Bearing God's Name
Page 20
I told you there were surprises in store at Sinai!
The New Testament does not detach itself from this story. Jesus shows up to model for us how to bear Yahweh’s name by obeying perfectly the law given at Sinai—loving God and loving others. After his death and resurrection, the invitation goes out to everybody else—to the Gentiles!—to join the family. We get the invisible tattoo along with all the Jews who follow Jesus. Together we get to join the mission of God.
You become your truest self as part of this extraordinary community of men and women who are being transformed from the inside out—who are becoming and living as his people.
As we pay attention to Sinai and its ripple effects through the rest of the biblical story, we discover that faith is not just private and salvation is not just personal. The benefits of our salvation are not only interior; they are conspicuous and corporate. Yahweh does not transform individuals at Sinai and send them their separate ways. He creates a nation. He does it with us, too. As Peter says, “You are . . . a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). We belong to God and to each other. We’ll never fully experience all the blessings God has in store for us if we try to go solo.
You are who you are because of who he is and who he says you are. You become your truest self as part of this extraordinary community of men and women who are being transformed from the inside out—who are becoming and living as his people.
Far from irrelevant or obsolete, the Old Testament story tells us who we are. It tells us whose we are. And that changes everything.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Israel became a nation at Sinai in the liminal space of the wilderness. Books are produced in liminal space as well; they gradually take on more definite shape as scattered insights become paragraphs and chapters. Many walked with me on the journey of learning and writing and revising. For each one I am grateful.
Daniel Block first inspired me to study the concept of “bearing God’s name,” inviting me to do so as his doctoral student at Wheaton College from 2011 to 2016. I’m so grateful he told me to keep the dissertation chapter that hit the cutting floor. Much of it reappeared here. I also had the privilege of input from Sandy Richter, Karen Jobes, Marc Cortez, and Richard Averbeck on the dissertation, and while none of them was involved in the production of this book, their influence will be felt by those who know them. Rollin Grams will see evidence of my MA thesis here too, which he so ably supervised at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2011. Many friends—too many to name here—urged me to turn these academic projects into a book for the wider church. Thanks for spurring me on!
Dan Reid first entertained my book proposal and helped me strengthen it before his retirement. In the meantime IVP hired my dear friend from seminary, Anna Moseley Gissing, who has skillfully guided the rest of the process. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to participate in IVP’s mission “to provide thoughtful books that encourage readers to believe, and to bring their whole lives under Christ’s leadership—heart, soul, mind and strength.”1
I wrote most of this book at Prairie College in the summer of 2018, with a sign taped to my door to minimize interruptions. My generous colleagues (I’m looking at you, James Enns) helped to protect my writing time and cheer me on, praying for me as I wrote. Phil Callaway offered great advice about the process from one writer to another, and my editorial team at Prairie caught many mistakes and clarified fuzzy thinking before I submitted the manuscript: Pat Massey, Abigail Guthrie, Amelia Fehr, and Danny Imes. It was extra special to get editorial feedback from our eldest daughter, Eliana, who is a fantastic writer herself and whose no-nonsense approach spared you many of my idiosyncrasies (“Mom, you can’t say that!”). Eliana is my sharpest critic and my biggest fan. I relished several days of uninterrupted writing at Dave and Jean Neville’s guest cottage, which was a true gift.
People often ask me how I get it all done. The answer is Danny Imes. I am forever grateful for his partnership. His gifts of administration and helps are in full operation at home so that I am free to write and teach. I had no idea what a treasure I was getting when I said “yes” twenty-one years ago!
Finally, a very special thank you to Chris Wright, who agreed to write the foreword to this book. His books have been a huge influence in the development of my thinking. I’m grateful for his scholarship and dedicated participation in God’s mission. Readers who have not yet read The Mission of God or The God I Don’t Understand should run out and buy them right this minute. You’ll thank me later.
This book is dedicated to my parents, Dan and Verna Camfferman; to my husband, Danny; and to our children, Eliana, Emma, and Easton. As I began my doctoral studies, I wanted a dissertation topic that my family could appreciate. You have lived this adventure of study with me for over a decade through thick and thin. Now we can share it with the world!
APPENDIX:
RESOURCES FROM THE BIBLE PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
“What is the Bible?”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes1
“The Story of the Bible”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes2
“Tanak” (Advanced)
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes3
1 LEAVING EGYPT
“Torah: Exodus 1–18”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes4
2 SURPRISED AT SINAI
“Reading Biblical Law”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes5
“Shema: YHWH”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes6
“Sacrifice and Atonement”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes7
“Torah: Exodus 19–40”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes8
3 MAJOR DEAL
“Law”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes9
4 NOW WHAT?
“Covenants”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes10
“Exodus, part 1”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes11
“Exodus, part 2”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes12
“Holiness”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes13
“Torah: Leviticus”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes14
5 READY TO ROLL
“Torah: Numbers”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes15
INTERMISSION
“Literary Styles”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes16
“The Bible as Jewish Meditation Literature”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes17
6 STRIKING OUT
“Torah: Deuteronomy”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes18
7 WHAT YAHWEH SEES
“Prophets”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes19
“Holy Spirit”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes20
“The Way of the Exile”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes21
8 JUST GIVE ME JESUS
“God”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes22
“Messiah”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes23
“Heaven and Earth”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes24
9 BLOB TAG
“Reading Biblical Law”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes25
“Image of God”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.
com/imes26
10 WHO LET YOU IN?
“Acts 8–12”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes27
“Gospel of the Kingdom”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes28
“Son of Man”
The Bible Project
www.ivpress.com/imes29
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
INTRODUCTION
1.The author suggests that the Bible is like the picture of Narnia in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. How are they similar?
2.Have you ever had the experience of being drawn into the biblical story? What was it like?
3.In your opinion, do laws take away freedom?
4.What are some differences between laws in the Bible and laws today?
5.What parts of the Old Testament do you find most difficult to swallow?
1 LEAVING EGYPT
Read Exodus 13–18.
1.According to the author, why is it important for us to pay attention to where the Old Testament laws appear in the overall story?
2.How does da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper relate to the Sinai narratives?
3.Do you think Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a helpful way to think about Israel’s wilderness journey? Why or why not?
4.Have you had a time when you’ve experienced liminality—lingering (or languishing!) between one stage of life and another? If so, what was it like for you?
5.How has God proved himself by providing for your needs?
2 SURPRISED AT SINAI
Read Exodus 19; Psalm 19.
1.Why would the law given at Sinai be good news for the Israelites? How is it an expression of grace?
2.According to this chapter, what qualifications for leadership does Moses have?
3.What does the title segullah imply about Israel’s identity and vocation?
4.The author claims that “true freedom requires clearly communicated boundaries.” Can you think of examples of how this is still true today?
5.Is there a healthy boundary or law that you’ve been resisting?
6.The author tells about a time when a mentor expressed confidence that she would graduate. Share about a time when someone said something about you, good or bad, that changed your trajectory.
3 MAJOR DEAL
Read Exodus 20.
1.According to the author, why are the Ten Commandments inscribed on two tablets?
2.Are other nations expected to obey the law given at Sinai? Why or why not?
3.How does the “preamble” to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2) affect our understanding of the commands?
4.Before reading this book, what did you think the command “not to take the LORD’s name in vain” (Exodus 20:7) prohibited?
5.If the author is right that the Name Command has to do with bearing the name and not just speaking it, can you give examples of how Christians in your society violate this command?
6.In your opinion, what might be the benefits and pitfalls of Christians today observing the Sabbath?
4 NOW WHAT?
Read Exodus 24–30, 32; Leviticus 1–9.
1.The author suggests that “the law is not the be all and end all for Israel.” How did God anticipate Israel’s need for ongoing guidance?
2.Why is the sprinkling of blood a profound symbol for the Israelites?
3.Like Aaron with the golden calf, it’s tempting to minimize our own participation in rebellion. In your opinion, what motivates us to do this?
4.Why are the tabernacle instructions “a matter of national security”?
5.How are the tabernacle blueprints an expression of God’s grace?
6.If you lived in ancient Israel, which role in the building or operating of the tabernacle would you most enjoy (artistic design, weaving, engraving, building, carrying, lighting the lamps, offering sacrifices)?
7.Does your current job require strict adherence to procedure, like the Israelite priests, or innovation and creativity? Would you find the sacrificial system reassuring or constrictive?
5 READY TO ROLL
Read Exodus 12, 33–34; Numbers 1–2, 6–7; Deuteronomy 8.
1.According to the author, why would the lists of names in Numbers have been exhilarating to the ancient Israelites?
2.How does the blessing the priests pronounce over the people in Numbers 6:24-27 relate to the command not to bear Yahweh’s name in vain?
3.What makes a family tradition memorable?
4.The author mentioned several different ways to understand the number of Israelites who left Egypt. Which explanation do you find most plausible?
5.As a group, spend a few moments in quiet reflection considering this question: What picture comes to your mind when you think about God? Share what you see and how it has changed over time.
6.How does your picture of God compare with the way God reveals himself at Sinai?
INTERMISSION
1.The author claims that a painting is not necessarily less historical than a photograph. How can this be true?
2.How can the Bible present reliable history as well as transcend history by becoming part of our own story?
3.What truths from Part One of the book have been most thought provoking or revolutionary for you?
6 STRIKING OUT
Read Numbers 11–14, 16; Deuteronomy 5, 26; Joshua 1–2, 2 Samuel 7; 1 Kings 8.
1.According to the author, what makes Mount Zion impressive?
2.What is the significance of Moses’ statement in Deuteronomy 5:1-4?
3.How are Rahab and the Gibeonites the beginning fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham?
4.Why do you think the Israelites and their leaders had such a hard time remaining faithful to Yahweh?
5.In what ways have you been your own worst enemy?
7 WHAT YAHWEH SEES
Read 1 Kings 18–19; Jeremiah 7, 31; Daniel 9.
1.In what way is Elijah’s victory at Mount Carmel an affront to Baal as well as to King Ahab?
2.What problem does the exile cause for Yahweh and what is his solution?
3.Why do you think God uses agricultural imagery to depict the consequences of rebellion as well as the blessings of obedience?
4.Ancient Israel is not the only religious community guilty of hypocrisy. If Jeremiah showed up at your church this Sunday and preached in the doorway as he did in Israel’s temple, what forms of hypocrisy do you think he would call to account?
5.Have you known someone like Joanne who lives a life of ordinary faithfulness?
6.Share about a time when you felt stuck and needed a fresh start.
8 JUST GIVE ME JESUS
Read Matthew 4–7, 12, 17.
1.What does it mean when Jesus prays “hallowed be your name”?
2.How can Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness serve as a model for us today?
3.In what ways is Jesus greater than Moses?
4.What did you find most surprising in this chapter?
5.According to the author, why do Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration?
9 BLOB TAG
Read Acts 9; Galatians 3–4; Philippians 2; Hebrews 1, 12; 1 Peter 4.
1.Explain the significance of Peter’s quote of Joel 2 in reference to Jesus.
2.How is the biblical concept of election like a game of blob tag?
3.How can we reconcile Paul’s negative statements about the law with the author’s claim that the law is a gift?
4.Pastor Alvin Beuchert claims, “Jesus finished all the work God gave him to do, but he did not finish all the work.” From your perspective, what work remains to be done?
5.Is glory always preceded by suffering?
6.Have you experienced suffering for your faith?
10 WHO LET YOU IN?
Read Deuteronomy 30, 32; Acts 10–11, 15; Romans 1, 5; 1 Peter 2; Revelation 7, 14.
1.Why is it audacious for Peter to call his readers “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’
s treasured possession” (1 Peter 2:9-10)?
2.On what two criteria does James base his conclusion that Gentiles who follow Jesus are now included in the covenant?
3.Israel is called God’s “firstborn son” and King David is called God’s “son” as well. How does this covenant background of the concept of “sonship” shape our understanding of what it means for Jesus to be the “Son of God”?