Wisdom of solomon 11:20 - Yes and without these might they have fallen by a single breath, Being pursued by Justice, and scattered abroad by the breath of your power. But by measure and number and weight you did order all things.
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What does "Wisdom of solomon 11:20" mean?
This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 11:20 is packed with meaning, and it's best understood within the context of the entire chapter, which discusses God's mercy even in judgment. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Yes and without these might they have fallen by a single breath..." "These" refers to the plagues and punishments that God inflicted on the Egyptians. The verse acknowledges that, without God's restrained and measured judgment, the Egyptians were so vulnerable that a mere breath – a slight push – could have been enough to utterly destroy them. The "breath" suggests fragility and the ease with which destruction could have occurred.
"Being pursued by Justice..." This highlights the reason for their predicament: divine justice. The Egyptians were being punished for their oppression of the Israelites. They deserved judgment, and justice was actively pursuing them.
"...and scattered abroad by the breath of your power." This is a parallel to the first phrase but emphasizes God's immense power. God could have simply unleashed the full force of His power, and the Egyptians would have been instantly obliterated, scattered to the winds. The "breath of your power" suggests a force so great that even a small manifestation of it would be overwhelming.
"But by measure and number and weight you did order all things." This is the key statement of the verse. Despite the Egyptians' deserving punishment and God's ability to utterly destroy them, God acted with restraint, order, and deliberate purpose.
"Measure": God didn't unleash chaos but carefully meted out the appropriate amount of punishment.
"Number": This suggests precision and calculation. The plagues were not random events, but each had a specific purpose and timing.
"Weight": This implies moral gravity and significance. Each judgment had a purpose and was weighed against the Egyptians' sins.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The Egyptians deserved complete destruction and God had the power to achieve it easily. However, God, in His wisdom and mercy, chose to judge them with justice, order, and restraint, rather than unleashing the full force of His power. This demonstrates that even in punishment, God's actions are governed by reason, justice, and a desire for correction rather than annihilation.
Broader Context and Theological Significance:
Divine Justice and Mercy: The book of Wisdom explores the tension between divine justice and mercy. This verse shows how God balances both, providing just punishment while still exercising restraint.
God's Sovereignty and Order: The phrase "by measure and number and weight" emphasizes God's sovereignty and the ordered nature of the universe. God is not arbitrary but governs with wisdom and purpose.
A Lesson in Leadership and Judgment: The verse can be interpreted as a lesson for human leaders to exercise justice with wisdom, moderation, and a clear understanding of the consequences of their actions.
In conclusion, Wisdom of Solomon 11:20 is a powerful statement about God's character, demonstrating His justice, power, wisdom, and the way He orchestrates all things with order and purpose. It emphasizes that even in judgment, God acts with restraint and seeks correction rather than pure annihilation.
Wisdom of solomon 11:20 - Yes and without these might they have fallen by a single breath, Being pursued by Justice, and scattered abroad by the breath of your power. But by measure and number and weight you did order all things.
What does "Wisdom of solomon 11:20" mean?
This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 11:20 is packed with meaning, and it's best understood within the context of the entire chapter, which discusses God's mercy even in judgment. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Yes and without these might they have fallen by a single breath..." "These" refers to the plagues and punishments that God inflicted on the Egyptians. The verse acknowledges that, without God's restrained and measured judgment, the Egyptians were so vulnerable that a mere breath – a slight push – could have been enough to utterly destroy them. The "breath" suggests fragility and the ease with which destruction could have occurred.
"Being pursued by Justice..." This highlights the reason for their predicament: divine justice. The Egyptians were being punished for their oppression of the Israelites. They deserved judgment, and justice was actively pursuing them.
"...and scattered abroad by the breath of your power." This is a parallel to the first phrase but emphasizes God's immense power. God could have simply unleashed the full force of His power, and the Egyptians would have been instantly obliterated, scattered to the winds. The "breath of your power" suggests a force so great that even a small manifestation of it would be overwhelming.
"But by measure and number and weight you did order all things." This is the key statement of the verse. Despite the Egyptians' deserving punishment and God's ability to utterly destroy them, God acted with restraint, order, and deliberate purpose.
"Measure": God didn't unleash chaos but carefully meted out the appropriate amount of punishment.
"Number": This suggests precision and calculation. The plagues were not random events, but each had a specific purpose and timing.
"Weight": This implies moral gravity and significance. Each judgment had a purpose and was weighed against the Egyptians' sins.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The Egyptians deserved complete destruction and God had the power to achieve it easily. However, God, in His wisdom and mercy, chose to judge them with justice, order, and restraint, rather than unleashing the full force of His power. This demonstrates that even in punishment, God's actions are governed by reason, justice, and a desire for correction rather than annihilation.
Broader Context and Theological Significance:
Divine Justice and Mercy: The book of Wisdom explores the tension between divine justice and mercy. This verse shows how God balances both, providing just punishment while still exercising restraint.
God's Sovereignty and Order: The phrase "by measure and number and weight" emphasizes God's sovereignty and the ordered nature of the universe. God is not arbitrary but governs with wisdom and purpose.
A Lesson in Leadership and Judgment: The verse can be interpreted as a lesson for human leaders to exercise justice with wisdom, moderation, and a clear understanding of the consequences of their actions.
In conclusion, Wisdom of Solomon 11:20 is a powerful statement about God's character, demonstrating His justice, power, wisdom, and the way He orchestrates all things with order and purpose. It emphasizes that even in judgment, God acts with restraint and seeks correction rather than pure annihilation.