Vince Deagler

hi everyone.  it has been a while since i last posted anything.  mainly the result of nothing really catching my eye…until today.  and it comes from an unlikely source.  one of the things i do regularly is participate in a bible study with our seniors.  we have been studying exodus.  now the beginning of exodus is an exciting story, but after the israelites arrive at mt. sinai the story line really changes.  the rest of the book is devoted to a detailed look at the mosaic law.  not what i would describe as an exciting story.  but much of our faith as christians take root back here, so it is a worthy study.  we have explored many principles:  why does god give such extensive detail?, how do things like the law, the sacrificial system, the tabernacle, the priesthood, the ritual of worship connect to today?  what in the world is a SEA COW…that is a DUGONG???? (thought i would throw that one in for levity)  :)

anyway, we encountered a text today i found interesting in light of current events.  in exodus 30:15 in the context of moses explaining a tax/tithe/payment every israelite over age 20 was to pay as a ransom to the lord we read this:  “the rich, are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the lord to atone for your lives.”

one of my pet peeves is how often and how willing we are to high jack scripture, twisting it to serve our purpose.  i do not want to be guilty of this…so what do you think god was trying to teach here?  what application might we make today?  i would love to hear your thoughts. 

oh, and by the way, this really is a good passage to consider in light of how close we are to the july 4th celebration.  we have been and continue to be blessed as citizens of the usa.  god wanted israel to remember how he had brought them out of egypt, it is wise of us to remember how we too have been blessed.  just a thought.  blessings, vince