“and you have become arrogant, and have not mourned instead” 1 Corinthians 5:2 Arrogant – We have no trouble identifying arrogance. That overblown pride, that sense of superiority, that inflated ego. We recognize it immediately – in others. But just as Proverbs says that the fool seems right in his own eyes, we have an…
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” Proverbs 12:15 In his own eyes – If you wanted to subvert the truth but you did not want to create confrontation, what strategy would you choose? If you were really clever, you would…
“I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness.” Jeremiah 29:17 Split-open – You forgot about that fruit in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator. It was pushed way to the back so you didn’t see that it was getting soft. You didn’t notice when the mold started growing. But…
“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself” Daniel 1:8 Defile – What defiles? We don’t think in terms of ritual purity these days. We don’t observe hand washing or abstain from certain kinds of food. Our Jewish orthodox brothers and sisters do so they understand immediately why Daniel put his…
“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself” Daniel 1:8 Made up his mind – This English translation covers several Aramaic words (the book of Daniel is written in Aramaic, not Hebrew). But the translation has been modified to fit our culture. It doesn’t really say exactly what the text says…
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 Righteousness, Peace, Joy – The world’s kingdom keeps you on the treadmill. Want to get off the frantic pace of getting? Sorry. You can’t. The only way off the treadmill is to die. …
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 Eating and Drinking – God’s kingdom will be found on every map but it cannot be located on any map. It’s not a place. It’s a relationship. Wherever there are sons and daughters…
“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need.” Proverbs 13:25 Has Enough – What’s the difference between “has enough to satisfy” and “eats to the satisfying”? The first translation pushes us in the direction of adequacy (enough to get by). But the second suggests something else. …
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge” Psalm 18:2 Rock – If I told you that David used two different words for “rock”, you might have the same question I did. Why? Isn’t a rock a rock? Well, not quite. One of…
“A human being is not established in wickedness, but righteous people are not uprooted.” Proverbs 12:3 Not Established – Companies like to advertise their longevity. Established 1890. Established 1924. So do countries. Established 1776. But some of the biggest establishments aren’t around any more. They didn’t stand firm. That’s the meaning of lo-yikkon, not steadfast,…
