Blogging the Apocrypha - Wisdom of Solomon 4

Well, howdy neighbor...welcome back.

It's funny - I feel restricted in this blog. Even though it's "MINE," it's for any eyes to see. I cringe at the thought of putting up temporary feelings and thoughts - even ones more long lasting - for fear they will be used against me. Well, anyway, this post isn't the place for them. Just wanted to get out there though that I've got a lot going on in my head and heart these days. God be praised for His faithfulness and for providing me with Himself and with good friends to talk to - especially my precious roommate. Love you, Ally!

Wisdom of Solomon

Well, this certainly explains some Catholic orphanages and boarding schools. Ever see "The Saint"? This goes back to what we were talking about yesterday, about virtue and childlessness being better than a multitude of useless children. I can't imagine this is a good exhortation to holiness. It doesn't inspire me.

"...understanding is gray hair for anyone, and a blameless life is ripe old age."
I have to compliment the author here for the very poetic and image-rich language here. It is certainly very creative and beautiful as literature. Maturity definitely has its perks. Love to be "smart" and "mature" and still look good. :) (Ah vanity! Of that, I am guilty.)

"...the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind."
Ah yes, too true. We have a saying for that: "Curiosity killed the cat." This is what advertising agencies and spammers count on!

(THIS ONE QUOTATION IS OUT OF ORDER - these are immediate prior verses.)

"There were some who pleased God and were led by him, and while living among sinners were taken up. They were caught up so that evil might not change their understanding or guile deceive their souls."
Why doesn't God still do this today? Is it because none please God enough? Well, it is true that all fall short...so why take any to begin with? He didn't even take up His Son of whom we know by Scripture, He was well pleased. I think this is a poor argument toward holiness. There's a false promise underwritten in it too, (e.g., if you're holy enough, God will rescue you from this life.)

"...God's grace and mercy are with his elect,"
And Jesus turned this upside down. His elect were the rejected sinners. "The first became last and the last became first." This is why I am staunchly Arminian. I can't stand the idea that God's grace is not available to everyone, nor can I stomach the thought of Jesus not dying for everyone. Isn't that the image from the wedding party that the guests did not show up to? That whomever wanted to come could? Yes, it is true that not everyone will come to the table, but it is a leap (departure, IMHO) to cry "limited atonement."

"The righteous who have died will condemn the ungodly who are living."
Alrighty, definite departure from Scripture here. Only used to promote the "righteous" - only God has the righteousness to judge - Jesus will come to judge the quick and the dead. This seems to be saying the exact opposite in every way!

"...the Lord will laugh them to scorn."
That's not my God. My God came to save the unrighteous, not ridicule them.

So, here we see two examples of Jew vs. Gentile values. To me, this book is pure cultural diatribe. Gentiles think old age and many children are signs of blessedness from God. This author claims virtue and martyrdom are signs of blessedness from God. Well, every good gift is from God. I think this is situational. You can't reduce this or life to,"only the good die young," nor can you take away the righteousness of Abraham who had more "children than grains of sand or stars in the sky" nor the righteousness of the old, old, old age of Methuselah.

However, we must take stock of what we venerate. We do value experience, but of what kind? We do value understanding, but of what kind? We do value martyrdom - don't we? Do we truly count it a blessing to suffer for His sake? Let us be careful of what "we - the unrighteous" condemn. It is not our place. Only God knows the heart of a man.