East of Eden

Six months ago I devoured John Steinbeck’s mythic tale, East of Eden.  Steinbeck creates fantastic and believable characters in a larger than life sort of way.  He even gives one of his characters a horse named Doxology.  Doxology is only the most amazing name for a horse ever. I really must buy a horse just to name it Doxology.  Anyway, some of you may remember Liza Hamilton.  If not, allow me to introduce you to her.  Liza is a small, strict woman with a rigid set of moral standards.  Life is black and white for Liza Hamilton.  On one occasion, in the book, Liza’s husband Samuel stays out all night hanging out with some neighbors.  Now, Samuel was not out doing anything scandalous but was just out later than Liza deemed appropriate.  The next morning Liza disapprovingly chides Samuel, saying, “Maybe you can find it healthy to rove all night, but the Lord God will do what He sees fit about that.”  Now I am not interested in discussing whether or not the fictional Liza was justified in her conviction.  What I am most interested in discussing is the narrator’s comment immediately after her rebuke:

“It was well known that Liza Hamilton and the Lord God held similar convictions on nearly every subject.” (Penguin Books, East of Eden, 178)

The narrator’s quip is both amusing and illuminating, don’t you think?

I have all too often discovered myself assuming that God thinks similarly to me on a variety of subjects.  If I am in a fight with Colin, I might say something like, “Well, why don’t you pray about that?”  Hmmm, I’m pretty sure that what I really mean is, “I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to testify that you fully agree with me that God is on my side in this argument and not yours.”

Sometimes we get so overconfident in our understanding and knowledge of God that we simply assume all of our opinions are synonymous with His heart.  We seem to think that if only we knew Scripture word for word then all of our thoughts and opinions would be in continuity with God’s own. There are so many problems with this assumption, not least of which is the sin in our hearts that causes us to, at times, misunderstand or misappropriate the Scripture that we have so impeccably memorized.  Now, this is not about disparaging knowing the Bible or memorizing Scripture. This is about resisting the assumption that if we know the Bible well we can co-judge with God.

The other day as I was scrolling down my twitter feed I read a tweet by one of our siestas, Fran Thomas.  She typed the following:

“Just because you have the gift of discernment doesn’t make you right all the time.” And then she wrote in parentheses: “talking to myself.”

Her tweet was a gorgeous reminder and it took me back to the Liza Hamilton in myself. Thanks for that word, Fran, if you are out here in these interwebs today.

The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17

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281 Responses to “East of Eden”

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Comments:

  1. 201
    Laura Cheney says:

    Laura, Bossier City:
    “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

  2. 202
    Nancy says:

    Nancy, Camillus, NY

    “Loves does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I Cor.13:6-7 NIV

  3. 203
    Michelle says:

    Michelle – Austin, TX

    “You hem me in and behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.”
    Psalm 139:5 NIV

  4. 204
    Melinda says:

    This reminds me of one of my own memory verses this year, taken from The Message because it packs such a punch:

    “I am God. That’s my name. I don’t franchise my glory…” Isaiah 42:8

    When I first read it in this translation, I had a mental image of me hanging out the shingle of my newly-franchised “Glory Revealed” location. I bet Liza Hamilton had quite the opening day herself. 🙂

  5. 205

    Thanks for the post. Our society assumes all the time in many situations when what we need to do is to follow Galatians 5:16-26. We need to live by the spirit. God is our heavenly Father and we need to let Him Lead us and not just assume we know.

    Again great post.
    Tracy

  6. 206
    Gindi says:

    Gindi, Houston
    Hosea 6:3, “Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
    (Thank you for this last night. It resonated.)

  7. 207
    Valarie Woods says:

    Val – Spotsylvania, Virginia

    You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV

  8. 208
    Dutchess says:

    Dutchess of Winterville, NC says …he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

  9. 209
    JACKIE (TEXAS) says:

    PHIL 2:5 NIV Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

  10. 210
    Earlene Brewer says:

    Earlene, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
    You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn North.
    Deuteronomy 2:3 (NASB)

  11. 211
    Kari says:

    LOVED this Melissa!!!!

  12. 212
    Marisa says:

    Marisa, Kissimmee, FL
    Matthew 11:28
    Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

  13. 213
    Deborah Solid from Palm Bay, Florida says:

    A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 (NKJV)

  14. 214
    Georgia Boone says:

    I’m late in catching up on the reading…..loved this post Melissa!!! Have missed you and your words of wisdom!!
    You always seem to hit a note (nerve)!! 🙂
    Blessings for a great weekend!!

  15. 215
    Cherrie Schilling says:

    Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. 1Peter 4:10 CEV

  16. 216
    Cherrie Schilling says:

    Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. 1Peter 4:10CEV

  17. 217

    Crystal OKC, OK

    Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgive.”

  18. 218
    Cathy says:

    Loved this post!! Very thought provoking!

  19. 219
    Marilyn says:

    HI MELISSA, HOW TRUE…………IN THE LAST FEW YEARS I HAVE BECOME EXCEEDINGLY TIRED OF A SPECIFIC PERSON WHO GOD HAD GIVEN ME GREAT PATIENCE WITH FOR YEARS. I DECIDED THAT GOD WAS AS TIRED OF THIS PERSON AS I WAS WHEN MY PATIENCE FINALLY RAN DRY. I FELT THAT MY NEW LACK OF PATIENCE MUST BE B/C GOD HAD DELIVERED ME FROM THE NEED TO BEAR WITH THIS PERSON. QUITE SOME TIME WENT BY BEFORE I WAS CONVICTED ABOUT THIS AND REALIZED THAT MY EMOTIONAL RESPONSE DOESN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH GOD’S OPINION ON A MATTER………IT WAS JUST MY JUSTIFICATION AND IT RESULTED IN NOTHING POSITIVE. IT’S EASY TO BE LED ASTRAY IN THIS MANNER, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DESIRE TO LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD.

  20. 220

    Okay… So I’ve been sick and off the computer lately and hopped on to “catch up” when I find this delightful post.

    East of Eden is delightfully one of my favorite books, Steinbeck undoubtedly an all time favorite author. 🙂

    I love what you share here, both the transparency and the insight. I once shared a very wise thought — and was taken back a bit when I was gently corrected by one I much respected.

    His thoughts are always higher, His ways always not my own. Glimpses of glory and understanding come to me when I seek Him – but that does not make my opinion or interpretation of His insights a verbatim translation. It will be fun to finally know where we were right on track and way off the mark when we finally make it home.

    Blessings.

  21. 221
    Lyssa says:

    Melissa, love this post! Please tell your mom that I enjoyed her James Bible Study so much!! It was truly a blessing to me and I learned so much!! My daughter, 24 asks every Tuesday night for a “Beth Moore quote of the night”. This is the one I gave her: “I can’t do it, I have a bone in my leg!” We both got a kick out of that one, wish I could have told the story that went with it as well as she did ha ha! Can’t wait for my own grand babies someday! Thanks for all you do!!

  22. 222
    Kim says:

    Praise the Lord, that was a word I needed to hear today! Thanks so much, Fran!!

  23. 223
    Nancy, Anoka, MN says:

    Happy Spring

    This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.
    Psalm 118: 24

  24. 224
    Robin Lackey of Crystal Springs, MS says:

    Hebrews 4:16 NIV
    “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

  25. 225
    Kathy says:

    Kathy – Delaware, OH

    My salvation and my honor depend on God, He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

    Psalm 62:7 NLT

  26. 226
    Sharon in Rowlett says:

    Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? If I am trying to please men, I would not be a servant of God. Gal. 1:10

  27. 227
    Carrie says:

    Carrie, Piqua, OH…. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Philippians 4:6 NLT

  28. 228
    Gloria says:

    Heb. 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

  29. 229
    Barb says:

    Barb, Lakewood, CO James 5:15 NKJV
    “The prayer of Faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

    Praying for magic moments for you in Fresno, Beth!!

  30. 230
    Sue, Slate Hill, NY says:

    This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24 NIV

  31. 231
    Nancy says:

    Nancy – Newport News, VA
    I will exalt you, my God the King, I will praise your name for ever and ever.

    Psalm 145:1

  32. 232
    Susie from Los Angeles says:

    Psalm 73:23

    Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you take me into glory.

  33. 233
    Nakeisha says:

    Nakeisha

    Houston, TX

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

    Ephesians 1:17 (KJV)

  34. 234
    Peggy Flecker says:

    Gal. 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

  35. 235
    Judy, Richmond, VA says:

    If God is for us, who can be against us?
    Romans 9:31
    NKJ

  36. 236
    Denise Liby says:

    Gal 5:22
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.

  37. 237
    Kelly, Lee's Summit, MO says:

    For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jer 29:11 NIV

  38. 238
    Penny Burke says:

    Penny, Cincinnati. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30, NIV

  39. 239

    When I read Beth’s scripture this morning, it was exactly what I needed. So, I’m using it this time for my memory verse.
    “Therefore my dear brothers (and sisters!) stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Cor 15:58 NIV

  40. 240
    Judy, Princeton, TX says:

    Proverbs 3:8 (NIV)

    “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

  41. 241
    vicki says:

    Vicki from Waco: Rom. 12:1-2 in The Message

    “So, here is what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking-around life–and place it before God as an offering.”

  42. 242
    Donna says:

    Donna, Marina ,Ca
    Ephesians 2:8
    For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

  43. 243
    Anne Marie says:

    Anne Marie, Woburn, MA
    Romans 12:2 (The Message)
    Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

  44. 244
    Jennifer Rott says:

    Luke 6:27-32 “But to those who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also, if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” NIV

  45. 245
    Jodell says:

    Jodell, Frankfort, “GOD’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.” Ps. 34:7 MSG

  46. 246
    Ann Heimlich says:

    Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

  47. 247
    Diane Lewin says:

    Diane, Melbourne, Florida May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV

  48. 248
    Jana says:

    Jana, Port Byron
    Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” NKJ

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