Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | October 13, 2014
Anyone familiar with the Newhart shows remembers this: “Hi. I’m Larry. This is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl.” Got reminded of that while reading a Biblical genealogy of Judah’s return to their homeland. Included in the list is “the other Elam’s people.” So there was Elam (Ezra 2:7) and the […]
PHall | October 13, 2014
OK, it bothers me. It’s not there and should be. Have you ever felt that way about a Bible story; that something essential is missing? It is recorded about lesser kings; even mostly evil ones. It is recorded about equally great kings; even emphasized. So why is it missing in Josiah’s story? Maybe it isn’t. […]
PHall | October 13, 2014
When Abram and Lot separate, the part of Canaan Lot chooses is compared to the Garden/gaan of Eden (Genesis 13:10). This is an inspired clue that this story is a repeat. So is this the only narrative comparison? Or are we supposed to see history repeating itself? As I have said again and again, the […]
PHall | October 11, 2014
God removed Abraham from one place of idolaters to another place of idolaters. One major difference was the idolaters he left was his own family (Josh.24:2). Family is either a major strength or a major deterrence in faithfulness. Seldom is family neutral. We need to remember this. Sometimes it is our own family we need […]
PHall | October 9, 2014
Evil. “He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight” (2 Chronicles 33.2). No other word better describes Manasseh; but there are plenty of unworthy contenders. Disappointing. Following one of Judah’s greatest kings, Manasseh reversed his father’s restoration. “He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had torn down” (33.3). Unfaithful. He imitated “the detestable […]
PHall | October 3, 2014
So you think you are something, a big shot, someone special? Now, you would never vocalize that out loud, you’re too “humble;” and never even think you think that…at least not consciously. Nonetheless, facts are facts. Pride can manifest itself in many ways: blowhard boasting, walking with an arrogant air, or looking down with disdain […]
PHall | October 2, 2014
“After these faithful deeds, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities and intended to break into them” (2 Chronicles 32.1-2). The Assyrians were a war-machine to be feared. Sennacherib describes his trap: “As for Hezekiah, the Judean who did not submit to my yoke, I surrounded and […]
PHall | October 1, 2014
Two extremes, at least, exist among the preachers and believers in the first century. If they existed then, they exist now. Both are extremes from each other, and compromises with others. The first extreme is too strict; the second is too loose. The first is too many rules; the second is too many freedoms. The […]