Tag Archive for: Crucifixion

Exodus 17:1-7

The Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, covers the period from the slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh (around 1250 BCE, if the account is historical), the Exodus itself, and the early months in the Wilderness.

In Chapter 16, the people complained about not getting enough food, and YHWH told Moses that He would “rain bread from heaven.” This was “manna,” a Hebrew word that means “What is it?” Manna is real stuff and can be purchased even now in Arab markets in Jerusalem. It is the carbohydrate-rich excretions of insects that feed on the twigs of tamarisk trees.

In today’s reading, the Israelites quarreled with Moses and asked (rhetorically) if he brought them out of Egypt only so they could die of thirst. YHWH is portrayed anthropomorphically and tells Moses to strike a rock with his staff to get water.

Israel’s lack of trust in YHWH reappears in the Book of Deuteronomy (and other books by the Deuteronomists – Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings) as a reason the fortunes of Israel declined and the people were subjugated to the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

Romans 5:1-11

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.

Paul uses some words that are difficult for us. He say we are “justified” in verse 1. This means living in “righteousness” or in a right relationship with God – being “justified” as a page of type is “justified” when the margins are square on both the left and the right.

Paul’s use of “faith” is better understood today as “faithfulness” because of its active aspect. For many modern persons, “Faith” is understood as intellectual assent to one or more propositions. “Faithfulness,” however, is an active living into one’s beliefs through grace and trust in God.

Paul was a Jew who became a Jesus Follower (the term “Christian” hadn’t been invented in Paul’s lifetime). All during his life, animal sacrifices were made at the Jerusalem Temple as a way Jews were reconciled to YHWH. Animal sacrifices continued until the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE – after Paul’s death. It is therefore not surprising that Paul uses “sacrifice” language to interpret the meaning of the Crucifixion: “Christ died for us” (v.8); we are “justified by his blood” (v. 9); and “through whom we have received reconciliation (v. 12).