Ok, I have been awful and keeping up with this blog. As well as keeping up with the daily Bible reading. I have been reading a lot, unfortunately not Scripture (at least as much as I should be). Anyway, I did finally finish Genesis, and I thought, instead of continuing to go through chapters and verses and just pick out things that I want to talk about, I am going to change it up and talk about the overall general theme of the book.
It's fairly obvious that when you think of Genesis, the first thing you think of is Creation. I'm going to skip over talking about that, because, while that is a major part of the book of Genesis, it's not the THEME. To me, the overarching theme of Genesis is Forgiveness. As we go through the book, we come across character after character who messes up, and has to beg others to forgive them. It's also a story of God forgiving others as well.
Let's quickly look through some of the things that needed to be forgiven (note: SOME things...this isn't everything):
Adam and Eve need to be forgiven for eating the apple
Cain needs to be forgiven for killing his brother
Jacob needs to be forgiven for stealing the birthright of his brother Esau
Abraham needs to be forgiven for many things (lying about his wife Sarai, not trusting God...the list goes on)
Sodom and Gomorrah need to be forgiven for being evil (although, they of course are never forgiven because they never seek to make things right with God)
Joseph's brothers need to be forgiven for selling Joseph into slavery
Genesis is the story of God choosing Israel. But it's also the story of a group of people who consistently mess up and need forgiveness from eachother and from God. It's also interesting to see the poetic nature of the book of Genesis. As you read it, it is obvious that this book and these stories were passed down verbally from generation to generation. There is a lot of repetition in the way the events unfold, and in even many of the events themselves. Characters who cheat their brothers, end up getting cheated themselves (often by their own children). It's amazing to see however, when a character seeks to be forgiven, they are. As you read the story of Jacob returning home to see Esau, and he is paranoid that Esau will not only NOT forgive him, but will likely kill him, deep down you know that all will be ok (of course, part of that is because we know the story, but also, the way the story is written it just seems that those who seek forgiveness will find it). When Joseph's brothers arrive in Egypt, you know that Joseph, in the end will forgive them. Yes, he tricks them and deceives them, but the way the storytellers partray their remorse and their reaction to the trials shows that there has been a genuine change in them. You expect nothing less than Joseph to forgive them.
It's also the story of God forgiving. Yes...it is filled with stories of God getting angry, and even destroying the world, but it's important to note that, when people ask God to forgive them, He always does. When Cain kills his brother, and commits the first murder, God could have killed him in return, instead he actually PROTECTS Cain, and promises to bless him in the future, and curse anyone who oposses him. When Abraham laughs at God's promise for a son from his wife Sarai, and instead has a son through Hagar, God could have cursed that Son and Abraham, and started a new covenant with a new person, but instead he forgive Abraham, blesses Ishamael, and returns to the initial promise.
Yes, Genesis is the story of Creation. It's a story of creation discovering new things (both good and bad things). But it's a story of God keeping his promises. It's a story of God beginning a covenant, a relationship with a person (and people) who don't deserve it. It's a story of a God who longs to forgive; and a story of a people who are learning to forgive in return.
How different the story of Genesis would be if God punished Cain, or if Joseph had his brothers arrested, and murdered. What if God got fed up with Abraham and scratched the plan of a Chosen Nation? How different they story would be. How different OUR story would be. While it's easy to just focus on the Creation story, and the debates about whether it was a literal 6 days or a figurative 6 days, it's important to not overlook the rest of the story. God didn't stop after Creation. The story continues after the 7th day.
When the ancients passed the stories of Genesis down from generation to generation they were telling a story of God's love, of People fallen, and of Forgiveness. How their ancestors had been forgiven, and so they should too forgive others. How God has forgiven them. Yes, they wanted to share how they believed their God created the world, but they didn't want to stop there. They wanted to share how much he loves the world that he created. How much he was willing to forgive, time and time again. So long, of course, as the people who needed to be forgiven asked for forgiveness. It's interesting (at least as far as I can tell, I may be wrong on this one) that God never forgives anyone who doesn't ask for it, or at least show a sign of remorse. But those who do, are blessed and forgiven and often even protected. Thank God for Forgiveness. And I pray that, as we begin this new year, we will learn the power of forgiving others too!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Destruction of Sodom and Gommorah
Once again, I want to apologize for not updating in a little while. Instead of going super in depth to every part that I have just read, I want to focus just on the bigger picture of the Destruction of Sodom and Gommorah. The whole story begins with 2 angels visiting Abraham. How he knew they were angels is a mystery. Perhaps they had the whole "Touched By an Angel" light/halo thing going for them. Either way, Abraham figures it out that these guys are angels. Through conversation, they tell him that they are going to destroy he cities of Sodom and Gommorah, which Abraham knows includes his relative Lot. So Abraham barters with these angels. He asks a question that I think many of us think about, or perhaps even ask: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?...Will not the Judge of all the Earth do right?"
We see this question all the time, especially in the news after a disaster. "How could God let this happen?" We think...but what about all the good people? The Christians? Why would God harm them as well? Turns out, this question goes back to the beginning of time. And, unfortunately we don't really get an asnwer. Yes, Abraham is able to barter down to allowing the city to be spared if 10 righteous people are found...but it makes you wonder why God would even allow 1 Righteous person to be destroyed? Why allow 10 good people to die, if you have he ability to save them? Now, perhaps Abraham settles for the 10 beause he knows how many people live with Lot, and he assumes that those 10 will be righteous enough to save the city. Maybe it's Abraham's way of beating the system. Perhaps Abraham knows that, with Lot and his family that there will definitely be 10 righteous people, so therefore the city will be saved.
It also begs the question, is there really such thing as a righteous person? Will we not later learn, in Romans, that there is no one Righteous? Was God (or the angels) just playing Abraham...making him think that he was really saving a city, when in reality there was never a single righteous person there to begin with (including Lot)?
Even assuming that finding a single righteous person is in fact possible, it is pretty clear, upon the arrival of the angels, that there are not 10 righteous people in the city. The bible says that, when the strangers arrive at the home of Lot, "all the men, from every part of the city" come by the home and request to have a huge orgy with the 2 visitors. Now, a lot of people take this verse as a clear sign against homosexuality. "Look...Sodom and Gommorah was destroyed because of homosexulaity!"...but would this not be just as bad if it was a group of women coming by to sleep with the strangers? Whether it was an attempted homosexual or not, doesn't change the fact that the act itself is immoral. Either way, whether it was male/male or male/female...it would be rape. I would be wrong,unjust, disgusting and sinful. I don't think the homosexuality was the straw that broke the camel's back here. Yes, there was homosexuality in the city, that is pretty clear...but, from what I understand, THAT is not the reason the city was destroyed.
You would think that Lot would be afraid, and hide is family, perhaps escaping through a back window and running away...but instead, Lot (the assumed "righteous" of the city) offers instead his daughters to the hormonal, sex-crazed crowd. He was willing to send his daughters out to get raped. Not father of the year, that is for sure. It is after this suggestion, that the 2 angels decide to intervene and blind the men, causing them to be confused and unable to find the door to the house. Why it took them so long, I don't know. If I was one of those angels, I would have struck the blindness pretty much immediately (probably also would have done some other tricks as well).
The angels then tell Lot to escape the city, with his family, for the Lord will destroy the city. I think the large attempted rape was enough to prove that the city was vile and evil. The angels tell Lot to leave quickly, "or you will be swept away when the city is punished". This begs the question...could God not wait for Lot to leave? Was it so urgent to destroy the city right that second...could God not give an hour or so for Lot to get his stuff, pack and leave? In fact, later in the chapter we read that "I cannot do anything until you reach [the safe city]". It seems that, yes...God was in fact delaying the destruction until Lot left. So why the hurry? Was it a final test for Lot? Abraham packed up everything to go to a land he didn't even know of, and not it was Lot's turn to grab his things and run? Was God just excited to destroy the city, and wanted to get it done with as quickly as he could?
Whatever the reason for the hurry, and for the delay on God's part, the one clear message is "don't look back". Which is an interesting request. Why not look at the destruction? If I am running away from somewhere, and there is an explosion,or whatever method God used to destory the city (especially if it is a city that I lived in for a while), I would want to see. What purpose would there be to punish curiousity? It's human nature...you hear a noise, smell smoke, feel fire...you look to see what happened.
I remember in Sunday school always focusing on the part of the story of Lot's wife. She turned to look and was turned to a pillar of salt. We often would talk about how she didn't want to leave, and how she was saddened by the destruction, so she turned and watched it happen. I remember talking about how, her act was a blatant disrespect for God's command to not look back, and how she stopped running to turn and look. But what I find amazing is that the bible never goes into detail about this (and it is also important to know that the Angels ever say what will happen if they turn and look). The bible says, "But Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt". That' s it! No in depth look into her reasoning. No description about ho Lot reacted to this, as I'm sure he was quite upset about it. She looked back, and BAM! It never says that she stopped running to look. She may have just glanced over her shoulder as she is running away. We don't know. We make her out to be this bad person, when in reality, we have no idea what her motive was. I want to know more. I want to know why such a harsh (and strange) penalty for looking behind. One of the many questions I will ask in heaven.
Final section here: So Lot and whats left of his family escape to a nearby town. In that town, Lot's 2 daughters (the same ones he offers to the crowd in the city) decide to get their father drunk, and get pregant by him. Once again, keep in mind that these are the people that God deemed righteous and saved from Sodom. So they do. The oldest does it on the first night, and the youngest the next night. It seems to be a general theme in the Bible. God saves someone, deems them righteous, and then they mess up. Noah, after being saved from the flood gets drunk and shames himself, Cain kills his brother, Abraham sleeps with Hagar after God promises a child, and now Lot and his daughters commit incest right after they get saved from Sodom and Gommorah. Just goes to show that Romans is right. There is no one Righteous. God uses sinners. God uses murderers, drunkards, adulterers, even people who commit incest. Does that mean that God is ok with these actions? No, of course not...but God uses everyone. He uses the people we don't expect. And, it also shows human nature. One minute, we are right with God and righteous, and the next moment we fall, and make horrible choices. But God forgives, and God loves us anyway. Amen!
We see this question all the time, especially in the news after a disaster. "How could God let this happen?" We think...but what about all the good people? The Christians? Why would God harm them as well? Turns out, this question goes back to the beginning of time. And, unfortunately we don't really get an asnwer. Yes, Abraham is able to barter down to allowing the city to be spared if 10 righteous people are found...but it makes you wonder why God would even allow 1 Righteous person to be destroyed? Why allow 10 good people to die, if you have he ability to save them? Now, perhaps Abraham settles for the 10 beause he knows how many people live with Lot, and he assumes that those 10 will be righteous enough to save the city. Maybe it's Abraham's way of beating the system. Perhaps Abraham knows that, with Lot and his family that there will definitely be 10 righteous people, so therefore the city will be saved.
It also begs the question, is there really such thing as a righteous person? Will we not later learn, in Romans, that there is no one Righteous? Was God (or the angels) just playing Abraham...making him think that he was really saving a city, when in reality there was never a single righteous person there to begin with (including Lot)?
Even assuming that finding a single righteous person is in fact possible, it is pretty clear, upon the arrival of the angels, that there are not 10 righteous people in the city. The bible says that, when the strangers arrive at the home of Lot, "all the men, from every part of the city" come by the home and request to have a huge orgy with the 2 visitors. Now, a lot of people take this verse as a clear sign against homosexuality. "Look...Sodom and Gommorah was destroyed because of homosexulaity!"...but would this not be just as bad if it was a group of women coming by to sleep with the strangers? Whether it was an attempted homosexual or not, doesn't change the fact that the act itself is immoral. Either way, whether it was male/male or male/female...it would be rape. I would be wrong,unjust, disgusting and sinful. I don't think the homosexuality was the straw that broke the camel's back here. Yes, there was homosexuality in the city, that is pretty clear...but, from what I understand, THAT is not the reason the city was destroyed.
You would think that Lot would be afraid, and hide is family, perhaps escaping through a back window and running away...but instead, Lot (the assumed "righteous" of the city) offers instead his daughters to the hormonal, sex-crazed crowd. He was willing to send his daughters out to get raped. Not father of the year, that is for sure. It is after this suggestion, that the 2 angels decide to intervene and blind the men, causing them to be confused and unable to find the door to the house. Why it took them so long, I don't know. If I was one of those angels, I would have struck the blindness pretty much immediately (probably also would have done some other tricks as well).
The angels then tell Lot to escape the city, with his family, for the Lord will destroy the city. I think the large attempted rape was enough to prove that the city was vile and evil. The angels tell Lot to leave quickly, "or you will be swept away when the city is punished". This begs the question...could God not wait for Lot to leave? Was it so urgent to destroy the city right that second...could God not give an hour or so for Lot to get his stuff, pack and leave? In fact, later in the chapter we read that "I cannot do anything until you reach [the safe city]". It seems that, yes...God was in fact delaying the destruction until Lot left. So why the hurry? Was it a final test for Lot? Abraham packed up everything to go to a land he didn't even know of, and not it was Lot's turn to grab his things and run? Was God just excited to destroy the city, and wanted to get it done with as quickly as he could?
Whatever the reason for the hurry, and for the delay on God's part, the one clear message is "don't look back". Which is an interesting request. Why not look at the destruction? If I am running away from somewhere, and there is an explosion,or whatever method God used to destory the city (especially if it is a city that I lived in for a while), I would want to see. What purpose would there be to punish curiousity? It's human nature...you hear a noise, smell smoke, feel fire...you look to see what happened.
I remember in Sunday school always focusing on the part of the story of Lot's wife. She turned to look and was turned to a pillar of salt. We often would talk about how she didn't want to leave, and how she was saddened by the destruction, so she turned and watched it happen. I remember talking about how, her act was a blatant disrespect for God's command to not look back, and how she stopped running to turn and look. But what I find amazing is that the bible never goes into detail about this (and it is also important to know that the Angels ever say what will happen if they turn and look). The bible says, "But Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt". That' s it! No in depth look into her reasoning. No description about ho Lot reacted to this, as I'm sure he was quite upset about it. She looked back, and BAM! It never says that she stopped running to look. She may have just glanced over her shoulder as she is running away. We don't know. We make her out to be this bad person, when in reality, we have no idea what her motive was. I want to know more. I want to know why such a harsh (and strange) penalty for looking behind. One of the many questions I will ask in heaven.
Final section here: So Lot and whats left of his family escape to a nearby town. In that town, Lot's 2 daughters (the same ones he offers to the crowd in the city) decide to get their father drunk, and get pregant by him. Once again, keep in mind that these are the people that God deemed righteous and saved from Sodom. So they do. The oldest does it on the first night, and the youngest the next night. It seems to be a general theme in the Bible. God saves someone, deems them righteous, and then they mess up. Noah, after being saved from the flood gets drunk and shames himself, Cain kills his brother, Abraham sleeps with Hagar after God promises a child, and now Lot and his daughters commit incest right after they get saved from Sodom and Gommorah. Just goes to show that Romans is right. There is no one Righteous. God uses sinners. God uses murderers, drunkards, adulterers, even people who commit incest. Does that mean that God is ok with these actions? No, of course not...but God uses everyone. He uses the people we don't expect. And, it also shows human nature. One minute, we are right with God and righteous, and the next moment we fall, and make horrible choices. But God forgives, and God loves us anyway. Amen!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Genesis: Noah to Hagar
First off, I want to say that I know it has been a little while since the last post. I've gotten carried away with reading books such as "God Without Religion", "The Book of Negroes", and now I have started "127 Hours" (all of which are outstanding books by the way). I have to admit I haven't done as much Bible Reading as I was intending, and even missed a few days. Anyway. with that in mind...here are my thoughts for the little that I have read in the past few days, it goes from right after The Flood, up to Hagar and Ishmael:
After the Flood, God gives a covenant with Noah in the form of a rainbow. It was meant to be a symbol of God not judging the Earth (in that form) ever again. It's kind of ironic now that the rainbow is the symbol of the most judged group of people currently on earth (at least, from the perspective of Christians). I like the idea of God creating a permanent symbol. Something to remind us of his judgement, while at the same time reminding us of his mercy and love. It's also important to note the similarity between God's command with Adam and Eve and God's command with Noah and his family. Both are, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth" (He also gives this command to the animals). Does the almost word for word replica of the command point towards a mythical/poetic understanding of one or both stories? Perhaps. As I have said before, I believe in the evidence of a major biblical flood (whether or not it was literally worldwide is debatable), and so to read this story as pure fiction is kind of pushing the limits. However, it still is important to remember that the stories of Genesis would have been verbally passed down from generation to generation, and so the storytellers probably would have wanted to make the stories easier to understand, and to flow together, and what easier way to do that than with repetition? Does that mean that he story of Noah is false and made up? No. Does it mean that some aspects of the story may have been embellished to keep the story exciting, and memorable? Absolutely.
Soon after the flood, and the rainbow covenant, Noah gets drunk and lies naked with no shame in front of his family. One of Noah's sons, Ham, sees this, and tells his brothers about it. Shem and Japheth go and cover their father with a blanket. When Noah finds outs...he curses Ham, and says that he will become a slave to his brothers. That's a bit harsh don't you think? Of course, it is hard to relate to the culture here (for us in North America anyway). North Americans are a lot less aware of 'shame'. We seem to have no shame anymore. In this biblical culture, however (and in most other parts of the current world) shame is everything. The LAST thing you want to do is bring shame to yourself, and your family. When Ham sees his father naked, and goes and tells others to come see as well (probably with laughter and glee, saying something like "look at our father lying naked...isn't that hilarious!", he is bringing intense shame on his father. So...i it harsh to then curse Ham to be a slave? Still, perhaps yes...but at least we can understand that shame in that culture was not something to be messed with. Probably a good lesson for us today too...lets stop trying to shame others, ourselves and our families (even if the result isn't being cursed into slavery).
We then enter another genealogy. This one gets interensting in the middle, with the mention of Nimrod (which, happens to be one of the most unfortunate names in the history of the world). However, as awkward as the name is...he more than made up for it. The Bible says: "he grew up to be a mighty warrior on the earth", and we learn that the "first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh". He was a fierce and mighty warrior, a great hunter and he established at least 4 kingdoms. WOW! Makes you wonder why Nimrod is such an insult (or at least it was when we were like 10). Sounds to me like Nimrod should be left as a killer nickname for people like 300's Leonidus, and Braveheart. Those two are such nimrods!
Next comes one of the most popular stories of Genesis. The Tower of Babel. Everyone gets together and wants to build a tower to heaven. God then punishes them by creating different languages and sending them all over the world (thus, the birth of the nations). So...why is it such a big deal that they wanted to build a tower? Well, from what I understand (and I definitely could be WAY off on this, so don't quote me), the buildin of a tower wasn't necessarily the sin. The main problem comes in the REASON for the tower. They built it so that, "we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth (11:4)". They didn't want to be spread out over the Earth. Which is in direct contradiction to God's command with Noah, that he be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth. It wasn't that they wanted to build a tall skyscraper...it's that they wanted to ignore their purpose, and more importantly, ignore God's plan! THAT is the problem...and still is for us today.
Next comes Abram (soon to become Abraham). Right away, when we meet Abram, we see him in the midst of great faih. "Go to the land that I (God) will show you". Who would leave, and go somewhere...without knowing where they are going? It would be like hopping on a plane and deciding to move to wherever it lands. (of ourse, in Abram's case it would be hopping on a camel and wandering around until God says, STOP!). Abram is an interesting man. He is the main Patriarch. He is the Father of Judaism, Islam and Christianity...and yet he was messed up. As much faith as he had in God at one point, he was extremely little faith at others. For example...Abram lies about his wife Sarai, and says she is his sister (so that the Pharaoh wouldn't kill him). He doesn't trust that God would spare him. Later on, after God promises that he will have a son, he takes his wifes maidservant and has a child with her, instead of trusting God to give him a son through his wife. (Now, it should be noted that it is his wife that suggests that he have a baby with her servant...but he still agrees to it. It should also be noted that, between Job's wife, Eve eating the apple, and Abram's wife Sarai not trusting God-and then becoming an abusive mistress to her servant, women aren't exactly the Heroes of the early Bible).
While God's plan was slightly diverted...God still blesses Hagar (the servant), and says that she will have a son whom will be named Ishmael (the first child named BY God before his birth). Ishmael, as we know, became the Son of Islam (Abram is the Father, as mentioned above). Just think what our world would be like now if Sarai didn't deceve Abram into sleeping with her servant. There may be peace in the Middle East (or probably not...as someone else would have been born, and some other twist of fate would have gotten us here). However, it does make you realize that every decision can have a HUGE impact on the future. Who knows what your child will grow to be, or what your decision to turn left instead of right may lead to? Not saying that choosing a large coffee with cream over a medium black coffee will make a major "butterfly effect" impact...but does make you think about stuff.
Well...that's where I am now. Hagar and Ishmael. Abram is still without a son, but we know that it will happen very soon (and then what will happen after that). I find that, as I read this through chronologically, I am left with a greater sense that every story is connected. That, every story is part of one larger story. It's easy to read each individual story as it's own individual entity. It doesn't help that we teach kids each story on its on in Sunday School. One day we talk about David, the next day Daniel, and then Adam and Eve...We don't connect them. We don't show that they are all part of God's bigger story! WE ARE PART OF GOD'S BIGGER STORY. We are important to God, and to God's plan. We may never recieve a direct order from God to go to a land that he will show us, or be told to build an ark...but we are still important! Don't ever forget that.
After the Flood, God gives a covenant with Noah in the form of a rainbow. It was meant to be a symbol of God not judging the Earth (in that form) ever again. It's kind of ironic now that the rainbow is the symbol of the most judged group of people currently on earth (at least, from the perspective of Christians). I like the idea of God creating a permanent symbol. Something to remind us of his judgement, while at the same time reminding us of his mercy and love. It's also important to note the similarity between God's command with Adam and Eve and God's command with Noah and his family. Both are, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth" (He also gives this command to the animals). Does the almost word for word replica of the command point towards a mythical/poetic understanding of one or both stories? Perhaps. As I have said before, I believe in the evidence of a major biblical flood (whether or not it was literally worldwide is debatable), and so to read this story as pure fiction is kind of pushing the limits. However, it still is important to remember that the stories of Genesis would have been verbally passed down from generation to generation, and so the storytellers probably would have wanted to make the stories easier to understand, and to flow together, and what easier way to do that than with repetition? Does that mean that he story of Noah is false and made up? No. Does it mean that some aspects of the story may have been embellished to keep the story exciting, and memorable? Absolutely.
Soon after the flood, and the rainbow covenant, Noah gets drunk and lies naked with no shame in front of his family. One of Noah's sons, Ham, sees this, and tells his brothers about it. Shem and Japheth go and cover their father with a blanket. When Noah finds outs...he curses Ham, and says that he will become a slave to his brothers. That's a bit harsh don't you think? Of course, it is hard to relate to the culture here (for us in North America anyway). North Americans are a lot less aware of 'shame'. We seem to have no shame anymore. In this biblical culture, however (and in most other parts of the current world) shame is everything. The LAST thing you want to do is bring shame to yourself, and your family. When Ham sees his father naked, and goes and tells others to come see as well (probably with laughter and glee, saying something like "look at our father lying naked...isn't that hilarious!", he is bringing intense shame on his father. So...i it harsh to then curse Ham to be a slave? Still, perhaps yes...but at least we can understand that shame in that culture was not something to be messed with. Probably a good lesson for us today too...lets stop trying to shame others, ourselves and our families (even if the result isn't being cursed into slavery).
We then enter another genealogy. This one gets interensting in the middle, with the mention of Nimrod (which, happens to be one of the most unfortunate names in the history of the world). However, as awkward as the name is...he more than made up for it. The Bible says: "he grew up to be a mighty warrior on the earth", and we learn that the "first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh". He was a fierce and mighty warrior, a great hunter and he established at least 4 kingdoms. WOW! Makes you wonder why Nimrod is such an insult (or at least it was when we were like 10). Sounds to me like Nimrod should be left as a killer nickname for people like 300's Leonidus, and Braveheart. Those two are such nimrods!
Next comes one of the most popular stories of Genesis. The Tower of Babel. Everyone gets together and wants to build a tower to heaven. God then punishes them by creating different languages and sending them all over the world (thus, the birth of the nations). So...why is it such a big deal that they wanted to build a tower? Well, from what I understand (and I definitely could be WAY off on this, so don't quote me), the buildin of a tower wasn't necessarily the sin. The main problem comes in the REASON for the tower. They built it so that, "we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth (11:4)". They didn't want to be spread out over the Earth. Which is in direct contradiction to God's command with Noah, that he be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth. It wasn't that they wanted to build a tall skyscraper...it's that they wanted to ignore their purpose, and more importantly, ignore God's plan! THAT is the problem...and still is for us today.
Next comes Abram (soon to become Abraham). Right away, when we meet Abram, we see him in the midst of great faih. "Go to the land that I (God) will show you". Who would leave, and go somewhere...without knowing where they are going? It would be like hopping on a plane and deciding to move to wherever it lands. (of ourse, in Abram's case it would be hopping on a camel and wandering around until God says, STOP!). Abram is an interesting man. He is the main Patriarch. He is the Father of Judaism, Islam and Christianity...and yet he was messed up. As much faith as he had in God at one point, he was extremely little faith at others. For example...Abram lies about his wife Sarai, and says she is his sister (so that the Pharaoh wouldn't kill him). He doesn't trust that God would spare him. Later on, after God promises that he will have a son, he takes his wifes maidservant and has a child with her, instead of trusting God to give him a son through his wife. (Now, it should be noted that it is his wife that suggests that he have a baby with her servant...but he still agrees to it. It should also be noted that, between Job's wife, Eve eating the apple, and Abram's wife Sarai not trusting God-and then becoming an abusive mistress to her servant, women aren't exactly the Heroes of the early Bible).
While God's plan was slightly diverted...God still blesses Hagar (the servant), and says that she will have a son whom will be named Ishmael (the first child named BY God before his birth). Ishmael, as we know, became the Son of Islam (Abram is the Father, as mentioned above). Just think what our world would be like now if Sarai didn't deceve Abram into sleeping with her servant. There may be peace in the Middle East (or probably not...as someone else would have been born, and some other twist of fate would have gotten us here). However, it does make you realize that every decision can have a HUGE impact on the future. Who knows what your child will grow to be, or what your decision to turn left instead of right may lead to? Not saying that choosing a large coffee with cream over a medium black coffee will make a major "butterfly effect" impact...but does make you think about stuff.
Well...that's where I am now. Hagar and Ishmael. Abram is still without a son, but we know that it will happen very soon (and then what will happen after that). I find that, as I read this through chronologically, I am left with a greater sense that every story is connected. That, every story is part of one larger story. It's easy to read each individual story as it's own individual entity. It doesn't help that we teach kids each story on its on in Sunday School. One day we talk about David, the next day Daniel, and then Adam and Eve...We don't connect them. We don't show that they are all part of God's bigger story! WE ARE PART OF GOD'S BIGGER STORY. We are important to God, and to God's plan. We may never recieve a direct order from God to go to a land that he will show us, or be told to build an ark...but we are still important! Don't ever forget that.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Genesis: The Flood
Outside of the "6 days of Creation" debate, it seems that the next biggest argument Christians have (under the topic of literal interpretation anyway) is whether or not The Flood was truly "global" or not. Once again, the question I have is...does it really matter? I used to believe that it was a truly global flood, and I think I still am drawn towards that belief, however the more I think about it, the more I realize that it realyl doesn't matter whether the flood was over the entire Earth, or just the "known-world" at the time.
There is little doubt that some sort of flood truly happened. Even without the Biblical account, there is evidence of floods n fossils (not even counting how most religions, and many tribal cultures have their own version of a "flood story"). Here are my thouhts on the biblical account of Noah and the Flood:
First of all, we look through the genealogy of Adam to Noah. The first thing you notice, or at least I noticed was the age of people. The YOUNGEST ancestor (at least in the list mentioned...chances are there were more people than that in the line between Adam and Noah), lived to be 777 years old. Now, whether or not that is an exact age or an estimate doesn't change the fact that, these people lived a very long time. The next major thing I noticed, is that, there is one person who was seen righteous enough to not have to die. Chapter 5:24 says, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". What? God took him away? Everyone else it says, "____lived to be ____years old, and then he died"...not Enoch. God took Enoch away. I want to know more about this guy? Why do we skip right to Noah...why not a chapter or 2 on the first guy in the world to not die? Sounds like that would be a pretty fascinating story. And the most incredible thing is...they just move on down the line. They say this, and then move to the next person in the line of Noah (who happens to be Methuselah...the oldest man in recorded hsitory).
Finally, we make it to Noah. Although, first, there is a very confusing verse. Chapter 6:4 says, "The Nephilim were on the Earth in those days-and also afterward-when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown". What the-? I have no idea what that means. Any ideas? Confusing stuff...anyway, moving on.
So God sees that man is wicked, and verse 6 actually says that "the Lord was grieved that he had made man on Earth, and his heart was filled with pain". That's pretty strong words there. But, like when God noticed Job as righteous, God notices Noah. Now, instead of torturing and testing Noah, God decides to SAVE Noah, and destory the rest of humanity. Taking a somewhat different approach here, but hey, God moves in mysterious ways right?
Now, I don't know if it is just the NIV version, or whether or not we were just adding things to the story, but this account seems to skip over the part where Noah's neighbours mock and make fun of Noah. Growing up I was always taught that Noah tried to save the rest of the world, and offered space on the boat, but people mocked him, and didn't listen. But...at least in the NIV translation, that never seems to happen (or at least it was not recorded). Also, the NIV doesn't give God's directions using "cubits", instead they use "feet". Now, it's really a moot point, but I was kind of looking forward to reading the "make it this many cubits wide, and this any cubits long". I wanted to be able to envision Bill Cosby's "Noah" talking with God. Oh well.
After the Ark is built, we are told that "God shut them in". The door to the ark was closed by God himself. Sounds pretty impenetrable when it's put like that. No one was getting in after, and no one was leaving the boat (not sure why they would want to, but they couldn't even if they did). Then, the rains come, and wipes everyone out, and we know the rest of the story.
It's a pretty fascinating story, and one that I think, unfortunately we dumb down to make it suitable for kids. The story is not about a boat party, or cute little animals sticking their heads out of a window while a beautiful rainbow forms overhead (like the children's picture portray it). This is a story about an ANGRY God. A JUDGING God. A SAD and GRIEVING God...and this is a story about thousands (perhaps even millions...not sure the population size of the time) of people drowning. Where are those pictures on the nursery walls of the church?
But going back to the debate about whether it was truly global or not (because I'm not doubting that God did judge the world in the form of a flood...there is enough historical and scientific evidence to point towards the fact that it did happen). Does it really matter? I know I ask that a lot, but I think it is important to think about. Sometimes we get so caught up in our traditions, and what we were taught as kids that we make the mistake of thinking that, what we were taught HAS to be right and is vital to our Christian faith. I'm not going to come out one way or the other on this debate, and that's because it really doesn't matter. God got angry, and he judged those who were wicked. God saved the righteous, and then he vowed to never do it again (at least in THAT form). The story shows a God who is both ANGRY and MERCIFUL. He both judges the wicked, and saves the righteous. He is also a God who keeps his promises. That is really all that matters...that we can trust God, and know that he is going to do what is right and Just. God is in complete control, just like we learned in the creation story and in the story of Job. It seems to be a theme here...God is in control of everything, and while we don't always understand they WHY, we know that it is always going to be for the best.
There is little doubt that some sort of flood truly happened. Even without the Biblical account, there is evidence of floods n fossils (not even counting how most religions, and many tribal cultures have their own version of a "flood story"). Here are my thouhts on the biblical account of Noah and the Flood:
First of all, we look through the genealogy of Adam to Noah. The first thing you notice, or at least I noticed was the age of people. The YOUNGEST ancestor (at least in the list mentioned...chances are there were more people than that in the line between Adam and Noah), lived to be 777 years old. Now, whether or not that is an exact age or an estimate doesn't change the fact that, these people lived a very long time. The next major thing I noticed, is that, there is one person who was seen righteous enough to not have to die. Chapter 5:24 says, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". What? God took him away? Everyone else it says, "____lived to be ____years old, and then he died"...not Enoch. God took Enoch away. I want to know more about this guy? Why do we skip right to Noah...why not a chapter or 2 on the first guy in the world to not die? Sounds like that would be a pretty fascinating story. And the most incredible thing is...they just move on down the line. They say this, and then move to the next person in the line of Noah (who happens to be Methuselah...the oldest man in recorded hsitory).
Finally, we make it to Noah. Although, first, there is a very confusing verse. Chapter 6:4 says, "The Nephilim were on the Earth in those days-and also afterward-when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown". What the-? I have no idea what that means. Any ideas? Confusing stuff...anyway, moving on.
So God sees that man is wicked, and verse 6 actually says that "the Lord was grieved that he had made man on Earth, and his heart was filled with pain". That's pretty strong words there. But, like when God noticed Job as righteous, God notices Noah. Now, instead of torturing and testing Noah, God decides to SAVE Noah, and destory the rest of humanity. Taking a somewhat different approach here, but hey, God moves in mysterious ways right?
Now, I don't know if it is just the NIV version, or whether or not we were just adding things to the story, but this account seems to skip over the part where Noah's neighbours mock and make fun of Noah. Growing up I was always taught that Noah tried to save the rest of the world, and offered space on the boat, but people mocked him, and didn't listen. But...at least in the NIV translation, that never seems to happen (or at least it was not recorded). Also, the NIV doesn't give God's directions using "cubits", instead they use "feet". Now, it's really a moot point, but I was kind of looking forward to reading the "make it this many cubits wide, and this any cubits long". I wanted to be able to envision Bill Cosby's "Noah" talking with God. Oh well.
After the Ark is built, we are told that "God shut them in". The door to the ark was closed by God himself. Sounds pretty impenetrable when it's put like that. No one was getting in after, and no one was leaving the boat (not sure why they would want to, but they couldn't even if they did). Then, the rains come, and wipes everyone out, and we know the rest of the story.
It's a pretty fascinating story, and one that I think, unfortunately we dumb down to make it suitable for kids. The story is not about a boat party, or cute little animals sticking their heads out of a window while a beautiful rainbow forms overhead (like the children's picture portray it). This is a story about an ANGRY God. A JUDGING God. A SAD and GRIEVING God...and this is a story about thousands (perhaps even millions...not sure the population size of the time) of people drowning. Where are those pictures on the nursery walls of the church?
But going back to the debate about whether it was truly global or not (because I'm not doubting that God did judge the world in the form of a flood...there is enough historical and scientific evidence to point towards the fact that it did happen). Does it really matter? I know I ask that a lot, but I think it is important to think about. Sometimes we get so caught up in our traditions, and what we were taught as kids that we make the mistake of thinking that, what we were taught HAS to be right and is vital to our Christian faith. I'm not going to come out one way or the other on this debate, and that's because it really doesn't matter. God got angry, and he judged those who were wicked. God saved the righteous, and then he vowed to never do it again (at least in THAT form). The story shows a God who is both ANGRY and MERCIFUL. He both judges the wicked, and saves the righteous. He is also a God who keeps his promises. That is really all that matters...that we can trust God, and know that he is going to do what is right and Just. God is in complete control, just like we learned in the creation story and in the story of Job. It seems to be a theme here...God is in control of everything, and while we don't always understand they WHY, we know that it is always going to be for the best.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Genesis: Creation to Cain
I used to be one of those "literal" Bible Christians. I grew up believing that everything in the Bible was word for word, exact to the last detail about what truly happened. God literally dictated every word of Scripture, did he not? Is not all Scripture God-Breathed? Well...my thoughts changed during my time at Bible School. It was during a class on Genesis/Exous that I began to really question whether saying the Bible included myths and legends could still mean that I can trust the Bible. I began to understand that, believing in a literal 6 day Creation isn't mandatory to having a relationship with Christ. As I go into the book of Genesis, I have all these pre-conceived notions in my head. I don't want to, but they are there. I want to go into Genesis, and let the words of Scritpure shape how I feel about it. I want to read, and, as I am reading, figure out whether it is literal, myth, legend, allegory, whatever, based on the language and words (not based on what I have been taught, or grew up believing). While I will never be completely free of pre-conceived notions, I am dong my best. So, with that in mind, let's look at the Biblical Creation account:
"In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth". That pretty much sums it all up. God created everything, in the beginning. It also means that, God was BEFORE the beginning. While this verse explains that God created everything, it also says that God is eternal. God has always been there...and he was there before the beginning.
Later in the first verse, however, we read that "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters". If we are to read the Creation account literally, then we have to assume that God created the heavens and the earth, and had water on the earth...before he actually created water (which he doesn't create until day 2). So what does this mean? Well...to me, this is an example of ancient Israelite storytelling and language. You have to remember tha water in Biblical times, was a symbol of fear, chaos and evil. When "the spirit of God hovered over the waters", it is symbolising that God was in control of the chaos. It's not meant to be taken literally, but figuratively. SO...if this verse is figurative in explaining God creating calmness from chaos...are we to assume that the rest is figurative too? Maybe, but let's see:
The days of creation go, in order: Light/Dark, Water/Sky, Sea/Land, Sun/Moon/Stars, Fish/Birds, Animals/People....and then rest. But...if God created light and dark on the first day, but didn't create the sun moon and stars until day 4, what was creating the light and darkness? Well...we could say that, because Jesus is the light of the world that HE was the light...but did God create himself? Is God creating light when God created Jesus? Very unlikely...it seems idiotic to me even writing it. So, either God create Light without a source (which is possible...he is God after all), or again, it's not meant to be taken as a literal word-for-word account of what happened.
Perhaps, amidst the controversy and debate about "6 literal days" or not, we miss the point of chapter 1. The point of chapter 1 is that God CREATED the world. God had a plan, and a purpose. God had a design. It doesn't matter really HOW He did it, or how LONG it took...but that God did it. The rest is semantics. Everyone interprets things differently, (and keep in mind, seeing as Moses wasn't around for the Creation of the world, this story was probably orrally passed down for generations, likely changing slightly over time).
Even if we can explain away chapter 1, in a literal sense, chapter 2 changes things. It's the same story...just different. Things happen in different order. In THIS version, God created people before there are even any plants on the earth. God created People, plants THEN animals. And here's the other interesting thing I discovered....Animals were made out of the dust too. I always was taught and believed that, Man was the only creature that God spent time creating out of the dust...but verse 19 says otherwise. "Now the Lord God formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and birds of the air". What? Animals and birds were created from dust too? I thought God just spoke and poof...there they were. Raises some interesting questions about animals having souls/going to heaven, and also why God seems to be so concerned about the Raven, Ostrich and Sparrow. I think when we imagine that God just spoke and it was-to creat animals, we make animals to seem less than important. Yes...God put his image on US...but he still spend time creating the animals, and he still loves his animals. Maybe there were even some days when God wished (or still wishes) that he put His image on dogs or monkeys instead of us.
Now, on to Adam and Eve. This story CAN'T be taken figuratively righ? It's a detailed historical account. Yup..probably. God created only 2 people, placed them in a garden with a mythical tree that gave the knowledge of good and evil. And in that garden, God created a craft serpent, who just happens to be able to talk. Do I sound cynical? I don't want to say that Adam and Eve aren' real people. I do think that, the first people God created would have had an incredibly special relationship with God. It would have been an intimate friendship that could not be duplicated until we reach heaven's gates. But the story raises a lot of questions. Here are some of the questions that I have:
-Did God only create 2 people?
-If God DID create only 2 people, how much inbreeding must have went on?
-Again...if God only created 2 people, who are the "other people" Cain talks about in 4:14?
-Was the serpent able to actually talk?
-Was the serpent the devil?
-Is the serpent could talk...could all the animals talk too?
-Why do ALL the serpents get punished...shouldn't just the one who decieved be cursed?
Now, I don't want to come across like I am debunking Scripture. My purpose is not to say that Genesis is a false book, and can't be trusted. I am merely trying to figure out whether the book of Genesis (or at least the first few chapters) were written as literal history, or figurative stories that the Israelites told to teach lessons (such as God created the World, and that Humans are fallen, sinful people). To be honest, I don't know what to believe. And truth be told, I don't think anyone here on earth truly has all the answers about this either. We have theories, and people on both sides of the camp have methods and proof-texts to support why they believe what they do, but we can't REALLY know.
Maybe, we need to act like Job, and just trust that God is in control. Trust that God really knows what he is doing, regardless of whether we get it all figured out or not. Does not believing in a literal 6 day Creation, or questioning whetherAdam and Eve are actual historical figures (or at least that their story is historically accurate) make me less of a Christian? I really hope not. But I can tell you that, I DO believe that God created the world. I believe that God LOVES me, and I believe that somehow, Mankind ruined their relationship with God. Somehow, our intimate relationship with the Almighty went awry. That's why we need Jesus. We need God's forgiveness and mercy.
"In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth". That pretty much sums it all up. God created everything, in the beginning. It also means that, God was BEFORE the beginning. While this verse explains that God created everything, it also says that God is eternal. God has always been there...and he was there before the beginning.
Later in the first verse, however, we read that "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters". If we are to read the Creation account literally, then we have to assume that God created the heavens and the earth, and had water on the earth...before he actually created water (which he doesn't create until day 2). So what does this mean? Well...to me, this is an example of ancient Israelite storytelling and language. You have to remember tha water in Biblical times, was a symbol of fear, chaos and evil. When "the spirit of God hovered over the waters", it is symbolising that God was in control of the chaos. It's not meant to be taken literally, but figuratively. SO...if this verse is figurative in explaining God creating calmness from chaos...are we to assume that the rest is figurative too? Maybe, but let's see:
The days of creation go, in order: Light/Dark, Water/Sky, Sea/Land, Sun/Moon/Stars, Fish/Birds, Animals/People....and then rest. But...if God created light and dark on the first day, but didn't create the sun moon and stars until day 4, what was creating the light and darkness? Well...we could say that, because Jesus is the light of the world that HE was the light...but did God create himself? Is God creating light when God created Jesus? Very unlikely...it seems idiotic to me even writing it. So, either God create Light without a source (which is possible...he is God after all), or again, it's not meant to be taken as a literal word-for-word account of what happened.
Perhaps, amidst the controversy and debate about "6 literal days" or not, we miss the point of chapter 1. The point of chapter 1 is that God CREATED the world. God had a plan, and a purpose. God had a design. It doesn't matter really HOW He did it, or how LONG it took...but that God did it. The rest is semantics. Everyone interprets things differently, (and keep in mind, seeing as Moses wasn't around for the Creation of the world, this story was probably orrally passed down for generations, likely changing slightly over time).
Even if we can explain away chapter 1, in a literal sense, chapter 2 changes things. It's the same story...just different. Things happen in different order. In THIS version, God created people before there are even any plants on the earth. God created People, plants THEN animals. And here's the other interesting thing I discovered....Animals were made out of the dust too. I always was taught and believed that, Man was the only creature that God spent time creating out of the dust...but verse 19 says otherwise. "Now the Lord God formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and birds of the air". What? Animals and birds were created from dust too? I thought God just spoke and poof...there they were. Raises some interesting questions about animals having souls/going to heaven, and also why God seems to be so concerned about the Raven, Ostrich and Sparrow. I think when we imagine that God just spoke and it was-to creat animals, we make animals to seem less than important. Yes...God put his image on US...but he still spend time creating the animals, and he still loves his animals. Maybe there were even some days when God wished (or still wishes) that he put His image on dogs or monkeys instead of us.
Now, on to Adam and Eve. This story CAN'T be taken figuratively righ? It's a detailed historical account. Yup..probably. God created only 2 people, placed them in a garden with a mythical tree that gave the knowledge of good and evil. And in that garden, God created a craft serpent, who just happens to be able to talk. Do I sound cynical? I don't want to say that Adam and Eve aren' real people. I do think that, the first people God created would have had an incredibly special relationship with God. It would have been an intimate friendship that could not be duplicated until we reach heaven's gates. But the story raises a lot of questions. Here are some of the questions that I have:
-Did God only create 2 people?
-If God DID create only 2 people, how much inbreeding must have went on?
-Again...if God only created 2 people, who are the "other people" Cain talks about in 4:14?
-Was the serpent able to actually talk?
-Was the serpent the devil?
-Is the serpent could talk...could all the animals talk too?
-Why do ALL the serpents get punished...shouldn't just the one who decieved be cursed?
Now, I don't want to come across like I am debunking Scripture. My purpose is not to say that Genesis is a false book, and can't be trusted. I am merely trying to figure out whether the book of Genesis (or at least the first few chapters) were written as literal history, or figurative stories that the Israelites told to teach lessons (such as God created the World, and that Humans are fallen, sinful people). To be honest, I don't know what to believe. And truth be told, I don't think anyone here on earth truly has all the answers about this either. We have theories, and people on both sides of the camp have methods and proof-texts to support why they believe what they do, but we can't REALLY know.
Maybe, we need to act like Job, and just trust that God is in control. Trust that God really knows what he is doing, regardless of whether we get it all figured out or not. Does not believing in a literal 6 day Creation, or questioning whetherAdam and Eve are actual historical figures (or at least that their story is historically accurate) make me less of a Christian? I really hope not. But I can tell you that, I DO believe that God created the world. I believe that God LOVES me, and I believe that somehow, Mankind ruined their relationship with God. Somehow, our intimate relationship with the Almighty went awry. That's why we need Jesus. We need God's forgiveness and mercy.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
What I Learned From Job
I have to admit. When I started this chronological reading of the Bible, one of the books I was least looking forward to reading was Job (Numbers and Leviticus are also high on the list of "not excited for reading). I figured I knew the story of Job, and wasn't looking forward to having to read over 30 chapters of friends telling Job that he wa a horrible sinner. Or at least, thats what I assumed the book was about.
Before I get too far into my summary...here are my favourite verses from the book:
13:15-Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defendmy ways to his face.
16:19- Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
28:28- The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding
31:10-May my wife grind another man's grain... (You gotta love that innuendo there!)
32:8-9- But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
33:14- For God does speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it
Turns out, Job is a fascinating book, filled with lots of wisdom (from unlikely sources sometimes), and deep theological ad philosophical questions. It doesn't have the intense narrative of books like Joshua, Genesis or Judges...but the story is incredible all the same. But as I was reading it, I coudln't help but try to figure out how the early readers interpreted the story. Because, for a short time, Job was the only scripture that people. So...with that in mind, what does the book of Job say about God?
1) God is in complete control. Even considering the theological complications of Satan approaching the throne of God, making a request of God, and having God ACCEPT the request...God is still in control of the whole situation. He makes rules of Satan (such as, don't touch or kill Job), and Satan stays within the parameters. Satan ma have been the one conducting the experiment, but God was the one overseeing that the experiment was done fairly.
2) God allows suffering. I think it's pretty obvious in the book of Job that God allows his followers, the righteous and upright, to suffer. Having a relationship with God doesn't guarantee and easy life (in fact, it seems as if, the more upright you are, the more struggles you will have as Satan tries to trip you up). But through all the suffering, it's important to remember that God is in control.
3) God is CREATOR. Remember, Job was likely written before the Genesis account, so when God describes creation, THAT was the original creation account. No...God didn't describe HOW he did it, because, frankly, it didn't matter. God just wanted to remind (or perhaps tell) Job that HE created the world. HE created everything, from the silly ostrich, to the raven, to the Leviathan. God is amazing, and God has a plan.
and 4) God doesn't always explain why. This one is tough to hear. We have this idea in our head that God will, ultimately, in the end, explain to us why certain things happen. The truth is...he may not. Yes, if our beliefs about heaven are right, then when we get there we will know everything and therefore we will understand why things happen, but I am referring to life here and now, while we are alive. God never explained to Job why he went through hell. God didn't say, "oh, by the way...it was all a test and you passed". Instead, God says..."Look around you at wat I created! I'm in control...relax!". And to make things more amazing...Job accepts that! Job doesn't demand an answer, he is ok with not knowing. Now, we feel that God owes us explanations. "God, why did you allow 9/11 to happen?", "God, why is there the famine in Africa?", "God, why do the Leafs suck so much?". God may explain himself...but the reality is, he probably won't (and more importantly, he doesn't have to).
The book of Job also surprised me with it's wit, sarcasm and innuendo. Both Job and God give the occasional sarcastic remark. I love that. I've always been taught that sarcasm is rude...and perhaps it is, but I can always go to scripture to show that, at least in some circumstances, sarcasm is ok!
Job leaves a lot of questions unanswered however:
-Why was Satan in the presence of God to begin with?
-What did Job believe about heaven...was he a universalist?
-Is the book of Job true, or is it a myth? And...does it matter either way?
-Who the heck is Elihu, and why does he appear out of no-where and then disappear into thin air?
-Does God truly bless the righteous and punish the wicked?
I may never learn the answers to these questions...but I'm ok with that. Overall, I was surprised with how much I enjoyed Job, and how much underlining I did in my Bible. It gives me perspective on my life, and the trials and tribulations that I have been through, and will go through. What is your thought on the book of Job? What life lessons did you learn, or what insights did it give you?
Before I get too far into my summary...here are my favourite verses from the book:
13:15-Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defendmy ways to his face.
16:19- Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
28:28- The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding
31:10-May my wife grind another man's grain... (You gotta love that innuendo there!)
32:8-9- But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
33:14- For God does speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it
Turns out, Job is a fascinating book, filled with lots of wisdom (from unlikely sources sometimes), and deep theological ad philosophical questions. It doesn't have the intense narrative of books like Joshua, Genesis or Judges...but the story is incredible all the same. But as I was reading it, I coudln't help but try to figure out how the early readers interpreted the story. Because, for a short time, Job was the only scripture that people. So...with that in mind, what does the book of Job say about God?
1) God is in complete control. Even considering the theological complications of Satan approaching the throne of God, making a request of God, and having God ACCEPT the request...God is still in control of the whole situation. He makes rules of Satan (such as, don't touch or kill Job), and Satan stays within the parameters. Satan ma have been the one conducting the experiment, but God was the one overseeing that the experiment was done fairly.
2) God allows suffering. I think it's pretty obvious in the book of Job that God allows his followers, the righteous and upright, to suffer. Having a relationship with God doesn't guarantee and easy life (in fact, it seems as if, the more upright you are, the more struggles you will have as Satan tries to trip you up). But through all the suffering, it's important to remember that God is in control.
3) God is CREATOR. Remember, Job was likely written before the Genesis account, so when God describes creation, THAT was the original creation account. No...God didn't describe HOW he did it, because, frankly, it didn't matter. God just wanted to remind (or perhaps tell) Job that HE created the world. HE created everything, from the silly ostrich, to the raven, to the Leviathan. God is amazing, and God has a plan.
and 4) God doesn't always explain why. This one is tough to hear. We have this idea in our head that God will, ultimately, in the end, explain to us why certain things happen. The truth is...he may not. Yes, if our beliefs about heaven are right, then when we get there we will know everything and therefore we will understand why things happen, but I am referring to life here and now, while we are alive. God never explained to Job why he went through hell. God didn't say, "oh, by the way...it was all a test and you passed". Instead, God says..."Look around you at wat I created! I'm in control...relax!". And to make things more amazing...Job accepts that! Job doesn't demand an answer, he is ok with not knowing. Now, we feel that God owes us explanations. "God, why did you allow 9/11 to happen?", "God, why is there the famine in Africa?", "God, why do the Leafs suck so much?". God may explain himself...but the reality is, he probably won't (and more importantly, he doesn't have to).
The book of Job also surprised me with it's wit, sarcasm and innuendo. Both Job and God give the occasional sarcastic remark. I love that. I've always been taught that sarcasm is rude...and perhaps it is, but I can always go to scripture to show that, at least in some circumstances, sarcasm is ok!
Job leaves a lot of questions unanswered however:
-Why was Satan in the presence of God to begin with?
-What did Job believe about heaven...was he a universalist?
-Is the book of Job true, or is it a myth? And...does it matter either way?
-Who the heck is Elihu, and why does he appear out of no-where and then disappear into thin air?
-Does God truly bless the righteous and punish the wicked?
I may never learn the answers to these questions...but I'm ok with that. Overall, I was surprised with how much I enjoyed Job, and how much underlining I did in my Bible. It gives me perspective on my life, and the trials and tribulations that I have been through, and will go through. What is your thought on the book of Job? What life lessons did you learn, or what insights did it give you?
Monday, October 3, 2011
Job: The Finale, 38-42
Finally, after 37 chapters without speaking a word to Job. After taking away pretty much everything Job owns and loves, The Lord seaks. Unfortunately for Job, the Lord's answers aren't exactly satisfactory (or at least, not as satisfactory as I would have liked if I were Job), and yet, the answers are exactly what Job (and we) need to here:
38:4-11. Most of The Lord's dialogue is reference to creation. Over and over again he asks, "where were you when I created this", or "are you able to create/do that?". It' important to notice that, at no time during this speech does the Lord reference creating the world in 7 literal days. You would think that he would mention that somewhere...instead he focuses on the complexity of creation itself. He spends the whole time reminding Job that he was the mastermind behind creation, that he was (and still is) in complete control. He reminds Job, "I did all this...you can trust me with your life!".
38:21...of course, God has to throw in a bit of sarcasm too. He, sarcastically tells Job, "Surely you know [where light/darkness resides], for you were already born! You have lived so many years!". Awesome! I love sarcasm, especially Holy Sarcasm!
38:41. This verse takes note from the "His Eye is on the Sparrow" type theme, but it adds a very interesting twist to it. "Who provides food for the raven when it's young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?". What? Birds cry out to God? Are animals capable of prayer? Is a bird praising the Lord with every tweet, or a dog lamenting to God with every bark and whimper? Maybe it's just God saying that he hears every cry, regardless of whether that cry is human, bird, fish or animal. Whatever God means by this, it is obvious that he loves His creation, and cares for His creation. He is comforting Job (while at the same time chastising him slightly), by saying that he doesn't need to worry, because He has always been watching and listening.
39:17. I love this verse. God spends nearly 2 full chapters talking about His amazing creation, and then in the middle of chapter 39, he pokes fun at one of his animals; the ostrich. God admits that He "did not endow [the ostrich] with wisdom or give her a share of good sense". What? God made the ostrich stupid on purpose? It's true, God really does have an incredible sense of humour. If only he would have explained the Platypus.
40:15. Here is the mention of the Behemoth. What is the behemoth? According to the study notes of my bible, it says that it is probably a hippo or an elephant, but is that really true? Let's look at some of the characteristics of this behemoth:
-feeds on grass (so a herbivore)
-strenght in loins, power in the muscles of his belly
-tail sways like a cedar
-bones are tubes of bronze
-limbs like rods of iron
I'm not sure what it is, but it sounds big and powerful (and seems not as likely to be a hippo or elephant). Whatever it is, God created it and is proud of it! Is it possble that this is a dinosaur? Possibly I guess...and if this one isn't, the next questionable animal of creation is much more likely to be one...:
41:1. The Leviathan. The leviathan first is mentioned in 3:8 when Job says "May those who curse days, curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan". Job seems to be referring to a figurative being in that verse, and not a real animal. But God wouldn't talk about a figurative being would He? This Leviathan must have been a real animal, right? Again, study notes claim this is a crocodile or an alligator...but once again, let's list out it's characteristics:
-his back has rows of shields
-snorting throws flashes of light
-eyes are like the rays of dawn
-Firebrands shoots from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out (doesn't sound like a crocodile)
-Smoke pours from his nostrils
Once again, I am unsure what this was (or if it is in fact a dinosaur type creature). But God, in the middleof his description of this beast, reassures Job that tis beast is His creation. Verses 10-11 say "No one is fierce enough to rouse him. Who then is able to stand against me? Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me." Everything belongs to God, from the Raven begging for food, to the silly Ostrich, to the incredible Behemoth and Mysterious Leviathan. Everything is God's!
42:1-6. Job speaks up, and is filled with emotion and humility. He realizes that, while he may not have sinned to cause his pain and suffering, he was proud and bitter during the pain. In verse 5 he also says, "my ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you". Nowhere does it say that God physically revealed himself to Job. I think what Job is meaning here is, "You revealed yourself to me through your Creation!". When we look around at God's amazing creation, it is impossible to NOT see Him. As Brian Doerkson says, "How can I say there is no God, when all around Creation Calls".
42:7-17. The Epilogue. The final footnote. It's easy to just skip over this summary, but there are a lot of important things hidden in these 10 verses that I never noticed (or didn't care about) before. First off, God gets angry with Job's three friends (again, Elihu isn't mentioned. Elihu is neither praised for his wise words, or cursed for his dumb advice. He appears to speak a few words, then vanishes). God tells Job's friends to offer a sacrifice, and then that "Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer". Wouldn't it be nice to know that God would accept our prayers? But then, God says "I will not deal with you according to your folly". So God is ignoring these people? Even though their words were unwise, they still tried to help. Seems kind of harsh doesn't it? And is God referring to, just this one time I won't deal with you, or for the rest of their lives He won't deal with them? Kind of makes you think twice before offering advice eh? Maybe the smart thing to do IS to keep your mouth shut.
Then, in verse 10 we read "After Job prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before". It's easy to focus on the end of that verse, where God made Job prosperous, but don't skip over the first word. After. Job had to fulfill his task first, and pray for his friends. He had to humble himself ad pray for forgiveness to the friends who called him a liar, for the friends who claimed he was a sinner, and the friends who offered horrible advice about God, Job and life in general. God only gave Job his stuff back AFTER he was willing to hmbly pray for these 'friends'.
Also, it would be easy to quote this verse as "God will make us prosperous if we serve him" verse, but don't forget that God took away everything Job had first. Job was being tested, and Job passed the tast (although, probably barely with all the 'kill me' talk). God was giving Job BACK what was taken from him. This in no way is saying that God will make all of us prosperous, or make us all wealthy once we follow Him. It's something unique to this certain situation.
*little note here, one of Job's daughters is named Keziah, which happens to be the name of one of my nieces. I'm sure they did tell me that this is where the name came from, but I had forgotten. I knew it was biblical, I just didn't realize it was from the book of Job. Cool!
Ok, speaking of Keziah, and the other daughters of Job: Jemimah, and Kern-Happuch, Job was so pleased to have children and family again, that he gave his daughters inheritance along with their brothers. That's actually a really BIG thng. Today, with all the feminism and women's rights, it's easy to overlook that part and think of it as cultural norm...but it's not. Girls didn't recieve inheritance. Girls didn't really hav many rights. Job loved his family so much (because he appreciated them so much more), that we gave all of them inheritance. Cherish your family, and don't waste your wealth. You never know if or when it will be taken away from you.
...stay tuned for my final Job Summary!
38:4-11. Most of The Lord's dialogue is reference to creation. Over and over again he asks, "where were you when I created this", or "are you able to create/do that?". It' important to notice that, at no time during this speech does the Lord reference creating the world in 7 literal days. You would think that he would mention that somewhere...instead he focuses on the complexity of creation itself. He spends the whole time reminding Job that he was the mastermind behind creation, that he was (and still is) in complete control. He reminds Job, "I did all this...you can trust me with your life!".
38:21...of course, God has to throw in a bit of sarcasm too. He, sarcastically tells Job, "Surely you know [where light/darkness resides], for you were already born! You have lived so many years!". Awesome! I love sarcasm, especially Holy Sarcasm!
38:41. This verse takes note from the "His Eye is on the Sparrow" type theme, but it adds a very interesting twist to it. "Who provides food for the raven when it's young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?". What? Birds cry out to God? Are animals capable of prayer? Is a bird praising the Lord with every tweet, or a dog lamenting to God with every bark and whimper? Maybe it's just God saying that he hears every cry, regardless of whether that cry is human, bird, fish or animal. Whatever God means by this, it is obvious that he loves His creation, and cares for His creation. He is comforting Job (while at the same time chastising him slightly), by saying that he doesn't need to worry, because He has always been watching and listening.
39:17. I love this verse. God spends nearly 2 full chapters talking about His amazing creation, and then in the middle of chapter 39, he pokes fun at one of his animals; the ostrich. God admits that He "did not endow [the ostrich] with wisdom or give her a share of good sense". What? God made the ostrich stupid on purpose? It's true, God really does have an incredible sense of humour. If only he would have explained the Platypus.
40:15. Here is the mention of the Behemoth. What is the behemoth? According to the study notes of my bible, it says that it is probably a hippo or an elephant, but is that really true? Let's look at some of the characteristics of this behemoth:
-feeds on grass (so a herbivore)
-strenght in loins, power in the muscles of his belly
-tail sways like a cedar
-bones are tubes of bronze
-limbs like rods of iron
I'm not sure what it is, but it sounds big and powerful (and seems not as likely to be a hippo or elephant). Whatever it is, God created it and is proud of it! Is it possble that this is a dinosaur? Possibly I guess...and if this one isn't, the next questionable animal of creation is much more likely to be one...:
41:1. The Leviathan. The leviathan first is mentioned in 3:8 when Job says "May those who curse days, curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan". Job seems to be referring to a figurative being in that verse, and not a real animal. But God wouldn't talk about a figurative being would He? This Leviathan must have been a real animal, right? Again, study notes claim this is a crocodile or an alligator...but once again, let's list out it's characteristics:
-his back has rows of shields
-snorting throws flashes of light
-eyes are like the rays of dawn
-Firebrands shoots from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out (doesn't sound like a crocodile)
-Smoke pours from his nostrils
Once again, I am unsure what this was (or if it is in fact a dinosaur type creature). But God, in the middleof his description of this beast, reassures Job that tis beast is His creation. Verses 10-11 say "No one is fierce enough to rouse him. Who then is able to stand against me? Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me." Everything belongs to God, from the Raven begging for food, to the silly Ostrich, to the incredible Behemoth and Mysterious Leviathan. Everything is God's!
42:1-6. Job speaks up, and is filled with emotion and humility. He realizes that, while he may not have sinned to cause his pain and suffering, he was proud and bitter during the pain. In verse 5 he also says, "my ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you". Nowhere does it say that God physically revealed himself to Job. I think what Job is meaning here is, "You revealed yourself to me through your Creation!". When we look around at God's amazing creation, it is impossible to NOT see Him. As Brian Doerkson says, "How can I say there is no God, when all around Creation Calls".
42:7-17. The Epilogue. The final footnote. It's easy to just skip over this summary, but there are a lot of important things hidden in these 10 verses that I never noticed (or didn't care about) before. First off, God gets angry with Job's three friends (again, Elihu isn't mentioned. Elihu is neither praised for his wise words, or cursed for his dumb advice. He appears to speak a few words, then vanishes). God tells Job's friends to offer a sacrifice, and then that "Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer". Wouldn't it be nice to know that God would accept our prayers? But then, God says "I will not deal with you according to your folly". So God is ignoring these people? Even though their words were unwise, they still tried to help. Seems kind of harsh doesn't it? And is God referring to, just this one time I won't deal with you, or for the rest of their lives He won't deal with them? Kind of makes you think twice before offering advice eh? Maybe the smart thing to do IS to keep your mouth shut.
Then, in verse 10 we read "After Job prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before". It's easy to focus on the end of that verse, where God made Job prosperous, but don't skip over the first word. After. Job had to fulfill his task first, and pray for his friends. He had to humble himself ad pray for forgiveness to the friends who called him a liar, for the friends who claimed he was a sinner, and the friends who offered horrible advice about God, Job and life in general. God only gave Job his stuff back AFTER he was willing to hmbly pray for these 'friends'.
Also, it would be easy to quote this verse as "God will make us prosperous if we serve him" verse, but don't forget that God took away everything Job had first. Job was being tested, and Job passed the tast (although, probably barely with all the 'kill me' talk). God was giving Job BACK what was taken from him. This in no way is saying that God will make all of us prosperous, or make us all wealthy once we follow Him. It's something unique to this certain situation.
*little note here, one of Job's daughters is named Keziah, which happens to be the name of one of my nieces. I'm sure they did tell me that this is where the name came from, but I had forgotten. I knew it was biblical, I just didn't realize it was from the book of Job. Cool!
Ok, speaking of Keziah, and the other daughters of Job: Jemimah, and Kern-Happuch, Job was so pleased to have children and family again, that he gave his daughters inheritance along with their brothers. That's actually a really BIG thng. Today, with all the feminism and women's rights, it's easy to overlook that part and think of it as cultural norm...but it's not. Girls didn't recieve inheritance. Girls didn't really hav many rights. Job loved his family so much (because he appreciated them so much more), that we gave all of them inheritance. Cherish your family, and don't waste your wealth. You never know if or when it will be taken away from you.
...stay tuned for my final Job Summary!
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