Ruth - Foreigners

I find it interesting how there have been so many taboos against mixing with foreigners and now we get this story of how a foreign woman acts faithfully and even becomes a great grandmother of King David...and, of course, Jesus. This seems like a great example of how scripture is often in conversation with itself. Even though there is an important thing to be learned about steering clear of influences that might drag us away from God, there is an important thing to be learned from those outside of our own tradition. Jesus himself gets in trouble for including so many outsiders as the heroes of his parables and as the guests at his dinner table. All of this seems to raise the issue of how we should live in this world and participate in its daily life and yet remain holy - apart for God.

Judges - Perspective

I've been thinking a lot about perspective in these readings. From who's perspective is this being written and what's the perspective from which I'm reading it. Many of the stories of Judges are certainly not written from a woman's perspective and probably not from the point of view of the Canaanites. Sometimes, what's good news from one person's point of view, is bad news from another. Is the fact that I'm a citizen of a very powerful country affect the way I read the stories of Israel conquering the land? Would I look at these conquest stories any different if I was Native American or living in a country which was being oppressed by another? And then, of course, a big question is, "What is God's perspective?" Maybe that's what I'm trying to discover between the lines of scripture. How is it that God looks upon us and what does God see? Maybe every story of scripture gives us another little hint as to the way that God sees things all the time.

Judges - Women

So far, the readings from the Bible have not done any favors to women everywhere. Daughters are sold into slavery. Women are snatched up like booty after a battle. Marriage and divorce are purely at the male whim. Life is not easy for women of the ancient world. It's not much better in the book of Judges...except for some very interesting stories. I'm tempted, even, to call Judges the feminist manifesto of the Old Testament. Look at all the strong women here... Deborah is judge and prophet whose mere presence assures victory in battle. Jael kills an enemy general by hammering a tent peg in his skull (that ought to give every man a little pause before going to bed each night). Samson's mother seems exceptionally intelligent, especially compared to her dullard husband. And Delilah is, well, you'll have to judge for yourself, but she certainly is competent.

Not all is well for the women of Judges. Caleb gives away his daughter as a prize for whoever can be victorious in battle. And Jepthah's daughter comes to a bad end. But she takes it well.

The Bible seems to repeatedly favor the downtrodden. And perhaps this is why women do so well given the cultural context of the time. God can work through all of us. Most of all, it is God, not us, who is the strength behind it all.

Joshua - Covenant

Between all the battles in Joshua (that's another discussion!) there are two more events that are sometimes called, "Covenant Renewal." This is when Moses, or in this case Joshua, gathers the people around and renews everyone's loyalty to God. Chapter 24 of Joshua has an especially good example of this. He recites an abbreviated history of Israel, mostly talking about the many ways that God has saved them from trouble. Then the people are challenged to respond to these saving actions of God. Joshua says, "Choose this day who you will serve!"

It seems to me like these periodic reminders are helpful. Many married couples find it helpful to renew marriage vows. Even yearly anniversaries can be helpful in renewing promises and remembering why they were made in the first place. In some ways, our weekly worship services are a bit of covenant renewal. Do we need more? What do you think?

Deuteronomy - Leaders

The story of Moses has been such an incredible lesson in leadership. Moses has been through the wringer with both God and the Israelites. I'm still a little mad at God for not letting him put a toe in the Promised Land. I was especially interested in chapter 17 in which there's a description of a good king is supposed to look like: They are not supposed to desire power or money. They should spend lots of time contemplating God's will for the people. And they shouldn't "lord it over" everyone. It's not a bad description for most any kind of leader. But everyone who gets a little power seems to fall down a deep pit of power, desire and manipulation. It's a story as old as Deuteronomy. Maybe all leaders need to wander around the desert for 40 years before taking charge....