Hate...and more Hate

[JohnDB]

Lets take a look at Zaccheus.
He was another Levite...and yes he was short just like the song says.
And that made him hate.
He hated God for making him short.
He hated the other Levites for being there...meaning his life and opportunities to be a "big man" of importance in his community were really limited.
He hated the Rabbi running about who could quote the Law with flawless perfection of how Zaccheus didn't "measure up".
Because he was so short he had absolutely no interest in the leather craft business. He was smaller than other guys...and all the craft would be hard labor. So he hated that whole industry.
So...he found another job. One for the Romans.
As a tax collector he did well. He got promoted because of his honesty.
But his fellow Israelites hated him as well for "working for the "Goyim". After all he was a "traitor" working for the Romans in such a fashion.
So...Everyone hated each other.

BUT
There was this employee of his named "Levi"...a fellow Levite who also was a tax collector. He spoke of this Rabbi named Jesus who was unlike any of the other Rabbi. In fact Levi said that this guy was actually the Messiah that Israel was going to have who would save them all.

"Bah humbug" thought Zaccheus..."Nothing to get in a dither about. All he really knew was that he was going to have to break in a new Tax Collector and check him thoroughly for years to come to make sure he was giving all he should be." That was three years ago that Levi left his post without even so much as a warning...only half a day's taxes collected had to be made up for his abandoning his post...and then the guy has the audacity to throw a party about it all. Humph!!!"



But then one day...
Jesus came to town preaching and teaching...the stories of the healings and miracles definitely had Zaccheus intrigued. He couldn't leave it alone. After all he was once a Levite...someone who could perform in the Temple. Handle scripture...teach Israel's children and leaders of tomorrow. Yeah, he would repent if only the hate and judgmentalism would not be so much...maybe. He would have to see if this guy was all he said he was for himself...he would know...he was actually a leader of men as a cheif tax collector. He could know within seconds if this Jesus was a liar or con artist or wackjob or not.
So...Zaccheus left his office to see Jesus...but the crowd of these people who hated him were in the way! They would NOT get in his way!
So Zaccheus ran ahead...(only children run in the Middle East...adults never) He was hot, mad, angry but he would know for sure now...and return the hate with road taxes like they hadn't seen before.....

BUT

Jesus called him by name....seeing his heart that only God could see. And Salvation came to Zaccheus' house that day.

 

[reba]

 

[Sinthesis]

Luk 19:1 ¶ And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
Luk 19:2 - And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
Luk 19:3 - And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Luk 19:4 - And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Luk 19:5 - And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Luk 19:6 - And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Luk 19:7 - And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
Luk 19:8 - And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luk 19:9 - And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Luk 19:10 - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.​

Honestly I don't see any reason why we should think Zacchaeus hated anybody. He seemed to be hated by those who resented that he worked for the Romans, but Jesus did not condemn him for that. Incidentally, Zacchaeus means 'pure'.

 

[By Grace]

Lets take a look at Zaccheus.
He was another Levite...and yes he was short just like the song says.
And that made him hate.
He hated God for making him short.
He hated the other Levites for being there...meaning his life and opportunities to be a "big man" of importance in his community were really limited.
He hated the Rabbi running about who could quote the Law with flawless perfection of how Zaccheus didn't "measure up".
Because he was so short he had absolutely no interest in the leather craft business. He was smaller than other guys...and all the craft would be hard labor. So he hated that whole industry.
So...he found another job. One for the Romans.
As a tax collector he did well. He got promoted because of his honesty.
But his fellow Israelites hated him as well for "working for the "Goyim". After all he was a "traitor" working for the Romans in such a fashion.
So...Everyone hated each other.

BUT
There was this employee of his named "Levi"...a fellow Levite who also was a tax collector. He spoke of this Rabbi named Jesus who was unlike any of the other Rabbi. In fact Levi said that this guy was actually the Messiah that Israel was going to have who would save them all.

"Bah humbug" thought Zaccheus..."Nothing to get in a dither about. All he really knew was that he was going to have to break in a new Tax Collector and check him thoroughly for years to come to make sure he was giving all he should be." That was three years ago that Levi left his post without even so much as a warning...only half a day's taxes collected had to be made up for his abandoning his post...and then the guy has the audacity to throw a party about it all. Humph!!!"



But then one day...
Jesus came to town preaching and teaching...the stories of the healings and miracles definitely had Zaccheus intrigued. He couldn't leave it alone. After all he was once a Levite...someone who could perform in the Temple. Handle scripture...teach Israel's children and leaders of tomorrow. Yeah, he would repent if only the hate and judgmentalism would not be so much...maybe. He would have to see if this guy was all he said he was for himself...he would know...he was actually a leader of men as a cheif tax collector. He could know within seconds if this Jesus was a liar or con artist or wackjob or not.
So...Zaccheus left his office to see Jesus...but the crowd of these people who hated him were in the way! They would NOT get in his way!
So Zaccheus ran ahead...(only children run in the Middle East...adults never) He was hot, mad, angry but he would know for sure now...and return the hate with road taxes like they hadn't seen before.....

BUT

Jesus called him by name....seeing his heart that only God could see. And Salvation came to Zaccheus' house that day.

What is the connection between the title, and the story?
I do believe that you may be missing evidence for some of your assumptions in your creation, very loosely based upon Scripture.

 

[JohnDB]

What is the connection between the title, and the story?
I do believe that you may be missing evidence for some of your assumptions in your creation, very loosely based upon Scripture.

Any good anthopologic study of the ANE should give you the same information as I have pieced together here.
But...the one fly I invented in the ointment is the part about Zaccheus running...he probably didn't. But climbing a tree is the equivalent of running in the ANE. Even to this day only children run. Considering the attitudes and reactions of the people hate was considered an activity thing and not something of an attitude...same with love. Scriptures and God were somewhat different in that they involved true emotions and attitudes. But not many ever subscribed to the attitudes and heartfelt emotions that the Bible proscribed.

 

[turnorburn]

Lets take a look at Zaccheus.
He was another Levite...and yes he was short just like the song says.
And that made him hate.
He hated God for making him short.
He hated the other Levites for being there...meaning his life and opportunities to be a "big man" of importance in his community were really limited.
He hated the Rabbi running about who could quote the Law with flawless perfection of how Zaccheus didn't "measure up".
Because he was so short he had absolutely no interest in the leather craft business. He was smaller than other guys...and all the craft would be hard labor. So he hated that whole industry.
So...he found another job. One for the Romans.
As a tax collector he did well. He got promoted because of his honesty.
But his fellow Israelites hated him as well for "working for the "Goyim". After all he was a "traitor" working for the Romans in such a fashion.
So...Everyone hated each other.

BUT
There was this employee of his named "Levi"...a fellow Levite who also was a tax collector. He spoke of this Rabbi named Jesus who was unlike any of the other Rabbi. In fact Levi said that this guy was actually the Messiah that Israel was going to have who would save them all.

"Bah humbug" thought Zaccheus..."Nothing to get in a dither about. All he really knew was that he was going to have to break in a new Tax Collector and check him thoroughly for years to come to make sure he was giving all he should be." That was three years ago that Levi left his post without even so much as a warning...only half a day's taxes collected had to be made up for his abandoning his post...and then the guy has the audacity to throw a party about it all. Humph!!!"



But then one day...
Jesus came to town preaching and teaching...the stories of the healings and miracles definitely had Zaccheus intrigued. He couldn't leave it alone. After all he was once a Levite...someone who could perform in the Temple. Handle scripture...teach Israel's children and leaders of tomorrow. Yeah, he would repent if only the hate and judgmentalism would not be so much...maybe. He would have to see if this guy was all he said he was for himself...he would know...he was actually a leader of men as a cheif tax collector. He could know within seconds if this Jesus was a liar or con artist or wackjob or not.
So...Zaccheus left his office to see Jesus...but the crowd of these people who hated him were in the way! They would NOT get in his way!
So Zaccheus ran ahead...(only children run in the Middle East...adults never) He was hot, mad, angry but he would know for sure now...and return the hate with road taxes like they hadn't seen before.....

BUT

Jesus called him by name....seeing his heart that only God could see. And Salvation came to Zaccheus' house that day.

That's the love of God John Newton found when he wrote Amazing Grace..

 

[Malachi]

What is the connection between the title, and the story?

In all fairness to Zacchaeus, that title would be more appropriate for the scribes and Pharisees who hated Christ and His teachings.

 

[By Grace]

Any good anthopologic study of the ANE should give you the same information as I have pieced together here.
But...the one fly I invented in the ointment is the part about Zaccheus running...he probably didn't. But climbing a tree is the equivalent of running in the ANE. Even to this day only children run. Considering the attitudes and reactions of the people hate was considered an activity thing and not something of an attitude...same with love. Scriptures and God were somewhat different in that they involved true emotions and attitudes. But not many ever subscribed to the attitudes and heartfelt emotions that the Bible proscribed.

In your article, you used the word "hate" or a derivative about 10 times. Here is an example:

Lets take a look at Zaccheus.
He was another Levite...and yes he was short just like the song says.
And that made him hate.
He hated God for making him short.
He hated the other Levites for being there...meaning his life and opportunities to be a "big man" of importance in his community were really limited.

On what basis do you ascribe to Zaccheus such a deep hatred?
Since Scripture is silent on him having any hatred whatsoever, we must also be similarly silent, and that is my objection to your OP. I am not doubting your sincerity, nor am I criticizing your story-telling ability, but if any writer wishes to create a fiction about a Bible character, there needs to be more elements drawn from Scripture about his psychological make up than is presented here.

Also, I am wondering about the connection you are making between an adult running and children running and the psychology of Zaccheus or his climbing a sycamore tree, which was a logical move for him; not something from a childish nature. IOW, you are confusing me.

 

[JohnDB]

Tax collectors were hated by almost everyone in Israel...except by other tax collectors.
Their tax collections gave money to the Romans who had conquered them and killed their citizenry. The Romans were responsible for all the idolatry and "sin" in Israel was the average person's thought.

The tax collectors were Jewish citizens who took the educations they had and then used them for the Romans and were considered treasonous to God and all that was good in Israel.

And when someone is hated...they most often hate back.

 

[Radagast]

Any good anthopologic study of the ANE should give you the same information as I have pieced together here.

I think 1st century Palestine is well outside the ANE period. And even if it wasn't, anthropology wouldn't let you draw conclusions about one specific man.

What makes you think Zacchaeus was a Levite? What makes you think he was so full of hate? And, if Zacchaeus was indeed "promoted because of his honesty," why did he offer to repay people he'd cheated (Luke 19:8)? Indeed, as an ἀρχιτελώνης, Zacchaeus was almost certainly not a Roman employee, but an independent "tax farmer," who had probably paid big money to the Romans for the right to collect taxes.

Also, what makes you think nobody ran? See John 20:4, Mark 6:33, Matt 28:8, Acts 3:11, not to mention all the Pauline verses about running in a race.

The Romans were responsible for all the idolatry and "sin" in Israel was the average person's thought.

No, I'm pretty sure people worried about idolatry, naked sportsmen, and all that sort of thing would still be blaming the Greeks.

 

[Mike]

And when someone is hated...they most often hate back.

Just for the sake of discussion, I have to agree that I've never read anything into the account of Zacchaeus that led me to believe he hated anyone. To that extent, it might have been more accurate to say he might have or "I believe he probably, hated the people that poured hate on him. I've always pictured him as a miserable man who could only take solace in the money he was making to reconcile the life decisions he made. He knew he was despised and excluded from the people he was surrounded by. He felt isolated in a "prison" of his own doing, and he probably built a wall around his heart to minimize the disdain others had for him. So, it was all about the money.

In Luke 19:3-4 I see a man who was anxious and hopeful to have his life taken from his hands. I believe he wanted to be a better man, and he needed someone to destroy the old man, draw a line, and give a new life to the new man. He needed someone who would see the potential for good that no one else saw and set him in a new direction of purpose.

 

[JohnDB]

Just for the sake of discussion, I have to agree that I've never read anything into the account of Zacchaeus that led me to believe he hated anyone. To that extent, it might have been more accurate to say he might have or "I believe he probably, hated the people that poured hate on him. I've always pictured him as a miserable man who could only take solace in the money he was making to reconcile the life decisions he made. He knew he was despised and excluded from the people he was surrounded by. He felt isolated in a "prison" of his own doing, and he probably built a wall around his heart to minimize the disdain others had for him. So, it was all about the money.

In Luke 19:3-4 I see a man who was anxious and hopeful to have his life taken from his hands. I believe he wanted to be a better man, and he needed someone to destroy the old man, draw a line, and give a new life to the new man. He needed someone who would see the potential for good that no one else saw and set him in a new direction of purpose.

Hate is always multifaceted. It's never simple.
And one of the odd things that I have observed is that when we have hate it most often is actually ourselves that we truly hate but it is everyone else who gets the focus of our anger.

"The Dance of Anger" is a book that explores this notion and many others (like disarming anger)...kinda a textbook on the subject. (I wish I could remember the author's name.) But a Google search ought to bring it up on Amazon.

 

[JohnDB]

Generally speaking Israel hated anyone but their own King...and even then they often harrassed him to no end.

Their whole culture, from the Messiah they wanted to the many revolts, spoke volumes about wanting their Independence from all outside control or rule.
Several false messiahs had risen up and garnered thousands of followers. Then they would publicly declare that they were stopping the taxes and money flow to the Romans and meet up with the Roman army where they would get exterminated.

Often these guys would join the Zealotes political/religious faction before meeting with the Romans.
I'm sure you know that this is where Simon-zealote came from before he met Jesus.

 

[By Grace]

The tax collectors were Jewish citizens who took the educations they had and then used them for the Romans and were considered treasonous to God and all that was good in Israel.

Truth

And when someone is hated...they most often hate back.

Speculation
Honestly, you are creating a fictional case for something for which there is no Biblical foundation.

"The Dance of Anger" is a book that explores this notion and many others (like disarming anger)...kinda a textbook on the subject. (I wish I could remember the author's name.) But a Google search ought to bring it up on Amazon.

You are building a case for something that did not happen in the Bible, based on a self-help book for women?
I am unsubsubscribing from this thread; it is not beneficial.

 

[JohnDB]

Truth

Speculation
Honestly, you are creating a fictional case for something for which there is no Biblical foundation.


You are building a case for something that did not happen in the Bible, based on a self-help book for women?
I am unsubsubscribing from this thread; it is not beneficial.

You can choose to ignore normal human emotions and thoughts that I have explained and sourced for my story.

But

Considering ever word in the Bible is precious and expensive when written. (A simple 9 1/2 by 11 piece of paper would cost approx two to three days wages when brand new...used paper for messages was common).
So each and every story told to us is for a purpose. The writing style is deliberately without customs, practices, and generally known facts. So we would have this story taking up a half page of paper for not much exceptional merit? We have a tax collector already giving up his post to become a disciple. Why repeat when there are hundreds who repented at Jesus' words. We have thousands who knowingly went hungry to listen to Jesus (but Jesus fed them anyway)

Why is this story told out of the hundreds that could be told? What stories preceded this one? What stories came after? Is there an underlying theme to this string of stories?

I would love to have someone tell me how and why I'm all wet when I've applied normal human emotions and the customs and practices of that culture at that time to this story.

 

[brewmama]

Hate is always multifaceted. It's never simple.
And one of the odd things that I have observed is that when we have hate it most often is actually ourselves that we truly hate but it is everyone else who gets the focus of our anger.

"The Dance of Anger" is a book that explores this notion and many others (like disarming anger)...kinda a textbook on the subject. (I wish I could remember the author's name.) But a Google search ought to bring it up on Amazon.

I read that book. It was written by Harriet Lerner. It was quite good.

 

[Mike]

Speculation
Honestly, you are creating a fictional case for something for which there is no Biblical foundation.


You are building a case for something that did not happen in the Bible, based on a self-help book for women?
I am unsubsubscribing from this thread; it is not beneficial.

To be fair, you are misrepresenting what John said. The quotes that you responded to above were speaking to the nature of people in general; not to Zaccaeus specifically, so he was not creating a fictional case. I also found it demeaning to label the referenced book as a "self-help book for women". Zaccaeus might have hated others, but I see no evidence that he did. Either way, I'm not sure why you're so offended by someone saying that he did.

 

[Radagast]

thoughts that I have explained and sourced for my story.

I can't see any sourcing.

A simple 9 1/2 by 11 piece of paper would cost approx two to three days wages when brand new...used paper for messages was common

I'm pretty sure they didn't have paper. Did you mean papyrus? Vellum?

Why is this story told out of the hundreds that could be told? What stories preceded this one? What stories came after? Is there an underlying theme to this string of stories?

All good questions. It would be great if we could discuss those.

I would love to have someone tell me how and why I'm all wet when I've applied normal human emotions and the customs and practices of that culture at that time to this story.

Because there's no evidence that these particular emotions applied to Zacchaeus, and because your "customs and practices of that culture at that time" do not seem to be correct.

 

[Jim Parker]

Lets take a look at Zaccheus.
He was another Levite

where does it say he was a levite?

 

[Sinthesis]

where does it say he was a levite?

I'm pretty sure if you levy taxes you're a levite.