Thursday, June 18, 2015

2015DBRP_170 2Sam20 Ps118a John2a


Yesterday we heard the story of how David sent out his army under three commanders, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He gave them orders to deal gently with Absalom. Joab— who was always pragmatic, didn't do this. Along with Absalom, 20,000 men died in the civil war. Joab stopped David’s mourning for his son and ordered him to go out to encourage his troops. And finally the people decided to bring David back as their king.

https://www.bible.com/bible/68/2sa.20.nlt

 

This is one of the antiphonal psalm. Imagine a leader and all the congregation saying the refrain. One of the most often quoted verses about the Messiah is found in verse 22. And I have quoted verse 23 at the beginning of a number of podcasts.

 

Translation note:

7Yes, the LORD is [on my side//for me]; he will help me.

I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.118

 

Note how Jesus (and the writer, John) artfully hint at the story of Jacob. Jesus calls Nathanael a true son of Israel. Israel is one of Jacob’s name, and Jacob means ‘cheater’. And then Jesus paradoxically calls Nathanael a man of complete integrity. Then Jesus says something that only Nathanael can know was miraculous. Jesus didn’t need to make it obvious to his hearers and John didn’t need to explain to his readers that Jesus was quoting from the Jacob’s Ladder story. Just a few words and the previous hint were plenty to imply this: Jesus is claiming to be the Way to the Father. The way, the truth, and the life.

 

Translation notes:

24But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew [all people//human nature].

I believe that John is telling us something miraculous about Jesus here. He wasn’t just a good student of ‘human nature’! He actually knew everyone, just like he knew the Samaritan woman whom we will hear about.

25No one needed to tell him what [anyone was//mankind is] really like.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.2


Check out this episode!

No comments:

Post a Comment