Category: Culture (Page 2 of 9)

My wife and I return to an unresolved disagreement whenever a guy in a massive pickup truck roars past us. She holds a peculiar theory that no one really needs such a big truck, but the vehicle merely masks an underlying anxiety about the driver’s masculinity. I disagree, thoughtfully disposed toward the view that the power of the truck reflects the power of the man behind the wheel—and thus I need one.

We usually hold this discussion while parked in our tiny Nissan Leaf between two beefy rigs. This summer she deftly added surging gas prices to her argument, leaving me stymied at the moment. Maybe in 2024 I’ll bring it up again.

Solomon shared my view that bigger is better. After he built a magnificent temple to the Lord, he built an even bigger palace for himself.

The temple was finished in all its details…he spent seven years building it. It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.

The writer places these lines back to back, intending for us to notice the juxtaposition of Solomon’s buildings. The palace took twice as long to build because it was twice as big. A king needs to show his power and Solomon spared no expense.

In these few lines we glimpse the underlying issue that plagued Solomon—his pride. As his reign progressed, he slowly turned from adherence to the ways of the Lord to the pleasures of power and wealth (most famously watching his foreign wives worship the demonic gods of their homelands in the promised land).

Even as Solomon placed his magnificent buildings on solid foundations, he allowed the foundation of his kingdom to crumble. An ego never sated moves ever away from the Lord.

Still, I don’t think this has anything at all to do with big shiny pick-up trucks, so I’m keeping my hopes alive. I’m sure Solomon would have owned a dozen.

1 Kings 6 & 7 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Filip Mroz

Usually when I read through the Bible I settle on comforting images, like cattle grazing on grassy hills, or quiet waters to rest beside. But occasionally, the imagery shocks my modern sensibilities.

David writes with outrage about evil people, and he prays for the Lord’s retribution. He asks the Lord to break the teeth in their mouths. He hopes their futures compare to slugs melting on the sidewalk, to babies born dead.

Then he shares how glad the righteous will be when they gain vengeance, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.

I understand frustration and anger, but dipping feet in the blood of your enemies? David painted with a different set of oils than me. He faced people out to murder him, and he watched evil people kill friends and family. He fought face-to-face, stepping across bloody battlegrounds. David’s words bring to mind feelings following 9-11, now twenty years past, and our immediate desire to strike back against those who slaughtered innocent people.

The hope for those waiting to see if evil people finally get what they deserve?

Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.

Surely.

Psalm 58 in week thirty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Aidan Bartos