We have embarked on Numbers in our Bible Challenge. And Moses and Aaron have a lot of counting to do, people, animals, tents. Maybe this is why this book is called Numbers.

In the midst of all the counting, we read these words, “You will bless the Israelites as follows. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.” (Num 6:23-26) What a nice blessing in the middle of the rules, the laws, and the counting. These words offer love, kindness and peace, in the middle of, well the “busyness” of the Israelites current reality.

The nazarite’s are set apart to serve the Lord. There are a lot of rules for them, from what they eat, to how they dress, to their hairstyle. Some of us might wonder why they would do it? We know what we can not see, we believers know there is a love, a joy, a peace that comes from serving the Lord. When we read between the lines, we can imagine that the nazarite’s are blessed to offer blessings to God’s people.

To be called to share this blessing is special; a command from God. God says, “Use these words to bless my people…”(paraphrase) And I breathe a sigh of relief, in the middle of all the “busyness” of setting up this community of faith, God pauses and tells Moses to make sure Aaron tells the people God loves them. There are a lot of rules to follow. But through them all the people will receive the blessing of God’s face, shining on them, bringing them amazing grace and perfect peace.  We have to look in a mirror to see ourselves, but everyone else sees our face all day long. This blessing means God’s radiance shining on me will be for others to see. Imagine what it would mean if they can see God’s glory on our face? Imagine what it would mean if we carried grace and peace in our pours? Like the nazarite’s we are each blessed to be a blessing to the world.

In the middle of your busy day, who can you share a blessing with?

Can other’s see the glory of the Lord shining upon you?

Today, I went to chapel at the Virginia Annual Conference (United Methodist) Center. I knew some of the people I worshiped with, but not all. But, we were on the same page, literally. We have all taken up the Bishop’s Bible Challenge. I mentioned that Leviticus is a slog. Pete Moon laughingly said to me, “I know, I’ve been checking my skin all week looking for leprosy!” There is a lot about being clean in Leviticus, presenting yourselves holy to the Lord. It might make us run to the bathroom to wash our hands before we pray, or worship, or read the Bible.

“The Lord said to Moses, Say to the whole community of Israelites: You must be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Lev 19:1)

Remember, the Israelites haven’t known the Lord for many generations. God is getting much closer to them, as some spiritual mentors says, “God is bending toward the people.” (This idea comes from many years of contemplative prayer) God is teaching them how to live as holy people, set apart. Sometimes, we forget that we are set apart. We forget that we, Christians are to act differently than society. When you get pulled over for speeding, the police officer never lets you off with the excuse, “I was going with the flow of traffic.” The law is the law. We are not to go with the flow of society, we are called to do better.

Recently I was having dinner with friends at a restaurant. We split the tickets. When my ticket came, I was missing my drink. I asked everyone at the table if it had ended up on their bill. It did not. I pointed it out to the waitress. She was not used to a customer pointing out that she was not charged enough. I jokingly said, “Well, I’m a Christian, and I wouldn’t want to miss out on heaven because I lied about two dollars.” She laughed and said she didn’t think that would happen. I agree, through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus, I will not be condemned because of two dollars. But….
it was not my two dollars, I had made the commitment to exchange it for a drink, and those two dollars belonged to the restaurant owner, who would use that two dollars to pay their employees. “Do not withhold a hired laborer’s pay overnight.” (Lev 19:13) We, humans, we are connected. Our choices have consequences. Here in Leviticus, the Lord, is teaching the people that they are in relationship with one another. “You must not hate your fellow Israelite in your heart.” (Lev. 19:17) Each word, each action, it matters to the well being of the whole community. It matters to God. This is called social holiness.
Our relationship with God and with each other is of vital importance to the kingdom of heaven here on earth. This is summed up here and by Jesus “You must love your neighbor as yourself;I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:18)
In Leviticus, God is addressing the community, because God sees us as all connected to one another. We must treat each other well, we must speak kindly, we must let go of grudges. When we can learn to love each other better, then we grow closer to God. We learn to love God better. Therein is the heart of faith. When we practice love with those we see everyday, we will know the love of God for eternity.

note: All Scripture is quoted from the Common English Bible

Bishop’s Bible Challenge

February 2, 2017

We have entered one of my least favorite books of the Bible, Leviticus. Just lists and lists of rules. Many rules that don’t even make sense in 2017. Some of you may have a bull, but not me. For me, it can be a slog to read through these verses, until recently. Recently, I found myself watching a real life, not on tv, court trial. I spent a few days listening to attorney’s present their cases. I listened intently as the attorney’s presented the facts, as unbiasedly as they could. This was not like a tv court drama, the attorney’s on both sides were trying not to elicit emotion. They were trying to get the jury to make their own conclusions. Everyone participating in the court was seeking justice for all. The judge was diligent about making sure the jury heard only facts. When an attorney started to make a statement or introduce and exhibit that might move toward speculation…”5 minute Recess! Counsel, approach the bench please.”

Through this experience, I came to see how attorney’s are part of law enforcement. They work in relationship with investigators so that “justice will be achieved.” It is a meticulous task, to research the laws, to scrutinize exhibits, to interview suspects and witnesses, and to prepare for court. During a break, I was able to converse with one of the lawyers. It was clear from our conversation, she loves the law. She respects the rules that govern society. She believes these rules are needed to maintain order and justice.

As we saw in the book of Exodus, the Israelites are an unruly bunch. They have been oppressed under laws they did not make that were enforced by people who did not see them as human. Remember, all these people knew, was Egypt, all they knew of the Lord God was the stories they heard around the hearth. But here, they have left their jail, and as many who leave years of confinement, they don’t know what to do next. Nelson Mandela said, “After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one’s person.” The Israelites have so much to learn.

So the Lord, provides leaders, Moses and Aaron. The Lord provides food (manna). The Lord provides rules to govern themselves but also rules that are meant to teach them how to worship the Lord. Remember, these Israelites were not free to worship their God, so they have years of Vacation Bible School, prayer meetings, and worship to catch up on. The Lord provides all of these things out of love. There is an old saying that most parents use at one time or another with their children, “I discipline you because I love you.”

The next few weeks, we will read through Leviticus together. For some of us, who love the law, it will be a great discipline. For some of us, who love the people and the stories, we will be doing an act of love to just do our daily readings. But, as we read, let us remember, Jesus said the first rule, is to “Love the Lord God with all our heart, strength and mind.” As we read, let us keep in mind, God’s desire for “justice for all.”

Note: The weekly reading plan will be printed in the Worship Bulletin and e-mailed out weekly. The plan is written at the Back to the Bible Website, you can click on “read now” and read there, also there are devotions, articles and audio information available. Here is the link for the One Year; Beginning to End Bible Reading Plan

https://www.backtothebible.org/reading-guide/15