St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Today's Scripture Readings
An In-Depth Discussion Led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, January 10, 2010

Isaiah (43:1-7):

1 But now, this is what the LORD says— 
he who created you, O Jacob, 
he who formed you, O Israel: 
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, 
I will be with you; 
and when you pass through the rivers, 
they will not sweep over you. 
When you walk through the fire, 
you will not be burned; 
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God, 
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 
I give Egypt for your ransom, 
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, 
and because I love you, 
I will give men in exchange for you, 
and people in exchange for your life. 

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; 
I will bring your children from the east 
and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' 
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' 
Bring my sons from afar 
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name, 
whom I created for my glory, 
whom I formed and made."

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- Exile from Babylon

- Reminder of Judah's sinfulness

- Change in direction -- new beginning

-"You are still my children."

- "You are worth more to me (the Lord) than the whole world."

- The people are punished because God loves them (tough love)

- The second half of Isaiah was written about two centuries after the first half.

Psalm 29:

1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, 
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; 
worship the LORD in the splendor of his [a] holiness. 

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; 
the God of glory thunders, 
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; 
the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; 
the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, 
Sirion [b] like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the LORD strikes 
with flashes of lightning.

8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; 
the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks [c] 
and strips the forests bare. 
And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

10 The LORD sits [d] enthroned over the flood; 
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

11 The LORD gives strength to his people; 
the LORD blesses his people with peace.
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- Chosen because of the voice of God speaking

- A storm coming over the Mediterranean

- Shows the power of God in the storm

- It moves over Lebanon and then over Israel

- The people are overwhelmed and cry "Glory"

- God is sitting serenely above the storm

- God's ultimate gift: care for his people and peace on earth. 

Acts (8:14-17):

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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- People in Samaria (through Phillip's preaching) becoming Christian

- "The Way"

- Peter and John sent there as it's a breakthrough to associate with the Samarians

- The Jewish world did not previously associate with them.

Luke (3:15-17; 21-22):

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. [b] 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with [c] water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

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- Starts with John the Baptist

- He is unworthy and baptizes with fire

- The judge of the world will be coming

- Chapters 19 and 20 are skipped -- out of sequence with the arrest of John

- (He gets "air time" before Jesus appears on the scene)

- Emphasis is not on the actual baptism but on Jesus praying before a major event

- The heavens opened -- the day of the Lord is coming

- The Spirit of God appears like a dove -- not sure why a dove is used as the image

- The Spirit is the driving force in both Luke and Acts

- The voice of heaven re-emphasizes the Son of God.

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Today's Scripture Readings
An In-Depth Discussion Led by The Rev. Mary Slenski
Sunday, January 17, 2010

Isaiah (62:1-5):

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

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- The "third" Isaiah; last few chapters; cosmic imagery

- People are a metaphor, like a wife

- They are married to the land

- Represents the consummated relationship between God and his people

- Luke draws heavily upon Isaiah for imagery

- Luke saw fulfillment in Jesus from the passages within Isaiah

Psalm 36:5-10:

5 Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,
your justice like the great deep; *
you save both man and beast, O Lord.
7 How priceless is your love, O God! *
your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast upon the abundance of your house; *
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the well of life, *
and in your light we see light.
10 Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *
and your favor to those who are true of heart

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I Corinthians (12:1-11):

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

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John (2:1-11):

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

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- Metaphors and symbolism are present

- "The time has not yet come.";  However, Jesus had started calling his disciples.

- Juxtaposition of time

- Third day is John the Baptist day, and the next day and the next day, etc.

- The third day was also when creatures were made by God on this earth

- There was a lot of water and a lot of wine!

- Running out of wine at a wedding party was a big embarrassment

- Water was also used for purification

- The servants were the ones who knew that water went in and wine came out!

- Mary, Jesus' mother tells him to "start acting like the divine one"

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Today's Scripture Readings
An In-Depth Discussion Led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, January 24, 2010

Nehemiah (8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10):

All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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- People of Israel back from exile for about 100 years

- Mid-400 BCE

- Under control of Persians -- things still in chaos

- Nehemiah was to go back and help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

- Ezra was priest and scribe; Nehemiah was governor

- Ezra tells the people they have not been faithful to the Torah

- However, don't weep about that -- you now know your faults -- rejoice!

- Symbolizes a new beginning

Psalm 19:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.

2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.

3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,

4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.

5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.

6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.

8 The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb. 

11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.

13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me;*
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

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I Corinthians (12:12-31a):

Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

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- Lots of divisions in the church

- Paul explains that each person's gift is important but must work together as a whole

- All the parts are needed to make it whole

- If one suffers, then everyone suffers

- Not everyone can do the same thing, but each is important

- Image of the church as the body of Christ

Luke (4:14-21):

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

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- Two weeks ago we studied the baptism o f Jesus -- driven by the Spirit

- The same Spirit leads Jesus to Galilee

- Praised by everyone there

- Then moved to Nazareth

- It was Jesus' turn to explain the scripture reading

- Unrolled the scroll to Isaiah 62

- It gives hope that God will send a Messiah

- Jesus proclaims that this promise is happening now!

- Sets the stage for Jesus' ministry

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 1 - 4

The Book of Exodus begins by listing the names of those followers of Jacob who are situated in Egypt.  There were 70 born to Jacob and in the period of 400 years the land became filled with Israelites.  In fact, the new king in chapter eight is the first one to refer to them by that name.  He is foretelling the story in that he notes to his subordinates that Egypt must control these people or they will rise and escape.  So he sent ruthless taskmasters to suppress them, but they multiplied even more!

Pharaoh then ordered the midwives to kill all of the sons.  However, this did not happen as they used the excuse that the Israeli women were very vigorous and thus gave birth early before they could get there!  Next, the order was given to drown all of the sons in the Nile.

Chapter two then introduces Moses.  He is born in the house of Levi and his mother hides him for three months.  Then she placed him in a basket in the river.  Later he was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter who decided it was suitable to save this child.  She was convinced to get a Hebrew wet nurse to feed him, which then turned out to be his mother!  He was named Moses because he was drawn out of the water.

Growing up, Moses had a type of dual citizenship in that he was of Hebrew decent but raised in an Egyptian family environment.  After he was a bit older, he observed an Egyptian taskmaster beating an Israelite.  He could not bear to see this and so killed the Egyptian guard.  Eventually Pharaoh found out about this act, which caused Moses to flee the country to Midian.

There he ran into seven girls who were being prevented from watering their flocks by a group of local shepherds.  Moses stepped in and not only chased off the aggressors, but then also watered the flocks for the girls.  Of course, they went back and told their father, Jethro, what a kind deed this man did.  He then invited Moses to his house, where he eventually ended up marrying one of his daughters and subsequently having children.

Soon after the Pharaoh who caused Moses to flee from Egypt died.  God heard the Israelites cries for help as they also reminded him of his past promises.  While up on Mt. Horeb (Sinai) and still living with his father-in-law, an angel (messenger) of God appears as a flame of fire in a bush.  God then explains a plan to Moses of what he's going to do to fulfill his promise to the Israelites to save them from the Egyptian.  However, when Moses hears that he is to get involved, he objects to God's plan!  God explains to him that he will be with him and that "I am who I am," that is, I am the one here for you.  He then told Moses to tell Pharaoh that Yahweh sent him and he will not be harmed.  God also promises the Israelites will be victorious and they will depart from Egypt with gifts from their captors.  Moses does not believe this!  So God shows Moses his strength by changing a staff into a snake and then back again and then changing his clean hand to being leprous and back again.  But Moses is still skeptical!

So now God proposes "Plan B!"  Since Moses is not a very polished orator, God suggests that his brother Aaron can do all the talking in front of his people and in front of Pharaoh.  In essence, Aaron became the prophet of Moses.  The brothers then meet up and Moses explains God's plan.  Aaron speaks to the Israelites on behalf of Moses and explains God's plan to them and they all become believers!

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 5 - 9

Moses and Aaron got positive responses from the Israelites so far.  They were now becoming a majority in Egypt and the Pharaoh was getting concerned about their numbers.  They were asking if they could take time off to make a sacrifice to God, to which Pharaoh refused their request.  Instead, he chose to make them work even harder.  He even made them gather their own raw materials yet still make the same quotas as before.  In particular, the Israelite supervisors were caught in the middle of this dilemma.

The people now became disgruntled and blamed Moses and Aaron for their fate.  They, in turn, blame the Lord!  Pharaoh's plan to keep them fighting amongst themselves seems to be working.

In chapter six, we now move to the Priestly source and here the Lord is speaking to Moses.  "I am Yahweh!"  The Lord repeats over and over that he is there for them but because they are so oppressed they do not believe.

The next few verses trace the lineage of Moses and Aaron from the House of Levi.

Aaron once again speaks for Moses as his prophet to Pharaoh.  He turns the staff into a snake.  Pharaoh responds in kind with his magicians, but Aaron's snake swallow the Pharaoh's snake!  Next, there is a similar repeat contest but this time turning the Nile to blood.  Following this event came the ten plagues or "signs."  These also became contests between God and Pharaoh's magicians.  First, there were frogs.  But even after they were cleared away, Pharaoh would not agree to allow the Israelites to go away to worship God.  This was followed by a similar situation with gnats and then flies.  Pharaoh's heart is still hardened.

In chapter nine the flies are followed by a pestilence placed on Pharaoh's cattle, horses, and flocks, but not on the Israelite's.  This still did not convince him.  Ratcheting up one more level, there was fine dust thrown into the air followed by boils appearing on both humans and animals.  Pharaoh would still not agree to let them go!  Next, came the hailstones, the worst storm ever.  Pharaoh starts to be humbled and he admits he has sinned.  Finally he agrees to let the Israelites go! 

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 10 - 12

The Lord said to Moses to show your people how I made fools of the Egyptians.  This will convince them that I am the Lord.  So Moses next went to Pharaoh and told him that a locust plague would come to Egypt if he did not let the Israelites go and worship God.  Even the top officials are now convinced to let them go!  However, Pharaoh agrees to let the men go, but not the women and children.  Of course, this is not acceptable to Moses.

So Moses, (who now has the staff back from Aaron), stretches out the staff and the locust come with the howling east winds.  Egypt is devastated and Pharaoh now relents and agrees to let everyone go.  So Moses now commands the west wind to blow and the locust disappear into the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds).  Then Pharaoh changes his mind once again and this time Moses brings total darkness upon the Egyptian, but the Israelites can still see.  When Pharaoh agrees this time he now makes the exception of the herds and flocks.  Once again, this is not acceptable.

So the Lord now brings on the final plague that every firstborn son in Egypt shall be slaughtered.  The Lord gives instructions to Moses to tell his people to slaughter a lamb and paint its blood on the lintel of your door.  They shall also consume it in a very specific way and the leftovers shall be burned.  Thus, when the Angels of Death comes, they shall pass over those homes who have followed those instructions.

The festivals of the lamb and bread came from the farmers and the shepherds.  So there were also instructions to eat no leavened bread for seven days.  John compares Jesus' death with the sacrifice of the lamb.

The Israelites followed Moses' instructions and all of the firstborn sons in Egypt were slain.  There was a loud wailing from Egypt and finally Pharaoh and the Egyptians told the Israelites to go!  In the deal, they also got gold and silver from the Egyptians.

The Bible notes that there were around 600,000 at the beginning of the journey.  This is most likely an exaggeration and this number may represent something else, such as the population of Israel during David's time.  It was also shown to be a mixed crowd.  Those who came into the nation of Israel took on this story as their own adopted history.  All told, the Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years.  God even stayed up all night to keep vigil.  It also noted that no uncircumcised people shall participate. 

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 28, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 13 - 15

Israel sees this story as its very own.  It is a saving event for each generation.  It goes back to the same story again -- back to the passover story.  Spring is the time of replenishment and the Israelites were instructed not to eat leavened bread for seven days because of what the Lord did for you to deliver us all from Egypt.  You shall also offer sacrifices to God when your first child is born also to remind you of what the Lord did for us.

Returning to the main story, the Israelites did not go along the coast through the land of the Philistines because they were afraid to enter into war there.  Instead, they went through the wilderness to the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds).  Jacob's bones are also taken to the promised land as he had desired.  The presence of God represented by a pillar of light is with them.

The Lord tells the Israelites to backtrack so Pharaoh will think they are lost and vulnerable and send his armies after them.  Then the Lord can have his glory over Pharaoh.  So Pharaoh sends his army to pursue the Israelites with over 600 chariots.  Then Moses was instructed to spread his staff over the Red Sea and as the east wind blew, a clearing of dry ground appeared for them to walk through.  Moses spread his staff again, the winds changed direction and Pharaoh's army was trapped and they all drowned.  Now the Israelites believed in the Lord!

The Song of Moses probably came from the time of David and Solomon.  It portrays the Lord as a warrior.  It praises God for his assistance in the defeat of the Egyptians.  It thanks God for leading them through the wilderness and for bringing them to the temple.  Then Aaron's wife, Miriam, thanks God again for the defeat of the Egyptians.  The story goes back and forth between ritual and the contemporary life there.

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 15 - 18

The Song of Moses finishes up by including the travels to Jerusalem and the building of the temple.  Then the Song of Miriam has one verse that notes how everything is wonderful with the Israelites.  However, this soon changes as the first problem to arise in the Wilderness is lack of water.  The people blame Moses and Moses in turn asks God what is he going to do.  God turns the tables and asks Moses what he is going to do!  He instructs Moses to throw wood into the water to sweeten it.  God worked his miracles through nature in this respect.  The message conveyed is that God will take care of you if you do your part as well -- a divine - human partnership!

Now the people were beginning to cry that they had it better in Egypt and why don't we go back there.  Oh, for the good old days!  Then came the food shortages and the complaints about that.  Moses tried to assure them that God will take care of them.  Eat meat at night and bread in the morning.  This is where God delivered the manna to the people for sustenance.  He also commanded that they only take what they need during the week for each day and on the sixth day they would receive double portions, as they were to rest on the Sabbath day.  They were also told to keep a jar of manna to show future generations how the Lord had kept his promise to support them on their journey.  In the end, the Israelites ate manna for forty years before coming to the promised land.

It was also noted that in Psalms, manna is glorified, but in Numbers, it was detested!  Eating the same food every day for forty years must have become pretty boring!  There were continued problems for the Israelites including lack of water again and a war with the Amalecs, where they were defeated as long as Moses could hold up his staff.

Moses' father-in-law, Jethro caught up with him along with Moses' wife and two sons.  Moses told him about the past journey and how busy he was now setting all of the the disputes that had arisen.  Jethro offered some good advise.  Instead of being involved with every last problem with the people as he had been, hire good officers to handle all but the major disputes.  Moses followed his advice and this new system of governance worked quite well.  The moral of the story is that God works through the practical people of the world.

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 19 - 24

The beginning of the chapter has the Israelites arriving at Mt. Sinai (or Mt. Horab) where they will stay for the next eleven months.  This eleven month period will occupy the rest of Exodus, all of Leviticus, and a portion of Numbers.  First Moses goes up the mountain alone to talk to God.  There God tells him that the Israelites are God's special people and he shall always be with them and give them a special place as long as they promise to keep his commandments.  When Moses returns and tells his people of this covenant, they all agree that that is what they should do.

Then God conveys to Moses that he shall show himself on the third day on Mt. Sinai.  However, the people were instructed not to get to close to the mountain or touch the mountain or they shall die.  After God sounds the trumpet, they may then be allowed to climb the mountain.  When Moses went up the mountain again, this time with Aaron, God instructed him to tell the people again that they dare not touch the mountain.  Then the Lord gave Moses the Ten Words or Ten Commandments.  (These are split up differently among different religions.)  God also instructed Moses how to build an altar out of natural, unhewn stone.

The next few chapters covers a whole series of regulations, many of which are from different time in history or from the future.  Among these the Israelites were told not to bow down and worship other Gods.  God also promised that he would one by one drive out the other peoples from the promised land.  He did not promise this all at once for fear the wild beasts would take over.

Next a group of elders is finally permitted to go to the mountain and see God.  So this group ventures up the mountain with Moses and Aaron.  Moses then reads God's covenant to them and smears the blood of a lamb on the altar, which is where the blood of the covenant originated from.  Now the elders, Moses, and Aaron get to see God and they do not perish from this experience.  Then God commanded Moses to go to the top of the mountain to get his commandments.  He went up in a glorious cloud.  He was there a total of forty days and forty nights.  Then he gave the Israelites a description in great detail how they should build the arc of the covenant, which was a great box that would house God's commandments.

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
A Discussion led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Old Testament -- Exodus: Chapters 32 - end

Moses is still on Mt. Sinai when we find the Israelites asking Aaron to make them a representation of Yahweh.  Forget about Moses!  So Aaron asked the people to give him their gold jewelry and he melted it down into a gold calf.  The people responded and made sacrifices and reveled in the streets.

Upon finding this out, God was angry and told Moses "Your people" turned against me!  I will destroy them and only from you will there be a multitude of descendents.  However, Moses now argues with God and asks him why does he show wrath against "your people!"  What will the Egyptians say if you kill them!  Remember your promise to Abraham and his descendents.

So God changed his mind!  Moses proceeded down the mountain with two tablets that were written by the hand of God.  When Moses saw the golden calf idols and the people dancing he became furious and threw down the tablets and smashed them!  The then went to the golden calf and also completely destroyed it.

Next he faced his brother Aaron who denied any wrongdoing.  He claimed that the evil people gave him the gold and when he threw it in the fire, out came the golden calf!  Moses then questions the Israelites and asks who is on the Lord's side?  Only those from the tribe of Levi responded.  Then Moses commanded that the sons of Levi take up their swords and kill 3,000 of their fellow Israelites as punishment.  The survivors will then return to the Lord.  Then Moses pleads with the Lord to go with them, which he finally agrees to, but sent a plague to punish them.  The Israelites then took off all of their ornaments after seeing and hearing God's wrath.

After God informed Moses that he would go with them, he also told Moses that he shall never see his face, only his back.  He then told Moses to make two new tablets and he will write the same commandments on them as on the tablets that he broke.  Then God gives a self-description of how merciful and forgiving he is and how he lives up to his covenant.  "I will make a covenant the people will see the work of the Lord."  The chapter then concludes with descriptions of the laws and procedures that he wants the Israelites to follow.  Finally in the last paragraph, it describes how the cloud came over the tabernacle and how the Israelites could only move on to the next leg of their journey when the cloud is lifted.

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