These texts were chosen by the congregation picking up their Bibles, closing their eyes, letting the Bible fall open, and POINTING..... Pointed Texts.
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” ---Hebrews 13: 5
---Rachel
We
begin this series of Bible studies with a text of unknown origin and of unknown
date (likely between 60 and 100 CE).
Hebrews
is a letter that points to the importance of scripture and of Jewish tradition
for those who were followers of Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles, at the time it
was written. Early Christians did not have Bibles as we have them today. Their
scripture was what is commonly called the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures)
including for some communities the apocrypha books (the ones found in Catholic
Bibles). This is important to keep in mind as we journey through this series. All
but two of our ‘Pointed Texts’ are from the Hebrew scriptures, texts that were
in the hands of those to whom the letter of Hebrews was written.
How
important are Hebrew scriptures to you?
When
you read Hebrews 13:5 does it sound like a scripture you have heard from Hebrew
scripture?
What
is the point of this verse?
As
a follower of Jesus, what will you apply this pointed text to your everyday
life?
The
letter of Hebrews points to scripture texts and interprets them for the Jesus’
community. Hebrews 13:5 is an example. In it I hear the Law written as a
proverb, with an added Psalm phrase. I look forward to discovering the points you
find in the text.
For
today and coming weeks -
You
are invited on journey with early Christians. On Tuesdays I will post a
devotion on a pointed text from scripture. I will include commentary and questions
for reflection. Answers and other questions and comments can be sent to me at halifaxlutherchurch@gmail.com (or put in the comment section of this
blog). Fridays I will share the messages (conversation) received via the email
list (and attempt to put responses in the blog comments.)
Testing
ReplyDeleteYes this text sounds like it is written to those familiar with Hebrew scripture. It sounds like law full of grace for our wellbeing. The part, Keep your lives free from the love of money, in another translation reads ,Let your conversation be without covetousness. This suggests to me it is not just the love of money that causes discontent but anything we covet and think we absolutely have to possess to be happy. We need to realize that we already have everything we need in Jesus' promise, I will never leave you or forsake you. This frees us to be content no matter what our situation may be. Contentment allows us to be free from anxiety and be filled with God's peace. Our wellbeing hinges on God’s presence with us.
ReplyDeleteI hear and feel it differently when I break it up into sections; for the 'I' think of your understanding of God/Jesus:
ReplyDeleteKeep your lives free.... I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Free from the love of money...I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be content...I will never leave you or forsake you.
be content with what you have...I will never leave you nor forsake you.
I will never leave you nor forsake you - because of this- live free from the love of money. Be content with what you have.