Reading the often colorful accounts involving real-life characters in the early part of the Old Testament, I’ve also felt as though I’ve been through dozens of scripts for Hollywood Blockbusters and Critic’s Choice Films (some of which have actually been adapted for the big screen – take, for example, “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston from the 50s, which retells, with twists, Moses’ biography. As kids my little brother and I saw it so many times because it was one of the few films we could watch. We even did makeshift "performances" of scenes from the film for our mom during more than one summer break, lol.)
Anyway, beginning near the end of Genesis, I found myself scribbling notes about the most memorable stories in the back of my Bible in a fashion that borrows from several Hollywood award shows (think something like The People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards and The Oscars, combined). Here I’m dubbing them “The OldT” Awards, short for “Old Testament,” of course. The observations are my way of reflecting on my read in a hopefully entertaining way. I’ll probably be sharing them over several entries. Here’s a little preview…
BEST (OR WORST) REVENGE: JACOB's SONS (@ The Shechemites)- Genesis 34
These boys took the phrase “Brother's” – or, more appropriately — “Sister’s” Keeper - quite far.
(A little genealogy for anyone unfamiliar: Abraham, known as “The Father of Many Nations,” had a son named Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob later received the name “Israel” after his struggle with God. Through Israel would come the “Israelites,” whose 12 tribes were named for Israel’s, or Jacob’s, sons and grandsons.)
Some of Jacob’s sons would exact revenge for their sister Dinah, who was raped by Shechem, a man from the foreign land Jacob’s family was living in, Canaan. (vv. 2-3). When the brother’s heard, they were filled with both grief and fury (v. 7). After the rape, Shechem’s father went to Jacob to ask for Dinah’s hand in marriage, saying that Shechem loved her. Shechem’s father also suggested that their families intermarry and settle together permanently (vv. 6; 8-10). The Bible says that in response to Shechem’s father’s request, Jacob’s sons deceitfully replied:
"15 We will give our consent to you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll settle among you and become one people with you. 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.”
The Bible says that the proposal “seemed good” to Shechem and his father, and they had every male from their city circumcised (v. 24). However, Jacob’s sons had other plans:
25 Three days later, while all of [the men] were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male.
They also looted the city, seized all the wealth in it and the women and children. (vv. 27 – 29).
When Jacob learned about Simeon and Levi’s actions, he said to them,
“You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” (v. 30)
Simeon and Levi’s reply?
“Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” (v. 31)
That’s how the chapter – and story – ends. You judge!
PURITY POSTER BOY (aka "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD"): JOSEPH
In other entries I’ve discussed my admiration for Jacob’s second-youngest son (who had nothing to do with the shenanigans of his “aforementioned” brothers, who also sold him into slavery, btw), so I won’t rehash. I love the fact that he was upright, successful and good-looking, and knew how to flee temptation – literally. He also knew something about forgiveness and accepting God’s plan for his life, no matter how challenging. An awesome guy, and great role model for today’s Christian Men!
MOST RELUCTANT TO TAKE A GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENT (In the early Old Testament): MOSES, Exodus 3
Runner Up: Gideon – Judges 6
We’ve probably all read the story of Moses at the burning bush. At the bush, on Mount Horeb, God called Moses to lead His people out of Israel. He certainly did not jump at the task! The award-winning sequence between God and Moses:
First, Moses asked: “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (v. 11)
God’s reply: “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (v. 12)
Moses needed a few more questions answered. He probed: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (v. 13)
God’s response: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (v. 14)
The God of the Universe, G-O-D, said He would have Moses’ back, but Moses was not satisfied. Then, God gave Moses more reassuring words – He promised to bring His people out of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey (v. 17), that the elders of Israel would listen to him and Pharaoh would not, but God would work miracles to change Pharaoh’s mind (v. 18-19).
Yet Moses persisted in his questioning. Kicking off another round, he asked:“What if [the Israelites] do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘the Lord did not appear to you?’” (Ex. 4: 1)
God replied by giving Moses signs that he could use to show the people: a staff that could turn into a snake (vv. 4-5); a hand that could become leprous, or clean, by taking it in and out of a cloak (vv. 7-8); and the ability to turn water from the Nile River to blood (v. 9).
To those superpowers, Moses replied: “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (v. 10)
And Jehovah said: “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (v. 12)
Finally, Moses cuts to the chase (i.e., says what he really means): “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (v. 13)
At that point, God basically said, “this conversation is over,” but still gave Moses a little more ammo to overcome his reluctance:
14 Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.” (vv. 14-17)
Commentary
I do not give a nod to Moses to single him out as an “unbelieving" soul, but to point out the humor in reading it, and how like us Moses was in responding. We sometimes think that if God gave us “burning bush” or “fleece” signs, we would follow Him more. But, truthfully, if we have an unbelieving heart and intend not to do something He calls us to do, not even fire straight from heaven would be enough to change our minds (and not to mention the fact that we now have the Word of God, full of accounts like this one about the result of ordinary folks like us trying to deflect God’s calling).
Yet God, knowing how we are formed – remembering that we are dust- still meets us where we are in our disbelief and gives us tools to help overcome our doubt. However, at some point we have to make the choice to accept His guidance – or face the consequences. When Moses decided to go along with The God of the Universe, he was used mightily. When he later chose to go his own way out of frustration over his circumstances and struck the rock instead of following God’s instructions, he paid the consequence of not getting to enter the Promised Land. It’s a great reminder to inventory the areas in our lives where God is moving us in a direction yet we are finding every excuse to ignore His lead. In those instances, we’re the one who miss the amazing plans He has for us.
Despite the very reluctant Moses in Exodus 3, his story also is that of a man who had one of the most important “raw materials” that God uses: humility. Number 12:3 states, “(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth).” At several points in his leadership, the Israelites decided it would be a good idea not to listen to the instructions God had given through Moses. In response, God kept vouching for Moses, in the presence of his haters.
On one occasion, also from Numbers 12, his own siblings, Miriam and Aaron, started trash talking Moses out of jealously. God literally came down from heaven to handle that one:
4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them came out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:Our challenge is to, like Moses, humble ourselves in His sight despite our human mess so that He can use us for His glory.
“When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
PSA
I am so thankful for The Word of God to guide our paths – and the real-life adventures in its pages that entertain us in the process. It has all the makings of great movies – including an Awesome Writer & Director. His takes always end up with just the right cuts, designed to fill us with hope. All we need to experience them is pick up the masterful pages of that Work we call the Word.
Coming Soon: More Awards…
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