Job 42:1-17
Context
Having lost family, wealth, and health - through no fault of his own - Job has had to endure advice from his friends, who have assured him he must have done something to deserve his calamity. Job has simply wanted to argue with God that all is unfair. God suddenly appeared, and said to Job "The universe is really amazing." And thus we reach Chapter 42.
Listening to the writer
Hebrew doesn't have quotation marks - in fact, it doesn't even have vowels. Sometimes this makes it difficult to figure out just who is saying what. Job's opening speech makes much more sense when we realize he is quoting God in the first half of verse 3, and in verse 4.
God said Job was talking about things he didn’t understand, and Job now agrees. When you complain to God, does the act of complaining help you understand how limited your knowledge is?
What is God's view of Job's friends?
Verses 10-17 are written in prose form (similar to Chapters 1 and 2). What does the ending do the story as a whole? Would the story be any different if Job was destitute at the end?
Listening to God
God told Job that God was going to be in charge of the conversation. Job is satisfied; he didn’t get to argue with God, but he did experience God, and this seems to be enough. When you have asked deep “Why?” questions, do you usually receive a satisfying answer? Do you come to experience God’s presence in spite of your questions?
Job had heard of God; now he experiences God (verse 5). Do you spend more time learning about God, or actually experiencing God? If the former, could you make your devotional time really time with God? The point of all this Bible study isn’t just to learn things; it’s to love God!
Verse 7 gives God’s brief judgement on the words of Job’s “friends.” All of their high-sounding speeches, their insistence that Job really should get his act together, are rejected. Are there people in your life who are always telling you that life is your fault? Would you like God to speak verse 7 to them? Does God need to speak verse 7 to you?
Note that, although the Adversary (Satan) did the dirty work, the author has no difficulty describing what has happened to Job as "evil" and giving God the credit (verse 11). Does God bring evil upon us? Does God allow evil to be brought upon us?
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Leading and Serving
Mark 10:35-43
Context
Jesus has been teaching:
Listening to the writer
"Sitting at your right hand and left" doesn't simply mean getting to be close to Jesus - culturally, these are positions of power. "The right hand man" still refers to the second in command.
What does Jesus mean by "the cup that I drink" and "the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Look at the verses immediately preceding...)
What does Jesus say was the purpose of his coming?
Listening to God
Some people seek out leadership; others avoid it like the plague. Do you believe God is calling you to be a leader?
Leadership often carries a heavy price (verses 38-40), and ultimately it is God’s to grant. In areas where you lead, do you recognize the price you might have to pay? In areas where you are called to follow, how can you support the leaders in their calling?
Leadership in God’s kingdom is not about “lording it over others” (verses 41-45). Think about a time when you felt a leader was using their authority inappropriately. How can you lovingly challenge inappropriate leadership?
Serving others at Jesus served does not mean bowing down to everyone’s desires. Jesus taught, acted, and served with authority. As a leader, how might you serve with authority? As a follower, where do you have to grow in recognizing the authority of others?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
All of us have experienced the problems that poor leadership can cause. But it's also true that leadership is hard. As I express frustration with government leadership, I wonder - how would I change our broken system? I'm sure there are plenty of hard working, caring, and thoughtful people in the U.S. Congress - but governing presumably hasn't gotten any easier since Mr. Smith went to Washington, and how any work gets done in our mired two-party system is beyond me.
Pray for our leaders, at all levels. And, wherever you lead - amongst friends, in class, in church - God be with you!
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
Jesus has been teaching:
- Don't divorce a woman for just any old reason.
- You must be like a little child to enter God's kingdom.
- It's hard for the rich to enter God's kingdom; God's kingdom is for sharing.
- Jesus himself will be condemned, mocked, and put to death.
Listening to the writer
"Sitting at your right hand and left" doesn't simply mean getting to be close to Jesus - culturally, these are positions of power. "The right hand man" still refers to the second in command.
What does Jesus mean by "the cup that I drink" and "the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Look at the verses immediately preceding...)
What does Jesus say was the purpose of his coming?
Listening to God
Some people seek out leadership; others avoid it like the plague. Do you believe God is calling you to be a leader?
Leadership often carries a heavy price (verses 38-40), and ultimately it is God’s to grant. In areas where you lead, do you recognize the price you might have to pay? In areas where you are called to follow, how can you support the leaders in their calling?
Leadership in God’s kingdom is not about “lording it over others” (verses 41-45). Think about a time when you felt a leader was using their authority inappropriately. How can you lovingly challenge inappropriate leadership?
Serving others at Jesus served does not mean bowing down to everyone’s desires. Jesus taught, acted, and served with authority. As a leader, how might you serve with authority? As a follower, where do you have to grow in recognizing the authority of others?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
All of us have experienced the problems that poor leadership can cause. But it's also true that leadership is hard. As I express frustration with government leadership, I wonder - how would I change our broken system? I'm sure there are plenty of hard working, caring, and thoughtful people in the U.S. Congress - but governing presumably hasn't gotten any easier since Mr. Smith went to Washington, and how any work gets done in our mired two-party system is beyond me.
Pray for our leaders, at all levels. And, wherever you lead - amongst friends, in class, in church - God be with you!
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Job Gets His Wish
Job 38
Context
For 35 chapters, Job and his friends have been trading barbs while Job wishes God would give him a trial. Suddenly God appears on the scene!
Listening to the writer
Job has been spoiling for a fight. It appears God is ready: “Gird up your loins” (v. 3) means to tie up your robes around your waist (clothes were different then!).
God’s questions are all about creation. God asks: do you know how the world works? Were you there when it began? Can you control the weather or the stars? Do you take care of wild creatures? God’s argument with Job continues in this vein through chapter 41 (with a brief exchange at the start of chapter 40). It’s very good Hebrew poetry (as with most poetry, not as good in translation), but a bit of a puzzle to interpret. Here are a handful of others' guesses at what the writer was saying:
“God is bigger than you, so be quiet and behave.”
“Your problems are insignificant in comparison with God's.”
“You simply don’t understand what life is all about.”
“God's hands are full trying to run the universe.”
“There is a purpose far beyond your current pain.”
Listening to God
Job keeps wanting to talk with God and, unlike most of us, Job gets his wish. If you’ve ever challenged God with “Why?” questions, were you ready for God to ask questions back? When helping others with their struggles, do you think about whether they need comfort or challenge?
Just what is God’s main point? I suggest you listen for God’s word for you in this way: Find some issue you are struggling with God about, big or small. Pray briefly about it. Briefly but seriously consider the different interpretations listed above - they are different enough that some presumably rub you the wrong way, but try to at least understand what each one is saying. Then read as much of chapters 38-41 as you like, going slowly and thinking about the images that God describes. See if you experience God’s presence and if you receive any peace or answers to your struggle.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
After my whining about Congress and health care in Tuesday's post, at least something came out of committee. I don't know how much the bills reflect careful listening from different viewpoints, but perhaps the main lesson of Job is that complaining sometimes gets you what you ask for...
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
For 35 chapters, Job and his friends have been trading barbs while Job wishes God would give him a trial. Suddenly God appears on the scene!
Listening to the writer
Job has been spoiling for a fight. It appears God is ready: “Gird up your loins” (v. 3) means to tie up your robes around your waist (clothes were different then!).
God’s questions are all about creation. God asks: do you know how the world works? Were you there when it began? Can you control the weather or the stars? Do you take care of wild creatures? God’s argument with Job continues in this vein through chapter 41 (with a brief exchange at the start of chapter 40). It’s very good Hebrew poetry (as with most poetry, not as good in translation), but a bit of a puzzle to interpret. Here are a handful of others' guesses at what the writer was saying:
“God is bigger than you, so be quiet and behave.”
“Your problems are insignificant in comparison with God's.”
“You simply don’t understand what life is all about.”
“God's hands are full trying to run the universe.”
“There is a purpose far beyond your current pain.”
Listening to God
Job keeps wanting to talk with God and, unlike most of us, Job gets his wish. If you’ve ever challenged God with “Why?” questions, were you ready for God to ask questions back? When helping others with their struggles, do you think about whether they need comfort or challenge?
Just what is God’s main point? I suggest you listen for God’s word for you in this way: Find some issue you are struggling with God about, big or small. Pray briefly about it. Briefly but seriously consider the different interpretations listed above - they are different enough that some presumably rub you the wrong way, but try to at least understand what each one is saying. Then read as much of chapters 38-41 as you like, going slowly and thinking about the images that God describes. See if you experience God’s presence and if you receive any peace or answers to your struggle.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
After my whining about Congress and health care in Tuesday's post, at least something came out of committee. I don't know how much the bills reflect careful listening from different viewpoints, but perhaps the main lesson of Job is that complaining sometimes gets you what you ask for...
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Man Perfect in Knowledge
Job 36
Context
Job, a man whom God calls "blameless", has had his wealth, family, and health destroyed. Job and his three “friends” argue through most of the book on the reasons for his destruction. A young man named Elihu appears on the scene in chapter 32. He’s angry at Job for complaining against God, and angry at Job’s friends for not coming up with a good answer. His speech continues in our reading today.
Listening to the writer
Verses 5-13 provide a good summary of the main argument of Job’s friends. According to Elihu, God is powerful, and people are either righteous or wicked. What does he say about God's treatment of the righteous and the wicked?
Elihu says affliction is to teach us (vv 8-10, 15), that we might learn what we are doing wrong and start doing right. God will either reward or punish us, depending on our response to affliction (vv 11,12). Do you agree with Elihu’s basic argument? Why or why not? Does it apply to Job and his circumstance?
Elihu believes the proper response to pain is to learn what you’re doing wrong and stop doing it (vv 8-12), not to complain against God or seek death (vv 18-20). Do you agree or disagree?
Listening to God
Elihu knows that he is right; lucky Job is in the presence of a know-it-all! (verse 4). This gives his speech great confidence; unfortunately, at the end of the book God tells him he's wrong. Does your speech need more confidence, or more humility? Ask God for insight.
Elihu ends by reminding Job of God’s power, which can be used either to help or to hurt human beings. Spend some time with God reflecting on the beauty and the destructive power of God’s creation.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I continue in mourning for our government. The health-care battle showcases congress's inability to work together to bring about substantive change - instead of a reasoned discussion and a focus on the strengths of opposing viewpoints, we end up in a shouting match of Elihu's, each "perfect in knowledge" and unwilling to give up their private perks.
In order to solve problems, we need to acknowledge that Elihu is both right and wrong. Both personal and social responsibility are important. Some of the things that happen to us are our own fault, some are not. Although it may not be possible, or even right, to foist the specifically Christian value of "grace" upon a secular society, it seems to me that it's our duty to try and convince others that both the Left and the Right have some rational values, and that these values need to work together in order to make good laws.
At the very least, we could stop echoing the views of the "Elihus" on both sides. If you think all Republicans or all Democrats are blind idiots, you're an Elihu. If you think Obama is out to destroy the country - or that he's the Savior - you've been listening to too many Elihus. Find a friend who disagrees with you, and spend a few minutes really listening to them.
Context
Job, a man whom God calls "blameless", has had his wealth, family, and health destroyed. Job and his three “friends” argue through most of the book on the reasons for his destruction. A young man named Elihu appears on the scene in chapter 32. He’s angry at Job for complaining against God, and angry at Job’s friends for not coming up with a good answer. His speech continues in our reading today.
Listening to the writer
Verses 5-13 provide a good summary of the main argument of Job’s friends. According to Elihu, God is powerful, and people are either righteous or wicked. What does he say about God's treatment of the righteous and the wicked?
Elihu says affliction is to teach us (vv 8-10, 15), that we might learn what we are doing wrong and start doing right. God will either reward or punish us, depending on our response to affliction (vv 11,12). Do you agree with Elihu’s basic argument? Why or why not? Does it apply to Job and his circumstance?
Elihu believes the proper response to pain is to learn what you’re doing wrong and stop doing it (vv 8-12), not to complain against God or seek death (vv 18-20). Do you agree or disagree?
Listening to God
Elihu knows that he is right; lucky Job is in the presence of a know-it-all! (verse 4). This gives his speech great confidence; unfortunately, at the end of the book God tells him he's wrong. Does your speech need more confidence, or more humility? Ask God for insight.
Elihu ends by reminding Job of God’s power, which can be used either to help or to hurt human beings. Spend some time with God reflecting on the beauty and the destructive power of God’s creation.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I continue in mourning for our government. The health-care battle showcases congress's inability to work together to bring about substantive change - instead of a reasoned discussion and a focus on the strengths of opposing viewpoints, we end up in a shouting match of Elihu's, each "perfect in knowledge" and unwilling to give up their private perks.
In order to solve problems, we need to acknowledge that Elihu is both right and wrong. Both personal and social responsibility are important. Some of the things that happen to us are our own fault, some are not. Although it may not be possible, or even right, to foist the specifically Christian value of "grace" upon a secular society, it seems to me that it's our duty to try and convince others that both the Left and the Right have some rational values, and that these values need to work together in order to make good laws.
At the very least, we could stop echoing the views of the "Elihus" on both sides. If you think all Republicans or all Democrats are blind idiots, you're an Elihu. If you think Obama is out to destroy the country - or that he's the Savior - you've been listening to too many Elihus. Find a friend who disagrees with you, and spend a few minutes really listening to them.
Friday, October 9, 2009
If Only I Could Vanish in Darkness
Job 23:1-17
Context
The book of Job can't be understood without context. I recommend you read the earlier posts, starting with The Man From Proverbs.
Job has had family, possessions, and health taken from him by "the Adversary" - with God's permission - simply to see how he'll respond. His friends have told him he must have done something evil in order to earn such treatment; he has steadfastly disagreed. By chapter 22, Job’s “friends” are terribly upset that he won’t confess to whatever sin they think must have created his pain.
Listening to the writer
Sometimes we are told that God uses pain to “get our attention.” Is Job paying attention to God? Was Job paying attention when the pain started?
Christianity teaches that God is everywhere and knows everything. What is Job's feeling about God's presence in verses 3-9?
But, on second thought… God must already know about Job’s situation. Job thinks that perhaps nothing would change; God will do what God will do (23:13-17). In modern terms, Job is clinically depressed—he is overwhelmed by the desire to simply hide from everything (verse 17).
Listening to God
Job is paying attention to God, groaning out for comfort, and receiving none (23:2). Recall a time when God seemed distant in your pain.
Job wishes he could find God (23:3-4,8-9). Where do you go to “find” God? A place? Some Scripture? A particular way of prayer?
Job knows that his situation is unfair, and believes - sometimes - that God would listen to him if he could only find him (23:6-7,10-12). What would you tell God if you could have a face-to-face conversation? What unfair issues, in the world or in your life, do you need to pour out to God?
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
The book of Job can't be understood without context. I recommend you read the earlier posts, starting with The Man From Proverbs.
Job has had family, possessions, and health taken from him by "the Adversary" - with God's permission - simply to see how he'll respond. His friends have told him he must have done something evil in order to earn such treatment; he has steadfastly disagreed. By chapter 22, Job’s “friends” are terribly upset that he won’t confess to whatever sin they think must have created his pain.
Listening to the writer
Sometimes we are told that God uses pain to “get our attention.” Is Job paying attention to God? Was Job paying attention when the pain started?
Christianity teaches that God is everywhere and knows everything. What is Job's feeling about God's presence in verses 3-9?
But, on second thought… God must already know about Job’s situation. Job thinks that perhaps nothing would change; God will do what God will do (23:13-17). In modern terms, Job is clinically depressed—he is overwhelmed by the desire to simply hide from everything (verse 17).
Listening to God
Job is paying attention to God, groaning out for comfort, and receiving none (23:2). Recall a time when God seemed distant in your pain.
Job wishes he could find God (23:3-4,8-9). Where do you go to “find” God? A place? Some Scripture? A particular way of prayer?
Job knows that his situation is unfair, and believes - sometimes - that God would listen to him if he could only find him (23:6-7,10-12). What would you tell God if you could have a face-to-face conversation? What unfair issues, in the world or in your life, do you need to pour out to God?
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
When We Treat Proverbs Like Axioms
Job 4:1-21
Context
If you haven't read Job 1-3, I recommend you read the earlier posts, starting with The Man From Proverbs.
After Job’s complaint, his friends start to speak up.
Listening to the writer
Eliphaz was able to sit quietly with Job for a week of suffering. But he cannot sit by while Job complains about God. He knows Job might not like it, but he feels compelled to speak against Job (vv. 1-2). What is his argument in verses 3-5?
Verses 6-11 seem to be encouraging: “Look, you are a man of integrity, and you know good people are never punished. Bad things only happen to bad people.” But, if bad things only happen to bad people, and bad things are now clearly happening to Job, then… hmm. Job must be bad! In verses 12-21, Eliphaz describes a dream. What does he learn about people in the dream?
Listening to God
Do you agree with the basic reasoning in verses 6-11? Have you ever encouraged others this way? “Hey, you’re a good guy. God will certainly take care of you!” What does God think of this argument?
Does God talk to people through dreams? Are dreams always a portent from God? Is Eliphaz's dream of God, of the adversary, or from his own unconscious?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
Chapters 5-22 turn into a long argument with one basic theme: Job keeps insisting that he is upright (as the narrator has told us, read 1:1), and that his current position is unfair; his friends keep telling him that he must have done something terrible to deserve his fate, and he should confess it to God. Who do you think is right? The narrator clearly agrees with Job. If Job is right, then why do the innocent suffer? If his friends are right, then how do we decide between right and wrong, when Job looks like such a good guy?
I have struggled with this question for most of my life. Tragedy is a common part of human existence. There are some really horrible things that happen, and they often happen to people who are no more sinful than the rest. It is also the question that troubles most agnostics I've spoken with. Within the church, people tend to resist some of Jesus' extreme teachings; outside the church, although many ignore Jesus altogether, I have known many who embrace Jesus' teachings (on, for example, loving enemies and sharing rather than collecting wealth) but simply cannot reconcile an all-loving, all-powerful God with events like natural disasters and child abuse. One way or another, thoughtful Christians who want to have honest discussions with non-Christians will need to deal with this topic.
Context
If you haven't read Job 1-3, I recommend you read the earlier posts, starting with The Man From Proverbs.
After Job’s complaint, his friends start to speak up.
Listening to the writer
Eliphaz was able to sit quietly with Job for a week of suffering. But he cannot sit by while Job complains about God. He knows Job might not like it, but he feels compelled to speak against Job (vv. 1-2). What is his argument in verses 3-5?
Verses 6-11 seem to be encouraging: “Look, you are a man of integrity, and you know good people are never punished. Bad things only happen to bad people.” But, if bad things only happen to bad people, and bad things are now clearly happening to Job, then… hmm. Job must be bad! In verses 12-21, Eliphaz describes a dream. What does he learn about people in the dream?
Listening to God
Do you agree with the basic reasoning in verses 6-11? Have you ever encouraged others this way? “Hey, you’re a good guy. God will certainly take care of you!” What does God think of this argument?
Does God talk to people through dreams? Are dreams always a portent from God? Is Eliphaz's dream of God, of the adversary, or from his own unconscious?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
Chapters 5-22 turn into a long argument with one basic theme: Job keeps insisting that he is upright (as the narrator has told us, read 1:1), and that his current position is unfair; his friends keep telling him that he must have done something terrible to deserve his fate, and he should confess it to God. Who do you think is right? The narrator clearly agrees with Job. If Job is right, then why do the innocent suffer? If his friends are right, then how do we decide between right and wrong, when Job looks like such a good guy?
I have struggled with this question for most of my life. Tragedy is a common part of human existence. There are some really horrible things that happen, and they often happen to people who are no more sinful than the rest. It is also the question that troubles most agnostics I've spoken with. Within the church, people tend to resist some of Jesus' extreme teachings; outside the church, although many ignore Jesus altogether, I have known many who embrace Jesus' teachings (on, for example, loving enemies and sharing rather than collecting wealth) but simply cannot reconcile an all-loving, all-powerful God with events like natural disasters and child abuse. One way or another, thoughtful Christians who want to have honest discussions with non-Christians will need to deal with this topic.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Patience of Job
Job 3:1-26
Context
This week's lection is from Job 23 - which is a long way from Job 1 & 2. We'll look at chapters 3 and 4 to give us a bit more context.
Job 1 and 2 are written in prose, in a very old style of Hebrew. From these chapters we get the picture of Job as one patient in suffering, who never complains. After having his children and property stripped from him in a day, his simple answer is "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Nor does he complain when his health is destroyed and he must live in pain.
Chapters 3-41 are written in poetry, in a newer form of Hebrew, and they are very different.
Leviathan is mentioned a few times in Scripture; it seems to be a legendary sea-serpent that represents chaos.
Listening to the writer
In verses 1-10, Job vents his anger on the day of his birth. He calls for Leviathan to bring chaos and darkness upon that day. Have you ever been so angry at your life that you cursed your birthday? What would it take to feel this way?
In verses 11-19, Job wishes he had never been born. “If only I had died that day, or been stillborn…” Job gives us insight into early Jewish understandings of death. What does Job say happens to dead people? Who is together in one place? Is there punishment? Is there joy?
In the remainder of the chapter, Job asks “Why?” Why does he have to live, when he would rather die? Why does God give life to those who are simply suffering? What answer would you give?
Listening to God
Today's reading (and much of Job) deals with a time when God is silent - if, in your studies, God is sometimes silent, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing it wrong.
Spend some time in silence and see if God has anything to say regarding today's reading.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
Despite his complaints, Job never considers suicide; it doesn’t seem to be an option. The position of most mainline denominations is that we are not to actively promote death, but that we do not need to go to excessive measures to keep people alive. People can appropriately refuse treatment such as feeding tubes, breathing machines, heart assistance, and the like, even if the likely outcome will be death. How actively do you want others to work to keep you alive in difficult situations? The clearer your advance directions are, the easier it will be for your loved ones to make any hard decisions. Take some step now to get started on this difficult but important work.
In my experience, many people who are aware of their impending death - which includes most older people with any kind of serious health problem - are looking for someone willing to talk about these issues, but often want to protect their children from thoughts of their death. I encourage you to broach the subject with any older loved ones and let them know that you are willing to listen if they want to discuss such issues. Five Wishes is a helpful tool (and a legal living will, in many states) for specifically discussing how you'd like to be cared for in potential end of life circumstances.
Context
This week's lection is from Job 23 - which is a long way from Job 1 & 2. We'll look at chapters 3 and 4 to give us a bit more context.
Job 1 and 2 are written in prose, in a very old style of Hebrew. From these chapters we get the picture of Job as one patient in suffering, who never complains. After having his children and property stripped from him in a day, his simple answer is "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Nor does he complain when his health is destroyed and he must live in pain.
Chapters 3-41 are written in poetry, in a newer form of Hebrew, and they are very different.
Leviathan is mentioned a few times in Scripture; it seems to be a legendary sea-serpent that represents chaos.
Listening to the writer
In verses 1-10, Job vents his anger on the day of his birth. He calls for Leviathan to bring chaos and darkness upon that day. Have you ever been so angry at your life that you cursed your birthday? What would it take to feel this way?
In verses 11-19, Job wishes he had never been born. “If only I had died that day, or been stillborn…” Job gives us insight into early Jewish understandings of death. What does Job say happens to dead people? Who is together in one place? Is there punishment? Is there joy?
In the remainder of the chapter, Job asks “Why?” Why does he have to live, when he would rather die? Why does God give life to those who are simply suffering? What answer would you give?
Listening to God
Today's reading (and much of Job) deals with a time when God is silent - if, in your studies, God is sometimes silent, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing it wrong.
Spend some time in silence and see if God has anything to say regarding today's reading.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
Despite his complaints, Job never considers suicide; it doesn’t seem to be an option. The position of most mainline denominations is that we are not to actively promote death, but that we do not need to go to excessive measures to keep people alive. People can appropriately refuse treatment such as feeding tubes, breathing machines, heart assistance, and the like, even if the likely outcome will be death. How actively do you want others to work to keep you alive in difficult situations? The clearer your advance directions are, the easier it will be for your loved ones to make any hard decisions. Take some step now to get started on this difficult but important work.
In my experience, many people who are aware of their impending death - which includes most older people with any kind of serious health problem - are looking for someone willing to talk about these issues, but often want to protect their children from thoughts of their death. I encourage you to broach the subject with any older loved ones and let them know that you are willing to listen if they want to discuss such issues. Five Wishes is a helpful tool (and a legal living will, in many states) for specifically discussing how you'd like to be cared for in potential end of life circumstances.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Weak, Unruly, and Uncivilized
Mark 10:13-16
Context
American families have moved from "children should be seen and not heard" to "children must be the focal point of everything we do." Social context regarding children varies tremendously; in Jesus’ day, children were not even to be seen. Children were viewed by the male dominated culture as unpleasant little things that hopefully some day would grow up into real people.
Listening to the writer
How does Jesus respond to the disciples’ culturally fitting decision to protect him from bothersome children?
What might it mean to say that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children? Be wary of our modern understanding of children as innocent. Remember, children were viewed as weak, unruly, unpleasant, untrained, and uncivilized.
Listening to God
Did you grow up in a family where children were to be “seen and not heard,” or where children were doted upon?
Consider how you treat children in church. Is God calling for a change?
During worship, how might we deal with children that are creating a disruption?
Do you feel worthy to receive God’s kingdom? Or do you feel weak, unruly, unpleasant, untrained, and uncivilized?
Have you ever used “I could never do that” as a response when you heard a call to follow Christ in some difficult way? Is God calling you as a weak, untrained child to be part of his rule on earth?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
We tried to make our children part of the family, without making them the center of the family. I don't know whether or not we succeeded. I do know that, having survived our decisions good and bad, our children have grown into amazing people.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
American families have moved from "children should be seen and not heard" to "children must be the focal point of everything we do." Social context regarding children varies tremendously; in Jesus’ day, children were not even to be seen. Children were viewed by the male dominated culture as unpleasant little things that hopefully some day would grow up into real people.
Listening to the writer
How does Jesus respond to the disciples’ culturally fitting decision to protect him from bothersome children?
What might it mean to say that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children? Be wary of our modern understanding of children as innocent. Remember, children were viewed as weak, unruly, unpleasant, untrained, and uncivilized.
Listening to God
Did you grow up in a family where children were to be “seen and not heard,” or where children were doted upon?
Consider how you treat children in church. Is God calling for a change?
During worship, how might we deal with children that are creating a disruption?
Do you feel worthy to receive God’s kingdom? Or do you feel weak, unruly, unpleasant, untrained, and uncivilized?
Have you ever used “I could never do that” as a response when you heard a call to follow Christ in some difficult way? Is God calling you as a weak, untrained child to be part of his rule on earth?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
We tried to make our children part of the family, without making them the center of the family. I don't know whether or not we succeeded. I do know that, having survived our decisions good and bad, our children have grown into amazing people.
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Thursday, October 1, 2009
Is any old reason good enough?
Mark 10:1-12
Context
Social context is sometimes of crucial importance to a text. Imagine, for example, trying to read a political cartoon without knowing who the characters were or what was going on at the time.
The Jewish law on divorce is entirely sourced from one passage: Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Rabbis were arguing in Jesus' day on what were sufficient grounds for divorce, some saying that only adultery was sufficient, while the other extreme argued that any cause was sufficient. Extreme examples would legalize prostitution by marrying, having sex, and then issuing a certificate of divorce.
Listening to the writer
The Pharisees are “testing” Jesus (v. 2). They are interested in the law: is this behavior legal? The teaching they refer to is in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Read the passage and answer Jesus’ question: what did Moses command them?
In the context of the Rabbinic argument on divorce, Jesus’ words in verses 11 and 12 might simply be saying that making prostitution legal by going through the ritual of divorce and remarriage didn’t change the moral fact of adultery. Or, they may be a blanket prohibition on divorce. People continue to argue the point - which do you think the original writer was saying?
Listening to God
Jesus distinguishes between Moses’ commands (which are in the Bible) and God’s plans. Do you assume that every command in the Bible is from God? Are there times when a command might be a concession to human will, rather than God’s best desire?
Regardless of your interpretation of verses 11 and 12, presumably God desires marriages to be healthy and to last. How can you encourage life-long marriages? How can you help people who have been through the pain of divorce?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
The church changes its views on all kinds of things (famous examples: whether the earth goes around the sun or vice-versa; whether slavery is sinful; whether women can preach). At one time, divorce was almost universally condemned as a sin by the American church. Today, it is “common sense” that divorce is a sad but acceptable outcome of marriage. Is this an example of the church “growing up,” or of conforming to the world?
I was in a Sunday School class years ago that was discussing this passage, and I stated that I thought Jesus' words were a blanket prohibition against divorce.* One of the class members left the room crying, and the rest of the class looked at me like I was the Devil incarnate. It turned out that she had been through a divorce and felt that I was accusing her of great evil.
I was stunned (and a bit naive) - not that she was divorced, but that someone who had committed what I thought was a sin would be traumatized by my belief. Certainly the pain of her divorce played a big part of this particular circumstance - and I am usually much more careful now to prefix my statements on sin! - but I grew up knowing that I was a sinner, that everyone I met was a sinner, and that "sin" was simply part of our human condition. I might weep at recollections of particular pains, but not at being accused of a sinner. After all, we sang Amazing Grace all the time, which save a wretch like me!
I long for the day when we can get over the fact that we sin, and can have discussions about particular behaviors without it being a judgment on those who have or have not taken part in the behavior. Pastors should be good at this - we frequently have to preach on sins that we have committed! Jesus clearly calls us not to judge people. Jesus clearly calls us to make decisions about behavior. Both are important.
*I've since changed my mind, in large part due to learning of the context listed at the start of this post. Before that time I suggested separation but not divorce in cases where staying together was causing harm. I still think many couples who divorce could save a good marriage if they would separate and regroup early enough. But - that's just an anecdotal opinion. If your marriage is in trouble, get professional advice.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
Social context is sometimes of crucial importance to a text. Imagine, for example, trying to read a political cartoon without knowing who the characters were or what was going on at the time.
The Jewish law on divorce is entirely sourced from one passage: Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Rabbis were arguing in Jesus' day on what were sufficient grounds for divorce, some saying that only adultery was sufficient, while the other extreme argued that any cause was sufficient. Extreme examples would legalize prostitution by marrying, having sex, and then issuing a certificate of divorce.
Listening to the writer
The Pharisees are “testing” Jesus (v. 2). They are interested in the law: is this behavior legal? The teaching they refer to is in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Read the passage and answer Jesus’ question: what did Moses command them?
In the context of the Rabbinic argument on divorce, Jesus’ words in verses 11 and 12 might simply be saying that making prostitution legal by going through the ritual of divorce and remarriage didn’t change the moral fact of adultery. Or, they may be a blanket prohibition on divorce. People continue to argue the point - which do you think the original writer was saying?
Listening to God
Jesus distinguishes between Moses’ commands (which are in the Bible) and God’s plans. Do you assume that every command in the Bible is from God? Are there times when a command might be a concession to human will, rather than God’s best desire?
Regardless of your interpretation of verses 11 and 12, presumably God desires marriages to be healthy and to last. How can you encourage life-long marriages? How can you help people who have been through the pain of divorce?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
The church changes its views on all kinds of things (famous examples: whether the earth goes around the sun or vice-versa; whether slavery is sinful; whether women can preach). At one time, divorce was almost universally condemned as a sin by the American church. Today, it is “common sense” that divorce is a sad but acceptable outcome of marriage. Is this an example of the church “growing up,” or of conforming to the world?
I was in a Sunday School class years ago that was discussing this passage, and I stated that I thought Jesus' words were a blanket prohibition against divorce.* One of the class members left the room crying, and the rest of the class looked at me like I was the Devil incarnate. It turned out that she had been through a divorce and felt that I was accusing her of great evil.
I was stunned (and a bit naive) - not that she was divorced, but that someone who had committed what I thought was a sin would be traumatized by my belief. Certainly the pain of her divorce played a big part of this particular circumstance - and I am usually much more careful now to prefix my statements on sin! - but I grew up knowing that I was a sinner, that everyone I met was a sinner, and that "sin" was simply part of our human condition. I might weep at recollections of particular pains, but not at being accused of a sinner. After all, we sang Amazing Grace all the time, which save a wretch like me!
I long for the day when we can get over the fact that we sin, and can have discussions about particular behaviors without it being a judgment on those who have or have not taken part in the behavior. Pastors should be good at this - we frequently have to preach on sins that we have committed! Jesus clearly calls us not to judge people. Jesus clearly calls us to make decisions about behavior. Both are important.
*I've since changed my mind, in large part due to learning of the context listed at the start of this post. Before that time I suggested separation but not divorce in cases where staying together was causing harm. I still think many couples who divorce could save a good marriage if they would separate and regroup early enough. But - that's just an anecdotal opinion. If your marriage is in trouble, get professional advice.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
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