Sárospataki Füzetek 20. (2016)

2016 / 2. szám - ARTICLES / STUDIEN - Jaap Doedens: Lierary Wormholes: Wild Animals and Angels in Mark 1:13

Literary Wormholes: Wild Animals and Angels in Mark hi3

according to God’s commandments results in not having to fear wild animals, in accordance with the ‘decree’ of the Noahic Covenant as mentioned in Genesis 9:2. However, someone who does not live according to God’s laws will be dominated by wild animals. The pseudepigraphical literature adds to this notion of the righteous who dominates wild animals the thought that unclean spirits and the devil will flee from those who live in harmony with God and their fellow humans. Being righteous, thus, implies that a glimpse of paradise becomes visible within this world, which is expressed by referring to either the dominance of humans over wild animals or even by referring to a situation of harmony between man and animals.

Apart from this individual way by which something of the paradise is regained, the Old Testament shows eschatological visions of a messianic era, in which everything will be put right.39 This is a view which displays more than only the presence of an individual who — by living righteously - creates circle of peace surrounding him or her. There will be a future brought about by God himself or by God’s Anointed One, the Messiah. The effect of the Messiah’s righteousness will reach all of creation. This is envisaged by Ezekiel’s vision of a new covenant, which God will bring about, when Israel will be ruled by the Messiah, “my servant David”. One of the results of this rule of the Messiah will be that “they shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them”.40 This coming messianic era is most classically worded by Isaiah 11:1-10, where the prophet foresees the “shoot from the stump of Jesse”, upon whom the “Spirit of the Lord shall rest”, and who has “righteousness as girdle”. The prophet describes a striking vision of what will happen: when this future hope of Israel appears, paradise will be restored; natural enemies will be peacefully together:

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fading together, and a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.41

39 See Bauckham: Jesus and the Wild Animals, 14-19.

40 Ezek 34:23-31.

41 Isa 11:6-9.

2016-2 Sárospataki Füzetek 20. évfolyam 61