Whatever happened to Moses’ wife and sons? They disappear from the narrative, but their presence is implied by the visit of Jethro to Moses after the exodus. It can’t be just because they are not wholly descendants of Israel. Neither are the two sons of Joseph who go on to become half tribes of Israel, nor are several of Jesus’ ancestors.
Has anyone ever done a study of the Midianites and their role as a catalyst (inspired by God?) in the history of Israel?
Scripture and our own daily prayers often offer blessings to God. How can God’s creatures bless the one who is the source of all blessings?
As human beings we are able to offer blessings of a limited nature to one another through gifts of substance, encouragement, special honors and wishes for good fortune. Do we sometimes, perhaps too often, confuse our limited human blessings for Godly blessings and then take unwarranted credit as if we were agents of God? When we are authentic conduits of God’s blessings into the life of another, how do we know that or do we need to know that?
Jesus told his disciples that whoever is not against us is for us. But he also said that whoever is not with me is against me. What an interesting set of statements. Logically it reduces Jesus’ true opponents to a very limited number. Consider, for instance, the Dali Lama, a non-Christian who has gone out of his way to encourage Christians in their faith. Where do you think he fits in from the point of view of Jesus?
On blessing God: In Job 2.9, Job's wife says to him, \”Curse God and die.\” But the note to this translation in the NRSV says,\”Curse, literally \”bless\”,a euphemism.\” (Heb. Barech Elohim wameth.) That is, the euphemism is in the Hebrew, the translator changes it to \”Curse\”,by interpretation of her actual feeling. Did the Hebrew scribe actually see \”curse\” written, then changed it to \”bless\” out of piety? Actually, very pious English speakers sometimes say \”he blessed him out\”, meaning \”he cursed him.\” (Such speakers avoid not only actual cursing, but even saying \”curse\”). Traditional in Hebrew is blessing the name of God, \”Baruch Adonai, baruch haShemo\”.\”Blessed is the Lord, blessed is His Name\”. But as you point out, blessing the Source of blessings is a paradox!
Well, since I think this might be the only time I've ever thought about Moses' wife – that he had one, that she said anything, etc. I don't think I can enter this conversation.Maybe the question about Jesus' thinking about the DL?…..It seems to me that Jesus and the DL could have and maybe do have very animated exchange of ideas and conversation – but don't tell the DL, he probably doesn't realize who is prompting him:)
You asked, Steve, where does the Dali Lama fit in from the point of view of Jesus?Consider Jesus' modification of the ten commandments to two: love God as completely as possible and your neighbor as yourself (who is so completely loving God). What motivated this modification? The generosity of God's love as invited by a neighbor.You mentioned that the Dali Lama has gone out of his way to encourage Christians in their faith. What has motivated this encouragement? Can we say: the generosity of compassion as invited by a neighbor?Now imagine Jesus and the Dali Lama coming to meet as neighbors before parting to go their separate ways. What would such generosities have to learn from each other?I don't know if I've directly addressed your question, Steve, but I would like to learn from their exchange of generosities before they parted.