Growing in the Word
An editorial comment in my Bible calls psalm 119, “A love poem to God’s Law” (Oh, how I love your law! - vs 97). Imagine! Falling in love with a set of laws! True, the psalmist reveres God himself as the lawgiver and appreciates the certainty, guidance and structure that following these laws gives him in life, but falling in love with the laws themselves seems a little strange. In fact, the nation of Israel failed to honor and follow these laws, even losing track of them for long stretches and relying rather on their traditions. Over time they apparently forgot the Shema:
“Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God , the LORD is one. Love God with all your heart, soul and strength. These commands I give you today shall be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deut 6:4-9)
Today the cross has replaced the Law as the way to God. We now understand that the Law could never accomplish what the cross has done for us. And now, rather than studying the Word to know the Law, we search the Word to better know the Law-giver. This is not a one-time search, where we find the ultimate answer (Jesus), are baptized into him, and now we’re good to go. It is a lifelong process of continuing to study, re-read, discuss and better understand God’s Word to really grow to know God (2 Peter 1:5-12). And this is best done in community, challenging, listening to, and encouraging one another (Heb 10:24,25; 1 Cor 14:12, 26).
This is what we will be doing in the coming weeks in Sunday morning Bible class, as we consider God’s will for the role of women in our congregation. We have not addressed this in a congregational study in the past, and some of us are uncertain where to begin. Gary Burke will lead us in this study. He is fluent in 1st century Greek and has studied this topic for many years. We will be using his book on this subject as a study guide, where you can read his bio on the back cover. Please pray that our time together will be profitable, and by all means raise any questions you may have as we study together.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
—Dennis Lacoss