The Book of the Covenant
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45; Exod. 24:1-18; Col 2:8-23; Matt. 4:12-17
When reading the Bible by sections prescribed by the lectionary following the Daily Office, we sometimes get to read sequential passages, like this week’s readings through Exodus, Colossians, and Matthew. I noted a jump, however, in today’s selection from the Hebrew scriptures. We skipped Exodus 21, 22, and 23 entirely! And what did we miss? The answer: a whole lot of rules.
Called the Book of the Covenant, these three chapters give specific examples that flow from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). The exposition includes civil, moral, and legal guidelines by which the Hebrew people are to live. There are copious details given for the treatment of slaves, the punishment for injury of people and livestock, and means for upholding justice with truth and fairness, to name a few.
I was surprised as I pressed on through Exodus rules, for I found encouragement! The Lord advises in Exodus 23, “I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Be attentive to him and listen to his voice...” (v. 20-21a) We are not left to our own meager devices on this wild experience of life. We are intrinsically connected to one another in hardship and joy. These directions in Exodus give the Hebrew people specifics about what is and is not okay when living in community – because God wants good for all of creation. And there is help for us. Jesus was the embodiment of this when he came to the earth to live, heal, and give his life for the world to live more fully. Jesus, too, came to offer guidance, protection, and healing.
How do we embrace Exodus today? We strive to abide by the Ten Commandments, as they offer a faithful framework for being in relationship. While Moses doused the Israelites with ox blood as they promised to be obedient, our Christian context of commitment looks different. Ours is an initiation in baptism, as we are baptized in the trinitarian formula and sealed by the Holy Spirit with oil upon our heads, forever marked as God’s. We receive new life in this gift, and when we slip into sin, we repent and return to the Lord. Let’s celebrate resurrection hope and the gift of being made anew in Christ! Alleluia!
Blessings in Eastertide,
Katherine+
Connections in Your Life
Dr. Josh Reeves from Samford University spoke on Sunday morning about how theology informs our understanding of chance encounters. I commend his talk to you (available here). He offered that perhaps God gives us nudges through our existence, working within the systems already in motion. Take a listen and ponder where you find God’s movement in your life.