There’s a lot of lightning, or whatever in this new video by Ben Rector. He’s a Catholic Christian I believe. He’s making a new series of kids videos. This one speaks openly about God, has some good dancing, lots of electricity…
From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right. Psalm xvii.2, NRSV
When the Bible talks about God looking forth from His eye, especially in the Hebrew Bible, it is often an idiom for lightning.
Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable. Psa xvi.2, Douay-Rheims (chapter 16 in this version)
Lightning is like powerful static electricity, like what’s produced when Amtrak runs the rails at 100 mph, or when you wake up in the morning and try to get yourself a cuppa joe before you realize your hair is sticking up all over. In this case, the Psalmist says from God’s countenance | His eyes… my right | equitable justice will come. There will be swift justice like getting shocked by someone in a dry wintery house by static.
There’s a lot of lightning, or whatever in this new video by Ben Rector. He’s a Catholic Christian I believe. He’s making a new series of kids videos. This one speaks openly about God, has some good dancing, lots of electricity…
and some great sax! You’ll have to offer a critique. I bet you’ll give him a straight A
Ben Rector feat. Dave Koz | Supernatural
hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psa xvii.8.b, NKJV
The reference, “shadow of your wings,” does not refer to free range, mother hens protecting their chicks under their wings during a storm. Although it’s a good word picture, it’s in error.
This refers to the cloak of someone like Elijah, who throws his cloak over Elisha. This act is a sign of Elijah calling Elisha to minister alongside him (1 Kings xix.15-17, 19-21).
It is possible these outer cloaks could be wind torn and frayed at the tips, having the appearance of wings.
There is also the reference to the fringe of the garments that Jesus wears. A miracle is associated with His garments in the Synoptics, but Matthew and Luke specifically mention the fringe (Matthew ix.20-22; Luke viii.43-48). Of course the outer cloak of Jesus with fringes could also be referred to as wings. Some scholars believe His fringes are similar to the outer cloak of priestly garments in His day.
We don’t have any sweaters like that today, or at least not usually male sweaters. In fact, in NW Michigan there are various opinions as to whether or not guys should wear big scarves as well.
On a related note, I joined the Praise Team at Valley Church on Sunday in the two morning services, and participated an evening service. I wore one of my favorite sweaters, singing as a tenor vocalist, and I shot a confetti canon in the third service to welcome new members, like any great recruiter would.
sermon begins after worship at 28:33
This sweater has somewhat of a wing, not quite a full hood. It’s a large collar I can flip up to keep me warm, like a scarf. I can be warm under the shadow of this sweater, this wing, or scarf-like addition, if I pop the collar (the large collar). I have wore it primarily to replace a Sunday suit or sports jacket. It’s actually that nice.
So like certain prayer rooms, sanctuaries, and other sacred spaces, perhaps there are articles of clothing that become set-apart. I know when I wear this cloak, I have prayed-interceeded-studied the Word-ministered in it, as with other cloaks of ministry. It is a sacred space that travels with me, and that is what the shadow of His wings means in the Bible stories mentioned above.
This is the same Ben Rector song as above, but there are some differences. It’s an ice skating number, done very well. It’s also a LIVE performance by Ben Rector and his band, who you don’t see until later…
Supernatural LIVE | Bonus!!
Then there’s the costume, the sweater color combination…
It’s not very common, but it is the color of my eyes. Most hazel eyes are (I would guess) a combination of brown and green or something else. Mine are blue, a little bit of grey, green, and a tan-ish brown. More about eyes in a minute.
She is really at his mercy a few times, being hoisted in the air. I’m sure they’re both at each other’s mercy because of the precision of their dance.
They are a covering for each other, like wings. Also in a way, Ben Rector is a covering for them, working with them in a live venue.
I thought you might enjoy it, since the Winter Olympics commence tomorrow.
Guard me as the apple of the eye. Psa xvii.8.a
Apple of your eye does not mean any one part of the eye, but it refers to being close enough to see your reflection in the other person’s eye.
I am sure if that’s going on among us somewhere, we’re breaking proximity rules, our 6 foot social distancing rules.
It really may not be like Eros in nature, but rather something like a calling-forth, in line with the themes of being under God’s lightning fast protection, and His wings.
It could be though, like turning on my lights; for ex. waking up, being here, and somehow awakening to righteousness at the same time (1 Corinthians xv.34).
For me, participating openly in last weekend’s services was like dreaming again, eyes wide open, much accomplished leading up to this point, hope in my eyes, even if I am not too expressive. The lights are coming on.
Perhaps you can sense that I still feel like I’m close enough in worship to see myself as the apple of the Spirit’s eye, and I hope you’re there now too.
It’s a process at times, hope and joy often difficult to come by.
Dream On | no explanation needed
From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.
Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psa xvii.2, 8
The negativity of the Psalm is couched in protection, and yeah there’s a lot going on. We are compelled into close proximity with God. These verses serve as a barrier for the duress…
Thus far and no more.
These points are the hinge of the Psalm, or the way it is framed-in by David.
David also concludes the song with a response, an invitation. It’s more than God’s initiative, as we see in the other verses.
It’s also about our response.
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. Psa xvii.15
It is the climax of the framed-in structure.
Interestingly, in this Psalm all three verses hinge on eye-site. All of the negativity, hinges on these three verses, all hinging on what the eye is beholding.
There’s hope in the new day
Hope in being awakened
in arising each day
in being awake
And there is hope in facing a new dawn
Facing new challenges and a new game of chance
Maybe I’ll revisit some of the other videos in Ben Rector’s new series. My youngest doesn’t seem to like the third one as much as the others, and that’s the acid test for children’s videos, isn’t it?
However, here is a good song he sings about thriving and taking new chances.
Ben Rector & Ingrid Michaelson
It Would Be You
I like it when two great voices get together. Ingrid Michaelson sings alongside Ben Rector, even though it isn’t a video where you can see them together.
And on that note, and with the Psalmist’s invitation into the new, I hope your year is off to a good start. I hope you’re looking forward to what God may have in store for you, despite temporary challenges. I hope you see this time and your future as He does.
Have a Good Nite,
Pastor Jared
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