Tag Archives: wisdom literature

Proverbs 27

Posted on January 20, 2016 by ehurst

Only a fool takes himself too seriously. Your personal sense of identity and integrity should not rest on total control of outcomes. Self-cynicism is not the same as self-doubt; you can still forge ahead in your calling while keeping a … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 26

Posted on December 29, 2015 by ehurst

The advice to nobility continues, with an emphasis to watch out for certain kinds of people. We remind ourselves that “fool” and “folly” refer to a failure to subject the mind to the supremacy of the heart. Thus, it is … Continue reading →

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Wise Silence

Posted on December 27, 2015 by ehurst

In our study in Proverbs, we are told repeatedly that you cannot teach a fool. You can help them keep their folly to themselves only if you hold dominion and are prepared to use violence. For most of us, we … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 25

Posted on December 26, 2015 by ehurst

We have already seen how the unnamed final editor of this volume never saw fit to reduce duplication, but faithfully pieced together several collections as they were. 1. These are also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 24

Posted on December 25, 2015 by ehurst

We continue with more pointed advice to the royal heir in longer proverbial texts. 1-2. Do not be jealous of evil men, nor desire to be with them. For their heart studies ruin, and their lips talk of mischief. This … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 23

Posted on December 16, 2015 by ehurst

This chapter continues the theme of the previous, in which an aging ruler seeks to warn his heir from folly. We continue with the longer statements in small paragraphs. 1-3. When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 22 (Part 2)

Posted on December 15, 2015 by ehurst

12. The eyes of the LORD keep knowledge, and He overthrows the words of the transgressor. This is a humorous play on words in that “keep” can imply hiding something or making it mysterious, while “transgressor” arises from the concept … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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