Reflection - Idols VII

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052221.cfm
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
John 21:20-25

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he makes the following statement: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. . . “ (II Timothy 3:16) Paul was, of course, speaking of the Old Testament; and this verse is one of only two where the divine inspiration which generated the Old Testament Scriptures is affirmed in the New. As we know, there is great variety in the various Sacred texts given us by God through the Chosen People. Consequently, not all Scriptural instruction comes in plain language. Nevertheless, during this past week I was confronted with an entire Psalm which appeared to be both simple and straightforward in its directives. When it came to my attention my immediate thought was that it should be called ‘The Psalm of the First Commandment.’ It’s moderately long so I’m only going to read the highlights.

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and be nourished in safety.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. (Psalm 37:3-5)

Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalm 37:7)

But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. (Psalm 37:11)

Better is a little that the righteous [man] has than the abundance of many wicked [men]. (Psalm 37:16)

The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will abide for ever; they are not put to shame in evil times, in the days of famine they have abundance. (Psalm 37:18-19)

The steps of a man are from the LORD, and he establishes him in whose way he delights; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD is the stay of his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. The LORD will not abandon him to his power, or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. (Psalm 37:32-33)

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:39-40)

What do you do with a text like this? How do you understand what the Spirit is telling us? You could just take it with a “grain of salt.” Possibly the author is engaging in hyperbole or just exaggerating. Possibly he’s using poetic license to romanticize the relation between God and man. Maybe it’s just a fabrication of someone’s overactive imagination or deeply desired wishful thinking.

If, however, you were to ask one of the more educated of the Chosen People from Old Testament times you might get a more unquestioning response than you would expect from modern man. These were a people with a deeply ingrained memory of their history. Their oppression by the Egyptians and the freedom made possible by divine manifestations were viewed more as yesterday’s events than ancient history. The parting of the waters, the Covenant at Sinai, the Tablets of the Law and their entrance into the Promised Land were more than articles of faith. These were things God did for them. They knew both his promises of protection, provision and presence. The Covenant was understood to be not with their ancestors but with those living that day — whatever that year or day it might be. Whether they were successful or not in engaging fully in the divine relationship, they understood better than modern men what the relationship entailed.

The “grain of salt” idiom referred to previously most commonly refers to a statement someone has made; and the idiom carries with it two conflicting notions: the first is that the statement should be accepted as true or accurate. The second is that the statement should not be taken too seriously, and certainly not literally. It is unlikely that the pre-Christian Jew took any part of Scripture with “a grain of salt.”

But what of ourselves? Is that what we are prone to do with Scriptures that we find uncomfortable? Are we — or rather, do we take them as true or accurate but then,with an abundance of caution, hedge our bets and avoid taking them seriously or literally?

The verses quoted earlier from Psalm 37 are teachings about God’s protection, provision and presence. These three blessings are contained in the First Commandment. Our God is God; there is no other. He will be present. He will supply the protection and provision we need. To turn to Him only as a last resort implies that we have placed some other god before him. We have sought what we need by way of protection or provision from some other source than our Father. If we truly are willing to let God be God then he will be our first and foremost protector and provider.