Monday, 11 April 2016

The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation,
Brad H Young, Hendricksen, 1998
Chapter 11, "The Find" (pp. 199-221), page 219-220

Having stressed the way that Yeshua's parables call for firm action, Young then switches to redirection.

Only unrelenting determination that willingly risks everything will obtain results. The selling of everything is very much like the account of the rich man and Jesus. Jesus asked him to sell everything, give to the poor and follow him.

Do you see the switch? It's not just sell everything, but sell everything and follow me. Lives are redirected when people commit to the kingdom. Young points out that the rabbis directed - lest people should impoverish themselves and become dependent on charity - that no-one may give more than a third of their assets, but then adds:

"Giving all" meant a complete redirection. The same expression is used in regard to a man who is pulling together the family assets in his efforts to raise the funds for a dowry. The rabbis give wise counsel: "Our rabbis taught: Let a man always sell all he has and marry the daughter of a scholar, amd marry his daughter to a scholar (b. Pesach 49a). In this way, the child who loses a parent will be raised in the awe and reverence of G-d. A virtuous woman who is the daughter of a scholar is worth all a man possesses.