caution – The Noontimes

Ezra 9: Inbetween-ness – A Reprise

Ezra 9: Inbetween-ness – A Reprise

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Written on February 2, 2010 and posted on February 3, 2012 as a Favorite.

About six months ago we looked at both Chapters 8 and 10 of Ezra to see what happened as the scattered nations drew themselves back together for their long and dangerous journey home. Today we look at what takes place between those book ends. Word has arrived that the hoped-for journey will be taken and the people realize that there is an obstacle to that return: they have intermarried with non-believers and, according to their explicit laws, they must rectify this situation. The measure taken by the Hebrew people seems harsh by our standards today; yet we can take this story as an opportunity to evaluate our own actions when we find ourselves in a state in inbetween-ness. When we are neither here nor there we are in a vulnerable position, we are in danger of losing ourselves – or our way to God.

The Jewish people established a regimen in order that they not forget Yahweh in their passage from life to death. Sometimes these rules were too difficult to follow. Sometimes the rules took on a life of their own. Coming from this tradition, we who are Christians have the need to investigate the rules we live by – in order that we not throw away something that is precious – in order that the rule not become more important than God. As Christians, we must be aware that as we make transitions from one point to another, we are in danger of focusing too much on the past or too much on the future at the expense of not knowing who or why we exist, at the cost of fouling the relationships that are so important to how we live and behave.

And so we pray . . . Good and gracious God, we are never quite certain of how to shift from one track to another as we shift and move with life. Our judgment may become fogged by our concern for legacy. Our vision may become blurred as we search for new alliances. When we are adrift as we swing from one stage to the next, we question once again. Is this path too broad that we travel and too easy? Is it too narrow and too stifling? Help us to see more clearly which way we are to go, why we are to proceed, how we are to decide. Keep the people in our lives more important than the rules. And keep the rules as simple as your one supreme commandment: Love your God above all gods, and love one another as I have loved you. Keep us ever in mind we pray. Amen.

Image from: http://www.dezeen.com/2011/09/09/reading-between-the-lines-by-gijs-van-vaerenbergh/

September 18, 2024

care with the rules, caution, living between two places

Mark 13:28-31: The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Friday, May 14, 2021

Mark 13:28-31

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Caution. Patience. Readiness. Being watchful and diligent.

The fig tree blooms late and is unaffected by frost. It is patient and waits for the right weather until it flowers.

Many speculate about the meaning of these verses and many scholars simply say: Read Jesus’ words and take them in. They tell you all you need to know.

When we click on the biblical citation above we read four different versions of this story that are pre-selected. Choose another version of the Bible that is new to you and read the story through new eyes. Read it aloud to allow your ears to hear some new innuendo. Jot down one lesson that the fig tree might teach us personally. And let us remember that God says: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Spend some time today with the story of the fig tree . . . and decide how it speaks its lesson to you.

To learn more about the fig tree in today’s Noontime, go to: http://wesley.nnu.edu/fileadmin/imported_site/biblical_studies/parables/Mo-Mk13_28-31.htm

For more information about the life of a fig tree and how to prune it for maximum harvest, click on the image above or go to: http://www.gardenality.com/Articles/360/How-To-Info/Pruning/How-To-Prune-A-Fig-Tree/default.html

For a thoughtful reflection on the size and importance of the fig tree, and Jesus’ call to Nathanael who waited beneath a fig tree, click on the image to the left or go to: http://miningthesacredpage.com/2013/04/02/behold-an-israelite-indeed-in-whom-there-is-no-deceit/

May 14, 2021

caution, diligence, Jesus, Nathanael, patience, readiness, watchfulness

2 Kings 3: Withdrawal

Thursday, January 23, 2020

2 Kings 3: Withdrawal

Elijah has ascended to heaven. Jehoram reigns over Israel. King Mesha of Moab has decided to rebel now that Ahab is no longer king of Israel. King Jehoram musters his troops and prepares for battle and he calls on King Jehoshaphat of Judah to join in the struggle against the Moabites. Will you go with me to battle?

They go into Edom where that king joins them and so the three of them stand ready to fight, except . . . there is no water. The king of Israel cries out: Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord? And Elisha, Elijah’s servant, is named and consulted. Water arrives and the battle is engaged. Things go badly for Mesha who immolates his son on the wall to appease his pagan god. Commentary suggests that “the text may be implying that the anger of the Moab’s god caused the Israelites to withdraw”. (Mays 564) In the face of this human sacrifice, the Israelites pull back. So might we all.

Our natural instinct may be to avoid evil; it may also be to strike out against it. We may be inspired to form solidarity with the weak in order to empower them against the aggressor. Or we may hide in order that we protect what little we have. Today’s story leaves us with these words: And so they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.

I heard a sermon recently advising Christians to be cautious when dealing with evil. The idea that we risk too much danger when we operate in close combat with the devil is one we spent time with several weeks ago when we considered Luke 4 and the devil’s temptation of Jesus. We noted that day that Satan departed from Jesus until an opportune time. We concluded that: The devil never gives up . . . nor does God.

When we find ourselves shoulder deep in a situation that does not make sense, we know that somewhere someone is lying.

When we realize that betrayal is taking place on a deep and intimate level, we know that danger is quite near.

In all circumstances there is only one place to seek haven or ask for help: in God. We may determine that we need to withdraw and return to our own land. We may as likely determine that we need to gather troops, consult with the prophet and make a stand. In either case, it is important that we remain in God no matter what. For in God is our only hope of salvation. No wickedness is too great for God to handle. No malicious act is too horrible for God to transform. No evil can overcome or outlast God’s love for his people.

So if we must withdraw . . . let us open our hearts . . . and withdraw into God.

Mays, James L., ed. HARPERCOLLINS BIBLE COMMENTARY. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1988. 564. Print.

For a reflection on Matthew’s description of Christ’s temptation, go to The Temptations page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/the-temptations

Written on March 18, 2010 and posted today as a Favorite.

Image from: http://daleallynphoto.com/index.php/gallery/image_full/20/

January 23, 2020

caution, evil, Luke 4

Ezra 9: Inbetween-ness – A Reprise

Ezra 9: Inbetween-ness

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Written on February 2, 2010 and posted today as a Favorite . . .

About six months ago we looked at both Chapters 8 and 10 of Ezra to see what happened as the scattered nations drew themselves back together for their long and dangerous journey home. Today we look at what takes place between those book ends. Word has arrived that the hoped-for journey will be taken and the people realize that there is an obstacle to that return: they have intermarried with non-believers and, according to their explicit laws, they must rectify this situation. The measure taken by the Hebrew people seems harsh by our standards today; yet we can take this story as an opportunity to evaluate our own actions when we find ourselves in a state in inbetween-ness. When we are neither here nor there we are in a vulnerable position, we are in danger of losing ourselves . . . or our way to God.

The Jewish people established a regimen in order that they not forget Yahweh in their passage from life to death. Sometimes these rules were too difficult to follow. Sometimes the rules took on a life of their own. Coming from this tradition, we who are Christians have the need to investigate the rules we live by – in order that we not throw away something that is precious – in order that the rule not become more important than God. As Christians, we must be aware that as we make transitions from one point to another, we are in danger of focusing too much on the past or too much on the future . . . at the expense of not knowing who or why we exist, at the cost of fouling the relationships that are so important to how we live and behave.

And so we pray . . . Good and gracious God, we are never quite certain of how to shift from one track to another as we shift and move with life. Our judgment may become fogged by our concern for legacy. Our vision may become blurred as we search for new alliances. When we are adrift as we swing from one stage to the next, we question once again. Is this path too broad that we travel and too easy? Is it too narrow and too stifling? Help us to see more clearly which way we are to go, why we are to proceed, how we are to decide. Keep the people in our lives more important than the rules. And keep the rules as simple as your one supreme commandment: Love your God above all gods, and love one another as I have loved you. Keep us ever in mind we pray. Amen.

A re-post from February 3, 2012.

Image from: http://www.dezeen.com/2011/09/09/reading-between-the-lines-by-gijs-van-vaerenbergh/

February 3, 2019

care with the rules, caution, living between two places

Tag: caution

Ezra 9: Inbetween-ness – A Reprise

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Mark 13:28-31: The Lesson of the Fig Tree

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2 Kings 3: Withdrawal

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Ezra 9: Inbetween-ness – A Reprise

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