Is Israel Doomed? (Video)

The Parable of the Shrewd Steward

Luke 16 contains, I think, the most difficult parable to understand.

Below is a brief explanation which I believe makes a lot of sense. This explanation is inspired by the book Social-Science Commentary of the Synoptic Gospels by Bruce J. Malina and Richard L. Rohrbaugh.

Click here to read the parable.

The first thing to know is that parables are simple stories told to teach a lesson. They are not allegories. The characters in the stories are not necessarily allegories representing other people. The master in this parable, for example, does not represent God — he is exactly what the story says he is: a rich man. The next thing to know is that 1st century Judea was an honor/shame culture. To be honored was more important than having money. The third thing to know is that most of Jesus’s audience were very poor and had a lot of debt. Therefore, this parable is about forgiveness of debt, restoration of honor, and mercy.

It’s interesting to note that the four explanations given by Luke (1. vs 8; 2. vs 9; 3. vss 10-12; 4. vs 13) do not seem to help understand the parable that much. Alas…

The steward publicly dishonored his master by squandering his wealth without his knowledge. The master had to be told by a third party what was happening, which was very embarrassing for the master. Everyone knew what was happening in his own business before he did. He was dishonored.

The master could have had the steward thrown into prison, but instead chose only to fire him. The master was merciful.

In like manner, the steward showed mercy to the debtors in hopes of gaining their favor to be able to call on them for help after being fired. This action caused the community to praise the master for his great generosity. The master’s honor was restored, and he commended the steward for that.

It ends up being a restorative situation for all: The master is more honored than ever before, the steward keeps his job, and the people receive much needed debt relief. Such is the kingdom of heaven.

The Pharisees (who heard Jesus tell this parable) were unmerciful, dishonorable, and lovers of money. What they highly esteemed was an abomination to God. (Luke 16.14-15)

Some Speculations on Romans 5

Adam’s sin —> Adam’s death

Adam’s death —> Our (descendants of Adam) death

Our death —> Our sin

Our sin was in the world (the greater cosmos) before the law (of Moses), but was not imputed (because there was no law).* However, death still reigned because our death is a result of Adam’s sin (Adam sinned because he broke God’s law). To remedy this problem we needed a new Adam to reverse what the first Adam had done.

In order to have another Adam we needed another law given directly from God. Israel was given that law so that it could become like Adam — so that it could transgress as Adam did (Romans 5.14). Israel was a cosmos created within a greater cosmos, through which came the last Adam.

Israel was a new creation — God defeated the Egyptian gods just as He defeated the gods of chaos. He separated the Red Sea just as He separated the waters above from the waters below. He formed Israel in a wilderness and placed them in a land flowing with milk and honey just as he formed Adam in a wilderness and placed him in a garden. God gave Israel a law just as He did with Adam, and He threatened exile and death if they broke that law. And they did break that law, both Israel and Adam.

For God so loved the Israelite cosmos,** He sent His own Son Jesus to be born into it as a man, under its law. Jesus perfectly kept the law and, by His death, He redeemed Israel from the transgressions they made against it (Isaiah 53.4-12; Galatians 3.13; Hebrews 9.15). Thus, Jesus became the true Israel (a remnant of one) — He is the elect of God, He is the temple, He is the High Priest, He is the sacrifice.

Jesus is also the last Adam. By His righteousness (perfect obedience to God and covenant), He undid what the first Adam did. He defeated death for all humanity.

Jesus’s righteousness —> Jesus’s resurrection

Jesus’s resurrection —> Our (all those in Jesus) resurrection

Our resurrection —> Our eternal life

Out of the world God chose Israel
…Out of Israel God chose a remnant
……Out of the remnant God chose a Messiah
……In the Messiah God chose a remnant
…In the remnant God chose Israel
In Israel God chose the world***

* Although, God did deal with wickedness before the law of Moses (eg. the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah), so there was some imputation.

** Click here to read an interesting essay.

*** Source: Election by David Embury