THE BIBLE – TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 18 – 08-10-06
Job 1: 1; 2: 1-10
It was about 400BCE that a burning question “Why do good people suffer in God’s world?” was debated. The book of Deuteronomy, written in the age of Josiah during the 7th century BCE, confidently claimed that in God’s world righteousness was always rewarded and evil always punished.” The Bible Unearthed, by Finkelstein and Silberman, p.92”. But then came the exile and the loss of national independence. People asked themselves how could this happen in God’s world?
Psalm 26
This cry arises from a person deeply hurt by some slander or injustice which has assaulted his personal integrity. Within the covenant community, in the beautiful sacred place – the Temple- he appeals to God. He joins in the rituals and feels vindicated. Now renewed and stable he will go on with his life’s journey.
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
This letter speaks to Christians who have to make their way in the world without the protection of Jewish law. The letter explains that Jesus has come as the new creative Word of God, following messages of the ancestors and the prophets. So the creative action of God is going on as new understandings and capacities emerge in the human race made for divine relationships. So Jesus, Son of God, expresses in a human life the true character of God.
Mark 10: 2-16
Jesus is questioned about divorce by a hostile media group who think he is weak on the law of Moses which they loved. Jesus responds that laws are changed along with the cultural changes in society. So he objected to the current law because it gave more power to men than to women. Moses too had to compromise. He said people should ask what God might expect from them in their relationships, and accept the love of God as simply as children accept the love of their parents.
On the website to view the Bible text, just click on the reading heading.
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