J.N.DARBYS' "ADIEU"
As many dear brethren and sisters in Christ I read the Word of God daily. My reading is consecutive , three portions, more brief than quite some years ago when I felt quantity was as important as quality. by that I mean I found I read much more but with less care and understanding. I am happier reading less but very, very carefully.
I read each passage in two versions; first the A.V and then Darbys' New Translation. Cultivating this habit has proved to be very greatly blessed to my soul.
Recently reading Marks' account of the feeding of the 5000, I was struck by the phrase in verse 46, "And when He had sent them away." My thought was that it was not quite in keeping with my compassionate Saviour. Turning to Darbys' version I was more deeply perplexed, in his text he has, "And, having dismissed them." But he had a footnote, "as "bid adieu."
Now this French word is more akin to "farewell" in English; but furthermore it expresses a fond farewell, and directs the one addressed to God, while suggesting it may be a very long time before the two parties meet again; perhaps never, or maybe in heaven ! I felt that was so much more like the Lord Jesus.
Where Darby uses it in his text in Luke 9:61, both the fondness of the farewell, and the uncertainty of a renewed acquaintance are obvious. I think these thoughts are borne out in his other use of "adieu" in 2 Corinthians 2:13 also.
Please forgive the simplicity of thought, but a childlike approach to Scripture is no poor thing, and often yields a beauteous reward.
