Friday 9 February

1 Kings 11:29-32, 12:19; Psalm 81; Mark 7:31-37

The divided made whole

Because Solomon strayed from God’s way, because Solomon was deaf to God’s words and his tongue dumb to God’s commands, God’s judgement comes to pass; with Solomon’s death, Israel is divided. Ten tribes of Israel are given to Jeroboam; the remnant remained with Solomon’s son, Rehoboam.

Curing the deaf and dumb man symbolises Jesus’ power to open the ear to hear God’s word and loosen the tongue to proclaim God’s message, making whole again what was divided – a division not only within Israel but also between Jew and Gentile – that all may become one people who are the Lord’s.