Analyzing Psalm 22: Surrounded by Bulls
Analyzing Psalm 22: Surrounded by Bulls
Psalm 22: 12-13; Mark 15:29-32 - Our fears that appear when adversity is all around us yield to the Lion of Judah.
”Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. They open wide their mouth at me, As a ravening and a roaring lion.“
Psalms 22:12-13 NASB1995
David now describes the sense that he is surrounded by aggressive and strong bulls in his forsaken state and not just any bulls, but the bulls of “Bashan”, who are roaring at him like a lion. So what are the “bulls of Bashan”? I like the answer in Gotquestions.org:
Bashan was a territory that Israel won, defeating King Og during Israel’s conquest of Canaan (Deuteronomy 3:3–4). The territory included about sixty wealthy cities (Joshua 13:30), some of which had walls of bronze (1 Kings 4:13). Bashan was a place of giants (like Og) and mighty oaks (Isaiah 2:13). Bashan was associated with strength and wealth and plenty.
Bashan was also famous for the quality of its cows and flocks. Moses recounts how God had provided Jacob (the people of Israel) with curds of cows, milk of the flock, and fat of lambs and rams of the breed of Bashan (Deuteronomy 32:14). In His lovingkindness God had delivered the land of Bashan to Israel (Psalm 132:17–22). But, sadly, the people grew fat from this wealth and forsook the God who provided it for them (Deuteronomy 32:15–16). Even the women there were oppressing the poor and crushing the needy (Amos 4:1). Because of the people’s evil, God said He would judge the people of Israel and remove them from the land. The impenetrable forest of Bashan would come down (Zechariah 11:2). After this judgment, God would again restore Israel to the land, and they would feed in Bashan and Gilead once again (Micah 7:14).
Bashan is apparently in the general vicinity of the Golan Heights in present-day Israel. Here is a map that shows the location of that land during the time of Joshua; Bashan is at the upper right, northeast of the Sea of Galilee.
Just like David, Jesus is surrounded by a pack of “bulls” while He suffers on the cross. Here is a passage from Mark 15 about the “herd” of mockers:
”Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.“
Mark 15:29-32 NASB1995
Here’s a thing to think about: The forsaken, severely injured and dying Son of God on the cross, surrounded by the yammering and mocking religious leaders, is also the Lion of Judah. He triumphs in the end of all things and no strong bull can stand against that ultimate power! All of our fears and anxious thoughts are because we are listening to the crowd and their lies and we stumble in faith. Step away from those lies and look to the reigning and eternal Word of God. I love these words from C.S. Lewis about Aslan in “The Chronicles of Narnia”, who is the true King (and representing Jesus):
“Who is Aslan?” asked Susan.
“Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. . . . It is he, not you, that will save Mr. Tumnus. . . .”
“Is—is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
“I’m longing to see him,” said Peter, “even if I do feel frightened when it comes to the point.”
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The King is good! But we should also tremble to think of Him in His full glory.
My next devotional examines Psalm 22:14 - Poured out like water.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - I am so thankful that you are both the loving Jesus and the Lion of Judah, wielding your power against those who are causing fear and anxiety in me. Amen.
Gotquestions.org was accessed on 2/29/2024 to review the answer to the question about the bulls of Bashan.
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (The Chronicles of Narnia #1), authored by C.S. Lewis, was first published Geoffrey Bles in the UK in 1950. The book is available through public domain downloads.