The One Year Bible: Wrecking Ball

 

"I see this hurting world of humanity
Your beloved ones
I see the construction crews, principalities
We've been overrun
I see the walls going up like towers
Hiding our bleeding hearts
From Your healing love and Your power
I'm on my knees in prayer, volunteering
And I can't wait

For You to send your demolition
Down from the sky
These walls have got to fall
I'll be your Joshua
Swing me back and let me fly
I'll ride Your wrecking ball, oh...
I'll ride Your wrecking ball"

                           --4 Him, "Wrecking Ball"

Israel is on the cusp of conquest.  They've already dispatched the kings of the Amorites and Bashan, east of the Jordan and the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, are settling in to their new home (although the warriors of these tribes are honoring their vow to help the rest of Israel conquer the rest of Canaan before returning home).  They've crossed the Jordan by miraculous means and are now getting ready to mount their first attack, on the walled city of Jericho.  Their leader, Joshua is doing some scouting near Jericho when he encounters a mighty warrior. Joshua issues the challenge, "Are you friend or foe?"  The answer might surprise you.

"Neither," the angel replies. "I am the commander of the Lord's armies."

That reply stunned me at first.  Wait a second. I thought, Israel was God's Chosen People.  Surely the answer should have been "friend"?  But in the angelic warrior's refusal to "take sides" is the key to the conundrum of conquest.  Even as I write this entry, Russia is seeking to conquer Ukraine as the world looks on in horror and disapproval. It's a story as old as time.  Our own nation was built on conquest--taking over a land occupied by others and claiming it as our own.  And yet, conquest doesn't seem to fit with the character of Christ, who claimed "My Kingdom is not of this world."  How we do we square Jesus' position with that of the Israelites wiping out kingdom after kingdom as they take the Promised Land by violence?

The answer is in the angelic commander's words.  God wasn't on Israel's "side".  God doesn't take sides.  What was happening to the Canaanite people could just easily happen to the people of Israel (and eventually did).  The Canaanites had sown evil, violence, and destruction and that is what they were now reaping.  If Israel strayed from the path of safety they would fare no better.  God wasn't going to play favorites, either in dispensing His mercy (ask Rahab) or His justice.  This is the difference between the Israelite conquest and all the others in history.  For most conquering armies, the assumption is that "God is on our side." It is our "Manifest Destiny" you might say, to have this land. It never occurs to the conquerors that they themselves could just as easily lose their "right" to that land.  For most colonizing powers, the convenient motto is "Might Makes Right."  Our ability to dominate you is proof that we are God's Chosen.  But God operates under a different standard.  His Motto is "Right Makes Might" and those being displaced are a cautionary tale for the winners, not proof of their superiority. 

The destruction of human life is not something that ever goes down easily.  It shouldn't.  But if it's hard for us to accept a whole tribe wiped out, imagine how hard it is for their Creator, their Father. 

Today, we rightly frown on any attempt by one nation to take another's territory or sovereignty.  The world's pretty much divided up amongst us all.  But it's worth noting, that the world as it is, is not fit for eternity.  One more pretty significant change in who runs the world--call it a conquest, if you will--must take place before we can truly enjoy Paradise.  Evil, hatred, violence, selfishness and death itself must be wiped out. Light drives out darkness.  Good drives out evil. Love conquers all.

"To see this evil scheme
Of the underworld in dire straits
Smashing to smithereens
All the barriers that hide Your face
To watch Your children in surprise
Fall to their knees
Open their eyes"

                  -4 Him, "Wrecking Ball"

Highlights of Deuteronomy 26-Joshua 12:6 

• Moses' Last Words
• Israel Crosses the Jordan
• Rahab: The Original Hooker With a Heart of Gold
• Joshua Fights the Battle of Jericho
• The Ai/ Achan Debacle
• The Gibeonites Hoodwink Israel

Fun Facts

• Did you know what happened to Circumcision for the past few books? Right before the Israelites attacked Jericho, all the men of Israel were circumcised. I just find it interesting that this sign of belonging to God wasn't mentioned throughout the Exodus or in the many instructions to the people of Israel in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It seems to disappear after Genesis and then reappears in Joshua.  Maybe it was there and I missed it?

• Did you know that a group of Canaanite kings attacked the wimpy Gibeonites instead of attacking Israel?  The Canaanite kings were terrified by the encroaching scourge of Israel's supernaturally aided armies.  Rather than attack Israel, they decided to attack the people that had made peace with Israel.  The Gibeonites ask Israel for help and they provide it, utterly defeating the Canaanite kings. I think it's kind of remarkable that Israel was willing to help Gibeon after their trickery.

What Stood out to Me

"And the coal trucks come a-runnin'
With their bellies full of coal
And their big wheels a-hummin'
Down this road that lies open like the soul of a woman
Who hid the spies who were lookin'
For the land of the milk and the honey"

                                              --Rich Mullins, "Land of My Sojourn"

Rahab

Rahab is one of my favorite Bible characters.  While much of Joshua is about the conquering of the Canaanites, here is the story of one Canaanite--and not a "good" one by any stretch, who found grace and mercy, simply by choosing to side with Israel--to extend their spies grace and mercy, in the hopes they--and their God--would do the same for her.  Rahab was a prostitute and a foreigner, and on those two counts alone, according to everything we've read so far in the Old Testament, she should have been marked for destruction.  It's a reminder that God looks at the heart.

Interestingly Rahab's motives were perhaps mainly self-interested. She knew destruction was coming and wanted to avoid that fate for herself and her family.  Rahab decided it was better to place herself and her family at the mercy this scary-sounding God than to fight against Him.  It was her decision to trust Him that is noteworthy.  And when I think about it, I realize that as harsh and wrathful as the God of the Old Testament might be, I cannot think of a single story where someone surrendered to God and placed themselves at His mercy, trusting Him in a moment of complete vulnerability, only for God to reject them and destroy them.  Rahab asked the spies--and through them God--to save her and her family.  And He did.

Those Crafty Gibeonites

Even though the Gibeonites deceived Israel, I've always kind of liked them and their story.  It echoes the story of Rahab in a way.  They knew they were doomed, and figured, "Rather than trying to fight a losing battle, lets see if we can make peace."  Basically, they pretended to be representatives of some faraway nation that is definitely not any kingdom found in Canaan.  They even brought along moldy bread and worn clothes to "prove" how far they'd traveled.  Joshua and the leaders of Israel are even suspicious of the very trickery the Gibeonites are attempting, but they don't consult the Lord and are swayed by the "proofs" of the Gibeonite's long journey.  They make a covenant of peace with the Gibeonites.  Three days later Israel rolls up on the city of Gibeon and realize they've been had.  The Israelites are bound by their vow before God and have no choice but to spare the Gibeonites. 

Joshua demands to know why the Gibeonites deceived them, saying they were from a far off land when in fact they were living right there in Canaan.  To me the answer is obvious--they wanted to avoid destruction!  What I find interesting is the Gibeonite's humble response: "And now behold we are in your hands. Do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us."  Their punishment was that they would be woodcutters and water carriers for the nation of Israel.  I guess the Gibeonites never got the manly memo that "It's better to die on your feet, than live on your knees."   I suppose their mindset was it's better to be a servant among God's people, than a warrior in a losing battle against them.

The One Year Bible: Say It Again for the People in the Back

 Deuteronomy, which makes the bulk of this weeks reading, is basically a recap. It's a recap of the highlights (and lowlights) of Israel's 40 years in the wilderness.  It is a summary of God's law--the rules, procedures, and policies if you will, of the world's first monotheistic theocracy.  The whole book is essentially Moses's final sermon to His people before they go on to glorious conquest and he goes on to Glory. If there's anything new in it, at 25 chapters in, I haven't seen it.

Moses repeats himself--a lot. As I read through Deuteronomy, Moses kind of reminded me of myself when I get on my soapbox in my classroom. I even joke with the students that I have a "library" of sermons that I draw from.  Sermon #361--"If you don't get your behavior on point you will not be able to go on the field trip!"  I think the kids get tired of hearing me say the same thing over and over again.  But I can't help it. I repeat myself because I desperately want the message to get through their fevered middle-school brains. I don't ever want a student of mine to say, "Hey, wait a minute, I didn't know that's what you meant."  I get that same sense of urgency from Moses:

"Come on guys, don't forget how God has led you in the wilderness all these years.  Don't forget God's commands.  Don't forget!  Here, let me lay it out for you again. . ."

Another way in which Moses reminds me of my teacher self, is his constant noting that when a harsh punishment is handed down, "All Israel" or the the surrounding nations, "Will hear and be afraid."  Fear is ultimately not the best tool for developing a relationship either with learning or with God.  But having students know you don't play is crucial tool for a teacher.  My students know that if they misbehave in my classes, there are clear and consistent consequences. Over the years, my reputation precedes me and students arrive in my class knowing I'm serious.  

While Deuteronomy isn't exactly new, there are plenty of twists on the same old message, making for an extra long list of Fun Facts this week:

Fun Facts (Though honestly, a lot of them are anything but fun).

• Did you know Sabbath is a memorial of the Exodus?  In Deuteronomy 5:6-21 the Ten Commandments are repeated, with one notable twist. In the fourth commandment, the reason for resting on the Sabbath changes. Instead of saying "For in six days God created the world but rested on the seventh day," it says "Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with His strong hand and powerful arm.  That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day."  Sabbath serves not only as a memorial to Creation, but also a reminder to God's people that they are free.  They once lived in a place where they had no choice but to work seven days a week. Each Sabbath is a celebration of freedom to stop working.

• Did you know God's plan for dealing with manslaughter? Let's say you're out chopping wood and the ax head flies off the handle and hits your neighbor in the head, killing him (this is an actual example used later in Deuteronomy).  This is manslaughter, not murder.  You took a life but it was not intentional. You can escape vigilante justice at the hands of your neighbor's family--which was smiled upon in the Israelite theocracy, by the way--by escaping to your nearest city of refuge.  Once within the borders of that city, you would be safe from harm.

• Did you know how God's homicide detectives handled cold cases?  If someone is found murdered in a field and no one knows who committed the murder,  those investigating the murder were to measure the distance from crime scene to nearby towns.  The town that is found to be closest is assumed to be where the murderer came from.  Then begins the investigation right?. . .Well, not quite.  There is no investigation.  Instead a heifer that has never been broken for farm work is led down to valley that has not been plowed or planted and has a stream running through it. The animal's neck is broken and the elders of the town must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken.  They must say "Our hands did not shed this person blood, nor did we see it happen."  They ask the Lord to forgive them and to not hold the innocent victim's blood against them.  And with that, the case is closed. 

• Did you know that while the Bible might permit slavery, God is definitely okay with slaves running away?  I find it interesting that all a slave has to do is run away and they are in the clear.  The people of Israel are not to return runaway slaves to their owners (Deuteronomy 23:15).  I get the feeling the assumption is that if a slave is inclined to run away, it's because their master was probably a bad dude.  Good masters = slaves who stay.

What we need is to get back to the Biblical plan for marriage. . .Are we sure about that?

• Did you know the Biblical definition of rape is based on the marital status of the woman and not consent?  In Deuteronomy 22:23-29 we find a definition of rape that is totally foreign to our modern understanding of the crime.  Basically, if a woman is engaged and man has sex with her where others are nearby, it is presumed to be adultery because the woman didn't scream for help.  Both man and woman are stoned to death. If the engaged woman is out in country side where no one can hear her scream, it is assumed that she cried for help and that she was raped and she is spared. Presumably the rapist is executed, though the Bible doesn't say.  But here's the key--this all has to do with engaged women. If a woman is not engaged and a man has sex with her, he has to pay her father fifty pieces of silver and then he has to marry the woman and he can never divorce her! Rape in the Biblical sense appears to only happen to engaged women. Consent is almost beside the point.  After all, a guy who wants a girl that isn't in to him, has only to force himself on her (as long as she's not already promised to someone else and as long as he's got required fifty pieces of silver) and he's got her for life!  Horrible!

• Did you know the rules for marrying a woman you've captured in war (like perhaps that Midianite girl you've recently come into the possession of?)  First, you have to take her home and have her shave her head, cut her nails and change her clothes.  Second, you need to allow her a month to mourn her parents (who you and your fellow soldiers likely had a hand in slaughtering). Third, you get to marry her.  Fourth, if you find she doesn't make you happy, you have to just let her go--no selling your wife or turning her into a slave. You've already humiliated her enough (Deuteronomy 21: 10-14). 

• Did you know God frowns on you punishing your kid because you don't like his mom? Let's say you find yourself in a Jacob type situation.  You've got two wives--one you love, the other not so much.  And let's say that the wife you're not so hyped about has your firstborn son.  You're not allowed to pass on his birthright to the son of the wife you're fond of. It's not your kids fault you don't like his mom. The first born inheritance is his due. (Unless of course the other son can figure a way to hoodwink you into giving it to him. See Jacob).

• Did you know what happens if you believe you "weren't the first" with your new bride?  Your wife's parents will bring out her bed sheet to offer as proof. . .you know what, I'm so out of my depth with this one.  There is so much I'm sure I'm not understanding.  I have so many questions here.  I don't know.  Read it for yourself (Deuteronomy 22:13-21).  Maybe you'll have some insights I missed.  All I see is, either way the woman loses. If it turns out that the husband's accusations were false, he must remain married to her and can never divorce her.  And who wants to be stuck for life with a guy like that?  Of course, if it can be proved that he's telling the truth.  Well, then the woman gets stoned. Ugh

• Did you know how to poop the Biblical way?  It's pretty straightforward. Have designated place outside the camp.  Have a shovel. Dig a hole, do your business, cover it up. (Deuteronomy 23: 12)  Finally, something that makes sense!

Honestly, I think I'm going to have a hard time hearing anyone wax eloquent about the "Biblical  model of marriage."  If Deuteronomy tells us anything, it's that marriage was a very different proposition during Biblical times than it is today.

What Stood Out to Me

God's Economic System Isn't Exactly Capitalist

God seemed to be intent on creating an economic system that made it virtually impossible for anyone to become a billionaire.  Many of the tools of the super wealthy for gaining that wealth weren't available to the Israelites.  They couldn't loan money at interest--at least to their fellow Israelites. Debts had to be forgiven every seven years, so you might actually lose money on your investment. And the Bible warns against being stingy about loaning money because you know you're close to the seventh year (It's not seven years from the day of the loan, but the Sabbath year).  Loan probably isn't the right word for it. You were basically gifting money to your neighbor in need. 

When it came to harvests, farmers were expected to leave some grapes on the vine, olives on the tree, and wheat in the field for the poor to glean.  Efficiency was not the goal--taking what you need, of your own property, and leaving something behind was the rule.  And of course we've already talked about the returning of property you've bought in the year of jubilee.  So much for going into real estate.  It just doesn't seem like the Lord is very pro-business, you know.

God's Concern over Idolatry

If there's one thing, God seemed to be concerned about perhaps above all else, it was His people worshiping other gods.  It's a topic that's returned to over and over in Deuteronomy. It was the cardinal sin, and if anything some of the other sins, were sins because they were connected to idol worship. If it makes God seem jealous and possessive. . .well, I don't think He'd argue with that.  In our modern, pluralistic culture, demanding such absolute loyalty seems harsh. There doesn't seem to be a value of "freedom of religion" in the books of Moses. But then, we're assuming that all religions are benign.  That religion, in and of itself, is a social good. It doesn't really matter which one; as long as you believe in something, right?  To make believing something different than I do a crime just seems wrong.  

But even a casual review of the way religion--including even the faith of Abraham, Jacob , and Moses--was practiced in Old Testament times reveals a very different way of thinking about religion.  Religion was a whole lot less about "beliefs" and a lot more about practice. Religion was what you did, not what you thought.  And the way many of the surrounding religions practiced their faith--including the practice of burning your children to death to appease the gods--was completely incompatible with this brand new faith God was introducing to the world.  The fiery God of Moses might still seem barbaric to our western sensibilities, but He was by no means the same as all the other gods.

Here's another way to think about it.  You've got a table filled with delicious looking food.  But all the dishes are poisoned except one.  If you're told you can only eat the one safe dish, you wouldn't say that such an instruction is overly harsh.  It only makes sense.  I think that's what God was trying to say with His strong prohibitions against worshiping other gods.  Idolatry is not merely a difference of belief; it is consuming poison.

Missing Context

Some of the commands in the Books of Moses can seem so random and arbitrary.  It makes me suspect that we are missing context.  Here's an example from Deuteronomy 22--three commands, that don't seem to connect to each other or anything else:  "A woman must not wear a man's clothes" and vice versa.  "Don't plant two different kinds of seeds in your vineyard."  And here's one more: "Don't wear clothes made of wool and linen together."  There are other commands too.  Some kind of seem to make sense; others it's not so clear. It's all too easy to play a game of "One of these obviously applies to our lives today while the two others obviously do not. Hmmm, I wonder which one that is?"   I think we have to be careful when it's too "easy" to draw the "obvious" conclusion.

Everything I Needed

 I close with my one of my favorite Bible verses. One that came to have special meaning for me the year I turned forty:

"The Lord your God has blessed everything you have done. He has protected you traveled through this large desert.  The Lord has been with you for those 40 years. You have had everything you needed."

                                                                                                                     -Deuteronomy 2:7

That's pretty much the story of my life. And it's why, despite the many questions, I still believe.  God has been real to me. He has not let me down..

92: The One Where We Went As Friends

With friends, from Left, Pamela Foard and Geri Haupt, and my date, Chandra Maloney, who went with me "as friends." Junior-Senior Banquet, Sunday, March 22, 1992

 It took me more than twenty-five years to figure out that the Junior-Senior Banquet was supposed to be a kind of replacement for prom.  In the way that Adventists have their veggie meat, and Pathfinders instead of the Scouts, this was a kind of "veggie-prom", where the dancing was replaced with dining. Better the sin of gluttony, than of lust, I suppose?

I don't think the replacement really translated well though. I tended to focus more on the Valentine's Banquet as The Romantic Event of the Year.  If I hoped to get lucky (not really lucky mind you, not like prom night lucky, if you know what I mean), Valentines was where I expected it to happen.  I think all four years I plotted and schemed over who to invite to the Valentine's Banquet--generally someone with whom I hoped "something more" would develop.   While I had a nice time at the Valentines Banquets junior and senior year, the only thing that developed were new friendships--but nothing more than that.  And that was fine.

The future Mrs.  Fulford, Raelene McDowall was my date to the Valentines Banquet my senior (and her junior) year.

There seemed to be a lot less pressure on the Junior-Senior Banquet for some reason, and both junior and senior years I was content to go with my date "as friends" as we used to say.  Junior year was a bit fraught, as my intended date elected to run off with her boyfriend the night before the banquet, leaving me dateless. I don't recall being particularly mad about it--I guess I wished her well on her romantic escapade.  Thankfully, Anita Hodder stepped in at the last minute to be my date (as her boyfriend was a sophomore and wasn't allowed to go to the banquet) and we had fun time.

Me and Anita Hodder at the Junior-Senior Banquet, our junior year, Sunday, April 21, 1991

The banquet our junior year was held at some sort of plantation, I think.  We all thought it was a hoot to have the boys and girls switch roles for the official banquet photo.

In public schools, the kids head for the dance floor.  At Forest Lake Academy we made a beeline for the buffet table.  From Left to Right, J Carlos and Jennifer Everett, Sandra Rivas, Carissa Berard, Geri, Anita and Me. I'm almost certain Chandra was the one who took this photo and filled that empty chair.

For my senior year, I again decided to take my date "as friends."  And this time I didn't take a chance on inviting an acquaintance who might bail at the last minute. I asked my best friend, Chandra, to be my date and she happily agreed.

One of the risks of going with someone "as friends" though was the possibility that they might become more than friends with someone else and want to go with them instead. I was worried about this with Chandra (perhaps still a little gun shy from the previous year's debacle).  There  appeared to be some mutual interest developing between Chandra and another schoolmate and ten days before the banquet I raised the issue with her during A&P class.  We typically wrote notes to each other in my journal to avoid getting in trouble with Mr. Viar.  Here's our exchange:

Chandra, 

How are things going with ****. (I’m not asking to be nosy. There is a reason.)

What do you mean? Fine.

I mean is he still with that ‘other woman’  Yes.

Oh ok. Never mind.

Okay--No--tell me why.

Well I’m relieved personally for selfish reasons. I thought if

they broke up and you guys were getting together you’d want

to go with him to the banquet.

No--He’s still going with her, but even if he

wasn’t--I would still go with you.

It meant a lot to me that Chandra was willing to prioritize our friendship over a romantic possibility. And it turned out to be a really fun night.  Unfortunately, there’s not a lot I remember about the evening and I wrote only a few brief lines in my journal that day, noting: “Tonight was the banquet, Junior-Senior Banquet. I went with Chandra and we had a great time.”  The details are sketchy for the most part--Chandra’s mom reminisced on Facebook about how impressed she was that I came to the front door to pick up Chandra for our date, instead of coming through the garage like I usually did. I’d forgotten that.  We went to Medieval Times, the Middle-Ages themed dinner show restaurant. It wasn’t the most romantic venue, to be honest--watching jousting matches and sword fights while feasting on medieval food on rustic platters and drinking “ale” from tankards.  Even the official banquet photo was weird, with each couple posed up next to a plastic statue of King Henry the VIII glowering at us like an unhappy third wheel.

But the one thing I’m not hazy on is that I had a really, really good time. I had so much fun with Chandra. I realize now that Chandra had a great time with me too.  In 2020, when it was all the rage on social media to share high school photos of oneself in “honor” of those poor class of 2020 seniors, Chandra sent me a private message asking if I had a copy of our official banquet portrait that I’d be willing to share with her. That was the picture of her senior self that Chandra wanted to share with the world.  She posted it and reminisced on what a nice time that was.  I’m glad that evening meant so much to her. 

My "prom date." This was the photo Chandra asked me to send her.

What I remember most about that evening was actually the drive home. Chandra and I sat side by side on the shuttle. Raelene, my date to the Valentines Banquet just the month before, was sitting one row up and across from us and I remember exchanging sarcastic quips and joking insults with Raelene, while Chandra laughed and laughed. I remember I felt a jaunty confidence, a sharpness of wit, that came from feeling really safe. I felt safe with Chandra by my side and on my side.  That's the advantage of going to prom--veggie or not--as friends.

Some pictures of the other couples--and friends--at Junior-Senior Banquet, March 22, 1992:

Rees Franklin & Susan Scott.  They went "as friends."

Kristi Van Nostrand and Mark Niemeyer

Raelene McDowall, Jennifer Burrill, Lena McDowall (who was my Valentine's Date my junior year), and Susan Scott

Chris Cotta and Carissa Berard on the shuttle bus on the way to Medieval Times

Steve Jeffers and Jennifer Everett Jeffers.  They may be the only pair that went to Jr-Sr Banquet in 1992 that is a couple today.

Jeff O'Connor and Stacy Cotta

The One Year Bible: A Man's World

 

The Midianite Women Led Captive by the Hebrews, by French painter James Tissot

For most of the history of mankind and in most places around the world, women have gotten a raw deal.  The Bible is no exception.  The Israelite culture was highly patriarchal, and women generally held a subservient role in the culture. For example, a woman's vow to the Lord could be invalidated by her father or her husband (Numbers 30:3-16).  If dad or hubby said no, that was that--she was off the hook for any commitment to God she might have made (They did have to object quickly though.  If they didn't act quickly to veto her, then the vow would stand).

Occasionally we find examples of women getting a win--getting a privilege that was typically reserved for men.  Such was the case with the daughters of Zelophedad: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.  These women were of the tribe of Manasseh and they had no brothers. They requested that they inherit their father's property as man would. so that his name could be carried on.  The Lord not only approved their request, but also extended it to apply to any man in Israel who had only daughters (Numbers 27:1-11). A man no longer needed a son to pass on his inheritance.  In the absence of a son, the daughter would do.  At the end of the book of Numbers an amendment to this rule was made stating that a daughter who inherited property had to marry within the tribe so that a tribe wouldn't lose land allotted to them. It's a little win, sure, but it's a start, right?

Unfortunately, it was more common for women to lose, according to Scripture.  We see this in the truly horrifying story of the conquest of the Midianites found in Numbers 31.  The more I reflect on this story, the worse it gets.  There are so many things just "off" about it.  From the fact that the Midianites were the people of Moses' in-laws to the lack of clarity as to why the Midianites were slated for destruction when it appears that it was the Moabites were the ones that caused Israel to go astray. You kind of have to read between the lines to figure out that the Midianites had also been saboteurs advised by none other than Balaam (see below) who had figured if you can't curse the Hebrews, get them to curse themselves. But to me at least, the worst part is what happened to the poor Midianite girls. 

Here's what happened. The Israelites slaughtered the Midianites (though clearly not all of them--because they were still around during the time of the Judges. Maybe this was just a local clan of Midianites), sparing only the women and children. Moses is angry.  "You were supposed to kill everyone," he fumes.  He orders the Israelite soldiers to kill all boys and any women that had had sex, leaving only the virgin girls behind. These commands are followed and the author of Numbers tersely records the number of girls left behind to a live a life of slavery--32,000.  32 of those girls--0.1% of the total were given directly to Eleazar, the high priest (Aaron's son and successor).  I couldn't help wondering what on earth Eleazar and his family were going to do with 32 girls. It seems unlikely that the girls were raped--especially since it was sexual sin that had led this massacre in the first place. I guess they just became ordinary slaves.  

I suppose these girls were "lucky" to have avoided the fates of their parents and brothers.  But it still seems so awful.  Can you imagine what it must have been like for them--to have watched their mothers killed before their eyes?  And to have to live the rest of their lives in servitude to the people who killed them? My only comfort in this horrible story is in God's absence.  Yes, God directs Moses to "take vengeance" on the Midianites, as his one last task before he dies. But those are the last instructions we hear from God in this story.  The command to kill the women and boys, the consignment of the virgin girls to slavery--that was all Moses.  All throughout the books of Moses it's clearly stated when God gives commands. And then there's no such statement in this story. That only makes sense to me, because I don't see God in these horrific actions

Highlights of Numbers 19-35

• Moses Strikes (The Rock) Again
• The Bronze Snake
• Early Conquests on Canaan's Borders
• The Strange Tale of Balak, Balaam and the Talking Donkey

Fun Facts

• Did You Know about Cozbi's Sexual Misconduct? (No, that's not a misspelling).  We're not talking about a once beloved comedian. We're talking about Cozbi the daughter of the Midianite clan leader, Zur. I remember when I first started watching Game of Thrones, there was something about it that reminded me of the Bible. Now I realize, it was stories like this one.  In act of brazen rebellion, one of the Israelites, a fellow by the name of Zimri brought Cozbi into his tent in full view of Moses and everyone. I'm not sure what Zimri was thinking,  or what Cozbi's complicity was in all of this. A plague was ripping through the camp, as punishment for widespread dalliances with Moabite women.  Moses had just instructed the leaders of Israel to put to death all those involved in the hanky panky (which appears to have been tied directly to the worship of Baal).  Zimri seemd to think this was the perfect time for romance. Talk about a failure to read the room!

• Anyway, Aaron's grandson Phineas was all like "Oh, helll no. . ." and he grabs a spear and according to the Bible "thrust the spear all the way through the man's body and into the woman's stomach" killing them both. Very, GoT, that. Whether Zimri and Cozbi were merely embracing or already engaged in full-on intercourse at the moment of their death is left to the imagination.  The plague stops on account of Phineas's actions and he is applauded for his zealotry and given a special reward by the Lord.

• Did You Know about Balaam's Plan B?  Who was behind this mass seduction of Israel that lead to plague and spear stabbings? None other than Balaam.  This was the guy that Balak, the king of the Moabites had tried to hire to curse Israel for him.  Balaam was unable to provide the curses Balak wanted, but he hatched another plan to destroy the Hebrews massing on the border of Canaan  The Bible credits him with sending in the hot girls of Moab and Midian to lead Israel into the titillating world of idol worship.

What Stood Out to Me

Ok, If You Insist, But I Don't Recommend It

"Now Balaam he had a donkey
Who was gentle and true and kind
And the donkey saw an angel with a sword
So he slipped old Balaam past him
And when he done it three times
Well Balaam got so me mad he beat the donkey
And so the Lord
Well he gave the donkey language
And the donkey plainly brayed
"Well there's an angel about to strike you from the path"
Then old Balaam's eyes were opened
And he realized he'd been saved
By his donkey from the angel of God's wrath"

                                                  --Rich Mullins, "Who God Is Gonna Use"*

One of the things that can be a bit confusing about the story of Balaam is that God seems to contradict Himself. First he tells Balaam, "No do not go with King Balak's men. I don't want you messing with My people.  But then when Balaam asks again, God says, "Go ahead and go, but you're only going to do I want you to do."  But then, God sends an angel to slay Balaam for going ahead even though God had said he could.  What's up with that?

Well, to me, at least, it kind of made sense. I felt I could relate.  There have been many times when my kids have asked me if they can do something. Initially I say no, but then they ask me again.  And my response is generally, "Well, okay, you can do it.  But I don't support it and I don't recommend it."  To me that's what God's "permission" was like in this story.  It was given reluctantly, because Balaam clearly really wanted to do it. I think when the angel of God's wrath showed up on the path, and Balaam's donkey presumably saved his life, that was God warning Balaam again--"Listen, man, just to be super clear:  this is really bad idea. I do not support it. Just know, you are continuing AGA (Against God's Advice)." Now of course God is nothing like me, but it's the only way I can make sense out of this story.

Balaam's said he would do what God wanted.  But his heart wasn't in it, and given the opportunity he went ahead, despite knowing God wasn't happy with him. He also went knowing that he was ripping off King Balak.  He knew God wasn't going to let him curse Israel, he even told the king as much, but he went along with the charade anyway.  And of course we know that in the end, he came up with a much more effective plan than cursing to derail Israel.

Among other things, this story is a reminder that being a blessing to others is not exactly the same as being right with God. It's one thing to be used by God in ministry, another to have our hearts in tune with His.

*I used a version of this song in an earlier entry.  This one is a live version that includes an introduction by Rich that reiterates the point about God's willingness to use asses, the human as well as animal kind, to accomplish His will.

92: The One For Chandra

 

There are acquaintances, and friends, and best friends, and then there are kindred spirits. Chandra was my kindred spirit.  She just got me and I got her.  I am lucky to have 32 years of memories with Chandra.  Though we fell about of touch for about ten years or so in the early 2000s, I'm so grateful that we reconnected in 2009 and grew close again.  Losing her has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through.

In high school Chandra was smart and ambitious.  She earned top grades, was a lightning fast typist, and dreamed of entering the medical field (a dream she realized when she became a dentist).  Chandra was a talented musician.  I remember sitting in her parents living room watching her practice for her performance at graduation and I was amazed by the gorgeous sounds she produced on the piano.  

Chandra had a bright smile and the most expressive face. She could communicate so much with just a look, a raise of the eyebrow, a wry smile, a tilt of he her head. (If you watch the video clip from Senior Survival you see her expressiveness on full display).  She had the most charming little half-chuckle when she was amused. 

Chandra had a  compassionate heart--she felt things very deeply.  I remember during our World History class senior year we watched a documentary on Vietnam, and she was so hurt by the devastation the civilians suffered in that war.  She couldn't stop talking about it, couldn't stop thinking about it.  

Chandra was a source of comfort--a safe place for me and so many others.  When you were in trouble, going through a hard time, in need of a friend--Chandra was there.  She could be fierce, but she was also fiercely loyal.  

She represented our class well as treasurer our freshman year, as the star of our senior class play, and playing "Malaguena" at graduation. 

There's so much I could say about Chandra.  There's so much I have said. You can read a more detailed account of our friendship here. 

All I know is that one spring day on the ball field at Forest Lake Academy Chandra and I promised to be friends forever. And we are.  

I miss Chandra every single day.

Chandra's birthday is incorrectly listed as April 14, 1974 instead of March 14

The One Year Bible: Written By A Kid

 

If the Bible had been written by my teenager, it might sound something like the book of Numbers.

One of the things that's hard to swallow is God's anger.  He just seems so mad about everything in the Old Testament, especially throughout this week's readings in the book of Numbers. And his right hand Moses strikes me as pretty cranky too.  Is God really that angry?  Are we sinners dangling in the hands of an impatient, irritated Deity who only cares about how closely we follow his many rules?

The answer is yes and no. But mostly no.  I say that from a heart of parent who loves his children with his whole life. I could not imagine living without them, and if I have erred it is because I've been too lenient and not too strict. But that's not the way my child sees it.  When my tone is firm, but loving and reasonable, he hears yelling.  When I express concern or dismay he feels wrath.  It's hard for my child to see they that they are loved beyond measure when all they see is the limits on their freedom and the onerous and seemingly unreasonable demands of adults that just don't get it.  And while this is especially true of rebellious teens, it's also true of younger kids who really do want to make their parents happy.  Even the little ones can misinterpret the boundaries set, the reprimands we deliver as coming from  a negative place.  And if they were tasked with trying to come up with a way to describe what they are experiencing, it might be true to their limited, child's perspective but it would not accurately reflect my heart towards my children.

Of course, God is perfect and I am not.  I really am a bad parent sometimes.  God never is.  He is, as the song says, "a good, good Father."  But I think that perfection actually makes it more likely that we will misread and misunderstand Him.  Because we cannot grasp the depth of His love, mercy, and what that looks like in anger, we make Him like us.  The author of the books of Moses did His best to describe the God he knew, but I believe he was writing from a child's perspective.  He saw a God striking people down left and right. He could not understand that this was a God who would give His own life for His kids.

Highlights from Leviticus 27 and Numbers 1-6, 10-18

• The 12 Spies Check Out Canaan, Ten are Scared, Two Say Go For It
• 40 Years of Detention (The People Punished for Refusing to Enter the Promised Land)
• Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Attempt a Coup

Fun Facts

• Did you know that each firstborn son in Israel had a specific redeemer? In Numbers 3, we are told that every firstborn son was to be given to the Lord.  But instead of a family actually giving up their child, the tribe of Levi would stand in the place of Israel's firstborn, living a life of dedicated service to the Lord on their behalf.  But here's the interesting thing: This wasn't a general redemption--this was person to person.  Each firstborn had specific Levite that was taking their place in the Lord's service.  Well, almost all the firstborn.  The Levites were actually 273 short of covering all the firstborn, and so those who didn't have a Levite substitute assigned to them paid for their redemption in silver--five pieces to be exact.

• Perhaps you knew that someone who took a Nazarite vow couldn't drink alcohol?  But did you also know they couldn't eat raisins? Yep, in addition to not cutting their hair and not drinking alcohol, those who took the vow of a Nazarene could not drink fresh, unfermented, Adventist-approved grape juice, eat grapes, raisins or any other product of the grapevine.  I always thought that the Nazarite vow eschewed alcohol because it was "bad."  Apparently not.

• Did you know that some Israelites tried to attack Canaan on their own after God said they'd missed their chance?  They got their butts handed to them, naturally. Sometimes the children of Israel really do behave like children. The complaining.  The failure to follow instructions.  The tearful repentance followed by insisting on doing things their own way yet again.

• Do you know what happened to On son of Peleth?  Me neither! He was a fourth conspirator in the Hebrew version of the January 6 riot. He along with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram plotted to overthrow Moses.  The drama in Numbers 16 is compelling with insurgents hurling accusations at Moses and Moses angrily responding.  What's odd though is that after first being listed as one of the conspirators, On is never mentioned again.  When the KDA (Korah, Dathan, and Abiram) Crew get swallowed up in a supernatural earthquake, when fire and pestilence break forth in the camp, On is off the radar (pun intended).  Maybe he thought better of their harebrained scheme and opted to stay in his tent while the others marched on Moses. Here's an interesting extra-Biblical take on what might have happened to On.  The KDA rebellion was probably the most serious threat to Moses' leadership during the entire exodus.  It's serious business and let me tell you everyone from Moses to the rebels to the people to God Himself is in a foul mood.  

What Stood Out to Me

Mariam Complains about Zipporah.  

I have really come away less than impressed with the family of Moses.  Cranky Mo, bumbling Ay-Ay Ron, and now Miriam the Critic.  I always believed that Miriam talked smack about Moses' wife Zipporah because she was Black (she was a "Cushite").  But I think this was less about racism and more about the fact that she (and Aaron--who amazingly, once again avoided punishment, while his family took the heat) felt that they were the equal of Moses--and look, he's not so holy anyway!  See, he married a foreigner!

What About the Men?  

The patriarchy is strong in the book of Numbers, as we will continue to see in next week's reading.  This week's awful nod to male dominance is found in Numbers 5, where there is a rather strange ritual where if a husband gets jealous of his wife and feels she has been stepping out on him, he can take her to the priest.  She'll be required to drink this awful concoction of holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor!  After drinking this nastiness, if she is guilty of infidelity she will be unable to bear children and her abdomen will swell.  If she is able to get pregnant then that means she was innocent.  There is no punishment for the husband for falsely accusing his wife of infidelity.  And there is not similar recourse for a woman who is jealous of her husband and feels he may be cheating.  I guess she's supposed to just suck it up and be a good little wifey if she feels her husband is being unfaithful.  It's barbaric, frankly.

92: One Thirty Years Later

 

The Official Honor Class Photo, taken Sabbath, March 5, right after the chruch service.
Left to Right, Rear: Sean Forde, Shimon Taylor, Tony Exon, Steve Jeffers, Jennifer Everett Jeffers, Jeff O'Connor, Heather Dunkel Rice, Anita Hodder Jimenez, Greg Wedel, Mark Reams, Byron Wells
Front: Rachel Berlus, Mae Williams McKinney, Heather Caplin, Sara Castle, Geysa Mastrapa, Tracy Truitt Mastrapa, Eileen Mastrapa Salem, Hector Morales, Me, Scott Pena, Geri Haupt Chen, and William "Billy" Chen.

I prayed a lot about this weekend.  I won't lie.  I was a little anxious. More than anything, I just prayed we'd all at least get along and not get into any awkward debates about politics or COVID or some such.  Because I know how we are, the class of 1992.  

I knew I would write a blog post about the weekend after it was over and I wondered, what am I going to say if the whole thing is a disaster--people leave mad and offended, swearing they'll never attend one of these again? What will I say?  We are just so different, so divided and potentially divisive?  

Or we were, anyway.

Because after this weekend, I'm not so sure those descriptors apply anymore.  I just feel like something truly remarkable happened this past weekend.  Maybe I'm overstating this, making more of it than it was.  It's possible. But it sure doesn't feel that way, at least not to me.

It feels like we got a second chance, and we made the most of it. And it was beautiful.

Sabbath afternoon, March 5, Picnic at Merrill Park.  We took this photo late in the afternoon after some people had already left.  Pictured, from L to R, are me, Tony, Sean, Heather, Sandra Rivas Cole, Sara, Greg, Scott, Byron, Anita, Shimon, Pamela Foard Wollard, Poupa "Jenny" Marashi, Sandy Marashi, Princess Edwards, and Hector.  The attendees that left before this picture was taken were Heather Caplin, Jacque Chamberlain, and Steve and Jenny Jeffers. Heather and Jacque told me the best story about how they met Axl Rose on our senior class trip!

I've really been touched by the kind words and the gratitude that people have expressed to me throughout the weekend.  It really was meaningful to feel seen and appreciated.  But this is not something I did alone--and I don't just mean the classmates who were quietly helping me behind the scenes.  What I mean is that I planned the events, coordinated the food, did my best to get the word out, but none of that would have meant anything if it hadn't been for the loving spirit of the people who came out.  I'm not one for New Agey "woo-woo" language, but there's no other way to say it:  There was just a really positive energy coming from everyone who participated this weekend.  If there was any griping at all, I never heard a word of it.  Our classmates showed up with love in their hearts and excitement to see their fellow classmates and that love and excitement was reciprocated. 

Friday night, March 4, 2022: From Left to Right, Jennifer, Steve, Heather, me, Andrew Moreno (who now serves as the campus pastor at Forest Lake Academy) and Sean. I like to brag about how we tripled our Friday night attendance this year compared to 2017.

Not everyone participated in the same way. Some only came for the church service Sabbath morning, but didn't join any class events.  There were those who came only to the picnic, and others who only came to the Porch Saturday night. But it didn't matter--whether the moment was brief or not, the same spirit seemed to prevail--one of open-hearted welcome and genuine appreciation. I feel deep affection for every person I spent time with this weekend, whether for five minutes or five hours.

I think my favorite moment of the entire weekend was Saturday night at the Porch. More people turned up than I expected, including some surprises--people I'd had no clue were coming--who showed up, like a plot twist just when you thought the movie was over.  The vibe was the same at the picnic and even at the honor photo Sabbath after church. But Saturday night, we were all seated at this one long table--a table that kept getting longer as more people joined the party.  And I looked at this joyful gathering and remarked to a classmate--this has never happened with us before. This group of people has never been together like this.  People from all the different friend circles were together, people who had never said two words to each other in as much as four years of high school, were now talking to each other animatedly, getting to know each other for the first time.  Whether you had been in the village or the dorm, a "cool" kid or a bit awkward, whether you were a connoisseur of fine adult beverages or a pastor content with soda, it didn't matter. Everybody talked to everybody--old friends reconnected and new friends were discovered.  

And I thought to myself, this is what Heaven will be like.

At the Porch Saturday night, March 5, 2022: Heather and Tony

Poupa and Eric. I really enjoyed talking with Eric. I never knew him very well.

Sandy, Eileen, and Rey Descalso, one of our plot twists of the evening. It was such a surprise and so great to see Rey!

Geysa, Poupa, and Eric

Jenny and Steve

Paul in the foreground, with Scott giving the thumbs up, his wife Lillian, Sandra, Heather, and Jerry Rice in the background.

Pamela's husband, Steven Wollard, Pamela, and Hector

Sandra and her husband Justin Cole. 

Me and Heather with Jerry to the right

Greg, Steve, Jenny, and Hector

Pastor Byron Wells and Me with Rey and Steve in the background

As the weekend closed out, I heard ideas floating for a quarterly gathering for classmates living in the area.  Another classmate suggested that we plan a "senior" class trip.  And I think we're really going to go for it. We'll begin with alumni weekend as usual, and then for those that are game, Sunday morning we board a plane for perhaps Hawaii? It would be epic and I'm serious about making it a reality. (As it happens, planning class trips is kind of my thing!)

For more than three decades, our class was a collection of little Groups, fractured and separated. That ended this past weekend. Granted, it wasn't even half the class (35 by my count, including Tamara Scroggins and Tangie Cox Smith who attended via Zoom), but it was enough that I believe anyone who didn't make this reunion who comes to our 35th, or 40th or 50th or whichever will be welcomed with open arms into a new class of 1992--a class, that is at long last, one.

"One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life, with each other
Sisters, brothers

One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One.
One"

                 --U2, "One"

Me and Heather, Anything Goes Night, August 1991

Me and Heather, just  over 30 years later, Alumni Weekend, March 2022

Hector, Billy and Greg

Geri and Anita

It only made sense that Billy, a student of leadership, would be tasked with leading us to the stage for our honor class photo!

Tracy Truitt, Dr Mae Williams McKinney (who was our class pastor), Eileen, Rachel Berlus, Heather and Sean

Greg, Steve, and Jenny.  Behind them you can see what I assume are the senior athletes of the class of 2022. Several are the offspring of schoolmates of ours.

Our class president, Pastor Mark Reams, and our Sergeant at Arms, Heather Dunkel Rice.  Mark was honored during the Sabbath morning program  for his years of dedicated service to the youth of Forest Lake Church

Paul and the two Seans. Sean Forde was so kind. He waited with me outside The Porch for Barbara to get me (she was off having her own reunion with some college friends in the area) and we had a great conversation.  While we knew each other thirty years ago, like so many of us in the class of 92 we had never really talked to each other.  It was great to finally get to know the other guy with the best name in the class!

Here's Me and Paul Wood at the 2017 Alumni Weekend when we 

were the only two attendees Friday night.

Me and Paul, at the 2022 Alumni Weekend class gathering at The Porch.

Thanks to Sandra Rivas for making these great nametags!

Barbara and I had a lovely dinner with Chandra Maloney Rudisaile's parents Sunday evening, March 6, 2022

Click on this link to hear my brief reflection on how Forest Lake Academy enriched my friendships.  I presented this thought during the Sabbath  morning program.

The class of 92 at our 25th Reunion and. . .

Our class at  our 30th Reunion