The Mind of Brian

I had a few minutes (our Czar of Computer Technology at the church was doing some work on my computer), so I read through Baruch as I continue to journey in the Apocypha. This book, written under the name of Jeremiah’s scribe, is similar to prophetic literature such as Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, as well as hints of Job with its wisdom psalm. Something that I found interesting as I read through it was that much of it takes the form of a confession of sin of the nation. It is interesting how this piece of extra biblical literature shows the people being willing to confess their sins to God, something that we are all too afraid of doing. I would much rather hide than confess my sin; I don’t want to confront it myself and I certainly do not want to dwell on my sin in writing or even thinking. The Israelites seemed to recognize their sin and the effects of their sin. While the effects of sin are different in some ways in the new covenant, it is still sin. Am I willing to confess that I am a sinner? Am I willing to help lead others in that path as well, helping them to recognize and confess their sin each day? We must deal with our sins if we are truly going to deal with ourselves.

I decided to take some moments and read through the additions to Esther that are found in the Apocryha. Basically, there are six passages that are added in various parts of the book. The most significant of them seems to be addition C, which is the prayer of Mordecai and Esther. The other additions, in many ways, seem to give more explanation to the work, as the decrees are spelled out and there are opening and closing accounts and explanations. On the whole, what the additions seem to add to the text are dimensions that are suprisingly absent. Some of them fill in some details that we might wonder (What exactly did the decrees say? Why was Mordecai so significant and why did Haman hate him so much?) but in other ways, what it does is make the story more “spiritual.” That is, the additions include prayers and other features of Jewish religion that are absent in the rest of the book. They mention God (which the rest of the book does not). What should we make of these? Well, for one thing, it might be the reminder that we like to import specific practices to make things more “spiritual.” That is, we find spirituality in our actions as opposed to the work of God. We might be uncomfortable without these, or judge others. There might also be an attempt to make Esther look a little bit better; there are some questions about her character in the canonical version that seem answered more positively here in the additions. Perhaps we are uncomfortable with “broken” heroes, or with God uses non-spiritual people for his purposes. Regardless, it is interesting what these additions do. A question that remains unanswered is what to do with these additions, should we use them to help us see some of the early interpretation of the story by Jews? Maybe, maybe not…I will think on it more.

One of my goals for the new year is to spend more time in study on my own and, in particular, in non-canonical literature of the ancient world. A good place to start would be to finish reading through the Apocrypha, as I was able to read bits and pieces in my Intertestamental class this past Fall. Since I had already read Tobit, I thought I would start with Judith. It is an interesting story. The first thing I noticed is that the historical markers of the book make no sense, as it seems to confuse rulers and nations before the exile with after the exile (not to mention markers of later Jewish spirituality). Therefore, it seems best not to see it as designed to be a historical story; it is more of a legend or fable (though I am willing to discuss this with people, particularly Catholics who have a higher view of this). These markers seem to make the markers of the Gospel of Luke and Acts all the more important; if soemething is not designed to be historical, then it does not even try to have accuracy with titles.

The story sees Nebuchadnezzar (reigning over the Assyrians in Nineveh, see what I mean) going to war and his general Holofernes going to Judea to conquer Israel. Even though he is warned not to, he does, receiving advice from the Edomites and the Moabites that he should cut off their water supply. He does and Uzziah the leader is going to surrender the nation. However, a widow named Judith, beautiful and pious, has a plan to save the people. Essentially, she is going use her charm to deceive the other nation and defeat them. She leaves the city, goes to the enemies, ends up in Holofernes’ banquet and then bed, and then beheads him, bringing his head back to Israel, which leads to their defeat of the Assyrians and a hymn of praise (chapter 16). It has some good story, especially if you do not totally see where it is going.

What I find interesting are a couple of the prayers of Judith and her plan. “Make my deceitful words bring wound and bruise on those who have planned cruel things against your covenant , and against your sacred house…” (Judith 9:13). “Give me strength today, O Lord God of Israel!” Then she struck his neck twice with all her might, and cut off his head (Judith 13:7-8). She prays for power to lie and power to kill. Interesting ethical issues. In addition, Judith seems to use her “womanly” charm to lure a man to bed, then to kill him. Obviously, I question these ethics a bit (I wonder how I would view these if I believed this book was the Word of God?). It seems a little too, “end justifies the means” and could lead to some bigger issues. In some ways, this is what many Christians have done through the years as excuses to sin, as we want to sin as opposed to uphold the glory of God. While God is glorified in this account, I am not sure if he is glorifed because of or in spite of Judith’s actions.

The message of the book seems to be the need to both maintain piety and purity, but also praising someone who does not just sit back but is active in their faith. Good reminders…while not Scripture, it gives us windows into the ancient world as well as potentially some encouragement.