anger – The Noontimes

Coping With the Philistines

Jeremiah 47: Coping With the Philistines

Friday, November 28, 2025

Written on January 24 and posted today as a Favorite . . .

*Bas-Relief of Philistine Prisoners, Medinet Habu Temple, Luxor, Egypt, Albumen Print, circa 1880*

Jeremiah’s title is Prophet of the Nations and in chapters 46 to 51 we read the Oracles to the Nations. In this portion of his prophecy, Jeremiah describes the coming judgment of Yahweh. “Why Philistia is included at all in the list of enemies is not clear . . . What is certain is that the attack ultimately comes from warrior YHWH . . . The poem provides no clear reason for the attack, but it ends with ‘the song of the sword’.” In a poignant personification of YHWH’s weapon, an unidentified speaker begs the sword to be still but recognizes that the sword is unable to countermand YHWH’s plans for it.” (Barton 523)

This commentary points out in the previous page that today we have an aversion to “the theological themes of vengeance, anger and retribution” (522); yet these images are meant to call Israel back to Yahweh, and to lay out a kind of case here in which God’s justice is seen for what it is, the natural playing out of the covenant conditions.

A few weeks ago we looked at Ezekiel’s song of the harvesting sword which held out a similar promise to the faithful: God’s justice is swift, God’s love is healing. Today the object of this “Justice Sword” is the Philistines, a tribe of people whose history is intertwined with that of the Hebrew tribes. More can be read about them at: http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/P/PHILISTINES/ Several weeks ago we read about the Philistines’ dilemma with the Ark of the Covenant which they had taken from the Jewish people (1 Samuel 6). They believed that once they had physical control of this “magic” box that they could manipulate God and have him wait on them. This, they found out, is not how God operates, and so they looked for a quick and clever way to return the Ark – the presence of God whom they did not understand.

Today we look at the prophecy Jeremiah pronounces for this Philistine people, and it is bleak. When we take in all that is predicted, we realize that there is only one way to interact with Philistines: We must call on God alone for guidance and protection, and as New Testament people we will want to intercede for the Philistines in our own lives. We will want to consider how the old covenant with Moses as mediator is fulfilled and superseded by the new covenant with Christ, the new mediator. And so we will want to ask Christ to redeem and heal the modern Philistines, and the many faithful that they injure. As we consider the implications of all of this for us today, let us pray . . .

Just and Merciful God, You know that we live side by side with those who do not revere you, and with those who believe they revere you when they do not. Help us to step away from our anxieties and fears when we come up against the Philistines in our lives. Teach us to take our large and small problems to you, and to trust in you alone to find the best solutions. Encourage us as we look for ways to be faithful to you. Help us to persevere as we place all hope in you alone. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the New Mediator of your eternal covenant with the faithful. Amen.

A re-post from November 3, 2011.

Image from: https://archaeology.org/issues/july-august-2022/features/levant-philistine-origins/

Barton, John, and John Muddiman. THE OXFORD BIBLE COMMENTARY. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2001. 522-523. Print.

November 28, 2025

1 Samuel 6, anger, Ark of the Covenant, Ezekiel, harvesting sword, Justice Sword, retribution, vengeance, YHWH

2 Samuel 16: Making Mistakes

2 Samuel 16: Making Mistakes

Friday, September 19, 2025

david-michelangelo[1] — *Michelangelo: David*

Written on January 30 and posted today as a Favorite . . .

Today we see a part of the story of David that might be difficult to understand if we view life as a series of good decisions. When we view life as it really is, however – as series of decisions we make both bad and good – we have less anxiety and fear, we experience more hope and serenity. I heard a radio preacher recently say: When you live your life in the Spirit, you can’t make a mistake. “This is incorrect,” we might say to ourselves. “How can a good life have bad decisions in it? How can a life of flawed decisions be good?” If this is our thinking, we have forgotten something and it is this: If we are living in the Spirit, we will have arrived at understanding how God operates; we will fully comprehend that God turns all harm to good. So whether we err accidentally or whether we mean to inflict harm in any way, God will use these flawed acts to work in his favor for – God turns all harm to good. And this is part of the story we see today.

David has been a good leader and faithful to God, but he has also sinned and erred. What sets David apart is the way in which he reacts when others urge him to take revenge. When he was younger, his soldiers encouraged him to murder the sleeping Saul when he had the opportunity. David instead makes it obvious that he has breached the enemy’s lines and yet has not taken a life where he could. David lives in the Spirit. David later becomes infatuated with Bathsheba and plots her husband’s death; he confesses this sin when confronted by Nathan and sings a beautiful lament of repentance that we still sing today during the Lenten season (Psalm 51). Even though he has erred, David lives in the Spirit.

David does not use his good standing with God to ignore what he has done; instead he confesses and atones. He lives his life in the Spirit and does not try to avoid culpability for his actions or gain immunity so that he might do whatever he likes. Rather, David praises and obeys God. Living in the Spirit has become part of who he is and what he does.

Today we read of some of the intrigue that mounted as David aged and the time came for one of his sons to rule Israel. The sibling rivalry, the palace intrigue, and the political plotting are fascinating to see but what is most interesting is the way we see David living in the Spirit. In verse 10 he speaks the wisdom we can all use today: What business is it of mine or of yours, sons of Zeruiah, that he curses? Suppose the Lord has told him to curse David; who then will dare to say, “Why are you doing this?”

We can read commentary to sort through who is aligned with whom, who is against whom, but today we have the opportunity to see another way to step away from revenge, anger and violence and move toward hope and serenity. We see another opportunity to step away from fear and anxiety and move toward peace and unity.

When we live our lives in the Spirit, we cannot make a mistake. Do we believe this? If not, we must study, we must seek, we must be patient, and we must be persistent in living lives directed fully for, in, and to God.

When we live our lives in the Spirit, we cannot make a mistake. Do we believe this? If not, we must witness, we must watch, we must wait, and we must insist on living lives governed fully for, in, and to God.

When we live our lives in the Spirit, we cannot make a mistake. When we believe this, the fretfulness and panic drop away – for we have focused our lives on God, we have learned to trust in God, we have begun to love like God – and we know that God will turn all harm to good. We will not worry or fret for we, like David, will reply to a challenge. Suppose the Lord has told him to curse David; who then will dare to say, “Why are you doing this?” We will be truly living in and of the Spirit.

A re-post from August 26, 2011.

Images from: https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/israel-399-mnh-michel-454-king-david-by-marc-chagall-1969/39242596 and https://theflorenceinsider.com/fun-facts-michelangelo-david/

September 19, 2025

anger, David as leader and sinner, decisions, God turns harm to good, hope, living in the Spirit, peace, Psalm 51, revenge, serenity, unity

Mark 15:29-32: Wrath and Justification

Mark 15:29-32: Wrath and Justification

Friday, April 11, 2025

As we explore the ways in which Jesus is the resurrection, we consider what we might do with our anger and our desire for revenge.

We looked at Mark 15 a little more than a year ago to reflect on the power we will find in offering our sacrifices for others and holding tightly to our trust in God. Today we see Jesus execute the greatest act of mankind: he hangs in pain from a cross while the crowds jeer at him and use his very acts of mercy as taunts against him. This reminds me of MAGNIFICAT’s Evening Prayer from Isaiah 53: Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

By his wounds we all are healed.

This is a tremendous act of self sacrifice and one that we will likely never have to make, again from MAGNIFICAT: Not all opposition to faithful Christian belief and life comes from the violent. Many voices, loud and subtle, argue against the idealism of the Gospel. Resisting the familiar, popular values and viewpoints which would undermine our discipleship can cause as much pain as enduring the more dramatic forms of persecution.

Jeremiah 18:20: Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

The Wrath of God. We see it in the Old Testament narratives and in the Psalms so often. The calling down of God’s power against the wicked, the petition for annihilation of our enemies, and all of this ugliness turns to justification with the singular sacrifice made by Christ. All of the anger and fear are transformed through Christ into love. In his final moments, Christ does not feel his mother’s comforting caress upon his face. There is no warm bed, clean sheets or clothes. There is grinding, relentless pain. And then there are the jeers from the crowd, from the people he has come to save. But Christ is held by hands that are great enough and powerful enough to hold and comfort us all, the hands of God.

The MAGNIFICAT Evening Intercessions are apt.

To the God who delivered Jesus from death through resurrection, we pray: O God, hear our prayer.

For those who hate goodness and good people: grant them conversion of heart. O God, hear our prayer.

For those who suffer for their goodness: grant them strength to persevere. O God, hear our prayer.

For those who have died for their fidelity to the Gospel: grant them eternal life. O God, hear our prayer.

And we might add . . .

For ourselves, as we struggle to move away from wrath and revenge, may we move toward resurrection and light. O God, hear our prayer.

For our enemies, as they harbor fear and live for the thrill of pain, may they come to know the comfort of authentic love and passion. O God, hear our prayer.

For our loved ones, as they accompany us in our pilgrimage, may they always find protection and guidance in you who have loved us so well. O God, hear our prayer.

2 Samuel 2:6: May the Lord be kind and faithful to us.

And may we be kind and faithful to Christ as we see him in all of God’s creation. May we move from God’s wrath to justification. Amen.

Cameron, Peter John. “Prayer for the Evening.” MAGNIFICAT. 3.12 (2009). Print.

A favorite from March 12, 2009.

Image from: https://beyondtheborderlinepersonality.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/until-theres-nothing-left-self-sacrifice/

April 11, 2025

2 Samuel 2:6, anger, fear, Isaiah 53, Jeremiah 18:20, sacrificial love, trust God

2 Samuel 14 & 15: Deceit – Part II

2 Samuel 14 & 15: Deceit – Part II

Saturday, October 19, 2024

We see Absalom set himself up as heir to a throne he will not inherit. We see him strip away all that is holy from his life. Reading ahead, we see him die a ridiculous death, hanging by his hair from a terebinth tree while one of David’s soldiers runs him through with a spear. Absalom plots for years to murder his brother for the rape of their sister, Tamar. Absalom relies on the very human resources of power, looks and cleverness to win for him the vengeful goals he lays out for himself. It is clear that Absalom does not consult God as he enters into and executes his plans.

Absalom was a prince of a powerful nation. It was written that: In all of Israel not a man could so be praised for his beauty as Absalom, who was without blemish from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (14:25) But what had become of his soul? How had the events of his childhood so shaped him to produce such anger? Why were the gifts he had received from a loving God not enough to please him? What was it that made him always want more?

Upon his return from exile, Absalom falls to the ground at his father’s feet when he is pardoned. He then stands, and leaves the palace to set his newest grab for power into motion. He employs deceit to win friends and enemies alike rather than obedience to God as his game plan. He relies on his influence and charm and for awhile these tools prove a powerful arsenal; but in the end they are not enough. In the end, Absalom – the master deceiver – is himself deceived. He returns from Geshur and continues to weave the labyrinth of his life with chariots, horses and henchmen all the while forgetting that the proper response to pardon is a grateful heart. Let us learn a lesson from Absalom’s ruin.

For more information about the people and places in this reflection, visit yesterday’s post, Deceit – Part I.

A Favorite from November 21, 2008.

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_(daughter_of_David)

October 19, 2024

Absalom, anger, David, obedience, revenge, Tamar

Lamentations 2:19-22: Rising Up

Lamentations 2:19-22: Rising Up

Sunday, June 2, 2024

The Book of Lamentations is dark and moody, full of wrath and anger. The coming of Christ is the only antidote against such deep grief. Our own petition for goodness and wholeness brings us into union with this Messiah, Christ. Each day, each night we have the choice before us. We can either try to solve the problems that confront us on our own, or we can Rise up, shrill in the night to beat against heaven’s gate, asking God for mercy and justice for ourselves, for our loved ones, for our enemies. This is what best combats the ugliness we read about today.

In order that we not consumed by this ugly anger that would compel us into further depths, we might look at the opposite of rage-filled thinking. We take on a thinking that rejects rumor, derision, the stirring up of hate and falsehood. Psalm 101:1-7 is part of the Morning Prayer in MAGNIFICAT today. The citation before the prayer follows: Every day offers a choice: what sort of reading, what sort of TV, what sort of conversation, what sort of friends will we choose to welcome into our home? And so we sing with the psalmist: My song is about loyalty and justice, and I sing it to you, O Lord.

Another citation from the Morning Prayer is Philippians 4:8: Whatever is true, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We know the world is made of diverse creatures and creations that bring us sorrow and joy, diverse conditions that create havoc and love. In order to dispel the dark clouds of today’s lamentation, we might continue.

Whatever is evil, whatever is deceitful, whatever is lie . . . rise up, shrill in the night against the darkness.

Whatever is good, whatever is holy, whatever unites and calls home . . . rise up grateful, in praise of the light.

Whatever is Christ, whatever is spirit, whatever is life-giving . . . rise up joyful, singing with expectation of God’s mercy and justice.

In all circumstances, dark or light, rise up singing with the Lord.

My song is about loyalty and justice, and I sing it to you, O Lord.

Images from: http://thejoysofbeingcatholic.blogspot.com/2016_07_20_archive.html

Adapted from a Favorite written on February 24, 2009.

Cameron, Peter John, Rev., ed. “Mini-Reflection.” MAGNIFICAT. 24 February 2009. Print.

June 2, 2024

anger, dark versus light, God’s love, God’s mercy and justice, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 101:1-7

Luke 7:36-50: A Prayer for Throwing Stones

Luke 7:36-50: A Prayer for Throwing Stones

Sunday, August 6, 2023

When we read this familiar story with new eyes, we see Jesus once again teach the Pharisees about how to handle the anger they feel when they want to throw stones. His capacity to forgive amazed those who saw him at work and made the Pharisees uneasy.

The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

Jesus continues in his compassionate Way, calling others to follow.

But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

And so today we pray for ourselves and others in the moment when we want to throw stones in anger or fear.

Merciful and forgiving God, we need the strength of your faith to sustain us through our anxiety and alarm. Abide with us in the journey of Jesus’ Way.

Compassionate and guiding God, we need the joy of your hope to nourish us through our pain and suffering. Abide with us in the pilgrimage of our lives.

Healing and transforming God, we need the consolation of your love to carry us beyond all distrust and doubt. Abide with us in the mystery of your Spirit.

We ask this in your name. Amen.

As we consider the fear that has a way of settling into our lives with or without our noticing, we might find this interview with historian and political scientist Matthew Dallek interesting. He is interviewed by guest host Derek McGinty on a July2016 Diane Rehm show. Dallek’s book Defenseless under the Night: The Roosevelt Years and the Origins of Homeland Security explores the evolution of the response to fear that we see in the U.S. public today. Listening to this interview may give us a new perspective on our desire to throw stones.

To learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt, visit: http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=33 or http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/eleanor-biography/

Book image from: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/defenseless-under-the-night-9780199743124?cc=us&lang=en&

For more on this publication, visit The Wilson Center at: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/book/defenseless-under-the-night-the-roosevelt-years-and-the-origins-homeland-security

Image of young Eleanor Roosevelt from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt

August 6, 2023

anger, anxiety, Diane Rehm, Eleanor Roosevelt, faith, fear, hope, love, Matthew Dallek, Pharisees, The Way

John 8:1-11: Throwing Stones – Part III

John 8:1-11: Throwing Stones – Part III

Friday, August 4, 2023

What tax or tithe do we surrender when we give in to the temptation to throw stones?

Hate crimes. What are they? How do they affect us? Why does society worry about hate that flourishes among us to stalks the innocent?

Swarms of people came to Jesus. He sat down and taught them.

Societies might ignore the hate that simmers beneath the surface or they may ignore the anger that erupts into the open. They may even covertly or overtly encourage division for whatever reason governs their thinking.

The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone.

Crimes that spring from hatred of “the other” also spring from the teaching that we must divide and categorize ourselves, and that some of us deserve more and less than others for reasons laid out by a controlling few.

They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.”

With hatred, a majority often dictates to a minority. Often the crime of hatred is nurtured by harbored thoughts of inadequacy and/or resentment. With hatred, we must take our division to Christ to ask for healing.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone.

At times we are the condemned woman, at times we are the hypocritical accusers, at times we are innocent victims of the unjust. In all cases we must respond as Jesus responds: Does no one condemn you? Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.

Throwing stones is a dangerous temptation. Throwing stones puts us in ambiguous positions. Throwing stones nurtures division and does not encourage understanding or inclusion. Today we reflect on the problem of hate crimes as we determine to pray and work for an end to this violence.

For information on hate crimes visit the Facts and Statistics page of the U.S. Department of Justice at: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics

Visit the page on this same site about how communities can prevent hate crimes locally at: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/preventing-hate-crimes-your-community

Other prevention of hate crimes strategies can be found when clicking on the image or visiting: https://www.accesscommunity.org/news/community-stories/2015/02/18/hate-crimes-are-rise-what-can-we-do-takeonhate

August 4, 2023

anger, hate crimes, resentment

Ephesians 4:25-32: A Clean Break

Ephesians 4:25-32: A Clean Break

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Friends advise us: Just make a clean break. Go cold turkey. Say no. Walk away. These words are easily heard and just as easily ignored for it is so difficult to break away from habits that feel so comfortable and people who are so predictable . . . despite the fact that these people and circumstances bring us pain. We listen – as did the Ephesians – to Paul’s advice. From THE MESSAGE:

No more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

We tell ourselves to remain calm, to go with the flow. Paul has other words for us.

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life

We convince ourselves that we harm no one if we remain in a dishonest relationship. Paul tells us differently.

Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.

We say to one another that our anger is justified. Paul reminds us that there is another way.

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

We believe that we are disconnected, abandoned, neglected or forgotten. Paul tells us otherwise.

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

In the end, Paul tells us, a clean break is better than a rotting connection.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

When we compare this translation with others, we find new meaning in old words.

Tomorrow, God’s shepherding love.

Images from: https://www.thehealingcentervegas.com/blog/the20-secondruleandhabits and http://thesurprisinggodblog.gci.org/2012/12/does-everyone-have-holy-spirit.html

April 27, 2023

anger, Holy Spirit, lies versus truth, revenge, words

Matthew 5:20-25: Murder

Matthew 5:20-25: Murder

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Murder is more than a snuffing out of life, it is the destruction of a hope for potential. Today Jesus tells us that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Jesus cautions us to take care with our words: Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.

Our actions, words and thoughts have the power to bring death or life, so what is the advice that Jesus sends us along with his caution? This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. We cannot make peace with God if we do not make peace with our fellow human beings. We cannot become a full and positive member of the kingdom as long as we abuse our mother planet. We cannot hope to find the peace we claim to seek when we hurl words that murder.

Today we reflect on the power of our words and we place hope in the power of our Lenten practice to transform us as we pray: Rather than thinking: “I am misunderstood,” let us think instead, “God is so understanding”.

Tomorrow, knocking on the door.

Image from: https://mountbm.org/managing-anger-with-gods-word/

February 16, 2023

anger, kingdom

Tag: anger

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