Expectations

Sometimes people look upon the prescriptions in the Bible as something imposed on us–that we’re expected to behave in certain ways because the Bible tells us to, when really it’s the other way around. These teachings and commands are in the Bible in the first place, because they point out the best way for us to live, based on centuries of human experience. Reflecting on human experience helps us to see what works well, what helps all of us to live and grow to our full potential.

For example, a passage from the book of Exodus tells us: don’t oppress someone who is a stranger; don’t wrong an orphan or a widow; don’t extort money from anyone; don’t take anything another person really needs for health and safety. All these instructions are in the Bible because they help us to live a just and peaceful life.

The people talked about in this passage from Exodus are the ones who were most in need in the communities of the time: the alien, the widow, the orphan, the poor, because they had no one to take care of them. They were the people who had no social network, and so were most at risk in their society. Who would those people be today?

It’s easy to have an image of God as a being removed from our experience, an omnipotent stoic residing up there somewhere, who keeps watch on what’s going on down here. That’s not the biblical image of God. Our God is a God who cares deeply for his people and has compassion on those in need. As the people of God, we are called to do the same.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)