April 23: Numbers 4-5; Psalm 41; Romans 2

Psalm 41  I think it would be a mistake to read the psalmist's expectation of healing in the psalm as a quid pro quo for his "considering" (41:1) the poor.  But it might be easy to do.

Note that v. 13 is not actually part of this psalm, but rather a blessing that falls between divisions/sections of the Book of Psalm.

Numbers 4-5  Note that the Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarites all have separate special assignments.  And note that the work is to be done by men ages 30 - 50 (4:3), that is, when they are in the prime of life.  The jobs of these clans of the tribe of Levi are not only spiritually important but also physically demanding.  They are in charge of the tent of meeting, presumably of transporting it from camp to camp and setting it up and taking it down.  Some have responsibility for the contents of the tent, some for elements of the altar, others for other sacred objects, and some for the tent itself.

Note how Numbers 5 is about unfortunate/broken things: what must be done with unclean persons; what must be done when one person wrongs another; what must be done when marriages fall apart.  This is one of the places where I find that the tradition is very skewed against women.  Sometimes we need to ask: when are rules that are prescribed in the Bible for the time and circumstances of the Israelites only?  When are they universal in their application?  Even then, how do we take the spirit of these texts and make it work in our time and circumstances?  Ch. 5 describes what's sometimes called a "trial by ordeal."  Only women are expected to have to prove themselves in this way.

Romans 2   As we read Paul's letters, we will have to be wide awake for "therefore"s!  One begins this chapter:  "Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others, for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge,are doing the very same things." (2:1)

Paul says we are all stuck in sin, and God is merciful.
Note how he deals with the situation of those who don't know the God of Israel and His Son (2:9-11): "There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.  For God shows no partiality."

Pay close attention to the discussion of the obligations to the Law (the Torah) that come with being Jewish.  Note what Paul says it is supposed to do, and what, in actual fact, it is able to accomplish in people's lives.  This is why, Paul thinks, we need a Savior.  What we cannot do for ourselves, God accomplishes on our behalf.

By the way, Sandi and others who may be reading this:  I would value your comments or thoughts.  If you leave comments, I will make a good effort to respond.