The Sword of Damocles – Part 1
And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God [Ephesians 6:17].
Back in the day… No, even further back than that. You still don’t have it right. Back still further, say circa 350 B.C. Back then there was this tyrant named Dionysius. He ruled over the city of Syracuse in southern Italy.
Dionysius was famed for his inordinate wealth. It would seem that he enjoyed opulence like none other in that day. The tastiest dainties he feasted upon. The most sumptuous wardrobe he bedecked himself in. Pretentiousness with the flashiest jewelry was a trademark of his. Why, he even kept many a court flatterer on the payroll, so he could daily feast on their audio servings of how fantastic he was.
Yes, Dionysius was the envy of the Mediterranean world back in the day. During Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls heyday, the prevailing shibboleth to make the rounds of the airwaves stated, “I want to be like Mike.” Well, back then it was said, “I want to be Dionysius.”
This one particular courtier actually drank the Kool-Aid. He swallowed the hype, making him the best toady Dionysius had on staff. Day in and day out without letup, Damocles practically stalked Dionysius, inundating him with envious praise and adulation.
As we might have expected, Dionysius soon tired of the charade. That is what it was to him, it was so over the top. He didn’t know Damocles was for real, that his flattery wasn’t meant to be disingenuous. Damocles, it would appear, was the original rock-‘n’-roll groupie!
Finally Dionysius took Damocles aside. Allow me to fabricate for your consumption a likely scenario in this conversation. He asked Damocles, “So you think my life is glamorous, do you?”
Damocles responded without hesitation, “Oh, yes indeed, good King Dionysius. Would that I could be a tenth of the man you are!”
“Oh, so you would like to be me, would you?” shot back Dionysius’ retort.
“Yes, good king,” rejoined this simpleton courtier. “Without reservation I affirm your question. ‘Twould be a dream come true!”
To which Dionysius replied, “Okay, then. So be it. You will live my life for a while.”
Then the king gave the order to prepare things for Damocles, so that he could enjoy the life of Dionysius. Straightway Damocles was bedecked in luxurious garments and the jewelry of his choice. He was seated at the banqueting table, which was filled with scrumptious dishes like Damocles had never imagined he would enjoy. So Damocles dived in mouth first, not bothering to come up for air until his tummy was sated.
Let us take our leave of this study at this time. We will return to it on the morrow. Enjoy your quiet time with Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Back in the day… No, even further back than that. You still don’t have it right. Back still further, say circa 350 B.C. Back then there was this tyrant named Dionysius. He ruled over the city of Syracuse in southern Italy.
Dionysius was famed for his inordinate wealth. It would seem that he enjoyed opulence like none other in that day. The tastiest dainties he feasted upon. The most sumptuous wardrobe he bedecked himself in. Pretentiousness with the flashiest jewelry was a trademark of his. Why, he even kept many a court flatterer on the payroll, so he could daily feast on their audio servings of how fantastic he was.
Yes, Dionysius was the envy of the Mediterranean world back in the day. During Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls heyday, the prevailing shibboleth to make the rounds of the airwaves stated, “I want to be like Mike.” Well, back then it was said, “I want to be Dionysius.”
This one particular courtier actually drank the Kool-Aid. He swallowed the hype, making him the best toady Dionysius had on staff. Day in and day out without letup, Damocles practically stalked Dionysius, inundating him with envious praise and adulation.
As we might have expected, Dionysius soon tired of the charade. That is what it was to him, it was so over the top. He didn’t know Damocles was for real, that his flattery wasn’t meant to be disingenuous. Damocles, it would appear, was the original rock-‘n’-roll groupie!
Finally Dionysius took Damocles aside. Allow me to fabricate for your consumption a likely scenario in this conversation. He asked Damocles, “So you think my life is glamorous, do you?”
Damocles responded without hesitation, “Oh, yes indeed, good King Dionysius. Would that I could be a tenth of the man you are!”
“Oh, so you would like to be me, would you?” shot back Dionysius’ retort.
“Yes, good king,” rejoined this simpleton courtier. “Without reservation I affirm your question. ‘Twould be a dream come true!”
To which Dionysius replied, “Okay, then. So be it. You will live my life for a while.”
Then the king gave the order to prepare things for Damocles, so that he could enjoy the life of Dionysius. Straightway Damocles was bedecked in luxurious garments and the jewelry of his choice. He was seated at the banqueting table, which was filled with scrumptious dishes like Damocles had never imagined he would enjoy. So Damocles dived in mouth first, not bothering to come up for air until his tummy was sated.
Let us take our leave of this study at this time. We will return to it on the morrow. Enjoy your quiet time with Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
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