Category Archives: bible

Proverbs 22 (Part 1)

Posted on December 14, 2015 by ehurst

In his better moments, Solomon was struck by the realization that much of what made life so sweet under his father’s reign was fading away. Some of it was buried under the wash of foreign influences his fame brought to … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Proverbs 22 (Part 1)

Psalm 79

Posted on December 12, 2015 by ehurst

Like Psalm 74, this is a threnody for Israel the Mission. Something brought the wrath of God on His people, His city, and His Temple. Asaph’s cry is not for mere vengeance, but for God’s glory and a restoration of … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 79

Proverbs 21 (Part 2)

Posted on December 8, 2015 by ehurst

17. He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil shall not be rich. It should be obvious from the context, but the Hebrew word translated “love” here typically refers to mere sexual desire, … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Proverbs 21 (Part 2)

Psalm 78

Posted on December 5, 2015 by ehurst

For anyone who operates on the moral level of the heart, it is thoroughly frustrating to see people walk away from that beguiling faculty of the Spirit. It is inherent in the most ancient roots of Hebrew culture to take … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 78

Proverbs 21 (Part 1)

Posted on December 4, 2015 by ehurst

The specific context here appears in the first verse, but bears the broader implication of how we deal with the sorrows of human society in general. Divine wisdom is often silent in the face of apparent provocation, seeking whatever path … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Proverbs 21 (Part 1)

Psalm 77

Posted on November 28, 2015 by ehurst

We remind ourselves that, for all their piety and scholarship, translators remain captive to their own biases. We should never pretend that we have none, but be conscious of them and strive to make them serve our individual callings. It … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 77

Proverbs 20 (Part 2)

Posted on November 25, 2015 by ehurst

(Recall that the context here is contrasting human justice against God’s divine moral character.) 16. Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and take a pledge from him for strangers. Making loans on these terms are … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Proverbs 20 (Part 2)

Psalm 76

Posted on November 21, 2015 by ehurst

Many scholars are convinced this psalm celebrates the miraculous deliverance of the city during the reign of Hezekiah by slaughtering the besieging Assyrian troops. But regardless of any particular historical reference, this psalm has almost surely been rewritten from it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 76

Proverbs 20 (Part 1)

Posted on November 20, 2015 by ehurst

This chapter contrasts the difference between judging on the basis of human perception versus relying on the heart to grasp divine moral justice. 1. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever goes astray by it is not … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Proverbs 20 (Part 1)

Psalm 75

Posted on November 14, 2015 by ehurst

Asaph offers us a brief invocation followed by an oracle message from God. The underlying theme is fundamental to the Ancient Near Eastern understanding of how God operates within His Creation. As the feudal Sovereign Lord, He comes to visit … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 75