Scripture Introductions

Pentecost 6 July 12. 2009 Scripture Introductions by Stewart Clarke
(I have put some material in parentheses, because I think that there may be just too much detail, and, while it interests me, it may not be that relevant. You may want to consider it, use it, or skip it. ) [There were so many bits and pieces that even the brackets get complicated! ] In our first reading, we find David still building his kingdom. He has united North and South (Israel and Judah). He has taken Jerusalem and made it his capital. There remains one symbolic act remaining: bringing the Ark of the Covenant, symbolic of the Lord God's presence, to Jerusalem. There is great rejoicing, a huge parade, and dancing, with David leading. (He wears an ephod, apparently a kind of apron, such as the boy Samuel wore, rather than the more formal apron of the high priest!) (The Ark had been sidelined from the story for twenty years and more! At the battle of Ebenezer, {c. 1050 BCE} the Israelites were being beaten by the Philistines. So they brought in the Ark, in hopes that the Lord, their God, would turn the tide. Instead, they were defeated, and the Philistines captured the Ark, placing it in their sanctuary beside their idol, Dagon. The next morning, Dagon was found lying in pieces. Almost immediately, a plague broke out, and the Philistines blamed it on the Ark. They placed it on a cart, hitched cows to draw the cart and let them go, bellowing, because the Ark was taking them away from their calves. So the Ark returned, {to the people of Beth Shemesh[2]}. (Years later, David determined to fetch the Ark. [The reading, as recommended, omits some verses. There were actually two attempts. In the first, while the people are celebrating and the Ark sits on a new cart, the cart lurches, the Ark is in danger of falling, and one of the men in charge reaches to steady it. Because the Ark is so holy, he dies instantly. The attempt is aborted, and the Ark is stored nearby, at the home of Obed-edom {"Worshipper/Servant of Edom[3]"}, who is richly blessed by its presence. Three months later, David tries again.) There is something for everyone, except Michal, Saul's daughter, David's wife, who finds such dancing demeaning for a king. Let's listen, as the story unfolds in 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 You may want to keep your acclaim to follow the Gospel reading, or use traditional wording, or say something like: May our worship be as filled with exuberance as David's dancing, Amen
The Psalm fits the Ark scene beautifully. Those who process to the holy city are to be clean within and without. And the gates should swing up and open in welcome! Let us... Psalm 24 (VU p.751)
The letter to the Ephesians portrays our salvation as part of a cosmic plan in God's infinite love, as shown in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians, apparently, is not directly from Paul's hand, but is a gathering of excerpts from Paul or someone who writes in Paul's spirit. I would like to think it was Onesimus, the redeemed slave!) Let's listen to this statement of rejoicing, in: Ephesians 1:3-14 May we know that we are loved by God, for all time and in all circumstances, Amen.
The Gospel reading brings John the Baptist back to centre stage. He was Jesus' cousin, and perhaps Jesus' mentor. He had certainly baptized Jesus, and may have advised Jesus' first disciples to join him. In today's recounting, he precedes Jesus in martyrdom. (However today's passages were chosen, we are invited to ponder: the first reading is of triumph; the Psalm is of praise; the epistle speaks of glory. Is the story of John merely a demonstration of offended pride and the misuse of power by those who possess it, or is it a continuation of the theme of praise?[4] ) Let us stand, if we are able, to honour and be open to the Good News for us in: (Or: Let us listen closely for the Good News for us in:) Mark 6:14-29 May we accept that speaking truth to the powerful includes risk. Amen.
Notes:
  1. With thanks to CAM and MRR.
  2. "Tel Bet Shemesh was first excavated in 1911-12 by the British Archaeologist D. Mackenzie for the Palestine Exploration Fund. Mackenzie found that the site had three different major phases of occupation. The earliest, dated to the Middle Bronze Age (1750-1550 BCE), included a massive "Strong Wall" which surrounded the town and to which a city gate was related. The second phase, characterized by Philistine Pottery, was destroyed by a tremendous conflagration. The final phase dates to the time of the Judean Monarchy, and was thought by Mackenzie to have been destroyed by the Assyrian king Kennacherib in 701 BCE." - Web site, Indiana University.
  3. Edom , Red, referred to the descendants of Esau, I understand.
  4. I wonder, some times, do we avoid discussing power and the sins of power? RSC.
(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)