Atkins Inspiration

Exodus 12: 1-30

So God sets up a holiday for his people. In fact, in a sense, time is measured from this moment. He says ok- This is now the first month of your year. On January 10th (OK not really January, but you get the idea), every man takes a lamb for his family- one per household. If you've got a small family, you can go in with your nearest neighbor. Determine how much lamb by how much you're going to eat. None of this lamb will be served as leftovers, lamb stew, lamb casserole, or even lamb on rye (unleavend) with lettuce and tomato. What you don't eat that day, you burn.

The lambs are to be year old males without defect. Sheep or goats are fine. Take care of them until the 14th. At twilight you will take part in a community slaughter. Take some blood and put it around the doorframes of the house where you will eat the meat. You'll eat the lamb with a side of bitter herbs and some yeast-less bread. No raw lamb- nothing cooked in water- cook this over a fire,roasted heads, legs and inner parts.

Now when you're eating- keep your sandals on, make sure your cloak is tucked into your belt and have your staff in your hand. And scorf it down- eat it quick, it is the Lord's passover.

That night, I'll come through Egypt and strike down every firstborn, men or animals. I'm bringing judgment on the Egyptian gods. When I see the blood, I'll pass over you (Passover...get it?) . As long as the blood is on the door, you'll be fine when I strike Egypt.

So starting on the 14th- no yeast for a week. In fact- get the yeast out of your houses. If you eat yeast from the 14th- 21st, you will be cut off from Israel, no matter who you are. You'll have a couple of sacred assemblies on the 14th (?)and 21st(?)- and you can't do any work on those days- except food preparation.

So Moses tells the people- get that blood on your doorframes- and don't leave your house until morning. You'll be safe as long as you're inside.

The Israelites follow through and they're ok- the Egyptians...not so much. Lots of death- in fact not a house without someone dead. Does this mean that no one in Egypt caught on and followed through with the blood thing? No one told an Egyptian friend- hey- you might want to know this...

Or was the blood only a test for the Israelites- irrelevant for those who weren't part of the chosen race? The Israelites then worship.

Some observations/questions:

1) I assume this lengthy list of requirements began the following year. It feels like this is all the next day (so no four days of care for the lambs, etc. More like, get that blood up quick - and to remember it, from now on do it this way.

2) Why such detail? OK- the blood stuff obviously points to Jesus, and death of the firstborn too. The staff in hand, sandals on feet stuff seems to directly indicate- get ready to go, we're moving quickly and I want you to replicate that feeling each year to remember what I've done.

But what's the deal with specific number of days, and bitter herbs, and unleavend bread? Did the firstborn adults die too? If Pharaoh had been a firstborn (was he?) would he have died too?

3) What would the feeling of this holiday be? While it certainly was a joyous remembrance of being spared, would the celebration have been lessened with the memory of the massive deaths among the Egyptians?

4) "The destroyer" is actually doing the killing- not God, although it says somewhere else "I will pass through". Is this an "angel of death?" "Satan?" "God?" Something else?

Something significant (in my mind) happens toward the end of the chapter. Moses tells the people

Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' 27 then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.' " (NIV)

God wanted them to understand why they were doing what they were doing. Not- God said so. Not- we've always done this. Not- this is what the book of the law reads. He explains to His children.

And while I don't think this is always the case- I seem to have as many questions as answers most of the time, it seems to me that God wants us to get it. Ask, seek, find.

Last Plague/ First Born

Exodus 11

It's high noon in Egypt. The Lord tells Moses He's got one more plague up His sleeve. When this plague is over, they won't just let you leave- they'll gas up your car, give you directions and give you a push toward the city limits.

God causes the Egyptians to like the Israelites- in fact Moses even has a fan club. They must really be fans of the Israelites, because God tells Moses to have the people ask their neighbors for silver and gold.

So Moses tells Pharaoh- that at midnight- every Egyptian firstborn- princes, slaves, cattle- they'll all die. There will be wailing like you've never heard and will never hear again. Go around the Israelites- you won't even hear a dog barking. God will show His distinction between these two nations. Moses tells him- your officials will come and ask me to leave town- and we'll be out of here. Moe is hot enough to hit Curly with a crowbar and storms out of Pharaoh's presence.

God tells Moses that Pharaoh won't listen so that My wonders will multiply in Egypt. The chapter ends with "Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country" (NIV). I'm not sure if this last sentence refers to the plague described, or is a summary of Moses' activity up to this point.

This is a pretty bothersome scene for me. Innocent children dying to show God's power. Yes, it was effective- but somehow my concept of a loving God is challenged by all the carnage about to be created. While the Egyptians aren't God's chosen race, they are part of His creation. Is God learning to love His creation during this period of time? Is the death of these people actually merciful- are they rewarded after peacefully leaving this life?

The bottom line is- I have no clue. And that's what I take from this passage. God doesn't answer to me. He doesn't have to explain Himself. Whatever the rationale -He had one- and all these things continued to set in motion the coming of Jesus to save us all.

Even when we don't understand- when life seems cold- when God seems distant- when circumstances are trying- we only see a piece of the whole story.

And one day- it will all make sense.

In the Dark

Exodus 10:21-29

Unless Moses is telling the abridged version of his tale (and if he is, I'm grateful), they don't even bother asking Pharaoh again and threatening him with the next plague. Moses just gets to plague-ing.

On God's order, he raises his hands and thick darkness envelopes the land. Three days of darkness that could be felt. Metaphoric or not, this is dark. I've heard about caves that are so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face. I think I would panic a bit in one of these caves- claustrophobia being a lot of it, but the darkness would surely add to the freak-out potential. I don't know what's there and as a result, I'm helpless.

Israelites are unaffected by it all. Plenty of light.

Pharaoh calls Moses and apparently recognized his voice, since I'm guessing he couldn't see him. He tells Moses- just go! Take everybody- men and women- fine- you win- you can worship...just leave your animals here.

I can understand Pharaoh's position. I've got this great slave labor- I can't afford to lose it- if the animals stay, surely they'll come back for them. And if they don't, at least I get the value of their livestock.

But Moses isn't biting. No sir, he says, all livestock comes with us. We'll use some to worship and we won't know what we're going to use until we get there.

So it's a standoff. And Pharaoh makes the wrong move. He tells Moses- I'm through with you- I never want to see you again- the next time I see you, you die.

And Moses responds with equal aplomb- "you asked for it, you got it."

What I take from this clash of the titans is this- God's will overrides man's will. What God wants, He gets. This doesn't mean God can't be reasoned with, Abraham did it several chapters back. He argued his case and God reconsidered. But ultimately- whatever the result is, it's on God's terms, not man's.

If negotiations occur, it's because God consents. Without Him in the picture, negotiation is pointless (and dangerous).

Since I don't have much blatant two-way conversation with God, the application is a little fuzzy. But maybe as I approach trying to please Him, it helps to be sure that I'm not making decisions based on what's best for me instead of what's best for Him.

Day of the Locusts

Exodus 10:1-20

So God tells Moses to go back and deal with Pharaoh. For the first time I remeber, He gives some rationale to the whole escapade. He says:

...I have hardened his [Pharaoh's] heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.

So it seems that at least in part God hardens Pharaoh's heart so that His people will know that He's there for them. Remember when you were slaves? Remember what I did for you? Remember when I worked great miracles and punished your captives over and over? Did you see what I can do? I'm God- don't forget.

This time the dreaded promise is locusts- they will devour what little of the land the hail didn't already destroy. They will destroy trees and fill houses. Pharaoh's officials have had enough. How long are we going to endure this guy? they ask. Look around- Egypt is ruined!

So for once Pharaoh listens, or he starts to. Fine, you can go- he says, but just who will be going?

Moses answers, pretty much everyone. He says:

We will go with our young and old, with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the LORD.

This is all it takes to bring Pharaoh back to hard-hearted state again. No -just let the men go and worship since this is what you've been asking for.

It's a little ambiguous, but I assume he's saying you've been asking to worship, not you've been asking for the men to go. Pharaoh should have taken a grammar class.

So Moses brings on the locusts- they came until the land was black. Nothing green on a tree or plant remained in Egypt. And just like that Pharaoh is sorry. I have sinned again- he moans. And Moses prays, and a wind carries the locusts into the Red Sea.

And this is the main thing I'm struck with in this section. Here Pharaoh goes again. The boy who cried sorry. Moses shows skepticism in the last section. His officials are getting sick of his actions- but even though he's been down this path so many times before, God still removes the plague.

No matter how many times he's messed up- God takes away the plague. It's a good thing He still works that way. All the times I've hardened my heart and followed my own self-destructive will- all the times I've defied what I knew was right- all the times I've chosen short term pleasure and inherited long term pain- God still takes away the plague.

And just like before- when the plague is gone- Pharaoh's heart hardens again.

Heaven and Hail

Exodus 9: 13-35

God tells Moses- get up early- confront Pharaoh- demand release...and let him know, if you think the early plagues were bad...I'm just getting warmed up. Let him know that if he won't let them go this time- the full force of my plagues will come. If I wanted to, I could wipe out his people without any problem- I've been toying with him so news of my glory and power will spread.

God doesn't wait for an answer because he continues, you still won't let them go, so at this time tomorrow- I advise bringing everything- slaves, animals, crops- into some form of shelter, because you're going to see hail like you've never sen before.

Some officials who feared God heeded His warning, but others ignored it...to their peril.

Moses was instructed to stretch out his hand to the sky so the hail would fall...and it did. It beat down everything in the fields- men, animals, plants, even stripping every tree. All flax and barley were destroyed. Wheat and spelt (a wheat used mainly to feed livestock...I had to look it up) were ok because they ripen later. Everywhere was wiped out, except Goshen where the Israelites lived.

So, God has Pharaoh's attention. I have sinned- he claims. Moses isn't buying it- I'll pray for you- but I know you still don't fear God.

And Moses is right, once the hail stops, Pharaoh changes his mind and says the Israelites aren't going anywhere.

I wonder how Moses is feeling at this point. Is he just going through the motions? He knows that the plagues haven't phased Pharaoh. He calls him on it when he pleads for prayer. But does he hold himself responsible for the death of slaves who had the unfortunate circumstance of having skeptical owners. Yes, the plagues came from God- but they are initiated by Moses. Would this haunt him?

And I still don't understand Pharaoh. He's seen the power of God...what doesn't he get?

But metaphorically I do understand him. I seem to pay a lot more attention to God when things are falling apart- when I'm overcome with guilt, when money's tight, when I have an earache...not quite plagues, but still when I'm in need. But when the problem's gone, while I might be thankful immediately...it might be that my turning to God is less frequent. The plague is gone...I don't need you right now. At least that's what I seem to think subconcsiously.

I don't ask for plagues...just a closer walk.

Some Like it Hot
Exodus 9:8-12

Moses, still apparently in shorthand mode, tells us that God sends he and Aaron back with specific instructions for the next plague. No description of the pleads to go and worship, but I think it's implied, especially from the outcome of the plague.

They are to take handfuls of soot- and Moses is to throw them in the air. This soot will become dust and cause men and animals to break out in boils. The magicians don't even get the chance to try to match boil to boil because their boils are so bad that they can't stand before the dynamic duo. No mention of the Israelites being spared here- but maybe it should be implied as well- it references the boils that were "on them [the magicians] and all the Egyptians."

Two things are interesting to me here. First, why has Moses become the first author of Cliff's Notes. Don't get me wrong, I'm appreciative. These plague accounts are quite repetitive which tends to soften the drama. But it's interesting to me that Moses goes into shorthand here- when there are so many other sections of the Bible that might liven up with the work of a good editor (genealogies for example).

Obviously, God's constructing a plan for our salvation- and not trying to script a nail-biting, edge of your seat thrill ride- although parts of His story certainly live up to that hype. I just wonder why Moses shorthands the plagues.

Secondly, I'm struck by the diversity of plague delivery. Sometimes it's flashy- grab the soot and give 'er a good throw. And sometimes the plagues just happen. You get the feel they were spoken into being. I'm sure there's a rationale- if nothing more than God's whim- but like Moses- maybe there are times when God feels like making a big production- and others where He's just interested in forwarding the plot- putting the pieces in motion.

Maybe it all comes down to the mood of God. I think we tend to think of God's plan as cogs all clicking together toward the end result. And while I certainly believe that God has a final result in mind for both me and the world in general that will come to pass- maybe much of what He does depends on His mood.

No real definitive proof- except He does seem to change His mind now and again.

So does Pharoah. This time it doesn't sound like he ever considered letting them go. God hardens his heart, and he won't listen to a word they say.

Steak Buffett

Exodus 9: 1-7

Same story, next verse. This time livestock is in danger. If they don't value their health...we'll hit them in the wallets- or their stomachs. Either way it has the same result- hardening of the heart. The story seems to be told in an abbreviated format too. Even Moses is getting bored with it.

Just like last time, the Israelites were protected. But all around them total devastation. I wonder what it would have been like to be an average Joe (or Joseph) in this era. If you're an Egyptian you see an unyielding tyrant of a leader determined to have his way. As you look around you, your way of life is crumbling- you've endured horrible plagues, your livelihood has been stripped from you (if you depend on livestock for your way of life)- and it could all be spared so easily.

If you're an Israelite, you look around and see devastation- unable to change any of it. Granted, the context creates a little different picture than haves and have-nots. These are the captors suffering while the slaves thrive, but I wonder if the Israelites felt vindication, or pity. Look at what these people are enduring...and it's not their fault. Did they pray for the Egyptians? Did they offer them some of what they had? Or did they smirk and gloat?

And how do react today?

Come Fly With Me

Exodus 8: 20-32


So God tells Moe to meet Pharaoh at the watering hole early one morning and threaten an infiltration of flies if he won't relent and let God's people go and worship. He tells him that God will differentiate between His people and the Egyptians- Israelites will be fly-free while the Egyptians will be longing for some of those frogs to relieve some of their insectitude.

Interesting that God spares his own people this time- and not the other times (apparently, since it seems to be a novel thing in this reading). Maybe the lesson here can help us deal with our own issues, traumas and plagues. When we experience annoying or even painful experiences, it may not be a test for us (rain falling on the just and unjust, etc) but maybe sometimes these pains are the results of someone else's test- someone else's poor decisions- someone else's failure. The short term results don't change (our car still gets wrecked, our friend still gets cancer, there sure are a lot flies in the backyard)- but maybe it helps us to cope knowing that these things aren't because of something we've done- or some judgment made at our expense.

Secondly, when we move in the right direction things often get worse before they get better. The Israelites went through a lot- much of it deserved- but some of their suffering wasn't a reflection of their own shortcomings- their insistence to go and worship actually caused much of it. If Moses had let this sleeping dog lie, at least short-term, they would have been spared some of these atrocities. But instead, before they reached the land of milk and honey (dairy queen?) they endured a lot.

So Pharaoh calls Moe and Aaron back and says- what say you guys just worship here? Reasonable compromise? But they'll have none of it- our sacrifices won't go over well with the locals...and we'd just as soon not get stoned.

Interesting here. In an era where many evangelicals see fit to cram their specific brand of religion (dairy queen?) down the throat of anyone who differs, the Israelites preferred to take their worship off privately- far from the view of those that would object. Yes, for their own safety- but if God could send plagues of flies, surely he could protect his worshippers from flying stones if He so chose.

Fine Moses- take your people and go to the desert- just don't go too far! So Moses prays for Pharaoh- interesting in and of itself- and the next day the flies are gone. But inexplicably, when the flies fly away, so does Pharaoh's grace. And he says- make your people stay.

I wonder at what point Moses and Aaron start to question the productiveness of this mission. Cool mireacles, but we aren't getting anywhere. Maybe the big point here is that things happen in God's time, not ours.

Gnat on Your Life

Exodus 8:16-19


So, God shares info for the next plague. He tells Moses to have Aaron strike the ground and bring on the gnats. All the dust of the land becomes gnats. Men and animals are now plagued. I can't imagine being covered in gnats- just being around them is annoying enough, but to have all the dust turned to gnats must have been overwhelming- which, I suppose, was the point.

This time, the magicians couldn't duplicate the task. I'm not sure why gnats were harder then frogs- unless God has turned off their "power supplies" to show his own strength. Even the magicians begin to claim that God's hand is responsible. But Pharaoh will have none of it.

Maybe the lesson here is that sometimes our own pride, arrogance and stubborness prevent us from seeing God in our lives. Whether He's blessing us, leading us, or correcting us- does our own will get in the way?

I'm not real comfortable with the "voice of God" or feeling "called" or "directed." I don't know what that means in practical terms. I don't know how to distinguish God's voice from my own desire, or satan's voice- but I know He's a part of what I do and think and am. And if I don't resist His will, or get in the way of His plans, then good things are in store.

Froggie Went A-Courtin'

Expdus 7:25- 8:15

So a week passes and the drill continues. I don't know if the blood is gone, but at the very least, Pharaoh seems to have adapted to it. So God sends Moses to threaten Pharaoh with frogs. Not just a few here and there- the land will be consumed with them. Then God has Moses tell Aaron to stretch out his staff and start the Kermit-fest.

It's interesting that God has stuttering Moses send the message and Moses's speaker perform the action. Is this God setting up Pharaoh's heart to be hardened, using the less eloquent speaker so His miracle will be displayed- or is He trying to teach Moses that 1) he is good enough to be God's spokesman- and 2) God's will is fulfilled no matter who He chooses?

Once again, the magicians can replicate this occurance. Good thinking guys- as if they're weren't enough frogs in your food, in your beds, in your clothes- let's bring some more. But it works. This time though, Pharaoh isn't impressed with his magician's abilities. He only wants relief. He tells Moses and Aaron pray and get rid of these frogs and you and your people can go and worship.

The next interchange is a little strange. Moses tells Pharaoh that he'll "leave him the honor" of choosing a time for Moses to pray and his response is...tomorrow. Not "right now", not "immediately" but "I'd like another night of reptilian repulsion thanks, and then if you wouldn't mind."

So Moses prays and God kills the frogs except for the ones in the Nile (which I guess implies business as usual in frog-world) except for the mounds of dead frogs everywhere. Seems like an ideal time to plan that family vacation.

When there was relief- Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he would no longer listen to Moses and Aaron- just like God predicted.

At Least the Diet Pepsi was Unharmed
Exodus 7: 14-24


So God sends Moses and Aaron to meet Pharoah at the banks of the river demanding that he release the Israelites so they can worship in the desert. He takes the snake/staff with him- this staff seems to be symbolic and plays a large role in the Moses story. Perhaps it serves as a reminder of the mighty works that have already been done. Perhaps it simply symbolizes power or leadership- but for whatever reason, Moses has it and is ready for action.

He strikes the water with the staff and the water changed to blood- the fish die, the river stinks- and people are getting thirsty. Aaron is told to take his staff and stretch his hand over the waters of Egypt- and all the water gets nasty...ponds, streams, canals, reservoirs- even water in buckets and jars is contaminated.

But the magicians can mimick him. This puzzles me for a couple of reasons. First, just like last time, where does the power come from, and second- what water are they turning to blood? If Moses and Aaron have already turned Egypt into a vampire's fantasy, where is this water that the magicians are turning into blood?

Regardless of where the water comes from, their ability to "match" the dynamic dupowith their secret arts is enough to make Pharoah unimpressed. The Egyptians were forced to dig along the Nile for drinking water. I'm guessing this didn't create a boon for tourism.

Finally an odd observation: Moses doesn't seem to speak for God...instead he seems to speak AS God. God tells him to tell Pharoah, "by this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile..." There seems to be no difference between God and Moses so far as this Phaoroaic conversation is concerned.

Maybe it's unimportant, or shows just how little we know about the nature of God or how he manifests his spirit in us- or even about the natrure of His inspiration- but the bond with Moses is to a level that he goes beyond spokesman or representative- God speaks through him- if not literally than all but.

That's pretty cool- to be that close, that in tune, that connected to God to literally be His channel.

I'm not sure how that happens today- but I do know that the closer I get to Him, the more He'll shine through me.

Snakes on the Plain

Exodus 7:8-13

So God instructs Moses and Aaron to go before Pharoah and if you're challenged for a miracle, throw down your staffs- and when you do, they'll turn into snakes. This seems like a pretty good trick- except that when Pharaoh calls on his own magicians, they can do the same thing.

This is a little puzzling to me- where does the magician's power come from? And does that same power exist today? Does it suggest that fortune tellers, diviners, sooth sayers, and other dabblers in the dark arts have power from another source?

Granted, much charlatanry exists and occurs on a regular basis. People learn how to read other people and use non verbal feedback to suggest supernatural things. Slight of hand and suggestion do much to decieve people into believing that something powerful is at work. But are there really people out there who can "turn the staff into a snake" and get their power from some dark and sinister outlet?

I'm not a boycot Harry Potter, refuse the fortune cookie, picket the comic book store kind of guy. But I do think that there is a realm of power that surrounds the "dark arts"- there's something out there that God doesn't want us to mess with- something that frankly scares me to death.

And maybe that's what we see here. God gives Moses and Aaron power- and he allows the magicians to do their thing. But ultimately, God lets everyone see where the real power lies as Moses' and Aaron's snakes eat the magic snakes. Yeah, there's power there- but nothing compared to God's power.

Despite it all...Pharoah is unmoved.

Faltering Lips Sink Ships

Exodus 6:28-7:7

So Moses continues his "Why me? Send someone else" pleas and God reinforces his compromise-

Moses' excuse is faltering lips- why would they listen to me? God's response is that Aaron will be the voice. But the arrangement is a bit more complex than that.

Moses will be like God to Pharoah- and Aaron will be Moses' prophet. God hasn't given Moses carte blanche- He will tell Moses everything to tell Aaron- but he won't have to be the speaker. The speech teacher in me continues to be interested in the speech anxiety present in Moses' character, but even more interesting is the struggle with faith evident here.

Moses...dude...um, God's in your court- where's this anxiety coming from?

But it's there- and God helps him cope with it. But in a really weird way.

God sets up this hierarchy where Moses is "like God to Pharoah" and Aaron will be Moses' prophet. So- why is Moses even necessary in the process. Why not cut out the middleman and speak directly to Aaron since he seems to have been given the gift of gab?

Maybe it's more for Moses' benefit than for the fulfillment of God's plan. Maybe it's an attempt to let Moses see just what can be accomplished through God's will. But it's still odd.

Kinda cool to notice that once again God uses the younger (Moses) to rule over the older (Aaron). It seems to be a pattern for God to take the unlikely and use him to accomplish His goals.

And maybe that's why He uses us, too.

Bring 'Em Home

Exodus 6: 13-27

Ahhh, geneologies- my favorite.

This section starts off with an odd change of tone. God commands Moses and Aaron to bring the Israleites out of Egypt. This isn't new news- we already know about their mission- but the phrasing here has a much different feel than I'll be with and tell you what to say. The responsibility for results seems to have shifted. Nothing has changed- God is in control and He's calling the shots, but clearly the tone is different.

Is Moses taking a characteristically inflated view of himself as he looks back on his epic tale?

Is God tiring of his whining and saying- you WILL follow through, so deal with it?

Is it simply an awkward translation?


other thoughts:

It's interesting to me that some people in this list have ages listed with them and others do not.

Were the records incomplete?

Did these people live to odd ages making them noteworthy? This seems unlikely- for while they would've made Willard Scott's list, they're far from Methusaleh status.

Also of note- Aaron and Moses are pointed out as children of incest. Their mother is also their great aunt. It doesn't seem to be taboo yet, but is it significant that these men rise to greatness from auspicious beginnings?

I hadn't remembered (or maybe never realized) that Nadab and Abihu (of strange fire fame) were actually Aaron's children. It's interesting how quickly fates can change for a family.

Narratively this structure seems really odd. Moses has been telling his story and plunks this geneology here in the middle of it all. And at the end he sees fit to remind us that the Moses and Aaron mentioned are the ones who lead the Israelites out of captivity. Ummm- thanks Moses...we've been reading, we get it.

Just some odds and ends- but what do you want? It's a geneology.

Wise Guy

Exodus 5:21- 6:12


So Moe, afraid to speak in public, once again has the courage to stand up to God. This time he more or less says- Why am I even here? Nothing but bad things have happened- and You're nowhere to be found.

God answers with reassurance- not wrath. Really a neat moment of God's patience and love for His creation. Instead of barrelling back with "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" He instead tells Moses, "You'll see, it's all under control."

His continuing message is a little (ok a lot) puzzling, though. He says, " I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- but they just thought I was God Almighty, not the LORD."

Huh?

I'm not sure that I get the actual distinction- is He saying they knew I was A God but not THE God? I think ultimately the point may be- they were impressed at My power, but they really had no idea how much in control I really am.

God comforts Moses and says that it will be ok. But when Moe reports back to the Israelites, they'll have none of it. After the extra burden from Pharaoh they'd like nothing better than to distance themselves from this guy who uses his rod to stir the pot.

God tells him to go back to Pharaoh but even after the comfort from God, he goes back and still tries to get out of it. If the Israelites won't even listen to me, how will I ever convince Pharaoh?

This may be where we can empathize most. We find ourselves with the burden and forget that God runs the ship. I don't have to worry about what I can do. If God is working through me then the obstacle is unimportant. We don't just serve God Almighty- we serve The LORD!

Festival of Swords

Exodus 5: 1-21

So Moses and Aaron go see Pharoah and begin their "let my people go" entreaties. It doesn't go so well- at least not in the short term. Their opening presentation leaves two very different images of God- one uplifting- one pretty scary.

They tell Pharoah that God has told them "'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert." And I'm struck by how cool that sounds. When was the last time you thought of worship as a festival? I'm guessing not so much the creepy carnies, about to break ferris wheel or out of control ticket prices- but more the sense of enormous celebration, huge gathering and sheer joy. Worship too often can consist of drudgery, guilt, responsibility and service instead of an expression of pure unadulturated passion for our creator and father.

But their very next response quiets the party. "Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword." Suddenly this party doesn't sound like quite so much fun anymore. Is this just a tactic Moses is using to get Pharoah to change his mind? It doesn't work. Or is this really a fear the Israelites have? Maybe it expresses a misperception of God on the part of Moses and Aaron. The first idea came directly from God- and this seems to be based more on a reaction from Moses and Aaron.

Or maybe the "us" here was the land and not the people. Not God will hunt down the Israelites, but- Pharoah if you don't give in- bad things are going to happen around here.

Well Pharoah's not biting- and in fact says that if the Israelites have time to whine about worship, they have time to do more work. So they stop providing the Isralites with straw to make bricks. They still have to make just as many, they just have to find their own raw materials to make them from.

Naturally this doesn't go over so well. It doesn't happen. Production decreases and the Israelite foremen go talk to Pharoah about it. We're working just as hard as before- we just don't have the straw. But Pharoah won't relent- he calls them lazy and won't reduce the workload.

As you might guess, Moses and Aaron aren't about to win any popularity contests in the camp. The foremen tell them "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

What must Moses be thinking at this point? Lord God, I've done what you asked- I knew I'd be bad at this- and I was right. Why have You left me? Not only doesn Pharoah hate me- so do the Israelites. Why am I even here?

And maybe the same thing happens to us. We come to a crossroads where there's a tough choice. We make the one we think is right, not the one we want to choose- but the one that seems like the right choice. And when we take that path...bad things happen. Wait, it wasn't supposed to be like this.

But we don't see the other side of the valley. We don't see the sunshine after the rain- we're in the moment. And too often our short-sightedness makes us back out- or head back for the other path.

May we press through the pain- and see what God has in store for us further on down the road.

Wes Craven's Bridegroom of Blood

Exodus 4: 18-31

The time is now- and God tells Moses to head on back to Egypt and take care of business. But even before Moe gets the word, he tells Jethro he'll be leaving the Clampetts and heading back to Egypt to see if any of his own people are still alive.

Is Moses embarassed about his mission? Doesn't want to seem crazy or fanatical? Why doesn't he come straight out and say "God is sending me"? Maybe he's facing some of the same pressures to conform that we face thousands of years later.

But God sends him, and he goes.

Most of the rest of the chapter is puzzling and worrysome.

First off God tells Moses that He will harden Pharoah's heart so that he won't let the Israelites go- and then when he doesn't, He'll tell him (through Moses) that since you won't let my first born worship me, I'm going to kill your firstborn.

I understand that God knows Pharoah's heart and that all things (evil and good) work toward God's purpose- but this notion of God actually hardening Pharoah's heart is troublesome for me. For one thing, it seems to fly in the face of freewill. If I can't choose, then how can I be responsible for my actions?

I can get around this in my mind a little- simply by God's omnipotence. If He knows my heart- if He knows what I will choose- then the actual choice itself becomes fairly perfunctory. But if Pharoah was already going to say "no"- why did God need to harden his heart? Is He just speeding up the process? And does He harden my heart today?

This really confuses me- and while I've heard it explained away over and over- I'm not really comfortable with all those explanations. Regardless- if God is the father I believe Him to be, I can trust Him to act in my life according to my best interests, if I don't make it to heaven, it won't be because I got cheated by God- even if I don't understand all the inner-workings of His being (and it's a good thing, because I don't).

But now the other troubling part.

Moses and family are en route to carry out God's plans and when they stop for the night, God sets out to kill his son (or Moses- it's kind of ambiguous). It seems Moses hadn't circumcised him. So Zipporah, apparently well-skilled with the flint knife- does the job, drops the foreskin at Moses feet and calls him a "bridegroom of blood."

This seems way legalistic- Moses is setting out to do God's work- and while he's traveling- he almost loses his child. Scary- but maybe there are a couple of important lessons here.

1) You can't pick and choose God's will. Even if I'm serving God- if I'm consciously defying Him at the same time (which they seem to have been doing since Zipporah knew what had to be done) things aren't going to be ok. While that could lead to an unhealthy paranoia- am I doing everything? What if I forget...? The more healthy application may be to seek- knowing that God's not going to abandon you in the dark. And when you find...act.

2) and maybe even more importantly- this may be a wonderful example of the difference between covenants. This is the pre-Jesus get it all right, no room for error, no room for grace, blood on the doorpost kind of situation. Maybe Moses forgot, was preoccupied, was a little queasy with such medical procedures- whatever. But without Jesus to bridge the gap- the world was a much harsher place. And the lesson is...phew! We've got him- and his grace makes all the difference in the world.

The chapter ends with God sending Aaron to meet Moses. They meet with the Israelite elders- tell them of God's concern and hearing the wondrous news, they worship.

Not Wholly Moses
Exodus 4:1-17


So God has just told Moses that he is the guy. He's going to lead his people but Moses isn't so sure he wants the job. Sounds like a great gig...but I didn't really apply. Who else have you got?

First he says- I don't feel like my cup overfloweth with credibility. What happens when they laugh at me? These burning bush things don't happen too often- how will I convince them I'm not crazy...or lying...or both?

So God tells him to throw his staff on the ground. When he does, it becomes a snake. When he picks it back up, it's a staff again. Ta-daa.

God says- I'm giving you some crowd-pleasing credibility. They'll know that the God of their fathers is behind it all.

I guess God sensed that Moses wasn't totally convinced. So perhaps as a pre-emptive move, He tells him- put your hand in your cloak. So Moses does, and when he pulls it out- he's got leprosy.

If I'm Moses, I'm not a big fan of this proof-tactic. And when I do this, look- I'm diseased! I might be thinking- how about I give them leprosy? I could saw the Egyptian in two- how about that?

Even as I write that last little bit- it strikes me how easy it is to think of these miracles as parlour tricks. Like if Penn and Teller lived back in the day Moses and Aaron would have been out of work (except for that whole thing about Penn and Teller being atheists and all). But even if I didn't much like it- if I'm Moses I think I get the point.

Moses, they'll believe you- and just in case you're doubting- look what I can do to you. I want you to do this...and I'm able to change sticks into snakes, give you leprosy- and so much more. Still sure you want to risk getting on my bad side?

But before you mistake our relationship...put your hand back. See? The leprosy's gone. What else can I do? I can protect you- I can save you- give me some trust here- they'll believe you. And what I really want is for YOU to believe that I've got it all in control.

But in case they don't believe, God gives Moses still another option. Get some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. Yeah, after you finish, I wouldn't drink too much of it- it'll turn into blood.

God's been amazingly patient up to this point. He didn't pull the old "because I said so"- He tries reasoning with Moses; He tries boosting his confidence; He tries a little fear- but when Moses still isn't sold on the idea- God has had enough.

I'm not really much of a speaker. I'm "slow of speech and tongue," Moses says. I've heard theories of Moses being a stutterer. And that would certainly explain a lot. Public speaking phobia is a real and common thing and for many it is overwhelming. A not-so-recent survey of Americans placed public speaking a greater fear than death. Maybe this is why Moses is so bold in trying to get out of it.

Lord God, I'd rather risk your displeasure than face this great fear. And while I don't know if Moses was a stutterer or just a bit awkward- it would certainly seem reasonable that in either case this would be a major task to accept.

God's reply seems similar to His resonse to Job. It's his "do you know who I am?" argument. Hey- Moses- I make mouths- I make them dumb. I'm going to tell you what to say.

Moses is desperate now- he's at the "pretty please with sugar on top" state of arguing. Please send someone else.

And amazingly, God relents. FINE! Take Aaron- just stop with the complaining. Aaron can be your mouth piece. But you'll do the miracles.

He tells Moses - "It will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him." This seems like a really odd phrase for God to use. But I guess the point is- you can use Aaron- but you're not out of the equation. I'll be coming to you only- it'll be your responsibility to be my mouth- and the people can assume that what you say came from me.

The big thing that jumps out at me in this section is the power of prayer. God changes His will for the sake of his worried child. When we express our fears to our father- He relents- He comforts- He doesn't excuse us from service, or bench us in the game- but he listens and makes it all ok.

And God leaves room for discussion- not to be manipulated- but he opens His mind and is willing to find another perfect way if it makes the path a little eaier for His children. And if He cuts Moses this much slack- He'll do the same for us.

Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Exodus 3

So Moses is out tending his father-in-law's flock when he notices a bush burning. Instead of thinking "this fire could cause amazing damage- I better put it out," he notices that the bush never burned up. Maybe his concern for a potential spreading flame led him to notice the odd quality of this "strange fire."

God speaks to him from the bush and tells him to take off his shoes since he's on holy ground and identifies Himself as the God of his ancestors. He tells Moses that he's seen the suffering of his people and that Moses is the one to lead them out- into a land flowing with milk and honey. I might prefer one flowing with pork-chops and diet pepsi- but it still sounds a whole lot better than slavery.

Moses says- whoa...who am I to handle this? God says- relax...I'll be with you.

Moses says the equivalent of- ok then...who are you to help me? Or more politely, "what's your name in case they ask me?"

God says "I AM who I AM." Tell them I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Tell them I've been watching and I'm going to get you out of this mess. You'll have plenty of milk and plenty of honey.

Tell the king that God has told you to take a three day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices. Of course he'll say no- until I show him what I can do. So I will- and then he'll let you go. In fact the people will like you so much that you won't even have to leave empty-handed. Let each woman ask neighbors and housemates for gold and clothes- and you'll end up plundering them.

A couple of ideas:

God chooses Moses, apparently not the most religious man. God identifies himself- and Moses still has to ask who He is. Granted, information was distributed much differently in that day and time but he still didn't seem to know much about this Being from the bush. It's so easy to puff yourself up when you see yourself as someone doing God's work. I worship regularly, I give to charity, I read the word- surely I'm on God's A-list. It looks like here that God has use for folks who might not fit into such an easily classifiable mold. And to puff ourselves up over others is silly and harmful.


Moses also seems to have learned some humility. He's gone from the Egyptian slaying, shepherd terrorizing potential peacebringer to someone who thinks...maybe I'm not qualified for such important work. While it seems like he displays a lack of confidence in God, maybe this quality of humility is what caused God to choose him in the first place. And maybe humility in my life would open doors of service too.

I'll keep looking for that bush.

When You're A Shepherd...

Exodus 2: 11-25

So Moses grows up and witnesses a street fight. An Egyptian is brawling with a Hebrew and Moses, feeling a sense of ethnic pride decides to help the cause. He kills the Egyptian and hides him in the sand- which I guess means, he buried him. Only a day later he comes upon two Hebrews (he bruise) brawling and after determining who was to blame gave the whole "aren't we brothers?" speech hoping to end the violence.

The outcome, though, wasn't quite what Moses expected. Basically the Hebrew replies- "you're not the boss of me...and what're you gonna do about it? Kill me like you did the Egyptian?"

Suddenly Moses's heartrate increases as he realizes- I could be in trouble. The word has apparently reached the street. What was intended as a way to show support for his people has backfired badly. And now Pharoah's out for his neck too.

And how do we react when our good intentions backfire and put us in trouble? Moses runs. OK, I'm outta here. I'm done playing the hero- I'm done butting in to other people's business. It's live and let live I say...until he comes upon a well where thug shepherds are bullying the priest's daughters, not letting them water their flock.

This is a seemingly comical scenario to me. Shepherds from the hood- If West Side Story were set in Midian I could see these guys snapping their fingers and waving their staffs in the air. But Moses is there to rescue these maidens and restore justice.

As his reward, Moses is given one of these girls for a wife. Zipporah bears him a son named Gershom. During this time the king of Egypt died and the Israelites aren't too keen about their slavery. And God is concerned about his children.

Two thoughts. It strikes me that Moses has a bit of a hero's complex. Breaking up fights, killing Egyptians, scaring off shepherds and while he has varying amounts of success, it isn't until he starts working FOR God that he really makes things happen. Maybe it's the same for us- we mean well and we act, but without going through the source- trying to do it without God may make us clumsy, overbearing, or just plain wrong.

Secondly- the chapter ends expressing God's concern about his Israelites. This insight to God's personality is interesting to me. He knows the outcome- he knows what's going to happen to these people, but still he's "concerned"- a word that suggests to me tension regarding the outcome of a situation.

God's rooting for us- He feels our pains, hears our cries- and even though He knows what successes and failures lie ahead, He still feels the heartache of uncertainty right along with us. Even though He knows I'm going to face temptation and make it through (or not) He still invests Himself emotionally in the whole process.

It's like me watching the ball go through Bill Buckner's legs time after time after time and not only feeling his pain every time but rooting and caring and empathizing, even though I know the outcome.

He cares. He comforts. He cheers. He's in our corner even when we fail.

The Story of Me

Exodus 2: 1-10

So Moses is born and after three months, knowing his potential fate, his mother hides him in the reeds along the banks of the river. Moses's sister (Miriam?) watches from a distance and sees Pharoah's daughter approaching. Moses cries and she has pity on him.

Seizing the opportunity, Miriam offers to find a "surrogate" mother for him who actually happens to be his actual mother. And now Pharoah's daughter even pays mama Moses for raising him. Sounds like a plotline to a French farce . When he grew older his mother takes him to Pharoah's daughter to be her son.

I think the four players in this scene all add to greater understanding.

Moses's mother despairs to such a degree that she thinks he is better off hiding in the bushes than remaining hidden as her son. How difficult a choice it must have been to finally realize, there's nothing I can do to protect him. He'll die if I don't let him go. And finally after three months, she accepts that she doesn't control everything around her.

Wow, tough lesson. All too often I try to fix my own problems, figure my way through, plot my escape, solve the world's dilemmas...and I can't do it. I don't have the capacity, the ingenuity, the resources and often even the desire to make everything okay. I can't make it all okay. I can't make my house sell or make my students learn, or make my sins ok- it takes a force far beyond what I can do to make any of it work.

Great- but what does it mean to turn it over to God? Stop trying? Stop encouraging? These don't seem right and while the concept of trusting God is obviously the answer, the application is elusive and intangible. Which might make the challenge part of the answer.

How about Moses's sister? I'm assuming she's Miriam, but I have no idea. She had the foresight to watch the bushes and jump at the chance to put things the way she wanted them. She's an opportunist- but I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way. Miriam took one for the team- she knew what her family and more specifically her baby bro needed, and she made it happen. Miriam looked at the world beyond it's direct affect on her. She saw what was lacking in those she loved and tried to fill the gap. Great lesson.

Pharoah's daughter is an interesting character. She had pity on a crying baby. Crying babies aren't exactly a rare commodity. In fact...at some point, all babies are crying babies. Is she rebelling against her tyrannical father? Does she secretly want her own child? Does she see the injustice in the current regime and act to restore humanity in a time where's it's a rarity? And think about what she's risking. She's defying the most powerful man in the land for the sake of a strange child of a different race.

If Pharoah had found out, would he have laughed it off as the impulsiveness of his daughter? Would he have disowned her? Or killed her? Why does she put so much of herself on the line? And would we do as much for a stranger? Do I help the stranger on the side of the road who looks a little scary? Do I stand up for the little guy in the face of the angry majority? Or do I play it safe?

And fianlly we have the original autobiographer. What would it have been like for Moses to step back and examine the beginning of his own life? He's looking back after a long life of service, doubt, courage, rashness, defiance, accomplishment and regret. When he looks back to square one does he see the beginning of an epic saga or the pilgrimage of a misguided schnook who doesn't get where he intended, but through God's help gets close enough?

And if I were to pen my own tale- would I be able to view my habitual failures in the frame of a successful exodus? It takes getting over the disappointments- and more difficultly getting over yourself.

And The Journey Begins

Exodus 1

So some time has passed- in fact enough time for Joseph and his brothers to have all died- and a new king to be in power. Enough time has also passed for this new king to not know about Joseph. The Israelites took this be fruitful and multiply thing to heart and the Egyptians were starting to worry.

They hypothesize- if there's a war- there are enough of these people to side with the enemy and cause us some serious trouble. So they crack the whip and lay down the law- enslaving the Hebrews, trying to break their spirit. But even in their misery- they still found time to make babies.

So finally the king talks to the Hebrew midwives (they only had 2? They must have been quite busy from the sound of things) and tells them to let the girls live but to kill the boys. The midwives were God-fearing though and it didn't happen. When questioned about it, the midwives reply- These Hebrews are some vigiorous women- by the time we get there, they've already given birth. God rewards these midwives with families of their own.

Pharoah orders all male Hebrew children to be thrown into the Nile- which I guess would make it a less than ideal picnic spot.

2 lessons:
1) We're only a small part of the plan. It's easy to have grandiose visions about your role in God's plan- but only one generation later (?) the news of Joseph's great works was gone from Egypt. If his life can be forgotten so quickly, what chance do I have to make a major impact?

1b) in the same light- it's easy to carry around the weight of the world for things done poorly or not done at all- we're still only a small part of the plan. We can't thwart God's will- and our weaknesses and failures aren't bigger than God's power and grace.

so...work to please God- but take the pressure off yourself. You aren't the savior- or the serpent- just a servant willing to keep trying.

2) What about these midwives? They save the lives of these Hebrew children (yeah!) and then cover their backsides with this whopper of a lie about vigorous Hebrew women (oops). Yet God is pleased and rewards them.

Couldn't they have saved them and faced up to it? Were they saving themselves to save more babies in the future? Does it matter?

Seems here that saving the children was a bigger issue than honesty- but I'm not sure why they were mutually exclusive. How is their deception acceptable? Maybe the message is that we're way more concerned with the details than God is- although that thought scares me- and goes against every legalist-ingrained bone in my body.

Love your God- love your neighbor- maybe they still had these things covered.

The End of the Beginning

Genesis 50:22-26

So Joseph lives to the age of 110 and sees three generations of his children's children. Interestingly, he still passes before at least some of his brothers- we know this because he tells them he is about to pass. He asks them to promise to take him out of the land to bury him.

He assures his brothers that God will come through and fulfill the promise that he made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is the message here for me...patience.

How easy it would have been to have lost faith that it wasn't actually going to happen. This promise is hundreds of years old at this point. But even at death, Joseph isn't bitter about missing it, or skeptical about it happening. Instead, he assures his brothers to hang on...it's coming.

And Genesis ends.

Deathbed Desires

Genesis 50:15-21

So Jacob's gone and Joseph's brothers assume that now it's time for Joseph to take revenge. This is reminiscent of Esau's plans to to get Jacob once Isaac was gone. So the brothers hatch a plan- we'll take Jospeh some "deathbed instructions." They create this tale of Jacob asking Joseph to forgive his brothers. Ever the rhetoricians, they even refer to themselves as "the servants of the God of your father." They throw themselves at Joseph's mercy declaring themselves his slaves.

They lay it on pretty thick and Joseph bites. Whether he believes them or not, he weeps at the news and tells them not to be afraid, he's not God- and what they intended as evil, God used for good. He then says that he will provide for their children.

A few observations:
1) The brothers are compelled to apologize but afraid to really do it. Even with misguided motives, they bear the burdens of their actions and are ready to submit to slavery to alleviate their guilt (or in this case to escape the potential repurcussions). I can relate to these feelings. It's easy to feel the need to unburden and want to come clean- but in the process minimize the actions and confess to part of the misdeed- or rhetorically hide the apology beneath another message- or maybe even say that dad hopes you'll forgive me. And the result is only temporary peace.

But beneath it all- there is the deep desire to wash the sin away- to truly believe that the pain is over and all is forgiven.

2) Joseph wants to forgive. I don't know if Joseph's mercy is sparked by the "request" from his father, or if he had already forgiven- but he is emotionally moved by the process. Maybe he's crying at the mention of his recently deceased dad, or maybe the load of bearing resentment has finally been lifted.

It's so easy to carry grudges- and it's so tiring to pour energy into hatred. Joseph, etiher here or earlier on lets it all go.

3) Joseph tells them that what they intended for harm, God used for good. And while it's often hard to see it into our own paths, the pattern is still there.

My sin helps me better empathize with others who struggle.
My sin helps me help others who sin.
My need for mercy helps me to be merciful.
Lies told about me encourage me to tell the truth about others.

We can't thwart God's plan. Whatever we do, good or evil, eventually works for good in the end. That doesn't remove the desire to please our loving God- but takes a lot of pressure off. With or without me- God will get it done.

That Bright and Glorious Mourning

Genesis 49:29- 50:14

So Jacob senses his end is near, so after he gives his sons his "blessings" he gives them burial instructions. Even after all these years, he wants to use the spot in the cave Abraham bought from the Hittites all those years ago. It's interesting that he chooses to be buried with Leah and not Rachel. Perhaps this was the custom- to be buried with the first wife- plus it being a family cave probably helped influence the choice.

So Joseph throws himself on Jacob's dead body- and weeps and kisses him. Then the embalming begins- 40 days of embalming and 70 days of mourning.

I assume those ran concurrently- but even so, 70 days seems like a long chunk of time. I can relate to being saddened over that length of time- but this feels more like a formalistic, legalistic chunk of time set aside for mourning...wearing black, certain jolly actions prohibited, etc.

After the mourning was over- Joseph got permission to go and bury his dad- Pharaoh's officials accompany him- I'm reading this as a major sign of repect. We hardly knew this guy- but he's your father so he's special to us. Once they get there, Joseph mourns another week.

This mourning marathon puts a couple of questions into my mind.

1) Is this a ritualistic predetermined period of time? Did life really shut down for 2 months after the death of a loved one. It didn't even say that Joseph mourned, or Jacob's family- it says the Egyptians mourned for 70 days. Were they in a perpetual state of mourning for every major entity that passed on? How do you truly spend 70 days mourning someone you didn't know well?

2) What do these people know about death and heaven? I don't think I know that much and the topic is at times unnerving- but is there an even greater lack of knowledge about a better place demonstrated in their perpetual sadness? They don't know about Jesus- they don't even have the law yet. Jacob refers to his impending death as "I am about to be gathered to my people" which I take to mean buried with my family. If they think earth is all there is to life then it could explain why the mourning was so extensive.

I recently attended a funeral where there was extensive laughter, not as the result of funny stories or warm memories- an odd nearly manic laughter seemingly from joy at the heavenly destination of the departed. It felt really strange to me- I think a celebration of a man's life is highly appropriate at his passing- but this seemed to be nervous laughter- a little too loud and a little too long. And I wonder if maybe the value of purging feelings of grief- even if they aren't ritualistically expressed- and even if they don't last two months would help us to move on more than a forced smile and a choked laugh.

We are thankful for the destination- but it doesn't remove the grief. At least not totally.

A Fine Bless You've Gotten Us Into

Genesis 49:1-28

So Jacob gathers his sons around him and administers what Moses calls a blessing. I guess it all depends on perspective.

He says to Reuben:

You've always excelled but... remember that whole Bilhah thing? Yeah, you thought I didn't know about it- well I did and you will now be turbulent as the waters. Basically- your ship is sinking.

To Simeon and Levi:

You two are bad dudes- you've got thug mentalities, using your swords to solve your problems- hope I don't ever need your counsel. "I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel" - this last part is a little confusing to me, but I'm assuming it means they won't have a land to themselves- the offspring will scatter.

To Judah:

"You are a lion's cub". Yeah, good things are coming. I guess the whole Tamar incident wasn't as important as some of these others that get his brothers in trouble. He'll wash his garments in wine and have the finest branch for his donkey. My son- here's a true blessing.

To Zebulun:

You will be a haven for ships and live by the seashore. This seems like a much lesser blessing- but maybe he's saying you will serve the function of being help to those that need it. The ship that comes needing a haven? You're it my son. God is going to use you.

To Issachar:

Here's an odd one. You will find such great land, you'll submit to forced labor. I want to live here...so enslave me! But I suppose the message is that you'll find something you like so much that great sacrifice will be worth it to you.

To Dan:

You will provide justice for your people. OK so far so good... you'll be "a viper along the path that bites the horse's heels." Maybe the horse is the bandit trying to escape and end up being caught in the fangs of Dan's justice- but a viper is a strange metaphor (especially biblically with the whole garden of Eden thing and all) for something admirable.

Maybe the message is- you'll administer justice- but justice isn't always what people need. How about some mercy instead?


To Gad:

You're going to be attacked (O Happy Day) but don't worry, you'll fight back. Oh, good, as long as I've got something to look forward to.


To Asher:

You're getting some rich food. Asher sounds like my kind of man. Beyond the literal food though, this may be a metaphorfor Asher's ability to procure and appreciate the "finer things" in life.

To Naphtali:

Depending on the translation- you're either going to have lots of beautiful children or you're going to be an eloquent orator. Or maybe he'll use his oration skills to woo a beautiful woman and get both.

To Joseph:

You can go ahead and put on the purple robe. You've been delivered- you're the prince among your brothers.

To Benjamin:

You're a ravenous wolf- but at least you share your plunder.


I don't think I'd label this discourse as a blessing. It seems more like a predictor- maybe even a prophecy. Calling this a blessing for some of these guys is like reaching under the tree Christmas morning and opening a hornet's nest.

I like the idea though of family assembled to hear the wisdom of their father- words of warning or praise from someone experienced. I'd like it best though if I were Judah or Joseph. Sorry Reuben- at least you'll get a sandwich named after you.

Jacob Redux
Genesis 48

Joseph hears his father is ill, so he takes his two sons, Jacob's grandkids, to see him. Jacob tells him of God's promised blessing and tells Joseph that the two sons born to him in Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh will be taken for his own children.

This isn't a forced adoption procedure, after all, Jacob is about to die. He's simply saying that they will get the same share in his inheritance as his own children. Any other children born later will be Joseph's responsibility. This means, I assume, a financial blessing on both Joseph's current children, and his future ones, since these two won't be in the mix inheritance-wise when Joseph passes. I assume that to be the case, I guess we'll see in a few chapters or so.

Jacob is going blind and as he goes to bless these children, he may have experienced some deja vu. He "mistakenly" puts his left hand on the firstborn and the right hand on the younger brother, switching the blessing prioirity. Although Manny and Ephraim aren't involved in deception here, the result is very similar to crafty Jacob and his hairy brother.

Joseph sees the mistake and tries to correct it, but Jacob says he knows what he is doing. Manasseh may be the first born, but Ephraim will be greater. The firstborn in me doens't like this very much. Hey, I'm the topdog, the responsible one, the protector from school bullies, the giver of wedgies, why aren't I getting what's mine?

But the younger son of God in me, the one needing extra grace, the one who recognizes how dangerous it would be to get what I deserve, is grateful for the reminder- the last shall be first. It doesn't matter what your birth order is, what your social standing is, what you needed to be forgiven of- God's blessings are above and beyond.

Jacob mentions that he buried Rachel on the road to Bethlehem. Foreshadowing? Metaphoric? We see these people traveling down the road to our Messiah. Might just be a coincidence, but it seems like an odd detail if it doesn't mean something.

Oh yeah, and with all this last shall be first stuff- doesn't that mean the Cubs will win eventually?

Famine and the Family

Genesis 47: 13-31

So the famine's gotten bad and the people are out of money- and even worse, they're out of food. So they come to Joseph pleading- don't let us starve. Joseph replies less than compassionately, sure you can eat, if you give me your livestock. I'm not sure why they didn't consider eating their livestock instead unless it was obviously not enough to keep them going.

But they sell their livestock for food- which works great until the next year when they have no food or livestock. So they say- buy us and our land in exchange for food. And Joseph goes for it. Pharaoh more than prospers and the people have placed themselves in bondage.

This seems pretty harsh to me, at least initially. The people of the land are starving and the powers that be force them into perpetual dependance upon them. We'll take everything you have and give you just enough to survive.

But after it happens, Joseph gives the people seed and tells them to plant and eat- only give one-fifth of your crop back to Pharaoh. And while twenty percent may seem a somewhat steep price, Joseph has saved the people's lives and set up a system to keep Pharaoh prosperous.

Seventeen years after arriving, Israel knows his days are numbered. So he calls Joseph to his side and says to him "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried."

To which I might have replied, If I have found favor in your eyes, let me skip the whole thigh part.

Lessons tonight:
Joseph has mercy on the hungry. It may not be a handout, but he still finds a way to let them eat, even when they can't pay for it.

Secondly, there seems to be a statement about the value and responsibility of family. Even though he did a lot of growing up on his own, Joseph is still the one called by his dad to carry out his final wishes. Maybe he was in the position to be most likely able to carry them out, but in a ceremonial way, Israel calls family to carry out what he sees as a need.

Caravan

Genesis 46-47:12

So God appears to Israel and tells him to have courage- go to Egypt, I'll be with you. I'll make you a great nation there (he's well on his way already), "and Joseph's own hands will close your eyes."

It's interesting that Israel's name fluctuates back and forth between Jacob and Israel. Other folks have their names changed too, but it seems like the names ordinarily stay changed. You don't see Paul going back to Saul. Maybe it's trivial, but I wonder why this name didn't stick.

So they set out with everything they have- and it lists the clan. It says this list is "the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt. But it's a little puzzling. Reuben , Benjamin and Joseph are the only sons listed. And at least Joseph (maybe Bennie too) are already in Egypt. Did the others stay behind too? But even then the list is inconsistent. Did some of the brothers not go to Egypt?

Their children sure did and it lists them all. And explain this one:

26. All those who went to Egypt with Jacob- those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons' wives- numbered sixty-six persons. With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

I'm not a math major- but that don't quite add up. Maybe it's 68 plus Jacob and Joseph. But that's a guess and it seems kind of odd.

So, they get there and Israel and Jospeh have a touching reunion- Israel says that now that he's seen Joseph, he is ready to die. A cheery thought for a reunion.

Joseph says he'll speak to Pharaoh for his brothers- he'll tell him that they are shepherds; they tend livestock. He says when Pharaoh asks you your job, tell them you've tended livestock from your childhood- just like our fathers. If you do this, you can settle in Goshen, since Egyptians are repulsed by shepherds.

This seems odd too. We'll get you some good land since these people hate shepherds. Huh? Maybe Goshen was far enough away from Egyptian civilization that they could tolerate them from a distance. Pharoah follows through and tells Joseph to get them great land in Goshen.

Ultimately, the lesson that strikes me most in this chapter is one of tolerance. Jacob and Pharoah finally meet. Here's this man sent by God, blessed by God face to face with this ruler not of God's people- and his reaction is not repulsion, not a desperate attempt at conversion, not condescension, not threats of war- but instead the issuing of blessings.

Jacob saw the humanity in Pharoah and recognized the blessing he had been to his son- and wished him blessings. We could use more of that today.

Family Ties

Genesis 45

Joseph is overwhelmed with emotion, so he kicks everyone out save his brothers and reveals his true identity. He says, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" which is odd since the last chapter ended with Judah pleading "Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."

So the siblings are scared, but Joseph comforts them and sends them home to collect dear old dad. He tells them- you've got the best of what's here. Leave your possessions- you can have new and better things once you get here.

So they head back home full of wealth and promise- especially Benjamin. Apparently remembering his brothers well, his words to the departing brothers are "don't quarrel on the way." What could they have to fight about? Which one gets to tell their dad the great news?

Israel is stunned, but the wealth convinces him that it's all on the level and he says "My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Highlight: When Joseph comforts his brothers, he works hard to remove their guilt. He says, "do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you."

And later, "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." He's saying, it's over- fuggedaboutit. It's all part of the plan.

So maybe the key here is our calling not only to forgive- but to help each other break off the shackles of guilt, find a way to live with ourselves and our past, and be able to sleep at night, despite what we may have done.

Sad Sack

Genesis 44

So the boys prepare to head home- none the wiser regarding Joseph's ruse. Joseph has his steward load their sacks with as much food as they can carry and their silver. He also has him plant his silver cup in Benjamin's sack.

After they leave, Joseph sends his servant after them accusing them of stealing his cup. Naturally they deny it, not knowing the cup is in Benny's bag. They say- we even brought back the silver from before, why would we steal? If one of us has it, he'll die and the rest of us will be your master's slaves.

The steward says sure- it's a deal ,just as you said. Whoever has it will be my slave and the rest of you will be free (which isn't what they said, but apparently what he's prepared to enforce).

When the cup turns up in Benjamin's belongings, the clothes tearing begins. Imagine the shock and dread at knowing the fate of your brother and the consequent reporting of the event to your dad- especially after what they'd done to Joseph.

So they offer their services as Joseph's slaves and sneaky Joseph says- no- I'm not that kind of man- just the one who we found it on- the rest of you go free.

Is Joseph yanking their strings? Does he intend to keep Benjamin with him and then have a change of heart or is he trying to emphasize his point here?

Judah pleads his case, recapping the highlights from the last several chapters. Saying please don't turn us back to our father- I couldn't stand to see his misery.

Lesson for me- the danger of rash promises. Judah assured his dad that everything would be okay. His overestimation of the amount of control he had over the situation comes back to bite him. And honestly- how much of life do we have much control over? Like Mongo, we are often merely pawns in game of life. But unlike mongo we view ourselves as king- or at least a really crafty bishop.

Curious observation. Twice in this chapter Joseph's use of divination with his cup is mentioned (at least in the NIV). Does this mean he used the cup to commune with God (weird)? Or is he involved in some cultish practice that it would seem that God wouldn't have been a fan of (Also weird).

Maybe you Should Have Opted for Chocolate Covered

Genesis 43

So Israel has said in no uncertain terms- you're not going back with Benjamin. The implication...I hope Simeon has a comfortable cell. So they're home with food and money...and Israel is willing to sacrifice his son to avoid any risk coming to Benjamin.

But when the food runs out- papa sings a different tune. Well okay Judah, if you can protect him, I am feeling rather peckish. So the boys head out while dear old dad stays at home. To be fair, it could be that he sees the only way to save the family, including Benjamin, is to risk harm coming to him. Maybe he worked up the trust in God's care he needed to make this a trip worth taking.

So they go with gifts- balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. OK, I understand that culture and technology dictated a very different gift-giving climate, but these still seem like pretty lame gifts if the attempt is to save your sons. They do go back with double silver though- enough to pay for the food they already got and enough to buy more.

Judah's guarantee seems to hold more water with Israel than Reuben's- does he trust Judah more? Or is it a context thing- we're more desperate now than when Reuben made his pitch.

What's happening with Simeon all this time? Has Joseph really left him rotting in prison? Remember, he's been there longer than he should have been. They waited till the food ran out to go and try to save him. What would this have done to his self esteem? If the drought had ended, would you have ever come for me? And would Joseph have imprisoned him in the first place if he knew that they would wait so long?

Simeon doesn't seem to know that it's Joseph, or he at least doesn't spill the beans once la familia arrives. Joseph asks about his dad and is choked up when he sees Benjamin and goes off to cry in private. Not so much an attempt to maintain his bravado as a means to keep his identity secret as far as I can tell.

Interestingly, they eat "together"- well kind of. They are all served separately- Joseph- the brothers - and the Egyptians. This segregation was necessary because it was detestable to Egyptians to eat with Hebrews. So was Joseph passing as Egyptian? Or does his separate serving indicate that he couldn't eat with Egyptians either? But if that's the case, why is he served separately from his brothers? Part of the charade?

Lesson for me: the brothers tried to return the silver and Joseph's steward would have none of it. He says- I got your money- your God gave you the gift of silver.

God provides- when we have needs- or maybe even sometimes when we just have wants- God provides.

If you remember back (or even if you don't), Joseph had ordered those bags filled up. So maybe the point is that God often provides...through us. As we look out for each other, as we perform acts of kindness, random or otherwise, God is working to help His children. And his gifts are often better than pistachio nuts.

Ben to Canaan

Genesis 42

The famine is going strong and Jacob hears of grain in Egypt. He curtly tells his sons to go buy some. They all go, but leave Bennie behind- Jacob was afraid that some harm would come to him.

Once again I'm struck by the blatant favoritism shown by Jacob. Many of his kids seem to be bad news, but I wonder how much of that is because they know they aren't loved as much as the spawn of Rachel.

When they arrive in Egypt, Joseph sees them and recognizes them. He pretends to be a stranger and even speaks with an interpreter which ends up enabling him to eavesdrop on their conversation. What's the motivation of Joseph here? Is this revenge rearing it's ugly head? Is he just making the reconciliation dramatic? At some point does he see it as a means to reunite with his full-brother Bennie? Is it a combination of all of these things?

They bow down to him (Joseph remembers his dream) and ask to buy food. Joseph accuses them of being spies and tells them they can't leave until the youngest brother comes to Egypt- an event that would verify the claim of who they are. He says they can send one brother back to get him.

He apparently reconsiders, maybe like his dad fearing for Bennie's safety, or maybe just being compassionate, because he lets them all go except Simeon. Why does he pick out Simeon? Is he especially resentful toward him? Does he like him best and this will give him an opportunity to be around him while the travel occurs?

So the nine brothers return home with grain intending to return with Benjamin. They come to realize though that the silver they used to purchase the grain has all been returned in their baggage. Having already been suspected as spies, this scares them. Will the Egyptians think they are theives? What will happen to Simeon when the silver is discovered missing?

Jacob is at wits end- first Joseph is gone, then Simeon, and now Benjamin is to leave? The world is against me. Reuben swears to him on the lives of his children that he will bring Bennie back to him. Jacob wants none of it- not gonna happen my friend.

Seems odd that Reuben would offer the lives of his own children on a proposition as shaky as this. Why would he be willing to risk this? Does he have an inflated view of his ability to keep Benjamin safe? After all, he did so well protecting Joseph and Simeon. Does he suspect that something is amiss with the Egyptian situation? Does he have amazing faith in Yahweh?

And what kind of grandfather would be satisfied after losing his son by killing his grandchildren. Not this grandfather apparently- because he says no.

Big lesson for me. Jacob thinks all is lost- Joseph, Simeon and soon to be Bennie- all things he assumes will be forever gone. But he's wrong- his woe, his stress, his paranoia are all unwarranted. How much stress do we bring on ourselves assuming the worst, forgetting that God's with us and keeping us safe. Our worries usually don't fall into the death of child category, but maybe we worry about the stress of the job, or selling the house, or losing some weight, or even dealing with our sinful natures- and then we get a raise, or the house sells, or the weight drops or we receive peace that passes all understanding and we wonder what all the stress was about in the first place.

Rule Like an Egyptian

Genesis 41:41-57

So Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge. He honors with him with fancy schmancy clothes and jewlery and names him as second-in-command. He tells him that "without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt." He then renames Joseph "Zaphenath-Paneah" which doesn't have quite the same ring to it. He also gives Joseph, or Zaph, a wife- Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Not long after, Joseph has two children Manasseh and Ephraim.

Joe does a good job saving up food for the time of famine. In fact, he saves so much that it is beyond measure. This lesson is confusing to me- it seems in direct contrast to Jesus' teaching about not building up for tomorrow in barns. Maybe the lesson is to examine your circumstance and do what is most appropriate.

This idea is a little scary- the phrase "situation ethics" is one that has been used only with contempt in religious circles that I've been a part of, but it seems like maybe there are times to save for tomorrow (a famine is coming, you're about to lose your job, your child is going through college?) and times when it's simple greed (you've won the lottery, you've got a massive pay raise, you can help others). Maybe I'm reading too much into this.

So when the famine hits, the hungy masses clammored to Pharaoh for food- and like a good leader, he says "go to Joseph and do what he tells you." All the countries come to Joseph to buy food.

Joe's a good bit beyond prison by now. And while things are going well, it seems that he's still harboring a little resentment toward his brothers- and understandably so. He names his first child Manasseh (probably "forget") because "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." How do you get past the evil that men do and move on? Or is that what he's done- if I can just forget them, I won't bear this resentment.

Maybe the lesson is that sometimes forgetting is the best solution. If I bring up the past, I may spark painful memories and drudge up pain for others. Maybe I create awareness of something that someone else never knew about. Maybe I force a relationship that can only cause more stress and discomfort- so instead of trying to make a relationship work, I forgive, move on- and forge into new relationships. My legalistic nature strives to find people I've wronged in big and small ways and try to "make up for it" somehow, as if I could. And the result can be ripped open scabs and created resentment for people who never knew the wrongs existed in the first place. Or even awkward strains on relationships.

Joseph later gets the chance at reconcilliation. But he doesn't seek it out, it just happens. Maybe forgiveness happens when we can forget.

Father forgive us, we sure don't know what we're doing.

Everybody Has a Dream

Genesis 41: 1-40

Two years later, Pharaoh has a dream. He sees seven fat cows grazing and seven ugly, gaunt cows (was Egypt currently overrun with beautiful cows?) came up and ate the fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up, perhaps craving a good steak and a glass of milk. When he went back to sleep he dreamed of seven healthy heads of grain on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain popped up, thin and wind-scorched. The thin ones swallowed up the fat ones.

Moses lets us know- it had been a dream. Were things so different in this era ordinarily that Moses needs to emphasize that the stalks of grain didn't really eat each other?

So none of the wisemen can figure out the dream. And then the cupbearer remembers our old friend Joe. He recants his tale of dreaming in prison and the fate of himself and the baker and Pharoah is sold.

Pharoah sends for Joseph. He shaves and changes his clothes and goes before Pharaoh. Pharaoh tells Joe that he's had a dream and no one can figure it out- but word on the street is that you've got a knack with such things.

Joseph replies that he can't do it "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Is this Joseph speaking the same way Red Sox player Trot Nixon does when he says that it was Jesus swinging the bat for him tonight, or is he speaking for God? It feels like the latter, but it's a pretty bold claim if that's true. I wouldn't dare claim that God will do something for someone that He hasn't specifically promised already. What if this interpretation wasn't part of God's plan- or maybe God has already warned Joseph about the event and told him that He'll come through for him.

However it was, it turns out the dream predicts famine- seven years of it following seven years of plenty. Oh and by the way Pharaoh, Joseph shamelessly plugs, you'll need a wise man in charge of storing up twenty percent of the food in the good years to use as food in the lean years. Oh where will you find such a man...what? Me? Well I guess I could if you don't need me in prison anymore...

Pharoah says that since God has Joseph's ear, there is no one wiser in the land. You are in charge and people will follow your orders. "Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."

Two huge things here-
First, there may be great lulls in our lives where it seems that we aren't being productive, where we aren't fitting into God's work- where we might even begin to question our worth in God's eyes because we seem to be just treading water. Joseph sat for two years in prison just waiting, and the plan that had been working out years before finally started to more blatantly include Joseph. Patience and the ability to realize that we don't know the big picture may be essential tools to following God.

Second, the good that Joseph does helping the cupbearer pays off...two years later. When we do good works we may never see the fruit that comes from it- or if we do...it may be way down the line. We may undersestimate the impact our interactions have on others. Actions we make out of love may do everlasting good for ourselves and the object of that love.

Sadly the opposite may be even more true.

Maybe it was just the pizza I ate last night

Genesis 40

While in prison, Joseph is put in charge of the king's cupbearer (bartender?) and baker who have lost favor with Pharaoh. One morning, Joseph notices them both a little down in the mouth, so he asks them what the matter is.

It seems they've both had dreams and they can't find someone to interpret. Joey says that "interpretations belong to God." So the cupbearer unloads.

He sees a vine with three branches. Once the vine budded, it blossomed and developed into grapes. The cupbearer had Pharaoh's cup in his hand so he took some grapes, squeezed the juice into the cup and handed it to Pharaoh.

Joe has a response ready. The branches represent days- in three days you'll be returned to your prominant position. But- once this happens, please don't forget me- get me out of this prison. I haven't done anything worth being imprisoned for.

Now the baker hears the favorable interpretation and begins watering at the mouth- here's my dream:

He had three baskets of bread on his head. The top one had baked goods, but birds were munching away on them.

Joseph says that the three baskets are once again days. In three days Pharaoh is going to hang him and birds will eat his flesh. I would say that this dream officailly qualifies as a nightmare.

Three days later both events came to pass- but the cupbearer didn't remember Joseph.

Once again I'm puzzled by the role of dreams in the plot of biblical stories. How did they know that the dreams weren't the result of spicy food from the night before? Do dreams still have a predictive power now and if not, what sparked the change? If we could interpret our dreams to predict the future would we want to? Would the baker's last three days have been more pleasant if he were clueless about his fate?

The thing that strikes me most here is that Joseph notices that these men are troubled and sets out to help them. It might be easier sometimes to avoid people who seem to be annoyed or worried- to not invest too much in the troubles of others, after all we've got our own problems. My car broke down,my job is stressful, the cubs are losing, I'm stuck in prison myself- but Joseph doesn't cop out. He sees an opportunity to try to ease suffering, and he acts.

And the result- God is glorified (it's by His power after all), the cupbearer is comforted, and if I remember correctly, eventually he remembers the plight of our hero. It does seem that the baker might end up worse off- but maybe it gave him three days to contemplate the purpose of his existence and to make things right with his maker.

Or maybe it didn't- maybe the point here is that sometimes our attempts to help, gum up the works and make things worse- but the answer is not to stop being concerned and to stop trying to help- maybe the answer is to care and to pray and to show love...and the rest is in God's hands.