Have you ever been so moved to hear the Scriptures read and interpreted that you have wept? The people of God after being in exile for 70 years returned to their beloved city Jerusalem. While they were away, the city was destroyed, including its walls, and needed to be rebuilt. Enter Ezra & Nehemiah – and King Cyrus of Persia. At the end of return and reconstruction, “all the people are gathered together into the square before the Water Gate,” according to Nehemiah 8:1. Then all the people were brought as a single body into the plaza that was before the Water Gate. They said to Ezra the scribe, “Bring out the Torah scroll of Moses that Adonai had commanded Israel.” 2 Ezra the kohen brought the Torah before the assembly, which included men and women and all who could understand what they heard. This happened on the first day of the seventh month. 3 So he read from it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from first light until midday, in the presence of the men and women, and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the scroll of the Torah. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform constructed for this purpose. Standing near him at his right hand were Mattitiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah and at his left hand were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the scroll in the sight of all the people for he was above all the people. When he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, amen!” as they lifted up of their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped Adonai with their faces to the ground. 7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbetai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Torah while the people were standing in their place. 8 They read from the Torah scroll of God, distinctly explaining it and giving insight. Thus they understood what was read. 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the kohen-scribe, and the Levites who were teaching the people said to all the people, “Today is kadosh to Adonai your God. Do not mourn or weep!” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the Torah. 10 So he said to them, “Go! Eat choice food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have nothing ready. For today is kadosh to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of Adonai is your strength.” 11 Then the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Hush! For today is kadosh. Do not grieve.” 12 So all the people departed to eat and drink, to send portions and to celebrate with great joy, because they came to understand the words that were explained to them.” Scripture is from the Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society. I wonder, have you ever wept when you heard the Word of the Lord (Adonai)? The people of God – through out the pages of the Bible and history itself – have an ever-repeating cycle of recurring theme: Sin, exile, hear the word, repent, and return to the Lord…repeat. Do you suppose they are weeping because they have been in exile for so long, they thought God forgot them? Do you suppose they are over-joyed to have been rescued by the Lord? For many of us, I wonder if the exile from our church buildings because of COVID presented a similar response? Maybe also when being reunited with family after long isolations? Notice how they gather together – men & women – to hear the word of God read and interpreted to / for them? How might you gather (in-person or over technology) to hear the Word of God read & interpreted? As you consider the Word today and every day, may the Spirit of God provide you with understanding as the Word is explained to you. Then, may you go forth with the Joy of the Lord as your strength and celebrate the Lord, the Great God! Let us pray: Adonai, you are the Great God! You are Jehovah Jireh – you see the need of your people and you provide for them! Thank you for this story as recorded in the Bible for us. Encourage us by Your Word. Provide interpretation, wisdom, insight, and invitations to live into your ways. For this day is Kadosh to you! Open our eyes of our heart that we may remember well, and move our focus to Your Presence around us, among us, and within us. Grow our faith that we may bring glory to you, in Jesus Name, we pray: Amen.
BENEDICTION. May the Spirit open our eyes to the Light of Christ, may Jesus open our hearts the Word of Love, may Kadosh Adonai open our minds to the Way of Life. Encircle us and set us apart as your people! Amen.
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In early December, “the Parents of ...” received a letter from the principal’s office of Lincoln School. No, nothing like you are thinking. This letter contained a notice concerning a book the 4th Graders at Lincoln Elementary School were going to be reading. The book is titled, “Streams to the River, Rivers to the Sea: A Novel of Sacagawea” written by Scott O’Dell. The letter contained information concerning the presence of scalping and not-so-lovely treatment of Sacagawea by her husband. Plus, we were reminded that Sacagawea was 13 years-old when she was married. The parent in me was a bit worried that the ‘content’ was not appropriate for our nine-year-old, and so I promptly set about investigating the story. In the end, I decided the best way was simply to read it for myself – before the students started the book. (This photo was taken from the website: US Money Reserve. https://www.usmoneyreserve.com/blog/the-inside-story-of-the-sacagawea-dollar-part-ii/) Well, I managed to read this book during that very cold week. In fact, I was so mesmerized by the story, I had difficulty putting it down. I did force myself to finish it the next day when I looked at the clock and it read 12am. I tell you all this because of the story itself. Truly, I had no idea the number of obstacles Sacagawea faced. She reminded me a little bit of Joseph – whose story you can read in Genesis. And the scripture that came to mind is from Isaiah 58:11… "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.” A paraphrase of this verse sits on the desk I use in the Methodist Church, it reads, “Where God guides, God provides.” While I can honestly say that I have no idea whether or not the people in the Lewis and Clark expedition were people of faith in Jesus Christ, I look at their story side-by-side Joseph’s and I cannot help but wonder. Moreover, I suspect, if we were each to do justice to God’s presence in our lives with honest reflections of the places we have been and the provisions, creativity, and flexibility given to us in those times, we too would probably agree with the prophet. Where God guides, God provides. I invite you to read Joseph’s story. You will find the beginning in Genesis 29, when Joseph’s father first lays eyes on Rachel – Joseph’s mother. I suppose you could say that Joseph wasn’t even a ‘twinkle’… still, you will see the Hand of God at work. May the Lord Bless your reading! Let us pray... El-Shaddai, you see our need and you provide for us by your providence. Even when we have no idea what tomorrow will bring, you give us our daily bread. Help us to take time and truly reflect on the many provisions present in our life because of you. Open our eyes of our heart that we may remember well, and move our focus to Your Presence around us, among us, and within us. Grow our faith that we may bring glory to you, in Jesus Name, we pray: Amen.
BENEDICTION. May the Spirit open our eyes to the Light of Christ, our hearts your Messages of Love in all their forms, and our minds the intersection between these. May Jesus, the Word of God, shine in and through us to this dark world. May the Ancient One encircle us with everlasting love so that the whole earth may be full of God’s glory! Amen. |
Pastor jamiePastor Jamie serves as an on-call pastor for the Miles City Methodists. This is her weekly pastoral email 'blurb'. ArchivesCategories |