The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel: Samuel

 

This fresh English translation of Samuel has the beauty of a coffee table book with slick, thick quality paper and ample illustrations of historical and archaeological significance.

Published by Koren Publishers Jerusalem, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the book of Samuel in The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel is a new translation into English, accompanied by its original Jewish text. As part of a series with a consistent Orthodox worldview, the book’s photographs and illustrative artwork help us to visualize the times, place, and culture within which the book of Samuel occurred.

You’ll find more information on this unique series in the prior post on the book of Exodus. However, some things bear repeating. For example, the book opens in the opposite direction of most books produced in English. Also important to know, the “Introduction to the Series” defines the word “Tanakh” as “…an acronym composed of the Hebrew letters t n k h, referring to the fundamental collections of writing on which Judaism is based: Torah (the five books of Moses), Nevi’im (the Prophets), and Ketuvim (the Writings).”

Often called the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament by Christians and others, the Tanakh contains God-inspired texts written over many, many hundreds of years, yet it’s never antiquated! It continues to influence literature all over the world and provides a deeper understanding of the roots of Judaism and Christianity. Therefore, this book and, indeed, the whole series still under development, give us relevant biblical backgrounds and perspectives in informative sidebars, illustrations, and articles.

In this edition of Samuel, for example, an article on “Royal apologetics” introduces us to a “…genre consisting of texts that attempt to justify the rule of a sovereign in cases in which there is some question about the order of succession. The conceptual ideal of the ancient world – as it still is in most contemporary monarchies – was to have the oldest son of a king follow him on the throne. However, in many instances this general rule was breached, whether because of palace intrigue, usurpation, or infighting among the sons of one father or one or more of the mothers. The royal apology, usual written at the instigation of the ruler was meant to justify his irregular assumption of rule.” Such conditions occurred more than once in the book of Samuel.

Many of us know this one book as two volumes (First and Second Samuel), but the biblical stories and progression of the Hebrew people into the Jewish nation remain the same and continue to inform our understanding of the Bible.

Remember, for example, how young Samuel spent a night in the temple? “This narrative can be understood better within the context of the ancient Near East where, in a process called incubation, people who wanted to receive a divine message would spend a night in the temple area.”

Also in this edition, the pages “The Philistines” discuss origins of these “…neighbors and enemies of the Israelites and Judahites throughout most of the Iron Age – the era parallel to the period of the Judges and the First Temple (ca. 1200-586 BCE).”

And it’s no wonder they didn’t get along! As the text says: “The Philistines had a unique diet and culture of food preparation. For example, most Philistine sites indicate a preference for pig and dog meat….”

Also, “Current research suggests a more complex picture. Archaeological remains of the early Philistines indicate that their origins are diverse, from various areas in the Aegean, Cyprus, southern Anatolia, and even the Balkans.” Thus, “…migrants and local populations mixed, creating a hybrid material culture” with diverse gods and religious practices.

The many interesting articles throughout the book cover a variety of topics in these categories:

Archaeology
Near East
Language
Flora and Fauna
Egyptology
Mishkan – “Helps readers visualize what the Tabernacle might have looked like….”
Geography
Halakha – “Links modern Jewish law to the text that is the basis for contemporary Jewish ritual or practice. For example, II Samuel 22:51 appears in the Grace after Meals.”

A glossary defines other important words; an index helps locate specific pages on A-to-Z topics; and source credits are amply acknowledged. The page “Correspondence between Names” provides clarity too. For example, the Tanakh uses the name “Moshe,” conventionally translated as “Moses” and “Shlomo” instead of “Solomon.” The original spellings in the Hebrew language are also included.

There’s much more to see, say, and enjoy in this edition of Samuel, which I highly recommend for anyone who wants to know more about “The Making of the Monarchy” and the grounding of the Jewish nation.

 

© 2021, Reviewed by Mary Harwell Sayler, who welcomes review copies of new translations, revisions, and editions of the Bible.

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100 Best Bible Verses to Overcome Worry & Anxiety

 

Over two-dozen insightful people contributed to the new devotional book, 100 Best Bible Verses to Overcome Worry & Anxiety, which Bethany House kindly sent me to review.

 

With only a couple of pages per scriptural quotation, each exudes wisdom, comfort, and spiritual insight to calm fears and disperse worry. The carefully selected verses from both the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament) and New Testament begin each page with this helpful format:

 

• Bible verse
• Context
• Meaning
• Application
• Additional Readings

 

For example, this familiar verse begins one of the devotionals:

 

“The Lord is my shepherd,
I lack nothing,” Psalm 23:1

 

The “Context” then reminds us that David wrote this psalm as a young shepherd before becoming King of Israel.

 

In the next section, “Meaning,” the last paragraph says:

 

“There is nothing you need that God hasn’t provided. The same shepherd who would put himself in harm’s way to protect you will also make sure you have exactly what you need to thrive.”

 

Then, “Application” helps us to understand how “…we also need to consider what this psalm says to those worried about everyday things…. You lack nothing! God will provide and protect. If he promises to be with us even in death – and showed it through the sacrifice of his own Son – he will also be with us in this life, leading you to the pastures and water you need to sustain and nourish you."

“Additional Reading” suggests John 10:11-18 and Luke 15:3-7.

 

Although God is with us always, we can expect hardships to arise. Nevertheless, James 1:2 tells us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  This sounds impossible at first – almost ridiculous! But the “Application” for this verse reminds us:

 

“Jesus never promised that we would live free from difficulty. Use your trials as opportunities to produce stronger, richer faith and character. Use your trials to draw closer than ever to your Savior. Share your experiences with someone walking through a similar situation to offer comfort or advice. Ask Jesus to help you view these hard times as periods of joy, and ask him to refine your faith in the process.”

 

For many years, Romans 8:28 has helped me regain perspective and redirect focus from myself or my concerns to God. Apparently this was true for the Apostle Paul too. After acknowledging our suffering, he writes these faith-building words:

 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

 

This assurance lets us know that, no matter what, God will bring forth good! And so, even in the middle of the worse moments, we can choose to offer a sacrifice of praise. The “Application” for Romans 8:28 also encourages us to:

 

“Spend time today worshiping the Lord for all he has given you! Life is difficult, yes. But finding moments to celebrate his glory is endlessly important. When you’re feeling like everything is not okay, and you can’t see his good plan, a little bit of worship can quickly remind you of his presence and his goodness. So cry out, ‘Hallelujah” Sing your favorite worship song and give him praise today.”

Amen! 

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, reviewer, and author-compiler of Kneeling on the Promises of God

 

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Which translation of the Bible do you like best?

 

When a service person came to our house this week, he saw the books in my little office and asked, “Do you think you have enough Bibles?” Probably not! But that started us talking about which translations we prefer and why.

 

As you might have guessed by now, I love them all! (Well, almost! I had to decline a review copy of an edition that omitted “negative” parts!) Although I use only the most respected translations to prepare for my Bible study discussion group, I like to see for myself what synonyms various translators choose, especially in difficult to understand passages. Sometimes a paraphrased version can help to clarify as can texts from the Aramaic or other languages used in biblical times. And, of course, researching specific verses and topics on Bible Gateway helps to provide a clearer understanding of scriptures too.

 

Having grown up reading the King James Version every night – and often being perplexed by its beautifully poetic but archaic language, I’ve found that, the more I read contemporary versions, the more I return to the KJV and, hallelujah, “get it!”

 

Since my criteria are accuracy, readability, and, yes, poetic musicality, I regularly turn to KJV but also to the New Living Translation (NLT), Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), and Christian Standard Bible (CSB.) The New Revised Standard (NRSV) gets opened often too, and for accuracy, so does the New American Standard (NASB.)

 

The English Standard Version (ESV) is highly noted for accuracy, but its lack of musicality keeps it from being my favorite. The New International Version (NIV) is known for accessibility, but it, too, lacks the poetic quality that, as a poet myself, I prefer.

 

But what about you? Which translation of the Bible do you like best and why?

 

Your comments about your preference(s) are very, very welcomed in the Comments section below, but not put-downs about other people’s choices.

 

If you discover your favorite has not been reviewed on this blog, please let me know! You can find out by typing the name of the edition in the Search box in the upper right side of the page.

 

Regardless of your translation of choice, may the Lord bless your reading of God’s Word.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet, author, and compiler of the Book of Bible Prayers and Kneeling on the Promises of God

 

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Amplified Holy Bible XL Edition

 

The Amplified Study Bible (large print) , which I reviewed a couple of years ago, sits on my desk for regular reference in preparing for a Bible talk or group discussion. But sometimes I just want a reader’s edition to read from my comfy chair.

The thing is, my eyes object to the smaller fonts in most of the reader-editions I’ve bought or been given over the years, so my quest of late has been to find my favorite translations using fonts between 11 and 14 points. That’s exactly what I found in the Amplified Holy Bible XL Edition, but more important, the AMP is one of my “go-to” Bibles for accuracy.

Another is the New American Standard Bible I mention because both NASB and AMP have been produced by the Lockman Foundation, whose website explains: “The Lockman Foundation is a nonprofit, nondenominational ministry dedicated to the translation, publication, and distribution of the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Amplified Bible (AMP), La Biblia de las Américas (LBLA), Nueva Biblia de las Américas (NBLA), and other biblical resources.”

The Foreword of the AMP XL says: “The Amplified Bible has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were inspired by God. Since they are the eternal Word of God, the Holy Scriptures speak with fresh power to each generation, to give wisdom that leads to salvation, that people may serve Christ to the glory of God.”

To clarify the goal of the Lockman Foundation even more, “The Fourfold Aim” in the front matter of the AMP XL states:

1. These publications shall be true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

2. They shall be grammatically correct.

3. They shall be understandable to the people.

4. They shall give the Lord Jesus Christ His proper place, the place which the Word gives Him; therefore, no translation work will ever be personalized.

Besides preferring the capitalization of pronouns referring to God, I appreciate the synonyms and definitions that amplify, without changing, the meaning of the text. This particular edition, however, appeals to me because of its 12.5 font, quality leathersoft binding, and unique size that’s almost 8” square and opens flat on my lap as I sit in my comfy chair and read, read, read.

©2021,Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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ESV Journaling Bible

 

Many of us who long to get closer to God are apt to jot down our thoughts, questions, prayers, poems, or insights as we read the Bible. Almost any wide-margin Bible gives us room to do that as our written words interact with the written Word of God.

 

If we want to read the Bible straight through, as we would any book or family saga, we might choose a conversational translation or a paraphrase, but for journaling, an excellent choice is a word-for-word translation as our words respond to what God has to say.

 

Consider, for example, a message from a friend. Would you prefer to receive word from the bearer of news or would you rather hear directly from your friends themselves before responding? The translators of the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV) aimed in that direction.

 

In the Preface of the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, the “Translation Philosophy” states:

 

“The ESV is an ‘essentially literal’ translation that seeks as far as possible to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on ‘word-for-word' correspondence, at the same time taking full account of differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and exact force of the original.”

 

When we hear directly from our friends, we can catch their voice inflections, listen to what they actually have to say, and respond appropriately.

 

Not only does the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible give you that opportunity, this edition comes in a variety of patterns. Inside those cloth-over-board covers, the cream-colored Smyth-sewn pages have lines awaiting a word from you.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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ESV Panorama New Testament

 

The ESV Panorama New Testament, published by Crossway who kindly sent me a copy to review, presents the NT in a unique, panoramic view.

With extra-large pages (10.2 x 12.6") inside a hardback cover, this edition uses a well-spaced 8.5-point font, so each book of the New Testament requires as few pages as possible.

Shorter books take only one or two pages, which means a whole book often spreads before you, making it easy to see favorite verses you underline or key words you circle. 

To encourage that process, the edition has thick, cream-colored pages Smyth-sewn into a grey cloth-over-board cover that lays flat on a desk or table.

The idea is to engage readers fully with God’s Word. For instance, the layout of the Panorama New Testament enables Bible students, pastors, teachers, writers, and devotional readers to follow a particular theme or topic in each book or readily locate scriptures to memorize.

This reader edition contains no footnotes or other aids generally found in hefty study Bibles, but the large pages and wide margins provide plenty of space to make your own notes. And, unlike study Bibles that might be a few inches thick, this one is only 0.7-inch, which seems far less formidable for those of us who like to read an entire book of the Bible at one sitting.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer

 

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The Gift of Easter

On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus the Christ – Jesus our Savior – overcame death. He left the tomb, somewhat like a newborn chick opening a shell, newly clothed in light and life.

Those metaphors can help children catch a glimpse of the meaning of Christ’s resurrection, but soon the Easter eggs will be gone and new clothes outgrown, while The Word of God remains forever.

God gave His Word to us in Jesus, His Son, Who fulfilled every prophecy and promise in the Bible. May these and other Bibles or Bible storybooks bring God’s Word to young people this Easter.

Adventure Bible for Early Readers

Adventure Bible Storybook

Just Like Jesus Bible Storybook

NIV Teen Study Bible

The Rhyme Bible Storybook

The Sweetest Story Bible

 

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2021, the Book of Bible Prayers and Kneeling on the Promises of God 

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The Bible Books of ME

Actually, all of the “Wisdom Books” in the Bible focus on attempts to understand cause-and-effect and/or seemingly random acts that make no sense to us. As we strive to be rational and find profitable ways to live, two “Me” books stand out in particular: Job and Ecclesiastes.

The “Wisdom Books” of the Bible include both of these books, and yet, as we read them, neither Job nor Solomon seems too wise. Why? Both apparently relate to the world as revolving around themselves.

Consider Job. After suffering tremendous losses of family and possessions, he initially had the right attitude:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I return.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord,” Job 1:21

The second blow, however, affected Job himself, covering him with horrifying sores from head to toe and leaving him so miserable, he couldn’t speak for days. Understandably, he sat in such intense shock, his friends gathered around him, then remained, day and night, for a whole week of silence. When Job finally began to speak, however, he cursed the day he was born!

King Solomon had too much going for him to rue his own birth, and yet he felt so dissatisfied, he began the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes, chapter one, verse two, by saying:

“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!”

or

“Futile! Futile! Everything is futile!”

or

“Useless! Useless! Everything is useless.”

or

“Pointless! Pointless! Everything is pointless!”

Well, you get the point. The wisest man on earth saw nothing people gained, no matter how good they were, how hard they worked, or how successful they became. Pretty depressing! Yet most of us have felt the same at some point in our wrestling match with pointlessness.

So, what’s the answer? How did Job and Solomon wise up? How can we? In all cases, the solution is the same:

Turn ME upside down to WE.

Eventually that’s what Job, Solomon, and other wise people concluded: 

Our lives will seem vain or wasted until we place ourselves in God’s hands. 

No longer will we focus our lives on ME, but WE - God and I, God and us.

As we accept and believe that the Lord is too vast and holy for us to fully understand, our part is to trust God, Who Is All Good, and turn to Him in faith, knowing He will ultimately works things out for our good.

Praise God!

And may our wisdom abide and abound in God, Who is All-Wise.

 

©2021, MarySayler with thanks to Bible Gateway for supplying us with the wonderful richness of God’s Word online

 

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The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide

Published by Bethany House, who kindly sent me a copy for an honest review, The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide by Tara-Leigh Cobble just didn’t speak to me at first! As the posts on this blog show, I’m really into the Bible and have been since early childhood. So I don’t identify with those who view God’s Word as inaccessible or hard to understand. My way has been to look up difficult passages in various translations and, in recent years, to search Bible Gateway where I find English versions I’d never heard of or don’t have on my shelves.

But that’s me.

Tara-Leigh Cobble also has a passion for God’s Word – just not a similar experience, but rather than giving up, she took another approach to understanding the Bible – one involving relevant questions with which most of us can relate and will do well to ask.

In her opening letter, for example, she approaches the Bible with these vital questions:

• What does God say or do in this passage?
• What does this reveal about what God loves?
• What does this reveal about what God hates?
• What does this reveal about what motivates God to do what He does?
• In all of that, what attributes of God are displayed?

As she goes on to explain:

“The questions we ask of the Bible impact the wisdom we glean from it. Reading the Bible is not a means of self-help or an attempt to earn God’s favor. It’s an opportunity to behold the beauty of God and be drawn in by Him.”

After focusing on her favorite passages, the author “decided to read through Scripture chronologically, not front to back. I wanted to see the overall story line or metanarrative,” finding “Some of the questions I had in Leviticus weren’t answered until Hebrews. But all good relationships require patience, and they develop over time. It’s worth holding some things with an open hand and waiting until God reveals more of Himself.”

Amen!

Ironically, my dissimilar approach led me to the same conclusion! So I’d already purchased a chronological Bible before I saw the opening line in “How to Use This Book”:

“This book is arranged according to a one-year chronological plan, but you don’t have to buy a chronological Bible. In fact, I encourage you not to because it’s probably laid out differently than the plan we are doing.”

With each day’s reading clearly shown at the top of the page, the author suggests we first read the passage(s) in our preferred translation then return to The Bible Recap for a summary and a commentary on any confusing parts. At the end of each of those introductions is “Today’s God Shot,” which gives a glimpse of an aspect of God relevant to the reading. For instance, at the end of the section “Genesis 1-3,” that sidebar says:

“God is our Creator and the Lord over everything, but despite His lordship and His perfection, He’s merciful toward the sinners He’s in relationship with.”

At the end of the section for “Exodus 13-15,” we read this “God Shot,” which says:

“There is no love without wrath. If you truly love something, you’ll hate whatever threatens it. Out of God’s great love for Israel, He fights for them. And when God makes war, He wins. He has solutions we can’t even conceive of – who would even think to pray for a path through the sea? …He knows better than we do. He loves better than we do. He helps eradicate the things that distract our heart from Him to help us remember that He’s where the joy is!”

Joy – delight, elation, and even ecstasy – reside in knowing and loving God, which is the primary theme and purpose of this book. For example, as The Bible Recap reaches the New Testament, we’re encouraged to read “Matthew 5-7” followed by this commentary:

"In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the upside-down kingdom of God. He opens with eight blessings, and many scholars believe they’re cumulative – the first blessing is the foundation of the rest of the sermon….

“When we realize our spiritual poverty, we mourn it which produces meekness in us as we engage the world. Meekness gives way to a desire for God to increase our righteousness. It becomes easier to show mercy to others, because we know what it’s like to struggle. God continues to purify us as we engage with Him. We become people who don’t run from conflict, but who enter into the chaos and create peace. Peacemakers, not peacekeepers….”

Amen! Through the Bible, The Bible Recap, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, may God help us to know Him better, incorporate His Word more fully into our lives, and make peace as the Lord empowers us in Jesus’ Name.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible Reviewer

 

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Eco Bible: Volume 1

In the Eco Bible, Volume 1: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, the lead editors and contributors, Rabbi Yonatan Neril and Rabbi Leo Dee, bring us an ecological look at the first two books of the Bible. Published by The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, this unique edition includes “quotes from over 100 rabbis and other great Jewish thinkers commenting on verses from the Hebrew Bible.”

As a Christian who believes God’s first command was for all peoples to take care of the earth and each part of creation, I eagerly welcomed this perspective and review copy, and I pray others will too. Why? As the Introduction says:

“We have disrupted the ecological balance of all God created on earth, and we owe it to God, to each other, and to all species to restore the balance…. Awareness of the Infinite opens us up to protecting the immediate – the very planet on which we live.”

The authors go on to say, “As a fundamental part of many people’s lives, religion can be a key motivator by shaping values.” Consider, for example, these three reasons stated in the book:

“First, religion can persuade people to consume in moderation as they find true satisfaction in spirituality, community, and family. Spiritual living should bring consciousness to our consumption.”

“Second, religious teachings help instill foresight and long-term thinking.”

“Finally, and perhaps more importantly, religion embodies hope.”

As the commentary begins with Genesis 1:1, “Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch makes the first verse in Genesis personal and proactive. He writes that the words teach us ‘to think of the world as God’s world and ourselves as creatures of God’.”

The “Sustainability and Spiritual Awareness” found in Genesis 1:3 reminds us that “…the sun was not created until the fourth day,” and “the light God created on the first day of creation was not a physical light but a spiritual one. Rabbi Sholom Berezovsky teaches that ‘without this holy light there is no merit in sustaining creation.’ Those who seek God perceive this spiritual light. The sustainability of creation therefore depends on the spiritual awareness of humanity.”

Packed with wisdom, insight, and helpful information, the book also offers “Suggested Action Items” to end each section with practical application. For instance, we might:

“Learn about the environmental challenges faced in your local community. Identify one place where you’d like to focus your attention on the health of the land.” 

This action could be as extravagant as giving a generous gift to an environmentally-aware charity or as simple as picking up trash someone else tossed aside in your neighborhood, on the street, or anywhere litter occurs. As we’re reminded by Exodus 3:5 and the book’s subsequent comment on Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush:

“This passage tells us that land is holy, not just a land. In Genesis, God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth; therefore, all lands are touched by God.”

With thought-provoking commentary on 450 verses of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible), the Eco Bible collects 3,500 years of Jewish wisdom on creation care, which, applied by us, ultimately shows our caring for ourselves, each other, and our LORD God.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, reviewer

Eco Bible: Volume 1, hardcover

Eco Bible: Volume 1, paperback

 

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Jesus-Centered Bible

 

The Jesus-Centered Bible, which Group Publishing kindly sent me to review, highlights the biblical references to Jesus in blue letters, beginning with Genesis and continuing throughout the Bible, while red letters emphasize the words and names of Christ.

 

With text provided by the 2015 updated New Living Translation (NLT) from Tyndale House, the Jesus-Centered Bible adds such features as “Reframing Jesus Insights” which “offer interesting context, surprising backstories, and penetrating theological insights that highlight the beauty of Jesus threaded through Scripture.” For example, in 2 Kings 15, the sidebar entitled “Jesus Calls Leaders to Serve” has this to say:

 

“As 2 Kings shows, power can be devastating. The leaders in these pages continually vied for power over one another and over their people. What a sharp contrast to Jesus’ actions! Jesus hit the scene as someone who preferred humility and service to power and popularity.(See Mark 10:45). What does this tell us about true leadership and power? Well, for Jesus, leading means serving – not the other way around.”

 

Another thought-provoking feature includes “The Jesus Questions,” which aim to bring the Lord into contemporary life. For example:

 

“When you see or hear Jesus portrayed at Christmastime, what strikes you as not exactly accurate about Him or His birth?”

 

For instance, as you read the reference to Luke 2, you might notice a single angel, then a host of angels, and an indeterminate number of shepherds but no mention of the indefinite number of wise men who come later.

 

In addition to the challenge to consider facts, other questions might evoke interesting speculation such as, “If Jesus were a graffiti artist, what message would He paint for others to see?” or “If Jesus lived during our time, what kind of car would He drive?” (Of course, He might choose a bicycle to save on fuel consumption and pollution!)

 

Another feature focuses on questions we all ask with biblical responses provided in “Jesus Answers Life’s Essential Questions.” For example, if you ask “What’s My Purpose in Life?” the page entitled “A Sampler Guide To Essential Questions Jesus Answered” points you to Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:16-20, Mark 2:14-17, Mark 9:50, and John 21:15-18.

 

The remaining questions also address what most of us want to know:

 

Is God Real?

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

What Is The Meaning Of Life?

Is This All There Is?

Will Everything Be OK?

What Is Truth?

What Is Love?

What Is Right And Wrong?

 

Each question includes biblical references to look up as often as needed to remind us of what is truly important in life and Who is with us always.

 

 

Reviewed by poet-writer and lifelong Bible student, Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2021.

 

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The Passion Translation: NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs

A few years ago, BroadStreet Publishing kindly sent me a boxed set of several books in The Passion Translation (TPT) to review, but this year I’ve been wanting a single volume of the New Testament with Psalms to reread, hopefully forever!

 

Searching online, I found even more than I dreamed in The Passion Translation: NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs, and so I ordered a copy in reddish-brown faux leather. (If I’d seen the large print edition in violet, I probably would have ordered it!)

 

Besides laying open flat, as a genuine leather Bible would do, this slender edition of TPT, is as attractive as any Christmas gift should be. But what attracts us far more is the highly readable text and exceptional footnotes that even someone with many, many translations of the Bible will welcome.

 

For example, have you ever thought of Psalm 15 as King David’s “Sermon on the Mount”? I had not, but the TLP footnotes make that comparison.

 

To give you a better idea of what to expect in this unique Bible, I’ll use 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as an example. Why? When I previously reviewed the TPT, a reader asked about the word choices in those verses of the “love chapter.” The TPT footnotes will explain, but first, let’s look at the text. [If you’d like to compare it with the King James Version (KJV), click here for the same passage as shown on the Bible Gateway website.]

 

“4. Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous^a when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. 5. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated^b or quick to take offense^c. 6. Love joyfully celebrates honesty^d and finds no delight in what is wrong^e. 7. Love is a safe place of shelter^f, for it never stops believing the best for others^g. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. 8a. Love never stops loving^h.”

 

[Note: The italicized words indicate what’s implied by the context of the passage.]

 

The footnotes aligned with those verses add insight into the above word choices for the TPT translation:

 

a 13:4 Or “boil with jealousy.”

b 13:5 Or “overly sensitive” [having sharp edges].

c 13:5 Or “resentful” or “does not keep score.” The Aramaic can be translated “Love does not stare at evil.” Love will overlook offenses and remain focuses on what is good, refusing to hold resentment in our hearts.

d 13:6 Or “reality” (for “truth”).

e 13:6 Or “injustice” or “unrightousness.”

f 13:7 Or “Love bears all things.” Although commonly understood to mean that love can bear hardships of any kind, the nominalized form of the verb (stego) is actually the word for “roof” found in Mark 2:4. Paul is saying that love covers all things, like a roof covers the house. See 1 Peter 4:8. Love does not focus on what is wrong but will bear with the shortcomings of others. And like a roof protects and shields, you could say that love springs no leak. It is a safe place that offers shelter, not exposure.

g 13:7 “Or “it never loses faith.”

h 13:8 “Or “love never, not even once, fails [lapses]” or “Love never falls down” [it keeps going higher].

 

There’s much more to say, but the TLP needs to be read - cover to cover - by all lovers of God and His word.

 

 

Reviewed by poet-writer Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

 

If you'd like to order a copy for yourself or someone else, click on your preference:

The Passion Translation: New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs, covered in reddish-brown faux leather 

The Passion Translation: New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs in large print, covered in violet-purple faux leather 

Provoking Proverbs: Wisdom and the Ten Commandments

 

Published by Concordia, who kindly sent me a copy to review, Provoking Proverbs by David Lawrence Coe takes the unique approach of linking biblical wisdom with the Ten Commandments.  

 

This study guide, which can be adapted for personal use and/or group discussion, displays bars and side bars laid out nicely, so readers can readily find what they’re looking for in a font that’s easy on the eyes.

 

In 160 pages, the paperback connects scriptures, quotes from Martin Luther, thought-provoking questions, and suggestions for applying biblical truths. Anyone interested in biblical wisdom in general and God’s guidance in particular will likely come to new insights as study progresses.

 

To give you an idea, Chapter 3 of Provoking Proverbs focuses on The Third Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” The author then asks, “What does this mean?” and offers a response in a subsequent paragraph:

 

“If keeping the First Commandment is fearing, loving, and trusting in God with your heart, and keeping the Second Commandment is fear, loving, and trusting in God with your lips, then keeping the Third Commandment is fearing, loving, and trusting in God with your ears. Luther teaches that the Third Commandment is a gift of time given by God (1) for rest and refreshment after a week of work and (2) for hearing and learning God’s Word. In this chapter, we’ll learn that the Third Commandment pairs labor with leisure, vocation with vacation, and responsibility with recreation. God wants us to work hard and play hard.”

 

The chapter continues with relevant proverbs from the book of Proverbs, but also from other wisdom books in the Old Testament and the New. You’ll even find commonly accepted social proverbs often quoted by one’s parents or culture!

 

Then as with each chapter, a pertinent prayer concludes the discussion as does this one from Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation:

 

“We thank You, kind Father, that You give us time to hear Your Holy Word. Grant that fearing and loving You, we may set aside our work to receive Your Son’s words, which are spirit and life, and so, refreshed and renewed by the preaching of Your Gospel, we might live in the peace and quietness that come through faith alone; we ask it for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

 

May the Lord give us ample wisdom in the days to come.

 

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, poet-writer, reviewer

 

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