HOBSON’S CHOICE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 17 December 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is on the topic “Hobson’s Choice”. It comes from 1 Kings 10 and Matthew 12 and is presented as a small play featuring two soliloquies; one by the Queen of Sheba the other by Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 17 December 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	HOBSON’S CHOICE
THOMAS HOBSON – 1544-1631 Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered. As a person may refuse to take that option. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not. “Take it or leave it". It originated with Thomas Hobson a livery stable owner in England. To rotate the use of his horses, he offered customers the choice of either taking the horse in the stall nearest the door or taking none at all. (Taken from Wikipedia via Google) “To be or not to be, that is the question”, must be one of the best known soliloquies ever written. Spoken by Hamlet, it is perhaps an ideal example of Hobson’s choice. Shakespeare’s “take it or leave it”. Do I, don’t I? Now Hobson and Shakespeare were contemporaries, maybe one inspired the other? The Bible is not written in “playwright” style. Not as we read it in English today. One or two of the books could be compiled that way. Job springs to mind, as does Habakkuk and Malachi. There is no suggestion of this anywhere in the New Testament. But at the same time, the words of Jesus are frequently presented to us in a “Take it or Leave it” style. A good example comes from John’s Gospel: 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15: NLT This is typical of Jesus’ “Hobson’s choice” references. In our meditation today, I’ve compiled a small play. There are only two characters. One is the Queen of Sheba. The other is Jesus. The words of the Queen of Sheba are from 1 Kings 10. I’ve used the information recorded about her there. This, I’ve combined with a small amount of imagination to produce a soliloquy on with her impressions of King Solomon. Jesus’ soliloquy is based on His knowledge of the Queen of Sheba. It takes into consideration the contextual background and His words spoken to the Jewish leaders in Matthew 12. What happened was that they had been walking through the grain fields. Because they were hungry, His disciples had broken off some of the grain. They rubbed it in their hands in order to obtain the nourishment they needed. This made the Scribes and Pharisees furious. “They are harvesting grain on the Sabbath!” they said angrily. “This is forbidden by the Law of Moses”. Jesus’ answer to them was predictable and liberating. Unfortunately for Him, He made the point that He, the Son of Man, was Lord of the Sabbath. According to their strict interpretation, Jesus was saying that He had authority to interpret the Mosaic Law differently from them. If it had been possible for them to “foam at the mouth” like mad dogs, that’s what they would have done! In His soliloquy, I’ve taken phrases and statements from elsewhere in the Gospels. They present these leaders with a Hobson’s choice situation. A choice that is equally applicable to us today. What are we going to do with Jesus? Do we believe Him or don’t we? Will we obey Him or won’t we? Many of the Jewish leaders back then rejected Him. They will be rejected on Judgement Day. You and I have the same choice. “To be or not to be?” That is the question? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 But I didn't believe the reports until I came and saw it with my own eyes. I wasn't even told half of it. Your wisdom and wealth surpass the stories I've heard. 1 Kings 10:7 GW 42 The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with you. She will condemn you, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here! Matthew 12:42 GW 14 So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. John 1:14 NLT 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT 17 Your eyes will see the king in all his splendour and you will see a land that stretches into the distance. Isaiah 33:17 NLT 2 Dear friends, we are already God's children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 1 John 3:2 NLT 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! Job 19:26 NLT 15 Because I am righteous, I will see You. When I awake, I will see You face to face and be satisfied. Psalms 17:15 NLT	QUEEN OF SHEBA: I wouldn’t have believed it, or thought that it was true, That someone was as wealthy and wise O King as you! Your temple is fantastic. Your palace better still. I thought it was impossible in all the world until, I visited Jerusalem to see with my own eyes. If what I’d heard was genuine, or just a pack of lies. But as I look around me, the things that I can see, Are so much more resplendent than what I thought could be. This surpasses anything and everything I’ve heard. And now that I have seen it, I know it’s not absurd! JESUS: That’s what the Queen of Sheba to Solomon did say. Perhaps that’s all she wanted before she went away? But on the Day of Judgement, be sure that she will stand, And bring her condemnation to many in the land. Especially the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. She saw a man of wisdom and standing here before, The leaders of this Nation.  A Man who is more wise, Than anything King Solomon had set before her eyes. She travelled a great distance, King Solomon to test. And this man now before you is wiser than his best. Solomon’s great wisdom was there for her to see. But none of you will listen to what I say to thee. Ignorance is fatal and you just close your ears. One day at the judgement, your eyes will fill with tears! You will be excluded from the Kingdom of the Lord, Because of your hard-heartedness; He’ll put you to the sword. I know you don’t believe it. You look for clever words. You listen to the speeches of the pompous and absurd. Instead of something simple that a child can understand, You trust in man-made customs that make you feel so grand! And your religious practices, that drive the folk away. What is it at the judgement that you are going to say? The King in all His splendour; before Whom you will bow, Will say that you are hypocrites. And He will ask you how, The people you ministered to will want to let you in? You’ll stand in condemnation for a wicked life of sin. I’ve nothing more to tell you, except my heart is breaking, That even at this instant, your ways you aren’t forsaking. And you are lost forever, unless you turn to me; And you display repentance for everyone to see. So Priests and Scribes and Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Grab this opportunity. It may come back no more! Jim Strickland  Written 17th December 2012