GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 12:21
Customs
Small customs surround everyone—many inherited unconsciously and passed along unconsciously. Some people always serve black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Turkey is always served on Thanksgiving. Taking the turkey’s wishbone and breaking it was said to bring good luck to the person who gets the larger piece. Some people knock on wood to avoid “jinxing” a good outcome. “Bless you” is often heard after a sneeze, to drive away illness or evil spirits. Some people view the number 13 as unlucky, especially Friday the 13th or the 13th floor of an apartment building. In fact, in the United States, many buildings avoid labeling a level as the “13th floor”; the numbering goes from 12 to 14, with no 13. Yet, these same people may treat a four-leaf clover as a rare sign of good luck. Some people make a wish when blowing out birthday candles. Some people think bad luck will follow if they open an umbrella indoors. Some people flip a coin to make a decision—heads, I win; tails, I lose.
In parts of the Eastern world, showing the sole of one’s foot is considered an insult because it is regarded as unclean since it touches the ground. At a news conference in Baghdad on December 14, 2008, a reporter threw his shoes at President George W. Bush, who dodged them. But throwing a shoe—especially showing its sole—is considered a strong insult.
Modern Westerners who read Mark’s account of the Sadducees’ story about the levirate marriage tradition shake their heads in disbelief. In their story, seven brothers who live together marry the same woman when each dies in succession leaving no “seed” or child. “And the second took her and died not leaving seed; and the third likewise.” (Mark 12:21) This hypothetical story rests upon Deuteronomy 25:5-10, and it illustrates the importance of customs.
First, it was a tradition that preserved a family and its inheritance. Within that time and culture, it was an important familial responsibility to maintain the family’s place in society and preserve its financial stability. Families were allotted land upon which they would grow food. The loss of that right would spell the end of a family, so each family needed an heir.
Second, it protected a widow. This tradition highlighted the obligation placed on family members to care for their families. This custom shows how responsibility expands into service to one another.
One should not be too critical of the levirate marriage custom the next time he sees someone throw a pinch of accidentally spilled salt over his shoulder to ward off bad luck.
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