Tag Archives: wisdom literature

Proverbs 15 (Part 1)

Posted on July 18, 2015 by ehurst

(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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Psalm 57

Posted on July 4, 2015 by ehurst

In the header we learn this was written during the time David hid out in the Cave of Adullam, referring to events in 1 Samuel 22. At least one cave in that area offers a very large inner chamber after … Continue reading →

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Psalm 55

Posted on June 20, 2015 by ehurst

Echoing similar thoughts to Psalm 41 and regardless of the specific context in David’s mind, this psalm best fits the betrayal of Ahitophel, David’s trusted adviser, during Absalom’s Revolt. Even in this, we should not read Western cultural meaning back … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 14

Posted on June 15, 2015 by ehurst

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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Proverbs 13

Posted on May 27, 2015 by ehurst

1. A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scorner does not hear rebuke. The Western approach makes this a matter of inflated reverence, even fearfulness, for the social system. Hebrew folks were not like that; there is no … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 12

Posted on May 23, 2015 by ehurst

We start to see a number of proverbs that appear little more than statements of obvious fact. These are most likely figures of speech meant to apply quite broadly as parables of something deeper. 1. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge; … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 11 (Part 2)

Posted on May 21, 2015 by ehurst

16. A gracious woman keeps honor, and the strong keep riches. This one is a little ambiguous and often mistranslated. The image is not a contrast between men and women, but a woman who either acts like a lady or … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 11 (Part 1)

Posted on May 20, 2015 by ehurst

(This chapter in Proverbs is a little long with my commentary, so I won’t burden you with more than the first half. We’ll cover the second half later.) We begin to see a more frequent grouping of proverbs by common … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 10

Posted on April 30, 2015 by ehurst

We begin with an early collection of proverbs Solomon heard or spoke himself. Scripture text is in italics. 1. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother. Whatever sorrows life might … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 9

Posted on April 20, 2015 by ehurst

Passages like this are the basis for the paradoxes Jesus often used: To him who has wisdom, more shall be given. The obvious point is a matter of human nature. The fundamental quality at issue here is moral sensitivity. When … Continue reading →

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