Tag Archives: hebrew literature

What the Hell?

Posted on May 18, 2016 by ehurst

Some of you get it, but it seems there is enough confusion that I need to restate things for clarity. I use the English word “Hell.” If you have been paying attention, you’ll notice I use it in the vernacular … Continue reading →

Posted in teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What the Hell?

Psalm 99

Posted on May 7, 2016 by ehurst

While this is another coronation song, it’s not something you read and them meditate. You should jump up, shout and sing, run around in circles and do cartwheels. We poorly grasp the kind of genuine enthusiasm that saw people do … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 99

Psalm 98

Posted on April 23, 2016 by ehurst

This is another coronation song. The wording suggests a rather impromptu celebration of Jehovah’s reign based on some recent miraculous deliverance. In the Ancient Near East, a ruler asserted his dominion in the form of giving laws. However, it was … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 98

Psalm 94

Posted on March 26, 2016 by ehurst

It stood as a basic assumption in Hebrew minds that God’s sense of timing was not like theirs. In the ancient protocol of the Divine Sheikh’s court, asking “how long” did not mean for them what it means to us. … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Psalm 92

Posted on March 12, 2016 by ehurst

This is the quintessential psalm of praise. For a day of Sabbath rest, what could bring more peace to the soul than a proper celebration? So we begin with a declaration of how pleasant it is to lose yourself in … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Psalm 91

Posted on March 5, 2016 by ehurst

This is easily one of the best-loved psalms in almost any translation. We are told the Hebrew is quite lyrical in its own right. (Hint: Ephesians 6 echoes some of the thinking here.) So popular was this song that Satan … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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 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)

Wisdom and Proverbs

Posted on February 19, 2015 by ehurst

The next book in the Ancient Truth series is about ready. It covers Job, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. I took a look at Proverbs again to see if it would fit, but I’ve decided Proverbs will require a departure … Continue reading →

Posted in meta | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Wisdom and Proverbs

Context: Angels and Demons

Posted on September 13, 2014 by ehurst

I refuse to dispute with Scripture. You can bet I’ll dispute over Scripture. That is, I will debate with you what it actually says, but I’ll never hide or confuse the issue intentionally. I can point to a wealth of … Continue reading →

Posted in eldercraft | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments