Christianity is who the bumper sticker is directed against, but poses no threat to the others.

When two people get married, they have expectations of how the relationship should work. Often, the unspoken assumption is, “My spouse will meet me halfway.” Sometimes it’s called “The 50/50 Plan.”

A certain couple, wishing to keep a record of family events, spent more than a thousand dollars on a video camera and accessories. As soon as the teenage grandchildren and their friends saw the equipment, they wanted to use it. Because the camera represented a sacrifice and was precious to the grandparents, they laid down certain rules.

I watched “Crazy Rich Asians” last week, a romantic comedy that was reviewed as one of the best films of 2018. One of the supporting characters gets to make her “hero’s speech” near the end of the movie as she walks out on her husband, who was having an affair. The trouble is, what she says is exactly backward.

The Book of Deuteronomy is a series of speeches from Moses, giving final words of wisdom and warning before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, challenging the next generation to be faithful to their God.

The Book of Numbers is about a road trip gone really bad. Israel perpetually complained, sinned, and rebelled against God at every step. But their repeated rebellion was met by God’s justice and mercy.

The Book of Leviticus is a solution. God took the initiative to provide a way to reconcile his relationship with rebellious Israel. He invited them to live in his holy presence despite their sin, through a series of rituals and sacred institutions. Leviticus is all about God’s grace!

Israel’s exodus from Egypt is the event that forms them into a nation and is the model for God’s plan of redemption throughout Scripture. God invited Israel to enter into a covenant relationship with him, but their own sin and idolatry became the greatest threat to God’s covenant promises.