On the Hevel Level - A Blog About Nothing

The first two Psalms are reflections on the Garden of Eden.     At the center of the Garden of Eden there were two trees representing humanity’s choice.     The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represents life on our own terms, while the Tree of Life is a picture of never-ending nourishment and sustained flourishing.     When we read Psalm 1 & 2 we are invited to listen to the echoes from The Garden of Eden.   Psalm 1 is about the blessed person who  meditates  ( yegeh 1 :2) on God’s way of life.  This person flourishes like a tree planted next to life giving waters.  They live without fear of drought because of the infinite water source that sustains them. This person is flourishing in an Edenic existence where the heart can freely delight in always increasing goodness.     Psalm 2 has a contrasting meditation. This psalm asks "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples meditate ( yegeh,  often ‘plot’ ) in vain” (2:1).  Here, the poet considers those who dream about th

I’ve been watching the footage from Afghanistan and I feel powerless.  Where will justice, liberation and rescue come from? The outcry is great and as tragic as that is, it’s also important.  Why?  Because scripture gives witness to God who responds to outcry.  The Lord told Moses that he certainly heard the outcry (tsa-aq) of Israel during their oppression in Egypt (Ex 2:23, 3:7, 3:9).  Pharaoh is given the chance to let Israel go, but his refusal ends in a reversal of fortune.  It would be the great outcry (tsa-aq) of Pharaoh and his officials that pierced the night and led to release of the captives (Ex 12:30) A variety of Psalms containing outcry are referred to as laments.  The typical form of a lament begins in complaint, details the suffering, but concludes in praise as it anticipates God’s deliverance (e.g. Psalm 13, 22, 77).  The exodus narrative is structure as a “lived lament”.  It opens in the cry of the oppressed and ends with liberation and praise songs on the far side of