Posted on 08/20/2021 7:16:49 AM PDT by Cronos
In times like these, you need a refuge, a place to rest.
There is an old African-American spiritual that says, “Rock-a my soul in the bosom of Abraham. Oh, rock-a my soul!” At first glance its meaning may seem obscure, but it speaks to a deep tradition and a kind of spiritual strategy that has great wisdom.
Biblically, the “bosom of Abraham” referred to the place of rest in Sheol, where the righteous dead awaited the Messiah and Judgment Day. It is mentioned once: in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke16:22-23). In it, Lazarus is said to rest and abide in the bosom of Abraham awaiting the Messiah’s full redemption, while the rich man is in Gehenna, a place of torment.
More generally, though, the image of resting in the bosom of Abraham is rooted in that of a sick, frightened, or wounded child in the arms of his father. Most people can remember awakening from a bad dream when they were young and running into their parents’ bedroom for refuge.
Spiritually, Abraham is our father in faith; he also symbolizes the heavenly Father. The ancient Jews considered the bosom of Abraham a place of security, both in life and after death. Resting in the arms of Abraham meant being where the evil one could not reach and the just rested securely.
Christians, too, have taken this image of safety and rest in the arms of Abraham. It finds expression in the beautiful hymn “In Paradisum,” in which Christians are commended to the place (the bosom of Abraham) where Lazarus is poor no longer. One of the antiphons in the final commendation says, “May angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham.”
Then came this African-American spiritual that added a rocking motion to the beautiful rest in Abraham’s arms. The spiritual life is likened to the action of a father rhythmically rocking his child in his arms. The rocking is soothing and reassuring, and (if one is attuned to it) adds a necessary spiritual rhythm to life.
Yes, rock-a my soul in the bosom of Abraham. Oh, rock-a my soul. In a world of injustice and great darkness, we need the soothing rhythm of the Father’s love. We need to learn to dance and move to its rhythms and not be overcome with the tremors and evils of this world.
Consider the graceful dance in this video and seek to imitate its wisdom. Learn to move to the rhythm of the Father rocking us in His arms. Learn to move to the gentle and steady beat of God’s love as He holds us close.
Rock-a my soul …
Enjoy this video, featuring an interpretation of this beautiful and rhythmic spiritual. It is a graceful and exuberant dance showing security in God’s love and embrace.
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29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.
The ancients didn’t sup at a table in chairs as we do in the west today. They would lounge on cushions around a low table with their heads near the table and lying at an angle so everyone’s head and shoulders would be close to the food.
The place of honor for a guest would be to the right of the host. Thus, ones head would be in the bosom of Abraham.
This conclusion doesn’t follow from the first part of your post; maybe there is some part of the explanation missing that you could share with us? Thanks.
It does if you read and can visualize. The heads of the people are near the table, their bodies are not. They are lying down ‘stacked’ at uniform angles so one’s head is next to the breast of the next guest. One’s head is ‘in the bosom’ of the next guest. The place of honor for the favorite guest is to the right of those hose so you that guest’s head is in the bosom of the host, in this case Abraham.
hose=host
You simply repeated your first explanation so I’m still not seeing the connection between ancient middle eastern dining customs (which you accurately described), Abraham, and the expression under discussion. For example, in the context in which Jesus uses the expression, no meal is involved. Perhaps you have another source to corroborate or substantiate this interpretation? Thanks again.
Let’s try wikipedia: bosom of abraham..
The word found in the Greek text for “bosom” is kolpos, meaning “lap” “bay”.[2] This relates to the Second Temple period practice of reclining and eating meals in proximity to other guests, the closest of whom physically was said to lie on the bosom (chest) of the host. (See John 13:23 )[3][4]
Metaphors can be tough, I know. When John talks of Jesus being thea lamb of God, Jesus isn’t a really, wooly lamb.
As I said, visualization is important in these abstract concepts.
thea=the
Still doesn’t answer my question, but thanks for your responses. God bless.
When John says, ‘My Father’s house has many mansions’, do you think there are McMansions lining the roads in Heaven? Are they made of lumber or are they prefab? Are they built to local building codes?
When someone talks about the ‘lap of luxury’ do you say to yourself, ‘Hey! Luxury doesn’t have a lap and it isn’t sitting down!’
Being in the ‘bosom of Abraham’ is merely a saying to describe the place of honor among the blessed.
It is derived from an ancient custom to sup near the host of a feast.
Due to Abraham’s unconditional commitment to God, he has a place of honor in heaven and if we are good, we can be near Abraham, which means nearer to God.
It is really simple. God bless, Fellow FReeper!
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