Idol Hands

Exodus 20:22- 21:1

So God clears up His use of the word "god" in the beginning of this section. He seems to mean lowercase "g" god- not almighty being God. He tells Moses to tell the Israelites. You've seen me firsthand- I've spoken to you directly from heaven- no doubt that I'm real- so don't create gods to put alongside of Me. Don't make silver and golden gods- you've got the real one- you don't need those cheap knock-off gods.

Then He tells Moses to have the Israelites build an altar out of earth for Him- and to scarifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings (or peace offerings) to Him on it. He specifically mentions sheep, goat and cattle as sacrificial items. He says that if you build it out of stones- don't use dressed stones. The only sense I can make out of this phrase is maybe don't decorate it- don't chisel a cool design in the stones. If a tool is used on it, it will be defiled.

Why would a tool defile it? Maybe it's "I made the earth- you made the tool." Although technically, God made the tool too- but perhaps in a sense the tool is a defilement of what God initially made. It's puzzling to me that sinful man could touch the earth- but not tools.

And don't go up the altar steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it. I guess if they are up higher than others, people could look up their garments. I would assume this happened in other settings, but God says here- this place will be holy- we have no room for any chance of lewdness going on.

One of the most interesting parts of this section is a statement tucked in the middle of the altar instructions. "Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you." God doesn't say when you honor Me- I will bless you, He causes His name to be honored.

Yet another reminder that we aren't in control. Not having this control is in some ways frightening- but if our trust is in God, it should be comforting.

May You cause Your name to be honored.

God's Top 10 List

Exodus 20: 1-21

So here it comes- God lays down the law to Moses. Ten fairly succinct rules to govern their lives. While the laws themselves aren't very wordy- the principles are far encompassing- and on occasion, even ambiguous.

As a prelude God tells Moses or the people- the logistics are a bit hard to ascertain- I'm your God- I brought you out of slavery in Egypt...

Then He gets to the nuts and bolts.
From the top: 1) You shall have no other gods before me. Interesting he doesn't say don't worship false gods- He says, don't put them first. Is he simply staving off an argument irrelevant to his current message? You and I know there aren't any other gods- but just in case you wonder...don't worship the gods you imagine are there. Why not just make it plain?...there's Me- and that's it.

2)Those idol things? Not so much. What I find interesting here is that he says don't make any idols. And then he says- don't bow down to them. If I don't make them, how can I bow down to them? Maybe he realizes that people will still make them despite His proclamation- so if you stumble across renegade idol-makers and their illegal sculptures- don't bow down to them. Or maybe he knew that there were some in existence among the people already. Don't make them- and don't bow down to the ones that are already there.

On this one He explains Himself. I'm jealous. If I'm sinned against by people that hate Me- I'll punish three/four generations down the line - but if you love me and keep my commandments- I'll show love to thousands of generations. It's easy to focus on the harrowing first half of this statement- God's wrath- but compare the level of punishment to the level of affection and in many ways- God's jealousy expresses His love for us. I love you- please love Me back.

3) Don't misuse the Lord's name. This reads differently in the NIV. Does it mean don't misrepresent the Lord's will. Don't say "God commands this" when He really doesn't? Don't say your suffering is because of your sin, Job, when it really isn't? I think it has more to do with the idea expressed more clearly in other translations. The Message reads "No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter." Even this is ambiguous- does that mean expressions like "Oh my God" or "G-damn" are out of bounds? How about "Lordy, Lordy"? Or would misusing His name deal specifically with "Jehovah"? Some would even argue (I believe foolishly) that this would even prohibit things like "Gosh, golly, gee-whiz," and the like. Whatever the specifics- God's name is not something to be trifled with. He specifies that no one who misuses His name will be found guiltless.

4) Don't forget the Sabbath- keep it holy. I like this law. Relax! I tend to have several sabbath's a week- after all, you can't obey God's law too much...right?

Actually they're told to labor for six days and take a day off- but that day off is a day off for everyone- servants, animals, children- aliens within your gates-no work allowed. He explains that this mimics the creation of the world. Be God-like, rest on the 7th day.

5) Honor Mom and Dad. Why? So that you may live long in the land God is giving you. Would that be because if you honor them you'll get their wisdom and you'll live longer? Or maybe, if you don't, I'll strike you down? Or- I won't give you the land if you don't obey me?

6-9) straightforward and brief- No murder, no adultery, no stealing, no false testimony against your neighbor.

Interesting wording on this last one- not don't lie- but no false testimony. So in court be honest? Once again- The Message is a little clearer- Don't tell lies about your neighbor. So it seems to incorporate both lying and gossipping.

10) Ix-nay on the coveting. Not your neighbor's house, wife, servant, ox, donkey, or anything your neighbor owns. In short, be satisfied with your own blessings.

The people saw the smoke and thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet- and they freaked out a bit. We'll listen to you Moses- but please don't have God talk to us directly- we'll die.

Moses speaks two sentences that seem to make no sense together. 1) "Do not be afraid. 2) God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." So don't be afraid- God is giving you fear?

But maybe the idea is- God's testing you- here's the plan- He's given you 10 commands- follow them and it all be ok- and the anxiety you feel will keep you on the right path.

And I think it's easy to approach God the same way now. Scared of Hell? Keep doing what's right. Wrath of God keep you at night? It wouldn't if you followed the commandments. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. What I take from this though is how different this approach is with what Jesus does.

Jesus doesn't give us a checklist with fear paperclipped to it. He died because he knew that we couldn't check all the boxes off- and because of the sacrifice - because God knew that just like the Israelites WE couldn't pass the test- we don't have to live in fear- Jesus already suffered the consequences of for all the horrible things I've done.

I long for a list sometimes- just tell me exactly what to do - remove the ambiguity. But it's impossible to keep. The plan of grace is so much better.

The people remained at a distance- they were scared. God wants us to be close. And we can be if we realize that we go to Him as a loving father- not a fierce overlord.

Mountain Don't

Exodus 19

Three months have passed since our wanderers began their sojourn- and now they find themselves in the desert of Sinai- beside a large mountain. God calls to Moses and tells him to tell the people- "You have all witnessed what I did to Egypt- and you saw me put you on eagles' wings to get you out of there. So- if you'll keep all of My commandments you're going to be my treasured possession. You'll be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Moses tells the people and they consent- we'll do it!

For some reason, God seems to doubt the people's trust in Moses, so He tells him- I'm going to come to you in a dense cloud- the people will see us talking directly and put their faith in you.

After Moses reported this news to the people, God tells him- now consecrate the people- have them wash their clothes and get ready. On the third day I'm coming down and they'll see Me. Moses is supposed to "put limits for the people around the mountain" and tell them not to go up the mountain or even touch the foot of it. In fact if you touch it, you die. Even animals will be killed if they touch it. The "put limits" thing is kind of odd- but maybe it simply means- rope off the mountain- make it obvious how close you can get before you're in danger.

And the whole death thing won't be a striking from God- the people are supposed to kill those who violate this rule. Only they won't be allowed to touch them. Their deaths will come from either stones or arrows. I don't know if they could touch the dead bodies afterwards.

When a ram's horn sounded a long blast, they could go up the mountain.

So Moses consecrated them. This is a verb I don't use often...or ever, but it seems to mean to set apart as holy. So basically, it seems like there was a ceremony of sorts where these folks committed themselves to serving God. They washed their clothes- and Moses told them to abstain from sex until the third day (when the big event was to take place).

So the big morning came with fanfare. There was thunder and lightning and a blasting trumpet. The whole camp trembled. Moses led them to the foot of the mountain where it was smokey- God had descended on the mountain in fire. The smoke billowed up "like smoke from a furnace"- and the mountain itself trembled. And Moses and God had a conversation in the presence of all the people.

God called Moses to the top of the mountain- and told him go down and tell them not to force their way up here- we don't want them to have to be killed. This is funny to me- God calls Moses to the top of the mountain- and the message is...go back down the mountain and tell the people not to come up here. OK God, but why didn't you have me tell them before I got all the way up here? You don't have a ski lift on this thing do you?

God says that even the priests who approach must be consecrated.

The logistics are fuzzy for me. It seems like God is saying- don't force your way up-wait for the ram's horn and you have to be consecrated. A horn blew- Moses consecrated the people...what's the issue?

And maybe Moses is a little confused too. God..they're not supposed to come up, right? You told us to put limits on the mountain. You don't really want them overturning the barricades do you?

God replies- go get Aaron and bring him up with you- but not the priests and the people (were the priests not people? :) ), if they force their way up, he will break out against them.

And Moses reports the news.

This is an odd section- and not just because the Lord refers to Himself in third person. It seems like God is taking a fairly simple proposition and making it really complicated. Why not just a loud voice from heaven for all to hear "You know that guy Moses? You should all listen to him."

Is God telling us that we need to do to prepare to be in His presence? Clean clothes and three days of abstinence before every church meeting? If God is always with us- our clothes should be perpetually clean?

I think maybe we get a glimpse into God's occasional desire for pageantry. I've always scoffed at that part of organized religion. Don't really need the robes, they're silly. Can we dispense with the showy? It doesn't seem too sincere. Do you really need to raise your hands when you sing? Are you doing that for my benefit or God's?

But maybe from time to time He likes us to make a big deal about approaching Him. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad choice once in a while to physically kneel when I pray. Maybe a fast here or there would please Him. Maybe a showy worship service for a special occasion, if done with the right heart and spirit would be a show not just for us, but for our creator too.

I don't know that any of that's mandated- but it's certainly not forbidden, or even discouraged. Here, God wants a big deal made about His presence. And yes, it's a different kind of "in His presence" than we experience on a regular basis, but how different I'm not sure.

Maybe on a smaller level this chapter can instill the glory of nature around us. Watch a lightning storm- you're in God's presence. If you can ignore the horror and fear of a fire- and see it's fascinating beauty- you can again see the wonder of our Lord.

And maybe these Israelites so close to God at this moment never viewed a thunderstorm the same way again.

Midian Hillbillies

Exodus 18

Moses' father-in-law Jethro hears about all God has done for Moses and the Israelites and he comes to visit him in the desert. This is interestng to me. I guess I've always pictured this escapade in the desert as aimless (at least from the Israelites' perspective) wandering- but people from the outside can track and find them.

Moses had sent his wife and children Gershom (an alien there ) and Eliezer (my God is helper) to stay with Jethro- and Jethro takes the opportunity to bring Moses' family to visit him. This makes Moses' trekking even more impressive. Not only is he having to lead a disgruntled, difficult group of people- he's doing it without the comfort of his family. He ends a long, arduous day to find an empty tent and thoughts of his loved ones back in Midian.

Maybe Jethro made the trip as an excuse to give back his inherited extended family. Um- Moses- leave your mother and father and cleave to each other- these folks are your responsibility now. Time to take them back.

When Jethro gets there he is in awe of all that God has done. He praises God and makes a rather odd statement: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly." What does this say about Jethro's understanding of God? Is he being accomodative- using the phrase "other gods" metaphorically? Is he polytheistic?

Regardless, Jethro is impressed and he offers a burnt offering and other sacrifices. Aaron joins the elders to share a meal with Jethro in God's presence.

So the next day, Moses goes about his business and starts to act as judge for the people. Jethro witnesses it and realizes that Moses has taken on too much. He tells Moses to remain the representative for both the people and God- but to delegate his authority. Choose some leaders and train them- and then you don't have to handle it all. So Moses picked some trustworthy men and let them handle much of what he was doing.

He still handled the tough cases- but he allowed others to handle the easier ones. Then Moses sent Jethro away. It doesn't say, but perhaps Moses keeps his wife and kids with him.

For me the big lesson here is similar to the last section- life is too much to handle alone. Share the work- share the problems. Carry each other's loads.

And trust each other enough to delegate things that others can handle. Power seems to be a central issue. You can't control life- not other's, and not even your own. Give up some of that power- not only to God but to each other as well.

Go Fly an Amelekite

Exodus 17: 8-16

So the Israelites are at Rephidim, and the nature trail is over- now they're on a warpath. But they aren't seeking battle- they are attacked by the Amelekites. Moses tells Joshua- get some men and fight back- I'll go to the mountaintop with the staff of God in my hand.

This, I believe is the first reference of the staff being used without God first telling Moses- use it for this purpose. Of course, God could have told Moses to use it this time too and just not recorded the conversation- or there could have been other instances not recorded that Moses takes matters (and the staff) into his own hands- but it appears at least that Moses takes some initiative with the staff.

So the Israelites fight- and as long as Moses has the staff lifted in the air, the Israelites win the battle- but when his shoulders droop and the staff is lowered- the Israelites start to get spanked. It seems like Moses took the easy job for himself, at least initially- while other men are defending their families, Moses escapes to the mountaintop out of harm's way. However, Moses gets tired- try lifting your hands without a staff for hours over your head and see how it easy it is.

But when he gets tired- Aaron and Hur (Benny?) help him out. They move a rock for him to sit on and they hold his hands up over his head. This kept his hands steady until the sun went down.

God tells Moses to record the event for posterity, since he was going to blot the Amelekites out. Moses builds an altar and calls it "The Lord is my banner." The chapter ends with Moses observing "...hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."

I pull two things from this section. 1) the reward of initiative- I think it's possible for us to wait for direction for so long that we're destined for lives of inactivity. I pray for guidance, direction- a leading voice- but the answers are usually ambiguous. And ultimately I have to take what I know about what God wants, likes and expects and act to please Him. - Kind of parable of the talents lesson.

2) We're in this mess together. While our fates may be individual- our common love of God- and family ties make it necessary for us to work together and lean on each other. Arms tired? Let me hold them up. You're in danger- let me lead the charge. The point for us- lean on each other. It's easy to look at life as a marathon- maybe a more accurate- or at least more realistic metaphor is a relay race.

Also interesting to note that it was the leader who did the leaning- we never get to the point where we don't need each other. Carry my burden and I'll get yours.