Tribal Thinking
“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’” Deuteronomy 30:11-13 NASB
The sea – The difficulty with understanding Scripture is encapsulated in the amount of effort it takes to reconstruct the environment of the author and the original audience. Unless we know what the author intended his audience to understand, we will not know what the text says. And we cannot know what the author intended unless we know as much as possible about the circumstances, thought patterns, assumptions, culture and language of the author. This is just as true for Shakespeare and Dickens as it is for Moses. The only real difference is that Moses speaks for God so his words are far more important than the words of Othello or Madame Defarge.
Let’s take a simple example. In Moses’ final address to the children of Israel, he claims that the commandments of God (the Torah way of life) are not impossible to achieve. Contrary to Augustine, Luther and Calvin, men are not mortally flawed so that obedience is impossible. It is actually possible to keep God’s word in deeds. This idea alone undercuts all sinful nature philosophy. But that’s not the end of Moses’ claims. He mentions that these commandments are not distant. Contemporary Judaism emphasizes the present-world active nature of restoration rather than other-worldly mystical contemplation. The commandments are “not in heaven,” an astounding claim that the Torah is clothed in human garb. It is not intended for angels but rather for humans. It has immediate practical application, manifested here on this earth. A Torah in heaven is useless to men who walk dusty paths.
Finally, Moses says that it is not “beyond the sea.” Why would he say this? The children of Israel stand on the edge of the Jordan River. The sea is nowhere to be seen. In fact, they haven’t seen the sea in forty years. Most of the people standing before him have never seen the sea. But that isn’t Moses’ point. His comment has little to do with the salty water of the Mediterranean, somewhere behind the mountains. The “sea” is an Egyptian concept for primal chaos. God’s Torah is not to be found in the sphere of the celestial “gods” above the earth nor does it reside in the chthonic belly of creation, both places where no man may go. It isn’t the sea of water that Moses recalls. It is the sea of chaos, the sacred element of Egyptian thinking about the structure of the world. Egypt lay between the forces of the deep and the limit of the sky. The gods of those spheres provided no instruction about life on this earth. YHVH does, contrary to all prior cultic experience. Therefore, says Moses, do not look to the past—the figures of Nut or Nun (you can look up this Egyptian goddess and god)—look to YHVH, the God who gives instruction here where you must live. Water, water, everywhere, and not a drop in Moses’ thought.
Topical Index: Egyptian gods, sea, Deuteronomy 30:13, commandments
A plus for buying into the sinful nature philosophy is that it lets one off the hook. Why really exert effort toward an impossible task? It can’t be done so don’t fret. Do the best you think you can and “trust” God for the rest. Commandments, shamandments!
As I’ve been studying the commandments, I have yet to come across one I think I couldn’t actually do. It’s actually a simple matter of choice or remembrance.
How I’ve wasted so much opportunity in my life. Nonetheless, forward I go as I row backwards!
My Confession
..Contrary to Augustine, Luther and Calvin, men are not mortally flawed so that obedience is impossible..
Let’s run with this thought a bit.. Is obedience possible? And.. Are men (all men- both Jew and Gentile) “mortally flawed?”
Which of these to tackle first? How about the “yetser hara” – the “sin within.” BTW.. Isn’t it amazing.. (think about it) we parents have no difficulty in training up a child to “do wrong!” No, little Johnny.. – “we share with one another!” No, little Suzy- love does no harm to its neighbor! Don’t be mean, – be sweet! Etc., etc. – (and) etc..- We (as parents) must “train up” a child. Now, why would this be? No training required…- right? Leave the garden alone and what grows “naturally?” (helpful household hint..)- Brother, – it won’t be those nice red tomatoes! Weeds galore!
Or, shall we “look around” at the world (yes, the “community” we now live in). Why, (O tell me why) are we so quick to judge, to condemn, to fight.. – or to hate? Why do we envy, or why are we depressed or covet? Why are the “ten commandments” necessary?- Aren’t we (all) “naturally” good and kind? Are we calling God a liar- when He says (why can’t we listen?).. *ALL* have sinned?
~ David doesn’t seem to have any problem asserting that he is righteous, blameless and tom. By the way, neither does Paul ~ But.. how did they “get here?” (can we too, get “there” from “here?”) How is a man – “any man”- made righteous in the sight of God? Friend, ~ What do the scriptures say? ~
~ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness ~ (1 John 1.9)
~ As everyone dies because of Adam, so also everyone will be made alive because of Christ ~ (1 Corinthians 15.22)
Are there any among us (sinners) who would say: “which of you convinces me of sin?” I cannot think of (any) one, – save One! Jesus Christ.. *The (exclusive, only) Righteous!
Adam? nope. Eve? nope. Moses? nope. Abraham? nope. Peter? nope. Paul? nope. – shall we continue? or are we now “convinced?” Sinners r us. (ALL). Sinners, (btw) in need of a Savior.
” Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so You are right in your verdict and justified when You judge,~ was David’s willing confession ~ and of course, we “looking back” as outsiders with 20/20 hindsight are witnesses to David’s direct disobedience to the clear commandment (yes, commandment) of YHWH – “You shall not murder.” (and) You shall not “covet” your neighbor’s wife (and) “you shall not commit adultery”- David was guilty on all three accounts!, – He confessed his sins- (thank you God for all the “Nathans” in our lives) and received what he asked for- “forgiveness” and *restoration of relationship with His Maker and Friend. This, dear ones, in the vernacular of the day, is “where it’s at!” Amen-amen and amen! “Restoration of relationship!!” (Hallelujah!) *We gain far more *in Christ than we ever lost in Adam!!
Paul’s impassioned plea, was “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Paul, assuredly-consciously -tremendously struggled with the sin within (the yetser hara?”) …(Romans 7.17) ~ So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.…But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.~ Paul came to recognize and realize (He too, “came to himself!”) and prayed, “I (too) am a sinner.” ~ O, wretched man that I am! ~- is not the cry of a happy camper! Romans chapters six, seven and eight are a must-read trilogy of scripture, for everyone. While it may be true, “sin shall no longer have dominion over you”- we do need to know how this is possible. There are steps for us to take! They are written for “whosoever will” in Romans chapters six, seven and eight. It is too clear, from Adam and since Adam, – “all have sinned” applies to every man. Sinners R us. Sinners all, in need of a Savior. – Now, who might this “Savior” be?
Oh, -btw.. ~ If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His Word is not in us ~ (1 John 1.10) I believe it’s very clear.. (just the facts m’am) – ~ “ALL have sinned” means exactly that. We (all) are in serious need of a Savior, – ASAP. ~ Ask, and you shall receive.. ~ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness ~ (1 John 1.9)
Do you know? Have you heard the “good news?” ~ the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins! ~ (Mark 2.10)
Remember this man? (The Prayer God Hears!) ~ And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me(!) – a sinner ~ (Luke 18.13)
Remember this man? Luke chapter 15. – The Prodigal Father! or How to Make Heaven Happy!
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate!!!
~ For this son of Mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and (now) is found. – So the party began!!
Yetzer ha’ra is NOT “sin within.” that is a Platonic and Christian concept, not a Jewish one. Man was created with CHOICE, therefore with both yetzer ha’ra and yetzer ha’tov, so yetzer ha’ra cannot be sin or the implications would be that Man was CREATED sinful, and even Christian Calvinism doesn’t teach that. Yetzer ha’ra is the inclination, NOT action) toward personal gain and fulfillment. It is the motive power that makes me want the world my way. It is not evil itself. But when I exercise that choice, I can act according to MY wishes rather than God’s. Then it produces evil. The rabbis taught that without yetzer ha’ra a man would never be motivated to do anything. The motivation it produces is the reason that I choose. But that is definitely not the same as saying that I have “sin within.”
Thank you for explaining the distinction between sinful nature and yetzer ha’ra! I have been struggling to fully understand the difference for a while. I think I get it now!
Word.
The “choice” then, is within us. Adam also had a choice, – (to obey or not to obey!) Clearly, to disobey the instructions of God is a sin! But isn’t sin also a “choice” (a decision) to do it “my way?” – The world according to me? Or shall I (we) choose another Way? That Way has been revealed. So has the Truth. And so has the LIfe. Self? – or the Savior? (We report…- you decide!)
No, – it certainly is NOT about me..- or you, – or him or her. The Scriptures (all of them- in their entirety) reveal ONE person- ONE “hero”- ONE “celebrity”- (certainly ONE to celebrate!!)
Is THIS the dividing line between Judaism (if we wish to call it this) and “Christianity?” (if we wish to call it this)?
Are the Jews still waiting for the Messiah to be revealed? Is Jesus (who is the) Christ, “enough?” Or, as John the Immerser once said, “Are you the ONE? – or shall we look for another?” It seems Thomas was not the only “Doubter!”
The apostle Paul, (formerly known as Saul) or Rabbi Sha’ul (if we prefer) has this to say: ~ For I am not ashamed of the (what?) the gospel of Christ (the “good news” of the Messiah) for it is (This is) the power of God unto salvation.. (and?- the rest of the story?)- to the Jew first! and (?) also to the Greek. (Romans 1.16)
“Whosoever will..?” – Is this “invitation,” to the Jew (Israel) only? – or are the Gentiles (the nations) invited to the party also?
Yes, I agree with this.. ~ Choose you this day.. “WHO” *you will serve.. but as for me and my house..- we will serve the LORD!! ~ Who is the LORD that I should obey Him? ~ The half has not been told..
~ His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns ~ (Revelation 19:12)
Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.
Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.
Crown Him the LORD of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.
Crown Him the LORD of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown Him the LORD of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the LORD of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous Name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.
Crown Him the LORD of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God – Redeemer – King.
Crown Him the LORD of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.
That sums it up very well. Thanks Skip
Skip, I love this word today. Thank you so much!!!!!
Skip, thank you for clarifying the chaos element. I currently make a living by, essentially, restoring order in the chaos of people’s lives, both physically, for themselves and their surroundings, as well as trying to help them mentally and spiritually, when they let me. It is always astounding to me how far off we can get into the sea of chaos when we are reactors to consequences, rather than subscribers to Higher Purpose. I like the Hebrew understanding of being in a rowboat ON TOP OF THE SEA OF CHAOS ( in my mind, anyway) purposefully working -rowing- in a direction set by the trust we can put in what has been revealed to us in the past. This has been being so cool to me!
Michael C, I am going to copy your response as my new boiler plate statement to folks in that “oh-well-why-try” camp. Too good!
The years I found myself as a responder to chaos, I felt I was far from God. I felt the chaos separated me from Him. That is a result of chaos: a profound sense of isolation and frustration of any purpose. What I gained out of that experience of chaos was an understanding of how much I NEED connection with my God, as well as how terrible purposelessness is; survival mode is no way to live upon this earth.
When I set out to repent of all mindsets and reactions to life that were causing distance and fracture from myself and God as SIN, and resolve not to employ them any more, the chaos receded. I submitted to His Hand and Purpose, and decided meek (the yatzer ha-tov) was not spelled ‘weak’. Neither was the yatzer ha-ra, which I was spending right and left to survive, spelled ‘strength’. If ultimate purpose in life determines a strength response to life, then the focus on fighting chaos was, in fact, what was making me weak and sick. No more victim mentality, with its underlying self pity. No more panic attacks. No more white-knuckle righteousness, either. I decided that in all the places that I was employing the yatzer ha-ra (my own way), I was going to trade it in for His will (yatzer ha-tov).
Purpose vs. Chaos. THIS, Shakespeare, is the REAL question!
In the beginning there was only water, a chaos of churning, bubbling water, this the Egyptians called Nu or Nun (Egyptian)
Now Earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep, and God’s spirit hovered over the water (Hebrew)
Hmmm I think there is amniotic fluid in both places 🙂
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Wow! Thank you all.
Control (self) vs. chaos…. From Egypt to Canaan to North America, we can get out of the gutter, out of the fire, and Get Smart. To obey is better than sacrifice. To trust is reckoned as faith. If I would have known Moses, I would have understood the Prophet like him. YHVH didn’t take a people who had been slaves for 400 years, experienced cruel treatment and/or witnessed horrific plagues, and then lead them into a desert where they had no food or water just to give them a “Law” they couldn’t keep
thanks Skip
Well said Skip! thanks!