All good things, emanate from a GOOD GOD1;
reminding us of this God as we look,
or else showing responses as a mod-
el of exub'rant celebration's hook
upon us as a picture in our minds,
which helps some people step up & play well
the part that is our own, as we then find
some evidence of2, in resisting hell.
The hellish kind of "wisdom" James speaks of3
is what comes in a world where God is not
existent4, or not knowable as love-
ing father5 (with whom all of life is what
is to be shared, like in that story6 where
the older, staying brother had his Dad,
and had the chance to share his life and cares
& celebrations of all that they had
(& dare I say, to learn from his old Dad,
instead of having separate lives and friends.
And he might gain his father's heart, which had
more room in it for making more amends).
But think of (in dismay) those brothers who
would really not begin to share with Dad,
their anger at another who might do
things diff'rently to them, and Father's mad
responses to his children who'd run off,
and tried to live referring not to Dad.
The consequences are drastic enough
if he persists as such a "knowing lad".
Good things made to aid worshipping God, if worshipped in and of themselves, instead of being used as portals, windows, doorways, conduits of relationship with God, can become idols, & in that a replacement for God, or an alternative god.. Then God, knowing how they can destroy us, out of love for us, will often destroy them, remove them from us, remove us from them, to sever our capacity to depend upon them… e.g.
The Sun, as an indicator of the passing of time throughout a day.. (and energy source, etc..)7
The moon, as indicators of the passing of time in medium amounts, in months8, and to aid women generally (and the men related to them) to keep track of their menstral periods…
The stars, as indicators of the passing of time largely, in Seasons, throughout the year9..
The high places (on an Earth made (by God for us, and before us, with topography)10
Trees, made to stand tall, strong, and supple, in communities, that celebrate the entrance of the breath (spirit, wind) of God into the world, (which mediates the life of God, the mind of God, the presence of God) with dancing and waving arms11.
The Law, was meant to be the way or method (to give clearly described acts, words, attitudes, and motives by which the Israelites were enabled to respond to (& give something to) the God their nation had "married" (entered into covenant with), as a present (their loving obedience)12.
The bronze snake which God asked Moses to make, as a way to look (to him who made all snakes, and who had Moses make this one), and thus to be healed..13
The shrine (Tabernacle/ Temple), enclosing the images (of the God, i.e. the human priests), the altar & ark of the covenant and the practice of offering sacrifices to God there14..
The scriptures, and the practice of hearing, studying & remembering them, for the heeding of them - in practice15.
A land of their own in which to live quiet lives of responsible service to humanity16…
etc.
…
1 Genesis 1, plus Jesus' statement quoting conclusions drawn from scripture: "There is none GOOD, but God alone".
2 the people of God were to be for all humanity "a kingdom of priests, meant to declare the praises of God to and for all humanity", and the psalms where all "the trees of the field will clap their hands, .. and dance, and wave, .. before the Lord who comes…"
4 e.g. the (dream) world, of some people: "The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God.'" (Ps )
5 this is eternal life: to know you, and to know the one you sent, Jesus Christ." John 17:3
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13 Numbers 21:4-9; 2Kings 18:1-8; John 3:14; 12:32; Gal 3:13
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15 Deut. 4:1-2, 5-9, 13-14, 29-30; Deut. 6:1-2, 6-9, 11-13, 17-18; Deut 8:11; Joshua 1:7-9; Psalm1, Ps119, Proverbs 1:1-3:18, John 5:39-40, Acts17:11, 1Cor 10:11-13; James1:19-21-25.
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