Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures

The following exerts are taken from a exegetical paper my colleague, Gary Price, and I prepared on Amos 4:1-5.

Amos 4.1-5 is a passage dealing with Israel during the reign of king Jeroboam II. Israel had gained political independence and momentary peace from their surrounding enemies. During this time they achieved a period of great prosperity; however, a rift between the rich and the poor developed. The rich began to use the court system just as Jezebel had to oppress the poor and take the properties and goods they desired. Amos, from the region of Tekoa which is known for wisdom, rises up and goes to the Northern Kingdom to proclaim judgment from the Lord against their atrocities. This passage gives us insight into the societal conditions of the time. Moreover, we glean the injustices that were taking place triggering the judgment brought by Amos against the offenders via the word of the Lord.

 In light of the context, it can apply to the world as a whole, but this passage speaks to the Christian nation in an even more direct sense. We, like Israel, are chosen to be ambassadors in the world. Yet at times, we like Israel have neglected our responsibility as ambassadors. The passage emphasizes God’s concern for the poor and outcast of society. Therefore, Amos issues a call to serve humbly and care for those who are in need by lifting them up oppose to treading on them. We must not consider ourselves better than others because of our social status or our financial success. Our offering must be pleasing to God, it must be from the heart, or else it will not be an acceptable one. The passage also speaks to the notion of divine favor found in the health and wealth gospel. Clearly, wealth does not always imply spiritual success or God’s favor.

In Ezekiel 46-47 the them of inheritance is emphasized. We are reminded of Israel being given the Promised Land as an inheritance based on election by God. In these two chapters the rules (or do’s and don’ts) are reviewed and revised in light of the forthcoming restoration of Israel in Babylonian captivity. Although the prince may pass his inheritance on to his sons in which the rights to the inheritance then pass on to their descendants, the prince does not have the right to give his inheritance to those outside of the elect (even that inheritance given as a gift to his servant is only temporary).

Yet in chapter 47 God is doing a new thing as evidenced by those who are considered aliens living among the Israelites. The aliens are to be considered “native-born” Israelites thus sharing in the election of Israel which qualifies them to receive an allotment of the Israelite inheritance. So while a more inclusive inheritance occurs with the acceptance of aliens, the manner in which this takes place remains exclusive under the guise of election.

Moreover, in these chapters we find evidence of Claus Westermann’s hermeneutic of “deliverance and blessing.” God promises not only to deliver Israel from their captivity, he also promises to bless them with their prior inheritance of the land. Election certainly has its benefits.

I find it interesting in Jeremiah 29 the Israelites are encouraged to pray for the prosperity of Babylon. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (v. 7b) After being taken into captivity and stripped of everything that symbolized home and identity, the prophetic word given to Jeremiah for the exiles is to pray that the Lord blesses those who have misused and abused them. 

So why would God want his people to pray for those responsible for their destruction? Why not just pray for God to wipe them off the face of the earth? Yet none of these logic deductions are rendered as instructions from the Lord. Maybe this is an ironic call to Ecclesiastes where both wisdom and folly are meaningless (both having the same fate). For the exiles, both the captor and the captive will experience prosperity as their fates are intertwined. Or maybe this is a living experience of Israel casting its bread upon the waters trusting God to return it back unto them again.

In an attempt to relate to this passage I think back on the Civil Rights Movement, championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe his life’s work provides an ocular demonstration of praying for one’s enemies with the hope of being blessed out of their blessings (of understanding, compassion, repentance). The transformation of the heart toward God is a powerful event that has far reaching ramifications. Now I know one might suggest I am taking a big leap between the exiles being instructed to pray for Babylon and the possibility of salvation of Babylon. Yet is this not the same type of logic that is countered within the verse itself? Surely after God demonstrating that he is capable of blessing Israel through its enemies, we will not attempt to limit who God can and will bless spiritually.

Perhaps this passage calls for serious refection regarding our faith in God. We confess to believe in God’s sovereignty and providence. We confess that all humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. Yet do we really trust God enough to pray for the blessings of our enemies such that through their blessings we might be blessed? Can God really bring about prosperity for his people through the prosperity of the wicked?

I am convinced through my enemy’s transformation of an encounter with God, those who come in contact with him/her will be blessed. So the next time I feel slighted, crossed or even assaulted, instead of picking up the attitude of payback, defense or ill will, I choose to arm myself with the mindset of praying for the prosperity of my antagonist. Who knows, we both just might be blessed in the process.

In 2 Samuel 7, we read of God calling Nathan to tell David to build a temple.  This is a great story!  God has come to Nathan in a dream and told him to go to David and so that David can build a home for God.  Up to this point, the Ark has been dwelling in tents or tabernacles but God is calling for a home.  Could that have been an easy task?  I imagine the conversation would have sounded something like, “Um, David.  God told me that you need to build him a house”.  Can you imagine what was going through Nathans mind or how he might have been feeling?  Scared, anxious, excited?  I’m not sure how he felt, but I’m pretty sure I would have been scared to death!  I think it’s interesting that God comes to people with very frightening tasks.  God calls us to big things.  If we’re not scared to death, are we living the life we are called to live?  Does God trust us and our faith with the big things?  As weird as it is, we should be scared everyday!  We are called to live a life reflective of God and his tasks in the world…that’s scary!

We have all read the story of Samuel’s calling, even before coming to Truett.  It’s an amazing story of God speaking, audibly, to Samuel and Samuel in return responding out of service to God’s specific call on his life.  As I was reading this wonderful story yet again, I couldn’t help but think of my own calling and just how different the two are.

I’m sure everyone would agree that a calling like Samuel’s would have been wonderful!  Rather than my calling in which I was forced to do some sort of interpreting, Samuel heard exactly from God’s mouth.  What a story for the kids!  I can’t help but be amazing and just a little jealous of Samuel here.  Would an audible call made a difference in the way I live my life.  Probably.  It’s interesting to think about.

During the call of Isaiah (Chapter 6), we witness the theophany and divine election of the prophet by God. Yet just as we are ready to give Isaiah a high five for stepping up to the plate and taking on the role of a messenger, God provides a twist to the story. The message God has in store for Isaiah to proclaim to the people of Israel will not be “heard” or “seen.” Imagine God calling you to his service and then informing you that “Oh, by the way no one will listen to what you have to say.” Truly the fact Isaiah continues to remain faithful to his call, speaks volumes to his motivation for carrying out the call. Serving God is not about being liked, well received or in Isaiah’s case even heard. Serving God involves dedication and motivation towards God, realizing the opportunity to serve the Creator of both heaven and earth is reward enough. Prehaps now is the time to take inventory of self by asking one’s self : What’s your motivation?

throughout the beginning of Judges, we read over and over of how once a leader died, the people would again back-track and fall back into Baal worship.  the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?  i can’t help but think about our churches today.  we honor and glorify our pastors beyond belief and we are devastated when they leave.  to an extent, that’s normal and a part of church life.  but what i am concerned about is this pedestal that we place our ministers on.  we have probably all been to a church in which, when a minister leaves the church falls apart.  whether it’s a pastor, a youth minister, or another important leader, there will always be some who fall away because they feel abandoned or lost without that person.  for me, it was my youth minister in high school.  when he left, so did i.  when i left, i fell back into moral disrepair, much like the Israelites.  each time, the “Baal” in my life seemed much more appealing than feeling hurt in church.

what amazes me most when reading through the scriptures is that the people within this book are really human and we really haven’t learned that much from history.

Reading through Joshua, the author simply states in one short passage that the “new” Israelites were the descendants of the “original” Israelites.  In chapter 5, the author explains that the people crossing the river are the descendants of those who disobeyed earlier. As i was reading this, i couldn’t help but put myself in their shoes – my dad did what?

I can imagine the stories around the camp fire.  Some heard the story this way, while others heard it told like this.  As the rumors were floating around throughout the camp, there is a resounding disbelief in the camp.  Talk about being punished for the sins of your father!   We’ve all had those moments when we can’t believe that others don’t see what we see very clearly.  Is that what they were feeling?

In the midst of whatever was going on, they come together, celebrate the rituals, and find a common ground to go forward.  That is what God has called us to do.  Find the way, come together, and make a move.

Well, i read Ecclesiastes and was i disappointed….. I don't understand why the author says what he says.  To the original audience, what did they understand?  They had no view of the afterlife, concluding that life was here an now only.  For this reasons, i don't understand Ecclesiastics and, in away, view it useless unless read in a conical context. The author argues that everything is meaningless because in the end it all goes away .  There is no reason for wealth or fame or talent because they will fade away.   The only true ting (meaningful thing) is a relationship with God.  Yet to me, a relationship with God (if life only exists till death) is also manginess and should be put into the same category as wealth or fame. Reading Ecclesiastes by itself is like watching a 3d movies without the proper 3d glasses If we read Ecclesiastes through the lens of scripture then the truth is finally reviled.

I’ve often wondered why we (myself included) can read over and over the text of Deut. 15 which deals with giving to the poor, yet continue to ignore the problem.  Chances are, we have all passed a homeless person or family on the interstate wanting money or even food.  Instead of stopping to help, give, or pray with that person, we continue driving, perhaps thinking briefly, “how pitiful”.  I feel like it’s pretty clear cut what God is calling us to do, “open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be” and to “open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land” – the later was even given as a command from the Lord.  So the question is, why is the action lost in translation?  Why do we still not give and do as commanded by God?  From my experience in working with the poor, it is easier for us to forget or pity them rather than reach out our hand to help.  Attitudes range from, “they deserve it” or “they’re  lazy”, or even “just get a job”.  Is it that simple?  I’ve got a bachelors and one master’s degree and the job market was hard for me.  Why can’t we simply do as God has commanded and give as if we are giving to God?  It’s a challenge that I hear and also have a hard time putting into action. But God’s command is clear.  Now what??