A WORD FOR TODAY, August 30, 2013 “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9, ASV According to the Talmud, which is a Jewish book with the text and commentary of civil and ceremonial law, there are 613 commandments. Those commandments include rules for the priests, for the men and for everyone, and they provide rules for life in community and faith. The bible includes other rules for living, including many commands from Jesus that augment the 613. Perhaps this sounds like a lot of rules, but it is important to understand the reason for Law. In the movie, “Mona Lisa Smiles,” Julia Roberts plays an art teacher at Wellesley College. The women who attended Wellesley in the 1950’s were not interested in getting an education. The degree they wanted was the MRS. They were there to find a husband who would provide a good life so that they could happily live as a housewife and a trophy on his arm. The girls were smart; they knew the facts. But they had no opinions of their own. Julia Robert’s character taught them to see the world from a different perspective; she showed them that they could be happy with a career and without a husband. Of course, she faced opposition; she lived by her own rules and upset people along the way. The college alumni did not let her change the status quo. The mothers of the girls expected them to find husbands and would not waver. The boyfriends demanded obedience from the girls. In the end, they realized that there was indeed more to life than being a housewife and they stepped forth in faith. To them, the rules became burdensome and oppressive. The behavior of the girls, the teachers and the mothers had consequences. If they went against the expectations of society they were outcast. Relationships were broken if they disappointed their friends. They failed if they did not follow the instructions. A new path led to divorce or separation from loved ones. They lost homes, jobs, children, respect and honor in a world where such things were lifted onto pedestals. Adherence to the rules meant peace and happiness. Unfortunately, the rules were a confusing and contradicting mix coming from every direction. Some of the rules were meant to keep things as they were; others were made to bring change. Some seemed to protect and others to endanger. Which way should they go? It is no wonder that many women rebelled against the status quo in that time. But rules are not meant to be oppressive or burdensome, especially God’s Law. Jesus spoke to this often; He reminded the people of the reason for the Law. It was meant to protect them. It was a sign to help them see and believe and remain in the care of the God who was their Creator and Redeemer. Law was a gift given so that the people would remember God and look to Him always. The stories in the bible show us what happened to the people when the people turned away. He did not punish them, but they suffered the consequences. They broke the relationship with God when they went their own way. The blessed life of the obedient is not a reward for good behavior, but it is effect of a right relationship with God. In the Gospels, Jesus tells us that the rule found in today’s text is the foundation of it all. There might be 613 rules, or more, but the bottom line is that they are all based in love. Peace and happiness comes to the one who loves: first God and then one another. The rules help us to live well in those relationships. Generations have discussed the meaning and practice of following those rules. The commentary in the Talmud is the compilation of hundreds of years of debate. It can be confusing. Some rules keep the status quo; others bring change. This confusing mix makes it difficult for us to follow the Law. Our Lord Jesus came to remind us of the true purpose of the Law: to turn our hearts and minds to Him. There are certainly rules that we should teach our children so that they will live well and avoid the consequences of sin. But the real lesson that God has written on our hearts and that He calls us to share with the generations that come after us is to love God and our neighbors with our whole being.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 14:24:08 +0000
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