Numbers 4:1-5:10
God bless those sea cows! Who would have imagined that such an undignified looking animal would end up being used in so sacred a place? The thrust of this section is the holiness of God and a further reminder of the great lengths that humans must go to to make this impossible relationship work. Like trying to store molten lava in a piece of tupperware, there are layers upon layers of precautions and protections that need to be in place to even begin to make this interaction work. Indeed 8,580 people spend their whole lives trying to maintain the precipitous state of God living among his people. It is really quite amazing to compare the size of the industry that was essential for facilitating indirect relationship with God under the old covenant and the complete, unbridled, direct relationship that each and every person can have with God under the new covenant. When Paul talks about the riches of God’s grace, you can really see that riches doesn’t even get the half of it! Oh that we in the church could grasp the sheer reckless superabundance of what God has made available to us.
Luke 1:57-80
I don’t think I’ve ever bothered reading Zechariah’s song before. I don’t know why the editors call it a song as the text actually says it was a prophecy. Maybe it was a prophetic song? If so, I’d love to know how Zechariah sung it. I’m sure there must have been some guitars in there somewhere, and a nice syncopated rhythm. But, now I come to think of it, as Zechariah hadn’t spoken for nigh on 12 months, maybe it just came out like a tiny little squeak that he embarrassingly had to write down later. I fear it’s one of those mysteries of the kingdom that will not be disclosed until we know fully even as we are fully known. This song is fascinating as it shows how John’s ministry was not only disclosed to his father in advance but was also accepted by him as being a thoroughly Jewish ministry in continuation of God’s promises to Abraham. This is significant as it shows that Luke affirms the call and promises of the Old Testament and builds an understanding of John from those Hebrew scriptures. This is why bible in a year is so helpful - it begins to construct for us the beginnings of an understanding of what people like Zechariah were expecting from God so that, when we see Jesus appearing, we can understand him in his own context and be less likely to impose upon him our own Western, 21st Century opinions. The two themes that define Zechariah’s understanding of God - salvation and mercy. Salvation and mercy have always been God’s business and they always will be. Let’s step up and ensure they are absolutely the church’s business as well.
Psalm 34:11-22
Even under the old covenant people saw that “no one will be condemned who take refuge in (God)”. What a wonderful thing. I want to continue to grasp for myself and convey to others this complete lack of condemnation that is found in Him. It really is an astonishingly refreshing thing to get hold of.
