves also fellowship with others (see previous post). And so we can see intuitively, I think, the truth that walking in the light (verse 7) involves also growth in fellowship with others, together with honesty about ourselves that leads to renewal and freedom that comes from forgiveness from God (verse 9).

Prayer:
Keep me connected, Lord, in every way that matters. Through Christ. Amen.

Making Joy Complete

1 John 1:1-4

Open Journal resumes with a launch into the letters of John. John is believed to have been writing to Gnosticizing Christians – who denied the physical, historical reality of Jesus Christ. So he begins by emphasizing just what a real, direct experience he and others had had of Jesus.

The beginning of this letter is very similar to the beginning of John’s Gospel, but now he speaks not of the one who was “in the beginning” (John 1:1), but he who is “from the beginning.” The former is poetic language about the pre-existence (before his earthly life as a man) of Christ. Now he begins his witness from the direct experience.

John craves a fellowship centered on the experience of the living Christ. He concluded his Gospel by noting that such experience, and such fellowship, does not depend on everyone having had first-hand experience of Jesus as he walked this earth. See the dramatic encounter of Jesus with Thomas in John 20:24-31 and especially verse 29 in that passage.

Joy in that fellowship is made “complete” (1 John 1:4) because true fellowship, such as today we seek especially in a church whose life and very structure is based on small groups, brings together the horizontal and vertical dimensions of relationships, i.e., it combines human relationships and the divine-human encounter in such a way that we live our faith life in full recognition that one aspect is not “complete” without the other. In belonging to Christ we belong to one another. Fellowship that begins and ends with this recognition will be lost in the perpetual energy and joy of seeking to know, love, serve and share Jesus Christ more fully every day, with one another; full of passion to enlarge the experience exponentially, increasing the joy until it finally will be made complete in that fellowship to come, of which all other true Christian fellowship is anticipation.

Prayer:
Lord, increase our appetite for real fellowship in which we learn more about you, honour you with worship in simple fellowship settings, are moved to serve you by serving others, wrapping it all up with a deep and abiding concern for others similarly to be fed and enlivened. Encourage the disaffected. Embolden the hurting not to wait for someone to notice their hurt, at the same time we all seek out where those and others are hurting and ask how we can help. How has someone been offended? Am I withholding some hurt and nursing it? Am I withholding what you have given me to share of myself, afraid of being hurt, again? Am I holding material resources that could be used to grow fellowship that seeks completion in its dimensions resembling the shape of the cross itself? So many questions, so many needs. No one of us can address them all for even one other. Let us be a fellowship that seeks completion in you, and truly grows, together. In Christ. Amen.

Transfered Glory

Exodus 35 -40

The last six chapters of Exodus report the execution of the instructions given concerning the tabernacle. It begins with a restatement of the Sabbath command, and ends with the entrance of the glory of God into the tabernacle. The main thing conveyed here is that the glory of God is transported from Mount Sinai to the tabernacle to with the people.

We would close our journey through Exodus by taking for ourselves the words Moses gave to Joshua as he transferred leadership to him:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 31:8

Next in Open Journal: The Letters of John

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this journey through Exodus. May I find you going ahead of me to wherever you would lead me. Thank you that I can count on your promise – that you will never leave me or forsake me, that you have a purpose for me I could never dream myself, and that you have a destiny for me, with others, beyond imagining. Through Christ. Amen.

Chiselers

Chapter 34

It’s about us after all. But in a manner of reflection. Moses wasn’t aware that he was all lit up (verse 29). It was, of course, reflected glory that caused his face to glow. That’s this whole saga in one picture: God at the centre, the people as his image (recall Genesis 1:27) . One sense of image is a reflection, as in a mirror or when you look down into a pool of water. Only the reflection is never perfect. It can’t be. The full power and goodness of the original would be too great anyway. There is a mediator, but lately we’ve seen more and more that the role of the people is not so passive, as it was, say, in the crossing of the sea. The people supplied the oil to burn in the tabernacle (27:30). The people offer their own repentance along with Moses pleading for them (chapter 33). Now this chapter has started off with Moses - representing the people to God as well as God to the people – supplying, with some labour, the replacement stone tablets for God to write on. I love that picture. How about making it God autographing your heart with his will for you, no matter how you may have messed up in the past (golden calf, chapter 32).

Prayer:
Let me not forget the point, Lord: In order to mediate your glory to others, it’s not what I give them, but what I offer to you for you to work with. Through Christ. Amen.

The Turning

Exodus 33

This chapter shows how God can both judge and forgive. The sense of judgment I get here looks ahead to the New Testament in that ths simple fact of God’s holy presence with a stubborn people is just too great a difference for the people to tolerate (compare the interplay of light and darkness in John 1 and 3). It’s almost like the effect of matter versus anti-matter. God refuses to accompany the people out of concern for their destruction. And yet there is a way, through a faithful mediator, who is in communion with the Lord and also loves the people (again a hint of things to come). We saw in the last chapter that Moses had a unique position in being both on the mountain and among the people.

For some reason the text itself doesn’t explain, Moses has a tent outside the camp, but even here we find a concession of the Lord who doesn’t completely abandon the people. There is a form of the guiding column of smoke that serves here as a catalyst for the people to worship in repentance from their own place. Here is a new development from the last chapter and more sign of hope. Whereas, before, it was just Moses pleading for the people, now there is still Moses pleading – successfully - for the people, but also the people have their own role of repentance.

The way is being prepared for restoration of the covenant, and yet not based on the actions or any merit of the people or even their mediator (not even Moses can experience the direct presence of God), but on the yet-not-abrogated promise of God, that the actions of the people and their leader are allowed to have a role in re-awakening.

Prayer:
Lord, let us all contemplate for a moment the effectiveness of true repentance over against insistence on rights, influence and privileges. Through Christ. Amen.

Choose

Exodus 32

Scene One: Moses on the top of the mountain. Concluding forty days of instructions from the Lord, the great I Am, and now receiving stone tablets as culmination of this intensive training to pass on to the people he has led out of Egypt. Time to pass all this on. This is what’s it’s all about.

Scene Two: The people are dissing Moses. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. Aaron, it’s up to you man. Give us something real we can follow. We’re tired of visions and promises. Aaron takes their gold and makes a calf out of it. These are the gods (yes, plural for some reason) that have brought us out of Egypt. Aaron tries to cover all the bases, making the worship of this thing have the form of worship to the Lord.

Scene Three: The Lord tips off Moses he’d better get back. Moses has seen both sides. He’s been on the mountain. He knows the people, or does he? So enraged he smashes the culmination of his mountain top experience, and the covenant with the people with it. It's broken already anyway; they abandoned the promise.

Time to start again. Who really wants to follow the Lord, rather than their own inclinations? Choice is hard; here it is ruthless, brutal. Learn the lesson. You can’t it have it both ways, and it’s not about pleasing anyone. Who will follow the Lord? You have to choose.

Meanwhile, Moses pleads for the people, on the basis of God’s goodness and on the basis of God’s own promise.

Prayer:
Lord, show us what loving the people really means. In Christ. Amen.

Rest Room

Exodus 31:12-18

There will be another statement of the Sabbath command at the beginning of another section of instructions concerning the building of the tabernacle (35:1-3). This underlines the close connection between tabernacle and Sabbath. There is much detailed, painstaking work involved in the building of the tabernacle and furnishing it, along with the activities to take place in it.

The tabernacle is intended to be a way to experience the fulfillment of the promise of God to dwell with the people. The Sabbath is a reminder that it is all God’s initiative and power and work, even though humans are given much to do. It all depends on grace. I suppose one way to understand why the penalty for violating the Sabbath is so severe is to see that if the people forget the lesson it embodies they are dead as God’s people anyway.

A parallel for me is preparing for worship, or doing any of the Lord’s work in the context of his church. We are to work hard and well. The work can be be exasperating; it can and does bring conflict, wear and tear on people. We can even experience evil in the setting of doing the Lord’s work. But at some point we all have to say regularly what I find myself saying to myself and praying to God before heading into weekly worship: “It’s not about me, Lord.” If no one appreciates what I do on a human level, it doesn’t matter. If no one knows how much time I spent on this, it doesn’t matter. If not one knows or cares what personal demons or practical frustrations or human annoyances or unfairness or other cr** I felt I had to deal with, it doesn’t matter. The truth is, anyway, I dish out my own measure of cr**; I am not fair to others; I can be and am a pain or disappointment or source of frustration to others on a regular basis. I have no credentials worth anything in heaven for what I do. I deserve hell. It is only because of the sacrifice of Christ and the choosing of God to dwell with all us needy, self-serving, self-absorbed, petty, squabbling little brats of his that I am able to do anything at all and any of us have any hope. On that basis, then, I and others together can address the things that can’t be glossed over that are wrong and need working on, to clear away the clutter of human behaviour that can obscure the light, and even the voice of God calling perpetually for there to be light.

So it’s not much for God to expect us to set aside all our striving for a bit to focus on him, since without him we are dead anyway. But with him, and because of him, we are glorified, set above the angels, live in anticipation of, and sharing now, what he has in mind for us, for no other reason than that he wants it for us.

Prayer:
Let this be a Sabbath moment for you to totally fill me and renew me. In Christ. Amen.

Gifted

Exodus 31:1-11

These days when we speak of gifts of the Holy Spirit, we distinguish them from natural abilities. Gifts of the Spirit are gifts that accompany our our sealing with the Spirit for salvation, and enable us to serve in our own way for our own time. God chooses those gifts (e.g. teaching, serving, preaching, evangelism, speaking in tongues) from the time he conceived us. I disagree with the teaching of Alpha that we can ask God for specific gifts of this kind. Rather, It is our job to discover what it is God has chosen for us. When we talk in our church – according to the Purpose Driven Church way of things – of discovering our SHAPE for ministry, we spend some time exploring what our Spiritual gifts are (S), along with our Heart (what gets us excited, motivate us), Abilities, Personality, and Experiences.

It is not clear from this passage from Exodus if the natural ability and skill given Bezalel is considered a gift of the Holy Spirit, or whether this is given him along with a gift of the Spirit. The difference is not critical; the point is it all can and is all used in the service of God and building up of his people.

Prayer:
Lord, let no one think they have nothing to offer. Let not one be intimidated by seeing people who seem to have it all together and can do all kinds of things. Let us see the strength of your church in the little offerings, the small gestures, the seemingly insignificant acts of love that no one know about. The stars will fade. Your Word and Spirit acting through each of your humble and eager servants will have amazing results. Praise you, Lord. Amen.

the dwelling of God is with people

Exodus 29 and 30

There is much scholarly discussion that such elaborate ceremonies as are described in this section, and through this part of Exodus, must come from a later time and have found their way into the text here. That would explain how such highly developed ritual would be described in a time when Israel was basically in formation in the desert. It is not necessary to engage in such speculation, however, to get the essential point made at the end of chapter 29: Whatever is done is intended to point to the presence of the Lord with the people:

"So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.
– Exodus 29:44-46

The furnishings, the vestments, the rituals – they are all part of the language and culture of the time that the Lord used to point to his presence. He uses what the people can relate to in order to remind them of a purpose and destiny beyond those things. Those things become idols when they are allowed to have value in and of themselves.

The actions of the Lord with Moses (e.g. the burning bush) and Pharaoh (plagues; the deliverance of Israel at the sea parting) were to point to the author of the actions, that both would know the “I Am” (3:14). The law was then given to the Israel as a written expression of life as the people of the “I Am.” Now we must see all the detail of the religious life of Israel as part of that movement, however obscure and confusing those details may be to us.

With the next chapters, the story line resumes.

Prayer:
Lord, in a time when we have witnessed a mosque stockpiled with weapons becoming a battleground, keep our place of gathering and everything associated with it focused on you, and pointing to you in every way. Through Christ. Amen

A Different Set of Vestments

Exodus 28

I guess I’m way under dressed.

Prayer:
Lord, let me let you clothe me in my priestly function – representing the people to you - with loving prayers for my people, and – in the other direction of prophetic function – feeding people with your Word; to promote and model the priesthood of believers, and the ministry of people to one another, and mission of reconciliation to the world. Through Christ, our great high priest, prophet, and King. Amen.

Horns of the Altar

Exodus 27

This passage provides the scene for hard human stories that would have been played out to a climax here. By taking hold of the horns of the altar, one fleeing from blood revenge could claim sanctuary (see 1 Kings 1:50-51). The horns were a symbol of the atonement that was effected at the altar. If we are troubled or confused be the elaborate detail of the tabernacle design and detail, let it be seen as lending importance to the central need addressed at the centre of it all: reconciliation between human and God, and human and human.

The place in our church building where we worship together is still called a “sanctuary.” Newer churches or churches undergoing change tend to call such a place a ‘worship centre’ or some such thing, or even just an auditorium. I wouldn’t be in rush for such a change, especially if we can be reminded of the central meaning of sanctuary, as a place where we focus on the atoning work of God – now in Christ – and consider fully, prayerfully and in commitment together the implication of the sacrifice of Christ on the altar of the cross for us all.

Prayer:
Lord, may user-friendly praise and worship, or ‘upbeat’ services, or marketplace tactics never lead us to shrink from witness to the central reality of what you have done in Christ, but point to your work more fully and effectively. Amen.

Access

Exodus 26

Access: You get frustrated trying to get it with your cable or phone company when you have a problem. Access: Do my kids really have more than a grunt or an “I’m busy right now” when they seek it from their dad? Access: Do people have ready and meaningful access to the resources or leadership in their church that they need? Do we give others the access to our listening hearts? It’s easy enough for us to complain about the access we don’t get, and overlook the access we withhold.

God withholds nothing. When Jesus died, there was a tear in the curtain in the temple that separates the most holy place – where originally the ark was housed - from the merely holy place, signaling our direct access to God. When we pray in Jesus’ name, the Father receives our prayers as from his own Son.

Prayer:
Lord, it can be a bit confusing to us why you directed so much detail in the design of the tabernacle in ancient times, but then, we weren’t there, were we? What matters is what we know now: that you sent your Son to be our Lord, brother and friend. Thank you for this immediate access. Through Him. Amen.

Give Me Oil for Your Lamp

Exodus 25:23-40

The bread of the Presence (verse 30) signified God’s presence to the people, and yet it was an ongoing offering to God. Or, to say it the other way around, it demonstrated dedication to God, at the same time it meant the supply of God’s presence.

Similarly, the light of the oil lamps was a demonstration and sign of God’s lighting the way for the people – even though the oil that enabled the lamps to shine was brought from among the people. The priests tended the lamps, but the oil came from the people.

The number 7 (verse 27) indicates completeness or wholeness. There is beauty of order, completeness, wholeness; in this elegant arrangement of basic spiritual formation for the people: God supplies everything, but the people bring to the life of the tabernacle, from what God has supplied, the means for experiencing God’s expression and for receiving the pledge of his presence.

Prayer:
Thanks for calling us into partnership with you, God. You supply everything, yet you give us meaningful responsibility. Although you are totally in control, things are not the same no matter how we fulfill that responsibility. May my life bring all the oil of service to you I can, that you may burn all the more brightly. Through Christ. Amen.

The power of the ark is not lost

Having read of the origin of the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-22), here is a bit of a ‘sidebar’ on the thread othe story of the ark in the Old Testament.

The ark is the central ‘character’ in the crossing of the Jordan in Joshua 3 and 4. When the feet of the priests carrying the ark touch the river, the water is stopped up and the whole nation of Israel crosses.

The ark becomes prominent in the Bible again in 1 Samuel, chapters 4 to 7. After a battle with the Philistines goes especially badly, the Israelites decide to bring the ark into battle. This really backfires because the Philistines are so unnerved by this move they compensate with extra effort. They not only defeat Israel, again, but also capture the ark. Their celebration at this is short-lived, however, because the ark brings disaster and disease to the Philistine towns it gets handed around to like a spiritual grenade. They finally put it on a cart to see where the cattle will pull it; if it heads back to Israelite territory, that will be considered to clinch the prevailing theory that the ark has brought all the trouble they have been experiencing. The animals pulling the cart head straight for Israelite territory, where it ended up staying at the house of a man named Abinadab, whose son, Eleazar was consecrated to guard it (1 Samuel 7:1).

The ark story thread emerges again in 2 Samuel, with the story that culminates in David’s wild dance accompanying the ark into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5 and 6). But then we hear of the ark again out in the field (2 Samuel 11:11), although it finally rests in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:24-25). The last thing the Bible clearly records about the ark is in 1 Kings 8, which describes Solomon moving the ark into the most central – inner sanctuary – of the temple.

There is nothing in the Bible that says what happened to the ark. It is possible invading Egyptians took it. See 1 Kings 14:25-26, which says Shishak of Egypt took all the treasures of the temple (This gives some plausibility to the plot line of Raiders of the Lost Ark, in which the ark is dug up in Egypt!). The other main theory is that it was either lost or stolen during the invasion by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24).

A comment in Jeremiah 3:16-17 may be seen as part of a direction in the prophets from depending on external things (altars and arks) toward seeing humanity’s connection with God more as more directly a matter of mind and heart. You don’t find that in the Jeremiah passage yet, however, but rather there is a vision of Jerusalem as a gathering place for Israel and “all nations” to honour the name of the Lord. People will no longer even mention the ark, says Jeremiah; “It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made” (verse 16).

Prayer:
Praise to you, Lord, for your guidance to your people with this sign and pledge of your presence. Thank you even more that you commit to live within us as we turn to you in trust, so that we may know your power in personal ways. Through Christ. Amen.

origin of the ark of the covenant

Exodus 25:10-22

The first instructions for the furnishings of the tabernacle concern what will be called the ark, which is a chest (verse 10). It will serve as a symbolic portable throne for the Lord. “Testimony” (verse 16) refers to the two tablets of commandments considered the basic requirement of the covenant.

“Atonement” (verse 17) means at-one-ment. It is the Lord’s own gracious action to be at one with his people. An “atonement cover” signified that the purpose of God’s dwelling with the people was to be at one with them, that God and his people should not be estranged. Recall God’s first question to humanity, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).

The winged creatures known as cherubim aided in a sense of the Lord’s power and presence, not as a sort of charm to win battles, but as a catalyst for discerning the Lord’s voice in all matters for a people.

Next: What happened to the ark?

Prayer:
Forbid me, Lord, from ever thinking of your power as that which is to be used to further my selfish agendas, but as the means you supply for what you graciously intend. Through Christ. Amen.

furnished for welcome

Exodus 25:1-9

The plans for the tabernacle include colours and materials associated with royalty, most of which would be obtained only with considerable effort (e.g. blue and purple dyes from a Mediterranean shellfish). The ambience will help remind people of who is in charge, since the basic purpose of the tabernacle is to be the transportable place of presence for the Lord. When Moses was on the mountain, it was clouded over and the glory of the Lord settled on it (24:15-16). It was in this setting that Moses received instructions for the tabernacle, which is to be the place where the glory of God, once having covered the mountain, will accompany Israel while journeying. This purpose is spelled out in verse 8 of chapter 25: “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” Verse 9 points to detailed instructions to come.

Prayer:
God, let me furnish my heart with the splendour of my great, acknowledged need, that you may dwell there forever. Through Christ. Amen.

Signed and Sealed

Exodus 24

This chapter brings the climax to a series of events establishing the covenant between God and Israel. It began in chapter 19, with the people saying they would do everything the Lord commanded. They echo that commitment here, twice. The statement comes with Moses reiterating the commands that have been given, and writing them out. The people need fully to understand what they are committing to.

The covenant is sealed in blood, sprinkled both on the altar and on the people. This would seem to signify both binding to God and the binding of the people together as they are bound to God. When we commit to a community of faith we commit not only to God but to those others who are joined to him.

Along with this Moses, Aaron and Aaron’s sons “saw the God of Israel” (verse 10), but did not die from seeing God (verse 11). It sounds like they saw him from below the clear ‘pavement’ of the sapphire on which he stood (verse 10).

The chapter concludes with a description of Moses’ ascent and stay on the mountain, which sets the stage for instructions concerning the tabernacle (chapter 25).

Prayer:
God of ages and now, can I begin to comprehend your beauty and power? Could I withstand a glimpse of you in your glory? Am I sold-out committed to doing whatever you command? Am I wholly bound in your Spirit to those others you love? Thank you for the privilege of daily renewal and growth in all these things. In Christ. Amen.

An Unsettling Land

Exodus 23 and 24

It is generally recognized that there are three sections of laws in these two chapters.

The first seventeen verses of chapter 22 have a lot of “if this, then this” type rules, and these generally have to do with the basic functioning of society. They focus on matters of restitution: what will make things right when someone is wronged.

The next section goes from 22:18 to 23:19. It still uses the “if” pattern sometimes, but these laws are less situational. They are more general commands, having to do with how one lives out one’s trust in God. It starts with the severest penalties for sorcery, bestiality, and idolatry. Why these? I suppose because they are considered particularly destructive to a society based on trust in one God, and as God’s image on earth.

There is more than just “no” and “don’t” to all the things here. The intent is freedom within God’s design. The people will be free to live a life of love to God and for neighbour. Israel is not to forget the experience of slavery and pilgrimage, and to be kind to the “alien” or foreigner in their presence.

The last section promises an angel to go ahead of the people, and over a period of time, they will take possession of a land defined bounded by Egypt, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Euphrates River, a promise held fervently, and fought over, to this day.

I recommend this article from BBC on "Borders and Settlements".

Prayer:
God, to be honest, as we look back in time and read what you set out for your people, we find some of it obscure to our understanding. But then we see that you were directing a whole people to a new land, with your intent of shining through them to the world. But as with all of us, what you intend and what we do for our part don’t always work out, because of our failure. Now, in that land you set out for a people, there is conflict to which we see no end in the world as we know it. The spirit of hospitality toward those who are different seems lost, and even those who would seem to be alike are at odds. What is to be made of us people? Would you intervene to bring a new order to things? In Christ, Amen.

life for life ...

Exodus 21:12-36
We would still see issues of sexism and conflicting values in these measures (e.g. you can’t kill a slave, but if is able to get up a day or two after beating him/her it’s OK [verses 20-21]). As barbaric as this all is to us (it seems especially merciless to children), there is actually here movement toward equality before the law, and limitation of retaliation. The effect would be to keep tribal-type vengeance from spinning out of control, as it is inclined to do still, in 'modern' states and 'civilized' relationships.

If a rich person was responsible for someone’s death, he could not just pay off the crime – he faced the same penalty as anyone else. There is also the frequently cited factor of the limitation of retaliation, in the exactness of what is prescribed. This also was of benefit to the less entitled, since someone more powerful was not permitted to keep on exacting a penalty, or more than one could defend his family against.

Once again we have to read this as part of the larger scope of things, even though that would not have made life in these times any less harsh. But that may be the key to getting our heads even a little around such a passage: We’re talking about harsh times, daily threat; survival of individuals and of a new nation. You probably had to be there to experience the wisdom of divine direction for the time, along with the even harsher realities without direction.

Prayer:
You showed favor to your land, O LORD;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
Selah
You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
Restore us again, O God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
Psalm 85:1-7 (NIV)

christian slavery

Exodus 21:1-11

One could be very put off by the practices prescribed here. Why would the Bible, as it would seem, condone any slavery at all? And what’s this about a master keeping for himself women and children born to a male slave under him, when the slave is set free? How could a man sell his daughter as a slave, and why is it “she should not be free as menservants do” (verse 7)?

I think we have to see something of the overall direction here. Israel apparently adopted some of the practice of the surrounding cultures – including slavery. Kind of ironic, given what Israel was born out of. But with Israel there is provision for freedom, as part of the practice of the jubilee year. There are certain protections built in for slaves. And, it seems to me, there is a direction of things pointed to in the overall movement of Scripture with the practice of one being able voluntarily bind himself to a master. In the New Testament the word typically used for ‘servant’ (of the Lord) can also be translated ‘slave’ (doulos). Paul works with this word in various ways – contrasting being a slave to the law with the freedom of being a slave of Christ, and even to others for his sake. The Christian, one might say, chooses slavery to Christ and to others in service, which is a way of true freedom, especially in contrast to the ways of the world, which enslave in ways both obvious and subtle. In relation to Christ, slavery reaches a kind of critical mass that flips over into freedom.

Suggestion: God to BibleGateway.com keyword search. Put “slave” in the search box , and go down the page to the drop-down menu where you can limit the search. Limit the search to Pauline Epistles, and see what you come up with.

Prayer:
God, let me find perfect freedom in relinquishing all personal sovereignty to you, and in service to others. In Christ. Amen.

The Heart of Worship

Exodus 20:22-26

Altars were to be built only where God had revealed himself in some decisive way (‘wherever I cause my name to be honoured – verse 24). Other directions emphasize simplicity and purity.

This early (to us) direction concerning worship is startling to contemplate. Think about this. You recognize and use as a place of worship wherever you have experienced God’s activity. We have turned it around. What we’ve done is set up a place where we look for God to show up. Instead of simplicity and purity, we have made those places centres of human culture and tradition.

I’d better stop there.

Prayer:
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about you,
It’s all about you, Jesus.
(Matt Redman)

more than instructions

Exodus 20:18-21

To rewind a bit, up to the time of receiving the commands at Sinai, we had seen a series of events that revealed the power and identity of the Lord to Israel and their leaders, and to the Egyptians. He was the one who would be experienced as faithful to his own purposes through historical events.

Now, as his will and character is to be lived out in the kind of community he is creating through the desert experience, his power is made evident also alongside the giving of instructions concerning life to be lived in community lived in freedom, that is, honouring of God and neighbour. There is the suggestion, too, I think, that the power experienced in the thunder and lightning is to find its way into the living of the commands, and the effectiveness of living according to them.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, that you make available power beyond our own, to live toward a destiny we could not dream for ourselves. Show each of us what that means for our lifetime. Through Christ. Amen.

Honouring the Household

Exodus 20:17

Community – especially as it is undergoing formation – means attending to the common good. This command addresses the need also for individual identity and respect. Who we are includes what we are surrounded with, especially the people of our family, and “anything that belongs” to our household.

What is particularly striking here is that we are to guard over even our thoughts concerning our neighbour and his/her household. Putting it positively, it would be to have a disposition of respect and honour toward the household of our neighbour.

Once again the male-dominant character of the cultural setting comes through. Presumably it’s not OK to covet your neighbour’s husband, or her ox or donkey, or Mustang convertible.

Prayer:
Lord, I am reminded how fresh and contemporary your commands are. With the neighbourhood constantly changing and expanding, remind me today and every day of the need to respect and honour the integrity of families of every background. Let us make the most of what you entrust to each of us. Through Christ. Amen.

Your Good Rep Is My Bizz (and vv)

Exodus 20:16

The command has the effect of further protecting and building community. The neighbour is a fellow member of the community living under covenant with God. The New Testament makes clear that the neighbour is not even just someone close by, or who is like us. The command establishes the minimum requirement with respect to neighbour: We must not do or say anything that would unfairly affect that person’s reputation or identity.

Why would that happen? What would move one to testify (the command anticipates the legal setting of Israel) falsely against someone? Resentment? Jealousy? Elevating one’s own status or popularity by comparison? Most of us would probably say that we have experienced this in one way or another from the receiving end. Let us guard against doing this to another even unintentionally.

Prayer:
God, let me certainly honour this command, and move beyond it to active concern for the reputation of others. Through Christ. Amen.

His and Yours

Exodus 20:15

On the basis of the stewardship of everything, we often note that we don’t really own anything. So along with being a matter of the maintenance of peace and order in a community-in-formation (or any community), the command reminds me that I need to respect that God entrusts certain things to you for your use and service, and to a great extent that is exclusively so. Presumably you are to share much of that, or even all of it in one way or another, but that is your decision, not mine.

If one of my kids gets a new gizmo with his ‘own’ money, and then asks if he has to share it with his brother, my answer is no, you don’t have to, but you are missing something if you don’t, and there’s something wrong that you would even ask the question.

Prayer:
Lord, let me see everything I have as belonging to you and everyone, respecting everything else as being used according to such wisdom as they would accept from you. Through Christ. Amen.

Cheating on God

Exodus 20:14
It seems to be the operative principle in much of our society that the only problem with adultery is getting caught. And then it may be that those who are hurt are advised to be ‘mature’ about it. But this is not a case of what you don’t know not hurting you. We could go on at some length about the problem of hidden sins of various kinds, as well as issues of physical health.

The command is at heart about protecting relationships that are intended to be a reflection of divine community and the divine-human relationship: “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27, emphasis mine). Granted, this doesn’t say anything specifically about marriage, but the basis of its sanctity is there. And that sanctity is to be honoured.

The problem is not just getting caught.

Prayer:
Lord, let those of us who are married consider sexual fidelity a freedom to enjoy together rather than a restriction, even while we consider that fidelity a minimal requirement in a bond to be built up in every way. Through Christ. Amen.

The Ultimate Act of Enmity

Exodus 20:13

The NIV translation, ‘murder’, goes some distance in answering the question raised when hearing the translation a lot of us grew up hearing: “Thou shalt not kill.” Otherwise we are faced with the difficulty of reconciling the command with the rampant war and capital punishment found in Scripture, although some might say those things also constitute murder, which would be defined as any intentional killing. Even if we were to set that concern aside, we are still faced with the difficulty that the verb used is also used to refer to unintentional killing (e.g. Deuteronomy 4:41-43).

One answer to this is that the verb refers to any killing, whatever the motive or intent, that in its effect is an offense to the community. Another angle is that the shedding of precious life-blood is the essential issue, but then we get right back to the war-in-the-Bible question.

A ready interpretation may be found at Numbers 35:20-21, which speaks of killing out of enmity, deceit, or hatred (Childs, The Book of Exodus). This would back up the NIV translation ‘murder’ in Exodus 20 in the way we normally think of it.

I find this understanding personally helpful. I find myself opposed to abortion, yet deeply troubled when people and organizations characterize as murderers those who perform or support abortions. I also think the pro-life label is unfair, even though I generally support the stand of those who call themselves that. Nothing is to be gained in the discussion necessary on these things by calling people murderers or implying that they are in their hearts against life. If an abortion clinic is bombed and someone is killed, or a doctor who does abortions is shot, that indeed is murder, and no answer to anything.

Prayer:
Lord, let us work toward a unifying understanding of what it is to honour life as a trust from you. Through Christ. Amen.

Unworthy Reps

Exodus 20:12

This command is stated positively and is followed with a promise. Some say that there is a historical issue that God addresses with this command; it has the effect of protecting parents from being driven out of the home or abused after they could no longer work.

But the term ‘honour’ would seem to encompass more than such a situation, and also more than ‘obey.’ ‘Honour’ is the kind of language that is used elsewhere for the Lord. While parents are not to be treated as idols, the command may be assuming that parents represent God to their children, in the same sense that humanity is God’s representative on earth (Genesis 1:26-28). This understanding is enhanced if it is true that this fifth command is placed as a bridge between the commands that concern relations with God and those that follow, addressing human relationships under God.

The promise that follows indicates more than an extension of life, and points to a life of greater well being in the land God is providing the people, when parents are honoured.

Prayer:
Lord, don’t let me make it difficult for my children to follow this command. In Christ. Amen.

under a rest

Exodus 20:8-11

The first word about the Sabbath day is to keep it holy. Then come the stipulations about resting from work, followed by the basis of the command from creation. I get the sense from this that the stipulations about not working are set as a condition for being able to keep it holy. Resting in itself is modelled after the Lord’s pattern, but something more on the part of the Lord himself seems to be suggested in the last sentence.

My take is that we don’t keep the Sabbath holy just by not working; it’s more that we don’t work in order to have the opportunity to do things specifically to honour the Lord. It is good to remember, along with this command, what we have just been commanded, to put God first, to shun idols. Sabbath rest and honouring of God sets the pattern for all of life, so it needs to be more than just non-activity. There is the specific activity of gathering to worship, learning, having fellowship and serving one another in our loving presence. That ought to set the tone for all of life.

Christians do this on the first day of the week because it is the Lord’s Day, the day of resurrection. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday, and therefore celebrates the new creation. Since the command is tied to God’s celebration of creation, the Lord’s Day version of the Sabbath has all the more reason to be full of joyful dedication and recommitment.

Prayer:
Lord, may yesterday’s praises become today’s actions. In Christ. Amen.

misusing the Name

Exodus 20:7

Some argue that the original sense of this command is against using God’s name in making a false oath. Others say that the sense is broader, that the falsity prohibited includes the concept of emptiness (hence the translation, “in vain”). Still another understanding, also based on linguistic analysis, suggests the command has to do with not using God’s name in connection with magic arts.

On the basis of linguistic analysis, there seems to be no consensus among scholars of the Hebrew Scriptures.

So let’s run at it from where we’ve been: God’s name has been itself a means of revelation, indicating he is a dynamic God who will be experienced as the people go forward in faith. The actions that happen in that context further have revealed his power and purpose. Let’s combine that experience of the significance of God’s name with as much as possible of what is suggested by linguistic analysis, pop that all in the oven, and what comes out, I think, is what we started with, the NIV translation. Just don’t misuse God’s name (in any way)!

The positively expressed counterpart to this will come in Jesus’ teaching in which he outlined the essential components of authentic prayer life, which includes 'hallowing' God’s name (Matthew 6:9).

Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Second Commandment

Exodus 20:4-6

In contrast to the judgment on worshiping images is the note that God’s love extends to a thousand generations for those who love him and keep his commandments. Does this still seem rather more a human way of dealing than divine? Jesus said something very similar to those who would follow him (John 14:23-24).

This is a step of faith, obeying God and looking forward to experiencing him as a consequence of that trust. What constructed images do is take away from that trust, and from the dynamic relationship that has to do with God’s Word, call and response. Any way other than trust in the one who creates and calls us has significant negative results that will go beyond us in scope.

God has revealed himself as the “I Am,” and in events and instructions that reveal further his character. A fashioned image lies outside this dynamic. It is a convenience that directs away from God’s true self-revelation and character. It is a sign of seeking to meet a felt need in our own way. On the other hand, trusting in a relationship with the living God has blessing beyond measure.

Prayer:
God, it would be so easy to reduce you to something more manageable. We do that with one another, in our minds and actions; so it’s just one more step to do it with you. Sorry. May we appreciate the mystery of one another, and especially of you. In Christ. Amen.

First

Exodus 20:3

The NIV text has a note at “before” indicating “besides” as an alternative translation. There is endless debate about this one preposition. What is clear is that this command acknowledges the tendency to treat other entities as gods. My take is that “before” (probably better than “besides”) is a matter or priority. There is one true God – other passages emphasize that. It is not the emphasis here. Here it is an emphasis of what we place first, what we worship.

It is easy enough – and important – to think of a list of suspects that today would be candidates for gods we might be in danger of putting before God: money, success, physical sex, drugs … What about some things we might not think of so readily as gods, like family, or country?

And let’s not forget the context right away: God is describing the life of freedom. We live most freely and responsibly (responding to what God has done in giving us such things) when we put God even before devotion to family or nation.

Prayer:
Lord, each day may we put you at the head of our tables, and at the front of our parliaments, assemblies, and executive offices. Through Christ the King I pray. Amen.

Words of Deliverance

Exodus 20:1-2

God’s self-revelation continues. His acts have been filling out what was expressed in the giving of the Name - from burning bush, to plagues, to Passover, to sea-crossing, to provision of food and water and deliverance from enemies.

The giving of these ten ‘words’ (verse 1) is not just another in a series of events. God will now accompany his-tory with a specific expression of the character of the life of freedom he has made possible by his deliverance. God’s specific commands are not, ultimately, restrictions, but rather a new kind of expression of his deliverance. To obey God is perfect freedom.

It is the greatest lie ever perpetrated to suggest that our freedom lies in just doing whatever we feel moved to do. God has delivered the people from one kind of slavery. Now, in what follows, he sets out the way for people to follow to be free from more insidious forms of bondage.

Prayer:
Lord, as your Son said of himself, your Way is also Truth and Life. Way, Truth, Life. Your Way is Truth is Life. Thank you for your Son’s self-identification in this manner. Let me absorb, in as many ways as I can, the significance of the order of the words he used. In Him. Amen.

Preparing

Exodus 19:10-25

An overworked word comes to mind as truly appropriate for this scene: Awesome. And it comes as a sort of ‘in between’ passage. On one side, just past, is the commitment of the people to whatever the Lord says to them (verse 8). We are soon to witness the revealing of that word and will of the Lord. But now is a time of preparation, and it is very serious stuff. Neither the commitment already made, nor the Law to come that will flesh out what the people are to do and how they are to live, are to be taken lightly.

There was a time, I remember, when you went to worship well before the Call to Worship, you sat and let the organ prelude wash over you. People were ushered to their places (and I do mean their places), and you very quietly got out your Lifesavers, tried to get away with loosening your tie and wiping off the scuff on your otherwise shiny black shoes (polished Saturday night) with some spit on your finger.

The scene in my church today is very different – although in one way not so, because the older crowd are there first; and I think I know why. They’re not chatting; it is ingrained in them, rightly, that you allow time to prepare for worship. It must be a great inner discipline these days, because they don’t get much assistance with what goes on around them. There’s last minute arrangements for some special announcement; there’s the seemingly inevitable glitches with the projector or some other technical thing; lots of loud chatting; and even the pastor going around the pews greeting people already seated (he used to march to the back before anyone moved at the end of the service).

Before one guitar chord, before one slide appears, before any announcement or prayer, you can see at least two different mindsets about church on any given Sunday. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. But I think we need to give some intentional, prayerful thought to what happens as we gather to worship, especially out of sensitivity to those who are conditioned actually to use that time for preparation.

I have a great advantage. I have my own space right in the church building, where, twenty to fifteen minutes or so before worship I spend time in prayer with my door closed. We all need to do that, somehow, in our own way, and make it feasible for those who want to do it right there in the pew without having to block out what’s going around them like a pole vaulter blocking out the sound of the crowd before his/her accelerating run to the bar.

God is with us all the time. Yet I believe we ought to prepare, somehow, to be with him together as his modern day holy people. Does that sound old-fashioned? Sure. But I also believe it may witness to the reality and presence of God in our worship to any seeker or disillusioned God-fearer, more than any identifiable element of our worship.

Prayer:
God, you are great and awesome, and beyond anything we can control, manage, or even imagine. Help us to worship you in the loveliness and wonder of your holiness. Through Christ. Amen.

Living It

Exodus 19:1-9

I really wonder if we would commit to anything if we really knew what was ahead of us in that thing. In this conversation with the people through Moses, the Lord commits to making Israel a treasured people out of all the nations, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, if they will obey him fully and keep his covenant (verses 5-6).

Without possibly having any idea what all that will entail, the people respond together that they will do everything that the Lord has said (verse 8). The details of the covenant will unfold in the chapters ahead, and the experiences testing it all are unknown as well. But what is even more remarkable is that the Lord, being the Lord, knows that the people will never be able to fulfill what they say they will. But the deal will go into effect anyway.

The Lord watches over all our various promises and commitments and knows we’re going to foul up on them. That doesn’t make it OK for us to foul up; it ought to make us all the more dependent on the resources of prayer and supporting fellowship and just being the Body of Christ together, whatever it is we are seeking to fulfill. That goes for specific church responsibilities, or being a spouse or parent or friend to someone.

I think it is Rick Warren who says that grace means God knows every stupid thing we will ever do and loves us anyway. But it doesn’t mean we can’t do better.

Prayer:
Lord, let us draw on the strength you provide to live our commitments more truly. Through Christ. Amen.