I was reminded recently of how proverbs (both Biblical and otherwise) are often abused: through universalizing their claims to all situations. A proverb, by definition, is a commonly received piece of wisdom that seems to be generally true and is offering some form of advice. It is not, however, a claim to a universal form… Continue reading Proverbs Gone Bad
I was a little surprised to find that the TNIV and NIV 2011 have reverted to the Masoretic text (partially) of Proverbs 26:23 against the 1984 NIV which followed the critical rephrasing of this verse in light of Ugaritic and Hittite evidence (though it includes “silver dross” in the footnote). The updated NIV texts created… Continue reading Silver Dross or Like a Glaze
The results of my Hebraic influence on students is beginning to show as seen in the following proverb from one of them written in ancient Near Eastern fashion to me: “There are three things that trouble me, four that disturb: the teacher, joyously inflicting harm, the paper, unrelenting in difficulty, the class hour, extending past… Continue reading Hebraizing Students
5:1-8 – Esther’s Request. After three days of fasting (by both the Jews of Susa and Esther and her entourage), Esther determined it was time to see the king. The motif of three days of waiting for restoration/deliverance is found several times throughout the OT: Gen.22:4; 31:22; Jonah 1:17; Hosea 6:2. It is important that… Continue reading Esther 5-6 – The Tale Turns
3:1-6 – Haman…the Agagite. Whereas the last we read would have suggested that Mordecai should have been rewarded by the king, we find only the mention of another man who instead receives honors and acclaim from the king…and this man will seek for the destruction not only of Mordecai, but of all the Jews. Haman… Continue reading Esther 3-4 – A Time for Action
Life Under the Covenant – Joshua-Malachi Story: Living in the Land (Joshua-2 Chronicles) – Israel entered the land of eternal promise, but once they were in the land they failed to live according to the covenant. The LORD rescued them again and again even though they always managed to rebel again and again. (Joshua 23:16;… Continue reading The Old Testament for Seventh Graders (in Four Weeks!) 4
By the rivers of Babylon we sit down and weep when we remember Zion. On the poplars in her midst we hang our harps, for there our captors ask us to compose songs; those who mock us demand that we be happy, saying: “Sing for us a song about Zion!” How can we sing a… Continue reading Blessed be the One Who Grabs Babylon's Babies and Smashes Them on a Rock: A Psalm
3:1-7 – The image of gold. Theodotian and the LXX provide an interesting time note that is not included in the Aramaic text found in our Bibles. They actually state that it was Nebuchadnezzar’s 18th year when what follows happened and that would place the incident of the fiery furnace in the very year of… Continue reading Daniel 3 – The God Who Saves
<!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> <!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> Brief Introduction to the Book – Daniel was taken into captivity in the summer of 605BC while Jehoiachim son of Josiah was king of Judah some time after the Babylonians defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. Jehoiachim had actually been placed upon the throne by Egypt… Continue reading Daniel 1 – When In Exile….
<!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> By Clarence Larkin (click to enlarge) 45:1-6 – The sacred district. The full sacred area would cover an area seven miles wide and seven miles long. One section stretching seven miles long and three miles wide would be for the priests and would be for the “Most Holy Place”. Another… Continue reading Ezekiel 45-46 – Sacred Land and Days
