Psalm 119:41-48: The section deals with speaking God’s word in a hostile environment. Our psalmist is asking God “rescue as befits Your utterance,” in order “that I may give answer to those who taunt me, / for I have trusted in Your word.” These verses seem apt in today’s environment where Christians are increasingly viewed by the “tolerant” world as misguided at best and intolerant bigots at worst.
The recent case of two ministers in Idaho being required to perform same-sex marriages at their wedding chapel business or face onerous fines is a case in point. Regardless of whether one agrees with the idea of a wedding “business,” their interpretation of what the Bible has to say about marriage, or whether this is an abrogation of their first amendment rights, they are certainly being forced to speak—and attempt to stand by— God’s word in an antagonistic environment.
This couple’s prayers must certainly include “And let me speak of Your precepts before kings without being shamed.” (46). Can they withstand the pressure of a supposedly tolerant government or society? Will they continue to be able to speak God’s word without being shamed?
Of course the more relevant question here is, could I speak of God’s precepts before kings?
2 Samuel 13:1-33: The author of this book makes sure we understand the implications of Nathan’s prediction after David took Bathsheba from Uriah: “I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house” (12:11) by following immediately with the disturbing story of Ammon’s rape of his sister, Tamar.
Tamar becomes obsessed with his (half) sister, Tamar, and his desire to have sex with her is enabled by his devious friend, Jonadab. A ruse that Ammon is ill brings his sister Tamar to Ammon; he invites her to feed him and despite Tamar’s protests that “such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do anything so vile!” (13:12) he rapes her and she flees in shame, her life ruined.
Ammon’s reaction to the incestuous rape is proof that human nature has not changed one whit in the thousands of years that have passed. Having raped her, he now detests Tamar, the living symbol of his evil act, and banishes her. Tamar’s brother Absalom hides Tamar, now “a desolate woman” in his house. David hears of the rape, but refuses to punish Ammon “ because he loved him, for he was his firstborn.” (13:21)
Absalom waits two years and finally has his revenge on Ammon by having him killed. Tragedy has surely visited David and his family. The consequences of David’s inaction in punishing Ammon are not only ruined lives of his children, but losing the son he loves most.
Did God carry out this punishment? No. David’s punishment arises strictly from consequences of evil acts and failure to act on those evil acts at the earliest possible moment. Ignoring evil and just hoping it will somehow “go away” is a fool’s errand. And David has been enormously foolish here. Yet, variations of this tragic story echo down through the centuries.
John 8:31-41: This section includes a phrase famously taken out of context: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (32). Jesus does not just say, “the truth will make you free” as the motto of many universities would have it.
There are three conditions that precede Jesus’ assertion about truth and freedom. One: We are to continue in “my word,” i.e., believe what Jesus is telling us; a tall order indeed. And “continue” is important here. Belief is not just a one-time event, but a lifelong process. Two: if we believe, then we are Jesus’ disciples, an obligation to follow Jesus, which is a challenging task indeed. Three: we will then know God’s truth, the Truth that is Jesus Christ. And it is that singular truth—not some abstract “truthiness”—that sets us free from the consequences of our sinful nature.
Jesus goes on to elaborate on how he is at the center of this intimate relationship of truth and freedom in his disquisition on slavery and freedom. There is only one way to freedom through truth and that is via Jesus, the Son of God the Father: “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (36) This is certainly a very different Truth than the “truth” that the world thinks it is seeking.
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