Tag: power dynamics

Keep the Rule of Law (Numbers 17:1-11)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you. The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”

So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron’s staff was among them. Moses placed the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the covenant law.

The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the Lord’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff.

The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.” Moses did just as the Lord commanded him. (New International Version)

Issues of power – who has it, and who doesn’t, and how it is used – has been with us throughout all of human history.

And the issues of power are always tied to values, morals, and ethics. It ultimately comes down to who is truly in control, and whether that control is good or bad, moral or immoral, ethical or unethical.

One way of looking at the whole of the Bible is that it is a collection of books about power, control, and authority – mostly between God and humans, but also between one another as people.

If we fail to consider power issues, then a society will devolve into injustice, power inequities, and the few controlling the many.

In today’s Old Testament lesson, there were people questioning the authority system, and who had the power to act as a religious priest in the nation of Israel.

The covenant code, handed down from God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and then to the people, included only the tribe of Levi acting as priests. The other eleven tribes could not have a priestly class of people.

Specifically, only the Levite Aaron and his descendants could serve as a priest. And this structure did not sit well with some of the Levites from clans other than Aaron’s, as well as some of the other tribes.

Among all the tribes of Israel, the Lord chose the tribe of Levi. And among the Levites, Aaron is to alone be the priest, with his descendants serving after him in history.

A lot of grumbling in the tents of the Israelite tribes was happening. And God heard all the murmurings under their breath.

Therefore, God instructed each tribe to bring the symbol of their tribal authority – the staff – to Moses. They were all left overnight before the Lord, in front of the altar in the tent of meeting.

In the morning, the Levite’s staff with Aaron’s name alone engraved on it, was the only one that budded and sprouted almonds – all in a single night.

God was clarifying that Aaron was the divine choice as priest in Israel. The staff was then stored and kept as a continual reminder that when the Lord makes a choice, that is exactly what is going to happen.

The purpose of displaying the tribal staffs was to stop the incessant complaining of people about the Levites, and Aaron in particular, holding the power and authority of handling and officiating the sacrificial system in Israel.

Only Aaron could approach the tabernacle of God – and only then with detailed prescriptions of how to do it – and anyone else who would try to act as only a priest could, would die. The authority structure was that serious in Israel.

Nobody gets to do whatever the heck they want to do, when it comes to authority structures and systems of power. The rule of law is important; it’s serious business.

God bestowed an honorable privilege and responsibility on the family of Aaron. In doing so, their work, worship, and ministry was meant to contribute to the public welfare of all Israelite families.

And that is the case for all of us, when it comes to possessing any sort of authority. An authoritative position is never meant for personal use, but to be a public service for the good of everyone in the community, and in the leader’s constituency.

I suppose there will always be persons who arrogantly believe they ought to be in charge, or in some position of authority in order to wield power. They will, unfortunately, rarely examine their motives for wanting power; or consult wise persons who could help direct them.

If one has been elected – either by the people in a lawful election, or by God in a divine decree – then to murmur and grumble about that person who was chosen comes from a dark place in the complainer’s heart.

An unwillingness to submit to the rule of law only brings harm to others, and eventually to oneself. And it raises the ire of God.

Through the covenant law handed down to the Israelites, God intended to provide human justice, protect human rights, promote a good and just society, establish a fair economy, curb human sin and corruption, and bring peace and security to all the tribes of Israel.

If the power structure is unjust through an abusive individual, that’s another thing altogether. But if a good rule of law is in place, and appropriate people are serving the community, then it is our place and our duty to be properly submissive, obedient, and supportive.

It’s a question of being helpful or harmful to what is going on. And we always have a choice about how we are going to respond.

So, how will you use your own personal agency?

Almighty God, save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and make us one united people who are mindful of the rule of law.

Give the spirit of wisdom to those in the authority of government, so that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail. Amen. 

The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1-12)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Parable of the Vineyard Workers, from Unknown Artist in the Middle Ages

Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went away. 

When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 

And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. 

He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 

What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
    and it is amazing in our eyes’?”

When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away. (New Revised Standard Version)

Parable of the Wicked Tenants, by Maarten Van Valckenborg (1535-1612)

Jesus was at the temple in Jerusalem. While there, the religious leaders confronted him over his supposed ministerial authority. Jesus, rather than become defensive, took the initiative by telling a parable.

The parable’s imagery comes directly from the second chapter of the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament. It, too, was a parable concerning a vineyard. Isaiah leveled an accusation against the entire nation of Israel.

Jesus picked up the same imagery and directed his accusation against the people in front of him, the Jewish religious leaders. The connection between the parable of Isaiah and the parable of Jesus would not have been lost on those leaders.

In many ways, I can relate to the parable’s setting in the land. I grew up on a farm, and appreciate the deep connection of working the land and caring for it. I know something of owning land and having renters work it, since that it was my family did in my parent’s later years.

Anytime there is a relationship between owners, and renters or tenants or servants, it is an unequal relation. And whichever situation you relate to will affect your perspective of the parable.

If you understand what it means to be a landowner, with all of the rights and responsibilities of that ownership, and with the people who work that land, then you likely resonate with the landowner in Christ’s parable. You also will likely detest what the tenants in the parable do.

Perhaps you relate more to being a renter or a tenant. Having an understanding of what it means to rent from another, you may likely see the how the tenants in the parable think, and why they do what they do.

Having personal experiences on both sides of the owner/renter situation – for both good and bad – I can easily see how the violence in the parable could happen. I have my own stories of justice and injustice when it comes to each, the owners and the renters/tenants.

Much like today, ancient power dynamics were a fundamental part of life for many people. And those relations were, and are, fraught with all sorts of inequality.

Christ’s parable is a rather violent story. It’s not really bedtime reading. Notice that the owner has slaves, whom he sends to collect what is due him. Several of them are beaten and/or killed.

There is no backstory to the tenants situation. Yet, at the time of Christ’s ministry, there were many lower class folk who lost their land to unscrupulous owners, in a system of inequity. It’s possible that some of the men Jesus was talking to owned some land. And the religious leaders in the Gospels are rarely presented in a positive light.

Even today, there are violent struggles regarding land, especially in the Middle East. And the power dynamics and inequities are rife with injustice which is claiming to be justice. There are no easy answers to quelling the constant violence.

Feelings of hatred, anger, and fear are common. The desire to kill too often overcomes the desire for life. A group of people are outraged for being the brunt of murder, killing, and evil. Another group already feels neglected and have been the victims of unjust usury and death. They feel justified in their violence toward those they view as perpetrators.

Imagine how people on this earth, such as Palestinians, Israelis, Native Americans, and Ukrainians – just to name a few – feel about land. Land involves life, because the land has water, the potential for farming, trees, and a place to live. Thus, whoever controls land, in many ways, controls life. Agribusiness owns large chunks of land in the United States – and not the smaller family farms. Ah, but that is a topic for another time….

In Christ’s parable, everybody suffered in some way. Servants died. The landowner’s son died. The tenants were destroyed. Life was permanently altered for all involved.

Is that how any of us really want to live?

If we take a theological perspective, God owns everything. But we think we own the land and its resources. We believe we have the right to do whatever we want with it. And that is where the problem arises.

Until we truly hold to the notion that we humans are a society of equals, and that we are all subject to a God who owns everything, then we will continue to experience the effects of injustice, war, and death.

Can we, at least, change our minds? Yes, we can. And Christians are called to do just that:

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:2-3, NRSV)

The religious leaders of Christ’s day needed to change their minds about Jesus. Yet, no matter what they did, he would still become the cornerstone, if they rejected him as just one of the stones in the edifice of God’s kingdom.

Today, the parable is still meant to speak to people, to you and me. We have the chance to embrace the Prince of Peace, and walk in the way of peace, not violence. We still yet have the opportunity to be peacemakers, and live in a way that promotes human flourishing, and not human carnage.

If, like the parable of the prophet Isaiah, Christ’s parable is meant to speak to everyone, then it is most necessary that we heed the words of Jesus.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them peace, which is the fruit of righteousness, so that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

I Am Among You As One Who Serves (Luke 22:24-30)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
The Last Supper, by Mamdouh Kashlan (1929-2022)

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (New Revised Standard Version)

Jesus and his disciples had prepared for the Passover meal. They ate and drank together. Christ gave them words which have endured throughout Christian history as the Lord’s Supper. He spoke of the bread as his body, and the cup as the new covenant in his blood. Jesus communed with them and communicated about his impending death.

It was a moving experience for all. The disciples received from their Lord an intense act of love; and a new humanity around Christ’s body and blood. Indeed, the essence of new life is self-sacrificial love.

And then… the disciples began quarreling with each other about positions, and titles, and honors, and who was better, and who would be top dog in God’s kingdom….

It was a moment that I think every parent can relate to, at some level. Sitting around a dinner table, enjoying a rich conversation, becoming close with one another as a family… and then the kids begin bickering with each other about the most mundane of things.

Just a minute ago, you believed you were getting somewhere, and experiencing a shared family bond of love, commitment, and purpose… and then, in a matter of seconds, it all crashes down in a ridiculous display of posturing and positioning of one sibling over another….

I admit, this has happened to me more than once, when my own kids were growing up. And I also admit that I lost my sanctification on more than one occasion, watching this crazy schizophrenic scene play out in front of me.

Which is why I have a lot of respect for Jesus in responding to his disciples with humility, calmness, and a forthright spirit. He addressed their puny questions in a way that rebuked them without making them feel like they just got a Dad lecture.

In the sort of table fellowship that Jesus practiced with his disciples throughout his earthly ministry, he consistently sought to undermine the existing systems of domination in all levels of society. Even the religious system of Christ’s day had a distinct stratifying of persons in an inequitable structure of power.

The kingdom of God, however, is different. God’s economy is characterized by equality, mutuality, diversity, and shared power. It’s all based in a communal, as well as individual, relational connection with the Creator God.

God almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, is gracious, merciful, and kind. The Lord brings rain on both the righteous and the wicked. Thus, any sort of claim to being greater or superior or better than another person or group of people, has no place around the table of Christ’s body and blood.

Catholics are no better than Protestants. Evangelical Christians have no superiority over Progressive Christians. The Coptic Church doesn’t have the high ground on Eastern Orthodoxy. Christians who observe the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance are not greater than those who discern the Table as a sacrament.

And if one has the ears to hear it, Christians really ought to know better than to believe they should have greater control over the world and its systems than Buddhists, Muslims, or Jews.

Puffing up one’s chest and insisting that “My Dad is better than your Dad” is the stuff of childish preoccupations, and not of God’s kingdom.

The Last Supper of Jesus, by André Derain (1880-1954)

There are plenty of people in this old messed-up world who lord their power and authority over others. If we take the words of Jesus seriously, Christians are not to be part of that structure and system.

And yet, here we are, in this contemporary time and place in history, having a chunk of the population thinking Christendom is the way to go, that a form of Christian Nationalism should be the political system – as if the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world are what’s on the ballot.

Christians are the very folks who need to insist on serving, not leading; building up, not tearing down; loving, not hating; being integrated and connected, not fragmented and disconnected from others, as well as from reality.

Any sort of earthly power and authority the Christian has, must be used to include, help, and support, instead of excluding, ignoring, and destroying. The greatest among us must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.

Christians must support and promote the idea of political office as a public service; and the concept of being a citizen as serving the common good of all persons, not just some persons.

Jesus came to this earth to serve. Therefore, his followers are also to serve. The words and ways of Christ centered in humble service, merciful justice, and prayer for one’s enemies. His followers must do no less.

Jesus Christ came to usher in a moral and ethical kingdom in which God’s gracious and benevolent will is done on this earth, as it is always done in heaven. He did not come to make sure Christians have lots of political power and authority over all the non-Christians.

Yes, indeed, we will be given power and authority – but not to baptize existing earthly structures so that the system serves the interests of Christians. We receive so that we can give. We give so that we might serve. And we serve because our Lord is a servant.

So, if Christians truly desire to bring change and transformation to this world, it will be through a compassionate and caring system of service to our fellow humanity – and not by imposing our beliefs and will upon others in a modern day form of the Inquisition.

Let us then, traffic in love; aspire to meekness; practice servanthood; and become the wait staff for the world’s needs.

That is what it really means to stand with Jesus in this time of trial.

Gracious and loving God, you work everywhere reconciling, loving, and healing your creatures and your creation. In your Son, and through the power of your Holy Spirit, you invite each of us to join you in your work.

I ask you to form me more and more in your image and likeness, through my prayers and worship of you; and through the study of Holy Scripture, so that my eyes will be fully opened to your mission in the world.

Send me into my family, church, community, workplace, and world to serve Christ with faith, hope, and love, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Approach Everything with Humility and Wisdom (Esther 5:1-14)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Esther, by Marc Chagall, 1960

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

“Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. (New International Version)

Esther Comes Before the King, by Johann Boeckhorst (1604-1668)

Three days of fasting by Esther and her attendants, along with all of the Jewish people in the Persian capital city, came to the point of approach and confrontation. But it was not confrontation in the sense of in-your-face; that would get you killed in the emperor’s court.

One did not approach the king without being asked to do so. Yet, Queen Esther was the only person in a position to try and speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. A royal edict had been pronounced; a day was coming when they would be slaughtered and plundered. Something had to be done. And that something became a someone: Esther.

Although Esther was a queen, it was not by her own choice. She was brought into the royal court through a long process of finding a queen for the king. Esther was taken from her home; she had to participate.

It seemed as if she had no agency of her own. But there came a time when Esther had to find that personal agency and speak her own voice – even though it was at great risk to her own life, as well as the life of her people.

Perhaps because Esther had no ability to seek status, she seems to have come to the conclusion that she could be used where she was – that somehow she came to the Persian court for just such a time as this, the saving of many lives.

Queen Esther evidenced a spirit of collaboration and wisdom. She knew she could not directly confront the king concerning Haman’s evil scheme to rid the earth of Jews. She needed to approach by coming in the side door of humility and gentleness.

Thus, Esther requested the presence of King Xerxes and his right hand man Haman to a banquet. There was no arrogant demanding of justice or rights. There was only a genuine spirit of trying to do right.

All of us have others who hold positions of power over us. They make decisions which impact us significantly, whether for good or for ill. The way in which we deal with people in authority can make all the difference, not only for ourselves, but also for many other folks as well.

Power dynamics exist everywhere, in every organization, institution, family, workplace, neighborhood, and faith community. We are not in control of those structures. Yet, you and I have control of ourselves. We can choose how to respond to any given situation.

We have the opportunity to decide whether to be respectful or disrespectful, patient or impatient, wise or foolish, encouraging or discouraging, helpful or obnoxious.

Esther chose wisely. Haman chose foolishly. He was self-centered, power hungry, status conscious, angry, and downright arrogant.

Haman was obsessed with everyone giving him honor. So, when Mordecai didn’t bow to him, Haman made it his personal mission to do away with him. But that wasn’t enough. He also created a devious plan to kill all Jews.

The misuse of power is one of the most devastating sins a person can do, namely because it affects so many people and makes their lives miserable, if not dead. Abusers are typically, at their core, insecure persons who overcompensate for feeling better by pushing others down.

Abusive persons in authoritative positions is a very bad combination. The only human life they value is themselves. And they don’t care who they destroy to get what they want to feel secure and important.

Unfortunately, those in high positions sometimes (maybe oftentimes) have no idea how to properly assess the character and competence of those who want authority. Xerxes was a terrible judge of character, choosing Haman for high office and listening to him.

There are far too many persons in this world, in our own societies and institutions, who are not fit to hold any sort of public office or responsible position of power. They may talk a good line on the outside, but inside they have a hollow spot where there soul should be.

Yet, we elect them, or are okay with them in office. There’s no pushback. We can even stump for some of those morally stunted individuals. It should not be that way. We can most certainly do better, in this day and age. King Xerxes isn’t around, and there isn’t any supreme sovereign emperor calling all the shots.

We need to take responsibility, first and foremost, by developing a just and wise character within ourselves.

One’s own spiritual growth and emotional maturity will help to make wise decisions and right judgments. It is imperative that we have enough discernment to judge between the genuine article and a charlatan; and between one who has authentic potential, and one who has none.

Haman was no good for anybody but himself. And that, he even screwed up. But Esther was the right person for the right time. She evidenced a solid character, a listening spirit, and moral sensitivity.

May her tribe increase.

O Spirit of God, we ask you to help orient all our actions by your good and wise inspiration, and carry them on by your gracious assistance, so that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from you; and through you be happily ended. Amen.