“We—the priests, the Levites and the people—have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.”
Nehemiah 10:34
Last time we saw our group promise to take responsibility for holy things, reminding ourselves to not underestimate our small acts of faithfulness during confusing times. Today we see how our group dealt with making sure the offerings had wood on which to burn.
Our group, not just the priests and Levites, but the regular folk, cast lots to make a schedule for who would bring a contribution of wood. Contribution here is oblation – something brought near the altar.
Friends, I think we know there are some things we need to set on fire and offer to a holy God in our time right now. Ways we need to die our rights, lay down our lives for the sake of others, reimagine the public good, and repent.
White supremacy must be burned down. Hatred, bigotry, an evil spirit of patriarchal power and dominance, ageism, ableism, racism, the dangerous form of nationalism, classism, sexism – and every thing which is the opposite of
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven.
It needs to be over. Or from today’s verse “to burn on the altar (mizbeachfrom zabach – to slaughter for sacrifice, slay, offer) of Yahweh our Elohim.” Lay it down, offer it up. May our diabolical ideals be what is slain over fellow image bearers.
I was reading this morning how Wisdom was with God at the beginning, laying the foundations of the earth. She was His daily delight, rejoicing before Him always.
Wisdom is crying out still. At the crossroads she now takes her stand:
“The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.”
A reckoning is coming and we don’t want to be anywhere near the side of evil and injustice when it does. May we listen while there is time to repent.
I appreciate these lots were cast so the people could bring their contribution each year at set times. Set here is zaman – fixed, appointed.
It’s true for us all, you know. We may not be casting lots to determine our month to bring wood to Temple, but we are where we are for an appointed time. When He set these times for us He knew we would be experiencing this pandemic, these losses, this particular evil in our day. This is both comforting and intimidating, as He believes we are up to the challenge in His strength and by His Spirit.
The phrase “as it is written in the Law” is kathab (decree, describe, record) in torah.” The community coming together to bring practical necessities for sacrifices for individual and communal sin was decreed in Torah. Their obedience made it possible to stand before God in right relationship.
May our obedience in our day draw others to Him as well.