| Today I'm leaping a bit in Brueggemann's book. It is a section that deals with "Israel Recalcitrant and Scattered.
Another facet of Israel's life with YHWH is that Israel did not respond to YHWH's goodness adequately or to YHWH's command faithfully; Israel thereby jeopardized its existence in the world. Israel came into existence by the sovereign freedom of YHWH, and by that same sovereign freedom Israel would perish. Thus the third dimension (or 'season') of Israel's life with YHWH is as a recalcitrant partner who stands under judgment and threat for its very life. Just as we are to be the embodiment of Jesus in the world - a gift handed to us - Israel was to be the reflection of this life-giving God who acts for them in all times. And yet, as the storytelling goes, Israel would not follow this God whose presence was known among them. They, in many and various ways, fled from their God into the waiting arms of the ways and powers of the world. In other words, they 'stand under judgment and threat for its very life." This doesn't mean that God will zap them. Rather, it means that they - in essence - zap themselves. They leave the way of God's Reign. They function within their everyday lives as people who do not partake in the beautiful presence of God. Now, I may sound critical of Israel, but we must do that with a mirror in our hands because the followers of Jesus do quite the same. We have this treasure in earthen vessels and we so often refuse to use our lives for the sake of the whole world - that all may know the face of God.
Connection: There is so much life to live and so many opportunities to have the beauty and power of God's Reign shine among us - we need only let it be the gift that it is and let is shine.
O God, who watches how we turn away and follow other powers, it is your love that will transform us. And yet, we need to hold this love close that it may become us.. Amen. |
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