learning

August 10, 2016

Teaching young children (Isa 28:9-28:10)

“To whom will he teach knowledge?

To whom will he explain the message?

Will he explain it

To those who are weaned from milk?

Will he explain it

To those taken from the breast?

It is precept upon precept,

Precept upon precept.

It is line upon line,

Line upon line.

It is here a little,

There a little.”

Isaiah speaks about teaching little children. To whom should he explain his message? They have to be at least weaned from breast feeding milk, which would make them very young. The teaching itself is an onomatopoeia, like the sounds of baby children learning how to speak.  This is almost like a nursery rhyme. Thus we have the repetition of phrases such as precept on precept, line on line, and a little here and a little there. Basically, it might refer to the unintelligible words of prophets and charismatics that sound strange.

April 2, 2016

The esteemed wisdom (Wis 7:7-7:14)

“Therefore I prayed.

Understanding was given to me.

I called on God.

The spirit of wisdom came to me.

I preferred her to scepters and thrones.

I accounted wealth as nothing

In comparison with her.

Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem.

Because all gold is

But a little sand in her sight.

Silver will be accounted

As clay before her.

I loved her more than health.

I loved her more than beauty.

I chose to have her rather than light.

Her radiance never ceases.

All good things came to me

Along with her.

In her hands

I had uncounted wealth.

I rejoiced in them all.

Because wisdom leads them.

But I did not know

That she was their mother.

I learned without guile.

I impart without grudging.

I do not hide her wealth.

It is an unfailing treasure for mortals.

Those who get it

Obtain friendship with God.

They are commended for the gifts

That come from instruction.”

One again, assuming the first person singular of King Solomon, this author says that he prayed to God for wisdom. Understanding was given to him. The spirit of wisdom came to him (μοι πνεῦμα σοφίας). Scepters, thrones, and wealth were nothing in comparison to wisdom. Priceless gems, gold (χρυσὸς), and silver were like sand and clay compared to wisdom. He loved wisdom more than health, beauty, or light (φωτὸς) because the radiance of wisdom never ceases. Not only did he get wisdom, he also got any number of other gifts. He had wealth because wisdom was the mother or fount of all his wealth. He did not hide this treasure of wisdom. He gave this to other mortals so that they might be friends of God (οἱ χρησάμενοι πρὸς Θεὸν) with further learning and instruction (παιδείας).

January 30, 2016

Fools, friends, and family (Prov 17:16-1:17)

“Why should fools have a price

In his hand

To buy wisdom?

They have no mind to learn.

A friend loves at all times.

Kinsfolk are born to share adversity.”

No fool can buy wisdom because they do not have a learning mind. A friend will love you all the time, no matter what. Your family, where you were born into, is there to share in your adversities.

January 6, 2016

Scoffers (Prov 9:7-9:12)

“Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse.

Whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.

A scoffer who is rebuked,

Will only hate you.

The wise man,

When rebuked,

Will love you.

Give instruction to the wise.

They will become wiser still.

Teach the righteous,

They will gain in learning.

The fear of Yahweh

Is the beginning of wisdom.

The knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

By me,

Your days will be multiplied.

By me,

Years will be added to your life.

If you are wise,

You are wise for yourself.

If you scoff,

You alone will bear it.”

If you mock or deride people as scoffers, there is no sense in rebuking you. You will only get hurt and abused because you are as if rebuking a wicked person. They will hate you. On the other hand, if you give instruction to the wise ones, they will become wiser still. If you teach the righteous, they will gain in learning. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Yahweh. The knowledge of the Holy One leads to insight. Wisdom will multiple your days and years. If you are wise, it will go well with you. If you are a scoffer or cynic, you will bear the whole burden alone.