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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
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March 31, 2022In today’s First Reading from Exodus [Chapter 32] there are parts that I find consoling and other bits that are, to say the least, challenging.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, my image of God comes much more from the New Testament than the Old. I believe that God is far closer to the father of the Prodigal Son who races to meet him, who doesn’t think of scolding him, and who is entirely consumed with joy at his child’s return.
The view of God that we get from several parts of the Old Testament, however, would have us think that God is just like us – prone to anger, vengeance and happy to inflict punishment. This anthropomorphic view of God is in many ways easier for us to take than the notion of God who so loves us that we are called to be friends and no longer servants. [John 15:15]
As the Old Testament prophet Isaiah reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” What is delightful about this reading is the depth and authenticity of Abraham’s relationship with God. Abraham isn’t afraid to remonstrate and try to win in his arguments. It validates my desire to get real with God!
As with many passages of Scripture, we must look for the underlying meaning and not so much at what’s being said or done. Here the emphasis is on the thanklessness of God’s people and, despite that, of God’s ongoing readiness to forgive them... and us. Praise God.
