Sovereignty in Kings

I'm in 1Kings for my OT reading lately. I admit to struggling a bit with 1Kings 13:18:22. Take the time to read all of 1Kings 13 and I think you'll see what I mean.

What is the deal here? First, the prophet lies to the other prophet. Then God uses this lying prophet to pronounce judgment on the first prophet. This is a judgment that quickly finds its fulfillment as well.

What this tells me is that God can use people independent of their character. By that I mean that He could still use this man who led the first prophet astray. If you want to be a hard determinist about it, you could even suggest that God intended judgment for the prophet in the first place, which is why He used the lying prophet. However, the text doesn't necessarily say that so we won't go there.

At any rate, it's something that I am wrestling with. What does this tell me about God? It kind of makes Him look rather capricious.

More Wisdom

I watched the class on Job over the past two nights. This is a tough book to wrestle with. At a certain level it looks like poor Job had his life wrecked over a bar bet that God made with Satan. However, I don't think that is the sole purpose of the book.

It is interesting to consider that this book has always been considered canonical. Dating it is tough though. It seems to have been written during the time of the Patriarchs. Note too that Job was an Edomite, which would not make his story real popular with most Hebrews. Nevertheless, the story stands as an example of God's faithfulness.

My big takeaway from the lecture was on the purpose of the book. Job 28 goes into the nature of wisdom and has a parallel in Proverbs 1. This book shows us how to live. It tells us that trials can help to focus our faith. It also shows that God's ways are not our ways.

That last line always feels like a cop-out at some level. However, the thing to remember is that God is indeed God and we definitely are not. There are going to be things about Him and His purposes which will remain inscrutable to us. We don't always have to like the way things work out, but we'd better learn to accept them.

Wearing Thin

I'm starting to wonder if perhaps I'm squeezing too much into my schedule. I feel incredible stress with Amanda's birthday, my shutter-painting project, the class I need to finish, the class I'm starting, family obligations, and work. I'm starting to wonder if reviewing Greek flash cards every day is really necessary. Is it also necessary for me to spend time every day in the Greek New Testament?

I think it is these dry times that show me what I'm made of. Am I going to let my feelings dictate my actions or am I going to follow-through on my commitments? I intend to follow-through.

Wisdom Literature

I started my Old Testament course last night. It's nice to watch the lectures in the comfort of my own home with a steaming cup of decaf at my side. However, it's also easy to get distracted by wht is going on in the Indians game. I can do that in class with my Blackberry too, but it's even easier when I can put the DVD in a window and watch both simultaneously. This is especially nice when someone asks a question that I don't find very interesting.

I learned two main things from this lecture. The first is that the Torah of Yahweh is where we find wisdom, according to the OT. Check out how Deuteronomy 34:9 meshes with Joshua 1:8. Then note how Malachi 4:4 fits into that. Keep in mind that Malachi was not at the end of the Hebrew Bible, but was at the end of the second section. Psalm 1:1-3 would immediately follow it. It is clear that one is made wise through thoughtful meditation on Torah. My professor made this point about Ezra. Once they found the scroll they read it. They didn't seek further revelation. They realized that was what they needed.

The other is the importance of creation theology. As you read Psalms note how often God as creator is mentioned. The fact that He created everything is what gives Him the authority to define wisdom. He is by definition wise. It also puts Romans 9:21 into perspective.

(note: I love having the Scripture links!)

Psalm 19

Here is my first draft at this one. The more I looked at it the more I saw the emphasis on the value of the Word of God. Not a big surprise, I realize.