Tag: covenant promise

Joshua 24: The Witness Stone
Joshua 24: The Witness Stone

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Today we read about a rite that takes place in Shechem under an oak in the sanctuary of the Lord. Joshua sets up a standing stone as a witness to all that takes place that day.

Joshua reminds us that the Lord says: I brought you out of a land in which you were asked to serve other gods. And we reply: We remember well how we were taken in by the false promise of immediate satisfaction . . . and how the Lord saved us from an empty life.

Joshua reminds us that the Lord says: I lead you out of the desert and saved you from those who would see an end of you. And we reply: We remember well how we hungered for real sustenance and how we were frightened by those who wanted to put an end to us . . . and how the Lord redeemed us with his own life.

Joshua reminds us that the Lord says: I gave you land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant. And we reply: We remember well how you rescued us from privation and provided all for us . . . and how the Spirit continues to abide with us and comfort us.

Joshua reminds us that the Lord says: Love the Lord and serve him completely. If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. And we reply: We will renew this promise with you.

Joshua says to us as he said to his own people: You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. And we reply as the people replied: We will still serve the Lord.

Joshua says to us as he said to his own people: You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord. And we reply as the people replied: We are, indeed!

And Joshua says . . . This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us.

And so we pray . . .

Good and faithful God, we were told that you would not forgive us our transgressions and yet you not only forgive them, you come to walk with us as one of us. We hear that you are a jealous God and yet we see that your love is tender and nourishing. We know that you are holy and yet your endless generosity in sharing your life with us amazing to us.

Like Joshua’s people who affirm their covenant promise to you beneath the oak in the sanctuary at Shechem, we declare today that you are the one, the only, the Living God who loves us more dearly than we can imagine. In our littleness we cling to you. In our waywardness we look to you. In our fear we hope in you.

We ask that you call us back when we stray from you. Keep us always close to you so that we might serve you.

We ask that you bind us to you. Keep us always close to you so that we might serve you.

We ask that you never let us go. Keep us always close to you so that we might serve you.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, together with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A re-post from August 21, 2011.

To learn more about the Amorites, visit: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1422-amorites

Visit https://www.bibleplaces.com/shechem/ to learn more about Schechem.

Images from: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/silent-witness and https://www.britannica.com/plant/tree and

To learn about Witness Trees in the U.S., visit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-five-witness-trees-were-present-at-key-moments-in-americas-history-180963925/

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September 13, 2025

choosing God, covenant promise, fidelity, oak tree, serving the Lord, standing stone
Numbers 34: The Lovely Paradox
Numbers 34: The Lovely Paradox

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

We have tackled this theme before: The importance of knowing our appropriate limits. We have reflected on the subtle ways in which vanity creeps into our lives, allowing us to believe that we do not need God or worse – that God does not exist at all. We already know that if we are not prudent, humble and watchful, arrogance will make a stealthy entrance into our lives. We preen a bit too much when we are complemented. We allow ourselves to forget that it is God who creates us and fills us with the talents we so easily take for granted. When we know our limits – and when we know God’s beneficence – we keep well away from the subtle snares of pride.

We may puzzle a bit over why the Lord is so particular about dividing the tribes into designated territories, and if so then we will want to recall that the land from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River Euphrates is part of God’s covenant promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:18. The Lord understands that unless demarcations are made we humans will constantly squabble over control. The Lord also knows that once we relinquish ourselves to God’s boundaries, we learn to rely on God rather than ourselves.

We may object to this laying out of lines and the designation of supervisors. We may believe that God does not really understand what it feels like to be in our shoes. We may think that our burdens are too heavy, our challenges to great. We may even think that God does not understand us, and in this we would be incorrect.

For the lovely paradox is this . . .

When we learn to rely on God alone for everything we are and do, we will find it easier to remain within the human limits that define us.

When we learn to thank God for all that we have and all that we are, we will find it easier to empty ourselves so that God might enter.

When we learn to ask God for help in everything we do, we will find it easier to overcome the obstacles in our path.

In doing all of this, we hand ourselves over to God.

In doing all of this, we find our own divinity. And this is the lovely paradox.

A re-post from Wednesday, August 3, 2011.

Image from: http://midwestpoet.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/stones/
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August 26, 2025

Abraham, covenant promise, Euphrates River, Genesis 15:18, land, limits, trust God
Ezekiel 16: I am the Truth
Ezekiel 16: I am the Truth

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 25, 2025

It is best to read this prophecy with a commentary since some of the history and references can be confusing; but the most striking element in chapter 16 is the fact the revelation that all the actions we believe we do in the dark will come eventually come to the light. All is ultimately revealed.

Here we see how Israel turns away from Yahweh to play the harlot with pagan nations. Worse than a prostitute, she does not take payment, but gives herself freely to one or to all. Still, God pardons her, as God pardons us.

I will honor the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will make a covenant with you that will last forever.

We ask for forgiveness as we reveal our truth to a God who already knows it.

We make reparations for damages we complete to the Spirit who already heals us.

We ask for mercy that our acts of omission may be made whole through the goodness of the Son who is the Shepherd, The Way, the Vine to our branches, the Alpha and Omega, the Resurrection and the Truth. Let us today and all days remain in this certainty. For this is the truth we find in our covenant with God.

I will honor the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will make a covenant with you that will last forever.

Image from: http://www.philosophynews.com/post/2015/01/29/What-is-Truth.aspx
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May 25, 2025

covenant promise, Israel as a harlot, truth is revealed
Nehemiah 12: 27-43: Dedication
Nehemiah 12: 27-43: Dedication

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Bible Encyclopedia: Dedication of the Temple

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah bring us the chronicle of returning exiled Jews who threw themselves into the work of rebuilding the protective walls of the city of Jerusalem and the Temple itself. These books relate the Jewish people’s fidelity to the Torah (The Law) and an authentic Jewish life lived in faithful adherence to their covenant with Yahweh.

Today we consider our own agreement with our Creator.

Why do we forget how much we have promised to reform once we see ourselves out of danger? Why do we work so hard to amend our ways only to fall back into the same temptations, addictions and games? Why do we, like the Jewish people who return to their old rituals after the Babylonian captivity, ardently promise to repent and repay? Why do we work diligently to reform and then, like the Jewish nation, slip back into familiar, unfaithful habits?

Because this world is a treacherous, alluring, clever place, and the only way we can hope to walk through it and still remain faithful to the covenant promise is to be in constant contact with the Creator God, the Ransomer Christ, and the Indwelling Holy Spirit. We read about the faithful followers of Yahweh who rediscover the relics of a life for which they had hoped, but which they suspected they would never live again. They have escaped bondage and now they gather to celebrate, to dedicate, to promise once again to abide by the covenant promise.

May we, like this faithful band of people, re-gather, re-collect, re-dedicate, and re-commit ourselves to a life centered around service to the New Torah – service to the Gospel – service to Christ.

Adapted from a reflection written on June 2, 2007.

Image from: http://bibleencyclopedia.com/pictures/Ezra_6_Dedication_of_the_temple.htm
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October 9, 2024

commitment, covenant promise, promise, Torah
Nehemiah 1 and 2: Rebuilding Walls
Nehemiah 1 and 2: Rebuilding Walls

The Damascus Gate by night in Jerusalem

Saturday, September 21, 2024

We visit with Nehemiah several times a year and each time we rediscover the themes of covenant, restoration, and rebuilding. Today’s reading takes us to the beginning of the restoration of Jerusalem after the northern invasion and the Babylonian exile. This book was written in about 430 B.C.E. and as it begins, we see Nehemiah, the Jewish man who serves as Cupbearer to the foreign king. Footnotes tell us this means that he was an important official who was allowed to come into the presence of not only the king but the queen as well. This would suggest that he was a eunuch but there is no evidence to support that fact. What we do understand is that he was highly placed in this foreign administration and we can guess, when we see his skills displayed throughout this story that he rose to that position through his skill. But there is an important element to this story. Nehemiah prayed constantly, and this praying kept him connected intimately with his creator. Nehemiah called on God continually for direction, and God gave direction to this good and loyal servant.

As the story begins, news arrives with several Jewish men who have just come from Judah, from Jerusalem. The news is not good; but filled with courage and a love of his God, Nehemiah responds to his creator’s call and so it is with a mixture of trepidation and courage that he goes to the king. As we read, we find several interesting points.
- Today’s reading begins in the month of Chislev – the same month in which we will later see (in the year 165 B.C.E.) the celebration of the re-dedication of the temple which we were reading and reflecting about some days ago. We too are in the month of Chislev, and the celebration of Hannukah was just completed this week. The Festival of Light – the season of a small shaft of light piercing the intense darkness.
- Should you prove faithless, I will scatter you among the nations; but should you return to me and carefully keep my commandments, even though your outcasts have been driven to the farthest corner of the world, I will gather them from there, and bring them back to the place which I have chosen as the dwelling place for my name. This is the covenant promise which Jesus fulfills four centuries later and which he continues to fulfill for us each day.
- Nehemiah not only asks permission to visit his former city, he also asks for soldiers, protection, and permission to fell trees with which to rebuild the city and gates, and a house for himself. He does not do things by half-measures; he is totally and truly dedicated to God in temperance, patience, endurance and perseverance.
Tomorrow, arriving in Jerusalem.

Adapted from a Favorite written during Advent, on December 15, 2007.

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jerusalem_Damascus_Gate_by_night.JPG
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September 21, 2024

covenant promise, endurance, light pierces the darkenss, Nehemiah, patience, perseverance, temperance
Esther 10 and F: Thanksgiving – Part IV
Esther 10 and F: Thanksgiving – Part IV

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Rembrandt van Rijn: Ahasuerus and Haman at the Feast of Esther

Mordecai’s Dream Fulfilled

A Favorite from October 6, 2007. To read the epilogue (Esther F), consult the New American Bible (NABRE) using the scripture link above.

We must remember that God is always loyal to the covenant promise, and we need not expect anything less than perfection from God because with God all things are possible. As Mordecai says in today’s reading when he realizes that the outrageous hope of which he dreamt has actually been fulfilled, This is the work of God. Mordecai recognizes God’s effort to convert harm to good. He sees that not a single detail has been left unfulfilled. He recognizes the meaning of the symbols of the spring, the light, and the dragons which had previously been unclear to him. He sees what God has arranged, and what man has plotted. He recognizes that God has saved his people and delivered us from all these evils. He now understands that God worked signs and great wonders which we were too frightened to see and appreciate as we ran the gauntlet of obstacles laid out by ourselves and others in anticipation of our fall. Mordecai now feels the full impact of his rescue and reparation. He has let the reality of the outcome of his innocent suffering come into focus. He now sees fully that the horrific end which his enemies had plotted is not his and Esther’s – for it is not the Jewish people who hang from the gallows but instead, those who ordered the gallows built. Not only has God saved, God has at the same time turned evil into good, passed judgment and handed out consequences.

Tomorrow, thanksgiving for rescue.

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahasuerus_and_Haman_at_the_Feast_of_Esther
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October 6, 2023

all things are possible for God, covenant promise, Esther and Mordecai, plots
Luke 2: Our Story – Part I
Luke 2: Our Story – Part I

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Our story is told through the whole of scripture as the story of Christ. Today we reflect on the traces of this story that we find in our own lives from the first words of Genesis . . . In the beginning . . . to the last words of Revelation . . . The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. What has been our beginning? What do our lives reveal?

From the Torah and narratives, through the books of wisdom and prophets, and finally with the gospels, letters and final oracles, we read the story of Jesus who is predicted and promised, and who comes to fulfill that covenant promise. What is our prediction? What potential of hope has God placed within us? What is the promise our lives disclose?

The scripture stories fit together, notching closely as a mosaic to form the Mystical Body of Christ. What sort of image of God do we speak to the world with our lives? How do the stories we play out speak of our relationship with God?

Christ’s story can be our own not in that we live perfect lives as Jesus did, but in that we strive for this perfect love that Jesus teaches us daily. Today, we look at the words that begin his story as a human . . . In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled . . . and we take the opportunity to consider once again how our own story might begin . . . In those days a war erupted between . . . In those days there was great political, economic and social unrest . . . In those days peace had come upon the land . . . In those days there was much to celebrate . . . We might enumerate our family lineage as Matthew does in his Gospel. We might wade immediately into our story as Mark does; or we might allow poetry to take over as does John . . . In the beginning was The Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Our own New Testament might begin . . . In the beginning there was Fury . . . there was Peace . . . there was Confusion . . . there was Joy.

Today we spend time reflecting on the introduction of our story. The introduction of our hope. The introduction of the love we bring to the world as our response to God’s call.

Tomorrow, our stories of obstacles and rejections.

Image from: https://thetravelingwhitebelt.com/2014/03/04/in-love-with-a-shooting-star/

Adapted from a reflection written on June 21, 2010.
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August 14, 2022

covenant promise, Genesis 1, God’s call, God’s image, hope, our life as story
Jeremiah 22: Do What Is Right
Friday, August 12, 2021

Jeremiah 22

Do What Is Right

Listen to the word of the Lord . . .

Do what is right and just . . .

Rescue the victim from the hand of his oppressor . . .

Do not wrong or oppress the resident alien, the orphan, or the widow . . .

Do not shed innocent blood . . .

With hindsight we can see where the chosen people miss-stepped. We can easily judge and say that we would have listened to God’s voice to avoid falling into the subtle trap of following little gods rather than the one Living God.

With understanding we can see how the chosen people miscalculated. We can quickly recognize the corruption that pervaded their religious and civic institutions.

With honesty we can see our own slide into first accepting and later following the way that is wide and dishonest rather than the narrow way that is difficult and authentic.

Many people will pass by this city and ask one another: “Why has the Lord done this to so great a city?”

And the answer will be: “Because they have deserted their covenant with the Lord, their God, by worshiping and serving strange gods”.

What strange little gods do we allow to filter into our decisions? What small little gods rule our days and nights? What insignificant little gods threaten our peaceful relationship with God?

How do we do what is good and right and just?

We take time today to pause and reflect.

For more information on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Eleanor Roosevelt, go to: http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086#synopsis and http://www.biography.com/people/eleanor-roosevelt-9463366 

Images from: http://www.stylegerms.com/martin-luther-king-jr-quotes/ and http://www.digitalmomblog.com/pinterest-daily-repin-do-what-feels-right/
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August 13, 2021

authenticity, corruption, covenant promise, honesty, little gods, social justice, The Living God
Jeremiah 21: Oracles and Kings
Thursday, August 12, 2021

Jeremiah 21

Oracles and Kings

19th Century English School: Blind Zedekiah, Last King of Judah, Before Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon

Many of us dislike hearing bad news; most of us hate delivering an unwanted message or information. We ask for input and then complain about the information we receive. “Consider the source,” my dad used to say, “and then take it to God”.

In today’s reading from Jeremiah we enter into the portion of his prophecy in which he brings us God’s word regarding the line of David, those who followed on the heels of greatness to lose the covenant gift given by God. The prophet speaks of the work of justice which must be done in this world in order to experience the next world well; we are to be about the work of advocacy for the poor, the down-trodden and those on the margins of life. This is clear. Verse 12: Each morning dispense justice, rescue the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor. When we continue reading, we see the consequence that Jeremiah foretells if we do not rise to answer our call.

The Gospel describes how Jesus’ disciples struggle to understand the true meaning of discipleship; they are no longer “of this world” just as Jesus is not of this world. Jesus asks that his disciples be “consecrated in truth” – consecrated in the word. There is no greater life to which a human might aspire than to stand in solidarity with those who suffer innocently. And Jeremiah calls to King, High Priest and commoner alike.

We are all Kings of the house of Judah; each of us is the High Priest; we also the adopted siblings of Christ. We are all called to abide by our covenant promises just as God abides with us. We are all called to dispense justice, to deliver hope in a real and immediate way, to advocate for those who have no voice. We are all called to consecration in the truth of the word of God just as the women and men who traveled with Jesus were. We are all called to be of the other world while still living in this world. We are all called to listen to the oracles of the Kings. And we are all called to respond.

Adapted from a reflection written on May 23, 2007.

Image from: http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/M819181-88/The-Blind-Zedekiah-Last-King-of-Judah-before-Nebuchadnezzar-of-Babylon?img=1&search=Zedekiah&bool=phrase
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August 12, 2021

advocacy, covenant promise, discipleship