Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures

They are interesting part to me.

God gave the Ten Commandments and several laws about altars and servants to Moses.

Also God wrote the tablets of stone, but Moses broke them because the Israelites made and bow down the golden calf.

However, God made the new stone tablets.

Who is the father of Joshua?

Nun

What are the three annual feasts which God tells to celebrate?

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Harvest

The Feast of Ingathering

In reading Proverbs, I don’t see it as a do “X” to obtain “Y” for that would signify one’s ability to control or manipulate God. Yet, I see Proverbs as a guide for righteous living. Proverbs provides a steady compass which to guide one’s journey. Does every child that has been given righteous instruction grow up and follow the path? No, but many do return back to the foundation of God that was instilled in them as a child. Proverbs, filled with wisdom and understanding, shapes the mold of modern day common sense and thereby would benefit all to take notice. For I must admit, common sense does not appear to be that common. So although A + B = C may not always be the case, if one does A and B the possibility of C occuring is far greater than never doing A and B from the start.

The palmists are not afraid to let their emotions flow through and have a one-on-one talk with God. I think a valuable lesson is demonstrated by the psalmists. We can strive to have a real and personal relationship with God through Christ by not placing artifical boundaries between ourselves and God. Everday is not filled with the pleasantries we desire and there is no need to bottle the disappointments of life inside. It’s OK to have a heart to heart conversation with God, letting him know our hopes, hurts, struggles and pains. After all if we can’t be real with our risen Lord and Savior, who can we trust?

Ezra describes the mixed emotions at the renovation of the Temple. (Ezra 3:12) The “old people”  cried in anguish when they remembered the former glory of the Temple.  Steven Schafer commented on the General Dischord. Steven’s reflections caused me to read with new appreciation Aryn Baker’s article “The Generational Divide” It makes one wonder how generational studies should shape the language of faith and the studies of the church today and tomorrow.

The book of Proverbs has multiple verses that describe the interaction between the king and his subjects.  Some of these verses argue that the reign of the king is “established through righteousness” (16:12).  Other verses speak of the king’s wrath and might (16:14-15).  Each “empire statement” is made with certain assumptions in mind.  First, the king is in charge.  He is not to be questioned or vexed in any way.  Second, God established the monarchy.  There is no separation of cult and state; the cult and state serve each other’s interests.  This second claim is problematic.  The author of I Samuel views the establishment of the monarchy as a rejection of Yahweh’s authority.  The book of Exodus appears to be very anti-empire.  There are conflicting views throughout Scripture on this issue.

Pro-empire statements are also made in the New Testament.  Paul argues that Christians are to obey governmental authorities because they are placed in their positions by God for the good of Christians.  However, we must remember that Paul was a Roman citizen who benefited from the empire on more than one occasion.  In contrast, we have Peter and the apostles in Acts 4-5.  Peter argues that we must obey God rather than men.

When we see statements that support the empire, we must remember who is writing these statements.  Often, a high ranking official or someone who has directly benefited from the empire in some way.  However, I would argue that the empire is always self-serving.  The empire will always oppress the weak and the poor for its own ends.  This is very different from my understanding of the kingdom of God.  God is on the side of the oppressed and the poor.  For those of us who call themselves his followers, we must side with the poor…not the empire.

Discuss the use of tensions in the Wisdom literature:  How do you use the various voices of Scripture?

After reading through Proverbs, I have a greater appreciation for the theological tension seen throughout Scripture.  Proverbs presents a common-sense approach to life.  If you do X, then Y will happen.  Work hard and you will be wealthy…and the wealthy have friends while poor people do not.  Don’t chase after that wayward woman or she will ensnare you.  In many ways, Proverbs continues in the Deuteronomic tradition which argues that piety produces prosperity.  I do not dispute the claims made by the book of Proverbs.  However, these wise sayings are not promises direct from God that a righteous person can take to the bank.  The book of Job provides scathing criticism of the wisdom tradition.  As we preach from Scripture in our churches, we would do well to remember that there are multiple voices in the Bible and each deserves to be heard.  When read together, with all their dissonance, these voices provide a more accurate understanding of the kingdom of God.

Which Psalm says that God will sieze the infants of the Babylonians and dash them against the rocks?

Psalm 137