The language of biblical storytelling is wild. We tend not to speak so boldly.
The metaphor of Babylon is of course carried over into the New Testament where it serves as a surrogate for the empire of Rome that is viewed on occasion as the great enemy of God's rule, as "the great, mother of whores and of earth's abominations: (Revelation 17:5) The intense lyric of Revelation 18 celebrates the anticipated fall of Babylon:
Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!....
Alas, alas, the great city, Babylon, the great city!
For in one hour your judgment has come. (Revelation 18:2, 10; see 14:8)
Can we speak like this?! If we do. If we use this kind of language with these kind of images, more than likely we will be labeled as being "extreme" and even "alienating." And yet, we read these words of the great prophets and we want to cheer. Then again, there is something about saying such things and then having everyone disagree with the images. I remember a conversation in which there were some critical images thrown out onto the table about the United States and its actions around the globe. As the light was turned on - with language much softer than that which we hear in Revelation - several people quickly had to speak of the good our country does - as though they could not stand to hear about the dark side of our nations actions. Prophets seem to be able to put it out there and not matter what other views are being held. The truth is, the empire shows both sides - the whore and the healer. Unfortunately, too often, empires dabble more in the shady business that makes one look whorish. To be quite frank, we may need to replace the "mother of whores" with the "father of Wall Street." I think the critical image is the same. People are being bought and sold for the benefit and profit of a few.
Connection: Isn't the pimp the one who destroys both the culture and the prostitute? And yet, like most biblical storytelling, the images of women carry the brunt of our negative and abusive language.
Again, through stories you call us into new life today, O God. Be with us as we look out and see the devastation that takes place all around us. When the powers of empire rule without consideration for the welfare of all, encourage us to say no to that rule by saying "yes" to the rule of the Christ. Amen.
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