What I know now that I didn't know before

I guess I probably learned different things than a lot of people since I came into the class with a different perspective.

1. I learned to love the Bible more. Through challenging topics that we discussed, my love for the Bible's depth grew. I had to seek understanding on things that upon first reading made no sense. Dr. Sexson and my classmates helped me to see the beauty, the poetry, the intensity of the Bible in new ways.

2. Another thing that really sticks out is my research on the canon of scripture. I asked the question of where this book by which I live my life originated. How were all these texts pieced together to make up what we now call the Bible? It turned out to be a very intriguing story.

3. In researching Passover for my final paper, I looked at the stories in the Bible more historically. The story of God's Chosen People that continues today. The story is not yet resolved. If the Bible is a comedy, we are still awaiting the resolution.

4. The Furnace: Through reading Frye, Job, and other stories, I learned what it means to go through the furnace and come out as something new and different.

5. Lacuna: I just like the word. Sometimes the gaps in the Bible are so huge. What were those writers thinking?

6. I loved The Slave and I will definitely pass it on. I loved listening to everyone's different interpretations of it during the presentations.

7. Just like Jacob's love for the things of God grew and never died, so is my love for the Lord growing. I'm learning more about the God of the Bible who is both forgiving and just, loving and wrathful, confusing and very big. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? (1 Corinthians 2:18)

Lately I've been intrigued with Moses, and his journey with God. His prayer before he goes up to Mount Sinai is my conclusion: If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

God "Passed Over"

In Isaac Bashevis Singer’s compelling novel, The Slave, the Jewish protagonist, Jacob, talks about Jewish traditions that may be unfamiliar to many readers, especially those without a knowledge of the Bible or of Jewish history. While reading this novel, I had many questions regarding the traditions that Jacob practiced, and the history behind them. For this paper, I decided to try to gain an understanding of the important Jewish holiday, Passover. In Singer’s novel, Jacob is a devout Jew who follows the commandments of the law wholeheartedly. The traditions and laws laid out by the Torah are extensive and complicated, but Jacob does not forsake the commandments even while living in desperate conditions as a slave to the Cossacks. Today Jews are still bound by the law of the Torah, and many practice their religion with incredible devotion. Jews around the world celebrate Passover around the time others celebrate Easter, and the Passover feast holds great significance and symbolism for not only Jews but also Christians. Knowledge of the book of Exodus as well as the story of the Bible greatly increases understanding of this holiday. For Jews, Passover remembers the God’s faithfulness in providing for his people, while for Christians who believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the symbolism in the meal points directly to Christ.

The Passover feast originated on the night that the Israelites escaped from Egyptian captivity under the leadership of Moses, as told in the first 15 chapters of the book of Exodus (“Jewish Virtual Library”). The name of the celebration, “Passover,” literally means “God passed over.” It refers to the night that the angel of the Lord passed over and struck dead the firstborn in every family that did not perform to the Lord the sacrifice that he required. In Exodus 12: 21-28, Moses gives the people instructions regarding the sacrifice. For those who sacrificed the lamb and put its blood on their doorposts, the Lord spared the firstborn of that household. Following this devastating plague in which the Pharaoh lost his only son, he finally let the Israelites go. The Israelites had to leave quickly, and so they took unleavened bread because they had no time to wait for it to rise. During Passover, the Jews remove all the “leaven.” The removal of the leaven signifies that the Jews were in a hurry to leave Egypt and could not wait for their bread to rise. It was after the Israelites left Egypt that the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to remember the Passover (“Jewish Virtual Library”).

Passover lasts seven days in Israel and eight days outside of Israel (“BBC: Religions”). The highlight of the celebration is the meal, or Seder, which takes place on the first two nights. The Haggadah is a Jewish text that explains the Passover rituals. It is a fulfillment of the command in Exodus 13:8 to “tell thy son.” The Haggadah tells of the Jewish experience in Egypt as well as outlining songs, blessings, psalms, and Four Questions. The Four Questions explain the symbolism of the traditions. The first questions regards the eating on unleavened bread, which reminds Jews of the Exodus when the Israelites left Egypt in a hurry. Next, the bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery. The dipping of food in liquid remembers the tears of the Jews during their captivity. Finally, they eat in a reclining position to symbolize freedom. Usually the youngest child will ask the four questions regarding these symbols and the father will answer the child (“BBC: Religions”).

Every food that makes up the Seder is symbolic in some way (“BBC: Religions”). A shank bone of the lamb represents sacrifices that the Jews would make at the Temple of Jerusalem. An egg represents sacrifice as well, and symbolizes the Jews getting stronger and not abandoning their beliefs while suffering under the Egyptians. The greenery symbolizes new life. Salt water symbolizes the tears of the slaves (“BBC: Religions”). Four glasses of wine signify the four promises God makes to his people in Exodus 6:6-7, which says,

“Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

The cups are called the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of the Plagues, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise (Scott). The Jews also place an extra cup of wine by the door for Elijah (“BBC: Religions”). They believe that Elijah will come during Passover to announce the coming of the Messiah. This hope of the Messiah shows up in the conclusion of the Haggadah, when they shout “Next year in Jerusalem!” to express excitement for the coming of the Messiah who will bring freedom (“BBC: Religions”).

For the Jewish community, the celebration is an important act of both remembering the Lord’s faithfulness in liberating his children from the Egyptians and looking ahead to the future (“BBC: Religions”). However, for Christians who believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the celebration’s symbolism also has a deep relevance. In the Bible, Jesus celebrates the last Passover with his disciples before he is crucified (Scott). Today, Christians celebrate Communion, or Eucharist, to remember this meal. Looking back on the traditions of the Seder, they seem to point directly to Jesus. For example, just as the choice lamb is slain to remember how the Israelites made a sacrifice to the Lord for their freedom, Jesus is called the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The Matzo, which is broken and hidden away in a linen napkin, strikingly parallels the way Jesus’ body was broken, wrapped in linen, buried, and then raised (Robinson). This Matzo is the bread that Jesus breaks when he says, “This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.” After that, he takes the third cup, the cup of redemption, and says, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” The cup of redemption refers to the promise in Exodus that says, “And I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments.” (Robinson). Jesus is saying that he is the Passover Lamb, and that just as the Israelites were freed from captivity with the blood of a spotless lamb, so can everyone, both Jew and gentile, now be free from sin through the blood of the lamb, Jesus (Scott). Passover is a tradition that has not died, and it the traditions bleed with deep symbolism. Jacob in Singer’s novel understands the depth of the tradition, and perhaps this understanding is what keeps him from falling away in difficult times.

Works Cited

“Passover.” BBC: Religions. BBC, 2009. Web. 7 Dec 2010.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/passover_1.shtml

“Passover.” Jewish Virtual Library. American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, 2010.

Web. 7 Dec 2010. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holidaya.html

Robinson, Rich. “The Messiah in The Passover.” Menorah Ministries. N.p., n.d. Web. 7

Dec 2010. http://www.menorah.org/the%20messiah%20in%20the%20passover.html

Scott, Nancy. “The Significance of Passover.” McKenzie Study Center. Gutenberg

College, 1999. Web. 7 Dec 2010. http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/theology/articles/passover.html

Passover

I'm researching passover for my paper, and am finding that the symbolism of this celebration is incredible. Here are some pictures of the meal.

Reverence

When is the last time you were so amazed by something that you were rendered speechless? I think the scene in Acts 2 would have had such an effect on me. Jesus had promised his Holy Spirit. In fact, he told his disciples that "it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you" (John 16:7). As always, the promise is fulfilled. And the Spirit does not arrive quietly, He comes in style. No one can deny his presence.

²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And all the people were "amazed and marvelled" at what they had seen. They had experienced the presence of the Lord, and they would never be the same. This experience that leads to transformation seems to be a theme throughout the whole Bible. An encounter, or an epiphany, with the living God just cannot leave someone unchanged. Jacob wrestling with God, Moses and the burning bush, Uzzah (killed for touching the Ark of the Covenant, which was God's presence), Paul on the road to Damascus, to name a few. Throughout the Bible, the presence of the Lord brings people to their knees. It wrecks them, and forever changes them, just like it did in Acts 2. Maybe it's not all about understanding God, but experiencing his presence in a way that brings us to our knees in worship.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Finishing the Bible before Christmas? Probably not

I pretty much failed at any attempt to read the entire Bible this semester, but mostly because I was already on a journey to read the Bible under a different time frame. I can't imagine reading the whole thing in such a short amount of time. It seems like I read half a chapter of the Old Testament, and it takes me a few days to process it. There is so much depth in the "J" stories and even in the "P" writing that confuses me and baffles me and amazes me. So... even though I may have failed in regards to the assignment from this class, my endeavors will not end with the end of the semester. I'm excited to get the the minor prophets books that I have never read before and soon enough to try to make some sense out of Revelation.

I am in agreement with this quote from David Plotz, considering the incredible impact the Bible has had on our society, literature, and history.

"Not to sound like a theocratic crank, but I'm actually shocked that students aren't compelled to read huge chunks of the Bible in high school and college, the way they must read Shakespeare or the Constitution or Mark Twain."

Sermon on the Mount

The Beatitudes

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

THAT is countercultural. Everything our society is telling us, Jesus is basically saying the exact opposite. Society says, "Blessed are those who believe in themselves," but Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Society says, "Blessed are those who find happiness," and Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn." Society says, "Blessed are the prideful," but Jesus values the meek. Society says, "Do whatever makes you feel good," and Jesus says blessed are the righteous. You get the point. The Sermon on the Mount is radical, and not just radical today but radical from the day that he said them until today. These teachings are not only countercultural but they are counter to human nature. The Jesus of the Bible is undeniably radical. C. S. Lewis makes this argument:

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg - or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse."

"You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

Fiddler on the roof - Tradition ( with subtitles )