Day’s Journey

“But supposing Him (Jesus) to be in the group, they (Mary and Joseph) went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.  After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.”  -Luke 2:44-47 (ESV).

When Jesus was twelve years of age, He went with his parents to Jerusalem to the Temple to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  Known, too, as The Passover, the Jewish laws concerning this sacred observation are given in Exodus 12:16-19  and Leviticus 23:4-8.  A holy convocation (for public worship) was ordered on the first day of the week-long religious celebration.  It was held in the spring, and in our modern observances it would be at about the time of our March/April Easter time.  In the twelve years since Jesus birth and this event, his life is summarized by Luke’s statement that “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.  And the favor of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:40). 

How does a “day’s journey” fit into this story?  And about how far is a day’s journey—when Jesus, the twelve-year old lad, was separated from his parents?  “Day’s journey” was a term given to how far a person could travel in a day’s time.  Given the terrain and other factors, the measurement was about 20 to 30 miles.  But when traveling in a group, the distance of a day’s journey could be perhaps only ten miles. 

Jesus was not in the crowd at the end of the day’s journey.  Does this mean that Mary and Joesph temporarily let down their guard as parents and were not keeping watch over their twelve-year-old?  Think in terms of relatives and friends traveling from Nazareth to Galilee together to worship and observe the Feast of the Passover.  And after a week’s worship, offering sacrifices and talking on the theme of the particular Holy Week (salvation), Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was “in the crowd.”  Then came that “day’s journey” end—time to rest for the night.; They could not find Jesus anywhere among the others.  It was then they decided to return to Jerusalem to find Him.  I can imagine, with both of them having been instructed of their significant role in rearing Jesus, the Son of God, how they must have feared that danger had befallen the lad.  But when they arrived in Jerusalem, after three days (one to go, one to return, and one to search) they found Jesus, sitting among the learned men in the Temple, asking and answering questions.  We are told “they were astonished” (v. 48).  Mary’s words to Him are like those of any distressed mother whose child can’t be found:  “Son, why have you treated us so?”Jesus Himself had an answer in the form of a question:  “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (v. 49).  But Jesus went obediently with His parents, back north to Nazareth in Galilee, probably several days’ journey on foot, and already behind the crowd who liked to keep together for safety from robbers and other dangers on the road.  The “day’s journey” of Christ’s life (until he was about 30, scholars believe) from this incident when He was twelve until he appeared at the River Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist and open his public ministry is summarized by Luke:  “And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.  And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:51-52). 

Delight

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” –Psalm 1: 1-2 (ESV).  “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV).

“Delight”…what a beautiful word.  As a noun it means a high degree of gratification, extreme satisfaction, something that gives great pleasure (also the power of affording pleasure, joy).  From the Middle English deliten  and the Old French deliter, delectare, as a verb, delight can mean “to allure,to take great pleasure in, to give joy or satisfaction.”  As I thought of the word delight, my mind had a pleasant journey back a number of years recalling a visit to the Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, where we heard those dressed as the eighteenth and nineteenth century Shakers perform in their “delightful” religious dance and sing the words attributed to Joseph Brackett (1797-1882) from the Shaker dance song, “Simple Gifts.”  You might remember the words, too, from Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” of 1944.  Once you think about the song (and if you know the words) it is hard not to sing it over and over in your mind:

            “’Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free

            ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

             And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

            ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.”

I could see those Shaker performers taking delight both in the words and music and the movement of the dance they performed for us at the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill.  I get great delight now in visits from my great grandchildren.  We like to go exploring in my back yard.  One day Jake and Cydni were here and by digging down a little in soft dirt, we found a beautiful smooth stone.  We talked about its beauty, its smoothness and color, and, best of all that God Who created our wonderful world formed the earth and its contents, even stones that water and the elements have made smooth over a long time.  The stone found a favored spot at one of my flower beds.  Now when any of the great grandchildren come, and especially the two who found the stone, they take great delight in seeing the stone again and remembering how they discovered it. 

My mind turned not only to the “Simple Gifts” song and its invitation to  “the valley of love and delight,”  but I recalled and meditated upon Psalm 1 which is itself a song and the gateway (or prelude, if you want to think of it in musical terms) to the entire book of Psalms, inviting us into the delights and fellowship of the Lord God:  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”  (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV).  Come!  Early every morning and throughout each day, take delight in the Lord:  “”Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3-4, ESV).

A Practical Prayer Tucked Away in Proverbs

“Two things I ask of You; deny them not to me before I die:  Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” –Proverbs 30:7-9 (ESV).

I do not recall noticing any comment in previous studies I have done that pointed out the only prayer recorded in the Proverbs is the one in the focal passage above.  The prayer, according to the name given for the author, was Agur, son of Jakeh, the oracle, of Massa.  His identity is unknown, occurring no other place in the Bible.  Some scholars see Agur as a nickname for Solomon; others think he was a court counselor to King Solomon.  We actually cannot determine for sure whether Solomon or another wise man penned the words of the only prayer in Proverbs.

However in the midst of the many wise sayings this prayer is given, specifying that the plea is for two things.  The one praying hopes the Lord will answer it before the man’s death.  The first petition is “remove far from me falsehood and lying.”  The next request is combined into the second plea:  “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,” which seems to be prelude to the request in the Lord’s Prayer: “give us this day our daily bread.” Note how comprehensive are these two prayer requests:  “Remove from me falsehood and lying”implies that the one praying neither wants to become a liar nor does he want to have lies told to him.  It is a plea for seeking truth, hearing truth, being able to ascertain truth from error.  How ingenious is that request when it comes to both speaking and knowing truth?  Jesus taught us, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).  Agur’s second petition in prayer: “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me” touches on the all-important aspect of not trusting in material possessions or even being greedy about daily needs such as food needed for sustenance.  A balance needs to be struck, one that is adequate but not over-abundant.  Note Agur prayed that his two requests be granted so that he would not forget who the Lord is nor profane or dishonor the name of the Lord by having to steal for his needs.  I have read this prayer several times, making it the sincere plea of my own heart.  I hope you will do likewise. –Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.17.2013.