John/1 Kings/Proverbs

John 12-19
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and the religious leaders plan his death. This is a different story from the synoptics in which the religious leaders begin to plan his death because of what he does at the temple. They are afraid that anyone who can raise someone from the dead is too much to deal with - he will have to die. Incredibly ironic, isn't it?

The passion story of John is different as well. Jesus is seen as much more in control. Indeed, the Passion is as much his glorification as the glorification itself. The tie between how Jesus dies and his resurrection is subtly emphasized. In this Gospel, Jesus doesn't need any help with his cross but carries it himself. This story is also full of irony: the Roman Governor is afraid of Jesus and the Jews; Jesus is proclaimed King of the Jews in three languages, much to the chagrin of the religious leaders; and is there anything more dripping with irony than Pilate's mocking question: "What is truth?"

1 Kings 1-4
Solomon, like David, is a complex figure. He begins almost as a puppet to court intrigue, his mother and her friends working to make him the heir in place of Adonijah (and not in a particularly ethical way). It works. Solomon becomes king. One of the things he does, as all kings do, is stabilize and strengthen their position by eliminating enemies - even if they were your father's trusted servants (Joab).

Solomon prays for wisdom, and God is impressed enough to grant it. God also promises Solomon a long life and glorious reign if he will remain loyal and obedient as his father David. He doesn't. Solomon is known for his wisdom, which he demonstrates at several points, but he is also known for taking foreign wives and while he built the temple of Yahweh, he also worshiped at the altar of other Gods.

Proverbs 1-4
Solomon is the traditional author of most of the book of Proverbs, and while it is not impossible that some or even many of the proverbs can be attributed to him, it is doubtful that he had much to do with the final form of the text. However, because he is associated with Proverbs, we take a break and read some wisdom literature.

Proverbs is a book of aphorisms. These things are mostly true and provide wisdom much of life. They are the "Laws of Nature," the bumper stickers of ancient times.

The first 4 chapters are an introduction to wisdom and in praise of wisdom. We find the introduction of the idea of "Lady Wisdom," or "Sophia," as she is also sometimes referred to. She is contrasted in places with the "loose woman," or "prostitute," that lures you into foolishness. She is the dark side of the force - powerful, seductive, but leading to ruin.

As you read the book of proverbs, I encourage you to make your own Top 10 list and bring it to the next meeting. What are your Top 10 proverbs, out of the entire book?