Two days after the reading of the Law, the people again gather, this time to join together in confession. If the first action reflects the New Year, Rosh Hashannah, then this day represents the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippor.
In Nehemiah 9 the Levites lead the people to worship and praise God. Then Ezra leads Israel in prayer, a prayer that speaks to the apostasy of Israel and the faithfulness of God. The prayer seeks forgiveness for the past actions of Israel and seeks to lay the ground work for the renewal of the covenant. Ezra traces the history of God with Israel from the very beginning of Creation to Abraham to Egypt and the Wilderness, all the way to the Exile and now return.
Israel has been brought home to Jerusalem and now they return to the Covenant.
In Nehemiah 10, this return is further laid out. They will separate themselves from the peoples of the land, not intermarry and not follow syncretistic practices. They will also faithfully support the cultic traditions with their giving.
In essence, they agree to that which they should have done in the first place.
Psalm 78: 38-73
The Psalm continues its story of Israel and how God has cared for Israel even as they failed to follow and truly worship. It speaks of Israel's continual rebellion but ends with God's decision to choose Zion as God's seat and to make a covenant with David and his household.
Backlogged Posts
2 Kings 4-5
As if to reinforce the authority of Elisha, 2 Kings 4 speaks of many actions that mirror the work of Elijah. Like the jar of meal that did not empty, Elisha provides a widow by telling her to pour out the contents of her jar of oil into other vessels. The jar keeps pouring and pouring until many vessels are filled and the woman has enough to sell and settle her debts.
Elisha also provides the blessing of the good news of pregnancy to a barren woman who has provided for him. When the child takes ill, he resuscitates him, like Elijah did the widow's son. It is clear this is Elijah heir's, a man of God.
Scripture now introduces us to the wonderful story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, it is wonderful not just because it demonstrates God's mercy towards others, but it demonstrates how God uses all sorts of people to do God's work. Yes, Elisha does the healing, but how many unnamed servants and maids have tremendous roles in bringing about the healing? Several, all working together to do God's Will. Sometimes that is what it takes.
However, it also only takes one to defile this work, which is demonstrated by the greed of Gehazi. Gehazi's desire to attain goods only brings him misery.
2 Corinthians 3
In the past letters of recommendations were used to confirm ones talents and abilities but in the actions of the faithful members of Corinth community, they speak for themselves and for Paul. These very actions are which give rise to authority of Paul and speak for him.
But this is the new ministry, a ministry of joy and liberation. Paul compares this to the ministry of the old, signified by veil of Moses which keeps some glory hidden. But in the message of Christ, the veil is lifted. This demonstrates the greater authority of the message.
No comments:
Post a Comment