Not Been On In A While

So I've been thinking. Writing every tablet from the Epic of Gilgamesh out for you guys to read...really isn't nessesary. If you haven't read the book I might just do this one by myself...however...there will be many other books I go through on this book and if you have read I would LOVE love LOVE for you to participate. To find out if you have read the books I will put up a poll for every book we go over a month ahead of time. Look to the side bar for this months poll.

Anyway, we can still go over all the cultural analysis and bible "Look Up's" that are listed in each chapter whether you've gone through the book or not...Here is the cultural analysis for this week:

1. What does a Christian hero look like? What biblical figures most model for us biblical heroism?

2. Think of at least three heroic figures from books that you have recently read or movies you have recently seen. Is the heroism of these men a Christian heroism or a pagan heroism?

3. Are there any attributes in pagan heroes that Christians can admire? Is there anything dangerous in admiring pagan heroes?

Application:

It is important that we don't use two different standards of morality when we move from doing our homework to and going out to a movie with friends. Understanding what we are being taught in a story and maintaining a christian understanding of how to interpret the story is essential. The Babylonians were being taught about how to think about the world when they were being entertained with the story of Gilgamesh. What are you being taught by your entertainment? Do you believe it? Are you thinking like a Christian when you read books, watch movies, listen to music etc.?

I Know You're Not Two...but....

I figured this might help with all those people who don't wish to read the entire story...It won't help you answer the questions, but it will help with understanding the story a bit better. Enjoy :]

Session II: Discussion/ Cultural Analysis

A question to consider:

What does it mean to be a friend?

Considering the fact that most of you probably didn't read the first 5 tablets from The Epic of Gilgamesh that I posted, I'm hoping that the questions that will be posted these next few weeks, will spur you on to do so. 

Text Analysis:

1. What do we learn about friendship from the Epic of Gilgamesh? What was Gilgamesh like in the beginning of the story?

2. What was Enkidu like when we first met him?

3. What changes Enkidu?

4. What changes Gilgamesh? 

Cultural Analysis:

1. What does our culture believe about friendship? Where do we see friendship in our culture today?

2. How have perversions like homosexuality destroyed friendship in our culture? 

Tablets 1-5

Tablet 5:

Column 1

Gilgamesh and Enkidu froze and stared into the woods'
great depth and height. When they spied
Humbaba's path, they found the opening toward
straight passage. Then they were able to find and see
the home of the gods, the paradise of Ishtar's other self,
called Imini-most-attra'ctive.
All beauty true is ever there
where gods do dwell, where there is
cool shade and harmony and
10. sweet-odored food to match their mood.
Column 2

Missing.
Column 3

Then Gilgamesh envisioned yet again
another dream
high up in the hills where boulders crashed.
Again Enkidu said to his brother,
as he unraveled this dreary story for his king:
"Brother, your song is a fine omen.
This dream will make you well.
Brother, that vision you saw is rich
20. for on that mountain top
we can capture Humbaba and
hurl his earthly form from
towering cliffs through sky to
earth, making his shape
as flat and wide as it is round and high."
"Mountain, mountain in the sky,
Break the god and make him die."
Column 4

Mountain-on-high then sent the myth into Enkidu's sleep,
and a chill from the high winds forced him to rest,
30. since he was blown around as grain is on open field.
Curled up in a ball, Gilgamesh rested
in blessed sleep, the best of friends at the worst of times.
But by the moon's half way course, he rose
and then began to speak:
"Brother, if you made no noise, what sound woke me?
If you didn't jostle me, what shook my body?
There was no god nearby, so why am I so stunned?
Brother, I've had a third vision in sleep
and I am deeply frightened to recall it all.
40. Sky screamed. And Mother Earth moaned.
Sun went out of light and blackest night
enveloped the heavens.
Then came flashes of lightning, source of fire.
Storm clouds raced nearby and swept all life away
from out of the sky above our heads.
Brightness dissolved, light evaporated;
cinders turned to ash.
When we leave the mountain, this is what we will remember."
When Enkidu learned this myth as told,
50. he replied to Gilgamesh:
"Shamash, your god, creates a great attraction
for both of us. Shamash now approves
of this attack upon Humbaba. Take the sign
as some divine dream to urge us on."
Shamash himself said such words to Gilgamesh
as if in prayer:
"Do not balk now, favored one.
Brace yourself for battle and proceed."
Heavenly winds blasted down from out of the sky
60. about and all around Humbaba. From east and
west, with sand and grain, they blew him
back and forth. His giant self became
fatigued. His awesome strength dwindled.
Not even his great right foot could step away in flight.
So in this way, by Shamash's intervention,
Humbaba-the-awful beast was brought so low.
Column 5

Missing.
Column 6

The dying beast called out for mercy once
and part of what he said could still be heard over the howling winds:
"Please, Gilgamesh! Have mercy on me, wounded.
70. I shall freely give you all the lumber of my mighty realm
and work for you both day and night."
It was Enkidu then who shouted louder
than the beast and with his words he
urged a swift conclusion:
"Kill the beast now, Gilgamesh. Show
no weak or silly mercy toward so sly a foe."
Taking his companion’s mean advice, Gilgamesh
seiftly cut the beast, splattering blood upon
his cloak and sandals then. Soiled by this
80. violent conflict, the friends began their
journey back to Uruk’s towering walls
expecting now to be received as heroes who
had fought and won a legendary battle.

Tablets 1-5

Tablet 4:

Column 1 and 2

Ten miles into the march, they stopped to cat,
After thirty miles, they rested,
then finished another twenty miles that day.
Within three days they covered
what would take others a month and a half to travel.
They dug for water where
there appeared to be none
in the dry desert on their way
to challenge Humbaba.
Column 3 and 4

10. Onward ventured Gilgamesh and Enkidu
And they both knew where danger lurked
at their first destination.
As up they climbed upon the final hill,
they saw a guard put out by Humbaba
as fierce as any watchdog.
Gilgamesh pursued first.
Column 5

Gilgamesh heard shouts from
Enkidu who said to his companion:
"Remember promises we made
20. in the city where we live. Recall
the courage and the force
we vowed to bring upon this mission."
These words dispelled the fear felt
in his heart and Gilgamesh in
return then shouted back:
"Quick. Grab the guard
and don't let go.
Race fearlessly and don't let go.
Our enemy, Humbaba, has set out seven uniforms
30. but has only dressed in one
so far. So six layers of strength
are yet unused by him."
As one mad brute he is enraged,
bellowing loudly while the foresters warn each other
what he's like.
Column 6

Wounded in combat with the guard they killed,
Enkidu uses words to say:
"I lost my strength in this crushed hand when the gate
slammed shut.
What shall I do?"
40. Then Gilgamesh spoke: "Brother,
as a man in tears would, you transcend all the rest who've gathered,
for you can cry and kill
with equal force.
Hold my hand in yours,
and we will not fear what hands like ours can do
Scream in unison, we will ascend
to death or love, to say in song what we shall do.
Our cry will shoot afar so
50. this new weakness, awful doubt,
will pass through you.
Stay, brother, let us ascend as one."

Tablets 1-5

Tablet 3:


Column 1

Then Enkidu and Gilgamesh joined in
sacred friendship and sealed their solemn
bond with noble kiss.
Column 2

Enkidu and Gilgamesh often sat then together,
visited Ninsun's shrine, conversed
of many plans and fashioned a future together.
Once, informed by fears of
future sorrow, Enkidu began
to weep and warn his friend of
10. coming horror. He said:
"If we go there beyond here to where
Humbaba-the-awful lives,
there will be a gruesome war
in a place no one calls home,
where no one wants to stay for long
or go to rest or rest to gain
the strength to reach the forests."
The Great One rose within
and robed herself appropriately
20. covering herself,
ringing her curls beneath her crown
to ascend the altar, where she stood
lighting the first signals of charcoal for the incense
and preparing sacred cups that hold the
precious liquids which will be spilled.
Then Ninsun asked Shamash:
"Why?
Why have you called my only son away
and shaped his mind in so disturbed a way?
30. For now, he says, you invite him to begin a
pilgrimage that ends where Humbaba
directs a never ending battle,
along a foreign, lonely road
far within the forests dark and damp
where a man like him might just kill
a god like Humbaba or be killed
to dissolve the pain that you, Shamash, oppose."
Column 3

Humbaba stirs within the darkened wood
and in the hearts of men there rises fear.
40. When Enkidu spoke at last to Gilgamesh
he said these words of warning:
"I knew this monster's reputation long ago.
Fire and death mix in his breath,
and I for one do not wish now
to challenge such a demon."
But Gilgamesh retorted: "All glory
will be ours if now we conquer
this unprecedented foe and risk the
woe that frightens others."
50. And Enkidu said then in swift reply:
"How shall we go towards woods
so fiercely guarded?"
Column 4

Enlil it was who sent Humbaba there
to scare away intruders with fierce
and frightening howls. Great Gilgamesh
remembered that when he spoke words like these
to Enkidu: "Only gods live forever
with Shamash, my friend; for even our
longest days are numbered. Why worry over
60. being like dust in the wind? Leap up for
this great threat. Fear not. Even if I were
to fail and fall in combat,
all future clans would say I did the job."
Special weapons then were ordered to be made
for their assault upon Humbaba.
Axes, swords, and combat saddles were prepared
and all of Uruk's population flocked round
their great departure.
Column 5

The awful monster's reputation
70. made Uruk's gentle people fear
for their great king. And after
all the plans were made to start
out to fight Humbaba, a group
came forward to see the king.
The elders spoke to Gilgamesh:
"Fear the force that you control, hot-headed boy;
Be sure you watch where you direct
your every, heavy swing in battle.
Vanguards protect.
80. Friends save friends.
Let Enkidu lead on the way
through forests that he knows.
He knows how to fight in woodlands;
he knows where to pick his fight.
Enkidu will shield his bosom too
as well as that of his companion
so as to protect them both.
He'll traverse any ditch of any width.
Enkidu will guard our king.
90. Be sure to bring him safely back."
Gilgamesh said to Enkidu:
"Arise, my other self, and speed your way to Egalmah
to where my mother sits, kind Ninsun.
She understands all I need to know.
She'll tell us where we should go and what to do."
Again the men embraced as teammates do.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to Egalmah.
Column 6

Upset by all his thoughts of coming battles
and concerned by his consultations with the gods,
100. Gilgamesh then sadly set his palace rooms in order.
His weapons were prepared, his helmet shined
and garments freshly cleaned.
Citizens of Uruk came to say good-bye and
wish their daring king farewell.
"Go careful through this risky, bold adventure,
mighty lord. Be sure of your own safety first of all."
So spoke the elders of his town and then continued:
"Let Enkidu take risks for you and have him
lead the way through woods he knows so well.
110. Pray that Shamash show him, as your guide,
the nearest path and choicest route to
where you dare to go.
May great Lugalbanda favor you in combat with Humbaba."
Then Enkidu himself spoke finally to his king:
"The time is right for us to now depart.
Follow me, sir, along the savage way
to where a worthy opponent,
the awful beast Humbaba,
waits for your challenge in the
120. dark woodlands that he guards.
Do not fear this. Rely on me
in every matter for your most and let me act
as careful guide for you most daring venture."

Tablets 1-5

Tablet 2:

Column 1

Then Gilgamesh explained his dream to Ninsun:
"Last night a vision filled my head
with sights of stars and one sent down from heaven.
At first I tried and failed to carry forth
these signs with me. Then all citizens
of Uruk here assisted in my efforts.
So I was able then to bring these omens near to you."
And she said in reply:
"Wisely done, fair son, and rightly so
10. for one well reared as you were.
All others too will soon acclaim
this god-sent gift to you."
Then Gilgamesh concluded:
"In another dream I saw an ax
and bent toward it with manly interest;
so fair was its appearance
that it seemed wholesome, young and
ready as a woman."
Column 2

Soon the day came when the fine lover of Enkidu said:
20. "Now come with me to enter into Uruk
where we shall meet the mighty king,
enormous Gilgamesh.
Now you are as if a god, my boy,
with no more need of dumb beasts, however fair.
We can ascend the road to Uruk's palace,
the immaculate domicile, where Anu and Ishtar dwell
and there we will see Gilgamesh, the powerful,
who rides over the herd like any great king.
You will see in him a power rare
30. and fairly learn to love him like yourself."
They journeyed from the forest far and wide
to venture on toward Uruk.
The girl led forth the naked boy
as gently as a mother would,
tearing her garment right in two
to hide their native beauty
and clothed his splendid body then
with her own cloak as they approached.
Column 3

Along the way he learned new human ways
40. tracking down the gentle sheep
and using weapons for the first time
to fight away the savage beasts
that do attack the herds and
farms of men.
Column 4

Along the way he also learned to eat and drink
as men and women do. The girl did
teach all these things too for Enkidu's first lessons.
And with a man upon the road they spoke
to learn of customs new. to one from
50. far off woods. So Enkidu came then
to know of GilgamesH who harshly
ruled and was not loved by those men whose girls
he often played with all night long.
And before they entered through the
gates of Uruk's mighty, walls, Enkidu
was hailed as one who might
be sent to rival any king who
might treat gentle folk unfairly.
Column 5

In the alleys of Uruk
60. during a display of force
the approach of Enkidu stopped everything.
Uruk rose before him.
The mountain beyond stretched skyward.
All creatures worshiped him.
Youths rallied round.
People adored him as they adore a newborn babe.
For so it is when one comes from nowhere
to do what no one thought could be done.
For Ishara then a wedding bed is set this night
70. because a guest has come who is as strong as any king.
And Enkidu stood before the gate where new lovers go
and stopped Gilgamesh from coming with nighttime girls.
It is there where they first fight
throughout the night and round abut Uruk’s walls
which they chipped and wrecked in places.
Column 6

So the mighty brothers fought at first
pushing and shoving each other
for hours and hours enraged.
Then a calm force gently soothed
80. then well-matched spirits
to bring a peace and rest their strife.
It was Enkidu who sued for rest saying:
"Gilgamesh, enough! I am here to
match some fate with you, not
to destroy or rival any king.

Tablets 1-5

For this chapter you have to of read the book to understand the questions...the tablets are long so this week we can go through tablets 1-5 and I'll post questions on Saturday.

I could not find my exact copy on the internet, my copy is a really good one. I like the words it uses, but I found this one on an online encyclopedia.

Tablet 1:

Column 1

Fame haunts the man who visits Hell,
who lives to tell my entire tale identically.
So like a sage, a trickster or saint,
GILGAMESH
was a hero who knew secrets
and saw forbidden places,
who could even speak of the time before the
Flood because he lived long, learned much,
and spoke his life to those who first
cut into clay his bird-like words.
10. He commanded walls for Uruk and for Eanna,
our holy ground,
walls that you can see still; walls where weep
the weary windows of dead soldiers.
Go to them and touch their immovable presence
with gentle fingers to find yourself.
No one else ever built such walls.
Climb Uruk's Tower and walk abut on a
windy night. Look. Touch. Taste. Sense.
What force created such mass?
20. Open up the special box that's hidden in the wall
and read aloud the story of Gilgamesh's life.
Learn what sorrow taught him; learn of the those
he overcome by wit or force or fear as he,
a town's best child, acted nobly in the way
one should to lead and acted wisely too
as one who sought no fame.
Child of Lugal banda's wife and some great force,
Gilgamesh is a fate alive, the
finest babe of Ninsun, she who never
30. let a man touch her, indeed
so sure and heavenly, so without sin.
He knew the secret paths that reached the eagle's
nest above the mountain and and knew too how
just to drop a well into the chilly earth.
He sailed the sea to where Shamash comes,
explored the world, sought life, and came at last
to Utnapishtim far away who did bring
back to life the flooded earth.
Is there anywhere a greater king
40. how can say, as Gilgamesh may
"I am supreme"?
Column 2

The bigger part of him was made in heaven
and the smaller part somewhere on earth.
She-who-must-be-obeyed fashioned his body's self.
She endowed him.
Gilgamesh watches the flocks of Uruk himself
as if he were a loose bull, nose up in open field.
No one else could come close to fighting like that.
His clan is roused by howling dreams
50. And with them all he goes howling through sanctuaries.
But would he ever let his child come
To see him ravish others?
"Is this shepherd of Uruk's flocks,
our strength, our light, our reason,
who hoards the girls of other men
for his own purpose?"
When Anu in the sky heard this,
70. he said to Aruru, great goddess of creation that she is:
"You created humans; create again in the
image of Gilgamesh and let this imitation be
as quick in heart and as strong in arm
so that these counterforces might first engage,
then disengage, and finally let Uruk's children
live in peace."
Hearing that, Aruru thought of Anu. Then she
wet her creative fingers, fashioned a rock, and tossed it
as far as she could into the woods.
80. Thus she fathered Enkidu, a forster, and gave birth
in terror and in fright without a single cry of pain,
bringing forth another likeness of Ninurta, god of war.
Hair covered his body and his curls resembled
those of any good girl, growing swiftly like the
fair hair of Nisaba-giver-of-grain.
This Enkidu had neither clan nor race. He went
clothed as one who shepherds well, eating the food
of grass, drinking from the watery holes of herds
and racing swift as wind or silent water.
90. Then Enkidu met a hunter at the watery hole
on three consecutive days.
And each time the face of the hunter signaled
recognition of Enkidu.
Ror the herds were uninvited at
the hunter's oasis and the hunter was
disturbed by this intrusion. His quiet heart
rushed up in trouble. His eyes darkened.
Fear leaped forth onto a face that looks
as if it expects to doubt for a long, long time.
Column 3

100. Then with trembling lips the hunter told his father this complaint:
"Sir, one has come to my watery hole from afar and he
is the biggest and best throughout the land. He feels power.
His is a strength like that of Anu's swift star, and
tirelessly does he roam across the land.
He eats the food of beasts and, like the beasts,
he comes at will to drink from my watery hole.
In fear do I see him come to undo
what I have done by wrecking traps, by
bursting mounds, by letting animals slip through my
110. grasp, beasts that I would bind."
Then with hateful lips, the father told the hunter his reply:
"Boy, your answer lies in Uruk where
there stalks a man of endless strength named Gilgamesh.
He is the biggest and best throughout the land. He feels power.
His is a strength like that of Anu's swift star.
Start out toward Uruk's ancient palace
and tell your tale to Gilgamesh.
In turn he'll say to set a trap, take back with
you a fine lover, some sacred temple girl,
120. who might let him see what force and charm a girl can have.
Then as Enkidu comes again to the watery hole,
let her strip in nearby isolation to show him all her grace.
If he is drawn toward her, and leaves the herd to mate,
his beasts on high will leave him then behind."
The hunter heard his father well and went that very night
to Uruk where he said this to Gilgamesh:
"There is someone from afar whose
force is great throughout our land.
130. His is a strength throughout the land. He feels power.
His is a strength like that of Anu's swift star, and
tirelessly does he roam across the land.
He eats the food of beasts and, like the beasts,
he comes at will to drink from my watery hole.
In fear do I see him come to undo
what I have done by wrecking traps, by
bursting mounds, by letting animals slip through my
grasp, beasts that I would bind."
So Gilgamesh replied:
"Go set a trap; take back with
140. you a fine lover, Shamhat, the sacred temple girl,
who might let him see what charm and force a girl can have.
Then as Enkidu comes again to the watery hole,
let her strip in nearby isolation to show him all her grace.
If he is drawn toward her, and leaves the herd to mate,
his beasts on high will leave him then behind."
The hunter returned, bringing with him the sacred temple girl,
and swift was their journey.
Three days later, at the watery hole, they set their
trap for Enkidu and spoke no word for two
150. whole days waiting and waiting and waiting.
Then the herd came slowly in to drink.
Column 4

Beasts arose and sleepy limbs began to flutter then.
Enkidu, the boy who walked on mountains,
who eats the food of beasts and, like the beasts,
comes down at will to drink from the watery hole,
with the beasts arose and stretched
his tired limbs to start the day.
She beheld him then, as he was in his beginning,
the one who gave and took life from the far woods.
160. "Here is he, fine lover; be set to wet him with
your tongue and chest and loins.
Spread forth your happiness. Display your hidden charm.
jump him fast and kneel upon his shoulders.
Without his wind then, he'll enter near your entrance.
Take off your robe to let him in.
Let him see what force a girl can have.
The friends he has from on wild will exile him
if he presses his person, as he will, into your scented bush.
" Shamhat let her garments loose and spread forth
170. her happiness which Enkidu entered as gusts of wind
enter tunnels bound for Hell.
Hot and swollen first, she jumped him fast
knocking out his rapid breath with
thrust after loving thrust.
She let him see what force a girl can have,
and he stayed within her scented bush for
seven nights, leaping, seeping, weeping, and sleeping there.
After that week of pleasure,
Enkidu returned to the herds
180. but the beasts fled from him in haste.
They stampeded away from his new self.
He could no longer race as he had once,
legs soft now and ankles stiff. The beasts
left him behind and he grew sad
that he could no longer speed with them.
But he enjoyed the memory that no virgin has
and, returning to his fine lover, he once
more knelt between her legs
as she spoke these words to him:
190. "Now you are as if a god, my boy,
with no more need of dumb beasts, however fair.
We can now ascend the road to Uruk's palace,
the immaculate domicile, where Anu and Ishtar dwell,
and there we will see Gilgamesh, the powerful,
who rides over the herd like any great king."
These words he heard and he stared at her.
For the first time he wished for just one friend.
Then Enkidu asked the love who was so fine:
"Please come with me and be my love
200. at the immaculate domicile, where Anu and Ishtar dwell,
and there we will see Gilgamesh, the powerful,
who rides over the herd like any great king.
I wish to call on him; to proclaim all things
aloud and find a friend in him."
Column 5

Enkidu continued:
"Uruk will hear me say, 'I am the strongest.
I alone can do all I wish.'
Forester that I am, a mountainous power is mine.
210. We should march together, face-by-face,
so I can promote your fame."
Then fine lover said these words in invitation:
"Enter Uruk of the herds, Enkidu,
where costumes bright are worn,
where it is always time to party,
where merry music never fades,
where graceful girls do ever play
with toys and boys and men;
for in the night these revelers do
their best to rule the town.
220. There, with a smile, Enkidu
will see his other self, great Gilgamesh.
Watch him all, please. Note his
face, his fists, his fairest sword,
and all the strength that dwells in him.
Could he be greater than you,
this one who's up and down all day and night?
Fear your own anger, boy; for great Gilgamesh
adores fair Shamash and is adored in turn.
Anu of the blue sky, Enlil from the clouds
230. and clever Ea have empowered him.
And before he even sees you,
this great Gilgamesh will have first envisioned you
in Uruk as a rival in a dream."
Gilgamesh awakens to ask his mother, Ninsun,
to leave off the dream.
"Mother," says he, "I saw a star
within my head in sleep just now
that fell at me like Anu's dart
and I could not escape.
240. Uruk was on high of it,
our people did applaud,
and gathered Lip to praise his force.
Men clenched fists; women danced.
And I too embraced this rising star,
as a man does the woman he loves best,
then took the new one here to you
so that you could see us both at once."
Gilgamesh's mother, who is wise in all and worries not, replied:
"This bright, new star is your true friend
250. who fell at you like Anu's dart,
whom you could not escape."
Column 6

Then she who is wise in all and worries not continued:
"So say this friend is one who is almighty,
with strength renowned around the world,
like Anu's dart his force is real
so that he draws you in, as does a wife,
though he is sure to race away, like
that most distant star, with the secrets of your origin.
This dissolves your sleep."
260. Then again, Gilgamesh said to her in reply:
"Mother, I slept when some with axes then
attacked the herds of Uruk."
So Ninsun reassured the frightened king:
"Enkidu will help.
He will guard his loves
or rescue them from danger;
he is your most faithful friend.
Expect him to shepherd you
and to be sure that all goes well."
270. Gilgamesh said to his fond source:
"I pray for fortune and for fate
to send me such a one
that I may have a friend who's as kind
and patient as a brother."
Then in sleep full of repose
the temple girl enchanted Enkidu
where they lay smiling.

A Question to Consider: The Epic of Gilgamesh

Main question:

What does it mean to be a savior?

Other questions to consider:

1. When someone says that Jesus is his savior, what does he mean?

2. Can you list any stories that have saviors in them?

3. Could a story by a writer who is not a Christian have a savior? Why or why not?

4. If a story by a writer who is not a Christian tried to have a savior, in what ways would that savior fall short of Jesus Christ?

The Epic of Gilgamesh

We have no started Chapter Three, which is all about the Epic of Gilgamesh. I am providing the intro in this post so you can get a little bit of a point of view. 

Introduction:

Have you ever felt like you were living in a story? Like people were watching you but you could never catch them peaking behind the bushes? The security cameras are just too well hidden, and every body seems to know their lines so well. 

In a very real sense all of us are living in a story, God is telling a grand epic, and all of us have our role.All of the actors, save One, have one thing in common. All of mankind has fallen and is need of a savior. The bible is the story of that fall, of God's preparations of the coming of His Savoir, and finally, coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the grand hero of this epic. No one can escape God's story. Some of Adam's children come to understand and love this story. They believe in the story of Christ's work of faith and love and know it to be true description of what God has done and is doing in this word. Others, however, refuse to believe this. Because of this they are caught in an odd predicament. They live as characters in a story that they don't believe, and they can't make they story be untrue by not believing in it. So they must make up lies about the story in which they are characters. Still, they continue to lie about the word and pretend that the world works differently from what God declares in the bible. But deep in their hearts their consciences tells them otherwise.  They can't get out of the tale, and even when they try to get out, they are just playing their roles. As one of our  poets, famous rock band Jethro Tull, has said,"The monkey willing to strike up the tune". 

When Christians tell stories, they tell stories that picture to us the world that God created. C.S. Lewis does this very well in his Chronicles of Narnia. Even though Aslan is not Jesus Christ, he still teaches us about Jesus. He is a sort of Christ figure in that he shows us a small picture of what Christ has done for us. Lewis understood that mankind has fallen and that the salvation God offers us in the person of Jesus Christ is our only hope. And so the story that he tells gives us a small picture of man's fallen condition and of God's cure for this fallen condition. 

Pagans, who live outside of the covenant with the God of the bible, frequently have Christ figures as well, even though their overall stories are lies. They know that mankind has fallen, but in their unbelief they must invent their own ways to solve man's fallen condition. And so pagans have false christs in their stories, men who attempt to drag men out of their fallen condition without recognizing the saving work of Jesus Christ. History is full of these wicked men. 

Hitler thought that he could remake mankind and reverse the curse by changing the genetic makeup of the world. He thought he could save the world if only he could make everyone white.

 Acts 12:20-24 tells the story of Herod Agrippa who thought that his ability to supply people of Tyre and Sidon with bread qualified  him as a messiah. God struck him down for his presumption, and he was eaten from the inside out by worms. 

Literature is also full of these sorts of men. Tolkien's Saruman thought that his machines from Orthanc could remake the world and usher in a new age. Tolkien, a Christian, had him learn a similar lesson to that of Herod Agrippa. 

These are always false christs, and Gilgamesh is one of the pagan world's most famous false christs. 

- Itroduction to Chapter 3, Omnibus I (17-18)

Lets Play Law

Considering Exodus 20-23, what should be the verdict for each "case"?

Case 1:

Judy has a Doberman that usually stays in a fenced yard. One day, the Doberman got loose, and chased the mail man back to his truck. Along the way, the Doberman bites the mail mans leg. He brings his complaint to the judges, and asks them to make Judy pay for his stitches.

Case 2:

Larry borrows a lawnmower from Jerry. While Larry is mowing, the mower breaks down. Should Larry pay Jerry to fix the mower?

Art

Examine the piece of art work above. 

What is coming out of Moses' head? Why are they there?

Hint: Vulgate

Have fun. It took me forever to figure this out....and you're luck I included the word Vulgate. They don't even give you that in the text book. I had to find that out myself :] With the help of Jethro that is. 

Exodus: Lateral Thinking

Discuss the following questions:

1. Some Christians today believe that the Exodus story shows God is on the side of the poor and oppresses. Does the Exodus story teach us this? In what sense?

2. In the discussion above, we looked at some other Bible stories that were like the story in Exodus. Can you find other "exodus narratives" in the Bible? Look at 1 Samuel 21-2 Samuel 6 and Matthew 1-7.

Session IV: Recitaion

Comprehension Questions

1. What do the Hebrew midwives do to protect the Hebrew children? Are their actions good?

2. Why does Moses say he cannot lead the people from Egypt?

3. What name does the Lord give Himself? What does it mean?

4. What is the first plague? Why is it significant?

5. What do you think happens to Egypt's farming during the plagues?

6. Who eats the Passover meal?

7. What do the Hebrews call the bread that they find in the wilderness? What does the word mean?

8. How does Israel know that the Lord has come down on Mount Sinai?

9. What is the penalty for theft according to the law of Moses?

10. What are the rules for owning and releasing slaves?

11. How many festival days is Israel suppose to observe?

12. Describe the tabernacle and its furniture.

13. What does the clothing of the high priest look like?

14. Why does Israel want Aaron to make a golden calf?

15. What does Moses do when he sees Israel worshiping an idol?

16. What does the Lord say He is going to do because of the golden calf? How does Moses respond to that?

17. Who gave Bezalel and Oholiab? What do they do?

18. Who puts the tabernacle together?

19. What happens when the tabernacle is finished?


Go ahead and do this little study on your own. It''ll help with the next post discussion. They're pretty easy questions  Easy finds if you don't the answers. The reading assignment, as a hint, is Exodus 25-40. If in a class room, these questions would probably be answered together as a class. Have fun!


Comments are always welcome.

Jethro's Comment

Okay, obviously I haven't been on in a long time...life has certainly gotten in the way. And praise God it has. My father is home and we, as a whole family have been spending some much needed time together. Recently, Jethro, wrote a comment on free will...and it's a very interesting question that I think deserves much attention. His question was this:

"If God is sovereign and elects whom He pleases, what are the implications of that on our decision making process and ideas of free will?"

Tell me what you think.

Extra Credit: Exodus

There are optional activities in the Omnibus I Text book that, if I were the teacher, I would make extra credit.  So here it is:

Study the passage below from Martin Luther's treatise.  The Bondage of Will.  Then answer the questions that follow.

"For if we believe it to be true that God foreknew and fore ordains all things; that he cannot be deceived pr obstructed  in His foreknowledge and predestination; and that nothing happens but at His will (which reason itself is compelled to grant); then, on reason's own testimony, there can be no 'free-will' in man, angel, or in any creature. So, if we believe that Satan is the prince of this world, ever ensnaring and opposing the kingdom of Christ with all his strength, and that he does not let his prisoners go unless he is driven out by the power of the Divine Spirit, it is again apparent that there can be no 'free-will'."

1. What does Luther mean by foreknowledge?

2. How does foreknowledge differ from foreordaining or predestined?

3. Why does Luther reject the idea of free will?

4. How can people who are slaves of the devil be freed from him?

Application: Exodus Chapter

Wow. These next few questions are really deep. Here's the thing, I have a feeling that whoever comments is going to be really opinionated (why wouldn't you be??). By all means, please tell us all. But when responding in disagreement, please be respectful. This means no name calling (like loser, or jerk or whatever else you can think of like that). Not that anyone has done so yet, but I'd rather it stay that way.

Application:

1. Should we be frightened to think that God hardens hearts? Why or why not?

2. If God has mercy on whom He wills, and hardens whom He wills, why should we pray or do evangelism? Shouldn't we just wait for God to act?

Oh my. To be honest, I'd never think to ask people those things and if I did, I'd be scared to. The answers are almost offensive to some people. They shouldn't be. But let's see what you think. So. What do you think??

Biblical Analysis: Chapter 2

*sigh*.  It's Monday, which means that I'm back to bogging about Omnibus again.  I'm so excited!  This week I'll be posting one post a day.  But each day will be on a different subject asking you to look and process material from the bible and then apply it.  Now that I've gotten into a groove with this blog, I think I'll structure it a bit more.  See, each chapter from this curriculum is based on 1 of 2 things.  It's either based upon a book from the bible, or a piece of literature.  The first chapter was about Genesis, the second about Exodus and this up and coming chapter, chapter 3, is about The Epic of Gilgamesh. 

So as of this week, I plan on finishing up the second chapter, Exodus. Therefore, without further adieu:

Biblical Analysis:

What do the rest of the Scriptures say about free will? Does the Bible teach that we have freedom to do whatever we want?

Does God force people to sin? Is he the one who invented or created sin?

How does Paul apply the story of Pharaoh in Romans 9?

Shorter Catechism: Question 20

Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?

A. 20. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him, God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer. 

Sunday:

Romans 8:28-30

²⁸And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

³⁰And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

These verses talk about God predesting, or choosing ahead of time, some to be His children. It says that God predestined or chose those whom He foreknew. This does not mean that God looked ahead into the future, saw who would believe in His Son, and chose those people to be His children. That is not what "foreknew" means. It does not mean that He knew what His people would do ahead of time; it means that He knew His people ahead of time.  Long before any of His people were born, God knew them, the way you know a good friend. He could know His people before they were born because He was the One who would create them. Of course, God knew His people would believe in His Son. But He did not chose them because they would believe; they would believe because He had chosen them.

-Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism

This is the end of the my meme of Shorter Catechism. Next week I will be starting back up with Omnibus I, and I hope to hear from all of you. Again my reasoning behind posting this for this week is because I believe that there are somethings that just cannot be argued, especially when the facts are based solely on scripture. These verses and many others that have been listed on my blog are so straightforward, there is no opinion about it. You know how you hear people say, "Well, that's how I see it". With these verses, the language is so particular that there is no room for opinion. And yes, it's hard to think that your next door neighbor whom you love may not be going heaven. But the best part about all of this is that you and I have no clue who God will or will not reveal Himself to. Therefore, we are called to spread the word to all ends of the world so that those who are called can be called through us (not by us).  I don't really know about any of you, but that's pretty exciting to me. Thanks for sticking with me up to now. Feel free to comment on anything and question everything. I love questions and if I don't know the answer I will find it. 

Shoter Catechism: Question 20

Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?

A. 20. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him, God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer.

Friday:

If God only chose some to have everlasting life, why did he chose them instead of others?  Did He chose those who were smarter than other people, or those who behave better?  The Bible answers "no". There was nothing about anyone God chose that would make Him want to chose that person.  No one can be proud that God chose him.  God chooses someone just because He wants to chose him, not because there is something especially good about that person. 

The Bible tells us about two twin brothers, Jacob and Esau.  Although God was good to both of them, He chose Jacob to know God and to be one of the ones from whom the Messiah would come.  Before the twins were even born, God told their mother, Rebecca, that he had chosen Jacob to love in a special way.  Since niether baby had been born yet, neither one had done anything to make God want to choose him.  God chose Jacob simply because He wanted to choose Jacob.

Romans 9:10-17

10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,

11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—

12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!

15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

-Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism 

Shorter Catechism: Question 20

Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?

A. 20. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him, God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer. 

Thursday:

God the Holy Spirit also has an important part in the covenant made with God and His people.  Sin has blinded our minds so we cannot understand the gospel on our own.  The Holy Spirit gives spiritual understanding so God's people can understand the gospel when they hear it.  Left to themselves, people like their sin. They do not worry about God's anger towards it.  The Holy Spirit  changes the hearts of God's people so they hate their sin and turn to Christ to save them from it.  God the Son earned all the blessings of the covenant of grace for His people.  God the Holy Spirit takes those blessings and applies them to the specific people whom God  has chosen. 

Some of the blessings Jesus has earned for His people will not be given until Jesus comes again.  Until then. the Holy Spirit lives inside them. He is the promise that they finally will receive everything Jesus earned for them.  If you have believed in Jesus as you savior, how thankful should you be to the Holy Spirit for giving you understanding of the gospel and for changing your heart so you could believe in Christ!

 

Ephesians 1:13-14

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

- Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism