CHAPTER 1 :: Introduction to the Storybook
We must introduce this series of articles on the Gospel of Mark by introducing one of its unique features—a Storybook. When reading scripture, it’s vital to notice unusual statements. When we interpret them, they often tell the story behind the story.
Why Call Eli “Heavy?”
Let’s jump right in with a Storybook example from scripture. One instance is when the Holy Spirit–the author of all scripture–called Eli the priest, heavy (fat) in 1 Samuel 4:18: “When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died, for he was an old and heavy man.”
Since the Holy Spirit doesn’t attack people’s dignity without reason, He’s hinting at something by calling Eli fat. The following quotation gives us the background for the Spirit’s comment in v18: “So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten. And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat, for there fell of Israel thirty-thousand-foot soldiers. Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died” (1 Samuel 4:10-11).
Eli’s Sons Were Evil
God chose Eli as His high priest (1 Samuel 2:27-28). He was the chief priest of Israel when Samuel was born, and he mentored Samuel from childhood (1 Samuel 1). But Eli’s sons, who would succeed Eli in the priesthood, were evil. They took more than their share of meat from the offerings and slept with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting (2 Samuel 2:12-17, 22).
But hadn’t Eli rebuked his sons for their wickedness (1 Samuel 2:22-25)? He had also done worthy things as the head priest. So, why was Eli rebuked, and why did the Holy Spirit mention his weight?
Eli’s Sin
Since his sons exploited the sacrifices, the Holy Spirit hinted that, yes, Eli rebuked his sons for their evil deeds. But that didn’t keep him from sharing their wicked bounty, the sacrificial meat, at the dinner table. That’s why he was “heavy.” Therefore, the Spirit condemned him and hinted to reveal his error.
Here’s where this Storybook feature helps us see Eli’s sin. If we didn’t pursue the Spirit’s comment, we’d miss why God rejected Eli and his descendants as Israel’s High Priestly line forever (1 Samuel 2:12-36).
More Storybook Elements
In the beginning, there was a Creator, a garden, a guiltless but untested man and woman, fellowship with God, a fruit, rivers, and a snake whose advice, when acted on, brought a curse (Genesis 3). Aren’t these outstanding objects and characters to draft a story? Especially one that involves good and evil and the destiny of our entire race? Of course, this is a Story–right out of the Bible.
We Love Stories
Stories we love are written in a Storybook format. Noah’s flood, the Tower of Babel, Jacob obtaining the blessing, Joseph sold into slavery, etc. And those Stories are from the first book of the Bible.
Should we hold a staff in the air to win battles (Exodus 17:8-16)? If we don’t find the Storybook features, we might make that conclusion—or not learn how to apply them.
Not Unique to Mark
The book of Judges has one Storybook feature after another: too many to list here. There’s also David and Goliath, Jonah and the sea creature, and Jesus and the storm on the sea.
The writer of Hebrews sums up the Scripture’s Storybook approach:
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fighting, and turned the armies of foreign enemies to flight.
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured and did not accept deliverance, so that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trials of mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered around in sheepskins and goatskins, while destitute, afflicted, and tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:32-38).
