Divine plan for inter-relationships

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102823.cfm
Ephesians 2:19-22
Luke 6:12-16

The first eleven chapters of the book of Genesis are accepted by Scripture Scholars as prehistoric. From that point the Scriptures begin the tribal narratives which start with the story of the patriarchs, Abraham being the first. Last week we heard that “It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham . . . but through the righteousness that comes from faith.” Among the first of those promises was that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, would soon become a family. Their son Isaac was born the next year. Isaac too was blessed with a family in his later years, and this time his wife bore twin sons. Apparently God decided that neither the one son of Abraham nor the twin sons of Isaac were sufficient. Accordingly, Isaac and Rebekah’s son, Jacob, was blessed with twelve sons of his own. From those twelve the twelve tribes of Israel are derived.

The early descendants of those twelve spent years, even centuries in Egypt. But there came a time when “There arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” (Exodus 1:8 ) It was then that these descendants of Abraham,Isaac and Jacob became slaves to the Egyptians. But the Lord heard the cry of his people and sent someone to set them free. Ultimately, following nine severe plagues upon the land, a tenth was foretold. The deaths of all Egyptian firstborn was what followed; but the descendants of Jacob were saved and soon led to freedom by Moses.

When the progeny of those twelve sons finally entered the land that had been so long ago promised to Abraham, each of the twelve tribes settled in a portion. Moses, who led them out of Egypt, had died. Joshua, who led them into their new land, would soon die. There was a priesthood, but no government. There was no judicial system but the Law received at Sinai. What followed at this juncture gives us some insight into understanding God’s plan.

The twelve tribes of Israel had a familial bond but no other. That familial bond was supposed to be enough. They were supposed to live, provide for, support and protect one another as the family members that they, in fact, were. Scripture scholars have borrowed a term from the Greeks in their attempt to explain what this inter-tribal relationship was supposed to look like. The term was amphictyony. It meant any of the Greek leagues of states united for mutual protection and the worship of a common deity.

The twelve tribes were unable or unwilling to consistently unite in this manner as the texts from Joshua and Judges makes clear. Eventually, God conceded to their desire for a king. Nevertheless the plan and the identity of the twelve tribes was remembered; and the plan took on a new expression in the letters of Paul. We heard it today as he extends this spiritual and familial unity to include the gentile Ephesians.

“You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

And this is but one of the multiple times Paul reiterates this same message. Most often he will use the image of being members of the body of Christ as he did in his first letter — the one to the Romans.

“For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5)

We have long understood that the calling of the twelve Apostles was a new iteration of the twelve tribes. But the divine plan for the inter-relationship would also find new life. Don’t get the impression that Paul was attempting to revive a long-dead concept. No! Rather, his teaching took expression from the prayer of Jesus as recorded by John.

"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)

And we, ourselves give voice to it at every Mass: “Joined together with all the angels and saints, with one voice we acclaim . . . .”

Salvation was never intended to be a me and God affair. From small family (Abraham-Sarah-Isaac) to medium size family (Isaac-Rebekah-Jacob and Esau) to the large family of Jacob with his twelve sons — and then from there to the growth into twelve separate tribes — salvation was to be a familial thing achieved through Sonship in union with the one divine Son.