[mark12_30]

OK, Fea.

The Zechariah verses I think aren't very applicable so I'll leave them off.

Psalm 41:9 "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."

The key thought here is "who ate my bread"-- they shared meals together. Sharing a meal wassomething you did because of love and trust.

Jesus' ministry leasted 3.5 years; Judas & the rest of the apostles were wth him for at least the last two of those years (per Ryrie, anyway.) So for two years or nore. Judas and the other 11 ate with Jesus, day in, day out; they traveled together; they discussed things together. Judas was there for the multipication of the loaves; he was there for the Last Supper, which he ate; and Jesus washed his feet that same night.

From Rivendell to Amon Hen, the Fellowship shared meals together, and walked together for three months. They were together 24/7. Bonds form; trust grows.

Psalm 55:12-14 "For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng."

"Walked to the house of God" probably refers to the journey from the outlying lands into Jerusalem for the annual feasts; imagine all the folk from the twelve tribes who were healthy enough to travel, converging on the city for a week long celebration-- some from 200 miles away. Large "throng" of people; long walk. These two 'friends' walked together, talking, laughing, singing, heading for the citywide party (thrown three times a year, Passover, Pentecost, and Weeks), looking forward to feasting and celebrating together.

Clearly Frodo's Fellowship wasn't heading for a citywide block party. But they were walking, together, day after day; eating together; guarding each other as they slept; singing when they could, sharing tales when they could, silent when they needed to be. They were a team, working hard at teamwork. Even if Frodo was apprehensive about Boromir, still, teamwork produces trust. To have Boromir turn, and "lift up his heel", must have been a deep shock for Frodo *even if he saw it coming.* Of course he saw it coming; but it hit him hard nonetheless.

Deeply significant, I think, is that Boromir repented, and was able to redeem himself before he died-- and Faramir's vision of him beautifully confirms that his repentance was accepted. (Too bad Frodo never knew of it til after the quest was over.) There, I think, is the big contrast between Boromir and Judas; although Judas threw away his 30 peices of silver, he then went and hanged himself; there's no indication that his remorse was repentance, whether it was recieved, or that he was forgiven. Tolkien didn't have that in mind for Boromir, and indeed his deep remorse, his self-sacrifice, his funeral and Faramir's sighting of him is a strong statement on Tolkien's part about Boromir's redemmption.

Whether that difference is anchored in something, I haven't yet grasped or decided. Still pondering.

Afterthought-- the whole "betrayed with a kiss" theme. Boromir offered to stay with Frodo to keep him safe, and to let him unburden his heart. There was an offer of support and cameraderie; and it turned into something quite different.