Clean and Unclean: A Reflection on Infection

I have been dealing with a severe skin condition for nearly three weeks.  It started out as a round spot on my calf about the size of a quarter.  I noticed another similar spot on my other leg, then on my ankle, then another spot appeared on my upper arm.  I had been trying to treat it with anti-fungal creams, thinking that it was ringworm.  I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with impetigo.  I was prescribed a round of antibiotics, which should have gotten rid of it.  Instead, the spots kept multiplying and began to turn into terrible, large angry-looking rashes.  I began to itch and break out on my arms as well.  A return visit brought me a second round of a different antibiotic and a referral to a dermatologist.  I learned that this was contagious and could be spread either by direct contact or indirectly through reusing towels or even clothing.  I was very careful not to spread it and began washing with antibacterial soap.   When I went to see the dermatologist, he said that it looked like I was having some sort of allergic reaction to something and prescribed a couple of steroidal creams.  These finally began to get the itching and pain under control as the rashes slowly subsided.   It appears I had two different problems hitting me at the same time!  

This experience reminded me of our recent daily Bible readings from Leviticus.  In the book of Leviticus, there is a lot of instruction concerning being clean and unclean.  Touching certain things rendered one unclean, which prohibited certain activities and places.  With all of the instruction about being clean and unclean, I became curious how many times the word, “unclean” shows up in the Bible.  A quick search showed that “unclean” shows up 93 times in Leviticus, 15 times in Numbers, and less than a handful in the rest of the books of the Bible.  Purity is a major theme in the Old Testament Levitical law.

I have tried to make sense of the rules for uncleanliness in the Old Testament.  Some of them appear to be hygienic.  Touching a dead carcass would render a person unclean, which fits in with what we know about germs and biology.  Having a skin condition would also render a person unclean.  They had to be quarantined until the skin condition cleared up and they were declared clean again after the prescribed ritual for cleansing. 

However, there are some things that seem to have little to do with hygiene.  There were certain animals that were declared to be unclean and could therefore not be eaten.  For instance, things such as catfish, pigs, and rabbit are all considered unclean.  There does not appear to be any biological reason for this.  Furthermore, under the New Testament, the Bible says, “Do not call unclean what God has made clean” (Acts 10:15).  Things that were considered unclean under the old law are no longer considered unclean under the new law.  Did the biology of the unclean animals suddenly change in the New Testament?  Obviously not.  Therefore, it is apparent that these purity laws were not primarily about physical health and hygiene, although some of them obviously had health benefits.  So, what were they about?  What ties them all together?

According to the Old Testament, the priest was to “to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and to teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them through Moses” (Lev 10:10-11).   The Israelites were to be instructed to “distinguish between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the clean, and you must not make yourselves detestable by means of an animal or bird or anything that creeps on the ground—creatures I have distinguished for you as unclean. You must be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the other peoples to be mine” (Lev 20:25-26).

This demonstrates that holiness is what ties all of the purity laws together in the Old Testament.  God is holy, and therefore his people need to be holy.  As a result, there was a holiness matrix that applied to every facet of life.  The people needed to approach every part of life with this matrix.  Although some of the purity laws appeared to have a biological component, the primary emphasis is on training for holiness.  Some things were declared clean or unclean for no other reason other than God declared them so.  The overall message is that the people needed to approach all of life in terms of what is holy and clean vs. what is not holy and unclean.

What do we do with this as Christians who look at the world from a New Testament perspective?  After all, what was considered unclean has now been made clean.  In fact, the New Testament explicitly says that “8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do” (1 Cor 8:8).  So what should we do concerning these purity laws?  Do we simply cast them aside, or is there something for us as Christians?

Consider what the New Testament says about the Old Testament:

“They [Old Testament rituals] serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Heb 8:5).

“… the law has but a shadow of the good things to come” (Heb 10:1)

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Heb 3:24-25).

Passages such as things tell us that the law of the Old Testament was intended to be temporary shadows of what was to come.  It serves as a tutor to teach us about some eternal truths.  What timeless truths do the Old Testament laws concerning what is clean and unclean teach us?  

Purity is still a major concern in the New Testament.  As the Israelites were to be careful not to become unclean by touching or consuming what is unclean, we need to also be careful in a similar way.  For Christians, this is not primarily about a biological or physical contaminant, but a mental, social and spiritual one.  This has to do with the influences in our lives and our behavior.

One representative passage that deals with this in the New Testament is from 2 Corinthians:

“14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. 7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Cor 6:14-7:1)

You can see the use of the purity language from the Old Testament in this New Testament teaching.  We are to “be separate” and “touch no unclean thing.”  This passage urges Christians to remember to be clean, undefiled, and holy.  This means being careful about not being yoked together with those who have not accepted Christ as Lord.  This prolonged contact can cause a spiritual impurity that is more devastating that impetigo or any other physical disease.  It can slowly destroy faith in a way that is so slow and gradual that it is virtually undetectable until it is too late.  If this happens, the Bible says that a person is worse off than those who had never become a Christian in the first place.  Consider this passage:

“20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2 Peter 2:20-21).

Notice the purity language in this passage.  One who had escaped defilement, only to be “re-defiled” is far worse off than those who had never been purified to begin with.  Staying holy and pure is of the utmost importance.  This is why it is so important to remember God’s purity and holiness principles when it comes to dating, marriage, friendships, partnerships, government, etc..  

Of course, this must be balanced with our call to engage the world in Christian service along with the message of Christ.  We must remember that we are called to be the “salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13).  As we engage the world, we must not lose our “saltiness.”  This means that we need to always influence the world with our actions and message and not the other way around. 

Outside influences are not the only thing that threatens our holiness and purity.  Impurity can also come from withing.  Another passage dealing with purity and defilement comes from the book of Matthew.

16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. 17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you” (Mt 15:16-20).

It may seem strange that something that comes from within you can defile you.  This reminds me of what the doctor told me about my impetigo.  She said it came from the bacteria that already existed on my body.  When I get a scratch, abrasion, or some other skin break, the bacteria then goes through the opening and causes the infection.  A similar thing happens when we allow thoughts of murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander to come out of the opening of our mouth.  Jesus said that this defiles us.  It is important for us to cleanse ourselves of evil thoughts through prayer and reflection so that they do not go any further and wind up making us unclean with a spiritual infection.  

I am reminded of the saying, “cleanliness is next to godliness.”  Spiritual and purity are of God.  The first step to purity is acceptance of Jesus as Lord.  The New Testament says that only the blood of Christ can purify our conscience (Heb 9:14).  Jesus is the only one that gives us a new heart and a new spirit through his atoning work on the cross.  Only Jesus can save us from the corruption of sin that brings death.  This salvation takes place when we accept him as Lord and accept him in baptism.  The New Testament says that “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21).  The water does not cleanse our impure conscience, which is why we must appeal to our Lord for a clean conscience.  Our Lord begins his transforming and purifying work he moment we accept him as our Lord in baptism.

One we have been purified by the blood of Christ, we must stay and grow in that holiness.  Philippians 4:8 says that our minds must dwell on what is pure.  James 4:8 says we must reject being double-minded and purify our hearts.  2 Corinthians 7:1 says that we must cleanse ourselves from every defilement and bring holiness to completion in the fear of God.  2 Timothy 2:21 says that when we have been cleansed from what is dishonorable, then we become a vessel for honor that is useful to our Lord.  With this purity comes a blessing.  Jesus declared, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).

God had not given us the same kind of holiness matrix that he gave to Israel.  We are not made unclean by physical items or food.  However, we do have a spiritual holiness matrix.  We are called as Christians to distinguish between the holy and the unclean.  We are instructed to be aware of where and how we find sources of impurity.  They can come from around us or even within us.  We are directed to take necessary steps to be purified and to stay pure.  We must cling to what is good and let go of what corrupts us.  As Christians who have been purified by the blood of Christ, we need to engage in ongoing purifying activities that include things such as reflection, repentance, confession, and prayer.

The Pursuit of Wisdom

I remember the experiments in the lab with the oscilloscope, schematics, and the circuits on the bench.  Unlike my liberal arts education from college, this was technical training at a technical school.  I never thought of it as the pursuit of wisdom.  In my mind, learning and growing in wisdom was something that came at the feet of a sage or guru.

Eventually, I discovered the biblical view of wisdom was much more expansive than this.  People who were called “wise” or “wise men” included those skilled at making clothes (Ex 28:2), builders and craftsmen (Ex 31:3), and those who were educated to serve in the court of the king (Ex 7:11; Dan 2:12). “Wise men” was a technical term to refer to those who had been educated with knowledge and skill, whether it be technical or philosophical.

This came to mind as I was reading in Genesis 3:6 for my daily Bible reading.  Part of the motivation for eating the fruit of the tree that God had prohibited was that it was “desirable to make one wise.”  Is there some inherent problem with the pursuit of wisdom?  What does the Bible say?  According to Proverbs 4:7, “The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom.”  This tells us a very important fact about wisdom.  Wisdom does not fall into one’s lap.  Wisdom does not come automatically with age.  Many people know an aged fool and a wise youth.  This demonstrates that in order to find wisdom, one must “cry out” for it, and search for it diligently as one searches for hidden treasure   Proverbs 2 says that to gain wisdom, one must cry out for insight (Prov 2:3), seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure (Prov 2:4).

Eve wanted to be wise, smart, insightful, and knowledgeable, which is something the Bible encourages.  However, the Bible also teaches in Proverbs 1:7 that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  True wisdom cannot be found without God.  Passages such as Proverbs 1:3, 2:9, and 9:9 makes clear that wisdom and righteousness go hand in hand. Eve engaged in unrighteousness by trying to gain wisdom apart from God. In Genesis 4:17-24, mankind began to gain wisdom in various branches of wisdom such as city building, farming, music, and metal work.  However, along with an increase in skill, knowledge, and learning came an increase in wickedness, violence, and runaway vengeance.  In Genesis 6:5 it says that their thoughts and inclinations were on evil continually.  The world became filled with wickedness and violence. 

This reminds me of a quotation from C.S. Lewis: “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.”  Genesis 3:1-6:5 demonstrated this clearly and it is still happening today.  Nuclear power is useful, but humans have also used it to build bombs that can wipe out humanity.  Medical research is useful, but it can also be used to create killer viruses and wage germ warfare.  Things such as these demonstrate the “secular” pursuit of wisdom that makes man hideously crafty and smart.  Instead of leading to a utopia, it leads to social chaos, violence, and ultimately death and both the physical and spiritual level.  We see this demonstrated in Adam and Eve and in the generations that came after them all the way up to the flood.

This should be a sobering reminder that for Christians there should be no such thing as a “secular” pursuit of knowledge, skill, or wisdom.  All of it must be in honor, service, and faithfulness to God the creator, sustainer and redeemer.

Daily Bible Reading Reflection - "The Earth Was Ruined" (Gen 6)

Sometimes reading from a different translation leads to renewed insights and appreciation for the message.  Genesis chapter 6 paints a picture of a world where mankind has multiplied and filled it.  It mentions the Nephilim who were the ancient warriors of renown.  The New English translation does not translate Nephilim.  I remember older translation used to translate it as giants.  As I understand, the reason for this is that the Israelites called the inhabitants of Canaan, “Nephilim,” and declared that they were as grasshoppers compared to them.  It seems to me that the Israelites were exaggerating due to fear, and used the scariest word they could think of to describe the Canaanites, which would have been the Nephilim of Genesis 6.  

The Hebrew root behind the Nephilim,  N-PH-L, means “to fall.”  It should be translated as, “fallen ones.”  They may have in fact been large, strong, and scary people.  However, this is not something that comes from the word, “Nephilim,” but comes from the description of them in the text.

In Genesis 4, we see that men began to build cities, work metal, create music, and engage in the sorts of things you would expect in the building of a cultural civilization.  The text describes the Nephilim as “gibborim ‘asher me’olam” which means warriors or heroes of ancient times, and as “enoshey hashem” which means men of the name/reputation.  These designations do not appear to have been criticisms.

I would imagine that by human standards, mankind along with his technological and military progress was impressive.  This may not be unlike the way things are today.  Our technology allows us to do things that would have been unthinkable just a few short generations ago.  Our military might is unmatched compared to where things were in the 18th and 19th centuries.  

However, a word jumped out at me as I was reading the New English translation of Genesis 6.  Verse 11 says that, “The earth was ruined in the sight of God; the earth was filled with violence”  The word, “ruined” is probably not how mankind saw things.  The violence might have been so commonplace that it did not shock or bother people as much as it should have.  The next verse goes on to say that, “God saw the earth, and indeed it was ruined, for all living creatures on the earth were sinful.”

God saw from a completely different lens than mankind.  Mankind, who God had tasked with having dominion over and governing the world in service to the good God and creator, had ruined it all due to sin.  Lack of morals, ethics, and righteousness ruins God’s good world.

Another word that jumped out at me from Genesis 6 is from verse 6, where it says that “The LORD regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended.”  Other translations give the softer translation of, “…and he was deeply grieved/troubled” or something like this.  However, God’s subsequent actions of wiping out the earth by flood suggests that “offended” is a better translation that conveys the sheer insult sin brings to God.  Understanding this helps us to appreciate his grace and his mercy even more!

I am also struck by the fact that God tasks Noah and his family with not only building an ark for themselves, but also to preserve male and female specimens of the various types of animals on the earth.  This demonstrates that type of responsibility that God has placed into the hands of mankind when he told mankind they were to rule over the earth.  As God’s stewards, mankind is to care for the earth responsibly in service to God.  This means that discovering and exploitation of its resources must be done thoughtfully and responsibly.

This causes me to reflect.  What should the earth look like when it is NOT ruined?   In reflecting on this, I looked up some words that mean the opposite of ruined, and they include: “build, construct, create, fix, heal, mend, repair, adorn, beautify, protect.”  When we build marriage, families, and communities, the beauty of it all comes not from sound infrastructure, but from sound spiritual structure.  The beauty of holiness, righteousness, and devotion to God is the foundation of life.  Indeed, Jesus declared in John 17:3 that eternal life is knowing God and his son.

Trapped

I recently read a news story about a stuck Raccoon inside a snack vending machine at a Florida High School.  Authorities believe that he entered the machine through the bottom door of the vending machine.  Since the only way to open it is to push at the door from the outside, the Raccoon was stuck once he entered the machine.  School officials called animal control to come and deal with the trapped creature.  They unplugged the machine, wheeled the vending machine outside, then opened so the Raccoon could make his mad dash to freedom.

This illustrates the nature of temptation and sin.  In John 8:34, Jesus said that anyone who commits a sin is a slave to sin.  Temptation lures you closer and closer until you enter into sin and are trapped.  No matter how hard you try, you cannot break free.  You cannot go back and "un-sin."  You cannot turn back the clock and undo what you have done.  The only hope is for someone who is not also trapped to come along and rescue you.  The only one that can do this is Jesus.  After pointing out that anyone who sins becomes a slave to sin, he points out, "But if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

The sad thing is that many do not realize they are trapped.  They are surrounded by goodies that make it seem as though they have hit the jackpot.  For a season, life is a party.  However, this does not last forever.  At some point, the goodies spoil and perish.  The ultimate result of sin is eternal death.

How to Be Rescued

How fortunate that Jesus came to rescue us from sin!  Jesus is the one who provided a way to break the chains of bondage to sin.

1) Jesus Provides the Way.  1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

He died for our sins, and therefore enables us to be freed from sin.  He is the only one that could die for our sins and free us from sin for two reasons:  a) He himself did not sin, and therefore is without sin.  Hebrews 4:15 says he was tempted as we are tempted, but without sin.  Since he is not trapped in sin, he can free us.  b) He is our Creator and Lord, and only he can forgive sins.  In Mark 2:7, we are reminded that God is the one who can forgive sins.  Jesus demonstrated in Mark 2:1-12, that he has the authority to forgive sins.  The reason he has that authority, is because he is God.  This is why scriptures such as John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9-10; and 1 John 5:20 make clear that Jesus is God.

2) When We Become Freed.  Romans 6:3-7 says, "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin."

When we are baptized, we are buried with Christ and sin is done away with.  Jesus frees us from our sins.  We are no longer enslaved to sin!

Staying Free

Never again do I need to be entrapped in sin.  As one who walks with Christ, there are three biblical instructions to keep in mind concerning sin

1) Flee from Sin.  Passages such as 2 Tim 2:22; 1 Tim 6:11; and 1 Cor 6:18; say to "flee" from sin.  Do no flirt with what tempts you.  Do not try to get as close to the edge as possible without stepping over the line.  The only way to be sure that you do not become trapped again is to flee from temptation and sin.  There are warnings in the Bible that point out that it is worse to have been freed from sin and then to be trapped again.  Hebrews 6:4-6 says, "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance."  2 Peter 2:20-22 says, "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” "  The warnings are clear, stay far away from the path to sin.

2) Time in the Word.  In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness when he was physically vulnerable.  However, even in the weakness of his flesh, his mind, will, and spirit was strong because he already had a habit of spending time in the word.  Each temptation Satan threw at him was instinctively met with God's word to ward it off.  In our struggle against sin, the Bible tell us to put on the fall armor of God.  Ephesians 6:17 says that part of that equipment is the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  Satan was successful at fending of the Devil's temptation because he had mastered the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  It is important for us to do so as well.

3) Be with the Brethren.  The primary reason for the church to assemble together is to encourage and build each other up.  1 Corinthians 14:26 says that "When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."  This means that we build each other up.  We cannot do this if we do not assemble.  Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "…let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…"  We need to get together to encourage each other.  It is very difficult to successfully stand up to temptation alone.  Therefore, we need to assemble together regularly so that we can encourage the brethren, and they can encourage us.

What Now?

If I am not a Christian, I need to ask myself if I have allowed Christ to free me from my sin.  Have I accepted him as my crucified and risen savior and Lord?  Have I been buried with him so that he will free me from bondage to my sin.

If I am a Christian, I need to ask myself if I flee from anything that tempts me to be unfaithful to God?  Do I spend prayerful time in the word?  Do I make a habit of forsaking assembling together?  Do I encourage my brethren to faithfulness?

Thank you Lord, for providing a way for freedom!

Bible Reading Reflection (Lev 1-8)

The New Testament states that the things written before are for our learning.  The law is a school master to lead us to Christ.  Even though we are not under the law that was given specifically to Israel, and not to the church, there are still vivid lessons to learn.  I need to slow down and read more carefully.  I need to ask, "What does this teach me about God, myself, and my relationship with God?"

I am struck by the fact that when there is sin among the people it is not just the priests that act on their behalf for atonement.  The elders are instructed to bring a bull for a sin offering.  Instead of pointing a finger and saying "they" sinned, the elders represent the people in making atonement for sin in the camp.  The offering required is larger than the offering required for any individual that sins. 

Unlike the sin offering for an individual, the blood is required to be brought into the sanctuary by the priest, sprinkled before the veil seven times, and put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar in the sanctuary.  The rest of the blood is to be poured at the base of the altar in front of the sanctuary, then burn the fat, kidneys, long lobe of the liver, and burn the rest of the carcass outside of the camp.

God doesn't give the specific rationale for all these details, but the vivid visual of all of this happening brings several things to mind.

First, there is the sheer gravity of sin.  Life blood offered before the Lord shows that sin is a matter of life and death.  Sin, which is disobedience to God, forfeits what God offers in fellowship to him, which includes life.  There are sin offerings, guilt offerings, the morning and evening offerings, and more.  I wonder how much blood there might have been over time before the veil in the sanctuary and on the horns of the incense altar, and on the altar in front of the sanctuary.  These blood stains would have been constant reminders of sin, and the danger that sin poses to life and fellowship with God.

Second, there is the condition of the heart.  God instructed that these offerings were for those who sinned "unintentionally."  This was not intended as a means by which one could buy his way into sinning willfully.  Perhaps this is why the offerings were to be from the flock or the fields, and not something they picked up from the wild that cost them nothing.  There is so much emphasis on "purity" in these passages, which are supposed to teach a lesson about remaining pure.  True purity is not mere ceremonial purity, but purity of the heart.  My desire should be to have a pure heart, as the Psalm says, "Create in me a pure heart O God."  Jesus said that the pure in heart will see God.  This reminds me that outward obedience to a ritual in itself does not magically remove sin.  Obedience must be obedience from the heart, rather than going through the motions as if the actions have some magical power in themselves.  God is not like this.  He is the living God and desires a change in heart.  Whether it is baptism, repentance, prayers of confession, I need to realize that it is much more than an outward ritual, but an inward submission of the will and heart to God.

Third, there is solidarity.  It seems that the attitude of the elders was to be to act on behalf of the people rather than to point a finger at them and separate themselves from them.  As shepherds, they took responsibility for the people as a whole.  It would be similar to elders in the church having a special prayer service where they confess to God that there is sin in the body and ask for forgiveness.  They prayer is not for them, but for "us" together as a people.  As a people, "we" have sinned.  It seems to me that there has to be an attitude of humility and solidarity in order to do this.  Pride and arrogance would cause me to think in terms of "them" rather than "us."  God redeemed a people, not just a bunch of separate individuals.  I tend to think more in terms of individual responsibility, which is definitely a biblical concept, but I do not tend this think in terms of collective responsibility and collective guilt, which is also a biblical concept.  As a leader in the body, I need to take this to heart.

Fourth, there is grace.  I usually don't hear Christians talk about this in terms of grace, but what else can it be?  God has declared that he is slow to anger and abundant in steadfast love.  It is covenant love.  Because of this, God provided a way for redemption and reconciliation.  These were not arbitrary rules, but show us some lessons we need to learn about sin.  Also, these are a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice.  This is not a sacrifice that we make, but one that the Lord makes for us.  Jesus, because of his steadfast love, offered not the blood of bulls and goats, but his own blood in order to provide eternal redemption.  The New Testament says that the blood of bulls and goats could never really take away sin.  They are a reminder of sin.  It is the blood of Jesus that once for all takes away sin.  This makes sense, because the only one that can forgive sins against our Lord is the Lord himself.  He offers his life for ours.  This shows in an even more vivid way the sheer gravity of sin along with the sheer gravity of God's undying love and loyalty to us.

Lord, may I see sin as you so.  Help me to be able to look past the initial enticement to see the devastation and death it brings.  Purify my heart.  May I learn to enjoy the pleasures of life in the way that you intended with joy, peace, and holiness.  The blood of the Lord offered for me?  For us?  How can it be? How great is your love!  How great is your loyalty!  How great is your mercy!  Thank you Lord for your patience. 

Bible Reading Reflection (Gen 38-41)

Why is chapter 38 here?  What a scandal!  Not sure what the takeaway is here.  I am immediately tempted to focus on Tamar and her sordid activity.  However, the text seems to focus on the unrighteousness of the men in the family.  Judah had left his brothers and became friends with an Adullamite, then took a Canaanite woman for a wife.  The text does not name her, though it does name her father.  Does this indicate disapproval in a subtle way?  Judah had three sons by this Canaanite woman, Er, Onan, and Shelah.  Judah procured a woman by the name of Tamar as a wife for Er.  Before Er and Tamar could have a son, God struck him down because he was wicked.  Onan, the next oldest brother, was to fulfill his duty to his older brother by fathering a child with Tamar that would be considered Er's son.  This strange custom was actually common in that part of the world.  Onan went in to Tamar and would sleep with her, but would spill his seed on the ground so that she would not get pregnant.  The text says it was because he knew the child would not be his.  Interestingly, Onan would have been next in line for the family inheritance, but this would not be the case if he fathered a son for his dead older brother.  Because of Onan's wicked actions, God struck him down as well.  Judah promised his daughter-in-law the remaining son, Shelah, as a husband when he was old enough to marry.  Judah then sent his daughter-in-law away back to her father's house.  In the meantime, Judah's Canaanite wife died.  When Shelah grew up, Judah did not give him to Tamar as a husband.  So, Tamar put on the garments of a cult prostitute, veiling herself, and sat by the road where Judah would be passing by.  She seduced him in disguise, and conceived.  Of course, when Judah found out Tamar was pregnant, he wanted to have her put to death.

Judah, like myself, wanted to condemn Tamar.  Curiously, when Judah found out what had happened, he declared Tamar "more righteous" than himself.  Which are the greater infractions in the story?  Judah had broken his promise and left his daughter-in-law with nothing.  In a world where women depend on husbands and/or sons for safety and survival, Judah left her with nothing at all.  Instead of treating her like a daughter that married into the family, he sent her away back to her father's house.  Out of sight - out of mind.  If he had her put to death, she would definitely be out of sight and out of mind.  Tamar cunningly forced Judah not to dismiss or discard her.

Tamar gave birth to Judah's offspring, twins.  The family line continued not through Shelah, but through the younger of Tamar's twins, Perez.

Maybe the point is not Tamar and whether she was right or wrong.  Maybe the focus in on Judah and his sons as negative examples.  Judah and his sons stand in stark contrast to Joseph, who demonstrated honor and integrity even as a slave and in prison.  Joseph could have given up on God during those years in an Egyptian prison, far from home with no prospects of returning.  But the text says that Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed him steadfast love and favor.  I don't have my Hebrew Bible handy, but I suspect "steadfast love" could be the Hebrew word, "hesed," which means covenant love and loyalty.  Joseph seemed to show love and loyalty to God, living honorably with integrity, even if it got him into trouble.  What a contrast!

Judah and his sons by the Canaanite woman seem to be examples of selfishness, dishonesty, dishonor, wickedness, and buddying up to the Canaanites, whom God had told Abraham he would dispossess from the land due to their ongoing wickedness.  They are also an example of not caring for your own.  The New Testament says that those who do not care for members of their household are worse than an infidel.

Lord, please do not let me focus so much on another's shortcomings that I become blind to my own faults.  Please help me to be an honorable person of my word that takes responsibility, even if it is difficult or dangerous.  Thank you Lord for taking care of us through the cross, and taking responsibility for your creation by carrying out your plan to provide a way of redemption and reformation.  Thank you for your patience and mercy.