February 13th: Exodus 23, Psalm 77 and Mark 9

I read Exodus 23:3 a couple times before I got it. Take a look, it says: "nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit." Interesting, normally I would think that it would say don't favor the "rich guy."

All through life, I think it's been easier to side with the rich kids, the popular kids, the kids I wanted to be like. But there is a lot of wisdom in this command. As I've grown and struck out into this crazy world, it's become easier to root for the underdog. I really want to see the Cinderella story, the David and Goliath story take place in or around my own life. I want things like Fight Club and more Oscars for indies. Big is bad. Down with the establishment! Down with corporate coffee!

But here, God clearly lays out His plan. He has blessed the rich and brought them to power and influence. Who are we to lie and cheat in order to promote the poor and tear down someone else's work. Sure if the tabkes turn fairly... Great! But if not, don't think power equals corruption. Post-Ramones and post-Nirvana, this is hard to actually do. Weird.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

February 12th: Exodus 22, Pslam 75-76 and Mark 8

Dear Joshua Harris,

What do you have to say about Exodus 22:16 and 17? I kissed dating goodbye? Hmmm, maybe with a big bag of money.

Seriously though, how do you deal with this set of verses? Is premarital sex OK if you pay her dad first and get married later? Any help?

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

February 11th: Exodus 21, Psalm 74 and Mark 7

As Christians, we're supposed to be agaist slavery. We're supposed to fight for the rights of humans. Protect the unprotected. Ok, well what's with Exodus 21.

I'm drawing a blank on this one.

These people had just left slavery. We're told they "plundered" Egypt on the way out, so their needs should be taken care of (clothes, sheep, food, water, vast blazing desert to wonder around in). Now I'm assuming that they hadn't even had a chance to get stuck in slavery all over again (hello, learning-from-experience).

It just seems interesting that God would lay this out. Let me clarify, slavery: I'm against it (similar to cancer, starvation and generally "bad" things).

But look at the grace that is instilled here in Exodus 21. Work six years and you go free. Come in married and you leave married. As a women, you're to be treated as a wife or daughter. And there's even the chance that if someone punches you in the face, you can go free.

Now flip over to the Psalm-of-the-day and you read that God purchased and redeemed Israel. That's slave language. Much like the guy that was a debter in the New Testament parable, this passage in Exodus is the way they are to interact with God and Him with them. Work six years and take one off... They are His. There is ownership. A specific relationship. He sets the rules...absolutely. Sounds familiar?

Interesting... (btw, I'm still against slavery)

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

February 10th: Exodus 19-20, Psalm 73 and Mark 6

There is a reference to Jesus in Mark 6:3b:  "Are not his sisters here with us?"

Yeah, imagine being that guy's loser brother-in-law.

Jesus'-Sister:  "Carl, did you leave your robe on the floor in the bedroom again?"

Carl:  "Woman, seriously, I've had a long day. First the pigs ran into the water, then there was a massive storm on the Sea that suddenly stopped and now you're yelling at me."

Jesus'-Sister: "My brother never would have talked to me that way."

Carl:  "Your brother made like 70 gallons of wine at the Gould-Cohen Wedding and we took them a stupid clay oil lamp.  We're on two totally different levels here!  Him? Son of God.  Me?  Son of the guy you buy eggs from."

I bet that conversation never happened because it's ridiculous.  

On a serious note, take a look at Exodus 19-20 where Moses takes the people of Israel to Sinai.  The people don't want to be close to God, they shy away from the mountain.  It's too frightening.  It's too holy.  It's been three months since they left Egypt. Three months since they saw the violence but missed the grace.  And now they've been complaining, whining, sinning.  I wonder if it could have been different.  God wanted to be among them.  But they basically denied him.  They started moving away from Him right there.  Tragic.

I love what David says in Psalm 73: "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."  Man, I hope I can say that instead.

February 9th: Exodus 17-18, Psalm 72 and Mark 5

That's some good advice from Moses' father-in-law there in Exodus 18.  You could probably create an entire branch of government based off of these principles... oh wait... That Jethro, smart man, notice he didn't show up until after the plagues?

Who said that God doesn't speak to you through other people?  Just be sure that what they tell you is backed up in scripture. In other words, I probably wouldn't have listened to Marshall Applewhite.  Outside of the shoe selection, that was some really bad advice.  

I'm learning right now that the wise counsel of trusted friends has some serious value.  Just make sure your "Jethro" isn't from the backwoods of Arkansas.*

OK, the conference I'm at is winding down... I'll try to write longer posts next week.

*Sorry Arkansas, nothing personal

February 8th: Exodus 16, Psalm 70-71 and Mark 4

I wonder if we as Christians are like the Israelites when it comes to innovation?  The first time the Israelites face problems during the exodus, they start to grumble. God helps them through it. But when the hard stuff comes again, they are back to square one, and the complaining starts again.  I have to think that initially, they were amped to leave Egypt.  Freedom.  A change. Hope had come to fruition. 

There are huge similarities with the church.  We want to leave the old ways... the familiar... the bondage of our past ideas, frustrations and annoyances (OK, making bricks and having your sons killed more than an annoyance.  I know it breaks down a little there).  But real innovation is scary.  It's exciting at first, sure, but what about when the grumbling starts, when the water runs out?  After the planning, after the big event, what then?  The follow through sure is hard.

So this only loosely ties into the passage, but it's on my mind right now