The Severe Love of God in the Hebrew Bible

Prov 3:11-12 lifts up the theme of the severe love of God. Ps 139:23-24 is the prayer of one who is overwhelmed by God's knowledge of his person, who welcomes God's testing of his thoughts nonetheless. Series introduction here.

תורה

מוּסַר יְהוָה   בְּנִי אַל־תִּמְאָס

וְאַל־תָּקֹץ בְּתוֹכַחְתּוֹ

The discipline of יהוה,
O my son do not reject;
do not abhor his reproof.

דברים נחמים

כִּי־אֶת אֲשֶׁר יֶאֱהַב   יְהוָה יוֹכִיחַ

וּכְאָב אֶת־בֵּן יִרְצֶה

For the one he loves
יהוה reproves,
like a father the son he favors.

תפלה

חָקְרֵנִי אֵל   וְדַע לְבָבִי

בְּחָנֵנִי וְדַע שַׂרְעַפָּי׃

וּרְאֵה אִם־דֶּרֶךְ־עֹצֶב בִּי

וּנְחֵנִי בְּדֶרֶךְ עוֹלָם׃

Search me, O God,
and take note of my heart,
probe me, take note of my thoughts.

Watch lest a path of hurt threaten me,
lead me in the way of the ages.

For a pdf of the above, with notes and exercises, go here.

Comments

[Bob MacDonald]

A reproving from Hashem is indeed of great value and comfort. [but not to identify with Eliphaz or allow Job's misery to be counted as reproof!] John - what do you make of that word and its variations - do you think Ticciati has a point in highlighting the reproof role of the prophets and the role of the one who reproves in Job? While I expect the Bible study I am presenting on Monday will not get past the first chapters of Job, I have included a brief on this thread in my notes for them - roughly here - I would be interested in any thoughts you might have on it. (If you have any time - best to you all in New Orleans)

[JohnFH]

The prophets reprove, no doubt about that. God reproves Job as well, but also says he spoke rightly. Blessings on your labours.