Proverbs 7-8
The theme of adultery is again found in Proverbs 7, but the focus is on being wary of a seductive adulteress. Again, I think this has two meanings, yes the reality of adultery and of being seduced by loose women, but also do not be seduced by "sexy" thinking, other philosophies. ( I do think I need to point out that women are not being held up as being immoral in general. Much of Proverbs actually venerates women, including the last chapter of the book which is a glowing portrait of a wise woman.)
Now Wisdom, herself, speaks to the general populace in Proverbs 8 pointing out that her gift is open for all. She calls unto the people to find a new way, it is not hidden from them but offers to them. She speaks of noble things and her words are of righteousness. To listen to her is to find that which God loves; to listen to her one will find riches to which metals cannot compare.
Wisdom was before Creation and a part of Creation. Wisdom was brought forth by God from the very beginning, to know Wisdom is to know the purpose and meaning of Creation.
Colossians 2
The author rights of his afflictions and sufferings, perhaps to defend himself against attacks. However, he writes encouraging words that acknowledge that he might be unknown personally in Colossae, for he does not wish to decieve but only let the church know about the knowledge of Christ.
Paul now comes to the point of the letter, for some have sought to deceive the church through human concepts and traditions of the universe. The author emphasizes that all the knowledge of God and the universe is found in Christ and that no other "knowledge" is needed. The wonderful part is that this knowledge is made real in us when we are baptized in Jesus Christ, therefore we have everything we need to know.
So Paul tells them to turn away from those who criticize them for their behavior or their abstention from certain observances. He also warns them against false teachers who cannot teach them anything more.
Backlogged Posts
2 Chronicles 26-28
It would seem that Uzziah is a big upgrade to Amaziah, even though the chronicler holds Amaziah in ok regards. Uzziah is blessed for his loyalty to God as he is both victorious in battle and is very prosperous. His fame spreads across the area in 2 Chronicles 26. But as is the case, he got a little big for his britches and thought he could offer the sacrifice in the temple. When the priests tried to stop him, he turned toward them in anger but the Lord struck him down with leprosy, a disease he had until he died.
Not much is written about Jotham, the new king, in 2 Chronicles 27, other than he walked with the Lord and did what his father did (besides that whole going into the temple thing). He conquers other nations and eos well economically. After reigning sixteen years he died.
Well, now we have Ahaz in 2 Chronicles 28, who is not a good king. He does not walk with the Lord but instead follows in the traditions of the northern kingdom. So God raises up Israel and Aram to come against Judah and they soundly defeat them. Actually the defeat and punishment is even worship than God had planned so Go sends the prophet Oded to let Israel know to relent and send back the people they had taken to enslave. The Israelites relent and send back the people of Judah.
Ahaz looks for new allies (instead of looking to God) and now turns to the Assyrians, who promptly sack Jerusalem instead of helping. Ahaz still fails to listen and now turns to worshipping the gods of Damascus, thinking they will help him. Of course this does not work, and Ahaz dies, a very powerless king.
Psalm 74
Perhaps this is a psalm that dates back to the Exile or perhaps it refers to another sacking of Jerusalem. After reading about Ahaz, it is rather fitting to read a psalm in which the city of Jerusalem has been attacked and the temple has been defiled and desecrated. The people wonder how long will they be at the whim of destruction?
The people are dismayed at the lack of God's intervention to save them, for they are God's congregation and God is the Almighty who tamed chaos to bring about Creation. They want God to act to put their enemies in their place, those who scoff at the Lord. Yet throughout the psalm there is not one mention of sin or the wrong that Judah has done. They seem to charge God with forgetting the covenant, yet they have failed to uphold their end but do not reference this action.
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