Today's Reading
Numbers today reminds us that, at this time, Israel was nomadic. When they moved from place to place, great care was taken to protect and preserve the Tabernacle and its contents. Following that is a story about a strange custom to test a wife and tell her jealous husband for certain if she was faithful. What do you think of it?
Mark: the religious leaders of Jesus' day (and some today, too!) made the mistake of thinking they had an answer for every question. Jesus' replies tell us that, if our God has no mystery, He is too small.
Speaking of mystery, Psalms reminds us of the greatness of Jerusalem. Why not New York? Or Hong Kong? For reasons we can't fully understand, the hearts and minds of world leaders are often turned to Jerusalem.
Proverbs gives us a hint of how to succeed or fail in today's troubling economy.
What are your thoughts today?
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At times in life there can seem to be so many rules, regulations, and overcomplicating matters. In today's reading, I like the simplicity of Jesus' response. When asked about the commandments, he replies with profound but succinct guidance: Love God, Love others.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have a few questions about the passage in Numbers:
ReplyDelete1) Where in the world did they get the sea cow hides?
2) Was the test for faithfulness only done on women? Why the swelling of the abdomen and the wasting away of the thigh? That "test" sounds so different than what I'm used to reading in the Bible. Very challenging!
Sean, I also am really struck with the simplicity and clarity of Jesus' response in Mark 12: 29-31. It really means something to me that, after all the riddles and answering questions with questions, when someone sincere asks a question, Jesus tells him what he needs to know.
ReplyDeleteRanelle, I also am very challenged by this "test" with in some cases absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing. Sadly - it seems like this is another of the gender bias things (biased based upon our current societal norms) which are rampant especially through the Old Testament. Also our version refers to the hides you reference as dolphins and we confirmed with Sam this wasn't some weird typo but we too wonder where did they get them? I would guess the swelling would be so it would be visible to others where pain and lack of childbearing might be easier to hide or explain away.
ReplyDeleteSuch simplicity - Love God, Love Others - Amen!
there is a glass is half full way of looking at the way the bible handles women's issues. how many cultures in 2000bc do you think had any women's rights at all? I think it's significant that a women's guilt had to be proven. when you look at it from this perspective, you'll find many affirmations of the value of women. in fact, tomorrow's reading has one. I won't tell you what it is, but see if you can find it. then ask yourself if you would have found it if I didn't tell you it was there. half empty or half full?
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