In John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” some characters are trying to understand God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden referring to the serpent that represents evil. In the King James Bible, he tells Adam and Eve-“ Thou shalt rule over him.” This appears to be a promise that they will win.
But in the American Standard Bible, the words are “Do thou rule over him”. This feels like an order. The character named Lee takes this puzzle to his Chinese elders. They are fascinated and decide that the only real solution is to find out what the original Hebrew said.
The original words spoke to Adam and Eve and thus to us were, “Thou mayest rule over him”. And this makes all the difference. “Thou mayest” gives to each of us our choice. It’s up to us to conquer the evil in our life.
Steinbeck also states his belief that the world’s story, indeed all stories are really the same. “A man, after he brushes of the dust and chips of his life will have left only the hard, clean questions: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well- or ill?”
The scriptures say “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.”
I will not pretend that these choices are easy. They are not. Choosing good over evil have been some of the most painful choices of my life. Making these choices does not always “make everything alright”. Sometimes it has made a situation worse but I’m not choosing for this life alone. I am making choices based on my knowledge that there is a better life after this one. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
But in the American Standard Bible, the words are “Do thou rule over him”. This feels like an order. The character named Lee takes this puzzle to his Chinese elders. They are fascinated and decide that the only real solution is to find out what the original Hebrew said.
The original words spoke to Adam and Eve and thus to us were, “Thou mayest rule over him”. And this makes all the difference. “Thou mayest” gives to each of us our choice. It’s up to us to conquer the evil in our life.
Steinbeck also states his belief that the world’s story, indeed all stories are really the same. “A man, after he brushes of the dust and chips of his life will have left only the hard, clean questions: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well- or ill?”
The scriptures say “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.”
I will not pretend that these choices are easy. They are not. Choosing good over evil have been some of the most painful choices of my life. Making these choices does not always “make everything alright”. Sometimes it has made a situation worse but I’m not choosing for this life alone. I am making choices based on my knowledge that there is a better life after this one. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
No comments:
Post a Comment