Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season, I saw your ancestors. But they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved. (Hosea 9: 10)

Moses complained that some of his followers, even within sight of the Promised Land, had begun to worship Baal-peor (Deuteronomy 4:3). This was the Lord of the Gap or the Lord of the Opening or the Lord of Mt. Peor.

The worship of Baal-peor is closely associated with intermarriage. In the book of Numbers it is foreign women who entice the men of Israel into worship of Baal-peor. There is a shared sense of spiritual and sexual seduction.

This is the season for concord grapes. They are one of my favorite fruits. Like morrell mushrooms or garden tomatoes, concord grapes are distinctly seasonal and do not travel very well. They are of a particular time and place.

This year I tasted fresh figs for the very first time in my life. The flavor, texture, and appearance is luscious. Even an hour after picking the fig becomes something entirely different. Still good, but not nearly as good.

Too often some push us to despise others as a way to exalt ourselves. There are different realities. The beauty of one time and place is distinct from another. We worship a God of diverse creating. We can worship God in recognizing and loving our differences.