Finally: Day 7!

What can I say? I've missed you guys. It's been a long awkward pause. I loved being gone. Visiting my hometown and loving my long lost family members.

But still, it's good to be back in Merryland. I missed my dog. ;)

The Skinny:

Chapter 29 - God tells Moses how to consecrate Aaron and his sons. It's gross. Chapter 30 - More instruction - the Altar of Incense, Money from men once they come of age, Basin for washing, Anointing Oil and Incense [fabulous holy perfume]. Chapter 31 - God calls these two guys out, Bezalel and Oholiab - the Spirit of God shows up for the first time, and instruction on the Sabbath. Chapter 32 - A horrible scene involving a golden calf. Chapter 33 - God is so mad he tells the people to go ahead to the promised land, but that he's not coming, because they're a "stiff-necked" people and if he comes he'll probably end up killing them all. Moses has this unique and bold dialogue with the Lord and talks him into coming. Chapter 34 - New stone tablets with the laws because Moses broke the first ones during the golden calf incident. Moses's face begins to radiate from spending so much time with God. Chapter 35-40 - Stuff starts to happen just as God commanded, beginning with the Sabbath. People give so much, it ends up being too much! Finally Moses inspects everything. And the Glory of God covers the Tent of Meeting. God dwells with his people. When the cloud leaves [or fire], the people know it's time to follow.

Ai. Not a bad attempt at making The Skinny skinnier. I'm really thankful and surprised to find myself this far along on this blog already. You know, you put something off for long enough and it becomes a monster of a task. It's only 1:15am! And that, by my standards, is early. :)

Plus, I always, the following is the fun part for me. Once I get here, I always feel confident I can finish.

Okay! Let's get right into the good stuff.

The Holy Spirit makes an entrance

I love firsts. My first puppy. My first kiss. The first [and only as of right now] time I gave birth. Sadie's first steps. These events really get me all choked up. So, obviously, I took notice when I first discovered this first [I think James-Michael told us in Bible study]. What's even more interesting is who gets to be filled - artists! You know, the dreamy type that can often be found doing something that, on the surface, seems trivial, fruitless, unproductive - yeah, them! They get God's wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft. Loooove it!

A word about detail

This stuff seems so boooring, right? What the heck is the point? I think I got this one [er, well, How to Read the Bible Book by Book has this one, anyhow]. One of the unique attributes about this Hebrew God is that he dwells with his people. And he is telling them how to make his throne. One of the Big Deals is that God's throne is in a tent! Not only is it modest [as compared to a temple], it's mobile! God goes with his people. He leads them. He interacts with them. This is HUGE.

I think the details and the beauty have something to do with what I call Extravagant Love [other people may call it this, I'm sure I didn't coin the term]. All the fuss. It's important. And necessary. There's a great example in the Gospels, where the woman comes and pours perfume on Jesus's feet. His disciples don't get it. They think it's a waste. He does, though. And he is moved by her gift of Extravagant Love [it also has something to do with this holy incense and oil business, I believe].

While my daughter was away I promised her I'd send her cookies. Days passed and for whatever reason, the cookies didn't get sent [I made a batch and they went bad before I could send them]. So I finally finished a second batch. I decorated the big ones with her favorite frosting and added sprinkles because I know she loves them. I went to the post office to send them. I had to overnight them so they'd get to her on time [before she came back to Maryland!]. It ended up costing $25. $25! We don't have that! I thought about it while I stood in line. Should I do this? It seemed almost ridiculously wrong. But, deep down in my gut I felt this tug toward Extravagant Love. Yes, it was silly. But I don't get the opportunity to love like this everyday. And so I plunged into the silliness for Love's sake.

Well, it ended up becoming somewhat of a nightmare for my dad, who had to drive all over town looking for the post office that they'd been shipped to the next day. It made him late picking Sadie up [and frazzled]! And some of the cookies broke and stuck together - even the tin broke! I felt so bad, second guessing myself - feeling foolish.

Then, my mom, who would have ordinarily gasped in horror at the amount I spent to mail cookies, lovingly offered to pay for them. And so, a Cookie Near Fiasco turned into two different opportunities for Extravagant Love.

The golden calf

Oh my. This story is bad on so many levels. I think I'm only going to focus on one. Because I've read this story many many times, and this time around, what struck me the most was not the people's disobedience, but God's [and Moses's] anger. Because I live in a world where I'm taught that God is loving, and kind, and forgiving. And because shortly after this whole horrible scene, we have God's "self-revelation" proclaiming that he is indeed all of these things. Right after all these people were killed [by the swords of the people who are "for the Lord"].

And I get it. Well, no, I don't actually. But, I get it intellectually. I get that the whole construction of the calf thing is just screaming a lack of faith. I get that what God was telling Moses on that mountain was extremely important and that they ended up doing one of the very things God explicitly told them not to - and additionally, it was the very first thing he warned against. I get that we were made to worship God and that we end up in terrible danger when we put our faith in anything other than God.

I get it - I do! But, still, the punishment seems so . . . harsh. And, honestly, it scares me. Because I'm quite sure I could have done something equally as bad, if I haven't done it already. And just how do you reconcile with the God of the Old Testament? I want to. I really do. But, honestly, this is where I am on my journey at the moment - and I think it's a good place to be - wrestling with God over these difficult things. I'll let you know if I get any leads. And please, feel free to share your wisdom with me! Especially via comment. :)

The Sabbath

There is so much to say here. But, in an effort to try to keep this blog short[er] I won't even attempt to say it all. I do want to encourage you to research and practice the Sabbath. I don't, I must confess. I have tried/am trying. I have a deep conviction that there is a rhythm to all of our lives, and that a day of rest has been intricately woven into the fabric of this rhythm and, therefore is unquestionably important. I am working on this. And repenting my ludicrous busyness for the sake of arbitrary accomplishment. I am not implying that this is your struggle, too. But I believe in my heart that if we all practiced the Sabbath [though I think it could possibly look different to each person], we'd be doing some of that bringing heaven to earth stuff Jesus was talking about.

Good night, lovely reader. Thank you for reading from the bottom of my heart.

Tomorrow's reading: Leviticus 1:1 - 14:57. We've finished two books!

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. ;)

Let the Journey Begin

People have made the claim [according to the Apologetics Study Bible] that Exodus is the "central book of the OT" [pg. 83]. There is no doubt it has some crucial stuff. God saves his people! The 10 plagues! The 10 commandments [we haven't gotten here yet, but I'm assuming you've at least heard of them].

As monumental as Exodus may be, it's also when things start to get a bit slow. And it's the beginning of why people tend stay as far away from the OT as they possibly can. Like I said early on, I was incredibly blessed to wind up with a teacher/friend who moonlights as an OT lover and buff. James-Michael helped me learn to fall in love with the OT, and to forgive and wrestle with it's creepy side. I am incredibly grateful. I hope that some of our love can be passed on to you.

The Skinny:

Chapter 1 - We get a quick recap of the 12 sons and then we're told that a new king has come to power in Egypt and he is essentially afraid of the Israelites so, he does what any other cowardly king would do, he forces them into slavery. Apparently, this is not enough to assuage his fear, so he then sentences all the Hebrew baby boys to death [by drowning - in the Nile]. Chapter 2 - A Hebrew boy from the house of Levi is born - his mother is quite creative. She does what she is told - she puts him in the Nile - in a basket so he floats down the river! Pharaoh's daughter finds him and raises him as her own. He grows up, sees the abuse that is being inflicted on his own people and is so overcome with anger that kills an Egyptian. He thought no one knew - but people find out, so he is forced to flee to Midian, where he settles down, marries the daughter of a priest and has a son named Gershom ["a stranger here"]. Chapter 3 - Moses encounters a bush that is burning but is not being burned up. It's God! They get into this fascinating dialogue - God wants to use Moses to free the Israelites from slavery! Chapter 4 - God gives Moses signs to help the people understand that it really is Yahweh, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. Moses is seriously lacking in the confidence department and urges God to choose someone else. God is angry, but listens to Moses, appointing Aaron, Moses's brother, as speaker. Chapter 5 - Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh. As a result, Pharaoh makes life for a Hebrew slave even harder - they must now go get their own straw but still continue to produce the same number of bricks each day. They are all up in arms and go to Moses - complaining that he brought this on them. He cries out to God. Chapter 6 - There is a very tender scene where God is speaking to his people, almost pleading with them to let him take care of them. Moses is still whining about being a poor speaker. In the middle of the chapter, we break for the genealogy of Moses and Aaron. Chapter 7 - God says some strange things. He says Moses will be like a God to Pharaoh and that God will harden the Pharaoh's heart. We find out that Moses is 80 and Aaron is 83 [really breathes new life into the old saying, "It's never too late"]. Aaron shows Pharaoh the first sign - his staff becomes a snake. Pharaoh still would not listen. He has magicians doing similar tricks [although Aaron's staff literally swallows the competition]. Enter the plagues. Number 1. The Plague of Blood - all the waters everywhere become blood. Again with magicians and their feeble attempts. Chapter 8 - The Plague of Frogs - Everywhere! The Plague of Gnats - again, Everywhere! The Plague of Flies - guess where. Everywhere! Well, except Goshen - where the Israelites live. Chapter 9 - The Plague of Livestock - all dropping dead. But the animals of the Israelites are spared. The Plague of Boils - All the Egyptians break out with a nasty case all over their skin. The Plague of Hail - any person, plant or animal caught up in the hail is a goner. Pharaoh says, "This time I have sinned." And begs for the end of the plagues. Moses prays to God [as he has done with all the other plagues] and the hail resides. Chapter 10 - The Plague of Locusts - Moses asks Pharaoh to let him and his people go and worship on the mountain top. Pharaoh seems to engage God in a battle for control. He won't let the women and children go so he and the rest of Egypt get eaten alive by locusts. He then calls Moses and Aaron back, admits that he sinned, allows the women and children to go - but not the livestock. In a fit of anger he threatens Moses's and Aaron's lives and orders them out of his sight. Chapter 11 - God instructs Moses and Aaron to tell the people of Israel to ask their neighbors for silver and gold. Then God reveals his final plague - The Plague of the Firstborn. Chapter 12 - God gives detailed instructions on how to do the first Passover. No yeast in the bread, absolutely ready to leave, with lamb blood on their door frames so that God will pass over their homes and only inflict the final plague to the Egyptians. They eat the first Passover and flee in the middle of the night. And we are told that just as God said in Genesis 15, the Israelite people were enslaved for 430 years. Chapter 13 - God instructs them to consecrate [dedicate to God] every one of their firstborn sons along with their firstborn livestock. [and if not - break it's neck!]. When the children ask, "What does this mean?" - they'll get to engage in a dialogue about how God rescued them from slavery. Scene shift - they're on the run - and Moses grabs the bones of Joseph to take with him! Chapter 14 - O! What an unbelievable scene! With God's help - Moses parts the Red Sea - Pharaoh and his many men are swallowed up by the waters. Chapter 15 - Moses sings a song - of victory! And Miriam [a prophetess] sings a short verse at the end with a tambourine.

What I got. What I gathered. What I gandered at.

There is a fascinating story about 2 midwives in the first chapter - Shiphrah and Puah. I love it!

Moses asks God what his name is, what he's supposed to tell the people. God says, "I AM WHO I AM." I always get the feeling that even if we don't quite get it, we feel a deep sense of the brevity of this claim. In Hebrew, God's name is YHWH [there are no vowels in Hebrew]. I love Rob Bell's Nooma video - Breathe [below]. He has a lot to say about this particular passage of scripture. It was only available in the form of two separate videos [both below]. The "God's name as breathing" part has been incredibly powerful in my life.





We've all gathered by this point that Moses has some self esteem issues. I find it incredibly interesting that when he is pleading with God not set him up as the speaker, God doesn't force the issue. He gets mad, but he doesn't punish Moses or make him do it. He appoints Aaron as a helper instead.

I loved reading what God told Moses to tell his people in verse 6. It has a love-letter quality to it.

Whoa - scary horrible plagues! I don't know all the details - but - James Michael told us [back in that Bible study I'm always going on about] that every one of the plagues had a direct relation to one of the Egyptian gods. So, essentially, it was a slap in the face to the Egyptian religion and the Egyptian gods.

I think I've heard it said that there were 400 years between OT and NT. And then, Jesus began his career at the age of 30. The Israelites were, as we learned in chapter 12, subjected to 430 of slavery. So, there may be some foreshadowing going on here.

I've always had a hard times dealing with the Plague of the Firstborn. It seems very "eye for an eye." I feel bad questioning God, but this kind of stuff is so difficult. I trust him, but I don't understand.

Miriam was a prophetess. That gives me great joy.

You know what also gives me great joy? I'm done. ;)

I write this as you dream. While you read it, I'll probably be in dreamland.

G'night.

Tomorrow - 15:23-28:43. :)