Early in April I was listening in to the conference of doctors from my wife’s hospital. And a verse from the book of Job came to my mind: “Surely humans are born for hardship just like sparks are for flying upon high.” (Job 5:7) It was a dark time in the hospital, Martina herself was running a mild fever while she lost the sense of smell and all our city felt like we were under siege.
But there was another reason for remembering this verse beside the overall mood. Doctors on the call were referring to COVID 19 as “a dangerous beast they must not underestimate”. The twenty first century doctors were clearly personifying the infection.
The very same is true about this biblical verse. In the Bible the illness is often personified, in this specific verse it is even deified (made into divinity). In the Hebrew original it actually speaks about “sons of god Resheph who are to fly high.” God Resheph was the personification of infectious diseases and his sons, sons of Resheph, were germs flying about like sparks from a fire able to spread and set up further fires. It makes so much sense!
Modern doctors and bronze age religious wisdom poetry meet. Our human minds and our languages are keen to personify our adversities. It helps us to process our fears, our helplessness, our anger, our grief but also to find resolve and keep our hope.
Join us this Sunday when we continue listening to stories about Jesus’ healings. This Sunday Jesus will deal with the personified fever and bring us hope and even new vision and resolve.
But there was another reason for remembering this verse beside the overall mood. Doctors on the call were referring to COVID 19 as “a dangerous beast they must not underestimate”. The twenty first century doctors were clearly personifying the infection.
The very same is true about this biblical verse. In the Bible the illness is often personified, in this specific verse it is even deified (made into divinity). In the Hebrew original it actually speaks about “sons of god Resheph who are to fly high.” God Resheph was the personification of infectious diseases and his sons, sons of Resheph, were germs flying about like sparks from a fire able to spread and set up further fires. It makes so much sense!
Modern doctors and bronze age religious wisdom poetry meet. Our human minds and our languages are keen to personify our adversities. It helps us to process our fears, our helplessness, our anger, our grief but also to find resolve and keep our hope.
Join us this Sunday when we continue listening to stories about Jesus’ healings. This Sunday Jesus will deal with the personified fever and bring us hope and even new vision and resolve.
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And a caveat: I hope it is clear that I did NOT imply in any way that our current pandemic is God’s judgement or any form of punishment. God Resheph cannot and must not be confused or identified with God of our faith who is God of resurrection and life.
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And an observation - When I mentioned those sons of Resheph, who were flying about like sparks from a fire high and wide and able to spread and set up further fires. Have you noticed? The Bronze Age poets in their mytho-poetic way had a better grasp, better understanding of infectious diseases than our president and his government. More and more I am convinced it is not a matter whether you think scientifically or mythically, the main thing is whether you are thinking at all!
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And an observation - When I mentioned those sons of Resheph, who were flying about like sparks from a fire high and wide and able to spread and set up further fires. Have you noticed? The Bronze Age poets in their mytho-poetic way had a better grasp, better understanding of infectious diseases than our president and his government. More and more I am convinced it is not a matter whether you think scientifically or mythically, the main thing is whether you are thinking at all!
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