The scene is further set in Judges 3 as we are informed that the reason that the Canaanites remained in the Land was because God wanted to test the new generation that might have been born following the conquest. This sort of rationalization might reflect an opinion of an editor more so than an actual reflection of history. The point is made however, Israel is challenged by a people and a way of life that do not reflect God's Will. How will they respond to this challenge?
Well, unfortunately they do not respond well, as instead of fighting against this system, they accept it and its gods reflected in their worship of Baal and Asherah, Baal is the Canaanite storm god and warrior and Asherah his consort. The Israelites then fall under the control of the Canaanites living around them and are oppressed by King Cushan-rishathaim, which means Cushan double wickedness. When the people cry out to God, we are introduced to the first judge God raises up, Othniel. Othniel defeats king double wickedness and the people live in peace for 40 years, or a generation.
After a generation, Israel again falls to temptation and they are oppressed for 18 years by King Eglon. God raises up Ehud who fashions a sword and hides it on his right thigh. Since he is left handed, it is believed that keeping it on his right side would not have been normal. (Not sure I agree with that, since one normally draws a sword across one's body, but hey, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.) Pretending to bring a tribute to Eglon, he gets some private time and kills the king, then leads the Israelites to victory on the field of battle.
The story of Ehud is followed by a brief, very brief story of Shamgar who judged following Ehud. The interesting thing about Shamgar is that he might not have been an Israelite. His name is foreign and the reference to being a son of Anath might mean he was a member of a military society dedicated to the war goddess Anath.
Judges 4 strikes a blow, quite literally I might add, for women leaders in Israel. First, the formula continues, Israel sins, is given over to oppression, then they cry out. We are told Deborah is the judge, and she seems to begin her role of judge by deciding disagreements, but now takes on a military role. She summons Barak and calls him to take up sword against Sisera, the mighty general of King Jabin. Since he only agrees to go if Deborah goes, she tells him he will miss out on great glory.
As the Israelites defeat the Canaanites, Sisera flees and finds refuge, so he thinks, with descendants of Moses' father in law. However, Jael, the wife of Heber, drives a spike into Sisera's head and kills him. Barak is robbed of the glory of taking the life of Sisera and Jael is recording in history of Israel as delivering a blow to the oppressors of Israel.
Mark 1
Mark is the first gospel, Matthew has usually been in the primary position in the listing in scripture, but most commentators and historians believe that Mark was written first and became one of the sources that Matthew and Luke worked from as well. Who was it written by? We really don't know. Some ancient traditions held that Mark was a biographer of Peter and that the gospel is the account of Peter. Still others just believe it was an anonymous writer who took the name of Mark for the title.
Many believe that the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, which speaks of the destruction of the temple, dates the gospel to the period during the Jewish revolt in Jerusalem and the subsequent destruction of the temple by the Romans. This dates the gospel to a period between 60 and 70 CE (AD) which would make it the earliest gospel.
The gospel itself is short and moves quickly. The language of the gospel, if literally rendered, would be "and then...and then..." so the story is almost "breathless" in its telling. The language used is also simple, the Greek is less sophisticated than what appears in Luke for instance. It is believed that originally the gospel ends at 16:8 but with the appearance of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, someone added the remaining verses to tell more of the Resurrection story.
The gospel itself does not hold itself to be a history but a witness to Christ. It is told in style consistent with biographies at the time it was written. The significant telling is about what the "messiah" is. The messiah is not a military leader but a teacher, prophet and miracle worker. This fact seems to mystify the followers of Jesus, which leads to a negative portrayal of many including the disciples.
So Mark begins where Malachi leaves off. Malachi is listed as the last of the Lesser Prophets and he ends his prophetic ministry by referencing the return of Elijah, who is believed to return prior to the Messiah and the coming of the Day of the Lord. Mark describes John the Baptist in same way the Elijah is described, therefore signaling that the day that Israel had long awaited was drawing near.
Having established this setting, Mark moves into the baptism of Jesus, the temptations and the call of the disciples in rapid succession. It is clear that while these events are important, that greater things lie ahead for Mark, so why dally. Notice, however, the significance of the wilderness in this telling. Mark is reminding the reader of Israel's tradition of traveling through the wilderness, of being tested in the wilderness, but also of God's work in Israel during their wilderness experience. Notice as well the imperative of the Holy Spirit, which "descends" upon Jesus and then "drove" him into the wilderness.
Mark quickly moves on in telling the story of Jesus ministry. Of significance in the Mark 1 is that we find out that the evil spirits in the world recognize Jesus for who he is even if the disciples or those around Jesus do not. Jesus continually astounds and befuddles others in the Gospel of Mark, and rarely do they understand him.
In the encounter with the leper, the author is making known that Jesus is something different; only the divine where able to cure leprosy, only the sacred can make clean. However, there is continuity with the old as well, for Jesus tells the cured leper to obey the Mosaic law and present himself to a priest. While this new thing has come, it still stands in the tradition of God's work in Israel.
No comments:
Post a Comment