Atonement Offering

Num 29:7-21         12/25/2017

Instructions for the burnt offerings during annual feasts, especially for the Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur.

Atonement:

So, is it God’s anger that is assuaged by an atoning sacrifice? Or is it my sense of guilt and shame?

God the all loving, all merciful, all knowing, all powerful: He doesn’t need my food. Doesn’t need any food. He doesn’t need anything. He is God – Self-existent Creator.

The human tendency is to equate my moral failures as the source of God’s wrath. I tell myself: “I sinned so God must hate me.”

On the other hand, I tend to see outcome failures as the result of God’s wrath. “God must be angry with me because nothing’s going right. He’s angry, or He hates me, or He doesn’t care about me.”

Not much room for God to be God.

Who Thinks Like This?

I project my thinking on God without realizing that He doesn’t think like I do.

I’m closer to the truth when I see the essence of moral failures as failed response. No more or less. Omission. Commission. I’m given an opportunity and I blow it. It happens all the time.

Outcome failures? My plans have gone awry either because of poor execution or because of stuff that was outside my control. Doesn’t mean the disvalue I’ve created is imaginary. It’s there. It’s real. It really does require redemption. It really is a cause for salvation.

But, the only truly acceptable sacrifice for my failures is a broken and contrite heart. An openness to rethink. We don’t slaughter bulls and rams and lambs anymore. What once was appropriate is no longer effective.

Now and forever; Jesus is the effective atonement. Meeting Jesus in the Word, in the Flesh, in the ordinary circumstances of my life. Me meeting Jesus.

You meeting Jesus.

“My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.” Psalm 51:19

New Year’s Day

Num 28:23-29:6         12/24/2017

This portion is a description of the required sacrifices for the major feasts in the Hebrew calendar, especially the New Year’s Day sacrifices.

Rosh Hashana – New Year’s Day. The celebration of all things new.

It’s about Origins. The Jewish New Year begins in the seventh month – usually in September by the modern calendar.

The idea of a new year is interesting. Almost every culture has some sense of a new year. But it seems as though the major cultures of the world all celebrate their “New Year” at different times of the calendar. Some seem tied to specific astronomical events like a solstice or equinox. Others to particular seasons of the year – especially harvest and planting.

I suppose the thing they all share is the idea of renewal. Things were once brand new. Then, through the course of time, they matured toward an ending. And then a new beginning.

Given.

I wonder that we should change what we call “Birthdays” to “New Beginnings Days”. Then, when asked, I could say, “I have had 54 new beginnings”.

Somehow that seems right. There’s an element of appreciation built in. Fortunate indeed, the man or woman who has been given so many new beginnings.

Given so many new beginnings.

The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent. They are renewed each morning— great is your faithfulness! Lam 3:22-23

Food and the New Moon

Num 28:9-22         12/23/2017

God mandated the required sacrifices through Moses. These sacrifices followed the format of food in the form of meals consisting of meat, bread and wine.

Gratitude is a habit formed. No child is born with a predisposition for gratitude.

We remember: God instituted these sacrifices. Having sacrifices that celebrate God’s faithfulness is His way of helping human beings develop a grateful heart.

The days come and go so quickly. Another birthday, another Christmas; suddenly my baby is a nearly grown woman. My life is filled with incredible, good things – and yet sometimes my gratitude is not forthcoming.

A natural man. My habit is to want more – not to be grateful for what I have.

The Israelites celebrated the weekly rest of the Sabbath, and the renewing of the month with the New Moon, as well as the annual celebrations. Each was a poignant reminder of God’s faithfulness. A new week; a new month; a new year; given. Passover the reminder of a long won salvation.

Contingency: I didn’t have to be saved. God didn’t have to save me. He did not have to draw me to Himself.

But He did.

Even this I can take for granted if I don’t act to remember, to celebrate, to praise. So we keep the Lord’s Day and the feasts, not because we feel condemned if we don’t, but because we feel overwhelmed with gratitude when we honestly do.

“Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy” Ex 20:8

Balance of Power

Num 27:20-28:8         12/22/10

God gave Moses instructions concerning the relationship between Joshua and Eleazer, the High Priest. Joshua was to be installed in the sight of all the people, including the High Priest. He was to be installed by the laying on of Moses’ hands. Joshua was to consult the High Priest in decision-making through the use of the Urim in the presence of the Lord – which only the high priest could do.

So, going forward the political prescription for the Authentic Community consisted in a balance of power. Whereas Moses had been both, the roles were now to be split between the Hebrew Priesthood and the Executive General, both of whom were appointed by God for their role.

Wisdom and execution; vested in at least two different people. If we see things as Hobbes saw, then its all about the priest and the king. If we see things as Benedict saw; then an Abbott and a Prior.

Contemplative and active; wisdom and execution. To listen and to do.

But Jesus is both King and Priest. He was and is – all in all. Everything was consolidated in Him.

Here’s the scary part. You are likewise called both to relate and to listen to God and to act in accordance with His purposes.

Noblesse Oblige.

“You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth” Rev 5:10

Joshua Chosen

Num 27:7-19         12/21/2017

God spoke to Moses to let him know that it was his time to die, just as He had done when it was Aaron’s time to die. Ever thinking about the Israelite community, Moses asked God to set a new leader over the tribes. God named Joshua to the post.

So what does it feel like to be Joshua and hear that God has chosen you to lead the nation of Israel?

I remember when John Paul I was elected pope. My father, who was not Catholic, explained how overwhelming it would be – to be named Pope. He said that many times newly elected popes wept at the pronouncement of the conclave. The burden and the commitment were gifts that often elicited a reluctant embrace.

As I remember, the newly elected pope lived only a month longer.

Jesus knew this experience. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me…”

Here’s the thing.

I like to say that I have been born for a purpose; that God has a plan for my life. And that’s great, it bestows a sense of significance and invests my life with a certain kind of meaning.

But it also means that I must meet this purpose. Come what may, I must embrace the call of Christ and whatever that might mean for my life.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God [that is] with me.” 1 Cor 15:10

Zelophehad’s Daughters

Num 26:60-27:6         12/20/2017

Zelophehad was a man born into the tribe of Manasseh. He died without any son to receive his legacy, so his daughters asked Moses to give his portion to them. After conferring with God, Moses granted the request. Thus the right to inherit land and property was recognized as something for all people – both men and women.

Legacy belongs to everyone.

One of the most fascinating elements of the law of Moses is the recognition that other people would want to become a part of Israel – and that was OK. More than OK – the kingdom was intended to be a nation of priests to minister and mediate between God and the world.

As Jesus said, “Salvation is from the Jews”.

Like most things in life, God’s salvation met very few people’s expectations – yet here we are. Salvation, relationship, the hope of glory, the beatific vision, the community of saints, the possibility of a deep and meaningful relationship with God; have all come to us, from the tribe of Judah.

And to the extent that we embrace them, they come through us to others.

A wise servant will rule over an unworthy son, and will share the inheritance of the children” Prov 17:2

Faithfulness in the Details

Num 26:46-59         12/19/2017

The second census was a sign that the period of wandering in the desert was coming to an end. God spoke to Moses and instructed that the promised land should be divided and bequeathed as a legacy to the tribes, in accordance with the size of each respective tribe. This was to be completed by the casting of lots.

Faithfulness in the Details

The land had to be distributed. It’s earthy stuff. Six-hundred thousand men all “fit for battle” probably shouldn’t attempt to divide anything without supervision.

And so there was a plan.

It’s the detail of it. No one is left out. Each tribe, each clan, each family receives their portion of the promise. God knows each one. He takes care of each one. None are forgotten. But “the details” take time.

Time. Time = Wait.

It’s not like suffering some dramatic rejection or even some epic fail. It’s just one of those days.

I feel like I’m waiting alongside the Jordan for something to happen. But the only thing that seems to be happening is water flowing to the Dead Sea. A promised land so close I can see it – but it’s not yet time. It’s not yet mine.

I believe I shall see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:13-14

Generation of Blessing

Num 26:32-45         12/18/2017

Census information for the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim, Benjamin, Dan, and Asher.

A new generation –

Basically, as the Israelites camped on the plains of Moab, no one who left Egypt as an adult was still alive.

The entire generation had died. There was no one left to say, “If only we could go back to Egypt where we enjoyed leeks and cucumbers and meat”. There was no one left to complain about the tiresome manna. There was no one left to complain about the lack of meat.

Forty years of following God in a desolate wilderness made the idea of following God – almost automatic. This new generation knew nothing else. In deprivation, they learned obedience.

So now they are fit for the greatest challenge of all – prosperity. What will the Israelites do with a land “flowing with milk and honey”? And what will prosperity do to the children of Israel?

The other day I was challenged by a man who asked, “If God answered your fervent prayers, would anyone benefit beside you?”

We all have dreams. We have things we’d like to accomplish, experiences we’d like to share with the special people in our lives, a bucket list we’d like to fulfill. But that’s the challenge: What would you do with wealth – especially unearned wealth? Whose life would be changed?

Who would benefit if my prayers were answered as I wished?

“You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God” 2 Cor 9:11

Heritage and Continuity

Num 26:16-31         12/17/2017

The census continued with the identification of the clans and the numbering of each of the tribes. Gad, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar and Manasseh were featured in this passage.

Heritage. You secretly think it doesn’t matter. Your grandfather’s grandfather; what is that to you? Who is that to you?

I sense my own autonomy. I want to believe that I am self-made – especially when things are going well.

I don’t think about my ancestors who proceeded me four hundred years ago. I especially don’t think about how their lives have affected mine.

Truth be told – I don’t even know how to think about that.

Is it a spirit that causes heritage; like the kind of spirit that causes a family resemblance of behavior? Do I follow in the spirit of my fathers – even if I don’t actually know anything about them?

Yeah, that’s it. A spirit. I follow even if I don’t realize what’s leading me.

Now we call ourselves Christian. We say we are adopted. We acknowledge that every good thing about us is a product of our heritage in Christ.

If it’s true, we bear the family resemblance. They will know we are Christians by our love. They will recognize the Authentic Community by its love. They will know you are a Christ follower by your love. And they will see you in your child.

The spirit of adoption.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” Rom 8:14

Second Census

Num 26:1-15         12/16/2017

The generation that had originally left Egypt but failed to enter into the land had died out. Moses and Eleazar were directed by God to take a census as Israel camped on the plains near Moab. The clans of Reuben, Simeon and Gad were featured in this passage.

The children of Israel coming out of Egypt.

They were so close to the promised land, yet they were so faithless. They did not have the internal freedom to trust God, so they failed to enter into the land.

Now a new census. The exodus is nearing its completion. A new generation. A new possibility.

But I am post-Modern.

There is a certain unavoidable poverty in believing that internal acts are insignificant. It’s a stuckedness. We are all susceptible. I try to follow Jesus – My guide, my exemplar, my hero, my God.

It feels so close. He feels so close.

But my history is all failure. Can I trust Him now? Will I trust Him now?

Failed past be damned. A new moment. A new opportunity. A new possibility.

“…the old order has passed away…Behold, I make all things new.” Rev 21:4-5