"Thought experiments" are popular with these types and I was reminded immediately of the Philistine who placed his daughter in an emotionally fraught situation looking for added value.
She lived in Timnath with her Philistine father who knew no better than to dominate the Israelites in their own promised land, and sure enough he started doing thought experiments. Imagine if you were that Philistine. You notice one of the men over whom you have dominion has taken a shine to your daughter. Down he comes with Mum and Dad to open negotiations.
Judges 14:3e Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
You shove her forward and she flutters the eyelid, managing her emotional responses (or lack thereof) sufficiently to close the deal – at least as far as the young man is concerned. For the next part of the thought experiment you need to imagine things from the perspective of a young goat. I'm not going to have you frolicking in a meadow or going
“maa-a-a.” but if it helps, that's fine. The purpose is for a simile, not one I thought up myself but one used by God to help us understand.
Unbeknown to the rotten Philistine or anyone else, there'd been a surprise encounter on the way down to Timnath. Imagine what it would be like for a frolicsome beastie
[RIGHT] to be hoisted up alive. It was like that for the lion right after deciding (foolishly) to roar at a brave young Israelite.
Judges 14:5c-6 Behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
Some people don't need to do thought experiments. They deal with reality on its own terms. Back to the Philistine. What better way to kill some time than for your new son-in-law to throw a party? It sounds like one of those dreadful house parties where everyone gets dressed up and spontaneously act like idiots for days on end but even if it isn't, it's bound to be a heathen affair due to the daughter. Imagine she is you. Thirty of the young men who'd turned up for the debauch wagered they could crack a riddle. You're watching—thinking your new husband must be on the sauce, ready to activate your emotional control skills—as he presents riddle number one. It's a doozy.
Judges 14:12b-14a If ye can…find it out then I'll give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: but if ye cannot declare it me then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle that we may hear it. And he said unto them:
Quote:
|
Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.
|
After a few days you can see they're not going to get it and tidy up your emotional work-station ready for business. And sure enough along come the Philistines. They want you to do a little something for them – no pressure, it's your choice, but there will be a little something for you if you make the wrong decision. You notice some unusual dancing going on in the background but really it's a no brainer. You are a Philistine first, a wife ..maybe.