A Man’s Castle

Proverbs 28:4 (KJV) They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

I continue to wonder what the translators of the Septuagint were using as their text.  If you look at how they translate this and the differences from the King James, it gives different ideas.

Proverbs 28:4 (BES) so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.

I think I said it before, but it’s almost as if they have the philosophy of modern translators of dynamic equivalence, and they’ve been drinking heavily before they came up with their dynamic equivalence.

Don’t give me wrong here.  I like their insight or their opinion, depending on which way you look at it.  I look at the idea of the law being a wall and I like it.  I like the idea that if we build a certain moral structure, it will be like a guard rail that keeps us from falling off the top floor of the building.  It’ll be like those rumble strips along the edge of the road when you aren’t paying attention.  It will wake you up.  It will protect you.

So?  Always look to the actual literal meaning of passage, but don’t be afraid to apply it in ways that make it possible for you to live a more righteous life.  Of course, our ultimate confidence is in God’s gracious love, and His willingness to forgive.  That is multiplied by the gift of the Holy Spirit and the guidance and strength that He provides.  Meanwhile, build a wall.