Israel’s system of slavery was rehabilitative—designed to take people who were on the fringes of society and move them to the center. When we look at who sold themselves into servitude, we see people in social distress for various reasons. Some sold themselves due to indebtedness (Leviticus 25:39). Perhaps the debt came about through noContinue reading “Israel’s Law and Order (2)”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Israel’s Law and Order (1)
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups. The police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories. I would guess that most people are able to recognize the above as the words that open every episode of Law andContinue reading “Israel’s Law and Order (1)”
Holy Intimacy
Cherubim were everywhere in the tabernacle—no matter where you were you couldn’t escape their presence. If you stood in the holy place as the priests did, they were woven into its curtains (26:1). If you were passing from the holy place into the holy of holies as only the high priest could on the DayContinue reading “Holy Intimacy”
Paul, Gentleness and Gender
When Paul wants to talk about their gentleness among the Thessalonians he says, “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). It’s a beautiful picture of tenderness and it’s set in contrast to the idea that Paul showed up barking orders and giving commands. ThatContinue reading “Paul, Gentleness and Gender”
Ho Hum or Hallelujah?
When we get to the tabernacle, the priesthood, the sacrificial system, and all of the instructions relative to them; it seems overwhelming and quite strange to our way of thinking. The enormous amount of detail seems tedious while the elaborate ceremonies and rituals are so visceral that they seem hopelessly devoid of anything “spiritual.” I don’tContinue reading “Ho Hum or Hallelujah?”
Golden Calves
It seems that Israel’s intent wasn’t to create another god but to use the calf to represent the One who brought them out of Egypt (v. 4 and 8 can be translated in the singular). Aaron apparently understands it that way as it will be part of a festival to the Lord (v. 5). If thatContinue reading “Golden Calves”
Going Viral (Contagion)
The movie Contagion reminds us where the phrase going viral comes from. Set in the present, it tells the story of two organizations (the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization), trying to control the rapid spread of an unknown virus. But it’s not a sensationalistic, techno-thriller, with a single storyline of man vs. mutating virus. Instead, it’s severalContinue reading “Going Viral (Contagion)”
Big Stories and Little Stories
There are big stories and little stories. The little stories are about us. They are about where we were born, the family we grew up in, and other significant events in our life. They are rich, wonderful and engaging—but they are also profoundly lacking. Why? Because they have a beginning and an end. We areContinue reading “Big Stories and Little Stories”
Exodus and Freedom
A tennis player at the French Open had the words, “Mother,” “Champion,” “Queen,” and “Goddess” written on her attire. She was certainly a mother and a champion, but the last two probably belong in the category of if you have to tell people you are, then you probably aren’t. The “Queen” and “Goddess” didn’t makeContinue reading “Exodus and Freedom”
The Triumph of the Broken and Burdened
This piece is longer than usual but it deals with a pivotal text and topic in Paul’s ministry and in our lives. Paul hadn’t made the trip to Corinth he had written (and apparently talked) about (1 Corinthians 16:5-9; 2:1:15-17). Instead, he ended up making a quick, “painful visit” to them that didn’t go wellContinue reading “The Triumph of the Broken and Burdened”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 