Compare these two psalms.
Psalm 105 - Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
O descendants of Abraham his servant,
O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
"To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion you will inherit."
When they were but few in number,
few indeed, and strangers in it,
they wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
He allowed no one to oppress them;
for their sake he rebuked kings:
"Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm."
He called down famine on the land
and destroyed all their supplies of food;
and he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the LORD proved him true.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.
He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.
Then Israel entered Egypt;
Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.
The LORD made his people very fruitful;
he made them too numerous for their foes,
whose hearts he turned to hate his people,
to conspire against his servants.
He sent Moses his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
They performed his miraculous signs among them,
his wonders in the land of Ham.
He sent darkness and made the land dark—
for had they not rebelled against his words?
He turned their waters into blood,
causing their fish to die.
Their land teemed with frogs,
which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers.
He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
and gnats throughout their country.
He turned their rain into hail,
with lightning throughout their land;
he struck down their vines and fig trees
and shattered the trees of their country.
He spoke, and the locusts came,
grasshoppers without number;
they ate up every green thing in their land,
ate up the produce of their soil.
Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land,
the firstfruits of all their manhood.
He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold,
and from among their tribes no one faltered.
Egypt was glad when they left,
because dread of Israel had fallen on them.
He spread out a cloud as a covering,
and a fire to give light at night.
They asked, and he brought them quail
and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
like a river it flowed in the desert.
For he remembered his holy promise
given to his servant Abraham.
He brought out his people with rejoicing,
his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they fell heir to what others had toiled for-
that they might keep his precepts
and observe his laws.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 106 - Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
We have sinned, even as our fathers did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
When our fathers were in Egypt,
they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
he led them through the depths as through a desert.
He saved them from the hand of the foe;
from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them survived.
Then they believed his promises
and sang his praise.
But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his counsel.
In the desert they gave in to their craving;
in the wasteland they put God to the test.
So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease upon them.
In the camp they grew envious of Moses
and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the LORD.
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan;
it buried the company of Abiram.
Fire blazed among their followers;
a flame consumed the wicked.
At Horeb they made a calf
and worshiped an idol cast from metal.
They exchanged their Glory
for an image of a bull, which eats grass.
They forgot the God who saved them,
who had done great things in Egypt,
miracles in the land of Ham
and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
So he said he would destroy them—
had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach before him
to keep his wrath from destroying them.
Then they despised the pleasant land;
they did not believe his promise.
They grumbled in their tents
and did not obey the LORD.
So he swore to them with uplifted hand
that he would make them fall in the desert,
make their descendants fall among the nations
and scatter them throughout the lands.
They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor
and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods;
they provoked the LORD to anger by their wicked deeds,
and a plague broke out among them.
But Phinehas stood up and intervened,
and the plague was checked.
This was credited to him as righteousness
for endless generations to come.
By the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD,
and trouble came to Moses because of them;
for they rebelled against the Spirit of God,
and rash words came from Moses' lips.
They did not destroy the peoples
as the LORD had commanded them,
but they mingled with the nations
and adopted their customs.
They worshiped their idols,
which became a snare to them.
They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to demons.
They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
and the land was desecrated by their blood.
They defiled themselves by what they did;
by their deeds they prostituted themselves.
Therefore the LORD was angry with his people
and abhorred his inheritance.
He handed them over to the nations,
and their foes ruled over them.
Their enemies oppressed them
and subjected them to their power.
Many times he delivered them,
but they were bent on rebellion
and they wasted away in their sin.
But he took note of their distress
when he heard their cry;
for their sake he remembered his covenant
and out of his great love he relented.
He caused them to be pitied
by all who held them captive.
Save us, O LORD our God,
and gather us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say, "Amen!"
Praise the LORD.
These psalms are both histories of Israel covering roughly the same period of time. But notice how Psalm 105 is virtually all about the good that God did for his people whereas Psalm 106 is about all the evil that his people did in return. I wonder if the same person composed both of these psalms.
1/23/2007
1/22/2007
Sea serpent
Psalm 104:25-26 - There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
There the ships go to and fro,
and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
If this leviathan is the same creature mentioned at the end of the book of Job, I wonder if we're talking about a sea serpent here. There was some hint of a water creature in Job too. A fire-breathing sea serpent? Why not? It's a little difficult to picture such an animal frolicking though, isn't it?
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
There the ships go to and fro,
and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
If this leviathan is the same creature mentioned at the end of the book of Job, I wonder if we're talking about a sea serpent here. There was some hint of a water creature in Job too. A fire-breathing sea serpent? Why not? It's a little difficult to picture such an animal frolicking though, isn't it?
1/17/2007
The sparrow near the altar
Psalm 84:3-4 - Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
I wonder if anyone tried to keep birds (and other critters) out of the tabernacle or the temple. Was there ever a debate amongst the priests and Levites about it? You'd think birds could make quite a mess in there. Then again, no more mess than all the sacrifices that were done deliberately.
This psalmist comes up with a good reason for leaving the sparrow alone. Even the small bird was happy there and was praising God (in song).
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
I wonder if anyone tried to keep birds (and other critters) out of the tabernacle or the temple. Was there ever a debate amongst the priests and Levites about it? You'd think birds could make quite a mess in there. Then again, no more mess than all the sacrifices that were done deliberately.
This psalmist comes up with a good reason for leaving the sparrow alone. Even the small bird was happy there and was praising God (in song).
1/15/2007
Sea monster
Psalm 74:13-14 - It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
I wonder if this is a reference to Moses and Israel passing through the Red Sea. There was no mention of any multi-headed sea monster in Moses' account however.
If this is not a reference to Moses time, then I wonder when this did happen. And what is this sea creature that has more than one head? Leviathan is mentioned in other places in the Bible, but I don't think anyone knows exactly which creature the term describes. In Job 41, leviathan sounds like the dragon of fantasy literature. Why not a two-headed dragon then as well?
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
I wonder if this is a reference to Moses and Israel passing through the Red Sea. There was no mention of any multi-headed sea monster in Moses' account however.
If this is not a reference to Moses time, then I wonder when this did happen. And what is this sea creature that has more than one head? Leviathan is mentioned in other places in the Bible, but I don't think anyone knows exactly which creature the term describes. In Job 41, leviathan sounds like the dragon of fantasy literature. Why not a two-headed dragon then as well?
1/14/2007
The Next Generation (2)
Psalm 71:18 - Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
I wonder if this psalmist knew just how many generations he would be telling about God's power. It's been many thusfar and likely will be many more before all is said and done.
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
I wonder if this psalmist knew just how many generations he would be telling about God's power. It's been many thusfar and likely will be many more before all is said and done.
1/10/2007
Traitor 2
Psalm 55:12-14 - If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were raising himself against me,
I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
as we walked with the throng at the house of God.
I wonder if this is the same traitor mentioned in an earlier psalm (41).
I could endure it;
if a foe were raising himself against me,
I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
as we walked with the throng at the house of God.
I wonder if this is the same traitor mentioned in an earlier psalm (41).
1/08/2007
From captivity?
Psalm 42-43 - As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
+++++
Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.
You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
I wonder where the composer was when he wrote this psalm. It sounds like he may have been in captivity -- like in Babylonia. In any case, there seems to be some reason he can't get to the temple to worship and greatly desires to do so -- perhaps more than anything else at the moment.
When was the last time you had a similar feeling about worshiping God with fellow Christians? Perhaps never, because you've always had the opportunity and have never been physically prevented from doing so. Do you think you'll have such a yearning if the time comes and infirmity or opposition forces you to stay away from corporate worship?
I wonder if Psalm 43 was part of Psalm 42 (as a footnote suggests). Perhaps it was like an alternate ending -- sometimes added on, sometimes not.
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
+++++
Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.
You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
I wonder where the composer was when he wrote this psalm. It sounds like he may have been in captivity -- like in Babylonia. In any case, there seems to be some reason he can't get to the temple to worship and greatly desires to do so -- perhaps more than anything else at the moment.
When was the last time you had a similar feeling about worshiping God with fellow Christians? Perhaps never, because you've always had the opportunity and have never been physically prevented from doing so. Do you think you'll have such a yearning if the time comes and infirmity or opposition forces you to stay away from corporate worship?
I wonder if Psalm 43 was part of Psalm 42 (as a footnote suggests). Perhaps it was like an alternate ending -- sometimes added on, sometimes not.
Traitor
Psalm 41:7-9 - All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,
"A vile disease has beset him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies."
Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.
I wonder who the traitor was.
they imagine the worst for me, saying,
"A vile disease has beset him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies."
Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.
I wonder who the traitor was.
1/04/2007
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge
Psalm 35:19 - Let not those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
I wonder how far back in history the wink has been used as a sign of trickery, malicious or otherwise.
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
I wonder how far back in history the wink has been used as a sign of trickery, malicious or otherwise.
1/02/2007
Thunder boomers
Psalm 29:3-5 - The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
I wonder if David actually witnessed lightning strike the cedars of Lebanon and break some of them in pieces. Whether he did or not, it must have been quite a sight. It sounds like someone had seen it happen and considered it important enough to tell about.
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
I wonder if David actually witnessed lightning strike the cedars of Lebanon and break some of them in pieces. Whether he did or not, it must have been quite a sight. It sounds like someone had seen it happen and considered it important enough to tell about.
Head of the gate
Psalm 24:7-10 - Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
I wonder if there is/was a piece of a city gate that is routinely called the 'head' or if David is anthropomorphizing these doors. In the former case, perhaps that's a part of the gate -- like a latch -- that needs to be moved before the gate can be opened. In the latter case, I don't quite see the connection between lifting up the head (of a person) and being able to open a door.
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
I wonder if there is/was a piece of a city gate that is routinely called the 'head' or if David is anthropomorphizing these doors. In the former case, perhaps that's a part of the gate -- like a latch -- that needs to be moved before the gate can be opened. In the latter case, I don't quite see the connection between lifting up the head (of a person) and being able to open a door.
12/31/2006
He was pierced
Psalm 22:12-18 - Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
The first part of this psalm is obviously quoted and fulfilled by Jesus many years later at the time of his crucifixion. I can't think of a time when this literally happened to David though, so I wonder if he is speaking metaphorically about himself or if this really did happen and it just isn't recorded elsewhere for us.
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
The first part of this psalm is obviously quoted and fulfilled by Jesus many years later at the time of his crucifixion. I can't think of a time when this literally happened to David though, so I wonder if he is speaking metaphorically about himself or if this really did happen and it just isn't recorded elsewhere for us.
12/29/2006
Volcano and storm
Psalm 18:7-15 - The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
I wonder if God literally used a volcano and a hailstorm to defeat some of David's enemies. It certainly sounds like at least the lightning took care of some of them.
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
I wonder if God literally used a volcano and a hailstorm to defeat some of David's enemies. It certainly sounds like at least the lightning took care of some of them.
Volcano and storm
Psalm 18:7-15 - The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
I wonder if God literally used a volcano and a hailstorm to defeat some of David's enemies. It certainly sounds like at least the lightning took care of some of them.
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
I wonder if God literally used a volcano and a hailstorm to defeat some of David's enemies. It certainly sounds like at least the lightning took care of some of them.
On the run
Psalm 3 - O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.
Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
I wonder how David found the time and opportunity to compose a psalm while running for his life. Granted, he probably wasn't literally running that much, but it doesn't seem like it would have been the first thing on his mind. Or does it? A petition such as this should be first in our thoughts more often than it probably is.
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.
Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
I wonder how David found the time and opportunity to compose a psalm while running for his life. Granted, he probably wasn't literally running that much, but it doesn't seem like it would have been the first thing on his mind. Or does it? A petition such as this should be first in our thoughts more often than it probably is.
12/26/2006
From nothing to double
Job 42:10-17 - After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.
Usually a man's sons are mentioned by name when listing his children. I wonder why only Job's daughters are listed here. They were given an inheritance (which was unusual) but that doesn't mean the sons were neglected in any way.
I wonder how old Job was when he died. He could easily have been over 200.
The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.
Usually a man's sons are mentioned by name when listing his children. I wonder why only Job's daughters are listed here. They were given an inheritance (which was unusual) but that doesn't mean the sons were neglected in any way.
I wonder how old Job was when he died. He could easily have been over 200.
Leviathan
Job 41 - "Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook
or tie down his tongue with a rope?
Can you put a cord through his nose
or pierce his jaw with a hook?
Will he keep begging you for mercy?
Will he speak to you with gentle words?
Will he make an agreement with you
for you to take him as your slave for life?
Can you make a pet of him like a bird
or put him on a leash for your girls?
Will traders barter for him?
Will they divide him up among the merchants?
Can you fill his hide with harpoons
or his head with fishing spears?
If you lay a hand on him,
you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
Any hope of subduing him is false;
the mere sight of him is overpowering.
No one is fierce enough to rouse him.
Who then is able to stand against me?
Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.
"I will not fail to speak of his limbs,
his strength and his graceful form.
Who can strip off his outer coat?
Who would approach him with a bridle?
Who dares open the doors of his mouth,
ringed about with his fearsome teeth?
His back has rows of shields
tightly sealed together;
each is so close to the next
that no air can pass between.
They are joined fast to one another;
they cling together and cannot be parted.
His snorting throws out flashes of light;
his eyes are like the rays of dawn.
Firebrands stream from his mouth;
sparks of fire shoot out.
Smoke pours from his nostrils
as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.
His breath sets coals ablaze,
and flames dart from his mouth.
Strength resides in his neck;
dismay goes before him.
The folds of his flesh are tightly joined;
they are firm and immovable.
His chest is hard as rock,
hard as a lower millstone.
When he rises up, the mighty are terrified;
they retreat before his thrashing.
The sword that reaches him has no effect,
nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
Iron he treats like straw
and bronze like rotten wood.
Arrows do not make him flee;
slingstones are like chaff to him.
A club seems to him but a piece of straw;
he laughs at the rattling of the lance.
His undersides are jagged potsherds,
leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron
and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
Behind him he leaves a glistening wake;
one would think the deep had white hair.
Nothing on earth is his equal—
a creature without fear.
He looks down on all that are haughty;
he is king over all that are proud."
The footnote in my Bible suggests that the leviathan might be the crocodile. I wonder if it might not be something more like the dragon of fantasy stories. Either that, or some now-extinct creature who fits every part of the description better than the croc.
or tie down his tongue with a rope?
Can you put a cord through his nose
or pierce his jaw with a hook?
Will he keep begging you for mercy?
Will he speak to you with gentle words?
Will he make an agreement with you
for you to take him as your slave for life?
Can you make a pet of him like a bird
or put him on a leash for your girls?
Will traders barter for him?
Will they divide him up among the merchants?
Can you fill his hide with harpoons
or his head with fishing spears?
If you lay a hand on him,
you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
Any hope of subduing him is false;
the mere sight of him is overpowering.
No one is fierce enough to rouse him.
Who then is able to stand against me?
Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.
"I will not fail to speak of his limbs,
his strength and his graceful form.
Who can strip off his outer coat?
Who would approach him with a bridle?
Who dares open the doors of his mouth,
ringed about with his fearsome teeth?
His back has rows of shields
tightly sealed together;
each is so close to the next
that no air can pass between.
They are joined fast to one another;
they cling together and cannot be parted.
His snorting throws out flashes of light;
his eyes are like the rays of dawn.
Firebrands stream from his mouth;
sparks of fire shoot out.
Smoke pours from his nostrils
as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.
His breath sets coals ablaze,
and flames dart from his mouth.
Strength resides in his neck;
dismay goes before him.
The folds of his flesh are tightly joined;
they are firm and immovable.
His chest is hard as rock,
hard as a lower millstone.
When he rises up, the mighty are terrified;
they retreat before his thrashing.
The sword that reaches him has no effect,
nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
Iron he treats like straw
and bronze like rotten wood.
Arrows do not make him flee;
slingstones are like chaff to him.
A club seems to him but a piece of straw;
he laughs at the rattling of the lance.
His undersides are jagged potsherds,
leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron
and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
Behind him he leaves a glistening wake;
one would think the deep had white hair.
Nothing on earth is his equal—
a creature without fear.
He looks down on all that are haughty;
he is king over all that are proud."
The footnote in my Bible suggests that the leviathan might be the crocodile. I wonder if it might not be something more like the dragon of fantasy stories. Either that, or some now-extinct creature who fits every part of the description better than the croc.
Behemoth
Job 40:15-24 - "Look at the behemoth,
which I made along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.
What strength he has in his loins,
what power in the muscles of his belly!
His tail sways like a cedar;
the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
His bones are tubes of bronze,
his limbs like rods of iron.
He ranks first among the works of God,
yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.
The hills bring him their produce,
and all the wild animals play nearby.
Under the lotus plants he lies,
hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
The lotuses conceal him in their shadow;
the poplars by the stream surround him.
When the river rages, he is not alarmed;
he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.
Can anyone capture him by the eyes,
or trap him and pierce his nose?"
The footnote in my Bible suggested that the behemoth might be the hippopotamus or the elephant. I wonder though which animal God considers "first" among his works. Could it possibly be a dinosaur? Or perhaps it was some other creature that is now extinct.
which I made along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.
What strength he has in his loins,
what power in the muscles of his belly!
His tail sways like a cedar;
the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
His bones are tubes of bronze,
his limbs like rods of iron.
He ranks first among the works of God,
yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.
The hills bring him their produce,
and all the wild animals play nearby.
Under the lotus plants he lies,
hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
The lotuses conceal him in their shadow;
the poplars by the stream surround him.
When the river rages, he is not alarmed;
he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.
Can anyone capture him by the eyes,
or trap him and pierce his nose?"
The footnote in my Bible suggested that the behemoth might be the hippopotamus or the elephant. I wonder though which animal God considers "first" among his works. Could it possibly be a dinosaur? Or perhaps it was some other creature that is now extinct.
12/23/2006
Dwelt a miner
Job 28:1-10 - There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.
Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.
Man puts an end to the darkness;
he searches the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft,
in places forgotten by the foot of man;
far from men he dangles and sways.
The earth, from which food comes,
is transformed below as by fire;
sapphires come from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon's eye has seen it.
Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.
Man's hand assaults the flinty rock
and lays bare the roots of the mountains.
He tunnels through the rock;
his eyes see all its treasures.
I wonder what type of lighting they used down in the mines. Obviously electricity is not mentioned, so it probably wasn't light bulbs that lit their way. (Or was it?) Was it fire? Torches? Lanterns? Oil or gas?
Job says, "...far from men he dangles and sways." I wonder how far down the deepest mines went. How did they compare with mines of today? Had Job ever actually seen miners working? Had he been a miner?
and a place where gold is refined.
Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.
Man puts an end to the darkness;
he searches the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft,
in places forgotten by the foot of man;
far from men he dangles and sways.
The earth, from which food comes,
is transformed below as by fire;
sapphires come from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon's eye has seen it.
Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.
Man's hand assaults the flinty rock
and lays bare the roots of the mountains.
He tunnels through the rock;
his eyes see all its treasures.
I wonder what type of lighting they used down in the mines. Obviously electricity is not mentioned, so it probably wasn't light bulbs that lit their way. (Or was it?) Was it fire? Torches? Lanterns? Oil or gas?
Job says, "...far from men he dangles and sways." I wonder how far down the deepest mines went. How did they compare with mines of today? Had Job ever actually seen miners working? Had he been a miner?
12/21/2006
God's words
Job 23:12 - I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Earlier I mentioned that some people think the book of Job may be the earliest written book of the Bible. If that is so, I wonder if Job had any written words to obey. Or did he just have God's spoken commands passed down through the generations as his guide for living?
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Earlier I mentioned that some people think the book of Job may be the earliest written book of the Bible. If that is so, I wonder if Job had any written words to obey. Or did he just have God's spoken commands passed down through the generations as his guide for living?
12/20/2006
Nasty Job?
Job 22:5-9 - Is not your wickedness great?
Are not your sins endless?
You demanded security from your brothers for no reason;
you stripped men of their clothing, leaving them naked.
You gave no water to the weary
and you withheld food from the hungry,
though you were a powerful man, owning land—
an honored man, living on it.
And you sent widows away empty-handed
and broke the strength of the fatherless.
Sure, Job was a sinner like everyone else, but did he really do all these nasty things that Eliphaz lists? I wonder if Eliphaz had proof of any of these sins or if they were hypothetical or guesses or examples of sins Job might have committed.
Are not your sins endless?
You demanded security from your brothers for no reason;
you stripped men of their clothing, leaving them naked.
You gave no water to the weary
and you withheld food from the hungry,
though you were a powerful man, owning land—
an honored man, living on it.
And you sent widows away empty-handed
and broke the strength of the fatherless.
Sure, Job was a sinner like everyone else, but did he really do all these nasty things that Eliphaz lists? I wonder if Eliphaz had proof of any of these sins or if they were hypothetical or guesses or examples of sins Job might have committed.
12/19/2006
How dare they!
Job 16:10 - Men open their mouths to jeer at me;
they strike my cheek in scorn
and unite together against me.
I wonder if anyone actually did this to Job while in his sorry condition. Or was Job just speaking metaphorically?
I don't want to think too long about it, but I wonder if I've ever literally or figuratively done something similar to anyone. How about you?
they strike my cheek in scorn
and unite together against me.
I wonder if anyone actually did this to Job while in his sorry condition. Or was Job just speaking metaphorically?
I don't want to think too long about it, but I wonder if I've ever literally or figuratively done something similar to anyone. How about you?
12/17/2006
Too deep
Job 9:10 - He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
Remember this is really God telling us about himself through Job. There's stuff -- science, or whatever you want to call it -- that we will never understand. And there's a lot of it!
I wonder which areas of science/nature/creation have the most unfathomable wonders. Or are they pretty evenly spread out? I wonder how much we understand today compared to what some of the great minds of the past knew -- Adam, Noah, Solomon, to name a few.
miracles that cannot be counted.
Remember this is really God telling us about himself through Job. There's stuff -- science, or whatever you want to call it -- that we will never understand. And there's a lot of it!
I wonder which areas of science/nature/creation have the most unfathomable wonders. Or are they pretty evenly spread out? I wonder how much we understand today compared to what some of the great minds of the past knew -- Adam, Noah, Solomon, to name a few.
12/15/2006
Constellations
Job 9:9 - He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
Some think the book of Job may be older; that is, written earlier than any other book of the Bible. Whether or not, I still wonder what the Hebrew literally says in this verse. I think the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades were only named as such long after this book was written. If the Hebrew really uses these words, I wonder if they refer to the same things that we mean today.
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
Some think the book of Job may be older; that is, written earlier than any other book of the Bible. Whether or not, I still wonder what the Hebrew literally says in this verse. I think the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades were only named as such long after this book was written. If the Hebrew really uses these words, I wonder if they refer to the same things that we mean today.
12/13/2006
Eliphaz speaks
Job 4:1-2 - Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
"If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking?"
Huh? You've been sitting there for a week, Eliphaz (and friends) without uttering a word. How can the first thing you say include the line "But who can keep from speaking?" Obviously the three of you can! I really wonder how you did hold off for 7 days and 7 nights though. Wasn't it boring, to say the least?
"If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking?"
Huh? You've been sitting there for a week, Eliphaz (and friends) without uttering a word. How can the first thing you say include the line "But who can keep from speaking?" Obviously the three of you can! I really wonder how you did hold off for 7 days and 7 nights though. Wasn't it boring, to say the least?
Job's poetic curse
Job 3 - After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said:
"May the day of my birth perish,
and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!'
That day—may it turn to darkness;
may God above not care about it;
may no light shine upon it.
May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more;
may a cloud settle over it;
may blackness overwhelm its light.
That night—may thick darkness seize it;
may it not be included among the days of the year
nor be entered in any of the months.
May that night be barren;
may no shout of joy be heard in it.
May those who curse days curse that day,
those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.
May its morning stars become dark;
may it wait for daylight in vain
and not see the first rays of dawn,
for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me
to hide trouble from my eyes.
"Why did I not perish at birth,
and die as I came from the womb?
Why were there knees to receive me
and breasts that I might be nursed?
For now I would be lying down in peace;
I would be asleep and at rest
with kings and counselors of the earth,
who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,
with rulers who had gold,
who filled their houses with silver.
Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child,
like an infant who never saw the light of day?
There the wicked cease from turmoil,
and there the weary are at rest.
Captives also enjoy their ease;
they no longer hear the slave driver's shout.
The small and the great are there,
and the slave is freed from his master.
"Why is light given to those in misery,
and life to the bitter of soul,
to those who long for death that does not come,
who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
who are filled with gladness
and rejoice when they reach the grave?
Why is life given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?
For sighing comes to me instead of food;
my groans pour out like water.
What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness;
I have no rest, but only turmoil."
It appears from the way the text is formatted in the English translation, that Job's cursing of the day of his birth is Hebrew poetry. I wonder how he was able -- in the midst of such pain, grief, sorrow, and despair -- to speak in lines of poetry. I wonder if they practiced this art form regularly and often back then so that it just came naturally even at a time like this.
"May the day of my birth perish,
and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!'
That day—may it turn to darkness;
may God above not care about it;
may no light shine upon it.
May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more;
may a cloud settle over it;
may blackness overwhelm its light.
That night—may thick darkness seize it;
may it not be included among the days of the year
nor be entered in any of the months.
May that night be barren;
may no shout of joy be heard in it.
May those who curse days curse that day,
those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.
May its morning stars become dark;
may it wait for daylight in vain
and not see the first rays of dawn,
for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me
to hide trouble from my eyes.
"Why did I not perish at birth,
and die as I came from the womb?
Why were there knees to receive me
and breasts that I might be nursed?
For now I would be lying down in peace;
I would be asleep and at rest
with kings and counselors of the earth,
who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,
with rulers who had gold,
who filled their houses with silver.
Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child,
like an infant who never saw the light of day?
There the wicked cease from turmoil,
and there the weary are at rest.
Captives also enjoy their ease;
they no longer hear the slave driver's shout.
The small and the great are there,
and the slave is freed from his master.
"Why is light given to those in misery,
and life to the bitter of soul,
to those who long for death that does not come,
who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
who are filled with gladness
and rejoice when they reach the grave?
Why is life given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?
For sighing comes to me instead of food;
my groans pour out like water.
What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness;
I have no rest, but only turmoil."
It appears from the way the text is formatted in the English translation, that Job's cursing of the day of his birth is Hebrew poetry. I wonder how he was able -- in the midst of such pain, grief, sorrow, and despair -- to speak in lines of poetry. I wonder if they practiced this art form regularly and often back then so that it just came naturally even at a time like this.
12/10/2006
God, Job, Satan: Round II
Job 2:1 - On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.
I wonder how long after the first round of destruction this second meeting came. I have the feeling it came pretty quickly. Job's three friends, who had heard of his troubles, didn't even have time to arrive before Job was covered with sores due to round 2 of Satan's attacks. I wonder if Job even had time to think, "What next?"
I wonder how long after the first round of destruction this second meeting came. I have the feeling it came pretty quickly. Job's three friends, who had heard of his troubles, didn't even have time to arrive before Job was covered with sores due to round 2 of Satan's attacks. I wonder if Job even had time to think, "What next?"
12/09/2006
A quick shave
Job 1:20-21 - At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
Note that it says he shaved his head -- not pulled out his hair in anger or frustration as others do elsewhere in the Bible.
I wonder if he shaved it himself or had his barber do it. Was there a razor handy, or did he have to go get one? Similar question if a barber was hired.
I get the impression that this is done in rapid succession though. Tear robe. Shave head. Fall down. Is this perhaps not the best translation of the phrase?
If this happened to me, I hope I could repeat Job's words of praise. Right now I'd say I could. But what if it really happened tomorrow? Could you?
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
Note that it says he shaved his head -- not pulled out his hair in anger or frustration as others do elsewhere in the Bible.
I wonder if he shaved it himself or had his barber do it. Was there a razor handy, or did he have to go get one? Similar question if a barber was hired.
I get the impression that this is done in rapid succession though. Tear robe. Shave head. Fall down. Is this perhaps not the best translation of the phrase?
If this happened to me, I hope I could repeat Job's words of praise. Right now I'd say I could. But what if it really happened tomorrow? Could you?
12/07/2006
Job loses all
Job 1:13-19 - One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
Job barely had time to digest the first message by the time the fourth one was delivered. I wonder if it all even sank in until a fair amount of time had passed. I think his immediate actions were a reaction to the news about the deaths of his 10 children.
I wonder if the thought crossed his mind that these messengers might be pulling a prank. Perhaps they were hired by someone else? This couldn't really all be happening within the hour, could it?
Job was "the greatest man among all the people of the East." I wonder if anyone (besides the three friends we hear of later) came to his assistance when they heard of his losses. Surely everyone knew his name. And when this disaster happened, certainly the news of it would spread quickly.
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
Job barely had time to digest the first message by the time the fourth one was delivered. I wonder if it all even sank in until a fair amount of time had passed. I think his immediate actions were a reaction to the news about the deaths of his 10 children.
I wonder if the thought crossed his mind that these messengers might be pulling a prank. Perhaps they were hired by someone else? This couldn't really all be happening within the hour, could it?
Job was "the greatest man among all the people of the East." I wonder if anyone (besides the three friends we hear of later) came to his assistance when they heard of his losses. Surely everyone knew his name. And when this disaster happened, certainly the news of it would spread quickly.
12/06/2006
Jew for a day
Esther 8:17 - In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
I wonder what these people did to become Jews. Were they circumcised? Did they start to follow Jewish religious practices? Did they become Jews for more than just the one day? How would an enemy of the Jews know that a non-Jew had become a Jew? And why would he care? What difference did it make if those who weren't enemies of the Jews became Jews?
I wonder what these people did to become Jews. Were they circumcised? Did they start to follow Jewish religious practices? Did they become Jews for more than just the one day? How would an enemy of the Jews know that a non-Jew had become a Jew? And why would he care? What difference did it make if those who weren't enemies of the Jews became Jews?
12/05/2006
Counting sheep
Esther 6:1-4 - That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
"What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked.
"Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.
The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.
I wonder what time of night Xerxes finally gave up on trying to get to sleep. Before midnight? 2:00 in the morning? When did he usually go to bed?
How long did his attendants have to read to him? It sounds like they read until daybreak, because when they got to the part about Mordecai, Haman was already up and anticipating a visit to the king.
So even if Xerxes waited until 2:00 A.M. to be read to, that would mean someone had to read from the chronicles for several hours! I wonder what it was like to be working the graveyard shift in the palace and suddenly be called upon to read the king a bedtime story because counting sheep just wasn't working.
And did Xerxes expect the chronicles to put him to sleep? Hm.
"What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked.
"Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.
The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.
I wonder what time of night Xerxes finally gave up on trying to get to sleep. Before midnight? 2:00 in the morning? When did he usually go to bed?
How long did his attendants have to read to him? It sounds like they read until daybreak, because when they got to the part about Mordecai, Haman was already up and anticipating a visit to the king.
So even if Xerxes waited until 2:00 A.M. to be read to, that would mean someone had to read from the chronicles for several hours! I wonder what it was like to be working the graveyard shift in the palace and suddenly be called upon to read the king a bedtime story because counting sheep just wasn't working.
And did Xerxes expect the chronicles to put him to sleep? Hm.
12/04/2006
Proper attire
Esther 4:1-2 - When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.
I wonder why a person wearing sackcloth was not allowed to enter the king's gate. Was this the only type of attire that was forbidden? Was there a dress code -- like "tux with tails" or "shirt and tie" -- that was required? Was this the only place (or the only gate) that had this restriction? Were Jews the only ones who ever wore sackcloth? If others wore it, was it for the same reasons that Jews did? Was there something intrinsic about sackcloth for which it was forbidden, or was it what the wearing of it symbolized that kept the person out?
I wonder why a person wearing sackcloth was not allowed to enter the king's gate. Was this the only type of attire that was forbidden? Was there a dress code -- like "tux with tails" or "shirt and tie" -- that was required? Was this the only place (or the only gate) that had this restriction? Were Jews the only ones who ever wore sackcloth? If others wore it, was it for the same reasons that Jews did? Was there something intrinsic about sackcloth for which it was forbidden, or was it what the wearing of it symbolized that kept the person out?
12/03/2006
Don't show me the money
Esther 3:8-11 - Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business."
So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. "Keep the money," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please."
Why didn't Xerxes ask any questions about who these people were or what their customs were or what laws they weren't obeying? I wonder how Haman came to be so trusted. Didn't it surprise Xerxes that no one had mentioned such a people before this? That he hadn't heard of any trouble they had caused? That it was only Haman who seemed at all concerned about them?
So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. "Keep the money," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please."
Why didn't Xerxes ask any questions about who these people were or what their customs were or what laws they weren't obeying? I wonder how Haman came to be so trusted. Didn't it surprise Xerxes that no one had mentioned such a people before this? That he hadn't heard of any trouble they had caused? That it was only Haman who seemed at all concerned about them?
12/01/2006
At the king's gate
Esther 3:1-4 - After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.
Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?" Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.
In those days, the gate was a place of great importance not only for safety, but also for conducting business. At least that's the way it had been in Israel. I'm guessing it was of similar importance among the Medes and Persians. I would also think that the king's gate would be at least doubly important just because it was the king's gate and was in the capital city.
So I wonder how it was that Mordecai got to hang around the king's gate so much. Was it because his cousin was queen? I doubt the relationship was known because then, when Mordecai revealed his Jewish heritage, Esther's would have been known too.
Did Mordecai consider giving honor to Haman idolatry? He seems to make a connection between his Jewish heritage and practices with his refusal to bow before Haman. I wonder that the royal officials didn't force Mordecai to bow in honor to Haman in obedience to the king's order. Was Mordecai considered their equal? Or better?
Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?" Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.
In those days, the gate was a place of great importance not only for safety, but also for conducting business. At least that's the way it had been in Israel. I'm guessing it was of similar importance among the Medes and Persians. I would also think that the king's gate would be at least doubly important just because it was the king's gate and was in the capital city.
So I wonder how it was that Mordecai got to hang around the king's gate so much. Was it because his cousin was queen? I doubt the relationship was known because then, when Mordecai revealed his Jewish heritage, Esther's would have been known too.
Did Mordecai consider giving honor to Haman idolatry? He seems to make a connection between his Jewish heritage and practices with his refusal to bow before Haman. I wonder that the royal officials didn't force Mordecai to bow in honor to Haman in obedience to the king's order. Was Mordecai considered their equal? Or better?
11/29/2006
Back and forth
Esther 2:11 - Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
I wonder what Mordecai did for a living. How did he have time to pace back and forth in front of the harem every day? Esther's beauty treatments lasted a year. I wonder if he really tried to check up on her every day for that whole time. Maybe it wasn't all day and maybe it wasn't without its benefits, but I wonder if there wouldn't have been another way to get the info he wanted about Esther.
I wonder what exactly it was that he hoped to learn about her. Did he need or want to know how her training was going? I doubt he had to worry about her health or safety -- she was in the king's care -- how much better could it get?
I wonder how close to the palace and harem Mordecai lived. Did he have to travel far each day to check on his cousin?
I wonder what Mordecai did for a living. How did he have time to pace back and forth in front of the harem every day? Esther's beauty treatments lasted a year. I wonder if he really tried to check up on her every day for that whole time. Maybe it wasn't all day and maybe it wasn't without its benefits, but I wonder if there wouldn't have been another way to get the info he wanted about Esther.
I wonder what exactly it was that he hoped to learn about her. Did he need or want to know how her training was going? I doubt he had to worry about her health or safety -- she was in the king's care -- how much better could it get?
I wonder how close to the palace and harem Mordecai lived. Did he have to travel far each day to check on his cousin?
11/28/2006
Esther's secret
Esther 2:10 - Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.
I wonder why Mordecai refused to let it be known that Esther was a Jew. Hadn't he been the one to enter her in the contest in the first place? Why should he then expect her to keep this a secret? Did no on ask where she was from? If they did ask, I wonder what her answer was. Did she lie? Did she avoid the question? I wonder if she confided in anyone about her nationality and background.
I wonder why Mordecai refused to let it be known that Esther was a Jew. Hadn't he been the one to enter her in the contest in the first place? Why should he then expect her to keep this a secret? Did no on ask where she was from? If they did ask, I wonder what her answer was. Did she lie? Did she avoid the question? I wonder if she confided in anyone about her nationality and background.
11/27/2006
Vashti dis's Xerxes
Esther 1:10-12 - On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas—to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
I wonder why Vashti refused to obey Xerxes and come to his party. Was she afraid of what might happen to her there? Was she fearful of what else she might be asked to do in a roomful of guys? Was she too busy entertaining her own (female) guests? Did she not understand the request? (That doesn't seem likely.) I wonder if she understood the possible ramifications of her refusal to obey the king's command.
I wonder why Vashti refused to obey Xerxes and come to his party. Was she afraid of what might happen to her there? Was she fearful of what else she might be asked to do in a roomful of guys? Was she too busy entertaining her own (female) guests? Did she not understand the request? (That doesn't seem likely.) I wonder if she understood the possible ramifications of her refusal to obey the king's command.
11/25/2006
Foreigners in the assembly
Nehemiah 13:1-3 - On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God, because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.
I wonder how it got started that foreigners were allowed into the Israeli assembly. How long did it take before it became common practice? And how long after that until no one realized it was wrong?
I wonder how it got started that foreigners were allowed into the Israeli assembly. How long did it take before it became common practice? And how long after that until no one realized it was wrong?
Singing in Jerusalem
Nehemiah 12:40-43 - The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets—and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
I wonder how far "far away" was. Was it several miles? Many miles? I wonder how they knew it could be heard far away. I suppose someone may have told them later on that they could be heard from a distance. Or maybe someone asked, "What was all the noise coming from Jerusalem yesterday?"
I wonder how far "far away" was. Was it several miles? Many miles? I wonder how they knew it could be heard far away. I suppose someone may have told them later on that they could be heard from a distance. Or maybe someone asked, "What was all the noise coming from Jerusalem yesterday?"
11/20/2006
Ezra lays down the Law
Nehemiah 8:9 - Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
I wonder which parts of the Law made the people mourn and weep. Obviously it was those parts that showed where they had failed to do something God commanded and the resulting punishments and curses. But I wonder which of those commands in particular made them cry. I suppose it might have been different parts for different people.
When was the last time reading or hearing God's Law made you cry?
I wonder if Ezra ever got to the parts that contained God's promises of a Messiah and the forgiveness he would bring. Either he didn't get to them soon enough or the people didn't understand them...or else Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites wouldn't have had to tell the people outright that this really was a happy day.
I wonder which parts of the Law made the people mourn and weep. Obviously it was those parts that showed where they had failed to do something God commanded and the resulting punishments and curses. But I wonder which of those commands in particular made them cry. I suppose it might have been different parts for different people.
When was the last time reading or hearing God's Law made you cry?
I wonder if Ezra ever got to the parts that contained God's promises of a Messiah and the forgiveness he would bring. Either he didn't get to them soon enough or the people didn't understand them...or else Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites wouldn't have had to tell the people outright that this really was a happy day.
11/19/2006
Building the wall
Nehemiah 3 - Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah—Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth—places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates. Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him. Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.
The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. They also repaired five hundred yards of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.
The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King's Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David. Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes.
Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. Next to him, the repairs were made by their countrymen under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah. Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle. Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest. Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib's house to the end of it.
The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region. Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house. Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah's house to the angle and the corner, and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel.
Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters. Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
I wonder what the people thought when they saw priests -- even the high priest -- doing hard labor. It should have served as a good example for them. It should also have prompted some to step up and do the work instead of the priests, who really should have been at the temple (and elsewhere) performing their normal priestly duties.
This chapter mentions 10 gates and 4 towers. I wonder what the circumference of Jerusalem was at this time.
I wonder if the men of Tekoa who worked next to Zadok were the same men who worked next to Pedaiah and the temple servants. If so, why did men who weren't willing to give the job their best effort allowed to work on two sections?
I wonder how many of these builders had any previous experience in wall repair. Did any of them have to be trained first? Or maybe they all did have experience (even the priests) and that's why they were the ones doing the building.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah—Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth—places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates. Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him. Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.
The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. They also repaired five hundred yards of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.
The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King's Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David. Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes.
Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. Next to him, the repairs were made by their countrymen under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah. Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle. Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest. Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib's house to the end of it.
The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region. Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house. Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah's house to the angle and the corner, and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel.
Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters. Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
I wonder what the people thought when they saw priests -- even the high priest -- doing hard labor. It should have served as a good example for them. It should also have prompted some to step up and do the work instead of the priests, who really should have been at the temple (and elsewhere) performing their normal priestly duties.
This chapter mentions 10 gates and 4 towers. I wonder what the circumference of Jerusalem was at this time.
I wonder if the men of Tekoa who worked next to Zadok were the same men who worked next to Pedaiah and the temple servants. If so, why did men who weren't willing to give the job their best effort allowed to work on two sections?
I wonder how many of these builders had any previous experience in wall repair. Did any of them have to be trained first? Or maybe they all did have experience (even the priests) and that's why they were the ones doing the building.
11/16/2006
The wall in the dark of night
Nehemiah 2:13-15 - By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate.
I don't know the exact configuration of the city of Jerusalem -- the location of its buildings inside the walls and their relative locations compared to the walls. Neither do I know how broken a piece of the wall had to be before it was actually called "broken." Did it have to be leveled? Only chipped? Have a hole you could walk through? Did you have to be able to see over the top? What I'm leading up to is: If the wall was broken, why did Nehemiah have to go outside the city to examine it? Wouldn't the damage be just as visible from the inside?
I wonder if he went out during a full, or nearly full, moon. There was no electricity. No streetlights. No searchlights. No flashlights. Maybe torches. He only took a few men with him, so only a few torches at best.
I'm not sure why he kept his mission a secret at first. He doesn't seem to have been afraid to carry out the mission or afraid of those who opposed him. I wonder if he just wanted it to be a pleasant surprise.
I don't know the exact configuration of the city of Jerusalem -- the location of its buildings inside the walls and their relative locations compared to the walls. Neither do I know how broken a piece of the wall had to be before it was actually called "broken." Did it have to be leveled? Only chipped? Have a hole you could walk through? Did you have to be able to see over the top? What I'm leading up to is: If the wall was broken, why did Nehemiah have to go outside the city to examine it? Wouldn't the damage be just as visible from the inside?
I wonder if he went out during a full, or nearly full, moon. There was no electricity. No streetlights. No searchlights. No flashlights. Maybe torches. He only took a few men with him, so only a few torches at best.
I'm not sure why he kept his mission a secret at first. He doesn't seem to have been afraid to carry out the mission or afraid of those who opposed him. I wonder if he just wanted it to be a pleasant surprise.
11/15/2006
Cupbearer to the king
Nehemiah 1:11-2:6 - I was cupbearer to the king.
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."
Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.
I think that being cupbearer was a potentially dangerous occupation. If I remember correctly, not only did you bring the wine to the king, but you had to taste it before he did. If anyone was trying to kill the king by poisoning his wine....
That said, being cupbearer seems like a fairly lofty position at the same time. After all, you got to see the king (and queen) up close and in person several times each day. You probably learned a lot about the political situation of the day. If you were good at your job and the king took a fancy to you -- as seems to be the case with Nehemiah -- so much the better for you.
Now, I wonder how you get to be cupbearer. Did Nehemiah volunteer? I would think that the king would consider you expendable -- after all, you could die after any given sip. So being an alien from one of the conquered nations was not unlikely. Yet you would have to be trustworthy too. Artaxerxes seems to have thought highly enough of Nehemiah to want him to remain in his service. When Nehemiah left for Jerusalem, the king would have to appoint a new cupbearer -- or maybe bring in the backup. But he did want Nehemiah to return; he asked him how long he would be gone, and Nehemiah gave him a time.
I wonder if there were other (behind-the-scenes?) duties involved with being cupbearer to the king.
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."
Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.
I think that being cupbearer was a potentially dangerous occupation. If I remember correctly, not only did you bring the wine to the king, but you had to taste it before he did. If anyone was trying to kill the king by poisoning his wine....
That said, being cupbearer seems like a fairly lofty position at the same time. After all, you got to see the king (and queen) up close and in person several times each day. You probably learned a lot about the political situation of the day. If you were good at your job and the king took a fancy to you -- as seems to be the case with Nehemiah -- so much the better for you.
Now, I wonder how you get to be cupbearer. Did Nehemiah volunteer? I would think that the king would consider you expendable -- after all, you could die after any given sip. So being an alien from one of the conquered nations was not unlikely. Yet you would have to be trustworthy too. Artaxerxes seems to have thought highly enough of Nehemiah to want him to remain in his service. When Nehemiah left for Jerusalem, the king would have to appoint a new cupbearer -- or maybe bring in the backup. But he did want Nehemiah to return; he asked him how long he would be gone, and Nehemiah gave him a time.
I wonder if there were other (behind-the-scenes?) duties involved with being cupbearer to the king.
11/14/2006
Shecaniah's suggestion
Ezra 10:2-4 - Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."
I didn't remember that the same Shecaniah I rediscovered in Ezra, chapter 8, would be the one to suggest that the Israelite men who had intermarried should send those wives away. I wonder if the fact that he wasn't one of them made it easier to bring up the idea. I wonder if any of the men who did have to send wives away took issue with Shecaniah for making the suggestion.
I didn't remember that the same Shecaniah I rediscovered in Ezra, chapter 8, would be the one to suggest that the Israelite men who had intermarried should send those wives away. I wonder if the fact that he wasn't one of them made it easier to bring up the idea. I wonder if any of the men who did have to send wives away took issue with Shecaniah for making the suggestion.
11/13/2006
Shecaniah
Ezra 8:5 - ...of the descendants of Zattu, Shecaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men....
In my writings here, I have used what I thought was a fictitious name: Shekaniah. I see now that it's not so fictitious. Any resemblance between my Shekaniah character and this Shecaniah or any other -- past, present, or future -- is purely coincidental and should not be otherwise construed or misconstrued.
In my writings here, I have used what I thought was a fictitious name: Shekaniah. I see now that it's not so fictitious. Any resemblance between my Shekaniah character and this Shecaniah or any other -- past, present, or future -- is purely coincidental and should not be otherwise construed or misconstrued.
Ezra makes good time
Ezra 7:8-9 - Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.
I wonder if Ezra considered the 4-month trip from Babylon to Jerusalem better than average time-wise. I wonder how long it took those who didn't make good time.
For perspective, consider that today 3 months is a major portion of the business year. It's a quarter. Ever heard of quarterly reports and all that they entail? Ezra and company would have missed 2 quarter-ends! Horrors!
I wonder if Ezra considered the 4-month trip from Babylon to Jerusalem better than average time-wise. I wonder how long it took those who didn't make good time.
For perspective, consider that today 3 months is a major portion of the business year. It's a quarter. Ever heard of quarterly reports and all that they entail? Ezra and company would have missed 2 quarter-ends! Horrors!
11/12/2006
Whose temple is it?
Ezra 4:1-5 - When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
I can understand why the others wanted to help build the temple, but I wonder why they then did a 180 and did all they could to hinder the construction after they were told to stay away. What purpose would it serve them if no temple were built? They had to go out of their way to cause trouble for Zerubbabel and his crews. They could have just stayed home and done business as usual. I wonder if some just had too much time on their hands. Or were they not truly followers of the true God as they insinuated at the beginning?
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
I can understand why the others wanted to help build the temple, but I wonder why they then did a 180 and did all they could to hinder the construction after they were told to stay away. What purpose would it serve them if no temple were built? They had to go out of their way to cause trouble for Zerubbabel and his crews. They could have just stayed home and done business as usual. I wonder if some just had too much time on their hands. Or were they not truly followers of the true God as they insinuated at the beginning?
11/10/2006
Geneology 101
Ezra 2:61-63 - And from among the priests: The descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).
These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.
Knowing your lineage had always been very important among the Israelites from the time when the land was first parceled out to them in Canaan. It was similarly equally important among the priests and Levites who did not receive land as the other 11 tribes had.
It seems as if each family was expected to keep a record of their own lineage. I wonder why -- especially for the priests -- a central historical record was not kept. Or was there such a record, but the portion referring to Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai just could not be found? It's actually more surprising that these were the only 3 men who lost their records in the move to Babylon and back.
Since no records could be found, I wonder if they were still considered Levites, but just not priests. Perhaps it didn't matter.
We don't know exactly what Urim and Thummim were. I wonder if they were objects. If so, were they easy to come by? It sounds like no priest had them (or at least no priest was setup to use them) right away.
These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.
Knowing your lineage had always been very important among the Israelites from the time when the land was first parceled out to them in Canaan. It was similarly equally important among the priests and Levites who did not receive land as the other 11 tribes had.
It seems as if each family was expected to keep a record of their own lineage. I wonder why -- especially for the priests -- a central historical record was not kept. Or was there such a record, but the portion referring to Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai just could not be found? It's actually more surprising that these were the only 3 men who lost their records in the move to Babylon and back.
Since no records could be found, I wonder if they were still considered Levites, but just not priests. Perhaps it didn't matter.
We don't know exactly what Urim and Thummim were. I wonder if they were objects. If so, were they easy to come by? It sounds like no priest had them (or at least no priest was setup to use them) right away.
11/09/2006
The other Elam
Ezra 2:2-35 - The list of the men of the people of Israel:
the descendants of Parosh 2,172
of Shephatiah 372
of Arah 775
of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab) 2,812
of Elam 1,254
of Zattu 945
of Zaccai 760
of Bani 642
of Bebai 623
of Azgad 1,222
of Adonikam 666
of Bigvai 2,056
of Adin 454
of Ater (through Hezekiah) 98
of Bezai 323
of Jorah 112
of Hashum 223
of Gibbar 95
the men of Bethlehem 123
of Netophah 56
of Anathoth 128
of Azmaveth 42
of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth 743
of Ramah and Geba 621
of Micmash 122
of Bethel and Ai 223
of Nebo 52
of Magbish 156
of the other Elam 1,254
of Harim 320
of Lod, Hadid and Ono 725
of Jericho 345
of Senaah 3,630
I wonder what it was like to be known as a resident of "the other Elam." I wonder why, in an area as small as Judah, they named two places the same. If the one became known as "the other" because it was the smaller of the two, that wouldn't likely be true anymore. Note that both places had 1254 men move back into town!
the descendants of Parosh 2,172
of Shephatiah 372
of Arah 775
of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab) 2,812
of Elam 1,254
of Zattu 945
of Zaccai 760
of Bani 642
of Bebai 623
of Azgad 1,222
of Adonikam 666
of Bigvai 2,056
of Adin 454
of Ater (through Hezekiah) 98
of Bezai 323
of Jorah 112
of Hashum 223
of Gibbar 95
the men of Bethlehem 123
of Netophah 56
of Anathoth 128
of Azmaveth 42
of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth 743
of Ramah and Geba 621
of Micmash 122
of Bethel and Ai 223
of Nebo 52
of Magbish 156
of the other Elam 1,254
of Harim 320
of Lod, Hadid and Ono 725
of Jericho 345
of Senaah 3,630
I wonder what it was like to be known as a resident of "the other Elam." I wonder why, in an area as small as Judah, they named two places the same. If the one became known as "the other" because it was the smaller of the two, that wouldn't likely be true anymore. Note that both places had 1254 men move back into town!
11/08/2006
Cyrus' task
Ezra 1:2 - "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
" 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.' "
I wonder if God spoke directly to Cyrus -- either by waking revelation or in a dream. Or did he send an angel with a message? Or did a prophet tell him what God wanted him to do?
I wonder if Cyrus had any ulterior motives in rebuilding the temple. Would it be good for the Persian economy? Would it increase his political popularity?
" 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.' "
I wonder if God spoke directly to Cyrus -- either by waking revelation or in a dream. Or did he send an angel with a message? Or did a prophet tell him what God wanted him to do?
I wonder if Cyrus had any ulterior motives in rebuilding the temple. Would it be good for the Persian economy? Would it increase his political popularity?
Go home, Josiah
2 Chronicles 35-20-25 - After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, "What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you."
Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God's command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.
Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, "Take me away; I am badly wounded." So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.
Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.
I wonder, just as Neco did, why Josiah thought he needed to pick a fight with the king of Egypt. Was he afraid Neco would come after him later when he had finished his current campaign? Had some of his advisers prompted him to fight? Was he acting on incorrect intelligence gathered from his spies?
I wonder how long after the death of Josiah this account was written. In other words, how long did it take before the singing of the laments about Josiah was considered a tradition? I wonder how long the tradition lasted.
Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God's command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.
Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, "Take me away; I am badly wounded." So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.
Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.
I wonder, just as Neco did, why Josiah thought he needed to pick a fight with the king of Egypt. Was he afraid Neco would come after him later when he had finished his current campaign? Had some of his advisers prompted him to fight? Was he acting on incorrect intelligence gathered from his spies?
I wonder how long after the death of Josiah this account was written. In other words, how long did it take before the singing of the laments about Josiah was considered a tradition? I wonder how long the tradition lasted.
11/05/2006
Put that ark back where it belongs!
2 Chronicles 35:1-3 - Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the LORD's temple. He said to the Levites, who instructed all Israel and who had been consecrated to the LORD: "Put the sacred ark in the temple that Solomon son of David king of Israel built. It is not to be carried about on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.
This implies that the ark was not in the temple and that it was (regularly?) carried on the shoulders of the Levites. I wonder if it was carried when and where it should not have been. Did they use it in parades like we have marchers carry a flag today? I wonder where else they might have carried it. Was it just into the courtyard or the outer part of the temple? In any case, it sounds as if it wasn't being put to its designated use in its designated place.
This implies that the ark was not in the temple and that it was (regularly?) carried on the shoulders of the Levites. I wonder if it was carried when and where it should not have been. Did they use it in parades like we have marchers carry a flag today? I wonder where else they might have carried it. Was it just into the courtyard or the outer part of the temple? In any case, it sounds as if it wasn't being put to its designated use in its designated place.
11/01/2006
What Shaphan read
2 Chronicles 34:14-21 - While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses. Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD." He gave it to Shaphan.
Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: "Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the LORD and have entrusted it to the supervisors and workers." Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."
I wondered earlier if Shaphan had read the book before taking it to Josiah. After reading this similar account, I'm almost certain he did read at least some -- maybe even all -- of it before going to the king. I wonder which section he read to Josiah. At least part of it must have been about laws they had not been keeping and probably the resulting curses that God promised to send on the law breakers.
I wonder how Shaphan decided which section to read. Did he pick out the part about worshiping idols? Did he take what he thought was the most poignant? The harshest? The most commonly broken?
Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: "Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the LORD and have entrusted it to the supervisors and workers." Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."
I wondered earlier if Shaphan had read the book before taking it to Josiah. After reading this similar account, I'm almost certain he did read at least some -- maybe even all -- of it before going to the king. I wonder which section he read to Josiah. At least part of it must have been about laws they had not been keeping and probably the resulting curses that God promised to send on the law breakers.
I wonder how Shaphan decided which section to read. Did he pick out the part about worshiping idols? Did he take what he thought was the most poignant? The harshest? The most commonly broken?
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