Proverbial Wisdom & Common Sense: A Messianic Jewish Approach to Today's Issues from the Proverbs Paperback – July 1, 1999

Depending on how I read this book, I could give it either 5 stars or 1 star. The book is peppered with, what I consider to be, enlightening observations and insights. If I took everything the author teaches as unquestionably true, then I could give it 5 stars, because reading with that frame of mind would result in numerous "Wow!" experiences. An example can be found on page 134 where he debunks the commonly taught error that we are to forgive everyone unilaterally and unconditionally. I really cheer him on for exposing such teachings. If, on the other hand, I read it with an "I'm from Missouri - show me" mind set, I would challenge many of his assertions and end up wondering if I can trust his teachings.When someone talks on a subject on which I have limited knowledge, I listen to their references to things I do know and see how accurate they are on those points. That gives me some evidence of their credibility. When this author errs when referencing things I do know, and/or are common knowledge, I become suspect of the things he says on which I have limited or no expertise. For the first half of the book, I let my guard down until, little by little, the errors demanded my attention.For example, on page 91, he references "factual knowledge" on how airplanes fly - how their airfoils create lift - to illustrate a point he wishes to make. The problem is he has this "factual knowledge" totally backwards. As a private pilot and licensed FAA instructor, this is a topic on which I have some expertise. Granted, he is not writing a text book on aerodynamics, but what bothers me is the evidence that he did not check out his facts and presented a gross error as factual truth. Anyone believing him would be embarrassed if they repeated his "factual knowledge."On page 95, he asserts that Adam "felt an emptiness, so God created Eve." No way!. Read Genesis chapter 2 for yourself. No mention, or suggestion, is made that Adam was lonely or felt empty. If he did, what an insult that would be of God, that having an intimate relationship with God was insufficient. This results from poor reading skills when people read in Genesis 2 that God said "it is not good that (Adam) should be "alone." There is a huge difference between "being alone," and "being lonely." The Bible goes on to tell us why it was not good for Adam to be alone and why Eve was created to complete God's purpose. It has nothing to do with loneliness or "emptiness" and I would expect the author of a book on Proverbs to know that.On page 116, he asserts that the apostle Paul teaches that you are "to put others' needs ahead of your own." He cites Phil. 2:4 as his authority for this assertion. Read it for yourself. That is not what it says. It says to take care "not only of your needs," but also the needs of others. We see this carried out whenever we fly commercially. The stewardess is careful to instruct parents to put on their own oxygen mask first, then the child's. This same teaching is further fleshed out in Paul's letter to the Galatians, chapter 6, in which he points out that everyone is to carry their own burden (day pack, in Greek), and help others to carry their burden (crushing load, in Greek).Then on page 176, he asserts that one of the men crucified with Jesus was a weapons smuggler and that is why he was being crucified. Really? That is not in the Bible. I was able to find a reference on that topic and it cited, what it called, an unreliable extra-biblical source for this false teaching. If weapons were illegal, why did Jesus tell his disciples to buy swords (Luke 22:36), and why wasn't Peter arrested along with Jesus for possession of the sword he used to cut off a man's ear? I have to wonder how many other of the author's assertions are based on unreliable sources.Finally, on page 229 discussing Proverbs 31, he states that this chapter should not be read as a role for women because it would be impossible for a woman to do all the things attributed to the wife in Proverbs 31. That might be true if a wife tried to do all of those tasks every day, which is ludicrous. Realistically, she would do some of the tasks one week, and others at another time. Did the author consider that?By the time I finished reading the book, I had cause to doubt so many of his assertions that I no longer trusted him in the areas in which I had limited or no knowledge. My only recourse is to research all of his questionable teachings to ascertain which are trustworthy so that I can better understand Proverbs. But wait - Isn't that why I bought his book? As for his chapter endings, encouraging us to become better persons, YES, that is "common sense."

A Very Good Messianic New Testament Commentary. The whole New Testament is not available. I hope more commentaries will soon be written, inorder to the complete New Testament.

Almost returned it due to the difference in the cover. Thought it was the wrong book. We have others in the series. Love them!No complaints. Glad to have the ones we do own. Anytime we can have Yeshua revealed to us and to come up higher to Him is an experience we treasure. Thank you.

Great Messianic commentary:)

It’s fine with as a lay commentary but better to go deeper in a messiahic content.

I expected the cover to be the same as pictured, however it was different. Otherwise- content good.

an excellent addition to my library, i plan to follow up and get more of his works and titles. excellent author, great content and physically the book is of great quality.

I think the author is right on with what he says. I like that he gives the Hebrew meaning to some words.

Not a bad little book. I think I expected a bit more grit for the dysfunctional wisdom seeker.