There is an interesting interpretation of "turn the other cheek", very different than the normally understood one. During that time, the world was "right handed". You didn't do anything with your left hand except for "ugly stuff", like bathroom related activity. "Turn the other cheek" meant you had been slapped, and it would have been wi…
There is an interesting interpretation of "turn the other cheek", very different than the normally understood one. During that time, the world was "right handed". You didn't do anything with your left hand except for "ugly stuff", like bathroom related activity. "Turn the other cheek" meant you had been slapped, and it would have been with the right hand. When you "turn the other cheek", you would be forcing someone to use their left hand, which they would not want to do. In this interpretation, this is a subtly rebellious reaction.
I interpret this verse to speak to our first course of action in response, and maybe even our second or third. But God shows us how He Himself eventually does not turn the other cheek. It’s good wisdom for first courses of action on every day matters of life during the normal course of a day - which was being taught when this verse was mentioned. And usually it is all that is needed.
But oppression and repetitious evil against innocent people eventually requires a different response.
I have heard this interpretation before, and it is indeed interesting. But do we truly know that Hebrews/Israelites/Jews used that left hand as the much-much-later Moslems do? One of the stories in O.T. (read it last Jan., don't remember in which book of the histories) concerns a left-handed warrior.
I've never heard the story of the left handed warrior, but find it interesting you bring it up. So many folks on the left shout "how can you vote for Trump - he is a bad person, blah blah blah..." Eight years of catholic grade school taught me that God almost always chooses flawed humans to be his messenger. Maybe Trump is the new "left handed warrior".
Are you thinking of Ehud, Israel's second judge? Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
This is a hair-raising story. Everyone go read it!
YES! I reached these books in Jan-Feb of this year, so some details have now escaped. Thank you so very much for knowing just where to look! That is one of the most exciting stories of the O.T. Gratias Domino Deo agimus. (also, a reminder not to get fat)
There is an interesting interpretation of "turn the other cheek", very different than the normally understood one. During that time, the world was "right handed". You didn't do anything with your left hand except for "ugly stuff", like bathroom related activity. "Turn the other cheek" meant you had been slapped, and it would have been with the right hand. When you "turn the other cheek", you would be forcing someone to use their left hand, which they would not want to do. In this interpretation, this is a subtly rebellious reaction.
I know, a stretch for sure but interesting...
I interpret this verse to speak to our first course of action in response, and maybe even our second or third. But God shows us how He Himself eventually does not turn the other cheek. It’s good wisdom for first courses of action on every day matters of life during the normal course of a day - which was being taught when this verse was mentioned. And usually it is all that is needed.
But oppression and repetitious evil against innocent people eventually requires a different response.
I have heard this interpretation before, and it is indeed interesting. But do we truly know that Hebrews/Israelites/Jews used that left hand as the much-much-later Moslems do? One of the stories in O.T. (read it last Jan., don't remember in which book of the histories) concerns a left-handed warrior.
I've never heard the story of the left handed warrior, but find it interesting you bring it up. So many folks on the left shout "how can you vote for Trump - he is a bad person, blah blah blah..." Eight years of catholic grade school taught me that God almost always chooses flawed humans to be his messenger. Maybe Trump is the new "left handed warrior".
fwiw...
God chose David as a man after His own heart yet David was an adulterer and murderer. There are other sinners who God used for His purposes.
MissTeacup reminds me that the story is found in Judges 3:15 et seq.
Don’t take my memory for it, but I believe I did read such.
Are you thinking of Ehud, Israel's second judge? Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
This is a hair-raising story. Everyone go read it!
YES! I reached these books in Jan-Feb of this year, so some details have now escaped. Thank you so very much for knowing just where to look! That is one of the most exciting stories of the O.T. Gratias Domino Deo agimus. (also, a reminder not to get fat)