Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Enough Said . . .

Chiastic structure is method of writing that the Hebrews used to express parallel ideas or to explain things in detail. I was first introduced to chiastic structure by Beth Moore when studying the book of Esther.

There are probably many examples in the Bible. But I can only come up with two verses right now. The best that I understand—which may or may not be correct is illustrated below.

In the verse from Matthew 19:30, draw a line from the word first in the first line, to the same word first in the second line. Okay, this is not as confusing as it may sound. Then draw a line from the word last in the first line to the word last in the second line, you will have drawn an X.


Now, I am not studying Greek. To be perfectly clear, I never have studied Greek. Even so, I pretty sure that Beth said that chiastic structure gets its name from Chi a Greek letter that looks like an X.

So here are a few more examples:

And he said unto them,
The Sabbath was made for man,
and not man for the Sabbath.
— Mark 2:27

Ask not what your country can do for you;
Ask what you can do for your country.
— President John F. Kennedy

He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe,
Because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.
— from a Christmas card

We should certainly count our blessings,
but we should also make our blessings count.
— Neil A. Maxwell

Put everything in God's hand,
You will see God's hand in everything.
— from sister Donna’s blog on September 8, 2009

Short term gain equals long term pain.
Short term pain equals long term gain.
— from Rebecca’s blog

Don’t fear your doubts
Doubt your fears.
— from my Pastor Rob Bugh

Los estudiantes hacen la marca.
Yo sólo marco a los estudiantes.
— de mi maestro español, el Sr. Samper

When we are in the Prison of Self-Absorption,
. . . . . . . . . . we want others to spend on us
but what we need is to spend on others.
Beth Moore, video, Living Beyond Yourself
Session 7

Do you live to eat or
do you eat to live?
Wanda, Moments of Mine

And others that I do not know the origin . . .

There's no disaster that can't become a blessing,
and no blessing that can't become a disaster.

It is not the years in your life
But the life in your years.

Never . . .
Let a fool kiss you
Or a kiss fool you.

I am going to conquer Spanish
Before Spanish conquers me.

I am giving up blogging for a short time because . . .

When all is done and said,
More is said than done.


10 comments:

Diana said...

Very interesting. My Pastor can read and write Greek and Latin, I will ask him about this! I do understand needing the break Brenda. I will miss your posts but spring does involve a lot of work. Let us know what you've been up to! Love Di ♥

Mom/Barb said...

Brenda, that saddens me - I look every day to see if you've posted something. You'll just have to keep me up to day in person! Barb

Brenda said...

I received this note from Wanda and thought it was fun that she added another saying with chiastic structure.

"I was actually at your blog, trying to leave a comment, but blogger wouldn't permit it...

Your Chiastic structure post was interesting. Here's another one that I happen to know.

Doyou live to eat or
do you eat to live?"

Thanks Wanda.

Brenda said...

By the way Wanda, that is a tough one. Sometimes, I have to admit that i live to eat--especially after looking at the beautiful food that you prepare. Oh my, that does make me hungry--or at least wanting to taste. Yum!

Wanda..... said...

I couldn't answer it easily either, I switch back and forth myself, Brenda...all the time!

Donna's Book Nook said...

As you know I'm in the Bible Study on Esther right now, and also found this very interesting. Are you really giving up blogging for a while?

Brenda said...

Donna,
I said for a short while . . . :-)
Brenda

Dee said...

I will miss you and will be hear when you get back. I was trying to think of a witty chiastic structure to exress you taking a blogging break but drew a blank. :)

Brenda said...

Found another example this am while doing my Bible study:

I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
— Isaiah 22:22

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
— Revelation 3:7

Rebecca said...

I never knew the NAME for that! How much do I owe you for the education???

I, too, am sad about your blogging hiatus - but it is only a selfish sadness.

Please email me from time to time. I just like the idea of knowing you're "there". How will we know when you are back?