Today's Scripture Reading (January 10, 2025): Leviticus 27
I am going through the process of discarding some of the books from my rather considerable library. Last night, I held in my hands an old book that was published more than 100 years ago. It was actually given as a gift 110 years ago. The giver was my great-grandfather, Hallet Smith Mullen, and the recipient was his wife, Elizabeth. At least, that is how we would address her today, but the inscription in the book is actually to Mrs. H. S. Mullen. It was a formality between husband and wife that just doesn't exist today. I didn't know either one of my great-grandparents. My great-grandmother passed away three years before I was born in a car accident. Great-grandpa died a year later; according to family lore, he died of a broken heart.
As I held the book in my hand, I had to place a value on it. I struggled with whether this book was worth keeping in my library. If worth was based on the probability that I would someday want to reread the book, then the value was minimal. Besides, most books of that era can be obtained on my computer or e-reader for no or minimal cost. If its value was based on whether anyone else would want to purchase the book, again, the value was likely low, and the inscription to my great-grandmother might even devalue the book for any purchaser. But the fact that my great-grandfather had lovingly chosen the book for his wife and that my great-grandmother had held the book and turned the pages meant that the book was of great value to me. I didn't throw it out. It remains a valued part of my library, and I hope that one of my children or grandchildren will one day want the book after I have left this earth.
A few years ago, I found an autographed copy of one of my grandfather's albums for sale on an internet site. I already had a copy of the record, but knowing that I could buy something autographed by my grandfather, who had passed away three decades earlier, was too tempting. I bought the record, which is proudly displayed in my home office.
The concluding section of Leviticus deals with redeeming or buying back what has been dedicated to God. For instance, if a person decides that he wants his life to be dedicated to God, meaning that he can do nothing else with his life, that life could be repurchased with a monetary donation to the Temple. It was a method of raising money for Temple operations. In this case, the donation was based on how much physical work could be done by the person. Therefore, according to this valuation, a man in his prime was valued the most, and the youngest among us was valued the least.
It was an understanding that was carried over into the cultural expectations during the time of Jesus. According to society, men were of value, and children were not. So, when children were brought to Jesus, the disciples responded by turning them away. After all, the Rabbi had limited time, and that time could not be wasted on people who were not of value. However, Jesus went against that cultural standard.
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:14-16).
I tend to agree with Jesus and disagree with Leviticus. If raising the annual budget is the goal, we need the older ones. But if we are talking about the world's future, the hearts and minds of the children are of utmost importance and the most value to this planet that we share.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Numbers 1
No comments:
Post a Comment