Questions for March

For the Hebrew Scriptures and the Psalms:

Now that you are more than half way through the Pentateuch do you have a sense why these books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) are so important to Jews?

Much of the second half of the Pentateuch has to deal with laying down the laws and order that Israel will follow once they cross over into the Promised Land. Do these laws seem onerous to you or do they seem important for Israel's new community life? Some of the punishments (such as stoning for adultery) seem extreme to modern ears. Why do you think some crimes were punished so harshly?

The Psalms have long been considered the Church's hymnbook, not just because they offer praise of God, but because they contain all the human emotions from joy to rage. Have you been surprised how strong some of the emotions are?

For the New Testament:

If you are currently reading Luke, you are reading the only childhood stories of Jesus in the gospels. Why do you think so few of the childhood stories have been recorded in the gospels?

Think back to Matthew and compare the nativity stories in Matthew and Luke. Have you noticed that Matthew tells the story of Jesus' birth from the perspective of Joseph, Luke from the perspective of Mary?

Beginning a Third Month

As the Book of Numbers begins to wind down and Deuteronomy picks up, we hear more of the final preparations for entering into the Promised Land. Moses attempts to organize the people -- who seem to mightily resist organization -- and battles are fought.

Psalm 51, the great Lenten psalm which we heard Sunday sung by the choir as the Miserere mei, Deus, pops up this week in our reading, a truly divine coincidence in scheduling.

And if you are following the schedule I recommended some time ago (Matthew, Romans, Mark, I & II Corinthians, Luke, Acts...) you are in the early chapters of Mark; and if you're following the Bible Challenge schedule you are in the early chapters of Luke. In either case, you are reading Jesus' early teachings.

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Lent Begins

Today, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent is a great day to join us in the Bible Challenge if you have not already done so. Click on the Center for Biblical Studies link to the right for a schedule of where we currently are in our reading, or just begin with Genesis 1, Psalm 1 and Matthew 1 -- 3 OT chapters, 1 psalm and 1 New Testament chapter a day. You'll catch up.

The Old Testament readings for today -- Numbers 12-14 -- speak well to the beginning of Lent. Israel is on the verge of coming into the promised land and in spite of this great blessing the people act, well, like people, complaining among themselves, becoming jealous, thinking maybe it was better just to have stayed in Egypt.

Psalm 44 is beautifully paired with the readings from Numbers.

And, if you are following the Bible Challenge schedule you are beginning Luke and hearing the story of the Annunciation, a new promise for the world.

If you're following my recommended schedule of reading Romans after Matthew, you are today finishing Romans, nearing the end of Paul's argument that the good news of Jesus is for all people. All of these readings are great material for Lenten meditations.

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Open Forum

How is your reading going?  Do you have any general comments or reflections to share?  Let us know by clicking on the word "comments" in red next to the date at the end of this post.

And plan to stop in at the next brief Bible Challenge update meeting in the Reception Room after the 10:30 service on Sunday, March 4 to share your experiences and ask any questions you may have!

February Considerations: The New Testament

If you have begun to read The Gospel of Mark this month note how choppy and abrupt the gospel sounds. Favorite words are "immediately" or (in the King James Version) "straightway." Why do you think the gospel is in such a hurry, jumping from scene to scene?

And, if you are following the alternate suggestion of reading Romans this month, you are reading what is considered one of the most complicated books in the New Testament. Romans sets out the heart of St. Paul's philosophy, his belief that the good news of Christ has come for Jews as well as non-Jews, Gentiles. Some have suggested Paul is setting aside Judaism, but note as you read Romans the great love and respect Paul has for Judaism and how important he believes Judaism is to the development of Christian thought.

February Considerations: The Psalms

Many of the psalms are known as lamentations, or complaints brought to God -- complaints against enemies as well as complaints even against God. The language of the psalms is somethings accusatory, wagging a finger at enemies and again, even at God. Note that no matter how strong the language of the psalm, the psalm always ends with praise of God. Even in the midst of trouble, the psalmist cannot help but praise God.

February Considerations: The Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament

The Old Testament readings for February focus on Leviticus and Numbers, portions of what are known as the "Holiness Code." This is a portion of the Old Testament people tend to skip over, but these chapters are fundamental for setting Israel apart as a people. Their intent is to establish guidelines for an orderly life for Israel, by setting forth rituals for community worship as well as directives on personal life.

Think about the unspoken rules and guidelines we follow in our community and personal life as you read through these verses which sometimes appear to be particularly rigid.