On Wednesday we have a Bible study which meets in the morning and evening. In that class we are studying the "historical books" (Jewish Bible calls it The Prophets, which includes Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) and we began reading Ezra this month. In the early chapters, exiled Jews are returning from their exile per Cyrus' (and God's) decree.
Jerusalem had been leveled by the Babylonians seventy years before, so the first altar is constructed on a ruins. [I led a eucharist on a monastic ruins while on tour in England. It is quite moving.] Later in the chapter they lay the foundation for a new Temple. In exegeting the text we talked about the literal meaning, i.e., building. Afterwards, I did an excursus on the Church Father approach to the text (the deeper or Spiritual-Symbolic). "What," I asked, "is the true foundation of the Temple?" Obviously, it is God. So we discussed the Psalm (If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labor) and then we talked about Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman. She had asked Jesus about the true Temple (to avoid His probing into her messy personal life) and Jesus talked about worship in Spirit and Truth. As one reads interpenetrating Scriptures together, there is a broader and deeper insight into texts. It reminds us of our foundation and the foundation of real worship.
On Thursday we are studying 2 Esdras, a first century Jewish work in the Apocrypha. Probably, in light of the recent destruction of the (second) Temple in 70AD, the writer used Ezra as the "author" to draw parallels to their situation and the situation 500 years prior. [psedonyms were a very common practice at this time to lend authority to a text] It is written with Ezra as the central figure, this time he is akin to the John of the Book of Revelation. Much of 2 Esdras is focused on Judgment and Suffering and the questions "why?," "what is the point?," and "what will happen in the future?" The chapter we looked at dealt with the state of the soul after death and his explanation is very much what most Christians seem to think will happen. In the course of discussion we got off on numerous tangents and at one point we talked about the Jewish/OT understanding of fatherhood. Abraham contains all of his descendents (in potentia) in his loins. I said that this appears in the Hebrews text concerning Abraham and Melchizedek. It is part of the argument to explain why Jesus is the New High Priest and supplants what took place before.
Today at Morning Prayer both the woman at the well and Hebrews on Abraham were the readings. Once more I am amazed how God works. It is a reminder that our regular study of Scripture must be supplemented by reading Scripture in worship. It also bears out the value of a lectionary. I sometimes struggle with the the silence of God. Perhaps, this is a reminder that God whispers, frequently, if we pay attention. I know the recurring pattern of connection between classes and lectionary is statistically unlikely. God does speak. We are challenged to avail ourselves to this communication and recognize it when it happens.
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