No Bargaining, but Grace--July 12, 2010

 
I. Readings
Psalms 5, 145, 82, 29
Joshua 2:1-14
Romans 11:1-12
Matthew 25:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 82:3
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
      maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.

Joshua 2:14
The men said to [Rahab the prostitute], “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the LORD gives us the land.”

Romans 11:5
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

Matthew 25:3-4
“…When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. … ” [Jesus to his disciples, from the parable of the ten bridesmaids]

III. Meditation

The Israelite spies bargained with
the prostitute, their life for hers.

You do not bargain, you command;
and your commands are very clear.

You warn us to be wise always—
ever ready to meet the bridegroom.

You bid us give justice to the weak
and the orphan, and to maintain

the right of the lowly and destitute.
Meagerly we heed your commands,

yet you are full of grace; and you
choose a remnant to be your people.

God, end our attempts to bargain;
and make us content just to obey.