Thursday, October 1, 2009

Deuteronomy 2.16-37, Matthew 6.16-34 - Lectionary for 10/1/09

Today's readings are Deuteronomy 2.16-37 and Matthew 6.16-34.

I wonder if we think about those people who are not Israel, who are not God's specially chosen people.  In Deuteronomy 2.19 we see that God has made promises to people who are not the children of Abraham.  God has given the territory of Ammon to the descendants of Lot.

What do we know about Lot?  He was a nephew of Abraham.  He was not in the line chosen to receive the promise of God.  He departed from the city of Sodom when the city was due to be destroyed by fire.  He fell into sinful disbelief and fear before bearing children with his daughters who were concerned their family line would pass away if they didn't get him drunk and impregnate themselves.  This is the story of a family that is a real wreck!

God promises to care for lots of people who have messed up families.  God promises to care for all sorts of people who fall into fear and disbelief.  God promises to care for all his chosen people, those he has adopted not of the biological descendants of Abraham but those of the spiritual seed of Abraham.  He promises to be with us, never to leave us, never to forsake us.  He will be with us to the end of the world, even though our families are messed up, even though we fear, even though we believe only weakly.  We who have seen the deliverance of God are delivered indeed.  We have a place and an inheritance which our Lord will guard for us. 


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