Persevere and Forgive

AM Psalm 78:1-39 • PM Psalm 78:40-72
Gen. 26:1-6,12-33 • Heb. 13:17-25 • John 7:53-8:11

Psalm 78 provides a frame for today’s readings with the morning verses (1-39) describing a “stubborn and rebellious generation” and the evening’s assigned verses (40-72) describing a still angry God but one who “awoke” (v. 65) and chose David of the tribe of Judah to lead Israel. This psalm is headlined a “maskil of Asaph.” After a bit of research, I learned that Asaph was a singer/musician at the Jerusalem Temple during the reigns of David and Solomon and that a maskil was written for instruction/meditation, What were those listening to Asaph and those of us reading this Psalm supposed to learn? For me this maskil emphasizes that God wants me to follow His teachings and, in fact, will become annoyed if I don’t. Fortunately, He is compassionate and forgiving, especially when he recognizes that I am “but flesh” (38-39).

This frame contains within it further instruction from Genesis, Hebrews, and John. The Genesis passages feature Isaac, the “miracle” son born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Because of a famine and a lack of water, Isaac was considering moving to Egypt but was stopped by God who told him to stay in Gerar (translates as both “region” and “lodging place” and was probably located in southwest Gaza, according to Biblical researchers). As a result of obeying God (a theme here!), Isaac “became rich” (v. 13). The locals (“Philistines” according to Genesis) became jealous (another theme for sure), but eventually sought an “oath”/covenant with Isaac because it was clear to them that God was on Isaac’s side (a theme continued).

The passage from Hebrews is a letter by Paul or Barnabus addressed to an early Christian community which was “faltering” because of persecution (mention is made, for example, of Timothy being in prison (v.23). This community is exhorted to remain faithful, just as Moses and Jesus remained faithful (v. 5-6), to persevere. From John we hear from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount of Olives the famous passage in which he emphasizes the importance of forgiveness: “Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone” (8:7). My major take-away here is that it will not be easy but we all need to “persevere and forgive.”

Written by Karen Hodges

...whose perseverance is being tested by the pandemic but who has had the time and space lately to reflect on what is important in life, like forgiveness.