Wow! Can you believe it? This is my 100th post. The time is flying by. Today we begin Deuteronomy and later in the week we'll begin Romans, though for my reflection this morning I'm going with Psalm 32.
I'm so glad you've made it this far in the Year of the Bible!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, March 14: How many towns in all, should be given to the Levites? (Num 35)
Numbers 35:7 7 In all you must give the Levites forty-eight towns, together with their pasturelands.
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, March 15: God tells Moses that he will not enter the Promised Land, but his assistant will. Who is his assistant? (Deut 1)
And here's the reflection of the day:
So this morning I have a song running through my head, as always. And it's the song, "These are a few of my favorite things. . ." from the "Sound of Music." But instead of "favorites things," I would substitute the word "sins" ("These are a few of my favorite sins. . .").
We all have a favorite sin: some little sin that we think we cannot help but succomb to it. It's probably a sin we're particularly good at. . . you might even say it's a sin at which we even accel. When we sin, we sin boldly when it comes to our favorite sin.
But it is also probably a sin which grieves us greatly every time we commit it. It's a sin we really, really, really wish we could conquer, but it seems to be the vulnerable spot in our otherwise sturdy "armor of God" (see Eph 6:13-18).
Each Sunday at Frankfort Church, we share in a corporate confession of sin. It's one of the very first things we do in our worship service. Part of the reason we do this is parallels the theme we heard about in Leviticus: "Be holy, because I the Lord your God am holy." Just as the Israelites made their sin offerings before entering the tabernacle, so too we should confess our sin and receive God's mercy and forgiveness. You can't be close to God without confessing your sin.
That's what Psalm 32 is talking about. The author of the psalm talks about how distant he feels from God because he kept "silent"--meaning he hadn't confessed his sin to ask for forgiveness. And that's what it feels like to allow unconfessed sin to separate us from God. The psalmist says day and night God's hand was heavy upon him and he was without strength. You see, you can't be close to God without confessing your sin, ALL of it, even your favorite sin.
God is our hiding place; he will protect us from trouble and surround us with songs of deliverance, if only we will confess our sin. God's love for us is unfailing. So rejoice in the Lord! Be glad!
Enjoy a little musical flash back with Maria and the Von Trapp kids!
Have a great Sabbath day!
Allison
Showing posts with label Holiness Code. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiness Code. Show all posts
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Numb3rs
Good morning/afternoon/evening! Today we begin month number three of Year of the Bible. Can you believe it? I think it's going so quickly.
I have to tell you the best part of doing YOTB is visiting with people in their homes and seeing their Bibles and participant books sitting out in the open. It does my heart good and I think it pleases God greatly too. I'm glad you're on this journey with me.
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Feb. 28- What was the issue surrounding the Council of Jerusalem?
Acts 15:5 If the Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Mar 1: What must a Nazirite abstain from eating and drinking? (Num 6)
And here's the reflection of the day:
I have holiness on my mind this morning, mostly because I am preaching on Leviticus in a few hours. And if there's one word to describe Leviticus, it's HOLINESS. All those rules and regulations--those are all meant to encourage and enhance Israel's holiness. After all, God is a holy God and the people he calls his own are called to be (or strive to be!) just as holy. The key phrase to remember about Leviticus is "Be holy because I the Lord your God am holy."
But, my brain needs to transition to Numbers for a little bit (or Numb3rs, as the TV show title says). Lo, and behold, I open up the Bible (technically the file for the Bible program on my computer) to Numbers and I begin to read about "a man or woman" who wants to make a special vow--"a vow of separation the Lord."
Now, to be separate is to be holy. It seems there is a great deal of overlap between Leviticus and Numbers, both in form (long boring lists) and in organizing principles (holiness).
This Nazirite calling is a call to temporary leadership for the laypeople of the community. The author of one commentary notes that the content of the vow is not the point; the point is that laypeople in the church have an opportunity to step up into leadership positions. The vow is done in public, not private; it is official; and it has communal implications.
The Nazirite is required to separate from everyday routine--which is NOT to say that they retreat from life in general. They are still part of the congregation, but their special status brings them closer to the middle of the camp, which is the tabernacle.
I think this kind of temporary vow still exists today. I think God still calls forward laypeople for certain tasks for a temporary time. When our church was struck by lightning and caught on fire in July 2007, I think we had more than a few folks who took a "Nazirite vow"; we had a number of people who stepped up to the plate and helped rebuild the church.
I hope that laypeople in churches are on the lookout for "Nazirite vows" to be taken. It seems to me that pastors may think they know who God is calling to do what, but they're not always right. The Holy Spirit doesn't need to work through the pastor; the Holy Spirit works through individuals and especially lay people. This kind of calling is something that must come from the discernment of each congregation member.
If you feel a "Nazirite vow" in your future (a special calling for a limited time), please TELL YOUR PASTOR! God is obviously calling you to a special task and this is something your pastor will want to hear about.
And now receive this benediction from Numb3rs:
Numbers 6:24-27 24
"'"The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'
Allison
I have to tell you the best part of doing YOTB is visiting with people in their homes and seeing their Bibles and participant books sitting out in the open. It does my heart good and I think it pleases God greatly too. I'm glad you're on this journey with me.
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Feb. 28- What was the issue surrounding the Council of Jerusalem?
Acts 15:5 If the Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Mar 1: What must a Nazirite abstain from eating and drinking? (Num 6)
And here's the reflection of the day:
I have holiness on my mind this morning, mostly because I am preaching on Leviticus in a few hours. And if there's one word to describe Leviticus, it's HOLINESS. All those rules and regulations--those are all meant to encourage and enhance Israel's holiness. After all, God is a holy God and the people he calls his own are called to be (or strive to be!) just as holy. The key phrase to remember about Leviticus is "Be holy because I the Lord your God am holy."
But, my brain needs to transition to Numbers for a little bit (or Numb3rs, as the TV show title says). Lo, and behold, I open up the Bible (technically the file for the Bible program on my computer) to Numbers and I begin to read about "a man or woman" who wants to make a special vow--"a vow of separation the Lord."
Now, to be separate is to be holy. It seems there is a great deal of overlap between Leviticus and Numbers, both in form (long boring lists) and in organizing principles (holiness).
This Nazirite calling is a call to temporary leadership for the laypeople of the community. The author of one commentary notes that the content of the vow is not the point; the point is that laypeople in the church have an opportunity to step up into leadership positions. The vow is done in public, not private; it is official; and it has communal implications.
The Nazirite is required to separate from everyday routine--which is NOT to say that they retreat from life in general. They are still part of the congregation, but their special status brings them closer to the middle of the camp, which is the tabernacle.
I think this kind of temporary vow still exists today. I think God still calls forward laypeople for certain tasks for a temporary time. When our church was struck by lightning and caught on fire in July 2007, I think we had more than a few folks who took a "Nazirite vow"; we had a number of people who stepped up to the plate and helped rebuild the church.
I hope that laypeople in churches are on the lookout for "Nazirite vows" to be taken. It seems to me that pastors may think they know who God is calling to do what, but they're not always right. The Holy Spirit doesn't need to work through the pastor; the Holy Spirit works through individuals and especially lay people. This kind of calling is something that must come from the discernment of each congregation member.
If you feel a "Nazirite vow" in your future (a special calling for a limited time), please TELL YOUR PASTOR! God is obviously calling you to a special task and this is something your pastor will want to hear about.
And now receive this benediction from Numb3rs:
Numbers 6:24-27 24
"'"The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'
Allison
Monday, February 23, 2009
Manic Monday
Hello, hello, hello! Thanks for stopping by today on this "Manic Monday." Here's a little video of the song by the same name just to get you moving--it's one of my faves from when I was younger! (I know, I know . . . it wasn't THAT long ago!)
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sun, Feb. 22- When one enters a land and plants a tree, how long must one wait to eat the fruit of the tree?
Leviticus 19:25, “But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit.”
And here's the question of the day:
Mon, Feb. 23- What did the voice tell Peter to do?
And here's the reflection of the day:
I hope you don't mind, but we're going back into Leviticus again today. I'm (semi-desperately!) searching for a passage to preach on this Sunday so the more time I spend in it now, the better Bible Study and the sermon will be.
These particular chapters of the Holiness Code (see Sunday's post for more info about that) address qualities we should look for in our religious leaders. For those who are called to serve as leaders in God's kingdom must be held to a higher standard. A higher level of dedication and holiness should be in evidence if someone is to occupy a position of authority in a church--say an elder or a teacher.
I can't disagree with this, although in our little church, sometimes it's hard to find enough people to go around. Sometimes, warm bodies are all you can come up with . . . .
These chapters of Leviticus also talk a lot about the character of a leader's family. Not only the leader but also the leader's family should exemplify good character. This is actually a theme picked up in the New Testament too--Acts 6:3; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1:5-11.
I can't disagree with this either, although I've seen some pretty good parents with some pretty rotten kids. I actually know lots of parents whose kids were faithfully involved in every church activity in their younger days. Now that they are older and parents themselves, they never darken the door of a church. I don't know that we can always blame the parents for the sins of their children. . . .
These chapters also talk about how priests--in their persons and in their work--should model themselves after Christ himself--a Lamb without blemish, holy, and separate from sinners. Christ is the Great High Priest and the One who gave himself for the world in his priestly role.
Again, I can't disagree with this idea. But I'm afraid priests--and all members of the clergy actually--fall short of this Christ model, with a disturbing regularity. And it seems like it's never a small failure; instead it's a spectacular, headline-grabbing kind of failure. I know for myself I try to live by God's standards, but sometimes I'm just so weak. . . .
As I reflect on all this, it's interesting that I agree with all of what Leviticus says. And yet I find exceptions for each topic. But, I have to ask myself, are they really exceptions or are they actually excuses?
Friends, living out the holiness of Leviticus is just plain hard. And never will I live up to its (and God's) expectations because of my sin. But knowing that I never will is not an excuse to give up trying. This "Holiness Code" is meant as a standard to guide our behavior. But it is also meant as an example of the way life should be. . . the way we should live. . . and the way life is in the kingdom of God.
These kinds of passages point out what will be in God's kingdom. They give us glimpses of what we have to look forward to. . . what lies ahead for believers. Passages, like these from Leviticus, are not meant to burden us with guilt but to inspire us to be holy as our God is holy.
Are you leading a holy life? What parts are you proud of? What parts do you hope God isn't paying attention to? How can you work on making every part of your life holy?
Hope your Monday's not too manic!
Allison
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sun, Feb. 22- When one enters a land and plants a tree, how long must one wait to eat the fruit of the tree?
Leviticus 19:25, “But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit.”
And here's the question of the day:
Mon, Feb. 23- What did the voice tell Peter to do?
And here's the reflection of the day:
I hope you don't mind, but we're going back into Leviticus again today. I'm (semi-desperately!) searching for a passage to preach on this Sunday so the more time I spend in it now, the better Bible Study and the sermon will be.
These particular chapters of the Holiness Code (see Sunday's post for more info about that) address qualities we should look for in our religious leaders. For those who are called to serve as leaders in God's kingdom must be held to a higher standard. A higher level of dedication and holiness should be in evidence if someone is to occupy a position of authority in a church--say an elder or a teacher.
I can't disagree with this, although in our little church, sometimes it's hard to find enough people to go around. Sometimes, warm bodies are all you can come up with . . . .
These chapters of Leviticus also talk a lot about the character of a leader's family. Not only the leader but also the leader's family should exemplify good character. This is actually a theme picked up in the New Testament too--Acts 6:3; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1:5-11.
I can't disagree with this either, although I've seen some pretty good parents with some pretty rotten kids. I actually know lots of parents whose kids were faithfully involved in every church activity in their younger days. Now that they are older and parents themselves, they never darken the door of a church. I don't know that we can always blame the parents for the sins of their children. . . .
These chapters also talk about how priests--in their persons and in their work--should model themselves after Christ himself--a Lamb without blemish, holy, and separate from sinners. Christ is the Great High Priest and the One who gave himself for the world in his priestly role.
Again, I can't disagree with this idea. But I'm afraid priests--and all members of the clergy actually--fall short of this Christ model, with a disturbing regularity. And it seems like it's never a small failure; instead it's a spectacular, headline-grabbing kind of failure. I know for myself I try to live by God's standards, but sometimes I'm just so weak. . . .
As I reflect on all this, it's interesting that I agree with all of what Leviticus says. And yet I find exceptions for each topic. But, I have to ask myself, are they really exceptions or are they actually excuses?
Friends, living out the holiness of Leviticus is just plain hard. And never will I live up to its (and God's) expectations because of my sin. But knowing that I never will is not an excuse to give up trying. This "Holiness Code" is meant as a standard to guide our behavior. But it is also meant as an example of the way life should be. . . the way we should live. . . and the way life is in the kingdom of God.
These kinds of passages point out what will be in God's kingdom. They give us glimpses of what we have to look forward to. . . what lies ahead for believers. Passages, like these from Leviticus, are not meant to burden us with guilt but to inspire us to be holy as our God is holy.
Are you leading a holy life? What parts are you proud of? What parts do you hope God isn't paying attention to? How can you work on making every part of your life holy?
Hope your Monday's not too manic!
Allison
Sunday, February 22, 2009
This is the day that the Lord has made. . .
. . . Let us rejoice and be glad in it! I hope you are able to make it to worship somewhere today!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Feb. 21- Who was Cornelius?
Acts 10:1, “At Caeserea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian regiment.”
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Feb. 22- When one enters a land and plants a tree, how long must one wait to eat the fruit of the tree?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Back to Leviticus. . .
Leviticus chapters 17-26 contain what is called the "Holiness Code." The formal introduction to it begins in 18:1-5, which is part of our reading today.
This "Holiness Code" is divided into four areas: sexual behavior, social ethics, worship, and family relations. All of these rules and regulations can be explained by the words: "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8).
Chapters 18-20 are the foundational "principles of social morality," particularly with regard to the institution of marriage, which is the "cornerstone of all human society" (Hertz quoted in New Interpreter's Bible Commentary). Israel had been called to be a holy nation; any trifling with customs they saw in Egypt and will see in Canaan, would be to mock the call to holiness God put upon them.
These warnings are not prudish; they are extremely realistic cautions in the middle of a rather hedonistic society. The people of God fare better when they follow God's laws, and so these chapters are addressed to those who claim God as Lord. However, following these laws does not guarantee salvation, but it will lead to an abundant life.
The author of the Leviticus commentary in the NIB series (whose name I cannot find right now!) has this to say in summation. . .
"Sexual purity is only one part of the larger morality that is mandatory for all who would live a godly and righteous life before a holy God. However, sexual holiness may be the first line of practical defense for all who are on the road to living a holy life devoted to God. To give free course to our passions, appetites, and hungers in this area is ultimately to turn loose the controls over every other area of our lives."
Some good food for thought. This Leviticus stuff is actually not quite as bad as I had expected. You just have to dig a little deeper to understand it.
Have a splendid day!
Allison
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Feb. 21- Who was Cornelius?
Acts 10:1, “At Caeserea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian regiment.”
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Feb. 22- When one enters a land and plants a tree, how long must one wait to eat the fruit of the tree?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Back to Leviticus. . .
Leviticus chapters 17-26 contain what is called the "Holiness Code." The formal introduction to it begins in 18:1-5, which is part of our reading today.
This "Holiness Code" is divided into four areas: sexual behavior, social ethics, worship, and family relations. All of these rules and regulations can be explained by the words: "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8).
Chapters 18-20 are the foundational "principles of social morality," particularly with regard to the institution of marriage, which is the "cornerstone of all human society" (Hertz quoted in New Interpreter's Bible Commentary). Israel had been called to be a holy nation; any trifling with customs they saw in Egypt and will see in Canaan, would be to mock the call to holiness God put upon them.
These warnings are not prudish; they are extremely realistic cautions in the middle of a rather hedonistic society. The people of God fare better when they follow God's laws, and so these chapters are addressed to those who claim God as Lord. However, following these laws does not guarantee salvation, but it will lead to an abundant life.
The author of the Leviticus commentary in the NIB series (whose name I cannot find right now!) has this to say in summation. . .
"Sexual purity is only one part of the larger morality that is mandatory for all who would live a godly and righteous life before a holy God. However, sexual holiness may be the first line of practical defense for all who are on the road to living a holy life devoted to God. To give free course to our passions, appetites, and hungers in this area is ultimately to turn loose the controls over every other area of our lives."
Some good food for thought. This Leviticus stuff is actually not quite as bad as I had expected. You just have to dig a little deeper to understand it.
Have a splendid day!
Allison
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