Christ Church Jerusalem

Having concluded the historical narrative opening of his monologue (Chapters 1-3), Moses begins the commentary to the Torah. He starts by telling the assembly to hear (shma), that is to listen and obey the laws he is about to teach. However, they already have had Moses declare and teach the Torah at Mount Sinai. Here, though, in verse 1 what Moses instructs is not called Torah. These laws are conditional to taking possession of the Land and to Live! Which then begs the theological question: is it actually possible to live by them?

Led by Rev. Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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29 March 2020 - Rev. David Pileggi, on the fifth Sunday of Lent, asks us if we have sold ourselves short in how we read Ezekiel's story of the dry bones. In Ezekiel, the Land of Israel is polluted with the sin of the people and the land vomits the people out into exile. Even in this dark period, God does not divorce Israel but rather renews the covenant and promises Israel new life. God promises a renewed intimacy with his bride. But is this story of resurrection, as well as the Gospel story of Lazurus' resurrection, merely about the here-after? Jesus promises eternal life. What is this eternal life? Eternal life is knowing the God of Israel now, in this present and uncertain age. If we want life before death, we must continue relying on God the Father and the crucified and risen Messiah, loving God with our faithful obedience.

Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

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While avoiding mention of Balaam the prophet of Moab (Numbers 22-24), Moses reiterates the victory over Og the King of Bashan. Traditionally Og is the brother of Sihon, and they are descendants of the fallen Angel Shemhazai. The repeated references to the Refaim shows that God can assist Israel to defeat this race of fearsome warriors. This part of sacred history is not pleasant for the modern reader. It records the slaughter and extinction no prisoners) of a race of peoples, men, women and children. Atheists like Richard Dawkins describe this event as genocide. Modern morality needs tempering through theological interpretation. A secular world can admit the existence of suffering but find no meaning for it, only faith and religion provide meaning to such events.

Led by Rev. Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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22 March 2020 - To be human in this fallen world is to want more: more power, more control, more security. The number one sin people confess to, tells us Rev. David Pileggi, is fear and anxiety. We see these cravings for power and control in the tragic lives of Saul and David. Both Saul and David begin their reign well but soon succumb to temptation. At this time of worldwide threat, we also crave more control and more security. The time presents us with an opportunity to examine ourselves, to repent, to change our ways, to intercede for our neighbors.

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-20

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Standing on the plains of Moab, Moses continues recounting the wanderings of the people through the 38 years in the Wilderness. Moses notes how careful God was in directing Israel away from other nations. Israel was not a conquering army able to take whatever land they wanted. Instructed to tread carefully within the territory of Esau, Israel was also commanded to purchase supplies of food and water and pay for those services. Why? Why bother purchasing food when the Lord provides manna? Or why seek water when you receive water from the Rock that is, according to tradition, following you?

Lead by Rev. Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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On the third Sunday in Lent, Rev. David Pileggi walked us through Psalm 95, which is about the enthronement of God. Why are we enthroning God? Because He is the only God. He deserves our worship not only for who He is but also for what He has already done. The psalm references Exodus 17, when the children of Israel forgot God's faithfulness and questioned his presence. Sin entered their hearts, deceived them so they lacked faith and gratitude. We must be careful that we do not harden our hearts in this time of scarcity and uncertainty. Our response should be dependence on the Lord rather than trying to control situation. Let us encourage one another, in this time of quarantine, to take time to hear God's voice, so that our hearts are not hardened.

Readings: Exodus 17; Psalm 95; John 4:5-26

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Moses admonishes the Israelites in their unwillingness and rebellion against the command to invade the Land of Canaan. Despite all that God had done for them during the Exodus, despite the witness of miracles and manna, and even His presence in the Mishkan, the Israelites conclude that because of Giants and powerful fortifications, the Lord actually hates them. What does this comment about us and our own hopes, dreams and trust in God for the future? Moses reminds them of God’s care by describing Him as a man who carries his son. This theological paradigm produces commentaries in the 2nd Temple Period that begin to call God ‘Father’, giving rise to Jewish prayers that begin ‘Our Father’ (see Amidah and Lord’s Prayer). Moses also declares that God will fight for Israel. This He has already done against Amalek in Exodus 17 and in Egypt with the plagues against the Egyptian gods and the drowning of Pharaohs army. Yet the people grumble causing the Lord to take an oath.

Led by Rev. Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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8 March 2020 - On the second Sunday of Lent, Rev. Aaron Eime has us consider the calls and slow obedience of Abram and Nicodemus. God calls those of us in the Kingdom to obey his commands, to love him and those around us. Maybe our start maybe slow, but if we persevere, the end will be glorious.

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 121; John 3:1-17

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The tradition of the first Sunday of Lent is that we begin to think about the death and resurrection of Jesus and his journey to Jerusalem and his temptation in the wilderness. The temptations that Jesus faced are very often the very things that we ourselves have to endure and the challenges we face in our discipleship and walk with the Lord, challenges that parallel those of Adam and Eve in the garden and of Israel in the wilderness. Rev. David Pileggi expounds, showing us that what happened in the garden is still happening to us today.

Readings: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

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Moses continues his lengthy monologue to the uncircumcised nomadic masses that assemble before him on the plains of Moab. He declares that the people are as numerous as the ‘Stars of Heaven,’ an allusion to God’s promise to the patriarch Abraham in the Book of Genesis. This is presented as a positive blessing from the Lord with the added invocation for a further increase in population, up to a thousand fold.

In his retelling of the appointment of leaders to share the burden of command, specifically of settling judicial matters, Moses leaves out mentioning his father in-law, Jethro. Commentaries to Deuteronomy are divided as to whether this event is a retelling of Exodus 18, in which the impetus to appoint leaders from among the people comes from Jethro, the pagan priest of Midian, or of Numbers 11, qhere the elders will have the same Spirit as Moses and to bear the burden of the people with Moses (Numbers 11:17) but in which the Lord commands the appointing of leaders.

Led by Rev. Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/