April 27, 2017
John Milton, Paradise Lost

On this day, April 27, 1667, Milton sold the most magnificent epic in the English language, conveying the rights for Paradise Lost to Samuel Simmons.

“Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton (1608–1674). The first version, published in 1667, consisted of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse. A second edition followed in 1674, arranged into twelve books (in the manner of Virgil’s Aeneid) with minor revisions throughout and a note on the versification. It is considered by critics to be Milton’s major work, and it helped solidify his reputation as one of the greatest English poets of his time. The poem concerns the Biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton’s purpose, stated in Book I, is to “justify the ways of God to men”. (wikipedia)

Paradise Lost was not published until August 20th. Despite this inauspicious start, it would become ranked by many next to the Bible. The blind poet’s lofty narrative required twelve books to tell. He dealt with the highest dramatic events known to us: the rebellion of Satan and the fall of man, both of which he accepted as literal facts. He shows Adam and Eve naive of evil and delighted with the garden of Eden; their sin and consequent woe; and God’s promise of eventual restoration of all things through Jesus Christ. Milton presented his epic in blank verse, knowing that rhymes would make it trite and weary the ear in that vast span of words. The majesty of iambic pentameter would best suit his conception. Theological truths which would not easily bear rhyme would work well with an unobtrusive alliteration. For example, God says of Adam and Eve:
“. . .they themselves decreed their own revolt, not I. If I foreknew, Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault.”
It is remarked that Milton achieved his finest effects depicting the rebel Satan. A Puritan, Milton participated in the revolt against Charles I. No doubt this helped him frame the sentiment he ascribed to Satan: “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heav’n.” Try as he will to pervert God’s purpose, however, Satan is ultimately thwarted; evil is transformed by God into the means for good.
“Who seeks to lessen thee,
against his purpose serves
To manifest the more thy might: his evil
Thou usest, and from thence creat’st more good.”

To write such lines, Milton must have meditated long on Joseph’s words to the very brothers who had sold him into slavery: “You intended it for evil, but God meant it for good, for the saving of many lives.” (Milton’s Ten Pound Epic Dan Graves, MSL, christianity.com)

“But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” Genesis 50:19-21
G-d can use all situations for the good of people, the good of creation, and the good of the church. In our limited understanding, we sometimes wonder why: “why did G-d do this?”, “why did G-d allow that?”, and “why did G-d abandon me?” We only see the individual trees that block our vision and impede our paths. G-d sees from the vantage of eternity – something we just cannot fathom – we just need to trust that G-d knows best, and hopes the best for all of G-d’s creatures. We just need to remember that we are not in Paradise…..yet. But one day, we will be.

This week please collect bottles of house cleaner for Trinity’s Table.

Pastor Dave