The Bible and Human Relationships
Positive and Negative Lessons from the Book of Genesis
Readers of Scripture are familiar with Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and his sons, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Rachel, and Joseph and his brothers. They are either the instruments a loving God chose to convey his guidance to imperfect mortals, or vivid characters in one of the great epic fables of humankind.
Teachings about good and evil, justice and mercy, kindness and betrayal seem to leap out from the seemingly simple stories that delight and move Sunday School audiences to this day. But there are many more profound and timeless observations about relationships that can reward more careful study.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
John Milton's sublime poetic take on the Garden of Eden drama was Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. The first couple, living by grace in a literal Utopia, are misled into sin by a fallen angel, must suffer, and must ultimately be restored by a divine redeemer. But some Biblical commentators, going back almost 2,000 years, were more concerned with the human weakness that made it so easy to talk Adam and Eve into violating the only prohibition they had been given and then to attempt to deflect responsibility. The commentators also debated whether an existence as immortals in Paradise was ever part of the divine plan, or whether instead a long struggle by mortals to tame a not always hospitable environment had to be part of human history.
So, too, the simple tale of the jealous Cain murdering his divinely favored brother lent itself to speculation on the generosity and sincerity of their respective offerings and reflection on assuaging rage and, again, accepting responsibility. The "Mark of Cain" opened up the entire topic of guilt and appropriate punishment.
The statement in Genesis that Noah was "righteous in his generation" was analyzed in detail by the Talmudic masters and by the medieval scholars who quoted and elaborated upon their observations. Did it mean that he was righteous relative to predominantly evil contemporaries or that he succeeded in soaring morally despite living in a depraved society? Did he fulfill an obligation to try to reform his neighbors or was he content to have his family survive the coming flood?
Abraham is shown generously entertaining three passersby who turn out to be angels. The commentators mine this prosaic incident for the priority of attending to the needs of wayfarers over ritual obligations, indeed for seeking out those needs, and for the importance of training children in acts of kindness.
Jacob, bereaved of a beloved wife for whom he worked for 14 years, shows favoritism to her firstborn son, Joseph, above the brothers born of his other wives. The consequences of that favoritism are clearly etched in the ensuing narrative embellished by comments on Joseph's own provocative behavior and the varying reactions of the brothers. The subsequent development of Joseph's character under adversity and his key role in the history of his people is one of the most detailed and illuminating segments of the Bible.
Learning the Lessons Today
Although the King James version is most familiar to many Bible readers, its archaic language is no longer the clearest medium for study for many. Fortunately, there are numerous modern translations available in bookstores and libraries. Along with them are a rich literature of commentaries, both ancient and contemporary. Some volumes contain original text, translation, and commentary.
A careful examination of bookshelves and/or Internet search engines will be rewarded with abundant insights into timeless reflections on the human condition.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles