It’s amazing the interesting thoughts and new insights one can gain when reading the Bible. It’s a matter of having an open mind, a willingness to look deeper at what one is reading, and an openness to the Spirit to speak into what is being read. I believe there are so many wonderful truths and insights just waiting to be discovered. Let me tell you about one of my recent discoveries.
A couple months ago I started reading through the Old Testament during my personal quiet time. I had been reading strictly in the New Testament for over a year and decided it was time to jump back into the Old Testament once again. So, I started with Genesis 1 and just kept reading forward. In this reading stretch I’ve been through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and just a week or so ago I started into Numbers.
Now, I’ll be honest, the book of numbers doesn’t sound particularly interesting. It gets its name from the fact that it starts out with a census of the Hebrew people as they prepare to make their way into the wilderness. In fact, the Hebrew title for this particular book means “In the Desert,” which is actually a more accurate descriptor of the book than “Numbers.”
The book of Numbers actually tells of the Hebrew people’s journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab after having left the bondage of Egypt behind. Moses is their leader and much of the first part of the book describes the guidelines of the “Covenant” that the Hebrews are going to be abiding by in this new relationship with God. A key word in this relationship is the word “Holy” meaning “set apart.”
This idea of being holy is key in the relationship God has with the people because they are still living with the influence of the Egyptian gods from the past 400 years. Part of what I read just a couple days ago is that it was very clear that only certain people could carry, touch, or even look upon the Ark of the Covenant, the gold covered chest that held certain holy items and was considered the dwelling place of God in their midst.
Later that same day I read the Christmas Story in Luke 2, as I was preparing for our Advent Study and Christmas Eve services. Another word jumped out that defines the new covenant and relationship between God and God’s people, us. That word, Immanuel. God with us.
Think about that! When the Christ child, Immanuel, God With Us, arrived here on earth, his mother and earthly father were common ordinary people. He was born in a lowly place where animals were kept. And…And…shepherds (very common folk and possibly even unclean, physically and religiously) were INVITED to come look upon (and maybe even touch) the very presence of God. The arrival of Jesus, the Christ Child, marks a new understanding of who God is and how humanity can relate to God. We should be awed by God, but we don’t have to be terrified of any little misstep, or terrified of God, period! God is approachable, God is reachable, God is personal, and God is inviting.
What an incredible gift the babe of Bethlehem is for us today. The entire Christmas Story reminds us that not just “special” people can be in or serve in the presence of God. God has come among us!! The Christ child truly represents a new understanding of who is welcome in God’s presence…we all are! That is what Immanuel, God with us, is all about – God’s presence…here…now!! Hallelujah!!!!
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith