pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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When Will They Learn?

Readings: Numbers 11, Numbers 12, Numbers 13, Numbers 14

Numbers 14:8 – “If the LORD is pleased with us, he’ll bring us into this land and give it to us.”

Photo credit: Anne Nygard

Chapters 11-14 are a great summary of the Israelites time in the wilderness. It has it all: complaint and grumbling, anger and punishment, faith and doubt, trust and fear, intercession and forgiveness, victory and defeat.

Our reading begins with a little grumbling. God’s fire burns against this unnamed complaint, burning the edges of camp – a sign of warning. Some “riffraff” ignore the warning. They allow their craving for meat to lead to grumbling and a longing for those “better days” in Egypt. Moses is frustrated and overwhelmed. God responds by giving him leaders to help bear the weight of leadership. And God brings waves and waves of quail. God will be so abundant that “it will come out of your nostrils and nauseate you.” God’s anger then burns against the riffraff. They are buried there in the desert.

The complaining turns personal as Aaron and Miriam question Moses’ leadership. They are jealous. They claim a connection to God that only Moses has. Miriam is struck with a skin disease. Aaron begs for Moses to intercede. Miriam must bear the shame of their sin for seven days. After her isolation period she is healed and returns to camp.

Chapters 13 and 14 cover the exploration of the Promised Land and the people’s lack of faith and trust. The spies return with huge grapes and stories of huge people and fortified cities. Caleb tries to rally the people. Rumors ensue and soon the people are discouraged. The people once again long for Egypt – or at least to die in the desert instead of by the sword. Joshua then speaks, trying to rally their faith. He says, “If the LORD is pleased with us, he’ll bring us into this land and give it to us.” That is a really big “if.” The people want to stone Joshua and Caleb.

God’s anger burns hot as God decides to start over with just Moses. Moses intercedes again and God’s anger relents. But there will be a consequence: those 20+ will indeed die in the desert. They will wander for 40 years – one year for each day of exploration. Bitter mourning follows this news. And yet a group decides to enter the Promised Land anyway. Moses warns them. They are struck down by the people of Canaan.

Prayer: Lord God, how clear are the results of faith versus fear, of obedience versus disobedience. I start to think, when will they learn?! And then I realize that we’re still learning, that I’m still learning. Thank you, Lord, for your unending love and for your enduring faithfulness. You give mercy and grace that we and I don’t deserve. Yet it flows generously and abundantly. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Arise, Lord!

Readings : Numbers 8, Numbers 9, Numbers 10

Numbers 10:35 – “When the chest set out, Moses would say, ‘Arise, LORD, let your enemies scatter, and those who hate you flee.’”

Today’s reading begins with the construction of the menorah (or lamp stand) followed by the dedication of the Levites. Moses sprinkles them with water to purify them and then they shave, wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves. The whole community gathers and lays hands on the Levites, blessing them. Two bulls are offered – one for purification and one as an entirely burned offering. God reminds them that the oldest males were dedicated to God when the firstborn males died in Egypt. Terms of service are set for the Levites. They serve from age 25 to 50.

The Israelite community then celebrates the Passover. This is the first remembrance of this event. A concern is raised by those who are unclean. This is the group that cares for the dead. With a population of well over a million, death was a daily occurrence. Moses goes to God and God allows for them (and the immigrants among the Israelites) to celebrate the Passover.

The cloud that has descended in the tent of meeting when it was dedicated now gives direction for when to travel. Trumpets are made. They are used to gather the community or the leaders, to announce when to march, to lead them into battle, and to announce the start of festivals and months. After 11 months at Sinai the cloud lifts, the trumpet blasts, and Israel marches. They travel in the order laid out in Numbers 2 with the three Levite clans interspersed. The chest of the covenant leads the way. As they depart, Moses invited Hobab the Midianite to stay with them. He knows the land. Offered God’s blessings, he decides to stay.

Our reading closes with Moses’ words of blessing for their journeys. At departure he offers these words: “Arise, LORD, let your enemies scatter, and those who hate you flee.” When they would camp, Moses invited the Lord to be with them. At all times, God was with Israel. And sonit can be with us too – when we go out and when we rest. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, you ordered the lives of Israel and the Levites. Your plans and purposes were good. Open our hearts to the ways that you desire to order our lives. Guide us to walk according to your plans for us. Go before us to lead and protect us. Arise, O Lord, and be with us at all times and in all situations. Amen.


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Set Apart

Readings: Numbers 5, Numbers 6, Numbers 7

Numbers 6:24-25 – “The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up his face to you and grant you peace.”

Chapter 5 begins with how to keep the camp from becoming unclean and with how to restore relationships in the camp. These simple provisions hold them accountable to one another. The jealous husband case found in verses 11-31 is hard to relate to our world today. John Wesley saw the purpose of this law as twofold. First, it was a deterrent to a woman tempted by adultery. Second, it offered wives protection from the jealousy of hard-hearted husbands. No provision is made anywhere in the Law for a woman who suspected her husband of adultery.

Chapter 6 gives instructions for nazarites. These were non-Levites who wanted to commit a portion of their lives to serving the Lord. Because they were not Levites they could not perform tabernacle duties. They were set apart by following a strict behavioral code. Samson and Samuel are two examples of nazarites who served for life. Most nazarites would serve for a designated period of time. At the end of their service they would offer the standard cycle of offerings to the Lord.

Chapter 7 is a flashback. It recounts the gifts brought to the dedication of the tabernacle written about in Exodus 40. Oxen and wagons are given to enable the Levites to transport the structure of the tabernacle. Then one representative from each tribe brings the same set of gifts to dedicate the altar. The gifts are brought in the order established in Numbers 2.

Our reading closes with Moses entering the tent of meeting to talk with God. This scene connects back to God’s promise made in Exodus 25. Tucked in at the end of chapter 6 is a priestly blessing. We close with a portion today: “The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up his face to you and grant you peace.”

Prayer: Lord God, we, like the nazarites, are called to be set apart from the world. Instead of physical practices we are called to spiritual practices that reflect your love, grace, mercy… thereby setting ourselves apart from the world. Empower us to live in your ways. Grant us peace as we seek to live as your disciples. Amen.


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Necessary Steps to Take Steps

Readings: Numbers 1, Numbers 2, Numbers 3, Numbers 4

Numbers 1:2-3 and 46 – “Take a census… of every male 20 years old and above… All those enlisted were 603,550.”

Today is day 34 of our Bible Year reading project. Today we begin Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible. Leaving Mount Sinai in chapter 10, their journey will continue. As God leads, guides, and provides, Israel is shaped more and more into a kingdom of priests. At times they will step forward as a faithful nation. Much of the time they will allow fear to lead to disobedience. The generation that walked out of Egypt will pass and the next generation enters the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. Along the way God walks with this holy nation.

Numbers begins with a census. All males 20+ are counted. The men eligible for military service totals 603,550. The Levites are not included in this census. They are assigned to the tent of meeting. God orders the camp – three tribes will camp on each side of the tent of meeting. Then the Levites are counted and assigned places to camp. They form a buffer zone around the tent of meeting. There are 22,000 Levite males age one month and older. A tally of the oldest males is made for all the Israelites. This equals 22,273. The extra 273 are redeemed to their families by paying 5 shekels each.

Lastly, duties are assigned to the 3 Levite clans. The Kohathites are responsible for carrying the Holy items – the chest, table, lamp stand, altar… The Gershonites are responsible for carrying the coverings and the Merarites are responsible for the frames, poles, bars, bases… Only Aaron and his sons can touch the holy items. These are packed and covered in cloth and then in fine leather. In all, there are 8,580 Levite males age 30-50 responsible for taking down, setting up, and transporting the tent of meeting and all of its equipment.

These laws and counts and organization are necessary steps for the holy nation to step forward towards the Promised Land. Again today we are reminded that God is a God of order and detail. There is a plan. And, always, everything is done “as the Lord commanded Moses.” Obedience is necessary too. Likewise, may we too do all that the Lord commands us to do.

Prayer: Lord God, what efforts are made to organize this holy nation of Israel. These are practical things necessary for your people to move forward. Lead and guide us today, Lord, so that we too can move into the world to take the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. Amen.


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Not So Tightly

Readings: Leviticus 24, Leviticus 25, Leviticus 26, Leviticus 27

Leviticus 25:23 – “The land must not be permanently sold because the land is mine. You are just immigrants and foreign guests of mine.”

Photo credit: Javardh

We draw to the close of our time in Leviticus today. The last four chapters begin with commands concerning the eternally burning lamp stand, its oil, and the bread for the table of God. Punishment for blaspheming and assault are clarified. Standards are set so that the punishment fits the crime. Standards are also set for the land’s sabbatical year and for the Year of Jubilee. The land is given a year to rest, to lie fallow. God promises to provide generously, as was done with the manna, to carry Israel through.

The Year of Jubilee is a 50-year reset. Land and debts are restored or forgiven. Values are set according to this special year – both in buying and selling, even for those in servitude or hardship. This year of restoration is grounded in the spirit of verse 23: “The land must not be permanently sold because the land is mine. You are just immigrants and foreign guests of mine.” The land, the crops and herds… our time, our resources, our wealth – it is all God’s. Don’t cling so tightly to it.

In chapter 26 covenant blessings are followed by covenant curses. The blessings are fewer numerically – ample food, peace, victory in battle, prosperity, population growth, God’s presence. The curses are stacked in if-then, escalating scenarios. Verses 14-39 remind me of the plagues in Egypt. Yet as bad as it gets – and it does get bad as all of these curses unfold – we still have verses 40-42. If Israel confesses, if they humble their hearts and repent, then God will remember the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – “because I am the Lord their God “

Leviticus closes with dedications and gifts to the Lord. Dedication values are set for people (??!); homes, land, and livestock belong to the Lord. Jubilee rules apply. We close with the command that 1/10 of the produce of the land and 1/10 of the herd or flock belongs to God. Again, don’t cling to it so tightly.

Prayer: Lord God, your grace and mercy, your love and care flow freely. Yet we are to live in covenant. We have responsibilities. Or are they responses to your blessings? Help us to understand this relationship correctly. Amen.


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Holy Living

Readings: Leviticus 19, Leviticus 20, Leviticus 21, Leviticus 22, Leviticus 23

Leviticus 20:26 – “You must be holy to me, because I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from all other peoples to be my own.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Today’s readings are all about living as a holy people. Each of these laws or instructions rest upon the same foundation: God is holy so God’s people need to be holy. This foundation is the ethical, moral, and spiritual standard for living in community with God and with God’s people.

Although chapter 19 can feel like a hodge podge of topics – don’t lie, don’t turn to idols, leave some crops for the needy, no cross breeding, no cuttings or tattoos – taken as a whole, they can be summed up in verse 18: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” This is half of the shemah, the daily Jewish prayer. We’ll add the other half as we read in Deuteronomy.

The practice of worshipping Molech begins chapter 20. The practice of this Canaanite religion is strictly prohibited. This is followed by sexual prohibitions. In this chapter the practice of idolatry is equated with prostitution and adultery. The root need for these prohibitions is summed up in verse 23: “You must not follow the practices of the nations that I am throwing out.” Instead, for the Israelites, “You must be holy to me, because I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from all other peoples to be my own.” God is holy so God’s people need to be holy.

Chapters 21 and 22 deal with special laws for the priests. The call to holy living is elevated when applied to the priests. They are set apart from the people set apart. The priests are to be living examples of God’s holiness. This is why priests with imperfections are limited in their service.

Our reading for today closes in chapter 23 with instructions for the holy or sacred times. Note that this section begins with a reminder to keep the Sabbath. This weekly observance is essential to holy living. The yearly events remember and celebrate significant events with God. The Passover and connected Festival of Unleavened Bread celebrate the exodus. The Festival of Weeks begins with thanks for the first fruits and concludes by thanking God for the harvest. The Festival of Booths remembers their time in the wilderness, where God provided again and again. The Day of Reconciliation is also included. This celebrates God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness.

Each day and each festival reminds the people of God’s love and care. They remind the people of God’s holiness and of their call to reflect this holiness. To remember and to celebrate reinforces their faith and their commitment to God. May we too remember and celebrate the ways that our holy God has touched our lives, calling us to be holy as God is holy.

Prayer: Lord God, flowing through these chapters we see again and again the call to holy living and to live as a people set apart from the ways of the world. Strengthen our understanding of these calls and empower us to live holy and faithful lives as people in but not of the world. Amen.


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A Heart for Relationship

Readings: Leviticus 15, Leviticus 16, Leviticus 17, Leviticus 18

Leviticus 18:4 – “My regulations and my rules are the ones you must keep by following them: I am the LORD your God.”

Chapter 15 deals with genital emissions. Didn’t ever think I’d ever start a journal entry or blog with those words! These laws deal with becoming unclean via contact with emissions from the body. The concern and the remedy are the same as we read about in recent chapters. Wash the affected items and bathe the body. Contact with male emissions rendered one unclean until evening. Contact with a woman’s emissions made one unclean seven days – because of contact with blood. Two birds were sacrificed in both cases. One was a purification offering; the second was as a wholly burned offering.

Chapter 16 establishes the Day of Reconciliation (or Atonement.) Aaron bathes in the holy of holies and then wears special, set apart clothing. A bull, a ram, and two goats are gathered. The bull is sacrificed first to purify Aaron and his household. Lots are cast over the goats. One becomes “the Lord’s” and one becomes “Azazel’s.” Incense is then burned in the holy of holies. The smoke represents the prayers of the people. The first goat is sacrificed. Blood is sprinkled, making reconciliation for the peoples’ sin. Aaron then does the same for the tent and the altar, reconciling them to God’s holiness. Azazel’s goat, the scapegoat, is brought to the entrance and Aaron presses his hands onto its head, confessing all the sins of the people. It is led away and released into the wilderness. Aaron bathes and changes back into his normal priestly clothing. This day of self-denial and Sabbath will be observed annually on the 10th day of the 7th month.

Chapter 17 and 18 begin the “Holiness Code” that runs through chapter 26. All animals slaughtered are to be killed at the entrance to the tent of meeting because it involves the shedding of blood. Blood is life, it is sacred. Blood is not to be consumed. Chapter 18 deals with sexual actions. It begins with a warning: don’t be like the Egyptians or Canaanites. God demands better, holier behavior: “My regulations and my rules are the ones you must keep by following them: I am the LORD your God.” Within the great detail of this chapter we find a simple truth: God is prohibiting sexual sin. This is sex that only gratifies self. Sex for personal gain or sex outside of covenant relationship makes one unclean or unholy. Such perversion will “cause the land to vomit you out.” PS – don’t offer up your children to that Canaanite god Molech!

Prayer: Lord God, sandwiched between the health codes we began today with and the personal conduct codes we ended with we find your heart for relationship. We see your desire to provide a way for your children to be reconciled to you. Eventually you’ll send Jesus as the final atoning sacrifice. For your heart bent on relationship with us, your children, we rejoice and offer our thanks and praise. Amen!


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Love and Care

Readings: Leviticus 11, Leviticus 12, Leviticus 13, Leviticus 14

Leviticus 11:40 – “I am the LORD your God. You must keep yourselves holy and be holy, because I am holy.”

Today’s reading begins with dietary laws. They generally fall along the lines of clean versus unclean. The clean animals have completely divided hooves and rechew their food. These are the animals that are used for sacrifices. Also edible are water creatures with fins and scales, non-carion birds, and insects that hop. All other creatures are unclean and therefore cannot be eaten. At the end of this section we read, “I am the LORD your God. You must keep yourselves holy and be holy, because I am holy.” Clean = holy.

Chapter 12 contains instructions for becoming clean again after childbirth. A mother is unclean for 7 days after birth. After this isolation period, she spends 33 days in a state of “blood purification” if it is a boy. In this state she cannot enter or touch the holy. If the child is a girl this state lasts for 66 days. Welcome to a patriarchal society!

Chapters 13 and 14 deal with infections and contagious diseases and the process of purification required to re-enter society. The priest serves as a physician or as the inspector. In general, open wounds made one unclean. Seven day quarantines were pretty standard. This time apart helped with diagnosis and it prevented spread. Unclean persons were required to appear in a state of mourning (torn clothes…) and shouted “Unclean!” to prevent clean people from coming near.

The purification ritual began with two birds being offered as cleansing. Clothes were washed and all hair was shaved off. After seven days of isolation, washing and shaving was repeated. If clean, the person brought animals, grain, and oil to the priest. Each was offered as prescribed. Blood and oil were applied to the right earlobe, thumb, and big toe. This blessed what the clean person would hear and do, and where they would go as they re-entered the community.

As I read and pondered these ancient laws and rituals, I am struck that these were the means and ways that God cared for and loved the people in that time and place. With very limited medical understanding this was how God kept the people safe, clean, whole, and holy. This is love and grace in action.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the love and care that you used to guide and lead and protect Israel. The realities of their time and place – they were part of your plan. You continue to love and care for us in this time and place. Thank you. Amen.


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Holy and Just Lives

Readings: Leviticus 8, Leviticus 9, Leviticus 10

Leviticus 9:24 – “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.”

Today’s reading begins with the purification and ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. They are washed, dressed in their priestly clothing, and are anointed with holy oil. The tabernacle and all in it are also anointed as holy. On Aaron and sons’ behalf, Moses offers a bull as a purification offering and then a ram as an entirely burned offering. Aaron and sons place their hands on the heads of each sacrifice. A second ram is sacrificed as an ordination offering. The breast of the ram and some bread is offered as an uplifted offering. Aaron and his sons stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting for 7 days, as required by the Lord.

Next Aaron performs all of the sacrifices. This act is both symbolic and practical. Moses oversees it all. Aaron first offers a bull and then a ram as the priest’s purification and wholly burned offerings. He then offers the same for the people, followed by the people’s grain and well-being offerings. This completes the entire set of sacrificial rituals. Moses and Aaron then enter the tent of meeting. Emerging from the tabernacle, “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.” This is a sign of God’s validation. All has been done exactly as the Lord commanded.

Another act of disobedience occurs as chapter 10 begins. Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron’s sons, offer unauthorized fire before the Lord. Again fire flew out from the Lord. This time it consumes Nadab and Abihu. This is a sign of God’s disapproval. Aaron is stunned so Moses takes over. The bodies are removed and Moses gives instructions for mourning. He specifically prohibits two Canaanite mourning practices. After some instructions on priestly eating and drinking, Eleazar and Ithamar fail to eat their portion of a sacrifice. They erred on the side of caution and safety, so Moses anger relents.

Today we are reminded of the importance of living as the Lord commands. In our own calls to model and reflect God’s love and God’s holiness, may we strive to live holy and just lives.

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of the Holy Spirit lead and guide us to live lives that are pleasing to your sight. May our very lives be a pleasing aroma that brings joy to you, O Lord. Amen.


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God Still Provides a Way

Readings: Leviticus 5, Leviticus 6, Leviticus 7

Leviticus 7:30 – “Your own hands must bring the LORD’s food gifts.”

Chapter 5 opens with a few more ways that we can sin – by withholding information in a trial, by touching something or someone unclean, by carelessly swearing. A purification offering is required. Access is also made available to the poor. If one cannot afford an animal from the flock, doves or pigeons are acceptable. If one can’t afford this, choice flour is acceptable. This provides all people with equal access to all parts of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Then the text turns to unintentional sin against the “Lord’s holy things.” In addition to the purification offering, one-fifth of the value of the holy thing is given as a compensation offering.

Chapter 6 begins as chapter 5 had, with some other sins we could and do commit. These sins are deception, cheating, lying, and swearing falsely in things dealing with property. Again the one-fifth compensation offering is added to the purification offering. The rest of chapter 6 and most of chapter 7 covers “Priestly Instructions.” It covers the priest’s roles in the various offerings. Detail is added in terms of how they perform their duties and in how they are to eat their portions that provide compensation for doing their priestly duties.

Chapter 7 closes with a few more instructions for the people. They are not to eat anything that has touched something unclean. They are not to eat the fat of the ox, sheep, or goat. They are not to eat blood. And they must bring their offering to the Lord with their own hands. While most of what we read today pertains to another time, this last one remains true. We must bring our own confessions to the Lord. We must repent of our own sins. We take responsibility for ourselves. So be it.

Prayer: Lord God, today’s readings remind me of two things. First, we can and do sin in many different ways. Some are intentional, some are unintentional. Second, you still provide a way to be reconciled and forgiven. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy. Amen.