Today’s scripture: Psalm 119:49-64 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Linda Bernabie):
I love the book of Psalms. It is a wonderful collection of songs, poems and prayers. In Psalm 119:49-64, the psalmist (probably David) is praying with all his heart to love and obey God’s laws. I admire the psalmist’s love, devotion, and total commitment to God’s laws; but most of these laws are so baffling, that I have to ask myself, “How can anyone who lives in the 21st century abide by laws that were made for a group of people who lived more than 3000 years ago??”
When I first read the Pentateuch/Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament containing the Law of Moses), I thought for sure marbles were going to start dropping from my ears. Naively, I thought the Old Testament contained the Ten Commandments and a few extra dietary laws. I had no idea that there were 613. Are you kidding me . . . 613? That’s a lot of stone tablets!
I will concede however, as a Christian, I embraced some of the “613” and didn’t even realize it.
- I love God (Deut. 6:5)
- I know there IS a God (Ex. 20:2)
- I do not oppress the weak (Ex. 22:21)
- I pray every day (Ex. 23:25)
I obey some of the “613,” not because I work at it, but because it is a part of who I am, for example:
- I don’t eat non-kosher flying insects (Deut. 14:19). Not because I am a vegetarian, but I just haven’t acquired a taste for flying insects, even when they are kosher.
- I do not eat non-kosher creepy crawly things (Lev. 11:44). Wait . . . I have eaten escargot. Maybe I got lucky and they were kosher!
- I do not work my slaves oppressively (Lev. 25:43). I don’t oppress them because I do not own them. It is illegal, dah!
- I do not crossbreed animals (Lev. 19:19). I did own a Labradoodle once, does that count against me?
When I was young and going to a fundamentalist church, the preacher ordained himself as THE one chosen to tell his flock which of the “613” applied. Here are a few!
- Give 10% to the preacher to run the church (Lev. 27:30-33). I’m not sure if that was gross or net.
- Don’t drink wine, wine mixtures, or vinegars (Num. 6:3). My preacher didn’t include the wine mixtures and vinegars; maybe he liked a nice vinaigrette on his salad.
- Don’t perform acts of magic (Deut. 18:10). David Copperfield and the Smurfs are in serious trouble.
- A man must not have sexual relations with a man (Lev. 18:22). BUT it is okay for a man to RAPE a women says Deut. 22:29. But if she is single, he must marry her after the rape. I guess if she is already married, it is “no harm, no foul.” IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE?
- Don’t get a tattoo on the skin (Lev. 19:28). Uh oh! I think I may be stoned to death.
How do I decide which of the “613” I should abide by? Is it “All or None”?
Call it wishful thinking, but all I need to know is what Matthew 22:36-40 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Did I read that right? Jesus says, “Two,” not “Six Hundred and Thirteen.” Whew!!! I won’t get stoned to death for my tattoo after all!
Thought for the Day: “I believe in Christ Jesus, and I am justified by faith in Christ, not by doing the works of the law. No one will be justified by the works of the law.”
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.