Invitation to Church-wide Fast

At the behest of the 218^th General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is inviting all its congregations to engage in monthly church-wide fast to discern faithful responses to the global food crisis, in world where more than 845 million people go hungry. As many as 100 million more may be driven into extreme poverty due to the food crisis, while others live with plenty to spare.

Beginning in October, Presbyterians are encouraged to fast monthly beginning on Friday evening and breaking the fast with communion on Sunday morning. Those who are physically unable to fast may eat simple meals. This year long cycle will end on October 16, 2009, on World Food Day, with new materials available each month. The fast begins on the evening of Friday October 3 and ends with communion on Sunday October 5; World Communion Sunday. 

This information is from the Blackhawk Presbytery Connections Newsletter.

We will be posting the Bible study and other information on a monthly basis. They are available at www.pcusa.org/foodcrisis. We will also post them monthly on our web page. 

Biblical reflection
Grain reserves worldwide are at their lowest levels in recent history. Now countries instead rely on international trade for their food supply. Fuel shortages and higher costs for fuel and food can disrupt this system, as we saw in the worldwide food riots last April. W. Eugene March reflects on the Joseph Stories and the unforeseen results of our actions. Mr. March was a Professor of Old Testament at Austin Seminary and a Rhodes Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Good Intentions, Unanticipated Consequences

Reflection on Genesis 47:13-26
by W. Eugene March

The Joseph Stories (Genesis 37-50) are among the best-known and loved stories in the Old Testament. They serve particularly well in teaching children about sibling rivalry and devotion to family. And how many versions of the "coat of many colors" have been on display at church school presentations of Genesis 37 (verse 3, 23, 32)! Of course we now know that the Hebrew term long-translated "coat of many colors" actually referred to "a long robe with sleeves" (so the New Revised Standard Version) that was worn by Egyptians who exercised authority over others.

To recap the story briefly: Joseph's older brothers allowed Joseph to be taken to Egypt as a slave (Genesis 37:12-37); Joseph miraculously rose to power in Pharaoh's court (Genesis 41:37-57); and, eventually, Joseph was able to protect his family in a time of crisis (Genesis 47:13-26). The narrative culminates when Joseph, having forgiven the treachery of his brothers, announced, "Even though you intended harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today (Genesis 50:20). Clearly a noble story!

But there is something more to consider. How did God, through Joseph, "preserve a numerous people?" Joseph, with Pharaoh's blessing, stockpiled grain during a time of plenty in anticipation of a famine. (Genesis 41:34-36). When the famine came, Joseph opened the storehouses and began selling grain to the hungry Egyptians as well as to his own family who had moved into Egypt (Genesis 47:1-13). Certainly Joseph did so with the best of intentions.

The outcomes, however, were mixed at best. Yes, the people, including Joseph's family, survived the famine (Genesis 47:14-17). But people who had started with money, livestock, and land lost all that they had and were enslaved by debt to Pharaoh (Genesis 47:18-19, 25). From that day on the people owed twenty percent of their annual production as their rent for using Pharaoh's land (Genesis 47:20-21, 23-24). Only the land of the priests was not taken by Joseph for Pharaoh (Genesis 47:22, 26). So long as Joseph lived, he was able to protect his people from hard service as slaves and they prospered (Genesis 47:27). Nonetheless, they were Pharaoh's slaves. And after Joseph's death and the enthronement of a new Pharaoh who "did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8), things turned bad (Exodus 1:11-14).

This account suggests, among other things, that good intentions do not always produce good results. Joseph certainly did not mean to harm his family, but his solution for a pressing problem did, unintentionally, push them and many others into slavery. As we consider ways to help the hungry of the world, we need to consider the possible outcomes carefully. Trade policies require special scrutiny.

• What might have happened if the stockpiled grain was not available?
• To ensure enough food for yourself and your family, would you accept enslavement?
• What options might there have been for Joseph's family and the Egyptians?

Friday evening prayer

Arrancaron nuestras frutas
They have snatched our fruit

Cortaron nuestras ramas
They have cut off our branches

Quemaron nuestro tronco
They have burned our trunk

Pero no pudieron matar nuestras raices
But they have not killed our roots.

— From Educación Popular en Salud (EPES) in Santiago, Chile

Saturday: fasting and integrating

Early morning prayer time
Consider spending time in prayerful contemplation and journaling on the following discernment question from God of the still small voices: Whose voices are not well heard? What might we do to better hear them?

Breakfast-time prayer
There is no such thing as "my" bread. All bread is ours and is given to me, to others through me, and to me through others. For not only bread, but all things necessary for sustenance in this life are given on loan to us with others, and because of others and for others and to others through us. Bread of Life, sustain your people.

—Adapted from Meister Eckhart, one of the most influential 14th c. Christian theologians

Lunch-time prayer
Open my eyes that they may see the deepest needs of men and women;
Move my hands that they may feed the hungry.
Touch my heart that it may bring warmth to the despairing;
Teach me the generosity that welcomes strangers;
Let me share my possessions to clothe the naked;
Give me the care that strengthens the sick;
Make me share in the quest to set the prisoners free;
In sharing our anxiety and our love, our poverty and our prosperity, we partake of your divine presence. Amen

—"Prayer of Commitment" by Canaan Banana, Zimbabwe from On Frequent Journeys

Supper-time prayer
We pray for all who grew our food; May they eat well tonight. Protect them from unfairness, and keep them in your sight. Amen.

— Jennifer Halteman Schrock from Goshen, Indiana

Evening prayer time
Consider spending time in prayerful contemplation and journaling on the following discernment question — Emmanuel, God with us: Where do I see you present in this crisis? Where do I long to see you?