Matthew, the third day

Saturday, December 1, 2007: Psalm 75; Matthew


As you conclude Matthew, pay special attention to the closing paragraph (what we often call "the Great Commission"). Matthew seems to actually take the some of the big questions, perhaps even why he wrote the Gospel, and weave them all together in summary as Jesus commissions the apostles.

• a mountain (again)
  
• all authority has been given to me
• the nations (or Gentiles)
• teaching them to observe/obey all I commanded you
• I will be with you always

Monday we'll begin a season of more devotional-sized readings (finally!) mostly of Matthew, but also of Ephesians. We continue reading a psalm a day which is a helpful discipline wherever else you are reading in the Bible. The psalms have always been God's people's hymnbook and prayerbook.

May God grant you a blessed and holy Advent season, waiting in joyful hope (the women's retreat theme) for our coming King who will put all things right.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Matthew's Discipleship Manual

Friday, November 30, 2007: Psalm 74; Matthew


Have you found some of the "when he/Jesus finished..." formula that Matthew seems to use?

They're at 7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, 26:1. And each of these follows a section where Matthew seems to have grouped teaching material. The pattern seems to be

• narrative (telling the story)
• teaching material
• "when he/Jesus finished..."

Check it out - especially the groupings of teaching material... very interesting. The idea is that Matthew worked within basic the chronological account of Jesus' ministry (eg. compare with Mark) but grouped material in between a prologue (birth/infancy narrative) and epilogue (passion and resurrection account) for teaching / discipleship purposes. There are other theories for how Matthew may have organized his gospel, but I think this explains it best.

Intro to Matthew

Thursday, November 29, 2007: Psalm 73; Matthew

"The book of the genealogy (genesis) of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham."
(Matthew 1:1)


This Thursday, Friday and Saturday I assigned the whole gospel of Matthew. When studying a book of the Bible it is good to read over the whole book before settling into specific passages. That's not always possible but it is recommended. I hope we can get through Matthew in three or four days. (Each Sunday the readings are from the Lectionary, the same readings we have in church. I do recommend reading them over before you come to church.)

In the first third (or so) of the book their are a number of words or themes that seem to be important to Matthew. Try to note them as you read through the text:

• who is Jesus (obviously :) )
• "fulfill" (what the prophet said, or some variation of that)
• geography; nations or Gentiles (same idea in Greek & Hebrew)
  
• "righteousness"; "law"; "commands"; teaching
  
• "Father"
• "kingdom"

Also, when reading the whole book, look for this phrase "When he (or Jesus) finished..." instructing, teaching, these sayings... It's in there five times, and I think it's significant.

Enjoy reading the tax collector's "Discipleship Manual".

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...
for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
(Psalme 73:25-26,28)

a prophet like Moses

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007: Psalm 73; Deuteronomy 32-34

And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the might power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
(Deuteronomy 34:10-12)


First of all, congratulations for getting through the "Torah" - the first five books of the Bible, attributed to Moses, which Jesus references when he said in Luke's resurrection account: "everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Luke 24:44)

This is important material to which Bible students must return again and again. I will leave you with Moses' song and his blessing of the tribes -

But before closing I want to place the ending of Deuteronomy (cited above) against some verses we read a few days ago in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18:
"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers - it is to him you shall listen... 'I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him...'"

While the books ends saying there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses (even though the text just said that Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom), perhaps the prophet prophesied in 18:15,18 is not speaking of Joshua or even of one like Elijah. I think it's speaking of the One who appeared radiant on another mountain, while Moses and Elijah appeared in glory talking with him about his "exodus", and while a cloud overshadowed them a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" (Luke 9:28-36)

(P.S. Psalm 73 is wonderful too!)

being strong

Tuesday, November 27, 2007: Psalm 72; Deuteronomy 30-31


There is so much in Deuteronomy 30 we could unpack it for days:

• "with all your heart and with all your soul" (vs. 2,10)
• "the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring" (v. 6)
• "the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it." (v.14)
• "if (1) your heart turns away, and (2) you will not hear, but (3) are drawn away to (4) worship other gods and (5) serve them" (v. 17)
• "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse" (vs.15, 19)
• "choose life" (v. 19)

But let me comment on a phrase that I heard three times in chapter 31:
"Be strong and courageous." (vs. 6, 7, 23)

Twice the command included "do not fear" and "He will not leave you or forsake you." This word, first to Israel, then twice to Joshua (and again to Joshua in Joshua 1) remains an important word for God's covenant people.

As we heard yesterday the resurrected Jesus, who was leaving (hence the discussion at the end of John's Gospel about who would be alive "until I come"), say "Follow me", life with God is moving forward, into his future. There is opposition, there will be battles. This covenant of life and love doesn't mean we just sit back and enjoy the milk and honey, the wine and pomegranates in the promised land. There are places God wants us to move into and occupy victoriously. But God is with us and among us (cf. 31:17). Always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) And the promise of his unfailing presence imparts strength and en-couragement.

This strength and courage requires faith. It flows out of loving the Lord with all our hearts. It concerns our priorities, what (who) is most important to us, and fearing the One who is sovereign over everything else that causes us fear. And it requires grace, God's gifts supplying what we don't have when trusting in ourselves. Let's choose life today, "loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life" (31:20)

In the words of Sunday's epistle:
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
(Colossians 1:11-12)

Follow me, good-bye

Monday, November 26, 2007: Psalm 71; Deuteronomy 18:15-22; John 21


I was struck by Jesus' twice telling Peter, "Follow me." This is the risen One. The One who said "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father." The One who is not there and then is, who appears behind locked doors, sometimes. How do we follow Him? That is, how do we "walk after" him, or walk in his footsteps?

Perhaps, this is just to be read as Jesus speaking specifically to Peter. And Peter was to follow Jesus in caring for His sheep and in giving up his life in death. Or as Brooke pointed out to me, Jesus may have been saying that as we mature in the Lord we are called to go "where you do not want to go" (v. 18) and still we are to follow, and we are to not worry about others' experiences in relation to ours (v. 22), but still are to follow.

Or maybe it is one of those beautiful ways that John flips things around, looks at them poetically, or inside-out, or just from a totally different angle. Where the other three gospelers recorded Jesus saying "Follow me" at the very beginning of his ministry, John records it at the very end - In fact, it is the very last words we hear Jesus speak in John's Gospel. Could this be one of the ways John is emphasizing that this eternal life people receive when they believe in Jesus is one of following Jesus into the future, into eternity. It will never be some static, "oh, thank God I've arrived", growth is over, no more newness kind of life. Never some final slumber because our work is done and we're so tired and deserve our eternal rest. This focus on Him, this looking for him and to him, this imitation of Him, this fullness of trust and belief and devotion and service in Him will never end and has it's liveliness specifically in following him even as he says good-bye.

It's interesting how John, in chapters 14-16, records the most information about the Holy Spirit of all the Gospels, and then his only post-Resurrection reference to the Holy Spirit is relating how Jesus breathed on them and said "Receive the Holy Spirit."

So,
we have his breath in us, (20:22)
we have the testimony of who he is, what he did and how he lived, (21:25)
we have the work he has given us to do, (21:15-17)
we have our fellow followers, (21:3, 7, 14, 18)
and most importantly in following One we can't see, we have faith. (20:29, 31)

And this, according to the beloved disciple, is enough.

with all your heart

Saturday, November 24, 2007: Psalm 70; Deuteronomy 6-11

"Hear O Israel, the our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength."
(Deuteronomy 6:4)

Yes it's a long reading, but a critical section of Deuteronomy. This is the section from which Jesus fought off the enemy in the wilderness - the second Adam withstanding temptation and regaining paradise (according to John Milton). Again I encourage you to read it and soak it in. Note the words "heart" and "love", especially in relation to law-keeping...

Secondly, I was struck by the repetition of the command to teach our children these words, this way to life, this loving with all our hearts - yes, it takes a village, and Sunday School is a fine thing, but God's way is that parents model it, pray it, and teach it to their kids day in and day out, rising and lying down, walking in the way, wherever, whenever... (And again, I suggest that the church would do better spending time and energy helping parents with this task than taking it over for them.)

[I will post our next season's readings, and have them available next Wednesday evening..]

"May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!May those who love your salvation say evermore, God is great!"
(Psalm 70:4)

The King of Life

Friday, November 23, 2007: Psalm 69; John 20.

Interesting that on a Friday, and "Black Friday" at that, we have appointed the account of the Resurrection of the Prince of Life. Praise to you Jesus. Read it and soak it in.

(I'm writing this Saturday morning. I spent yesterday relaxing with our sons and daughter-in-law. It was great.)

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, 2007: Psalm 68; Deuteronomy 5


May you have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Just a few comments on our Scriptures today. We must take note of the First Commandment:
“I am the LORD your God who, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.”

Embedded in the Ten Commandments is this statement of truth and a reminder that before any “laws”, before even life-giving guidance and teaching are presented to the covenant people, God says he brought them out of the house of slavery. God redeemed them by grace, as a gift. It was not earned, it was not based on works. It was because God saw, heard, knew their cries and their suffering, and God remembered his covenant.

There is no other god who can save. To put any god before the LORD God would be to look to some other savior. This is why Martin Luther said the first commandment was the gospel. And also, that it is absolutely central because one doesn’t break any other commandment until one has broken this first one.

I think this is a good Thanksgiving theme; in fact, the Old Testament reading for Thanksgiving comes from Deuteronomy 8 and carries this theme of not forgetting who it is who saved them, fed them, led them, and brought them to this abundant land. The sentiment of the people, “speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it” (v. 27; Exodus 19:8; 24:7), carries this sense that God had saved them and led them out to himself so they committed to truly hearing and doing what God said.

There is much more to be said about Grace and Law, about Redemption and , about Faith and Works., but for today let us be thankful for all God has done for us. This is first. And let us give ourselves to doing and being all he calls us do in gratefulness and thanksgiving. To living out what he is working within – the new way, the new law, Jesus.

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
God settles the solitary in a home;
leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
(Psalm 68:5-10)

Collect for Thanksgiving

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God shall bless us

Wednesday, November 21, 2007; Psalm 67; Deuteronomy 4


May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
(Psalm 67:1-3)


God has blessed us so richly as a nation. I like how this Psalm orients this desire and prayer for blessing - may God bless us precisely so that his way may be known on earth, his saving power among all nations, and so that God be praised by all people (not just by us who the recipients of the requested blessing).

In Deuteronomy 4, we read of Moses calling his nation to guard their hearts and to walk in the ways of the Lord, that all peoples
"when they hear all these statutes, will say 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?"

As we give thanks to God for his blessings upon our nation, let us pray that our own nation would see in us, God's people, his blessing and saving power, and then for an outpouring of his reviving, renewing Spirit so that more and more Americans would love the Lord and walk in his ways, and that our blessing would result in the nations praising God because they see his saving power among us. This saving power may be most evidenced among us, I think, not in our worship or in our words, but in using the blessing not for ourselves but to bless those least and last, poor and powerless, the outcast, the alien, the sojourner. Such was Israel; such were we.

The earth has yielded its increase,
God, our God, shall bless us;
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
(v. 6-7)

what has God done for you?

Tuesday, November 26, 2007; Psalm 66; Deuteronomy 2-3

After reviewing their journey some more, and their victories on the east side of the Jordan, Moses reminds the people that only Caleb and Joshua will be going on into the promised land, only they remained loyal, or wholly followed, the LORD (1:36 - actually this verse says only Caleb was). Moses sounds unrealistic, blaming the people for God's anger towards him (1:37; 3:26). Perhaps some of this is being identified with the people as their leader, their intercessor. But we know that the specific reason Moses is not going in to the promised land is because he chose to strike the rock, in his anger toward the people, rather than simply speak to it as God had instructed him.

Twice Moses recounts how he was to encourage Joshua, for he would lead the people into the land (1:38; 3:28). And in this context Moses says:
"And I commanded Joshua at that time, 'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So will the LORD do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God, who fights for you.'"
(3:21-22)

Part of that encouragement included being reminded what God had done for them in defeating King Sihon and King Og. In this case, Joshua was to keep in mind God's "works and mighty acts" (v. 24) which were similar to what he was facing as the one who would Israel in to defeat more kings and kingdoms in the land of Canaan. And secondly, he was encouraged by the reminder that it is Yahweh his God who fights for his people.

Again, I'm reminded to remember. When I wonder what the future holds, where provision will come from, just what my place and purpose is; when I'm tempted to fear because the obstacles seem overwhelming, or I feel ill-equipped to press forward... God encourages me through his Word to remember how he has provided over and over, how he has delivered us from evil, that he has clearly guided us in the past, and that he fights for me even now, is making the way, granting provision, and giving wisdom and insight, even now.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you..."
(Psalm 66:1-3)

Phinehas the zealot

Monday, November 19, 2007: Psalm 65; Deuteronomy 1


We begin the last book of the Pentateuch, or the "Torah" proper (Torah is the word usually translated "law" but also the first five books in Jewish Bible). Moses will spend a few chapters rehearsing different parts of their history together. This book is very significant in the New Testament. All of Jesus' responses to the devil when he was tempted in the wilderness came from Deuteronomy (perhaps he had even been meditating on prior to the actual temptation - God seems to often equip us like this...).

I want to make a couple of brief comments re. Saturday's reading (we had a great time in Atlanta with our son Mark and his wife Monica; we went to a great concert by the stars of the movie 'Once' and to church at Trinity Vineyard which was awesome).

In Balaam's final oracle, this non-Israelite seer prophecies about Jesus:
"I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near;
a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the forehead of Moab..."
(Numbers 24:17)

This may have been what the magi from the East were referring to when they said "we have seen his star" in Matthew 2.

And also note the story about Phinehas in Numbers 25:6-13. Phinehas killed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman in the man's tent while they were engaged in the act...
And the LORD said to Moses, "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy... he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel."

The Zealots, whom we hear about in the New Testament as one of the sects of the Jews, found their identity in this story of Phinehas. The repeated word "jealous/jealousy" is also translated "zealous"... hence "zealot". He brought about atonement, averting God's wrath, through wielding a spear and shedding blood. The zealots of Jesus' day believed this was the answer as well to restoring the kingdom to Israel by overthrowing the pagan, idolatrous Romans by violence. Sadly, while their method had some brief success under the Maccabees before the time of Jesus (and I'm not sure if they actually identified themselves as zealots), they led the First (66-73 AD) and Second (132-135 AD) Revolts which were both crushed by the Romans and led to the destruction of the Temple in the First. After the Second no Jew was even permitted to enter the new city, called Aelia Capitolina, which had a temple built to Jupiter on the sight of the Temple (and which is why there was a Second Revolt).

Prior to the Second Revolt there had been five sects of Jews: the Saducees, the Essenes, the Zealots, the Pharisees, and the Nazarenes (or Christians). Afterward there were only the Pharisees and the Christians. The Pharisees reworked a rabbinic Judaism without the Temple and focused on the Scriptures, the synagogue and the home; and well, you know the gist of the what happened with the other group (but for a helpful look at the movement of the synagogue and the church away from each other see "Our Father Abraham" by Marvin Wilson).

May we be filled with the zeal of the LORD, not in the way of Phinehas however, but in the way of Jesus.

better than life

November 16, 2007: Psalm 63; John 18-19

your steadfast love is better than life...
my soul clings to you...
(Psalm 63:3,8)


When I read of Jesus' Passion, it's almost too much to meditate on. "Amazing love, how can it be that Thou my God shoulds't die for me?" It is striking how John insists, over and over again in all different ways, that this sacrifice fulfilled the Scriptures. And he is clear that Jesus knew what was going on and what was going to happen. And yet he pressed on, for the joy set before him, despising the shame and enduring the cross.

When I read Psalm 63 in conjunction with Jesus' Passion, I see some of the "secret," the source of the hope and of the strength he displayed that night and that day. His soul clung to God because he knew and trusted that the Father's steadfast love was better than life.

I pray that I, and you, might cling to God, following in the way of self-sacrificing love, in dying to all our sins day by day, because we know the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life.

We're on our way to Atlanta for the weekend (so if I miss Saturday, that's why). Peace and joy.

Balaam

November 15, 2007: Psalm 62; Numbers 22


(The following is the notes of the Jewish Study Bible.)

"Inserted into the narrative of Israel's final preparation to enter Canaan is the story of the Moabite King Balak and the prophet Balaam whom he hires to curse Israel into oblivion. This ... is composed of narrative and poetry. It is inserted at this juncture, the beginning of Israel's period of encampment in Moab, because th outcome of Balak's scheme determines if Israel will inherit the promised land. The account is a contest in the divine realm between the God of Israel and those supernatural elements available to Balak. At times amusing, and somewhat mocking of the non-Israelite prophet, the message of this pericope is serious: The intent of the LORD reigns supreme and cannot be superseded. Even the power of a well-known prophet are ultimately controlled by God. In the end nothing in Balaam's four oracles exacts a cruse upon Israel; in fact, his prophecies function in reverse, blessing Israel and cursing her enemies.

"The biblical traditions are not consistent in their assessment of Balaam's intentions. In Deuteronomy (23:4-7) and Joshua (24:9-10) it is God who reverses Balaam's actual intent. Numbers 31:16 blames Balaam for Israel's apostasy at Baal-peor (ch 25), implying that he previously sought to curse them. The writings of the 8th century prophet Micah (6:5) is more compatible with most of the favorable Numbers 22-24 accounts."

~~~~~~

Brooke was sharing with me with regard to God telling Balaam to go and then in the two verses later God is incensed that he goes (vs. 20-22). One the surface this is definitely disconcerting. But as Brooke pointed out, later after Balaam beats his ass for scraping his leg against the wall and for sitting down under him (because he, Balaam, couldn't see the angel that the donkey could see), the Lord says it is He who is opposes him because his errand was "perverse". God knew what was in his heart, even though Balaam really didn't.

A second point regarding God telling him (allowing him?) to do something and then being angry about it is that originally when Balaam sought God about the matter God was very clear he was not to go. It was only when he went back a second time, after higher dignitaries of King Balak came back and this time offered Balaam money (profit for prophet), that he again sought the Lord for something else He might say. This time it's as if God says, "Okay go, since you really want to. And even though you sound good on the surface, know that I'm not going to change my mind, and be sure, you will not say anything I don't want you to say."

How often are we like Balaam? Don't we go back to God and ask for things that we know are not his will? We don't usually actually say it to God, but we hope that somehow he might change his mind, or that it would be okay with him if we do what He has clearly said not to... at least this one time. This story reminds us that God is sovereign and will have his way, despite our personal manipulations or national maneuvering.

"The Lord will reign for ever and ever!" (Exodus 15:18)

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.

lifesaving sign

Wednesday, November 14, 2007: Psalm 61, Numbers 20-21

In chapter 20, Miriam dies; Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it as God told him, and thus does not get to go into the Promised land (but God still releases water from the rock for the people...); and Aaron dies.

And again, "the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses..." Grumbling and complaining again! Unbelievable. Those people. It's like they have a chronic and terminal disease. This time God sends fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and many died.

And the people come and say "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he may take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people, And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
(Numbers 21:7-9)

This pattern is amazing. It keeps happening over and over. The people grumble and complain and speak against God. God disciplines them. And then God forgives them and continues to make a way for them.

Jesus, of course, uses this image in John 3:14-15,
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
He says this to Nicodemus who is questioning him about the kingdom and the new birth. Could he be saying that the One against whom you speak and complain again and again is the One who disciplines you is the One who will be crucified for you to save you?

There is a remedy for our sin-sick condition. The goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord. He bears our sins. He receives our biting and poisonous thoughts and words. And he ends the distrust and violence and hate in his body on that tree. Let us look to him and be healed. Trust in him and live.

Korah's rebellion

Tuesday, November 13, 2007: Psalm 60; Numbers 16

Ouch. I don't really like this story.

Korah and those he gathered to him were Levites. They served the priests, but wanted to be considered "holy" like Aaron and his sons, in fact they said that "all in the congregation are holy, and the Lord is among them.". And they felt like their cousins, Moses and Aaron, exalted themselves above all the people. But in truth, they were angry to still be out in the wilderness and not in the land flowing with milk and honey.

Well, yes, God had said back when they arrived at Mt. Sinai that they were to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Yet over and over again they were everything but what God called them to. We don't know for certain, but the Levites and Aaronic priesthood could have been plan B.

In any case, again we have a story of complaining, and especially of rising up to willfully oppose God's prophet and priest. The glory of the LORD appears as they gather before the tabernacle. Again, after this whole event where an earthquake swallows up these rebels, the people complain again (!) and the Lord send a plague, and again Moses intercedes on behalf of those the LORD is going do away with.

I guess today I'm reflecting on dealing with anger, and fear, and pride, in the healthiest way. Finding the root of it, talking to God first about it, taking special care not to set myself up in some exalted "holy" status, or even "I'm as good as you". Bottom line, again, do I trust God for where I am today? Is being a Levite, or a teacher, or a husband, or whatever, enough for today? The Lord is among us, loving us, providing, leading, protecting.

deliver us from evil

Monday, November 12, 2007: Psalm 59; Numbers 13-14

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
(Psalm 59:1-2)

As good and important as Numbers 13-14 are in the big story, I just want to copy a brief post from the other blog: dicristina:

I mentioned briefly the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in my sermon yesterday. Of course, the one day is more a reminder to call the problem to our attention than to just pray one day about it. (Though a day of united prayer is awesome and extremely important!) You can find more information about people and places, about governments and mission groups, about the persecuted and those persecuting at: www.persecutedchurch.org

There are a whole bunch of links there. The Voice of the Martyrs is one that Brooke keeps up with through a monthly newsletter - they've been serving the persecuted church for a long time. I like to know the areas or countries that are hot spots, and Open Doors has a list (I'm sure some of the others do too). Another one, not on the list, is The International Justice Mission, or IJM . While IJM is focused on human trafficking, this includes in some cases the persecution of Christians.

O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
(Psalm 59:9-10)

Cloud, craving, complaining

Saturday, November 10, 2007: Psalm 58; Numbers 9-12; John 17

We're getting through both the Pentateuch or Torah (the first five books) and through John! These two stories inform and form our story as followers of Jesus.

The Scripture says four times in Numbers 11 - 12 that the anger of the LORD was kindled, or blazed hotly. What's amazing (again) is that we have these accounts of the cloud (or presence of the LORD), interspersed with the hot anger of the LORD.

And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.
(10:34)

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied.
(11:25)

And in the midst of this the people complained about their misfortunes (11:1), wept about not having meat to eat (11:4), apparently complained or were unsatisfied and unbelieving with regard to the meat (11:33; Ps. 78:30-31), and Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses (12:1f).

How often we need an attitude adjustment! And how deceitful our cravings are. The craving may be for material/physical comfort or pleasure, or it may be related to jealousy and pride, or as Psalm 78 clarifies for us as it reflects on this story, it may be basic unbelief, distrust, the unwillingness or inability to to satisfied with God, his presence, his leading, his protection, his provision.

What we don't recognize is that our deepest hunger and thirst and longing is for God. "Our hearts are restless, O God, until they find their rest in thee." (Augustine) This is how we were made. All these other cravings never satisfy, never fulfill, never heal or give peace and security.

I trust that most of us reading this have known the peace of God that surpasses understanding, have put our trust in the Lord and known that deep, true sense of security and significance rooted in the steadfast love of the Lord. We have also known what it is like to sit in church, or kneel at the altar, and yet be driven to complaining by our cravings. We have sat with an open Bible, or in a group with his Spirit-filled people, and yet been filled with jealousy and pride.

The manna is really enough. His Spirit upon and within us really is enough. His presence in our midst is enough. Jesus entrusted himself to his Father's will, giving his body and blood to be real food and drink. (This is John's story about Jesus). So that those who entrust themselves to him will have abundant and eternal life, in any wilderness, in spite of trouble, in the face of evil, and even through death itself.

blessing

November 8, 2007: Psalm 57; Numbers 6; John 16

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and safeguard you in peace.

So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."
(Numbers 6:24-26)

God is committed to blessing his people. This "Aaronic blessing" is the blessing par excellence: it is the blessing the priests says over the people and the father over his family.

In the beginning, God blessed the man and woman made in his image. This is, arguably, the principle theme of the Scriptures: the intention of God to bless his creation, and his consummating that original creation purpose through covenant. Creation, covenant, consummation. This is the biblical narrative, this is the thread that runs through the whole story from beginning to end. It is first an economy of (mutual) blessing, and not an economy of sin and redemption. The second serves the first.

I am going to develop this a bit more on the "dicristina" blog today, but

My point here is to emphasize that indeed God is committed to blessing. This blessing is in relationship with him. A shining face, countenance lifted up, these are ways of saying he is looking at you and over you with a radiant, smiling face, and with pride and confidence, with joy and delight. And this blessing is not material luxury or comfort, but about being kept by (in) God and guarded in his peace. It's about God, "so they shall put my name upon the people and bless them." Remember, God's name is all that he is, all his attributes, his honor, his character, his reputation...

Finally, it is all grace - this blessing is not connected to feasts or atonement or offerings... it's not "when the people get their act together" or anything like that, it's just that the priests were to put God's name on the people, to bless them, to remind and convince them what this relationship with God is about.

It's interesting, and encouraging, to read this whole section of John (14-16) in light of this theme (love, joy, peace, abiding in him, the Holy Spirit...).

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33)

If you want to hear the blessing in the Hebrew, check out the website below (actually, I think this is the website of the church that Ellie Striplin goes to at college...)
Aaronic blessing - MacLean Bible Church

they shall be mine

November 8, 2007: Psalm 56; Leviticus 3


"Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel."
(Leviticus 3:12)

The Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to guard the priesthood, as they minister at the tabernacle, and to guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting (vs.7-10). The Levites were the tribe of Levi, one of Jacob's sons and Moses' family. The whole tribe is set apart for this ministry. (cf. Exodus 33:25-29)


"The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD."
(v. 12-13)

What I'm struck by today is this thought that God takes the Levites as the devoted or consecrated firstborn, "instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel". This principle was established back in Exodus 13:12-16, before the people of Israel even got to the Red Sea. Instead, the firstborn are to be "redeemed". God lays claim to all the firstborn in Israel, they were actually consecrated (set apart, made holy) for his own that night in Egypt when he delivered them by killing all the firstborn in Egypt. Even though they killed a Passover lamb and sprinkled the blood on the doorposts and lintel so that the angel of death would "pass over" God still laid claim to his exclusive ownership and use of all firstborn. That's interesting to me. It's almost like in remembrance of those who died in Egypt... Or of course, as God often said, it was to remind them of his deliverance - they were to never, ever forget.


Here's my main thought today: just as we give a tenth to the Lord as a "firstfruit" kind of offering, recognizing that all of our income (increase, fruit, harvest...) comes from God and belongs to God, so there is this principle that the first fruit of the womb is dedicated to God or specially redeemed, reminding us that all our children are a gift from the Lord and are the Lord's. So also, this ministry that, in our case, Robert and I and Walt are set apart for can be seen in this same sense. The ministry at the altar is no longer the exclusive responsibility of one family (Levi), it is a matter of calling. But I trust the principle here remains, that though you as a member of COTA are not ordained and set apart by the Spirit to this ordained ministry, we are a sign that indeed all of us are the Lord's possession and all are set apart for his exclusive service and use.

God says they shall be "consecrated for my own" and "they shall be mine." If God is good, and his steadfast love endures forever, then it is an awesome thing to be his!

I must perform my vows to you, O God
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life.
(Psalm 56:12-13)

Abide in me

November 7, 2007: Psalm 55; John 15

Abide in me, and I in you.
(John 15:4)

This image of the true vine and the vinedresser and the branches, with the repeated call to "abide in me", is to me one of the most enduring and endearing images of discipleship and spiritual formation. While the imagery is beautiful - simple, agrarian, warm (feels like being with good friend talking by a fire - and I don't mean the bonfire burning all the dead branches!) - I think really it is speaking of developing a life with disciplines like prayer and meditating on God's Word (again couldn't that be like being with a good friend talking by a fire, or watching a sunset, or walking at the beach?).

While "abide in me" is perhaps the "how" and "why" and an absolute priority, when I look over the passage again I recognize that the "what" (the passage is about) or the point of this beautiful metaphor is the glorifying of the Father through bearing fruit (which itself, of course, is a metaphor). Jesus begins:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

After several more references to bearing fruit, he ends his talk about branches and the vine, by saying:

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

"If" we abide in him, draw our life from him and his words and his love, our lives will begin to look like his. More than that, somehow, our lives will be his, his life and love and word flowing through ours...

So, the million dollar question is, what is the fruit he's looking for?
Just sticking with this passage, surely it is his love, and his joy.
(You could also say answered prayer, v. 7, 16)


Give us grace, Lord, to truly abide in you and your words and your love, day by day and moment by moment, that we may glorify the Father by loving one another.

about face

November 6: Psalm 54; Numbers 2

Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
(Psalm 54:4)


"They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side." (Numbers 2:2)

After "numbering" the tribes in chapter, we hear them numbered again but this time listing their camping places on the east, south, west, and north side of the tabernacle. This symmetry is intriguing to me.

On the one hand, I wonder if they are encamped evenly, three tribes on each side, for protection of the tabernacle; and why is the largest tribe, Judah (from which Jesus is descended, and from which we get the word "Jew"), on the east side?

But God only says, "They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side." They weren't to be facing outward, toward the wilderness, toward potential enemies and danger. They were to face the Presence, or that place from which God said he would dwell in their midst. And on every side. As if to say, "Gather all around children; come a little closer, I want you to be near me."

Day by day, first of all, let us face the Lord who loves us, who is our helper and upholder of our lives, and who is our protector. Yes, we have lots to do, and we are responsible to do it. But I don't think God wants us to worry about all that, or even to think first about it. (cf. Matthew 6:25-34)

First, take your place around Him who tabernacled among us, who became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood (The Message), and we saw his glory (his Shekinah)... (John 1:14). First in the day, first in the heart, first in priority. Face him. And gather with his people, facing him. "In the beginning, God..." - it all still works best that way.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:18)

"In the wilderness"

November 5; Psalm 53, Numbers 1

(from the Introduction of my English Standard Version Bible...)

The English title "Numbers" comes from the two censuses that are a central feature of this book. However, the Hebrew title, "In the Wilderness," is a more descriptive of the book. Numbers tells how God's people traveled from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. But when they refused to take possession of the Land, God made them wander in the wilderness for nearly forty years. Throughout the book, God is seen as the holy God who cannot permit disobedience, but also as the one who faithfully keeps his covenant and patiently provides for the needs of his people. Numbers ends with a new generation preparing for the conquest of Canaan. Most Jews and Christians recognize Moses as the author, writing during the final year of his life (about 1450 B.C.).

~~~~~
a couple of my thoughts as we begin Numbers:

1) It is interesting that the titles of books in the Jewish Bible usually begin with the first words, and in this case is probably a better title... (eg. Genesis is called "In the beginning").

2) Several stories of note are in this book:

(a) The beautiful Aaronic blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you..."

(b) The story of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the elders and their prophesying, and Moses' saying "Would that the Spirit be poured out on all the people."

(c) The story of Balaam and Balak (when God spoke through an ass - hope for all of us!) which includes a prophecy of a star rising which would point to a king.

(d) The zeal of Phineas (which is the background story for the zealots of Jesus' day) is described in some (risqué) detail.

a clean heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
(Psalm 51:10-12)

Bloodless sacrifices

November 2: Psalm 51; Leviticus 24


Here we go again - this is the tax collector's prayer...
(of last Sunday's gospel where Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the Temple to pray...)

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love... blot out my transgressions."

I note that Psalm 50 and Psalm 51 each speak of sacrifices acceptable to God that weren't listed in our Leviticus readings:

a sacrifice of thanksgiving (50:14, 23)

a broken and contrite heart (51:16-17)

I think there is a "thank offering" but I understand that to be different than what is referred to here. "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me..." (50:23)

My point is mainly just to call attention to the beauty of these two bloodless "sacrifices," about both of which the psalmist says in one way or another that this is what God accepts.

Sacrifice is at the heart of worship, usually costliness is at the heart of sacrifice... is there any "cost" to thanksgiving and brokenness? Perhaps just the humility and honesty that each requires. Killing pretense and pride, slicing the throat of arrogance and self-reliance, placing the dead, lifeless ugliness of my trusting in my good works and that I'm better than others on the altar in full, exposed view... The Pharisee didn't really offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving even though those were his opening words; but the tax collector did offer a sacrifice of brokenness and contriteness.

Again I remember that I can be radically honest with God; I can bring the real me to God, that's all he really wants. The perfect sacrifice that cost everything God bore himself in his body on the cross. All I can bring now is my brokenness and my gratitude - and that is a pleasing offering to the Lord.

Those who humble themselves will be exalted,
and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.

why all these Old Testament readings??

November 1, 2007: Psalm 50; Leviticus 23


"Mark, why are you asking us to read through this material???"

No one has said it outright, you all are too gracious. But I think I've detected the sentiment underneath some comments in the last couple of weeks.

First, I'm thankful to God that many of us are reading the same Scriptures day by day. This alone is a gift and help to our corporate life in Christ.

Second, though we have a "Daily Office" with a two-year cycle of appointed readings that would have us all reading the same Scriptures, I believed we were to make our way through our foundational story in the first five books of the Bible this Fall (which the Daily Office would not have provided). This is our story, if indeed we are children of Abraham. While we Gentiles are not commanded to keep all the ritualistic, dietary, and civil laws (all but the moral laws), they are still instructive for us. Five of the seven feasts (including Sabbath) described in Leviticus 23 are mentioned in the New Testament: Sabbath, Passover, the Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost or Shabuoth), the Day of Atonement (or Yom Kipur), the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles or Sukkoth). In this case, to understand Jesus and the Apostolic teaching we must understand the feasts.

Third, it is for me one small way that I try to bless Abraham, or the Jewish people. God said in Genesis 12, "those who bless you I will bless..." I still think that's God's design and desire. By seeking to understand and respect their Scriptures and feasts and even their traditions, I am seeking to bless and honor Abraham and his people.

Perhaps to tie it together with Psalm 50 (what a great psalm!)
(note: this is God speaking through the psalmist):

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High...
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me...
(vs.14,23)

God was, and still is, seeking our hearts. All these laws and sacrifices and feasts were to remind, and form, and protect his people that he had redeemed by his grace from bondage. They were never, ever to move them away from gratitude and love to law-keeping or just heartless, loveless ritualism.

He desires thanksgiving, gratefulness, as the motivation of all we do.