In today's reading I had a little fun with my imagination. I'm pretty confident that God made us creative and that our creative spark can cause us to (or frees us to) consider the gaps or unknowns about scripture, God, theology, doctrine, really everything, it's the joy and the danger of interpretation. So, nothing too deep this morning but I did have fun thinking of these verses. Apparently when the Isralites went to battle the priests would bless them and then...
5 The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. 6 Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. 7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” 8 Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it. vv. 5-9
So, sorry, but I find that hillarious. Some of you who are older and a bit twisted may remember this clip from way back in the day...it reminds me so much of these verses.
I can picture dudes with grapes in their pockets so they can plant vinyards along the way. Do you suppose the number of marriages and new homes went up when war seemed likely?
Just some fun. Keep reading.