Category Archives: Bible

Matzah Tov

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Good find, op shop hero and so much more.
Who is she round here? Known for plait and calm.
You said yes. Who knew what was in store?
A test. A joy. Grow me. Life arm in arm.

Hair, they say. No shoe. Gift badly wrapped.
Success was to spot you, my lone life skill.
Mere me you took. In love inept inapt.
Join the thrill, the chill, to join to one will.

Your song is in tune, your presence my balm.
Depth immense, patience beyond. So much more.
May I make the tea for you? Bold, Assam.
Safe years, safe key you. I need no locked door.

We Seven Australian Littles from two.
Faith and faithful – daily we lean on you. 


					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Genesis 49:1-12. A terribly rough translation
			

										

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* Terrible because my Hebrew is so poor, and this passage has some tricky words too.
Only 12 verses because that was the Bible reading for the upcoming Sunday.*





Jacob called his sons.
He said, “Gather, I will tell you that which will occur for you in later days.”





“Gather, listen, sons of Jacob.
Hear Israel your father.
Reuben my firstborn,
you are my strength and the first of my power.
High in dignity and high in might.
Reckless like water, you do not remain,
for you went up to the couch of your father.
The you polluted my bed! He went up.
Simeon and Levi, brothers – tools of violence their weapons.
Into their counsel my soul will not go. Into their assembly my glory will not join,
for by their rage they killed man, and in their pleasure hamstrung oxen.
Cursed is their anger for strength, and their fury for it is harsh.
I divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
Judah, it’s you your brothers praise.
Your hand on the neck of your enemies, the sons of your father bow to you.
Cub of a lion is Judah. From prey, my son, you rise.
He bowed, he lay like lion and like lioness. Who will cause you to rise?
Sceptre will not depart from Judah, or decree from between his feet,
until the coming of Shiloh, and to him the obedience of peoples.
Bound to a vine is his city, and to choice grapes his donkey colt.
He will wash in wine his garment, and in the blood of grapes his clothing.
Your darkness of eye like wine, and of tooth whiter than milk.”






					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Bedside manner aka AABBCCCCAABBDD
			

										

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The prognosis bad – but we don’t say so.
It’s not on the top of my head, you know.
I can understand why you might ask this.
Right now my thought is to give it a miss.
It would be so fake to give you a date.
Equally bad if we communicate.
Look on line, downstairs. Those people are great.
If it’s a big deal I know you can wait.
We got you to Christmas. That’s Ho, Ho. Ho.
We train not much to let any good word flow.
Hop on your bike. Go, give your kids a kiss.
This from us all – not to know is bliss.
We’re good. We’re sharp. We love our med tech.
But patients with questions. Mate, what the heck?

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes
			

										

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It’s the time of year for carol singing. Including Away In A Manger. That also makes it time for someone, somewhere, to claim that this old song is heretical. Perhaps it will be a major article on one of the big Christian websites, or perhaps just in a few scattered sermons. But the claim will appear. 





In reality, however, it’s the time of year that shows how poorly we read poetry, in general.





What’s the claim? In short, folks pick up the line about Jesus as a baby waking up, but not crying.





The cattle are lowing.
The baby awakes.
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes.





The argument is that this shows Jesus as not quite human. He doesn’t even cry! The technical terminology then thrown around is – “It’s a Docetic song.” Docetism being the heresy – a serious one! – that Jesus only appeared to be human.





Here’s where we fail as readers of poetry. This song is not a theological treatise, nor is it a PhD thesis on the hypostatic union! It’s a gentle poem, which seems aimed at involving Children in Christmas prayer. And the section of Jesus waking up is a snapshot of a scene around the time of Jesus’ birth. It’s like a still-life, but in words, capturing a picture and a mood. The mood is peaceful. Even with babies there are moments of peace. Such moments are beautiful. What a fine way to evoke the bigger Christmas picture of peace to the world!





But there is no explicit, or even implicit, claim that Jesus was somehow beyond cries, or the other messy parts of life. It’s just a picture, a snapshot, a passing glimpse that has been usefully employed to convey one aspect of the gospel of peace. How about we declare peace upon the composer and decide not to pursue for heresy? Instead, I suggest we make the generous assumption that the wordsmith here knows the theology and used poetic forms to capture a fraction of the whole. I promise that I will keep singing, even if others smirk because ‘they know better’.

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Brothers & sisters at war
			

										

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The Bible has quite a load of sibling rivalry. Here are some examples:





  • Cain & Abel (Genesis 4). Cain’s jealousy at Abel when God accepted Abel’s offering leads Cain to murder his brother.
  • Shem, Ham, & Japheth (Genesis 9:18-29). Noah’s sons’ family discord arises after Ham disgraces his drunk naked father. It is noted that Ham involved his brothers (verse 22). The Canaanites – descended from Ham – are cursed in verse 25 and remain rivals of God’s people right through the Old Testament.
  • Isaac and Ishmael. These half-brothers, sons of Abraham, are the spark of conflict in the tents of Abraham. The problems are between the mothers, Sarah and Hagar, as well as between Abraham and the two women (Genesis 16; 21:8-21).
  • Esau & Jacob. Fighting begins in the womb (Genesis 25:19-26), it continues for life. Most notable are the birthright treated as a commodity (Genesis 25:29-34) and Jacob’s theft of the paternal blessing (Genesis 27). Read the extended Genesis account, them remember that Israel versus Edom is the nation-sized expansion of this rivalry (Numbers 20, Obadiah, etc).
  • The Twelve Sons of Jacob. The central conflict is eleven sons against Joseph. They plan to kill him, but “mercifully” only throw him into a pit, sell him as a slave, and fake his death to deceive father (Genesis 37). This fraternal rivalry undergirds the final dozen chapters of Genesis, along with God turning human evil intent to good (Genesis 50:20).
  • Moses, Aaron & Miriam (Numbers 12). Moses’ brother and sister oppose Moses, that they too might be known as speakers for the Lord. It was not their wisest idea.
  • Amnon, Tamar, & Absalom (2 Samuel 13). Children of King David, but torn by lust, rape & revenge killing. Amnon lusts for, takes, then dispenses with his beautiful half-sister. Absalom broods for two years on avenging his sister. This is not only an awful moral mess, but is a violent death to the putative king – Amnon was David’s first-born (1 Chronicles 3:1).
  • Adonijah and Solomon (1 Kings 1). There was plenty of other trouble between sons of David, not only these two, but this example shows how the trouble plays out in striving for the kingship.





I am not about to draw major conclusions from this line of intra-family discord. But it does, at least, raise a few questions or lead to further observations.





Some observations might by relatively minor. Such as the awareness that the first four disciples Jesus called, later to be apostles, were two pairs of brothers (Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22). Do Peter and Andrew, James and John signal the need to end sibling squabbles?





Other observations are much more straightforward. Those who trust the gospel of Jesus must live a different and new way with their ‘brothers’ (also translated ‘brethren’ or ‘brothers and sisters’). Love, peace, agreement and more are to be usual among fellow Christian believers. As a small sample, note these verses of ‘brotherhood’:





  • Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour (Romans 12:10)
  • Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11)
  • Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
  • For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
  • Let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1)
  • Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor (1 Peter 2:17)
  • We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death (1 John 3:14)





I get the distinct impression that Christian love for fellow Christian – expressed in word, in acts, with devotion, and as a foundational aspect of our new identity – is one of the more extraordinary parts of the radical change Jesus brings. It can be a challenge. It is a privilege.

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Church, church, church
			

										

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In the last three weeks, we have had three completely different Sunday meetings as Albury Bible Church.





Week One was ‘normal’, as we used to describe it. In the hall at Albury High School. Sunday school in a classroom. Set up and pack down, including signage, PA and music. That was our week in Hebrews 9, the reminder that ritual does nothing for Christ is the real priest who does everything.





Week Two saw rules intended to slow the spread of corona virus, including a government ban on meetings over 100. We are not that large: no change for us! So we thought, until the education department decision to halt community use of buildings as another useful public health measure. Hastily, we arranged a Sunday gathering outside at the church office (aka, my backyard).





In a beautiful touch, we knew this would likely be our last gathering like this for some time, even as we turned to Hebrews 10 (“not neglecting to meet together …”). As the kids enjoyed more than 4m2 each inside the office, we discussed options for our church life. How will we stir one another up towards love and good deeds?





And so to Week Three – the ‘new normal’? – meeting online from home. Perhaps the most remembered verse of Hebrews 11 tells us that the experience of faith apprehends what we hope for and yet cannot see. Real things, that are beyond sight and touch, are known as real through trust (see Hebrews 11:1).





I love church and seeing my fellow church members. Here was ‘church’ when not one of us left home, and the ‘sight’ of my family in faith was via a screen. The gathering was not real, but virtual. The sight was also not real, but virtual. Yet, through faith, our gathering and mutual recognition were real.





Each of these three weeks differ significantly. And there are obvious downsides to every way we gather. Despite these, each week encouraged me to press on for Christ, and each week left me thankful for the body of Christ of which I am a part. At the most profound level, there is no difference between what happened any Sunday.





On the last three Sundays, we had church, church, and church. And it was wonderful!






Backyard church

Outdoor church

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				God’s surprising injustice
			

										

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Shock & surprise – about God. Some detail to show  the surprising thing in Romans 4.





Deuteronomy 25:1 describes judges: “they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked”. 
In 1 Kings 8:32 Solomon prayed for God to judge just like that.





Isaiah 5:23 says, Woe to those who acquit the guilty for a bribe.





Back in Exodus 23:7 the Lord says “I will not acquit the wicked.”





Then there’s Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.





BUT Romans 4:5 calls God “him who justifies the ungodly”.
Grace & forgiveness is such a (beautiful) jolt, surprise & shock! 

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Christian thinking
			

										

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There is no free thought, there are no free-thinkers.


The description “free thinking” is often used to praise those who are up-to-date, those who exalt reason as the hope for humanity. “Free thinkers” criticise others for having limits, but these critics simply do not understand their own boundaries.


Because everyone and every thinker has limits, boundaries they refuse to cross.


Here’s an example. Leonard Susskind wrote The Black Hole War about an amiable disagreement between physicists as they tried to figure out black holes. Susskind says this about Stephen Hawking:


Hawking’s logic was so clear … The reasoning was persuasive, but the conclusion was absurd. (p.212)


Susskind refused to accept the argument, even when he could not identify the precise problem. There was a limit to Susskind’s reasoning. His limit was right, and it turns out Hawking was wrong in this case. Without the limit, physics would be worse off, knowing less about black holes.


Limits to our thinking exist for everyone. So Christians should consider what our limits are – they’re much more important that black holes. Romans 3 is a great place to learn, because some opponents to the gospel argue themselves over the limit. They go too far, way too far, and into danger. They suggest God is a liar, or that he is unrighteous, or that he is not judge of the world.


What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar (Romans 3:3-4).


But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? (Romans 3:5-6).


Is God a liar, or unrighteous? Will God not bother to judge? Paul says: Your conclusion is absurd. Never! Don’t go near that, do not even think it. The ‘human way’ of thinking is a sad perversion of real thought.


Christian thought will never conclude wrong or evil about God. If our thinking does conclude that God is ‘wrong’ in any way, it’s a guarantee that our thinking is way off.

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Pointed preaching, broad theology
			

										

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When studying a Bible passage – in preaching, for example – it’s time to dig into the specifics of the verses you have. Find the purpose of that text, the ‘why’, the angularity of that part of God’s word.


Don’t be easily distracted. Listen well, with all the time it takes.


When trying to grasp the big picture of all God has spoken – ‘doing theology’, we might say – that’s a good time to go broad. Get all the information that’s relevant, chase the links and implications.


Consider these two examples from the Psalms.


Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5)


David, in confession, knows the depth of his sin. There was no time in my life, he concedes, that was ever pure. Sin is his constant. What a powerful observation of humanity’s problem before the Holy One! We need this in our preaching, Bible studies, individual reading, …


Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;

you are he who took me from my mother’s womb.

My praise is continually of you. (Psalm 71:6)


This is a less famous Psalm, so the contrast might not be well-known. But look how this Psalm has trust in the Lord from before the year dot. In utero praise! There was no time, says Psalm 71, when the Lord was not the only true refuge. God is what he has always been – our only hope. How we need this message in our preaching, Bible studies, individual reading …


If I was leading a study on either of these Psalms, I would not cross-reference the other one. It would kill the power of Psalm 51 to say, ‘David knew his sin, but of course we know also that Psalm 71 says …’ Don’t do it! In preaching, stay narrow, focus on the passage, and let its razor-sharp truth do the necessary surgery.


On the other hand, you might be thinking through what God teaches us about children and infants. Are they rebels? Or faithful? Or bank slates, waiting for maturity before choosing a ‘real’ status? I am not going to answer those questions! Yet both of our two verses need to be heard (and many others, too). For theology, go broad.


Now, an exercise. See if my idea works. Staying in the Psalms, take Psalm 73 and Psalm 74. Specifically, how do these passages speak to us of the temple. It seems such a relief, joy, and instruction in Psalm 73:17. But in Psalm 74:3-5 the temple is as hopeless as a clear-felled forest.


How is the sanctuary of God a powerful image in each Psalm? (That’s the preaching.)

How do these contrasting images build up a fuller picture of the Jerusalem sanctuary? (Our theology.)


Let me know what you think, and if you get anything from the comparison of the two Psalms!

					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				How to break the second commandment
			

										

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This is yet another internet ‘how to’, but one that I don’t really want you to follow.


The Ten Commandments are on the lips of Moses just after Israel is saved from Egypt (Exodus 20:1-17), and forty years later as they finally get close to entering the land of promise (Deuteronomy 5:1-21). The forty year gap had a lot to do with Israel’s failure to follow the law, especially commandment number two.


Here’s the commandment, from Exodus:


You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.


It’s a strong warning about idols, false gods, and not competing with the one true God. Through the Old Testament, Israel (very!) slowly seemed to learn this lesson, so they became known for their opposition to idols of all sorts. Paul’s revulsion at Athenian idols (Acts 17:16) shows a pretty standard Jewish reaction to false religion.


The commandment says: don’t worship as God that which is creation, do not honour made things as in any way like their maker.


Sadly, Australians fall into this false worship all the time. Here are the two common sayings I hear that prove it:


“The best place to feel close to the divine is in the bush/garden.”


“Music moves me in a way that’s truly spiritual.”


That is: God is in the world; or, God is in a human manipulation of the world. They (metaphorically) bow down to creation, or serve something made out of creation. They are the same as saying, ‘I worship the sun,’ or, ‘Here is the god my silversmith manufactured.’


Christians, of course, should know this error – it’s sin in a most blatant form. But we mess it up all the same.


So often we (ok, yes, it’s me!) make the error of thinking God is more close in a beautiful garden than a city street. Or that the experience of fine music leads us more directly to the experience of the Holy Spirit than the Bible reading in church.


These are terrible errors, sins most awful.


Jesus, victor over death and ascended to God’s right hand, is with his disciples always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). There was no mention by Jesus of ‘only in sweet gardens’.


I agree that singing and music work better when in tune. But we must remember that songs (any art form) do not mediate God to us. They are human responses directed to the God who is already with us – thanks, praise, honour, rejoicing.


We can be thankful to God for his good gifts to us. But to turn those gifts into ‘God’s presence’ is an assault the second commandment, an attack on God himself.