ABBA: The Palindromic Nature of Scripture

Regardless of human errancy, so much can be said for the beauty and nuance in the biblical scripture. One nuance of this literature that strikes close to my heart, is the palindromic nature of the Bible. Thematically, this collection of texts can be read front to back or back to front and the integrity of its message is kept. To me, this is one example of God’s poetry, creativity, beauty, and humor sneaking its way to those with the eyes to spot it within “his” text. I will outline a brief picture of what I mean when I describe the palindromic nature of scripture. 

Garden. (Genesis/Eden)

Flooding/Baptism. (Noah)

Covenant with blood. (Abrahamic Covenant)

Passover Lamb. (Exodus of Egypt)

Wilderness & the Law. (40 Years & Mt. Sinai)

The Messiah. 

Wilderness & the Law. (40 Days & Mt. Zion)

Passover Lamb. (Jesus dying on Passover)

Covenant with blood. (Messianic Covenant)

Flooding/Baptism. (A spiritual baptism- dove/ark connection)

Garden. (New Jerusalem)

As you can see, these themes are layered quite elegantly and precisely throughout the biblical narrative. Obviously this theory breaks down if we go verse by verse or sheer number of books on either side of Jesus in the biblical timeline. Regardless, it’s easy to see the pattern and the poetry behind these themes. What does it mean? There is something to be said for Christ being at the center of this beautiful layout. This surely should not be ignored. I have some key points from this revelation. 

From God’s perspective, time begins with the incarnation of his Son. I do not believe that Christ existed in some OTHER form prior to creation or before Adam & Eve (on our timeline). I believe that to God, time (human history) began 2000 years ago with the divine incarnation of his Son. Again, I do not believe that Christ had a form outside of being completely human. From the beginning of everything, Jesus was ALWAYS human. As is his nature and his calling. When I explore these themes within scripture, I find that Jesus was always the beginning. Continuing this perspective, the wilderness and law follow. (These are just my thoughts… this is all an alternative perspective) To God, the 40 days (Jesus’ testing) and the 40 years (Israel’s testing) happened in tandem. Then, God introduced the Passover Lamb to his people for protection and covering. Jesus’ death and the death of Pharaoh's firstborn happened simultaneously in God’s eyes. Passover lambs simultaneously. After this, from God’s eyes, he makes a covenant with these beautiful human beings. A covenant in blood. One through Abraham. One through Jesus. Both agreements happening at the same time, almost as if they were in fact ONE true covenant (seen in different times throughout history). THEN, from a place of beautiful covenant, God is able to wash the world with the baptism of his love and passion (one of the Spirit and one with Water). On the timeline of biblical history, these happen at two different times, but once more, I argue that these are in fact the SAME baptisms being described. Finally, after the cleansing of spiritual waters, man enters garden paradise with God and ABIDES. 

Brothers and sisters, the biblical account we read…we read out of order. We read first that man was in a garden and somehow screwed it up. We read that God destroys the planet. We read that he murders children and forces his people into a wasteland. Then it leads to Jesus. WHAT AN AWFUL WAY TO UNDERSTAND/INTERPRET GOD! These events cannot be understood outside of their counterparts and not unless they are read in their proper order. Humanity is limited here by our perceptions of time. 

When Israel wandered the desert, Jesus was being tested alongside them. When the screams of the Egyptians were heard that night of Passover, Christ cried out “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. When Noah sent out that dove, it descended upon the Children of God giving them new life, and came back to Noah with that assurance. 

“ABBA”. The most intimate cry of his children is palindromic as well. Let this be telling. This is where I will stop. I have drawn and pulled an endless amount of truths about God’s heart from this revelation, but I want to leave space for you to find your own!