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How do you capture the weight of exile?
In 1920, German artist Gebhard Fugel painted his masterpiece Waters of Babylon, illustrating the profound sorrow of the Babylonian Captivity.
The emotional core of this scene relies heavily on a single, powerful image from the ancient text: hanging up their musical instruments because they are simply too heartbroken to play. (Zoom in to see the harps hanging on the willow trees in the background.)
▎ “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps…”
▎ — Psalm 137:1-2
If this imagery sounds familiar to modern theater fans, there is a reason! This exact scriptural passage serves as the literal lyrics for the moving, acoustic track “On the Willows” from Stephen Schwartz’s hit musical Godspell. Just as the captives in Babylon hung up their harps, the song plays during a poignant moment of farewell and transition in the show.
Fun historical fact: Fugel painted classic weeping willows and harps here following traditional European translations (and mistaken tree taxonomy), but history tells us the exiles actually hung ancient Judean lyres on Euphrates poplar trees!
Artwork: Waters of Babylon (1920) by Gebhard Fugel
Musical Reference: “On the Willows” – Godspell (The New Broadway Cast Recording) 👇 Listen link in the comments!
In 1920, German artist Gebhard Fugel painted his masterpiece Waters of Babylon, illustrating the profound sorrow of the Babylonian Captivity.
The emotional core of this scene relies heavily on a single, powerful image from the ancient text: hanging up their musical instruments because they are simply too heartbroken to play. (Zoom in to see the harps hanging on the willow trees in the background.)
▎ “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps…”
▎ — Psalm 137:1-2
If this imagery sounds familiar to modern theater fans, there is a reason! This exact scriptural passage serves as the literal lyrics for the moving, acoustic track “On the Willows” from Stephen Schwartz’s hit musical Godspell. Just as the captives in Babylon hung up their harps, the song plays during a poignant moment of farewell and transition in the show.
Fun historical fact: Fugel painted classic weeping willows and harps here following traditional European translations (and mistaken tree taxonomy), but history tells us the exiles actually hung ancient Judean lyres on Euphrates poplar trees!
Artwork: Waters of Babylon (1920) by Gebhard Fugel
Musical Reference: “On the Willows” – Godspell (The New Broadway Cast Recording) 👇 Listen link in the comments!
Made these archaeology dig kits for the kids in Bible class who are learning about the judges. The ratio is 1:1 water to Plaster of Paris. I 3D printed similar artifacts for the kids to “dig out” just like an archaeologist would. Thanks to Appian Media for your kids video on the importance of archaeology and to the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology for your articles detailing the evidence of the judges!
What can a 2,000-year-old “computer” found in a shipwreck tell us about how to read the New Testament?
Watch now: https://buff.ly/dmhTYvv
I think this has been my favorite chapter so far! In Chapter 6 of “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes” we explore the two Greek words for time: Chronos and Kairos.
⏳ Chronos: The ticking clock and the sequence of history
🎯 Kairos: The opportune moment and the “fullness of time”
Watch now: https://buff.ly/dmhTYvv
I think this has been my favorite chapter so far! In Chapter 6 of “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes” we explore the two Greek words for time: Chronos and Kairos.
⏳ Chronos: The ticking clock and the sequence of history
🎯 Kairos: The opportune moment and the “fullness of time”
The Ultimate Plot Twist: From Shame to Coronation 👑
When we read Scripture with Western eyes, we often miss the cultural “shouting” happening in the text. This Easter, I’m struck by the incredible parallel between the story of Joseph and the walk to Calvary.
In Genesis 50, Joseph looks at the brothers who sold him into slavery and says:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good… the saving of many lives.”
Fast forward to the Crucifixion. To the Roman world, the procession to the cross was designed to be the ultimate public shaming. But as scholars like Ray Vander Laan point out, the details of that walk read from the book of Mark—the crown, the robe, the soldiers, the “kingly” title—actually mirrored a Roman Triumph.
A “Triumph” was a parade for a conquering general, his path to being honored as a god-like figure.
Easter proves that what men intended as the “ultimate shaming” was actually the ultimate honor.
The cross wasn’t just an ending; it was a throne-room entry.
He didn’t just rise; He took the throne. And from that throne, He continues to do exactly what Joseph promised: He saves many lives.
P.S. The Romans thought they were mocking an imposter, but they were actually acting as the world’s most ironic stage crew for a King’s coronation. God loves a good plot twist!
📸: The Chosen
Sources: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, Ray Vander Laan
When we read Scripture with Western eyes, we often miss the cultural “shouting” happening in the text. This Easter, I’m struck by the incredible parallel between the story of Joseph and the walk to Calvary.
In Genesis 50, Joseph looks at the brothers who sold him into slavery and says:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good… the saving of many lives.”
Fast forward to the Crucifixion. To the Roman world, the procession to the cross was designed to be the ultimate public shaming. But as scholars like Ray Vander Laan point out, the details of that walk read from the book of Mark—the crown, the robe, the soldiers, the “kingly” title—actually mirrored a Roman Triumph.
A “Triumph” was a parade for a conquering general, his path to being honored as a god-like figure.
Easter proves that what men intended as the “ultimate shaming” was actually the ultimate honor.
The cross wasn’t just an ending; it was a throne-room entry.
He didn’t just rise; He took the throne. And from that throne, He continues to do exactly what Joseph promised: He saves many lives.
P.S. The Romans thought they were mocking an imposter, but they were actually acting as the world’s most ironic stage crew for a King’s coronation. God loves a good plot twist!
📸: The Chosen
Sources: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, Ray Vander Laan
