Blogging the Apocrypha - Wisdom of Solomon 11

I'm back - so soon? Yes! Praise God. Chapter 10 was fun. Let's see what 11 brings us.

Wisdom of Solomon

Back to Moses and the history of the Israelites wandering in circles in the desert. (On a side note, I think Jewish humility and oversensitivity comes from the embarassment of some of their behavior in the Old Testament. Not sure why anyone would think they would purposely brag about being God's chosen people. They're responsible for all the wrath.)

I don't even know what verse one means. "Wisdom prospered their works by the hand of a holy prophet." The prophet being Moses, of course. Another personification of Wisdom with power. I guess wisdom was given to Moses that helped them survive? I hardly call a 40-year circular journey in a desert marked by complaining and idol worship prospering.

Verses 9 and 10 are true, and popular concepts. I like verse 11 although I'm not sure of their subject. "Whether absent or present, they were equally distressed." How true of God.

Verse 14 is surprisingly Messianic in flavor. I'm not sure of who this author is referring to though.

"One is punished by the very things by which he sins." This is true - He doesn't ask us to give up that which is good for us! I am certainly punished by my sins and the sins of others.

What's the deal with the dragon imagery in 18 & 19? That's weird.

Verse 23 is a a great and accurate praise - also full of the truth of Jesus. "Thou dost overlook men's sins, that they may repent." I wish people in my life knew how to do that. I pray I may continue to do that. Some may call it perverse masochistic passivity. I call it walking like Jesus.

I think verse 24 falls a little short in poetic language though. It's not terribly sophisticated. Hardly the words of a wise poetic, educated King - more like the logic of a pre-schooler. "You love everything you made because you wouldn't make anything you hated." I suppose it's comforting in a time of need, when you're feeling low in self-esteem. We've all got faces and souls only the Lord could love.

The Lord loves the living and the dying. He is ever renewing us so we may press on, persevere, and preserve abundant life. He is a good God.

Praise His name!