It’s a week of laws and rules.
So many rules. Rules for the
latrine, rules for constructing an altar, rules for weights and measures, rules
for war and slaves and birds’ nests. And
the duty of a husband’s brother after the husband dies. A week
of both blessings and curses. Moses
reminds us over and over that it was God who brought the Israelites out of
Egypt, asking only for them to walk in his ways, keep his commandments and to
obey him. Blessings upon blessings will
be theirs if they hold up their end of the covenant. But woe to those who turn aside from the law
and follow other gods. The curses are
horrific. What kind of a loving God would
punish his chosen people with such misery?
In Luke, Jesus also speaks of blessings and curses this week. We hear the familiar words of the Beatitudes,
and the warnings about what will bring woe.
We witness the calling of the first disciples as well as the naming of
the twelve apostles. Jesus speaks in
parables, restores people to life, heals the sick, and calms the storm. Multitudes are fed. Jesus is transfigured on the mountaintop,
joined by Moses and Elijah. We finish
the week with Mary and Martha and a little sibling rivalry.
This week the psalmist offers prayers for deliverance from our enemies
and cries for God’s protection. In the
midst of persecution there is also hope.
Songs of trust in God ring out even as our foes surround us. More blessings and curses.
Speaking to the thousands of Israelites who were assembled at the
threshold of the promised land, Moses tells them, “I have set before you life
and death, blessings and curses. Choose
life.” Peter answers the powerful
question, “But who do you say that I am?”, and Jesus answers the lawyer’s
question, “Who is my neighbor?” I
challenge you this week to answer these questions for yourself, and to choose
life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God,
obeying him, and holding fast to him.
Amen and amen.
Nancy Ries
