So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NASB Free – Consider the strangeness of this statement. Oh, you might have heard it so often that it doesn’t seem strange to you anymore, but pause just long enough to notice the verb eleutheróō. It means “to set free.” The apostle…
The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 NASB Your neighbor – “Who is my neighbor?” The scribe’s question brought about the famous parable of the Good Samaritan. We all know the story. But perhaps we haven’t considered all the implications. Ira Stone helps us see one additional consequence:…
Drawn-out longing sickens the heart, but desire come true is a tree of life Proverbs 13:12 Robert Alter Drawn-out longing – By any account, Mother Teresa was a modern saint. For decades she poured out her life for India’s poor. Recognized worldwide for her uncompromised commitment to others, she appeared to be the perfect example…
I, Wisdom, dwell in shrewdness, and cunning knowledge I find. Fear of the LORD is hating evil. Proverbs 8:12-13a Robert Alter Hating evil – Doing good isn’t quite enough. It matters, of course. Micah makes that clear: “He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and…
I, Wisdom, dwell in shrewdness, and cunning knowledge I find. Fear of the LORD is hating evil. Proverbs 8:12-13a Robert Alter Shrewdness/ Cunning – Perhaps you’re more familiar with the typical English translations of this verse, like the NASB, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.” Unfortunately, such translations miss an…
“What are your many sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.” Isaiah 1:11 NASB I have had enough – The Hebrew word (śābēaʿ) has two connotations. The first is about…
Listen to instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Proverbs 8:33 NASB Listen – “The strength of the yetzer ha-ra is precisely in convincing us that we do not need these words or instruction because we are above believing in such simple notions as reward and punishment.”[1] How’s your spiritual IQ? Pretty good, right? …
To know wisdom and reproof, to understand discerning maxims. To accept the reproof of insight, righteousness, justice, and uprightness. To give shrewdness to the simple, to a lad, knowledge and cunning, Let the wise man hear and gain learning, and the discerning acquire designs. Proverbs 1:2-5 Robert Alter Reproof – Reconsider the context of that…
Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:22 NASB 1995 Nor did he blame – But the Hebrew isn’t quite what we think of when we read these words in English. We think of “blame” as assigning responsibility or finding fault. So, in our Western theology, if God is…
One who gives a right answer kisses the lips. Proverbs 24:26 NASB Right answer – What an odd saying! What does giving the correct answer have to do with a kiss? It’s almost as if the entire verse is idiomatic. And many translations take it that way. So, we get: “An honest answer is the…
