GROWING A PEOPLE

The Bible has been called many things. Some, who don’t love it, have suggested it’s a fairy-tale to amuse children, a book of “thou-shalt-nots” to take all the fun out of life, or even a horror story about a tyrant God and his wicked people. I understand why they say these things, especially if they haven’t read the Bible carefully. In places the story does have a wondrous, fairy-tale-like quality about it. In others it insist on some pretty serious rules for living. And, in certain parts, the story is frankly horrifying. But, like any great story it isn’t simply one thing or another.

And some who love it have said that it’s the perfect book, literally factual in every way, with no errors of any kind; the owner’s manual for successful living; or even a great love letter from God to each person in the world. Sometimes I wonder if these people have failed to read it carefully too, for, as I’ve said, like any great story it isn’t simply one thing or another.

The Bible is a love story, but an epic one. It’s the story of a God who creates the universe for love, and who, like a father or mother, pours himself out in love for his creation, and particularly his children; his rebellious, beautiful, confused, insightful, wayward and delightful children.

Which is to say, the Bible is the story of a developing relationship between God and mankind. And, like all developing relationships, there are offences, misunderstandings, setbacks and breakthroughs. But, as with all developing situations, hindsight is 20/20. As we look back we understand better. It’s all pretty complex, but it’s growth. And the Bible is the story of God growing a people.

From the beginning God makes it very plain that his purpose is to bless everyone on earth. And throughout the story God keeps reminding us that he has a special relationship with all people. He point’s out Melchizedek, who is not a descendant of Abraham but still, somehow, one of God’s priests. (Genesis 14:18-20) He includes another non-descendant, a Moabite named Ruth, in the lineage of David, and ultimately that of Jesus. (Book of Ruth) And he spares Nineveh because he loves the people of that terrible city, particularly the children, and even the animals. And he condemns the prophet Jonah because Jonah doesn’t. (Book of Jonah) And finally, in the New Testament, when God comes into the world as Jesus, John tells us that this is actually the One who created the universe and everyone in it, and who brings light, always and everywhere, to everyone. (John 1:1-4)

I love Advent because it’s the celebration of God coming into his world, not just at Christmas in Bethlehem, but always and everywhere. After that terrible flood God’s new plan was to never withdraw from his people again. If they fled into silence, he would be a continuing Word to them. If they fled into darkness, he would come as an illuminating and beckoning light. And he would come in a particular people, the Hebrew/Jewish people, and ultimately in a particular Jew, to share their life of joy and sorrow, to share their birth and death.

This is the “Hound of Heaven” Francis Thompson speaks of in his great poem of that name.

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears

I hid from Him, ...

From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase,

And unperturbed pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat — and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet— ...

Some would always flee from him of course, and some will never be willing to receive him. But all who would receive him, and all who will, always and everywhere, he received and receives as his very own, the Children of God. (John 1:10-14)

Next... Intimations of the Divine