Too cool for school

Here I am in Chicago with D A Carson. I'm thrilled to be here at the cutting edge of Pauline studies, concentrating on "Acts and Pauline Epistles".

Leviticus

By the end of this week, you should have completed reading the entire book of Leviticus and Matthew. I will not likely comment on Matthew at this stage due to backlog of work but I do want to comment on Leviticus because it is often considered a boring and irrelevant 'rule book' for the Israelites in the wilderness, not applicable to the church today.

Contrary to this common view, I find this book fascinating.  I urge you to read this book with a different lens - a lens to seek the ways of our God and to know how He would like us to live, not necessarily in the particular prescriptions of the law set out there but in their underlying principles on HOW to relate to Him and other people, people who like us, are to be treated as God's image-bearers - with dignity, grace, kindness and God's love.

If we put on the God-lens, we will see our God as He is, full of grace and truth .... commanding us to show His grace to the marginalised in society, requiring us to live in integrity and honesty, and modelling what it means to be a covenant keeper, even when the other covenant-party is unfaithful.  He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself (His own character of integrity and faithfulness) - 2 Tim 2:13.  Such is the integrity of character that we are to emulate and aim for.

Leviticus, meaning 'pertaining to the Levites' is actually not intended only for the Levites or priests but is God's address (through Moses) to the nation of Israel as they are 'parked' at Mt Sinai just after they have been led out of Egypt by YWYH - Exod 19:2.  Here, at Mt. Sinai, YWYH sets out the laws which are to govern this newly constituted 'people of God', set free from the bondage of Pharaoh and beginning their journey to His Promised Land. These are the theocratic laws that will be administered by Moses on behalf of Israel's God-King, laws which will superintend the moral, civil and religious lives of God's own  'first-born son', Israel (Ex 4:22), laws which will help Israel to truly realise and enjoy their special relationship to Him ...as a 'peculiar' or special treasure unto Him above all people, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:5,6)

These laws are commonly classified under three categories - moral, civil (for governing civil cases) and ceremonial (for priests and worship).  Whilst all would readily agree the moral laws are timeless and abiding, most would perceive the civil and ceremonial laws as being no longer applicable at this time and in our society. We do now, have to abide by the civil laws of our country (rather than the Levitical civil laws) and we realise from Hebs  chps 8 -10 that the Levitical animal sacrifices and priesthood (we are now all priests under the New Covenant) are superseded by Christ our High Priest, and His atoning work at Calvary.

Yet the New Testament clearly teaches us not to dismiss the Old Testament as irrelevant. On the contrary, Jesus and the NT writers particularly Apostle Paul, constantly referred to the Old Testament (referred to as 'Scripture' in the NT) as points of reference for teaching us about God, godly living and as a source of wisdom.  Paul wrote in 2 Tim 3:16,17:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect (spiritually mature) thoroughly equipped unto all good works.

The key to making sense of Leviticus for practical godly living is therefore to seek and apply the underlying principles or raison de'tre of these laws in as much as these reflect the character of God, His ways, and how we should live for Him.  To help you do this, I highly recommend an excellent commentary on Leviticus by Dr Gordon Wenham. You can download a preview of his commentary, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Leviticus, from the internet. I am not equipped to give you the web link but you can find this preview of the 300+ paged commentary by doing a google search using these words - Gordon Wenham Leviticus. If any of you know the web link please post on this blog to help the others find this preview quickly. Here is the link 

You will find in reading Leviticus with the right God-lens that He is full of grace and mercy, concerned for the marginalised - the poor, the orphan, the widow, the clergy (Levites) and the 'stranger' or foreigner in the land ( likely to be homeless, lost and lonely). He has set 'laws' which requires us to leave 'gleanings' of our harvest as it were to those who do not have fields to harvest.  And laws which mandates magnanimity of heart, justice and mercy to 'servants' and those indebted to us. He even declared a year of Jubilee when all debts are totally forgiven and all servants/slaves set free. It is not the specific application of these laws that are relevant as we do not harvest fields or have servants/slaves but it is the heart of God that we catch from reading these laws, His heartbeat for faithfulness to Him and mercy, justice and agape love for others.

It is also in the ceremonial laws (in as much as in the moral laws) that we catch a glimpse of how much our God wants us to be 'holy' set apart and consecrated for Him above all others, all else.  We also see from the laws that whilst He will not compromise in disciplining His 'son' for repeated disobedience, idolatry and rebellion, He will nevertheless NOT reject them because of His covenant with their forefathers. (Pls read Lev chp 26 thoroughly to see this.)  Such is the integrity and faithfulness of our covenant abiding God who shows us what we as His covenant partners, should become.

I will go no further otherwise i will exceed the max allowed in this blog ):  I do urge you to read Wenham's commentary, or at least pages 31-37 of the preview of his commentary, available on the net.

Gordon Wenham is an OT scholar and author of several books about the Bible. He read theology at Cambridge University, graduating in 1965 with distinction, and completed his Phd in 1970. He was until 2005, senior professor of Old Testament at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, a post he held for 10 years. He is currently lecturing at Trinity Theological College, Bristol, UK. The New International Commentary series on the Old Testament is an invaluable library resource for all those who are serious about bible study; the series can be purchased at Koorong and is a worth while spiritual investment.

Do tell me in my blog whether you have benefited from reading his commentary.  I need to hear from more of you.

Love

A Peggy

In response to Danny Nalliah

Yesterday, I was asked by a church member what I thought of Danny Nalliah’s public attribution of Victoria’s bush fires to God’s judgement for the recently passed abortion laws, and the response of The Age to this.

My understanding of suffering is this:

Unless we are God, we shouldn’t play God. Like Martin Luther says, Let God be God and man be man. Instead we should be compassionate and give hope to the sufferers and comfort them, assuring them that God is in the midst of their suffering, that He understands what pain, injustice, ridicule, betrayal and suffering is like as He suffered all of these at Calvary though absolutely innocent and sinless. At times like these, we as Christians should offer practical relief, prayers and spiritual encouragement. We can also encourage these in the midst of their suffering and hopelessness, to turn to Him for comfort who is the 'God of all comfort' (2 Cor 1:3) and for hope even as Psalms repeatedly urges us to, "hope in God" - Ps 38:15; 42:5,11;43:5; 71:5.

I feel very sad when Christians tell victims that they are the object of God's judgement. There is no biblical support of this:

The Bible clearly shows that suffering and sicknesses can often be 'for the glory of God'' (Jn 11:4), for testing (for example in the explicit case of Job), in as much as it can be caused by sin (the healing of the paralytic in Matt 9:2 and the man at the Pool of Bethesda in Jn 5:14). Jesus Himself rebuked the Jews for imputing the judgement of God for those killed by the Tower of Siloam and those who died as martyrs under Pilate - Luke 13:1-5. God could have sent his angels to save His martyrs especially those who were sawn in two! These, "of whom the world was not worthy" - Hebs 11:38 - were hailed and honoured by God in Hebs 11 as heroes and heroines of faith ... awesome examples for us.

In evident tragedies like Sept 11, USA, or the genocide of the Jews in World War II, it is apparent that the suffering was caused by MAN and the evil in man. But in other tragedies eg natural disasters, who but God can really attest their reason and cause. It could be Man, Satan or God Himself. And even if it were God which human can say for certain that it was for judgement. After all we see now, but through a glass darkly, and in part (1 Cor 13:12).

For this reason, I beg to differ from Danny Nalliah. He might be totally confident that God showed him the fire was judgement for the Laws of abortion. That is his personal privilege and prerogative but to say this in public as if this were absolute God-truth, is in my mind, totally irresponsible and insensitive to the bush fire victims and their families at best, and cruel at worst.

I often recount a dear friend who suffered deep depression (for more than a year she couldn’t sleep nights without heavy dosage of sleeping tablets) when her son died and well meaning Christians told her that her son died on account of his parents’ sin and lack of faith. Until we met her and told her God's truth (that set her free from this guilt-ridden condemnation), she couldn’t find faith in Christ nor live normally, tormented with deep grief and condemnation. Why, why do Christians have to play Judge in times of sorrow and grief? And pass judgement which brings needless condemnation to those already unable to cope with their grief.

Did not Apostle Paul teach us that our ministry must bring life:

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Cor 3:6.

Let us who are counted faithful and put into the ministry by our Lord (1 Tim 1:12), be faithful in the ministry of His Word and ministers of life to those who are hurting in this fallen world 'ruled' by Satan.

A Peggy

Exodus

If you are still following the Bible Reading Plan, you should be almost completing the book of Exodus (due to be completed by 6 Feb).

I will post my comments on this second book of the Torah below:

1. God's firstborn son, Israel vs the Son of God; the First Exodus vs the Second Exodus

In Genesis chapters 1-11, God told us His Story from the universal perspective ie How He created the Universe, Mankind, the Fall of Man, the Table of Nations, the Great Flood and the restart of His redemption plan with Noah and his family. Then from Gen chapter 12 (note this very important turn-key chapter) He zooms into the Story of His re-elected agent for His redemption plan, Abraham .... after Adam and Noah had failed Him.

Thereafter, Gen 12 right through to the end of the Old Testament tells the story or history of this ONE elect of God, Abraham, and of his family, the patriarchs of Israel, from the time of Abraham's election / calling to the rise and fall of the nation founded by him, Israel. Gen 12 to Malachi sets out God's actions and responses to His firstborn son, Israel (Ex 4:22), as this idolatrous nation repeatedly and wilfully disobeys and rebels against Him.

The entire Old Testament from Genesis 12 displays the great acts of grace and judgements of YWYH as He disciplines the son He loves, reflecting His awesome justice, love and mercy. And when His firstborn son, Israel, fails Him, He sends the Elect of God, His only begotten Son (Jn 3:16), to fulfil His Plan of Redemption. Where the first Israel fails, the second / true Israel succeeds so that all who are In Christ may be saved.

Which brings us to this concept of First and Second Exodus. The book of Exodus recounts a very historic moment in the history of the nation of Israel, that every Jew and Jewish family will undoubtedly cherish. The 'People of God', Israel, bonded as a slave in Egypt for 400 years is being delivered from Pharaoh's abusive enslavement with a Mighty Hand, with awesome miracles, signs and wonders. But what is more profound is the foreshadowing of this First Exodus led by Moses, Israel's deliverer of the Second or Final Exodus led by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Great Deliverer of our souls from sin and the entrapment of Satan, the Pharaoh of this world we live in.

The First Exodus is from Egypt, the world of bondage and slavery to tyrannical Pharaoh. The Second/Final Exodus is from the world of sin ruled by the Prince/Ruler of this world, Satan (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Ephs 2:2). Deliverance in the Final Exodus is for FREEDOM ..... freedom from bondage to this world of sin so that we may intentionally make and successfully live out life choices that please our Great Deliverer and bring Glory to His Name! It is for freedom to daily live our lives as a 'reasonable act of worship' unto our Lord and Saviour (Roms 12:1) that Christ died for us.

Water baptism is specifically the sacrament enacted by Christ Himself to remind those that are "In Christ", His church, the true Israel .... that we are truly free from the bondage of sin (Satan's workshop), "dead indeed unto sin" and 'alive unto God' (Roms 6:11). He is our Great Deliverer in the Second or Final Exodus!

Water baptism is paralleled to the Israelites who were 'baptised in the sea' as they crossed the Red Sea, free indeed from Pharaoh and his pursuing army on the other side of the waters (1 Cor 10).

2. Life application of the Exodus narrative

1 Cor 10 reminds us that Israel's "forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea" (pre-figuring New Testament water and Spirit baptisms). Yet, most died in the wilderness; only Joshua and Caleb went into the Promised Land with the next generation of Israelites born in the wilderness. They were killed by God for their lust, idolatry, fornication, testing of Christ, and murmuring (1 Cor 10:6-10).

If there is any single thing that Exodus should do for you and I, it should provide a stark and fearsome reminder that we are not to assume that we are saved 'once and for all' just because we have said the sinners' prayer, and were water and Spirit baptised. These milestone events are critical for getting us started on the Exodus out of Bondage to 'Pharaoh' the 'world of Egypt'. Whether we attain and remain in the Kingdom of God however, will depend much on our journey of faithfulness and obedience in our Exodus journey.

The story of Israel's idolatry, disobedience and wilful rebellion is set out in this second book of the bible, the Exodus (and in the next book, Numbers) to be "our examples" to the intent that we should not fall into the same pitfalls as Israel did in their Exodus some 3500 years ago (1 Cor 10:6) . So as we read the narratives in this book of Exodus, let us take particular note of these pitfalls, considering that much of which the Israelites did in provoking Moses and God we often do, wittingly or unwittingly.

For example, we are often quick to respond to God, "Yes, all that you say we will do" (Ex 19:5; 24:3,7) but nevertheless, fail to do, often again and again. We are quick to make promises and commitments but slow to keep them. We often fail to 'walk the talk' especially our private 'talk' with God, taking His grace and mercy for granted.

We are quick to blame others for adversities especially our leaders, no matter how well intentioned they may be or how best they are leading according to their understanding of God's will for His people. And do we not sometimes fall into the trap of challenging and murmuring against godly leadership as the Israelites did (Ex 15:24; 16:2:17:2)?

Are we not often tempted to look back into the world of sin that we have left and remorsefully wonder if we have missed out on its apparent 'goodies' (Ex 16:3; Nums 11:5)? Do we consistently remain grateful for our Exodus .... acknowledging, appreciating and enjoying the benefits of the Kingdom of God, here and now and anticipating with godly hope, the greater eternal benefits to come, "which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, that which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9).

Exodus is such a majestic book. It sets out the Mosaic Covenant, cut at Mt Sinai (Ex 19, 24). It contains the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments (Ex 20) which forms the framework and foundation of Constitutions and Civil Law in major continents. And much much more.

You need to read it again and again .... to savour the grandeur of this book.

Love,

A Peggy

p/s I will post my reflection on the rest of Matthew shortly ):