Introduction:

 Joseph and his brothers (Gen 37:50):
  Africans: never forgot his family
  Europeans: remained an individual faithful to God no matter what.

 Distinctive personality types:
  Individualists (20% of world population)
  Collectivistic or Group-Centered (80% of world population - See Hofstede)

PSALMS:

 Five books
 Compare 14 and 53

Psalm 22:

 Date= Exile
 Structure: 1-21 - Lament
      22-26 - Anticipated Thanksgiving
       27-31  - Later Thanksgiving

Inclusion:
 far: vv. 1 and 19
 deliver: vv 4 and 20
 answer: vv 2 and 21 (rescued, but see note to v. 21)

Commentary;

LAMENT

 vv 1-2: cry - emotion - agony

 Vv. 3-5: group loyalty: “fathers” (ascribed status)
      “Trusted” (three times)

 Vv. 6-8: allusions to II- Isa: 41:14
       Isa: 52:14
       Isa: 53:3

V. 7: "make mouths at me" (laugh); "wag their heads" (Ps 64:8; 109:25; Is 37:22; Jer 48:27; Lam 2:15)

 vv. 9-10: structure of prayer:

 v. 11: no one to help me: Sir 30:6 (Psalm 127:3-5)
        Num 35:
                   Lev 25:25
 vv. 12-18: persecutors: bulls and dogs
      Bashan - wealth

 vv.  19-21: inclusion
 

ANTICIPATED THANKSGIVING:

 vv. 22 + 25: group, therefore honor

 vv. 24, 26: poor (sing v. 24; plural v. 26)
  Status: regain status - familial (brother)
                 social (midst of cong)
               class (poor)

LATER THANKSGIVING

Psalm 22 and the NT

 Read Psalm 22: 1, 7, 8, 15, 18 and compare

 Matt: 27:35 Mark 15:29 Luke 23:35 JOHN 19:28-29
               :39               :34
               : 43
               : 46

 Read Psalm 69:21 and compare

 Matt: 27:34 Mark 15:36 Luke 23:36

Resources:

Augsburger, David W.. Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures.  Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986. Chapter Three: "Individualism, Individuality, and Solidarity: A Theology of Humanness.”

Hofstede, Geert.  1980.  Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-related values.  Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Hofstede, Geer.   1994 . Cultures and Orgnizations: Software of the Mind: Intercultural Cooperation and is Importance for Survival.  London: Harper Collins Publishers.

Pilch, John J. "A Window into the Biblical World:  Individuals? or Stereotypes?"  The Bible Today 39.3 (2001): 170-176.

Triandis, Harry C.  1995.  Individualism & collectivism.  Boulder, CO: Westview Press.