Ben and Eben

On Father’s Day this year, our church in Maui had “Fathers/Men Jokes.” I only remember two of them.

What was Boaz before he married Ruth? He was ruthless.

Do you want an ark? I know a guy!

Other puns or play-on-words include “I knew a woman who owned a taser. Man, she was stunning!” “Did you hear about the great new shovel? It’s groundbreaking!” “Writing with a dull pencil is pointless.”

Every language has similar play-on-words or puns. We expect “fathers” or “men” to make them, not spiritual giants like John the Baptizer.

But when people flocked to John to wash themselves ritually, he said,

“Viper offspring, who showed you to flee from the soon-to-come anger? Bear fruits of justice of your repentance. Don’t say to yourselves: ‘We have Father Abraham because God can raise children (ben) for Abraham from these stones (eben).” (Luke 3:7–8)

Being in the wilderness full of poisonous snake dens, John would have known the vipers would flee if he tossed a fiery torch into their den. Similarly, someone had warned the people of a coming anger – perhaps from Rome – that would harm the nation, and they fled to take shelter with John, hoping his cleansing would absolve them of their guilt. Although God was in their midst with a savior to deliver them, they couldn’t take shelter in a cleansing ritual. They needed to change their lifestyles. They were to do justice that proved their repentance. If they were truly returning to God, they should show it with their just actions. They couldn’t take shelter or comfort that Abraham was their forefather, and they were his children. God could turn stones (eben) into children (ben) for Abraham.

God’s ax was at the root of the tree – a metaphor for Israel, an olive tree. If they didn’t produce good fruit, they would be cut off as a nation and tossed into a fire (Luke 3:9).

The people understood the intensity of John’s words and asked him what they must do (Luke 3:10). John said:

The one who had two tunics must share with one who had none. The one who had food, likewise, must share with the hungry.

Those who collected taxes shouldn’t collect more than what was required.

Soldiers shouldn’t extort anything from the people or falsely accuse them. Instead, they should be content with their wages.” (Luke 3:11–14)

Actions proved they had repented hearts. Their works proved they had true and good fruits. Their acts of justice, not their biological affiliation, confirmed they were Abraham’s children (ben).

Micah, one of the prophets in the Old Testament, proclaimed a similar message to the Hebrews centuries earlier. He said,

“Oh, people, YHWH had declared to you what is good and what he seeks from you: Do justice, delight in lovingkindness (hesed), and walk in humility before Elohim.” (Mic 6:8)

John wanted similar characteristics and lifestyles among the Hebrews if they wanted to escape the destruction that faced their nation. Doing justice would protect them.

God still wants nations and his people to do justice, delight in lovingkindness, and walk in humility before him. Some in the world hear this message and follow. We, Christians, have no excuse not to do justice, delight in lovingkindness, and walk in humility before God. Our changed lifestyles, not rituals or worship, show we are Abraham’s and God’s children.