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Featured Article: (from Puzzling Passages)
Pursuing Righteousness
by Lois Tverberg
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied…. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:6,10-12)
What did Jesus mean by saying that those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness possess the Kingdom of Heaven? Knowing more about the biblical language will allow us to dig deeper.
The Greek word for “persecute” is dioko, which can also mean “pursue.” The parallel word in Hebrew is radaf, which also conveys both meanings — to pursue and to persecute. As a result, this passage could be just as easily rendered, “Blessed are those who are pursued because of righteousness.”
Interestingly, in Hebrew, if a person is “pursued” by something, it can be an idiom expressing eagerness, anxious expectation, or a passionate desire for something — like saying that we are “consumed” by a passion or goal. (1) So, this sentence could speak about being consumed by the desire for righteousness, as much as it expresses the idea of being persecuted by others because of righteousness.
If this alternative meaning is true, then this verse is a close parallel to Matthew 5:6, which speaks of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (tzedakah), and it would be a strong allusion to two passages from Jesus’ scriptures:
Justice, and only justice (also tzedakah), you shall pursue (radaf), that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:20)
Listen to me, you who pursue (radaf) righteousness (tzedakah) and who seek the LORD… (Isaiah 51:1)
Of course, the very next verse of the beatitudes (Matthew 5:11) is definitely about persecution – about insults and libel and ill-treatment by others. But yet “pursued for the sake of righteousness” is ambiguous, whether it speaks of the person’s passion, or of mistreatment by others.
Could it be that Jesus was actually combining the two ideas into one? Will those who are passionate about righteousness face persecution because of it? Certainly Jesus’ first followers faced no end to persecution for their great commitment to him, and in our own century, many Christians have experienced great persecution for his sake. All those suffering for the Lord’s name can take comfort knowing that their dedication and faithfulness does not go unnoticed. He says, “Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven!”
(1) R. Buth, Pursuing Righteousness, at www.jerusalemperspective.com.(Premium Content Membership needed for access)
Photo: Sathyan Velumani
NEW! We’re pleased to be able to share this excellent book:
Israel Matters:
Why Christians Must Think Differently about the People and the Land
by Gerald R. McDermott
© 2017, Brazos Press
Softcover, 176 pages, (List $22.00) $14.99
What is the relationship of the Church to the modern Jewish people and the state of Israel? Has God’s ancient Land covenant with Abraham been annulled?
In Israel Matters, Anglican scholar Gerald McDermott responds to Christian supercessionism in light of the biblical text and historic theology. This is the assumption that when the New Covenant came through Christ, God’s original covenant with the Jewish people was abandoned. This is a readable, lay-level introduction to the topic that is suitable to share with a pastor or a study group.
As a college religion professor, McDermott had taught supercessionism himself, but about two decades ago he was challenged to re-examine texts like Romans 11:29, where Paul declares that “God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable” even to unbelieving Jews. He realized that he had made many errors by ignoring the Jewish context of the New Testament and its theological implications.
Many Christians love the Jewish people and are concerned about global antisemitism, but worry about embracing a Zionism that cheers for Israel’s actions uncritically. McDermott takes a third path, a new Christian Zionism that is solidly rooted in historic theology and the biblical text.
The book also addresses practical questions about the relationship of Christians with the modern state of Israel. In the chapter called “Political Objections” it addresses justice issues like “What about the Palestinians?” and discusses the history of negotiated land agreements over the past century.
Download a sample pdf to take a look.
(List $22.00) $14.99
Note: Only $12 for bulk orders of 10+, so you can share with friends or a study group! Order at the OurRabbiJesus group order page.
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