READINGS FOR APRIL 19, 2024: GENESIS 13, 1 CORINTHIANS 11, PSALM 33:1-12
GENESIS 13
After Pharoah “asks” Abram and his entourage to leave Egypt, they begin the journey back toward the area the God had been promised. While in Egypt, Abram and his nephew, Lot, had amassed a large herd of animals. This becomes a problem when they get close to their destination. The size of the two herds makes it impossible for the two of them to stay together.
Being gracious, Abram allows Lot to select the area where he will pitch his tents. Lot can either choose an area to the East or to the West of the Jordan River. Whichever one Lot chooses; Abram will take the other. Lot chooses the area to the East of the Jordan River (near Sodom and Gomorrah.)
Abram sets up his tents near the town of Bethel. While there, God tells Abram:
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. (Genesis 13:14-15, NIV)
Abram then moves his tents and settles near the town of Hebron (in modern day Palestine’s West Bank.)
1 CORINTHIANS 11
This chapter can be broken into two sections. Paul is correcting two issues that need correction in the practices in the Corinthian Church. The first is verses 1-16 and deals with hair length and hair coverings. The second is verses 17-44 and deals with the Corinthian Church’s practice of the Lord’s Supper.
VERSES 1 – 16 – The teaching contained in these verses is contentious in our modern understanding. If we take Paul’s teachings out of their cultural context and try to apply them to our daily lives in our modern context we may mis-understand the point he is trying to make.
Paul is teaching that in the Corinthian Church (and in all of the Greco-Roman congregations, that women should wear a head covering in worship. Paul uses three sources to present his teaching.
Theological – Paul begins by restating that God is the head of all (see 3:23). God is the source or head of Christ; Christ is the source and head of man (Genesis ); husbands are the source and head of their wives (Genesis 2:20-24). When a woman does not wear a head covering it dishonors her head (physically – her actual head) and in progression her husband, Christ and God.
Cultural – In the culture of the Greco-Roman world, it was considered shameful for a woman to not have their head covered in public. A married woman would wear a head covering to tell others she was married. Some experts believe that in the city of Corinth the prostitutes would uncover their heads to tell the sailors that they were “open for business.”
Scriptural – Paul cites Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:22 to underscore his placement of husbands as the head of their wives.
Verses 11-12 – These verses may “muddy” Paul’s argument. Even though the husband is the head of the wife, they are linked together in a way that requires mutual respect and honor (see discussion on 7:1-24).
In this passage we see Paul struggle with being a Christian within a certain culture. To take this instruction out of its culture makes it more difficult to understand. If Paul would have written this letter to a church in Jerusalem or to one in modern day Yorktown, Indiana, his instructions would have been different. The key take away is to respect your spouse. Present yourself in a way that is respectful to God and brings honor to God in worship and in your daily life.
VERSES 17-34 – In the Corinthian church there was a problem with the way that the Lord’s Supper was being observed. In the early church, the Lord’s Supper was one part of a larger meal (as it was on the night Jesus broke the tradition of the Passover Seder meal.) It seems that the richer members of the church came early and ate the choice foods and got drunk. Those who came later were given what was left over.
Verses 23-26 restate the words of institution that Jesus said at the Last Supper. Paul inserts these words to emphasize to the people of Corinth that this is not simply another meal in their week. It is a remembrance, a celebration of the sacrifice that Jesus made for those who have faith. To overeat and get drunk is to disrespect God and Jesus Christ.
When we come to the Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist, Holy Communion, the Great Thanksgiving), we do it with respect. We remember that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ body was broken for you. His blood was shed for you.
In the Methodist tradition, we believe that the bread and juice are more than a representation of the body and blood of Jesus. We believe that Jesus is present when we gather together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We cannot explain how the bread and juice are the body and blood of Jesus. We call it a “Holy Mystery”. Jesus promised that when we gather to celebrate Holy Communion that he is there in our midst. We can take that for granted.
PSALM 33:1-11
This psalm is a praise hymn. The body of the hymn is framed by a three-verse introduction (call to praise) and a three-verse conclusion (response to praise.) In the middle sixteen verses, are the words of praise to God.
The psalm begins with a call to praise God. We are called to sing. We are called to play our instruments in praise. We are called to sing a new song of praise and play our instruments with joy.
The psalmist points to God’s creation as a reason to be praised. We are called to praise God because he spoke and we were created. This hearkens back to the creation story in Genesis. It also looks forward to the first chapter in John. Jesus, as the Divine Word, was a part of the creation story. God plan for us will stand firm forever. God’s purpose for those who follow him, will be faithful for all generations. This is reason for us to praise God.
