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Tag Archives: King Solomon
Psalm 72
Had you never read Solomon’s writing in the context of the broader Hebrew Wisdom Literature, you might mistake this for a smug self-congratulation. Rather, this is typical of the way Solomon writes, not in some description of real events, but … Continue reading
Proverbs 19
The world is a hard place. This chapter collects sayings that address what we can honestly expect from fallen humanity, even when we presume a covenant community. Please note that there are two words for “poor” here; one denotes being … Continue reading
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Tagged Hebrew expression, King Solomon, proverbs, scripture, wisdom literature
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Proverbs 18
The primary topic here is dealing with the wider society that is not close kin. A critical background element is the recognition that some things should stay in your heart and other things belong in the privacy of the home, … Continue reading
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Tagged ANE, hebrew culture, King Solomon, proverbs, social stability, wisdom literature
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Understanding Divine Mercy
As a whole, Western Christianity gets forgiveness alarmingly wrong. King David committed horrid crimes. We read in 2 Samuel 11-12 of his adultery and murder. On the one hand, he was the king of what was then a very powerful … Continue reading
Posted in prophecy
Tagged ancient hebrew culture, divine justice, divine mercy, epistemology, King David, King Solomon, Law of Moses, scripture, understanding God, western christianity, western civilization, western intellectual heritage
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Proverbs 17
The emphasis here is filial piety and personal loyalty. Shalom starts at home. 1. Better is a dry piece of bread, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices with fighting. A literal rendering of the Hebrew would … Continue reading
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Tagged family, Hebrew expression, King Solomon, proverbs, wisdom literature
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Proverbs 16 (Part 2)
(Divided into two posts because it’s long.) 17. The way of the upright is to turn away from evil; he who keeps his way guards his way. This is simply a flawed translation, rendering three different words as “way.” It … Continue reading
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Tagged Hebrew Mysticism, human senses, King Solomon, moral justice, moral wisdom, scripture, social awareness, wisdom literature
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Proverbs 16 (Part 1)
(Divided into two posts because it’s long.) This chapter addresses divine sovereignty from the unique worldview of a mystical Hebrew mind, fully aware of the complexity of human nature. 1. The ordering of the heart in man, and the answer … Continue reading
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Tagged conscious awareness, Hebrew Mysticism, human awareness, human nature, King Solomon, scripture, social stability, wisdom literature
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Proverbs 15 (Part 2)
18. A wrathful man stirs up fighting, but one slow to anger calms fighting. Don’t give someone else control over your feelings, unless you are capable of killing all your new enemies and living with the consequences. Obviously this defies … Continue reading
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Tagged ancient hebrew culture, divine justice, King Solomon, moral consciousness, moral discernment, proverbs, wisdom literature
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Proverbs 15 (Part 1)
(Divided into two parts because the chapter is long.) Proverbs 15 Facts are not on the same level as truth. We are obliged to recognize the moral primacy of social stability under God’s revelation. How we handle criticism, justified or … Continue reading
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Tagged divine justice, heart, King Solomon, moral discernment, moral justice, proverbs, scripture, social stability, wisdom literature
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Proverbs 14
Solomon’s theme here seems a matter of building a just and holy life. 1. A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands. Back when Israel lived in tents, it was an ancient custom … Continue reading
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Tagged heart-mind, hebrew culture, King Solomon, proverbs, scripture, wisdom literature
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