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LEVITICUS 22:17-23:44 | MARK 9:30-10:12 | PSALM 44:1-8 | PROVERBS 10:19
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A recap of the various offerings is outlined by God to Moses. There are a number of feasts throughout the course of the year, and a list of criteria for acceptable offerings. The Feast of the Tabernacles is an interesting one in which palm fronds and branches are used, and it is perhaps this tradition that may be viewed as the foreshadowing of the manner in which Jesus was to be received into Jerusalem by those who loved him.
Mark continues with his account of Jesus’ teaching and preaching ministry. One wonders what Jesus’ answers might be to some of the same questions if they were asked of him today. It is difficult to believe that Jesus’ views on divorce would be the same. The cultural context of these statements notwithstanding, it seems to be in opposition to the overall persona and preachings of Jesus to be condemning of the frailties of a man and woman’s attempt and sometimes failure in the institution of marriage.
David’s psalm for the day is one where David proclaims his utter trust and confidence in God’s provision to fight his battles on his behalf. He says:
6 I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Finally, the proverb for the day is a good one to keep in mind:
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word. Amen.
We often see Jesus in the Gospels speaking the word that his listeners need to hear. And he knows what they need to hear. What comes across to us as contradictory messages may be his words taken out of context. I think that is what is happening here in his words about divorce. He speaks in the strictest of terms because that is the message he needed to give there. In many other places, as you point out, his persona and his preaching show mercy as the path that is needed. Thank you for a thought provoking reflection!
Thank you, as always, for adding to my understanding of the scriptures.