Preaching and the Land - Luke 12:49-56

Jesus continued to teach on his way "up to Jerusalem."  In the text for August 18, he addressed the potential divisive nature of his gospel.   The interpreter can only guess at what might be so serious a breach as to alienate kin and extended family.  What could "the fire" be?

My guess would be the diverse community gathered by Jesus.  Later in Luke 15, the leaders of the day chafed at Jesus' association with tax collectors and sinners.  Could association with the wrong kind of people separate one from family?  The answer in the first century was yes.

In Jesus' call to his hearers to grasp this radical nature of God's in-breaking kingdom, he employed two weather images that accurately reflect the regional context.  Rainfall for this thirsty land comes off the Mediterranean Sea.  These fronts stall on the Central Highlands causing the stark contrast seen west to east.  For instance, rainfall is rare in Jericho.

The other weather phenomenon is "the south wind."  The Arabic word for this hot, dry and dusty wind from Egypt and Africa is "Hamseen."  It means "fifty" and is common in late Spring.

Hamseen in Israel

Once I was caught on Masada with an approaching Hamseen.  Initially, the sky took on a reddish tint and the temperature rose significantly in a short period.  The changing conditions cut visibility drastically and made breathing difficult.

While missing the cues to a wind coming off the Mediterranean might result in a soaking, failing to note a change in wind from the south can be extremely dangerous.

Jesus illustrated graphically from his environment the importance of interpreting the present time.  In addition to interpreting the signs of changing weather conditions, the disciple must know and embrace the radical signs of the coming Kingdom of God.

HT:  Bruce J. Malina