Yesterday, on the way home from work, I heard part of sermon on the radio, and the passage about the rich man and Lazarus was mentioned. This verse came to mind.

Luk 16:24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

Is there some reason the rich man would ask the question the way he did? Why would he ask to have his tongue cooled, as opposed to drinking some water or beiig doused by a bunch of water? Was it that he knew he deserved no mercy, and to ask for more would have been out of the question?

Its kind of sobering to think that in some way, if Lazarus was allowed to do as was requested, that the rich man would have experienced some kind of relief, though still in anguish in the flames. At face value, the request seems almost irrational.

Any thoughts?

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B.Howes
Framingham, MA

He sought only the slightest relief for his anguish. If he could successfully beg that smallest bit of mercy, he would have opened the door for more. I see it as possibly coming from a typical conniving unrepentant mind.

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Jim
1689 LBCF
Independent Bible Church
North Texas, USA

hmm, that's an intersting take on it I'd never thought of.

The contrast between stations is also extreme. Whereas before the dogs licked Lazerus, now the rich man would gladly do as the dogs did.

Theognome

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Bill Cunningham
Covenant Reformed Church, URC
Kansas City
There are three kinds of people- those who can count, and those who can't.