Oh, the realities of blogging!

Just so you do not think I have given up, I want you to know that the realities of trying to get through this week have kept me from being faithful to my blogging on Leviticus and Numbers. Please do not give up on my!! I will, in this week blog some on both of these books and answer some of the questions that you have brought up in your comments.

Until then, I wish each of you a Christmas filled with joy! May laughter and love fill your hearts and your homes. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding fill your souls.

Much love to each of you,

Suzy

Comments?

Just so you know, I miss your comments!!! Hoping someone would like to add their thoughts! (Hint, hint, hint)

Did I lose you in the details?

There is an old saying that goes, “the devil is in the details.” However, after a thorough reading of the last chapters of Exodus, I would submit to you that God is in the details!

Now granted, the reading of details is not the most gripping of narratives. And truthfully, those details make for tedious reading after the roller coaster ride of the first part of Exodus. Would you not agree that those opening chapters kept us glued to our seats? Were you not horrified by the plagues of locusts and frogs, amazed by the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, thrilled to discover the sweet water that flowed from rocks in the wilderness and the manna from heaven? Not to mention the thundering presence of God on the mountain top as Moses received the Ten Commandments.

But then, after an action packed beginning, we come to a screeching halt. Detail after detail confronts us. Law after law, not only for the community but for altars, slaves, and property just to name of few. And then you get the incredibly detailed descriptions of the tables, lampstands, even curtains for the tabernacle. OK, can you say boring?

But, the funny thing is, as I was reading those wearisome words about the number of cubits for the length of the altar and the colors of the yarn required for the ephod and the breastplate and the curtains for the tabernacle, I became fascinated with the intricate work that was being described. What would the ark have looked like? What about the garments of the priesthood? In case you too were intrigued, I googled the web in search of images and found some that I've posted, one is the priestly vestments the other is the ark of the covenant. Of course, everyone has an idea of what these might have looked like, but this is one artists concept of what is described in the Book of Exodus!

The other really fun thing that happened in the midst of the reading is that I discovered in Exodus 30 God gave Moses the formula for making the anointing oil for the ordination of priests: liquid myrrh, cinnamon, aromatic cane and cassia. “Sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer.” Just so you know, I was the perfumer in “Old Bethlehem” this weekend. And, as a result of my reading, I became quite the knowledgeable perfumer and spun a wonderful tale of how this formula had been passed down from generation to generation in my family. In case anyone asks you, it’s true…I have the finest anointing oil in all Judea! Be sure to stop by my shop next time you’re in “Old Bethlehem”!

Keep reading, you’ll never know what you might discover!

inJoy,
Suzy

Events that Define

The Exodus Event is one of the defining moments in the life of Israel. Through the exodus, the people become a nation and are brought together with the one God, YHWH. Before this time Israel was in all practicality an individual people, i.e. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the book of Exodus, we see these individual people come together as a nation, they have an identity. This is a nation that follows the one God and God is depicted in the midst of the people – a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God is powerful and God is protector. Note that as the people come to the sea of Reeds, God who was leading the people, moves behind the people and keeps the Egyptians away from the Israelites all night!

The Exodus is the way the Israelites come to understand who they are and who God is. The exodus is a divine act of new creation and is remembered by marking the beginning of the year which becomes the beginning of Israel’s new life. The story is remembered and retold through the festival of Passover. This symbolic feast remembers God’s saving action and creates hope and expectation of the ongoing reality of God’s salvation.

Were you surprised, as you read, the number of times that the Passover instructions are recited? Did you also notice the reiteration of these words, “When your children ask you…” Tradition. As the story is passed down to the next generation, the story becomes the story of those who listen and those who ask.

As we enter the season of Advent and wait with hopeful anticipation of the coming of the Christ child, we too remember. We share our story, the story of light and life coming into the world. Today, I shared this story with the children of our preschool. They gather for chapel on Monday mornings and learn about Jesus and God’s love for them. Today they heard the story of the birth of Jesus as told by Angels and shepherds.

Yes, it’s true, I got to be the angel, and it’s a part I look forward to all year. Dressed in white with wings that could use some tender loving care, I tell the children the story that begins this way, “One day, God’s angel came to Mary’s house. The angel said, ‘I have good news for you, God’s son is coming to earth.”

Indeed, it is good news. God comes to earth and brings salvation, peace, hope, redemption, love… Just as in the Exodus story, we hear of God’s liberating salvation from those acts that oppress, just as the story is told to each generation, we continue to tell the story of salvation history from the crossing of the Red Sea to the birth of Christ. We are called to be witnesses to the entire world of God’s act of salvation by telling the stories of our ancestors and the stories of God’s grace in our own lives.

What story will you tell?

inJoy,
Suzy

"Do not quarrel along the way!"

The story of Joseph, in the Hebrew Scriptures moves us from a series of shorter, independent stories about the earlier patriarchs to what many biblical scholars call a “novella” (a short novel or story). It’s an amazing story that holds your interest – there is envy, intrigue, family conflict, a little romance and in the end, reconciliation. What more could you ask for?

Lawrence Boadt, in his Introduction to the Old Testament, notes that the Joseph story expresses the major theme of the entire patriarchal history: through ups and downs, successes and failures, God promises will be fulfilled.

For me, as I read the story, I was struck by how appropriate it was to be reading this particular story during the week that we, as Americans, celebrate Thanksgiving. Family conflict has long been a dominate theme of the relationship between Joseph and his brothers and indeed, in the history of the family as well (think Jacob and Esau). But hardship has brought these brothers back into communication with one another, albeit unknowingly at first.

I loved reading the end of chapter 45. Let me remind you of what is happening. Joseph has revealed his identity to his brothers after they have come to Egypt in search of food. He reveals his identity to them and then sends them back to Canaan to bring their father and all of their household to Egypt where they might be provided for by the generosity of Joseph and the storehouses of Egypt. As Joseph sends them off he says to them, “Do not quarrel along the way.”

Don’t you love those words? “Do not quarrel along the way.” Earlier the brothers had done just that, “did I not tell you!” and “but you would not listen!” all words of quarrel and acquisition. The good news is, by the time they arrive in Canaan, they have a common story to tell their father. Amazed and stunned at the news that his son, long since thought dead, is still alive he says, “Enough! …I must go and see him.”

All else has been put aside, all the quarreling, all the sorrow. Now is the time for reconciliation, now is the time for Thanksgiving!

I hope that your family, as well, will have a Thanksgiving of celebration and joy with no quarrelling along the way!

InJoy,
Suzy

Word of the Day – “eponymous”

The stories of Jacob, fall generally into this basic outline:
1. Stories about Jacob and his brother Esau (conflict stories)
A story about Jacob’s encounter with God (Gen 28: 10-22)
2. Stories about Jacob and his father-in-law Laban
Another story about Jacob’s encounter with God (Gen 32: 1-32)
3. More stories about Jacob and his brother, Esau

As you read the stories of the conflicts between Jacob and his brother Esau, remember that this is a remembered history. Thus, these sagas reflect tribal stores told about the times when the Jacob-tribes(s) first settled the land and had to fight for control. The history was remembered through the telling of the personal struggle between Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom).

The second group of stories between Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban reflect family histories between the Jacob tribes and Arameans. The tricks and deceits of Jacob and Laban against one another gave those that heard these stories great delight and amusement as these stories became mirrors of battle between the nation Israel and the Arameans in later days. We’ll read about those conflicts when we get to 1st Kings!

Ok, so here’s were the word of the day comes in…are you ready? These stories of conflict between Jacob and Esau or Laban can be considered eponymous – that is where the individuals stand for whole nations.

I know you will be waiting with baited breath for that word to appear in the daily crossword puzzle!

In joy,
Suzy

The time to comment is now!

We’ve been reading together for almost two weeks and today, I would encourage you, if you feel called to try something new – comment on the readings for today or on my reflection of the readings. Just click the comment section on the bottom of the post!

I must tell you, chapter 22 of Genesis is probably my least favorite chapter in the entire Bible. I have such trouble with the story of the “binding” or “sacrifice” of Isaac. I am well aware that this is almost entirely true because I read this story with my 21st century mind and with the soul of a mother.

I cannot understand how Abraham can even think about sacrificing his only son, but more, I cannot imagine that God would require this of Abraham – as some kind of test! Listen as you read this story how Isaac is described – “take you son, you only son” “Isaac, the son whom you love.” And, throughout the text, Isaac is never named as Isaac only, instead we read, “his son, Isaac.” This is the child who has been waited for and hoped for. This is the child that God has promised that nations will come from. This is a child who is well loved.

Here’s another place I struggle with this story: why didn’t Abraham negotiate with God on this? Remember in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asks God, “will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” Then he begins a bargaining process, “well, what if you find 50 righteous, or 45 and finally they get down to the hard bargaining – what if there are only 10 righteous found…”

How could Abraham not fight for his child? But you see, this is still my 21st century mind at work. So for me, I stand on the last part of the story that God provides – even in the most dark and dismal of circumstances. Even when you can’t understand how you’ve gotten into the place you’ve walked into. In these times, God is present in my pain and sorrow. And for that, I am grateful.

What about you?

In joy,
Suzy

Now we have a family!

Blogging is great – as long as you are connected to the internet. This afternoon our internet service at the church went down and this evening, for reasons unknown to me, I am not connected to our home service. All that being said, my Sunday reflection is not being posted until Monday.

Our readings have now moved us from the world and our human origins to the history of the ancestors of Israel – The Patriarchs. The story of the Patriarchs will take us through the end of Genesis…but don’t worry, we won’t read all of that this week! However, I thought it would be a good idea for you to get a “heads-up” of those who we will be reading about over the next two weeks. Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah and Rachel, and Joseph; these are the names who will occupy our minds and our hearts, so get ready, it will be a great two weeks of wonderful stories.

As you read, notice the themes that are present in the Abraham/Sarah cycles of stories (Genesis 12:1 – 25:10) – obedience, separation, blessing, protection, universality, holy places, and the promises of descendants and land. Covenant is the overriding theme of these passages. In Gen. 12:7, God told Abram, “to your descendants I will give this land.” In Gen. 13:15 and Gen 15:5 we find concrete specifications of the covenant. For the land, “all the land which you can see…” and for descendants, “look at the heavens and count the stars if you can. So shall your descendants be.”

In joy,
Suzy

Lists, lists and other thoughts...

We've made it through the flood and found hope in the midst of swirling waters. The earth, as such, is recreated and God initiates a covenant with God's people. I think that is why all of us love rainbows so much - we remember in that sign, that God remembers us!

The first 9 chapters that we've read have been so fast moving. The world created, human life begins, we love and we hurt one another but through it all God's grace is present. Please do not forget this, the God of grace is indeed present in the Hebrew Scriptures!

Today as we continue reading we get to those long and dare I say, boring, geneological lists. My suggestion - read fast!

Scholars say that there are several strands of writers that are part of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) one strand is known as the Priestly writers. These writers are concerned with keeping track of who we are. In other words, these lists provide a framework for our reading and in their own way testify to God's ongoing creative work in the world through people.

As I read those lists, I am reminded of going through old family pictures. On my side of the family, we have great pictures, but turn the picture over and the backside is blank! Today, we have no idea of who those ancestors are because their names have gone with the memories of those that are no longer in our midst.

On Chuck Reedstrom's side of the family, when you turn a picture over there are lists that include names, dates and places! A wealth of information! This is what the Priestly writers do for us as they carefully keep track of names and family lines.

I wish there had been a strand of Priestly writers in my family - maybe it's not too late to start - after all, that is what God continually tells us...it's never too late to turn around!

In joy,
Suzy

Week One ~ The Journey Begins

I love beginning to read the Bible, it is like opening up an old friend. It is comfortable, it is familiar, we know the words, "In the beginning..." and yet, there is always something new to hear, something new that touches my heart. I hope the journey of reading will be that way for you this year!

As an often left-brained, linear thinker, this very first chapter in Genesis speaks to me. Such order, such beauty in so few words. The first three days set the stage - light out of darkness, water above separated from water below, waters gathered for the dry land to appear. Then the players - sun moon and stars to fill the light and darkness. Birds of the air and fish of the sea to fill the waters above and the waters below and finally living creatures including humankind - created in the image of God.

Then we get the story of Adam and Eve and we see ourselves...

As you continue reading, look for God's presence in these words and look for where God is absent. Listen for what the text says about us, as humans.

Enjoy the journey!

Suzy

Getting Started!

I'm still trying to figure out this blogging thing! However, I think, I'm just about ready to start. Anyone is invited to join with me in reading through the entire Bible this year. Each week I'll list the scripture readings for the week and then during the week, I'll reflect on what's been read. You are invited to add your own comments on the readings.

You may wonder what translation of the Bible you might want to be reading. I'll mostly be reading from the New Revised Standard Translation, most scholars believe is one of the most accurate of translations. It's my favorite and frankly, most of my bibles are that translation. Just so you know, I have five different study bibles that are the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) the Harper Collins Study Bible, the New Interpreter's Study Bible, the Spiritual Formation Study Bible and the Discipleship Study Bible. Not to mention three different size bibles that are the NRSV. As you can see, I have a plethora of this type of Bible! I also love to read Eugene Petersons paraphrase, The Message. I use it often for my devotional reading.

I'm glad you've decided to join me on this journey. If you've looked at the list above, you'll see that I've set the start date - Sunday, November 2. So dust off your Bible, find a comfortable place to be once a day and let's get ready to read!

Suzy