Tovia Ann is officially 1 week old today for which we are very grateful. 
There’s some hair under there.
Here she is lounging in the climate controlled crib she’s got in the NICU. 
Who could resist a Sabbath table with flowers like this?
That’s one proud brother. 
Here you can see the cool eye gear Tovia has been sporting. 
That’s Felicity posing for Dad.
What kind of tree is that? It’s just mind blowing that it does that.
Tovia Ann Sumpter
Archives For March 2008
Ps. 23 is a well known psalm, but we do not often stop to think what it is actually saying. The Lord who is our Shepherd prepares a table for us in the midst of our enemies. It does not say that this Shepherd immediately dashes all of our enemies to pieces or that he immediately removes all obstacles from our path. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, the promise is that the Shepherd will be with us. The Shepherd does not promise to completely remove us from all threat, from all danger, out of all of harm’s way. Rather, the promise is that the Shepherd will be with us. The promise is that he prepares a table for us even in the midst of our enemies. This is the kind of people God is making us into. In the midst of the storms of life, in the midst of the ups and down and fears and trials and dangers of life, God invites us back here, week after week. This is the table that our Shepherd, our King, has prepared for us, in the midst of our lives, in the midst of our enemies, in the midst of our trials and tribulations. The Lord is our Shepherd, and therefore we shall not want. If God is our Shepherd, what else do we need? If we have Jesus, or rather, if Jesus has us, what shall we fear? What shall we want? Therefore, come: eat, drink, and rejoice.
Opening Prayer: Almighty and Gracious Lord, You raised your Son from the dead almost 2,000 years ago, and you have unalterably changed the course of history. We thank you that in Jesus you have begun to remake the world and that because Jesus is King he is overseeing this process according to your perfect counsel. We ask that you would bestow greater faith and fuller obedience upon us now. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!
Introduction: The Text and the Question
Paul says that the resurrection of Jesus is just the beginning (15:20). It is the firstfruits, the proof of what the harvest will be like. He explains that Christ is raised first as the firstfruits and afterwards everyone will be raised at his coming at the end (15:23-24). The end will be marked by Christ handing over the kingdom to God the Father (15:24). This will also mark the final end to all rule, authority, and power; which will be his to end because it has been put beneath his feet (15:25). The last enemy is death, and therefore all will be raised (cf. Rev. 20:12-15). Therefore, to the question, ‘What is Jesus doing now?’ we must answer unambiguously, Jesus is ruling the world and destroying all his enemies (15:25-26). But that leads to the next obvious question, ‘why is it taking so long?’
The Resurrection means Jesus is King
Because there are still problems and evil in the world, the constant temptation of Christians has been to downplay the reign of King Jesus. But Paul begins Romans declaring that Jesus is the seed of David that he was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection of the dead (Rom. 1:3-4). The promise of the Davidic covenant was a son of David who would also be God’s Son who would be King forever (2 Sam. 7:12-14). This is what Peter declares to be true in his Pentecost sermon: Because Jesus is raised from the dead, he has been exalted to the right hand of God until his enemies are his footstool (Act 2:32-35). Later, Peter says that all authorities and powers have been made subject to him following his resurrection (1 Pet. 3:21-22). This also explains why the resurrection was so offensive and threatening to the authorities (e.g. Acts 4:1-2, 17:31-32). If Christ’s resurrection was just a weird phenomenon then there’s really no reason to get worried. But if the resurrection means that Jesus is King of the World, then every rule, authority, and power has cause to be threatened (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24).
The Wisdom of the Cross
And so we ask, ‘if Jesus is King of the world, why does my car still break down?’ What don’t my children obey? Why does my husband talk to me that way? Why is my boss such a jerk? Why is there cancer and AIDS? Why do children die of starvation? Why do tsunamis wipe out whole communities? Why do stupid people keep getting elected to office? Why have more Christians died for being Christians in the last hundred years than all other years combined? If Jesus is reigning until all of his enemies have become his footstool, why is it taking so long? And why is it so hard? Part of the answer is seen in the wisdom of the cross: God conquered death by taking death upon himself. God conquered sin by taking sin upon himself. Therefore it should come as no surprise that God calls upon us to participate in the conquest of his enemies, the conquest of suffering, sickness, and hardships by taking them upon ourselves. And in this, he is making us the people he wants us to be.
For Communion: Paul says that he considers all of his accomplishments rubbish that through faith he may know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings and death (Phil. 3:10). For Christians, hardships ought to draw us closer to Christ. And if closer, surely we are made more like Him.
For Character and Hope: Paul says that tribulations produce perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope (Rom. 5:3-4). James says something similar when he insists that the testing of our faith produces patience and perfection (Js. 1:2-4). Paul says that for this reason, we are called upon to glory in tribulations. If we are convinced that God is it at work, how can we not glory? How can we not rejoice (cf. Js. 1:2).
For Ministry: Paul says that we suffer some tribulations so that we will be able to comfort others who are in any trouble (2 Cor. 1:4). Whatever the burden is that causes us to despair even to the point of death, the point is that God would have us place our trust in Him who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:8-10).
For Prayer: James says that if anyone is suffering, he should pray (Js. 5:13). Pain and hardship have a wonderful way of concentrating the mind. Hardships should make us know and feel our dependence upon God (e.g. Ps. 123:2).
For Thanksgiving: God gives tribulations and hardships to some so that when others bear their burdens with them, particularly in prayer, there may be even greater rejoicing in the deliverance that God grants (2 Cor. 1:11).
The resurrection is not merely ‘a good idea’. (e.g. the Gravity bumper sticker). The resurrection is not something that we hope will ‘catch on.’ The resurrection is not a fad. The resurrection is a fact, and therefore Jesus is King. This means that history is unfolding according to his perfect wisdom and counsel. This means that Jesus wants his people to grow up into a certain kind of holiness, a certain kind of faithfulness, a certain kind of joy. Jesus will reign until every enemy is beneath his feet; you have been called to become part of that story: therefore, rejoice.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Father, we take this opportunity now to publicly rejoice in all of the trials you have given to us. We do this not in a glib or superficial manner, but with the simple faith of children. Very often we do not have the slightest idea of what you are doing in our lives, but we trust you. You have raised Jesus from the dead, and this means that he is most certainly King of the world. Therefore, we give you thanks for the countless ways you are conforming us to his image.
The Book of Acts says that after the resurrection, Jesus was seen by the apostles for forty days before ascending into heaven and ten days later on Pentecost, he poured out his Spirit on the Christian Church. And for this reason, the Christian church not only celebrates Easter on Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection throughout the following number of weeks. Therefore, I want to encourage you to celebrate this festive season. It simply will not do to celebrate Lent by fasting and giving up various blessings and then not celebrate Easter. It will not do to dwell on the sufferings of Christ for several weeks and only give one day to the victory of the empty tomb. Christ surely humbled himself in the incarnation and bore our sorrows on the cross for a number of hours. But Jesus has been alive and well and reigning for nearly 2000 years. One of the great disasters of medieval theology was this very lopsidedness, ascribing so much energy to penitence and morbid introspection. And there is a certain kind of pharisaical pietism that delights in certain forms of abstinence and self-loathing. Certain people think they are more holy because they know they are so wretched. But Christ is risen. Therefore, if you gave up chocolate for Lent, make sure there are extra pieces on the dinner table throughout the Easter season. If you fasted from particular meals or on particular days, take extra helpings and rejoice before the Lord. Remember too that feasting was never meant to be some kind of self-centered gluttony. The feasts were always opportunities for Israel to share with those in need, to take portions to the sick and the poor. Therefore, use this festive season of Easter to bestow gifts upon one another, care for the sick, and give to those in need. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.
We are so thankful to report that Tovia Ann was born yesterday evening, on Resurrection Sunday, just after 7pm. She weighed in at 2lbs 2oz, but she was breathing on her own and all of her vitals were good. She’s got a long road ahead of her, and she still needs much prayer. But we are so thankful for her and that she looks so healthy thus far. Please also keep mom in your prayers as she has a good deal of recovery ahead of her.
‘Tovia’ means God is good, and ‘Ann’ is after a couple of great-grandmothers, an aunt, and a great-aunt. ‘Ann’ also means grace, and she is.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
We just wanted to let you all know that we had another doctor’s appointment with the maternal fetal specialist this morning. We are very pleased and thankful to report that our little girl continues to grow and develop. She is still on the small side, but she is keeping up a regular pace and looks great. God is very good.
However, Jenny’s blood pressure has continued to rise, and the doctors have now advised complete bed rest. Everyone wants all of Jenny’s energy put into “baby baking.”
We thank you all for your prayers and encouragement to us. We are all in good spirits and enjoying some enforced family time! It’s looking like Jenny’s mom will be able to come out in the next few weeks to help with the kids and other household chores, and we are very thankful for this. God is good.
Please continue to pray for the little girl that she would continue to grow and develop, and for Jenny’s blood pressure to stabilize (and go down!). In particular, we are praying that she be able to make it to 36 or 37 weeks where the doctors say there is much less concern for the baby’s safety and health. Jenny is 30 weeks this week. Our little girl is also breech, so we’re praying that she is compliant does some gymnastics in the next few weeks.
Please rejoice with us at God’s kindness and join us in prayer for all these matters.
We noted this morning that the word for “judges” is actually the word “gods” several times throughout the Book of the Covenant. It is very interesting to find “judges” only used one other time in 21:22, and there it is a less common word for judge. The root of the word means to intercede or interpose. Sometimes it means to judge or arbitrate, but quite often it is the root for the word “pray.” In Exodus 21, the woman and/or the unborn child who have been harmed are to be defended by the ‘intercessors’, by those who intercede. The intercessors are those who determine justice and defend the oppressed.
Exodus 19-24 is basically a worship service. God calls his people to the mountain and tells them that they are to be his holy people (19:1-6). In order to do this they must be washed and sanctified to be in God’s presence (19:10-14). Moses ascends the mountain as their representative and God draws near to his people and speaks to them and teaches them (19:17 – 23:33). Finally, God invites the people up into his presence to display the blood of the covenant, to eat a meal with him, and receive his blessing (24:8-11).
The reason for pointing this entire context out is to recognize where the “judgments” come in the service. The judgments come as a result of the teaching and the Words. God speaks the Words and explains his judgments so that the people may perform the judgments of God. This is precisely what we have done. We have been taught by the reading of God’s word and the preaching of God’s word how to perform God’s judgments, and this we did by offering up our prayers. When the people of God intercede for the nations, for rulers, the poor, the sick, the erring, and all others, we are performing the judgments of God. Our prayers are the declarations of justice in presence of God, and we sit down here at this table on thrones judging the nations. We are the judges of the nations, and we sit here as God’s family, the sons of God renewing covenant on behalf of the world.
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, we thank you for your covenant with us. We thank you that you have brought us near by the blood of Jesus, and that his faith and obedience have become our faith and obedience. We ask therefore that you would renew that covenant with us now, give us your judgments that we might be your faithful sons. Through Jesus, your faithful Son, Amen!
Introduction
We now continue our study of the book of Exodus after our study of the Ten Commandments. Ex. 21:1 through 23:19 (or 33) begins the “judgments” of God following the “words” of God (Ex. 20:1, cf. 24:3). This Book of the Covenant (24:7) is Moses’ initial sermon on the Ten Words. Since we have looked at some of these details previously in our study, we will focus on several broad principles established here.
An Altar of Earth
Immediately preceding the Book of the Covenant, Yahweh instructs Moses concerning the altar that he may be worshipped at (20:22-24). It must not be made of carved stones; it must be made of unhewn stones or raw earth. The altar must be a picture of the Mt. Sinai, and its significance is based upon God’s promised blessing not the work of man’s hands. Yahweh also prohibits exposing of nakedness on his altar (20:26). It is important to remember that the Garden of Eden was itself also on a mountain (Ez. 28:13-14), and it was there that the shame of nakedness was first exposed. Later, the priests are given coverings just as Adam and Eve were (Ex. 28:42, Gen. 3:21). But this introduction to the Book of the Covenant sets the thematic tone for the “judgments” that are set before Israel.
The Gods
The instructions for building the altar include the prohibition against making gods of sliver and gold, and this is at least in part because God has spoken directly to them from heaven (20:22-23). The word “elohim” is a common designation for God/gods through the Old Testament, but it is used several times in the Book of the Covenant to describe the judges (Ex. 21:6, 22:8, 9, 22:28(?)). This should not seem that strange since people are made in the image and likeness of God. This goes back to the garden where the serpent said that Eve would become “like God” if she ate from the fruit (Gen. 3:5) and apparently this was true (Gen. 3:22). The early chapters following the Fall trace the story of the “sons of God” (Gen. 5:1-3ff, 6:2), and Israel is explicitly called the “son of God” (Ex. 4:22). Likewise, Psalm 82 refers to judges and rulers as “gods” (Ps. 82:1-8, cf. Ps. 58:1-3). Therefore, God making covenant with Israel is bringing them back into an Eden-like relationship with him. He speaks to his people on the mountain as he did in Eden, and gives them tasks to guard and keep.
The Judgments
The judgments begin with instructions concerning slaves and giving freedom and then work from the most serious crimes against other humans (premeditated murder – 21:12) to less serious crimes (accidental property damage – 22:17). The word “judgment” is used three other times in the Book of the Covenant (21:9, 21:31, 23:6). These “judgments” are not merely more rules or laws; they are descriptions of how people are to be protected and delivered. In the garden, Adam and Eve were required to guard the garden, in Israel, God is required to guard their neighbors, families, and friends. God is teaching his son, Israel, how to distinguish between good and evil. This is what God began in the Exodus (Ex. 6:6, 7:4, 12:12), and now he is teaching his Son, Israel, how to do it too. Adam and Eve had seized this knowledge and lost it, but now in the kindness of God, it is being given to the new Adam, the new rulers, the new gods. God is renewing his image in his people; he is making them like him, teaching them to deliver the oppressed, protect the defenseless, and execute justice.
Conclusions & Applications
The primary sin of Adam and Eve was refusing to trust God and being impatient for God’s blessing. God’s plan was always to make Adam and Eve more and more like himself, but they seized for this likeness and lost it. Like Adam and Eve, you are called to patient faithfulness in the tasks in front of you, trust that God will bless you with greater glory in his good timing.
In Christ, the covenant has grown up to maturity. These “judgments” have become flesh and blood in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the final Word and the last Judgment of God who came to set captives free, proclaim liberty to the oppressed, and to defend those in distress. Of course Jesus is the natural Son of God, but because we have been given his Spirit, we are also sons who call God ‘Father.’ This means that you are called upon to be gods, images of the true and living God. What kind of gods are you? Are your judgments acts of deliverance? Or have you erected false gods of gold and silver, lifeless and impersonal images to substitute for real love and protection? The great danger of false gods is the curse of becoming like them. You can tell if you are worshipping the state if you are just as ineffective.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Father, we thank you that you have adopted us into your family, that you have made all of us sons in your Son. We thank you that you are transforming us more and more into the image of your Son. Give us wisdom that we might issue judgments to truly defend the orphans and widows, deliver the strangers and the oppressed, and set free the captives and slaves of every sort in our community.
When God speaks, God acts. The words of God do not come back empty and void. The words of God are performative; they enact and perform what they say. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit; it is sharper than any other two edged sword and it is able even to divide between the soul and the spirit and it discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. When God says, ‘Let there be light,’ his words enact what they say, and light shines in the darkness. Likewise, when God heals, he says rise up and walk, and a paralyzed man is suddenly able to take up his bed and walk. The commands of God include the strength to obey them. There was nothing in the darkness waiting to become light. There was nothing in the paralytic just waiting to get up and walk. Lazarus had been dead for four days. There was nothing in the corpse of Lazarus waiting for Jesus’ words. When Jesus gives the command, life erupts in the corpse of Lazarus. When the word ‘light’ is spoken, light explodes from the black nothingness. When Christ bids the lame man walk, severed nerves and weak tendons and muscles bow before their Maker. Therefore, you are called upon to let the word of God dwell in you richly. Read the word of God in faith believing that God will teach you. Sing the word of God, sing the psalms with joy and thanksgiving, believing that the Spirit is reshaping you, remaking you. Listen to the word read and declared as though God is giving you light and life; because he is. And do not think that you need to prepare yourself to obey before listening to the word; rather listen to the word in order that you may obey. When God speaks, every atom in the universe obeys.
6. The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels
7. On Christian Doctrine by Augustine
8. The Lord’s Service by Jeff Meyers
