Scary Old Testament Stuff

Yay! Sadie comes home tomorrow! I'm so happy I could spit!

But I won't do that. That would be gross.

Um, okay. Let's Skinny:

The rest of chapter 15 [because I didn't realize it doesn't end with her song] - They travel for 3 days in the desert without finding drinkable water. The people grumble against Moses. God provides water. Chapter 16 - The people are hungry - they grumble a 2nd time - God rains down bread from the sky. They call it "What is it?" [Manna] God gives detailed instructions about when to pick it up and how long to keep it [never overnight - except the day before Sabbath - no Manna gathering on the Sabbath]. Some disregard these instructions. Moses saves some in a jar. Chapter 17 - The people grumble for the 3rd time [it's about water again]. Again, God provides. Next they battle with the Amalekites. Strange happenings. During the battle, Moses holds up his staff - while he does they are winning. If he lets it down, they start to lose. When he gets tired, Aaron and Hur give him a stone to sit on and hold his hands up for him. They win and the Amalekites are supposedly wiped from memory. Chapter 18 - Moses father-in-law pays him a visit. Jethro gives Moses advice on leading the people - he cannot be judge for everyone - he needs to delegate! Chapter 19 - Moses goes to meet God on Mount Sinai - the people are instructed to consecrate themselves and not set a foot on the Mountain - or they'll die. Chapter 20 - The 10 Commandments! And a message from God 1st -warning against having idols and 2nd - what to do and not do in regards to God's altar. Chapter 21 - Laws and instructions about: slaves and personal injuries. Chapter 22 - Laws about the protection of property and social responsibility. Chapter 23 - Laws about honesty and justice, and about Sabbath and the 3 festivals. After that God makes some promises - if the people of Israel listen to the Lord - if being the magic word here. God also doles out some warnings - what will happen if the people don't listen. Chapter 24 - Moses tells the people what God said and they reply, "We will do everything that the Lord has commanded. He then sprinkles blood on them to confirm the covenant. Joshua, is mentioned as Moses's assistant. Moses stays on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. Chapters 25-28 - God gives detailed instructions on how to build the tabernacle - the holy place where God will dwell in the midst of his people.

Hmm. That was a pretty skinny skinny. Let's get into my favorite part.

From the very beginning, we get a sense that these people are going to fail. First of all, they're constantly complaining. Even though God has provided for their every whim. 2nd, they don't listen. Moses gives them instructions regarding the Manna and they do just what they want. And Moses is getting fed up - but he fears they may stone him! I feel like they just don't get it. They can't see the bigger picture beyond the rumbling in their tummies. And yet . . . God loves them so much. He has this amazing plan to save them [from themselves!]. It's all so deep and intense and chilling - especially when you read that after Moses gives them the laws, they declare, "We will do everything that the Lord has commanded." And you know it's a lie. Even if you haven't passed Exodus, you're caught up thinking, " Really? How are you guys going to do that??"

And they've just witnessed these horrible plagues! Oh, man. It's heartbreaking. Sigh.

The ASB [I'm doing it, I'm going for the abbreviation - ASB officially means Apologetics Study Bible from now on] has a great article entitled "Is the Old Testament Ethical?" by Christopher Wright. Here's what he had to say about the ugly warfare of the OT -

• It was a limited event - one particular period in Israel's long history.
• We must allow for exaggeration - like other ancient Near East nations - Israel had a "rhetoric of war that often exceeded reality" [pg. 116].
• It was not ethnic cleansing or genocide - it was "an act of God's justice and punishment on a morally degraded society" [pg. 116].
• God threatened to do the same to Israel if they did not obey - and he did [we find that out later].
• The conquest anticipates the final judgement
• An eye for an eye is incredibly humane [we tend to get caught up in the myth of redemptive violence - going back and forth - one upping one another with horrible things].
• Hugely progressive on the humanitarian front compared to other contemporary ancient societies. Scott McKnight [in Blue Parakeet] wrote a lot about how God works within each person's culture. This is a remarkable differentiating factor that separates the Hebrew God from other ancient gods.

A word about slaves - as an abolitionist, I have wrestled with these texts. I've tried to wrap my mind around a culture and environment where slavery is acceptable. As you know, it's not ancient, ancient history for us as humans - we pretty much okay'd slavery up until these last two centuries. Also, slavery of ancient times wasn't exactly like what we think of when we picture a cotton farm in Georgia 150 short years ago or a present day sex or domestic slave. Slavery was essential to the economy. And I don't think they could fathom the idea that it was bad. It was simply a part of life.

And so, God gives them laws to protect slaves - which is huge! And those laws include freedom! Which is pretty freaking awesome.

I just stumbled upon another article in the ASB called "The Uniqueness of Israel's Religion" by E. Ray Clendenen. I'm getting incredibly sleepy and my bed is calling my name - but this stuff is too good to leave out. And I think it helps sort out the context of where the OT is coming from. The Hebrew faith is unique in 5 distinct ways:

• It's monotheistic.
• God is transendent and self-sufficient.
• Even so [bullet 2] God does not keep his character and plans away from us.
• God has a special relationship with his people - I like the word "communal" but I'm not sure if it fit.
• The Lord hated ritual for rituals sake - he is more interested in what in your heart.

The story about the battle with the Amalekites is a must-bring-up. It's ultimately a story about two friends helping out another for the benefit of a whole mess of other people.

Tomorrow's reading [ 29:1-40:38 [finishing Exodus]] continues with more instructions for the tabernacle - so I'll talk about that tomorrow.

Thank you for reading this. It really means a lot to me. ;)