19. Song of Songs - celebrating elusive love

On a whim I decided to read Song of Songs - it's all about God's love isn't it? Sure it is...

1. We are drawn to one another by beauty

2. Our love is awakening, like the first signs of spring in the land

3. Desperate with longing, we sought one another, and prepared a chamber for our love

4. We are captivated and entranced by one another and desire only to be together

5. We missed an opportunity to be together, so we take time to meditate on what we love most, and seek the beloved once again

6. We seek a beauty that is overwhelming in it's perfection, we mustn't let it escape us again

7. Reunited, we celebrate and prepare a fragrant place to consummate our love

8. We seek the deepest intimacy, to exist only for our shared love, it is priceless and worth protecting

There is not a single mention of God in this book, so why is it in the bible? It can only be for love. It is both a celebration of passionate young love and a really lovely bit of subtly erotic poetry. It's a piece intended to be performed and has parts for a whole cast of people, but I somehow doubt that it was part of the repertoire of the temple choir. I could picture it being performed at the kings court and at weddings. And as I'm learning from this bible study through the stories of Israel, weddings were really important, and a good marriage was seen as a building block in God's plans for Israel. Yes, powerful charismatic leaders were important. Strong military leaders and skilled fighters too. But how they conducted their love lives and managed their family relationships was just as important for Israel. And a good marriage could also be a reflection of God's relationship with the people, although this kind of imagery is rarely used elsewhere. In marriage two very different people come together, and when it works well - according to Song of Songs - it is a glorious and valuable thing. Sadly though - in the present age as much as in history - this ideal of loving, passionate marriage is rarely found but remains a treasured ideal.

So no, I don't think this is a book about God's love exactly, but I do think it celebrates an aspect of love, and that certainly puts it in God's territory. I can see why it doesn't pop up in the regular readings of the church very much though (outside of weddings) - far too steamy for a Sunday morning at church!

18. Hebrews - trust in Jesus, seek grace

This is complicated stuff! Had I not spent time meditating on the Torah books before reading Hebrews I don't think I could have made much sense of it at all. Even so, I'm aware that there is a depth of meaning here that I can't completely comprehend, teaching which has been lost in the years since Christendom moved further and further from Judaism. One of the things I noticed is that there is no hint of universalism in Hebrews, it is made clear that while salvation is available to all, it will not be sought or received by all

1. In the past God spoke to people through messengers, like prophets and angels, but now God has spoken in a new way through his Son

2. Yes, Jesus is the one sent and equipped by God to show people the way of salvation, many signs have proven it

3. As our ancestors trusted in Moses to lead them out of Egypt, we should trust even more in Jesus, to lead us out of sin and bring us closer to God

4. Our ancestors could not enter into God's rest at the end of their wilderness journey because of their disobedience; in Jesus though, we have another chance

5. Generally, a priestly calling comes from God and is confirmed by people, but with Jesus his calling was also confirmed by God, to understand the priesthood of Jesus requires wisdom - few seek it

6. So let's press on, seeking wisdom and trusting in God's faithfulness, which was proven first in Abraham and then in Jesus

7. For Jesus is our high priest forever, not like the descendants of Levi who served the temple for a time, but more like king Melchizedek whom Abraham honoured and who was chosen by God

8. Because of Jesus everything to do with law and temple is made new, transformed by God's love in our hearts

9. Once there was a meeting tent, kept holy by repeated animal sacrifices, but the sacrifice of Jesus has superceded and improved this whole system, freeing (those who are called to this life) from sin forever 

10. The saving power of Jesus's sacrifice does not need recharging; it is forever, and we persevere in faith through fellowship, and by remembering the promises of Jesus

11. The bible is full of the stories of those who persevered in faith against the odds, we remember and revere them for their constancy

12. Holding fast to this faith is not easy, but Jesus has borne the greater cost, and in drawing close to him who we CAN know we also draw close to that which is eternal and beyond our comprehension

13. Stay connected to Jesus through the community of faith, and live your best life, as God is calling you to

Some of the language has a gnostic feel to it, and the call to suffering seems masochistic to modern eyes. I think that my way of living is so far removed from that of these first disciples - so far removed from any kind of suffering - that such language seems unrelatable. When you live a life of comfort and ease, where not only the basic necessities of life like food, water, shelter and health are taken for granted, but also comfort, entertainment and beauty, it's ridiculous to think about deliberately seeking hardship as a way to temper faith. The way this often seems to work out for faithful Christians living in Western comfort today is to strive hard in some kind of 'meaningful' work, whether it be a job, or service to a church community or charity. Essentially trying to prove our love of God and commitment to the life of faith through worthy deeds. It's certainly something I have attempted, frequently taking on more than I could hope to manage in the service of God - or at least believing that I was serving God... but I'm coming to believe that this is just another kind of human sin. The arrogance that suggests I know what God wants and that everyone else should acknowledge the worthiness of what I'm trying to do. The suffering in Hebrews was an expected part of life, it was unavoidable. The priestly emphasis in this writing reminds me that hardship is neither holy nor unholy, not something to be sought or avoided. Neither a sign of the absence or the presence of God. This often seems to be the belief that God-believing humans of any religion fall into: believing they are blessed when things are good, and that there must be sin when things are bad. That seeking the feeling of blessedness that comes when things feel good is morally righteous, rather than just the most comfortable path to follow.

To strive for goodness through work is like trying to earn access to God - as much as a rigorous but unloving observance of Torah Law would be - the thing that Jesus constantly threw in the teeth of the temple authorities he confronted. It seems holy, but it can be empty. This line particularly struck me:

Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone - and holiness as well, because no one will see the Lord without it. Make sure that no one misses out on God's grace. Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up that might cause trouble and pollute many people (Heb 12:14-15)

What would faith look like that really pursued peace and not just holiness? That allowed no bitterness to take root? That wanted everyone to experience grace? It would be world changing. It was. Jesus was... and is, and is to come.

As a Christian how do I move to that rhythm day by day? I cannot earn my way into God's grace by any action, I cannot prove or justify my right to receive grace with any arguments. I can never be pure enough or worthy enough, and being more pure or worthy than my neighbour is not enough. I can only look for grace, receive it gratefully when I find it, and celebrate with others who do the same. Above all else the book of Hebrews reminds me that no-one will see the Lord without grace, and that grace is elusive and must be earnestly sought