ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 The Hebrew Gospel

Ko e Koosipeli ‘i hono hiki Faka-Hepelu

1 SAMUEL 31:8-9

THE NEXT DAY, WHEN THE PHILISTINES CAME TO STRIP THE SLAIN, THEY FOUND SAUL AND HIS THREE SONS FALLEN ON MOUNT GILBOA. SO THEY CUT OFF HIS HEAD AND STRIPPED OFF HIS ARMOR AND SENT MESSENGERS THROUGHOUT THE LAND OF THE PHILISTINES, TO CARRY THE GOOD NEWS TO THE HOUSE OF THEIR IDOLS AND TO THE PEOPLE.

1 SAMIUELA 31:8-9

8 Pea ‘i he ha‘u ‘a e kau Filisitia pongipongi ke vete ‘a e pekia, na‘a nau ‘ilo ‘a Saula mo hono foha ‘e toko tolu ‘oku nau fetākoto‘i ‘i Mo‘unga Kilipoa. 9 Pea nau tu‘usi hono ‘ulu, mo vete ‘ene mahafu, ‘o nau ‘ave holo ‘i he fonua ‘o e kau Filisitia, ke ongoongo ‘a e me‘a ki honau fale ‘aitoli mo e kakai.

[ LILIU FAKA-TONGA ]

Ko e fo‘i lea “koosipeli”, ko e ma‘u mei he fo‘i lea Kalisi, ko e evangelione (ongoongo lelei). ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e lea Hepelu ‘oku na kainga, ko e pasola, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘uhinga ko e “fekau” pe “ongoongo.” Ko e hono talaki ‘o e pasola ko eni, ‘oku ngaue’aki ‘a e fo’i lea ko e pasala (ko hono “‘ave ‘a e ongoongo lelei”) ‘a e tala ke a’u ki hoto kolo. Ko e fo‘i lea ko eni ki hono “talaki ‘o e ongoongo” ‘oku toutou ngaue’aki ia ‘i he taimi ‘o e tau. “Hono ‘ikai faka‘ofo‘ofa ‘i he ngaahi mo‘unga si‘i va‘e ‘o e tala ongoongolelei (pasala), ‘o ia ‘oku fakahā ‘a e mo‘ui; ‘o ia ‘oku fanongonongo ki Saione, Kuo toe tu‘i ho ‘Otua (‘Aisea 52:7). ‘Oku ‘omi ‘e he Misaia ‘a e ongoongo lelei (pasala) ki he masiva mo fakatau’ataina ‘a e popula ‘i he tau (‘Ais 61:1; Luke 4:18). ‘I he taimi ‘e hoko mai ai mo hono mafimafi, ‘E Saione, Tala-ongoongolelei, fei mo ‘alu hake ki he mo‘unga lahi; ‘e Selusalema, Tala-ongoongolelei, ‘ai atu ho le‘o ke lahi; ‘ai atu pē, ‘oua te ke manavahē: tala ki he ngaahi kolo ‘o Siuta, Ko homou ‘Otua ē! (‘Aisea 40:9).

‘Oku matu’aki mahu’inga ‘a e fakakaukau ko eni, ke toe mahu’ingamalie ange ‘etau talaki ‘a e koosipeli ‘o Kalaisi. Ko ‘etau pasala - pe ko e fakalea ‘oku tau maheni mo ia, ko ‘etau ‘evangelioo - ko ‘etau talaki (fanongonongo) ‘a e ikuna faka-kautau - ke fahoko ki mamani kuo ikuna ‘a e Tu’i Misaia! Ko e kolosi mo e fonualoto ‘oku na tu’u ko e faka’ilonga ‘o e mala’e tau; pea ko e sila mo e ipu ‘o e ikuna kafakafa! 

“Hiva kia Sihova, fakamālō‘ia hono huafa; ‘O ongoongo ‘ene fakamo‘ui ‘i he ‘aho kotoa” (Ps. 96:2 NKJV).

The word "gospel" comes from the Greek word euangelion ("good news"). Hebrew has a similar, more neutral word, b'sorah, which means "message" or "news." To announce this b'sorah is to basar. So when the Philistines killed Saul, they basar ("carried the good news") back home. This word for "proclaim the news" is repeatedly used in military contexts, when messengers return from a battle. Beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news (basar) to Zion that "God reigns" over all nations (Isa. 52:7). The Messiah brings good news (basar) to the poor and liberates prisoners of war (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18). When he comes with might, Zion will herald the good news by proclaiming, "Behold, your God!" (40:9).

This is extremely important for our understanding of the gospel of Christ. To basar-or, as we might say, to evangelize-is to announce a military victory, to proclaim that King Messiah has won. The cross and tomb decorate a battlefield; and they are trophies of triumph.

"Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day" (Ps. 96:2 NKJV).