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April 5, 2016

The effects of indispensable wisdom (Wis 8:10-8:15)

“Because of her

I shall have glory among the multitudes.

I shall have honor in the presence of the elders,

Even though I am young.

I shall be found keen in judgment.

In the sight of rulers

I shall be admired.

When I am silent,

They will wait for me.

When I speak,

They will give heed.

When I speak at greater length,

They will put their hands on their mouths.

Because of her

I shall have immortality.

I shall leave an everlasting remembrance

To those who come after me.

I shall govern peoples.

Nations will be subject to me.

Dread monarchs will be afraid of me

When they hear of me.

Among the people

I shall show myself capable.

I shall be courageous in war.”

The influence of wisdom on his life was remarkable. Because of wisdom living with him, he had glory among the multitudes and honor among the elders (παρὰ πρεσβυτέροις), even though he was young. His keen judgment was clear among the great rulers (δυναστῶν). When he was silent, they waited for him to speak. When he spoke, they listened and put their hands on their mouths. He now had immortality (ἀθανασίαν) with an everlasting remembrance (μνήμην αἰώνιον) for future generations. He would then govern people. Many nations would be subject to him. Even tyrants (τύραννοι) would be afraid of him. He would be capable and courageous in war.

December 2, 2015

The persecution of the Israelites (Ps 106:40-106:43)

“Then the anger of Yahweh was kindled against his people.

He abhorred his heritage.

He gave them into the hand of the nations.

Thus those who hated them ruled over them.

Their enemies oppressed them.

They were brought into subjection under their power.

Many times he delivered them.

But they were rebellious in their purposes.

They were brought low through their iniquity.”

Yahweh was angry with his people. He abhorred his heritage. Thus he gave them over to other nations. They were ruled by people who hated them. They were oppressed by their enemies. They were subject to the power of other people. Yahweh had saved them a number of times. However, they were always rebelling against Yahweh. Then once again they would be brought low because of their iniquity and evil ways.

September 29, 2015

Beautiful daughter (Ps 45:10-45:13)

“Hear!

O daughter!

Consider!

Incline your ear!

Forget your people!

Forget your father’s house!

The king will desire your beauty.

Since he is your lord,

Bow to him.

The people of Tyre will sue your favor with gifts.

The richest of the people,

With all kinds of wealth,

Will come to you.”

This psalmist scribe asks that the daughter listen carefully and consider her words. She was to forget her people and her father’s house. She was to go forward to the king, her new lord. She was to bow to him. She would become powerful and rich with this marriage. These are like the words of encouragement to a reluctant bride before a marriage. Clearly she is to be subject to her new husband, the king. The consequences of this marriage will be enormous power and wealth. There is an interesting note about the new queen coming from Tyre. She may have been a Phoenician or a Philistine, the mortal enemy of David.

June 16, 2015

King Antiochus IV accepts God (2 Macc 9:11-9:12)

“Then it was that, broken in spirit, he began to lose much of his arrogance. He came to his senses under the scourge of God. He was tortured with pain every moment. When he could not endure his own stench, he uttered these words.

‘It is right to be subject to God.

No mortal should think that they are equal to God.’”

This torture got to King Antiochus IV. His arrogance was broken since he was so tortured with pain. He could not endure his smell anymore. He then uttered the words that everyone was subject to God. No mortal should think himself equal to God. This almost sounds like the deathbed conversion of this same king like in 1 Maccabees, chapter 6. This is the great saying that no human mortal should think himself equal to the powerful God.