Jealousy

Numbers 5

Now here's a chapter I wish I could find a positive spin for.  But, it's just not happening.

Nothing in here about what happens if a woman is jealous and her husband has been cheating on her.  If through this ancient ritual the woman is deemed guilty as the man suspects, then she will suffer the inability to bear children.  In fact whether she's innocent or guilty she will have to suffer being put to the test by drinking dirty water because of her husband's accusation.  The man on the other hand will not bear any guilt for falsely accusing her and putting her through this ordeal.  He will be free from iniquity.  But, what about the marriage?  How will that fare after an ordeal like this?   

I am not real appreciative of this one-sided rule.  Sometimes, there is no positive spin that can be found for some things.  Sometimes, that's just the way it is.  But, this morning's reading is a reminder this morning that neither adultery or jealousy bring about anything that is good. 

Carrying Stuff and Bearing Burdens

Numbers 4

To every clan of the Levites, God appointed tasks related to the tent of the meeting.   Different families were designated to carry various parts of the tabernacle as they traveled in the wilderness.  God had a job for everyone between the ages of 30 and 50.   Now that makes me smile just a bit this morning...  I think about the age of workers in most congregations and the majority are not even between the age of 30 and 50.  Thanks be to God, we have people of every age serving God in our congregation.  This morning (Sunday) there will be people from age 8 to 80 plus busy at various modes of service with the congregation.  But, for the most part it is the group that is over 50 or under 14 that you would see most often serving.  Where are all our teens and younger adults?  Did they all move out of town?

Can you imagine following God through the dessert - packing up and carrying the tent of the meeting and then setting it back up again according to God's specific directions over and over again for 40 years?    Others carried their own personal belongings and shelters with them, as well as their children.  Everyone who followed God in the wilderness, would have had tasks to take care of.  Every able body had a burden to carry. 

Everyone who follows Jesus has a task as well.  "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me."  (Matthew 16:24 NLT)  And he also calls us to serve with a promise:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)

I left my parents home almost 40 years ago.  With each passing year, I find that indeed his burden becomes lighter as I learn to trust more and more in Him.  There is much rest - much peace - for the soul when we take up our crosses and follow Him.  But, I must admit, too, that there are days, when I hopefully wonder and pray:  "Have I almost reached the promised land?" 

 

Substitution

Numbers 3

God calls the Levites to service.  Actually, they are more of a substitute sacrifice for the first-born of Israel who did not die when the Lord passed over the first-born of Israel and took the lives of the first-born of all other humans and animals who lived in Egypt.  God wants the whole house of Levi as a substitute for the lives of the first born of Israel that he spared in Egypt.  No, the Levites will not die in their place, but they shall belong to God, in order to serve Him.  Their lives will not be there own, they belong to God.

God insisted that there be a payment for the lives of the first-born that were spared in Israel and so two census' were taken.  There were 22,000 Levites and there were 22,273 first-born of Israel.  Since their were more first-born than Levites, in order to make up the difference redemption money, in temple currency, had to be paid.  Moses collected the redemption money and gave it to Aaron and his sons.

That's about as good a synopsis of chapter 3 that I can give in a blog.  Lots of good stuff in this chapter, as long as one can get past trying to figure out who all these children of Jacob (Israel) were.  It's easy to get hung up on that (at least for me) and indeed there is importance in it.  But, for this morning I think it enough to realize that those whose lives were given in exchange for those who were spared, were given in service to God. 

It is way more than enough to understand, that the great High Priest, Jesus the Christ, gave himself in exchange for our lives.  Because of Jesus, because of his blood that marks and seals us the destroyer shall have no power over us and we shall live.

Military Strategy In The Wilderness

Numbers 1-2

As I read these first two chapters of Numbers I was reminded of something I have read on a few occasions (I rarely read any thing twice):  "The Art of War," the military strategy of the ancient Chinese General, Sun Tsu.  These first two chapters of Numbers deal with how to defend not just the people of Israel, but the tablernacle, as well.

The men are divided up by families or clans and all the men who are of the age to go to war are counted in a census.  They are essentially drafted.  They are assigned positions of both defense and offense according to their clan.  God assigns a position around the camp for each family unit; each regiment and company.  From these positions they will defend the camp and when they go forth into the wilderness, they will also travel in these same positions prepared for war.   

In the center of this mulitude of people (warriors?) will be the Levites.  If I am understanding the reading properly, they are not for offensive engagement.  They are strictly defensive - to stand guard duty over the tabernacle of the covenant.

I have titled today's blog as Military Strategy In The Wilderness.  I've already mentioned the military strategy part of these first two chapters.  In The Wilderness refers to the first verse in the book; when the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness.  The Hebrew name for the book of Numbers is called Bemidbar which means "in the wilderness."  Being in the wilderness, is the story of Israel.  It is probably a story that most of us recognize as our own, as well; if we would take an honest look back at where our life's journey has taken us and where we find ourselves today.  In the wilderness, we would be lost without the presence of God (and probably have been a few times when we turned away from God's presence).  In the wilderness, we are in imminent danger without the guidance and direction of God.  God is with us in this wilderness and has provided a strategy that we might be protected from all evil, harm and danger.  That strategy was implemented through Jesus the Christ, God with us, Emmanuel. 

Gifts or Taxes

Leviticus 27

We finally come to the end of Leviticus and will begin Numbers tomorrow.  For me, these are the two hardest books to get through.  But, we have completed one of them.  Hopefully, we have learned something from Leviticus. 

This closing chapter speaks about vows, dedicated gifts, to the Lord.  Now apparently, if you dedicate some of your property and change your mind about the gift you gave, you can buy it back.  But, it appears to me that you have to pay interest to get it back, cost plus 1/5 of value.  As I was reading about the equivalents and apportionments to be paid, it kind of made me feel like I do when I'm reading about the tax laws in this country.  Really confused!

I am not too sure about verse 29, either.  It's one of the things that really makes me uncomfortable as I don't understand it and it sure doesn't sound good.  What exactly does it mean:  "No human beings who have been devoted to destruction can be ransomed; they shall be put to death."?

Here ends the reading regarding the commandments that LORD gave to Moses for the people of Israel on Mount Sinai.  

Representing

Leviticus 26

     Hmmm....  Reminds me of a conversation I had this past week regarding whom we should fear.  Young people (and old) sometimes like to act tough and run roughshod over others.
     Truth is:  God is Almighty.  If you're going to fear anyone - that would be God.  We should fear, love, and trust God above all things.  (Small Catechism - 10 Commandments)
     Truth is:  Some people just really get into trying to bully and intimidate others - they seem to enjoy causing fear in others.  Their acts of intimidation are lame.  They are not gods, even though they would try to make one of themselves.  They are simply trying to intimidate others because of their own fears and inadequacies.
     The real truth is that we should not fear things of this world.  The demons feared and fell down before Jesus.  They knew who he really was.  Jesus was crucified because the Romans and the Jewish hierarchy feared him - they feared his power and his authority. They didn't want to become worthless in the eyes of the world, themselves.  They like the power they wielded in this world.  Paul was persecuted because he was a follower of Jesus.  He was willing to take up his cross and die for "the way."  All of the disciples were persecuted because they knew the truth and spoke it.  People, even today, are being imprisoned and executed because of what they believe and who they represent does indeed cause fear in those who would persecute them and others.  They are willing to live to live and die under the sign of the cross. 
     2 things: 
          1.  Christians represent Christ.  That's why we're called Christians.
          2.  The only sign that anyone who claims to be Christian should be exhibiting to
          the world is the sign of the cross. 
     Years ago, in a small group I led, that included teen-agers of rival gangs, one of the young men told a story about a gang fight that had been instigated during a worship service.  It started inside the church.  They had each shown up representing - their colors were obvious.  Their was a lot of aggressive non-verbals (gang signing) going on and following worship there was a confrontation.  This young man was actually bragging.  Thankfully, the other members in the group called him on his disrespect to God and to the house of worship by representing anyone or thing, other than Christ.
They let him know that the only sign that belongs in a sanctuary, is that of the cross.
     This is not just true of how a Christian should conduct themselves in a church building.  We are the Church.  Christ abides in us and we in him.  And if that is true for you... why would you even consider representing anyone else in this world? You shall have no other gods.  You shall make for yourself no false idols!
     Well, here you see where I've been this week.  Worrying about God's children who have little to no comprehension who their Father is. Worrying about those who are busy representing other gods, rather than the God who created and redeems them, rather than the only One with real power.

Sabbath Rest

Leviticus 25

Even the land shall have a sabbath.  Even the land shall rest!  Now this makes sense to anyone who has farmed or gardens.  The ground needs to be replenished so that it can produce fruitfully.  Every living thing needs to rest from time to time.

I think I missed my personal year of Jubilee.  I'm a bit past 50 years.  Every week, every year, I think next week, next year, I will have the time to rest; I will have real time to just spend time resting in God's presence, without any distractions.  But, these Sabbath rests elude me.  If I want to be alone and aware of God's presence, I really have to get up really early in the mornings to just pray.  No phone calls that way.  With everyone else sleeping there is no one to interrupt this time to have me "do" something.  I can just be.

Well, usually that happens.  My husband just woke up to tell me to go back to bed.  Here's the deal though... Rest does not always mean sleep.  Just like the land, we need replenishing.  Yes, we need to sleep, but to be fully replenished we also need to connect with God, spend time with Him, spend time reading scripture, spend time in prayer with Him, speak to Him and listen to Him! 

In this chapter, God promises that when Israel observes this sabbath time, a year away from working the land, God will provide not only a rest for the land so that the land can be replenished, but he will provide for the needs of the people of Israel.  He will make sure that they are fed and nourished.

There are quite a few ordinances in this chapter regarding sabbath and the year of Jubilee.  As you read them, may God help you to understand that these ordinances were meant to benefit His people. 

Remembering and Respect

Leviticus 24

This Saturday, I will be leading a remembrance service as a guest preacher in the cemetery in Covington, MI for all the Saints.  We will then go to the Bethany Lutheran for a dinner, followed by Worship in the sanctuary which will include the dedication of a sanctuary lamp.  There will be a few saints in attendance.  It is a small congregation, presently without a permanent pastor.  As I wonder where the rest of the community will be, I realize that many will be celebrating at Halloween parties, at haunted houses.  So this morning I thank God for all the Saints at Bethany Lutheran who have dedicated a Saturday evening (when others will be out partying or sleeping) to remember the Saints who have gone before us and to come before the Lord to Worship and give Him thanks and praise.

When I first heard about this yearly event, I was not sure what I thought about it.  It's not something I knew as a usual practice for Lutherans.  I appreciate being asked to be a part of it, because I understand that as they gather to remember all the saints it gives them comfort in their grief to remember the promises through Jesus Christ for all who believe, for all who have gone before them.

I feel I must also comment on the blasphemy of the Name of God, again...  It is a more common occurance than most people realize.  Blashemy of His Name, as I teach our youth, is more than just invoking His Name in a curse.  Blasphemy includes any misrepresentation of His Holy Name.  Here it is:  plain and simple.  When we represent ourselves as Christians, as children of God, and then go around representing other false gods (ex:  money, sex, gangs, clubs, self, ego, etc.) with the words of our lips, with our actions, and sometimes even with the clothes that we wear, then we are blaspheming His Holy Name.  Sadly, we have taught our children that it is acceptable.  It is not..  There is only one God.  He is the one who died that we might live.  Do not disrespect or misrepresent the name of the one who gave His life for you.  Bad, bad idea..

May God grant us a greater understanding of the faith that was passed down to us through the many generations preceding us - may we not take it lightly - but with all due respect honor His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

Convocations

Leviticus 23

Holy Convocations...  A convocation is simply this:  a gathering of the people for a specific purpose.  Chapter 23 describes the appointed festival of the Lord, the calling of God's people to gather together for specific holy purposes.

This morning at Zion we will gather together twice to worship and give thanks to God, to glorify His holy name.  This afternoon we will will have another convocation.  We will gather together for another very specific purpose:  to hear the music of some of the most talented musicians in the area, glorify God's holy name and God's work in all the earth.  We will be bringing free-will offerings that will help our youngest neighbors, the children of this county, to celebrate Christmas.  Our offerings will go to the Toys for Tots program, led by Marines (resigned and/or retired - I know - once a Marine always a Marine) of the area.  These men and women will distribute the gifts to the families during the weeks prior to Christmas with the hopes that every child in the county will have a gift to open on Christmas morning.  My prayer is that as we advance toward the Advent and Christmas seasons, all would realize and receive the greatest gift ever given to humankind:  Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Back to convocations...  I am so glad for the opportunity to mention the convocation I attended yesterday.  Yesterday the Wisconsin/Upper Michigan District of the North American Lutheran Church gathered together for the first time.  What a marvelous time it was as we looked forward to doing mission together; as we planned for a future that included evangelism.  I have never enjoyed a convocation called for planning purposes as much as I did this one.  Thanks be to God!