The Monkey-Rope of Prayer

 

I have a lot of favorite parts of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, but probably my absolute favorite part is chapter 72, called The Monkey-Rope. It outlines a time when Ishmael, the main character, is tied to Queequeg as the Pacific Islander processes a freshly killed whale. The rope, called a monkey-rope, is supposed to be Queequeg’s lifeline in case he slips off the whale and into the water, or even if he were to fall into the massive open blubber cavities of the whale, which happened to another sailor a few chapters later.

Ishmael quickly realizes that since he was much smaller than Queequeg, instead of providing a lifeline for Queequeg, the giant Polynesian would rather pull him under if he made a mistake or had the misfortune of being plunged into the water. To make matters worse, the processing of the whale had attracted a great many ravenous sharks.

Ishmael has an epiphany that this “monkey-rope” was a perfect analogy for humanity, that no matter how strongly one seeks their own safety, no matter how cautious they are, if humanity falls, it will take them with it. He uses the example of the banker and the apothecary whose mistakes or indiscretions may plunge us into despair.

How does this tie into life today? We are knit together with a great many people. Blood ties, marriage bonds, business ventures, career associations all have bound us together. We are connected to the fates, choices, and risks of others whether we realize it or not.

I met a young man years ago whose wife was hellbent on proving, “Folly with her own hands tears her house down” (Proverbs 14:1). Her heart was so hardened to the things of God, her love of the flesh so pervasive, and her refusal so complete to submit to her husband that he believed his only escape was to cut that monkey-rope and let her fall into her own consequences.

I asked him, “Who prays for her?” It took a little bit of prodding, but it became apparent that only he and I were praying for her as she ran her hell-bound race.

Jonathan Edwards described hell gaping wide to catch sinners cast into it. He used the spider web as an analogy for the man-made monkey-rope and its inability to catch a falling sinner. Truly without help we are lost and hopeless forever.

Beloved, are you tied to sinners intent on destroying themselves and you? Are they diving headlong into the shark-infested waters with only you tied to them? Do you feel the weight of their sin trying to pull you into destruction with them? Edwards said, “Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell!”

But beloved, here is the beautiful thing as you’re tied to that perishing sinner. As they do everything they can to pull you into the pit with them, you are not just tied to them, but—if you are in Christ—you are anchored to the Rock of Ages, he will not lose you as you hold on to them!

Martin Luther sang

Did we in our own strength confide? Our striving would be losing! Were not the right man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing! You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is he!...And he must win the battle! 

Keep holding that monkey-rope of your loved ones who are dangling over the precipice! If you’re trusting Christ, he who holds your rope won’t let you go! If you’re not trusting Christ, now is the time to yoke yourself to him!

Don’t let go of those who are seeking their own destruction, you may very well be the only person praying for them, loving them, and seeking their recovery to the Lord Christ!

Don’t let go of them, and be sure that Christ won’t let go of you!