Ask Your Preacher - Archives
Mrs. Wisdom
Friday, October 14, 2016Is it plausible to say that "Wisdom" is an actual spiritual being of some sort? Reading Proverbs seems to give me that impression.Sincerely,
Scratching My Head
Dear Scratching My Head,
Proverbs uses figurative language to talk about the importance of wisdom, but wisdom isn’t a physical being. The verses you are referring to are found in Proverbs 8. The figurative language being used is called ‘personification’. Personification gives human characteristics to an object, animal, or in this case, an idea. Pr 8:2 talks about wisdom standing in the streets, and Pr 8:12 says wisdom “dwells in prudence”. These are both great examples of personification.
Date Of Publication
Thursday, October 13, 2016Do you believe that Joseph, while being a slave in Egypt, had access to the Scriptures, so he could be filled with God's Holy Word in order to be able to withstand all that he had to endure, including Potiphar's wife?Sincerely,
Looking for a Librarian
Dear Looking for a Librarian,
Joseph didn’t have access to the Scriptures because the first books of the Bible weren’t written until long after Joseph died. Genesis through Deuteronomy were written by Moses – several generations after Joseph. God gave the Jews the Old Testament Law when they went to Mt. Sinai (Num 3:1, Jhn 1:17). Though the life of Joseph and his temptations are recorded in Genesis, Joseph didn’t have the book of Genesis in his lifetime.
A Very Big Bottle
Wednesday, October 12, 2016What is the meaning behind Psalms 56:8? What does God do with the tears He collects?Sincerely,
Kleenex Please
Dear Kleenex Please,
The Psalms are poetry, and they use poetic language. God doesn’t physically collect tears, but He is aware of all of our sorrows (Ex 3:7). God numbers the hairs on our head and is aware of all that goes on in our lives (Lk 12:6-7). No matter how deep our suffering may be, God has compassion on us (Heb 4:15).