Hi everyone,
Here is my latest "Thru the Bible in a Year" Post...
1) The vestments of the priests - again, attention to details in worship. These vestments are symbols of their office. In much the same way, my choice in vestments for worship (alb, stole, and occasionally the chasuble vs. the black Geneva-gown and stole) call attention to my place among other Christian ministers throughout history. Also, the deep symbolism of these vestments convey something of my position and calling (the stole is a symbol of the yoke of Christ, the alb a symbol of baptism, and the chasuble a symbol of putting charity above all virtues and the pursual of holiness - not to mention a symbol of willingness to die for the faith). To me, I don't get picky about what ministers wear in worship, but I have chosen to dress like this not out of formalism, but to deepen the symbolism of our worship service. Each of these vestments the priests wore were intricately designed and symbolized various parts of their function and service. Although I am not a priest, and do not function as one, I do appreciate this symbolism, and the symbolism of my own vestments.
2) Consecration of Priests - this was an all out barbeque - and I can't say I would mind to have this at my ordination. In all seriousness, I am glad we no longer offer sacrifices. But again it makes me think about the symbolism of our office as ministers and my own service of ordination.
3) Incense - I was told I could do just about anything in worship at Bessemer (within reason) EXCEPT burn incense. I had no intentions of doing so, but here we see an incense altar to be built. Incense is used to make a fragrant offering to the Lord, but it is also a symbol of the prayers of the people rising before the Lord (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8;3-4). I like incense (in moderation), and I like the symbolism of incense representing prayers offered in worship (in moderation), but I don't see other Presbyterians jumping on that bandwagon.
4) Anointing Oil - again, another image of consecration in worship. I think it interesting how much of these kinds of symbols were carried over into much of Christian tradition over the years (at least in Orthodox/Catholic/High Church Protestant sectors of the church).
5) The Golden Calf - The people forget about God and choose to give homage to a god of their own design, rather than the God who led them out of Egypt. I think so often we do this in our lives with so many things. Even some times in the church, our buildings, our music, our ways of doing things, our programs... can become idols. When we lose sight of the Triune God we serve, and turn to the idols we fashion for our own fulfillment, we commit idolatry.
Further, the people have a gigantastic bacchanalia (gorging on food and drink) and then apparently some sort of sexual escapade or "pagan revelry." Of course, this only adds fuel to the fire, because just after hearing of how the people are to keep themselves holy to the Lord, they give in to their passions and lusts, and defile themselves before the Lord.
6) The Lord's anger burned... and Moses abated it? That's what it seems to say. Folks will be quick to point out that this isn't what's really going on... because there is a need to defend God's actions. I really don't know if Moses really changed God's mind (which some say is impossible based on pre-concieved notions about God's character rather than looking to the text first), or if God "seemed" to change His mind; but whatever the case, God was still very angry. He sends the Levites to kill those who were unfaithful (about 3,000 of them), and then a plague comes upon them. Moses then has to go and make atonement for their sins. To say that God was unhappy would be an understatement. But why would God command such a killing as this? It's not a very loving answer - but it seems like this is meant to say to the people of God that God is a jealous God, who created us to worship him, and when we turn to idols, we cast off God. When we cast off God, we separate ourselves from God and thus from His presence forever. So by killing these people, it was a sign of the death they will face. But who knows, I could be wrong... I've not researched this answer.
7) Aaron makes an excuse - "I swear, all I did was throw this gold into the fire and ... poof... out comes a cow! I dunno!" But clearly Moses knew better. How often do we try to justify our sinfulness before God and others? How often do we make excuses for why we did or did not do something for God or others?
8) The Glory of the Lord - Moses then asks God to reconsider his decision to depart from His people for fear He should wipe them all out. Then God says that he will not depart from them, for God has called them to be His people. Moses then wants to see the glory and goodness of the LORD. And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." So God hides Moses in the cleft of the rock as the Lord passes by. I like this scene
9) When the LORD passes, the LORD proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
10) God calls the people back into covenant, forgives them, and once again calls them to live holy lives as a holy people before the Lord.
11) Moses' radiant face - from seeing the glory of the Lord, Moses' face shown so bright that his face was veiled because it was blinding people. I wonder, does the Lord's presence in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit shine through our lives and in our faces, so that others see His glory in us? If not brightly, even faintly? This is something to ponder as we consider our relationship with God and the way we live our lives.
Well, that's all for tonight - God bless!
In Christ,
Nathan
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