After reading chapter 16:
* Here is a reiteration of the instructions for observing the Passover, except with the addition that it must be celebrated in the place the lord will choose for a dwelling, not in their towns. Then we revisit the feast of weeks and the feast of tabernacles. In verse 18 the Israelites are instructed to appoint judges for each tribe, in each town. No bribing judges allowed. Also, no Asherah poles next to the altar and no sacred stones.
After reading chapter 17:
*Do not sacrifice a blemished animal to the lord, for he is picky. If anyone is found to be guilty of worshipping other gods, they are to be taken outside the city gate and stoned to death. However, there must be more than one witness. Plus, the witnesses must cast the first stones.
*Difficult court cases must be brought to the place the lord chooses and decided by a priest or a judge. Thier decisions will be binding and must be obeyed or the penalty is death.
*When they enter the promised land and go to choose a king, they must choose someone of whom God approves. He must be an Israelite, not a foreigner. He must not acquire a lot of horses, wives, or silver and gold. (All things that Solomon supposedly acquired. ) When he becomes king, he is to write his own personal copy of the law on a scroll and read it every day, so he will follow it carefully. The king is not to consider himself better than other Israelites, then he will reign a long time. Apparently the author of Deuteronomy was not aware of any objections to having an Israelite king, which we will see later.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
Deuteronomy 15
After reading chapter 15:
*Every seven years the debts of all Israelites to other Israelites are to be cancelled, but not the debts of foreigners. Besides, the promised land will be so good that there shouldn't be any poor Israelites. Then they will loan money to other nations, but never borrow from others. Consequently, they will rule over many nations and no one will rule over them. Well, history tells us things didn't work out quite this way.
*So, IF there happens to be a poor man (not woman) among them, they must be generous. Plus, they must not refuse to lend to someone because the year of cancellation is too near. Now, after saying there should be no poor among them in verse four, because of the rich blessings of the promised land, they are told there will always be poor people in the land in verse 11. Which is true?
*Next we find that a man or woman can sell themselves as servants for six years, but in the seventh year, they must be set free. When they are let go they are to be given grain and wine. But if a servant wishes to remain a servant, his or her ear is pierced. Then they are a servant for life. This is somewhat different from Exodus 21, where only male servants go free and female servants do not go free at the end of seven years. Unless no one wants them and no one will provide for them, then they get set free with nothing in payment. It seems that Deuteronomy does not assume the master's right to the sexual services of the maid servants like Exodus does. Also, unlike Deuteronomy, the male servants in Exodus get no payment when released.
*The last part of the chapter commands the setting aside of all the unblemished firstborn livestock for the lord. But they get to eat them with their families in the place Yahweh decides. The blemished animals can be eaten in their towns, just not the blood. We musn't forget about the blood.
*Every seven years the debts of all Israelites to other Israelites are to be cancelled, but not the debts of foreigners. Besides, the promised land will be so good that there shouldn't be any poor Israelites. Then they will loan money to other nations, but never borrow from others. Consequently, they will rule over many nations and no one will rule over them. Well, history tells us things didn't work out quite this way.
*So, IF there happens to be a poor man (not woman) among them, they must be generous. Plus, they must not refuse to lend to someone because the year of cancellation is too near. Now, after saying there should be no poor among them in verse four, because of the rich blessings of the promised land, they are told there will always be poor people in the land in verse 11. Which is true?
*Next we find that a man or woman can sell themselves as servants for six years, but in the seventh year, they must be set free. When they are let go they are to be given grain and wine. But if a servant wishes to remain a servant, his or her ear is pierced. Then they are a servant for life. This is somewhat different from Exodus 21, where only male servants go free and female servants do not go free at the end of seven years. Unless no one wants them and no one will provide for them, then they get set free with nothing in payment. It seems that Deuteronomy does not assume the master's right to the sexual services of the maid servants like Exodus does. Also, unlike Deuteronomy, the male servants in Exodus get no payment when released.
*The last part of the chapter commands the setting aside of all the unblemished firstborn livestock for the lord. But they get to eat them with their families in the place Yahweh decides. The blemished animals can be eaten in their towns, just not the blood. We musn't forget about the blood.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Book review: Undeniable by Bill Nye
Bill Nye's book was written after he had his well publicized debate with Ken Ham. It covers some of the points he covered in the debate and a little more. Undeniable reads in a rambling "folksy" tone which makes me hear Bill in my head. I enjoyed it for the most part, but felt that the flow of information was a little choppy and unstructured. Also, though informative, it was pretty basic stuff that most people should know. If you don't know the basics of modern evolutionary thought, this will help get you on track. But, if you already have a good awareness, it is mostly entertaining, with maybe a few tidbits that you haven't covered before. I was especially interested in the info about viruses, which I will look into further.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Deuteronomy 14
After reading chapter 14:
*Here we find a list of more dos and don'ts for the Israelites. Don't shave your head or cut yourself for the dead. Do eat ruminants, don't eat pigs. Don't even touch a dead pig. Do eat sea creatures that have both fins and scales. Do eat "clean" birds. Do not eat unclean birds, including bats. Do not eat flying insects that swarm, except the clean ones. Do not eat anything found dead, but you can give it to foreigners to eat. The difference is the Israelites are "holy." These regulations were also in Leviticus 11.
*Then there are the regulations for tithes, which is a tenth of everything produced. They get to eat the tithe at the designated place of worship. But if it is too far away, they trade the tithe in for silver, go to the place Yahweh designates for worship, buy food and drink, and have a party with their relatives, not forgetting to give something to the Levites. Every three years, the tithes are to be stored to provide food for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. This is a bit different than the instructions for tithes in Leviticus 27, where it seems implied that the tithes are given to the priests, um the lord, not eaten themselves.
*Here we find a list of more dos and don'ts for the Israelites. Don't shave your head or cut yourself for the dead. Do eat ruminants, don't eat pigs. Don't even touch a dead pig. Do eat sea creatures that have both fins and scales. Do eat "clean" birds. Do not eat unclean birds, including bats. Do not eat flying insects that swarm, except the clean ones. Do not eat anything found dead, but you can give it to foreigners to eat. The difference is the Israelites are "holy." These regulations were also in Leviticus 11.
*Then there are the regulations for tithes, which is a tenth of everything produced. They get to eat the tithe at the designated place of worship. But if it is too far away, they trade the tithe in for silver, go to the place Yahweh designates for worship, buy food and drink, and have a party with their relatives, not forgetting to give something to the Levites. Every three years, the tithes are to be stored to provide food for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. This is a bit different than the instructions for tithes in Leviticus 27, where it seems implied that the tithes are given to the priests, um the lord, not eaten themselves.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Deuteronomy 13
After reading chapter 13:
*This chapter is a stern repetition of the command not to follow other gods, no matter what. No one is to be trusted who would lure them into the worship of other gods. Not prophets or dreamers, even if they can work miracles and accurately forecast events. They must be put to death. Not brothers, sons or daughters, wives or close friends. They must be stoned to death without pity. In fact, the person they tried to entice away from Yahweh must cast the first stone. Then the rest of the Israelites will hear and be afraid. No kidding.
* If they hear about a town that has turned away from Yahweh to other gods, they must investigate. If it is true, they must slaughter the whole town and the livestock.They must gather all the plunder in the center of town and burn it as a sacrifice to the lord. Then it is to remain a ruin forever. This is to be done to turn away the fierce anger of the lord, so he doesn't take his wrath out on them. Then he will show them mercy and compassion. Though after reading this, what his mercy and compassion would look like is a mystery to me.
*Why doesn't Yahweh just tell them those other gods don't even exist? Why does an omnipotent, omniscient God even need to threaten and cajole? Doesn't he already know what will happen and the reasons for it? To what purpose is his anger? Not to mention that anger is an obviously human emotion.
*This chapter is a stern repetition of the command not to follow other gods, no matter what. No one is to be trusted who would lure them into the worship of other gods. Not prophets or dreamers, even if they can work miracles and accurately forecast events. They must be put to death. Not brothers, sons or daughters, wives or close friends. They must be stoned to death without pity. In fact, the person they tried to entice away from Yahweh must cast the first stone. Then the rest of the Israelites will hear and be afraid. No kidding.
* If they hear about a town that has turned away from Yahweh to other gods, they must investigate. If it is true, they must slaughter the whole town and the livestock.They must gather all the plunder in the center of town and burn it as a sacrifice to the lord. Then it is to remain a ruin forever. This is to be done to turn away the fierce anger of the lord, so he doesn't take his wrath out on them. Then he will show them mercy and compassion. Though after reading this, what his mercy and compassion would look like is a mystery to me.
*Why doesn't Yahweh just tell them those other gods don't even exist? Why does an omnipotent, omniscient God even need to threaten and cajole? Doesn't he already know what will happen and the reasons for it? To what purpose is his anger? Not to mention that anger is an obviously human emotion.
Deuteronomy chapter 12
After reading chapter 12:
* Again, the Israelites are told to destroy all signs of the worship of other gods in the promised land, including alters, idols, sacred stones, Asherah poles, high places, and under spreading trees. (Hmm. Abraham worshipped under "great trees" numerous times.) The Israelites can only worship in the places and manner in which they are told, not like the surrounding nations, and not like they see fit, as they are doing now, verse 8, since they haven't achieved the promised land yet. When they get there they won't be able to make offerings any where they please.
*They can slaughter animals for anyone in their towns to eat, but they must not eat the blood. However, free will offerings and gifts to God must be eaten in the place Yahweh (the Levites) chooses. If they want to eat meat and the center of sacrificial worship is too far away, they are free to kill and eat, again except for the blood. But sacred vows must be presented at the altar of the lord, always obeying regulations so it will go well with them.
*Again, they are told not to be curious about other religious practices and attempt to follow them. According to this, the others do detestable things the lord hates, including child sacrifice. However, we have seen that the Yahweh himself has nothing against wholesale slaughter of humans, if he orders it.
* Again, the Israelites are told to destroy all signs of the worship of other gods in the promised land, including alters, idols, sacred stones, Asherah poles, high places, and under spreading trees. (Hmm. Abraham worshipped under "great trees" numerous times.) The Israelites can only worship in the places and manner in which they are told, not like the surrounding nations, and not like they see fit, as they are doing now, verse 8, since they haven't achieved the promised land yet. When they get there they won't be able to make offerings any where they please.
*They can slaughter animals for anyone in their towns to eat, but they must not eat the blood. However, free will offerings and gifts to God must be eaten in the place Yahweh (the Levites) chooses. If they want to eat meat and the center of sacrificial worship is too far away, they are free to kill and eat, again except for the blood. But sacred vows must be presented at the altar of the lord, always obeying regulations so it will go well with them.
*Again, they are told not to be curious about other religious practices and attempt to follow them. According to this, the others do detestable things the lord hates, including child sacrifice. However, we have seen that the Yahweh himself has nothing against wholesale slaughter of humans, if he orders it.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 11
After reading chapter 11:
*Again and again, the Israelites are told to love God and keep his commands. They are again reminded of the exodus and subsequent events and punishments for disobedience. They are reminded that their children didn't see any of those things. They are told again to follow the commands that Moses gave them so they will live long in the promised land, a land of mountains and valleys watered by God, not like Egypt where they must use irrigation.
*Again, if they love and obey God, they will have what they need. Again, if they worship other gods, Yahweh will get angry, there will be no rain, and they will perish. Again, they are told how to indoctrinate their children. Again, they are told if they do these things God will drive out the former inhabitants of the land and no one will be able to stand against them. Plus, everyone will fear them.
*The above are Moses's official blessing and cursing. When they cross the Jordon and get to the promised land, they are to recite the blessings on Mount Gerazim and the cursings on Mount Ebal. They are about to cross over, so they better remember all these commands.
*Again and again, the Israelites are told to love God and keep his commands. They are again reminded of the exodus and subsequent events and punishments for disobedience. They are reminded that their children didn't see any of those things. They are told again to follow the commands that Moses gave them so they will live long in the promised land, a land of mountains and valleys watered by God, not like Egypt where they must use irrigation.
*Again, if they love and obey God, they will have what they need. Again, if they worship other gods, Yahweh will get angry, there will be no rain, and they will perish. Again, they are told how to indoctrinate their children. Again, they are told if they do these things God will drive out the former inhabitants of the land and no one will be able to stand against them. Plus, everyone will fear them.
*The above are Moses's official blessing and cursing. When they cross the Jordon and get to the promised land, they are to recite the blessings on Mount Gerazim and the cursings on Mount Ebal. They are about to cross over, so they better remember all these commands.
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