| Today we will begin to take a look at how Walter Brueggemann sees Israel as an intentional, distinctive community in the world dominated by Assyria - though much like the resistance to Egypt, a variety of voices will be heard. In response to the formidable and intimidating power of Assyria, Israelite and Judean kings were wont to give in and accept Assyrian definitions of reality. It is clear, nonetheless, that there was maintained in Judah an insistent alternative to Assyrian hegemony, and alternative endlessly reiterating the claim that Judah's future could be based only upon loyalty to Yahweh, the emancipating, commanding God, and consequently in resistance to Assyrian hegemony. Brueggemann will use three 'voices' from this period of history and we will look at those over the next few days. For now, it is enough to be reminded that we must have something onto which we can hold when the powers of the world attempt to overrun us. Just like an invading army that seems greater than anything we can imagine, we must be a people who have a story that keeps us open to what is available to us for life - even when we are being overrun with other ways to live. It is not easy to look at the condition of life around us and trust a future that is "based only upon loyalty to Yahweh." In some ways, you can bet that there are many disagreements about what that loyalty means. Just as there are many voices that try to tell us what it means to follow Jesus - and some of them act like nothing more than cheerleaders of the powers of the world - we must continue to listen to the voices of the prophets who were quite good at pointing the way of faithfulness. Prophetic voices are not usually well received by establishments of any kind - particularly religious ones. Connection: We must listen again and again. We must turn to those voices of the great prophets and listen again. We must know where to hear the voices of today's prophets and listen and discern what life we are to enter in order to not fall prey to the powers and empires of the day. Lord of all History, you continue to make us your people even when we are wandering through the many powers that attempt to capture our attention and our lives. Continue to inspire us with your Spirit of life. Amen. |
No comments:
Post a Comment