I am having a wonderful time "rediscovering" some of my favorite stories in the Bible as I continue our yearlong read through the Bible. I am one of those people who reads really fast and a lot of things at the same time. Often I can’t quite remember where I read something or to whom I should give credit. All the information and the stories can get jumbled together. While it is fun being able to remember lots of details, some of my students over the years will also remember me having to confess that "I am making some of this up!" as I pass on Biblical and theological information.
This week I rediscovered three of my favorite stories – I just couldn’t have told you they were all in Numbers! One of the favorite "stump the teacher" Bible questions is why God refuses to allow Moses to enter the Promised Land after all that work leading the Hebrew people through the desert. I discovered the answer again in Numbers 20:1-13. Trusting and obeying God continue as important Biblical themes – for Moses – and for me!
Did you catch the story of the poisonous snakes in Chapter 21:4–8? I read that story twice this week. Once in Numbers, and then I was reminded of it in the Gospel of John. In John 3:14, Jesus talks about being "lifted up" as he references this story of Moses lifting a bronze snake so that those who could see it might be healed. Jesus is "lifted up" onto the cross and if we will look to the cross, we will be healed from sin, just as the Israelites were healed from snakebites.
And who doesn’t love a talking donkey, especially one who can see and recognize the angel of God?
Numbers is an important chapter in the bible for those of us "wandering" in the 21st Century. It reminds us of God’s rich blessings, healing powers, continuing sustenance, and the birth and hope of each new generation of God’s people. Keep reading! God has more in store for us as God is revealed through the biblical story. - Debby Fox, pastor of Christian Education and Discipleship
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Book of Numbers
Author: Moses
Date: 1420 or 1220 B.C.
Content: This book deals with the journey of Israel from Mt. Sinai to the edge of Canaan and the Israelites’ preparation to enter the Promised Land. Because of sin and unbelief, however, they were not allowed by God to claim their inheritance but were condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. After the 40 years, they slowly made their way back to Canaan – this time ready to obey God’s commands. After winning some important battles to the east of the Jordan River, the Israelites prepared for the entrance into the land itself.
Theme: The book shows the continual faithfulness of God and the unbelievable sin of humankind. Israel rejected God but God remained true to his word, in leading the people through the wilderness and providing for their needs. In the New Testament, the Christian life is likened to a wandering in the wilderness with the promise of a heavenly Canaan before us.
I trust the above information is helpful as you celebrate "finally" being out of Leviticus and into Numbers. We've begun with some details on the who, what and where of behind the scenes of worship (This may be a good time to appreciate those who do all the behind the scene stuff that cause our worship experiences to be so meaningful). But hang with your reading - one of my favorite Biblical stories is just around the page - the story of the spies into the promised land.
I'll leave you with the Nazarite Blessing found in Numbers 6 -"The Lord bless you and keep you. 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." (6:24-26) CEB - Terry Walton, senior pastor at Gainesville First UMC
Date: 1420 or 1220 B.C.
Content: This book deals with the journey of Israel from Mt. Sinai to the edge of Canaan and the Israelites’ preparation to enter the Promised Land. Because of sin and unbelief, however, they were not allowed by God to claim their inheritance but were condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. After the 40 years, they slowly made their way back to Canaan – this time ready to obey God’s commands. After winning some important battles to the east of the Jordan River, the Israelites prepared for the entrance into the land itself.
Theme: The book shows the continual faithfulness of God and the unbelievable sin of humankind. Israel rejected God but God remained true to his word, in leading the people through the wilderness and providing for their needs. In the New Testament, the Christian life is likened to a wandering in the wilderness with the promise of a heavenly Canaan before us.
I trust the above information is helpful as you celebrate "finally" being out of Leviticus and into Numbers. We've begun with some details on the who, what and where of behind the scenes of worship (This may be a good time to appreciate those who do all the behind the scene stuff that cause our worship experiences to be so meaningful). But hang with your reading - one of my favorite Biblical stories is just around the page - the story of the spies into the promised land.
I'll leave you with the Nazarite Blessing found in Numbers 6 -"The Lord bless you and keep you. 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." (6:24-26) CEB - Terry Walton, senior pastor at Gainesville First UMC
Friday, February 10, 2012
Eat This - Not That!
I love this project of reading through the Bible! I’ve studied the Bible through, but I confess that this is my first time to begin with Genesis and read through to Revelation. Leviticus may be the very reason I’ve never made it through!
All these laws and rules make my head swim! Aren’t 10 Commandments enough? Don’t drink blood—what to do about skin fungus (or house fungus)—what to do if a wall lizard falls into the cooking pot—who checks out a sore spot on a bald head—Fire Gift vs. Grain Offering—what happens if a man has sex with his aunt—Day of Atonement and Year of Jubilee—cloven hoof as opposed to split hoof on the dinner table. (How exactly did I get so lucky as to draw blog duty this week?)
Here are my personal observations on why all this must be necessary:
First, the children of Israel are no longer wandering in the wilderness. They have survived and they are home. This fledgling nation of Israel, this little band of travelers must now learn how to settle down and live together as God’s chosen people. All of these laws are God’s answers to the question, "What do we do now?"
These people are not just any people, they are people in covenant with Yahweh, the one true God, and as such, they are to be different. They are not to act like others, so they will have different rules. It’s as if God is saying, "You are my children, and in my house we will act THIS way."
Many of these Levitical laws—dietary, medical, sexual, natural, and covenantal—are common sense ways for a neophyte nation to stay healthy and "grow big and strong." Don’t eat pig. (It’s full of worms and too hard to cook. It’ll make you sick and you’ll die.) Have those sores looked at. Don’t act in ways that denigrate our purpose! Remember who we are! We are becoming God’s holy nation.
Hang in there—the story will return! - Steve Winter, executive pastor
Friday, February 3, 2012
Being 'made right'
We are now several weeks into the reading; hopefully, you are not like me and at times finding yourself playing "catch up," but I must confess that is where I was this week. Remember it's not a race but rather a chance to journey together though this book that informs, instructs and shapes our understanding of God.
Speaking of instructions, this week's readings were full of them as we moved from instructions about how to build the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant and all the tools used in worship in Exodus to the instructions to the priests on how to properly conduct worship and offer sacrifices in Leviticus. Offerings of animals and grain for guilt, sin and thanksgiving were addressed in vivid detail that almost had you seeing and smelling the events. As I read through the very specific instructions for the priests, it reminded me of some of my practicums in seminary in how to lead worship and the importance of each step in the liturgy (worship) and its significance and purpose. Professors were exact and precise in how, when and why each should be done. And especially as I read the part about ordination I was particularly thankful that although the bishops and others lay heavy hands on our heads as they speak the words of ordination over us, they did not have to place blood on the lobe of my ear!
Yet, one phrase I read over and over at the conclusion of the sacrifice instructions spoke to my heart, "through this process the priest will purify you from your sin, making you right with the Lord."
This is what Jesus Christ did for each of us, through him, we are purified and forgiven for our sins and "made right with the Lord." Praise God! - Kathy Lamon, pastor of Congregational Care and Older Adults
Speaking of instructions, this week's readings were full of them as we moved from instructions about how to build the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant and all the tools used in worship in Exodus to the instructions to the priests on how to properly conduct worship and offer sacrifices in Leviticus. Offerings of animals and grain for guilt, sin and thanksgiving were addressed in vivid detail that almost had you seeing and smelling the events. As I read through the very specific instructions for the priests, it reminded me of some of my practicums in seminary in how to lead worship and the importance of each step in the liturgy (worship) and its significance and purpose. Professors were exact and precise in how, when and why each should be done. And especially as I read the part about ordination I was particularly thankful that although the bishops and others lay heavy hands on our heads as they speak the words of ordination over us, they did not have to place blood on the lobe of my ear!
Yet, one phrase I read over and over at the conclusion of the sacrifice instructions spoke to my heart, "through this process the priest will purify you from your sin, making you right with the Lord."
This is what Jesus Christ did for each of us, through him, we are purified and forgiven for our sins and "made right with the Lord." Praise God! - Kathy Lamon, pastor of Congregational Care and Older Adults
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