24 January 2011 (Shanee/Matzah)
Day #314, 5934 AM
Alfred the Great
A King Who Loved Yahweh's Laws
Alfred the Great is one of England's great kings and heroes and as it happens founded the college at which I studied at Oxford University (University College), the oldest of Oxford's colleges. He is famous for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon realm of Wessex against the Danish Viking invaders as well as being a patron of learning.
One of His greeat achievements for which he does not seem to be remembered was his translation of the Ten Commandments into Anglo-Saxon that became the first part of the ancient laws of England. He rightly understood that Yahweh's laws were the best basis and model for human legislation. Sadly, he died before he managed to complete his next great project, the translation of the Psalms.
A much earlier king, David, was passionate about Yahweh's laws too. He knew that without them the human condition would be reduced to double-mindedness:
"I hate the double-minded, but I love Your Torah (Law)" (Ps.119:113, NKJV).
The Ten Commandments are a sure foundation and one who builds his life on them will always know where he is going. King Alfred knew that and it was undoubtedly what made him great.
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