I was most intrigued by how multiple traditions separate and group the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. I was familiar with the general Christian tradition that separates the commandments into two groups; the first four attributed to connection with God and the last six attributed to relationship with neighbor. I have never heard of the Jewish viewpoint of separating the ten commandments into two groups of five; five positive and five negative. I found this separation helpful as an alternative to reading the commandments. I was most intrigued by the Reformed tradition which groups the prohibition of idolatry (2nd commandment) and covetousness (10th commandment) as a single commandment. Both of the commandments are urging followers to focus on their gifts and bounty (God, possessions, wife) at the exclusion of everything and everyone else (84). Thinking about coveting as idolatry is something I have not considered for a long time. I am reminded of lessons I learned in my youth years; lessons that I cannot say I have been reminded of since then. This is important to me because I am reminded of the interconnection between the laws rather than the segmented, deontological style of the commandments. I am encouraged to think of these “rules” (embedded theology) more like a web of guiding principles (lived theology). I believe life is much more integrative, and I am seeing more of the Bible in this way.
My mind is exploding with new knowledge in OT100, especially as I learn more about the similarities between the Hebrew people and the nations that existed around them. I found the parallels of the laws of Exodus to the codes of Eshnunna and Hammurabi to be fascinating (85). Here are different cultural groups that practice the same laws and codes almost identically, yet under different names and descriptions. I am beginning to see how similar this group of people was to the “others” around them. This realization of similarity makes me pause and consider how similar cultures are today even though I was not taught to see “others” as similar. I think God is doing transformative work in me to open my intellectual and spiritual eyes as I gain new historical insights about the Bible and the stories within it that bear relevance today.
I was most interested in the “Blessings and Curses” section regarding Leviticus. I was surprised that this section notes there is less time given to the blessings and more time discussing the curses. This is reflective of my embedded theology that emphasized the things I should not do rather than the things I could and should do. I wonder, “Why is there such a long line of this style of teaching? Why is there so much time devoted to explaining ‘war, famine, and pestilence’ and so little time attributed to ‘prosperity and peace?’ (99)?” I connect with the P source because I like lists and tend to be a rule-follower, however, I am learning that any list at the expense of the people involved is life-taking and insufficient. I do not know how to resolve the conclusion of this section that assures the people that God will honor the commitment to his covenant over and above their enemies. Again, I wonder, “Why do some have to suffer while others prosper? Can God be for everyone instead of a select group?”
Overall, I like the challenge I receive from the material thus far. I think I have more questions than answers, yet I am willing to sit in the uncertainty to be open to new insights and understanding.