The tribulation

Thursday July 1, 2021

The tribulation

We also boast in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces patience. Romans 5:3

The word tribulation comes from the Latin "tribulare", meaning to beat with a tribulum. It is an agricultural tool whose descriptions have been found during archaeological excavations in Iraq on clay tablets dating from the second millennium BC. The tribulum was a sort of wooden sled, bristling with stones, which scraped on the ground when dragged. It was still used a few years ago by peasants in the Middle East and southern Europe. Its function was to remove grain from the ears.

Think of the strength of the image that we now understand a little better : the stones crush, with each passage of the sled on the threshing floor, the ears heated by the sun, until the total separation of the grains. It is a suggestive representation of suffering that keeps returning. Why does the oriental peasant subject his harvest to a treatment that seems to destroy everything ? Only to extract the good kernel from the cob.

Thus, God seems to bruise us by repeated trials that make us think of the passages of the tribulum on the threshing floor. Yet we have to believe that he is only removing things of little value from our lives, to bring out the real fruit, as the heading verse shows.

The tribulation was especially the part of the Christians of the first centuries : I know your tribulation... Do not fear in any way what you will suffer (Revelation 2:9,10) ; it will also be that of the rest of Israel in the latter days (see Matthew 24:2 ; Revelation 7:14) ; it is also for us in various forms.

On this difficult path, we have Teacher's encouragement : You have tribulation in the world ; but have good courage, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)