Exodus 12:1-14

This is a challenging passage for me. This is the God of the Old Testament, the first covenant, although it alludes to the New Covenant with the sacrifice of the blameless lamb so its blood can mark God’s own people. All those firstborn children are collateral damage in God’s conflict with Pharaoh, whose heart, earlier chapters tell us, God Himself is hardening.

How can I square this with the God who tells me that love is the first commandment? What does this contrast between the Old and the New mean to the faith I was raised in, which includes the immutability of God from generation to generation?

I have to accept that faith includes mysteries and look for an understanding of what this passage teaches about that pursuit of faith. First is the importance of mindfulness, of devoting time and attention entirely to remembering and listening for God. Second is the call to give my best to God, giving that is a communal action, not something I do on my own. And third, faith must be active: I don’t always know what it might mean, but I’m called to keep my sandals on, my cloak tucked, and my staff in my hand.

                                                                                 —Lois Maassen

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Early in his career as a war journalist (“The Babylonians are at the outskirts of Egypt, and the Lord’s really got it in for the Egyptians”), Jeremiah assures the Israelites that, as vengeful as God is about their sins, God will restore them as a nation after seventy years.

Then, in this passage, Jeremiah flashes God’s unexpected promise to make a new covenant, not just a system of laws but also a living relationship within each of God’s people, a promise to “forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more.”

What a gift! God promises acceptance and forgiveness, no matter what: unconditional grace. God promises that even unendurable oppression and horrific violence will give way to redemption. In our time, when today’s oppressions rule and corrupt people’s lives, can we still hope that God will claim us, “from the least… to the greatest”? Can we really hope?

—Tom Arendshorst

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Naming

In my family three new babies arrived in the last year. Parents look beforehand for names for those children. Some names have meanings, like Daniel—God is my judge; David—beloved; Sharon—the plains; Douglas—dark river.

In infant baptism, parents and congregations make a covenant with God to raise the child and train the child to love God. Covenants are meant to be honored by all who make the covenant.

In the text for today, God makes a covenant with Abram and Sarai to make of them multitudes of nations and in doing so changed their names. Abram, which means exalted father, became Abraham, meaning father of multitudes. Sarai, which means princess, became Sarah, meaning duchess or queen of multitudes.

Abram and Sarai had no child together. Abram had a child with Sarai’s servant, who named him Ishmael. But with the covenant God gave Abraham and Sarah a child who had a child and grandchildren. Abraham is the father of the Jews and the Arabs. Abraham is our spiritual father also.

Prayer: Loving God, we are thankful you know each of us by name. Thank you for the covenant we have with you through the life and death of your son Jesus Christ.

                                                                                 —David VanHeest

Genesis 9:8-17

Rainbow over the Pyramid, Cairo, Egypt, 2008, by Haikeu Hai Thinh

It feels good to belong. We all enjoy gathering with family and friends; we can’t wait to share stories after vacations; we like others to help us celebrate our victories and support us when we grieve. To be human is to desire to be part of a group. This passage tells us that we are now part of a very special group indeed: the group with whom God is making a covenant.

God makes covenant with Noah and descendants -- ceramic, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Prior to this passage, we read about the aftermath of the flood, and Noah and his family once again stepping onto dry ground. In the reading following our passage, we have a story of Noah’s drunkenness. But between these two narrative passages about Noah and his family, time collapses and suddenly we are the story! God seems to be using this very human family to show us that no matter what our condition, God is making a promise to us. Forever. Period. And then, because maybe we still don’t believe God, there will be signs to remind us.

Lent is a good time to look for God’s signs. Things are beginning to change; it’s time to heighten our awareness….

—Kyle Vohlken