Reading for April 22
Joshua 24:1-33
Ah - the last chapter in Joshua, and another book complete. Let's see what she says.
Wow - what a way to finish. This chapter is so rich with theology and details and heart. It starts with a retelling of everything that has happened so far - from Abraham to the present. This seems to be something the authors of the OT tend to do pretty often - which I think is great.
After the summary, Joshua begins to once again instruct his people to serve God alone and no other.
The people reply, "Of course we will serve God."
Joshua says "I don't think you can - you've been so unfaithful before."
They reply, "No, we promise. This time its for real."
Joshua then says that they are a witness to their own demise essentially, because if they step out of line, they know exactly what will happen. The text does go on to say that Israel was faithful to God throughout the entire 'reign' of Joshua, which is pretty cool because Deuteronomy ended with Moses and God predicting Israel's betrayal - more evidence that God does not know the absolute future, but perhaps potential outcomes...that's a strange thing to think about. It's like knowing all the endings to a video game, but not knowing which one will end up happening.
Then the coolest capstone of a book so far closes out Joshua. Remember Joseph? Sold into slavery in Egypt? The reason Israel was enslaved in Egypt (debatable)? Joseph probably died (total guess) 500 years prior to this scene in Joshua. Well, the nation of Israel kept his bones for all these years and buried them in the promised land where they were living. Specifically they were buried at Shechum - which was purchased by - who? - Jacob all the way back in Genesis.
Full circle, indeed.
Luke 21:1-28
Dude - the signs of the end of the age are freaking intense.
Here, Jesus launches into one of the bigger - if not the biggest - lectures on the end of the world. The way he describes it is so vivid and palpable that it really rests in your mind after reading it. Especially these last few verses:
25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."At the same time, that last verse is almost comforting. It's like having the knowledge that the scary things that will happen are actually good provides a pretty good sense of ease about the whole thing. Plus its kinda like a call to arms too - "stand up and life your heads because your redemption is drawing near." sounds like the title of a turbo core song.
Psalm 89:38-52
Wow - this is freaking intense. So this is the second half of the psalm which I read last night that was all happy and praisy and I was all like "Hey I've never seen a psalm that was all good without any sort of dissonance in it. I like that." Well I didn't realize that the second half was that dissonance that seemed like it was missing - but man, what a way with words this guy has.
Verses 38-45 sound make this sound almost like someone we should all know pretty well by now:
38 But you have rejected, you have spurned,
you have been very angry with your anointed one.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant
and have defiled his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken through all his walls
and reduced his strongholds to ruins.
41 All who pass by have plundered him;
he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have turned back the edge of his sword
and have not supported him in battle.
44 You have put an end to his splendor
and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him with a mantle of shame.
Selah
I think the psalmist is talking about himself here, but it does sound an awful lot like Jesus, no?
After this he goes into perhaps the most honest look at man vs God so far in the Bible:
47 Remember how fleeting is my life.Check out that bolded line. 'For what futility you have created all men!' What a statement. This is the psalmist pondering the meaning of life, and finding nothing - calling it futile.
For what futility you have created all men!
48 What man can live and not see death,
or save himself from the power of the grave ?
Selah
49 O Lord, where is your former great love,
which in your faithfulness you swore to David?
Let's say for a moment that everything in the Bible was made up. It's all false crap. What would the purpose of it be then? There doesn't seem to be any monetary gain to a specific place (tithing is debatable). It doesn't make you swear any allegiance to any nation or king, except God, but if it's all false that that's irrelevant. If this whole thing is a lie, I believe it was made up to give all of us a sense of meaning to our lives. I mean, this is the oldest question in the world - 'why am I here?' The Bible tries to answer that question by creating a God that created us and loves us and has a plan for our lives.
But then you see something like 'for what futility you have created all men' in a book that's supposed to be about the opposite of that, that really stands out. I'm not sure what to make of it, but its just such an honest, real human emotion.
I suppose if this psalm is in fact autobiographical, then it would make sense. He has been completely decimated, friends gone, power usurped, glory trodden over - who wouldn't feel worthless and insignificant at that point in one's life?
Proverbs 13:20-23
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner,
but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children,
but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 A poor man's field may produce abundant food,
but injustice sweeps it away.
Take from those what you will.
Now it's time for the wedding of the year! Love all the time, friends!
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