A series on evil...numero uno

It's been a while, but Todd and I have recently engaged in some emails about God...and the opposite of God: evil.  I've been pondering these things for months and finally got to email him last week, before Year Team ended.  I'll be posting my questions and his responses here.

ME:

The thorn in Paul's side.

2 Corinthians 12:7
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

As I read this and prayed (2.8.12), I really met with the Lord and asked Him to show me what’s going on with the thorn in Paul’s side.  My palms felt odd.  Reminded of Jesus' palms being pierced while on the cross and saw a picture of a thorn -- the crown of thorns.

Obviously, I thought of Jesus on the cross.  Thinking the reason Paul had a thorn in his side (and why we all do) is to keep us dependent on the Lord.  Not in a puppet/puppeteer way, but in a way that reminds us we can’t be good enough on our own.  This side of heaven, we will fail.  And, when we do, we are all the more grateful and dependent upon our salvation/the Lord.

BUT the thorn is said to be a messenger of Satan.  Does this just mean that God allows Satan to “provoke” us?  Though, even in that, the Lord brings it back to Himself -- for our good and His glory.  Reminded of Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

TODD:

Most commentaries agree that Paul’s “thorn” was a person. Whenever a “thorn” is referenced in the Old Testament, it references a person. Sort of like out “oaks” symbolize strong and righteous folks, “thorns” are people who are pains. The most logical explanation is that as Paul was on the move, this ‘thorn’ was someone who followed him and attempted to undo his ministry. We actually see a few places in Scripture (Acts) in which Paul would be someplace and then move to another...and his ‘refuters’ in the first place would show up in the next place he went.

I think too often we use “thorn” in a pastoral way...like when someone says “My thorn in my flesh in my struggle with anger or alcohol or lust (etc).” That’s not Paul’s perspective. Remember the whole Romans 6-8 discussion? Paul is describing life in sin and life in the flesh/world (Chapters 6-7). Romans 8 references life in the Spirit...which is why we can be called “more than conquerors.” If Paul’s thorn was a struggle of the flesh, then Romans 8 doesn’t make sense.

Bottom line, thorn = people.

ME:

Definitely good to know the thorn represents a person.  Seems like this isn't taught very often?  Or I just wasn't paying attention.  Either way, I'm glad to know.