Ancient proverb

A donkey, a lyreA donkey, a lyre Of one who can make nothing of music Some things have nothing in commonnothing in common

Bible idiom

Literally: ““What to us and to youWhat to us and to you?”?” “What have I to do with you? “What have we in common?” “Leave me alone!” “Never mind!”

I. O.T.: Two Basic Uses

One person unjustly bothers anotherInjured party: “What to me and to you?”

“What have I done to you that you should do this to me?”

Implies hostilityImplies hostility

1. Jg.11:…12 Be wise: avoid war whenever possible Mt.5:9

Even if your soul survives, you cannot guarantee others will

Ps.120:7, some provoke war Teacher of error (Ga.2:5) Quarrelsome person (2 Tim.2:24)

2. 2 Sm.16:10; 19:22Imitate David –

Practiceself-control

even inpersecution

Leave retaliation

to LordRo.12

Focus on ownproblems

firstMt.7:1-2

Acceptconsequence

of actions“My fault”

3. 1 K.17:18

People in sin feel uncomfortable around people of God

Some blame problems on Christians

Gn.42:21 1 Sm.16:4 Mk.6:16

4. 2 Chr.35:21 22: did Necho tell truth…? Josiah did not purposely oppose God

(2 K.23:29) Lessons from Josiah –

1. Mind your own business, Pro.26:172. Accept wisdom, even from enemies3. Death can take us by surprise4. When good men die, everyone suffers

1. One person unjustly bothers anotherImplies hostility

2. When someone was asked to do some- thing he felt was not his business . . .“What to me and to you?”

(“That’s your business; how am I involved?”)

Implies detachmentImplies detachment

1. 2 K.3:13

2 K.1:17; 3:11. Elisha did not share Joram’s goals

(3:2-3)2. Contrast 2 Chr.18:1,3; 19:1-3

2 Jn.9-11, no common groundno common ground

2. Hosea 14:8

Ephraim, the great idolater, would finally learn his lesson

2-3Words forEphraim to

say

4-7Words for

God tosay

8Action, not

words:clean break

I. O.T.: Two Basic Uses

II. N.T. Uses

1. Mt.8:29 Background: hostility between Jesus

and demons Demons: “Leave me alone”

Lk.8:28 1 Co.10:20; 1 T.4:1, demonic influence

Mt.25:41, a prepared place . . .

2. Mk.1:24

“What business have you with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

Demons knowsin is incompatible

w. perfect purityLk.5:8; 2 Co.6:14

Demons cowerbefore One who

holds their destinyIn His hands

3. Jn.2:1-4

Mary expects Jesus to do something, 3, 5

This is His first miracle, 11

Lord’s three part response (v. 4)1. Address: “Woman”

Not rude: 19:26; 20:13…15He does not call her “mother”

2. Question: “What have we in common?”This is My affair, not yours She has no inside track (Mt.12:46-50)

3. Explanation: His “hour” is not yet come Depends on Father, not earthly mother5, Mary persists in faith (cf. Mt.15:21-28)

Jesus and Mary1.1. Mary could not tell Jesus what to doMary could not tell Jesus what to do2.2. Close to Jesus, but no manipulation Close to Jesus, but no manipulation

Mt.26:393.3. At Judgment: “What do we have in At Judgment: “What do we have in

common?” common?” (Rv.21:8)