Good morning, Bible Challengers!

21 days! We're there! or about there! depending on how we count (do we count the 7th days or not :) ) Those who specialize in human behavior tell us that 21 days is the magic number for establishing a habit or practice-- hooray! and well done!

Our readings are taking us to some interesting places... In Exodus we're getting the foundational story of the people of Israel. Although the second book in the Old Testament, it is considered to be "first" in its role of establishing Israel as a people, their identity and relationship with God. This is why our Jewish brothers and sisters remember the Exodus story every year at Passover, much as we remember "Christ's Passover" in the Passion, Crucifixtion and Resurrection every year at Holy Week and Easter... And how wonderful that we're encountering both this week... the Exodus story, and the Passion according to Matthew.  Heavy reading, and powerful.

And our Psalms continue to bring us wisdom, insight, and prayer... And I was reminded that the Psalms as we hear them in church are a particular translation, based on the Coverdale translations. You can learn more about 16th century scholar, priest and bishop, Myles Coverdale here. He shares a feast day on October 6 with William Tyndale, who usually gets more press.

 

I was struck by the difference a translation (which is always an interpretation) can make, when we read Psalm 19:13...  The BCP Psalter reads

 

13    Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;

let them not get dominion over me; *

     then shall I be whole and sound,

     and innocent of a great offense.

 

And the NRSV reads

 

13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
   do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
   and innocent of great transgression.  

Theologically and spiritually, I prefer the BCP translation, because it keeps the focus on our sins, and the formation of our souls, rather than pointing fingers at "the insolent" --those other folk and their sins--lest we "catch" their insolence somehow...

 

But that's just me!

 

I welcome your thoughts and questions. Please let me know if I have your permission to share them with the group.

 

Peace!

Paige+