Retelling Stories

A devotion written for our church for this past Sunday.

Retelling Stories

Deuteronomy 26:1-10

Paul Stroble

Have you seen Hamilton? We’ve seen it twice: live at the Fox, and again on Disney+. The musical premiered Off-Broadway in February 2015 and on Broadway a few months later in August. Composer Lin-Manuel Miranda read Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton and became inspired to write the show.

The musical’s story begins as Hamilton reflects on his difficult early life. He had been born in the Caribbean, of unmarried parents, and suffered misfortunes as he grew and eventually struggled to succeed. The musical introduces us to the many figures in Hamilton’s life and traces his journey as a significant Founding Father. Of course, Hamilton is later assassinated by Vice President Aaron Burr. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton survives Alexander by fifty years and devotes her life to the care of orphans.

The musical Hamilton draws from music like hip hop, R&B, pop, and soul. Much of the story is told in rap. The musical casts black and Latino actors in many of the roles. Miranda himself is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent. He plays Hamilton himself.

Miranda writes, “This is a story about American then, told by American now, and we want to eliminate any distance between a contemporary audience and this story.” Another writer notes that “the founders really didn’t want to create the country we actually live in today.” So, Miranda retells the story of Alexander Hamilton and transforms it for our contemporary time, with its racial and ethnic diversity and ongoing struggles concerning immigration and social justice.

One of the things that fascinates me about the Bible, is that it does what Hamilton does! There are places where Bible passages reinterpret and retell other passages. For instance, Deuteronomy retells the story of Israel and reiterates God’s laws, giving a theological perspective that helps Israel get ready for the future in the Land. 1 and 2 Chronicles retells the story of Israel’s monarchy, previously told in 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings, but this time emphasizing the responsibility for Israel’s future to each generation of Bible readers. Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 surveys the biblical history, in order to confront the religious leaders: the Prophets were often opposed by their communities, and so was Jesus in Stephen’s own time.

The book of Hebrews has several passages where Old Testament practices and stories are retold—often without what we would call historical accuracy—to make important theological points about Jesus. In important ways, the salvation of Jesus is a retelling of the story of the Exodus and the Mosaic covenant.

I’m taking a lot of devotional space, but I wanted to emphasize that the Bible itself gives us permission to study, apply, and reread its passages for contemporary situations. A “strict constructionist” approach to the Bible isn’t necessary or recommended. We always retell the Bible passages for new circumstances.

Our Deuteronomy passage is another example. It contains a wonderful confession of faith. “A wandering Aramean was my father” (verse 5). It is very interesting that the Bible refers to Jacob in this way. Abraham, his grandfather, was originally from the land of Aram, as was Jacob’s mother Rebecca. But since Abraham came to be called a Hebrew (Gen. 14), the text could’ve identified Jacob as a Hebrew, as well. Instead, it focuses upon his origins—where his family originally came from! It also focuses upon his vulnerability. He is a wanderer. He spends many years in an insecure situation, struggling with an uncertain future.

One of the favorite songs of Hamilton is “My Shot.” Hamilton sings, “Hey yo, I'm just like my country/I'm young, scrappy and hungry/And I'm not throwin' away my shot.” Of course, the phrase means to step up and do something while you have the chance. Pastor Linda points out how our Deuteronomy scripture enjoins the Israelites to be a blessing to others. Remembering their background with humility and gratitude, they can always “take their shot” by providing for others, doing good deeds, and worshiping God in faithfulness.

We Gentile Christians can do the same! Like the cast of Hamilton, we’re part of an old story that didn’t originally include people of our ethnic and national origins. But we have a “shot” every day to be faithful to the Lord, to serve him, and to do good in society. Like both Alexander and Elizabeth, we can look around and see ways where we can be influential for good.

Prayer: Dear Lord, open our hearts and eyes and minds to ways to serve you eagerly and gratefully in the world. Help our hearts to feel compassion for the immigrant, the homeless, and all who live in uncertainty. Amen.

(After I wrote this, I thought of the musical 1776, which I saw at the Little Theatre in Sullivan, IL in the 1970s. It is another kind of retelling of early America: the congressional proceedings that led to the vote for independence. It was an upbeat, often bawdy story well-timed for the national Bicentennial, with John Adams badgering the delegates to do the right thing.)