December 23, 2021 — Leviticus 11:1-8 – “Bring Home the Bacon”

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. “‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you. The hyrax, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” Leviticus 11:1-8 

“Bring home the bacon:”In 1104, a tradition was born in the ancient town of Dunmow in Essex. One day, a couple begged for a blessing of their union a year and a day after their marriage. The Prior of the Augustinian monastery was so struck by their devotion to each other that he gave them a “flitch”, which is a side of bacon. The 900-year-old ‘Dunmow Flitch’ still takes place today, once every four years, with couples trying to persuade a jury that they have “not wisht themselves unmarried again”. The successful pairs get to “bring home the bacon.” This “Flitch” became so well known around the country, and was mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” written at the end of the 14th century. Specifically, in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” comes the line: “But never for us the flitch of bacon though, that some may win in Essex at Dunmow.” 

Bacon is good. I can only say that I do not know anyone who does not like bacon. Yet, the biblical mandate was not to eat anything that either or both chewed the cud or had a divided hoof. In fact, they were not only to eat them, but some of these animals were even forbidden to be touched. There were various reasons they avoided such animals — the pig was one who had a divided hoof. One of the disgraces that comes to the “Prodigal Son” is that he has to feed swine — and laments for their pods to eat, he is so hungry — thus his life has come to such a low point.

I would love to win a side of bacon —and yet to “feed on the Word of G-d” is often just as satisfying. Take time every day to feed upon the words of Jesus and come to services to take Jesus into your very soul through Holy Communion.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, help us to remember that you call us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” As such we look to feast on your words and your body and blood in communion as often as possible. Amen.

Pastor Dave 

December 22, 2021 — Deuteronomy 32:8-12 – “Apple of my Eye”

“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. The Lord alone led him; no foreign god was with him.” Deuteronomy 32:8-12 

“Apple of my eye:” The Book of Deuteronomy first used this phrase in Hebrew, and Shakespeare (surprise, surprise) popularized its English use in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In spite of many years separating them, both eras believed the human pupil to have a solid, apple-like shape. This idiom was originally used in a literal sense, but over time metamorphosed into a term of endearment. 

In terms of the Bible, we must remember that, if G-d has Jacob as the “apple of his eye” it is a good and positive thing. It implies G-d’s watchful care and indicates that G-d values his people and centers his attention on them much like a doting parent. 

Thus, the expression “apple of his eye” refers to the pupil of the eye, the center of the eye, and implies G-d keeps us at the center of G-d’s watchful eye. This expression is not just a poetic description, it is a truth about G-d — who holds us at the center of where G-d can see us, and focuses on us because we are valued by G-d. 

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, help us to remember that you look upon us with eyes of love and a heart that cares for us. Help us to know that we are the apple of your eye. Amen.

Pastor Dave