Day 100 and Dagon

Day 100

OT Reading: 1 Samuel 4-6

NT Reading: Luke 12:35-59

Day 100. A big CONGRATULATIONS if you've made it with me this far. It has not been easy, and sometimes it has not been the most interesting, but we've pressed on nonetheless. I wish I could say, "From here on out it will be smooth sailing" but that would be a lie. But in the words of the incomparable Dory from Finding Nemo..."Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming..."

In today's reading I'm reminded that God has a sense of humor. The Israelites had gotten it in their minds that they could use the Ark of the Covenant like a magic trinket that would ensure them victory on the battlefield. They found out the hard way that they were very, very wrong. The Ark is captured by their enemies, the Philistines, and taken into the temple of their own god by the name of Dagon.

That's when things start to get funny. The next day everyone wakes up and instead of being in his normal place, Dagon is on the ground, essentially bowing down to the Ark of the Covenant. The people quickly set him upright only to have the same thing happen the next day. Dagon, face down before the Ark.

In all likelihood, this statue was not a small trinket. Typical statues of deities placed in temples would have been as tall, or taller than a man and either carved from stone or made from precious metals. It is quite likely this weighed several hundred pounds. Yet, no one heard a crash during the night. There was no dramatic explosion involved. Instead, each night God just offered a quiet reminder of who was really God after all.

In my own mind, I go so far as to think that maybe God quietly smirked to himself as he did this. Enjoying his little prank on the Philistines as they come to see the condition of their "god."

From there God uses tumors, rats and more to get the Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites....you know, some of the things we've come to expect. But this is just one of those moments where I love to see God's sense of humor, and even playful attitude on display.

Jesus and the crowds

Day 99
OT Reading: 1 Samuel 1-3
NT Reading: Luke 12:1-34

Has it been obvious that it's been harder for me to post lately? I'm still entirely up to date with reading...so that's not the issue. But for some reason it's just been more difficult for me to sit down and write. Sometimes because I'm not sure what to say, other days just because this is usually the last thing I do before bed. But I don't want either of you to worry ;-). I'm sticking with the reading, even if the snarky comments aren't coming quite as often.

One detail that jumped out to me today was the very first verse of Luke 12. There we read, "Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another..." Sometimes due to movies and my own mindset, I picture a decent crew...several dozen maybe...following Jesus around. But here Luke tells us that thousands of people were following Jesus. So many that it almost had a rock-concert like feel where you may have to be careful to ensure you don't get trampled over.

To have a thousand people show up to hear you speak today is noteworthy. To have it in Jesus' day would be downright astounding. Most villages along the countryside would have somewhere between 50-100 people. A typical rabbi might be teaching a dozen to twenty people once each week. Therefore Jesus must be pulling people not only from right where he's at, but people from towns, cities and villages all over must be coming to see what this man is doing.

If you can remember the movie Forest Gump, I'm reminded of the sequence where Forest runs back and forth across the United States several times. After a period of time he begins to gain a tremendous following, stretching several miles off into the distance. This is kind of how I envision the scene of the crowd following Jesus. Perhaps his disciples up near the front, with a giant entourage of people -- some committed, some curious -- following Jesus from one place to another.

But even more amazing to me was the approach Jesus took each time these large crowds gathered. Several times throughout the gospels we see Jesus draw a line in the sand issuing a difficult, controversial or unpopular teaching to determine who was along to be a follower, and who was just there for the show. Jesus never let the size of the crowds sway him from his purpose. Knowing how easy it is for me to get distracted...this sort of thing hits home. It is easy to become influenced by the love of the crowd, but it is important to, like Jesus, never let that deviate us from our purpose.

The end of Judges

Day 97

OT Reading: Judges 20-21

NT Reading: Luke 11: 1-28

I've always found the ending of the book of Judges to be rather odd. Perhaps odd isn't the right word. Maybe "curious" would work better. Regardless...Judges is quite peculiar in how it finishes. Let me explain.

I'm guessing that you have experienced some level of conflict with your relatives. You may have experienced disputes during holidays, perhaps grievances over inheritances, or frankly one of any number of scenarios that would cause tension among family members. But tell me, have you and your extended relatives ever gathered a few thousand people, taken up arms and decided to go to war with each other? Because that's basically what happened in the last few chapters of the book of Judges. In an effort to avenge the wrong done in Gibeah, thousands of fighting men go with the intent of wiping out the city and everything in it. Which, after a few tries, they succeed in doing.

Then comes "warrior's remorse"...or whatever we want to call it. The rest of Israel is in mourning because one of the tribes could potentially disappear.

Um...duh? Didn't you realize this could be the case before you went with the intent of wiping them out? But I digress...

So what do they do to fix the problem? They make arrangements for all the remaining Benjamites to have wives. Some through more traditional means, some by taking the "guy's choice" portion of a dance to an entirely new level.

Perhaps to the people of the day, these sorts of activities were common...ordinary. But in my 21st century American mindset, I admit that I find them flat-out odd.

Yet the one verse that always strikes me is the very last verse of Judges which reads, "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." Other translations put it this way, "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:21, ESV)

Based on that verse alone I could go into a lengthy discussion about how quickly Israel repeatedly strayed from God's commands, and how we often do the same. I could compare our current relativistic culture with that verse, making a statement on today's society. But I think you can get all that on your own. If I may, I'd like to ask you to underline that verse in your Bible. File it away in your memory. Memorize it if that helps. And just see how often you come across a situation in life where, like those in the time of the judges, individuals only do what is right in their own eyes.

The Good Samaritan

Day 96

OT Reading: Judges 18-19

NT Reading: Luke 10:25-42

The hero in Jesus' story was an unlikely one. Most people groups were just looked at as "impure Gentiles." The Samaritans however had the honorable distinction of being considered half-breeds. The Samaritans and Jews actually shared a common history (we'll see this as we continue through the Old Testament), but while the Jews kept their pure blood lines, the Samaritans mixed and were therefore considered vile. In fact, even though it added a tremendous amount of time to the journey, Jews would often go around Samaria when traveling from Judea to Galilee (see this map if you need help visualizing). Jews detested Samaritans. So when the Samaritan turns into the hero...this would have rubbed some people the complete wrong way.

And that was exactly the point. The "expert in the law" wanted to clarify (like a good lawyer) exactly where the line was when considering who was a "neighbor." Jesus in his response went against societal norms to say that your neighbor is not the person next door, or someone who has the same skin color, speaks the same language, wears the same style of clothes, comes from the same end of town or votes the same way you do. Your neighbor is anyone you see who is in need.

The expert in the law got the message. But more importantly, have you?

Love makes you blind...redefined.

Day 95

OT Reading: Judges 15-17

NT Reading: Luke 10:1-24

They say that love is blind. Of course I've yet to figure out who 'they' are. Nonetheless, if there were ever a Biblical character to serve as the poster child for this statement my vote would be for Samson.

Samson is a guy that has hacked off an entire nation of Philistines. If it were not for Samson, they'd probably be lording over the Israelites without too much effort involved. But this annoying guy named Samson seems to be single-handedly killing thousands of their soldiers and inflicting unspeakable amounts of financial loss on them. I have a feeling that if any one of the Philistines had taken Samson out alone, they would have returned to a heroes welcome and been heralded as one of the greatest of warriors. But since no one can, the Philistines try a much more deceitful approach...they use a woman.

Delilah is her name. And apparently Samson was just flat out dumb-struck head-over-heels for her. So if you'll excuse my ranting for a minute, there are a few things I'd like to say to Samson...man to man...friend to friend.

Really Samson? I mean...seriously??? Sure, you may be able to break me like a twig without even noticing I was ever there, and I'll certainly never beat you in arm wrestling...but someone has to be willing to stand up and say this. Can you seriously not tell that this woman is trying to get you killed? You don't find it the least bit odd that every time you give her an answer about the source of your strength, you find yourself in that very position the next day? And don't give me the, "no relationship is perfect" line. No, I may not have it all figured out, but I can honestly say that no woman I've ever dated has tried to kill me even once...much less multiple times. Here is a good rule of thumb to go by Samson, if she is more upset that you lied rather than elated that you survived...it's probably a good time to move on.

Perhaps what I would say to Samson would seem to be a bit on the irreligious side. But honestly, I can't help but shake my head at this guy.

One of the saddest of stories

Day 93

OT Reading: Judges 10-11

NT Reading: Luke 9:1-36

The story of Jephthah is, to me, one of the most sad stories in all the Bible. In my mind I'm sure he certainly thought that the first thing to come from his tent would be a pet or a sheep or something of the like. But in perhaps the most disturbing of all turns, the first thing to exit the tent was his one and only daughter.

Lots of questions run through my mind. Was this really God's will (I have trouble believing it was)? Did he really have to go through with it? Or don't you think God would have let this oath slide? Especially now that I have a child of my own, the thought of such a horrible turn of events is almost unbearable to me. But if I may, please allow me to offer a lesson we may learn from the passage.

In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus speaks about making oaths. To paraphrase, Jesus states that we should be individuals of such integrity that simply our 'yes' or our 'no' is sufficient. Others should not require us to swear or promise or pledge or whatever in an effort to believe we'll follow through. While I can in no way condone Jephthah's action, it is apparent that his vow meant a great deal to him. In fact he saw it as a vow that could not be broken...which is why he kept it.

So in the midst of this terribly sad story, I suppose I'd like you to consider how much value you see in your own word. When you make a statement, or a promise or even say, 'yes'...how important is it for you to follow through? Where in the past have you fallen short in this (be it a relationship, work, an agreement, etc)? What steps may you need to take to validate or repair your integrity?

Catching up with a verse I love.

Day 92

OT Reading: Judges 8-9

NT Reading: Luke 8:22-56

So yes, it has been since mid-last week that I've posted. In case you're wondering I have been reading, as I stated in my one post while away. I just haven't really been posting anything. And frankly, it's impossible to pick just one thing to write about when so much has happened. I mean I could write about:

* the fact we've finished Joshua;

* 'Things you never realized were in the Bible - part 2.' I love the story of Ehud and Eglon in Judges 3...but mainly for grotesque reasons;

* a female judge (Deborah - Judges 4);

* the parable of the soils (Check out yesterday's sermon for more info if you so desire);

* all sorts of cosmology-related items that we learn about Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed man;

* what in the world 'cosmology' is (hint: it in no way involves beauty school);

* and much, much more.

But instead of trying to cram a ton into this space, let me offer one verse that has stood out to me since I came across it last week. I even underlined it in my Bible (which, in case no one has told you, is completely acceptable to do). It's found back in Joshua 21:45 which reads, "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

I find this verse poignant because of how we may pray for something for a few days and if we see no movement we begin to wonder if God is listening. For centuries the people of God had waited to receive the land God had promised their father Abraham. And finally, God fulfilled that very promise. Many had lived and died never getting to see this promise fulfilled. Yet even though it was not in a time frame most of the Israelites would have preferred, God came through.

Perhaps you need to underline that verse in your Bible, and re-read it next time you wonder if God is listening, or if He'll come through for you.