30 July 2010
Psalm 69; Judges 5:1-18; Acts 2:1-21; Matt. 28:1-10

The song of Deborah is a song of victory but also a song that gives pause. It extols the mighty work of God in the defeat of the Moabites but it also raises questions about some of the tribes of Israel who did not participate in the battle. The poem itself is a wonderful ode to God and to His people who rose to the occasion. The only tribes not mentioned in the song are Judah and Simeon, the southernmost tribes. All the heroes of the victory are singled out for praise, Deborah, Barak and Jael, and those tribes who “rushed” to be there and provide warriors. Victory over the Moabite oppressors who have introduced foreign gods to Israel was indeed a sweet moment.

The morning of resurrection comes and there are not male witnesses to the event other than the guards who become as though dead. The two Marys arrive and as they do, a great earthquake rolls away the stone and the angel tells them the glorious good news that Jesus is alive! As they are leaving as apostles, those sent with a particular message, they become not only the first witnesses to the empty tomb, but also to the fact that Jesus is indeed alive. They have believed the word of the angel and now they have seen for themselves and they are again sent to the disciples with the same message. That the first witnesses were women is interesting in that women in the culture were not allowed to give testimony in court, they were not thought to be reliable. It is also interesting in light of Genesis when God first spoke His word to the man and the woman then was instructed by him. Their faithfulness to Jesus in going to the tomb as soon as they could after the Sabbath is rewarded.

Peter stands and delivers on the day of Pentecost. Jews were gathered from all over to celebrate the harvest festival and the giving of the Law at Sinai. The disciples were gathered as well and suddenly everything changed with the sound of the wind and then the sound of the disciples speaking in all these other languages so that all could understand. The signs all pointed to a work of God but no one had ever seen or heard such things. Of course there were scoffers, there are always skeptics. Peter, however rises to the occasion and provides context for all that is happening. Clearly the Holy Spirit is working in and through him in this hour as he references this passage in Joel’s prophecy to explain what is happening and what it will mean going forward, a new day has dawned in the outpouring of the Spirit, Moses’ desire that all God’s people will be prophets has been realized. This event will give the mission a head start in all the places these pilgrims live when they return after the festival.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength* of my heart and my portion for ever.
For me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
to tell of all your works.