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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania // Micah Powers

     In book three there is an interesting dynamic given to us between Hector and Paris. Hector comes to Paris to chastise him, challenge him and in some was it acted as exhortation. I picture it very much as the MCU (Marvel cinematic universe) placed Loki in Thor. There were many times where Thor would come raging in at Loki and Loki would cooly reply with a dialogue that ultimately achieved his goal.

     I have this beautiful image in my head of Hector storming into Paris's quarters fully decked in armor ("on a Thursday night"- I apologize for the Tiktok joke I couldn't resist.) to rage at Paris. Paris in his noble gowns, sipping a glass of wine, gazing at the battlefield, and cooling replying,

     "Oh you are quite right. I have been blessed. I guess I must tend to the futile problems of war." (then a bit more excitement) "...and get my woman!"  (summary of 70-92)

    Ultimately what I took from this was the power of brotherly love. I think of a Biblical brotherly relationship...the "Iron sharpens Iron" idea. As christian men we are called to keep one another accountable, to set an example, and to pull our brothers from temptation. Although Hector and Paris were definitely not christians (it wasn't really even possible for them to be), Hector showed a strong example of the brotherly love that we are called to. I love that he cut straight to the point of,

     "Look you done screwed up broski. Are you gonna let them think that you not only messed up, but also are a coward? Dude you are makings the Achaeans laugh out there. What happened to your strength?" (summary 43-68) 

    Above all else, it is amazing the power of one brother or sister in Christ coming to another and taking them by the hand to lift them from the dust. One of the most important things for Christians is keeping a level of concern (if you will) or accountability for one another so that, when we have tough times from depression or falling back into an addiction, there will be a hand to pull us out of the dirt and say let's keep moving on. 

I commented on Ian Blair's blog, Jamie Peter's blog, and Abigale Bell's blog. 

Comments

  1. Jamie PetersAugust 24, 2020 at 3:43 PM

    There is a lot of truth in your assessment of Paris's and Hector's relationship. There seems to be a lot more effort from Hector's side of the relationship to better the other. He seems to constantly be standing up for Paris (620-626), possibly even to a fault. So far, the only motivator that Paris has responded to is his unwilling wife. Good observation!

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  2. Jackson RiddleAugust 24, 2020 at 8:39 PM

    As someone who has a sibling only a year and a half younger than me (Haley I'm talking about you here ;), I absolutely understand the sibling dynamic going on between Hector and Paris. I like what you said about Proverbs 27:17, how as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. Paris was slow to act in response to the battle, and needed a stern Hector to challenge him and remind him of the task at hand. Well done!

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