The Pangea Blog
HT: Greg Boyd
The following video and this article explains the sign in greater detail.
Notice that the elderly man who posted this sign has agreed to take it down. The verse in question, taken by itself, may or may not mean a longing for the death of the President. “Let his days be few” might be interpreted by some (who use the picking and choosing method of pseudo-interpretation) as meaning that the leader’s reign would be short. Clearly the biblical passage in its larger context makes it perfectly clear that this is about the death of the king (president), but perhaps the man didn’t read it that way? I like to think the best of him after watching the video… but I don’t know his motives for sure. What I do know is he hates the current president’s ideology and cares a lot about conservative political causes.
Even so, this is one of several situations where this passage has been directed toward President Obama. Remember this story?
The most recent email by Kansas’ Mike O’Neal quotes a Bible verse for President Barack Obama that points readers to a scripture in the Bible titled ‘a cry for vengeance.’
Psalm 109, referred to in the email to fellow lawmakers, prays that ‘his days be few … his wife be widowed and his children be fatherless.’
According to the Lawrence Journal-World who read the email sent by Speaker O’Neal, the prayer was forwarded with his own attached message reading:
‘At last — I can honestly voice a Biblical prayer for our president! Look it up — it is word for word! Let us all bow our heads and pray. Brothers and Sisters, can I get an AMEN? AMEN!!!!!!’ (Click here for full story)
Here’s what the biblical passage says:
7 When the sentence is passed, let him be found guilty—
let his prayer be found sinful!
8 Let his days be few;
let someone else assume his position.
9 Let his children become orphans;
let his wife turn into a widow.
10 Let his children wander aimlessly, begging,
driven out of their ruined homes.
11 Let a creditor seize everything he owns;
let strangers plunder his wealth.
12 Let no one extend faithful love to him;
let no one have mercy on his orphans. (Psalm 109.7-12, Common English Bible)
What are your thoughts on the way in which folks are using Scripture to such political ends? Is there ever a situation in which these words ought to be the words of those now following Jesus under the new covenant? Is it right to wish that “no one have mercy on his orphans”?
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