Backwards Obedience
Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” Exodus 24:7 NASB
Will be obedient – What is the relationship between hearing and obeying? What steps do you take in your life in order to change your behavior? Most of us operate in this way: we hear, then we obey. First we listen to some claim or challenge. Then we evaluate. Then we decide to obey. Then we do something.
But if this text is any indication of the biblical process, it is completely at odds with our normal way of responding. In fact, it is so contrary to our customary view that the translators have changed the words in order to fit our paradigm. The Hebrew phrase is na’aseh v’nishma. This is the third time that the people declare their commitment to God. In the first two (Exodus 19:8 and 24:3), the word is na’aseh (we will do), but in this final occurrence, the words are literally, “we will do and we will hear.”
Wait a minute! How is this possible? How can I do something before I hear it? The rabbis noticed this oddity and explained it as follows: the people had already committed to doing God’s instructions in the first two instances. Now they assert that they will do them before they understand them. What they proclaim is that understanding is not necessary in order to obey. Doing comes first. See this link.
The NASB translation (and many other English Bibles) obscure this relationship by transforming the words to fit our view of understanding. It is a mistake – and a big one. God does not give His instructions in order that we might understand Him. He gives His instructions in order that we might live! Understanding is irrelevant. In fact, from the biblical perspective, obedience is a condition of understanding. Unless I obey, I will never have the spiritual discernment required to comprehend the purposes of God. Disobedience blocks my ability to see what’s really going on. Perhaps this is what Paul had in mind in his development of the darkening of the mind. This doesn’t mean that obedience necessarily brings understanding. Job makes it quite clear that God is not obligated to explain anything about His purposes to me. But disobedience creates a noetic roadblock in my life. I just can’t get a clear picture with my life out of focus.
You’re probably saying, “I already knew this.” Today’s investigation is not only about the gloss in translation. It is about the power of the world’s ordinary paradigm. If the paradigm causes translators to alter the text, how much impact do you think it has on you? How much of your life is based on the “I need to understand before I can commit” mentality? How do you teach your children about choices? Do you really think (and act) on the basis that what God says must be enacted even if you can’t figure out why?
Topical Index: hear, obey, understand, na’aseh v’nishma, Exodus 24:7
According to the link above, the rabbis saw this phrase as a “correction of the earlier promises”. A rather interesting prospect that YHWH found it necessary to correct himself.
Yes, isn’t Scripture marvelous. How wonderful that it leaves us with so many unanswered questions! Another indication that Scripture doesn’t come from our neat and tidy Western worldview – and it is not likely to be forced into that neat and tidy worldview either.
Marvelous Scripture I have no problem with. Unanswered questions are no problem But the statement about “correcting” itself was not a biblical statement; it was an interpretation attributed to the rabbis. Which statement, of course, leads us to the question: is that what the text really says?
Yes, and that leads to the question, “How much of Greek Hellenization is found in rabbinic thinking?”
More than we realise. I discovered tonight (from one of the Hebrew teachers at eTeacherOnline) that the traditional Passover Seder originated during the Hellenic/2nd Temple period and was based on the format of the Greek “symposium” banquets which involved a meal, plenty of wine and lots of discussion.
The word “symposium” originally meant the large goblet of wine that was passed around from speaker to speaker. Apparently whomever held the cup then took their turn to speak (that was what I understood from the discussion, anyway – I’ll have to go back and have another listen).
This format was borrowed and melded into the observance of Pesach, with the narration of the Pesach story taking the place of other more general debates or arguments.
Nowadays most who take part in the traditional Pesach Seder would have little or no idea of its origin, just like many Christians (dare I say, most?) have little or no idea of the pagan origins of many church traditions and festivals.
Hi Ian,
I think the reference to the promise is in regards to the peoples promise to do torah. I may be wrong (like THATS never happened before 🙂 ) but I didn’t sense that the rabbis suggested that it was God that needed to be corrected, only the peoples response to Him. Try re-reading it and tell me what your thoughts are.
I agree – that was how I read it too.
Me too, but Ian’s interesting question opens another avenue of exploration.
The suggestion is that the earlier promises were inadequate, and therefore needed a correction. But there’s no suggestion in Scripture that the earlier promises were inadequate, assuming, of course, there is some chronology in the text to allow us to say the statements recorded earlier were actually earlier in time. The rabbis are trying to make a clarification of “doing” and “hearing”, as if “hearing” in the earlier statements was omitted, and therefore the “doing” was devoid of “hearing”.
This kind of interpretation requires an abstraction of the earlier statements to “stand alone” and I don’t think that kind of reading of Scripture is necessarily helpful. Not that I think the rabbis were deliberately trying to be abstractionist. A little Greek influence? I’m just uncomfortable with the method on this occasion.
Are we blind to the Source? (and what would that Source be?) Draw close, lean over and listen intently.
“All that the LORD has said”. G-d has spoken. G-d speaks. And G-d will speak again. We serve the G-d who speaks.
Shall we review? May we remember? In the beginning something happened. And what was that something that “occurred?” (How soon we forget!- it amazes me..) Hello?.. G-d spoke. Over and over and over (and over) we read these very words: “and G-d said”, “and G-d spoke”, and “the word the LORD came unto.” G-d spoke His instructions to our not so great-great-not-so-great granparents, “don’t eat the fruit..” – but (who knows why..)- Adam didn’t “shema” very well, -did he?
Now how do we know all this? (Somebody help me here..) Friends, I’m really tempted at this point to shout, -please forgive me..- but..- “IT IS WRITTEN!!”- It’s recorded in G-d’s Word! (Hallelujah!)
May we start over again? (..again) Brothers, sisters, – listen, listen closely, listen intently, focus on this please: – “I believe the Bible -it’s the Word of G-d..” – and “every word of G-d is pure..” I believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the scriptures”- “All scripture (all scripture?) is given by inspiration of G-d (all scripture is “G-d-breathed!) and is profitable (huh?)-is good for us!,- we “shema” the scriptures (what He says!)- we listen to what G-d says.. (Example: -“love one another with a pure heart fervently..) and we do (as in live out) His instructions.. We live “by the Book..”
Forgive me again, but sometimes I just want to “holler out”- (must be my flesh speaking..) – “anybody home?” I’ve lost my mind and have gone looking for it.
Listen, listen again (for the first time..) Listen to what G-d says in His book. These are His words (not mine!) and because I believe (as in know) that His word is like a hammer that breaks the rock (my hard head) in pieces, I would rather not comment (Common ‘taters are worth at least 12￠ a pound!) but just lest G-d speak for Himself- He is ever able to do this- to speak to Adam (us) through His living Word:
The following words are contained in a book. This is the Book G-d wrote. These words are written by men and for men. (Maybe if there were an infinite number of monkeys and an infinite number of typewriters..- oh, nevermind!) G-d used humans to write His book.. Funny, isn’t it? G-d always speaks to a human heart- through a human heart..
Listen (again) to the inspired introduction to the wonderful book of Hebrews.. lol!-written to who? (Oy!)
~ then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people ~
(take your Bibles please and turn to Hebrews chapter one..)
~ for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of G-d~
from Hebrews chapter One:
Word of G-d, speak..
In days gone by, G-d spoke in many and varied ways to the Fathers through the prophets. But now, in the acharit-hayamim, He has spoken to us through His Son, to whom He has given ownership of everything and through whom He created the universe. This Son is the radiance of the Sh’khinah, the very expression of G-d’s essence, upholding all that exists by His powerful word; and after He had, through Himself, made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of HaG’dulah BaM’romim. So He has become much better than angels, and the Name G-d has given Him is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did G-d ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Also, G-d never said of any angel, “I will be His Father, and He will be my Son.” And again, when G-d brings His Firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all G-d’s angels worship Him.” Indeed, when speaking of angels, He says, “. . . Who makes His angels winds and His servants fiery flames”; but to the Son, He says, “Your throne, O G-d, will last forever and ever; You rule Your Kingdom with a scepter of equity; You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, O G-d, your G-d has anointed You with the oil of joy in preference to Your companions”; and, “In the beginning, LORD, You laid the foundations of the earth; heaven is the work of Your hands. They will vanish, but You will remain; like clothing, they will all grow old; and You will fold them up like a coat. Yes, they will be changed like clothing, but You remain the same, Your years will never end.” Moreover, to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for Your feet”? Aren’t they all merely spirits who serve, sent out to help those whom G-d will deliver?
I’ve written on the Pauline “faith comes by hearing” passage and shown, I believe, that for Paul (rabbi Sha’ul) this can only mean acting on the commands of Torah, not on simply listening to the words. This helps clarify what the author of Hebrews is trying to communicate. It is still obedience, obedience, obedience.
How many times in rearing your children have you said “Just do it”, and usually that statement came after they asked, “But, why have I got to do this or that?”And then, after we have “arrived”, with family’s of our own, we look back and “see” why our parents told us to do this or do that and appreciate and love them all the more. Somehow, I can’t envision the Jews at Mt Sinai asking G-d , but why do I have to do this or that?
When I homeschooled my kids, years ago, we read a story about Laura and the Bear. They were a pioneer family in the 1800’s and the father had to leave and go into town for supplies. Laura was 8 years old and she had a 1 year old brother. The mother had gone outside to check on the cow, and Laura had gone with her. The mother heard noise and looked up and saw a bear. She turned to Laura, and instructed her to walk very slowly to the house and not turn around or look back. Laura did as she was told and when she was at the door, the mother ran into the house to safety. If Laura had hesitated and asked her mother “But why do I need to go inside?’all three family members would have been destroyed.
You are absolutely right Skip. It is all about obedience, obedience, obedience. Just do it!
“There is indeed a special spiritual attribute that is linked to Torah acceptance rather than to belief in general. To accept the Torah correctly you have to perceive it not only as desirable but as necessary to existence.”
http://www.aish.com/h/sh/se/48967001.html
Thanks for the link, Robin. Here is the statement that grabbed my attention:
“Life must fit into Torah observance; not Torah observance into life.”
Wow, ten years ago, this concept would have been incomprehensible to me. But, looking back, I can see . . . 🙂
Yes, Gail, We live in such an awesome era! I read a commentary once about how the Jews at Mt Sinai heard with their “eyes”and see with their ears. Maybe that is where the saying “do you see?” comes from.
I have read it all and still it all makes me weep.
To me the entire OT reads over & over again OBEY & they say they will, then they mess up & He punishes them, then He says (loosely) “Ya’ll ready to obey now?” & they say, “yes, yes” , and this goes on until Jesus says, “don’t beleive ya’ll are going to be able to do it, I will come and do it for you.” And so He came. God Who thundered from Sinai, came down to sit cross-legged in the grass on a hillside and teach. And this I know, Jesus loves us.
Mr. Moen, isn’t that “v’nishma” is came from the root word of shama? and shama, as we already know, means “to hear, to listen, and to obey.”
So, the translator did not make any mistake when they translated the verse. they just choose one of the several meaning of the hebrew word.
Irlan, the point is that they are not alternative meanings, but inclusive or synonymous meanings. If you are not obeying, you have not heard.
Such powerful discussions here, rightly challenging the status quo belief system that apparently displays the power of YHWH’s Word. Here in the West, we “see” the “righteousness that exalts a nation” to be words that accurately describe what happens when Torah is done away with. We are experiencing the effects of bypassing/disregarding His holy and loving Instruction for reconstruction through selfish and prideful arrogance. No amount of patriotism or denial can refute what is happening around us in the culture which involves first our families, our communities and our government.
Even a cursory glance from Genesis-Revelation, we see the power of “works” and action…not the thought and good intentions, but rather “doing” something other than just talking about it. Why do we continue to kick against it?
How about if we leave the buffet of pick and choose Christianity and go to God’s Table (if I may, Skip) and eat what is being served! I think He is kind, generous and loving enough to feed us what we need. Let’s taste and see that the LORD is good! If we don’t do it, how will we know?
Robin, I agree. A parent knows (or should know!) the difference between when a child asks “why”. There is a ‘why’ which truly is asking for an understanding. This ‘why’ normally is not a response. Then there is the ‘why’ which is a direct response to a command (for obedience) and is really just a subtle form of rebellion.