In Like a Lion; Psalm 137; Proverbs 27

May the mumbling commence!

Welcome to March!  My study has come in like a lion.  Today is my second day at looking at Psalm one-hundred thirty-seven.  And, out of exile, oftentimes hatred and revenge bubble up.  This psalm is no different.  Read the last few verses of Psalm one-hundred thirty-seven:

Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom

The day of Jerusalem,

Who said, "Raze it, raze it,

To its very foundation!" 

O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,

Happy the one who repays you as you have served us! 

Happy the one who takes and dashes

Your little ones against the rock! (Verses 7-9)

Yes, a special hatred is reserved for those who kick us when we are down.  That is the cry that goes up against Edom, who did nothing to save Israel from the oppressor.  In fact, Edom used the downfall of Israel to celebrate and join in the destruction.

And hatred bubbles over to those who take us into exile – those of Babylon.  These people serve the cup of bitterness – from the oldest in our midst to the very youngest of our people.  It should come as no surprise that the bile and rancor of bitterness comes to the surface.

Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against a rock!  Those words haunt us.  They haunt me at least.  They haunt me just as much as all the jubilation that happened in the US when Osama bin Laden was killed.  They haunt me just as much as the conception of the people in our midst who target vulnerable children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

What do we do with these feelings of bitterness and rage?  What do we do with the bitterness and rancor that bubbles to the surface when we or our loved ones suffer from what we perceive to be an injustice?  Though we cry for what we think is justice, we actually pine for retribution – to get even somehow, as if that would solve or heal anything.

We need to recognize these feelings in our own souls, and we need to release them over to God.  Yes, allow that torrent of cruelty and anger flow to God.  The Lord can take it – even our jealousy.  And may the Lord grant us transformation so that all people will be healed – both the oppressor and the oppressed. 

Both of them suffer for the excesses of hatred and revenge and grasping desperately for power, prestige, and control.  These things – power and prestige and control – they belong only to God.  Let’s not claim them for ourselves!  Only God can stand wisely in the driver’s seat of power and prestige and control.  Read from Proverbs chapter twenty-seven:

Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,

But who is able to stand before jealousy?  (Verse 4)

Let us allow our pent up lion feelings flow to God and to the Lamb.  Then we will be more able to live as a lambs, a children of God.  Out like a lion… in like a lamb!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out