Exodus 22:20-24:18

Dear RTB’ers,

As I noted to you yesterday, I incorrectly read and commented yesterday only through 22:19, not 23:19 according to our schedule. So I am beginning today with 22:20 and moving forward to the end of chapter 24.

Today’s modified reading covers four topics – first, many “Thou shalt not…” commands; second, a number of “liturgical” commands as to how the Israelites are to relate to God; third, an introduction to God’s hand in the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land; and fourth, the people affirming their covenant with God.

I was struck that God let Moses and 73 other men see Him: Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. … And He did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. (vv. 24:9-11) They saw God; He did not reach out against them; they beheld Him! I don’t remember ever reading this passage, or more correctly, processing it. When I think of Moses “seeing” God I think of the Burning Bush (Exodus 3) and the “cleft rock” encounter: Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” … But, He said, “you cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.” And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by Me where you shall stand on the rock, and while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:18-23) So here in Exodus 24, Moses and 73 men see God, behold Him, but again, only His glory, not His face. What a sight that must have been! It calls to mind Peter, James, and John with Jesus when He is transfigured before them. GLORY!!

Blessings!

Exodus 21:33-22:19

Dear RTB’ers,

Sorry folks, today’s assignment should have been though 23:19, but I unwittingly stopped short – a continuing illness-induced brain fog. I’ll pick up with 22:20 tomorrow.

There are two “Thou shalt not…” commands (Ex. 22:18-19) in today’s reading, direct orders from God. The rest of today’s reading is a set of “if-then” situations – first the situation, then the judgment. In each case a man (or his animal) takes an action, there is an incident, then God’s decision as to restitution. Responsibility! To me, that’s what today’s reading comes down to today. What we do in this world matters. We act (or fail to act), there are outcomes, and there is judgment rendered – not always rightfully executed in this world, but certainly in the next. Every action, every day has outcomes and consequences.

But as I go about my daily routine, in this case teaching students foreign to my ways, do I seriously think of the outcomes of what I’m teaching or the consequences for many lives down the road? I need to be careful, every day, every class. Carol and I have long known that the apostle James said it best, Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1) But to all of us, teachers and non-teachers alike, …whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31) That’s what responsibility is really about!

Blessings!

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See also: January 24 (2023) / Exodus 22:16-25:40

Exodus 21:1-32

Dear RTB’ers,

Today and continuing for the next two weeks we read the rest of Exodus. The book of Romans provides a good transition to Exodus. Remember Paul’s mentions of “the Law” in Romans, especially in Romans 7-8. Now we will be reading part of that Law – some of it in Exodus, a huge chunk in Leviticus, and a second reading of the Law in Deuteronomy. Much of our reading of the Law will be a listing of a bunch of laws and consequences for misbehavior. Some of these laws will make sense, even for today. Some will seem fit for the culture back then. And for some, you’ll just have to scratch your head and wonder. Frankly, much of the work of the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ time was to explain the Law and the official interpretation of aspects of any given law, since cultures had changed a lot in the 1200-1500 years since the Law was given.

Only one item to point out today. (The rest of you can do your own analysis.) Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. (vv. 12-13) You will probably remember reading about “cities of refuge” when Joshua and his assistants were dividing up the Promised Land. It’ll be about 50 years before that gets done, but it does get done.

Enjoy our return to Exodus!

Blessings!

Romans 16:17-27

Dear RTB’ers,

Sorry for this late post, but I’ve been quite ill from yesterday afternoon, through the night and all morning today. Classic flu symptoms; I’ll spare you the details! COVID test was negative, so all will be well.

…according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations… (vv. 25b-26a) I can’t remember whether we have come across any of Paul’s writings yet this year where he mentions “the mystery”. For many years I wondered what “the mystery” was, but some years ago I learned that “the mystery” was that the Gentiles would be brought into the Jewish/Christian faith. Or maybe I’ve learned that incorrectly. Anyone out there with a clarification?

So now, after 28 days we leave Romans. I’m looking forward to going back to Exodus!

Back to bed for me…

Blessings!

Romans 16:1-16

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul sends greetings and love by name to a couple dozen people in today’s reading. Most of them are quick mentions; only Phoebe and Prisca and Aquila have a couple of comment verses from Paul. We’ve seen Prisca and Aquila before. You may recall that Paul met them in Corinth in Acts 18. They had recently come from Italy, having been run out of town by Claudius. Paul was a tent maker by trade, as was Aquila, so Paul stayed with them in Corinth. Then Paul took them to Ephesus with him and now we find them back in Rome. So it’s no surprise that they get more than a quick mention.

So that brings us to Phoebe, she of more words than any other person mentioned in today’s reading. So, who is she? All we know is what we read today. There is no other mention of her in the rest of Scripture. Cenchrea is a port city near Corinth, so apparently Phoebe is leaving the Corinth area and traveling to Rome. Paul simply asks the Romans to receive her graciously as he offers high commendation for her. One AI search suggested that she may have been the courier bringing this letter to the Romans. Very possibly!

So, a lot of names, a lot of people, and Paul knew each of them personally. But let’s not diminish the “quick mention” of these people. They are known to Paul and highly regarded by him. That alone places them in good company!

Blessings!

Romans 15:14-33

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul’s hopes (expectation, even?) went unanswered (reminder, Paul is writing to believers in Rome): I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain… (v. 24a) and When therefore I have completed this [collection] I will leave for Spain by way of you. (v. 28) Did Paul ever make it to Spain? There are strong arguments that he did, in fact, make it there. One of my Study Bibles argues for that “trip”, with documentation from a number of sources. Still, that’s only conjecture. Another dashed hope: …that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints… (v. 31) Paul was not delivered from the unbelievers in Jerusalem; in fact, they caused him to be arrested and to remain in custody the rest of his life! One of Paul’s prayers, however, was answered: I have longed for many years to come to you… (v. 23b) Yes, he got to Rome – in chains!

So, any unanswered prayer in your lives? I have a big one for myself – pain relief (even healing?) for my injured shoulder. Or what might the Holy Spirit have in mind for me and for you with these unanswered prayers? (Editorial comment: “No” is also an answer to prayer.) Pray and wait, wait and pray.

Blessings!

Romans 15:1-13

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul continues to continue to argue his point to the Jews, that the Gentiles are heirs also to the faith of Abraham: For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised … in order that the Gentiles might glorify God… (vv. 8-9). He offers four Old Testament quotations to back up his claim. I am constantly amazed at Paul’s command of Scripture. In a span of just four verses (9b-12) he quotes from II Samuel, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and twice from Psalms. Understand, folks, he did not have Google to search electronically for “Gentiles”. He KNEW where to find those specific verses. Amazing!!

We are now in Albania, where minarets abound and Christian churches are hard to find. I wonder what Paul would be saying to the Moslems if he were writing today. A good thought as we head back to Slovakia.

Blessings!

Romans 14

Dear RTB’ers,

Today’s passage is all about disagreement and the judgment that results from our differing opinions. One of my main faults (that I see in myself) is that I am excessively judgmental. I was worse in the past and I feel that the Lord has corrected that in me to a great extent from where I used to be, but I still find myself finding fault with other people, for whatever reason. I guess that’s why the verse that jumped out at me today was the same one that hit me four years ago: Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. (v. 15b) It’s the second half of that quote that struck me: …him for whom Christ died. “Him for whom Christ died” includes every person on this planet – not just the Christians to whom Paul is speaking and admonishing. Jesus died for every person who has ever lived and for those yet unborn. To find fault in anyone is to diminish Jesus’ sacrifice. That’s a thought that I’m going to carry with me today, especially every time I see a minaret. I am going to remind myself that Jesus died for each and every one of those Moslems who worship therein, every one: …him for whom Christ died…

Blessings!

Romans 13

Dear RTB’ers,

Another election is upon us, less than four weeks away, and Paul’s words in today’s first seven verses should be in every Christian’s mind and in every heart as we honor Paul’s words: For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (v. 1b) Just now I went back to the reading to look for Paul’s exact words as to praying for our authorities. I was surprised that Paul, who writes “Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17) “Pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6, edited), did not mention praying for our authorities. However, our church leaders have clearly urged us on in that direction and it’s a worthy practice for all believing Christians.

Blessings!

Romans 12

Dear RTB’ers,

Yesterday’s last verse seemed like the ending to a letter: For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. (v. 11:36) However, we begin Chapter 12 with a “…therefore…”, so Paul must have picked up his “pen” again, offering a number of “do’s and don’ts” for daily Christian living. The lines that jumped out at me today were echoes of what I posted yesterday: …I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think… (v. 12:3b), and Never be wise in your own sight. (v. 12:16b) Repeating yesterday: “Do not be arrogant!”

Carol and I had morning coffee on a balcony overlooking a river in Mostar, Bosnia. As I looked down the river over the city I could see six minarets, places of Moslem worship. Truly, I was sick at heart. Over the past many days we’ve been reading about Paul grieving over his Jewish brothers. We can also grieve today over these millions of people who are worshiping one God, but not our Savior, Jesus. Our host here is truly a wonderful man, very warm and welcoming. So we can love the people and pray for them, but still be saddened for the message that they are missing.

Praying for my brother and my sister and Courtenay’s brother and caregiver and millions of others, all in Hurricane Milton’s path…

Blessings!

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See also: December 13 (2023) / Romans 12:1-15:13