Zeus in the Bible

When Elihu concludes his speech by describing the creative power of God he borrows extensively from Hellenistic imagery. That is pretty common throughout the Bible. World Literature has always been interconnected across religious and cultural lines.

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Habakkuk 3:1-19

Today’s Reading is Habakkuk 3:1-19.
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image”. Yeah, right. Folks in the Bible do that all the time.
Look at Habakkuk:

Verse 4 He comes with the brightness of lightning; light flashes from his hand, there where his power is hidden.
- The God of lightning is called Zeus (Roman Jupiter). Sure it makes sense to talk about our God with images of strength that others can use.

Verse 8 You rode upon the clouds; the storm cloud was your chariot, as you brought victory to your people.
- Not only Zeus but most solar deities drive a chariot. The God of the Bible is no different.

Verse 14 Your arrows pierced the commander of his army when it came like a storm to scatter us, gloating like those who secretly oppress the poor.
- Our God is not weak but heavily armed. He can shoot our enemies like all ancient archers.

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Habakkuk 2:1-20

Today’s Reading is Habakkuk 2:1-20.
The second half of Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted by some of the earliest Christian writers. Although this passage is only three words in the original Hebrew (וְצַדִּ֖יק בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹ יִחְיֶֽה׃) Paul the Apostle quotes this verse twice in his epistles, in Romans 1:17 and again in Galatians 3:11. In doing so, Paul extends Habakkuk’s original concept of righteous living at the present time into a future life. The same verse is quoted in Hebrews 10:37-38, where Habakkuk’s vision is tied to Christ and used to comfort the church during a period of persecution.

One needs to keep in mind that a צַדִּ֖יק is not just a good guy or a nice person but a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters.

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Habakkuk 1:1-17

Today’s Reading is Habakkuk 1:1-17.
Sometimes the Reflection of the American Bible Society is really worthwhile:
According to the Law of Moses, the people of Israel were to treat each other with fairness. Yet many of the Lord’s prophets accused the people and their leaders of being unjust. In verse 2, Habakkuk asks, “O LORD, how long must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence?” Do you ever talk to God about the violence and injustice you see in the world? How can prayer support the ways in which churches work for justice?

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Romans 1:1-17

It is still not final whether I am really gonna use this blog for the journey or my profile over at YouVersion where I have posted today’s reflection on Romans 1:1-17:

Verse 16 is a reminder that God’s covenant is first and foremost with God’s chosen people of Israel. Us Goyim, especially the Roman sort, come as a secondary addition to God’s first love. God’s one and only covenant is extended to include even us.

Verse 17 is a reference to Habakkuk 2:4 and helped shape the Reformation concept of sola fide.

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