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)
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20071107
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.
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.
20071106
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)
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"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.
(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.
20071102
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)
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.
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.
20071101
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.
"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.
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