Threads from Henry's Web

Author: henry

  • What Did They Cry?

    In Judges 4:1-7, when the Israelites cried out, what did they have to say?  With Psalm 123 included along with Judges 4:1-7 in Proper 28 / Ordinary 33 / Pentecost +27, I think we have an interesting possibility for preaching on prayer in trouble.

    My basic starting point would be to suggest to the congregation that they imagine themselves in deep trouble.  How should you pray?  Would it be Psalm 123 with a simple statement that you’ve had it and God needs to show you some mercy?  Would it be more complicated.  One could try a number of different prayers, and ask the congregation which is the “best” one.

    • The arrogant prayer–I’m one of the good guys, Lord, so why haven’t you helped me?
    • The self-deprecating prayer–I don’t deserve anything, of course, I’m completely worthless, but could you help anyhow?
    • The desperate prayer–I’m at the end of my wits.  If you don’t help me, I’m done for!
    • The bargaining prayer–if you help me now, I’ll be faithful forever.  (This would be a good time to look elsewhere in Judges for the behavior of the Israelites.
    • The thankful prayer–if you can think of things to thank the Lord for.  (Note that just because God is doing lots of good things doesn’t mean that we will notice them!

    The Israelites have brought all of this on themselves, according to the text, and it is God who sent the oppressor.  Does that change the way one should pray?  There are those who always rebuke Satan in times of trouble, but is it necessarily Satan who is acting?

    Finally, does the prayer one offers change God’s response to the situation?

  • Judges 4:1-7

    1After Ehud died, the Israelites again did what was evil in YHWH’s eyes. 2So YHWH sold them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations.

    3Then the Israelites cried out to YHWH, because Jabin had 900 iron chariots and he had oppressed the Israelites harshly for 20 years. 4Now Deborah was a woman, a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth. She judged Israel at that time. 5She lived under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mount of Ephraim. The Israelites went up to her for her to judge.

    6She sent and called for Barak, son of Ahinoam from Qedesh-Naphtali, and she said to him, “Has not YHWH, God of Israel commanded that you go and set up on Mt Tabor and take with you 10 thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulon? 7And I will bring Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, and his chariots, and his host, out to you to the brook Qishon, and I will give him into your hand.  — Judges 4:1-7

    The translation of this passage is pretty straight-forward except for a bit in verses 6-7 where it’s hard (for me, at least) to convey the idea of God drawing Barak out to one place to prepare for battle and doing the same thing to Sisera.  They are both drawn out to a battle arranged by God.

    Another reasonable question is whether, at the time Deborah calls for him, God has already told Barak to go out, or whether this is the first news.  When Deborah says, “Has not the God of Israel told you . . .” she could be speaking of her own statement, or she might be referring to something Barak already knew–or should have known.

     

     

  • 3rd Sunday of Easter 2005

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  • A Correct Prayer Attitude

    Reading:  Psalm 123 (From proper A28)

    Is there a correct attitude for prayer?

    Many people have rigid standards for how to pray, the type of language, the attitude one must have toward God, things that one must ask for–or not.  Who must be addressed (Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit), and how much praise and thankfulness is needed as opposed to requests.

    In teaching about prayer, the vast majority of questions center around things one should or should not do.  It’s a great deal like learning how to approach a powerful figure, a king, or even just your boss.  What does he like to hear?  What does he hate hearing?  What is likely to open his ears to your request?

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  • Psalm 123 – Had Enough!

    Psalm 123, Proper 28A/Ordinary 33A/Pentecost +27
    November 16, 2008

    (Note that I always use Text Week for my  lectionary study)

    A song of ascents.

    1To you we lift up our eyes,
    You who live in heaven.
    2As the eyes of slaves turn to the hand of their master,
    As the eyes of a maid looks to the hand of her mistress,
    So our eyes look to our God until he shows us favor.
    3Show us favor, YHWH,
    For we have had more than enough contempt.
    4Our souls are satiated
    — on the mocking of those at ease.
    — on the contempt of the arrogant.

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  • 7th Sunday in Easter, 2004

    Acts 16:16-34

    Psalm 97

    Revelation. 22:12-21 (12-14, 16-17, 20-21)

    John 17:20-26

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  • 6th Sunday in Easter, 2004

    Acts 16:9-15

    Psalm 67

    Revelation 21:10,22-22:5

    John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

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  • 4th Sunday of Easter 2004

    Acts 9:36-43

    Psalm 23

    Revelation 7:9-17

    John 10:22-30

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  • 3rd Sunday of Easter 2004

    Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)

    Psalm 30

    Revelation 5:11-14

    John 21:1-20

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  • 2nd Sunday of Easter, 2004

    Acts 5:27-32

    Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150

    Revelation 1:4-8

    John 20:19-31

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