A couple things for me today! First, I've picked up a few times now the use of divination in the OT-- which I've never noticed before-- the Urim and Thummim from Exodus and now this "potion" of sorts in Numbers 5. There are distinct parallels between this "bitter water" we read about today and in the writings of the ancient Near Eastern world, like in one of the laws in Code of Hammurabi, who is a Babylonian King. So of course I put on my hardhat and went digging a little bit! I'm gonna link the article I was reading -- you know it's from my favorite Old Testament guy haha so I think it's a good breakdown!
Another point that stuck out to me today: adultery was punishable by death in Israel BUT death is not the penalty for the potentially guilty woman in Numbers 5. She wasn't caught in the act, so her husband is prohibited from taking matters into his own hands. The normal word for adultery (na'af, ףאנ) is connected to the death penalty and we don't see it in today's reading, so I think the point is God is the only one who can punish secret sin; it isn't for us to react.
TLC had a good perspective on this - and yes God is the only witness to sin so is the only one who can really apply the consequences here. I found it Interesting that a guilty woman wasn’t put to death which was their law.
Well, I am glad that we made it through Leviticus. I feel like today’s reading brought me back to the impression I had of the wrathful God of my childhood. I struggled to read it and I am sure I don’t understand the full picture. And yet, I’m not letting my struggle stop me. I just have so many questions. Today, my struggle is that the God I’m reading about in these chapters does not feel like the God I’m in relationship with. I don’t know how to reconcile that.
It’s so hard. I want to unpack this a little once I am at my computer but I’m starting to think that while reading the OT, we might benefit from meeting on Zoom now and then to discuss. I might gauge interest but I also might do it if anyone at all wants to, because I need it. Haha
I'm with you! I'm wondering if it's better considered as the natural consequences that God is just laying out for them. He says repeatedly that he will provide everything for them if they are faithful, and if not, he's going to let the evil in the world take it's natural course (i.e. famines, war, etc.) vs. them being active punishment. But that's the way Israel thinks about it? Not sure that's right, but it helps me think about it that way. And that whole passage is obviously foreshadowing everything that DOES happen in the rest of the old testament.. so almost more of a warning "stick with me or it's gonna be bad news"
Some days I’ve been able to enter into the readings of the laws and find my “God shot”.. but other days not so much. This was a not so much day 🙃. I do notice that I get more out of the readings when I read vs listen (visual learner here!) and I listened today instead which didn’t help. However, im also following along with Fr Mike’s Bible in a year and that’s been covering a psalm every day and a few of them have spoken about “delighting in the precepts of the Lord”. It’s a good reminder that God set these out for the good of the Israelites.
Wednesday, February 21, Day 52: Leviticus 24-25
Prayer Requests
Lent Discussion
Sunday, February 25, Day 56: Numbers 5-6
A couple things for me today! First, I've picked up a few times now the use of divination in the OT-- which I've never noticed before-- the Urim and Thummim from Exodus and now this "potion" of sorts in Numbers 5. There are distinct parallels between this "bitter water" we read about today and in the writings of the ancient Near Eastern world, like in one of the laws in Code of Hammurabi, who is a Babylonian King. So of course I put on my hardhat and went digging a little bit! I'm gonna link the article I was reading -- you know it's from my favorite Old Testament guy haha so I think it's a good breakdown!
https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Heiser-OT-Response-to-Pagan-Divination.pdf
Another point that stuck out to me today: adultery was punishable by death in Israel BUT death is not the penalty for the potentially guilty woman in Numbers 5. She wasn't caught in the act, so her husband is prohibited from taking matters into his own hands. The normal word for adultery (na'af, ףאנ) is connected to the death penalty and we don't see it in today's reading, so I think the point is God is the only one who can punish secret sin; it isn't for us to react.
TLC had a good perspective on this - and yes God is the only witness to sin so is the only one who can really apply the consequences here. I found it Interesting that a guilty woman wasn’t put to death which was their law.
Saturday, February 24, Day 55: Numbers 3-4
Friday, February 23, Day 54: Numbers 1-2
Thursday, February 22, Day 53: Leviticus 26-27
Well, I am glad that we made it through Leviticus. I feel like today’s reading brought me back to the impression I had of the wrathful God of my childhood. I struggled to read it and I am sure I don’t understand the full picture. And yet, I’m not letting my struggle stop me. I just have so many questions. Today, my struggle is that the God I’m reading about in these chapters does not feel like the God I’m in relationship with. I don’t know how to reconcile that.
It’s so hard. I want to unpack this a little once I am at my computer but I’m starting to think that while reading the OT, we might benefit from meeting on Zoom now and then to discuss. I might gauge interest but I also might do it if anyone at all wants to, because I need it. Haha
I would totally Zoom, Elizabeth.
I’m keen Elizabeth - depending what time it is and time zone differences.
I would too!
I'm with you! I'm wondering if it's better considered as the natural consequences that God is just laying out for them. He says repeatedly that he will provide everything for them if they are faithful, and if not, he's going to let the evil in the world take it's natural course (i.e. famines, war, etc.) vs. them being active punishment. But that's the way Israel thinks about it? Not sure that's right, but it helps me think about it that way. And that whole passage is obviously foreshadowing everything that DOES happen in the rest of the old testament.. so almost more of a warning "stick with me or it's gonna be bad news"
I like what you are saying here and it helps me get out of my old way of thinking.
Tuesday, February 20, Day 51: Leviticus 22-23
Some days I’ve been able to enter into the readings of the laws and find my “God shot”.. but other days not so much. This was a not so much day 🙃. I do notice that I get more out of the readings when I read vs listen (visual learner here!) and I listened today instead which didn’t help. However, im also following along with Fr Mike’s Bible in a year and that’s been covering a psalm every day and a few of them have spoken about “delighting in the precepts of the Lord”. It’s a good reminder that God set these out for the good of the Israelites.
Leviticus had been a hard slog……and a little repetitive. Fascinating from a historical perspective
Monday, February 19, Day 50: Leviticus 19-21