In the Bible, there is generous justice. There are laws in the bible that protect those who are powerless. These insist on treating people with respect. Men are asked to love their wives and bring them happiness. It is good to lend to the poor, not to be greedy or make a profit from lending to the poor. Don't take their mill stone away so that the poor will return the money quickly, instead think of the welfare of the poor because they might not be able to eat. Don't demean the person who need help, treat them with honour and respect. Avoid doing things that will make them lose their dignity because they are important people.
The bible is practical. Giving a cloak is a sign of sincerity that they will keep their pledge because the person is willing to go cold until the money is returned. Therefore the lender should return the borrower their cloak. Don't pervert justice, we are reminded.
In this book, the Jews were asked to remember they are redeemed people 28 times. As Christians our redemption is even more spectacular than that of the Jews, so we should be joyously grateful. So when we help others it is not out of duty or that we are big shots doing others a favour, but as an overflow of joy. Our past is part of our identity; people who are liberated from poverty may want to distance themselves from their past. Instead, we are reminded of the past. If we never forget that we have been redeemed, we will care for the needy.
The bible encourages those who can work, to work-- but people get an identity, not from work but by becoming a child of God. We need to teach the important concept of adoption and being incorporated into the family of God. A necessarily part of growth is anger after people become Christians because before they became Christians they accepted their impoverish status unquestioned. Living simply allows us to make the poor feel welcome. The importance of being open about money with the poor so that they feel open as well, Fellowship (Koinonia) in the bible refers to business. Give the poor a daily wage so that they do not have to borrow until the next pay check.
One of the key part of a biblical lifestyle is civility: the importance of thinking about their neighbour. The farmers is to leave food for the poor in the fields and people are asked not to take too much. God has a special concern for the poor. Listen to the whole message here
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Deuteronomy 9 Loving God's People (SLC2012)
When Moses came down from the mountain and sees that the people have been worshipping the golden calf. 13 And the Lord said to me, “I have seen this people, and they are a stiff-necked people indeed! 14 Let me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make you into a nation stronger and more numerous than they.”
Moses is the Good Shepherd, he stays with the people. He fasts and prays for 40 days. Commitment to people is a large part of the Christian walk-- a painful and uncomfortable walk. The word "passion" in Latin means "suffering"; biblical leaders are passionate about the people God has given them. The leader embraces stress because he/she loves the people. Paul, Jeremiah, Daniel and other leaders who moan for their people. Are we like the hired hand who leaves when the wolf comes? Or do we pray or interceed before the Lord. There are many biblical leaders whose prayer life is for the people: Abraham, Joshua, Samuel, Jesus, Paul. Moses falls down in prayer which suggest submission and earnestness, This posture reminds us that we are humble flawed human beings going before a mighty God. We are stretched out, in whole hearted, intense pleading. Moses persevered in prayer for 40 days. We may not always be able to talk to people about God but we can always talk to God about people. Prayer is the most important thing a leader does:
If it is then we need to work at it. Get people to pray for you. Hear the whole talk here.
Moses is the Good Shepherd, he stays with the people. He fasts and prays for 40 days. Commitment to people is a large part of the Christian walk-- a painful and uncomfortable walk. The word "passion" in Latin means "suffering"; biblical leaders are passionate about the people God has given them. The leader embraces stress because he/she loves the people. Paul, Jeremiah, Daniel and other leaders who moan for their people. Are we like the hired hand who leaves when the wolf comes? Or do we pray or interceed before the Lord. There are many biblical leaders whose prayer life is for the people: Abraham, Joshua, Samuel, Jesus, Paul. Moses falls down in prayer which suggest submission and earnestness, This posture reminds us that we are humble flawed human beings going before a mighty God. We are stretched out, in whole hearted, intense pleading. Moses persevered in prayer for 40 days. We may not always be able to talk to people about God but we can always talk to God about people. Prayer is the most important thing a leader does:
If it is then we need to work at it. Get people to pray for you. Hear the whole talk here.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Loving God's Word (SLC 2012)
"6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9
The Word needs to get into our hearts-internalised, into our system so that it influences the way we behave. It needs to be inside us so much so that our instincts are biblical. In many religions the truth is respected, defended but they think it is not practical to live out the truth. Christians are encouraged to live out truth. A right attitude towards the Word is not to take it away or add to it and to be aware of the supernatural nature of the God's speaking. Repetition is needed to get the Word in, advertising does just that; it uses repetition to sell goods. Parents are asked to teach the bible in the home--the facts of scripture and how to apply it. "
"Word-connected" conversations need to happen in everyday life--sharing a meal, travelling, pretty much the whole day. Today, the media has presented ideas that are alternative to what the bible teaches. Christians need to be talking about these ideas in the light of the Word--holy conversation is important. CS Lewis, Tolkien and Charles Williams enjoyed deep and meaningful conversations round a fire. Developing and encouraging the idea of chatting about the things of God because there is something delightful about talking about truth. Some serious grappling with subtle messages and countering that with Christian thinking. Small group discussions incorporates teaching and conversations. Bible Study is needed for maturity in the Christian faith.
The Christians redeemed the pagan practices in verse 9 and used it for God's glory. Today, we need to look for ways to communicate our faith by investing symbols around us with Christian meaning. However, the art form should not take priority over the joy of truth. In the bible, the communication is sensory--taste, sight, sound, smells etc. Yet, the danger is real that the aid to devotion, can become the object of devotion. Listen to the whole message here.
The Word needs to get into our hearts-internalised, into our system so that it influences the way we behave. It needs to be inside us so much so that our instincts are biblical. In many religions the truth is respected, defended but they think it is not practical to live out the truth. Christians are encouraged to live out truth. A right attitude towards the Word is not to take it away or add to it and to be aware of the supernatural nature of the God's speaking. Repetition is needed to get the Word in, advertising does just that; it uses repetition to sell goods. Parents are asked to teach the bible in the home--the facts of scripture and how to apply it. "
"Word-connected" conversations need to happen in everyday life--sharing a meal, travelling, pretty much the whole day. Today, the media has presented ideas that are alternative to what the bible teaches. Christians need to be talking about these ideas in the light of the Word--holy conversation is important. CS Lewis, Tolkien and Charles Williams enjoyed deep and meaningful conversations round a fire. Developing and encouraging the idea of chatting about the things of God because there is something delightful about talking about truth. Some serious grappling with subtle messages and countering that with Christian thinking. Small group discussions incorporates teaching and conversations. Bible Study is needed for maturity in the Christian faith.
The Christians redeemed the pagan practices in verse 9 and used it for God's glory. Today, we need to look for ways to communicate our faith by investing symbols around us with Christian meaning. However, the art form should not take priority over the joy of truth. In the bible, the communication is sensory--taste, sight, sound, smells etc. Yet, the danger is real that the aid to devotion, can become the object of devotion. Listen to the whole message here.
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Ajith Fernando's talks on Deuteronomy at Student Leader's Conference 2012
Loving God
In Deuteronomy, Moses prepares the people after their time of training through a series of sermons.
First, He gives a historical recount, then he tells them how to live in the promise land, then the covenant vows are renewed and he dies.
Ajith Fernando unpacks the words "fear", "hear" and "one God" for us from Deuteronomy 6.
To fear God is similar to having faith in God in the New Testament. One who fears God, is afraid of going against what is the best for us. Fear of God is not a life of bondage but fear is a friend that alerts us to dangers. When we make it our goal to please God, it helps us turn away from the way of disasters.
The call to "hear" is repeated 25 times in Deuteronomy and 6 times in the phrase "Hear, therefore, O Israel". Other nations surrounding Israel had idols to remind them of their God but Israel was warned against idols. Instead they had words that were read or told to them, to remind them of God --to remind them how to live. They were told to "be careful" to do them, after all how we live reflects what we truly believe.
The Lord, our God, is one God. God is incomparable. He is united in purpose and will. He is the only God. The Cannanites worshiped many Gods, Baal. The prophets were angry with the Israelites when they had many Gods and railed at them but to those who did not know God, the Apostle Paul dialogued and persuaded. Hear the whole of Ajith's message here
In Deuteronomy, Moses prepares the people after their time of training through a series of sermons.
First, He gives a historical recount, then he tells them how to live in the promise land, then the covenant vows are renewed and he dies.
Ajith Fernando unpacks the words "fear", "hear" and "one God" for us from Deuteronomy 6.
To fear God is similar to having faith in God in the New Testament. One who fears God, is afraid of going against what is the best for us. Fear of God is not a life of bondage but fear is a friend that alerts us to dangers. When we make it our goal to please God, it helps us turn away from the way of disasters.
The call to "hear" is repeated 25 times in Deuteronomy and 6 times in the phrase "Hear, therefore, O Israel". Other nations surrounding Israel had idols to remind them of their God but Israel was warned against idols. Instead they had words that were read or told to them, to remind them of God --to remind them how to live. They were told to "be careful" to do them, after all how we live reflects what we truly believe.
The Lord, our God, is one God. God is incomparable. He is united in purpose and will. He is the only God. The Cannanites worshiped many Gods, Baal. The prophets were angry with the Israelites when they had many Gods and railed at them but to those who did not know God, the Apostle Paul dialogued and persuaded. Hear the whole of Ajith's message here
What's next?
If you managed to Zip with us across the Old Testament for four months, I hope you have gained insights into God who is the great I AM: the dynamic God at work in the past, present and future. A huge thanks to all bloggers, your blogs have been inspiring and you have reached online audiences from about 15 different countries with more than 6 thousand blogviews. Bless you for sharing your reading experience. So what's next?
To those who intended to blog but ran out of courage, focus or energy. Chin up. The point of WORD Up is to set fairly difficult challenges so that we are motivated to block off time to achieve it together. Set up your own more manageable challenge and gather a group of friends to do it with you at another time.
If you were just a random reader, you could be more. You could challenge your friends to read Old Testament books which they have never read before in community and work out how to apply the bible to their lives today. You could use the material on this blog to do challenges of your own over a month/ weekend away. You could use the material and challenge your group on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, What's app and Youtube. Remember the more the format or medium of material is reused, retwittered and reworked to fit the lifestyle of your group the better. However, the principles of good biblical interpretation and the content of the bible (whichever version you use) must remain the same.
Engage with the text and let the words point you to fresh insights into what God is saying to you as a group. Ask questions, research answers and record what you learn....this interpretative community is what will make what you are doing different from other efforts to put the bible online using social media like these ones on Twitter. Wrestling with biblical text is engaging with an author who chooses who reveal Himself, there is a sense of the amazing in the experience. The Old Testament contains some of the most puzzling but revealing stories about God's relationship with his people. Seeking to know God more through His revealed works is one of the most exciting adventure of life.
:) Until next summer.
To those who intended to blog but ran out of courage, focus or energy. Chin up. The point of WORD Up is to set fairly difficult challenges so that we are motivated to block off time to achieve it together. Set up your own more manageable challenge and gather a group of friends to do it with you at another time.
If you were just a random reader, you could be more. You could challenge your friends to read Old Testament books which they have never read before in community and work out how to apply the bible to their lives today. You could use the material on this blog to do challenges of your own over a month/ weekend away. You could use the material and challenge your group on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, What's app and Youtube. Remember the more the format or medium of material is reused, retwittered and reworked to fit the lifestyle of your group the better. However, the principles of good biblical interpretation and the content of the bible (whichever version you use) must remain the same.
Engage with the text and let the words point you to fresh insights into what God is saying to you as a group. Ask questions, research answers and record what you learn....this interpretative community is what will make what you are doing different from other efforts to put the bible online using social media like these ones on Twitter. Wrestling with biblical text is engaging with an author who chooses who reveal Himself, there is a sense of the amazing in the experience. The Old Testament contains some of the most puzzling but revealing stories about God's relationship with his people. Seeking to know God more through His revealed works is one of the most exciting adventure of life.
:) Until next summer.
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Days 17-18, Leviticus 18-27: Living separately, and in remembrance
You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God.
(Lev 18:3-4)
This statement sums up the essence of Leviticus, and the reason for the rules. They weren't just any nation, and they were not to just live like any nation. They were God's nation, and were meant to live as a witness to the nations around them - not copy the immorality and injustices seen in other nations.
The rules herein contained are a mix of sexual morality, care for the poor, truth, spiritual separation and loyalty, and due respect.
Evidently, the phrase 'uncover the nakedness of' is a euphemism for sexual relations. The first section is basically summed up by 'don't sleep with your relatives' to use today's euphemism. There is however a quick glimpse of the proper relations between husband and wife. In 18:7-8 we see that the 'nakedness' of the father is the mother's 'nakedness' and the nakedness of the step-mother (father's wife) is the father's 'nakedness'. In other words, the nakedness or sexual activity of each in a marriage belongs to the other partner - a beautiful description of the sexual intimacy and two become one in marriage.
Intimacy during menstruation was also forbidden - this seems to be due to the ceremonial cleanliness rituals that Israel was to keep to mark them as separate from other nations.
Bestiality, homosexuality, and adultery are also all forbidden - all practices of the nations that were there before Israel, and practices which contributed to God's judgement upon the previous nations.
The rules relate not only to physical actions, but inward attitude. Respect for parents and for God is important. Love is to be shown to all, no matter their circumstances - whether they know it or not. Some may say it doesn't matter to curse a deaf man, but God hears it. The rule is not 'you can do wrong if you can get away with it', but 'do right whether you can get away with it or not, whether people see it or not'. The heart attitude is as important as the action.
We see more descriptions of how Israel is to be separate from the spiritual practices around them - not marking themselves like the pagans did in rituals, not seeking spiritual 'guidance' from people who claimed (rightly or wrongly) to be able to contact spirits/demons.
Rejection of God's rule and law brought about severe punishment - the death penalty was appropriate for such deliberate rejection of God and His standards. Whether it was going after foreign gods, killing children for sacrifices, cursing their parents, or sexual immorality, God did not take disobedience lightly. Israel was His people, and He their ruler - He is Holy, therefore they are to be holy (separated) to Him. The emphasis on God's Holiness, and our call to holiness in response is equally present in the New Testament - we live in a different political structure, and are not bound by ceremonial laws, but we are still called to live in obedience to God, imitate His character, and separate ourselves spiritually to Himself.
As a special example of separation, the priests in Israel receive further instruction. They are God's representatives to the people, and are to be an example spiritually, morally, and ceremonially. There is also a high standard to serve in the Temple - descendants of the priests who had physical imperfections/disease could share in the provisions for the priests, but could not serve. Their physical 'perfection' seems a symbol of spiritual perfection demanded, much like the offering of unblemished animals for sacrifice, which are also detailed.
In addition to civil rules, there were also prescribed feasts/holidays to remind the people of Israel about all that God had done for them. The Sabbath, as a weekly day set aside for God. The Passover, reminding of the escape from Egypt and the protection from judgement by the blood. The Feast of Firstfruits and Pentecost (Feast of weeks/fifty days) - recognising the Lord of the Harvest, and giving thanks for His provision. The Feast of Trumpets, a call to worship the Lord, and repentance. The Day of Atonement, the offering for the sin of the whole nation. The Feast of Booths, remembering the wanderings in the wilderness, and God's provision there. All a reminder to us of the importance of remembering all that the Lord does for us. Remembering regularly, and thanking and praising Him for His provision, both physical and spiritual.
After some arrangements for the continual supply of oil for the lamps and bread for the table in the Tabernacle, we see again a couple of civil rules. To blaspheme God, the Head of Israel, was punishable by death, as this amounted to treason. In other matters, the punishment should fit the crime - life for life, injury for injury. It was not to be like other systems where minor infractions could exact devastating punishment - judicial punishment was limited to the severity of the crime.
In the rules concerning the Years of Jubilee, and Sabbath years, we also see both a reliance upon God's provision, and a care for the poor. By taking a break from working the fields for a year, they relied on God providing through the plants that reseeded themselves. It also provided means for the servants/slaves to leave their masters if they desired, and return land to people that had sold it to cover hard times. Following on from this theme, the poor were to be helped, and not exploited - if the poor asked for help, then the Israelites were not to make a profit off the loans.
The book of Leviticus concludes with a reminder of blessing for obedience, and the judgement for disobedience. Even in disobedience, though there is room for confession and return to God - and we know from later history just how many times this occurred. In this section, it is noteworthy that here is the warning fulfilled later in the Babylonian captivity - 26:34 speaks of enforcing the Jubilee rest for the land (70 years captivity for all the years that the Jubilee was missed), and 26:23-24 speaks of the sevenfold increase in judgement if repentance is not forthcoming (490 years that Daniel is told about after the 70 years pass without full repentance).
Finally, vows are covered, and provision made for redeeming vows made if the original can no longer be offered. This section shows the solemnity of promises made to God, and this can also be applied to the solemnity of promises in general. Unlike some of the Judges (such as Jephthah), there is always a way out of a unwise promise, however. Because of the promise made, breaking it requires adding 20% to the value of it in substitute, in this way the arrangement is still given due solemnity, but allows escape from unwise promises. Similarly with tithes - if the person greatly desires to keep the tithe for the Lord, he can redeem it with something else, but add 20% value to its valuation. The underlying purpose of tithing is respect for the Lord, in acknowledgement that all is His. Again, today, we are not bound by a tithe (the word means 1/10th), but the principle of acknowledging the Lord's provision for us as we steward His resources is still important.
Holy God, we would remember Thee, and live in the light of Your love for us - living in obedience to You, and in holy separation unto You. Help us O Lord, by Your power, to live thus. We thank you for Your Holy Spirit, Who calls us to remembrance of the things we know of You, and empowers us to live for You, to Your glory. This world is Yours, and we are Thine, O Holy God. Amen.
Evidently, the phrase 'uncover the nakedness of' is a euphemism for sexual relations. The first section is basically summed up by 'don't sleep with your relatives' to use today's euphemism. There is however a quick glimpse of the proper relations between husband and wife. In 18:7-8 we see that the 'nakedness' of the father is the mother's 'nakedness' and the nakedness of the step-mother (father's wife) is the father's 'nakedness'. In other words, the nakedness or sexual activity of each in a marriage belongs to the other partner - a beautiful description of the sexual intimacy and two become one in marriage.
Intimacy during menstruation was also forbidden - this seems to be due to the ceremonial cleanliness rituals that Israel was to keep to mark them as separate from other nations.
Bestiality, homosexuality, and adultery are also all forbidden - all practices of the nations that were there before Israel, and practices which contributed to God's judgement upon the previous nations.
The rules relate not only to physical actions, but inward attitude. Respect for parents and for God is important. Love is to be shown to all, no matter their circumstances - whether they know it or not. Some may say it doesn't matter to curse a deaf man, but God hears it. The rule is not 'you can do wrong if you can get away with it', but 'do right whether you can get away with it or not, whether people see it or not'. The heart attitude is as important as the action.
We see more descriptions of how Israel is to be separate from the spiritual practices around them - not marking themselves like the pagans did in rituals, not seeking spiritual 'guidance' from people who claimed (rightly or wrongly) to be able to contact spirits/demons.
Rejection of God's rule and law brought about severe punishment - the death penalty was appropriate for such deliberate rejection of God and His standards. Whether it was going after foreign gods, killing children for sacrifices, cursing their parents, or sexual immorality, God did not take disobedience lightly. Israel was His people, and He their ruler - He is Holy, therefore they are to be holy (separated) to Him. The emphasis on God's Holiness, and our call to holiness in response is equally present in the New Testament - we live in a different political structure, and are not bound by ceremonial laws, but we are still called to live in obedience to God, imitate His character, and separate ourselves spiritually to Himself.
As a special example of separation, the priests in Israel receive further instruction. They are God's representatives to the people, and are to be an example spiritually, morally, and ceremonially. There is also a high standard to serve in the Temple - descendants of the priests who had physical imperfections/disease could share in the provisions for the priests, but could not serve. Their physical 'perfection' seems a symbol of spiritual perfection demanded, much like the offering of unblemished animals for sacrifice, which are also detailed.
In addition to civil rules, there were also prescribed feasts/holidays to remind the people of Israel about all that God had done for them. The Sabbath, as a weekly day set aside for God. The Passover, reminding of the escape from Egypt and the protection from judgement by the blood. The Feast of Firstfruits and Pentecost (Feast of weeks/fifty days) - recognising the Lord of the Harvest, and giving thanks for His provision. The Feast of Trumpets, a call to worship the Lord, and repentance. The Day of Atonement, the offering for the sin of the whole nation. The Feast of Booths, remembering the wanderings in the wilderness, and God's provision there. All a reminder to us of the importance of remembering all that the Lord does for us. Remembering regularly, and thanking and praising Him for His provision, both physical and spiritual.
After some arrangements for the continual supply of oil for the lamps and bread for the table in the Tabernacle, we see again a couple of civil rules. To blaspheme God, the Head of Israel, was punishable by death, as this amounted to treason. In other matters, the punishment should fit the crime - life for life, injury for injury. It was not to be like other systems where minor infractions could exact devastating punishment - judicial punishment was limited to the severity of the crime.
In the rules concerning the Years of Jubilee, and Sabbath years, we also see both a reliance upon God's provision, and a care for the poor. By taking a break from working the fields for a year, they relied on God providing through the plants that reseeded themselves. It also provided means for the servants/slaves to leave their masters if they desired, and return land to people that had sold it to cover hard times. Following on from this theme, the poor were to be helped, and not exploited - if the poor asked for help, then the Israelites were not to make a profit off the loans.
The book of Leviticus concludes with a reminder of blessing for obedience, and the judgement for disobedience. Even in disobedience, though there is room for confession and return to God - and we know from later history just how many times this occurred. In this section, it is noteworthy that here is the warning fulfilled later in the Babylonian captivity - 26:34 speaks of enforcing the Jubilee rest for the land (70 years captivity for all the years that the Jubilee was missed), and 26:23-24 speaks of the sevenfold increase in judgement if repentance is not forthcoming (490 years that Daniel is told about after the 70 years pass without full repentance).
Finally, vows are covered, and provision made for redeeming vows made if the original can no longer be offered. This section shows the solemnity of promises made to God, and this can also be applied to the solemnity of promises in general. Unlike some of the Judges (such as Jephthah), there is always a way out of a unwise promise, however. Because of the promise made, breaking it requires adding 20% to the value of it in substitute, in this way the arrangement is still given due solemnity, but allows escape from unwise promises. Similarly with tithes - if the person greatly desires to keep the tithe for the Lord, he can redeem it with something else, but add 20% value to its valuation. The underlying purpose of tithing is respect for the Lord, in acknowledgement that all is His. Again, today, we are not bound by a tithe (the word means 1/10th), but the principle of acknowledging the Lord's provision for us as we steward His resources is still important.
Holy God, we would remember Thee, and live in the light of Your love for us - living in obedience to You, and in holy separation unto You. Help us O Lord, by Your power, to live thus. We thank you for Your Holy Spirit, Who calls us to remembrance of the things we know of You, and empowers us to live for You, to Your glory. This world is Yours, and we are Thine, O Holy God. Amen.
Day 22: Numbers 21-26 - Destruction and Deliverance
These chapters are I suspect amongst the oddest in Christian scripture. There's a talking donkey, extreme warfare, the angel of the Lord (visible only to a donkey, initially), various prophecies, false gods, sexual immorality, and a summarised census of Israel. I guess given the name of the book we might have expected the last item on that list, though perhaps nothing else.
There's lots to think about, but I'll just comment briefly on 'conquering' in the text. How are Christians to read such violent passages? Take as an example, from chapter 24, part of what seems to be in some sense, or in part, a messianic prophecy - "He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth".
In both the old and new testaments, deliverance is achieved through bloodshed, through warfare or something similar. The old testament describes the temporal physical judgement of rebellious nations, while the new describes the eternal judgment of rebellious individuals. It would be a bleak picture indeed were it not for what I take the centrepoint of the Bible, which describes the end to the requirement for bloodshed, the cross. Following this event, no temporal bloodshed is necessary for purification or the achievement of religious purposes, as God-made-man has shed His own blood on behalf of rebellious individuals.
There's plenty more to say of course, but in general the most helpful way to read violent texts in the old testament that I've found as a Christian, is to see them in light of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The actions of Israel in entering the promised land are not a direct model for us (and it's a bad idea to simply spiritualise the stories and use them as bizarre moral or life lessons abstracted away from their context)), but the messy history of the people of Israel, who were bought out of slavery and through trials by God, reflects light on the struggles and nature of the true Israel, Jesus, who purchased freedom for His rebellious enemies. Violence is not the final answer, but it was a now-finished part of God's plan to overcome evil.
There's lots to think about, but I'll just comment briefly on 'conquering' in the text. How are Christians to read such violent passages? Take as an example, from chapter 24, part of what seems to be in some sense, or in part, a messianic prophecy - "He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth".
In both the old and new testaments, deliverance is achieved through bloodshed, through warfare or something similar. The old testament describes the temporal physical judgement of rebellious nations, while the new describes the eternal judgment of rebellious individuals. It would be a bleak picture indeed were it not for what I take the centrepoint of the Bible, which describes the end to the requirement for bloodshed, the cross. Following this event, no temporal bloodshed is necessary for purification or the achievement of religious purposes, as God-made-man has shed His own blood on behalf of rebellious individuals.
There's plenty more to say of course, but in general the most helpful way to read violent texts in the old testament that I've found as a Christian, is to see them in light of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The actions of Israel in entering the promised land are not a direct model for us (and it's a bad idea to simply spiritualise the stories and use them as bizarre moral or life lessons abstracted away from their context)), but the messy history of the people of Israel, who were bought out of slavery and through trials by God, reflects light on the struggles and nature of the true Israel, Jesus, who purchased freedom for His rebellious enemies. Violence is not the final answer, but it was a now-finished part of God's plan to overcome evil.
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