THE LORD SPOKE (January 12)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 29-30

How far should you go with “dynamic equivalence”? It’s a relatively recent term used in Bible translation that calls for the substitution of an equivalent term or concept in the receptor language for something difficult or obscure in the original language.

There have been some notoriously bad examples of abuse in this practice. For example, some suggested the substitution of “pig” for “lamb” in a culture that had no sheep but was quite familiar with swine-herding. It was correctly rejected by most because of the difficulties raised by terms like “the Lamb of God” or “the Lamb upon the throne”. What do you do though with a term like “snow” in a desert culture that hardly knows rain, let alone snow?

Having said that, there is inevitably a certain amount of equivalent substitution that must happen in any translation work. It simply is not possible to go from one language to another seamlessly. Idiomatic phrases often demand some adaptation, “correction”, or explanation. Word order, syntax, and thought patterns are frequently different from language to language and necessarily become an important consideration in transferring the meaning from one language to another.

We’ve all read some translated text like those horrible assembly instructions on multi-folded thin paper that obviously were translated by someone who didn’t really know English very well. Good translation work cannot be reduced to a word-for-word equivalence. Otherwise, it would be quite simple to just program several dictionaries into a computer and churn out multiple translations at the push of a button. That might even work for some very simple texts if they’re originally composed with that in mind, but try doing it with good fiction, flowery prose, or poetry!

The New International Version (NIV) has been billed as a dynamic equivalent translation. Indeed, when it was first being composed in the late sixties, it was a fairly novel concept. Not a paraphrase, but also not a woodenly literal translation, it tried to steer a middle road as a clear and natural English translation. It succeeded admirably well.

Today’s Scripture reading contains an excellent illustration of all this which you probably would have skipped over entirely if it weren’t brought to your attention. In Genesis 29:14, Laban refers to Jacob as his own “flesh and blood”. The Hebrew text literally says “bone and flesh”. The meaning of the two phrases is an entirely acceptable dynamic equivalent. No violence was done to the original and the resultant translation reads as smooth English.


New Testament: Matthew 12

Greater than Solomon? You’ve got to be kidding! In the Jewish mind nothing could ever be greater than Solomon. His kingdom was the most extensive and secure, his wealth the most vast and impressive, and his wisdom the most perceptive and applicable. But Jesus had just told them (Mat. 11:11) that no one had ever been born of women who was greater than John the Baptist. That took them by surprise.

Now He takes it a step higher for the one He speaks of here (Mat. 12:42) is so much more than just “one born of women”. This One is God himself. In a veiled reference to Himself, Jesus charges His hearers with devastating unbelief. Take a look at the charge sheet. They failed to believe:

• John’s testimony (11:7-19)
• Jesus’ miracles (11:20-24)
• the Father’s revelation (11:25-27)
• Jesus’ own message (12:1-8)
• their own rabbinic arguments (12:9-14)
• Isaiah’s report (12:18-21)
• the very testimony of the demons (12:22-28)
• the evidence from the Holy Spirit (12:30-32)
• the fruit Jesus produced (12:33-37)

Is it strange that they couldn’t perceive that “one greater than Solomon” was among them? Like ancient Pharaoh, they had hardened their own hearts.

Maybe we don’t do it so obviously. But think about it. When we don’t follow Him and act upon our “faith” is that any different?

We can be very subtle in our unbelief. We just don’t do anything about it. We’re content to go on our merry way. Who cares if we go to church Sunday night (never mind prayer meeting on Wednesday)? Who wants to serve in the nursery or children’s church (I wish they’d quit bugging me about it)? I already did my time on that committee - someone else can take it for awhile. Another meeting? I’m tired. Besides, my team is playing on television tonight. I work hard all week - I deserve my rest time.

And so, we practice a form of “practical atheism”. Our religion just doesn’t amount to much. It’s all fine and dandy as long as it doesn’t mess up my schedule. I’ll stick some more money in the offering plate.

But God won’t leave you alone. His Spirit will continue to prod you. Jesus’ words will haunt you. Because He wants all of you. He is content with nothing less and He is worthy of nothing less. Think about it!