speak clearly

June 7, 2017

The mouth of Ezekiel (Ezek 33:22-33:22)

“Now the hand of Yahweh

Had been upon me

The evening

Before the fugitive came.

Yahweh had opened

My mouth

By the time

The fugitive came

To me

In the morning.

So,

My mouth

Was opened.

I was no longer

Unable to speak.”

Interesting enough, the hand of Yahweh had been on Ezekiel the night before the fugitive from Jerusalem came to him. Yahweh had opened his mouth by the time that this fugitive got to Ezekiel in the morning. Thus, like in chapter 24, Ezekiel’s mouth was open so that he was able to speak clearly. Apparently, he had not been able to speak for a few days.

April 7, 2016

The Exodus from Egypt (Wis 10:17-10:21)

“She gave to holy people

The reward of their labors.

She guided them

Along a marvelous way.

She became a shelter to them by day.

She became a starry flame

Through the night.

She brought them over the Red Sea.

She led them through deep waters.

But she drowned their enemies.

She cast them up

From the depth of the sea.

Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly.

They sang hymns!

O Lord!

To your holy name!

They praised with one accord

Your defending hand.

Wisdom opened the mouths

Of those who were mute.

Wisdom made the tongues

Of infants speak clearly.”

This explanation of the exodus from Egypt is based on the stories from Exodus, chapters 13-15. Once again, it is wisdom that is leading the way. Day and night, wisdom provided shelter and starlight. She had brought them over the Red Sea, so that their enemies had drowned, but they were safe. Then they plundered the Egyptian soldiers. After that they sang hymns (ὕμνησαν) to the holy name of the Lord (Κύριε, τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιόν σου). Wisdom (ἡ σοφία) opened the mouths of the mute. She made infants speak clearly.