ODJ: particular people
April 5, 2011
am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi (v.1).
READ: Philippians 1:1-11
I like to walk around my neighborhood and take in the sights. As I wander along, my eyes view the textures, the details, particular names, and particular places. My street’s texture includes the Williams’ home (neighborhood patriarchs who sip cold orange sodas on their porch), the young couple who walk to the market (always holding hands) and, of course, the third-grade boy who’s up to some mischief. My neighborhood isn’t an undefined stretch of houses, but individual people with individual stories. As professor Elaine Scarry writes, “Beauty takes place in the particular.”
Sometimes we forget that the Bible’s writers addressed their words to particular people. They didn’t write to a vague, general audience, and it’s likely that they had no idea that their text would be read by so many people (like us) over such a vast stretch of time. Rather, they wrote to specific people in specific cities dealing with specific questions and wrestling with specific problems. The Bible’s authors were immersed in particulars.
When Paul wrote to the church gathered in Philippi, he had individuals in mind. The apostle had words for Euodia and Syntyche who apparently were having a feud and needed to “settle [their] disagreement” (Philippians 4:2). He spoke directly to those serving in the halls of Roman power—in “Caesar’s household” (v.22). Paul spoke to those he knew had sacrificed generously to help their impoverished and devastated friends (v.15); and he also wanted to encourage his faithful friend, Clement (v.3).
The Bible is a very particular book. It cuts into the grain of our lives just as it delved into the lives of its first readers. Scripture rolls up its sleeves and digs in with us, amid our doubts, our fears, our sin. Whatever our turmoil, God knows it—and God’s Word has something to say to it. —Winn Collier
What person in your life has desired to truly know you? What does it mean for you to understand that God knows and cares about the details of who you are?
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