Queerying Advent 3 Year C

Today's text from the Tanakh was queeried by periodic queerier River Needham.

Tanakh - Zephaniah 3:14-20
Shout for joy, fair Zion, cry aloud, O Israel! Rejoice and be glad with all your heart, fair Jerusalem!

The Becoming One has annulled the judgment against you, Xe has swept away your foes. Israel's Sovereign the Becoming One is within you; you need fear misfortune no more.

In that day, this shall be said to Jerusalem: Have no fear, O Zion; let not your hands droop!

Your God the Becoming One is in your midst, a warrior who brings triumph. Xe will rejoice over you and be glad, Xe will shout over you with jubilation. Xe will soothe with Xyr love those long disconsolate. I will take away from you the woe over which you endured mockery.

At that time I will make an end of all who afflicted you. And I will rescue the lame sheep and gather the strayed, and I will exchange their disgrace for fame and renown in all the earth.

At that time I will gather you, and at that time I will bring you home; for I will make you renowned and famous among all the peoples on earth when I restore your fortunes before their very eyes —said the Becoming One.

Queeries for the text:

What is the Judgment against Israel?
Who were Israel's Foes?
What does it mean for The Becoming One to be within us?
Where else is The Becoming One a warrior?
Why do the lame sheep need rescuing?
What is the exchange rate for fame?
What is God's home like? Why does God bring people home?

-----

Luke 3:7-18
⁷John said to the crowds

that came out to be baptized by him,

“You brood of vipers!

Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸Bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Do not begin to say to yourselves,

‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’;

for I tell you,

God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees;

every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit

is cut down

and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰And the crowds asked John,

“What then should we do?”

¹¹In reply John said to them,

“Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none;

and whoever has food must do likewise.”

¹²Even tax collectors came to be baptized,

and they asked John,

“Teacher, what should we do?”

¹³John said to them,

“Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”

¹⁴Soldiers also asked John,

“And we,

what should we do?”

John said to them,

“Do not extort money from anyone

by threats or false accusation,

and be satisfied with your wages.”

¹⁵As the people were filled with expectation,

and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John,

whether he might be the Messiah,

¹⁶John answered all of them by saying,

“I baptize you with water;

but one who is more powerful than I is coming;

the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

This one will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷With a winnowing fork in hand,

this one will clear the threshing floor

and gather the wheat into the granary;

burning the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸So, with many other exhortations,

John proclaimed the good news to the people.

Queeries for the text:
What fruits are worthy of repentance?
Does John like puns as much as I do?
How do we rely on our ancestors for justification or worth?
How is John advocating for good stewardship of fruit trees and wheat?
Is John a socialist?
How are we sharing coats and food?  How are we hoarding them?
How are John's words to soldiers, words for police today?  What does John think about collusion with Empire?
How do you untie the thong of a sandal?
If the chaff is to be burned, and baptism is with the Holy Spirit and fire, are we supposed to be chaff?
What exactly is the "good news" John is proclaiming?
Where is Joy?

What are your queeries?