Isaiah 35:4a: Say to those who are afraid, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming. . .
I really like that part -- it has a inspirational feel to it. It makes me breathe in deep and get ready for something great;
Isaiah 35: 4b: . . . to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you."
I really don't like this part -- it has a callous and "I'm better than they are" feel to it. It makes me sad and makes me wonder if anyone else thinks "Love your enemies" is more important.
2 comments:
I find passages like this troubling. During the First Crusade, Christian knights reportedly slew Jewish and Muslim children while chanting the final verses from Psalm 137.
Big stumbling block for me.
I prefer to chant things more like
Matthew 5:44 -- But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
and
Mark 12:30-31 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
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