DAY 8 - Genesis 16-17; Job 5-6; Proverbs 1: 20-33
NOT ALWAYS GOING TO GET AN ANSWER
Reading along with today's readings about Abram (now Abraham) and Sarai (now Sarah) and Job - the words that came to mind from Fr Mike's podcast - “looking for answers." The impulse, of course, is that we do want answers to a lot of things. How could Hagar have been treated so badly by Sarai and Abram, who is held up as the giants of faith. Why is circumcision needed? Why - well, there’s a whole list of things we can find ourselves confused and taken aback by.
As for the more immediate questions that often pop up especially for modern readers when delving into scripture... Just because something is recounted in scripture involving someone considered a hero in the bible doesn’t mean that it’s morally acceptable. That's a point we're going to keep coming back to.
Sarai and Abram’s treatment of Hagar is atrocious. It’s so reprehensible, neither of them even calls her by name, but refers to her simply as "the maid." She’s someone who is used and dismissed by this power couple. But God sees. He calls her by name. He restores her dignity, her confidence, and He blesses her.
As awful as those missteps were for Abram and Sarai though, it doesn’t disqualify them. God renews His covenant, but now it costs Abram - somewhat deeply - with a circumcision. A “not so subtle punishment for Abraham’s sin of the flesh... and a very real reminder of the cost of living without faith in God” (Walking with God, Gray & Cavins, 45).
But some things are not going to be able to be easily explained. The reason Abraham and Sarah were in this situation in the first place was fear had entered in. Abraham has heard God's promises to make him a great nation for some time. As he nears triple digits, he and Sarah decide to take matters into their own hands. For Job, as he discusses his legitimate woes with his friend he is perplexed, with good reason. He's been told to try to pinpoint what exactly did he do wrong to cause his life to get so upended. Yet, we know Job is right in insisting - nothing. Fear and Silence can be significant obstacles in the life of faith.
In both cases, as hard as it is, the temptation for them to want logic, reason, cause/effect to be clearly explained is denied to them. Abraham can't help but wonder why couldn't he be a biological father sooner, earlier when he and Sarah were younger. Job is in complete confusion.
It’s difficult and can be painful in the moment. But what we will see is that ultimately:
- when they stop looking for answers and learn to trust God,
- when they lean into that faith when there is a difficult path that is laid out or when there's nothing but seeming silence...
- when we get to a place where we’re not looking for answers, but simply looking for God
... then we find our faith renewed, our trust is nourished - and we find we don't need the answers He alone suffices and is in fact more than enough.
Fr Jim Stern commentary regarding Bible in a Year Podcast:
DAY 11: Genesis 22-23; Job 11-12; Prov 2: 9-15
A DIFFICULT LESSON
I’ve been blessed not only having had done the BIAY last year and reflections each day, but this year I’ve been reading Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins Walking with God - which is almost an accompaniment to the reading plan we’re following, which has proven invaluable.... particularly in drawing out some points that I had never considered before.
Today’s reading on the sacrifice of Abraham is one of the foundational readings from the Old Testament that a majority of Christians are familiar with. When it comes up in the lectionary (the book of all the scriptures read at Mass) it can be hard for a homily to cover all that is happening in this one particular episode. But for us journeying along for 11 days now, we have a fuller context.
We have had glimpses of this long-held pain of being childless for Abraham and Sarah... we try to imagine the rejoicing (after the disbelief) when in their old age they finally were expecting a child. To get to this chapter, it’s not uncommon for people to say “it’s so cruel of God.” But there’s more to this story that we've been following: We have to remember that yes Abraham has been faithful, but not perfect in his faithfulness up till this point. We also have to pay attention to some other details. For example, when God says “take your son, your only begotten son Isaac, whom you love...” as readers we might be thinking “uhm wait, what about Ishmael?”
Yes, Ishmael the other son - the one that Sarah had suggested Abraham conceive with “the maid” Hagar - then lashes out after he does, sends them away, only to have God rescue Hagar and send her (and her not yet born son) back, and then years later when Sarah is finally blessed to give birth to the long-promised son Isaac, she once again demands Abraham send them away. That son. Jeff Cavins and Tim Gray point out that, when Abraham sends them away, in his mind he’s basically sent them to their deaths. He sends his son and "the maid" out with a loaf of bread and some water into the wilderness. He doesn’t know that God has saved them once again. Nor did he appreciate the pain of Hagar thinking her son was going to die until God heard the cries of the young boy. But now he will. Hearing God call out to Abraham to take “your only son - the one whom you love” God is bringing to mind the son he didn’t love. Imagine the guilt Abraham had to have had in his heart walking with Isaac. Perhaps there were prayers of repentance - or maybe pleading something like, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me...” (Mat 26: 39) Abraham while is still far from perfect, is still growing in faith though and was ready to also add “not as I will, but as thou wilt” with each subsequent step to the place of sacrifice.
It’s in that space of love - love for God, and love for his son, that Abraham experiences God’s mercy. Like Hagar who feared the death of her son is rescued by an angel of the Lord announcing deliverance, Abraham will too. Yes, Isaac is the “son of Promise” - but Abraham will learn through all of this that, God is the God of all. His love, His mercy, His justice extends to all - Isaac and Ishmael.
Fr Jim Stern commentary regarding Bible in a Year Podcast
DAY 13: Genesis 25-26; Job 15-16; Proverbs 2: 20-22
TRUST IN GOD
A quick overview from these first two weeks and we see one recurring theme emerging: “Trust in God” seems to be coming up a lot. How the Lord keeps inviting His people to this act of faith and yet how incredibly difficult it is for even the greatest of our ancestors in faith to do that?
Hearing today’s scriptures where Isaac falls into the same exact cowardly move that Abraham had chapters earlier - trying to pass his wife off as his sister “Lest I die because of her...” What’s striking is how familiar a move this is. It’s not just like Father/like Son. It’s more like great, great, great.... grandfather/ like great, great, great... grandson. Think back almost two weeks ago - when Adam was asked, why he did the one thing God had commanded him not to do, he immediately blames “the woman you put here, she told me to eat of it...” From these earliest scriptures, there is recounted chapter and verse of the effect of human brokenness. God's people all had clear directions and indications of His presence and expectations. Yet in the moment of challenge, that trust was undermined by doubts, by lies, by fear.
Even in the readings from Job, the back and forth between these most unhelpful of friends... the friends are desperate to assign some level of blame on Job himself as to why he’s in the tragic state he’s in. It’s depressing to read how hard they are trying in this pursuit like they can’t handle not pinpointing where Job has failed which could explain his predicament. When we take a step back from it, you get the sense that they’re not as much there to help their friend Job but are trying to somehow protect their own fragile faith.
Yes “trust in God” could definitely be a daily headline or summary of our readings. It’s even better as a prayer. The various stories and episodes point out the complexity of accomplishing that. It’s not a learned habit or technique that we master, but something that we find is in constant renewal.
May we recognize how often our daily and exaggerated fears distract us from the healthy fear we should have at the awe and wonder of who God is. We have an amazing Father who despite His almighty-ness, wants to know us intimately and for us to constantly reach out to.
“...if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding...then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2: 3-5
Fr Jim Stern commentary regarding Bible in a Year Podcast
DAY 15 - Gen 29-30; Job 19-20; Prov 3: 5-8
SOAP OPERA
These two chapters from Genesis, were you able to keep up with all that? Who did what to whom with whom? The numbers of people being used, abused... the sadness of it all. For a majority of church-going Catholics, this is no doubt leading to a whole lot of head-scratching and wondering “I don’t ever remember hearing this.” Maybe even more pointedly - what is this even doing in here - it simply sounds like a terrible soap opera.
Thankfully though, if you’ve been able to stick with this consecutively for the last 15 days, you’re picking up some of the points that have been coming up:
1 - Just because it’s in the bible and there’s not an immediate condemnation of something, it doesn’t mean that the Bible or more importantly - God is condoning something. We’re going to encounter the full spectrum of humanity in scripture. Jacob the deceiver, who through manipulation stole his father’s final blessing is now experiencing for himself what it’s like to be deceived, the pain that manipulations of loved ones can cause.
2 - In the midst of this, even when it seems that there is silence from God, we have evidence of how He does notice, He does care... His mercy is constantly at work right there in those spaces of belief, in those corners of the heart that want to please God (but keep falling back into the patterns of brokenness) Yes, Jacob deceived... Yes, Jacob’s now been on the receiving end of it in getting “weak eyes” as his wife rather than the one who had caught his eye (and who he had been promised) Yes, the effects of sin are in full, ugly display. But God sees the best attempts. He hears the cries. He is well aware of the injustices. Being the loving (and patient) Father that He is, He keeps trying to help his wayward children to see the good and choose the good. That will continue to play itself out as we hear the names of 12 sons of Jacob. Another foundational moment to our understanding of the entirety of scripture.
3 - With each passing chapter, it will become more and more apparent that humanity will not be able to do it on its own. Even the most righteous of men and women, the corruption of sin will still affect them and their decision-making. All of which brings us to the short verses from Proverbs, which reminds us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.” (3: 5) This isn’t just good advice as we reflect on scripture, but as we navigate the soap operas of our own lives.
DAY 16 - Gen 31-32; Job 21-22; Prov 3: 9-12
A DIFFERENT LINEAGE
Fr Mike in today’s podcast makes an essential point in his reflection regarding Job, about how it is to be with people when they were suffering. It was studying this scripture that impressed on me the importance of staying away from saying things like “God has a plan” or “at least they’re not in pain anymore” to people at funerals. Despite our best intentions and even though there is some truth contained in those sentiments, they can be incredibly painful to someone who is suffering. As challenging as Job is as a book to navigate, these are really powerfully important insights to reflect on and take to heart. The importance of not trying to “fix” someone who’s in pain, but allowing ourselves to be uncomfortable in simply being with them.
As important as that scripture and those points are, we can’t overlook the chapters from Genesis, in which so much is unfolding quite rapidly in the life of Jacob and his (and our) family.
In the last two weeks, we’ve gone through a couple of genealogies in Genesis. Coming to these chapters of Genesis what emerges is a different type of lineage. Not simply the connection of “blood” from one individual to another or the passing on of a family name from generation to generation. But the lineage of brokenness and sin.
Just to recap some of the low lights we’ve encountered:
+Jacob stole his brother’s blessing
+ Laban did the ole switcheroo in giving his daughter Leah (“weak eyes”) instead of Rachel citing Jacob’s own history of sinfulness (remember on realizing he was deceived, Laban says basically “we don’t know how things are done where you come from, but here - the oldest receives favor before the youngest - reminding Jacob - oh yeah, you did the same to Esau)
+Jacob and Rachel turn on Leah (Leah was hated)
+Rachel envies Leah and they commence with a sibling rivalry and competition that is for the ages
+Jacob starts to prosper and then Laban’s sons envy him and then Laban turns on him for that...
As Catholics, this is one of the reasons Jesus left us the Sacrament of Reconciliation. No sin is ever private. The envy, the jealousy, the hatred we think we harbor “just in my thoughts” never truly stay there as we see in the stories of our ancestors.
Yet, God’s still working in the lives of these broken people. Jacob hears God’s call to return home. Despite the clarity of His voice, Jacob’s still gripped by fear for good reason. He’s found things are quite a mess: how does he return to his brother who hates him and leave Laban who isn’t too fond of him either right now.
In the midst of that though, Jacob summons the faith and trust to return. He’s trying. And God sees that. God notices that. He sees that potential deep within. This is what brings about that mysterious wrestling match between “a man” (who is God) and Jacob all night. The blessing he stole from his brother, he now has to prove he truly desires with all his strength. God recognizes the spiritual growth from the competitive, impetuous Jacob, whose name meant “his hand had taken hold of Easu’s heel” (Gen 25: 26) to ISRAEL which means 'God Contended', 'Wrestles with God.' Which will prove to be an apt name for God's people in the days, weeks, and months ahead that we continue this journey.
It’s been quite an eventful journey so far! And in the midst of it all, today’s proverb reminds us: “The Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights...” (Prov 3: 12)
Fr Jim Stern commentary regarding Bible in a Year Podcast:
March 19 Day 17 Jacob Meets Esau
DAY 17 Gen 33 & 34 ; Job 23 & 24; Prov 3: 13 - 18
HANG ON TO HOPE
After finishing reading Genesis my first impression was "wow that was short-lived." These last couple of days we were building up to this meeting between the two estranged brothers Jacob (Israel) and Esau. When they were last together, it was clear that Esau had nothing but hate and vengeance in his heart for his brother. Yet Jacob, after “wrestling with God” has been changed - not simply from being named Jacob to Israel. Even more deeply: he’s been changed from a man of deception and grabbing what is not his own to someone who has come into a deeper understanding of God and trusting Him, after contending with Him.
The beautiful reality, the truth is that when we experience God’s blessings, they’re never just for ourselves alone. They cannot help but produce blessings for those around us. So we have a joyful reunion between the two brothers and we see for the first time in scripture reconciliation, the dawn of mercy, the experience of restoration. Jacob/Israel’s reaction reminded me of Jesus meeting the tax collector Zacchaeus (Luke 19) - immediately after encountering Jesus, his life has changed. The material possessions that he unjustly took, he immediately disavows and offers “Lord ! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." (Luke 19:
In the afterglow and excitement of having experienced a profound encounter with God, those types of reactions are understandable. But what about when life goes back to ordinary, everyday routines? Or when trials and difficulties arise? Or when abject evil is unleashed? The types of things we see with Job - who we’ve been following along for a solid week or so in his completely random and inexplicable time of loss and sorrow. The sudden reversal for Jacob who has no sooner had this profound healing with his brother that his heart is ravaged as his daughter is raped and his sons decide on unleashing their definition of "justice" on this community for that atrocity.
We’ve heard and walked with Job’s cries and questions... We can only begin to imagine the pain Jacob experiences that ripped out his heart. How does he not resort to even understandable human impulses to exact not just justice but vengeance (as his sons end up doing)?
Hanging on to hope.
Jacob cannot forget where he has come from in his encounter with God. He cannot let the profound, life-changing experience (so much so that it was important enough for God to change his name) not affect how he will respond to this travesty. You can see and hear the struggle of the father who is furious at what happened and at the same time while understanding why the sons reacted the way they did, is not on board with that either. Jacob is a different man because of God.
As is Job. We can’t lose sight that Job is incredibly faithful. As he pours out his heart in wrenching passage after passage - he’s still talking to God. He still believes in Him. He doesn’t know if God still believes in Job or why He won’t talk to Job... but it’s the heart of a true believer who continues to pray in the midst of the storm when answers seem hard to come by.
They will be rewarded and find “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding...those who hold her fast are called happy.” Prov 3: 13-18
March 20 Day 18 The Heart of Israel
DAY 18 - Genesis 35 & 36 Job 25 & 26; Proverbs 3: 19-24
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON?
We have probably heard that phrase before and it’s pretty self-explanatory: the appearance, the behavior of a son resembles something of the father. Crunched in between a lot of movement in Jacob/Israel’s life (returning to Bethel, the birth of another son, the death of his beloved wife Rachel, and the death of his father Isaac) there’s one slight verse that stands out - that while Jacob/Israel is out on the land, the oldest son, Reuben, sleeps with Jacob’s concubine. (Genesis 35: 22)
If you were listening to the podcast while driving, you might have endangered yourself or others on the road. We are confronted with all kinds of immorality that are seemingly just rattled off without even an editorial comment. Which often unnerves people. So just a quick reminder - no you’re not crazy... yes you did just read that and most importantly - no, there’s nothing right about Jacob having wives (note the plural) AND concubines... Nor is there anywhere under the sun that it was okay for the eldest son of Jacob to sleep with her while dad is out in the fields.
We see a family pattern, don’t we? Who else decided to take “something” that wasn’t his to take? It’s in his name (or his old name) - JACOB. So in some way he has passed this destructive, broken attitude to the son who takes it to a whole abhorrent level. As Fr Mike points out, as much as we want the Hallmark movie, more often than not, the seeming unending twists and turns we’ve already encountered (at only day 18) are more relatable to the world we live in, and sometimes even in our own lives. This atrocious scene will not be forgotten by the Father... stay tuned.
In the meantime, though, we aren’t to get lost in the brokenness or depressed by the seeming history of just awful lineage we come from. But rather recall that over-riding reality that God had set down his bow after the flood with Noah and would take the harder road with humanity from that day forward. He will keep envisioning our fullest potentials, blessing us when we respond to His grace with the hope that indeed, one day it can be said of us - Like Father, like son and daughter...
+ Quick note on another family tree... as you hear all of these foreign and hard to recall names, maybe take this as a challenge to bring to mind one relative, or friend that perhaps you haven’t thought about in ages... Use this time where we might have zoned out to in some way be intentional about that person - maybe it will mean offering a short prayer for them, maybe a quick message - or maybe an intentional phone call or letter to just reach out and let them know you’re thinking/remembering them. What better way to honor this recurring truth from God’s word that no one is forgotten - every one of us has a place in God’s story ... more importantly in the Father’s heart?
March 21 Day 19 Joseph and His Brothers
DAY 19: Genesis 37; Job 27-28; Proverbs 3: 25-27
THE POTENTIAL WITHIN
Thanks to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, many of us think we know this story about Joseph. If you’re a fan of this popular musical, you might have some tunes floating in your head as you heard today’s scriptures (“could you use a slave, you hairy bunch of Ishmaelites?...poor poor Joseph, whatcha gonna do?” ). It’s understandable why Lloyd Webber and Rice were drawn to this for a show - it’s got a lot of great characters, major literary themes for dramatic purposes - love, jealousy, betrayal... but like most things, reading the book is better - or at least there’s more detail.
Because, unlike the musical which likes a good stand-alone story with a prologue, Act I, Act II, finale... We realize this is just another chapter of God’s story and our story. In short, we see how great is the potential within each and every human heart. How quickly things can be turned around: just being overlooked can turn the heart of a brother to his brother into a murderous rage (reminiscent of what happened between the first two brothers, Cain and Abel). To be fair, Joseph is not without blame - his being the favored can become a source of pride or arrogance... But we also can’t miss the impulse in Reuben’s heart with his plan to rescue the brother from the initial plan of the brothers.
There were choices, impulses, decisions that each of these individuals made which shifted the trajectory of the story into one that many of us know. But just because we know how things will turn out for Joseph, for Jacob and his sons, none of these things were written in stone like a script. These decisions are “fixed” now into this narrative. At the outset, God blessed them with freedom knowing the potential within each of them that comes with that gift. Which is just as true today for each of us.
March 22 Day 20 Judah and Tamar
DAY 20 Genesis 38; Job 29 30
INTERMISSION
Today in Chapter 38 of Genesis the attention moves away from Joseph to Judah. It seems like a most bizarre tangent or diversion from the Joseph narrative. Yet it’s actually an important piece of the puzzle.
Remember who Judah was: One of Joseph’s older brothers. One of the responsibilities as one of the eldest was to pass down the covenant of God the Father to the next generation. The eldest had commitments to God, to the Family, to all of the people of the covenant. How had Judah proven an absolute failure in these? Let us count some of the ways: Conspiring with the brothers first to kill Joseph, then, emerging as a leader and encouraging them to sell their younger brother into slavery. Judah has done immeasurable damage to all of the relationships he was to supposed to be committed to. He sinned before God, dishonored (and grieved) his father, divided his family and became another example in the chapters of brokenness and sinfulness affecting the human family since the days of the Garden of Eden.
In short, Judah is another in a long line of men who actively pursue sin... This family has enough skeletons in the closet to seem to disqualify anything good or wholesome to come from it: Judah’s lack of regard for his family - (or anyone for that matter); his hypocrisy in wanting to stone Tamar for the same sins he committed...
Far from an intermission, as difficult as a read this is, as it airs all of the family’s dirty laundry - we are meant to read deeper. This is preparing us to see how the faithfulness, the fidelity of another son will save all of them. Built into this are signs of what’s to come: the baby Perez will be the ancestor to King David - the lineage which will include Jesus.
God’s salvific works from the family of Israel (namely the Messiah is to come from this family line) will need some redemption itself before we’re ever going to get to Jesus. Coming from the most unlikely of sources Joseph. On the surface, he would seem to be the forgotten brother sold into slavery in Egypt. But not to God. God will demonstrate that faithfulness, fidelity, even in the face of the bleakest and most seemingly insurmountable of circumstances is one way He loves to mount the greatest of comebacks... and completely upend the story.
March 23 Day 21 Walking With God
DAY 21 - Genesis 39 - 40; Job 31-32 Prov 3: 33-35
CHARACTER REVEALED IN CRISIS
“Character is revealed in crisis” We rightly think of brave soldiers, firefighters, police officers who walk into harm's way dealing with some emergency that has people fleeing the scene.
Less celebrated in this category in our day and age would be the resistance to temptation, particularly sexual sins as we see Joseph in today’s episode from the book of Genesis.
Here the young lad has been betrayed by his family. Sold as property from Ishmaelites to Egyptians. His whole family identity has been obliterated. Joseph has to feel lost, abandoned, disillusioned. Putting myself in that position - thinking of times of feeling abused or taken advantage of by people I once trusted or considered friends are not happy memories I like to revisit. And the reality is that my impulse wasn’t to respond in a noble, virtuous way to whatever wrong or grievance I may have suffered.
This is why Joseph’s example is so noteworthy. Not the least of which in the last 3 weeks we have more than a few notable examples of the opposite. “The Lord was with Joseph” isn’t just some advantage that Joseph had over his brothers or ancestors - but far deeper and intimate revealing the beauty of his relationship with God. We hear that in vs. 9: ...how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? Joseph resisted Mrs. Potiphar’s advances out of his love for God.
That faithfulness on Joseph’s part won’t result in further injustices being averted. But, the reality of Joseph’s character - and God’s will eventually provide far greater blessings than Joseph could have imagined as he is unjustly imprisoned listening to a baker and butler’s dreams. As low as Joseph finds himself at that moment - because of his fidelity, the “Lord was with Joseph” and remains with him.
That is a truth that Job will eventually come to realize as well.
March 24 Day 22 Go to Joseph
DAY 22 - Genesis 41-42; Job 33-34; Prov 4: 1-9
(NOT JUST) ANY DREAM WILL DO
God
Reading chapter 41 of Genesis, as Pharaoh calls for Joseph at the suggestion of the butler (two years later than he promised) and we hear about 7 cows, 7 ears of corn, we find in Genesis 41: 16: It is not me, God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.
Joseph recognizes that the ability to interpret dreams isn’t something that he was able to do by his own ability - it’s God working through him. Even Pharaoh, who was not a Jew, not a believer recognizes God - and his mighty works in Joseph “Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God? So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this...you shall be over my house.” (Genesis 41: 38-40)
It is significant. If you don’t truly know the story from Genesis, the whole show seems ridiculous or illogical without God and rather a story about a “boy whose dreams came true.” Without God, none of it makes sense. For Joseph, or for any of us for that matter...
As we read previously - Genesis reminds us that God was with Joseph throughout his darkest days and moments. As Joseph experiences restoration, he credits his fidelity to the Lord has saved him - in the names he gives his sons “Manasseh - meaning God made me forget all my hardships; Ephraim, God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction” God is central to Joseph’s story.
God is central to Job’s story too, even though it still remains a puzzle to him that he’s trying to piece together (with no help from his friends) We can never lose sight that Job still remains in dialogue about God, with God in this his darkest of times. Job still sees Him as central to His story.
Where is God in our story?
March 25- Day 23 Judah Changes
DAY 23 - Genesis 43-44; Job 35-36; Prov 4: 1-9
Why all the drama? Why the set ups? What’s with all the back and forth - Egypt to Canaan and back again, this time with missing brother Benjamin in tow. You’d think that at first sight, Joseph would’ve been ready to reveal himself - and exact vengeance or call them out or something. This seems a bizarre course of action on the surface. But let’s just remember -
1 - Joseph was Jacob (Israel’s) favorite son, the eldest of his favorite wife Rachel (I know... I know... the whole polygamy thing... we’ll get to that in a few books)
2 - Joseph’s initial questioning about “where’s Benjamin” - his younger brother, the only living sibling from his Mother and Father is his way of questioning the other 10 half-brothers (who had planned to kill then opted to sell him into slavery) to see what (if anything they had done) to him.
3 - Judah re-emerges as the leader of the brothers. The same brother who had orchestrated the plan to get rid of Joseph chapters ago, now has to implore Jacob (Israel) to let them bring Benjamin to Egypt to rescue Simeon and buy food for the famine.
4 - All of which leads to Judah eventually begging for Benjamin’s life when Joseph’s cup is found in his sack, willing to offer himself in Benjamin’s place.
It brings to mind the saying “God’s ways are not our ways...” but even more importantly what we had read earlier - “The Lord was with Joseph.” Joseph as much as an interpreter of dreams as he was, never could have imagined this coming together the way that it has. But even more of a plot twist to them all, Judah after some pretty miserable failures earlier including conspiring against his brother Joseph, has had a conversion of heart where he is willing to sacrifice himself for his brother Benjamin.
Yes God was with Joseph - but he didn’t forget about the rest of the family. He’s been working in many ways to keep reaching out to them, calling them to make better decisions, virtuous actions, and movements and now through Joseph, he’s about to bring about one of the greatest acts of love: forgiveness... reconciliation.
March 26- Day 24 Tears of Joy
DAY 24 - Genesis 45-46; Job 37-38; Prov 4: 20-27
REVELATIONS
We come to this day where providence brings these readings together that we get to celebrate with Joseph - and with Job - God revealing Himself.
First Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. It is said that in all of the scriptures, Old and New Testament, the command that God offers the most to his followers the most, is “Do not be afraid” (that it’s expressed 365 times, once for every day of the year). One of the first things Joseph says to his brothers: Do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves. How is that possible? How does all the grief, the pain, the justifiable outrage and anger, the desire for vengeance dissipate for Joseph? Joseph tells them - GOD SENT ME... Joseph is able to see past the evil that was done to him and recognize how God brought good out of evil. God has guided these steps, made one of the sons of Jacob to a place of influence and prestige in Egypt, and even made a way for His people to survive famine there.
This brings up a point that Fr. Mike mentions that I have a slight variation on. Fr. Mike spoke in the podcast of “joyful tears” (Why do we cry at joyful moments, Fr Mike asks... reflecting on the reality that it could have been otherwise...the fragility of the situation) Which is very true and worth pausing and expressing gratitude over those times and situations.
For me, though, one major reflection with joyful tears and these readings is where we recognize that Joy does not always equal happiness - particularly when it comes to God. Joy comes when we have an awareness of God, in the midst of everything - even in the midst of pain and suffering. That’s something we’ll delve deeper into when we get to the Beatitudes. When Jesus goes through the list of those who are “Blessed” - he includes the mourning, the poor in spirit, the persecuted... a whole list of people in states or conditions that are less than ideal. In another translation, the word “Blessed” is translated as “Joyful.” Which reiterates the point... Joyful, Blessed are those who have an awareness of God, who do not lose sight of Him, who maintain hope and trust, and faith and love in God even when experiencing the lowest of the lows.
Joseph has done that - and that is what is at the root of this reconciliation, reunion, and even conversion where the “pagan” Egyptian Pharaoh at the sights and sounds of all this, he too is pleased and moved to generosity.
Something similar is just starting to be revealed to Job. We’ve finally moved to the pivotal point of these chapters: When God speaks. In fact, it’s so important and so beautiful, you might want to rewind and listen to chapter 38 again. As God recounts the intricacies and thought and care that went into every crevice of creation - He is revealing that includes each and every moment of our lives... and that will come out more fully with Job as we finish our time with him. But for now, we hear that incredible revelation again: The highs and lows, the sadness, the trials, the happiest moments, the dreams fulfilled in each and every one of our lives - God reveals He sees it all, He knows it all. He is with us.
What could bring us more true, and lasting Joy?
March 27- Day 25 Job's Questioning
DAY 25 - Genesis 47 & 48; Job 39 & 40 Ps 16
PROVIDENCE
In these last chapters of Genesis, there’s a whole lot going on... First, we have Joseph seemingly taking advantage of the poor Egyptians... enslaving them to Pharaoh as the famine raged in the land. Then we hear of another Father on his death bed with a seeming mix-up of who is getting the more important blessing (coming from the right hand) where the younger son gets what should have gone to the older son.
So what's going on here? First, with regard to the Egyptians, we have an example of scripture demonstrating the results of bad decisions without explicitly stating that. The Egyptians had chosen to ignore God’s word conveyed in the dream that Pharaoh had that Joseph had so accurately interpreted (through God’s inspiration and wisdom). As the interpretation was made, as they saw the barns being built and supplies being stored, they ignored the warning - they ate, drank, and were merry (kind of like the people in Noah’s time). Their closed minds and hearts don’t result in destruction like the people laughing at a man building a mighty ark - but it does result in the loss of their provisions, their independence. (This would be an example of how sometimes sinfulness results in suffering)
As for the episode of the death bed blessing - Jacob, a younger son himself who had “stolen” the blessing that was rightly Esau’s from his father Isaac (back in chapter 27) now deliberately chooses to offer the greater blessing to Joseph’s younger son. The point? Well, maybe the “natural order”, the way we think things ought to go, don’t always align with God’s will or plan. Perhaps God even used that whole painful disordered scene between Jacob and his brother so many generations earlier to chart out a new course where things weren’t just done because “that’s the way it's always been done before...” Jacob in his spirit felt compelled to offer this particular blessing to the one who wasn’t expected.
It won’t be the last time God chooses the least likely of candidates. His providence remains a mystery.
This is what Job is finally coming to a place of understanding as well. I had to dig out texts from my Theology professor from college whose entire doctoral thesis was on Job to find this nugget. He quoted G.K. Chesterton’s appraisal on the book of Job saying The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.
That’s what Fr. Mike was expressing in his reflection. Job doesn’t get definitive answers to the reason for his suffering. But he gets to a place of acceptance of it. Human intuition still wants to fight, debate and argue - and point to the injustice of the whole thing - simply because having read from the beginning, of Job’s righteousness, of this “bet” with Satan, and all these weeks later - we know the whole story.
Or rather, we think we do. As intelligent, thoughtful, reflective as we can be, the beauty of God’s response reminds us of the awesomeness of God. That we only merely scratch the slightest inkling of the surface in understanding. When we are able to let go of our desire for control, let go of our expectations, and come before God with awe and reverence - we begin to submit ourselves to His providence. Which is the only place we find the understanding our heart's desire.
March 28- Day 26 God Responds to Job
DAY 26 - Genesis 49 & 50; Job 41-42 & Ps 17
CONFRONTING THE MYSTERY OF GOD
As we come to the end of Genesis and Job today, How can we sum these two pivotal, foundational books up?
In Genesis we read of Jacob’s life coming to an end, the closing chapters focus on Jacob’s sons. Kind of amazing that the brothers were able to put aside their grief for a moment - for what? to resort to past self-centered thoughts and behaviors. The funeral is barely concluded and what’s the first thing they think? “Is Joseph going to finally exact his revenge on us?” For the second time in this concluding chapter, Joseph wept. First over the loss of his father, now over his brother’s doubts.
In Job, for the better part of 30 or so chapters, it’s been pretty heart-wrenching reading Job’s losses with the unhelpful friends who rather than accompanied their friend in his sorrow and sadness were in a sense sowing seeds of doubt in the heart of the righteous man. Incredibly, God shows up and answers Job with a monologue that can sound pretty sarcastic. As if God is putting Job in his place. Well, God is doing that... He’s God - Job’s not. But we have to take the layers of sarcasm away. Read it as a Father who loves his child... Yes, he’s a grown child... He has learned a lot and weathered many things. But Job is far from being in the position of understanding the full complexity of their own heart and soul - let alone that of every other being in God’s creation, or God himself. The encounter leaves Job with this breathtaking verse: I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. (42: 5)
For Jacob’s sons and for Job - one of the unifying things to me for both of them is that they are confronted with different aspects of the mystery of God:
For Joseph's brothers, that’s in experiencing mercy. Joseph had already forgiven them, reconciled, reunited, welcomed them into Egypt. (Remember, “the Lord was with Joseph.”) What made Joseph weep was that lingering doubt that they had held onto all this time. That had to have undermined every family gathering... that was right there below the surface each time the brothers embraced. They still doubted the authenticity of love they had experienced.
Job’s doubts, on the other hand, are far more understandable. The undeniable suffering of the righteous man for seemingly no reason is real. God’s not dismissing his feelings or faulting Job for having them. As Fr. Mike mentioned in the podcast - God addresses the problem of evil - but the question, the mystery of why is not solved. While many focus on the restoration of everything (there’s that Hallmark ending Fr. Mike was looking for!) The deeper message is that in the end, Job renews his trust in God, he recognizes his place in God’s creation... he recognizes and as at peace that it’s fine to have questions - but that some questions are not meant to be answered, but lived.
Joseph’s brothers who couldn't wrap their heads around the profound gift of mercy are in a place of similar confusion. We can hope that eventually they truly received that gift of love and mercy, and came to that realization about God and His action in our lives, as a mystery that isn't meant to be solved; a question that isn't meant to be answered but lived.
And hopefully, each of us will too.
March 29- Day 27 The Birth of Moses
DAY 27 - Exodus 1 & 2; Leviticus 1
GOD SAW... GOD KNEW
Today we begin a new period in the “Bible Timeline” that we’re following - Egypt and Exodus. Exodus picks up right where we left off from Genesis. But the time period between these two is about 400 years.
Exodus really quickly moves past Jacob and his sons and the generations from them. Things have changed a great deal. The words “a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” set the ominous tone. While the Egyptians did not worship or follow God - there had been respect and reverence for God as the Pharaoh of that era could see “the Lord was with Joseph” and recognized that the favor, the ability to interpret dreams, the insights that Joseph gained were all from the Lord. In that, there was a welcome for the “Sons of Israel” who had made their home in Egypt.
Things move from freedom to slavery when God is forgotten. (Again, something that all of us in our day as we look at “ancient history” should cause us to pause and have a little bit of humility) The Egyptians begin to view with suspicion, with anxiety the Jews who had been a part of their community for centuries and they go from welcomed guests to imprisoned servants whose sufferings go from harder work to infanticide of the males born in one of the first recorded attempts at “population control.” The book Walking with God also explains the murder of the firstborn sons was a way of eliminating the Jews and assimilating the Hebrews with the Egyptians. The Hebrew women would be forced to marry Egyptian men, and since the passing of land from one generation to another went through the men, it was a way of gaining the property back, removing a military threat, and eventually eradicating the sons of Israel as a threat to the Pharaoh.
Interestingly, throughout chapters 1 and 2 of Exodus, God was rarely mentioned. Perhaps it wasn’t just the Egyptians who forgot God? Perhaps the Israelites had grown a bit too comfortable with their homes, livelihoods, and circumstances. Yet, very simply, beautifully at the end of the introduction of Moses, we hear the people crying out to God... we read God was mindful of his covenant... and we start to see why Moses was rescued, nurtured by his mother (and paid by the very Egyptians who would’ve killed the baby had they found him on their own!) – “God saw... God knew...”
As people who’ve prayed with Job, we can hear these words with a sense of awe and wonder at God’s providence. In the midst of our trials and struggles, even when perhaps we’ve forgotten God, He sees, He knows, and will be attentive to our cries.
March 30 - Day 28 The Burning Bush
DAY 28 - Exodus 3; Leviticus 2& 3; Psalm 44
IDENTITY:
One of the things that stood out to me in re-reading and listening to Fr Mike’s audio of these scripture passages was what Moses and God say about themselves. As God is calling Moses into service, his response is “Who am I” and when Moses asks God for His name, His identity it’s the somewhat mysterious-sounding “I Am.”
For Moses, his response can be interpreted as that of humility - overwhelmed in the presence of the Almighty. It can be an expression of gratitude at the thought of these miraculous things he’s seeing and experiencing and what he’s being asked to accomplish. It can be revealing fear, doubt - recognizing his need for assistance. He probably doesn’t realize how this question is something coming to the core of his being -Who am I - and Moses certainly couldn’t have anticipated God’s response of revealing His name as “I am.”
The interesting wordplay “I am” or “I am who I am” which theologians have reflected and expanded on for millennia offers all kinds of interesting perspectives without a definitive answer (no surprise there). One of the beautiful things that Walking with God points out is that it also means that God " 'is with' Moses...the name means that God is with His people. Yahweh is not a distant God, but a God who is present."
Not only is He present, but there’s a definitive tone to the name of our God. “I am” is outside of time, space - without beginning or end. And it naturally calls us to reflect on our relationship in light of Him.
The question of “identity” is one that every human being encounters, oftentimes numerous times throughout life. Some aspects are determined from birth (Son/daughter) - some come through commitments, vows, and promises we make (husband/ wife - Priest/Religious). Sometimes those questions are answered by others. Which can be a good or bad thing. An individual is called “Governor” “President” because they are elected and assume office... A person can suffer from insults and bullying to believe lies about themselves or their self-worth.
In this moment of encounter for Moses - as he asks “who am I” - Moses asks that question to The One
who imagined him into existence,
who had a dream for him from the very moment of conception -
who has been protecting and guiding him as an infant up until this very moment.
The pieces of his very existence,
his inherent goodness as a creation of God,
the potential that he possesses and the opportunities that lie in front of him
are all possible and rooted to the Great I am. It’s one of the distinctive things that gives believers a sense of clarity into their very being.
As people struggle with questions of identity in our ever confusing and divisive day and age, we need to reflect on these truths. Recognizing that even more spectacularly, is that in Jesus Christ, The great I Am draws us even more intimately close and calls us His beloved sons and daughters
DAY 29 - Exodus 4& 5; Leviticus 4; Psalm 46
DIVINE DIRECTIONS
You would think a burning bush would be enough to alleviate Moses' fears or at least overwhelm him into accepting God’s call and commissioning. But even after God shows him the miraculous feats that Moses will be able to unleash in front of Pharaoh - Moses is still filled with doubts. His limitations (he’s believed to have had a stutter) His self-doubt (he argues to never have been 'eloquent') - rise to Moses cry - “send someone else.”
God knows Moses better than Moses knows himself. He knows what Moses is capable of. He knows what He’s doing. It’s a lesson that Moses has to ease into learning (which I suppose is still very true today for all of us).
A curious statement is where God reveals to Moses that He will “harden Pharaoh’s heart” in the face of these miraculous signs revealing God’s power, authority, and command to “let my people go.” God tells Moses, after all the signs he will perform and the words he is to say that “I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go.” Seems pretty counter-productive, don’t you think? Why would God seemingly set Moses up for failure and Pharaoh for punishment?
There are a couple of realities at work here. The first would be trying to understand how Pharaoh in the sight of these miraculous works of God in the hand of this most humble man would be unmoved. This is actually God revealing the gift of freedom. (God wants the Israelites to be free not just for freedom's sake, but to worship Him). Well in this instance, God is basically giving Pharaoh what he wants.
Pharaoh has ignored the history of the God of Jacob (the God of Joseph) and chose not to remember and respect Him as his predecessors did. Predecessors who, while not Jews themselves, showed awe, deference, and respect in the sight of God’s marvelous works (interpretation of dreams and guidance on how to navigate the meanings of those dreams). No, this Pharaoh has ignored that history. Ignored the Jew's cries. Mocked what was in their hearts (to worship God) Treated the “chosen people” as slaves. Pharaoh's heart has been hardened and so God will not pour his grace, his mercy, onto such a closed heart. Thereby confirming what Pharaoh had himself had done. Nothing Moses would have said or did, coming from the Almighty himself mattered to Pharaoh. And so in response, God has accepted this foolish judgment. (It’s why we believe in the existence of Hell - not that God wants to eagerly throw people there, but people choose to put themselves there... and God as being all-powerful, all-knowing - in a sense allows that by allowing that freedom in the first place).
Moses for his part is not hardened in his heart. He’s scared. He’s still coming to know as God reveals himself so intimately more and more of who God is, and who God is calling Moses to be. He’s still uncertain but listens to God’s Divine Directions. In the end, change won’t come to Pharaoh - but to Moses and God’s very people.
Nile Turned to Blood(Day 30)
DAY 30 - Exodus 6 & 7; Leviticus 5 Psalm 47
BUT...
For most of us, we’re used to hearing or reading these passages in short excerpts and selections. One of the blessings of this daily dive into scripture is we get a fuller picture of, well, everything.
First, we get a fuller picture of the humanity of so many heroes of our faith. I’m sure that when many hear the name Moses - the image of Charlton Heston raising his arms parting the Red Sea... a majestic, triumphant image is what comes to mind (or perhaps an animated version with catchy tunes in the background) It might be striking to read of his doubts, his fears, his anxieties to the part where God is continually having to reassure him to trust Him... to, as Fr. Mike said in his reflection - remember what God had done in the past with his ancestors but to recognize that, “I AM” doing something new for you and with you.
We’re just beginning to hear about those miraculous feats that the Lord works through Moses and Aaron - which will grow increasingly more dramatic than staffs becoming serpents and a bloody-red Nile river. So before we let ourselves get lost in those, maybe today we can sit with that bigger message to Moses and hear the living Word of God speaking to us, of the importance in remembering our past, remembering what God has done for our ancestors - but also letting Him speak into our fears, anxieties, worries and to tell us how He continues to do something new.
Just doing this reflection myself brought to mind a poem that my pastor in High School had shared in one of his bulletin columns that I had cut out and now 30 + years later (yikes) I still have. It goes:
I was regretting the past
and fearing the future
Suddenly my Lord was speaking
MY NAME IS I AM
He paused. I waited. He continued...
“When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets
it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WAS
When you live in the future with its problems and fears
it is hard.
I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE
But
When you live in this moment
it is not hard because
I am here
My name is I am.
May each of us be blessed in hearing and reflecting on God’s living word today... and in that, be a blessing for one another.
Frogs, Gnats And Flies (Day 31)
DAY 31 - Exodus 8; Leviticus 6; Psalm 48
FROGS
Frogs - of all the creatures in God’s creation, who would’ve imagined Frogs becoming a sign of God’s displeasure at the hardness of heart in Pharaoh and the source of much anxiety for the entire kingdom? Yet amazingly it's an abundance of these creatures turning up anywhere and everywhere to humble the tyrant to agree, to promise to let God’s people go if only the frogs were to disappear. It’s amazing to see how God knows his creation and creatures so intimately to imagine these slimy creatures could be so incredibly effective. The frogs must have gone from annoying, frustrating, and finally infuriating the Pharaoh to in a moment of exasperation and desperation giving up. Fine, the Chosen People of God can go. When God hears Moses’ prayer, and the frogs all die though - what happens? Pharaoh goes back on his word.
Interesting isn’t it? How does Pharaoh kind of demonstrate how so many people treat their relationship with God? Praying in need or in crisis - making all kinds of promises - quickly forgetting about those promises once whatever trial has passed. The reality is that until someone’s heart is not hardened... until someone is desiring to be in relationship and communion with God, they will not see God’s presence and action, will not be moved by God. Instead, they will continue trying to treat God as one of Pharaoh’s magicians who perform tricks under the orders of the man occupying the throne - rather than recognizing the only throne, the only one worthy to sit on it is God alone.
That’s ultimately what this battle is all about - who the people will serve and obey? Who is worthy of that service and obedience? The Lord is calling His people both in History as we read this story from thousands of years ago to the present day as we hear God calling “Let my people go, that they may serve me...” The freedom God desires is not the ability to do whatever it is we want (or someone else wants) but the freedom to serve God -by listening to His voice, following His direction, helping to build up His Kingdom.
Hence, today’s Psalm is worth revisiting. “... the Lord, the Most High, is awesome... God is king of all the earth! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne...He is Highly exalted!
Cattle, Boils, and Hail(Day 32)
DAY 32: Exodus 9 Leviticus 7 Psalm 49
STUBBORNNESS -
Today we hear of three more plagues: death of livestock boils on the people, thunder and hail (killing more of the livestock) As we’ve been reading in Exodus these last few days the escalation of the seemingly random yet devastating phenomenon they do seem somewhat odd to our ears. What is pretty straightforward is that God keeps commanding Moses to go to Pharaoh and demands that the Israelites be released and freed to serve the God, whose name is to “be declared throughout all the earth.” And we keep hearing that Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he rejects these demands (or keeps going back on his word) which are followed by yet another plague - that seems just as random and bizarre from frogs to gnats to cows.
Why is Pharaoh so stubborn? Well, there’s a factor of pride, as he loses these seemingly impossible battles. By his very nature as Pharaoh, you can imagine he’s not a “good sport” whenever he loses anything. More than that though, these plagues are unraveling all that the Pharaoh believed and put his hopes in. Each of these plagues is an assault on another false god that Egypt had worshiped. God was being merciful in trying to open their minds and recognizing that, for example, the Nile turning red was a judgment against their pagan god named Apis. The frogs raining down destroyed the illusory power of a fertility god they worshipped (to the point of frogs being seen as sacred creatures to the Ancient Egyptians) With each plague, the facades was eroding in awesome display.
Think about it, the Egyptians had grown to treat the Jews as property, as slaves, and as worthless compared to the frogs, and cattle who they saw as sacred beings. When God shows up, demands their freedom, tries to warn their leader and those warnings are dismissed or even mocked, eventually, God’s mercy will run out.
Pharaoh and his fellow Egyptians will have to deal with much more than just dead cows as we will read in the days to come.
The reflection for me is seeing how our world is moving into a pagan-secular culture. A rise of people putting their faith in all kinds of things and then using God as a punch line or to lay blame on hardly registers as it is happening with such frequency. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, a politician when confronted about their decision-making resulting in the deaths of elderly individuals dismissively said “Why did God do this? I don’t know”... Videos go viral on social media where a young man who is obviously drunk attempting to read scripture at a Catholic wedding with more people reacting that it’s “hysterical” rather than what it truly is: blasphemous.
In Jesus, God has become Man - Divine Mercy has a human face and has drawn intimately closer to us. Jesus remains with us, humbly present in the Eucharist as we eat his real body and blood in the consecrated host. God is present in our lives, in our Church, in our world in a way these ancient Egyptians, even Moses could never have imagined. In that, the time for God sending prophets and plagues to get our attention has long ended. The victory was won on Easter Sunday.
But that doesn’t mean that people can’t be as foolish, blind, and hard-hearted as Pharaoh. And find themselves, ultimately, ravaged by disasters not from God summoning a plague, but of their own making.
Locusts, Darkness, And Death of the Firstborn(Day 33)
DAY 33: Exodus 10 & 11 Leviticus 8 Psalm 50
RECOGNITION
The tension is reaching a fever pitch between Pharaoh and Moses with the escalations of the plagues. We know what’s coming, and reading and reflecting on this with almost a “cliffhanger” each day only heightens the drama and has us looking forward to what’s about to come.
This is why it’s good to take a pause from the action and reflect. We’ve highlighted the reason for the plagues, how the Lord God was making a point about the false gods of the Egyptians. We’ve had experts who have studied these texts for centuries explain these things and Fr. Mike is doing a great job succinctly underlining it for us in the daily podcast.
But what is interesting is that Pharaoh’s innermost circle figured this out in real-time. It’s bad enough Pharaoh’s ego and arrogance kept him continuing to dismiss Moses, dismiss the Lord God - hardening his heart and unleashing greater trials for his people (and to be honest, for Pharaoh himself) But those closest to him were trying to say - UHM PHARAOH - MAYBE YOUR HEART IS HARD BUT YOUR BRAIN IS STILL FUNCTIONING RIGHT? YOU CAN’T BE THIS BLIND AND STUPID. Well, I’m paraphrasing. Let’s check out the exact plea we heard today - let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God; do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined? (Exodus 10: 7)
For these, his trusted servants to be so blunt took courage to a leader who was almost a deity to the people himself. This was the third time they spoke up. In chapter 8 we hear how they pointed out after the plague of the gnats that “this is the finger of the God” (Exodus 8: 19) And in Chapter 9 they are said to fear “the word of the Lord.” (Exodus 9:20)
The point is that some of the Egyptians are coming to recognize the power and authority of the Lord God. Which is important before we get to the devastation of tomorrow. Because often people will again characterize this as “God of the Old Testament being so mean.” Yet the point of “the Chosen People” wasn’t to exclude anyone. God's mission for “the Chosen People” is to reveal Himself through them - to invite the rest of the world into a relationship with Him, ultimately included in God the Father’s family.
But they need to want to be a part of that family. And just like Fr. Mike mentioned about the fact that the Jews being led into freedom isn’t an invitation for them to do what they want, but to serve the Lord God - the same is true for the Egyptians, and for you and I: we have to recognize the relationship is on God’s terms, not ours.
The Passover Instituted(Day 34)
DAY 34 - Exodus 12 Leviticus 9 Psalm 114
WHY IS THIS NIGHT DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER NIGHTS?
400+ years...
The gap between Joseph and Moses.
The time it took for the heart of Pharaoh to be hardened against the Jews.
The time it took for the heart of the Jews to grow, at a minimum somewhat indifferent.
The time it took for the “chosen people” to become enslaved - not only by the Egyptians but by the Egyptian way of life.
Up until now, the people of Israel had watched in silent amazement as plague upon plague befell the Egyptians, and they were protected. Now that God’s promised freedom was about to be realized, it would not only be historic, but they would also participate in an active way, and it needed to be remembered as such forever. We can see and hear the importance of this with God ordering a prescribed ritual, by the changing of the calendar (“this month shall be for you the beginning of months...”) So even before we get to this final plague, we get this lengthy prelude on how it is to be marked “as an ordinance forever.” This paschal meal is not meant to be like any other meal. It involves time, planning intentionality. An unblemished lamb - they needed to find only the best... Every aspect of the meal was meant to be an act of faith, trust, of obedience... They were to be eating “in haste” because they were on a journey - God was about to free them. And how will they be freed? First by being saved by the blood covering them from this last plague...
The evil of the Egyptians, the opportunities for them to experience God’s mercy were at an end. They had not heeded God’s call to free His people. They had mocked and dismissed those warnings, and plagues. They had killed the firstborn of the Jews. After all the oppression, abuse - Deliverance had come: The three days of darkness are followed by an even more terrifying fate - the joy and hope of their families, the death of the firstborn -from the Pharaoh to the captive in the dungeon is unleashed.
At that, finally, the Pharaoh is humbled, even humiliated as he tells Moses “be gone, and bless me also...”
Over 600,000 leave in a journey that had been 430 years in the making. A night of deliverance. A night that was to be forever remembered. They could never imagine a night of greater importance. Yet, their journey was far from done. God’s deliverance was far from complete. And some centuries later, while celebrating a Passover meal, God himself will once again change history, would ordain new rituals, would offer deliverance, and tell us “do this in memory of me.”
Crossing the Red Sea(Day 35)
DAY 35: Exodus 13 & 14; Leviticus 10 Psalm 53
TALE AS OLD AS TIME
I don’t know about you, but there is something about reading the crossing of the Red Sea having read Genesis and Exodus in succession like this that makes it that much more dramatic, doesn’t it? We know the story... We knew this scene was coming. Yet the build-up, and taking time to get here really makes it stand out.
But a couple other things stood out for me. One is human nature - which full disclosure, hits close to home. The Israelites have just left Egypt after 10, count them 10 plagues which not only displayed the mighty hand, the power, the authority of the Lord God over all creation and his domination over all who would attempt to usurp his power. The Lord God did all of that to liberate the people so that they would know most intimately and definitively that they were His people. They escape, they are being led by these mysterious pillars of cloud and fire. And what happens next. Human nature kicks in. First on Pharaoh who despite the fact that his arrogance has left him and his kingdom in ruins and abject grief. Yet he’s able to put that aside and return to the same tactic he’s done 10 times previously in going against God expecting different results.
For you and I, as we kind of sit in amazement at that, it’s a good reminder to us when we’re doing an Examination of our consciences and going to confession (hopefully we all will do that or if it’s been a while, maybe consider doing that!) We recognize with humility how often we do the same thing. Hopefully not to the devastating lengths that Pharaoh does. But as we’re studying and reflecting on his falling into the same sinful pattern and with the distance from this particular event can recognize the utter stupidity of it, hopefully, that helps convict us to see those areas in our own life where we struggle. This isn’t to make us feel terrible. Not trying to dish out some old-fashioned Catholic guilt - because unlike Pharaoh we’re not enemies of God. We know He loves us. We are more than chosen people, in Jesus Christ, we are His beloved Sons and Daughters. Which raises the love and mercy. But also should raise the expectations we have for ourselves.
This brings me to the other thing that stood out. For the Israelites they too have just witnessed (again) 10, count them 10 plagues visited on the Egyptians as God’s way of liberating them. And as soon as they hear Pharaoh’s armies are en route after them they’re response? “GREAT IDEA MOSES - PERFECT we had to walk all this way to die here - you couldn’t leave well enough alone?” HUMAN NATURE KICKS IN AGAIN - even in the hearts of the “faithful” moving them from being faithful, being a believer into disbelief, into doubt and fear. How could they think the one who turned the Nile into blood red, who made the frogs, locusts, hail rain down on their enemies; who struck the first born of their oppressors had all of a sudden forgotten them? Set them up to be destroyed here?
For you and I, as we sit in amazement at this - it’s a good reminder that when we encounter difficult times or seasons (like, a viral pandemic for example????) do we believe the same God who brought us into existence out of nothing; who fashioned us and all creation in astonishing complexity that we simply take for granted (just think about how our body operates, or the rotations of the planets) - all of a sudden forgets us, abandons us when we face trials, setbacks, failures? I know I do sometimes. It is not something I’m proud of - not by a long stretch. But reflecting on how often human nature does indeed kick in, a tale as old as time, I’m comforted to hear Moses’ words - coming from the Lord God - FEAR NOT - STAND FIRM AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD, WHICH HE WILL WORK FOR YOU TODAY.
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A quick word on Numbers 6 – and the Nazirite vow – this will come up as we continue along and encounter Samson, Samuel and even John the Baptist. These were people who wanted to signify their separation from the world and singular devotion to God. While the ordinances and expectations might seem extreme and strange – there’s spiritual wisdom that still governs some of our spiritual practices. For example the scripture not only forbade drinking of wine or strong drink, but anything “from the vine.” This would be like our avoidance of an “occasion of sin.” The ordinances forbidding the cutting of ones hair would be to limit one’s vanity from distracting them from pursuing God alone.
If any of you have watched the TV series The Chosen – well, let me back up- if you haven’t watched The Chosen yet, that’s your homework this weekend. It is by far the best dramatic presentation of the life of Christ I’ve seen, presented in a multi-episode, multi-season Television series. If you’re not familiar with it, let me know – Season 1 is widely available for free since last Easter – and I think I’ve watched it over a dozen times since.
Anyway, tangent aside – for those who have seen The Chosen, it was probably hard for you not to read this chapter of Deuteronomy and remembering that scene with the children at Jesus’ request praying the Shema with Him. The portrayal with the look on the Son of God’s face as they prayed the most important prayer to them with tears in Jesus’ eyes came immediately to mind reading this chapter. (And spoiler alert – how they juxtapose it with Jesus teaching them the Our Father was so beautiful)
The Shema (vs. 4-9) in so many ways succinctly and beautifully captures the heart of the heart of faith for the Jew. It was the words that they started and ended their days with – the scripture they would mount on their doorpost. In some ways it would be like our making the sign of the cross. May we take some time to reflect on words that our ancestors in the faith, words that our Savior would treasure and pray daily:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Numbers 7; Deuteronomy 7; Psalm 92
WHEN IN FEAR – REMEMBER
Chapter 7 of Deuteronomy we have God speaking through Moses addressing His people about what it means to be a “Chosen People.” He’s preparing them to enter the Promised Land. He knows he’s not going with them (and God told him not to bring that up again!) The whole book is kind of moving and you can sense a lot of different feelings and emotions as Moses is readying his fellow Jews. Just reading verses 6 -8 where Moses tells the people that God calls them “holy” “chosen” and not for any other reason than “because the Lord loves you, and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers” should also resonate even more in our hearts as we experience the fullness of those oaths and promises in Jesus.
But verse 18 contains an important remedy, not just for the Chosen People at this point in their history – but a great reminder for us when confronted, when overwhelmed by fear. “You shall not be afraid…but you shall remember what the Lord God did…” For the Chosen people – it’s specific to their present journey. As they encounter enemies, people who don’t believe in God, who worship false gods, who occupy lands that don’t belong to them and will hold hardness in their hearts to the call of God to recognize these chosen people whom He has sent into these lands – God doesn’t want them to enter it like scared people, anxious and afraid. They are His people. His Chosen People. They have been saved before from mere human authorities who thought they were powerful and strong. They will be saved again.
The same remains true for us. Whatever it is you are facing right here and now, God says to you “You shall not be afraid… but you shall remember what the Lord God did.” So if you’ve lost a job, remember how the Lord God gifted you, blessed you with all kinds of abilities and talents that landed you a job before. If you’re facing a challenge in your health, remember how the Lord God brought you into existence in the first place, how intricate and complex every aspect of your body is – you are truly a miraculous marvel of His creation… Whatever it is you’re facing, when fear or anxieties rise, the key is to remember what the Lord God did – and continues to do <3Numbers 8; Deuteronomy 8 & 9; Psalm 93
WHEN NOT TO HAVE MERCY
One of our fellow travelers in this Bible in a Year journey articulated what I’m sure is a concern for a lot of people. How in Deuteronomy 7 the Lord God basically tells the Israelites not to have any mercy on the people who’s land they’ve been instructed to go into. It sounds so harsh, and so un-God like, particularly after receiving the 10 commandments which clearly say “thou shalt not kill.”
There’s a lot to that question – that as Fr. Mike had indicated in the podcast yesterday, we’re going to encounter and ponder a lot more as we navigate through a lot of these stories. Scholars are able to give some different insights to what is meant – when something is hyperbole, or exaggeration on the part of Israelite authors (which is indicated a few chapters or books later).
But to leave that aside from that for now, let’s look at this question through today’s reading from Deuteronomy. In Chapters 8 & 9 , entitled “Warning Not to Forget God” – we’re reminded of God’s jealous love for His chosen people. He’s articulated humanity’s side of the covenant (the 10 commandments) quite explicitly at least three times now. This entire chapter expands on what Fr Mike shared yesterday – that God knows the hearts of his people. That they will indeed be tempted to want to fit in with the people, possibly fall for other ideas, even fall for other gods. NO WAY – they might argue… Yet Moses has a clear memory of when a 40 day delay on his part coming down the mountain resulted in a golden calf emerging.
For whatever reason, these lands, these peoples had been corrupted and had corrupting influences. And one thought that has come to mind is we don’t know if or how God had tried to reach out to these different peoples and lands. We know that God had picked the Israelites as His Chosen people – but they were meant to be “chosen” to be a call to the rest of humanity to come to know, come to love, come to serve the one True God. Were there prophets in the midsts of those peoples who had called them to take notice of what God was doing through Moses, through the Chosen People? Were there opportunities for them to convert and repent that were ignored? Was that how they became defiled? We don’t know. The Bible is the story of salvation – not the story of the damned. And the warnings that are contained for God’s chosen people only underscore the importance of these decisions.
It reminds me and I’m going to need to reflect some more on this myself – but in the Catholic rites for ordination, there’s a part when the man being ordained is told that he is to strive to put to death whatever in your members is sinful. Those words (which actually come from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, I think) kind of pierce the heart and soul. They remind us of the things that are in our lives, the things we’ve allowed in and know are holding us back from the call to holiness that the Lord intends for us. The reality that the Chosen People then – and us, His chosen people now – are living in a world where that identity is constantly challenged by other gods. We’re no longer looking at terrains to inhabit and people’s to battle. The turf has gone much closer to home – interiorly in our heart. What members are there… what members have we allowed in that never should have been, that we’ve tolerated, that we’ve accommodated, that we’ve even shown mercy for – which we never should have?Numbers 10; Deuteronomy 9; Psalm 10
PRAYER WORKS… JUST ASK MOSES
I really loved this chapter of Deuteronomy – which is kind of funny when the title of it is so ominous: “CONSEQUENCES OF REBELLING AGAINST GOD” – doesn’t exactly seem like it’s going to bring about a lot of happy or inspiring thoughts. But reading this truly did. The first is the reality of Moses’ “fatherhood” to the people of Israel – he sees they are about ready to enter into the promised land, and that he’s not going with them. He’s worried. He knows the people “You are a stubborn people.” (vs. 6) – I underlined that and wrote next to it – yes, yes I am… I am Italian from New Jersey…. Then I remembered – oh this is Moses talking to the Jews of his day and age. But the thing is he’s having a heart-to-heart, honest, loving conversation with his people.
Prayer works…
In this instance we see it in the fact that Moses kind of brags on the fact that he laid prostrate for 40 days and 40 nights to intercede for the people after they’re previous infractions had left them jeopardized, open to being obliterated, wiped off the face of the earth by God. Moses was so moved to fear for his people that he pours himself into this intense prayer for God’s mercy.
Not only did God listen to that prayer… something else happened. God’s people had also become truly Moses’ people as well. The sacrifice of himself to intercede for them had melted away any and all of his previous doubts about his worthiness; questions about his abilities; personal frustrations with people who he and God could be in agreement, were truly ‘stiff necked’ to put it mildly. Somehow in the crazy journey’s, the struggles, the trials, the triumphs… Moses had grown to love the people as his very own – even though they weren’t. They were God’s… that He had entrusted to Moses for this time.
Prayer Works…
Moses’ heart expands in ways he never imagined or anticipated. And in that, Moses reveals that dual purpose that prayer brings about – not just intercession for the one who’s being prayed for – but that prayer changes us.
As a priest one of the joys that I can share with you, and I know I can speak for Fr. Mike on this as well – that’s how we feel about you. You’re not “ours.” We have no “claim” to you as our own like a biological parent has on their child. Yet, in the mystery of God’s love and providence, he entrusts His people to some of his other people. And in the process, hopefully we all are blessed, all come to encounter Jesus Christ, all are convinced of the power and efficacy of prayer. If you take nothing else from today’s readings and reflection than this, that would be enough: Prayer works.
Numbers 11; Deuteronomy 10; Psalm 33
MANNA AGAIN? OY VEY
Numbers 11: Bread, which was free, with free delivery, fresh, every day…
What was miraculous becomes monotonous. Before you know it, the Israelites are harboring thoughts of trading their miracle back for slavery – just to eat some of the Egyptian delicacies again.
It wasn’t about the bread. It never is. The tempter is always sowing seeds of distrust, envy, division. The time in bondage is forgotten while the variety of scraps of food they received during their captivity is thought of as a banquet. The evil one and his cohort seduces them with lies that Egypt wasn’t so bad… while demeaning the daily bread offered by a loving, generous, heavenly Father.
So often the 40 years between Egypt and the promised land is described as “wandering.” Wandering evokes a sense of aimlessness, lack of direction. But that’s not really accurate. God knew what He was doing. He not only fed them miraculously, but led them with miraculous pillars of fire and clouds… The wandering really was in the hearts of the Israelites as they wrestled with questions like:
Was Manna good enough?
Was freedom worth it?
Was God worthy of their trust?
The questions seem breathtakingly arrogant and dripping with jaw dropping lack of gratitude. Yet God took the risk (takes the risk) in letting the question get asked, of hearing these hurtful thoughts and condescending words. All with the hope that those wandering hearts will eventually come to answer with a profound, simple, confident – Yes.
Numbers 12 & 13; Deuteronomy 11; Psalm 94
TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED
If you missed some of the soap-opera like drama we encountered in Genesis a few weeks ago, then Numbers 12 must have been a welcome read. You have Moses getting remarried… Older sister disapproving (siding with Moses’ original wife) with brother Aaron siding with his sister… and God siding with Moses. It’s a big old mess Fr. Mike mentioned that you have family gossip at work… But no doubt many of our modern ears which understandable concerns about gender discrimination will wonder why is Miriam treated so harshly and seemingly Aaron gets a slap on the wrist for the same thing?
Digging a little deeper, it’s important to note that translations aren’t always so precise. So Jewish scholars point out that while it would be expected that Aaron as the older brother and the priest to be named first (the Chapter actually identifies it as Aaron and Miriam speak against Moses) the actual scripture starts “Miriam and Aaron spoke against” indicating that Miriam was the instigator – and that the actual word was the singular feminine form that would be more accurately she spoke, instead of the plural they spoke. So Hebrew scholars explain that Miriam spoke against Moses but Aaron listened silently and did not protest.
I have to admit, it still sounds like Miriam is being thrown under the bus.
So I dug deeper. Sarah Silberberg who’s a scholar of the Torah shared some insights that caught my attention. She explained that every time we encounter Miriam in scripture she speaks and acts boldly. As a young girl, she (with her mother) work to defy the horrific order from Pharaoh that every Hebrew boy be killed at birth. When her father decided to divorce from his wife to avoid having anymore children (and avoiding this horror), Miriam confronts her father calling him “worse than Pharaoh” for causing scandal and bad example to the Jewish community. Which caused her father to reunite with his wife, and baby Moses is born. When baby brother Moses is put in the basket on the Nile, to save him from being killed, it’s young Miriam who watches, waited to see what happens and then helps arrange for their own mother to end up nursing Moses.
In short, Miriam is fearless…. She would be an important part of the trio with brothers Moses and Aaron in the story of salvation. So when God hears this envious, slanderous, divisive talk from her – and seeing big brother Aaron following her lead, that’s what enrages God. Had these been legitimate concerns over Moses’ righteousness, the strong, fearless and righteous woman that she was would have confronted her brother Moses herself. She was better than this… That’s what God was calling out.
Again, we’re reminded, there are consequences to our sins (lest we forget, poor Moses won’t even get to the Promised Land!) Yet in the midst of this, God is still working. She’s not banished forever for this sin. She’s not excommunicated from the family or the community. Moses and Aaron intercede for her, and the community waits for her restoration before they can proceed.
But during this season of Lent, it’s a good reminder of the importance of the effects of our sins on one another – and even more, the importance of praying for those in positions of leadership in the Church. It was St. John Chrysostom who said The road to hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lampposts that light the path. If that’s true, a 7 day bout with leprosy isn’t so bad
Numbers 14; Deuteronomy 12; Psalm 95
GUARDING YOUR HEART, GUIDING YOUR MIND
Reading Numbers 14 the first thought was – well that was depressing. Anytime we read of God’s anger – it’s depressing. It’s interesting people continue to bring up their impression that God in the Old Testament comes across as “meaner” than in the New Testament. Part of that: reading God’s emotional reaction of annihilating a group of people might give that impression… Whereas in the New Testament we tend to focus on Jesus’ words at the Sermon on the Mount – the Beatitudes, turning the other cheek. I kind of think it’s more “selective memory” though. Jesus talks about Hell a lot…. We just don’t spend a lot of time there. (Oh and spoiler alert, this Sunday, Jesus runs really hot…) But I’m going off on a tangent here.
What was it that was so bad about this entire episode? We see the Chosen people, choosing not to be. Here it is – this is supposed to be the peak moment in the story of salvation. The People have an opportunity to respond to all that God had done for the people, leading them to this pivotal moment. It all comes down to this question – will they trust God more than their limited visions, their conflicted hearts; their confused minds? All the understandable human emotions coming into play can’t excuse this failure. They’ve been there, done that too many times. God had made a way when there wasn’t one far too many times before – how could they have been so forgetful of all of that when He’s preparing them for this moment of triumph. Even more maddening is reading how after the failure, they attempt to take the land without Moses, without God. Now they want to be brave? Or perhaps that original sin, the lie of the tempter is coming back again being gods themselves?
That this chapter is coupled with Deuteronomy 12 in our reading plan is providential (I don’t know how Fr Mike and Jeff Cavins went about putting this together, so I’m going with “providential”) In Deuteronomy we see God giving the people orders to tear down pagan shrines. To us living in a diverse society that claims “Freedom of Religion” as one of it’s bedrock principles (we can debate that another time another place) it seems so intolerant.
It is. It’s meant to be. God is telling His people – what it means to be Chosen. You shall have no other gods. In Catholic circles, this is called “avoiding the near occasion of sin.” To be people of faith, to respond to God’s directions and commands demands single mindedness that will at times mean overriding logic and emotion.
For me, that’s the takeaway from these readings. We are more than just Chosen people… In our Baptisms we have been made members of the Body of Christ; His sons and daughters – our relationship has gotten far more intimate, personal. We have to guard our hearts and guide our minds not to be led astray by those who like the Israelites are crying out all night to God and then ignoring His commands the next day. We have to guard our hearts, guide our minds to remain attuned to Him and not let the gods and idols of the world distract us.
DAY 64: Numbers 15; Deuteronomy 13 & 14; Psalm 96
THAT'S WHY WE DON’T EAT MEAT ON FRIDAY’S
Every Lent, there’s a flurry of interest in the “abstinence rule” which asks Catholics to forgo eating any “flesh meats” (beef, chicken, pork) on Fridays. (Interestingly, Canon Law [Church Law] still mandates the practice for every Friday of the year -which was the norm before the reforms of Vatican II allowed for a substitute penance - but that’s a conversation for another day)
Some joke that this is some long-standing pack that the Pope’s had with a Fisherman’s union. Others ridicule the importance of the practice and dismiss it as a relic of the past. But the readings from yesterday and today kind of highlight the precedent that this has come from our ancestors.
As we hear all these eating regulations being spelled out in Deuteronomy (and also we heard about this when we were going through Leviticus) we were introduced to the notion of good/bad or clean/unclean animals - which animals could and could not be eaten. The reasoning behind all these choices is never completely spelled out. It’s not really our right to question God for His choices and commands. But scholars will point to some of the regulations having a connection to animals that were considered “gods” to pagans, or sacrificed in pagan religions/territories. Some would have been physically unhealthy for a human being to eat. But in the end, it didn’t really matter. These were God’s regulations that He was asking His people to follow.
One of the beautiful aspects of the dietary regulations for the Jews was that it made eating more of an intentional activity. They had to be mindful of what they ate, how they prepared it, when they would eat it... there was something of a ritual to it, which when they remembered why or rather Who had asked them to do these things, made it a way of being mindful of God - of worshiping Him in a task that was very much a part of their everyday lives.
When we get to the New Testament chapters, we’ll learn why we as Christians were released from these prohibitions. But that hopefully gives us food for thought (sorry, couldn’t resist) when we think about not eating meat on Fridays. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not the greatest of sacrifices to have to make. When the practice began, meat used to be expensive, often tied to celebratory occasions which were meant to be refrained from throughout Lent and on Fridays as a way of always being mindful of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross on Good Friday (kind of like Sundays are meant to be celebrated as “The Lord’s Day” with Mass and Sabbath rest as being mindful of Easter Sunday)
It’s nowhere near as complex or extensive as our Jewish ancestors experienced (and many continue to do so today). But for us on Fridays to say “no” to something we want; saying “I can’t” in a world that shuns limitations on any individual desire - is a way of bringing our being “set apart” by Christ into our daily lives and routines.
Day 65 Revolt Against Moses
DAY 65: Numbers 16; Deuteronomy 15 & 16; Psalm 97
WHO CHOSE WHO
This chapter of Numbers is certainly memorable (and would make a pretty impressive scene in a movie). The three men Korah, Dathan, and Abiram getting consumed by the earth - it’s kind of hard to miss the point that God was displeased with them. What made this so infuriating to God? I mean, we’ve seen and heard the people whining, complaining, being envious a bunch of times. Miriam, Moses’ sister only got leprosy for a week - how was what these three were doing so much worse?
I think that at its core is the lack of self-awareness. They have let the reality of being “Chosen People” go to their heads. They somehow have told themselves that they are in charge. They can determine who and what is right. They have told themselves that Moses and Aaron are making up the rules, the regulations, the protocols as they go along and so they decide to rebel saying “we’re all chosen people” or more precisely “all the congregation are holy.”
Somewhere along the way they not only projet their pride, their arrogance, their selfish desires on Moses and Aaron - they completely forget God Himself. They relegate Him to some disinterested, disengaged bystander - rather than the one who did the “choosing” of this His “chosen people.”
Aside from that arrogance, another practical takeaway: we’re not going to grow close to God by passing judgment on others
Day 66 Forbidden Forms of Worship
DAY 66 - Numbers 17; Deuteronomy 17 & 18; Psalm 98
THERMOMETERS OR THERMOSTATS?
Reading Deuteronomy with the realization that not only is this God’s word, but it’s also Moses' last word - you can hear the mix of contexts going on. There’s a care and a concern in these passages. You can hear the voice of one who speaks with intimate knowledge of the people being addressed. This is true for both God, who is the creator of all - as well as Moses who after decades of being with and leading these people, knows them pretty well too.
This “dual authorship” came to mind reading these chapters - where Moses is trying to prepare the people for life after he’s gone. How will they know God’s will? God and Moses make it clear to them - they’re not to look at the people around them for advice or example: “Anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering...” (Yeah kind of went with the most dramatic example) But again, both God and Moses know their people. They know how easily tempted they are to follow the examples of those around them. Even after they’ve been saved from the enslaving forces of Egypt, they are still somehow tempted to remember things with a distorted vision of how good they had it. So they are reminded don’t look back - and don’t look around at what’s new, what’s different, what you see everyone else doing.
They are to be the ones who stand out, who are different, by following the direction of the Lord. By listening to the voice of the Lord who will raise up prophets like Moses. How will they be able to tell who those prophets are? There will be a continuity in the teaching, in the example, someone who is faithful in every sense of the word.
The beautiful thing for us to recognize is how in Jesus Christ, the Law, the Prophets are fulfilled. Yet the need for these words still remain for us. The words first given to Moses, those 10 Commandments given to the people, remain very much in effect. And yet, so many of us are continued to be tempted by all sorts of false prophets, false gods promising us all sorts of answers to the questions that are a part of every human experience - Where did I come from? Where am I going? What does all this mean?
Moses’ injunction not to be swayed by the world around them -but rather truly acting like “Chosen people” to eventually “sway” the world is even more urgent in our day and age. As we live in an increasingly “post-Christian” secularized world - it brings to mind a conference I went to where the speaker left us with the question are we thermometers or thermostats? Do we simply conform to the whims and directionsof the world, or do we transform the world by our faithfulness to God’s word?
Day 67 God's Justice and Refuge
DAY 67 - Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 19 & 20; Psalm 99
HOLY WAR?
There’s a difference between someone claiming a particular war is a “Holy War” and when God makes that claim. Throughout history, there have been people, nations, even religious leaders (including Catholic Church leaders) who have falsely called a battle, a conquest they were engaging in - or rather asking/forcing others to engage in as a “Holy War.” And because it was about religion and religious practices, forced conversions, and other problematic practices, we can see where this misnomer has come from.
The very narrow experience of a “Holy War” only comes up here in Deuteronomy as God prepares His people to enter the Promised Land and at the end of time when God brings final judgment on humanity...
It’s important to put this in a historical and spiritual context. In these scriptures, God is continuing to fashion His people, His nation and preparing them to enter into their homeland. For whatever reason, the Canaanites have become enemies of God, and they are inhabiting the land that God has determined as the Promised Land. The Canaanites will be superior in almost every way to the Hebrews, who’ve been wandering in the desert. They will have home-field advantage, they will be technologically advanced (having chariots which were like modern-day tanks) In the face of those realities, God gives the Israelites their first pivotal instruction: you are not to be afraid of them. Once again He reminds them, remember in Egypt - who had all the weapons, all the advantages and you had nothing there either, nothing except Me - the Lord God Almighty... and how did that turn out?
The point is when the battle belongs to the Lord - it is already won. That’s something the Jews are being reminded of and conditioned to hold in their hearts as they enter into battle - and that’s something we need to remember as well.
It sounds a bit repetitive, and I don’t know about you, but I need the reminder... again and again. Yes, the bible mentions only two holy wars - and that second one is already taking place. Yes, we believe in an end time and a final “showdown” where God will put an end to the powers of Hell and all that belongs to them (which we’ll hear about later this year) But if our “end time” comes before that definitive one, our personal judgment will be asking how well we fought Satan, the devil, evil in our lives?
As we read and hear these passages about the “Holy War” - may the Word of God speak into our hearts an intolerance for the powers of darkness. While there are surely signs of that throughout our world, the Lord is more interested in our dealing with the closest battlefields: in our hearts.
May we have the courage to do a thorough examination of conscience with the words of the Lord: you shall not be afraid... the Lord your God is with you. (Deut 20: 1)
Day 68 The Waters of Meribah
DAY 68 - Numbers 19 & 20 ; Deuteronomy 21; Psalm 100
CONTAGIOUS
I’ll be honest, going to leave the Red Heifer to Fr. Mike to explain.
As I was reading chapter 20 of Numbers, I was having all kinds of reactions. Moses’ sister Miriam has died...and seemingly immediately after the people complain about there not being any water. It was jarring to read how quickly the complaining began, again... with a similar refrain “we wish we had died before than to die here and now.” I guess people still being in the wilderness and all, funeral etiquette was still a bit far off for them.
But my first thought was “when will they learn to turn their whining and complaining into intercession?” Because this doubt that they foster in their hearts and on their lips has an effect on Moses. Even though God gave him clear instructions to call forth water from the rock, Moses doubts God. You could even say Moses passes judgment on God imagining that God must be mistaken, or forgotten and must have meant for him to “strike the rock” (like he had done the previous time they were in this same predicament in Exodus). I wonder if perhaps as he’s mourning his sister, and he’s in a vulnerable spot if now Moses “catches” the doubts of the angry mob.
This is why Fr. Mike keeps asking for prayers for himself and for our prayers for each other. It’s why we started this facebook group. Doubts are contagious. Fear is very contagious (I might argue just take a look around our world, not to dismiss or diminish COVID, but the fear seems fear has infected far more and far worse than COVID could ever have...)
But you know what else is contagious? Faith is contagious. Joy is infectious.
Instead of turning on Moses and Aaron, AGAIN - if they had any sense of awareness and memory to say “God we’ve seen what you are able to do, we know you are a good God who have provided a way when we never saw a way or thought a way was possible - be with us now in this our need.” The people uttering that prayer coupled with Moses hearing God’s directions would probably have resulted in a much more obedient and trusting Moses. Leaders need our prayers too.
In fairness, they were still wilderness dwellers. As we keep having to remember, they are being tamed and trained from people who reacted to whims, emotions, memories of being enslaved to becoming God’s chosen people, living freely in that new identity. It takes time (40 years wandering in the wilderness as one benchmark). So perhaps we have to cut them some slack and understand why this move from whining and complaining to praising and interceding hasn’t quite registered yet.
But with this opportunity to reflect on their experience, I’m left with that uncomfortable question - What’s my excuse? Pray for me as I pray for you
Day 69 The Bronze Serpent
DAY 69 Numbers 21; Deuteronomy 22; Psalm 102
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
As we start chapter 21, it seems like the same old same old - We’re hungry, We’re thirsty, We had it better in Egypt... yada... yada... yada... by now we know what’s coming next. But just then, there’s a twist to the story. This time, they don’t go to Moses and have to be told what they did that was wrong. They go themselves, repenting.
We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you...
What a difference a day makes! Recognition and repentance. The taming and training are starting to register from the head to the heart. And what happens? God shows up and shows out in a big way. First, the bronze serpent - the very creature that was causing death will now be reversed and become a source of life... and foreshadowing Jesus’ being lifted up on an instrument of death and making the cross the source of eternal life.
Something else occurs - God’s people start to act and experience the blessings of that identity. They move from city to city, territory to territory, and meet enemy after enemy, none proving any match for them.
But this is a pivotal moment. This recognition and repentance moved the people not just to owning their mistakes but also trusting God enough in bringing themselves to Him. Those steps open the eyes of their hearts to true faith... When they see Him as a Father; they listen to Him lovingly guide them not questioning or arguing (“a snake on a pole? What good is that going to do????”) With that the victories against these lands and kingdoms pale in comparison to the victory won in the hearts of the people.
We all know people - we are people who at some time in some way found themselves at odds with God, fighting against His will, maybe struggling with a sin (maybe not struggling with it, but way too "comfortable" with it). Messages of why the lack of fulfillment, why the dissatisfaction and sense of being lost might have been said in a variety of ways that perhaps even in our minds we knew were true. None of that has the effect of when we personally have that moment of recognition and repentance... where we turn to Jesus, trusting in His mercy who has revealed God as a good, loving Father waiting to pour out His Holy Spirit upon us to absolve us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we confess our sins and restore us as His beloved sons and daughters. Going that first time after some time, walking out of that confessional feeling transformed, changed and renewed, we too can appreciate the difference a day makes.
Day 70 The Offense of Balaam
DAY 70 - Numbers 22; Deuteronomy 23; Psalm 105
BEFORE SHREK
So how many of you expected to find a talking donkey in the Old Testament? Anyone? Chapter 22 of Numbers has to be one of the most mysterious and fascinating of chapters in the narrative. Probably because so few of us have heard about this person Balaam or this whole incident. Here we have someone who is not a Jew, who is able to converse with God. Balaam is enlisted to help by Balak, the King of Moab – after seeing what happened to some neighboring kingdoms of Og and Sihon. Balak had previously suffered defeat at the hands of Sihon, so he figures if the Israelites were able to defeat them, we stand no chance. Actually, Sihon recognized that his gods were no match for the gods of Sihon, so the Lord God was proven even more powerful.
That’s what causes King Balak to reach out to this international man of mystery Balaam who’s got a reputation for being able to bless and curse. We read the dialogue between God and Balaam… We see Balaam has heard what God has said, that he will not curse the Israelites. Balaam seems to be agreeing to what the Lord is saying. Even though God told Balaam to go back with the delegation to Balak, something happens that God’s anger is kindled almost immediately. And while Balaam had been able to converse with the Lord, something stops his perception of God at that moment as the donkey keeps refusing to advance, three times, at which point he hits him and then Donkey or rather the donkey starts talking to him.The more important thing is recognizing God’s action, activity, providence for His people. Even in the most unconventional, unexpected and uncommon of ways, God is caring for His people and speaking His word through even sources not ever considered worthy or acknowledgment or respect for those who love and respect God. That’s a good reminder for us as we journey in an ever growing secular, bizarre world. Where we have leaders, celebrities, media figures that seem distant from being role models in any faith tradition, often times our response is to go into a protective bubble, disengage and ignore every and anything from what we’ve deemed as worthy sources. The reality is, the more we have a heart that’s focused on the Lord – that we align ourselves with His Word (like we’re doing here) and His Sacraments, that enables us to have a discerning spirit. That’s able to see signs of God’s goodness, acts of His provision, messages of faith even in some unexpected places. All that being said, I’d still be a bit concerned if anyone has a message from a talking donkey… Just saying
Day 71 The Source of the Law
DAY 71 - Numbers 23; Deuteronomy 23 - 24; Psalm 106
LET'S MAKE A DEAL
One sure-fire way to differentiate between a real prophet and a false prophet... a real prophet knows who God is and has humility and awareness of who they are in the conversation. You would think that a talking donkey might have caught Balaam's attention, finally to recognize some truths about himself. Despite whatever it was he may have been able to do in terms of his arts of deception and manipulation in regards to these other “gods” that he had finally met the Lord God Almighty.
Yet we see and hear how Balaam keeps going back and forth between King Balak and God, all with the intention of somehow trying to get God to curse the people of Israel. Its somewhat comical: Maybe if we go here on this mountain, the conditions might alter just enough to be able to persuade God to do what we want!!!
This is just part of paganism and their views of gods. For pagans, gods were somewhat capricious. They were seen as emotional, prone to whims. So the King is operating in a way that he had experienced and expected as a norm with any “spirits” and their “prophets.”
The amazing thing is seeing how God is actually using Balaam to reveal who He is not just to the Jews - but to this pagan world. Which is a reminder of something we heard almost a month ago when we were in Exodus and Leviticus. The point of “The Chosen People” wasn’t to exclude anyone. God's mission for “the Chosen People” is to reveal Himself through them - to invite the rest of the world into a relationship with Him, ultimately included in God the Father’s family. But they need to want to be a part of that family. We hear that desire from Balaam, one of the few times in the Old Testament that a non-Jew expresses a desire to be in relationship with the God of Israel “Let me die the death of the righteous and let my end be like [Jacob/the people of Israel]” (Numbers 24: 10)
To me these exchanges are fascinating. It’s reminding me of when the Centurion goes to Jesus asking for the healing of his servant in the Gospel of Matthew. For these “outsiders” to begin to perceive something of value, something of worth, something they desire that they have yet to encounter elsewhere. The centurion and Balaam are both looking for a blessing from God - which is distinct and unlike anything they had ever encountered elsewhere. They both in a sense wonder what will be required - what offering, what sacrifice, what will entice God?
It was St. Augustine who beautifully prayed “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.” God’s never been interested in making a deal with us - He desires us and wants us to be so won over by that realization of His love that nothing else would matter or suffice.
Day 72 The Plains of Moab
DAY 72 - Numbers 24-25; Deuteronomy 26; Psalm 107
CURSING ONESELF
So after a few days with these interesting characters of Balaam and King Balak where we’ve had a donkey speaking to a false prophet; the false prophet speaking to God; these two non-Jews trying to get the Lord God to curse His people (and failing miserably) - even leaving Balaam to sound like he’s longing to be apart of God’s people “How fair are your tents O Jacob your encampments O Israel (Numbers 24: 5)... After we see how God continues to remain faithful, loyal to His people - it’s like a smack in the face to read Chapter 25. It comes so suddenly, ”Israel...began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab.”
No King Balak couldn’t hire anyone to curse Israel. Balaam for whatever he was able to do with his dark arts and such, couldn’t curse Israel. That, sadly, is something that only they could do to themselves. Which they did.
It’s a reminder when earlier we might have felt uncomfortable with the seeming command of God to destroy any foreigners to the Chosen People. Here’s an example of why. The Israelites try to be “neighborly” to the Canaanites they encounter. Their wayward, broken hearts easily fall for the seductions of the Moabite and Midianite women and the pagan practices and worship of false gods.
So close and yet... Just a few days ago we saw how after their repentance, God brought healing to the serpents and led them from victory to victory over Sihon and Bashan - and now they are right back into a state of grave sin.
This is a good reminder for us of the words of St. Peter “be sober and alert, your opponent the devil prowls like a lion for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Satan is constantly looking for another way to tempt and seduce us. And just because we were victorious before, doesn’t ever mean we can take that previous victory to mean the next one is guaranteed.
Day 73 Inheritance of Land
DAY 73 - Numbers 26 ; Deuteronomy 27; Psalm 111
FORK IN THE ROAD
As Deuteronomy moves along, we have to keep coming back to the reality that this is Moses' final words to the Israelites. He knows he will not be entering the promised land with them. And as we’ve seen at least a few times this last week, just when it seems the Israelites “get it” that God is pretty serious about the covenant, they just as quickly forget. Perhaps that’s the charitable interpretation... maybe they get bored, tired, curious. Whatever the reason, they seem to play fast and loose with the covenant, the 10 commandments.
This is why it’s interesting that the Lord directs Moses and the elders of the people that on the day when the promise of the promised land is fulfilled - God won’t trace the commandments with his finger on stones, Moses (well he won’t be there) - nor any of the leaders won’t be reciting them to the people... the people themselves are being ordered to carve the law on stone. And not just the 10 commandments, but a deeper reflection of those laws. It’s not just “thou shalt not have any gods before me” but now “cursed be the man who makes a graven or molten image.”
Not that God wasn’t clear before, but it’s almost like the people themselves need to take ownership of these commandments as they enter into the promised land. They have to decide for themselves how sincerely they want to be there, to be His people or not. It’s one thing to look at 10 commandments on tablets and the mental gymnastics we can go through to decide if there’s a loophole hear or there. It’s another thing when I’m carving these words myself and recognizing I’m putting everything on the line myself - I’m agreeing that I’m cursed, I’ve brought the curse on myself if I rebel if I turn away.
It’s a pivotal moment for them. Their times of “wandering” will be at an end, if they truly want it to be. But there’s no free ride - there are hopes, there are expectations, there are repercussions. But there’s also no greater blessings they can conceive.
As we go through the season of Lent, in a few short weeks when we get to Easter, once again we will renew our Baptismal promises. Maybe this day we can take time to “google” them and reflect on them... bringing the seriousness in our answers that the Lord had in mind when these words were spoken to His first Chosen People.
Day 74 Joshua Appointed
DAY 74: Numbers 27 & 28; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 112
FAITH FILLED FEMINISM
In the United States, the month of March has been declared “Women’s History Month” for the last several decades as a way of highlighting the significant contributions of women that for too long were not recognized or respected. It’s providential that we would meet five amazing women who could be considered the first feminists in a time when that concept was the furthest thing from being considered by the societies that inhabited the earth.
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah - the daughters of Zelophehad of the family line of Joseph - at the conclusion of the census, as things are being organized for the possession of the Promised Land - these five women come forward and point out an obvious injustice. Their father had not rebelled against the Lord; had passed away before the day of entry into the Promised Land; they have remained faithful - didn’t they as his daughters deserve what would’ve been given to him?
We've been reminded the last couple of months as we’ve encountered some challenging passages, particularly where the descriptions of “taking” a woman; some of the jarring readings that dealt with cases of rape; questions over divorce and adultery - how for the people of this time and age, the Lord God is introducing concepts of justice, of fairness to a humanity that was often wildly violent, rebellious and grossly unfair. In those examples, the dignity of women was being promoted where the treatment of other kingdoms of women as “property” was not permitted. God was bringing them back to basics (Back to Genesis) And with each of those still unsettling “laws and ordinances” to our ears, God was establishing care and protection for the daughters of Israel - (and ultimately for all women)
This is what makes this scene at the beginning of Numbers 27 that much more courageous. The women have heard and come to believe that in God’s eyes they are beloved... they are noticed... they are treasured... they share the dignity that men do as being made by God’s hands in His divine image. So they boldly go to Moses with their concern - who recognizes the uniqueness of their claim that is unprecedented up to this moment and so he does the only thing he knows he can - go to God with it. And scripture tells us God says “the daughters... are right.”
I recently came upon one definition of Faith - that treated it as an acronym: “Forsaking All I Trust Him.” Where does their courage, their insight, and wisdom, their strength come from? The same place it comes from for men - from God. These 5 women, not only should be heroines to the feminist movement but are true examples of FAITH to all of us.
Day 75 The Keeping of Vows
DAY 75: Numbers 29 & 30; Deuteronomy 29; Psalm 113
SEEN - BUT NOT ABLE TO SEE
This week will be the last week we hear from Moses... as we come close to the end of the books of Numbers & Deuteronomy - we are also coming to the end of the 40 years of wandering, not to mention the end of Moses’ life here on earth. As we have heard since first starting with this book of the Old Testament, of Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell sermon - and you can almost sense the emotion. The care he has for the people of Israel who Moses has shepherded. The concern he has knowing very well their history - a history he has traveled with them.
This is why we continue to encounter so much repetition, particularly with the commandments, the recounting of the different events of salvation. Partially because, as we know, repetition is the key to learning. That will be essential for the Jews for countless generations, even till today as part of their religious training and celebrations centralize the importance of repeating these key moments and teachings.
But for a lot of these men and women, lived through the very things Moses is re-telling. It’s not like this is just some future generation just coming to learn their history. He’s reminding them of their story. Yet Moses’ words (Deut 29: 2-6) reveal his great fear: You have seen - but you don’t understand, you don’t see, you don’t hear.... Interestingly, Moses puts the onus on God though - saying the Lord has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, the ears to hear. There’s this tension that Moses senses between what has been revealed, what is hidden, and who’s responsible for the lack of recognition.
While it’s easy to point out God’s intolerance of outright sin, what we can miss in these Old Testament passages is His patience. Yes, Moses feels the need to continue to be a “broken record” repeating things over and over again. But who gave the Israelites Moses in the first place? Who gave Moses this loving servant’s heart that cares so desperately for these people? It was a far from perfect heart as we know all too well from our travels with Moses for these weeks. There was stubbornness, there were moments of rebellion, times when he gave into fear and doubt. God had to call him out... correct, punish, train him. He might not even realize how all of that was essential in Moses coming to understand, to see, to hear - to love God and His people.
Moses had the mind, eyes, ears, and heart - as do each and everyone of us. We also have freedom, good and bad influences, and the complexity of daily life that can distract us, tempt and confuse us on our earthly pilgrimage. It’s easy to beat ourselves up when we have an Aha moment, or clarity or revelation and think to ourselves what was wrong with me, why am I so [fill in the blank with whatever negative characteristics we label ourselves with in these situations]
God thinks we’re worth His time, His effort, His patience. He wants us to keep repeating, remembering, reflecting so that we can experience the joy of the psalmist's words from today’s Psalm: He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people (Psalm 113: 7-8)
Day 76 War Against Midian
DAY 76: Numbers 31; Deuteronomy 30; Psalm 116
FUNNY WAY TO CHOOSE LIFE
I’m going to have to ask Fr. Mike if when they put together the reading plan if they lined up chapters like today’s or was that just by providence. That we hear of this bloody war and slaughter in the book of Numbers only to turn to Deuteronomy and read the “Exhortation to Choose Life.” It seems like a contradiction or at least some mixed messaging for sure.
But as I wrote that paragraph and re-read the passages it hits me that only comes from a distorted notion of God that I have. That somehow God has to fit into my perspective of what is right and just. That I’m in a position to judge to say “God shouldn’t have done that.”
First off, we have to remember that a few chapters back, Midian had set themselves up to be enemies of God. God had made it clear to King Balak and his enlisted sorcerer Balaam, eventually through a talking donkey - that the Israelites were His Chosen people. That Balak, Balaam would not be able to conjure up any divinations to curse them. That God would not curse His people whom He had entered into covenant with.
What wasn’t explicitly stated earlier but is borne out here (and in other biblical texts that we will come to later) after God had made it clear He wouldn’t curse His people, Balaam, King Balak and the Midianite (and Moabite women) conspired to tempt the Hebrews into “cursing themselves” by enticing, seducing and tempting them... into sexual immorality, into apostasy and idolatry. As a result of that, we have already read how God had already punished and purified His people with the plagues that they suffered in the immediate aftermath. Now as the journey into the promised land is soon upon them, before Moses’ death and Joshua becomes the new leader, the Lord orders through Moses that the ones who helped lead the rebellion against God are being dealt with (it’s a familiar pattern - in Genesis after Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit and are banished from the Garden - then God punishes the serpent)
Part of what makes us uncomfortable reading these passages is that at its core is the reality of God punishing sin. As Catholic Christians, that’s a concept that shouldn’t be new or revolutionary. For my parent’s generation, there was an over-emphasis on that reality which led to a hyper-sensitivity were eating meat on Friday was considered a mortal sin that you had to go to confession before going to communion. (A.K.A. “Catholic Guilt”). For my generation and since - the emphasis has been on God’s love and mercy, which is an important part that perhaps the previous generation missed in some of their education. But the pendulum probably went too far in the opposite direction. My CCD classes were more coloring books of happy animals coming off an ark, kind of ignoring why they needed to go on the ark in the first place.
This could go off in a tangent on that paradigm shifts over what was emphasized/over-emphasized and the pros and cons of those things. Suffice it to say, God does not rejoice in these incidents. He’s not vindictive or bloodthirsty. But on the other hand, words, actions mean things. Something else that we’ve seen the pendulum swing on in our modern world.
Deuteronomy clearly ties “choosing life” not as “living your life by doing whatever you want to make you happy” but by “Loving the Lord your God, by walking in His ways, by keeping his commandments and his statutes and ordinances...” In Jesus, what we find is that all of those laws are revolutionized and humanized... they’re expanded in many ways and become even more demanding. While at the same time, God draws ever closer to us. He makes himself that much more accessible, vulnerable to us to experience His tremendous mercy in the Incarnation. God has upped the expectations for humanity, while at the same time walking with us as one of us. To show us, yes the road is narrow... it is hard to take up the cross and follow Him... but it is indeed possible to choose life, for now, and all eternity.
Day 77 God Is Faithful
DAY 77: Numbers 32; Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 117
LOOKING FOR ANY GOOD NEWS
Chapter 31 of Deuteronomy is kind of a downer, isn’t it? Moses is about to die - and knows it’s coming... The joy that should accompany Israel’s long-awaited entry into the Promised Land is undermined by the prediction that (shocker of shockers) they will once again rebel, be disobedient, break the covenant with the Lord. The defeatists, pessimists might be tempted to wonder - what’s the point then? To have gotten this far and it seems like the same old, same old for God’s people.
But that’s not the full story. God states in assuring words, despite what has happened - despite what may, or will happen “...the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31: .
This time of taming and training in the wilderness; this time of sacrifice for Moses as a leader has not been in vain. Even as the brokenness of humanity will continue... with bad choices, giving into temptations - the people, His people - are coming to know and love Him. They’re beginning to understand the specialness in being “chosen.” They’re starting to appreciate the uniqueness of their relationship with God.
This isn’t giving them a blank check to presume God’s forgiveness for future sins without consequence - but the promise is restated: God will never give up on humanity. Despite the difficulties, tensions, and challenges this will continue to represent, this is indeed Good News.
DAY 105: John 19-21; Proverbs 6: 16-22
KING OF THE JEWS
Think back to a little over a month ago. Back then when we encountered this mysterious person Balaam, one of the most bizarre things other than his hitting a donkey who then started talking to him, was that this non-Jewish who wasn’t by any stretch of an imagination a good or holy individual, had the ability to speak with God and that God was able to use him to send a message to His people of love and care for His people.
As we enter these last chapters of John at the close of this Messianic checkpoint, that came to mind. That God uses another non-Jewish individual who wasn’t by any stretch of an imagination a good or holy individual: Pontius Pilate. The twists and turns of this unjust arrest, humiliation, trial are probably most familiar to Catholic Christians. We know of Pilate’s reluctance to give into the crazed mobs unhinged demands that Jesus be crucified. We hear again how Pilate tries every loophole and ways to get out of it. We can surmise fear, indifference, abject cowardice as reasons for his going along with the sick desire for blood.
As Jesus leaves Pilate’s writing and placing on the cross “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” is noteworthy. Pilate has made it clear he’s not a Jew and not vaguely interested in their laws. Pilate’s conceding to this evil demand was more about keeping the Jews settled and under control. Which by the way was maintaining the status quo with the “legal” King of the Jews, Herod
Is he trying to embarrass the Jews that he just placated? Is he trying to humiliate them as an innocent man dies and a robber/murderer/
Like Balaam, Pilate probably felt some twinge of courage to have written what he had written. Perhaps sensing not only the truth that he argued he was clueless of, but imagining that with the death of the King of the Jews, the Jewish people themselves would also be done, and Rome would have one less obstacle to deal with.
Yet, as we’ve seen, God can use jackasses to completely upend, confuse and confound the world before – and will do so in even more definitive way. The King of the Jews will suffer this cruel fate, and utterly destroy death… His reign will far surpass the grandest of hopes mere mortals dared to imagine… His Kingdom will gather peoples of all times, all nations into an eternity, ruled under the embodiment of truth, peace and love… And His chosen people who once again turned away from yet another covenant will find their healing, restoration, reconciliation in Him who they spurned…
It’s with that in mind that we can turn back to the Old Testament tomorrow hearing the foreshadowing of this coronation in the next section “Royal Kingdom.”