deeperthanyesterday

   Just as with any other book, Proverbs starts with an introduction specifically its purpose, nature, and goal of the book. It serves as a road map on how to approach it. In "The Testimony of Poets and Sages" Bellinger states that the book's content is not explicitly theological but the context must be rooted in God which can be referenced in verse 7 of the first chapter, “ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ... - Prov. 1:7” Right after that line I found it surprising that Proverbs jumps into parents' wisdom. Instead of maybe expounding more of the definition of wisdom or the reason for wisdom or an enumerated list of the content of the succeeding chapters the parents come into play. “ Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching"  - Prov. 1:8    This discovery caught my attention so I asked myself, “ Why ”? It led me into thinking that the culture before in the ancient near east is to pass the wisd...

     Again rereading this very first verse from the very first chapter of Psalm these 3 words appeared in my mind. “Actions”, “Lifestyle”, and “Fellowship”. What constitutes a blessed man? Psalmist began by defining it through what is not.  “...  walks   not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers ;” - Psalm 1:1      I kept wrestling if it falls under synonymous or synthetic parallelism which we discussed in the first lecture. Upon realizing the subject are similar but with different words then I paid attention to the action verbs used “walks”, “stands”, and “sits”. Walking from someone else's counsel or advice means to hear and obey their lesson or instruction. It involves doing and applying what a person learns from his leader, or teacher, or elder, or someone that we look up to. After understanding, it will manifest automatically on your actions. Thus, the first word is act...

  Walking through the steps of the sinners refers specifically to the actions. The activities that the wicked do. The next part of the first verse which is "stand in the way" means their lifestyle. The previous line might be an immediate action but also can mean some major plans or goals in life. Whereas "standing in the way" covers a more broader sphere such as lifestyle, conduct, journey, outlook, and perspective. It's their "way" of life. Then the last part represents the companionship or the fellowship of them. The activities, lifestyle, and companionship of the sinners. Blessed is the man who turns away from those. The Psalmist continues to describe that kind of man on the second verse telling on what he's up to. After avoiding the dark side he ought to be doing something else. His delight or joy is only found in the word of God. He reads it. Ponders it. Devote his time on it. On a regular basis. This is what he loves to do. The psalmist g...

          When we were kids we were always running around in the playground endlessly. We were energetic and never get tired. I remember those days when my mom brings me to swimming lessons during summer breaks and I just kept on swimming. After the class at home, I went straight to my playmates and play. When I got older one physical activity or exercise would be enough for me just to lay on the sofa and rest and watch television.           During my teenage years not only I got a chance to play with my playmates but also got more time and freedom to meet new people. From my daily routine of school – play – sleep became school – play- hangout – sleep. I added social life in my lifestyle. Instead of becoming more tired. It energizes me to meet people, play basketball, volunteer at the ministry.                     After several years unto adulthood. I maintained my...