Lookin' Good

Exodus 28: 1-5

So God has Moses collect Aaron and his sons to come and serve Him as priests. They are to make some sacred clothes for them- and the skilled men God granted wisdom to in these matters are to make them. They are to make: "a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash." Sounds more like a warrior than a priest to me. Is the breastpiece to ward off tomatoes being thrown by an unruly audience?

These clothes are to be gold, blue and purple and made from silk and fine linen.

Growing up, our worship services didn't have this kind of pomp- but we did have our own dress code- jacket and tie (if it was Sunday Morning) with a sliding scale of formality throughout the other services in the week. The church we attend now has an occasional "special service" where our preacher wears a robe, but it's a rare occurrence.

I don't think this passage has much to do with "dressing up" for God. I think it's yet another contrast between the old and the new. Before, the outward appearance was stressed...priests wear holy garments to come before the Lord- and for us, the "inward man" is dressed up. We don't have to wear fancy robes or even (gasp) neckties to come before our Father- but our spirit is shining brightly of gold, blue and purple and freshly cleaned with the blood of our savior.

What Popeye, Shelley Duvall, and the Temple all Have in Common

Exodus 27: 20-21

Short passage here. God tells them to command the Israelites to bring clear oil oressed of olives to keep the lamps burning. Aaron and his sons are assigned to keep the lamps going from evening until morning. And this ordinance will continue for generations.

Is the lesson here to let your light shine? Show people God working through you? That's certainly a biblical principle- but to me this is more about God shining. It maybe a semantic difference (or even one that exists only in my head), but maybe the point here isn't as much about our good deeds that emulate Christ (which to me is much of Christianity)- but about a sensory reminder that God reigns, even today.

When all around you is falling apart- when nothing else in your life makes sense- when life is nothing but a struggle...there is still a light in the world. When we look to it, we find God...and perspective returns.

When the Israelites need a reminder about Who is in charge in the midst of the night, they need only look to the lights and be reminded- we have a God who cares for us.

And so those of us who serve God today keep those lights going. Not pointing to us- but to Him.

Curing Insomnia

Exodus 27:9-19

Warning: The surgeon general has declared it unsafe to read this passage directly before operating heavy machinery. Yikes- maybe it's just me- but this last stretch has been pretty dry.

Here we get instructions for building the courtyard. It's to be 150 feet by 75 feet. Seems like a pretty good size for some serious wiffle ball- and the ball would probably bounce pretty well off of all that bronze. Alas, I don't think much wiffle ball would have been allowed in this courtyard.

We get specifics about posts, and hooks and curtains and ultimately told that you can't use too much bronze. Pretty much everything else used in service for the tabernacle, including tent pegs will be made from bronze.

Growing up, I may have I had the impression that these kinds of passages stressed God's desire to dictate every detail- stressing the need for authority...if God doesn't spell it out, then you probably shouldn't do it. He doesn't mention instruments of music in New Testament worship- better not use them. Look at all the detail here, if it was ok, He would have spelled it out. He hasn't mentioned it- probably means you should stay away.

But my perspective has drastically changed. Maybe these passages are supposed to show us that when it does matter to Him- detail follows. "If I don't give you detail, then it really doesn't matter to Me. If I expected you to build it from bronze...haven't you learned that I'll tell you...in thorough detail...and leave little room for doubt?"

Instead of a stressing of legalism- maybe these thorough passages are the opposite- the freedom that comes from silence.

Strange Fire-Place

Exodus 27: 1-8

Now we're on to building the altar. It's to be about 4 1/2 feet high and about 7 1/2 feet long and wide. It's to be made of acacia wood and covered with bronze. Horns are to be carved into the ends. Utensils are to be bronze- there's to be a bronze grating and bronze rings which will hold bronze covered poles for carrying. The altar is to be hollow.

Seems to be more of the same here. We're on to bronze instead of gold- although I'm not sure why. Once again- careful, specific detail.

It would be nerve-racking to be responsible for paying attention to such detail. If nothing else, perhaps these sections should emphasize our "freedom in Christ"- our ability to connect the dots with a pen of grace- instead of measuring minituae to earn God's pleasure. I don't know that that's what they're doing here- but it seems a lot more nit-picky than what the new law's about.

Put it on my Tab...ernacle

Exodus 26

OK- so more boring detail about the building of the tabernacle. I almost long for geneologies...almost.

In an oversimplified version- they are to make and use lots of curtains. Cherubim are to be worked into the crafting and there are specifc guidelines to this curtain creation. The curtains are to have lots of loops- like 50 per curtain and gold and bronze clasps are to fasten the curtains together.

They are also to make curtains of goat hair to cover the tent of the tabernacle. There is also to be a covering made from ram skins dyed red- and then over that a covering of hides of sea cows.

Then it's on to the frames. Each 15 feet high, 20 on the south side, 20 on the north side, and then others on the west and in corners. Of course the frames are to be covered in gold as well as golden crossbars and rings. Bases accompany the frames.

There is a curtain to be made to separate the holy place from the most holy place. It's to be made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn with cherubim worked into the design. The ark of the testimony goes behind the curtain. The table goes outside the curtain on the north end and the lampstand outside the curtain on the south end.

Finally, there is also a curtain to be made for the entrance made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn. These are also to have hooks, posts and bases.

Seems like a whole lot of boring to me. One thing that is interesting in the midst of it all though is observing the servants taking center stage here. It's so easy to think of God's work as teaching, preaching, proclaiming -and as a public speaking teacher, I naturally value the contribution of orators to the work of the kingdom, I would flounder if service were centrally building and sculpting.

I wouldn't know how to function in a context where praising God sprang from physical construction. And this realization causes me to wonder about the psyche of the person good with hands but not with tongue. Does today's construction worker struggle to find a venue for service?

And the answer comes in the realization of both of these roles springing from misconceptions about the role of God's children in the first place. Despite what we may think, glorifying God involves so much more than eloquence or construction know-how. They both can serve to praise Him, but the methods of praise can be as diverse as the people who praise Him. And when our definitions of what pleases God are too specific we not only rob God of glory, but we rob each other of opportunities to please Him.

So however the metaphor works for you...build His temple.

Hide it Under a Bushel? No!

Exodus 25:31-40

So the last several sections are a painful reminder of deformed napkin holders and impractical miniature racecars from 8th grade woodshop. I'd have never made it as an Israelite...except that whole complaining thing- that's more my speed.

More carpentry class in this section as Moses is instructed on building a lampstand- pure gold this time. It's all to be one piece- with three branches coming out of each side of it. All six branches are to have three "almond flowers" patterns and each side of the lampstand is to have two golden flowers with buds and blossoms.

So it seems like there are three lamps on each side and one at the top for a total of seven lamps on the stand. The wick trimmers are also to be made of gold. In all about 75 pounds of gold are to be used for this project. King Midas, where are you?

I've always been told that seven is one of those mystical numbers that signifies completeness, but I have no idea where that comes from- and frankly, I don't put a whole lot of importance in the numerical symbolic signifiacance of things in scripture- I may be missing something major- but somehow I think that the way to heaven isn't contingent upon my algebra grade.

To be fair, I don't think it's contingent on a lot of other things that can be gleaned from scripture either though, and I'm confident that those numbers mean something, so maybe there's something there- it's just beyond me.

There's so much detail and specificity in these sections, which is a bit puzzling. I wonder though if it served to bring the people together. This was an undertaking large enough to involve many I would imagine. Was God trying to bring His people together? Teach them about the value of creating something holy? Contrasting the compicated law of Moses' time with the grace of Jesus'? Helping carpenters learn their trades?

I'm a little ready to leave the tedium of hand tools and sandpaper. However, I think we'll be blueprinting for a while yet.

Tabled Discussion

Exodus 25: 23-30

An awfully lean section here. Moses gets some more oral blueprints, this time regarding a table. There's a gold rim that's to surround the edge and golden rings to attach so it can be carried without touching it. They're also supposed to build wooden carrying sticks, covered in gold to transport this table around.

Then they are to build golden plates, dishes, pitchers and bowls (for the pouring of offerings)- no word on sporks.

On this table they are to put the "bread of the Presence" to be before God at all times. So is this magical never-molding bread? Bread that becomes hard as a rock- or do they share this communion with God often enough that the bread stays fresh?

I don't pretend to really understand the purpose or practice of this bread served on golden plates- but it's interesting to ponder the practicality of a physical emblem that triggers the presence of God. Communion can serve a similar function for us- and maybe this is just another finger pointing toward the coming of Christ. Or maybe Christ's establishment of our "feast" is a reference to this "bread of the presence."

He says- remember that thing God told Moses to do? Keep doing it- the form and grandeur aren't quite so important anymore, but just like their bread- mine will remind you of what I've done for you- and that I'm still right here. Sleep well- I've taken care of you.

The Real Reason Jesus Became a Carpenter

Exodus 25: 10-22

God gives Moses direct instructions about building the ark of the covenant. He starts with "how" instead of "why." I'll spare you all of the gory measurement details, but he instructs them to make a chest of acacia wood, cover it with gold both inside and out, and make a gold moulding around it. They are to make four gold rings and attach them to each foot, so that there are two rings on each side. Then they are to make poles out of acaia wood and cover them with gold. The poles go into the rings and are not to be removed- they are for carrying the ark. The pending testimony goes inside it.

They then need to make an "atonement cover" (on top of the gold covering and the gold moulding) and guess what- it's to be made out of pure gold. On the ends of the cover, they are to hammer out golden cherubim- one on each end. The cherubim and the seat are all of the same piece.

These angels need to have their wings spread upward overshadowing the cover and they are to face each other. And again, the testimony that's coming is go inside. And this is where God will meet with them.

So it seems that in addition to being men of faith- to be an Israelite in the day you had to have mad carpentry skills and be trained in metallurgy. I'd have been in trouble. My golden cherubim would look like robot potato-heads shaking hands.

I'm still a bit shaky about the purpose of the specificities- maybe Moses will expand in sections to come- but this "atonement cover" is translated in the New American Standard as a "mercy seat." I like that even in this time of law and stone tablets, at the center of where God met was a seat of mercy.

Knick-Knack Tabernacle

Exodus 25: 1-9

God tells Moses to tell the Israelites to make Him an offering. He's to take an offering from "each man whose heart prompts him to give." This seems like it's a totally voluntary kind of set-up, but how do you explain your heart not prompting you to give to God? So God asks for it if I don't mind, but there are these great Nike air-sandals I've had my eyes on...sorry God, maybe for the next tabernacle?

Anyway- God asks for the following items: "gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece."

Then God says to build Him a sanctuary- and if you do, I'll dwell among you. However, make it exactly the way I pattern it for you.

I tend to have a condescension toward ornate places of worship. Yeah, it's pretty, but how many people could have been fed with what it cost to simply pave the parking lot? The stained glass is breathtaking, but how much more good have been done if this money had gone to the homeless? Fancy pews, but what about the Africans with no clean drinking water? And to a large degree, I still feel that way- but if I were to make a case for a beautiful house of worship, I think this would be a good place to go for support.

God expects their sacrifice to make a beautiful place for Him to dwell in. He wants their financial commitment to His service. He doesn't demand it...but He wants it.

More importantly though- I think this is yet another contrast between the old and the new. Before Christ, the emphasis is on form, law, the outward...what you've done. When Jesus comes, everything changes. Yeah murder's bad- but hate is just as bad. Yep- adultery's a no-no, but lust is the same thing.

And maybe the principle holds true here. Before, build me an external house- I'll dwell there with you. But after Christ- you are that temple...I'll dwell inside of you.

Go Hear It On the Mountain

Exodus 24

So God tells Moses- you, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and 70 of the elders come closer- but not too close. Worship at a distance- and then you alone Moses- come and approach Me- but come alone.

Moses reports to the people and they call out "we'll do everything God has told us to." This seems to be human nature to some degree- we talk a good game, but carrying out God's will is often another matter. It was for them, it is for us.

Moses documented all that God said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He set up twelve pillars to represent the twelve tribes and had young men offer burnt offerings and sacrifice young bulls as "fellowship offerings". Moses divides the blood in half- half in a bowl and half on the altar. The first half was then sprinkled on the people, Moses calling it the "blood of the covenant".

This is some major pageantry. To show the heavenly contract, the Israelites "washed" in bull blood. Sounds like a party your mother wouldn't approve of- but in order to show their allegiance, the people of God submitted themselves voluntarily to a less than enjoyable act.

This seems to be a foreshadowing of Christ's blood serving as our "blood of the convenant". Our rituals are a little less messy, but they serve the same function- drawing us closer to our Protector and proclaiming our allegiance to serve Him.

So Moses and company head up the mountain and see God. I bet those tickets could have been scalped for a pretty penny. I wonder how much of Him they saw though , since Moses' description consists of the sapphire-like pavement under His feet. A cool image, but if you've just seen God, you might be bit more descriptive- unless you only get a glimse, which seems pretty consistent with the way God sightings seem to work.

So they have a meal, or at least a snack and God tells Moses to come up with Him and get the tablets of commandments. Moses and Joshua his aide (is this THE Joshua?) start up for the private conference. I guess when God told him to come alone, He meant that his servant could come too.

Moses tells the group to wait- and if they have a disgreement while he's gone, Aaron and Hur could deal with it. This indicates to me that either Moses expected to be gone for a long time, or these were amazingly disagreeable people.

So Moses went up and a cloud covered the mountain for six days. On the seventh day, God called to Moses from within the cloud. From the Israelites perspective, it looked like a consuming fire. He stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights. I don't know if that included the first six, but either way, it must have been an amazing experience to spend a month with God. I would assume that Joshua stayed behind after the sixth day, but Moses doesn't specify.

I can't even imagine what that would be like. What would you talk about? Would there be long silences spent in meditation? Would there be any moments of laughter or frivolity? Or would it be all business?

And more interestingly, what will it be like for us when we get our chance to be in His presence?

Angels Not From Anaheim

Exodus 23: 20-33

After giving the Israelites this list of laws to remember and carry out- God tells them that He will protect them. I'm going to send you an angel to protect you and guide you to your destination. Pay attention, listen, and don't rebel. He won't forgive rebellion for My name is in him.

That's an odd phrase- is God saying- since he is acting for Me, he has no authority to forgive rebellion? Is there something special about this angel- there's a little piece of God in him somehow?

He goes on to say that if you listen to him, and obey Me- I've got your back. Your enemies are my enemies- people won't want to mess with you, because if they do, they'll have to mess with Me- which wouldn't be too smart.

He tells them that He will wipe out the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites as He takes them through their lands. But don't be influenced by their religious practices. Demolish their sacred stones. Don't worship their gods or adopt their religious rites and rituals. Instead, worship Me and I'll bless your food and water (so He'll provide it? Make sure it's healthy? Tasty? Fat free?). I'll keep you healthy and prevent miscarriages and barrenness. You'll live long lives.

He repeats his promise to smite their enemies- saying He will send His hornet ahead of them. I'm guessing this is metaphoric but it paints a pretty cool picture. An epic B-film (literally) starring Charlton Heston as the stoic beekeeper Shaz-Belthan.

God says I'll take care of them- but it won't be all at once, if I just rubbed them all out, the land would become desolate and there would be too many wild animals for you to deal with. Once you've increased in number more, I'll make it all happen.

This seems like a pretty good example of the balance between God's care for His individual children and His control of the big picture. Why don't things work out when I pray? Why do problems still exist for those that love God? Why do I have to suffer? Surely, for many reasons- but maybe at times God is working to alleviate the problems in our lives, but the solution that we seek could cause even greater problems for ourselves and others. So, God in His wisdom, watches and waits- and when the time is right- when it doesn't put a kink in His plans or in the lives of others- He works to make things better for all involved.

Obbiously there's more to it than that. Suffering builds character- makes us long for our true home, gives us opportunity to help others and more and better reasons that you may be able to think of. My point is simply that at times our requests are more complicated than we may realize. If God gives us exactly what we ask for it may complicate a million other things.

Finally God says that He will give them land that spans from the Red Sea, to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the river. I'll drive out your enemies (I'm sensing a theme) but don't make a covnenat with them or their gods (another theme). Don't let them live in your lands- they'll cause you to sin- the worship of their gods will be a snare to you.

Advice they won't always heed.

But how does this message apply to us- our circumstance is certainly much different- but do I isolate myself from those of demoninations different than mine? protestant from catholic? Chrsitian from Muslim? Christian from atheist?

Or with Jesus, have the rules all changed? Stay on guard but first and foremost...love. Don't kick them out of your lands- let your light shine...and love.

It's a hard question- but an important one.

It's Not a Party Without Unleavened Bread

Exodus 23:14-19

So God sets up three annual festivals for the Israelites to celebrate.

First is the Feast of Unleavened Bread- while I might have prefered Feast of the Funnel Cake, the feast is to commemorate coming out of Egypt. The Israelites are to abstain from bread made with yeast for seven days. They are to celebrate it in the month of Abib- I'm not sure when that is, but it coincides with their escape. They are instructed to not come before God empty handed.

Second is the Feast of Harvest- they celebrate with the first fruits of the crops grown in the field- which I guess means they sacrifice the firstfruits?

Third is the Feast of Ingathering- this happens at the end of the year when the crops are gathered in.

Those Israelites knew how to party.

Maybe they took these offerings and shared them for a big blowout (hence the feast)- that at least sounds like a celebration.

God instructs further- three times a year you appear before Me. Don't mix the blood of a sacrifice with any yeast. Don't keep the fat of festival offerings over night. Give God the best of the first fruits of your soil. Don't cook a young goat in its mother's milk.

I'm not sure if these rules would have made more sense to the Israelites than they do to me. Why no yeast? What's wrong with the fat? What's the milk deal?

Or if it was simply enough to know that God said so. And is it simply enough for me too?

Or is that what God wants? Does he want me to be baptized- or understand why? Does he want me to love my neighbor- or know why I should? And does that knowledge help us figure out which "commands" were intended for that specific culture- and which principles hold true for us today?

So today, in the spirit of the Israelites I'll refrain from goat's milk and no yeast in my blood offerings. Let's get this party started.

Sabbath Rules

Exodus 23: 10-13

A short section with a few rules.

After six years of harvesting, leave the fields be on year seven. The poor then have access to get what they can from them- wild animals too. Same thing goes for vineyards and olive groves. Seems like this served this culture's welfare needs. No discussion of how this would make the poor dependent on the productive farmer or inclined to be lazy or any other negative deterrent to helping the needy- however, this aid did only come once every seven years- which certainly would make it hard to live off exclusively.

Not only is the seventh year special- but the seventh day is too. Work six days- but that seventh is for resting- for you, for your ox, your donkey, your slave and even the alien. That day is to refresh yourself for the week to come.

Finally- make sure you do all these things that have been spelled out. And don't be calling on other gods. Almost seems like God's setting them up for a fall. Here's a million rules- now don't mess up... well look here, looks like you can't get there yourself after all.

Which is so much of the point thus far (and of what's to come)- we can't handle righteousness- we need someone to bridge the gap.

And we need lots of seventh days. Maybe three or four a week.

Mercy Mercy Me

Exodus 23: 1-9

The next set of laws all seem to deal with treating your fellow citizen fairly and with grace.

First- don't lie about people- and don't help evil people by being a "malicious witness"- interestingly it doesn't say a false witness. So, the point may be to check your motivation. Are you acting out of justice or are you looking to bring someone down. How often is malice justified as truth? Telling it like it is doesn't seem to be enough here- check your motivation.

Next comes the birth of the "If your friends jumped off a bridge would you?" argument. God says, don't just do wrong because the crowd is. When you're giving testimony- don't let it be swayed by the crowd. And don't just assume the poor man is innocent- or in the right. This one hits home for me. It's easy to be a chameleon, especially in the presence of strong-willed people. It's easy to pretend to agree, to just go along- to fein approval simply because it's easier than making waves- or because I don't want to seem the odd man out. I don't think every battle is worth fighting- but it would be nice to not have the tendency to pretend to be something I'm not- simply because I'm not like everyone else.

It's also interesting that Moses points out the need to check yourself being swayed by a man's argument becuase he is poor. It seems like the poor guy would be more apt to get the raw end of the deal. But if you keep reading- the other side is warned about too- so perhaps it's to cover both sides of the audience. So basically, be fair. There are good people with money and good people without it (or bad on both ends depending on your perspective).

Next Moses says- look, if your enemy's donkey wanders off- or falls under a load- do what's right and help out. Take it back to him- help him up. Don't let your personal feelings get in the way of showing mercy.

Don't deny justice to the poor. Don't have anything to do with false charges- and don't put the innocent or honest to death. If you do, I won't forgive you. This is interesting. I'm not taking away the death penalty- but if you invoke it...you better be right. There's no room for doubt. I don't think I'd want the job of chief stone thrower with so much at stake either.

Don't take bribes- they'll blind you to the truth and will make the innocent seem guilty (and vice versa).

And finally don't oppress aliens- you remember what it was like when you were an alien. So, it sounds like homeland security was maybe a little different back in the day.

Basically in the profound words of Ted from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure- "Be decent to each other." Excellent.

More People to Kill

Exodus 22:16-31

This section seems to be a random set of other laws the people were to follow. The NIV has the heading "Social Responsibility" but you might also use "Smite These Folks Too" or "Other People to Not Have Over for Dinner".

Here we go:

If a man seduces a virgin and sleeps with her- he has to pay the going rate for marrying a virgin. If the father of the potential bride wants no part of this guy, the marriage doesn't happen, but he still has to pay the bride price. I wonder how often this happened, I'm guessing that the odds of the deflowered daughter finding a mate (and bringing in further profit) weren't so good. But I guess the creepy guy hitting on young women might not make for the best son-in-law either.

Sorceresses...die.

Interesting that gender is specified here. Does that mean sorcerers also die? Just can't join the PTA? Can perfrom card tricks but no sawing ladies in half? I'm sure they weren't in good favor either, but the distinction is certainly interesting.

Bestiality? Death... and lots of embarassment for the guilty party's family (I infered the last part).

Those who sacrifice to other gods...destroyed. Maybe significance in the choice of words here. Not just killed- but destroyed.

Treat aliens right- remember you were aliens in Egypt. In the midst of all the harshness- this one feels pretty New Testament-ish. It's the same God here that loves us with so much mercy today.

Don't take advantage of widows or orphans. If they cry out- I'll hear them- and I won't be happy. In fact, I'll kill you with a sword- your wife will be a widow and your children will be orphans, just like these people you took advantage of.

If you loan money to the needy- don't charge interest (hear that Mastercard?) If you take a cloak from your neighbor as a pledge on that loan- return it by sundown- he'll want it when it gets cold- and if he needed to borrow from you, he probably doesn't have much else to keep him wam. I'll hear him when he cries out because I'm compassionate.

Don't blaspheme God or curse your ruler. The God part is pretty easy to swallow- but cursing the ruler a bit tougher. I think there's a big difference though between cursing and totally abhorring every choice made- even to the point of protest. Maybe the key for us is to maintain love and compassion in the midst of our indignation.

Don't hold back offerings from graineries or vats. Give me your firstborn sons. Also, on the 8th day of their lives, give me the firstborn cattle and sheep. OK- give back to God, I get that- but are sons a reference to some animal? I don't think that he's ordering an Isaac-like sacrifice, but the command is a bit odd. Just not much context for it.

I want you holy- so don't eat meat that an animal has ripped apart- instead give it to the dogs. This seems to jive with some earlier commands about not eating meat.

And that's it. This set seems to be largely about protecting the helpless- the poor, the widows, the orphans, aliens, and the young (or at least virginal). There's also much about respect for God and His power- anti-sorcery, blaspheming, worshippers of false gods. And finally purity- sexual law, and eating tainted meat.

While the penalties are really harsh- and the specifics might be culturally different- these principles are still things God seems to hold dear- help the helpless, respect God, and don't do gross stuff- or try to keep yourself pure.

My Stuff

Exodus 22: 1-15

Here are laws dealing with property.

If someone steals oxen or sheep- and they sell them or kill them- they must repay five head of cattle for each ox and four for each sheep. I'm not sure why a distinction is made between animals- if stealing oxen was more taboo- or more highly discouraged.

So let's say a thief breaks into your house- and you fight back and kill him- the defender is not guilty of bloodhshed unless it's after daybreak. After that he is guilty. This is a little puzzling too. So if it's during the day they would have more access to less violent defense? Maybe they wouldn't have been awakened from sleep and should be in more control of their faculties and better able to prevent killing the intruder? Seems totally arbitrary.

The thief must make restitution (I'm assuming if he doesn't die) - but if he doesn't have anything, he may be sold to make up for it.

If a stolen animal is found alive- you repay double. Why the distinction here? If the thief reconsiders before sale or slaughter he gets off a little easier?

If your animals graze in someone else's field- you pay them from the best of your field.

If a fire burns grain, the person who started the fire pays for the grain.

If you're holding silver or valuables for your neighbor and a thief steals these valuables from your home- the thief pays back double, but if he's not caught, you have to go before the court to make sure you weren't in on it.

If there's a squabble about who owns an ox, donkey, sheep, garment, or any other property- go before the court. Whoever is wrong pays double to the rightful owner.

Now if you're caring for a neighbor's animal and he dies, is injured or "taken away while no one is looking"- the neighbor takes an oath saying "I didn't do it"-and the owner is to accept it and get over it. If the animal was stolen (different than taken away...?) the neighbor makes restitution.
If he was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the owner brings in the torn carcass as evidence (what a lovely trip to the courthouse) and he doesn't have to repay.

If a man borrows an animal and the animal dies or is injured- the borrower repays for it- unless the owner is present- in which case, nothing is required in repayment. If the animal was hired out, the cost of the rental covers the damage.

These laws seem pretty harsh- not a lot of grace. The guy who didn't have money for the ox in the first place has to find money for four of them to repay for his mistake. It seems like one indiscretion could lead you down a path that was hard to recover from. Which maybe is the point- without Christ- we can't get back to ok.

Under this law, I'm doomed. How would a recovering thief remember how much to pay back to each person? How could a wayward youth turn his life around? Seems like the poor would stay poor and the rich would stay rich.

These laws puzzle me a little. Are these laws from the perspective of God? You pay back four times or you stand condemned before Me? Or are they from simply a legal standpoint- ok citizen x, you've been wronged, you're entitled to so much if you're so inclined...

And what does all of this mean for us? Is it supposed to signal the need to make more than amends for everything we do wrong? If so, how do you do it? Or is it supposed to contrast with the grace and forgiveness of Christ's sacrifice.

I'm hoping for the second. And Christ's mercy toward the woman caught in adultery may suggest the same. He still doesn't want us to sin- but the way to be ok with him is not to be stoned to death or repay fourfold, or bring in the torn carcass- but to change your ways and be merciful to each other.

Somebody Done Somebody Wrong

Exodus 21: 12-36

The rules continue- these regarding personal injury.

If somebody kills someone on purpose- he's to be removed from the altar and put to death. If it's an accident, there's an out- they flee to a safe zone. The language here is interesting to me- if it's not on purpose "God lets it happen"- implying that man's schemes can trump God. I don't think this is at all the intention of Moses here- but it kind of reads that way. It may just be an accomodating way of expressing chance or fate.

Even if you don't kill them- if you attack your mother or father, you face death.

Kidnapping with or without the end result of human sale? Death.

Cursing your father or mother? Yep, death.

Beat the tar out of someone with a rock? Not death- as long as they live and can walk with a staff- you've got to pay them worker's comp and make sure they get better.

If you beat your slave to death- you are punished (doesn't say killed) - but if after a day or so they're ok, no punishment- after all, they're your property. This one is a little troubling. I think the comment to the last post addresses some of it, but it still feels a little odd.

So let's say you're fighting- and maybe you inadvertantly knock a pregnant woman- and let's say this causes her to give birth prematurely- if there's no serious injury- you pay a fine determined by the mother's husband as long as the court agrees to the amount. Now- if there's serious injury, you return equal harm to the convicted fellow, "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."

If you knock out your servant's tooth or destroy his or her eye- you have to let them go free to make up for it.

Now I know what you're thinking- "What do we do if a bull gores someone to death?" Well, I'm glad you asked. First off you stone the bull and don't eat the meat. But the bullowner is not in trouble. However- if the bull has a reputation for goring- and the owner knows about it and doesn't keep the bull penned up- you kill the bull and the owner. The owner can save himself if he's got enough money to pay whatever is demaded of him (by I guess survivors of the goring). This is the law for the goring of a son or daughter as well (the owner's son or daughter?- maybe you collect the money if your child is gored). However if the bull gores a slave- stone the bull and pay the owner 30 shekels of silver.

Now let's say I'm digging a hole as I'm often want to do- but maybe I forget to cover up that hole- and your animal falls into it and dies- I've got to pay you for the loss- but I get to keep the dead animal.

Finally- if my bull kills your bull, we sell the live bull and split both the proceeds of the live bull and dead bull equally. But- if I know about my bull's goring tendencies, and didn't keep el toro penned up, you get it all.

As I read these laws- I'm still amazed at how little the life of a slave is worth. Curse your parents? Death! Your animal kills a slave? 30 shekels of silver. An interesting component here though is the value placed on the idea of a father. God uses the metaphor for Himself (and as creator, it's more than a metaphor)- but I guess it shows how sacred that bond is, or should be between the creator and createe- in both a biological and spiritual sense.

Why couldn't they eat the meat of the goring bull- was there some aggressiveness in his dna that would damage the eater? I'm always critical of laws that prevent eating- especially eating red meat.

I'm also struck by the randomness of specificity. Do you think there were a lot of pregnant women struck in brawls who gave birth prematurely as a result? Yet there it is, in black and white- there's what you should do! And it seems to me that in that observation lies a lot of the difference between the old law and the new law.

Moses is all about black and white. Thou shalt not. Watch your step. Do it this way. Don't know what to do? We've got a law for everything- even bull goring. Jesus seems to be more about the principle behind the law- a spirit of the law kind of guy. Jesus, what do I do when thus and so happens?

You love them.

So I should pay them how much? So I work for them how long? What's the price? Lay it out for me in black and white?

Jesus doesn't play that game. It didn't work for the Israelites. It created a system that they couldn't live up to. And Jesus's law lightens our load- the uncertainty is often scary- but when the law is grace, the yoke is easy and the burden is light.

Slave to the Law

Exodus 21: 2-11

This section spells out laws regarding Hebrew slaves. This is odd to me. God doesn't comdemn slavery here- He lays down ground rules, but doesn't say that it's something wrong- or even to be avoided. It might be that at this point, all men aren't created equal- since the Hebrews are the whole chosen race and all- but that doesn't make sense because in these instances, the slaves are Hebrew.

How do you come to grips with God being okay with slavery? Does it suggest that we are to endure more in this life than the next? That's ceratinly true- but then wouldn't God have a similar stance on murder, rape, abuse, and similar things that contrast with the next life?

I don't know how these slaves were treated- the existence of rules may suggest that the way slaves existed in that culture is a bit better than our country treated slaves- but even so, you can lump slaves into the category of the treatment of women. Is the idea to contrast this condition with Christ's gift even more. You mean even slaves can be saved?

Or does it suggest that maybe God works within the culture to move His people to Godliness? He doesn't have them start over-He doesn't rework their culture- He says- OK, if you're going to have slaves- you at least have to treat them this way, similar to how He later says- fine- you can have a king, even though I don't like it- but here's how it'll work.

I don't know- it's still hard for me to make it ok- I can't rationalize it away- and maybe that's the real lesson. God is more complex than we're capable of figuring out- I can't put Him into my box, I can't make Him fit my moral code. I do wish, though, that there were a few more clues to figure Him out.

So- enough of my yapping- here are the rules:

If you buy a Hebrew servant- he works for you for six years- and then he is free- he doesn't owe you any money- he's free. If he brings a wife with him- she is free to go when he does. But if he marries another of his master's slaves, she remains a slave- and all their children are the property of the master.

I'm guessing that means if a slave comes with his wife- any children they have remain the possession of the child's parents.

If the servant doesn't want to go free- they take him to a judge- he gets his ear pierced and he remains a slave for the rest of his life. Don't assume this is like going to "ear art" at your local mall- this process involved an awl and a doorpost.

If a man sells his daughter as a slave- she doesn't go free like the men do. If the owner doesn't like her- he has to release her, he can't resell her to foreigners. If he gives her to his son- she gets the rights of a daughter. If he marries someone else- he must still provide food, clothing and marital rights (sex?) for her. If he doesn't provide these things, she is free to go.

These seem to safeguard the servant to some level- but they're actually pretty balanced between the owners and the servants. So...I'm a little puzzled as to what I'm supposed to take from it.

Help?

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.