Two good examples of how your cultural background can both help and hinder your reading of the Bible came up this week.
On Tuesday we were reading the passage in Mark where Jesus sends some disciples to prepare the Passover meal. He tells them to go into town, and when they see a man carrying a water jar, to follow him.
In discussions in Europe, I've heard comments like, “But that's so random! How could they tell whether it was the right man?” Yet here in Benin it is very rare to see a man carrying water – he would stick out like a sore thumb. So no one here is surprised to hear that the disciples had no trouble finding the right man.
This morning, however, we were talking about the story of Jacob stealing the birthright from his older twin, Esau. The pastor said that Monkolé people may well be confused when they hear this story, since in Monkolé tradition the twin who is born in second place is considered the elder twin – and the text clearly states that Jacob was born after Esau. In Monkolé understanding he would have no need to steal the birthright as it would be his already!
Which all goes to underline the importance of understanding the historical context when you read a text … and why you might not understand what you read if you don't!
On Tuesday we were reading the passage in Mark where Jesus sends some disciples to prepare the Passover meal. He tells them to go into town, and when they see a man carrying a water jar, to follow him.
In discussions in Europe, I've heard comments like, “But that's so random! How could they tell whether it was the right man?” Yet here in Benin it is very rare to see a man carrying water – he would stick out like a sore thumb. So no one here is surprised to hear that the disciples had no trouble finding the right man.
This morning, however, we were talking about the story of Jacob stealing the birthright from his older twin, Esau. The pastor said that Monkolé people may well be confused when they hear this story, since in Monkolé tradition the twin who is born in second place is considered the elder twin – and the text clearly states that Jacob was born after Esau. In Monkolé understanding he would have no need to steal the birthright as it would be his already!
Which all goes to underline the importance of understanding the historical context when you read a text … and why you might not understand what you read if you don't!
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