RETREAT REFLECTIONS, 1 of 3

First in a series of three. The format is mostly splat poetry ( term I just made up to describe the process. Basically, I read through a selection, ponder a few moments, and splat down whatever thoughts come to mind.) It's long on the page, but not too long in words.

REFLECTIONS ON TORAH

(I read Torah in the Complete Jewish Bible, translated by Dr. David Stern)

B’resheet 1-11

God-made image bearer
Rusted by choice
Glorious
Corrupt
Graced
Earth-ruler
Planet-swarmer
Singled-out grace-line
God’s choice:
Adam
Seth
Noach
Shem
Terach
Avram
The line of the One
And me
Grafted in.

B’resheet 12-22

Avram
Then Avraham
Barren exalted father
Blessed father of nations
Blessed
Blesser
Prophet
Liar
Husband-brother
Impatient waiter
Covenant by blood
And severed foreskin
Idolater
Believer
Imported by grace clean

Day Two

B’resheet 23-50

YHWH says,
I am your God,
Walk in my ways.
But they
Mixed in practice
Walk in YHWH’s ways
Yet keeping idols
Follow yet not
What is required?
YHWH’s choice!
Avraham believed God
And it was counted
As righteousness
This God,
He is God of my fathers and mothers
The God of Harvey and Cloyd
The God of Doris and Martha and Hattie

Sh’mot 1-6

Land of plenty
Land of salvation
Was Egypt
Land of labor
Land of slavery
Egypt
Moshe
With halting voice
Aharon with Moshe’s words
Spoke, Let my people go!
Pharaoh stole YHWH’s people
Denied YHWH
Punished the people
YHWH spoke,
I will take you as my people
And I will be your God.
YHWH’s choice
YHWH’s grace

Sh’mot 6-40

Heart-hardener
Glory-seeker
Worship-planner
Command-giver
Who is this God
Who strikes out
Against his people
While giving grace and mercy?
YHWH
Maker of heaven and earth
Holy
Jealous
Gracious
Demanding
The One who by his presence
Shows his favor

Vayikra 1-5

Bulls
Goats
Sheep
Doves
Sacrifices
Sin
Guilt
Peace
Thanks
Atonement by blood
Confession by display
Forgiveness by grace

Vayikra 6-10

Continual fire
Holy eating
YHWH’s choice

“Through those who are near me I will be consecrated, and before all the people I will be glorified."

Unholy fire-makers
Consumed by holy fire
Nothing left to say.

Vayikra 10-13

Whole life holiness
Holy eating
Holy business
Holy family
Holy farming
Holy health
No sacred-secular dichotomy
YHWH is God of all
So all of life is worship
Worship of YHWH in obedience
Worship of anything else in idolatry
The whole life is worship of something

Vayikra 14-19

I am YHWH your God
…and you are NOT god.
YHWH
Egypt conqueror
Slave-freer
Law-maker
Sacrifice-demander
Grace-giver

Vayikra 20-27

“I am YHWH your God, who has set you apart from other peoples." (20:24)

“…you are only foreigners and temporary residents with me…” (25:23)

Resident Aliens
Hmmmmm.

B’midbar 1-36

Wandering feet
Wandering hearts
Jealous God
Vengeful God
Gracious God
Still his people
YHWH’s choice

D’varim (entire)

“See now that I, yes, I, am he; and there is no god beside me. I put to death, and I make alive; I wound and I heal; no one saves anyone from my hand.” (32:39)

“Happy are you Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by YHWH your defender helping you and your sword of triumph? Your enemies will cringe before you, but you will trample down their high places.” (33:29)

Foreigners inside
We treat as brothers
Foreigners outside
We stand against
Declare their sin
Teardown their high places
We are God’s people
YHWH’s choice
We walk in his ways
Yet grace