Strange work indeed…

A good friend pointed this scripture out to me.

“And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;

And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money.

Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen.

And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.” (D&C 101:55-58, T&C 101:12))

This sure is a strange troupe the Lord gathered: warriors (I suppose they are immortal), young men (for the PC group – young women too), those of middle age among His servants. This is the strength of His house, except for those that tarry. Are those that tarry translated beings? So are translated beings part of this work He is describing?

Then this strange troupe is told to go to the land of His vineyard and then redeem it? What is that all about? How would they, mortals and immortals, redeem the land for the Lord of the vineyard?

The troupe is then told to “get” to His land. Is this a command? They are then to break down the walls of His enemies. Who are His enemies? Could it be the Adversary and his evil guild? Then they are to throw down their tower. What tower? Who has towers and what would their purpose be? Don’t towers usually broadcast? Or are they just towers to watch for their enemies? Why would these towers have watchmen with them? Are they that important? How do you “scatter” watchmen?

It then states that the watchmen are going to gather against the troupe. The Lord then tells them to avenge Him of His enemies. Does this mean to destroy them? How do you avenge an evil (immortal?) army that has apparently gathered to welcome you to their towers, walls, and the land they have taken over?

All this is done so He can come with the residue of His house and possess the land. This is a strange work the Savior is describing, isn’t it.

It also sounds to me like this is a lot of work. There are many “action” words in the Saviors statement: Go, gather, take, get, break, throw, scatter, and avenge. This is no small task He has assigned to His warriors, young men, and those of middle age. I’d sure like to get a look at this “motley” group. I bet they would be considered strange by many others not doing or understanding this assignment. Do you think they would also look strange while doing said work?

If you find them, let me know. I’d like to take a look at this motley crew.

What a strange scripture.

The Savior’s work is strange work indeed.