More Against the Days

[Paul Mackin]

On Oct 17, 2006, at 11:47 AM, David Morris wrote:

> So the gist of this phrase has to do with an answer or response (or
> preparation) to a future foreseen event.  Right?

Unforeseen in specifics, but foreseen in the sense that it will  
surely come

Like the "rainy day" against which we "save" for


> "With a worldwide disaster looming just a few years ahead, it is a
> time of unrestrained corporate greed, false religiosity, moronic
> fecklessness, and evil intent in high places."
>
> That worldwide disaster (WW1) wasn't foreseen, was it?

The smart money thought it likely that conflict between the European  
powers  would occur eventually.

The Balkans had for some time been called "The Powder Keg of Europe."

Only the IMMEDIATE cause of the war was accidental.

I suspect the Day against which we prepare is not merely the Great  
War but the 20th Century itself

The short 20th that started in 1914 as per Eric Hobsbawn's writings

> So in this
> sense the phrase "against the day" would imply a causal action
> resulting in the "day."
>
> Or what am I missing?

same thing we all are--the book itself

we are girding our loins Against that Day in November
>
> David
>
> On 10/17/06, Jasper Fidget <jasper at hatguild.org> wrote:
>> King James Bible:
>> Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of
>> battle and war?
>> Job 38:23
>>
>> The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the
>> LORD.
>> Proverbs 21:31
>>
>> Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath  
>> she
>> kept this.
>> John 12:7
>>
>> But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto  
>> thyself
>> wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous  
>> judgment
>> of God;
>> Romans 2:5
>>
>> But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are  
>> kept
>> in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and  
>> perdition
>> of ungodly men.
>> 2 Peter 3:7
>>
>> So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell
>> Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock
>> Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,
>> Against the day of Battel, to a Field,
>> Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur'd
>> With sent of living Carcasses design'd
>> For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.
>> Milton, Paradise Lost IX:272-8
>>
>> "But according to the hardness of thy heart and thy impenitent heart,
>> thou treasurest up for thyself wrath against the day of wrath and  
>> of the
>> revelation of the just judgment of God, who will render unto every  
>> one
>> according to his works." -Augustine, On the Nature of Good
>>
>>
>
>
> -- 
> David Morris