[Greek] ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai), [Latin] legere, [Latin] eligere, [Latin] elegus, [French] choisir: to choose, to make a choice, to single out, to prefer, to select; Mk.13:20, Lk.6:13, Lk.10:42, Lk.14:7, Jn.6:70, Jn.13:18, Jn.15:16,19, Acts 1:2, Acts 1:24, Acts 6:5, Acts 13:17, Acts 15:7,22,25, 1Cor.1:27-28, Eph.1:4, Jas.2:5
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to select, to choose, to prefer, and to pick.
Herodotus’ Histories 1.99: “He was careful to [select] hedge himself with all this that there were men of his own age and who had been brought up with him and nobly born.”
Plato’s Timaeus 24e: “The Goddess had furnished you all this orderly system, choosing the spot wherein you were born.”
Xenophon’s Memorabilia 1.6.14: “I fancy good friends. I teach them all the good I can. I recommend them to others from who I think will get some moral benefit.”
Plato’s Symposium 198d: “On this assumption I hoped we might pick out the fairest of the facts and set there forth in their agreeable guise.”
Xenophon’s Memorabilia 3.5.2: “Do you thing that the large number of fine, well-developed men could be selected from among the Boetians or the Athenians?”
Old Testament: This term means to choose, to prefer, to test, choice, and to examine.
Old Testament cultural attitudes to women (girls):
Women (girls) had little true freedom
Women wept about their virginity (producing children was culturally very important)
Women wept about their unmarried state (women were willing to marry anyone to avoid being single)
Daughters were viewed as property (given away) in marriage in a contract between families
New Testament: This term, meaning to select (choose), refers to followers (Apostles, disciples, the lowly, the foolish, the elect, and others), places, and ancestors. Jesus chose the Twelve, yet still knows that Judas’ betrayal will fulfill prophecy. Jesus explains to Martha that Mary has found the better path beside Him. God chose Paul to speak to the Gentiles. God chose the foolish, and the lowly to shame the wise and strong. God chooses the poor in the world who become rich in faith. Jesus teaches those to find their place at the table with humbleness.
Scripture:
“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Lk.10:42
Martha is upset that Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, is not helping her with serving others. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen a higher calling.
“If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.” Jn.15:19
Jesus illustrates the selfishness of this world. Being outside of this world, they become the children of God, following the ways of God.
“Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.” 1Cor.1:27
True wisdom and power are paradoxical. Human wisdom becomes foolish to the ‘eyes’ of God.
“And God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something.” 1Cor.1:28
God uses this paradox to shame and make human power, authority, wisdom look foolish.
Mary: In contrast to Martha’s active Christian (and secular sense) of serving, Mary’s path represents a contemplative, reflective and prayerful vocation. Mary represents the one who focuses on the spiritual realities, setting aside worldly concerns. Mary focused all her attention on Jesus. As Martha has the privilege of receiving the earthly Jesus, Mary prepares herself to receive the heavenly Christ. Mary’s vocation provides the basis for those who women who become nuns, sisters, consecrated virgins, and ‘spouses of Christ’.
Conclusion:
Elect eligible, eligibility, choose, choice, chosen
This term not only involves choosing, but also choosing out from a number of choices. The Greek noun eklektos (elect) means “the chosen-out ones.” This involves an election for an object or goal.
The Old Testament patriarchal view regarded women as vessels for bearing children. Family contractual agreements included marrying off daughters (giving away the bride) to another family. It was very important for a man to perpetuate the family line with many children. Virginity and singleness were both seen as curses.
However, the prophets bring about a new cultural paradigm shift regarding the single state. God tells Jeremiah that he must remain single serving Him. Isa 54:1 makes reference to the barren one, receiving far numerous children. This also describes Israel, a deserted and barren country, receiving numerous exiles.
This scripture foreshadows women who will become spiritual mothers to many children.
Martha’s role, often filled with distractions and competing interests, is contrasted to Mary’s single-minded efforts to focus on Jesus.
Remember the Brady Bunch?
Jan: “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia…I am tired of being in Marcia’s shadow all the time!”
Mom: “Jan, find out what you do best. And do your best with it.”
I think we can all picture this scene with Jesus and Martha:
Martha: “Lord, do you not care that Mary has left me to do the serving? Tell her to help me!”
Jesus: “Martha, Martha, Martha. Mary has chosen the better path.”
He who chooses to exalt himself will be humbled. He who chooses to humble himself will be exalted. Paul is chosen to preach to the Gentiles. God chooses the lowly, the simple, the ordinary to shame the wise and strong. The poor in faith are those who are open to God in faith and reliance on Him.
Update: Ordinary parents (moms and dads) are speaking out and shaming school boards about inappropriate sexual subject matter, drag shows, and CRT.
In this upcoming election, the American people will choose those candidates who will better seek to respond to the problems (inflation, crime, open border, etc) in our country.
Democrats and Progressives are attempting to make this election a choice on Trump and his supporters rather than on their failed policies.
Iran is seeking to remove itself from being under the control of an Islamic theocracy.
Trump rightly pointed out that German chose to make energy agreements with Russia. (We can see how well that turned out.)
The Biden administration has chosen to make our nation less energy secure with their policies.
The Biden chooses to beg other foreign nations for oil rather than to encourage energy production and exploration.
The Biden continues to choose to do nothing about securing the border.
The Supreme Court is examining a legal case about whether or not to choose candidates based on qualifications or on race (affirmative action).
There continues to be a culture of government officials who willingly choose to protect Hunter Biden.
The government chooses to continue to pay less attention on the attacks against pregnancy centers.
We now live in a culture where some can choose to be any sex (gender) they want. (This is an authority that only God should have).
Medical authorities, school officials and even some parents are encouraging young kids that they can become any gender they can identify with. (This is an authority only God should have).
Supposed wise experts look foolish when they say that men can get pregnant.
More and more people are seeing that ‘family friendly’ drag shows are foolish, inappropriate, and dangerous to kids.
We are now living in a culture where traditional Catholic (and Christian view are hateful and extreme. (Therefore, then this must also mean that God is hateful!).
We now live a world where ‘rights’ predominate in moral issues. (In other words, ‘I can choose to do whatever I want!)
All of us are often faced with whether or not to follow the world’s values or God’s values.
Many people think this election is a choice about whether or not to ‘preserve or destroy democracy.’
I calculated that this next post would be very appropriate for when we vote on election day. I also chose this because it is also very important that each of us calculate the cost of being a disciple of Jesus. For many of us, it can be often difficult to consider this.
Next post: to vote for something and to calculate the cost of being a disciple