From Background Notes [BN] for July 25th
& 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:
Battle epics bring audiences to the
brink of death and always require reflection about the worthwhile nature of
dying in war when certain ultimate concerns are in the balance, such as a
nation’s survival or the safety of one’s family.
Reading the epic battles of the Bible
enmeshes the audience in a struggle for righteousness and the will of God for
the world. We frequently read about “the zeal of the Lord of hosts,” a phrase
that identifies the role of God as “warrior” (thus, “hosts”=armies), and God as
deeply in love with His chosen people, willing to take any measures to secure
their protection from the enemy. At times, the zeal of God turns against His
people, as in His allowing Assyrian and Babylonian armies to overrun the holy
land. That reality creates paradox which Israel must figure out with the help
of the prophets and their visions of divine purpose in judgment. Jesus is the
quintessential epic hero, passing into death and coming out the other side, the
victor, alive forevermore, having become the way for humankind to also beat
death. [BN,3]
Join us this week in Worship, Praise and Celebration at C1:
* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 9am & 10:30am
Join us this week in Worship, Praise and Celebration at C1:
* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 9am & 10:30am
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