Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 6

Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed, James Tissot

This week's passage is found in Part V, Chapter 6 of Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy. I've divided it into three posts. Today I'll cover the portions highlighted in green, and blue. In last Sunday's post I covered the red, orange and yellow sections.

We are nearing the end of the wedding ceremony of Levin and Kitty. They've plighted their troth to one another, and now it is time for the final prayer.

They prayed:

'Endow them with continence and fruitfulness, and vouchsafe that their hearts may rejoice looking upon their sons and daughters.'

They alluded to God's creation of a wife from Adam's rib, 'and for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh,' and that 'this is a great mystery'; they prayed that God would make them fruitful and bless them, like Isaac and Rebecca, Joseph, Moses and Zipporah, and that they might look upon their children's children. 'It's all beautiful,' thought Kitty, catching her words, 'just as it should be,' and a smile of happiness, unconsciously reflected in everyone who looked at her, beamed on her radiant face.

 *****************************************************************************

 Joseph

Genesis 37, Genesis 40-50
This is referring to Joseph from the Old Testament. He was the favored son of Jacob. His older brothers sold him into slavery because they were jealous of him. Later, through a miraculous series of events, he rose to become a powerful ruler in Egypt -- second only to Pharaoh. In one of the Bible's most ironic twists, Joseph's treacherous brothers ended up showing him obeisance. His story is significant to all of the Abrahamic religions because it "connects the story of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Canaan to the subsequent story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt." source


Moses and Zipporah

Exodus 2
Moses was born a slave in Egypt yet became a prince when he was adopted by Pharoah's daughter. He met Zipporah, his wife, while hiding out in Midian after he killed an Eygptian (whom Moses witnessed brutally striking a Hebrew). Zipporah was the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite priest.

Moses is also an important character in Abrahamic religions.

He was a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed . . . he is the most important prophet in Judaism, and is also considered an important prophet in Christianity and Islam, as well as a number of other faiths. source

The complete story of Moses is found in four books of the Bible: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Moses is accredited with transcribing the first five books which are known as the Pentateuch or the Torah (Hebrew Scripture).

Next week I'll wrap up this passage with some links to Scripture which refer to the blessing of children.

Blessings to all! Have a great Sunday!

*All Scripture quotes are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

(Source: BibleGateway. Image Source: WikiPaintings)

Why follow this series?

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 6

Flax Blooms, a Bride Goes to Her Groom, Maria Primachencko

I've been writing about the wedding of Kitty and Levin for some time now. The entire ceremony is found in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 in Part V of Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy. This segment of the novel is so richly intertwined with Scripture and presented in such a radiant, reverent manner that it has become a truly delightful meditation for me! I have felt eager to return to it again and again.

Today's passage is found in Part V, Chapter 6. When I started "Classics and the Bible Sundays", I promised to keep the posts short. In an effort to stick with that plan, I'll break today's passage into two parts. This week I'll cover the portions highlighted in red, orange, and yellow. Next week I'll cover the green, blue, and purple.

*****************************************************************************

We are nearing the end of the ceremony. Levin and Kitty have already plighted their troth to each other. The crowd leans in for close inspection as the bridal pair moves toward a pink silk mat. There is a saying that the first to step on the mat will be the head of the house --

Neither Levin nor Kitty were capable of thinking of [the saying] as they took the few steps toward [the mat]. They did not hear the loud disputes that followed, some maintaining that he had stepped first, and others that both had stepped together.

{Awww . . . It's significant details such as this that keep me in awe of Tolstoy's genius.}

They prayed:

'Endow them with continence and fruitfulness, and vouchsafe that their hearts may rejoice looking upon their sons and daughters.'

They alluded to God's creation of a wife from Adam's rib, 'and for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh,' and that 'this is a great mystery'; they prayed that God would make them fruitful and bless them, like Isaac and Rebecca,Joseph, Moses and Zipporah, and that they might look upon their children's children. 'It's all beautiful,' thought Kitty, catching her words, 'just as it should be,' and a smile of happiness, unconsciously reflected in everyone who looked at her, beamed on her radiant face.

*******************************************************************************

They alluded to God's creation of a wife from Adam's rib, 'and for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh . . .

  And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:21-24 

 'this is a great mystery'

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:32

 Isaac and Rebecca

 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her . . .

Genesis 24:67 

Starting with this post, my Scripture links will take you to each passage in full context rather that to the individual verses. I highly recommend that you read them! Today's links are especially rich. Explore the story of Creation, the mystery of Christ and His Church, and the touching love story of Isaac and Rebekah.

Enjoy!

*All Scripture quotes are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

(Source: BibleGateway. Image Source: WikiPaintings)

Why follow this series?

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 4

The Parasol,  Franciso Goya

We have four connections to Scripture from today's passage. I focused on the first two last week and we'll look at the final two in this post.  And in case you are wondering if this will wrap up the wedding of Kitty and Levin -- no, it will not!

The following is from Part V, Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy:

"Thou who didst from the beginning create male and female," the priest read after the exchange of rings, "from Thee woman was given to man to be a helpmeet to him, and for the procreation of children. O Lord, our God, who hast poured down the blessings of Thy Truth according to Thy Holy Covenant upon Thy chosen servants, our fathers, from generation to generation, bless Thy servants Konstantin and Yekatrina and make their throth fast in faith, and union of hearts, and truth, and love . . ."

*******************************************************************************

". . . O Lord, our God, who hast poured down the blessings of Thy Truth according to Thy Holy Covenant upon Thy chosen servants, our fathers, from generation to generation . . ."

^{Hebrews 9:15
English Standard Version*}

Therefore [Christ] is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

For more about the "Old Covenant" which was referred to previously in the wedding of Kitty and Levin go HERE. 

"...make their throth fast in faith, and union of hearts, and truth, and love."

I don't even know where to begin with this one. Shall I just quote the whole Bible? 
Here's a couple verses drawn out of a hat, so to speak -- I'm sure many of you have a favorite you could add! 

John 15:12

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Ephesians 4:3

 ^[Endeavour] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

I Peter 1:22-23

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently . . .

John 17:21

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

I would also like to add the next thing Tolstoy wrote after the blessing (because it's just too good not to share):

Levin felt more and more that all his ideas of marriage, all his dreams of how he would arrange his life, were mere childishness, and that it was something he had never understood  and now understood less than ever, though it was happening to him. In his breast a tremor rose higher and higher, and tears that would not be checked came into his eyes.

*All Scripture quotes are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

(Source: BibleGateway. Image Source: WikiPaintings)

Why follow this series?

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 6

The Lovers, Henri Martin

We have four connections to Scripture from today's passage! I'll focus on two links this week and two next week.  And in case you are wondering if this will wrap up the wedding of Kitty and Levin -- no, it will not. The following is from Part V, Chapter 6 of Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy:

"Thou who didst from the beginning create male and female," the priest read after the exchange of rings, "from Thee woman was given to man to be a helpmeet to him, and for the procreation of children. O Lord, our God, who hast poured down the blessings of Thy Truth according to Thy Holy Covenant upon Thy chosen servants, our fathers, from generation to generation, bless Thy servants Konstantin and Yekatrina and make their throth fast in faith, and union of hearts, and truth, and love . . ."

******************************************************************************

"Thou who didst from the beginning create male and female . . ."

Genesis 1:26-28

²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

". . . from Thee woman was given to man to be a help meet to him, and for the procreation of children. 

Genesis 2:18

¹⁸ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 4

Love Leading the Pilgrim, Edward Burne-Jones

Part V, Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina is loaded with Biblical references. The scene depicts the wedding ceremony of Kitty and Levin. Originally I wanted to keep all of these passages together in one post, but I kept exceeding the number of labels allowed! In order to label things correctly, I have split this post in two. Everything in bold is Biblical. The passages I will focus on today are highlighted.

When the deacon had finished the liturgical prayer, the priest turned to the bridal pair with a book: "Eternal God, that joinest together in love them that were separate," he read in a gentle, piping voice: "who hath ordained the union of holy wedlock that cannot be set asunder, Thou who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca and their descendants, according to Thy Holy Covenant; bless Thy servants, Konstantin and Yekaterina, leading them in the path of all good works. For gracious and merciful art Thou, our Lord, and glory be to Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and forever and ever." 

"Amen!" the unseen choir sent floating again through the air. 

" 'Joinest together in love them that were separate.' What deep meaning in those words, and how they correspond with what one feels at this moment," thought Levin. "Is she feeling the same as I?"

*******************************************************************************

"...bless Thy servants, Konstantin and Yekaterina, leading them in the path of all good works."

Psalm 23:3
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

"For gracious and merciful art Thou, our Lord . . ."

Psalm 145:8
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

More like this here.

" . . . glory be to Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and forever and ever." 

Romans 11:36
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.

For the first three verses in this passage, go here.

(Source: BibleGateway. Image Source: WikiPaintings)

Why follow this series?

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 4

Isaac and Rebecca Spied upon by Abimelech, Raphel 

by Adriana
Part V, Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina is loaded with Biblical references. This scene depicts the wedding ceremony of Kitty and Levin. Originally, I wanted to keep all of these passages together in one post, but I kept exceeding the number of characters allowed for labels. So In order to label things correctly, I have split this post into two segments. Everything in bold is Biblical. The passages for today are highlighted.

When the deacon had finished the liturgical prayer, the priest turned to the bridal pair with a book: "Eternal God, that joinest together in love them that were separate," he read in a gentle, piping voice: "who hath ordained the union of holy wedlock that cannot be set asunder, Thou who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca and their descendants, according to Thy Holy Covenant; bless Thy servants, Konstantin and Yekaterina, leading them in the path of all good works. For gracious and merciful art Thou, our Lord, and glory be to Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and forever and ever." 

"Amen!" the unseen choir sent floating again through the air. 

" 'Joinest together in love them that were separate.' What deep meaning in those words, and how they correspond with what one feels at this moment," thought Levin. "Is she feeling the same as I?"

*******************************************************************************

"Eternal God that joinest together in love them that were separate..."

Genesis 2:24
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

This passage is repeated several times in the New Testament. You can find them allhere.

"who hath ordained the union of holy wedlock that cannot be set asunder..." 

Matthew 19:6

 ^"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

"Thou who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca and their descendants, according to Thy Holy Covenant..."

Genesis 17:19
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

You can read the entire covenant here.

(Source: BibleGateway. Image Source: WikiPaintings)

Why follow this series?

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 4

The Three Candles, Marc Chagall

Today we have another passage from the wedding of Kitty and Levin in Part V, Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina:

Vouchsafe to them love made perfect, peace and help, O Lord, we beseech Thee, " the whole church seemed to breathe with the voice of the senior deacon. 

Levin heard the words, and they impressed him. "How did they guess that it is help, just help that one needs?" he thought, recalling all his fears and doubts of late. "What do I know? What can I do in this fearful business," he thought, "without help? Yes, it is help I need now." Part V, Chapter 4

Scriptural references:

1 John 4:17

King James Version 

¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Psalm 46:1

King James Version 

46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.