Oh goodness. I'm straight forcing myself to write this. I don't want my next entry to be 7 months from now.
But, what's making it even more difficult: Jermaine is editing my resume. Out loud. And I can't concentrate on my blog. But I can't tell him to pipe down because he's being so AWESOME and I'm incredibly grateful.
But, SIGH. I'm not so good with distractions. Especially when they're amazingly helpful husbands.
Oops. He just figured me out. It's quiet now, but I feel bad. :P Good thing he's the easygoing sort!
Okay, let's get down to business.
Skinny vanilla scripture, double whip:
Chapter 21: the Israelites are wandering in the desert still (it does seem like it's been 40 years, doesn't it?). They try to cross Negev, but king Arad is not having it. So, they speak to God and God commands them to shut the place down, and they do. That's the first paragraph. Second paragraph, they're back to their old complaining ways and, as you may have guessed, people start dying (venomous snakes this time). Moses has pity on them and pleads with God, who has him concoct this bronze snake that they can look at and then they will live. Next there's a scene about a well - which God provides before they ask. And, then, the whole rest of the chapter is similar to the first paragraph. Only this time they defeat Sihon and Og. Chapter 22: Balak and Balaam - one of my favorite! It includes a talking donkey! If you haven't read it, you should. The ass is awesome. Chapters 23-24: Balak wants Balaam to curse Israel (he's evidently a prophet). Balaam talks to God and realizes that Israel is blessed - so he blesses them some more - 4 oracles all together. Chapter 25: the men of Israel are being "seduced" by the women of Moab and in the process they end up worshiping Baal of Peor (a Moabite God?). And THEN, this Israelite guy brings a Midianite woman - and they start doing it right in front of the Tent of Meeting! Aaron's grandson freaks out and drives a spear through them both. God is thankful, saying basically that if Phinehas had not done that, their deaths would have been worse (the wrath of God worse). Randomly, at the end, the author's like, bytheway, the names of those two, that did that horrible thing, are Zimri son of Salu and Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader. Not sure if that was out of respect for them or to out their families. Chapter 26: The Lord commands Moses to take a second census - because all the doubters are dead. Chapter 27: A man named Zelophehad dies and all that remains in his family are his daughters. Women didn't own property back in the day so they go up to Moses and ask if they can keep their father's land in their name. Moses talks to God and God replies that what they are saying is right. God decrees what to do in other random circumstances such as these. Also, Moses suggests to God that he find a successor to replace Moses. God appoints Joshua. Chapters 28-29: All about offerings, Sabbath and days of feasting, I suppose it's a reminder for once they get to the promised land. Chapter 30: A random excerpt about women's vows to God that I believe was very progressive for the time. Chapter 31: Vengeance on the Midianites - and it is not pretty. There is dividing of the spoils - and the spoils include women who are virgins (which raises the question, how did they know?). Also, they kill Balaam. And that's messed up because he totally blessed them!
Yeah, man. That was intense. Okay. Away we go!
Chapters 21 and 31: The whole destroying other peoples and taking plunder bothers me (of course). I think it's supposed to. It's unsettling, to say the least. I could look it up and probably find a very good reason - as I'm sure I have at some point in the past - something about God working in such a time as that (in their culture and still managing to be way progressive). But, I'm trying to not do the scholarly thing - plus - whatever reason I found in the past has faded so much from my memory that it doesn't help right now - so who's to say it'll help later? Bottom line, this is hard stuff.
Chapter 22: I love talking animals! And I totally think it could be a real live possibility. Also, my friend, Nate, wrote a great song entitled, "Balaam's Ass". It's quite good.
Chapter 31 (again): At first, I was really bothered by the fact that the Israelites killed Balaam. I realized, though, how unique this story is. In chapter 22, we're introduced to this random non-Israelite prophet. And this guy, at God's prompting, saves Israel from being cursed. And then, a couple chapters later - they destroy him and the rest of the Midianites. It's all messed up! The Israelites messed up! But, it's another example of the fact that God didn't pick the them for the piety. And it begs the question, if how did the narrator find out about this guy, Balaam, in the first place? Because, generations later, when this story was being retold, there's definitely room for regret. All these stories of the Israelites acting badly - it's pretty cool that they made it in Bible, no?
That's it, me'thinks. Thanks for reading!
