Lucas 11
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 11
Utley notes that "suppose one of you," is "literally "who of you." Luke uses this often to introduce Jesus' teachings (cf. Luke 11:5,11; Lk 12:25; Lk 14:5,28; Lk 15:4; Lk 17:7). This literary introduction can be seen in the OT in Isa 42:23 and Isa 50:10. This is a story not to illustrate God's reluctance to answer our prayers, but His willingness. This is called a contrasting parable. It is a fictitious account to highlight mankind's reluctance but God's willingness. Life Application Study Bible "Persistence, or boldness, in prayer overcomes our insensitivity, not God's. To practice persistence does more to change our heart and mind than His, and it helps us understand and express the intensity of our need. Persistence in prayer helps us recognize God's work." Marshall - The point of the parable is clearly not: Go on praying because God will eventually respond to importunity; rather it is: Go on praying because God responds graciously to the needs of His children. J C
Lucas 11
Utley - This verse explains the point of the parable. Persistence is an important aspect of prayer (cf. Luke 11:9-10). This is not because God is reluctant, but because prayer develops intimacy with God. Our greatest need is God, not the answer to all our prayers (cf. Luke 18:1-6). God invites His children to come to Him even in times and circumstances that may seem inappropriate. God is more available than any ancient host (cf. Ps. 23:5-6). Brian Bell gives us some helpful insight on Lk 11:5-8, both what it does not mean and then what it does mean -- WHAT IT DOESN’T MEAN! = It really isn’t teaching to be persistence in prayer (we’ll talk later about if ch.18 means that) The issue really is the word “persistence” here. (Lk 11:8) Persistence = Impudence, shamelessness, boldness. [only here in NT] The neighbor was ashamed not to help his friend, for he knew that, if he violated the social code, he would be the target of abuse throughout the whole village. God is not being compared to the sleeping neighbor! -- He is a God who never sleeps! He is a God whose door is never shut! He is a God who is never put out to help, in time of need! Instead, God is being contrasted to this neighbor. He is saying, “If a sleeping neighbor, on the basis of friendship & social etiquette, will meet the needs of a friend, how much more will your Father in heaven meet the needs of His own children!” WHAT IT DOES MEAN! Jesus clearly applies the Jewish rule of contrasts. (This rule, called Kal Wa-homer [from less important to more important], was 1 of the 7 hermeneutical rules compiled by Rabbi Hillel) This is called a parabolic contrast – All that the friend was, God is not; and the friend’s answer stands in sharp contrast to the answer of God. God is a loving Father not a grouchy neighbor. He gives us what we need. He neither sleeps nor slumbers. He doesn’t become irritated when we ask for help. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”. 2.11. After the parabolic contrast He then gives a parabolic comparison! (Luke:11:5-13 Someone’s Knocking at the Door) Stevenson - You need to know that the householder (NEIGHBOR) is NOT being likened to God. God is not sleepy or too busy or uninterested in answering our prayers. To place God in the role of the householder is to try to make the parable stand on all fours. This is even more obvious when we look at the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-5). There the story is of a widow who continues to make appeals to an unrighteous judge who only dispenses justice because it is convenient to him. Neither the householder or the judge are being LIKENED to God. Rather, they are being CONTRASTED to God. If continual prayer causes even such as these to respond, how much more will our loving Father provide for our needs if we continue to ask Him?