Paradox and Oxymoron!

Reflection:  As we have been reading through the Proverbs this month, we see that in literary terms they are filled with what we call “paradox” and “oxymoron”!  Does that take you back to your English literature classes?  Paradoxes involve two things compared side by side that would seem to be a contradiction, but by their combination and dialogue bring out a deeper truth.  Oxymoron comes from the two Greek words “sharp/dull”, and so in itself the word belies its meaning.  An example of oxymoron would be the phrases “living dead”, “freedom fighter”, or “mad wisdom”.  One of my good friends at my previous used to quip, “I’m proud of my humility!” 

The Proverbs that we have been reading through are chock full of paradoxical language.  I liked a few of these today, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” Or, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” The ultimate paradox is shown in Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 where he states, “In Jesus’ death there is life for all!”  Or, “Since death came through a man, so resurrection came through a man!”  I like this one, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death!”

As we live out our Christian life these paradoxes will become real for us, as we put them into practice.  As they are experienced, their true meaning becomes part of our lives.  Phrases like; “dying to live”, “giving to receive”, “freely serving” are calling card of the Christ follower.   Paul loved to use these paradoxes to describe the transformation in his own life as he experienced them.  In 1 Corinthians he exclaims, “Yet I will boast of my weaknesses so that Christ’s power might be more clearly displayed in me.”  Paradoxes defy human logic and convention and as someone has said they are, “an apparent contradiction that can only be explained by God!” 

As you give freely, serve freely, and love freely today, may you be reminded of God’s truths which can seem like foolishness to the world but bring abundant and the eternal kind of life to those who live them out! 

 Psalm 66:1-7

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

2     Sing the glory of his name;

    make his praise glorious.

3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!

    So great is your power

    that your enemies cringe before you.

4 All the earth bows down to you;

    they sing praise to you,

    they sing the praises of your name.”

5 Come and see what God has done,

    his awesome deeds for mankind!

6 He turned the sea into dry land,

    they passed through the waters on foot—

    come, let us rejoice in him.

7 He rules forever by his power,

    his eyes watch the nations—

    let not the rebellious rise up against him

Proverbs 11

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,

    but accurate weights find favor with him.

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

    but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,

    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;

    all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,

    and it falls on the wicked instead.

9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,

    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;

    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,

    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,

    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,

    but victory is won through many advisers.

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,

    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,

    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,

    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,

    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 Truly the righteous attain life,

    but whoever pursues evil finds death.

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,

    but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

    but those who are righteous will go free.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper;

    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,

    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,

    but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,

    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,

    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

1 Corinthians 15:17-28

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Luke 18:13

We feel you near, dear Lord, in the darkest hours. Thank you for the gift of your son. “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sin and grief to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to you in prayer!” Amen.