I had planned to do a blog post about my commute to work. I wanted to show how little traffic I contend with until near the end of my journey. There was going to be a metaphor and perhaps a simile. And pictures of sheep on top of hay bales (makes me laugh. every. time.).
But my pictures bored me (except for the fact that they're in practically full daylight – not long ago my commute was in the dark). So I'm going off on a tangent.
Dr. M is teaching Old Testament this semester. Have I mentioned how hilarious I think this is? He does have a Master of Divinity (with Languages!), but that was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. However, he is a very good teacher, and has some great material to guide him along the way.
Today he talked about covenant. That the Ten Commandments are about covenant with God and with each other. That you shouldn't have to steal because your community will take care of you. That you wouldn't cheat on your wife because you have a covenant with her that shouldn't be broken. That there is no need to covet your neighbor's wealth, because God's bounty is sufficient for all.
I'm not a person who believes that there is a place on a courthouse lawn for a replica of the Ten Commandments tablets. But I do wonder why we can't be in covenant with one another.
Main Entry: 1cov·e·nant
Pronunciation: \ˈkəv-nənt, ˈkə-və-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of covenir to be fitting, from Latin convenire
Date: 14th century
1
: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact
From Merriam-Webster
I'm in Bug.
ReplyDeleteI like that too...I think I would like his class.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas
Amy
Dear The Bug,
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely picture and beautiful sentiments. Perhaps that is partly what heaven is all about.
Ann T.
I took "Old Testament Survey" in college, once upon a time. Sheesh, seems like a lifetime ago!
ReplyDeleteI can remember someone telling me that at a time when a relational temptation came into her life she was able to withstand the temptation by remembering the covenant she had with her husband. Covenants can have great power, but understanding their importance is what makes them work. Thanks for the reminder. Good post. And I'm looking forward to those sheep pictures when you get them!
ReplyDeletewow. Old Testament. Lots of great material there - though the students are probably thinking more about "...going into..." each other than Dr. M intends.
ReplyDeleteTorah study was all about the old testament (though they didn't call it that, it was simply the bible to them). It's very interesting to me as a history but not so much as a testament to god. I mean really, what kind of a god thinks the most righteous man is one who offers his virgin daughters to a stranger for sex?
ReplyDeleteCovenant, what a good word! I like new words with a meaning. When our first daughter got married, my husband said, You are taking up responsibility for each other. That`s what it means, I guess. Sticking to your word.
ReplyDeleteOn the radio they have a program on Fridays, called Shabat Shalom, explaining the Thora to me. I love it. Isn`t it all about the question, How do we live a good life? One we won`t be ashamed of when our death is near? No matter what the customs were, Ellen Abbot, if you try to do what is "right", trying not to hurt anybody and paying respect to everyone, wouldn`t then our communities function better? I`d like to hear your husband, Bug!
I get a kick out of you, Bug. You're almost as bad as I am, what with your going 'all around the town' to finally get to your point. :)
ReplyDeleteOne good thing about your hubby teaching a class whose subject matter is not that familiar to him .. .. he has good material to guide him, you said, and can therefore make the course "his own". Good luck to him as he makes his way through this first one.
I like where you went with this, Bug. We need this kind of thinking don't we?
ReplyDeleteHave you two seen R. Crumb's illustrated book of Genesis? It is SO trippy. He was going to do a take off an Adam and Eve, but once he started reading it, he was so blown away by the book's weirdness, that he spent five years studying and drawing. It is truly eye opening!
ReplyDeleteCount me in!
I like this view of the ten commandments - much more understandable and compassionate than them just being "the law".
ReplyDeleteI like this view of the ten commandments - much more understandable and compassionate than them just being "the law".
ReplyDeleteInteresting view of the 10 Commandments. I have realised a long time ago that the basis of each of the ten is LOVE. That is why Jesus could issue such a concise New Commandment. As for the word covenant, it is one of those words that has become outdated in modern day living. Others are integrity, compassion, faithfulness, etc...
ReplyDelete